The School of Play
Student Agency & Leadership
Well-being Program
Weekly Introduction
Watch this video to start the week where we explain each activity and the top tips to make them incredible and fun.
Fun fact of the week - A day on Venus is longer than a year: Venus has a slow rotation on its axis, taking 243 Earth days to complete a rotation, but only 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun.
Weekly Lessons
Yay, Nay, Let's Stay
Objective:
An energetic and engaging icebreaker designed to promote coordination, concentration, and laughter. Suitable for participants of all ages, the game involves simple movements and quick reactions.
Players:
Playable with any number of participants, ideal for groups forming a circle.
Materials:
No materials are needed, just an open space large enough for all participants to form a circle and move freely.
Setup:
- Participants stand in a circle, facing in one direction.
- Each player places their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.
- Ensure a small gap (about an arm's length) between players to avoid accidental contact during jumps.
Gameplay:
- Movement Instructions:
- Yay: Jump forward.
- Nay: Jump backward.
- Let's Stay: Complete a 180-degree spin to face the opposite direction and place hands on the new person in front of you.
- Practice: Start by practising each of the three moves individually.
- Pacing: Gradually increase the pace once the group has mastered the moves.
- Sequence Challenge: Introduce sequences that the group must complete on command. Suggested levels include:
- Level One: Yay, yay, nay, let's stay.
- Level Two: Yay, nay, let's stay, nay.
- Level Three: Nay, nay, yay, yay, let's stay.
- Level Four: Let's stay, nay, let's stay, yay, nay.
Winning the Game:
There are no traditional winning criteria. The focus is on group participation, coordination, and fun.
Variations for Different Settings:
- Children's Edition: Add playful elements like funny noises or actions.
- Corporate Edition: Focus on teamwork and synchronisation, incorporating a team-building theme.
- Fitness Edition: Increase the physical intensity by adding more jumps or spins.
Additional Notes:
- This game is perfect for energising a group and creating a lively, fun atmosphere.
- It encourages laughter and concentration as participants try to follow the sequences.
- "Yay, Nay, Let's Stay" is a simple yet effective activity for starting sessions, breaking the ice, or re-energising a group.
Toothpaste or Paper Scrunch Challenge
Objective:
This activity, with two variations (Toothpaste and Paper Scrunch), is designed to teach participants about the impact of their words and actions. It illustrates the concept that once something is said or done, it cannot be entirely undone, emphasising the importance of kindness and thoughtfulness.
Toothpaste Option
Materials:
- Small tubes of toothpaste (one per participant or group).
- Paper plates.
- Plastic spoons.
Setup:
Distribute a tube of toothpaste, a paper plate, and a plastic spoon to each participant or group.
Gameplay:
- Participants squeeze out all the toothpaste onto the plate within 20 seconds.
- They are then given a couple of minutes to try to put the toothpaste back into the tube using the spoon, which is impossible.
- The facilitator explains the analogy between toothpaste and words/actions - once out, they cannot be taken back completely.
Paper Scrunch Option
Materials:
- A blank piece of A4 paper for each participant.
Setup:
Give each participant a piece of paper.
Gameplay:
- Participants have 20 seconds to scrunch the paper into a tight ball.
- Then, they have another 20 seconds to try to flatten the paper back to its original state, which will be imperfect due to the creases and marks.
- Discuss how the creases represent words or actions that cannot be entirely undone, highlighting the importance of kindness and positive actions.
Winning the Game:
The focus is not on winning but on understanding the lasting impact of our words and actions.
Variations for Different Settings:
- Educational Edition: Tailor the discussion to include examples relevant to students' experiences.
- Corporate Edition: Focus on professional communication and the impact of actions in the workplace.
- Family Edition: Use the game to teach children about kindness, empathy, and the consequences of their words and actions.
Additional Notes:
- Both variations of the Toothpaste or Paper Scrunch Challenge provide a powerful visual and physical representation of the permanence of our words and actions.
- The activity fosters discussions about empathy, kindness, and the power each person has in their interactions with others.
- It's a simple yet effective way to encourage participants to think before they speak or act, promoting a more positive and respectful environment.
Deck of Cards Racing
Objective:
Deck of Cards Racing is a team-based exercise game where each team represents a suit of playing cards. The goal is for each team to advance their 'ace' across a racecourse by performing exercises determined by drawn playing cards.
Players:
Split into four teams, each representing a suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades).
Materials:
- A deck of playing cards.
- Printed PDF game card or 'Fun Fitness Daily Mission Cards'.
Setup:
Teams line up at the start line. The instructor shuffles the deck of playing cards.
Gameplay:
- Card Draws: The instructor draws a card from the deck, and the team matching the suit of the drawn card moves their 'ace' forward on the racecourse.
- Exercise Challenge: All teams perform ten reps of an exercise associated with that card.
- Race Progression: The process repeats with continuous card draws and corresponding exercises.
- Finish Line: The first team to move their 'ace' across the finish line wins.
Winning the Game:
The winning team is the one whose 'ace' reaches the finish line first.
Variations for Different Settings:
- Fitness Edition: Introduce a variety of fitness exercises for teams to perform.
- Children's Edition: Use more straightforward exercises and make the game more about fun and participation.
- Competitive Edition: Encourage teams to strategise and motivate each other for quicker completion of exercises.
Additional Notes:
- Deck of Cards Racing combines physical activity with the fun and unpredictability of card drawing.
- It's an engaging and energetic game, suitable for groups of various sizes and fitness levels.
- The game fosters teamwork, friendly competition, and group fitness.
Gratitude Charades
Objective:
Expressing and guessing different forms of gratitude through charades fosters a fun and positive environment.
Players:
Suitable for small groups or teams.
Materials:
- Pieces of paper with written gratitude prompts.
- A hat or bowl to draw from.
Setup:
Write down various things and activities to be grateful for on separate pieces of paper and place them in a hat or bowl.
Gameplay:
- Option One: Teams guess non-verbal expressions of gratitude acted out by one of their members. Points are awarded for correct guesses.
- Option Two: Each participant writes down three gratitude prompts. Players take turns acting out a drawn prompt for others to guess, with no points involved.
Winning the Game:
The team with the most points wins in Option One. In Option Two, the focus is on sharing and experiencing gratitude.
Variations:
- Encourage creative and outside-the-box gratitude expressions.
- Adapt the game for different age groups or settings.
Additional Notes:
Gratitude Charades is an engaging way to reflect on the positive aspects of life and share them in a playful, interactive manner.
Download the video to share HERE.
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