Do you think hardcore bullies deserve a "Clean Slate" at the beginning of the school year?
You don't?
You don't believe in a 'clean slate' for these students. You feel it only puts the students who have put of with them for years through yet another tormenting start to the school year.
Unless there is convincing evidence that these bullies have "changed" over the summer, you feel their history of bullying should follow them into the new school year until their behavior proves otherwise.
Immediately at the start of the school year, you should identify the hardcore bullies - Kids who you have tried repeatedly to stop bullying other students and who they continued right up to the end of the school in June.
I develop this plan over the summer and talk to the bullies on the first day of school or even have a conference with the bully and their parents to discuss the bully having a successful school year with a change of his/her behavior.
Create a plan for dealing with these bullies starting with the first week of school. Plan Ahead for Your Hardcore Bullies! You don't want to let them loose on the other kids.
One idea could be to place them on a Behavioral checklist with specific behaviors dealing with bullying. It they are not marked with a positive check on those behaviors, they
receive a consequence.
Don't let these hardcore bullies loose on the innocent students in your school in September. Have a bully-zapping plan in place to stop school bullying from the start.
Remember, all kids want to do the right thing. Some just need a little extra assistance.
Stop school bullying Now!
Minggu, 02 Juli 2017
Minggu, 25 Juni 2017
Child Outdoor Games - Are Your Kids Breaking a Sweat?
Do you recall playing games like red rover, hopscotch, tag or marbles? Games that used to have you out playing until your mum came out calling for you because it was getting dark.
It seems like our own kids spend less and less time playing these simple active outdoor games. Studies have shown that the average child spends more than 20 hours a week playing video games alone and that doesn't even count the hours spent in front of the television!
Many parents blame modern society, particularly those in apartments with limited access to open spaces. Having their children playing out of their sight is understandably beyond their comfort zone.
Maybe us parents need to loosen the shackles on ourselves. Rather than sending our kids out to play, go toss a ball with them, play a chasing game or teach them something from our own childhood. The best way to get our kids to do what we want them to is to set a positive example.
Establish a routine of going on a family walk or visiting a park on a regular basis to play outdoor games together or even ride your bikes. So get out there and spend some quality time with your kids, the washing can wait, and you'll all feel the better for it.
Staying active is not only good for our kids (and our own) health, it is also beneficial socially for children to play games, particularly in a group situation. They can take on leadership roles, use negotiation skills and burn energy all while having fun. Best of all for parents you will have them sleeping soundly.
It seems like our own kids spend less and less time playing these simple active outdoor games. Studies have shown that the average child spends more than 20 hours a week playing video games alone and that doesn't even count the hours spent in front of the television!
Many parents blame modern society, particularly those in apartments with limited access to open spaces. Having their children playing out of their sight is understandably beyond their comfort zone.
Maybe us parents need to loosen the shackles on ourselves. Rather than sending our kids out to play, go toss a ball with them, play a chasing game or teach them something from our own childhood. The best way to get our kids to do what we want them to is to set a positive example.
Establish a routine of going on a family walk or visiting a park on a regular basis to play outdoor games together or even ride your bikes. So get out there and spend some quality time with your kids, the washing can wait, and you'll all feel the better for it.
Staying active is not only good for our kids (and our own) health, it is also beneficial socially for children to play games, particularly in a group situation. They can take on leadership roles, use negotiation skills and burn energy all while having fun. Best of all for parents you will have them sleeping soundly.
Minggu, 18 Juni 2017
Board Games - The Best Selling Board Games Of All Time
It must have been a crushing blow. It was 1934, the depths of the Great Depression. Charles Darrow was unemployed. But, he had an idea. Actually, he had a board game. He called the game Monopoly. He liked the board game and felt it was his ticket to financial success and out of the desperation of the depression. Darrow had taken his game to the famous Parker Brothers game company to publish and help him sell.
The Parker Brothers had agreed to look at the board game for Darrow. They were not impressed. Formed in 1883, by 16-year-old George Parker, the game publishing company had been making and selling games and puzzles for 51 years. During that time they had seen success and failure. Parker Brothers knew the game business. They knew what worked and what didn't. They knew what sold and what didn't. Representatives of the giant game company found 59 reasons why they did not think Darrow's game could be successful.
Charles Darrow simply didn't agree. He believed. He decided to publish Monopoly himself and market it through department stores. He had 5,000 copies of the board game printed.
