Initial Contact / Spiller Original

Twenty years ago, I was tired of all the same old Ice breakers so I came up with this one.  It works well and is an opens the door to quick conversations.  In this pair and share introductory activity, participants will be disclosing 2 things about themselves that they would be comfortable sharing with others. The stipulation is that the 2 things they are going to share must start with the first letter of both their first and last name - example used in training: “Hi, I’m Mike Spiller and I like Mountain Hiking and Swimming!"  After explaining the above, pair up all participants (one group of 3 is fine to start with if your group has an odd number) and ask them to share their information with each other. Upon completion, instruct pairs to separate, raise their hand in a high 5 position and find another participant with their hand raised. Slap hands with the new partner and say “Hi” and once again share information with them. Participants will continue this mingling and sharing for a set amount of time or until all have had a chance to pair and share.

Cooperative Games

Ankle Passing Chair Game / Cooperative

 Have 12 to 14 chairs back to back to start this unique game.  Chairs should be side-by-side and back to back – 6 or 7 per team.  Fill the chairs with players.  One side is one team challenging the other side for points.  No hands can be used in this game – only feet!  The hands should be holding on to the sides of their chairs for support.  A ball is placed to the side of the 1^st player on each team.  On the signal to begin, the 1^st player turns in the chair and takes the ball between their ankles.  The ball is then passed to the next players extended legs or ankles.  The ball is passed until the last player receives the ball.  The end player stands with the ball between their ankles and hops in front of the other team and back to the start of their team line.  Each player will slide down a chair as the player is hopping around.  Play continues until a team is back in their original positions.  A Captain should be appointed for each team.  This player moves with the ball and if the ball is dropped, he will put it back in play with the player that dropped it.

B and B Challenge / Posted 5-2-10

Give each group 3 to 5 inflated balloons.  Groups should be from 6 to 10 members each.   This is a unique challenge and has only been tried a few times.  Each group has an inflated beach ball as well.  On the signal to begin, the group starts bopping the balloons in the air and starts to volley the beach ball.  How long can the group keep all the items in the air?  If this is too easy for a group, give each of the players a balloon and play the same activity once again.

Beach Ball Team Travel / Spiller Original / Posted 1-5-2010

Make a team of 6 to 8 players and have them stand in a circle facing in.  Place a regulation beach ball between each player and have them press the ball onto their neighbor’s hand.  No one should be holding the ball.  It should stay in place with pressure only.  Once this is done, there are many ways to challenge the group.  One simple challenge might be to sit-down and then stand back up again without losing any of the balls.  Perhaps, the goal is to make a complete circle for time without dropping a ball.  Maybe, the group would need to move through a given course for time without losing a ball.  You see what I mean when I say there is no end to the challenges available.  Make-up a few and let me know what you did and how it went.  Variation:  Use swim noodles (cut in half) for this activity.

Birdie on the Perch / Circle Game / Just For Fun / Cooperative
 

Have your start this activity in a double circle with each player facing another.  This is their partner.  During this game, there is much action with people moving quickly and in close quarters.  Make sure all the players understand that there is no running, but quick walking is okay.  Remind them to keep their hands raised in front of their chest to avoid collision.  The players on the inner circle are the “Birds” and the players on the outside are the “Perch.”  Have the circles moving in opposite directions and each couple should keep their eyes on each other.  On the sound of the whistle, all the birds move quickly to their awaiting perch.  On that same whistle, the perch will stop and stay where he or she is and kneel down to make a place for the bird to land (sit). All birds are flyin’ and the skies are full of flight.  The object of this activity is to not be the last couple to get together.  If you are the last to sit on the perch, you and your partner have to come to the center, sing and act-out the Barney Song or do a 5 sec. Chicken Dance or whatever the group has decided on.  Play additional rounds with the players shifting over 1 place and taking on a new partner.     

Body Add-On Memory Game / Posted 7-30-2010

One player makes a motion, e.g. stomp a foot, clap, jump up, twirl around, snap fingers. The next player does what the first did and adds another motion. The next player does the first two and adds their own, etc. Play until someone can’t remember all the movements; then start over with the child who couldn’t remember.

Body Letters and Numbers / Cooperative
 

Make sure that this activity is played on a carpeted or grassy area. Divide your group in half and see which team can form a number or letter first. Every team member needs to be involved to form the number or letter. Kids can lie down and connect hands and ankles – anything to form what’s asked.  Try a few letters and numbers. For example, have the kids form A, O, and K. Then say to them, “You kids are really aokay!” As a final formation, have the whole group for a one (1). When they are finished forming the one (1) they need to shout in unison, “We’re number one!”

DUD / Cooperative Activity / Posted 5-2-0 - Spiller Original

Equipment: one ball or Frisbee per team and one stop-watch

This challenge came to me when I was driving from Lincoln, Neb. to Peoria, IL.  I had a lot of time on my hands as I drove through Iowa.  I wasn’t sure that it would work so we tried it during the workshop with the teachers of the Peoria area.  It worked well and we came up with several variations.  They suggested the name, ”If It Works in Peoria?”  By the way, DUD stands for “down, up, down.”  Give each player a poly spot.  Have the team spread out all over the play area.  There should be at least ten feet between each player.  Give one of the players a ball or Frisbee to toss.  On the signal to go, the first player will toss the item to one of his teammates and then kneel down.  The second player will toss to the third and kneel as well.  This continues until the last player standing receives the ball and then kneels.  The last player to kneel will throw the ball to any player and then stand up.  This continues with each kneeling player tossing to another kneeling player and then standing up.  When the last player receives the ball and stands, the group will repeat the first part of the game.  This is a timed event so when the last player receives the ball and kneels, the time is stopped.  Have other teams of equal number challenge each other for the best time.

Variation:  If you have a large open area, let several teams compete at the same time.  The first team to finish the down, up, down series wins the challenge

Estes’ Swiss Challenge / Cooperative / Spiller Original
 

This is a group challenge that I learned in Zurich, Switzerland from a friend of mine that teaches High School PE classes. Make a

circle of players with 5 to 10 in each circle. Give each player the same type of throw able (safe) item (perhaps a tennis ball)

and give one of the players (the leader) a second item that is different from the others (perhaps a small stuffed animal).  The object of this unique challenge is to get the stuffed animal around the circle with no drops of the tennis balls or  stuffed animal. This is how it works. Have the group number-off from 1 to 5 or 10. Each number should be on the opposite side of the circle. Number 1 should be able to toss straight across to 2 and 2 then passes across to 3, etc. Player number 1 (the leader) has a tennis ball and the stuffed animal.

