 |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
104 Activities That Build:
The second game "Time Switch" is from the book The wRECking Yard of games and activities
|
||||||||||
100
In the book The wRECking Yard of games and activities we talked about the benefits of both physical and mental exercise for everyone. By asking people how they feel physically and emotionally prior to an activity and then again after exercising, we can help them recognize the positive effects physical activity can have on their lives.
This game is a fun way for people to experience exercise and learn about the positive effects it can have on them at the same time.
Objective
To encourage people to engage in exercise to improve their own mental and physical health and to promote fitness as a coping skill.
Who
People who could benefit from exercising and who need to improve the amount of physical activity they engage in daily.
People who could benefit from learning about the effects exercise can have on them mentally.
Group Size
3 to 10 participants
Materials
- Basketball
- Basketball hoop
- Jump rope
Description
Challenge the group to work together to earn one hundred points by completing various fitness activities. Emphasize that this is not a competition but a challenge and everyone should do their best to support the group. Points can be earned by completing the following activities (or create your own).
- 1 point for each lap run in one minute
- 1 point for each basket made (everyone gets 10 shots)
- 1 point for each foot jumped in a standing long jump
- 1 point for every five jumps made when jump roping without making
a mistake (give each person 3 tries)
- 1 point for each push up
- 1 point for every 10 jumping jacks
Keep track of the points on paper and continually challenge the group to make it all the way to one hundred points. For smaller groups you may increase the point value of each activity.
Discussion Prompts
1. How do you feel after exercising?
2. Do you feel different emotionally?
3. How can exercise help you?
4. What do you do to exercise in your life right now?
5. What type of exercise could you do?
6. Was it easier to exercise with the challenge of the points?
7. What could you use for incentive to get you exercising now?
Time Switch
Playing in the backyard with a bunch of other kids or hanging out in a friend’s bedroom after school are examples of unstructured activities. Going to a church sponsored event, school dance or football practice fall into the category of structured activities.
Some people keep themselves out of trouble by becoming engaged in mainly structured activities while others enjoy the freedom found when engaging in unstructured activities. Helping the members of the group recognize the role that planned and unplanned activities have on their lives will help them make better choices in their leisure lifestyle.
Objective
For people to recognize behavior that is related to the use or misuse of their leisure time and to explore the difference between structured and unstructured time.
Who
People who could benefit from a more or less structured leisure lifestyle.
Group Size
4 or more
Materials
Description
Divide the group time into two parts. Spend half of the group time playing a game that is organized and led by the leader of the group. This organized game may be anything from a board game to a running game, as long as it has rules and includes everyone in the group.
Once the group time is half way over, stop the organized game and allow the group to have unstructured free time. Provide the opportunity for free play, by providing materials and equipment that are available in the facility.
At the end of the group time, gather the group together and make a group list of the good and bad aspects of structured time and the good and bad aspects of unstructured time.
Discussion Topics