Hope was scarce during that harsh Christmas of 1934. Money was even scarcer. And, Monopoly was a hit. Nearly all 5,000 copies of the board game sold. Within a year Parker Brothers was publishing the game. It was the best selling game in America by 1936.
Monopoly is now published in 89 languages and over 200 million copies of the board game have been sold. More than 500 million people have played the game. It has also been adapted as an electronic game. Monopoly is firmly entrenched as the best selling board game of all time.
Monopoly is a relative upstart compared to other popular board games.
The oldest known board game is called "The Royal Game of Ur" or the "Game of 20 Squares". This game was discovered in a 4,500-year-old tomb in southern Iraq. This game was played throughout the Middle East for perhaps 1,000 years or more. In fact, the rules of the game have been found in cuneiform tablets. Game aficionados can play this ancient game yet today, even though it has long ago faded from popularity.
Perhaps the oldest board game still popular today is chess, which first appeared in India by the sixth century A.D. By the year 1,000 it was being played throughout the Middle East and in Europe. The rules and game board design have evolved somewhat over the centuries, but the game is still very much the same as the ancient Indians played it. They could hardly have dreamed, however, of the world-class chess match play or the electronic versions of the game we enjoy today.
Another very old, yet immensely popular board game is checkers, also known as draughts. A form of checkers was being played by the Egyptian Pharaohs as early as 1600 B.C. This game has also evolved over the centuries. By the 12th century the game was adapted to the 64-square chessboard. Four hundred years later the rules involving capture were added, yielding essentially the same game we play today.
There is simply no way to tell how many copies of chess or checkers have been sold or how many people have played these games. If the numbers were known, they would have to be truly staggering.
Popular Board Games Share Common Traits
Other top selling board games include Yahtzee, Scrabble, Mahjong, Trivial Pursuit, Battleship and the Risk game. Most of these games were developed during the 20th century and all are still big sellers and tremendously popular.
These popular board games share some similar traits. Most of them involve specific strategies of play. When these strategies are employed successfully, the games are fun, challenging and intensely rewarding as players attempt to capture portions of the board and/or each other. Another common element in most of these board games is chance, or luck. Luck is introduced usually by drawing cards or rolling dice. The element of chance opens up possibilities for even more strategies of play. A final important trait of these games is that in one way or another they reflect the lessons of life. They teach competition and sportsmanship. They teach strategy and the lesson of never giving up.
Perhaps that is why Charles Darrow was so attracted to Monopoly. He believed that success comes by employing sound strategies to following a dream and never giving up. We are glad that Darrow didn't give up. We are glad he didn't throw the board game with 59 things wrong in the trash bin as he left the Parker Brothers plant in 1934.
The Parker Brothers had agreed to look at the board game for Darrow. They were not impressed. Formed in 1883, by 16-year-old George Parker, the game publishing company had been making and selling games and puzzles for 51 years. During that time they had seen success and failure. Parker Brothers knew the game business. They knew what worked and what didn't. They knew what sold and what didn't. Representatives of the giant game company found 59 reasons why they did not think Darrow's game could be successful.
Charles Darrow simply didn't agree. He believed. He decided to publish Monopoly himself and market it through department stores. He had 5,000 copies of the board game printed.
Hope was scarce during that harsh Christmas of 1934. Money was even scarcer. And, Monopoly was a hit. Nearly all 5,000 copies of the board game sold. Within a year Parker Brothers was publishing the game. It was the best selling game in America by 1936.
Monopoly is now published in 89 languages and over 200 million copies of the board game have been sold. More than 500 million people have played the game. It has also been adapted as an electronic game. Monopoly is firmly entrenched as the best selling board game of all time.
Monopoly is a relative upstart compared to other popular board games.
The oldest known board game is called "The Royal Game of Ur" or the "Game of 20 Squares". This game was discovered in a 4,500-year-old tomb in southern Iraq. This game was played throughout the Middle East for perhaps 1,000 years or more. In fact, the rules of the game have been found in cuneiform tablets. Game aficionados can play this ancient game yet today, even though it has long ago faded from popularity.
Perhaps the oldest board game still popular today is chess, which first appeared in India by the sixth century A.D. By the year 1,000 it was being played throughout the Middle East and in Europe. The rules and game board design have evolved somewhat over the centuries, but the game is still very much the same as the ancient Indians played it. They could hardly have dreamed, however, of the world-class chess match play or the electronic versions of the game we enjoy today.
