17 Math Activities for Preschoolers

As a parent, you will want the best for your children. Once they hit preschool age, you and your partner might start wondering what you can do to put your child ahead. It is easy to overthink all the ways that we, as parents, can teach our kids in fun and exciting ways. Here are 17 fun and easy counting and math activities you can do with your children to help them learn simple numbers and other basic mathematical concepts.

17 Activities to Try with Your Preschooler:

Look for patterns…EVERYWHERE:

Patterns are a great way to work on math with your preschooler. There are patterns all around you and your home – tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, patterns in the fence, or in a piece of home decor. You can even point out the patterns on their clothes! Take a “field trip” with your preschooler and point out all the patterns around your house or their bedroom. If your child loves music, there are plenty of patterns to recognize in children’s songs. Help your child to identify and copy simple clapping and rhythm patterns in their favorite songs. These are both incredible ways to point out to your preschooler how repetition is a natural part of life and beauty.

Investigate Shapes:

While investigating shapes, children can discover the ways that different shapes fit together to build the items that we use or see everyday – cars, tall buildings, and eventually puzzles. Work together using yarn to create various shapes – circles, squares, triangles – as a budget friendly way to teach shapes. You can even use learning about shapes as a means to create some artwork together.

Encourage Estimation:

Help your preschooler learn about making guesses based on what they can see! Fill jars with buttons, candies, beads, or any other small items that you can find and ask your kids to guess how many of each of the items is in each jar. After they guess, they can count how many of the items are in the jar. Over time, children’s guesses will get closer to the actual amount of items in each jar, but this is a great way to get them started with educated guessing! Plus the fun colors and shapes are sure to keep them engaged!

Introduce Sorting:

Anything around us can be sorted; pens, pencils, socks, shoes, cups, mugs, glasses, silverware, you name it – it can be sorted! You could get them to help you out around the house by helping to sort the recycling. Even little kids can help sort papers from plastic and glass. This is great way to teach children how to organize items down to small and more manageable amounts.

preschooler cooking

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Let them “cook”:

Encourage your preschooler to help you in the kitchen! Your child can help with measuring and counting our ingredients (two eggs, three scoops, etc.). You can also supervise the usage of knobs and buttons on the stove. This is also a great opportunity to have them help pack their daily lunches or snacks as they can help portion out the foods they eat each day. For example,  “I eat 5 carrots and 3 grapes at snacktime!” Think about having your preschoolers count out their Cheerios, Halloween candy, or even Easter candy! The options for counting food have no bounds! They can even help out with feeding pets if you have any!

Play a “look out” game:

While out on a walk or riding in the car, ask your child to count how many fun things they see! Those fun things could be any item that your child chooses to count – stores, fire trucks, dogs, or anything else that the child might recognize. With this activity, they can practice counting and talking about all of the fun things that have counted.

Track your child’s measurements:

Get out the ruler or yardstick to mark your child’s height on the wall. Talk about how big they are in comparison to their siblings or favorite animals – this helps them to think about themselves and the world around them. This is a great chance to introduce your child to units of measurement and help them compare and contrast the marks on the wall to see how much they’ve grown from year to year.

Use the phone:

Learning how to use the telephone has more than just a mathematical benefit, it’s also good for emergencies! Next time you’re making a call, write the number down and have your child help you dial it into your phone. This helps them to see the numbers being used, but also gives them a chance to practicing reading them from left to right. Your child gets bonus points if they can memorize the number!

Plant a Garden:

Preschoolers love helping outside when they can. Have your child assist with counting out the seeds and then making sure they put the set amounts in the right rows or pots. Once the plants start growing, they can count out the leaves and petals as well! This is also a great place to introduce science concepts about plants and plant growth.

preschooler gardening

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Color by Number Sheets:

Most young children love to color! As their number recognition skills continue to improve, they can learn to match the colors with the numbers, but early on they may need help identifying what number goes with what colors.

Dominoes:

Aside from playing a tabletop game, dominoes can be used to teach simple math concepts! Children can count the dots on each domino, children can sort matching tiles and create stacks, and they can create shapes and towers with matching dominoes. Dominoes are a cheap game that can easily be found at most stores.

Tell the Time:

Reading a non-digital wall clock is something that even little kids can do! Clocks are everywhere, so this is something that can be worked on at almost any time! Practice reading the numbers and telling time to the quarter and half hour as they are able. Once they have reading a clock down, you can compare and contrast a digital clock and wall clock together for another great conversation about time and numbers. Don’t forget to mention that there are sixty seconds in one minute and sixty minutes in one hour!

Read a Number Book:

There are many amazing books for preschoolers! Some of the most popular include: City by Numbers by Stephen T. Johnson, Chicka Chicka 123 by Bill Martin & Michael Sampson, or How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague. Number books are a great way to practice numbers and counting, but books like these also introduce your child to other educational concepts. Not to mention a little bit of reading practice! Check with your child’s teachers or even the local children’s librarian if you need more ideas, they are a wealth of knowledge about great counting books for kids!

Mark the Calendar:

Introducing your child to a standard calendar is a great way to introduce the concept of days and passing time. Have them highlight special days on the calendar (birthdays, holidays, other celebrations) and create countdowns to those special days. Working with calendars often helps children to understand days of the week and how the sequence of days happens each week. You can also have them help in creating a calendar – learning about leap years, but also how many days are in each month.

child making calendar

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Pay for Purchases:

Whether at a real store or while “playing store” at home, teaching children about counting money is never a bad idea. This is also an opportunity for them to practice reading numbers on price tags and counting their own money! Kids can even help search for matching items to coupons inside the store while shopping! It’s never too early to squeeze in a few lessons about money management as early as possible. Tip: Don’t take the little ones into a busy store to practice counting their money, go on a slower day to avoid a line and many waiting customers.

Play Card Games:

Who knew that teaching math concepts to your preschooler could start with a standard deck of 52 cards? Games like Memory (teaching kids to look for similar cards and pairs), War (teaching your child about numbers that are bigger and smaller), or Go Fish! (helps your child to identify and talk about numbers) are fun to play, but also have some educational value. You can also play games with various flash card decks or other game decks (like Old Maid). Here is a great value pack of cards with lots of fun designs!

Popular Phone Apps:

Let’s face it, kids know how to use some apps better than many adults! Capitalize on that and let your child practice their math skills on your phones and tablets. Some popular math apps include: Preschool Math Games for Kids, Todo Math , and Math Master Kids. These are all interactive apps that are entertaining for kids, but also give them a chance to practice math functions and number identification. Who knows? Maybe they’ll find math exciting when they’re bored! Use that screen time to their (and your) advantage.

For preschoolers, learning about and exploring numbers should be all about fun and play. Work with them to discover how numbers can fit into their everyday lives. As they see those numbers in action, they’ll get more and more comfortable with the math concepts around them. Have fun exploring those numbers (and concepts) together!

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Lawn Games for the Entire Family

 

Summer brings with it a great opportunity for families in search for new and fun things to do! Everyone knows that too much free time can lead to boredom, so finding fun, inexpensive, and innovative ideas that keep everyone interested is crucial to making the most of the summer season! Lawn games are a perfect for getting the family outside and spending time together. Here are our favorites you can try with your family! There is sure to be a lawn game for everyone!

 

Lawn Twister

To set up this easy game, begin by painting a “twister board” onto the lawn. It is best to cut a template of a circle out of some leftover cardboard. Use ground marking spray paint on the grass because it washes off easily. Grab your twister spinner from a kit if you have one, or print out a new one from online and add a spinner!

