Smurfing

[Location:]

Let's be honest, how many of your road trips look like this?

Yeah . . . none I've ever seen! Use this game to spice it up! Best played with a group of bored people in a car - you don't all have to hold hands and look as giddy as the above picture though! :)

[Shopping List:]

Absolutely Nothing! That's the beauty of this traveling game, you don't really have to prepare for it at all! . . . (other than the trip/vacation you are on in the first place).

[Set Up:]

Get everyone in the car. Pick one person to start off being "it." Play.

[Object of the Game:]

Take turns being "it" and have fun guessing!

[Rules of the Game:]

1. Whoever is "it"plugs his/her ears, closes eyes, hums, or does whatever it takes to not listen to the rest of the group.

2. The rest of the group determines one verb they want the "it" person to guess. This verb with be replaced with the word "smurf" until it is guessed. (Note: another version of the game is to use a noun instead of a verb). 

3. The group notifies the "it" person they have chosen a word. The "it" person then begins to ask questions to try and guess what "smurfing" is.

4. Questions continue until the verb has been guessed. Then another person becomes "it."

5. Return to step 1.

6. Continue play until the destination is reached or the group is almost bored with the game.

- Tip: Never play a game until the group is entirely bored of the game; that makes it so much harder to keep the energy up and to get people excited for the next game (or whatever is coming next). 

[Play on!]

Why Games?

Ever wondered what it really takes to learn? Ok, maybe you've got that figured out by now, but your children probably haven't. Research and theory have determined that there are three main styles of learning:

Most people get much more auditory-centered teaching than they could ever want in school, conferences, or other lectures. Children, especially those of kindergarten age and younger, are taught with a visual focus very well. Yet the kinesthetic side is lost quite a bit. So, let's call this the

Otherwise known as hands-on learning, experiential education, or awesome object lessons!

So:

     1. Listen up real close!

     2. Send your eyes searching through the games and fun activities in this blog. 

     3. Find a few games or activities you really like.
     4. Check back on this page to find tips and tricks for turning games into learning experiences!

The Clothespin War

Have time before a party and need to stall? Got a group of people that just don't seem to be interacting well? Icebreakers are the right game to play! This one is easy and super fun! Large and small groups work well.

[Location:]

Anywhere! That's the best part of this type of game (icebreakers). If you do choose to play outdoors, make sure the weather is nice for interaction (not too hot or too cold). If you choose to play indoors, make sure you have enough space for everyone to stand and walk around comfortably.

[Shopping List:]

1. Sweet and simple, all you need is clothespins (2 per person)

[Set Up:]

1. If people in your group are filtering in from another location, give each person 2 clothespins as they enter and describe the game to them. If your group is already gathered, explain the game to everyone and give each person 2 clothespins. 

2. Players must attach these clothespins to their clothing. 

3. Also, have a time limit for this game (The smaller the group, the shorter the time. The larger the group, the longer the time. E.g. For a group of 15, about 8-12 minutes should suffice). 

[Object of the Game:]

Get as many clothespins on you as you can before time runs out.

[Rules of the Game:]

1. The only way you can receive more clothespins than the two you start with is by stealing them from other people in the group.

2. You may steal one clothespin from another participant by telling them something unique about you. If they have also done/had this thing, they get to take one of your clothespins. If they have not, you get one of their clothespins. 

3. Game continues play until time runs out.

4. Once time has run out, the person with the most clothespins wins!

[Play On!]

Yarn Obstacle Course

A quick and easy one for those who have partiers all ready to play. ~ May also be called Yarn Lasers, Spider Web, or another title that fits your theme. ~

[Location:]

Anywhere you want really. Can be done indoors or out. Best locations have a good number of all ready included "obstacles" to tie the yarn around.

[Shopping List:]

1. Yarn, any color.

2. Tape (if you do not have enough obstacles to tie yarn around).

3. People! (Ideal: ages 4+ and a minimum of 2 people).

[Set-Up:]

1. Take yarn and wrap it in any way you can around chairs, trees (if outdoors), bed stands, doorknobs, etc.

2. Continue creating a haphazard mess of yarn until the playing space is large enough for the group or you run out of yarn.

3. Optional: Your participants may help with the set up and take down of this activity, it can be part of the fun.

Picture found here.

[Object of the Game:]

Make your way from one end of the course to the other without touching the lines of yarn. First one to the other side wins.

[Rules of the Game:]

Do not touch the strands of yarn or something bad will happen.

~ Some creative consequences include:
(1) the offending player got "hit" (not really) by a stunning laser and cannot move for 5 seconds;
(2) touching the yarn wakes the spider up and she will come and eat you (out of the game);
(3) the player who hits the yarn he/she may only say two words every minute;
(4) the player loses an appendage (foot, hand, leg, arm, etc);
(5) the offending player must use the word "banana" between every other word each time he/she speaks (i.e. "I banana want banana to banana be banana at banana the banana end banana so banana I banana can banana stop banana saying banana banana banana.").

[Play On!]