The leader will toss his/her tennis ball high in the air, call “#2!” toss the stuffed animal to #2 and then catch the tennis ball. This is where it gets tough. Number 2 has to toss his/her tennis ball in the air as the stuffed animal is coming to them, catch the stuffed animal, Call “#3!” toss the stuffed animal to #3, and then catch his/her tennis ball before it bounces on the ground. This cycle continues until the group has been able to complete the circle and the stuffed animal is back to the leader. This is a very difficult challenge so let the groups have plenty of time to put together their plan and perhaps set their own group goal. 
Variation: As we sat at the dinner table in Zurich, another friend named Jan (Yan) said that he worked with younger students and this is how he did the activity. Give each player a balloon to toss as opposed to the tennis ball. This will allow them a little more time to catch, call the next number, toss and then catch. You might want to start in groups of three and then add players as they become more efficient.

Find the Ball Team / Posted 7-30-2010

Equipment:  1 blindfold per group, 1 ball per group

The group divides into teams of about ten each.  The teams stand in lines, at least 6 feet apart one behind the other at one end of the playing space.  The first person in the team is blindfolded and given the ball.  He or she throws it forwards (mark a line over which it must go).  The team has to guide the blindfolded player to the ball.  He or she picks up the ball and, again guided by the rest of the team, has to throw it back to be caught by the second player who is unable to move his or her feet.  If the ball misses or is missed by the second player, the blindfolded player is guided back to it and tries again.  This may require several attempts!  The blindfolded player is then guided back to the team, gives the blindfold to the second team member (who throws the ball away again) and then joins the back of the line.

Note:  This game may need to be walked through first.  The leader should keep an eye on the blindfolded players so that they are not guided into any hazards. It may take time for teams to work out the best way of guiding their searchers.

Half Fast Track / Tic-Tac-Toe / Circle Cooperative Game / Spiller Original

About 20 years ago there was a simple game called "Fast Track."  Simply, how fast could you send a word or action around a large circle of players.  I took this idea and added my variation to it and it has been very popular with all  the groups I have taught. 
Make a circle of the players and split them in half.  Each group leader is given a ball.  On the signal to begin, the leader passes the ball to the next player and so on down the line.  When the last player gets the ball, they spin around one time and send the ball back down the line again to the leader.  The first team to get the ball back to the leader wins the round.  Play the best 3 out of 5.
Variations:  Make a Tic-tac-toe poster or Connect Four poster and put it in the center of the circle.  When a side wins a round, the captain, at that time, (change captains and end players each round) comes to the center of the group and makes a play on the poster.  Make sure you change the game a bit each 2 rounds.  For example, 1st - regular pass with a spin by the end player, 2nd - place ball on a cone, play as normal with the round going to the captain that balances the ball on the cone first, 3rd - each player must pass the ball around their waist before passing to next player, etc...  This keeps the game fresh!  If you don't have a poster and marker handy, play the game with the less fortunate side having to do 10 Jumping Jacks or run to a point and back after each round.  There are no limits to the variations for this neat, high-energy game. 

Heads and Hands / Cooperative / Spiller Original

This is a great activity that I saw while working in a high school in  France.  The object of the game is to get as many points as your team can get in a 1 to 2 minute time period.  Points are only awarded for “Headers” (balls hit with head).  In this activity, one of the players needs to be the “Counter.”  On the signal to begin, the beach ball is hit into the air by hand.  From that point on, the group tries to keep the ball in the air by using hands or heads.  A point is scored and counted for each head-hit.  If the ball hits the floor A) pick it up and hit it with hand to start the action again or B) take a point away for each floor hit.  Have each group announce their totals and ask them to try again to better their previous score.  Team Play - Have several group start play at the same time.  If a group allows the ball to hit the floor, they are out and will sit down.  Play continues until there is only one team left bopping the beach ball around.  Remind each group to count the "Headers."  A team, even though seated, could win the challenge with a greater number of Headers.  Give it a try - they will love it!

High – Low Noodle Passing Contest / Posted 5-11-2010

Make a big circle of players.  For this contest the circle should have an even number of players.  Number the players off 1, 2, 1, 2, etc…  You now have 2 teams.  The number one team will remain standing during the contest and the number two team will squat, kneel or sit (their decision) during the challenge.  Each team will have a ½ swim noodle to pass around the circle.  All the players on team 1 will pass the noodle clockwise and the number 2 team will pass it counter-clockwise.  Each team is trying to get the noodle around the circle and back to the original starting spot as quickly as possible.  Play the next round with the teams switching positions – team 1 squats and team 2 stands for this round.  I like to play best out of 5 for this interesting challenge.  The noodle must go from person to person around the circle.  Each player needs to receive the noodle and then pass it on to the player next to them.

Human Obstacle Course / Large Group Games and Activities / Posted 5-13-2010

Split your group in half and send each to their side of the gym or playing area.  The objective is for each group to create several different fitness obstacles for the other team to do.  I usually have each team make smaller groups of about 5 for this event.  Each group of 5 will come-up with an idea that will challenge the other players.  In this event, the small groups will be the obstacle and will be a part of the action as well.  For example, one group might sit face to face with legs raised and touching the player across from them to make a pyramid shape.  Four players do this and the 5^th player stands at the end of the pyramid line in a straddle position.  When a player comes to them, they give him instructions of what to do at their station.  One player would say, “Crawl on your tummy, Army-style, through the pyramids and under “Straddle Man!”  The players would then go to another obstacle and continue until they have been through all the groups on the opposing side.  After this, the sides reverse rolls and the other team will go through the obstacles made by the other team. You’d be surprised as to what the campers will create.  Note: always check each group to see it their obstacle is safe for others to do

Kick-Zerk / Small Group / Cooperative / Posted 5-4-10

Make a group of about 5 players and give each player a tennis ball, Whiffle ball, football, or any item that rolls fairly well.  This is a timed group initiative so have your stop-watch handy.  The leader needs to have about 6 other balls ready to roll in during the challenge.  On the signal to begin, all the players begin to kick their ball around - keeping it moving at all times.  Every 10 seconds, the leader will roll another ball into the group.  Now the group must keep all the balls rolling at one time.  If a ball stop dead in it's tracks, the challenge is over and the time documented.  Have other groups try to beat the new record set by the first group.  This is a good one for Campers VS. Counselors at the end of the camp day.

Kubic Kids  / Group Cooperative / Posted 5-2-10

Divide into teams of equal size.  Each team tries to see how many kids they can get inside a hula hoop.  If a genuine hula hoop is not available, then any strong hoop or a thick rope tied into a circle also will work.  If your kids enjoy this quickie mixer, try packing them into other things like tractor tires or any other safe object.

