Hobbies And Interests
Tag
Chase or tag games require only a minimum of two players and enough space for children, and possibly adults, to run around. One player is appointed to chase the others who then either have to join the catcher, or remain standing still on the spot where they were caught. There are endless possibilities for variation in tag, including the establishment of rules where safe zones are outlined, or an alternative that requires the caught person to hold on to the catcher and keep running with her during the chase. Tag is not only a cheap entertainment, but also gives everyone involved a good, often necessary workout.
I Spy
The guessing game I Spy is a good activity to play on a rainy day or in the car during rush hour. It can be played with several variations where one person either sees something with a particular color or spots something beginning with a particular letter. Without mention what he has seen, he says: "I spy with my little eye something beginning with..." The other player then has to guess what the first one has seen. If necessary, the first player can give clues in this game.
Make Up a Story
Children with vivid imaginations may love to make up stories, but in this variation they have to cooperate with others. One person starts with the first sentence of a story and asks the next person to follow with a sentence or a paragraph. Once the second player is finished, she leaves it to the next person to continue the story until a satisfactory ending is found. If there are only two people playing, they will take turns until the story is finished.
Charades
Materials are not required in charades, but a certain talent for acting or miming and a vivid imagination will help. The game of charades requires a minimum of two players plus a judge, preferably an adult or a responsible older child. The judge whispers a word, phrase or expression into the ear of one player who then has to act out the clue while the others have to guess what it is. Depending on the number of participants, charades can be played in groups or with individual players.
Word Chain
The purpose of a word chain is to find words with the most unusual last letters in order to make it difficult for the next player. The first player says a word, and the next player needs to find another word beginning with same letter as the last character in the previous word. Players are not allowed to use the same word twice. To make things more difficult, rules can be developed such as the prohibition of certain words such as names, places or animals.
Role Play
Role play does not require the use of materials nor the explanation of rules. In most circumstances, it does not even require the presence of a second player because role play is dependent only on children's imagination. In role-play games, children invent or mimic characters and spontaneously act out their chosen role. Role play is also used in therapy, cognitive-thinking exercises and in education because it encourages the use of critical thinking and promotes analyzing and problem-solving skills.