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Resources>Games>Introduction
Games
Introduction and How to use games in your youth program
Games are one of the best ways to teach skills, encourage teamwork, get to know each other, build trust and confidence in the group and more. If you are using a game to teach something (like "trust") for example) it is important to debrief the game after you played it. Ask questions. Point out where the game "worked" and where it didn't. Ask the group to assess its' performance ("When we weren't communicating, we kept missing the ball) or analyse how they could do better ("If we had made a plan together first, we wouldn't have dropped so many balloons"). Sometimes, after the debriefing, it is helpful to try the game again so that the group can try what they have learned from the discussion.
There are many good resource books of games available. A great place to look is your local library. Look for games which do not need a lot of preparation or equipment. Improvise equipment which you don't have. Make a collection of basic, inexpensive equipment that can be used for lots of different games (hula hoops, soft balls, bouncing balls, bag of assorted balloons, bean bags, long rope to mark a boundary or be a "net").
Game tips:
- Are games just for children and teens? No! All of the games in this section have been used with adult groups with great success. Games are highly recommended for adult groups to help break down the barriers and quickly develop a group sense. Adults may need a little more encouragement to start, but don't let their reluctance put you off. The only rule I suggest when playing games with adults is....Everyone Plays!
- Elimination - When players must sit out until a game is finished, boredom, apathy and disruption often result. What other options are available? Could a player rejoin the game after a period of time, or when another person is out, or..?
- Choosing Sides - It is important never to humiliate a player by having him or her chosen last. What are some creative and fair ways of choosing teams? Try the Native Chief's method: The chief sat in the centre of all the players with their lacrosse sticks in front of him. After being blindfolded, the chief picked up two sticks at a time and placed one to his left and one to his right, until all the sticks had been chosen and the teams decided. If your group loves to play team games (like floor hockey) have them decorate popsicle sticks for themselves and have a blindfolded leader choose teams with them.
- Gender differences and age groups - Be aware of sensitivities of different age groups. 11-13 year olds may be very uncomfortable with games that involve a lot of "body contact" (holding hands, putting hands on shoulders or around waists) in a mixed gender group. That doesn't mean you should avoid games that involve touching. Just be sensitive and pay attention to how people are reacting to touch. Older teens will generally be more comfortable with body contact, but ensure that it is safe and appropriate, and that rough games have very clear boundaries (such as "you can only tag someone on the back"). For a game to be fun and effective, it is good to ensure that people feel safe and that their own boundaries won't be violated in a game.
- I am inclined to avoid any games or skits which humiliate or make fun of someone. Even if they are a "good sport", and will take a joke (and are you sure they will take a joke? Maybe the person is having a hard day and may feel especially sensitive). Why do we need to play a game that singles someone out or makes them look foolish? There is no learning benefit, neither does it build up the group, especially in a Christian community. There are lots of games out there which help us to include, encourage, celebrate, enjoy and value one another. We don't need to put anyone down to have fun. Of course we should learn to laugh at ourselves, but as a group, not a group laughing at individuals. And you will teach a braggart some humility by loving him, not by having people laugh at him.
- Be Prepared - Know the game which you are teaching and always have enough of the proper equipment. Be ready to change a game for fewer or more players, weather changes, or if the game simply isn't working. On a hot, hot afternoon at camp once, our group went to play soccer baseball. We were dying from the heat, so we changed our game rules. Each base was a bucket of water with a plastic margarine tub in it. To get a person out, the pitcher had to have the ball and the person on base had to throw a cup of water at the runner. It was great and nobody minded at all getting "out"!
- Stop the game (or change to a new game) while everyone is still enjoying it. What are ways of judging the enjoyment level of a game? Happy faces, enthusiasm, attentiveness etc). Be safety minded - remove hazards from the playing area (or point them out).
- Be aware that competition can be a threat. Peer pressure and fear of failing are very real. Games that emphasise sharing and playing together build confidence. No one is left out, put out, or rejected. All can play, not just the best. In these games players are concerned with the feelings of others and must help one another to work together as a team.
- What about leaders joining in? Yes, always unless your skill level will adversely affect the game. Kids love it when adults join in the game - "It must be fun, the leaders are playing too!" There's nothing worse than seeing a group being told to go and play a game, while adults stand looking on. And if you're using a game to teach something (like community building) then it sends a strong negative message if some people in the group sit out.
How to Explain a Game:
- Make sure everyone can see you and speak slowly and clearly using demonstrations if they would help. (fox and squirrel tag, below, for example would need a demonstration)
- Insist on silence. Don't yell to be heard, wait until everyone has stopped talking. Make sure other activities have stopped.
- Be enthusiastic but be brief, clear, precise and above all, logical
- Only allow questions when you are finished. Once the game starts, if players are confused, stop the game for a bit and clear it up.
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