 

Tug- of-War​

This classic game includes the entire family as well as friends or neighbors. Get a long and sturdy rope and either some colored tape or marker to mark the center of the rope. Split into two teams and begin pulling. One fun twist to the game is extending the rope across either a stream or water sprinkler. Tug-of-War is not only about strength, but it is also a lot of fun, and there are many variations of the game that can be played. A true classic!

 

Frozen T-Shirt Race​

This game is easy to set up and even more fun to play. To start, grab a single t-shirt for each player and soak it in water. Once it is thoroughly wet, squeeze out any extra water and fold it up. Place all t-shirts in a plastic bag with wax paper in between the different shirts. When they are completely frozen, distribute the shirts. The winner is the first person who can completely unfold their t-shirt and put it on!

 

Badminton​

This is a traditional lawn game that the whole family can play together. The net can be set up in any open space. The only materials needed are the net, racquets for each player, and a shuttlecock. Here is our favorite kit in case your family needs one or is looking for a quick replacement!

 

Water Balloon Toss

Grab five different buckets. Set them up in a line on the driveway or pavement. If different sized buckets are used, place the larger ones closer to the start and the smaller ones at the end. Label the closest bucket 25, then the next 50, 75, 100, and 500. Use filled water balloons to toss into the buckets. The winner is the one that can score the most points!

bucket of green water balloons next to legs of small child wearing shark shorts and crocs

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Bean Bag Ladder Toss​

For this game, all that is needed is a step lapper and some bean bags to toss. To start, label each rung of a step ladder with different points. Normally, the top rung will be the highest number. Throw the bags between the rungs to score points!

 

Cornhole

Cornhole is a classic lawn game that is loved by the whole family. Design a cornhole board that has a theme that represents the interests of the family. To start, set up the boards opposite from each other. Split the players up into teams of two and give each team four bags. The opponents will alternate the tosses until all of the eight bags are thrown. The team that reaches 21 points first wins the game. Ask friends and neighbors to bring their portable cornhole boards and set up a tournament in your yard!

 

Giant Jenga

This game requires a little more preparation, but it will last for many summers to come. Buy several 2×4 boards that can be cut into 48 ½ inch pieces. The boards can be cut by hand or at a local lumber yard. After the pieces are cut, sand the edges so each piece is smooth and can be easily slid across the other pieces. To add some creativity and color, paint the ends in different colors. There is no need to seal the wood because it may cause the wood to stick and the pieces will not slide as easily. Once the project is complete, you can begin playing the game. Store the pieces in a garage during wet weather to prevent warping.

 

Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Flag​

After the sun goes down, try a different take on this classic game. Divide up family and friends into two teams. Use different glow stick colors as the flags for each team. Give each player two glow bracelets which match the color of their flag. The objective is to find the opposite team’s “flag” and bring it back to their side. Whichever team can do this, wins!

 

Outdoor Bowling​

Fill 10 2-liter soda bottles with water or sand, and use a rubber ball as the bowling ball. Adjust the length of the lane according to the ability and age of the players.

Image via Flickr

 

Slide and Toss

The Slip and Slide is a yard activity the whole family has enjoyed for many years. To make it into a game that involves scoring points, gather a tarp, duct tape, and Frisbees. To set up the game, cut different shapes into the tarp and reinforce the shapes with the duct tape. Give different point values to the shapes and then hang the tarp at the end of the slip-n-slide. To play, slide down the slide, stand up, spin around four times and throw Frisbees to gain points. The winner is the person or team with the most points at the end of the game.

 

Blanket Run​

This easy and fun game only requires blankets to play. Simply have one person sit on the blanket while the other stands and holds the other end. The winner is the one that can pull their partner across the lawn to the finish line first.

 

Playground Games​

Playground games such as jump rope and hopscotch are fun, too! They can provide hours of outdoor family entertainment and require very few materials. You don’t always need something crazy to have a good time, and the basic playground games can go a long way!

 

Final Thoughts

 

Summer is an exciting time for creating lifelong memories. Summer entertainment does not have to be expensive and should include the entire family. It can be as simple as making bubbles and hula hooping, to creating competitive games. Whichever activities your family chooses to participate in should be fun!

Featured Image via Unsplash

 

Balloon Popping Games

If you’re a party host, you should try to find a variety of games that you guests will find both fun and entertaining. Of course, if you are working on a budget, you need to make sure the supplies you need for your game do not cost too much. Luckily, there are plenty of fun balloon popping games that both children and adults will love and the cost for supplies is cheap!

1. Darts

Balloon darts is a fun game for both adults and children. You will need a package of balloons, a package of darts, thumbtacks, and a large, thick poster board. Blow the balloons up, tie them and secure them by their “tails” to the poster board using thumbtacks. Make sure you space the balloons out a bit so they are not pushed up against one another.

Stand the poster board up by leaning it against a tree or placing it on a chair. Mark a spot on the ground so everyone knows how far back they need to stand when throwing their darts. Ask your guests to line up and give each person three chances to throw a dart. You can opt to give children more chances if you wish.

Make sure you keep score whenever someone pops a balloon. Tally up the scores when the last balloon pops. The person who popped the most balloons wins the game. If you really want to make things fun, award the winner with some sort of prize. For kids, you may want to have some sort of grab bag full of cheap prizes they can pick from.

For an extra fun and messy activity, consider finding a covered or outdoor spot and fill the balloons with paint!

2. Stomp the Balloon

Stomp the Balloon is yet another hilariously entertaining balloon pop game for both children and adults. For this game, you will need balloons, string, and sidewalk chalk. If you choose to play this game indoors, you will not need the ground chalk. For outdoor play, draw a large circle on the ground to designate as the play arena.

Give each person the same colored balloon. For instance, if you have four children, you can give one child all red balloons, the other all blue, and so on. If you have a large group of children, or adults, you can assign teams. Each team member gets the same color. Once you assign colors to each person or team, blow them up so they are nice and large and tie the balloons around each person’s ankles.

You should have three balloons on one ankle and three balloons on the other for a total of six balloons. Have everyone enter the “battle arena” and instruct them to stomp as many of their opponent’s balloons as possible while protecting their own at the same time. The person or team with the least popped balloons at the end is the winner.

3. Water Balloon Toss

Water balloon toss is a fun outdoor game to play no matter how old you are. It is also a great way to cool down on a hot day. Make sure you let your guests know that you are hosting water games so they can prepare themselves and dress properly. To play this game, you will need water balloons. Split your guests into teams of two and fill enough water balloons so each team has one balloon.

Have team members line up so they are facing one another. Hand a filled water balloon to the players lined up on one side and instruct them to toss the balloon across the way to their team member. To begin with, team members should stand a little more than arm’s distance away from each other. The teams will continue to toss their balloon back and forth, taking a step back from one another between each toss.

As the distance between the teams begins to widen, it will become harder and harder to keep the balloon from breaking. If a team breaks their balloon, they are out of the game. The last team standing with an unbroken balloon is the winner. If guests seem like they are having fun, you can always play a few rounds as long as you have enough water balloons to go around!

Consider playing some party music in the background with a fast tempo they have to match!

4. Water Balloon Piñata

When it comes to water balloon piñata, there are no winners. Instead, everyone gets to have fun and enjoy the game. This game is best suited for children rather than adults. To play this game, you will need at least 12 feet of thick rope, water balloons, and a decent sized stick. Secure the rope between two trees if possible or string it up like a clothes line.

Fill the water balloons – but not too much – and secure them so they hang from the rope. Line children up, hand one the stick and have them take turns whacking a balloon. A good enough whack will pop the balloon and send water splashing down onto the laughing children below. If you have enough trees and string, you can hang several balloons up for even more water fun.

Kids love to hit stuff and get wet! This is sure to be a hit at any party.

