The School of Play

21 Reasons to Smile

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Objective:

To engage players in a fun, movement-based game that involves strategy, laughter, and physical activity. The goal is to cleverly count squats to avoid being the one who ends up saying "21."

Players:

Suitable for any number of players, ideal for pairs. Works well in large groups by having multiple pairs play simultaneously.

Materials:

No materials are needed, just enough space for participants to move and perform squats.

Setup:

Participants find a partner and stand facing each other in pairs.

Gameplay:

• Squat Counting: The game starts with the first player doing one, two, or three squats while counting out loud.
• The next player continues counting from where the first player stopped, also doing one to three squats.
• Players alternate turns, each choosing to do one, two, or three squats and continuing the count.
• Objective: The aim is to strategically count so that you end your turn on 20, forcing your opponent to say "21" and lose the round.
• Penalties and Points:
  • The player who ends up saying "21" performs a set penalty (like a short run or additional squats).
  • The winning player earns a point.
• After each round, players find new partners and start again.
• Game Duration: The game is played for a set time (e.g., five minutes), after which the player or players with the most points win.

Winning the Game:

The player with the most points at the end of the playing time is the winner.

Variations for Different Settings:

• Children's Edition: Make it playful with simpler movements like jumping jacks or hops.
• Fitness Edition: Vary the movements with sit-ups, burpees, or star jumps to suit different fitness levels.
• Educational Edition: Incorporate learning elements, like counting in a foreign language or using math problems to determine the number of squats.

Additional Notes:

• Encourage a lively and humorous atmosphere to enhance enjoyment and participation.
• The game can easily be adapted to different fitness levels and ages, making it a versatile activity for various groups.
• It's an excellent way to incorporate movement, strategy, and social interaction in a fun and engaging way, ideal for starting or wrapping up sessions.

Rubix Cube Gratitude

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Objective:

A team-based game inspired by the Rubik's Cube puzzle, focusing on strategy and gratitude reflection. Teams compete to align coloured cones in a straight line, answering gratitude-related questions and completing physical challenges.

Players:

Suitable for small to medium-sized teams.

Materials:

• Coloured markers or cones (red, blue, yellow, and green).
• A six-sided dice for each team.
• A printed sheet with gratitude questions for each colour.

Setup:

• Arrange the coloured markers or cones in a grid or sequence, similar to the sides of a Rubik's Cube.
• Each team receives a dice and a sheet with the gratitude questions.

Gameplay:

• Cones Arrangement: Teams work to get all red, blue, yellow, and green cones in a straight line.
• Swapping Cones: Each time a team swaps two cones, they roll the dice.
• Answering Questions: Based on the dice roll and the colours of the cones swapped, teams answer the corresponding gratitude question from their sheet.
• Repeat Questions: If a roll repeats a previously answered question, the team performs ten-star jumps or a 50-meter run before continuing.
• Strategic Movement: Teams plan their moves to align the cones while engaging in the gratitude reflection efficiently.

Winning the Game:

The first team to align all four colours in a straight line wins the game.

Variations for Different Settings:

• Children's Edition: Simplify the questions to be age-appropriate and include fun physical activities.
• Educational Edition: Tailor the questions to encourage discussions about gratitude, empathy, and community values.
• Corporate Edition: Focus on team-building and collaborative problem-solving, with questions geared towards workplace gratitude and achievements.

Additional Notes:

• Rubix Cube Gratitude blends the challenge of a physical puzzle with reflective and meaningful conversations.
• It's an excellent way to encourage teamwork, strategic thinking, and gratitude in a fun and interactive setting.
• The game can be adapted in duration and complexity to suit different group dynamics and settings.