Another very old, yet immensely popular board game is checkers, also known as draughts. A form of checkers was being played by the Egyptian Pharaohs as early as 1600 B.C. This game has also evolved over the centuries. By the 12th century the game was adapted to the 64-square chessboard. Four hundred years later the rules involving capture were added, yielding essentially the same game we play today.
There is simply no way to tell how many copies of chess or checkers have been sold or how many people have played these games. If the numbers were known, they would have to be truly staggering.
Popular Board Games Share Common Traits
Other top selling board games include Yahtzee, Scrabble, Mahjong, Trivial Pursuit, Battleship and the Risk game. Most of these games were developed during the 20th century and all are still big sellers and tremendously popular.
These popular board games share some similar traits. Most of them involve specific strategies of play. When these strategies are employed successfully, the games are fun, challenging and intensely rewarding as players attempt to capture portions of the board and/or each other. Another common element in most of these board games is chance, or luck. Luck is introduced usually by drawing cards or rolling dice. The element of chance opens up possibilities for even more strategies of play. A final important trait of these games is that in one way or another they reflect the lessons of life. They teach competition and sportsmanship. They teach strategy and the lesson of never giving up.
Perhaps that is why Charles Darrow was so attracted to Monopoly. He believed that success comes by employing sound strategies to following a dream and never giving up. We are glad that Darrow didn't give up. We are glad he didn't throw the board game with 59 things wrong in the trash bin as he left the Parker Brothers plant in 1934.
Minggu, 11 Juni 2017
Violence In Schools - Prevention Is Everyone's Responsibility
Parents send their children to school thinking their child will be safe, cared for and protected. Sadly many children experience violence in schools of one form or another.
Preventing violence in schools is a difficult and overwhelming task. Many school administrators offer on campus police officers to patrol the schools. Some schools have even installed metal detectors to ensure safety. Teachers and Administrators try to prevent violent behavior in school by enforcing a No Tolerance Policy, but there are only so many educators, administration and security compared to the vast student population.
Violence In Schools Can Decrease School Morale
When there is violence in schools many administrators are left with no choice but to cancel many during and after school activities. When this happens, many children experience resentment toward the school and some students experience a loss of interest in education. Continued violence can also produce more anger and rebellion.
When children experience violence in schools often their grades decline, they might withdraw socially and have low self-esteem. If the hostility is not handled effectively, they might also cave in to peer pressure and retaliate with violent behavior.
Preventing Violence in Schools Is Everyone's Responsibility
If your school is dealing with violence in schools parents cannot just sit on the sidelines hoping the educators and school administration can solve the problem on their own. Parents need to get involved. Many school administrators have implemented peer mediation, anger management programs and peer counseling in order to alleviate the violence.
Preventing violence in schools can be draining and overwhelming for parents, school educators and administrators alike. However, with the encouragement and support of parents, teachers, administrators and students, school can once again be a peaceful place to learn.
Preventing violence in schools is a difficult and overwhelming task. Many school administrators offer on campus police officers to patrol the schools. Some schools have even installed metal detectors to ensure safety. Teachers and Administrators try to prevent violent behavior in school by enforcing a No Tolerance Policy, but there are only so many educators, administration and security compared to the vast student population.
Violence In Schools Can Decrease School Morale
When there is violence in schools many administrators are left with no choice but to cancel many during and after school activities. When this happens, many children experience resentment toward the school and some students experience a loss of interest in education. Continued violence can also produce more anger and rebellion.
When children experience violence in schools often their grades decline, they might withdraw socially and have low self-esteem. If the hostility is not handled effectively, they might also cave in to peer pressure and retaliate with violent behavior.
Preventing Violence in Schools Is Everyone's Responsibility
If your school is dealing with violence in schools parents cannot just sit on the sidelines hoping the educators and school administration can solve the problem on their own. Parents need to get involved. Many school administrators have implemented peer mediation, anger management programs and peer counseling in order to alleviate the violence.
Preventing violence in schools can be draining and overwhelming for parents, school educators and administrators alike. However, with the encouragement and support of parents, teachers, administrators and students, school can once again be a peaceful place to learn.
