Cooperation is the name of the game in this fun family activity challenge. Kids and grown-ups alike will get a kick out of helping one another get across the “bridge” to the finish line on the other side! Add this to your list of fun family activities this holiday season!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: A piece of cardboard or poster board for each participant, markers, crayons, stickers, obstacles
WHAT TO DO:
Give a piece of posterboard or cardboard to each participant and spend some time sitting together as each person decorates his square. Use markers, crayons, and stickers and encourage participants to create a masterpiece that represents their personality and style (it’s best not to use glue or fancy craft materials for these because you’ll be stepping on them for the game!).
Once everyone has decorated their tiles, have the group line up with each participant standing on his or her tile. Designate a place that will be your finish line and tell the group to move across the “bridge” (their tiles) to the finish line without falling into the “water” (the floor).
Here’s how: the last person will step carefully onto the tile with the person in front of him, picking up his tile and bringing it along with him. He’ll step onto each of the other participants’ tiles (balancing and sharing a tile with each family member as he goes) and place his tile on the floor when he gets to the front of the line.
Once he’s settled on his tile at the front of the line, the next person will move from the back of the line to the front and so on until they reach the finish line.
HOW TO CHANGE IT UP:
-As your family is decorating their tiles, have everyone take turns writing something nice on everyone else’s tiles. They could write something they love about the person, a favorite memory they share with the person, or why they’re glad the person is part of their family.
-Want to make things a little more challenging? Add some obstacles and some changes in terrain! Obstacles could be benches, stools, or low hung pieces of string/yarn. Make the ground uneven by using couch cushions or folded up blankets.
-Did everyone overdo it on the mashed potatoes? Use this as an after-feast movement activity…with pumpkin pie at the finish line!
SKILL AREAS ADDRESSED: Social skills, balance, fine motor skills, motor control, coordination
