How to Play Zoo

Pick an animal to represent yourself. Each player will have a specific animal that they represent by a hand gesture. For example, a player could put their arm by their nose, making an elephant. Players can use their imagination for how they want to represent their animal, just as long as it's not too hard to mimic quickly. No two players can have the same animal or have a similar hand gesture, so that no one gets confused. Memorize each player's hand gesture and make sure everyone else knows all the animals in play.

Form a circle and start a basic 1-2-3 rhythm beat among the group using your hands. On the first two beats, everyone slaps their thighs, and on the third beat, everyone claps. If this is anyone's first time playing, make sure everyone has a feel for the beat. When all players are ready, begin the beat and everyone shout, "One, two, let's play Zoo!"

Slap your hands on your thighs for the first two beats, then on the third beat, perform your animal hand gesture (if you are the first player.) On the next set of three beats, slap your thighs twice, then use another person's animal gesture on the third beat. At this point, the player who's animal was just represented has to respond by performing their animal, still keeping with the 1-2-3 beat. After that, they throw it to another player by representing their animal on the next rhythm beat.

Continue playing the beat with your hands by slapping your thighs twice and then clapping on the third beat, if you are not being represented by an animal. Everyone has to keep the beat going, regardless of whether or not you are representing yours or another person's animal.

Not representing your animal or messing up a hand gesture means that the player is out of the group. The circle still stays close, so move chairs or seats when necessary. The last player remaining wins the game.