Minggu, 04 Juni 2017
Student Leadership -Take Your Student Leadership Program to the Next Level
It is exciting times to be involved in student leadership training!
Many schools around the workld are beginning to rethink both the way they train their student leaders and also how they harness the tremendous leadership potential of their students.
Recently, I have been involved in two very innovative training programs that are worth noting.
First, a secondary school and four of its feeder schools conducted a training program together over two days at the end of 2004 for one hundred of their student leaders. The program focused on developing essential elements such as presentations skills and teamwork skills, as well as helping students clarify their roles. Classroom teachers conducted the sessions and the local secondary school was used as a base. A further training day took place at the start of the year to give the students an opportunity to develop their roles even further.
This training model has a number of benefits. Not only does it provide terrific professional development opportunities for teachers, but also it helps ease the transition to secondary school for many students.
Another good training program was organised by the Heads of Independent Coeducational Schools in Australia. Over two hundred and twenty elected student leaders gathered for a day of leadership workshops conducted by their teachers. Working in groups the students had the opportunity to expand their horizons when they mixed with leaders from over twenty different schools. As well as honing their skills needed for their particular roles this group began to look at ways to take their leadership to another level by developing self-initiated projects.
The use of self-initiated projects is a great way to develop the leadership potential of motivated, community-minded students, which fits the profile of the majority of student leaders.
Some examples of self-initiated projects that some primary schools have developed:
1. A student-lead fund-raiser for the Tsunami disaster.
2. An awareness-raising debate about the environmental effects of pine trees following storms that resulted in many houses damaged by falling pine trees.
3. A monthly Tea, Tots n Talk session to enable parents of toddlers to meet and discuss parenting issues. Child minding and refreshments were organised by the leadership team.
4. A High Fly Club established where students organise a range of speakers to visit the school and speak to students during lunchtime.
Such projects require supervision and a level of teacher assistance if they are to be conducted well, however the feedback I am getting from schools is that students are proving themselves to be extremely capable project and people managers when given the chance.
For schools looking to extend the activities of their student leaders beyond simply fulfilling their roles, by taking on extra projects, the following tips may be useful:
1. Form a leadership team. It is essential for student leaders see themselves as part of a team rather than as just a house captain or SRC representative.
2. Challenge them to devise a project with a set timeframe. The best projects come from the students themselves however they may need some ideas.
3. Alternatively, they can conduct a series of smaller projects in small teams. Some schools find breaking the leadership group into smaller teams is far more manageable.
4. Brainstorm activities then make up an action plan for students to follow. A sequenced action plan is essential to help them carry out the activities necessary to get their project happening.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness during the project and at the conclusion. Asking "what is working?" and "what do we need to improve upon?" are important questions for any project manager.
As schools look for new ways to develop student leadership potential the use of self-initiated projects is one way to make learning come alive for this capable, self-motivated cohort.
Many schools around the workld are beginning to rethink both the way they train their student leaders and also how they harness the tremendous leadership potential of their students.
Recently, I have been involved in two very innovative training programs that are worth noting.
First, a secondary school and four of its feeder schools conducted a training program together over two days at the end of 2004 for one hundred of their student leaders. The program focused on developing essential elements such as presentations skills and teamwork skills, as well as helping students clarify their roles. Classroom teachers conducted the sessions and the local secondary school was used as a base. A further training day took place at the start of the year to give the students an opportunity to develop their roles even further.
This training model has a number of benefits. Not only does it provide terrific professional development opportunities for teachers, but also it helps ease the transition to secondary school for many students.
Another good training program was organised by the Heads of Independent Coeducational Schools in Australia. Over two hundred and twenty elected student leaders gathered for a day of leadership workshops conducted by their teachers. Working in groups the students had the opportunity to expand their horizons when they mixed with leaders from over twenty different schools. As well as honing their skills needed for their particular roles this group began to look at ways to take their leadership to another level by developing self-initiated projects.
The use of self-initiated projects is a great way to develop the leadership potential of motivated, community-minded students, which fits the profile of the majority of student leaders.
Some examples of self-initiated projects that some primary schools have developed:
1. A student-lead fund-raiser for the Tsunami disaster.
2. An awareness-raising debate about the environmental effects of pine trees following storms that resulted in many houses damaged by falling pine trees.
3. A monthly Tea, Tots n Talk session to enable parents of toddlers to meet and discuss parenting issues. Child minding and refreshments were organised by the leadership team.
