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Gregg A. Catalano
gcatalano@earthlink.net
(832) 237-4635
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Kubic Kids
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: Hula Hoops
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Everyone likes to set a record of some kind. This event is designed for fun, but it will get your group to put the pieces of a puzzle together that only they can do. You, as the leader, have the tough part. Put a hula-hoop on the floor (make sure it's in an open area). That's it. Just put the hoop on the floor and say, "How many of you can fit into the hoop?" At first it will be a mad rush to fill the hoop, but with little success. Allow this to happen (safely) and then ask the group to problem solve the matter. The official record (at Physician of Phun World Headquarters) is 14 teens/adults in the hoop at one time, 15 pre-teens at a time, and 16 1st/2nd/ and 3rd graders at a time. Have fun and email me a photo if your group sets the new record.
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Tiger Ball
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: 4 2-liter bottles per group,
2 Nerf balls per group
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
In this game from Israel, play starts with players formed into a minimum of two circles. In the center of each circle place four standing plastic bottles and give each circle two "nerf" balls. Each group will then select two of its members to go to another circle. It is the job of these two players to guard the bottles in that circle while the remaining circled group members try to knock the bottles down as quickly as possible. If a bottle is knocked down it remains down and circles are competing against one another to see which group can knock down both bottles first. After each round select 2 new players to go to the other group and record scores. Teamwork occurs both within the large group and between the 2 players.
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Cooperative Carol
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: None
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
Split your group into 12 teams (equal numbers are not necessary for this activity). Once groups are established, assign each group one verse of the song: “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Explain that each group will have time and is responsible for working cooperatively together to create actions to go with the words of their assigned verse. Further emphasize that all participants must be actively involved in the singing and acting out of their verse once the song begins. You’ll be amazed at the interpretive creativity of each group’s verse and how nicely it promotes holiday cheer as you have an absolute riot singing and acting out this classic Christmas song!
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"P.I.G."
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: None
Activity time: 5-7 minutes
How to play:
This is a simple game that involves spelling, searching, and team effort. Teams of five or six are selected and sit in a designated area (not to close to each other). The facilitator selects a word. This word could be anything, but a word that is part of a theme for the day/week works best. For example: let's say you are talking about cooperation and select the first word to be "TEAM." On the “Go” command, each group has to scatter and find items in the area that start with the letters of the selected word. Group members may find a twig (T); one might find an envelope (E); another might find an apple (A); and another finds a mint (M). They bring the items back to the group area as quickly as they can. Each group must place the items in the correct order to spell the selected word. Once all found items are arranged correctly, the group shouts out the word repeatedly until the facilitator acknowledges them. Give three points to the first group to spell the word; two points for second and one point for third. Have each group replace all the items after spelling the word. Play continues until a team has scored a selected number of points (usually 15 or 20). Remember... a group cannot use an item twice. That means they cannot use a twig again for a "T", etc.
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Funny Bones
Number of players: Any number in pairs or in small groups
Equipment needed: Funny Bones Cards
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Prior to introducing this hilarious group activity you will need to make a series of index card sets. Each index card needs to have two body parts written on it (“toe to back,” “ear to shoulder,” “knee to hip,” etc.). Each set should contain about 20 cards with 3 of the cards being “Free Bones” cards. Shuffle the cards and give a set to each pair or team. Explain that to play this game, one card is selected and the pair or two participants from the group must press the chosen card between those two body parts. Once accomplished, another card is selected and the above is repeated (if playing as part of a group the person selecting the card must connect with someone already participating in the game). If a “Free Bones” card is selected, the pair or group can choose what two body parts will be connected. Cards are selected and placed between the body parts until a card is dropped. At this point, play stops and points are awarded. Give each pair or group 5 points for each card they were holding prior to the drop occurring. This is a great “Twister” type game that involves a lot of cooperating between a partner or a small group.
