Skip to main content
Loading Loading
The Toy Association
  • TTF
  • Toy Fair
  • Play Safe
  • TGOP
  • Join Now
Login

Join Now

  • RegulatoryToggle
      • Safety
        • U.S. safety standards
      • Federal
        • The fight against counterfeits
        • Environmental sustainability
        • Marketing to children
        • Shipping resource center
      • State
      • International
        • Global commerce
        • International standards
        • Protecting workers
  • EventsToggle
      • Toy Fair®
      • LA Previews
      • The Toy Foundation's TOTY® Awards
      • Toy Industry Hall of Fame
      • Credit Meeting
      • CHITAG
      • POP Week
  • Research & DataToggle
      • Data
        • U.S. sales data
        • Global sales data
        • Economic impact data
        • Population data
      • Reports
        • STEM/STEAM
        • Global market research
        • Industry reports
        • Reports from TrendHunter.com
        • Toy & Play Trends
      • Reading room
        • White Papers
        • President's Letters
  • Education & ServicesToggle
      • Webinars
      • Safety Education Program
      • Credit Program
      • Inventors & Designers
      • STEAM Accreditation
      • Student Center
      • Young Professionals Network
      • Service Providers
  • News
  • About UsToggle
      • Our mission
      • Our Board of Directors
      • Our staff
      • Member Code of Conduct
      • Bylaws
      • Impact Report
      • Contact us

Animal Antics

Ingredient:

  • At least three people, space to move

Prep Time:

  • 5 minutes

Recipe for Fun!

One person is the designated caller and the rest of the children line up next to each other with space to move around. When ready, the caller tells the players what to do, such as hop on one foot, stomp like an elephant, ribbit like a frog, or soar like an eagle. Children can either complete the task in a stationary position or move from one end of the yard to the other. Let the caller give 3-5 “commands” and then switch places so another child can be the caller. Play continues until everyone has had a chance to be the caller. Taking a turn as the caller gives children the opportunity to speak in front of others, be the leader, and control the action.

Benefits:

  • Encourages parallel play. Parallel play is when children play near others, doing the same activity, but not yet interacting. This helps children become more aware of others, model behaviors, express emotions, and develop communication skills.
  • Hones working memory by having children follow directions. This skill is necessary to complete daily activities, like getting dressed or brushing teeth. It helps kids attend to detail, process the task and execute.

Modifications:

For extended challenge: Add multi-step directions, such as, “Hop like a bunny and twitch your nose,” or, “take four giant steps, then spin around and sit down.” This helps children practice memory and sequencing skills.

Variation:

  • Incorporate social interaction in the directions that are called out, such as, “Bow to the person on your left.” Or “Find a person wearing blue and give him a high five.” Children who are shy or introverted often do better interacting when they have a task to do. This gives them practice approaching and interacting with others.
  • Social
  • Emotional
  • Physical
  • Communication
  • Share

More "Genius" Play Ideas

communicative tile--30-min
cognitive

Picture Charades

Let's Play!
creative tile--10-min
cognitive

Surprise Box

All Ages
Let's Play!
cognitive tile--5-min
cognitive

Get Your Beat On

All Ages
Let's Play!
creative tile--10-min
cognitive

Match Game

Let's Play!
 
 

Follow us on social media

Facebook Linkedin Twitter YouTube

Best Place To Work-NPT

Toy News Tuesday

News. Events. Regulations. Stats. Trends & More. Toy News Tuesday is in-depth industry news delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Sign up today! It’s free!
Subscribe today
The Genius of Play
©The Toy Association, Inc.
Privacy Policy
Share on
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • More options
select
  • Bookmarks
  • Google+
  • MySpace
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Yammer
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##