Secrets to a Sucessful Game Time

Game time is definitely one of the best attractions for any kid’s club. It not only helps the children have such a great time that they want to come back the next day, but it also draws in new kids who see what’s going on.

“THE SECRET FOR SUPER GAME TIME IS PLANNING & PROPS!”

Actually, it’s the props, or equipment, that is the more important of the two. Buy equipment! Lots of balls! All kinds of balls: soccer balls, footballs, nerf balls, ping pong balls, beach balls, kick balls, etc.. Bring other things like: bandanas, balloons, hats, hula hoops, ropes, clothes pins, large plastic spoons, water guns, coffee cans, bean bags, broomsticks, sheets, pillowcases and whatever else can be made into a game.

Go to a dollar store for prop ideas.
Dollar stores are a treasure trove of game ideas at affordable prices. Just walk up and down the isles to see what you could use for a game idea. Clothes pins, plungers, hats, kites, buckets, stickers, toys etc. can all be used for games.

Game area boundaries
Plastic cones, pylons or marker flags (small colored flags on a wire used for marking grass) for marking out game courses or race boundaries. You can also use pool noodles or rope to mark starting / finishing lines. Chalk works great on side walks and black tops.

Use a whistle.
Instruct the children what to do when they hear the whistle blown. Don't assume everyone knows what you mean when you blow your whistle. 1 Corinthians 4:7-8 says, "And even things without life giving sound, whether (a whistle) or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall (the kids know what it means?) For if the (whistle) gives an uncertain sound, (how shall the kids know what to do?)" It is a good idea to play "The Whistle Game" on the firs day to teach the kids what the different whistle sounds mean. (ie: short = go!, long = stop! , three blast = everyone come here, etc...)

Learn to play all kinds of races!
Relay races, foot races, backward races, hopping races, three-legged races, carry the ping pong ball in the spoon races, blindfold piggy-back races, etc... The imagination is limitless when it comes to playing relay races.

Games to avoid!
Never, Never play: Duck-Duck-Goose! - Freeze-Tag! -Red-Rover! Most missino teams play these games because they don't know what else to play. Shame on you! There are thousands of great and fun games to play. Don’t play these same old three games, be creative! Make up games! The kid’s will be glad you did. (Warning! I know a church where a non-church member child hit his head on the ground and died at a VBS while playing red-rover!)

Try to come up with three to five games for each day.
Try not to repeat any of the games unless the children beg you too. Write the games on an index card that the leaders can refer to during game time. If you only plan on one game, you will be hard pressed if the game isn't that fun or ends too soon. Have several games ready to play so you can switch games if the one you planned doesn't go a well as you thought or if it ends too early. You don't need to play more than one game unless the kids get bored, loose interest or need to use up more time. Any game you don't play on one day, you can easily transfer to another day.

Remember, sometimes a scheduled game doesn’t go as planned. You should recognize this and quickly switch to a new game. Try to fill up the entire time slot with games. Have a card with several back up games in case the time runs longer than you planned.

Have age appropriate games.
Don’t always expect the younger children to play the same games as the older ones. Prepare a separate card with age appropriate games for each age group. You can often modify games to fit younger kids. If you have really young kids, like pre-K to 1st grade, don't always do "competitive" games where there are winners and loosers. Young kids need help developing motor skills and just running with a ball or jumping a rope are fun for them.

Try to separate the older kids from the younger kids if possible. Let the younger do crafts or something while the older play games (and vise-verse). Or, let older kids play games in one area while other workers play games with younger children somewhere else.

Outdoors is Best.
Always try to do recreation outside as it is an excellent form of advertising. Crowds of kids attract more kids. That is why props and colorful boundary markers are important, to give passers-by the idea that fun things are happening here! Gyms are great places to play, but they won't attract as many kids as playing outside in view of the neighborhood. When possible, go public with your games!

Bad weather happens.
Be prepared for an alternate plan in case of bad weather. Have a separate index card ready with some indoor games. Hopefully you may never need them, but you’ll be a genius if you do! Keep a list of indoor games (bad weather games) in your bag of tricks at all times. You can't always know what the weather will do. Be ready!

Water games are a great attraction
Promoting water days, like: “Wet-N-Wild Wednesday!” or "Slippery Tuesday" are a good strategy to get kids to come back to kids club. Ideas like: homemade slip-n-slide, water balloons, water guns and other water games are easy to do and fun for kids. The kids can come in swim clothes or school clothes and still have a blast! This is an excellent use of creativity. It attracts new kids and is great for promotion. (Hint: to make a slip-n-slide, buy sheet plastic (from Wal-Mart for about $8), some tent stakes to anchor it to the grass and some glycerin or baby oil. The glycerin really makes the plastic slippery! Don’t use soap, as it burns eyes. WARNING: don’t let kids run on the plastic as they will slip and could hit their heads hard!) See water games for more ideas.

Music is a good option.
It is nice to have some active Christian music playing during game time. However, be considerate of the neighbors. You can also use the music as part of your game time - like musical chairs or tag.

Other ideas
If you can find an old parachute or super huge beach ball, they can be incorporated into unique games that also attract a lot of attention.

Zip lock baggies make great “water balloons” or “bean bags.” Use them with other things like colored water, jell-o, sand, or shaving cream.

“Outrageous Olympics” or “Absurd Obstacle Course” can also be advertised to draw in children. This can be especially useful if you are near a playgroung with equipment like swings, monkey bars, seesaws, etc...

Try to set up cones or props in the recreation area. Use ropes with bandanas tied to them, or flags and streamers to make it look festive. Helium balloons are also great lures for children. Remember, a main goal of game time is to attract more kids to your kids club, so make it LOOK FUN!

Always provide water during and after recreation time. Kid’s (and helpers) always get thirsty and you don’t want to break into your snack time juice.

If you plan to have a teen worker lead game time, remember they are well equipped to handle the physical end of game time, but rarely the planning end. That is where you need to plan with the teen leaders. You give them ideas. You may even need to model how to lead the games for them. Experience is the best teacher especially when they have a positive experience!