4. A High Fly Club established where students organise a range of speakers to visit the school and speak to students during lunchtime.
Such projects require supervision and a level of teacher assistance if they are to be conducted well, however the feedback I am getting from schools is that students are proving themselves to be extremely capable project and people managers when given the chance.
For schools looking to extend the activities of their student leaders beyond simply fulfilling their roles, by taking on extra projects, the following tips may be useful:
1. Form a leadership team. It is essential for student leaders see themselves as part of a team rather than as just a house captain or SRC representative.
2. Challenge them to devise a project with a set timeframe. The best projects come from the students themselves however they may need some ideas.
3. Alternatively, they can conduct a series of smaller projects in small teams. Some schools find breaking the leadership group into smaller teams is far more manageable.
4. Brainstorm activities then make up an action plan for students to follow. A sequenced action plan is essential to help them carry out the activities necessary to get their project happening.
5. Evaluate the effectiveness during the project and at the conclusion. Asking "what is working?" and "what do we need to improve upon?" are important questions for any project manager.
As schools look for new ways to develop student leadership potential the use of self-initiated projects is one way to make learning come alive for this capable, self-motivated cohort.
Minggu, 28 Mei 2017
Play Clay Recipes - Homemade Clay Made Simple
This quick basic recipe is very easy to make and to use. It is soft and pliable for little hands to work with ease. Color, scent, and even glitter can be added to the recipe to make more interesting clay creations.
BASIC PLAY CLAY RECIPE
1 cup flour
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Heat, stirring constantly, until ball forms. Knead. Store in airtight container or plastic bag. Makes about 4 portions.
Add-Ins for Color
Food coloring
Kool-Aid
Fruit-flavored Gelatin
Add-Ins for Scent
Peppermint oil
Lemon oil
Vanilla extract
Gingerbread: Ground Cinnamon & Ginger
Add-in for Sparkle
Glitter
Gluten-Free Play Clay
For children who can't tolerate gluten or food coloring, substitute rice flour for white flour and natural beet (red), spinach (green) or carrot (orange) juice for color.
Pumpkin Pie Play Clay
Large batch is perfect for your Halloween party!
5 1/2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Salt
8 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
3 1/2 Cup Oil
1 1/2 ounces Pumpkin Pie Spice
Orange Food Coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 Cups Water
Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until dough forms. Knead dough until smooth.
*************************************
EDIBLE CLAY RECIPES
These yummy edible clay recipes can be enjoyed as snack food after the creating is done!
Peanut Butter Play Clay
Peanut butter
Honey
Dry powdered milk
raisins, peanuts, chocolate chips, coconut, sprinkles, pretzels (for decoration)
Mix equal parts peanut butter and dry milk. Slowly add honey to desired consistency. If too sticky, add more dry milk. If too dry, add more honey. Form clay into shapes or roll into balls to be served as cookies.
Easy Chocolate Play Clay
One 16 oz. Container read-to-spread chocolate frosting
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
Combine all ingredients and you are ready to play!
Chocolate Modeling Clay
The secret of pastry chefs for making tasty cake decorations!
10 oz. chocolate chips (or colored candy disks to create different colors)
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Heat chocolate carefully until melted, stir in corn syrup and blend. Pour onto a waxed paper sheet and spread to approx. ½ thick. Cover loosely and let stiffen for a couple of hours or overnight. Chocolate will become very pliable.
Use Your Play Clay Recipes to Make Party Favors -
Basic play clay makes a great party favor too! Put a portion of clay in a plastic sealable bag along with a label with the party guest's name, decorated with markers or stickers. Add a colorful cookie cutter or cut a 1/2 inch dowel into 4 inch lengths to serve as a little dough roller.
BASIC PLAY CLAY RECIPE
1 cup flour
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Heat, stirring constantly, until ball forms. Knead. Store in airtight container or plastic bag. Makes about 4 portions.
Add-Ins for Color
Food coloring
Kool-Aid
Fruit-flavored Gelatin
Add-Ins for Scent
Peppermint oil
Lemon oil
Vanilla extract
Gingerbread: Ground Cinnamon & Ginger
Add-in for Sparkle
Glitter
Gluten-Free Play Clay
For children who can't tolerate gluten or food coloring, substitute rice flour for white flour and natural beet (red), spinach (green) or carrot (orange) juice for color.
