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 - Snails can sleep for three years: They can hibernate in certain conditions, like during dry seasons.
Weekly Lessons
Left, Right, Up or Down
Objective:
It is an engaging and high-energy game combining quick decision-making and physical movement. Players face off to guess and match directions, adding a fun and competitive element to any session.
Players:
Played in pairs, making it suitable for small or large groups by having multiple pairs participate simultaneously.
Materials:
No materials are required for Option One. For Option Two, a clear space for running is needed.
Setup:
Participants pair up for the game. For Option Two, each pair starts 10 meters apart.
Option One
Gameplay:
- Direction Challenge: Players count down "three, two, one." On "one," one player points either left, right, up, or down while their opponent simultaneously moves their head in one of these four directions.
- Winning a Turn: The pointer wins if the pointing direction matches the head movement. If not, roles swap, and they play again.
- Exercise Reps: The winner performs five reps of a chosen exercise while the defeated player does ten reps.
Option Two
Gameplay:
- Start Apart: Players begin 10 meters apart and run to meet in the middle.
- Play the Game: After counting down and performing the direction challenge, players run back to the starting point and repeat if there's no winner.
- Exercise Challenge: When there is a winner, they perform ten reps of an exercise, while the loser does twenty reps.
Winning the Game:
No specific winning criteria, as the focus is on participation, fun, and physical activity.
Variations for Different Settings:
- Children's Edition: Simplify the movements or incorporate fun elements like animal actions or sounds.
- Fitness Edition: Intensify the exercise portion with more challenging movements.
- Team-Building Edition: Encourage teams to strategise and communicate to improve their coordination.
Additional Notes:
- The game is designed to be a dynamic and fun way to start any session, promoting interaction and physical activity.
- It's versatile and can be adapted to participants' fitness levels and ages.
- "Left, Right, Up, or Down" is not just a game but a shared experience that encourages laughter, energy, and connection.
Four Quadrant Fun
Objective:
A team-building activity designed to foster personal sharing and group understanding through creative drawing. Participants respond to reflective questions by illustrating their answers, encouraging expression and communication within the group.
Players:
Suitable for any group size, from small teams to larger classes or workplace groups.
Materials:
- A piece of paper for each participant.
- A pen or pencil for drawing.
- Optional: Alternative creative materials like pipe cleaners, play dough, or Lego.
Setup:
Each participant divides their paper into four equal quadrants.
Gameplay:
- Drawing Responses: Participants are given 4 to 8 minutes to draw their answers to four provided questions, one in each quadrant. The rule is to use only drawings, no text.
- Questions:
- What do you bring to the group?
- What do you need from the group?
- What is your favourite hobby or activity outside of school or work?
- What is your vision for the group or for this year?
- Sharing: After completing their drawings, participants can either share their illustrations with the entire group or in smaller groups of three or four.
Display:
- Collect and display all drawings in a common area for ongoing inspiration and reflection.
Modification:
- Provide alternative creative materials like pipe cleaners, play dough, or Lego for those who prefer not to draw, encouraging creativity and play.
Winning the Game:
The focus is on participation and sharing rather than on winning.
Variations for Different Settings:
- Educational Edition: Tailor questions to reflect school or classroom goals and dynamics.
- Corporate Edition: Focus questions on professional roles, team objectives, and workplace visions.
- Sports Team Edition: Adapt the activity to explore team roles, personal contributions, and collective goals.
Additional Notes:
- Four Quadrant Fun is an engaging way to enhance group cohesion, understanding, and communication.
- It allows participants to express themselves creatively and learn about their peers in a non-threatening, enjoyable manner.
- The activity can be adapted to suit various settings and participant preferences, making it a versatile tool for team-building and personal reflection.
Card Memory Lane
Objective:
A team-based physical and memory challenge inspired by the card game 'Memory'. Pairs or teams work together to find and retrieve cards from a specific suit in order, from Ace to King, while recalling the positions of previously flipped cards.
Players:
Pairs or small teams, with one deck of cards per eight players.
Materials:
- A deck of playing cards.
- A 20-meter area or a basketball court.
Setup:
Place cards from a single suit (Diamonds, Hearts, Clubs, or Spades) face down at one end of the play area. Teams start at the opposite end.
Gameplay:
- Card Retrieval: One player from each team runs to the cards, flips one over, and tries to find the Ace.
- Memory Element: If the Ace isn't found, the player memorises the card's position, flips it back over, and runs back to tag their partner.
- Static Holds: The waiting player maintains a static hold until their turn.
- Card Order: Players continue to run and flip cards, trying to collect them from Ace to King in ascending order.
- Teamwork and Strategy: Teams communicate to remember card locations and retrieve them in the correct order.
Winning the Game:
The first team to collect all the cards from Ace to King in order wins.
Variations for Different Settings:
- Fitness Edition: Incorporate a variety of static holds and increase the running distance.
- Children's Edition: Simplify the game with fewer cards and more accessible static holds.
- Team Building Edition: Emphasise communication and memory skills.
Additional Notes:
- Card Memory Lane combines physical activity with cognitive challenges, making it a fun and engaging game for all ages.
- It enhances memory, fitness, and teamwork in a dynamic and exciting format.
- The game is adaptable to different group sizes and can be modified to suit various physical and cognitive abilities.
Drawing Animals On Your Head
Objective:
It is a fun and humorous icebreaker where participants attempt to draw their favourite animal on a piece of paper placed on their heads.
Players:
Suitable for all ages, ideal for groups in a meeting, workshop, class, or casual setting.
Materials:
- Blank A4 paper.
- Pens or pencils.
Setup:
Each participant gets a piece of paper and a writing instrument.
Gameplay:
- Participants place the paper on top of their heads.
- They are given 30 seconds to a minute to draw their favourite animal.
- After the time is up, everyone stops drawing.
- The group then takes turns guessing what animal each person attempted to draw.
- The activity is filled with laughter and fun guesses.
Winning the Game:
It is not competitive; it focuses on enjoyment and breaking the ice.
Variations:
- It can be adapted for different themes besides animals.
- Works exceptionally well in large groups.
Additional Notes:
Drawing Animals On Your Head is an excellent activity for lightening the mood, encouraging creativity playfully, and initiating laughter and interaction among participants.
Video link to share HERE.
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