Drama Theatre Challenge Kit Activities

Puppet Crafts

Paper Bag Animals

Materials

• Paper bags
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Pipe cleaners (optional)

Instructions

1. Fold the two square edges of a paper bag under (at the dotted lines) to form the animal's pointed snout.
2. This is the shape of the animal's head (either mouse and/or cat in this craft).
3. Glue on googly eyes to the face of the mouse. Eyes can also be drawn using markers or crayons.
4. Cut out round-shaped ears and a pink circular nose from construction paper. Glue them on the face of the mouse.
5. Add the whiskers by threading pipe cleaners through the paper bag. Whiskers can also be made of thin strips of grey construction paper. Glue them to the mouse.
6. In order to make a cat puppet, follow steps 1-5. Then add paws to the cat by cutting paws out of brown construction paper and glue them on either side of the paper bag.
7. Make other animals, such as a raccoon, dog, brown bear, or frog, by cutting and gluing construction paper body parts on the paper bag. Put on a puppet show after creating several different kinds of animal puppets.

Finger Pals

Materials

• Stiff paper, like thick construction paper
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• Googly eyes, cotton balls, glue (optional)

Instructions

1. Your fingers are the legs of these simple paper puppets.
2. Draw a template of a nursery rhyme character (such as “Humpty Dumpty” or “Five Little Pumpkins”) on stiff paper.
3. Draw large circles where the legs of the character would be (these will become the finger holes).
4. Cut out the finger puppet and the finger hole(s).
5. Decorate the puppet with crayons or markers.
6. Glue on googly eyes and cotton ball hair (optional, as needed for the character).
7. Make the entire cast of a nursery rhyme in this manner. Perform the nursery rhyme along with these finger pals.

Stick Figurines

Materials

• Construction paper or blank white paper
• markers or crayons
• Popsicle sticks
• Glue or tape

Instructions

1. Pick a theme for a puppet theatre show (for example, "Winter Wonderland‟ or "Under the Sea‟).
2. Draw templates of the characters belonging to the theme of the puppet show on construction paper or blank white paper. For example, for a "Winter Wonderland‟ theme, the characters may be snowmen, snow angels, fairies, etc. For "Under the Sea,‟ the characters might be all kinds of fish, mermaids, etc.
3. Colour in the template using markers or crayons.
4. Cut out the characters.
5. Glue or tape a popsicle stick to the back of the character/template. This will be the handle to hold the stick figurine.
6. When all of the stick figurines/characters have been made, present a puppet theatre show.

Origami Dolls

Materials

• Blanket white paper (1 per doll)
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons

Instructions

1. Start by making a square piece of paper. To start making the square, fold one corner of a piece of paper over to the adjacent side.
2. To finish making the square, cut off the small rectangle, forming a square (which is already folded into a triangle).
3. Open up the triangle into a square. Fold each of the two top edges to the centre line to form a diamond shape.
4. Fold the triangle at the bottom upwards.
5. Fold near the centre of the triangle, bringing the bottom part up over the top part.
6. Flip the entire origami piece over.
7. Fold each of the two triangular flaps towards the centre.
8. For a flat head, fold over the top of the head (not necessary) or leave it as is and use it as a doll hat.
9. Draw a face, hair, clothes, hands, and other features.
10. Model the doll after a specific character or a figure from imagination. Incorporate the dolls into an activity or have the participants take them home to share with their families.

Craft Overview

• Costumes
  • Crown of Diamonds
  • Cape
  • Necklace
  • Superhero & Superheroine Masks
• Props
  • Handprint Bouqet
  • Magic Wand
  • Treasure Chest
  • Kaleidoscope
• Musical Instruments
  • Cymbals
  • Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Guitar
• Puppets
  • Paper Bag Animals
  • Finger Pals
  • Stick Figurines
  • Origami Dolls

Costume Crafts

Crown Of Diamonds

Materials 

• Paper plate
• Colourful construction paper
• Paint, markers or crayons
• Scissors
• Glue
• Glitter (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut a vertical slit through the centre of the paper plate, leaving about an inch at the edges of the plate. Cut three more slits (1 horizontal and 2 diagonal slits).
2. Bend the triangles formed by the cuts upwards, forming the crown shape.
3. Paint the crown yellow. Let the paint dry. You can also use markers or crayons to colour the crown.
4. Cut 8 diamond shapes out of the colourful construction paper.
5. Glue the diamonds on the tips of the triangles of the crown.
6. Decorate the crown with glitter.