Pumpkin Pie Play Clay
Large batch is perfect for your Halloween party!
5 1/2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Salt
8 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
3 1/2 Cup Oil
1 1/2 ounces Pumpkin Pie Spice
Orange Food Coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 Cups Water
Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until dough forms. Knead dough until smooth.
*************************************
EDIBLE CLAY RECIPES
These yummy edible clay recipes can be enjoyed as snack food after the creating is done!
Peanut Butter Play Clay
Peanut butter
Honey
Dry powdered milk
raisins, peanuts, chocolate chips, coconut, sprinkles, pretzels (for decoration)
Mix equal parts peanut butter and dry milk. Slowly add honey to desired consistency. If too sticky, add more dry milk. If too dry, add more honey. Form clay into shapes or roll into balls to be served as cookies.
Easy Chocolate Play Clay
One 16 oz. Container read-to-spread chocolate frosting
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
Combine all ingredients and you are ready to play!
Chocolate Modeling Clay
The secret of pastry chefs for making tasty cake decorations!
10 oz. chocolate chips (or colored candy disks to create different colors)
1/3 cup light corn syrup
Heat chocolate carefully until melted, stir in corn syrup and blend. Pour onto a waxed paper sheet and spread to approx. ½ thick. Cover loosely and let stiffen for a couple of hours or overnight. Chocolate will become very pliable.
Use Your Play Clay Recipes to Make Party Favors -
Basic play clay makes a great party favor too! Put a portion of clay in a plastic sealable bag along with a label with the party guest's name, decorated with markers or stickers. Add a colorful cookie cutter or cut a 1/2 inch dowel into 4 inch lengths to serve as a little dough roller.
Minggu, 21 Mei 2017
Ten Classic Kids Party Games With a Twist
The most exciting part of a kids party is the party games, and why not start with the classics? We've all played musical chairs, pin-the-tail, and limbo. But have you played them like this? Learn how to give each classic child party game idea its own unique twist to fit your party theme.
BEAN BAG TOSS/FEED THE MONSTER
Draw a monster face on a piece of poster board or heavy cardboard and cut a hole in the box where the his mouth would be, large enough for the bean bags to be thrown through easily. Lean the monster face against a chair and place it 6-8 feet away (depending upon the abilities of the guests).
Everyone takes a turn tossing three items of "food" (use beanbags, cloth balls, rolled socks, or other small objects such as squeak toys for dogs) into the character's mouth. After each child's
turn, retrieve the "food" and hand it to the next child. Every time a child successfully "feeds" the monster, he gets a small prize such as a sticker or wrapped candy.
Twist: Use a character which relates to your party theme instead of a monster: T-Rex for Dinosaur party; Clown for a Circus party; Gorilla for a Jungle Party
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Gather your guests to sit in a circle and let the party child begin as the "Goose." He/she walks around the circle tapping each child lightly on the head, saying "Duck" with each tap. At any time, the party child can choose the next person to be the Goose, by saying "Goose" when tapping that person on the head. That child gets up and chases the birthday child around the circle.
If the new Goose does not tag the birthday child before he/she makes it all the way around the circle and sits in the open spot, then the new Goose becomes "it." If the new Goose tags the birthday child, then the birthday child remains "it" for the next round and the game continues.
Twist: Buzz, Buzz, Sting for a Bug Party; Tick, Tick, Tock for a Pirate Party
GUESS HOW MANY?
Before the party, fill a jar with candy or small toys. Count them before you put them into the jar. As your guests arrive, have each one guess how many toys or candies they think are in the jar. Write down each person's guess. At the end of the party, the person who guesses the closest number is the winner and gets to take home the jar.
Twist: Small plastic insects for a Bug Party, black and orange jellybeans for a Halloween party; small plastic dinosaurs for a Dinosaur Party
HOT POTATO
Played like the classic Hot Potato game. Children sit in a circle and pass an item around while an adult leader plays music. The child holding the item when the music stops is out. Last player left not holding the item is the winner.
Twist: Pass a big hairy toy spider for a Halloween party; rubber snake for a Western Party; teddy bear for a Teddy Bear Party
Another Twist: Cold Potato - Kids throw a water balloon back and forth across the circle. The player holding it when it breaks is out. Last player left dry is the winner.