Swap Knots / Cooperative / England / Spiller Original

Twenty or so years ago, while teaching in a British school, I was shown this great activity.  I have used it for years with great success.  In Great Britain they have a game called Dr. Tangle that the kids love to play on the playground.  The game of Knots has been around along time and is a favorite among ROPES facilitators.  This game is a combination of both of these fun games and I think you will see the value to it.  Make groups of 8, 10, or 12 members each.  Give a bandana or three foot piece of rope to ½ the group.  The players with the rope put them on the floor so they cross each other in an asterisk like shape.  Once this is done, invite the other players in the group to take hold of the other ends of the ropes.  This is where the Dr. Tangle comes in.  Allow each group two to three minutes to tangle the ropes as much as possible without letting go of the ends.  At the end of the time, ask the teams to carefully place the tangled ropes on the floor so the ends of the ropes can be seen.  Once this is done, ask the groups to move to another team’s tangle.  Each player will grab the end of one of the ropes and the group will try to untangle the ropes until they are standing in pairs.  The first group to untangle is awarded 10 points, second will get 7 points and third will get 4 points.  After each group has become free, ask them to repeat the process and play again.  Play to 25 points or play for a set amount of time.  You’ll like this one.

Switch, Change, Rotate
 

I have been playing this game / Initiative for over 20 years now and it never fails to entertain and educated participants.  This activity really makes a group of three players think, communicate, and work together.  Have participants get into groups of 3’s and ask the groups to space themselves out about the area. Once spaced, instruct each team to stand in line (one person behind the other) with all participants facing in the same direction. Using a volunteer group, explain and demonstrate the following three commands that will be used in this activity:

Switch - means that the lead player and the back player exchange places.

Change - means that the entire group simply turns and faces the opposite direction.

Rotate - means the lead player goes to the back and the center player becomes the

new leader.  To begin the activity, have all groups face you and explain that you will call out commands and it is the job of the group to try to execute each of the commands. Start calling out commands slowly, but pick up the pace as you see groups being successful. To challenge the groups further, have them walk (anywhere in the area) while trying to complete your commands. Next, try having groups power walk while following the commands. Advanced groups might even be able to jog while following your called out commands. This activity is a favorite of ours and lends itself beautifully to some wonderful processing.

Team Noodle Flipping Initiative / Posted 5-11-2010

This is a team initiative that requires a lot of directional communication.  Several teams will compete at one time or 1 team can race for its best time.  Stand one player on the start line with a blindfold and a bean bag in his/her hand.  This player is the Team Tosser.  A long swim noodle is placed on the floor about 10 feet away.  The noodle is in line with the Team Tosser and the end of the gym.  The Tosser can look at the noodle initially and then put the blindfold on.  At this point the Tosser will attempt to toss the bean bag so that it lands somewhere between the 2 ends of the noodle.  If it is a good toss, the noodle is flipped one time to advance it and the bean bag is given (handed) back to the blind Team Tosser.  If the toss landed before or beyond the noodle, the team would retrieve the bag, give it to the Team Tosser and give instructions for the next toss attempt.  They might say, “It was short about a foot.”  This gives the Team Tosser an idea how to toss it the next time.  The object is to advance the noodle beyond a point some 30 feet away.  Fist team to flip the noodle over the finish line wins the initiative.  This is a super communication game.

Two – Can Race / Relay / Posted 5-11-2010

This is a Race or relay for pairs or relay teams in pairs.  Each pair will have their inside ankle tided (loosely) together.  Each team is given a Gator ball or a Nerf ball to kick.  A plastic bowling pin or plastic 2-liter bottle is placed some 30 to 40 feet in front of each team.  The objective is for the pairs to work together and kick the ball until it knocks the pin down.  They can only kick with their inside legs as they hobble along.  Once a pin is knocked down, they set it back up, pick up the ball and return to their team as quickly as possible.  The 2^nd pair places the ball on the ground and takes a turn.  Play continues for a period of time.  When the leader sees that all the pairs have had a chance to go, the game is stopped.  The leader can then ask, "How many pairs went for your team?"   This activity can be played with 4 players tied together and kicking the ball with tied legs only. 

Wordle Reversal / Posted 12-8-09

We all know what "Wordles" are.  Sometimes the activity is called "What's the Meaning."  It's the little box with a mixed up set of letters or words in it and we try to figure out what it means - right?  For example, if the box had the word "Sand" in it - the answer would be "Sandbox."  If the box had the word "America" written in the center of the box - it would be "Central America.  So, this is a new idea using this activity.  Give your groups a paper with empty boxes and another with the word or statement you want them to diagram in the empty boxes.  For example, each group might have 6 empty boxes  in front of them and are given six different terms or words to create their own wordles with.  Each group makes their wordles and then the groups exchange the new wordles and they try to see how many they can solve from the other group/s.  For example, my group received the movie "Top Gun."  My group might draw a pistol in the top of the box and that would do it.  If you give the groups 4 X 4 cards to create the new "Wordles," you could laminate them and use them in a number of ways  later on.  Here is an example of some "Wordles" I have used for this Holiday Season.
 

 Cultural Games

3 Down / France / Spiller Original
 

Back in the early 80s, I was in Paris and I saw this activity being played in a park.  Start by having all participants create a large circle. Place in the center of the circle four standing plastic bottles. Select two volunteers who will be challenged and timed to see how long they can keep 3 of the 4 bottles standing as the circled participants try to knock down the bottles as quickly as possible with supplied nerf balls. Explain to the bottle protectors that if a bottle is knocked down, they can stand it back up anywhere in the circle; but, if at

any time 3 bottles are knocked down at the same time there turn is over and the stopwatch stopped. Select two new volunteers and play again with the new bottle protectors trying to beat the best time that has been established. Teamwork by both the 2 bottle protectors

and the large circle occur making this the perfect high energy cooperative game that your group will ask to play over and over again!

10 Sticks / Native American Indian / Posted 12-1-09

This is what the Blackfoot people call a game of intuition and I was taught this while taking a Native Games class in Montana..  Each player has a bundle of 10 sticks.  One of the sticks is marked near the bottom.  Mix-up the sticks and hold them in your hand so the mark cannot be seen.  The other player will draw one stick at a time.  A stick with no mark is considered a point.  Continue drawing until the stick with the mark has been drawn or the player has successfully drawn 9 sticks.  Now it is the other players turn to draw sticks.  Each player will draw sticks 3 times.  After both have drawn 3 times, add the points to see which player had the best intuition.  If you don’t have a resource for willow sticks as seen below, use Popsicle sticks.

