Keep Playing Week 34
Game of the Week: Going on a Picnic
This week Playworks is featuring a fun memorization game to help us think of ways we can help our community.
Skill Focus:
Being a good community member – Having appreciation and respect for the environment and others around you; displaying the traits of honesty and responsibility; doing the right thing even when it is hard.
Play In-Person
Play Virtually
Simplified Game Instructions
# of people to play: 5+
Best for ages: 4+
Setup/Teaching Time: 5 minutes
Equipment needed: none
Goal: The goal of the game is to identify ways we can improve our community, and to try to remember what other players have suggested.
Before You Start:
- Establish the order in which players will go (for example, alphabetical order by name, number order, around a circle) and make sure everyone knows the order.
How to Play:
- Explain to the group that they are all going on a community picnic together and are all responsible for bringing an item or idea that will improve our community. Ex. compostable plates, welcome signs, or canned goods to donate.
- The facilitator will start by saying their name and what they are bringing to the community picnic.
- The next person introduces the leader and their idea, then introduces themself and their new idea.
- The third person introduces the first two people and their ideas, and then introduces themself and their idea, and so on until everyone in the group has gone.
- If any player can’t remember anyone’s name or idea, don’t worry. Have the players re-introduce themselves to each other and then let the game continue.
Game Debrief
- How did the item you chose show respect to the environment or those around you?
- Why is it important to consider others when you make decisions?
- How can you appreciate and respect those around you at school? At home?
Game Modifications
Academic Application
- Give players a category based on a recent lesson you taught
- Example: prime numbers, or parts of an exoskeleton.
Age Group Modification
- For younger students: Have players only repeat the person who went before them.
Another Way to Play
- Try a different category. For example, “Going to the Zoo,” where each person says the name of an animal they are going to see at the zoo that begins with the same letter as their first name. Some letters may be more challenging and the leader can help out or encourage the use of middle or last names if needed.
Brain Break: Fox and Rabbit
Before You Start
- Arrange students in a circle (seated or standing)
- Designate two objects: (ideally stuffed animals or toys, but gator balls or similar work fine) one object is the ‘Fox’ and the other object is the ‘Rabbit’
- Review goals/strategy when holding both Fox and Rabbit
- Practice passing around the circle
How to Play
- Start with the Fox and Rabbit directly across the circle from one another (12 and 6 on a clock)
- Whoever is holding the Fox must pass it in such a way that it advances closer to the Rabbit, with the ultimate goal of catching up with/touching the Rabbit
- Whoever is holding the Rabbit must pass it in such a way that it moves further from and continues to avoid the fox
- Start a new round whenever the Fox ‘catches’ the Rabbit
Additional Resources
Sample School Community Announcement
For the month of May we will continue focusing on the theme of responsible decision making. Responsible decision making means understanding all aspects of a decision and its consequences before making a choice.
This week we are considering what it means to be a good community member and how responsible decision making can help! Being a good community member means showing appreciation and respect for the environment and others around you, displaying the traits of honesty and responsibility, and doing the right thing even when it is hard. During our game, Going on a Picnic, players brainstorm what they can bring on an imaginary picnic that would improve their community while also remembering the names and contributions of the rest of the group.
Teach students to play in class, and then empower them to lead the game and teach others!
Core Recess Game
In addition to our Keep Playing Game of the Week, we’re sharing bi-weekly Core Recess Games that will help kids be active, practice leadership, maximize recess time, and have fun.
This week, start a game of MULTIBALL!
Return to the Keep Playing Homepage for archives of past weeks and other helpful resources.