Children six to eight years-old enjoy all sorts of games. With well-developed
physical dexterity and coordination, now they relish all sorts of challenges. While these youngsters
still take pleasure in the
"old"
preschool games, they are
eager to try any and all more complex activities. They provide sure-fire entertainment
and excitement for any
co-op
get-together.
- Telephone
Lots of participants add to the merriment.
Children sit close together in a circle.
The first player thinks up a sentence, then whispers it to the
person to the left. This child whispers it to the youngster to his left,
who passes it to the next person and so on around the circle.
The last player repeats the sentence which is usually not at all like the
original sentence. Now the second person begins a new game with another sentence.
- Capture the Flag--"War"
This activity requires a large space. Divide it equally.
Two captains begin by picking teams. Each player places his flag (handkerchief,
scarf, rag, etc.) somewhere within his team's territory...obviously, the more inaccessible,
the better.
The goal is for one team to capture all the flags of the opposing team. So each group must divide
efforts between grabbing the others' goods and protecting its own. The children can devise strategy or
go free for all.
At the signal, players rush into action. Without being tagged, they grab as many flags from the opponent's territory
as possible while still safeguarding theirs.
If a player without a flag is tagged in enemy country, he
is "captured" and must stay there. He can be rescued by his teammates by just being tagged. Neither he nor his fellow player
may grab a flag on this mission. A rescue and a raid are separate missions.
A player with an opposition flag is considered "safe" and cannot be captured.
The winners are those with all of the other team's flags or members as prisoners. This can a very a very long game!
- Blind Man's Bluff
One player is selected as "Blind man." He is blindfolded and turned around in a circle three times.
Concurrently, the youngsters chant any song or the following:
Blind man, blind man,
Sure you can't see?
Turn round three times,
And try to catch me.
Turn east, turn west,
Catch as you can,
Did you think you'd caught me?
Blind, blind man!
The other children form a circle around him, clasp hands and move in one direction.
When the "Blind man" claps three times, all stop. The "blind man" points and gives a silly
command like "bark like dog," sing Yankee Doodle etc. Whomever is designated, disguises his
voice and follows the command.
If he is correctly identified, then he is the next "Blind man." If he is not, the game continues.
- Twine the Garland
A simple, quick game which is, nevertheless, a favorite.
Some parents may be more comfortable having a girls' team and a boys' team.
Eight or more players are best.
Children form a line and clasp hands throughout the activity. A child at one end of the line is chosen the leader and weaves the line throughout the other
players. The youngster at the other end of the group is to remain stationary.
The leader wraps all the others around and around the player whose
job it is to stand still. The more twists and turns the better. When everyone is stuck and tightly jammed together, the groups unwraps (quite a trick) and
reconfigures.
Everyone usually wants a chance to be the one smashed in the center.
While moving the children sing the following to the tune of "Yankee Doodle:"
'Twine the garland, girls and boys,
'Twine the garland, girls;
'Twine the garland, girls and boys,
'Twine the garland, boys!
As they unwrap, these verses are sung:
Untwine the garland, girls and boys,
Untwine the garland, girls;
Untwine the garland, girls and boys,
Untwine the garland, boys!
Count on lots of giggles and shouts as the children enjoy these exciting games. Adults will be entertained, too, just watching
the pandemonium and mayhem.