Achi / Africa

This game is similar to “Tic-tac-toe.”  This great game is played by two players.  One player has three white stones or markers and the other has three black ones.  The game is played on a diagram marked on the ground or on paper.  Make a playing board by making a 12 in. by 12 in. square and draw a big plus (+) sign in the center of it so to give you 4 equal squares.  Next, draw an "X" in the box do it dissects the 4 smaller squares.  You now have the game board for Achi.   All plays are made on the nine points of intersection (where the lines come together) during this game.  Players take turns in placing their markers, one at a time, on any of the nine points of the square.  The purpose is to get three in a row before your opponent can.  After the six stones are placed (and no one has won the game), players take turns in moving their stones along a line to the next available intersection.  There is no jumping of an opponent’s stone during this very old game.  Play continues until a player gets 3 of his/her pieces in a row.  A player can’t move his/her stone back and forth to the same intersection more than 2 times.  Variation:  Set up 9 chairs in the shape of the diagram and have two teams of three challenge each other with a human game of ACHI.

African Team Warm-up / Large Group Warm-up Activity / Posted 8-12-2010

For this fun warm-up activity you will need to make small teams of 3 to 5 players each and standing shoulder to shoulder.  The objective of this activity is to have the players connected at all times.  Each group will create their own series of connections for this game.  A series is - five different ways they will connect to each other.  The teacher will blow his/her whistle and the group will move to the next part of the series on each whistle.  To begin with, each group connects any way they decide.  Let’s say that my team wants to start with all of our feet or ankles touching.  On the teacher’s next whistle, we would jump ½ turn to the left and put hands on the shoulders of the player in front of us.  On the next whistle, we may jump ½ turn to the right, stand on our tip-toes with palms of our hands touching our neighbors.  On the next whistle, we might squat down into a push-up position with our legs touching.  On the next whistle, we might lower our tummies to the floor, roll over to the left onto our back and hold hands.  This might be our 5-part action series.  On the next whistle the group would jump up and start the series again.  The action starts slow, but as the groups become comfortable with the series the whistle will be blown faster and faster.  Can your group continue to function as the action becomes quicker?

Antelope / Team Challenge / Native American Indian / Posted 8-12-2010

Divide the group in half.  Have one group go to the end of the playing area and the other to the opposite end.  The distance between teams should be at least the length of a basketball court and longer if possible.  A football field is perfect for this challenge.  The object of this team activity is to get your team over the opposite team’s line before they can cross yours.  On the signal to go, the players run or power-walk to the opposite goal, but they are also trying to slow-down and/or block their opponents along the way.  No physical contact is allowed during this challenge.

Beans on Toast / Team Game /  UK  / Posted 8-12-2010        

This is a game from the UK.  Split the group into two teams.  Draw a central line between the two teams.  In the UK, they us a bench to stand on, but in the US I use a tumbling mat.  Place a mat on both ends of the gym behind each team.  One player from each team goes to stand on the opposite mat.  The ball is thrown into the center and whoever gets it then tries to throw it to their team member on the mat.  If they succeed, they join the person on the mat.  If they don’t, the ball automatically goes to the other team.  A team wins this game when the whole team gets onto the mat.  Maybe a good name for this activity would be “Beans on Toast” a favorite meal in the UK.  First team to get all their beans on one mat (toast) wins.

Card Toss / Navajo Indian Game / Posted 12-2-09

I came across this Navajo card game while doing research in the resource dept. of the Navajo Cultural Center in Window Rock, Arizona a few years ago.  It is a simple game of elimination with the winner taking the prize/ s put up by all that play.  Seven players take one card each from the deck and places them into a basket - making sure they remember the card they selected.  The basket is shaken to mix-up the cards well and then all cards are tossed into the air.  All the players look for their card.  If their card is face down - they are out of the game.  If a players card is face up, he/she is still in the challenge.  Place the winning cards in the basket again and repeat the action.  Play until there is a single winner.  If all cards are face down near the end of the tossing - nobody wins and the game starts from the beginning once more.  This game was found in the "Navajo Games & Cultural Activities Book" and was reported by Stella Tsinajinnie.

Cherokee Flip Stick / Posted 12-1-09

 
This game was taught to me by a member of the Cherokee nation and he said it was taught to him by his grandfather.  This is a great rainy day activity as it combines making game pieces with the playing of a unique Native American game.  Begin by providing each participant with a craft stick and instructing them that by using either markers or paint (your choice) they are to color or paint a
design(s) on one side of their craft stick.  Upon completion of this initial activity, have all participants form small groups with group members standing in a circle.  Explain that on a set command all participants toss their sticks up into the air and that when the sticks land if the painted side is up (visible), that individual is still in the game.  Those whose sticks are face down are unfortunately out of the game.  Play continues in this fashion until only one player is left . . . the Cherokee Flip Stick champion!

Dara – A Game from Africa / Posted 12-8-09

For this African game you will need a smooth patch of earth, a sidewalk, or large piece of paper; a stick, a piece of chalk, or a pencil; 12 counters, such as beans or pebbles, for each player.   To make the game, construct a grid of five by six circles as seen below.  Scratch it on the ground or in the sand, mark it in chalk on cement, or draw it on paper.  To play this African game, each player places his/her 12 pieces in the circles on the playing grid.  Initially, each player cannot have more than two playing pieces in adjacent circles.  Players take turns moving their playing pieces one space at a time.  This can be done in any direction, including diagonally.  Unlike in checkers, jumping is not allowed.  The goal is to place three pieces in a vertical or horizontal row, as shown.  When this is accomplished, a player may remove one of his/her opponent’s pieces.  The game is over when one player is no longer able to line up three playing pieces, or when all of a player’s game pieces have been removed.

Dithwai / Posted 3-29-10

Dithwai is an outdoor game popular among the children in the African country of Lesotho. It could easily be adapted to an indoor game by making a kraal with Lego or similar.  Aim: To have the most stones in your kraal at the end of the game.
1. To play Dithwai, each player builds a cattle kraal in the dirt. It should be about 20cm (8 inches) square and 3cm (1 inch) high. Small sticks could be used or just push the dirt up to form a fence. An African kraal is the place where cattle are kept. It is a small area with a fence around it.
2. Each player places ten stones in his kraal. These represent his cattle. The first player studies his stones carefully before saying to the others, "Let me examine my cattle." The others then answer, "Have you looked at them?"
3. The first player then covers his eyes while the other players each take one of his stones and put it in their kraals.
4. The first player then opens his eyes and tries to recognize the stones which were taken from his kraal. If he is correct he can take back his stones but if he is wrong the other player gets to keep the stones.
5. The next player continues the game.
6.  The winner is the player with the most stones at the end of the game.

Face-to-Face Bean Challenge / Posted 5-11-2010

Have two teams face each other.  Each player should be directly across from another player.  The teacher will show the players that he/she has 10 beans in his/her hand.  The teacher will turn around and place X number of beans in a single hand.  The teacher then turns around and asks if the 2 players are ready.  Both players should be concentrating on the teachers closed fist.  When the fist is opened, the players try to yell out the number of beans it will take to make 10.  If the hand had 6 beans in it, a player tries to be the 1^st to yell out 4!  If the hand had only 2 beans in it, a player would want to yell out 8!  The first to give the correct number gets the point.  The teacher then goes to the next two players and repeats the process.  A point is once again awarded and the teams keep score.  First team to 10 wins the game.