Cape

Materials 

• Disposable/plastic square-shaped or rectangular table covers (multiple colours)
• Markers
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut the plastic square-shaped or rectangular table covers in half or according to the size of the individual participants.
2. Using markers, create a design or draw symbols on one side of the plastic table cover.
3. Wrap the table cover around the shoulders, making sure that the design is visible on the back.
4. Tie the corners of the table cover across the chest or loosely around the neck.

Necklace

Materials 

• Yarn
• Uncooked, tube-shaped colourful macaroni
• Scissors
• Tape

Instructions

1. For each necklace, cut some yarn long enough to make a necklace (15 cm – 30 cm).
2. Wrap one end of the yarn tightly with tape to make it easier to string the macaroni.
3. String one piece of macaroni through the yarn and tie it to one end (keeps the other beads in place).
4. String the macaroni through the yarn, leaving a few inches so that the necklace can be tied off. Use patterns of colours (e.g. red, yellow, green, red, yellow, green, etc.).
5. Tie the ends of the yarn together and wear the necklace.

Superhero & Superheroine Masks

Materials 

• Mask templates
• Markers
• Scissors
• Hole puncher
• Elastic string

Instructions

1. Print the following mask templates on A4 or letter-size card stock. One mask template per person.
2. Colour the mask according to the superhero/superheroine you have chosen.
3. Cut out the eye holes and then cut out the mask from the template.
4. Punch a pair of holes on both sides of the mask.
5. Attach an elastic string around the holes and wear the mask.

Prop Crafts

Handprint Bouquet

Materials

• Colourful construction paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Green pipe cleaners (or straws)
• Tape or glue
• Stapler

Instructions

1. Trace your hand on construction paper. Cut the tracing out.
2. Curl each of the fingers of the hand cut-out (handprint) around a pencil.
3. Twist the palm of the handprint to form a cone (with the fingers curling outwards). Glue or tape the cone together.
4. Staple the flower to a pipe cleaner or a drinking straw.
5. Draw some leaves on green construction paper, then cut them out. 
6. Staple or tape the leaves to the straw.
7. Make a few of these flowers for a beautiful bouquet.

Magic Wand

Materials

• Wooden dowel
• Markers, crayons or paint
• Scissors
• Colourful construction paper
• Masking tape or glue
• Curly ribbon
• Glitter, rhinestones, or plastic gems (optional)

Instructions

1. Draw the main shape of your wand on construction paper (e.g. star, butterfly)
2. Colour/draw patterns on the shape using markers, crayons or paint.
3. Obtain a wooden dowel for the handle of the wand and colour it using
   markers or paint.
4. Cut out the main shape of your wand from the construction paper.
5. Tape a few strips of curly ribbons at the back of the main shape cut-out.
6. Secure one end of the wooden dowel to the back of the main shape with
   masking tape.
7. Decorate the wand with glitter or by gluing rhinestones and plastic gems
   (optional).

Treasure Chest

Materials

• Shoebox
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Sturdy tape
• Construction paper
• Stickers (optional)

Instructions

1. Paint the shoebox and the lid the same colour. Let the paint dry.
2. Using another colour, paint treasure chest-like decorations on your box (like straps and a place for a lock). You can also glue on construction paper. Let the paint dry.
3. Paint in the final decorations (like a keyhole). Let the paint dry.
4. Using sturdy tape, attach the lid to the box (put the tape on the inside of the
   box and lid).
5. Add any final decorations or stickers (optional).
6. Fill your treasure chest with goodies.