LIMBO
Two adults hold a pole, mop or broomstick at child's height. Start the music (Caribbean is best). Children must walk under the pole without touching it. After each round, the adults lower the pole an inch or two. When the pole gets very low, children may bend backward and shimmy under, or even crawl. If a player touches the pole, he is out.
Twist: Pirate Limbo - adults hold a play sword; Halloween Limbo - adults hold a witch's broom; Fairy Party - adults hold a magic wand
Another Twist: Water Limbo - Have an adult point a stream of water for kids to limbo under. Great for a pool party!
MEMORY
Place about 10 to 15 small items or toys such as a pencil, watch, comb, spoon, toy car, etc. on a tray and cover with a cloth. Have guests sit in a circle with the tray in the middle. Remove the cloth for 60 seconds while guests try to remember as many of the objects as possible. When time is up, replace the cloth.
Now, each person has to name an object on the tray. The first person to fail to name an object, repeats an object or names something not on the tray is out. The tray is then removed and some or all of the objects replaced, and the game re-started with the person following the one who is out. If the game is too easy for the group, add more objects or reduce the time.
Twist: Use whatever objects relate to your party theme: construction trucks for a Construction Party; make-up items for a Dress-Up Party
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Set up one fewer chair than the number of guests at your party. Start the music and have the children walk in a circle around the chairs, until you stop the music. When the music stops everyone tries to sit on a vacant chair. (Only one person per chair) The person who doesn't find a chair is out. One chair is taken away and the game continues until only one person (the winner)is left. This game can also be played with pillows or cardboard pictures placed on the floor for kids to jump on.
Twist: Musical Anthills for a Bug Party; Musical Islands for a Pirate Party; Musical Webs for a Spider Man Party
PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY
When it's time to play the game, mount your poster on the wall and place a piece of tape on the back of each object the children will be pinning on the poster. Blindfold each child, spin them around, and point them toward the poster. The child who pins their object closest to the designated spot, is the winner!
Twist: Pin the nose on the clown; Pin the Tooth on the T-Rex; Pin the Spider on the web for a Bug Party; Pin the X on the treasure map for a Pirate Party
SIMON SAYS
Children stand in a group in front of the leader. The leader says, "Simon says, 'Do this,'" as she taps her head, claps her hands, turns around, etc. The children must follow the leader's actions, but only if she begins with "Simon says..." If the leader just says "Do this," the children must do nothing. If a child makes a mistake, he is out. The last child "in" is the winner.
Twist: Change "Simon Says" to a character relating to your party's theme: "Blackbeard Says" for a Pirate Party; "Spider Man Says" for a Spider Man Party; "Cinderella Says" for a Princess Party.
SPIN THE BOTTLE (for opening gifts)
Direct guests to sit in a circle holding the gift they brought. The birthday child spins a soda bottle and opens the gift of the party guest at whom the bottle is pointing when it stops. If it stops at a person that has already given a gift just go left until you find someone that hasn't had the gift they brought opened. A calm and quiet way to open gifts without all the pushing and shoving.
Twist: Spin the Spyglass for a Pirate Party; Spin the Ruler for a Construction Party; Spin the Barbie for a Barbie or Princess Party
BEAN BAG TOSS/FEED THE MONSTER
Draw a monster face on a piece of poster board or heavy cardboard and cut a hole in the box where the his mouth would be, large enough for the bean bags to be thrown through easily. Lean the monster face against a chair and place it 6-8 feet away (depending upon the abilities of the guests).
Everyone takes a turn tossing three items of "food" (use beanbags, cloth balls, rolled socks, or other small objects such as squeak toys for dogs) into the character's mouth. After each child's
turn, retrieve the "food" and hand it to the next child. Every time a child successfully "feeds" the monster, he gets a small prize such as a sticker or wrapped candy.
Twist: Use a character which relates to your party theme instead of a monster: T-Rex for Dinosaur party; Clown for a Circus party; Gorilla for a Jungle Party
DUCK DUCK GOOSE
Gather your guests to sit in a circle and let the party child begin as the "Goose." He/she walks around the circle tapping each child lightly on the head, saying "Duck" with each tap. At any time, the party child can choose the next person to be the Goose, by saying "Goose" when tapping that person on the head. That child gets up and chases the birthday child around the circle.
