{"id":26592,"date":"2020-06-17T14:37:58","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T18:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/?p=26592"},"modified":"2022-04-27T15:46:56","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T19:46:56","slug":"5-game-ideas-for-a-social-distance-activity-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ssww.com\/blog\/5-game-ideas-for-a-social-distance-activity-program\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Game Ideas for a Social Distance Activity Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Being a teacher or activity director is hard work. From planning to managing student behavior, there is a myriad of requirements that make this job hard when done right.\u00a0 Now, we have a new element to add to this already hard job: teaching and planning activities in a socially distanced atmosphere. It is no longer safe to do whole group games or some typical learning activities where students are in large groups or sharing equipment regularly. Thus, we need to ramp our creativity up a notch and work a little harder to come up with learning activities that socially distance friendly. Below are some ideas. These ideas take into assumption you are following state, district, and school policy for the safety of the students. For equipment ideas, check out this article<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lawn Games<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Lawn Games<\/strong><\/a> are fun for carnivals and summertime. But they are fantastic for socially distancing students. Games like corn hole, croquet, ring toss, horseshoes, mini-golf, Frisbees, shuffleboard, and other classics are not only fun, but you can teach multiple subjects with them safely.<\/p>\n

For example, with cornhole, you can have students stand six feet apart to throw the bean bag at the hole. And each student retrieves their own beanbag after each player has taken their turns. You are teaching underhand throwing playing this game. A mini-golf course is excellent because students carry the same equipment around to each hole, so there is no equipment swapping. Plus, students can easily stay six feet apart while playing. In mini-golf, you are teaching striking with a long-handled implement.\u00a0 Apply this notion of using the same equipment and six feet distancing between students to most lawn games, and they work great in a socially distanced learning environment. Plus, many of these games can be done outdoors, which experts say is safer because of lower transmission rates. See more lawn game and outdoor game ideas here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Chair Bingo<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The game Chair Bingo<\/strong><\/a> is fun, and the children can play together while in their own space. While it is named chair bingo, you do not need to be in a chair to play.\u00a0 Students can be on the floor.\u00a0 Like regular bingo, you call our spots, and as students cover them, they do the exercise on that spot.\u00a0 You can use a pre-made version<\/a> or create your own to meet the needs of what you are teaching.<\/p>\n

Invisible Anything<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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In some cases, you may not have space or be allowed to use the equipment for safety reasons. Thus, a child\u2019s imagination is a great tool to tap into for these situations.\u00a0 You can have students do things like invisible jump rope for a quick warm-up or as part of a bigger circuit.\u00a0 You can mimic practicing skills without equipment such as shooting or passing a basketball. Thus, you do not always need equipment to stay distanced and keep teaching your curriculum.<\/p>\n

Freeze Dance Party<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"freeze<\/p>\n

This game comes from Asphalt Green\u2019s website<\/a> of COVID-19 safe games for students. It is worth a visit as it has a lot of great activities you can do in different locations. This activity is what it sounds like: a freeze dance party. You play music, and when the music stops, students freeze. You can mark off personal space using floor tape or cones, so students have properly distanced boundaries.\u00a0 Fun, simple, and easy to do, you can use this to teach about heart rates, effects of exercise, and dance. Also, any dance unit is excellent for social distancing, especially line dance, because you can easily keep students spaced out and moving and learning at the same time.<\/p>\n

Scavenger Hunt<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Who does not love finding things? You can have students play individually, in socially distanced pairs, or in socially distanced small groups. You can have them in their own sectioned off area for each person, pair, or team. And you can do themes such as finding superhero items, school items, and the like. Don\u2019t be afraid to keep it simple as that will offer the most space. And this is ideal outdoors but can be done indoors with proper spacing and organization. Help them out with directional markers<\/strong><\/a> that also allow for distancing. Create a map for them to find secret items, like the suggestions below. Or you can even use this Mega Novelty Pack<\/a><\/strong> of items and then you are all set!<\/p>\n

Themed items they can find:<\/strong><\/p>\n