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Hit & Switch
Number of players: Any number is teams of 5-8
Equipment needed: Beach Balls
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Begin by having each participating group of players stand on 1 side of a line (side “A”) and provide them each with a beach ball. Player #1 starts this cooperative game by hitting the beach ball to any player and then immediately crosses the line (s/he will no longer be in side “A”). After crossing the line, that player is no longer eligible to hit the ball again until the last player hits the ball from side “A” to side “B.” Player #2 (who has received the ball from Player #1) then hits the ball to another player and s/he immediately crosses the line and joins player #1. This continues until the ball is hit to the last player on side “A” who then hits it across the line to anyone in side “B.” The team scores one point for involving everyone and having the ball cross the line. The above is repeated on side “B” with players after hitting the ball crossing over to side “A.” If the ball hits the floor, or is hit twice by any player, that ends the groups attempt to accumulate points. Points earned are kept and the challenge starts again with all players starting again on side “A.” Challenge your group to see how many points they can get!
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Beach Ball 360
Number of Participants: Any number
Equipment Needed: Hula Hoops, Beach Balls
Activity Time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
Set up this creative cooperative by making a large circle comprised of hoops with about 5 feet of spacing between each hoop. Place 1-3 participants in each hoop and explain that these participants must have one foot in the hoop at all times. The object of this activity is to see how many times the group can manipulate the beach ball sequentially (from one hoop to the next) around the circle without letting the beach ball touch the ground or having a participant’s foot leave his/her hoop. Explain that if more than one person is in the hoop, anyone in the hoop can hit the beach ball and if needed, the beach ball can be hit several times by that hoops members before passing it on to the next group. If the ball hits the ground, allow the group time to regroup and begin again starting with the group that would have received the ball. This is a group initiative and sounds a lot easier than it actually is.
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Crossover
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: Long rope
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Start by having all participants surround a large defined circle (using a piece of tied rope). The goal of this deceptively simple cooperative is to as quickly as possible, change places with the person directly across from you in the circle without touching anyone (if there is an odd number of participants, have them create a group of 3 forming a "partnership"). As always, there are a few rules that must be followed: 1) crossing partners must enter the circle at the same time, 2) group members may not reposition themselves once the activity has begun, 3) the circle may not be changed, and 4) time begins when the timer says "Go" and stops when everyone has finished crossing the circle. Prior to beginning, inform the group that they will be given only 5 attempts to get the lowest possible time possible. How will your group do?
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1/2 Fast Track
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: 2 Balls/objects to be passed
Activity time: 7-15 minutes
How to play:
To begin, ask all participants to make a large circle and select two participants standing next to each other as your initial leaders. Hand each of these individuals a ball (the larger the better) and then create two teams by dividing the group in half and designating the last two participants on each team as the “spinners.” The object of this high energy low level group cooperative is to pass the ball around half of the circle and back as quickly as possible trying to beat the other team back to the original leader. On the leaders "Go," each team member hands the ball from one person to the next. When the ball reaches the last person, that person (“the spinner”) spins around one full turn and hands the ball back to the person they just received the ball from and the passing action continues back to the leader. The first team to get its ball back to its original leader is the winner.
Variations: Squatting 1/2 Fast Track
Spinning 1/2 Fast Track
Slap 1/2 Track
To extend the length of the game, 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 team’s leader comes to the middle of the circle and makes a play on the poster. When using this extender make sure you change leaders, spinners, and the game’s finish each round.
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Switch, Change, Rotate
Number of players: Any number in groups of 3
Equipment needed: None
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
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 goes the opposite direction.
Rotate - means the lead player goes to the back and the center player is 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.
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Circle Ball Pass
Number of players: Any number in small groups
Equipment needed: 1 Beach Ball per group
Activity time: 7-15 minutes
How to play:
Begin by having all participants form groups of 6-10 and provide each group with a beach ball. Explain that in this challenge, participants are to pass the beach ball around the circle as many times as possible in the allotted time without ever passing the beach ball in the same way another participant passed it. The only rule is that when passing the beach ball 2 points of contact must be made with the ball. The challenge begins easily enough, but after going around the circle once or twice you really have to become creative to pass the beach ball to your neighbor in a way no one has passed it before. You don’t want to pass up this great activity as participants always love it!!!