If the new Goose does not tag the birthday child before he/she makes it all the way around the circle and sits in the open spot, then the new Goose becomes "it." If the new Goose tags the birthday child, then the birthday child remains "it" for the next round and the game continues.
Twist: Buzz, Buzz, Sting for a Bug Party; Tick, Tick, Tock for a Pirate Party
GUESS HOW MANY?
Before the party, fill a jar with candy or small toys. Count them before you put them into the jar. As your guests arrive, have each one guess how many toys or candies they think are in the jar. Write down each person's guess. At the end of the party, the person who guesses the closest number is the winner and gets to take home the jar.
Twist: Small plastic insects for a Bug Party, black and orange jellybeans for a Halloween party; small plastic dinosaurs for a Dinosaur Party
HOT POTATO
Played like the classic Hot Potato game. Children sit in a circle and pass an item around while an adult leader plays music. The child holding the item when the music stops is out. Last player left not holding the item is the winner.
Twist: Pass a big hairy toy spider for a Halloween party; rubber snake for a Western Party; teddy bear for a Teddy Bear Party
Another Twist: Cold Potato - Kids throw a water balloon back and forth across the circle. The player holding it when it breaks is out. Last player left dry is the winner.
LIMBO
Two adults hold a pole, mop or broomstick at child's height. Start the music (Caribbean is best). Children must walk under the pole without touching it. After each round, the adults lower the pole an inch or two. When the pole gets very low, children may bend backward and shimmy under, or even crawl. If a player touches the pole, he is out.
Twist: Pirate Limbo - adults hold a play sword; Halloween Limbo - adults hold a witch's broom; Fairy Party - adults hold a magic wand
Another Twist: Water Limbo - Have an adult point a stream of water for kids to limbo under. Great for a pool party!
MEMORY
Place about 10 to 15 small items or toys such as a pencil, watch, comb, spoon, toy car, etc. on a tray and cover with a cloth. Have guests sit in a circle with the tray in the middle. Remove the cloth for 60 seconds while guests try to remember as many of the objects as possible. When time is up, replace the cloth.
Now, each person has to name an object on the tray. The first person to fail to name an object, repeats an object or names something not on the tray is out. The tray is then removed and some or all of the objects replaced, and the game re-started with the person following the one who is out. If the game is too easy for the group, add more objects or reduce the time.
Twist: Use whatever objects relate to your party theme: construction trucks for a Construction Party; make-up items for a Dress-Up Party
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Set up one fewer chair than the number of guests at your party. Start the music and have the children walk in a circle around the chairs, until you stop the music. When the music stops everyone tries to sit on a vacant chair. (Only one person per chair) The person who doesn't find a chair is out. One chair is taken away and the game continues until only one person (the winner)is left. This game can also be played with pillows or cardboard pictures placed on the floor for kids to jump on.
Twist: Musical Anthills for a Bug Party; Musical Islands for a Pirate Party; Musical Webs for a Spider Man Party
PIN THE TAIL ON THE DONKEY
When it's time to play the game, mount your poster on the wall and place a piece of tape on the back of each object the children will be pinning on the poster. Blindfold each child, spin them around, and point them toward the poster. The child who pins their object closest to the designated spot, is the winner!
Twist: Pin the nose on the clown; Pin the Tooth on the T-Rex; Pin the Spider on the web for a Bug Party; Pin the X on the treasure map for a Pirate Party
SIMON SAYS
Children stand in a group in front of the leader. The leader says, "Simon says, 'Do this,'" as she taps her head, claps her hands, turns around, etc. The children must follow the leader's actions, but only if she begins with "Simon says..." If the leader just says "Do this," the children must do nothing. If a child makes a mistake, he is out. The last child "in" is the winner.
Twist: Change "Simon Says" to a character relating to your party's theme: "Blackbeard Says" for a Pirate Party; "Spider Man Says" for a Spider Man Party; "Cinderella Says" for a Princess Party.
SPIN THE BOTTLE (for opening gifts)
Direct guests to sit in a circle holding the gift they brought. The birthday child spins a soda bottle and opens the gift of the party guest at whom the bottle is pointing when it stops. If it stops at a person that has already given a gift just go left until you find someone that hasn't had the gift they brought opened. A calm and quiet way to open gifts without all the pushing and shoving.
Twist: Spin the Spyglass for a Pirate Party; Spin the Ruler for a Construction Party; Spin the Barbie for a Barbie or Princess Party
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