15 Seconds
"15 Seconds" is a game that encourages children to speak about themselves to a group. It allows other group members to learn a little bit about each person, and it gives each person time to express herself. You will need a timer and a list of questions. Some examples of questions are "What is your favorite food?" "What is your favorite animal?" "What do you like to eat on Saturday mornings?" and "If you go somewhere real or imaginary, where would it be and why?"
With one person as a timer, each child is asked a question from the list and must answer it in exactly 15 seconds. No one else is allowed to talk while the person is answering. When she is finished, the person who just answered the question chooses the question for the next player, who also must answer within 15 seconds, as the questions pass around the circle.
I Like To
"I Like To" is a listening and memory game. It requires nothing but a group of children. Sit the children in a circle and ask them to think about something they like to do. The first person states his name and what he likes to do. The second person must repeat the first person's name and what he likes to do, as well as his own.
Each player must state the names and favorite activities of all the players before him before listing his own. "I Like To" helps kids learn one another's names in an enjoyable and amusing way.
Tied in Knots
"Tied in Knots" is a game that gets children comfortable with one another through sensory connections. It requires an even number of players, so the group leader might have to join in. "Tied in Knots" is best played with groups of eight or fewer players.
Have the children stand together in a close circle. Each person must then reach her left arm into the circle and take hold of someone else's left hand. Then the players reach their right hands into the center of the circle and grab someone else's right hand. Each player should be holding hands with two people. Once everyone's hands are connected, the members of the group must untangle themselves--without letting go of their hands--to form a circle.
Find Your Partner
"Find Your Partner" helps children become comfortable going up to other children and starting conversations. You will need an even number of players, plus a safety pin and piece of paper for each child. Write down the name of a well-known partner on each piece of paper. For example, write "Batman" on one piece and "Robin" on another. Other examples are Charlie Brown and Snoopy, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.
Pin one name of a partner to each child's back. Each child must go around asking other children "yes or no" questions--for example, "Am I alive?" and "Am I female?"--to determine who they are. While figuring out who they, they players must also try to find their partners.