5. Water Balloon Crush

Want to watch a bunch of kids stomp around, slip, and get wet? Water balloon crush is a fun party balloon pop game game for kids of all ages! You will need plenty of water balloons and a kiddie pool to play. Fill the water balloons full of water and place them in an empty kiddie pool. Instruct children to stomp on the balloons so they can pop as many as possible. If you choose to play it this way, there is no winner, which makes it a fun game for small children.

If, however, you are playing with older kids, you will need a package of water balloons for each child in attendance. Have children enter the kiddie pool one at a time. Give each child the chance to pop as many balloons as possible in a given amount of time. For instance, you can give each child one minute. Make sure you remove all broken balloons and refill the pool with a package of fresh balloons for each child.

Keep score so you know how many balloons each child broke. The child who managed to break the most balloons in the allotted time is the winner. You may choose to celebrate the winner with a prize , crown, or trophy depending on your budget.

6. Back-to-Back

Back-to-back balloon pop is a fun game for younger children, although older children might find this game fun and competitive. All you need to play this game is a package of balloons. Have children split off into pairs of two and blow up enough balloons so that each pair has one balloon. Stand the children back to back and place a balloon between them.

Instruct children to squeeze against one another in an attempt to pop their balloon. The trick is that no child is allowed to use their hands. If the balloon falls, the pair will have to begin again. The first pair to break their balloon wins the round. You can continue playing, if you wish, until there only two teams remaining and have them square off together in a balloon pop.

7. Blow Up Balloon Race

The blow up balloon race game is yet another game that is best suited for children rather than adults. All you need to play this game is a package of balloons. Hand each child a deflated balloon and instruct them to blow up their balloon until it pops. The first person to pop their balloon wins the blow up balloon race.

If you have a large group of children, let them continuing blowing up their balloons until only two children remain. Let the last two children face off against one another to see who can inflate and pop their balloon the fastest. Keep in mind that children may become very winded so it is likely better to avoid this game if you have small children in attendance.

8. Balloon Pop Face-Off

Balloon pop face-off is a great game for younger and older children to play. It requires a large playing area so it is best played outdoors. Split children into two teams such as a red team and a blue team. Hand the red team an inflated red balloon and the blue team an inflated blue balloon. Similar to capture the flag, set a base for each team and have them secure their balloon to their base, such as tied around a tree.

The goal is for one team to try to get to the other team’s base to pop their balloon while protecting their own. This game is a great icebreaker since children must work together. Children can use stealth to sneak to the other team’s base in an attempt to pop their balloon. However, they must also designate at least one person to keep an eye on and protect the balloon that is on their base.

The first team to pop the opposing team’s balloon wins the game. If children appear to like the game, you could always opt for different rounds. For instance, children can play a best out of three or best out of five game. For additional fun, play the game at night with some white Christmas lights to provide minimal lighting so kids can sneak around to the other team’s base in the dark.

9. Hop and Pop

If you are looking for a fun balloon popping game for small children, hop and pop is what you need. You will need enough balloons and enough chairs for each child. Secure one balloon to each chair using string and tape if necessary. Instruct children to stand with their back to the chair as though they are about to sit down.

Tell children to sit on their chairs to try to pop their balloon without using their hands. Children may have to wiggle and squirm to get their balloon to pop so they can use their hands to steady themselves. However, children should not try to pop the balloon with their hands or pull themselves down onto the balloon. The first child to pop their balloon wins.

10. Treasure Hunt

Kids are sure to enjoy this balloon treasure hunt. For this game, you will need plenty of balloons and a few packages of candy or other small treats of your choosing that will fit inside of a balloon. Place a couple of treats inside of each balloon and blow them up. Make sure you do no blow them up too large since you will need to hide them.

Hide the balloons in various places inside and outside if the weather permits. Instruct children to find the hidden balloons and pop them so they can claim their treasure. Keep tally of what child finds and pops the most balloons if you wish to declare a winner. If you have smaller children playing, every child is a winner since each child will have the reward of receiving candy.

11. Pin the Diaper

Pin the diaper is a fun game to play for a baby shower for both men and women. Supplies you will need to play this game include enough balloons, cloth diapers, and blind folds so each person has one, and plenty of safety pins. Blow up the balloons and hand one to each guest in attendance. Give each guest a few safety pins and a cloth diaper, too.

Instruct guests to tie a blindfold around their eyes. Once their blindfolds are in place, ask them to pin the diaper on the “baby,” which is the balloon in this case. If a person pops their balloon, they are out of the game. The first person to secure the diaper to the balloon without popping it wins the game!

Each of the games mentioned above will keep your guests laughing and entertained. In return, you can give yourself a pat on the back for being a great party host without having to spend an arm and a leg. Of course, there are plenty of other fun balloon popping games you can play as long as you have the imagination to do so.

Featured Image via Pixabay

Balloon icon via Flaticon

9 Fun Indoor Kids Activities

Looking to escape the heat with some fun indoor kids activities? When you pair an unbelievably hot day with kids on the loose for summer vacation, you can have quite a dilemma on your hands! Here are some fun, unique, and educational activities to try with your youngsters that do not require you to leave the air conditioning!

Cooking

Kids love to help in the kitchen! While it may be too hot to cook anything in the oven, there are some no-heat options! Ask them for help in making sandwiches (cut them in fun shapes), making a fruit salad, or putting the peanut butter in their celery. Consider hosting an inside ice cream social for the kids and their friends! You could let them make their own desserts! Get some summer learning done while you’re at it – help kids practice measuring, fractions, and reading labels while they help with food preparation. Maybe you can even convince them to help clean up!

Take a Museum Trip

Shuttle the kids from one indoor location to another! During the summer, many museums have activities just for kids and families to enjoy. Pack a lunch so you don’t have to pay museum food court prices. Take a few hours to experience something new inside instead of melting outside. This is a great way to get out of the house, but stay out of the heat! Plus! Most museums are free!

Go to the Library

Again, go from one indoor spot to another! Many libraries have summer reading programs that reward kids for reading as many books as possible. This is a great chance to get some education and socialization over the summer. Enjoy free story hours and craft sessions whenever you can! You can normally find a kids calendar on your local libraries website, or posted on their bulletin board.

Indoor Trampoline Park

While this one could be pricey, hands down, this is one of the coolest ways to entertain a group of kids! Many locations offer open jump sessions, but also nights that are just for families. To save a buck or too, check coupon sites for promotions since these are often popular locations to visit during the summer. Burning energy and lots of social time – sounds like a great indoor activity to me!

Host an At-Home Spa

This activity might not appeal to every kid, but it might appeal to some of the youngsters in your life! Have your kids help you look around the house for the items you might need – nail polish, foot tub, lotion, etc. If you want to take this to the next step, get out the makeup too! Plan for a whole at-home makeover. Super easy and a great photo opportunity!

Board and Card Games

Games can be particularly fun any time of the year! Look for games that give everyone a chance to play! You might think about staying away from one player video games so that you can have some great interactions with the children while they play! We have compiled a list of the most fun board games for you and your family to try!

Create an Indoor Campsite

This can be the coolest way to camp, literally! Create enough space in your house to setup your tent and get out your pillows and sleeping bags. Pack your picnic lunch (or dinner) to eat by the tent. If you’re up to it, you could even roast some marshmallows on a gas stove in the kitchen if you have one!

Build a Yarn Maze

Get out at the yarn and get ready to have your kids entertained for hours. Take the yarn and wrap it around banisters, doorknobs, chair legs, door frames, basically anywhere you can wrap it safely. Watch the youngsters climb around this yarn maze and have a great time! Roll up the yarn as you go so that you can reuse it for other projects! Bonus activity: make it a scavenger hunt with something cool attached to the end of the yarn!

