Games for the Category: 'Action Games'
Giants, Wizards, and Elves
Summary: An icebreaker / action oriented game good for medium and large sized groups. Similar to a game of rock, paper, scissors, two teams face off and decide to become either “giants,” “wizards,” or “elves.” Giants defeat elves, elves defeat wizards, and wizards defeat giants.
Ages: 10 and up. Recommended # of People: 20 and up (large groups work fine too!). Messiness factor: Might break a small sweat! Materials Required: None. Recommended Setting: Indoors or Outdoors.
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Pulse Game
Summary: An action oriented icebreaker that works especially well with large groups of people. A game of quick reflexes and passing on the pulse!
Ages: All. Recommended # of People: At least 40 people. Messiness Factor: Might break a small sweat. Materials Required: A coin, a chair, and any small object like a tennis ball. Recommended Setting: Indoors.
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Ghost in the Graveyard
Summary: An action game that is typically played outdoors at night. One person is the “ghost” who hides. The others search for the ghost and when he or she is discovered, he or she yells “Ghost in the Graveyard!” and everyone must try to run back to base before the ghost tags them.
Ages: 10 and up. Recommended # of people: At least 5 players. Messiness factor: Hiding and a lot of running involved. Materials: None, flashlights optional. Setting: Outdoors at night, a safe, large outdoor area to play in.
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Follow the Leader
Summary: A hilarious copycat game in which people try to imitate one leader’s actions, and the person in the center attempts to identify who is the originator of the actions (the leader).
Ages: 8 and up. Recommended # of People: A group of 8 to 16 people. Messiness factor: Might break a sweat. Materials: None. Setting: Indoors or outdoors.
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Sardines Game
Summary: Sardines is like reverse hide-and-seek; one person hides, and the rest of the players look for the one hidden person. When someone finds the hidden person, they quietly join them in hiding — after a while, the group begins to look like sardines!
Ages: 10 and up. Recommended # of People: 15-30. Messiness Factor: No Sweat. Materials: None. Recommended Setting: Indoors with ample space, but not open space.
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Wall Ball
Summary: Wall Ball is a classic playground game that involves throwing the ball against a wall, catching it without fumbling the ball, and trying to get others out! Many variations exist for this simple group game.
Ages: 8 and up. Recommended # of people: At least 4. Messiness Factor: Get ready to break a sweat! Materials required: A small bouncy ball of some sort (e.g. a racquetball, tennis ball, etc.). Recommended Setting: Outdoors or in a very large room with a flat wall (e.g. side of a building) and a hard, flat floor.
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Capture the Flag
Summary: A team based action game in which the goal is to locate and recover the opposing team’s flag before they do the same. A “jail” houses those who have been caught (tagged by the opposing team).
Ages: 10 and up. Recommended # of People: 20+. Messiness Factor: Sweaty. Materials Required: Two flags (any durable, safe, and noticeable object). Recommended Setting: Outdoors.
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SPUD Game
Summary: SPUD is an action game that incorporates some elements of dodge ball. The ball is tossed up high, someone catches it, yells “SPUD!”, take three big steps, and tries to get someone out!
Ages: All. Recommended # of people: At least 8 players. Messiness factor: Lots of running and throwing. Materials required: A soft ball that does not hurt when thrown. Recommended setting: Outdoors.
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Mother May I?
Summary: Mother May I is a classic kids’ game in which kids request to take a certain number and type of steps (baby, normal, giant, etc.) towards the “mother”. Kids must remember to as “Mother May I?” The first to touch the mother wins and becomes the new mother.
Ages: Younger kids. Recommended number of people: Less than 10. Messiness factor: Might break a little sweat. Materials required: None. Recommended setting: Outdoors.
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Banana Pass
Summary: A high-paced, messy relay race in which players pass a banana using their feet and the last person must eat the mushy fruit.
Ages: 10 and up. Recommended # of People: Teams of 7-10. Messiness Factor: Quite messy! Materials: Bananas, at least 1 per team. Setting: Outdoor.
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