Hobbies And Interests
Game with Yarn
Yarn is an inexpensive item to use for a get-to-know-you game for elementary students. Cut several pieces of yarn in different lengths (two per length). Hide the yarn all over the classroom and have each student find one piece of yarn. Each student must find the other student with the same length of yarn and each must introduce himself to the other. They also can share interesting facts about themselves and hobbies they like. After five minutes of visiting, hide the yarn pieces again so the students can meet other classmates.
Funny Game
Get the kids laughing while meeting their new classmates with a funny animal sound game. Write down an animal name on several index cards (make at least two of the same animal). Hand each child an index card and have the children go around the room making their animal sounds. The children cannot talk. Once they find their matching animal, they can introduce themselves to one another and share interesting facts. Mix the cards up and play again. For added fun, have the children get on all fours to play this game.
Game with Candy
Pour a bag of colored candies, such as M&M's or Skittles, in a bowl and ask the children to sit in a circle. Pass the bowl around and ask them to grab as many pieces as they would like, but not to eat any. After each student has candy, select one child to go first. Make questions for each different color of candy. For example, if a student has two red candies, she must share two hobbies. If she has three yellow candies, she must share three interesting facts about herself. If she has one blue candy, she can share one fun thing she did over the summer. Allow each student a chance to talk about herself, then she can eat the candy.
Paper Game
Find out about your students by having them answer questions on index cards. Write down three questions on several index cards; "When I grow up I want to be_____," "The most fun thing I did over the summer was _________" and "My favorite hobby is _______." After each student fills out the card (with no name), collect the cards and read them aloud. Have the class try to guess who wrote each card. You can have each student read his own card aloud after you have read each one to the class to see who guessed correctly.