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Fill-It
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: 30-50 soft throwable objects
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
This activity is a great team builder. Divide your group in half and put each team on one side of the gym floor or playing area. Place a box on the centerline between the teams. Scatter 30 to 50 soft throwable items all over the floor. Each side should have about half the items. On the signal to begin, all the players go to an item, pick it up, and toss it to the other side. A player must toss the item from where he finds it. The object is to throw the ball so that a player on the other side can catch it. A ball that is caught can be placed into the center box. Any ball not caught must be thrown back across the playing area to the players on the other side. The game continues in this cooperative manner until all the balls are caught and placed in the box. Time the group and then challenge them to better their time. Give them some time to problem-solve and then try again.
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Ultimate Moonball
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: 1 Large Beach Ball
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
Now that you've played “moonball,” let’s take this classic to a whole new cooperative level. The concept is similar to the original “moonball” (see January 2011) but the scoring and counting method changes. In this version, each person in the group must hit the ball before the team can score a point. Start with all participants standing, introduce the beach ball and explain that after a person hits the ball they kneel down to show the group that they have hit the ball. A kneeling player can still hit the ball to keep it in play; but, a point is not scored until all members have hit the ball. Once all group members have hit the ball the group shout out “ONE” and all stand back up and attempt to score another point. This transition (from kneeling to standing again) requires some planning and coordination and is part of making “ultimate moonball” so challenging. If at any time the ball touches the ground that scoring attempt is over and the group starts over again. Trust me - it’s going to take the ultimate group effort to score BIG in this challenge!
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A-Z Moonball / Moonball Tracking
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: Beach Balls
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
The object of this game is simply to recite the alphabet from A to Z. Sounds easy, but there are a few rules that must be followed. Begin by having all participants scatter and sit on the floor. Explain that once started, that each time a person hits the beach ball the group is to shout out the next letter of the alphabet. This continues as long as a rule is not violated. Breaking any of the following rules causes the activity to stop and the group to have start over from "A."
Rule #1: the beach ball hits the floor or ceiling
Rule #2: a participant's seat comes off the floor
Rule #3: any participant hits the ball 2x in a row before another participant
hits it
This is a wonderful low-level initiative that most groups will be successful with. Once success is achieved, you can challenge the group further by having them try it using only their non-dominate hand. How about elbows only, heads only . . . feet?
Variation: Moon Ball Tracking
This is almost the same game except that the group will be using 2, 3, or 4 beach balls. To start, assign one beach ball to 2, 3, or 4 different participants (determined by the number of beach balls being used). These players are to mentally count how many times their ball is hit before one of the above rules is violated or the 30-second time limit is reached. Total all the numbers and announce the groups total. Play again challenging the group to beat its point total or the point total of another group. You'll find this months activity to be a real "hit" with your participants!
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Pressure Cooker
Number of Participants: Any number groups of 10-15
Equipment Needed: 1 Sheet Paper per Group Member, Markers
Activity Time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
This is the time of year for giving and this month’s game is a gift from the very talented and creative mind of Pete Hinojosa and his company Omega Quest.
Start by creating groups of 10-15 participants and provide each person with a piece of paper and each group with a marker. Once all participants are grouped, ask all group members to number off and have them write out their number on a piece of paper. Instruct each group to create a boundary around which they all can stand and move in. Play some upbeat music and instruct all group members to move randomly within there established boundary (essentially mixing up the group). Stop the music and ask that each person set their numbered paper down and stand on it. The group is now ready for the “pressure cooker” challenge. Explain that it is the group’s job to without touching anyone, sequentially go through the numbers within their circle in an effort to get back to their original number as quickly as possible. If a touch occurs a .05 second time penalty will be added to the group’s final time. The first try establishes a benchmark time and each new attempt tries to improve on this time. After a few tries, the time should be down to between .30-.40 seconds. Now, challenge the group to think outside the box and try to accomplish this task in less than 15 seconds. Once successful, explain that groups have been able to do this in less than .07 seconds? Can your group? Give it a try and see!