Kaleidoscope

Materials

• Empty toilet paper roll
• Tape 
• Cardboard piece (4.5" x 4")
• Shiny gift wrap or aluminum foil (6" x 6")
• Coloured construction paper
• Transparent beads or shine colourful sequence
• Clear plastic gift wrap (4" x 4")
• Stickers (lots of stickers)

Instructions

1. Wrap the cardboard piece with shiny gift wrap using tape. Fold it into three pieces, making a triangular prism.
2. Insert the cardboard gift-wrapped triangular prism into the toilet paper roll.
3. Cover one end of the toilet paper roll with clear plastic gift wrap and attach it to the roll using tape.
4. From the construction paper, cut out a 3-inch circle. Punch a hole in the middle of the circle. This hole will be used to look inside the kaleidoscope.
5. Put a spoonful of beads into the shiny triangular prism inside the toilet paper roll.
6. Attach the circle (made of construction paper) to the other end of the toilet paper roll in order to secure the beads from falling out of the kaleidoscope.
7. Cut out a 3.5-inch wide strip from the construction paper and cover the roll. Use tape to wrap and secure the construction paper strip around the toilet paper roll.
8. Decorate the roll with lots of stickers.
9. Hold the kaleidoscope up to a window during the day. Look into the kaleidoscope to be fascinated by colourful optical designs. 

Musical Instrument Crafts

Cymbals

Materials

• Matching pot covers (2 per person)
• Yarn or ribbon

Instructions

1. Tie the ribbon or yarn around the handles of the pot covers.
2. To play, strike the pot covers together.

Drum

Materials

• Empty oatmeal box with cover
• Yarn
• Pen
• Pencils (2)
• Spools (2)
• Construction paper
• Crayons
• Glue (optional)

Instructions

1. Before beginning, decorate the oatmeal box with construction paper or crayons for a colourful effect.
2. Place the cover on the box.
3. Use a pen to make a hole in the centre of the cover and in the centre of the bottom of the box.
4. Through these holes, pull a piece of yarn long enough to hang around a participant's neck.
5. For the drumsticks, place the spools at the ends of the pencils and secure them with glue if necessary.
6. Beat to play.

Tambourine

Materials

• Heavy-duty paper plates (2 per tambourine)
• Stapler
• Scotch/clear tape
• Hole puncher
• String
• Jingle bells
• Crayons

Instructions

1. Staple two paper plates together, facing each other. Cover the staples with scotch tape.
2. Using a hole puncher, make holes around the plates.
3. Tie jingle bells to the holes with string.
4. Decorate the tambourine with crayons.
5. Shake to play.

Guitar

Materials

• Empty shoe box or Kleenex box
• Rubber bands (4-6 per guitar)
• Ruler or stick
• Masking tape
• Bread bag clips (as guitar picks)

Instructions

1. Remove the cover from the shoe box.
2. Stretch the rubber bands around the box.
3. Attach the ruler or stick to the back of the box on one end to act as the arm of the guitar using masking tape.
4. To play, strum or pluck the rubber bands.

Recipe Overview

• Chocolate Fondue
• Veggies & Guacamole Dip
• Tortilla Pizza
• Tangy Mini Cupcakes
• Sweat Potato Fries

Quick Tip!

Usually, food is not served during a live stage show. Snacks/beverages are served during intermissions. However, if you are playing a drama game or putting on a small play, the following finger food recipes will make for great snacks throughout your activity!

