df9d2048214b412bb68dbc33024f4b98

Spot the difference

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:47:50 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+

Timescale: Under 10 min

Where?: Indoors

Gym hall/ similar

What you need: Paper, pens

Instructions: Divide your group into two teams.

Stand the first group in a line facing the second group. The second group have a set amount of time (you decide) to look at the appearance of the other team.

Once their time is up, the second team (observers) will leave the room, and the first group must change ten things about them. The ten things must be noticeable (ie. they cannot change things in their pockets or other things previously out of view).

When the second group returns, they must observe the first group and work out what ten things have changed. (They may write them down if this is helpful) It's best to give a set amount of time for this to happen also.

Once this is done, you can swap the roles of the groups.

Categories: Teams

: Brain games

: Communication

Core outcomes: Increase confidence

Participate

Make decisions

Express opinions

Origami Tic Tack Toe

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:44:50 GMT

Group size: Individual

Timescale: 10-30 min

Where?: Indoors

What you need: 4 sheets of 15 x 15 cm paper or card. 2 sheets of one colour and 2 of a different colour.

Instructions: Start with the paper you'd like to use for the X's. Fold the paper in half, top to bottom and right to left. There are now 4 equal square sections.

Cut the sections out on both sheets, you'll be left with 8 squares, we only need 5 squares.

Take one of the squares which now measures 7.5 x 7.5 cm Fold the paper in half, top to bottom and right to left. There are now 4 equal square sections.

Fold the top and bottom edges to the middle.

Unfold and then fold the left and right edges to the middle.

Unfold the paper.Flip the paper over to the other side.

Fold the paper in half diagonally.

Fold the paper in half diagonally the other way and unfold.Flip the paper over to the other side.

Push in the corners.

Flip it over to the other side.

Push the edges inwards.Fully collapse the paper into the middle.

Now we'll make the 0s.

Fold the paper in half top to bottom and then fold the top and bottom to the middle. Unfold.You now have 4 long sections.

Do the same for both sheets of paper, and then cut along the lines.

Again, you only need 5 of these strips.

Take one of the strips. Fold the strip in half, bottom to top.

Shape the strip into a circle, use a round object such as a pen, or chopstick to round the paper out if you like.

There will be excess paper so cut some off.

Once your circle is how you like it, pop one end inside the other and smooth it out.

All's left to do is draw a grid for the game!

Categories: Teams

: Duke of Edinburgh

: Brain games

: The Arts

Core outcomes: Increase confidence

Learn from failure

Start and finish

Participate

Make decisions

Recognise achievement

Mini marble maze

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:42:49 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, big, small, medium

Timescale: 10-30 min

Where?: Indoors

Gym hall/ similar

What you need: a paper plate or large piece of card

paper

pompom or marble

glue or tape

Instructions: To create the course, cut small strips of construction paper in different colours, and glue or tape to the top of a paper plate to create a series of tunnels. Or for a larger group put the strips on a large piece of card and fold the edges of the card up towards the side with tunnels then tape the corners.

Draw arrows to decide how the marble or pom pom should travel through the course.

Play by tilting the plate or as a group tilting the card together.

Categories: Teams

: Team Builder

: Brain games

: The Arts

: STEM

core outcomes: Increase confidence

Start and finish

Achieve goals

Be supportive

Participate

Make decisions

Rice krispie cakes- with fruit!

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:40:26 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, big, small, medium

Timescale: 10-30 min

Where?: Indoors

Gym hall/ similar

What you need: 200 g dark chocolate

2 tbsp maple syrup or honey

2 tbsp butter or dairy free spread

75 g puffed brown rice or rice Krispies

50 g raisins and cranberries or other dried fruits

Instructions: Place 15 fairy cake cases on a board or plate.

Melt the dark chocolate in a bain marie (in a heatproof bowl over a pan of boiling water) or in the microwave.

When it's almost melted add the maple syrup and butter and continue heating until combined. Try not to stir too much.

Remove from the heat and stir in the puffed rice, dried fruit and hemp hearts if using. Mix until everything is coated with chocolate.

Spoon the mixture into the fairy cake cases, pressing down with the back of a teaspoon.

Allow to set

Categories: Food

: Safety

: Health

Core outcomes: Increase confidence

Participate

Understand safety

Explain consequences

Chocolate fruit

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:37:59 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, big, small, medium

Timescale: Under 10 min

Where?: Indoors

Gym hall/ similar

What you need: Chocolate

A variety of fruits, you could even throw in some veggies

Instructions: 1.Melt chocolate

2.Dip fruit in chocolate

3.Pretend its healthy

Categories: Food

: Health

: Social environment

Core outcomes: Show respect

Take responsibility

Be inclusive

Express themselves

Participate

Toast!... No cooking

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:35:27 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+

Timescale: 10-30 min

Where?: Indoors

Gym hall/ similar

What you need: felt markers, thick paper, sticky notes or index cards, and masking tape.

