Partner Games
Below are Samples from “The Games Box”
When you pre-order this fantastic resource you you will automatically receive a 50% discount on that purchase, a free guide on how to organise a games session and these sample games from “The Games Box” in a form that you can print out and use as individual cards.
BALANCE CHALLENGE
Players are divided into pairs according to height. The pair should stand about 20 cm away from each other with their feet close together. Each should try to get their opponent to move their feet by pushing each other’s hands. The first person to get his partner to move his feet three times is the winner.
ELOPE. PROPOSE, SHUN
The group is divided into pairs (male/female). The players move in a circle around the leader. When the leader, with his/her back to the group, calls “Stop”, the pairs have three seconds to:
ELOPE - (male carries female)
PROPOSE - (male on knees, looking up to female, right hands joined)
SHUN - (partners back to back)
Without watching the group, the leader then calls out one of the three positions. Anyone who is in that position is out. The last pair in the game wins.
KNEE FIGHTS
Players are divided into pairs and asked to find a space in the room and face each other. On the signal, “Go!” from the leader, each player tries to tap the knees of his/her opponent 5 or 7 or 10 times (whichever is preferred) while defending his/her own knees from attack. Holding knees to avoid being touched is not permitted. Rough play or tackles are not permitted. Violation means automatic elimination from the game. Players are eliminated from the game as they lose to their partner. Winners find other opponents. Eventually two players face each other in the final play off.
MIRRORS
In pairs, A reflects B’s movements as exactly as possible. Make sure movements are not too fast. On a given signal, the lead is exchanged. Try to keep the flow of movement each time there is a change-over.
PERSON TO PERSON
There has to be an odd number of players, including the leader for this activity to work. Divide the group into pairs. Standing in the center of the circle, explain that you’ll give them from two to five commands that they must perform as a pair. Give instructions such as, “Elbow to elbow”. At the call, the pairs must put an elbow to an elbow. The leader can then say: “Ear to ear” and the pairs then have to put an ear to an ear, as well as keeping the elbow to elbow. When the leader says, “Person-to-person,” everyone finds a new partner, and the left over player becomes the new leader and so the game continues.
RUNNING WITH THE BALL
Players are divided into pairs. Each pair holds a big blow-up or soft rubber ball between their foreheads. Their task is to run the distance as fast as possible and not to drop the ball. (One of the players in each pair runs with his back to front). The pairs may hold a ball between their shoulders, ears or backs.
Required: one blow-up or soft rubber ball per pair
SCISSORS/PAPER/STONE
Divide the group into pairs. Players put one hand in a fist behind their back, count to three together and then put their hands out as either ‘scissors’, ‘paper’ or ‘stone’. One wins or there is a draw according to the rules below.
Scissors: Index and middle finger apart and pointing out like scissors.
Paper: Hand stretched out flat.
Stone: Hand in a fist.
Scissors beats paper because scissors cut paper.
Paper beats stone because paper covers stone.
Stone beats scissors because stone blunts scissors.
If both pick the same object then it is a draw.
Compete to see who wins five games then change partners.
SLAP BANG!
Players are divided into pairs and face one another. A beat is established by slapping the thighs. Once the beat is established each player chooses one of the following moves.
Point both hands up
Point both hands left
Point both hands right
Point both hands down
On every beat the players, slap then point, slap then point and so on. However when a pair happen to make exactly the same movement, after the next slap, they point both their hands towards the other player, miming a gun, and say “Bang!”. On the next beat they continue as before.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Divide the group into pairs. Ask the pairs to study one another very closely then ask them to turn back-to-back and change 3 things about their appearance. Partners turn around when ready and try to guess what 3 things that have been changed.
Examples: Hair has been parted differently.
Watch is on the other wrist.
Button(s) are undone or re-done.
SWORD AND SHIELD
Players are divided into pairs, each holds one open hand behind his or her back, palm facing outwards. The index finger of the other hand is held out in front like a sword; each tries to stab their partner’s “shield”. Score points for each strike. Players with three points win over their partner should find others to compete against. The player with the highest number of wins overall is the final winner.
TOUCH AND TELL
Divide players into pairs. One partner (A) closes his/her eyes. The other partner (B) guides him/her slowly around the space/environment and finds five different surfaces for (A) to touch – using just their fingertips. (A) then opens his/her eyes and has to guess where and what the surfaces were.
TWO MAN DRAG
A rope is tied around 2 players. Select partners according to similarity in size and strength. Behind the two players, at the distance of about 50cm, is a prize or token treasure (eg. a chocolate bar or set of keys) Each player tries to drag the rival off his/her direction. The winner is the one who reaches his/her prize.
Required: 1 length of rope per pair (enough to be tied around the two)1 bar of chocolate per pair
For a comprehensive set of games cards for every age group, every occasion, in 11 different categories, look at “The Games Box” .
Harry Tawse | 
July 20, 2009 12:10 pm
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