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Best New Games
256 Pages, 7
With Best New Games, Updated Edition, you can lead people of all ages and abilities in cooperative fun! This resource is rich with activity ideas for classroom and physical education teachers as well as group leaders in settings such as scout troops, youth groups, college orientations, retirement and senior centers, day care centers, park district programs, and business conferences and meetings.
Best New Games is the most comprehensive collection of New Games currently available, presenting a wide range of activities, including ice breakers and get-acquainted games, games for building sensitivity and trust, team-building games, and games for opening and closing your play session. For those unfamiliar with New Games, a new DVD included with the book offers footage of 15 games in action to help you quickly understand how to play and present New Games.
Best New Games begins by covering the basics of using the games, including how to lead, adapt, and create your own New Games. Then you'll find 77 games presented according to activity level (low, low/moderate, moderate, and high) as well as 7 trust games. Each game description includes instructions for play, tips, safety considerations, age-level accommodations, space and equipment requirements, and the developmental skill focus.
The updated edition also features an easier-to-use format and a game finder to help you take the stress out of planning play sessions. The game finder offers an at-a-glance listing of all games organized by activity level, when to play, number of players, special space and equipment needed, social purposes, and skills needed and developed.
An expanded discussion of how to use the activities in the book will help you identify the games appropriate for your group and your unique needs. For teachers, a new section details how New Games can fulfill educational and physical activity standards in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Plus, ideas and suggestions for incorporating New Games into lesson plans offers a great starting point for more active learning in the classroom.
With Best New Games, you can give your students and group members a new way to be physically and mentally active, regardless of age, size, sex, or ability. By focusing on the fun of play, Best New Games, Updated Edition, can help you pave the way to better teamwork, cooperation, and trust both in and out of the classroom.
Chapter 1. Using New Games
The History of New Games
Leading New Games
Adapting Games
Creating Games
Chapter 2. Developing Skills and Meeting Standards With New Games
Australia
Canada
England
United States
Chapter 3. Low Activity Games
Chapter 4. Low/Moderate Activity Games
Chapter 5. Moderate Activity Games
Chapter 6. High Activity Games
Chapter 7. Trust Activities
Dale N. Le Fevre started working with the nonprofit New Games Foundation (NGF) in 1975 as a volunteer. By the start of 1976 he was office manager and associate director. In 1977 he formed his own project, Play Express, which took New Games into schools, while he continued to give trainings for the NGF. In 1979 he left the United States for eight years to promote New Games worldwide.
To date, Le Fevre has conducted over 1,000 New Games workshops worldwide. His workshop participants have included Jews and Arabs in Israel in the early '80s; mixed races in apartheid-era South Africa; Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland in the early '80s and late '90s; and Croats, Serbs, and Muslims in Croatia and Serbia in '93, '94, and '98.
Le Fevre's publications include The Spirit of Play (previously published in five languages) and Parachute Games With DVD, coauthored with Todd Strong (Human Kinetics). He also produced several DVDs, including Complete Cooperative New Games, Best of New Games, Best of Cooperative Games, and New Parachute Games. He also produced the New Games CD-ROM, Revised.
Most recently, Le Fevre has founded a new company, Playworks, which works with businesses to use New Games to help resolve conflict, improve communication, build stronger teams, and reduce stress.
Le Fevre holds an MA in education from New York University and a BS in business from Valparaiso University, Indiana. In his free time he enjoys gardening, hiking, biking, dancing, and camping. He lives in Sheffield, England.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Challenge your students in a game called “A what?”
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
A What?
Number of Players
10 to 20, but make another circle for more players. This size of group is especially good for young players who may get bored easily. Slightly larger groups work for older players.
When to Play the Game
Not recommended as a starting game because of the slow pace. A good game for a breather and a laugh.
Description of Game
Ka-mu-ni-kay-shon. Even simple messages get confused and muddled in the best of times, and this game is one of the best examples of that.
The group is usually sitting in a close circle. An object such as a pencil is passed around the circle by the leader, who starts by showing it to the first person while saying, “This is a banana.” (Or anything else the leader chooses to say, as long as it is not “a pencil”!) The person replies in a startled manner, “A what?” “A banana,” says the leader. The first person takes the pencil (or other object), turns to the second person, and shows them the pencil, repeating, “This is a banana.” When the second person replies, “A what?” the first person turns back to the leader and asks again, “A what?” The leader once more informs the first person that it is “A banana,” which the first person repeats to the second and passes the pencil. The second person shows the pencil to the third person in the same “This is a banana” manner, with the “A what?” response; the pencil and “A what?” travels back to the leader, who gives the “A banana” response, which, along with the pencil, travels back to the last person to hold the pencil.