Instructions: Ask participants to draw a picture of how to make toast.

Give them 2-3 minutes.

Show everyone the pictures.

Now give participants sticky notes and ask them to draw toast again. In silence!

In silence, put participants into teams and using the sticky notes ask them to create a larger version of how you make toast.

Talk about how the ideas work together.

by Tom Wujec

Categories : Teams

: Team Builder

: Communication

: Social environment

Core outcomes: Show respect

Be inclusive

Be supportive

Express opinions

Participate

Chase the rabbit

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:33:15 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+

Timescale: Under 10 min

Where?: Outdoors

Gym hall/ similar

What you need: -

Instructions: At any time there are 2 players the "rabbit" and the "catcher"

Ask everyone to sand in pairs, side by side away from other pairs. Choose one pair and they become the rabbit and the catcher.

The catcher chases the rabbit BUT if the rabbit stands next to a pair the person on the other side of that pair becomes the rabbit and must run. So if you think of AB as a pair then RAB when the rabbit joins B is the one to run and the middle person stays in place forming a new pair.

Optional: If the catcher succeeds then they yell "rabbit stew" and everybody runs to find a new partner.

At the same time the rabbit that was caught becomes the catcher and the catcher becomes the rabbit.

Categories : Teams

: Movement

Core outcomes: Increase confidence

Achieve goals

Be inclusive

Participate

Family trees

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:40:51 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors Gym hall/ similar
What you need:

Assorted art supplies
Computers or similar
Instructions: Ask the participants to create a family tree using available resources. A branch could be your family and leaves the people. Add one sentence or word description of each person.
Categories: Ice breakers
The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Be inclusive
Express themselves
Participate

Tide of change

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:35:38 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Anywhere, indoors, outdoors or gym hall
What you need -
Instructions: Make predictions for 50 years from now.
What small issues will be the main ones?
What issues that we have now will seem strange and a thing of the past?
What will the world look like?
Categories: Social environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Be inclusive
Listen
Express opinions
Participate
Acknowledge challenges
Explain consequences

Name that!

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:33:51 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Under 10 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Board or flip chart
Pens
Chair

Instructions: Pick a participant to sit at the front back facing the board or flip chart. Write a list on it including topical words- sex condom gay fat perfect meth etc.- and other random words.
Everyone wins cause if you were the fastest guesser you had the best team.

Categories: Communication
Social environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Listen
Express opinions
Express themselves
Recognise achievement

Fake news!

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:30:32 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Indoors

What you need:
2-3 real news stories printed (best if sensational but obscure)
Computers
A prize

Instructions: Split participants into two teams. Ask each participant to create a news story and make it as real as they can. (give a couple of examples). DON’T let the groups see each other’s creations. Once all the stories are created and printed give the teams the other teams stories and add in a couple of real news articles.
Ask the teams to decide what is real and what is fake.

The prize for the person who creates the most convincing fake news story.

Discuss or don’t.

Categories: The Arts
Communication
Social environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Listen
Express opinions
Participate
Understand the role of power

Stereotype statements

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:28:46 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need:

Statements
Blu tack or tape
Pens
Paper

Instructions: Ask young people to place statements that go against stereotypes around the space in visible places. Have them make some of their own make them local. Try to keep them positive and about ability.
I.e.
Girls are strong
Boys are kind
Gay people don’t all have amazing hair
Muslims are peaceful
Blondes are smart
Dyslexics are smart
Football isn’t violent

Categories: Health
Communication
Social environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Be supportive
Listen
Express opinions
Acknowledge challenges
Recognise rights

Gender stereotypes?

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:26:45 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Adaptable
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need -
Instructions: Ask everyone to draw a picture of- a builder mechanic ballerina and makeup artist or similar.
See if there are themes on which gender each profession has.
Set up stations devoted to an activity related to each of the professions and say if you drew a boy as a mechanic and you are a boy you can go to the mechanic set but if you’re a girl you can’t etc.
Maybe let them go to stations and see if it’s as much fun.
Then ask
Why?
Is that fair?
What makes that true?
Do you know people who don’t fit that?
If possible it’s a good choice to have visitors come in for this i.e. male makeup artist. And have them do something fun related to their job.