Flying Cola Can / Playground - Pick-up Game / Belize / Posted 8-1-2-2010

This flying cola can is a huge hit with most of the students and can be used in many activities.  I first saw this flying can in Belize, Central America.  I was amazed at the way this simple toy attracted so many people.  How to make: Using a flat, metal file, file the top edges of the can until the center can be lifted out.  Using scissors cut the can 1-inch up from the bottom.  Put masking tape around the bottom edge for safety.  How to make it fly: Put the can in your hand just like you would a football.  Make sure the filed end is forward.  Toss the can with a slight spiral action.  It will take players several tries to figure out how they need to throw it.  For example, when I throw it, it goes down and to the right.  If I want to throw to a target or person, I must throw high and to the left in order to make a good toss.  This is a very durable toy and I have introduced it to many other countries.  Try catching it on a Lummi Stick or play Cola Can Golf (scatter hula-hoops around the playground to toss to).

Goat / Buck in the Kraal / South Africa / Posted 12-1-09

This game is played outdoors in an open, dirt field.  Take a stick and mark a large circle in the dirt.  The circle and be any size, but usually, it is about 30 feet in diameter.  Select 2 players to be the hunters for the 1st round of play.  All the other players are the goats / bucks and are inside the circle / kraal.  The hunters take turns throwing a ball to hit the players in the circle.  In Africa the game is usually played with a tennis ball or rag ball.  I play the game today using a beach ball.  The hunters can throw from anywhere outside the circle, but can't hold the ball for more than 10 seconds.  If a hunter hits a goat / buck, this player will come stand next to the hunter that hit him.  Then it is the other hunters turn.  The bucks are hunted until the last buck is shot.  the hunter with the most goat / bucks is the winner.  The last 2 players that were hit will become the new hunters for the next round. 

Kap-Kap (Chop Chop) / South Africa / Posted 12-1-09

This is a game for 2 players. Each player needs several coins to toss during this challenge.  Kap-Kap is played anywhere at anytime and is always a great way to pass the time.  A straw or small stick is tossed out in front of the 2 players a short distance away.  Each player stands behind a line drawn in the dirt and tries to hit the stick with a toss of their coin.    The coin nearest to the straw is not necessarily the winner because the heads and tails of the coin also influence the game.  If both coins land on heads or tails, the person whose coin was nearest to the stick takes both coins.  If one coin lands on heads and the other on tails, they each keep their coin.  The game ends when one player has no money left. 

Klip Speltjie / Posted 3-28-10

When the people of South Africa say the word “Klip,” they mean a rock.   While I was in the village of Karkhams, the children taught me this fun game.  It is a game of hiding the stone/rock under a can.  I like to use the shells that I found on the “Diamond Coast.”  Make a grid for the race track.  This could be etched into the dirt like we did in the village or it could be marked on a poster board.  If you have a long table, use chalk and draw lines across it for the race.  If you want, you can make it a circular race from start to finish with about 12 sections marked-off in the circle (see below).  Each player will select an item to move around the race track.  It could be a larger stone, a coin or anything you wish.  All items begin at the “START LINE.”  One player will place the stone under one of the three cans/shells without the other watching.  When ready, the player turns around and tries to guess which can/shell the stone is under.  He will place three fingers next to the can he thinks has the stone.  If he is correct, he moves his item up three places on the grid.  Now, it is the other players turn to do the same thing.  Play until one of the player’s item crosses the “Finish Line.”  This can be played with several students as well.

Mbube, Mbube / Posted 3-28-10
Imbube is one of the Zulu words for "lion." "Mbube" is addressing the lion, calling to him. Sort of pronounced like: mboo'-bay. In this game the lion is stalking the impala (a southern African buck).All players form a circle. Two players start the game. One is the lion, one is the impala. Blindfold them both and spin them around. (Children used to just close their eyes, but the temptation to peek is so great!)Players in the circle start by calling the lion, "mbube, mbube!"The closer to the impala the lion gets the faster the chanting becomes. Likewise if the lion is far away the calling decreases, in volume as well as repetition. If the lion has not caught the impala within a minute a new lion is chosen. If the lion catches the impala, a new impala is chosen.

No’a / Traditional Hawaiian Game / Posted 12-7-09

Hawaiians like to play a game called no’a.  It was a guessing game.  There were two sides. Five people sat across from another five.  There were five (5) bundles of different colored kappa between the sides.  When I play the game today I use place mats or table mats.  The no’a was a small round stone no bigger than a quarter.  One player hid the no’a under one of the kapa bundles.  The other side had to guess which bundle the no’a was under.  Every player had a wooden stick or wand.  He pointed to the bundle with the stick.  If he guessed right, he got a point.  The team that got the most points after a set number of tries was the winner.  Sometimes the Hawaiians played this game a bit differently.  They saw who could point to the most bundles without finding the one with the no’a.  Today, I give each player a different color bean bag and this is used instead of the sticks to make their guesses.  This is a great rainy day game and builds nice observation skills. 
Information about Kapa: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapa

Pakistan Sticks / Pakistan / Posted12-1-09

Make a circle about 2 feet across on the playing surface.  Place 6 round sticks randomly in the circle.  Mark a throwing line 10 to 15 feet from the circle.  Each player takes a turn tossing the 2 balls at the sticks in the circle.  Each player is trying to knock the sticks out of the circle for points.  Award 5 points for each stick knocked completely out of the circle.  After each player’s turn, replace all the sticks for the next player’s turn.  Play to a pre-set number of points.  Today, I put ten 1/2 swim noodles in the jump circle on the basketball court and use basketballs to throw.  The kids really like this simple game.

Peteca / Brazil / Spiller Original
 

I learned of this sport back in the 80s and have enjoyed teaching it to others around the world.  In early 2003, I took a trip to Rio where I knew that Peteca was much loved activity.  While there, I played the game on the beaches and in the school yards with the natives. Peteca is the South American version of Hacky Sac. The unique twist to this activity is that instead of using feet, participants use hands. Have participants form teams of 6-10 participants. The object of the game is to see how many consecutive hits the group can amass before the Peteca hits the ground. Begin by having one player strike and put into the air the Peteca with an open hand. Other players try to keep the Peteca up in the air counting 1 point for each hit. Once the Peteca hits the ground, the hit count stops and the

group starts the activity over again.  This product can be purchased from Mike on this website / Native American Games.