Recipe: Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients

• 12 ounces of dark chocolate (chips or roughly chopped if from a block)
• 8 ounces of heavy cream
• Dippables such as strawberries, banana pieces cut into 1-inch chunks, dried apricots, apple pieces, kiwi slices, pineapple bites

Instructions

1. Warm the cream over moderate heat until tiny bubbles show and begin to lightly and slowly boil. Add the chocolate and whisk until smooth and fully incorporated.
2. Immediately transfer to a fondue pot heated at low or with a low flame, or serve straight from the pot.
3. Arrange the dippables on a platter or plates around the chocolate pot. Use a fondue fork, toothpick, or salad fork to dip the fruit pieces and other dippables into the hot melted cream chocolate mixture. Eat immediately

Recipe: Veggies & Guacamole Dip

Ingredients

• Fresh veggies such as baby carrots, cucumber slices, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes
• Avacados - peeled, pitted and mashed 
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of diced onion
• 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
• 1 pinch of ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt.
2. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper.
3. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavour, or serve immediately.
4. Serve the guacamole dip along with a plate of fresh veggies.

Recipe: Tortilla Pizza

Ingredients

• One 7-inch flour tortilla
• 2 generous tablespoons tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup of grated Cheddar Mozzarella cheese

Suggestions for Pizza Toppings (best with two toppings or less):

• pitted black olives cut into rings
• cheery or grape tomatoes cut into rings
• Fresh basil leaves
• drained, canned pineapple, diced
• diced red bell pepper
• drained canned corn
• mushrooms, sliced and sautéed in a little oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
   2. Put the tortilla on a baking sheet and spread the tomato sauce on it.
   3. Sprinkle with cheese.
   4. Add any toppings of your choice (see suggestions).
   5. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until the cheese has melted and the base is crisp.
   6. Cut into triangles and allow the pizza to cool slightly before serving.

Recipe: Tangy Mini Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of butter, softened
• 1/2 cup of superfine sugar
• 1 egg
• Finely grated zest of 1/2 small lemon
• Finely grated zest of lime
• 1/2 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest
• 1 cup of self-rising flour
• 3 tablespoons of whole milk plain yogurt

For the Icing

• 2 cups of confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon of fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two mini muffin pans with 18 paper cases.
2. Cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the egg, beating well between additions.
4. Stir in the zest (small lemon, lime, orange).
5. Sift in the flour and fold in well.
6. Stir in the yogurt.
7. Divide the mixture among the mini muffin cups.
8. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until risen, lightly golden brown, and firm to the touch.
9. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Meanwhile, to make the icing:

1. Sift the confectioners' sugar into a bowl.
2. Make a well in the middle, stir in the juices, and beat well.
3. Spoon the icing onto the cooled cupcakes and allow it to set for up to 30 minutes.
4. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of sweet potatoes (about 4 small)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of chilli powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt
• ketchup (optional)
• lime juice (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Cut each sweet potato half lengthwise and place it flat on a cutting board.
3. Cut the potato halves into 1-inch-wide wedges.
4. In a small bowl, combine the oil, chilli powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
5. Place the potatoes on a roasting pan and brush with the oil mixture.
6. Lay the potatoes flesh side down on the pan and put the pan in the oven.
7. Cook potatoes, turning once, until soft, 20 to 25 minutes.
8. Remove the pan from the oven and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
9. Let the wedges cool for a bit and serve warm.
10. Serve with ketchup or fresh lime juice for a British chips-and-vinegar effect (optional).

Games and Activities Overview

For 5-6-Year-Olds

• Broken Telephone
• Story In Motion
• Word Toss
• The Rope Game
• Our Musical Band

For 7-8-Year-Olds

• Everyday Olympics
• Spy Game
• Up, Down, Freeze!
• Octopus
• Magic Toy Shop

For 9-11-Year-Olds

• A Day In The Life Of...
• Object Memories
• Shuffle Over
• Double Charades
• Who Did It? Investigate The Crime Scene!

