New Games
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“New Games”
These events are called "new games" as they were developed in the seventies as part of the cooperative learning movement. These activities have no declared “winners and losers” and thus are perfect as a way to get a group to warm-up to each other, have fun, and act silly. It permits the members of the group to open up to each other, thus providing the foundation for cooperative interaction and trust that is needed throughout a course. These events provide the framework necessary for proper safety orientation and understanding the need for adhering to established safety guidelines. Whatever game you choose here should have an inclusive, "everybody wins" objective to it. The more physical activity that is incorporated the better, as it allows participants to warm up.
Key Facilitation Points: warm-up, inclusion, comfort zone, safety, fun
Group Size: May be done with 10-50+ participants
Where: A grassy or wood chipped area works best for safety and aesthetics
Safety Concerns: Participants are reminded not to run and to be aware of uneven ground and conditions due to weather. Participants are reminded to keep tags appropriate (G-rated)
Giants Wizards Elves
Objective: This activity has three characters: giants, wizards and elves. There are three teams that line up to form a triangle. Each team must huddle up and decide which of the three characters they are going to portray and then come back to the triangle formation with the two other teams. On the go signal the three teams portray their character. The objective of the game is to have all three teams match characters. This can also be played as a "rock paper scissors" type of tag game, or with a small group it can be played in pairs.
Everybody's It! Tag
Objective: This is a tag game where everyone is "it." This game (as with all tag games) is done within a set of boundaries and at the go signal, each participant attempts to tag someone else. You can tag as many people as you want however, once you have been tagged three times you are out and must assume the "freeze" pose by standing still and putting a hand on top of your head.
Spot Tag
Objective: Same rules as above except tagged person must hold the spot where he/she was tagged (with one hand). When tagged a second time, the tagged person must hold the second spot thus using both hands. They can now only tag with their hips, shoulders, feet, etc. Once they have received three tags they are out and must assume the "freeze pose."
Apples and Oranges
Objective: Ask the group to pair up and between the two choose an apple and orange. Once decided, the partners get as far away from each other as possible while still staying in the boundaries. The facilitator will either call apples to chase oranges or oranges to chase apples to start the game. A normal tag game ensues. Once tagged however, the roles reverse. The game continues to play until the facilitator stops it. Note: the smaller the boundaries, the more action!
Blob Tag
Objective: This game is a continuation on Apples and Oranges. Ask the group to pair up with their Apple/Orange partner and lock elbows. Then have them find another pair (if odd person, link them up with a pair). Have each pair chose an elephant and a zebra. The facilitator then will either call zebra's to chase elephants or visa versa. Upon tagging the roles are reversed. Game goes on until facilitator stops. Now ask the two pairs to find two more pairs (groups of 8). Have them choose elephants and zebra's and start the game again. This continues on until you have one large group chasing another large group!
Elbow Tag
Objective: Same set-up as blob tag except two people do not link elbows. One is "it" and the other tries to get away. If the partner who is trying to avoid being tagged links up with an "elbowed" pair he/she is safe. But the person on the far end of that elbowed pair must now avoid the tagger. If at any time the "tagger" gets the person he/she is chasing, the person must turn a circle and then try to tag them (just like apples/oranges). This can be done with multiple pairs chasing and avoiding. Everyone else stays in the same place as "safe spots."
Quad Tag
Objective: Group parts. in teams of 4. Three make a triangle while holding hands with one person on outside. Group of three chooses one member to be the "mouse" with the person on the outside being the "cat." The cat chases around the threesome trying to tag the mouse while the group of three moves in a circular fashion to protect the mouse.
Colgate
Objective: This game is great for large groups. Have everyone get close as you explain that they are all about to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. When the facilitator says "toothpaste" everyone will simultaneously shout the name of their favorite toothpaste and get with others who have the same brand. When all are done finding their groups the facilitator goes around and recognizes each group ("and who do we have here?" CREST!). This can be repeated any number of times with favorite car, and other themes. You can also limit the groups by giving them set choices (i.e. favorite dessert: ice cream, cake, or fresh fruit). To work effectively this game must be high energy and very playful.
Evolution
Objective: A hilarious rendition of Rock, Paper, Scissors, this activity involves attempting to “evolve” from an egg to a human. Everyone begins as an egg (in crouched pose) and play rock paper scissors with neighbor. If you win, you “evolve” up to a chicken (with requisite chicken pose), if you lose you stay an egg. From a chicken you move to a monkey and then, finally, a human. You must do rock, paper, scissors, with a someone at the same stage of evolution. If you win you go up, if you lose, you go down.
Finger Jousting
Objective: In pairs facing one another with hands behind back. Each pair on count of three throws out any number of fingers. First person to add up BOTH sets of hands and say number out loud “wins.” Repeat. Drip Dry.
Handshakes
Objective: The ultimate warm-up. Introduce 3-4 different handshakes to group (in circle). Ice-fishing (flapping forearms), Gunslinger (high ten, slap hips and draw), LumberJack (thumbs up, grab thumbs, and saw), Dairy shake (fingers clasped upside down and “milk” thumbs), and 30 second intro (standard handshake with life story told at same time in 30 seconds). After demo of one, have parts. find a partner across circle and do handshake and find another spot to stand in circle. Repeat with new handshake and different partner. At end challenge them to remember all different ones in same order as afst as possible. Finishing with 30 sec. intro is nice.
Transformer Tag (heads or tails tag)
Objective: Demo to parts. 2 body positions (suitable for fast walking). The historical choices have been: one hand on top of head, one hand attached to gluteus (right or left behind). After a moment to determine their game identity, indicate the start o of the game. Players than immediately declare their identity by adopting one of the body positions. The action involves one team--the heads for instance--trying to tag the other team and transform them into heads. Once transformed, the person continues to tag anyone of the opposing team. The action continues until one team successfully dominates the world.