Indoor Slides

This one takes a little pre-planning and work, but it could be totally worth it to entertain the kids! Get large refrigerator-sized cardboard boxes and cut them to cover all the stairwells in the house. Slide from floor to floor for as long as possible! Be very careful of the little ones during this activity.

Volunteer

Take the kids to a place where your family can volunteer together! A few examples: many food pantries need help sorting and stocking, libraries need help re-shelving books, nursing homes need people to host activities, and so on. Look for opportunities that have educational and social value. Think of the great lessons for kids to learn while in service of others. You can find local volunteer activities on the website or app JustServe.

Even when the temperatures are scorching hot, there are a plethora of exciting and new activities to try with your youngsters. Stay cool and have a great summer!

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7 Online Dating Icebreakers

What is the point of online dating icebreakers? Maybe you’re recently divorced, perhaps you have split from your ex, or you have a hard time getting out of the house. You might be ready to give online dating a try! Where do you start? Corny, predictable or pithy responses typically receive no replies from potential suitors. How do you maintain a fun and casual tone in your initial conversation with your contact without being overbearing or cringy?  Your introduction is the way you reveal yourself  and can demonstrate to your potential match what to expect from future interactions. This is where icebreakers are crucial to online dating!

Give some of these a try!

Ask your match open-ended questions

Simply sending messages such as “You’re cute” or “I like your profile” are as dull as watching paint dry. They might not know how to reply to a message like this, or if your initial response only requires a simple yes or no response, the conversation will likely end right there, if you even get a response. Try something like, “If you could go on a date anywhere in the city, where would it be and why?

Avoid initially flattering your match

Online dating ice breakers can be tricky for sure. They also take a little practice. However, sending cliché responses about handsomeness or beauty should be avoided like an overseas online pharmacy.. People can become suspicious of these types of messages; perhaps save these for when things progress. Instead, explain to your match or future potential date why any aspect of their profile impacted you so much that you just had to message him/her about it. Bada-boom! Now you have the person’s attention!

Use Humor

People are attracted to people who can make them laugh. While most people have an affinity for people with a sense of humor, avoid aggressive or overbearing humor. This tends to reveal a negative personality that is off-putting. Instead, use a positive style of humor, as this often leads to quicker and better connections. In fact, a related sense of humor consists of the ability to tell jokes and share stories with each other and thus is able to lead to lasting relationships. How about, “What was the worst first date you’ve ever had?” Have fun!

Mention Something in Their Profile

Being sincerely interested in what attracted you to a person’s profile goes a long way towards getting a response. People like it when others take notice of their interests and their potential match shares the same thing(s) as they do. This increases your chances of getting a reply as well as getting the conversation moving ahead.

Don’t Be a Creep

Whatever you do, refrain from weird pick up lines, especially if they are sexual in nature. You will rarely if ever get a response! Online dating icebreakers of this type are offensive to the vast majority of people. Keep your initial message polite and avoid mentioning sex at all. Rudeness should also be avoided like a pencil in the eye. You’re looking for a date or a partner rather than something out of a B-grade horror flick.

Keep Messages Brief

Okay, pithy and brief are as different as night and day. A pithy example is: “You’re sweet.” Researchers have determined that the best messages are between 40 and 60 characters. If you’re taking 30 minutes to write that many characters, you’re overthinking it. Take a few minutes to write out a message, check the spelling, and send it into cyberspace.

Quick Responses Boost Your Chances

We’re all busy these days, but if you’re serious about mastering the techniques of online dating icebreakers you need to be responsive. Immediate replies are fantastic but are not necessary. On the other hand, writing a reply after more than a few days can put you behind and make you start all over. Check your profile daily if possible since it only takes a couple of minutes, but don’t obsess!

There is no real science as it pertains to online dating icebreakers. This is an area of trial and error. Nevertheless, these tips are sure to assist you in landing a date. One other thing to me mindful of is that you should carry on your conversation until such a time as you mutually agree to meet for the first time. This is usually between two to three weeks. Rushing things can lead to an unpleasant experience and deter you from further online conversations. Finally, be patient and use common sense. Good luck!

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56 Fun Team Building Icebreakers

 

Everyone will most likely recall their first day walking into a new workplace, college, marketing team, or corporate meeting. The new environment comes with challenges, and one of them is having to introduce oneself to a bunch of strangers. While the regular method of introduction is one of the ways to get acquainted with team members, it is not the most efficient, or the most fun, method. This is where icebreakers come in handy!

 
 

Icebreakers are designed to help familiarize people through the sharing of names, background information, and other personal/professional information in a fun and exciting way. They can help introduce team members in an informal, yet intimate way, while helping participants relax and ease into a meeting or training.

 

Icebreakers break through the shy, awkward feeling that most people encounter when around strangers. These activities can be used in a number of surroundings: social gatherings, schools, work settings, and sport teams. Any time you have a group of people getting together for the first time, try an icebreaker!

The group leader should first and foremost consider the age/size of the team. They should consider whether the topics in question are familiar or unfamiliar to group members, or whether participants hail from different backgrounds. When choosing team icebreakers, it is necessary to be conscious of the team dynamics. The selected activities should accommodate every team member, and no one should be forced to reveal information or participate in an uncomfortable event. Ideally, the icebreakers should be in line with the topic of discussion or the goal of the entire team.

 

This list of icebreakers is recommended for team members; whether they know each other or have never met before. The list is detailed and is sure to provide some of the best team icebreakers. The games are not in any particular order, but can be tweaked to suit the goal of the day or to suit the given environment. In most cases, these icebreakers will require the guidance of a team leader or facilitator.

 
 
Introductions / 
Who am I?

Members pair up and are given five minutes to share vital information about each other. Each member is then asked to introduce a partner to the rest of the team.

 
 
Two Truths and a Lie

Every team member is required to write down THREE things on a piece of paper. Two are true, and one is false. Every member should then read out the three ‘facts’ while the rest of the group votes which ones are true and which is a lie.

 
 
Networking Bingo

Each contestant is issued with a pre-printed bingo card and a pen. The card should have 5-7 unique characteristics. Each member is then required to move around (network) the room and identify another team member who fits the details in the sheet. That person then signs the box. Once a player has all of his/her choices filled, that person yells BINGO! And everyone stops to allow that person to read the traits. One rule is that no name should be used more than once. Once a winner is determined, the winner’s card can be used to introduce the rest of the team members

 
 
Seating Plan

Ask contestants to arrange their seats according to their first name or in order of their birthday. This encourages mingling and conversations!

 
 
Wallet/Purse Introductions

The contestants have to pull out an item from their purse or wallets and explain how the item represents them. This is an especially fun project when people carry pictures in their wallets.

 
 
Lollipop

Pass out lollipops to every group member and ask the participants to read the flavors. For every letter appearing in the flavor, members should say something about themselves to the group.

 
 
Summer Activities Name Game

Team members introduce themselves and disclose their summer activity. First, they should present themselves with their first names. Then they can reveal any activities that they partook in summer that starts with the same letter as their first names.

 
 
Name and Number

Members write down their name on one side of a card and number on the other then tape the card to their shirt with only the names showing. They then walk around and introduce themselves to as many people as they can. After some mingling, everyone is required to turn his or her card so that the number shows instead of the name. Team members should then write down – on a numbered piece of paper- as many names as they can recall, to the corresponding number.

 
 
Telephone

The group sits in a circle, and the team leader shares a message with the next person in the circle. The secret is then shared across the circle, but should not be repeated twice to the same person. Once the secret is back to its source (team leader), it is shared with everyone, and a comparison is made with the original information.

 
 
Would You Rather?

Would you rather (eat peas or bananas? Use a bus or airplane? Read a book or watch a movie?). Questions may range depending on the motive of the team. First, the contestants straddle a tape then jump left or right depending on their answers.

