[AKfamily]

What are your favorite games to play with groups of 4 yr olds (and youngers/olders)? I'm looking less for competitive games and more for group play type stuff.

 

[kavamamakava]

At my daughter's pre-school they play this game where they all run back and forth from wall to wall in the gym or one end of the lawn to another as a group and the teacher tries to tag a kid. Once she tags one kid that kid freezes in place but sticks her/his arms straight out like a scarecrow. Then the kids run back and forth again and try not to run into that kid with arms sticking out. The teacher again tags another kid and that kid freezes with arms straight out. Pretty soon there are so many kids frozen in place that it's hard for the running kids to avoid them. The last kid untagged is the winner or you can just do it until everyone has been tagged.

 

[34me]

I love parachutes (could probably use a sheet for at home). There are sooo many cooperative games.

 

[LaughingHyena]

Duck Duck Goose. The children sit in a circle, one child goes round the circle tapping people on the shoulder saying duck duck duck. When they say goose the second person gets up and chases the first person round the circle. Once both children are back the second person starts round the circle again saying dick duck duck.<br><br>
What time is it Mr wolf. One child stands at the end of the room, facing the wall. The rest of the children line up at the other end of the room and say together "What time is it Mr Wolf". Wolf replies 1 O' clock or whatever time. The rest of the children take that many steps forward. Eventually Mr Wolf says "Dinner Time" and chases all the children to the far end of the room trying to catch as many as possible. Pick a new Mr Wolf and repeat.<br><br>
Farmer Farmer. One person is the farmer, the remaing children line up at the far end of the room and say "Farmer Famer may we cross your golden field" The farmer replies "Only if you are wearing Green" All the children who match the description take a step forward. The farmer can use any description. When a few children reach the other end of the room pick a new farmer.<br><br>
Touch Blue. The caller shouts out "touch blue" and all the children have to find something of that colour to touch. The caller can use any description/object to shout out. Eg touch red, touch the floor, touch something growing. For older children you can add another rule, if the caller does not shout touch before the description they should not move. Change callers regularly.