The banana proceeds around the circle in this back-and-forth fashion. After about the fifth person, the leader sends another object such as a ball in the other direction in the same way, announcing, “This is an apple.” The fun really begins when the two objects meet and cross. It is hysterical to watch people's expressions when they get confused about what to do and then completely lose it.
Safety Instructions
If someone other than you is designated the leader of this game, unless you know for sure it will not be a problem, remind that person that an object may not be called anything that will make others uncomfortable. Only good, clean fun is allowed. You don't need to worry much about physical danger—unless someone decides to use the pencil as a weapon! In that case, use something else. Also, if someone starts getting frustrated because he cannot say the right thing, tell them (1) it doesn't matter, or (2) to remember to pass only what the person next to him has told him. Do not try to think about what to say—it's dangerous!
Age Level
All. Making this game abstract, as in the original version, is confusing to youngsters. For younger players, only one object should be used to start, and it should be either the actual object or a picture of the object. This can be a great way to learn about objects they don't know about. For teens or adults, after they get the idea and have successfully passed two objects, try passing more than two objects to make it more challenging and interesting. If you want to increase the challenge still further, rather than passing the object back to the leader, pass just the question and answer, without having the object travel.
Equipment Needed
Some objects to pass around.
Location and Space Needed
Indoors or out, with enough room for a close circle of players, or more circles for more than 20 players.
Developmental Skills
Primary: self-control, verbal contact, adaptability, problem solving. Secondary: spontaneity, reaction, visual ability, cooperation.
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
Four places to use Best New Games outside of school
New Games in general don’t have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun.
Businesses
Playing games with business people? At first it sounds incongruous, but games have become well established for team building. New Games in general don't have quite the same hard edge as traditional team-building exercises because they are played first for fun. After doing the initial games just for fun, however, you can employ games for the specific purpose of team building (and certain games are especially appropriate). Players have to cooperate in several of the games in order to make them work. It makes sense, after getting players to relax by playing just for fun, to use games as a way of studying the behavior and interactions of the whole group and individuals in the group. This can lead to better group work, but the games and the following discussion must be sensitively and properly led.
The game of Knots is a good example. While it allows everyone to touch in a safe way, thereby building trust, it requires people to think and be imaginative to get out of the knot. Further, afterwards the group can start by talking about what went on in the game—who came up with ideas, who felt listened to, who felt they weren't heard. At this point, people are relaxed from playing the game and talking; the next step for the presenter is to relate the game to the work experience. Is this like what happens at work? Or is it completely different, and how? For this to be effective, management has to be prepared to act on some (if not all) of the suggestions people come up with to improve operations. Otherwise, they will become frustrated and feel manipulated by the whole process.
In Meetings
There are other ways in which New Games can be used for business purposes, such as in meetings. Starting a meeting with a brief game can lighten the atmosphere so that participants relate to each other in a productive way. When the heaviness of the task at hand is lifted, workers do better work. The games also work well as revitalizers when the group's energy is flagging, and they're instrumental in getting creative juices flowing. The games call for imaginative input, and a skilled leader can channel that creativity into the work process and discussions.
At Conferences
New Games have been used often to open and close conferences. Immediately a relaxed atmosphere is established when opening a conference with a game. People who don't know each other and who appear nervous at the start of a game are friendly toward each other at the end. Every session afterward goes better when this initial mood is established. Suggestions of openers are made in the Game Finder in the “Appropriate social purposes” column. Which one to choose depends on your group, the space available, the number of participants, and the mood they're in. However, this is not the only way to use New Games at conferences. They can be used as energizers at any point when the attention level is flagging. Participants perk up after even one game. Also, the games are a great way to bring closure to the conference, letting people leave with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
For Social Events
Finally, businesses can take the more lighthearted approach to using the games for social gatherings and picnics. The activities create a good feeling and reduce inhibitions without having to resort to alcohol. Having fun together, perhaps even with whole families included, may be the best team builder of all!
Learn more about Best New Games, Updated Edition.
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