Games are first and foremost an outlet for fun. Many active children's games also help develop motor skills, problem solving and language skills. However, competition is often the focus of young children's games. When there is an emphasis on winning and losing children can frequently be left on the sidelines with a sense of failure and incompetence.
Musical Chairs is a prime example of a game the does more to exclude children rather than involve them. This popular game often becomes a pushing battle for the few remaining competitors while the other children are left as bored spectators. Fortunately, there are many games that focus on fun rather than competition. These games promote a sense of teamwork and cooperation that reaches well beyond the playground. I have included some of my favorites, including a new twist on Musical Chairs.
Cooperative
Musical Chairs
This game is very
similar to the original version, with the same setup of two lines
of chairs back to back. Make sure there is one chair LESS than
the amount of players. Began playing music while children dance
or march around the chairs. When the music stops everyone needs
to find a seat. The goal is ensure everyone has a place! As the
game continues remove an additional chair after each round. With
a smaller amount of chairs available, children will find the need
to work together and cooperate in order to find room for
everyone. This may mean sitting on laps and sharing chairs.
Please note: no one is eliminated or asked to wait in this
version.
Sharks
in the Water
This game operates
on the same premise as Cooperative Musical Chairs. Outline a
large square on the floor with either masking tape or chalk. This
area is the safe island and the area surrounding the square is
the ocean. When the music begins children "swim" around
the island. The stopping of the music indicates that sharks are
coming and all player must retreat to the safety of the island.
With each round the lines are altered making the island smaller
and smaller. Players must make work together to make sure
everyone has a safe place to get away from the sharks.
Mirror
Mirror
The is a game that
can be played with partners or with a larger group. A leader is
chosen to initiate movements the others are to try to mimic as
quickly as possible so that it appears they are a mirror image of
the leader. A more challenging version for older children is to
eliminate the leader. Players are to both move and simultaneously
mimic each other.
Keep
it Up
Blow
up one or more ballons depending on the number of players. The
simple goal is to work together and keep the balloon in the air.
For younger children you may to have them stand or sit in a
circle. You can add challenge for older children by restricting
how they may elevate the balloon not allowing them to use their
hands or only their elbows etc.,
Ball
Bounce
You
can use a parachute or large sheet for this game. Players hold
and stretch the edges of the parachute. A ball is placed in the
center. By all players gently tugging up and down they can cause
the ball to bounce. Players can see how long they can keep the
ball going with out it bouncing off the surface. More balls can
be added for additional challenge and fun.
Dragon
Tail
Players
form one long line or train by holding onto the waist of the
child in front of them. The child in the front becomes the dragon
head. The child in the rear is the dragon tail and a colorful
scarf is attached into a belt loop. The "head" is to
try to catch the scarf flapping behind the "tail". All
of the other players, members of the "body", are
compelled to work together with both ends and both the goal of
the head and the tail at that same time. The main objective
thoughout is to keep the dragon intact with no players letting
go. This game is best for older children and requires a large
area.
Human
Pretzel
Players
form a circle. Each player reaches into the circle with their
right hand and clasps hands with anyone across from them. Then
each player clasps their left hand with a different player. Two
people are then designated to be the ends. One end player is to
release their right hand from whomever has a hold on it and the
other end player is to release their left hand. By stepping over,
under, and around each other; the group needs to work together to
untangle their big human pretzel. Again, players are to try to
accomplish this with out releasing their hands.
