As the temperatures ramp up, it’s time to turn your kid’s activities to those that can be carried out at home in the air conditioning!
We’ve got five awesome family games to try that just need a bit of space inside and a lot of imagination.
Have fun!
Floor is lava
Players: Minimum two.
Time: Endless.
What you need: Permission from mummy and daddy to let you climb on their furniture.
How to play: This is a game that never ends and in fact one that works best when sprung upon unsuspecting gamers at random times. Anyone playing can shout: “The floor is lava” at any given time, before starting a countdown from five. By the time they get to zero, every other person must be completely off the ground. What, or who, they climb on is up to them, but if any part of them remains on the ground then they’ll be burnt to a crisp.
The game can continue if you challenge other players to get to a certain place without touching the ground. Watch as each player creatively devises a plan for crossing the dangerous lava without stepping down and ¬burning their toes.
Tag
Players: Minimum three.
Time: As long as you can stand it.
What you need: Agility and enough space to run around.
How to play: Nominate someone to be “it” and then run away from that person while trying not to let them touch you. If they do, then you become “it” and you have to try to tag someone else. Once you tag someone else, they immediately become “it” and so on and so on and so on.
British Bulldogs
Players: Minimum four.
Time: Ten minutes per game depending on number of people playing.
What you need: Speed, dodge skills and your wits about you. Plus enough space to create a straight running lane.
How to play: This is a popular drill at rugby training. A nominated bulldog stands in the middle of the play area. All remaining players stand at one end of the area (home). The aim of the game is to run from one end of the field of play to the other, without being caught by the bulldog. When a player is caught, they become a bulldog themselves. The last one not to get caught is the winner.
What’s the time Mr Wolf
Players: Minimum three.
Time: Five minutes per game.
What you need: A long space for the playing area and an ability to be able to creep quietly.
How to play: One child is chosen to be Mr Wolf, who then stands at one end of the playing area while the other players stand in a line at the other end. Mr Wolf turns his back to commence play. The players call out, “What’s the time Mr Wolf?” and Mr Wolf turns and answers with a time (i.e. 3 o’clock). He then turns his back again while the children advance again chanting “What’s the time Mr Wolf?” To which Mr Wolf will continue to respond until the players come very close. Once the line of players is close to Mr Wolf, he can respond to the chant with “It’s dinner time!” at which point, he will chase the players back to the starting line with the aim to catch one of the them, who will then become Mr Wolf for the next round of the game.
Hello Neighbour
Players: Minimum three.
Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
What you need: Toys and hand-written clues.
How to play: One person is nominated as the Hello Neighbour. They are tasked with hiding toys and clues around the house. The other people then have to try and find the clues and toys without the Hello Neighbour seeing them. Every time they get spotted by the Hello Neighbour he or she increases their speed starting off with a slow walk and increasing in pace to try and catch them. Once they have collected all of the hidden treasures they win.
For more indoor fun, download these cool kid’s activity packs.
