Human Pin Ball

Number of players:                  Any number

Equipment needed:                  1 Ball per group
Activity time:                          7-10 minutes

How to play:
Form a circle with from 5 to 8 players.  The object of this game is to knock a ball through other players legs while avoiding having a ball pass between your legs.  Start by having each player straddle their legs touching their feet with the feet of their neighbors.  Place a slightly deflated ball in the center of the circle and players are instructed to make a fist with one hand and put the other hand behind their back.  On the signal to begin, using their fist only, they try to knock the ball through another player's legs.  The players can protect their straddle zone with their fist and/or with their knees but can’t move their feet. Each player is given three chances to stay in the game.  The first time a ball goes through a player's legs, they gets an "O", then a "U", and finally a "T."  After the ball passes through one player’s legs three times, this player is now "OUT" of the game.  The game continues until two players are remaining.  They are the co-champions of that round. Even “Tommy” would enjoy playing this great game!

Everybody's It Tag

Number of players:                    Any number
Equipment needed:                    None
Activity time:                             3-7 minutes

How to play:
Just as the name says . . . everybody's it!  The object of the game is to be standing and in the game when the game ends.  All players begin as "It's" and are trying to tag other players without being tagged themselves.  Once a player is tagged, they must squat down and are temporarily out of the game.  The "tagged" player resumes play (stands up and becomes an "It" again) when the person that tagged them is tagged and that person squats down (note: if a simultaneous tag occurs between two players, both player's squat and count to 25 before returning to play).  Play continues until the leader designates the end of the game and those standing and in the game receive a point.

All vs All D-ball Tag

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    Beach Balls

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:
This is a fun and kid tested variation of two classic games “Everybody’s It Tag,” and “Dodgeball.”  The object is to score points by being in the “play zone” when a round ends.  Begin by explaining the “play zone” boundaries and then having all participants scatter about in this “play zone”.  Explain that at the start of the game you will roll a pre-determined number of beach balls into the play area.  Anyone may pick up one of these beach balls, but once a beach ball is picked up the person can no longer move.  The stationary person then throws the beach ball at another player in an attempt to hit them and knock them out of the “play zone.”  The Dodgeball rule of catching a thrown ball and the thrower is out is in effect and anyone hit or who has their beach ball caught by another player must immediately move to an area outside the “play zone.”   One notes who hit them or caught their thrown beach ball because just as in “Everybody’s It Tag” once the person who hit you or caught your thrown ball is out, you are back in the game.  Play continues until the leader designates the end of the round and at that time, those standing in the “play zone” receive a point.  Play multiple rounds of varying lengths to determine your winner.

Poison Ball

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    Numerous Soft Throwable Objects, 
                                                 1 Large Beach Ball

Activity time:                             10-15 minutes

How to play:

Divide your group into four equal teams and have them form a giant square.  A line should be drawn or a rope stretched out in front of each team to establish a boundary line that can’t be stepped over at any point during the game.  Provide about 10 soft throwable items to each team and place a slightly deflated beach ball in the center of the square.  Explain that on the signal to begin, each team will be trying to knock the deflated beach ball across any one of the other team’s lines.  In this game, you don’t want to accumulate points, and a point is given to a team if: 1) the beach ball crosses their team line, 2) a player steps over their boundary line while throwing at the deflated beach ball, or 3) a safety violation occurs.  A safety violation is anything that creates a safety issue for participants (for example – throwing items at other participants instead of the deflated beach ball, or going inside the square to retrieve an item [remember a player's feet cannot cross their team line] ). Play for a predetermined length of time and the team with the fewest number of points scored against them is that games “Poison Ball” champion!  This is a game I guarantee your kids will eat up and never get sick of!!!

