Hobbies And Interests
Quick Name
If you have a group of children who don't know each other very well, play this icebreaker game. Start by sitting the kids down in a circle. Pick a random player to start. He says his name and says a word. The player to his right then repeats the name and the word the previous player said and then says his name and a new word. This pattern continues, with players getting disqualified if they forget the pattern, until only one player remains, having remembered all the names and words.
Egg and Spoon Race
More active, relay games like this one can inspire a sense of teamwork in the kids. Start by dividing the players into two teams. Line the teams up on one side of the play area. Give the first players in each team a tablespoon and an egg. When you say "Go," the players race to the opposite end and back to their teams without dropping the eggs from their spoons. If a player drops an egg, he has to start over. The first team to have all its players complete the race wins.
Up, Down, Stop, Go
Let the kids burn off energy with this game. Start by gathering the kids to an open area. During the game, you call out "up," "down," "stop" and "go." On "up," the kids have to stretch their arms to the sky; on "down," the kids have to sit cross-legged; on "stop," the kids simply freeze in place; on "go," the kids run around to their hearts' content. The game ends whenever you want.
Do As I Say, Not As I Do
Allow the kids to feel all-powerful with this game. Start by picking one player to become the leader. She stands facing the group. When ready, she begins the game by performing any kind of movement, such as hopping on one foot or clapping her hands. However, she also gives an instruction to her group that differs from her own action. The group has to respond by performing her instruction, not the action she makes. Anyone caught doing as she does, not as she says gets eliminated. The game continues until only one player remains, becoming the new leader for another round.