Invented Games Using Items from Nature

Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director/Educator

On Wednesday, we set out on our 2nd nature walk this week, to collect items with which to invent our own games. We explained that in some places of the world, as well as in America's early years, many people and children were required to be resourceful: they created their own toys and games to play with and to entertain themselves. They used items from their surroundings or re-purposed existing items, giving objects a new life. Visiting the store or gift shop was simply not an option.

For their project, students were challenged to use only the items they found in nature and to keep their invented games simple, with clear instructions for game play. Upon our return to Beye, the children set their materials out on the blacktop (we sought shade from the sun) and collaborated with their group members. We provided paper and colored pencils so the students could record their invented games and the directions for play. In the end, the games were fabulous, however I do believe a few were quite complicated! Do have a look below : )

Heidi, foreground; Porter and Dexter, background

Sylvia

Leila

Andrew

Emory

Ben

Maurice

Hayden and a nest?

Heidi

Heid's seed pod

Benjamin's bark

Heidi's find: a hole leading to an animal's burrow

A close-up view

Dexter's beetle

Benjamin and Dexter

Many finds!

back to school!

Emory and Donald, in the beginning stages of their invented games

Andrew's collection of items

Mr. Coppersmith's group at work

Hayden and Daysha

Maurice, Emory and Donald

Leila

Porter and Dexter

Laila and Kasper

Leila's "playing piece"

Dexter & Porter's game, nearing completion

Donald's game pieces

Porter and Hayden

Ms. Jenkins with Anika, Andrew and Laila (background)

Kasper

Oliver, recording the rules to the game

Oliver's game

When we returned to the classroom we read a story called "The Shape Game"  by Anthony Browne.  In the story, the mother of the author asks her family to celebrate her birthday with her, by taking a trip to the Tate Museum. It is a touching story, describing the impressive stature of the museum, the connections each family member makes with certain works of art and the game that they play to pass the time on their train ride back home: the shape game. It begins with a random shape that is then transformed by each player into a fantastic creature. We played the game as well, so do take a look at a few of the students' fantasy figures below. 

Cassandra, Jessica and Heidi

Cassandra, Jessica, Heidi, Porter, Hayden and Leila

Hayden

Porter

Donald

Cassandra

This is really a fun game to play: it can be great to pass the time when traveling, when waiting for an appointment, or at a family gathering during those cold winter months! You can save the drawings to create a simple book or even decorate a child's bedroom with these funny creations.