Gottcha

Number of players:                  Any number

Equipment needed:                  2 Long ropes

Activity time:                           1-3 minutes

How to play:

Stretch 2 ropes out so that they create a + sign on the floor.  Select one child to join you in the center.  All other children spread themselves out in any of the four quadrants.  The leader asks the selected child to close their eyes and as soon as this child’s eyes are closed, all the other children move quietly from one quadrant to another.  As the children are quietly moving, the leader and the selected child count down from 10.  When they get to 1 the leader yells “freeze please, hands on knees” and all the children must freeze in place with both hands on their knees.  The center child then points to one of the quadrants and anyone standing in that quadrant is out and joins the leader and the selected child in the center.  The next round starts with another child closing his/her eyes and the whole group counting out loud from 10 to 1.  Repeat until you have only one child remaining who becomes the new center person.

The “Mr. Man” Game

Number of players:                   Any number

Equipment needed:                    Music
Activity time:                            5-7 minutes

How to play:
Make motor movement more memorable by introducing your “little ones” to the “Mr. Man” game.  This simple warm-up requires just saying the name of a “Mr. Man” and then having your “little ones” move like the “Mr. Man” called out.  To get you started here are a few “Mr. Man” movements:

·         “Mr. Slow” – all move slowly

·         “Mr. Rush” – all move quickly

·         “Mr. Jelly” – shake your whole body

·         “Mr. Tall” – stretch up tall and move

·         “Mr. Small” – crouch down and move around

·         “Mr. Hop” – all hop

·         “Mr. Freeze” – everyone freezes

To ensure equal representation of the genders create a “Miss . . .” series and then encourage your “little ones” to add their own ideas making this their game and a game they will never get bored with!

Color Hokey Pokey

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                     Instrumental version of Hokey Pokey, 
                                                 4 different colored stickers per child
Activity time:                             5-7 minutes

How to play:
Kids love to move, kids love to dance, and kids love the “Hokey Pokey;” 
so . . . let’s get them moving, dancing and learning different colors/shapes using this classic song.  Begin by giving each child 1 colored sticker (or shape) and instructing them to stick it on their right hand.  Provide a 2^nd sticker (of a different color/shape) and ask them to put this sticker on their left hand.  Repeat this process providing two additional stickers/shapes that will be put on their right foot and their left foot and you’re ready for the “Colored Hokey Pokey!”  Play the musical version of the “Hokey Pokey” demonstrating and singing out the instructions with the color twist (“Put your red dot in, put your red dot out . . . etc.).  Once your “little ones” understand introduce different colors and/or shapes and have fun “Hokey Pokin” your day away!

Bunny, Bunny, Rabbit!!!

Number of players:                   Any number

Equipment needed:                    None
Activity time:                            5-7 minutes

How to play:
The Easter Bunny is just around the corner so this month let’s put an hop and a twist on the classic “duck, duck, goose” game.  Start by having all your “little ones” seated in a large circle.  Select a “bunny” (child) who hops around the outside of the circle gently tapping each child gently on the head while saying, “bunny, bunny, bunny . . . “ This pattern continues until the selected hopping “bunny” finally says “RABBIT.”  The child whose head was tapped and hears “RABBIT” jumps up and both children hop around the circle trying to reach the vacated spot first.  Last one to the open spot becoming the new “bunny.”  Your “little ones” will have a hopping good time with this variation of a classic!

I See

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    None

Activity time:                             1-3 minutes

How to play:
This is an interesting imitation activity for the entire group.  The game begins with the leader saying: "I See!"  The entire group of children then stop what they are doing and respond with: "What do you see _____ ?" (adding the leader/teacher's name in the blank space).  The leader/teacher then gives the children a command and action.  Immediately upon completing the instructions, the children perform this command and action and continue doing so until the leader/teacher call out once again: "I See!"  As before, all children stop, respond, listen to the new command and action, and then perform the designated action(s). This can be repeated several times in a row or at any time during the day.  This is a great transitional activity sure to be enjoyed by all your little ones!  "I see . . . everyone doing an Irish jig!"  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Texas Ice Skating

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    2 Paper Plates for each participant
Activity time:                             3-5 minutes

