Invent a Game

  1. Autonomous/Self-access Games
  2. Cooperative Games
  • Any Size

  • Grades 3-5

  • Balls

Do your students have active imaginations? Encourage them to team up to Invent a Game. With the task of creating a game with boundaries, rules and equipment, students’ minds are let loose to imagine any game they choose. Let their classmates try it on to see how cool imagination can be.

Development Goal

To develop creativity and the capacity to make decisions as a group.

Before You Start

Skills Practiced:  Brainstorming, planning, leadership and creative thinking.
Equipment Needed:  A range of sports equipment – hula hoops, balls, cones, ropes, etc.
  • Divide students into teams and place them in front of a pile of equipment.
  • If needed, give groups examples of game ideas to get them started.
  • Make sure each group has enough room to make up and practice their game.

Set Up

Divide sports equipment into piles based on the amount of groups playing.

How to Play

  • Students will use all the equipment in their pile to make up their own game.
  • They need to establish boundaries, rules, equipment use and any other specific information for their game.
  • Students choose a name for their game and prepare to teach their game to the other groups.
  • The groups take turns teaching and playing each of their invented games.

Variations

  • Change the group size to increase the communication challenge.
  • Limit the types of equipment to increase the creativity challenge.