For 12-17-Year-Olds

• Paper Bag Skits
• This Just In
• Park Bench
• Emotion party

Game & Activities For 5-6 Year Olds

Broken Telephone

Objective: Pass along a fun message and see if the message remains the same at the end of the telephone line!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking/Concentration
• Comprehension
• Communication
• Teamwork

Sit in a circle. This will form the „telephone line‟. Choose a simple message that you would like to pass along to the telephone line. After you have thought of a message, quietly whisper the message to the participant beside you. The participant beside you must then pass on the message that they have heard from you by whispering it to the participant sitting beside them. Go around the circle until the last participant has heard the message. Ask the last participant in the circle to share the message with the group. Discover whether the message was the same one you had originally passed along!

Repeat this activity with a different message and see what happens! Try a combination of long and short messages. Have a discussion about the challenges faced by participants while trying to hear and pass along a message.

Our Musical Band

Objective: Put together a musical band by making and practicing a musical instrument and composing a beat to one of your favourite songs!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Singing/performing
• Practice a musical instrument
• Teamwork
• Confidence

Materials:

• Musical instruments such as cymbals, drums, tambourine, guitar

See “Musical Instruments” under Crafts section to learn how to make each of the instruments listed above. Once each participant has chosen and made their musical instrument, work together using the instruments to compose a musical beat to one of your group‟s favourite songs. You may also choose to compose a beat using the instruments to one of your group‟s favourite Girl Guides songs. Practice singing and performing your song(s) with the instruments. Come up with a name for your musical band. Perform with your new musical band in front of a live audience!

Story In Motion

Objective: Move to the actions of the story!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Concentration
• Body movement
• Role Playing

Ask participants to stand in an open space. Read the following story aloud or create a story of your own. Encourage the participants to perform their own actions along with the story. Make sure to take pauses (at the text in bold) as you read the story to allow participants time to perform those actions.

My Missing Kitten

I yawned and stretched as I got out of bed. But something felt different. I looked around my room; everything seemed in place. Suddenly, I realized my cat, Mieko, wasn‟t in my room! Every morning, Mieko would jump into my lap as soon as I sat up. I would pet him, scratch behind his ears, and then get ready. This morning, Mieko was nowhere to be seen! I searched inside my closet and looked underneath my desk, but Mieko was not there. I was so shocked! Where could he go? I called his name around the house. “Mieko! Mieko!” He didn‟t make a sound. I decided to talk to my neighbour, Miss Preston.

I knocked on Miss Preston‟s door. Miss Preston had not seen him since yesterday. Sadly, I went back to my room to get ready for school. As soon as I picked up my backpack, Mieko jumped out of my backpack and into my arms! I screamed in surprise! I held Mieko in my arms and hugged him tightly! I was so relieved to know that he wasn‟t missing and finally got ready to go to school.

Word Toss

Objective: Toss a ball to each group member while calling out object names of a chosen category!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Communication

Materials:

• Soft ball

Choose a broad category such as colours, animals or articles of clothing. Stand in a circle. Ask the participants to think of a word that fits in the category. Begin the game by first naming an object that fits under the chosen category and then tossing the softball to another participant in the circle. After a participant has tossed the ball, they can sit down. The goal is to toss the ball to a different person each time until everyone has said a word without dropping the ball. If the ball is dropped, the game must be restarted.

Here is an example.

Category: Colours

Sonia calls out “Pink” and tosses the ball to Jeremy. Sonia sits down because her turn is finished. Jeremy catches the ball, shouts “Red,” and tosses the ball to Amy. Now, Jeremy sits down. Amy catches the ball, yells a colour and then tosses the ball to another participant. By having the participants sit down after their turn is finished, it makes it easier to see who is remaining in the game and who still needs to say a word.

The Rope Game

Objective:

Learn to create shapes and other objects using a piece of string!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Hand-eye coordination
• Shape/object comprehension
• Teambuilding
• Communication

Materials:

• 2-3 metres of string (yarn or twine)
• Scissors

Using scissors, cut a piece of string (2-3 metres in length) and tie the ends of the string together. The string should form a large circle. Stand in a circle and ask all participants to hold onto the string. When all participants are ready, call out simple shapes or objects, such as “triangles.” Have participants communicate with each other to figure out how they will rearrange themselves in order to form the shape while still holding the string. For shapes with fewer corners/edges (e.g. square), some participants may need to step out and let go of the string; for shapes with several corners/edges (e.g. octagon), more participants will need to step in and hold the string to create the shape. Allow participants two minutes to figure out and form the shape before calling out the next shape.

