Use these games when you are waiting for (flag, meals, field study, recreation, etc.)
The Round Moon: Ask the students to do everything you do. Hold a stick or pencil (in your left hand) and then say, “The moon, the moon, the big round moon. It has two eyes a nose and a mouth.” While you are saying this phrase you are drawing the moon and its’ face with your object in the air. The students will then attempt to do everything that you do, but most students will use their right hand to hold the stick or pencil.
Picnic: Tell the students that you are going on a picnic and they may join you if they know what to bring. For example, say your Outdoor School name is Walrus you might say, “I am going on a picnic and I am going to bring waffles, but not pancakes.” Whatever items you may bring must start with the first letter of your name, the other item does not. The students may come on the picnic when they can figure out this method.
Johnny Whoops: Ask the group to, “ Do everything I do.” Put one hand forward so the students may see it clearly. Then spread your fingers out. Use your index finger from your other hand and say, “Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Whoops, Johnny, Whoops, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.” Each time you say Johnny touch your index finger to the tip of the fingers on the opposite hand. You say “Whoops” as you drag your index finger down the length of the other index finger and up the side of the other thumb, and vice versa when you say it again. When you have gone through all of this then put your hands together, interlocking your fingers and drop them to your waist, do this as inconspicuously as you can. Then ask the students to try. They are successful only if they interlock their fingers at the end.
The Round Moon: Ask the students to do everything you do. Hold a stick or pencil (in your left hand) and then say, “The moon, the moon, the big round moon. It has two eyes a nose and a mouth.” While you are saying this phrase you are drawing the moon and its’ face with your object in the air. The students will then attempt to do everything that you do, but most students will use their right hand to hold the stick or pencil.
Picnic: Tell the students that you are going on a picnic and they may join you if they know what to bring. For example, say your Outdoor School name is Walrus you might say, “I am going on a picnic and I am going to bring waffles, but not pancakes.” Whatever items you may bring must start with the first letter of your name, the other item does not. The students may come on the picnic when they can figure out this method.
Johnny Whoops: Ask the group to, “ Do everything I do.” Put one hand forward so the students may see it clearly. Then spread your fingers out. Use your index finger from your other hand and say, “Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Whoops, Johnny, Whoops, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.” Each time you say Johnny touch your index finger to the tip of the fingers on the opposite hand. You say “Whoops” as you drag your index finger down the length of the other index finger and up the side of the other thumb, and vice versa when you say it again. When you have gone through all of this then put your hands together, interlocking your fingers and drop them to your waist, do this as inconspicuously as you can. Then ask the students to try. They are successful only if they interlock their fingers at the end.
