This game is the same as Fruit Salad, though with a Christmas theme!
Time: 10 minutes
Age Range: 4-11
Ideal Number of Players: 12+
Equipment Needed: Chairs if playing this at Wet Play
How to Play
Children sit in a circle; one person is nominated to be the leader and stands in the middle of the circle. She/he leaves an empty space on the floor, or if playing the game in the classroom, her/his chair is removed from the circle
The leader stands in the centre of the circle and gives the first three children the name of a Christmas Character – for example, Elf, Rudolf, Santa, then continues giving the same three Christmas Character names to the rest of the children around the circle.
The leader stands in the centre of the circle and calls out the name of one of the Christmas Characters for example, Santa.
All the Santa’s stand up and move to another seat or space across the circle.
They cannot sit in the seat next to them or in the same seat they were in before. The person standing also has to find a seat. Whoever is left without a seat becomes the new leader and the game starts again.
If ‘Christmas Characters’ is called, everyone must move. In schools I’ve worked with this term we have asked the children what they think we could say instead of ‘Christmas Characters’ and they have come up with brilliant ideas such as – ‘Christmas magic’ and ‘Christmas Miracle.’ Do ask your children for their suggestions.
The aim of the game is not to get left in the middle. If you are in the middle more than three times, then you are out of the game.
Variations
Instead of character you can choose vegetables, trees, numbers or from a theme or topic you may be studying. Older children like the Simpson’s theme – Bart, Homer, Lisa!
Comments
It is good to work out rules before playing this game and to reinforce throughout. An important rule is – be gentle not to hurt anyone’s body!
Have fun and wishing you all a very Joyful Christmas and New Year.
You can download the game here: Christmas Characters Game
