Eldrbarry's Group Games Guide

Lists of Active Games for Church groups or other programs

Game descriptions are given for these catagories:
Old Favorites and Getting Acquainted, Opposing Lines and Circle Games, Chain Games and Relays, Tag and Free Form Games and Indoor and Miscellaneous Games.

Descriptions of Guidelines for Leading games and Basic equipment are on a separate page.

GAMES INDEX

GAME DESCRIPTIONS:

ALWAYS FAVORITES

These are Traditional Children's Games: Descriptions not given as these are very familiar childhood games. They form the basis of many other games. Adults may enjoy them, especially with clever variations added, and appropriate "fantasy" elements added.

GETTING ACQUAINTED

While it is not necessary for people to know each other's name to enjoy playing group games together, there are times when games can facilitate people getting acquainted. Some games break the ice and allow people to trust and play more freely together as well.

TWO OPPOSING LINES

These Games are played with equall numbers of players arranged in two parallel lines facing each other across the play area.

CIRCLE GAMES

These are played with the players standing in a circle or circles, with play either inside, around or outside the circle. Game playing is best started by having the group initially form a circle, all joining hands, while the leader explains the game. You can play games in this formation, count off to create teams, or walk around the circle, while everyone has their eyes closed, touching backs to designate secret players or create "it"

CHAIN - HANG ON GAMES

Chain games are played with players placing hands on the hips of others and hanging on.

RELAYS AND OTHER RACES:

Relays work well when other games may not. They can be quickly set up, and on a spur of the moment. Simple relays involve a flag carried around a marker and passed to the next in line, with one to three equal lines of players. But these can be made more complicated and more challenging and interesting. If players are tired, go for simpler; if they are full of energy, get creative. Relays are not demanding - actually in a relay, only one is running at a time, the others, while excitedly cheering their man on, are actually resting. Often times, relays are good time fillers at the end of a session.

TAG and FREE FORM GAMES

These games are palyed in a open area usually with defined boundaries. Some games require much larger areas of space than others. Tag games involve touching another player who is trying to avoid being touched. Free form games are ones where the players move about freely or within defined limits without a particular organizational structure.

INDOOR and MISCELLANEOUS

Other of the above games can be played indoors with some adaption. Here are some for limited space, and those using circles of chairs and changing places.

THE GAME GAME Game Generator:

Here is a game in which the objective is to create a game out of elements selected by dice. It can also be used by a leader to create new games.

Some of the above games were found in The New Games Book, & More New Games, ed. Flugelman and Tembeck, and New Games for the Whole Family by Dale N. LeFevre (New Games Foundation) and some are from The Outrageous Outdoor Game Book by Bob Gregson (Fearon Teaching Aids)

Thanks for visiting! Your comments and games suggestions are most welcome!
Please E-mail me at: eldrbarry@eldrbarry.net

[MAIN PAGE]
[On Leading Games - Basic Equipment][Other Resources]

[GAMES INDEX]
[Get Acquaint] [Line & Circle] [Chain & Relay] [Tag and Free Form] [Indoor & Misc.] [Make your Own] .

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