HT Games
Red Light, Green Light
Some concepts that children need to learn can directly affect their safety, such as learning how to cross the street or simply knowing to "freeze" when an adult asks them to stop while walking in a parking lot. One way to practice the concepts of stop and go is the game Red Light, Green Light. The game requires no equipment. It is best played with at least four children.
Children line up shoulder to shoulder. One child pretends to be the traffic light and stands away from the row of children with his back turned to them. When the traffic light yells "green light" everyone runs towards him, trying to be the first to tag him. The traffic light then turns to face the other children and yells, "red light." The children must freeze. If the traffic light spots anyone moving, that player must go back to the starting line. The traffic light turns back around and yells "green light," and play resumes. The first person to tag the traffic light wins and gets to be the next traffic light.
Duck, Duck, Goose
Duck, Duck, Goose is a simple game that is exciting for younger children. The game teaches patience. It can be played indoors or outdoors and requires no equipment. It is best played with at least four children.
All players should sit in a circle. One person is "It." She walks around the outside of the circle, tapping each person on the head and saying "duck" with each tap. She continues around the circle until she decides to tap someone and say "goose." This person must chase "It" as she runs around the circle toward the open space that was vacated by the "goose." If "It" reaches the open space before she gets tagged, the other person becomes "It" and the process begins again.
Simon Says
The game Simon Says teaches children listening skills, patience and body part recognition. It requires no equipment and can be played indoors or outdoors. It is appropriate for groups of at least three children.
One person ("Simon") starts by making a motion and giving a direction with "Simon says (insert an action here)." The children must imitate the leader's action. Simon continues to give directions and make motions with "Simon says" as a preface. If Simon asks children to do something without first saying "Simon says," anyone who makes the motion is out. Play resumes until only one person is left; he becomes Simon in the next round.
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is a classic game that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. The game provides excitement in hiding, along with the dread of being caught. Hide and Seek provides exercise for children and also helps reinforce counting skills. The game can be played indoors or outdoors and requires no equipment. Younger children should have adult supervision while playing Hide and Seek.
One person is named "It." He must count to an agreed-upon number, such as 20. While he counts, the other children hide. When "It" reaches the set number, he yells, "Ready or not, here I come" and tries to find all children who are hiding. The last player found gets to select who will be "It" in the next round.