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Helium Hoops
Number of players: Any number in small groups
Equipment needed: 1 Hula Hoop per team
Activity time: 15-20 minutes
How to play:
This is one of the coolest and most difficult team initiatives we’ve ever seen! Separate your group into teams of 5 to 8 participants. Provide each team with a regular sized hula hoop and get ready to watch something extremely interesting. Instruct all participants to face inwards and extend just their index fingers forward at about chest-level. Designate a player or have the leader set a hula hoop on the top of all the extended fingers and then hold the hula hoop until ready to start the activity. Explain that participants may not hook their fingers around the hoop at any time and fingers must be in contact with the hoop at all times. The objective is simply to lower the hoop to the floor without any fingers ever leaving the hoop. If a finger looses contact with the hoop, that attempt has failed, and the team must start the activity over again. Each team needs a facilitator to start the game and to watch for infractions. Make sure that your group is ready for this activity as it not as easy as it sounds, and is a very difficult initiative to be successful with.
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3 Down
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: 4 (2-liter) bottles, 3 Nerf balls
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
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 their 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!
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Heads and Hands
Number of Players: Any number in groups of 6 or more
Equipment Needed: Beach Balls
Activity Time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
The object of the challenging activity is for your team to get as many points as possible in a 1 to 2 minute time period. Start by having one group member selected to be the "Counter." Next, explain that on the signal to begin, the beach ball is hit into the air by hand and the group tries to keep the ball in the air as long as possible using either their hands or heads with a point being awarded for each “Header” (a ball hit with the head). If the ball hits the floor A) pick it up and hit it again with the hand to restart the action or B) take a point away from the total for each floor hit. Have each group announce their totals and then provide a minute or two for groups to strategize in an effort to better their previous score. You really have to use your head to score big in this activity!
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Name Line
Number of Participants: Any number in a large circle
Equipment Needed: None
Activity Time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Players form a circle. One player stands inside the circle and on the “GO” command moves in front of one of the other players; high 5’s that player, and asks: "Hey what’s your name?" That player then responds by sharing their first name saying for example: “my name is Dawn!" The center player then does the “Dawn” dance – s/he puts their hands on their hips, and shouts “ready.” After the “ready” the center player’s right foot is extended toward the player and as their heel touches the ground (the rest of the foot flexed upward) they shout out the person’s first name (“Dawn”). This is then repeated alternating feet four more times each time repeating the person’s name: "Dawn! Dawn! Dawn! Dawn!" The center player then turns and Dawn puts her hands on their shoulders and they begin "choo‑chooing" across the circle until they stop in front of another player. Again the lead person high 5’s the new person and asks: “Hey, what’s your name?” The person being asked then shares their name and the lead person looks over his/her right shoulder and shouts out their name to the person behind them - “His name is Gary!” The person directly behind the lead person then repeats that action, looking over their right shoulder and shouting out: “His name is Gary!” After the last person shout out the persons name the lead player shouts out “ready!” and the group (now 2 people) do the “Gary” dance. After completing the dance, the lead person and Dawn release their hold on one another and turn around (facing the center of the circle). They reconnect with Gary now hooking onto the lead person and the lead person now connecting to Dawn. This creates a situation where after every dance, there will be a new leader going across the circle to find another player. With large groups the number of starters can be increased so that there may be from three to ten "trains" operating at one time. This is a great way for a group to transition from a large circle to smaller circles while having Phun!!
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Body Letters
Number of Participants: Any number in small groups of 6-8
Equipment Needed: None
Activity Time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Start by dividing all participants into groups of 6-8. Once groups are formed explain that you will be calling out different letters of the alphabet and that it is the groups’ objective to create that letter as quickly as possible with all group members connected in some way. Try a few easy letters to ensure that groups understand and then start a “Body Letter” competition. Award the 1st group to complete their letter 3 points, the 2nd place group 2 points and the 3rd place group 1 point. End the activity by using the following letters . . . A, O, and K. Have participants name the last 3 letters created and respond with, “you know what . . . you guys are A, O, K!”
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3, 2, 1, Ups
Number of players: Any number in small groups
Equipment needed: Various throwable objects
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
Each group starts this activity with 1 soft object that can be thrown. One person is chosen to be the leader, and his/her job is simply to give the command: “1, 2, 3, Ups!”. On the word “Ups,” whoever is holding the soft object throws the ball a minimum of 5 feet in the air with the game requiring that someone else in the group other than the thrower catch the thrown object. If the group is successful in tossing and catching the one item, they repeat the process again. If they are successful a second time in a row, then they add another object. This time, on the command “Ups” both items are tossed up into the air at the same time with the group trying to catch both objects. To add another object the group must successfully make 2 catches in a row. If an object touches the ground the group tries again but it is only their first attempt (remember, the group must get 2 catches in a row to add another item). This is a fun, low level cooperative activities that groups love!