 
 
Famous Pairs / Faces

Team members are required to identify the names of famous persons/celebrities. The nametag of the famous person is then taped on the back of each group player – the member should not see the tape on his/her back. The members are then asked to identify who they are. Each participant is allowed to loiter in the room and ask questions that can only be answered with a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

 
 
I Have Never

Each participant starts with some candy then goes round the circle completing the sentence, “I have never…” If a member has done what the leading contestant has never done, they have to give that contestant some candies.

 
 
Hog Call

Divide the team into pairs and ask each pair to choose two things, either a machine or animal. The members must decide who is which: animal or machine. Each pair then distributes to opposite sides of the room, and everyone is required to close their eyes. Every individual is required to identify another by the sound that person makes. The task requires some supervision.

 
 
Pile of Hats

The candidates are required to gather as many hats as they can and place them in the middle of the room. Group members should then sit in a circle around the hats. Each member is then given a chance to pick a hat of their choice, giving a reason why the hat represents them and how they feel at that moment. Everyone is given an opportunity to select a hat and give an explanation.

 
 
Marooned

Split the group into smaller teams. Members should then answer how many items – limited to five – they would have brought with them if they were to be left behind on an island. Members are limited to five items per team and not per person.

 
 
Pat on the Back

Each person is required to draw an outline of his/her hand on a sheet of paper, which is then taped behind one’s back. Every team member then writes something positive on the back of another member.

 
 
String Necklaces

The objective of this game is to get as many strings as possible on one’s neck by getting other members to say “no” to one’s questions. Tie a necklace or yarn around everyone’s neck and ask some questions. If anyone responds with a “no,” he/she has to surrender his/her necklace.

 
 
Demographics

Brainstorm background data that the contestants may be interested in knowing about each member (for example, age, education, etc.). In reference to the demographics, have every participant choose who they are.

 
 
Where Are You?

Before members meet, the team leader needs to pick a date and ask everyone what they were doing on that date.

 
 
We Are One

One member provides a classification upon which all the other members organize themselves. For example, the member can ask those wearing black shoes to stand together.

 
 
Human Knot

Participants stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder, and stretch their left hand into the middle of the circle to join with another person (not directly to his/her left or right). Each participant then places his/her right hand into the circle to join hands with another person. After their hands have tangled, they are required to untangle without breaking grips within the group.

 
 
Partner TV Commercials

Members are divided into groups of two and asked to interview each other within a limited time- say 3 minutes. Each member is then given a minute to come up with a television commercial marketing the other partner.

 
 
Uncle Fred’s Suitcase

In a circle, the first person (a volunteer) starts the game with “I packed Uncle Fred’s suitcase with………..” then names some object or item. The person seated next to the first person must then repeat what the volunteer has said, and add his/her item. The game continues around the circle, and each participant is required to recite the previous object/items then add another. The members are allowed to help a partner who forgets some object. After the last person has repeated the details and added his/hers, the entire group then stands to recite what is in the suitcase: “ I packed Uncle Fred’s suitcase with…..,…..,……..,……., etc. The object/items can be replaced with the member’s names.

 
 
Contrasting Statement

The leader comes up with a list of contrasting groups, for example, day/night. After each pair is revealed, the entire team should divide into two and join the group that they best relate to (for example day). Within each group, members are asked to explain their choice.

 
 
Hometown

A large outline of state or country is placed on the floor or wall, and participants are required to put their hometowns and names on the map. Participants then proceed to share more information about their hometowns and how they joined the team.

 
 
M&Ms / Pass It Around

A bag of M&Ms is required for introducing groups to each other. One group sits in a circle, and the bag is moved around. Team members are expected to help themselves with the M&Ms, but not to eat them. Once the bag has been around the entire circle, each member must reveal one thing about himself/herself for every M&M taken. This activity has some variations.

 
 
The Question Web

Members stand in a circle. The leader holds the end of a spool of wool or string and throws it to one member to catch. The member then chooses to answer a question (from a list of already prepared questions). Holding the string, he or she then releases it to another team member who repeats the same method (chooses another question to answer). In the end, a web is created, and team members learn more about each player.

 
 
All Together Now

Divide the team into groups depending on the number. It can be groups of three, four, or five. Colleagues in each cluster are then required to talk about themselves (including their dislikes and likes). The aim is to find three things in common to the other members of the group.

 
 
Superlatives

Each participant is asked to study the group composition and decide on a superlative adjective that describes themselves in reference to others (fastest, most organized, happiest, etc.). The participants then give more details about their choice.

 
 
All Together Now

Divide the team into groups depending on the number. It can be groups of three, four, or five. Colleagues in each cluster are then required to talk about themselves (including their dislikes and likes). The aim is to find three things in common to the other members of the group.

 
 
Superlatives

Each participant is asked to study the group composition and decide on a superlative adjective that describes themselves in reference to others (fastest, most organized, happiest, etc.). The participants then give more details about their choice.

 
 
Balloons

Use small pieces of papers to prepare questions and put those questions inside a balloon. Have each team member pop a balloon to retrieve a question and answer the question to the group.

 
 
Name Tag

Every member needs to make a nametag that includes a picture. The picture (symbol, cartoon, building, nature) should be able to say something about that person. Alternatively, people can write answers to specific questions (for example, where do you live?) in the corner. Every person should then be given a chance to explain his/her drawing.

 
 
Common Ground

Give the team members a specific time (say 7 minutes) to write down a list of all the things they have in common, but they should avoid the obvious. Once the time elapses, each group should disclose the number of items they have listed and reveal any unusual details.

 
 
Blanket Name Game

The entire team is divided into two groups and asked to sit on the floor facing each other. A blanket is placed between the groups so that each team cannot view the other. A member from one of the teams is quietly asked to move to the blanket until all members face each other – but cannot view each other because of the blanket. On the count of three, the blanket is dropped, and each person is expected to remember the name of the person facing him/her.

 
 
Chaos / Toss a Name

Organize contestants in a circle and ensure everyone introduces himself/herself. One player then begins by tossing an object to another, saying, “Hi, Name of Person.” Once the other person catches the object, he/she says, “Thanks, Name of tosser.” The receiver then calls upon another person before tossing the object to him or her. After the ball has been thrown for some time, a second ball can be added to make it more interesting.

 
 
Talent Show

Team members are given a chance to name and share the talent of their choice. This game enables the members to share the skills they have.

 
 
Conversations

Every contestant is given a sheet of paper with some instructions. The instructions should be structured in a way to ensure every member speaks to everyone around.

 
 
Personal Coat of Arms

Every person is given a sheet of paper with a blank coat of arms. Each participant is required to respond to specific statements/questions in each quadrant. Each participant is then asked to draw a motto or symbol about his/her shield that is representative of him/her. Participants should then share their results with the group.

 
 
Interview / Fun Facts

Divide the team members into pairs then ask them to interview each other. Each interviewer should aim to find three unique facts about their interviewee. Everyone should then be asked to present the three facts about their partner to the rest of the team.

 
 
Paper Plate Dates

Each participant is given a paper plate and asked to draw the face of a clock on the plate. With a horizontal line next to each number, each member is required to walk around to find a ‘date’ for each hour. Once everyone has found a date, he/she is required to write his/her name on the line. The whole point is that no member can have a ‘date’ with more than one person per hour. The date can only take place if each pair has the same time available. The team leader can then speed up time to allow a few minutes for each hour after everyone has made a date. Each pair should get the chance to know each other. For this exercise, gender is not an issue.

 
 
Personal Coat of Arms

Every person is given a sheet of paper with a blank coat of arms. Each participant is required to respond to specific statements/questions in each quadrant. Each participant is then asked to draw a motto or symbol about his/her shield that is representative of him/her. Participants should then share their results with the group.