How to play:
Explain that everyone is going to go ice skating in just a few minutes.  Provide each little one with 2 paper plates and instruct them to put them on the floor and step on them.  These you explain are your Texas Ice Skates.  Demonstrate how to ice skate by sliding your feet and paper plates together to move (skate) around the room.  You can even show your little ones that you can spin while still keeping your feet on the paper plates.  After performing your skating exhibition, have your little ice skaters practice and then turn some music on and have everyone skate around the room.  After free skating for a few minutes, skate in a follow-the-leader style.  You start, and then allow other children to be the leader.  Your little ones won’t need a heavy jacket to warm-up to this month's PHUN activity!

 Secret Bubble Wrap Pictures         

Number of players:                   Any number

Equipment needed:                   Bubble wrap with medium-large bubbles,
                                                Pictures of animals, family members, fun 
                                                objects, etc., Glue

Activity time:                            5-7 minutes

How to play:

Wondering what to do with all that packing bubble wrap - this month’s activity requires a little preparation, but will really be enjoyed by your little ones.  Prepare by printing or cutting out familiar pictures that are large (8.5” x 11”) of various animals, items in the area, family members, fun objects, etc.,.  Next, cut out bubble wrap to the size of the picture and glue/tape it to the edges of picture.  Once completed, pick a special time and give each child a Secret Bubble Wrap Picture.  Explain that they are trying to figure out what the picture is and as they pop bubbles the picture will become clearer and clearer.  Once they think they know what their Secret Bubble Wrap Picture is, have them come up and share its identity with you.  Ready, set, let the popping begin!

Chistmas Tree Guesses                 

Number of players:                  Any number

Equipment needed:                  Decorated Christmas Tree

Activity time:                            5-7 minutes

How to play:

Begin by saying: “I see something on the Christmas tree which begins with a ‘T’  What is it?”  Allow your little ones to continue guessing the different things on the Christmas tree that begin with ‘T’ until they mention the one you were thinking of.  Try another letter, and then another letter and then another letter each time having the children guess which one you chose that started with that letter.  Once the children understand, allow one of them to chose something on the Christmas tree and see if the group can determine which one was chosen.  To extend this activity further, you might include a short story after each correct guess related to the object chosen.  

I’m thinking of 2 words that both start with ‘H’ . . . that’s right - Happy Holidays!!! 

Speedy Squirrel

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    None
Activity time:                             5-7 minutes

How to play:

Played just like duck, duck, goose with the exception that when the person says "goose,"  that chosen person must run an touch something called out by the leader and try to make it back to his/her seat before the other person makes it all the way around the circle and back into the touched persons seat.  How speedy are your little squirrels?

"Little Special Pumpkin" Pass

Number of players:                   Any number

Equipment needed:                   1 Mini Pumpkin
Activity time:                            3-5 minutes

How to play:
Begin by having all your little witches, goblins, ghosts & monsters sit in a circle.  Introduce a very special pumpkin (mini pumpkin) and talk about how even though this pumpkin is very small - it is very special and unique just like each and every one of the children are.  Give this pumpkin to one of the little ones and explain that when the music starts, they are to pass the “little special pumpkin” from one person to the next around the circle.  Once the music stops, the child who has the “little special pumpkin” stands and takes a bow.  As an add-on, while the pumpkin is being passed around the circle in your best ghost voice say: “whoooooooo’s going to get the pumpkin?  Whooooooooooo’s it going to be?”  Repeat the game several times because you never know “witch” little one will get to take a bow next!

Almost Empty

Number of players:                    Any number

Play site:                                    Any open area

Equipment needed:                     Box, Various Soft Throwable Objects

Activity time:                              1-3 minutes

How to play:
Begin by placing a box in the center of the room.  Inside this box is about 30 soft items that can be thrown.  Have all your little ones spread out around the room.  Explain that the challenge is for you to empty the box of all items and the little ones job to make sure that the box is never empty.  On the "Go" command, begin throwing items out of the box as quickly as you can.  Your little ones then chase down the thrown items and quickly return them to the box.  Play for about .30 seconds and if you can empty the box you get a point, if you can't get all the items out of the box, your little ones get a point.  Play to a predetermined number of points.