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Marbles
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: Beach Balls, Nerf Balls, Fleece Balls
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
Begin by having all participants form a large circle. Inside that large circle place a number of randomly placed polydots and 4 semi-deflated beach balls. Provide a number of nerf and fleece balls to those in the circle and you’re ready for the “Marbles” challenge. Explain that the goal of the activity is to get the semi-deflated beach balls on top of the polydots as quickly as possible. At no time may a group member go inside the circle to retrieve a ball; however, if a ball becomes stationary inside the circle the group can choose to hit the ball out with another ball. Time the group to see how long it take to get all 4 balls on top of the polydots and then use this time as the “Marbles” records that can be challenged at any future time by the group.
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Computer Glitch
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: Long Rope, 20 Number Cards, Stopwatch
Activity time: 15-20 minutes
How to play:
Create a large circle with a piece of rope/string and then randomly place 30 number cards inside the circle. Have all participants gather around the circle and explain that their goal is to sequentially touch each of the numbers inside the circle as quickly as possible. Next inform participants that they can step into the circle if they can't reach a number; but, computer glitches occur when one of the following things happen: 1) two people are touching numbers at the same time, 2) a person touches a number or the rope while another group member is inside the circle, 3) a person touches a number out of sequence. If any of the above computer glitches occur, a .10 second penalty is added to the ending time. Cooperating and communicating are the keys to succeeding in this initiative. Set a record and challenge your group to see if they can beat that time by cooperating and communicating even more effectively with one another.
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Balloon Circle Initiative
Number of players: Any number in small groups
Equipment needed: Balloons
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Instruct each group to create a circle with everyone’s feet touching. Provide enough balloons to each group so that every other person has a balloon. The challenge of this colorful activity is to see how long it will take the group to bop (not pass) all the balloons around the circle from one person to the next without anyone loosing foot contact or allowing any of the balloons to touch the ground. Time this initiative from the initial "Go!" and record the time when all of the balloons are back at their original starting point. This one really requires some teamwork - good luck!
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Quick Switch
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: 4 Cones/markers
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Begin by creating a square formation using 4 cones/markers. Create four even teams and then ask that each teams members stand between a set of cones facing inward. Once completed, the leader stands in the center of the square. At this point, have groups note the position they are in relative to the leader and their teammates. Emphasize to the group that in this position, team #1 will always be facing the leader, team #2 will always be facing the right side of the leaders body, team #3 always faces the left side of the leaders body, and team #4 will always be facing the back of the leader. Each player must then remember two things: 1) his/her position in line, and 2) the teams orientation to the leader. Each round of play begins when the leader starts rotating his/her body a ¼ of a turn randomly in the center of the circle. Teams must remain still until the leader comes to a stop and then at this point all teams are allowed to move with the goal being to reassemble themselves into their original order and position (relative to the leaders new position) as quickly as possible. The first team to correctly line up between thier new cones in their original order and orientation to the leader wins a point. The first team to reach a preset score wins the game. Players may not hold onto each other when moving.
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“Get Off the Floor”
Number of players: Any number in groups of 4
Equipment needed: 3 four-foot lengths of rope per group
Activity time: 20-30 minutes
How to play:
Create small groups of 4 or 5 participants to initiate this initiative. Once grouped, give each group one sheet of newspaper, flip chart paper or butcher paper and instruct them to put it in the center of the group. Then challenge all groups to “get off the floor” within 5 seconds (groups will usually jump onto the paper). Now ask someone in the group to fold the paper in half and then challenge the group again to “get off the floor” in 5 seconds. This continues for several more rounds (each time folding the paper in half) with each round becoming more and more difficult for the groups. Various techniques will be employed by all group members to accomplish “getting off the floor,” with the best one being simply to fold the paper in half as instructed and to have all group members “get off the floor” onto chairs or a table, etc. (but don’t tell them this). A great “ah ha” experience for teaching out-of-the-box thinking to your group.
