Play Time

Derenda Timmons Schubert, Ph.D.
Pacific Northwest Children's Services
Waverly Children's Home
3550 SE Woodward Avenue
Portland, OR 97202

Play can provide us with a chance to let loose, recharge our batteries, and relax. Kids truly understand this concept. Play can also be a way to promote connections among family members. Frequently, parents ask me how they can encourage more positive, fun interactions among their children. To promote playfulness among family members, I am including some kid-tested popular games. Give them a try, allow different family members to choose a game, or better yet, make up a game unique to your family! ENJOY!

Red Handed

This is a LOW energy game.
You only need a small object (i.e. penny, marble, key). Directions: With eyes closed, one player stands in the middle of a circle of players who continuously circulate a small object. Whether they have it or not, all players simultaneously pretend to be passing the object. When ready, the center player opens his/her eyes and has 3 guesses to determine which player has the object. The player caught "red-handed" or the person with the object after the third unsuccessful guess, becomes the new person in the center.
Source: The New Games Book, page 71

Dangling Donut Eating Contest

This is a Medium energy level activity.
Materials needed: Cake donuts, yarn, tape, broom or dropcloth Directions: Thread a piece of yarn through each donut, make sure the yarn is long enough to dangle at the mouths of the players. You can use monkey bars, or tape the yarn under a table, or tape to the top of a doorway. Line up contestants, have them keep their hands behind their backs, and attach their donuts at the appropriate height. The referee says, "GO!," and all of the contestants race to see who can eat the donut the fastest.
Source: The Outrageous Outdoor Games Book, page 69

Hug Tag

This is a High energy game!
Use the same rules you use for tag, but you are only safe if you are being hugged by another person. After awhile, you can increase the number of people hugging to three or four for the safe zone. Source: The New Games Book, page 115

These activities are a sample of the games siblings play at Sibshops. Contact your local ARC for the Sibshop near you.