Hand Simon

Number of players:                    Any number in small groups

Equipment needed:                    None
Activity time:                             3-5 minutes

How to play:
The importance of having numerous 1-5 minute fillers is paramount to the success of anyone working with children or today’s youth.  Activities need to be simple, fun, involve little or no props, and all of these elements are included in this month’s “Hand Simon” game.  To begin, create four distinct hand signs that will be used by all participants.  Player #1 starts by selecting one of the hand signs and visually demonstrates it for the other participants.  Player #2 must then repeat Player #1's sign and then visually demonstrate either the same sign or one of the others.  Player #3 now repeats Player #1's sign, and then Player #2's sign before adding their own.  This continues until someone makes a mistake.  Once a mistake occurs, that is the end of the round, and the player that made the mistake starts a new round.  The brain can usually retain seven numbers in a row.  Can your participants go beyond that?

High-Shake-Down

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    None

Activity time:                             1-3 minutes

How to play:

With Valentine’s Day this month we offer you an interesting low risk group mingler that helps participants connect with one another while having fun!  Begin by sharing that all participants will be welcoming each other using a repeating series of three different physical and verbal greetings.  The first physical greeting of the cycle used is the classic “High 5,” the second, a regular handshake, and the third a “Low 5” (hand below waist with palm forward).  Explain that all physical greeting will be accompanied by a verbal greeting.  When “High 5-ing,” participants will greet the person with a “Hi!”  When shaking hands, participants say: “What’s Shakin,” and when “Low 5ing,” participants say: “wazzz goin’ dooooown!”    Start by having all participants in the “High 5” position and then remind them that the greetings are done in a cycle (High 5, hand shake, Low 5, High 5, Hand shake, Low 5, etc.) and that the greeting position must be held until finding another participant with the same physical greeting before cycling to the next greeting.  Look for smiles and laughter to accompany this creative way to have participants introduce themselves to others!

Cup Up

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    20-30 plastic cups

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:
Divide all participants into 2 or 4 equal teams (depending on your numbers).  Once divided, explain that one team will be designated as the “cup up’s” & the other team as the “cup down’s.”  What does this designation mean?  Simply this . . . if you’re on the “cup up” team your responsibility is to turn cups up and if you’re on the “cup down” team you turn cups down.  Scatter all cups into the center of the play area and explain that on the “GO” command participants are to either turn individual cups up or down as quickly as possible.  Play for .30 to .45 seconds and stop the action.  Count the number of cups that are up vs. the number that are down and the team with the most is declared the winning team for that round.  Play several round or to a predetermined number of points to determine the Cup Up Champion.

Christmas Mingle

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    “Christmas Mingle” sheet 

Activity time:                              5-7 minutes

How to play:

You’ve heard of a “Christmas Jingle,” how about a “Christmas Mingle?”  Bring about some holiday cheer at you next event by helping all participants get to know each other a little bit better as it relates to the holiday season.  Provide each participant with this sheet and instruct them to mingle around the room with the goal being to complete the list utilizing a different person for each statement.  This is a very non-threatening ice-breaker that thaws the ice and brings the warmth of each person’s uniqueness to light.

The Christmas Mingle

1. Never has had a "White Christmas" ________________________________

2. Has celebrated Christmas in another country _________________________

3. Returned a gift s/he received last Christmas __________________________

4. Has seen a real, live reindeer _____________________________________

5. Believed in Santa Claus until s/he was 10 years old ____________________

6. Knows what s/he is getting for Christmas this year _____________________

7. Has "re-gifted" a Christmas present________________________________

8. Went Christmas caroling last year _________________________________

9. Has peaked at a present before Christmas ___________________________

10. Still gets his/her own stocking filled each year________________________

11. Has all his/her Christmas shopping done____________________________

12. Hasn’t done any of his/her Christmas shopping yet ____________________

13. Has never seen "It’s a Wonderful Life"_____________________________

14. Doesn’t like eggnog ___________________________________________

15. Knows all the reindeers names ___________________________________

Cherokee Flip Stick 

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    Markers or Paint, Craft Sticks

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:
This is a great rainy day activity as it combines making game pieces with the playing of a unique Native American game.  Begin by providing each participant with a craft stick and instructing them that by using either markers or paint (your choice) they are to color or paint a design(s) on one side of their craft stick.  Upon completion of this initial activity, have all participants form small groups with group members standing in a circle.  Explain that on a set command all participants toss their sticks up into the air and that when the sticks land if the painted side is up (visible), that individual is still in the game.  Those whose sticks are face down are unfortunately out of the game.  Play continues in this fashion until only one player is left . . . the Cherokee Flip Stick champion!