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Santa's Helpers
Number of players: Any number in pairs
Equipment needed: Wrapping Paper, Scotch tape, Scissors, Ribbon,
Paper tissue boxes
Activity time: 10-15 minutes
How to play:
Wrap it up and tie it with a bow . . . one handed! Start by having all participants get into pairs. Provide all necessary gift wrapping supplies (wrapping paper, tape, scissors and ribbon) and a present to wrap (I have found that a tissue paper box is perfect). Have pairs stand side-by-side with one hand free and the other behind their back. In this configuration, one participant will be using their left hand, and the other their right hand. The object is to see which of the Santa’s Helper pairs can wrap the present the best in the allotted time. Have participants select the best package as the winner. As a variation, this can also be played as a relay or be based on fastest time (as long as it is wrapped correctly). Santa needs all the help he can get this holiday season and together we can all help to make everyone’s holiday season the best ever!
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"Thankerchief"
Number of Participants: Any number
Equipment Needed: 1 Bandanna / Hankerchief
Activity Time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
As a closing activity, arrange all participants into a circle. Introduce the “thankerchief” (colorful bandanna) and ask participants to think of 2 or 3 things that they are thankful for. Explain that the “thankerchief” will be passed around the circle from person to person while the group chants this simple 4 line verse:
Thankerchief, thankerchief, round you go --
Where you'll stop, nobody knows.
But when you do, someone must say,
What they are most thankful for on this day.
At the completion of the verse, the person holding the “thankerchief” must share out loud one thing for which they are thankful. This continues until everyone has had a turn to share. Don’t underestimate the power of this simple closer as we all should count our blessings daily and be thankful for all we have.
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Halloween Riddle Contest
Number of players: Any number
Equipment needed: List of Riddles
Activity time: 7-10 minutes
How to play:
Everyone loves to solve riddles so why not use this as a low level teambuilding activity that promotes dialog, brainstorming and will stimulate the brains of all your participants? Start by forming teams of 4 and explain that as a team they will receive 5 points for every riddle that their group is able to correctly guess. Points can also be given to groups that come up with and can explain a creative answer that would also work as an answer to the riddle. Read 1 riddle at a time and give groups a time limit to solve the riddle. With Halloween just around the corner, the riddles provided below have a Halloween theme, but you can use this activity at any time with any type of riddle. Your right brains are going to love this one – have fun!!!
· Why didn't the skeleton cross the road? (answer: He didn’t have the guts)
· What do skeletons say before they begin dining? (answer: Bone appetite!)
· What do ghosts serve for dessert? (answer: Ice Scream)
· When is it bad luck to meet a black cat? (answer: When you’re a mouse)
· What do you call a skeleton who won't work? (answer: Lazy bones)
· What kind of music do mummies listen to? (answer: Wrap)
· Where do baby ghosts go during the day? (answer: Day-scare Centers)
· Why don't skeletons like parties? (answer: The have no body to dance with)
· What kind of mistakes do spooks make? (answer: Boo boos)
· What do the birds sing on Halloween? (answer: Twick or Tweet)
· Who won the skeleton beauty contest? (answer: No body)
· What type of dogs do vampires like best? (answer: Bloodhounds)
· How does a ghost cry? (answer: Boo-hoo)
· What kind of key should you always take to a haunted house? (answer: A skeleton key)
· What do you get when you cross a vampire with a snowman? (answer: Frostbite)
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Swap Knots
Number of players: Any number in even numbered groups
Equipment needed: 4 Short ropes per group
Activity time: 15-20 minutes
How to play:
Begin by making groups of 8, 10, or 12 members each. Give each group 1 piece of three-foot rope per two participants. Once this is done, instruct participants to put these ropes on the floor so that they criss-cross each other creating an asterisk like shape (this will be both the beginning position and ending position of the activity). Once this is completed, invite all participants in the group to take hold of one end of one of the ropes. Allow each group 2-3 minutes to tangle the ropes as much as possible without ever letting go of the end of their rope. At the end of the time, ask the teams to carefully place the tangled ropes on the floor so that the ends of the ropes can be seen. Now, it's time to "swap knots!" Have each group move to another team's tangle, individually grab onto the end of one of the ropes and as a group, try to untangle the ropes. A group is successful when they are able to put the ropes back into the original asterisk starting position.
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