 
 
Interview / Fun Facts

Divide the team members into pairs then ask them to interview each other. Each interviewer should aim to find three unique facts about their interviewee. Everyone should then be asked to present the three facts about their partner to the rest of the team.

 
 
Who’s Done That?

Prepare a list of around 20-25 skills or experiences that are relevant to the team. Make enough copies for everyone and ensure there is sufficient space below each item. Let every person find someone who can sign one of the lines. The signee should leave their name and contact information.

 
 
Ball Toss

Everyone should stand up to form a circle and face each other. Toss a bean bag or ball to a person and have that person share an interesting fact. That person then throws the ball to another player who is also required to share some facts.

 
 
Dear Dolores

Participants sit in a circle, and each person starts by giving their name accompanied with an adjective that begins with the first letter of their name (E.g. Industrious Ian, Happy Helen). The next contestant repeats the person’s name and adjective followed by his or her name and adjective. The process continues in the circle.

 
 
Lifelines

A ‘lifeline’ is drawn across a massive sheet of paper, and each member is required to mark a date (each date needs labeling for explanation) on the line that represents specific moments in their lives: turning points, lows, highs or other significant events. Each member then shares their dates with the other players. The group is then given a chance to ask questions about each other’s lifelines.

 
 
Did You See It?

Members take turns asking each other questions about their environment (college/workplace/home). For example, what is the name of the new receptionist? The game investigates how much attention people pay to their surroundings.

 
 
Traffic Lights

Divide members into teams and draw traffic lights on a chart in front of the room. The lights are representative of action plans: what they need to stop doing (red light), what they should minimize doing (yellow light), and what they should continue doing (green light). Each participant should then write his/her traffic lights and explain it to the group.

 
 
Me Too

Each contestant is given ten scraps of papers or pennies. The first person then states what he/she has done, and everyone else who has done the same thing must admit and put their paper or penny in the middle of the table. The second person states something else (e.g. I have never gone skiing) and anyone who agrees puts another penny in the center. The game continues until one person runs out of pennies.

 

 
 
Important Item

Participants are required to bring something of significance with them. Every member is then given a chance to explain why that thing is necessary. In some cases, players can be given an opportunity to guess the owner of a given item.

 
 
Animal Imitation

Arrange chairs in a circle and label each chair with the name of a particular animal. The team members are required to replicate the gestures and sounds associated with the animals in question. Members then rotate and imitate the animal labeled on their new chair.

 
 
The Shoe Game

One participant is selected to receive positive feedback from the other team members. Once that person has received feedback from everyone, another person is chosen. There are a number of ways to perform this activity.

 
 
Progressive Story

This exercise requires that members know each other and feel comfortable discussing personal issues. For this game, listening is crucial, but members do not have to sit in a circle. The team leader begins the story and in no special order, another group member picks up the story adding another element to the plot. The main idea is to ensure everyone adds something. The progression of the story is representative of the member’s emotions.

 
 
Positive Bombardment / Feedback

The group is required to stand in a large circle, shoulder to shoulder. Members are then expected to remove their shoes. At the team leader’s command, every member runs to the middle of the circle and throws their shoes in the pile. The first person then chooses a pair of shoe- that is not his/hers- and makes a statement about the owner based on the appearance of the shoes. The shoe owner then comes forth and introduces himself/herself to the other members before picking another pair of shoes to ‘analyze.’ The process is repeated until everyone has been introduced based on their shoes.

 
 
Dancing Names

Not only is the “Tell me about yourself” part of any team-building event more than just a little bit tedious, many people will struggle to remember all of the names that they hear. The Dancing Names ice-breaker is not only a fun way to get everyone warmed up, but also provides a visual reminder of all of the names. Everyone stands in a circle looking inwards at each other. Each person in the circle will say their name and follow it with a dance move. The rest of the group will then imitate this dance move and repeat the name 3 times. There are some groups that may be a little shy to start with, but once they get in the swing of things you will have people bringing out the worm and the running man, to name but a few dance moves.

Once everyone has gone around the circle and introduced themselves, turn on a song and have someone start the game. The one who starts will do their own dance move first, then do the dance move of another in the circle. Whoever’s dance move was performed, then does their own dance move and another person in the circle’s dance move. Then the dances go around and around until the song is over. Memorizing the dance move is a great way to memorize the names of those who performed.

 
 
Ask a Question

Ask a Question is a relatively simple icebreaker which puts the group in charge. This game allows the group to find out more about their team-mates and is a great way to get to know each other. Ask everyone in the group to write down a question that they would like to ask other people in the group. These can be a variety of questions such as “where is the most interesting place you have been?” “What is your biggest passion?” etc. All the questions are then popped into a hat before being pulled out and answered one by one.

Easy, but effective!

 
 
Back to Back Drawing

If you have a team that perhaps already know each other but need to work on their communication, then this icebreaker is a great idea. The group will need to split off into pairs, with each pair sitting or standing back to back. One of the pair will have a clipboard, piece of paper and a pencil, whilst the other will have a template of a shape. The objective is this: the person with the template has to get their partner to draw an exact supplicate of the shape, using only verbal pointers. It may seem easy but this can be a tricky one to get right.

This is a fantastic icebreaker which  encourages communication and interdependence. Use this at your next team building event and it is sure to be a hit!

 
 
The Big Calm Down

Towards the end of the session you might want to calm the group down and create a relaxed environment. A great way to do this is with an icebreaker that asks the group to focus on calming thoughts. Have them get comfortable and close their eyes. Tell them to take 5 minutes to reflect on the words that they hear. These words are of course up to you and can be tailored towards your business; however, some great ideas include “beach”, “sail away” or perhaps “green meadows”.

After the five minutes is up, gather the group in a circle and ask them to talk about what images came to their minds.

 
 
Baby Photos Icebreaker

Are you bringing together a new team for the first team in the workplace? If you are, then any baby photo based icebreakers are a great way to bring them together. Ask every member of the team (yourself included) to bring in a baby photo of themselves. These are all then pinned to a noticeboard and everyone is asked to guess who each baby is. You can do this as a week long game or perhaps split people into teams and give them half an hour to work out the answers; it is entirely up to you.

This icebreaker is a lot of fun for a few reasons. Everyone loves babies! Who doesn’t want to see a bunch of adorable baby pictures? This is a great way to get your team laughing and smiling without fear of being self conscious.

 

The team leader should come up with some follow up questions for each icebreaker. The questions should be used to rate the effectiveness of each icebreaker tried. 

If you enjoyed these 56 Team Icebreakers you might also want to check out our 76 Icebreaker Questions.

Featured Image via Unsplash

 

Icebreakers for High School Students

Teenagers can be awkward; this is especially true when it comes to meeting new people and making friends. If you are a camp leader, after school worker or a teacher; you may want to put in place some icebreakers. This will help your students get used to each other and perhaps even encourage them to get to know one another and forge friendships.

With this in mind we have put together some of the best icebreakers for high school students.

Crossword Names

Image via Flickr

This icebreaker is ideal for a group that has  just met. This game encourages participants to walk around, talk to one another, and learn the names of their peers. Give each person in the group a pen and piece of paper. Ask them to write down their first name, in capitals, in the middle of the paper. They will then need to move around the room asking other members of the group to add in their name where the letters in their name match a letter on the paper; just like a crossword puzzle! This game is timed and the aim is to see who can add the most names before the time runs out.

This can be especially fun when you get players with unique letters in their name! Plus! If you think you might have made a friend, you will have their name down on a sheet of paper for easy reference!

