Rock Paper Scissors (also called Ro Sham Bo) is a quick and simple way to solve minor conflicts on the playground and throughout your school. Teaching games that use Rock Paper Scissors early in the year is key to building a positive school culture. The Game of the Week is Rock Paper Scissors Relay!
Group Size: Any size
Age Group: Pre K – Grade 5
Length of Activity: 10 minutes or more
Developmental Goal: To develop listening skills.
Equipment: None
Before You Start:
- Divide into two groups; each group in a single file line.
- Each line of players starts at the ends of the “U”.
- Review how to Ro Sham Bo (also called Rock-Paper-Scissors).
- Make sure everyone know where to go when they win and when they don't in Ro Sham Bo.
Set Up:
Set out a semi circle (U shaped) path using cones or other markers. You can also use half of a basketball court.
How To Play:
- The goal of the game is for a player from one line to make it to the start of the opposite team's line.
- The game begins on a signal from the leader.
- The first players in each line begin walking (or skipping, hopping or running) on the path towards each other.
- When the first two players from opposite teams encounter each other on the path, they stop and Ro Sham Bo until one player wins.
- The winner continues walking on the path in the same direction, while the other side allows their next player to start walking on the path.
- Again when the players encounter each other, they do Ro Sham Bo until one player wins.
- The game continues until one player makes it all the way to the other side. Then that player rejoins her/his line and two new players begin.
Variations:
- Make the path longer or shorter.
- Play in a straight line instead of a U shape.
- Add obstacles to the path.
- Tally scores by giving a point to the team whose player makes it from one side to the other.
- Give players a category to name one thing from as they meet in the middle. For example, each side has to yell out the name of a fruit or a vegetable, a natural environment, a State, etc. before they Ro Sham Bo. This variation is great for teachers who want to reinforce class learning in an active way.
Find more new and exciting games in our games library!
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