Games & Activities For 7-8 Year Olds

Everyday Olympics

Objective: Turn ordinary activities into extraordinary Olympic feats!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Role Playing
• Body movement
• Communication

Divide the large group into smaller groups of five members each. In each small group, ask participants to designate one judge, two competitors, and two on-the-field reporters. Within each group, invite participants to come up with an everyday activity such as “taking out the garbage” or “folding laundry.” Invite the competitors to turn these ordinary activities into incredible feats by acting out the activity as if they were in the Olympics. Give the competitors one minute to carry out their activity at the same time while the judge observes. Have the two field reporters provide commentary as the competitors perform the feat. The judge decides the winner of the Everyday Olympics. Have participants take turns playing different roles within their respective groups and acting out at least three different everyday activities.

Spy Game

Objective: Become a spy agent, but beware of other agents that are spying on you!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Discretion/control
• Spatial awareness
• Observation skills
• Confidence

All participants spread out in the room. Each participant mentally selects someone in the unit they would like to follow around the room. Participants follow their chosen individual very cautiously and discreetly so that the individual cannot identify their spy. At the same time, participants must also try to figure out who or if someone is following them. After spying for five minutes, have the participants form a circle. In the circle, ask each participant to name who they think was spying on them. If the participant is able to guess correctly, they have very good spy/observation skills. If they do not guess correctly, that is fine. Ask the next person to guess who might have been spying on them until everyone has had a turn to guess their spy. Then, go around the circle a second time, asking participants to reveal who they were spying on so that everyone gets to know their spy.

Up, Down, Freeze!

Objective: Put your listening-response skills to the test by quickly reacting to the given commands!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking/Concentration
• Listening skills
• Physical movement/control

Commands:

• Up = participants must stand still with their arms raised in the air
• Down = participants must crouch down on the ground
• Freeze = participants should stand still and be silent
• One Leg = participants must stand still on one leg
• Heads = participants should put their hands on their heads
• Shoulders = participants should put their hands on their shoulders
• Turn = participants must turn and face the opposite way but not move
• Go = participants can continue moving

Ask the participants to stand in an open space. Inform them of the verbal commands and how they must respond. Begin the activity by asking the participants to walk around the room carefully without bumping into each other. Call out one of the commands to which the participants must respond. The last participants to respond to the command or those that are not responding properly, such as the participants not silent when responding to “freeze” or those wobbling when standing on “one leg,” are eliminated. Ask the participants to move around the room again by using the command “go” and, after a short while, call out another command to which they have to respond. Use the commands any number of times and in any combination. Continue playing the activity until there is a winner. Participants who are eliminated can help spot others who are the last to respond or do not respond properly to the commands.

Octopus

Objective: Play a game of tag and try to turn as many participants into seaweed as possible!

Skills Developed:

• Body movement/physical movement
• Cooperation
• Observation skills

In this game of tag, assign two participants to become the octopuses. They will then situate themselves in the middle of the room and extend their arms out to appear like octopuses. The remainder of the participants will line up across one end of the room. When you call “Octopus,” the participants line up across one end of the room and must run to the other end. In the midst of this running, the octopuses must move around to tag participants. If a participant gets tagged by an octopus, they transform into a piece of seaweed and have to sit down where they were tagged. Seaweeds help the octopuses tag other participants from their sitting position; they cannot move around like the octopus. Call “Octopus” a few more times to allow the participants to run back and forth from one end of the room to the other. The remaining participant, who has not transformed into seaweed, is the winner.