Freeze Frame

Image via Flickr

One of the biggest things about icebreakers is that they are designed to relax people and make them feel less self-conscious. Games that get them up on their feet and moving about are best for this. Freeze Frame is a game that involves the group moving quietly around the room, waiting for your instruction. As they are walking you will need to call out the name of your chosen “activity”. This could be different sports, different animals, or perhaps emotions. The group then need to freeze in a position that acts out that activity. In no time at all you will have every member of the group smiling, laughing and ready to have some more fun!

Who is the Best?

Image via Flickr

This particular game involves the group working together to score the most points. The challenge of this game is discovering more about the others on your team and even uncovering some hidden talents that they might not realize they have. Split the group into even teams and move these teams into different sections of the room (or outside space if you have one available).

The object of the game is to be crowned the best at whatever activity or question which is put to you. An example of this is, “Who is the tallest?” The groups will then have 30 seconds to decide who is the tallest in their group and put them forward into the center of the space; whichever team puts forward the best will win a point. The questions can vary; “Who has the loudest scream?” “Who has the most brothers?” even things like “Who can hold a plank the longest?”

This game encourages participants to get to know one another and recognize their unqiue strengths and abilities. Then they get to use their talents for a common goal, to win! If the questions you prepare are diverse enough, everyone in the group will have something to contribute and be proud about.

So there you have it! Here are some ideas to get your high school students to let their guard down and get to know one another. All with the power of icebreakers!

Image via Unsplash

5 Large Group Icebreakers

As anyone who is tasked to manage a large group knows, keeping that many people entertained can be a real challenge. This is made even more difficult when the group is not familiar with each other. Whether you are planning a party with a bunch of friends, or leading group exercises for a corporate retreat, icebreakers are key to a successful evening! Below are 5 of our favorite large group icebreakers to warm up your group.

The Shoe Game

This is a simple icebreaker to get a large group mingling and talking to one another.  Ask the participants to take off their right shoe and toss it into a big pile in the middle of the room.  Participants are then asked to pick up a shoe from the pile and find the owner!  Once they find the owner, they must stand next to them.  The end result is the group collaborating to form a large circle.

In a group setting, most people will gravitate to those they already know. When organizing an event with lots of people, getting to know someone new can be awkward or uncomfortable. The Shoe Game motivates people to get out of their comfort zone and meet someone new! Give a couple of prompting questions for those in the group to ask their shoe partner if conversations seem strained.

The Shoe Game infographic

Celebrity Heads

This is a fun icebreaker that is very simple to organize.  To begin, write the names of different celebrities on post-it notes.  Place a post-it note on the forehead of each participant without them seeing the name of the celebrity. The participants will then be told to mingle and ask “yes or no” questions of other participants to figure out which celebrity is on their forehead.  They are only allowed to ask a single question of each person they talk to.  The first few participants to correctly guess their celebrity win a prize!

Not only is this game simple, and very easy to set up and explain, but the time you spend on this game is highly adaptable to your needs. If you don’t have a lot of time, you can set a quick timer to signal when to switch to a new person. If you want your group to spend more time with one another, you could skip the timer and add other clever rules.

Celebrity Heads infographic

Organize Without Speaking

This is a simple game that tests the collaborative skills of participants.  Ask them to arrange themselves in a line ordered by their birth year or another time-based prompt.  The only catch — they can’t speak, they have to use hand signals!  Participants will have to organize themselves and pay attention to the signs from other people in the group. This is also a fantastic way to observe the group and get a feel for the individual dynamics. Take not of who takes charge. Pay attention to the ones who seem especially skilled or scattered. If you are worried about a long uncomfortable silence, you can always play some jaunty background music!

This ice breaker is a great way to encourage quick thinking and team building. Use this at your next corporate retreat, or your next family reunion! Quickly overcome any icebreaker-awkwardness with this quick thinking game.

Organize without speaking infographic

True or False Running

This is a great icebreaker for energetic groups of young people.

Have the group stand in the middle of the room.  Place a marker on the right side of the room and on the left side of the room. Nominate the right side as the “true” side and the left side as the “false”.

The facilitator then asks a series of true or false questions of the participants.  They could include questions like “Small dogs live longer than big dogs” or “The capital of Australia is Sydney”.  Participants then have to choose true or false for the answer.  If they get the answer right they are given a token or their score is recorded on a scoreboard.  After twenty icebreaker questions, the person with the most points wins a prize!

This one can also be made with more personal questions to help the group get a better idea of those around them. You could say phrases like, “I am married” “This is my first time at ____” or “I have been out of the country.” This might just prompt some side conversations and give the people in your group a starting off point for a fun meet and greet.

True/False Running infographic

Simon Says

Sometimes the silly games that you played as a child can bring back some great memories!  The facilitator rapidly yells “Simon says” orders to participants to get them moving.  Remember that participants should only do what the facilitator says when he includes “Simon says” in the request!  Shout the commands rapidly to see if the participants are paying attention and thinking quickly.

If you wanted to really spice things up, you could offer a prize to the last person who remains uneliminated! This game might not be what you are looking for as a “get to know you game”, but it certainly is an icebreaker!

Simon Says infographic

Collecting Autographs

Here is an icebreaker for an especially large group of people. It’s fast paced, fun, and great at getting a group warmed up. Best of all, its easy!

Participants are given a worksheet that includes 20 questions on it.  They must find other participants who answer yes to that question. Participants will then sign their name next to the question.  Participants can only sign once per sheet, so people must walk around the room to find 20 different people to answer “yes” and sign their worksheet.

Questions can include things like:

  • I have been to France

  • I know how to play guitar

  • I have rode an elephant

  • I am wearing a brown shirt

Collecting Autographs Game infographic

Featured Image via Unsplash

13 Fun Outdoor Games for Kids of All Ages

When it comes to the great outdoors, there’s plenty of games that can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and in some instances, even the parents! Playing outdoor games is a great way to get your kids out of the house. Besides all the fun they will have, there are also a ton of proven benefits associated with outdoor games.

Playing outdoors ensures our children are getting the necessary amount of exercise, and helps develop the muscles and coordination of children as a result. Best of all, engaging in outdoor games allows for the development of other important life skills, such as social interaction.

In this regard, we look at some outdoor games that have become popular with children. Some games are more classic, while others have been introduced quite recently.

List of Outdoor Games for Kids

Potato Sack Race

We begin the list with an instant classic, one of the best outdoor games for kids, that was first introduced back in the 1800s, also known as ‘gunny races,’ potato sack races become the main attraction at many a carnival. They say a classic never dies, and this is true for the much beloved potato sack race.

The game can be played with a minimum of two players, the maximum is completely up to you. The players line up while standing in potato sacks, and upon the blow of the whistles, hop their way across the finish line!

If you don’t have any potato sacks, the pillow cases will do. If you want to make this a family tradition, perhaps consider purchasing burlap sacks for this very purpose!

A fun-filled outdoor game that even adults can join in with.

Balloon Volleyball

We’re all familiar with the game of volleyball, and while a real of volleyball poses certain safety risks for young children, Balloon Volleyball is a much more laid back affair.

All that is needed for a game of Balloon Volleyball are some balloons and a piece of string. To play: players lie on their backs and kick a loose balloon back and forth over a line of string pulled tight as the “net”. Should the balloon touch the ground, the other player is awarded a point, much like regular volley ball.

If you don’t happen to have any string, then a row of toys or a sheet makes a great alternative.

Also consider playing this with a group! You can find giant balloons online here, and use of these on a much larger playing field outside!

Outdoor Games for Kids: Boochie

Boochie is game that takes elements from a series of different ball games, and combines them into one action-packed game that provides hours of fun for adults and children alike.

