Thursday, January 15, 2009

Party Planner


Ian's birthday party is coming up this Saturday and yours truly has volunteered to include a game or two into the itinerary--right there between eating, video games and cake--just so the lot does not spend four hours glued in front of the telly. 

This isn't my first time coming up with games for a kids party, although technically all those previous years doesn't count as it doesn't take two seconds to throw musical chairs and hide and seek into the mesh. And since now that I'm teaching, hey, who better than to direct those skills into contributing something to this party?

I spent the past week experimenting with a game or two with my classes, whenever I was able to sneak some time. I basically suck at coming up with creative games, so I did what I know best--a general knowledge game. The very mention of the name made my kids literally groan at the possible dullness by the sound of it.

However, they soon changed their minds. Here's how the game works;

1. Divide kids into smaller groups
2. Distribute sheets of paper and pencils to one elected member of each group 
3. Ask questions
4. Kids get 60 seconds to write down as many answers as they can come up with
5. Points are awarded based on how many correct answers they give
6. Winner gets bragging rights for the day

This is a list of questions I've been able to come up with so far and have tested;

Name as many...

1. Countries which names end with -land
2. Animals which live on both land and in water
3. Insects which do not have any color of the rainbow
4. Countries which names end with -a
5. Animals which names start with the letter C

The kids really enjoyed these games, but I'm running out of ideas. I try not to ask easy questions like no.5 and prefer those which require a little more thinking (no.1-4). Any ideas? I would appreciate it!

2 comments:

sulz said...

just did a meme recently that seems fun. i was given a random letter and was asked to name 10 things i like that starts with that letter. a variation of your question and pretty simple. you have to think a bit, but it's a good sort 'cos you're thinking about what you like! you could alter the question to "name 5 things you like about ian!" hehe.

and there are those sites online where you can find games ideas, surely. :)

Sue Ling said...

Ahhh those are good ideas! Thanks! Since posting this I was able to come up with one or two more, although I think with really young kids asking them to name "things you can find in a restaurant" was a bit much.