Gymnastics Games

5 Stick Tricks Posted 2-18-2010

For this neat activity you will need a marker pen and a couple of dozen tongue depressors.  Write gymnastics floor skills on both sides of the stick.  One stick might have “front roll” on one side and cartwheel on the other.  Each stick should have 2 different skills.  Put all the sticks in a bag and let each gymnast reach in the bag and take out 5 sticks.  They toss the sticks in the air and allow them to land on the FX mat.  The player will take the tricks that landed up on the sticks and make a single pass routine.  This could be judged or it can just be for fun.  Remember to have a bag of sticks for each level of students.  Start with very simple skills for the beginner and add difficulty as the student’s progress.  One thing I know about class students is that they love to make up routines.  This is a fun way to do just that.

An Olympic Minute / Large Group / Cooperative / Posted 8-28-2010

For this great team challenge you will need a large group of people.  Have all the players get into groups of three and ask them to number-off 1, 2, and 3.  Each player now has a number.  Ask all the #1s to make a circle facing out and finger-tip to finger-tip.  All the 2’s and 3’s will make a giant circle around the 1’s facing them.  Players do not have to be face to face with another player at this point.  You now have an inner ring and an outer ring of players.  Ask the group to extend their arms out so they can touch fingers with players across from them.  This gives you the correct distance for this giant beach ball challenge.  Place the giant beach ball between an inner and outer player.  This pair will be the “counter” pair.  Each time the ball passes them they will yell out the number of times it passes them.  The team has one minute to see how many times they can get the ball around the circle using hands only to move the ball.  No kicking the ball is allowed.  If the ball is hit out of the circle, the group must start over again.  Record the number of times the ball made it around the group (world) and allow other groups to challenge it at another time.  If your group is very large, have 2 groups going at the same time and see which team can move the ball around the circle 10 times the quickest.  If you play this way, always play a two out of three challenge.  Winning group chant’s USA over and over while the less fortunate team does 25 Jumping jacks in unison.

Are You Ready Coach? / Tag Game / Posted 8-28-2010

Have all the gymnasts’ line-up on one side of the gym floor.  Have one player on the opposite side of these players.  This single player represents the Coach.  This is a tag / reaction game and it is very popular with all age groups.   All the players take a step forward and say in unison, “Are you ready coach?”  The coach will respond with something like, “I’mmmmm sanding the bars!”  The coach acts like he/she is sanding the bars.  The approaching players take another step forward and say the same thing as before, “Are you ready coach?”  The couch continues to say things like, “I’mmmmm moving the spring board.”  Again, the coach bends over to move the board.  The players are getting closer each time.  When the coach is ready, he/she may respond with a shout, I’mmmmm READY!”  At this time, all the players turn and run past their safety line.  If the coach can catch a player, they come back with the coach and become assistant coaches.  The caught players will act out just like the coach does.  When the coach says, “I’mmmmm READY” again, they all try to tag another player.  Play until there are only two or three players left and declare them the winners.  Choose another coach (one of the winners) and play again.  Note: the safety line should be about 12 feet out from the starting point. 

Beam Inversion Challenge Posted 2-18-2010

Have 4 to 10 gymnasts stand on a low beam facing the coach.  The coach will give them the first challenge.  She might say, “Without falling off the beam, line-up by your first initial. “A” being on my left and “Z” being on my right – Go!”  The group on the low beam will then try to move themselves into the right order without falling off the beam.  This not easy, but it will make the gymnast really think about supporting and helping each other to accomplish the goal.  There are many ways to have the gymnasts line-up.  You might ask them to line-up tallest to shortest or by their birthdays.  The toughest one, most of the time, is for the group to invert their order on the low beam.

Block Up!  Posted 3-2-2010

This is a group challenge for all ages.  For this activity you will be using the blocks of foam in the pit.  The objective is for your team to build a tower of blocks higher than the opposing team without it falling over.  If your tower falls, the other team wins.  Each team starts with one block on the free-ex mat some distance away from the other team.  Flip a coin to see which team will start first.  If you win the flip of the coin, one of your players will take the coin and hide it in one of his/her hands.  This player will hold his/her hands out in front of them.  The other team has to guess which hand has the coin.  If they guess correctly, they only have to put one block on top of the starting block.  If the guess is incorrect, they have to put two blocks on top of the starting block.  The coin now goes to the other team.  Each time the coin is hidden, the other team will put one or two blocks on top of the others.  If a team’s tower falls during the stacking, the other team wins.  Players may hold the stack anyway they wish, but must let go for the tower to stand on its own.  During this game, no other equipment can be used to stand on nor can players stack up on each other.  Once the blocks are out of reach, how can your team get another one on top?  It can be done!

Bull’s Eye All Around Posted 3-2-2010

Draw a target in the middle of the free-ex mat.  The center circle should be about 2 feet in diameter.  The center of the target is valued at 10 points or a “Perfect 10.”  The next circle out should be valued at 9, the next at 8 and the last one at 7.  If a player’s ball rolls out of the scoring rings, it will be scored as a 5.  Give each player a Bocce ball, tennis ball, basketball, or anything that rolls for this game of accuracy.  Each player has a score card or their name is on a poster with the coach documenting the scores of each player.  I usually give the gymnasts 5 rolls each.  The total will be their all around score.  Each player will stand behind the white line of the free-ex mat to roll their ball.  Variation 1:  Have all the players roll at the same time – 1, 2, 3, Go!  Each player will record their score on their card or tell the coach what they scored.  Variation 2:  Let the players roll one at a time.  In this variation, a player can bump another player’s ball to another score (might be higher or lower.)  This is a good math game for younger players and it is a great way to creatively fill your day with novel fun.

Fitness Playing Card Tag / Large Group Tag Game / Posted 8-28-2010

Designate an “it” and give that person a deck of playing cards.  When they tag someone they give the tagged person a 
card. The person tagged is to perform an exercise designated by the card.  If a RED card is received, they need to do Jumping Jack.  If they received a RED 8 – they do 8 JJs.  If they received a RED Queen – they do 12 JJs.  Ace = 1 and King = 13.  If they receive a BLACK card, they will need to do Chargers the number designated on the card.  If a player receives the JOKER, he/she will do NO exercise, but is now the new chaser.  Once a child finishes the task, they may place their cards in a specific area and enter the game again.  Chasers can get the new stacks when they run out of cards and continue to tag others.  Variation:  Have the 4 suits represent different exercises – Hearts = Ski Jumps, Clubs = Push-ups, etc.

