Hobbies And Interests
Copy Cat
"Copy Cat" requires children to use their memory. Sit them in a circle and choose a leader. The leader starts by doing a simple body movement. The child to the right will copy the movement and add his own. Keep going around the circle repeating and adding until someone forgets the order, requiring her to leave the circle. Copycat variations substitute words, phrases or noises for body movements.
"Hot Potato"
In this game, children quickly toss a ball to one another without dropping it. When the leader shouts "Hot Potato," the child holding the ball is out. Make this extra fun in the summer by making the hot potato a water balloon. If the ballon burst when caught, or because someone drops it, that child is out.
Limbo
"Limbo" is fun for children of all ages. Have two adults hold up a stick, while children take turns trying to go under it. After each turn lower the stick. Children who touch the stick are out. The last child able to go the lowest without touching the stick wins. If you want make the kids laugh, ask some of the parents to take turns limboing.
Pinatas
Pinatas give children the unusual opportunity to hit something while receiving candy instead of punishment. Make it more difficult for older children by blindfolding them or lifting and lowering the pinata. Kids enjoy watching others beat a pinata senseless as the process can take awhile. The child who breaks open the pinata entirely is the winner, however the other children will quickly swarm the candy on the ground.
Red Rover
"Red Rover" game tests the players' strength. Divide the children into two teams, and have them interlock by holding hands. Teams take turns calling "Red Rover, Red Rover send [child's name] over!" If the child who is called breaks through the line, he can go back to his original team as well as take one player from the other team with him. If she doesn't break though, she joins the other team. The game ends when all the children end up on one side.
"Treasure Hunt"
The children will hunt for objects you hide around the house or backyard prior to their arrival. Make sure you hide multiple items or plenty of candy or toys for "Treasure Hunt." Give each child or team a bag so they can collect the treasure. Change it up by dividing the kids into teams and having them take turns hiding and finding objects. The team or child with the most treasure wins.
"Tag"
"Tag" can be appropriate for a variety of ages, and there a variety of variations. "Octopus Tag" is popular with large groups--the "tagged" individuals join the "Octopus" to form tentacles. The other children are little fishes, running back and forth, avoiding the octopus and the tentacles.
"Telephone"
Line the children up or place them in a circle to play "Telephone." The first child thinks of a message, and whispers it to the child to his right. The message travels by whisper all the way to the last child. Have the last child say the aloud message, and compare it to the original message. It's often hysterically garbled.