Group games are a great way for kids to get to know each other and begin the process of learning how to work together in a fun, non-threatening way. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Tell Three Things
Each person writes down three things about himself: two of which are true and one of which is a lie. After everyone has finished making this or her list, students take turns reading their lists aloud and asking other students to guess which one is the “lie”. Students can answer either individually or in a “raise your hand if you agree” format. Students can also be asked to justify their guesses if time allows. Whether groups are just getting to know one another or have been together a long time, they can still learn things about each other from this activity.
Chair Swap
For this game you will need enough chairs for everyone, except for one person, to have one. Arrange the chairs in a circle and have everyone sit down except for the remaining person, who starts off in the middle of the circle. Pick a random starting point somewhere on the circle and have everyone count off (starting with one) until everyone in the circle has a number.
To play the game, have the person in the center call out two numbers. The people who have been assigned those two numbers must quickly switch seats. Meanwhile, the person in the center’s task is to get to one of the empty seats first. Whomever is left without a seat starts the game off again in the center, and the players who switched seats assume the number of their new seat.
Concentration
Players stand in a circle and count off so that everyone has a number. Player one starts by calling out his own number and another number at random, for example, “One, four.” Then, player one calls out his number and another random number, for example, “Four, five.” After a few rounds to get the hang of it, another dimension is added to the game.
Now the players must clap their hands, in unison, in two beat units while the numbers are being called out. The object of the game is to see how many pairs a group can get to before someone messes up, forgets their number, or the group is unable to clap in unison any longer. The game becomes challenging because while players are concentrating on listening to their numbers, the tendency is for the clapping to get faster, which means that they will have to call the numbers out faster, as well.
Ball Toss
Start with all of the players in a circle, with one person holding a ball. The starter throws the ball to the person directly across from them. That student then throws the ball to the person to the left of the starter. Play continues the same way, which each person throwing the ball to the person to the left of the person they got the ball from, until all players have touched the ball.
Now a pattern has been established, and the game starts. The ball will be thrown around the circle in the same way, with each person always getting the ball from the same person, and throwing the ball to the same person. Once the group has found its rhythm, add another ball into the mix without breaking the momentum. Add several more balls and see how long the group can go without dropping the ball. For an added challenge, use balls of varying sizes.
Group games can be used to motivate, teach skills, let off steam, and to build trust. Plus, they’re just plain fun! For more games of this sort, check out Team Building Activities for Teens or Group Learning Activities.
Susan Carney - I have been working as a middle school counselor with 6th and 7th grade students for the past thirteen years. I received a BA in ...
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