Hobbies And Interests
Biographical Bingo
This game asks children to mingle and ask each other questions from the bingo board. The bingo board, instead of having numbers, should have characteristics such as "has red hair," "likes to play baseball," and so on. Children will be instructed to find one person who fits into each of the boxes and then write that person's name in the box. After all children have a chance to circulate and speak to each other, the facilitator should then end the game and then go around the room to review the characteristics. Giving out candy during this last part always makes it more fun.
The Human Knot
This game is appropriate for children who already know each other a bit but need to be encouraged to break through to the next level of friendship. It is an activity that builds teamwork and allows individual personalities to shine. Instruct children to gather in a tight group and join each hand with one other person who is not next to them, forming the "human knot." Children will then have to untie the knot without breaking any of the links.
Four Corners
This game involves a lot of movement and is good for energetic children. The questions can be tailored to either an academic setting or an extracurricular setting. Divide the space/room into four corners. Ask the group of children a series of questions, with each question having four possible answers. Children will run/walk to the corner of their answer. This game alerts children to common interests/details about each other they may not have known before.
The M&M Game
Have children sit in a circle and pass a bag of M&Ms around, instructing each child to take as many as she wants, but not to eat them. Some children will only take a couple of M&Ms from the bag and others will take handfuls. After everyone in the circle has M&Ms, reveal that the children must share with the group one biographical detail for every M&M in front of them.