Magic Toy Shop

Objective: Magical toys can come to life at night but must remain as still as possible during the day to avoid the repair room!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking/Concentration
• Role Playing
• Body movement
• Control

In the Magic Toy Shop, there is a shopkeeper (group leader) and several wonderful toys (participants). After the shopkeeper has gone home for the night, the toys come to life. They sing, dance and play around the toy shop when the shopkeeper is not there. When dawn approaches, and the shopkeeper is about to open the store, the participants must return to their original positions. The toys must remain as still as possible. When the shopkeeper enters the store, he or she looks at all the toys. The shopkeeper can choose to rearrange the toys and move them to different shelves within the shop. However, if the shopkeeper catches a toy that is not in its original position, the shopkeeper will have to put the toy away in the repair room.

Games & Activities For 9-11 Year Olds

A Day In The Life Of...

Objective: Enact a day in the life of your chosen professional!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking
• Role Playing
• Public speaking/presentation skills
• Physical movement
• Communication
• Confidence

Divide the large group into smaller groups of 3-5 members each. Each small group chooses an occupation/profession they would like to explore (e.g. movie star, politician, teacher, etc.). Within their groups, participants think about the daily activities of the occupation they have chosen and come up with a dramatization of a day in the life of their chosen professional. After rehearsing for 10-15 minutes, each group must present their dramatization in front of the larger group.

Object Memories

Objective: Test memory skills by remembering all of the objects on the table!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking/Concentration
• Observation skills
• Memory skills

Materials:

• Large table
• Assortment of 10-20 small objects (e.g. notebook, cup, photo frame, marker, hat, cereal, etc.)
• Dark-coloured bed sheets or table cover
• Pen and paper (for each participant)

Place the assortment of objects on a table and cover them with a big, dark-coloured bed sheet or table cover. Make sure participants cannot see which items are on the table beforehand. Have participants stand around the table with bed sheet/table cover on. When participants are ready, pull off the sheet and say, “Go!” Give participants one minute to look at all of the objects on the table. Participants are not allowed to touch any of the objects, and they cannot talk aloud during the minute of looking. After a minute, cover the table again and say, “Stop!” Have the participants write down as many objects as they can remember seeing on the table. The participant with the best memory wins!

Change the level of difficulty by removing some or adding more objects to the table, putting multiples of the same object, grouping objects in corners, or colour-coordinating the objects.

Shuffle Over

Objective: Shuffle as fast as possible to make sure you don't get caught in the middle of the circle!

Skills Developed:

• Listening skills
• Physical activity
• Strategy building

Arrange participants to stand in a large circle. One participant stands in the middle and calls out cues (e.g. “If you are wearing white socks today, shuffle over!”). Those to whom this situation applies have to run and exchange spots within the circle. Meanwhile, the participant in the middle of the circle also tries to run for an empty spot in the circle. The last participant to find a spot in the circle then becomes the cue caller and has to stand in the middle of the circle. Now, they have to strategize and call out a cue that would make everyone shuffle over so that they can get out of the middle.

Here are examples of cues:

• If you have a nickname, shuffle over!
• If you are a member of Girl Guides, shuffle over!
• If you brushed your teeth today, shuffle over!
• If you can dunk a basketball, shuffle over!

Double Charades

Objective: Perform your charade and find your match!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking/Concentration
• Observation skills
• Role Playing
• Body movement

Materials:

• Marker
• Slips of paper
• Bowl

Select a theme for charades that the participants within the group can easily act out, such as titles of popular movies, animals and objects. Write these charades down on slips of paper, making two copies for each charade. Make sure you have enough charades (one for every participant in the group). Mix the slips and put all of the slips of paper into a bowl. Have each participant select one slip of paper (with the charade written on it) from the bowl. Gather in a large circle. Say “Go!” and ask the participants to perform their charade while simultaneously trying to determine who shares their charade. The first pair that correctly discovers each other wins the game.

Who Did It? Investigate The Crime Scene!

Objective: A crime has happened, and it is up to the detectives to solve the case!