 French Circle Warm-up Posted 2-9-2010

While working in France many years ago, I was in Paris at a gym with Michael Allinic and his wife and they showed me this neat idea for a fun and beneficial warm-up.  Have your group stand in a circle and hold hands.  The first thing the group did was to snail in and out and back to a full circle.  This is achieved by the leader dropping his/her left hand and leading the group in a giant spiral to his/her left.  All gymnasts will follow the leader until he/she brings the gymnasts into a full circle again.  Again, all gymnasts will hold hands. You will need a leader that will speak up and execute the drills well.  The idea is to help each other with balance and support. While facing in, have all the gymnasts squat down and back up again.    Here is a list of skills that I saw the circle do.  After the snail and the squat they will pike, squat – walk in and then out again, lunge kicks, Indian sit, lean over crossed legs, tuck, pike, Circle wave, V-sit, Crossed ankles V-sit, side-leans, candle stands, roll up to feet, and jump high with a shout.  Next the group will release hands, turn left and face the back of the next gymnasts.  Execute a high kick right, high kick left, squat down, jump up, walk in a circle, move in closer to the center, lap sit game (sit on each others knees without the group falling), turn outward and roll forward to a finishing pose.   There is no end to the way the group can move while connected.  Let the gymnast suggest ways or let them create their own circle warm-up to music.

Get It If You Can!  / Tag / Posted 8-28-2010

Equipment:  1 bean bag per player and 2 stackable cans
Play this in a large open area.  Select a player to be "It."  A throw line is drawn 15 to 20 feet from the IT and the cans.  Two cans are placed on top of the other.  The "It" stands by the cans.  Each player has a bean bag and is given a chance to topple the stacked cans.  If the bag misses, the player must leave his bag where it stops.  If the bag knocks the cans down, the player must run, get his bag, and get back across the throwing line before the "It" can stack the cans and touch the player.  When the cans are upset, all players that have bean bags on the floor must get their bags and make it back across the throw line.  If a player is tagged, he becomes the new "It."
Variation:  A player may choose to stand on his bean bag (safe) instead of trying to get back over the throwing line.  He can’t go back over the line until someone else knocks the cans down.  I have played this in a big circle before and it works just as well.

Gym Challenges / Large Group Warm-up Activity / Use for Contest / Posted 8-28-2010

Gather your group together for some fun with these challenges.  It’s also a great way to warm-up a group in a different way.

Challenges:

Can you lie on your back, fold arms on chest, and then stand with arms still folded?

Can you jump up to the side and click your heels?

Can you jump up in the air and see how many times you can click your heels together?

Can you stand on one foot and count to 20 with your eyes closed.

Can you stand on one tip-toe and count to 10 with your eyes closed?

Can you lace your fingers together and step through with both feet?  Brings your arms overhead and back to the front of your body without unlacing your fingers.

Can you put one or two ankles behind your head while sitting?

Can you do a butterfly roll to the right and to the left?

Can you close your eyes and touch your fingers together overhead?

Can you kneel on both knees and return to a standing position with arms folded behind your back?  Try not to move your feet or lose your balance.

Can you perform a Coffee Grinder?  One hand on the floor and walk in a circle with the other hand raised up.  Use right and left hands.

Can you do a Hawk Dive on one leg?  How low can you dip your head toward the floor?

Can you hold one leg out in front of you and squat all the way down then return to stand without use of hands?

Can you do a Knee Dip?  Hold one foot behind the body and then touch knee to the floor and back to stand without touching foot or hands to the floor.

Can you spin 8 times and walk down a predetermined line on the floor without stepping off the line?

Can you make your tummy roll up and down?

Can you lace your fingers and then dislocate your arms while moving from front to back?

Can you make your nose pop?

Did you know I had 11 fingers?

Can you squat jump your body length?

Can you do a Handstand for 3 seconds?

Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

Can you touch your head with your feet while on your tummy?

Can you do a push up and clap while in the air?

Can you do a headstand and clap 1, 2, or 3 times and put your hands back on the floor before you lose your balance?

Can you Flea Jump 3 times without stopping?

Can you do 5 Russian Bear steps without falling?

Can you and a partner sit back to back and do simultaneous Butterfly Rolls at the same time? You should finish back to back when finished.

Gym-Stone  or Rock & Roll Game Posted 2-9-2010

This is a very simple game with great results.  This is a game of chance with a bit of basic tumbling involved.  The coach stands on one side of the free-ex mat with a coin in his/her hand.  The coach will put the coin behind his/her back and places it in either the right or left hand.  After doing this, the coach will bring his/her hands/ fist to the front and put them on top of each other.  The gymnasts on the other side of the mat try to guess if the coin is in the top fist or bottom fist.  If they think the coin is in the top fist, they will stretch up on their toes with hands held high.  If they think it is in the bottom fist they will get in a push-up position.  The coach will open his/her hands and say either top or bottom.  If the gymnast guessed correctly, he/she get to take one long roll (or long cartwheel) towards the other side of the free-ex mat.  The object is to roll across and back to the original starting point before anyone else can.  Only roll or cartwheel when you have guessed correctly.  The winner of the match will be the player / leader to hide the coin for the next round.

Horse Around Posted 2-9-2010

This is a very tough conditioning game that I have seen at many Gym Camps.  This drill can be done with pommels on or off the horse.  It is a timed event or just a personal challenge.  Have a gymnast sit straddled the horse to start the activity.  On the signal to begin, the gymnast tries to go under and back up to the top of the horse as fast as possible.  Once again, this could be used as a challenge or as part of a conditioning program. 

Strength Stretch Posted 2-18-2010

This is an activity that will challenge the individual do go the extra mile for victory.  Each player should find another player their own height for this challenge.  Have one player stand behind the white line of the free-ex mat and give him/her a piece of chalk or a penny.  This player will lean-over and put one hand on the floor over the white line.  He/she will then hop on that one arm as far out as possible (feet still behind the line) and mark a line or deposit the penny as far away from the line as possible.  The next player will try to better this mark with his/her own chalk or penny.  Allow the first player to take another turn and try to better the first attempt or pass the 2^nd players mark.  The second player will take his/her final try to move the penny or the mark further.  The player that can make a mark the furthest gets the point or the victory for their team.

Stuffed Mushroom Posted 3-2-2010

For this group challenge, you will need to use a small gym mushroom and place it in the middle of the floor – away from any other gym equipment.  The objective of the activity is to see how many gymnasts can stand on the mushroom at the same time and not fall off.  They will have to make a plan and the try to execute it.  Players are encouraged to support each other and to always think safety.  The rule is that a team’s effort is a good one if they can stay on the mushroom for 5 seconds without falling off.  This is a great challenge for all age groups, but make sure you have several spotters around the mushroom in case the group starts to lean and perhaps fall.  Currently, the record is 6 for ages 6 to 9 year olds.  Set your own age group records and remember, NO double-stacking or on shoulders.  Think Safety, but have fun!

USA – Attention Getter Posted 3-2-2010

When you need the group’s attention, you can call out, “Olympic Games” and all the participants will run in place while holding the torch high over head and chant, “USA, USA, USA!”  USA could stand for “Unusually Smart Athletes.”