The Boochie set comes complete with 4 rings, 4 bean balls, 4 wrist trackers and 1 twelve-sided Boochie ball, and all of this can be transported within the carry bag included.

Boochie turns the world of ball games on its head, by offer children a series of fun throwing challenges that’s guaranteed to keep them entertained for hours due to the variety of different games available.

Hide and Seek

As well as being a tried-and-tested classic, Hide and Seek requires no upfront investment whatsoever. All you need is somewhere with plenty of places to hide! Days out in the park can become much more enjoyable with a simple game of hide and seek, as children just love hiding from others.

In case you aren’t familiar or need a refresher, in order to play one player must cover their eyes and count up to a specific number. Consider counting for longer with littler kids who might take a minute to find a spot. Once the number has been reached, the counter must then go and seek out the others. If you want to mix up things a little, you can instill a ‘home base’ which can people can retreat to if they feel they have been hiding for too long.

If you plan to play this game outside, make sure to set clear boundaries with your children so they understand how far they are allowed to go. This game may be innocent and have low risk, but it is always better to be careful if you are in a public place to ensure your children’s safety.

children playing outside

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Kick the Can

If the kids have enjoyed a good game of hide and seek and are looking to take things to the next level, then why not consider a game of Kick the Can?

All that is required for a game of Kick the Can is a can, bucket or anything that can effectively be kicked over. A holding pen is then designated for all the captured players to be held.

Like Hide and Seek, a player is allocated as ‘it’ and must cover their eyes and count while their friends seek out hiding places. However, when players are captured, they are placed within the holding pen. If one of the un-captured players are able to kick the can that is placed in the middle of the play area, then all captured players are released.

The game is over when all those hiding have been placed into the holding pen. If you wanted to add another level of complexity to this game, consider dividing the children in half and playing with teams! This can help even the odds if you are playing with a wide age range of chidren.

Swingball

Although a staple in many homes, there are those who may not be aware of how much fun Swingball actually is. You may be asking yourself how much fun can a ball a string really be, but many families turn to Swingball for some much-need respite and bonding time.

Whether there’s only one of you, or ten of you, a simple game of Swingball is not only energetic, but helps fill an otherwise mundane weekend. This is a game easily stored in your garage or backyard, and helps get you and your kids out of the house!

Lawn Scrabble

Scrabble is a popular word game that’s been part of many get social gatherings and Christmas celebrations. Playing the game on the lawn could prove to be troublesome, due to the uneven surface and the size of the playing pieces. However, if you’re still keen to inject some learning while the children are outside, then why not play ‘Lawn Scrabble.’

All that is needed for a game of Lawn Scrabble is some large pieces of cardboard and some marker pens to make up your letter pieces. Once complete, simply turn the lawn into a giant Scrabble play area, using the same rules as its smaller counterpart.

Not only is Lawn Scrabble a lot of fun, but it’s also very cost-effective.

Klutz DIY Piñata

Although piñatas are built for destruction, that doesn’t stop them being a lot of fun, especially for children. Often a staple of children’s birthday parties, piñatas can also be used to entertain children at a loose end while out in the garden or park.

Klutz Piñata Kit Maker not only allows children to enjoy a game of piñata when the fancy takes them, but they can also decorate them to their own specifications. If you have a birthday party coming up, why not ask the children to help you with the making of the piñatas’.

Red Light, Green Light

Red Light, Green Light is one of those games that’s so simple, anyone can pick it up. Children stand behind a starting line, and another child will stand about 30 feet in front of them, with their back turned. They will then be responsible for shouting out two commands, one being red light, the other green light.

Like the traffic lights that inspired the game, the children at the starting line must respond to these signals. So when green light is shouted, the children must try and tag the child shouting the commands. However, as soon as the child shouts red light, all children must stop. The child will then turn around, and if they catch anyone moving, that child will be sent back to the starting line.

Red Light, Green Light is a true test of nerves as well as a game that really raises the excitement level. Trying to reach the child before the stop signal is announced can really get the blood pumping, adding to the fun factor of the game. This makes for a classic outdoor game, a game that needs lots of room to move around!

children playing outside

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Mabua Ring Toss Game

Ring toss games have always been enjoyable, whether you play them at the fun fair, or at home. Finding things for children to do while exploring the outside world can be challenging, especially if you’ve exhausted other avenues. However, the Mabua Ring Toss Game is a fully mobile bundle of fun that will keep the children entertained for hours.

Complete with its own carry-case, the Mabua Ring Toss Game can be transported to a number of outdoor venues. So whether you’ve a weekend of camping ahead, or lazy Sunday in the garden with the family, the Mabua Ring Toss Game is a great investment that will ensure you’re never at a loose end while enjoying the great outdoors.

Hopscotch

Hopscotch is a game that has been enjoyed by almost every generation. While today’s world is filled with a number of entertainment channels, it can be hard to believe that such a simple game can still be enjoyed by children. The fact is that many children love a game of hopscotch, and it all it takes is some creativity.

If you have a paved area in the back garden, then your child can create a hopscotch playing area with some chalk, which can be easily washed away afterwards. Similarly, if you’re looking to play the game in the back garden, you may want to create a play area by investing in a hopscotch play mat.

The basic rules behind hopscotch is that an object, such as a small stone, or beanbag, is aimed towards the number 1 grid in the play area. The player must then hop through the squares, ensuring they do not miss any or step on any lines. On the way back the player retrieves the object and then passes it to the next player. On the next turn, the child would aim for the number 2 on the grid, and simply repeat the process.

The other reason that hopscotch is so popular is the fact that the play area can be fully customized as you see fit. So a game of hopscotch can be as easy or as challenging as a child wants it. Different playing areas allow for a series of different outcomes.

Get the kids outside the house and jumping around! Hopscotch is a sure way to burn off any extra energy they may have!

Air Scoop Ball 

Ball games are always a popular choice for keeping children entertained while they’re outside, but sometimes the same old ball games can become monotonous. Fortunately, the Air Scoop Ball play set allows children to enjoy the excitement of catching a serving a ball, while improving their hand-to-eye co-ordination.

The Fun Air Scoop Ball set is a set that only requires a small investment. It can be used for a number of outdoor activities. So regardless of whether you’re visiting the beach, or playing the back garden, this fun little set will provide players with hours of fun.

Simon Says

What could be more fun for a kid than telling other children what to do? This alone could be why the game Simon Says is played globally and enjoyed by children of all ages. Some may not have experienced the game yet. Seeing as the game can be played without spending a dollar, it’s certainly worth considering. If you’re looking for some inspiration for outdoor games this is a solid option.

A selected child will issue a set of requests to the other children, such as ‘put your hands on your heads’ or ‘touch your nose.’ However, the demands must be started with ‘Simon says’ otherwise any requests carried out will mean that child is out of the game.

This is a game that’s not only fun, but actually promotes how children process information before they act on it, really giving their brains a workout in the process.

KanJam

KanJam was first introduced as Garbage Pail Frisbee in the 80s, but fear not, the game has been cleaned up a lot since its first guide. Now known as KanJam, the aim of the game is to aim your Frisbee into the can of your opponent, while trying to defect any Frisbees aiming towards your can.

KanJam can require a slightly larger space to be played, so if you’re planning a day out in the park or on the beach, then this can be the ideal travel companion to ensure boredom is kept at bay.

While Kanjam is slightly more expensive than some of the other games available, the price is reflected in the quality of the product. The tins are highly durable, so there’s very little chance of the cans being damaged in the first one or two games.

Final Thoughts

These are just a mere selection of the many outdoor games for kids available. Most of these games require very little investment. Little by little, it won’t be long before you have a vast selection of outdoor games in your arsenal. Its the little games like these that make vacations, reunions, and trips to the grandparents house memorable.

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