Halloween Fear Factor

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    Various Items, Test Chambers

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:

With the popularity of “Fear Factor” why not have all those who dare . . .  try to guess by their sense of touch what lurks inside each of the “Fear Factor” test chambers.  Prior to introducing this activity create and label a variety of “Fear Factor” testing chambers. To do this, use cardboard boxes or empty cereal boxes and divide each into 4 sections.  Next, cut holes in the sides of the box - these should be big enough for a hand to enter, but not big enough to be able to see inside.   Once the test chambers have been created, put something (see ideas below) into each section of the box and you’re ready to have a “howling” good time.  Explain to all those brave enough to participate - that in each test chamber is a Halloween item that participants must creatively guess.  After giving an example or two to illustrate how something common can be creatively changed into a Halloween item, give each participant a sheet of paper and pencil and then instruct them to use their hand to reach inside each hole and try to guess what is in it just by feel.  Give a prize for the person with the most number of correct answers, but also award points for the variety of creative answers you are sure to get.  Kids just love this – Happy Halloween!!!  

Creative Ideas for items to place inside box: 

Damp, Course Sponge - Brains

Pretzel Stick - Petrified Rat Tails

Dried Apricots - Dried-up Tongues

Cooked, Cold Spaghetti Noodles - Worms

Cooked, Cold Spaghetti Noodles - Veins

Peeled Grapes - Eyeballs

Pearl Onions - Eye Balls

Fake Fur

Tines of a Plastic Fork - Vampire Teeth

Feed Corn - Teeth

Limp, slightly warm, oily cabbage leaves - skin

Soft Flour Tortilla - Skin (can add a little oil)

Wrinkled up fruit roll ups - skin

Corn Husk Silk - Hair

steel wool - witches hair

Slime

Little Smoky sausages -- Cut Off Fingers

Baby Carrots - Cut Off Fingers

Small pickles - toes or fingers

Small Peeled Potatoes Stuck Together with Chenille Stems - Spiders

Twisted Chenille Stems - Spider

Pumpkin Guts - Guts and Blood

Popped Popcorn - Cockroaches

Peeled Tomatoes - Heart

Peeled, hardboiled eggs - Hearts

Cooked, twisted pasta - Intestines

Small sticks - Bones (broken bones)

Overcooked rice in olive oil - maggots

Pig ears (dog treat things) - dried bat wings

Dried pears - dried witch ears

Banana chips - scabs

Fresh green beans - witch fingers

Rubber glove filled with flour - dead hand 

My Biggest Fan

Number of players:                    Any number
Play site:                                    Any open area

Equipment needed:                    Prize(s)

Activity time:                             3-5 minutes

How to play:
Building a fan base is easy in this month’s high energy competitive game!  This game puts a creative twist on the classic “rock, paper, scissors” game we all know and love.  To begin have all participants partner up and explain the rules of “rock, paper, and scissors.”  To ensure understanding, have partners compete against each other a few times prior to beginning the contest.  Once everyone demonstrates an understanding of the rules and who wins, it’s now time to crown the “rock, paper, scissor” champion.  Explain that the winner of each challenge moves on and partners with another winner; however, (and now for the twist . . .) instead of the loser sitting down, s/he becomes the winner’s biggest fan and cheers them on in their next “rock, paper, scissor” challenge.  This continues with the winner of the challenge gaining all people (including the loser) who now become the winner’s biggest fans and cheer them on in the next challenge.  This culminates with 2 people challenging each other for the crown and all other participants cheering for their representative in the final round.  This is a quick, loud energizer that is one of my favorites and is sure to rock with all your participants!!!