Party Game

Early Childhood Games

10,000 Men / Spiller Original

All sing this song and move as the teacher / leader instructs them to do.  . “There was a mighty king (make a crown with your hands) – who had 10,000 men (hold 10 fingers up) – he marched them to the top of the hill (march and move the group in a chosen direction) & marched them down again (reverse the marching direction)  – and when they were up they were up (everyone stretching up on tip-toes)  – and when they were down they were down (everyone on the floor) – and when they were only ½ way up (everyone standing in a crouched position with hands on knees)  – only three were found.” Call different #s at the end of the song to make different size groups.

B-3 (Big Balloon Bag) / Spiller Original
 

Stuff a plastic garbage bag with balloons and tie it or tape it off. Make sure the bag is tight by twisting the top of the bag several times. This bag can be used for many activities in your PE class: 1. Have all the students sit in a close group on the floor. Ask the group say the alphabet as they hit the bag in the air. First strike is “A,” Second strike is “B,” etc. 2. Use as a giant Hacky Sac. Have students keep it aloft using only feet. 3. Let your little ones use it as a giant volleyball. 4. Use the bag for every kind of relay possible. 5. Use clear plastic bags and fill each with a different color balloon. Give each team of 5 to 10 students one bag. On the signal to begin, have each team move the bag through an obstacle course or from point A to point B (timed event) by bopping the bag in the air as they move along.

There is really no end of ways to use the Big Balloon Bag. Let the kids be creative!

Bango / Card Game / Posted 12-1-09

This is a great way to play Bingo without having to buy a Bingo Game and have the kids lose all the little pieces.  All you need is two decks of cards and a few kids that like to play.  Get your group together in a circle and deal out one of the decks completely.  It will not matter if a player gets one more card than the others or if it bothers the students deal an equal amount of cards to each and set the rest aside.  Have the student’s place their cards in front of them face up.  If you like, you can have them by number and suit for quicker identification of the cards.  When the player's cards are ready, shuffle the other deck thoroughly.  Flip the top card over and call it out.  The player with this card turns his like card over.  This continues until one of the players has turned over all his cards and shout, "BANGO!"

Bean Bag Hoop Relay / UK / Posted 12-1-09

Children are divided into about six teams and each team has four hoops placed in position across the work area.  Children stand in a line, each with their own beanbag, and take turns to throw their beanbag into each hoop. They then jump inside that hoop, pick up the beanbag and throw into the next hoop. If they miss they must pick up the beanbag and throw again. When they reach the last hoop they run back to their team, touch the person at the front of the line and then run to the back of the line and sit down. The winners are the first team to have everyone sitting down.

Come Home All My Children / Pre School - Acting Out Game / Spiller Original

Have all the students’ line-up on one end of the gym or playing area.  They should be side by side facing the teacher.  The teacher will say, "Come home all my children!" and they will respond, "How shall we come home teacher (or Mrs. ____).  The teacher then will ask them to travel from where they are to the other end of the area in a variety of ways.  "Come home like the wind is blowing very hard" or "come home like you have stickers in your toes (walk on heels)" or "As quickly as possible" or "As happy as possible."  Each child should act-out the best they can as the come home.  Remember to always point-out exceptional efforts.

ConcenPLAYtion / Another way to play the card game of Concentration.  Spiller Original - Posted 12-8-09

This is a game that my friend Flavio and I created while in Switzerland.  Flavio is the son of a gymnast that I coached long ago in the Luzern area.  You place all the cards face down on the table or floor, of course.  Play rock, scissors, paper to see which player will go first.  As in the normal game of Concentration, players are trying to match 2 cards.  If they match, the player takes the cards as points and plays again.  In this new game it is made even simpler to match cards.  Each time a player turns over 2 cards and they DON'T match - the player turns one of the cards over and leaves one face up for the next player to use.  It's that simple.  I have played this with my Sr. mother and she likes it so much. 

Duck, Duck T-Shirt / Posted 7-30-2010

Equipment:  2 large t-shirts
Have all the players sit in a circle.  Select one player to be "It."  The player selected "It" is given 2 large T-shirts to carry.  "It" walks around the circle and drops one T-shirt behind someone.  Both players quickly run opposite directions around the circle until they meet again.  When they meet, they shake hands, put on the T-shirt, do three Jumping Jacks (or whatever) and run for the opening in the circle.  The player getting back to the space last will be the new "It." 
Variation:  Have the "It" drop a string loop behind a player.  When they meet, they have to successfully do a string figure (cup and saucer, Jacob's ladder, etc.) and then go to the open space.

Even Dice Posted 1-28-2010

For this game you will need to provide the group with 10 dice.  Each player will roll the dice and then check to see if they have rolled any even numbers.  If so, they remove the even number dice and continue to roll again.  How many rolls can they roll before they are out of dice?  Your 1^st roll might be - 1, 4, 5, 2, 6, 5, 3, 1, 6 and a 4.  Remember, remove the even numbers and go for the 2nd roll.  Again, how many rolls can you make before you’re out?  Variation – have one team roll odds and one team roll evens – play 3 rounds – total up the scores for both teams!

Face-to-Face Bean Challenge / Spiller Original / Posted 1-5-2010

Have two teams face each other.  Each player should be directly across from another player.  The teacher will show the players that he/she has 10 beans in his/her hand.  The teacher will turn around and place X number of beans in a single hand.  The teacher then turns around and asks if the 2 players are ready.  Both players should be concentrating on the teachers closed fist.  When the fist is opened, the players try to yell out the number of beans it will take to make 10.  If the hand had 6 beans in it, a player tries to be the 1^st to yell out 4!  If the hand had only 2 beans in it, a player would want to yell out 8!  The first to give the correct number gets the point.  The teacher then goes to the next two players and repeats the process.  A point is once again awarded and the teams keep score.  First team to 10 wins the game.

Forgetful Story Teller / Pre School Activity / Spiller Original

As the story teller begins his/her story, they have a hard time remembering the story.  When the story teller forgets something, the kids fill-in the gaps.  The story teller might say, “One day there was a _____.”  When the story teller can’t remember he/she will say, “That day there was a what children?”  The kids might say, “a bird.”  Then, the story teller starts again with this information.  “One day there was a bird and this bird was _______.”  “Help me kids!”  “BLUE!”  This continues until the entire story is told.  It becomes the kid’s story.  They love to help the “Forgetful Story Teller.

Guess Correctly / Spiller Original

Begin by having 3 persons huddle and pass a coin/object between themselves. While huddled, one person retains the coin and then the 3 move to separate areas of the room. On the leaders “Go” command all other players then line up behind the person who they think has the coin/object. Award points of those who guessed correctly and play again using 3 new people.