Skills Developed:

• Thinking/Concentration
• Role Playing
• Interviewing skills
• Logic/Analysis
• Storytelling

Materials:

• Notepads (1 per detective)
• Pens (1 per detective)
• Evidence (as per crime scene)

Have participants close their eyes while standing. Create a detailed crime scene story and tell the participants what has transpired (e.g. a theft inside a grocery store has happened or school property has been damaged). Walk around the participants, assigning 2-3 detectives, 2 perpetrators, and 2-3 victims by tapping them on their shoulders; the rest are all witnesses/suspects. Have participants open their eyes.

Ask the detectives and victims to reveal themselves. The perpetrators must try to protect themselves by coming up with an alibi and acting like witnesses in order to evade capture. They can even turn against one another if they think they are going to get caught. The detectives then try to solve the case by interviewing everyone. All participants must behave and act according to their role during the investigation. Witnesses/suspects can choose to take on a specific role (e.g., the participant becomes the owner of the grocery store in which the theft took place). Each participant produces a story/alibi to explain their role. When the detectives feel they have solved the case, they reveal the perpetrators and find out if their suspicions are right or wrong. Have a discussion and allow each participant to explain their original role as it was assigned to them.

Games & Activities For 12-17 Year Olds

Paper Bag Skits

Objective: Use ordinary objects creatively to perform a skit!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Role Playing
• Public speaking/presentation skills
• Communication
• Team building/collaboration skills

Materials:

• Paper bags (1 per group)
• Random objects (at least 5 in each paper bag)

Divide participants into groups of five members each. Each group receives a paper bag with a combination of random objects (e.g. fork, water bottle, paper towel, hanger, book, etc.). Groups have to prepare a skit using the objects in their paper bag. However, the objects cannot be used for their original/intended purpose. Participants need to use the objects creatively within their skit (e.g., a fork becomes a comb, a water bottle becomes a microphone, etc.). After practicing their skits, each group then presents their skit in front of the rest of the groups.

This Just In

Objective: Explore the field of journalism and present a real, live news story!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Role Playing
• Reading/Analysis
• Communication
• Public speaking/presentation skills
• Team building/collaboration skills

Materials:

• Newspapers (provide variety)

Divide participants into groups of six members each. Have each group browse recent newspapers and select an interesting story. After reading the story, group members must pick roles from the story. Working together, group members must come up with a way to enact the main event(s) of their news story. One member must take on the role of the journalist/reporter who will be reporting the story from the newsroom on TV. After rehearsing their news story, each group then broadcasts their story in front of their viewers.

Park Bench

Objective: Go outdoors and improvise a scene on a park bench!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Role Playing
• Observation skills
• Initiative
• Improvisation skills
• Communication

Take the group to a local park. In the park, find an empty bench and have a participant sit on the bench. This participant does not have an assigned role/character. A second participant has already decided the character they are going to play and who the person sitting on the bench is (e.g., the second participant may be a pet owner in search of their lost dog, and he/she sees their neighbour sitting on the park bench and decides to ask them if they have seen the dog). The first participant then has to adapt to the situation, developing their character bit by bit. As the improvisation happens, other participants may choose to develop their own characters and step into the scene to interact with the two participants already in the scene. The improvisation ends when all of the actors find a way to exit the scene.

Emotion Party

Objective: Host a party and interact with the emotions of all of your guests!

Skills Developed:

• Encourage creative thinking
• Role Playing
• Communication

Pretend to have a house party. Assign a participant to be the host, with a neutral emotion, while all other participants become guests who each have varying emotions. The first guest knocks or rings the doorbell (saying “knock-knock” or “ding-dong”) and enters in a highly charged emotional state. The host has to determine the emotion of their guest. As soon as the host picks up on the emotion, he or she “catches” it and interacts with the guest by acting out the same emotion. Then, another guest enters with a different emotion, and the host and first guest “catch” it. One by one, guests come to the house party. Things get chaotic as more guests enter and as each new guest causes a different emotion to permeate the party.

Extra Activities and Supplementals