Hobbies And Interests
Find Your Shoes
To play this indoor relay game, start by having all the children take off their shoes, placing them in a pile. Have all the students then turn away from the shoe pile as you mix the shoes up. Divide the players into two teams and line them up about 5 to 10 feet away from the pile. When you say "Go," the first players in either line race to the pile to find their respective shoes. As soon as a player finds his shoes, he puts them on his feet and races back to his team's line. The next player in line then does the same. When all of the members of one team have their shoes back on, they win the game. To make the game more challenging, have each player find the shoes of the teammate behind him instead of his own shoes.
Caboose on the Loose
A racing game for younger students, Caboose on the Loose begins by selecting one player to be the "lost caboose." Line up the rest of the players single file, placing their hands on the shoulders of the players in front of them. This line serves as the "train," and the first player in line becomes the "conductor." Have the lost caboose count to 30 while the train heads away from the caboose. Once the lost caboose reaches 30, she races after the train. She has to try and tag the very last player in line so that she becomes part of the train again. The conductor has to lead her train away from the lost caboose as best she can. Once the lost caboose tags the last player in the train, she becomes the new last player, the conductor becomes the new lost caboose and the game starts over.
Warlocks, Monsters and Elves
A play on the game, "Rock, Paper, Scissors," this activity starts with dividing the players into two teams. Show the players three basic moves: crouching down (monsters), holding your left arm up to the ceiling (warlocks) and pointing at your ears (elves). Separate the teams so each group stands right behind one side of a line in the middle of the room. As you count to 10, the teams have to decide on which creature they want to choose out of warlocks, monsters or elves. Once you reach 10, the teams have to present to their opponents their decision by making one of the movements you taught them earlier. Monsters beat elves, elves beat warlocks and warlocks beat monsters. The losing team has to try and make it to the wall on their side of the room to remain safe. The winning team has to try and tag as many enemies as possible. If a player gets tagged, he joins the enemy team. Play the game for as many rounds as you like, or until all the players are on one team.