There is something about the clapping and chanting rhythm of this
game that used to keep my school friends and I occupied for hours! Best played
with kids of the same age, or the game will be unequal.
Age: 6+
The children sit in a circle and take a number each, starting
with 1.
They then start a chant by slapping their thighs twice then clapping their hands
twice and saying
Concentration
(slap slap clap clap)
Are you ready?
(slap slap clap clap)
If - so -
(slap slap clap clap)
Let’s - go!
(slap slap clap clap)
Then player 1, continuing the rhythm, says her own number twice followed by
another number. For example:
1, 1, 4, 4
(slap slap clap clap)
Player 4 then does the same, starting with their own number and following with
someone else's:
4, 4, 7, 7
(slap slap clap clap)
Anybody who makes a mistake or fails to keep the rhythm is eliminated but
remains in the circle, making it more difficult for the other players – who must
remember not to use the eliminated person’s number! As the play progresses you
can speed up the rhythm slightly too, to try to catch the better players out.
When there are only 2 or 3 players left, change the numbers and start a new
game, or try a variation using colours or animal names instead of numbers.
Make A Ping Pong Bat And Net
The Chinese introduced table tennis to the world and have always been extremely
good at the sport. You can make your own ping pong bats and net and have a go!
Make A Name Book
More of a craft activity than a game, this is a great way for kids to get to
know each other at the beginning of the school year.
Fishing (Tiu-u or Chinese Dominoes) This game of Chinese dominoes sounds a little complicated to
begin with but is in fact very simple to play. The name ‘fishing’ comes from
the idea that players ‘fish’ for matching dominoes. You can either print out
our dominoes or make your own more authentic version with popsicle sticks
(instructions included!)
Matching Game cards can be used to play Memory
(Concentration), Go Fish and many other card games, as well as played with
our sorting mats by one child on their own. Printable Games
