Trap, rabbit, hunter
Divide group into two teams. Each team decides "privately" to be the trap – represented by hands held out to the sides extended from the shoulders, rabbits – hands held above ears or hunter- hands on hips. Hunter is better than the trap, trap is better than the rabbit, and rabbit is better than the hunter is. Each side quickly chooses trap, rabbit or hunter. At a signal from the teacher each side makes the sign for one of the three – hunter, rabbit, or trap. If both sides give the same sign, there is no change. Otherwise the sides try to tag the other side accordingly until one side captures all of the other members.
Hands and knees ball
Two teams are selected with five or six players each. A goal is marked on the ground by white tape or other soft material some 5 feet long. A goal is located at either side of the designated area. Each team member plays on their hands and knees trying to butt the ball into the goal using their "butt". A large rubber ball is used and each team may use a goalie.
String burning contest
Two strings are tied at different heights parallel to the ground. The lower string indicates the height of the pile of wood for the fire. The upper string is the one that must be burned by the fire. Those who compete must have their wood or kindling ready and each is allowed a certain number of matches. At the leader’s signal the contestants lay their small fires under the strings, light them and see whose fire burns through the higher string first.
Fire by friction
The object is to see who can make fire first by this method. Contestants must supply their own fire materials. For example, only using flint and steel.
Tent pitching
This is a team contest to see which team can pitch its tent most swiftly and securely. The small, two-man tents are best.
Sense training fun
The teacher asks the students to be still and listen and watch. Do not tell them what to listen or watch for. After two to five minutes, ask each group to pick a representative to come forward and tell what his group heard or saw. If the group is small, then writing down what was heard or seen would work. This can be modified by narrowing down the game to one sense – taste, smell, hearing, sight, touch – or combine two or more senses.
Ten questions
This is played by opposing teams. A member of one team represents some
bird, plant, tree or animal. The other team has to guess its identity by
asking no more than ten questions.
True and false
The teacher prepares a number of true and false statements about nature. The circle is divided into two teams and statements are given to them in turn. Each correct answer of false or true gets one point for the team. It is best to have at least one question for each player for total participation.
Rooster roust
In partners, hands on ankles try to make your opponent loose balance and step out of a circle by bumping with your shoulders.
Indian leg wrestle
In pairs, lie side by side with feet in opposite directions, and inside arms locked. At a signal raise inside legs and lock. Use leg leverage to make the opponent roll over. Switch to a new partner.
Hand Wrestle
In pairs, face each other with right foot forward and left foot well back, grasp opponent’s right hand with right hand, keeping the left hand out of the play (behind the back). Try to unbalance your partner, forcing them to step in any direction. Change partners.
First up
Everyone lying flat on the floor in each persons own personal space. On the signal see who can get up first without using hands.