How to play this fun listening game for kids of many ages: Land, Sea, Air.

A simple and short game to challenge children and adults listening skills is perfect to get play time going, entertain a group while waiting for the next activity or transition kids from one activity to another. The Game of the Week is Land, Sea, Air!


Group Size:  Any size

Age Group:  Pre K+
Length of Activity:  Under 10 minutes
Developmental Goal:  To develop students’ concentration and listening skills.
Equipment:  None


Before You Start: 

  • Have all players stand with both feet together and their toes behind the line.
  • Explain and demonstate the rules of play.
  • Do a practice round so that all players understand the commands and where their feet must go.

Set Up: 

One line on the ground that all players can fit shoulder to shoulder with elbow room. (Use tape of chalk to create a line if necessary.)

How To Play: 

  • One leader will call out commands–landsea, or air.
  • Players' feet should always remain together.
  • When leader says Air, players must hop into the air and land in the same place s/he started.
  • When the leader says Land, players must place their toes behind the line. If they are already behind the line, they must not move their feet. If they are in front of the line, they must hop backward with both feet landing behind the line.
  • When the leader says Sea, players must place their feet entirely in front of the line. If they are already in front of the line, they must not move their feet. If they are behind the line, they must hop forward with both feet landing entirely infront of the line.
  • Players should always remain facing forward.
  • If players make a mistake, they must run to a pre-indentify location–such as another line–and touch it before returning to the game.

Variations: 

  • If players make a mistake, have them move backward to a line behind them.
  • Play elimination style such that if players make a mistake, they must step out (to line up or to another activity) until only one player remains.
  • Add additional commands that require players to use one foot or turn their bodies while they hop.

Find more new and exciting games in our games library!

Love implementing Game of the Week? Playworks trainers are equipped with oodles of tools and tips to help you get a recess and play program going today. Check out our professional development programs and bring Playworks to your school or afterschool program.
 

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