22
Simple Games
SCATTERBALL
Equipment: Soft Foam Ball
Group Size: 10 or more
Scatterball is dodgeball
with a twist. To start,
everyone must have a hand
on a soft foam ball. The ball
is thrown up in the air; then
everyone scatters. Players
try to grab the ball in the air
or off the ground. Whoever
has the ball can only take
two steps. After two steps,
the player must throw the
ball, dodgeball style, at
another player. If the ball
hits a player, that player
sits down right where they
are. They can still play; they
just can’t move from their
seated spot. If a player is
hit by the ball and catches
it, then the throwing player
sits down. Sitting players
can snag the ball any time
it rolls by and can throw it
at standing players to try
to get them out. The game
ends when only one player
is standing.
RED-HOT POKER
Equipment: Object
Group Size: 10 or more
Everyone stands in a circle
and holds hands. Put a large
object in the middle of
the circle. Anything works,
including a big 50-gallon
trash can. The object in the
middle is the red-hot poker.
The goal is to try to drag,
push, and pull one another
into the red-hot poker.
If you touch it or break
hands, you are out. Play
continues until only one
person is standing.
LIGHTSABER WARS
Equipment: None
Group Size: Pairs
Each person picks a partner
of the same gender. While
facing each other, the
players should step forward
and place the outside of
their right foot next to,
and touching, the outside
of their partner’s right
foot. Their feet are now
“glued” to the ground and
are not allowed to move.
The players then reach out
and grab the right hand
of their partners. After
grabbing hands, each player
extends their right pointer
finger, which is now their
lightsaber. The point of this
game is to touch the other
player with your lightsaber
(finger) without letting go
of their hand or moving
your feet. If you move your
feet, let go of their hand,
or are touched by the
opposing player’s finger,
you lose the game.
SLAP WRESTLING
Equipment: None
Group Size: Pairs
Two people stand facing
each other with their feet
about shoulder-width apart.
You must try to make your
opponent move their feet
by slapping their hands
only. Touching anywhere
else, moving feet, falling,
or interfering means
disqualification. Good
tactics are to push their
hands, then pull yours back
so they can’t push you. You
can also pull your hands
back suddenly when your
opponent attacks so they
fall forward.