This is probably my all-time favorite game, as it can be tailored
for all occasions, works with all ages, breaks the ice when people don't know
each other, and causes much merriment with the best of friends.
Age: 8+
You will need:
Some small sticky notes (post-its)
A pen
How to play:
Write the name of a famous person or character on a sticky note for each
party-goer. Characters can be dead or alive, fictional or non-fictional, real or
"cartoon". Making sure that the player can't see it, stick the note to their
forehead.
When everyone is named, expect a lot of giggling to start with! Then the players
mingle and walk around the room asking the sort of questions that can be
answered by "yes", "no" and "not applicable" to try to work out who they are.
Example:
(The character is "Hansel" from Hansel and Gretel)
Am I a girl?
No
Am I alive?
No
Am I handsome?
Not applicable
Am I in history books?
No
Am I old?
No
Am I famous?
Hmmmm. Yes, I suppose so.
Am I real?
No
Am I a film character?
No
Am I in story books?
Yes
Am I Pinocchio?
No
Am I nice?
Yes
Am I clever?
Yes
and so on..
Hints:
Choose your names carefully so that all the party-goers will know the characters
and be able to answer the questions. You can use characters which are
particularly appropriate to the situation, such as the children's headmaster or
even the name of the party child.
Be prepared to give hints if necessary. We used the example above recently and
the child was completely stuck. In the end I suggested that the character had a
sister who was just as famous as he was, and a wicked stepmother, and the
correct answer was guessed.
If you prefer you can pin a larger piece of paper on each players back rather
than use sticky notes. This may be better on a hot day or when the children
can't be trusted to keep their sticky note on their forehead!
Variations:
Use famous "pairs" (such as Prince Charming and Cinderella, Sherlock Holmes and
Watson). People not only have to guess their own identity but find their
partner. You will need a much bigger number of players for this to work, as it
becomes too easy to look at other people's names and just ask straight out if
you are their opposite number.
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