Categories: Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Listen
Express opinions
Make decisions
Recognise achievement
Acknowledge challenges

Dis/Agree

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:24:41 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Under 10 min
Where?: Anywhere, indoors, outdoors or gym hall
What you need- planned statements
Instructions: One side is agree the other side is disagree. Debate.
You can change sides but you must pick a side to begin with.
Once a group is really good at this you can have them be in the middle or refuse a decision and discuss why they made those choices.

Categories: Communication
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Express opinions
Make decisions
Acknowledge challenges
Explain consequences

Decisions decisions decisions

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:22:41 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need paper and pens
Instructions: Break everyone up into teams and ask each team for some suggestions on a decision ask each person for their own opinion. Elect a person to speak for them.
All the elected people from another group and negotiate each of the ideas and opinions of their group.
They can either make a decision or put up to 3 options to the whole group.
Whatever the decision everyone has to live with it. The best decisions are ones that cause disagreement but affect the participants. I.e. the tuck shop will be open but there will be no toast or there will be arts and crafts and games but no running about.

Categories: Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Be inclusive
Express opinions
Explain consequences
Recognise rights
Engage with democratic structures

Fishing

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 11:17:32 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar
What you need- cones & prizes
Instructions: Put participants in 4 groups or villages. In the middle of the room layout cones if there are 40 cones the max. per group per turn is 3. Tell them there are 4 seasons 3 fishing and 1 off to let the fish repopulate where the village will live off the fish they caught before. Tell them to catch as many fish as possible. Ask the groups to name their boat and decide how many fish they want to catch. Give the group 30 seconds to catch the fish. Let them decide how many fish they will catch in round 2. Tell them that the more fish that are left at the end of round 3 the more fish there will be next year. For round 3 encourage participants to talk to each other about how much they will catch.
Add 2 cones for every cone still on the floor and start again. Play around even if there are no cones.
40-3 cones 50-4 65- 5 etc.
If there are fish at the end of year 2 everyone wins’
If not everyone dies.
Additional option
Have the groups exchange fish for sweets or something else valuable.

Categories: Food
Environment
Core outcomes: Acknowledge challenges
Explain consequences
Understand the role of power
Engage with democratic structures

Discussion on human rights

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:13:47 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need:

Flip chart

Pens

Instructions: 1. Read/Discuss
Read the following quotation by Eleanor Roosevelt Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission which created the UDHR to participants
Where after all do universal rights begin? In places close to home so close and so small that cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighbourhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man woman and child seek equal justice equal opportunity equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these right has meaning there they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home we shall look in vain for progress in the large world.
Eleanor Roosevelt The Great Question (NY United Nations 1958).
2. Brainstorm
Write the four problem areas on a flip chart. Discuss the following questions recording responses as declarative sentences.
Do the problems exist in our community? Are they severe? What are our sources of information? Are they reliable and complete?
From what individuals groups or organizations can we get informed data about the problem in our community?
Are there other more pressing concerns that we should study rather than those suggested above?
3. Discuss
Introduce the UDHR and indicate how this activity relates to this document. In particular call the group's attention to Articles 22-27 in the UDHR. Discuss language that is unclear and identify definitional problems.

Categories: Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Express opinions
Express themselves
Acknowledge challenges
Recognise rights
Understand the role of power

Wealth distribution

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:09:51 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need:
100 pennies
Board/ flip chart
Pens

Instructions: PART A The Scramble
1. Explain to participants that in this activity they will distribute the wealth and power of the world among themselves. This wealth is represented by the 100 pennies. There is only one rule no participant may touch another member of the group at any time.
2. Arrange the room so that participants have a fairly large area to play the game. Have participants stand or sit in a circle and scatter the pennies evenly in the middle of the circle. Withhold three participants from this part of the activity. Distribute mittens for some participants to wear but postpone discussion of reasons for this until debriefing. Note To emphasize that some start off with more than others consider giving three or four participants five extra pennies to begin with as well as providing them with special scooping shovels.
At the order of GO have participants (except the three withheld) gather as many pennies as possible without touching one another. Note Penalties for violations of this rule may be needed such as removal from the game or payment to the person touched.
3. After all the pennies have been collected have participants report their wealth to the class. Record participants names and a number of pennies on a board or chart paper under three

1) GREAT WEALTH AND POWER
(those with six or more pennies);
2) SOME WEALTH AND POWER (those with three to five pennies)
3) LITTLE WEALTH AND POWER (those with two or fewer pennies.)
4. Remind the group that these pennies represent their wealth and power in the world. The amount they possess will affect their capacity to satisfy their needs and wants. Those participants with six or more pennies will have their basic needs and most of their wants met; those with three to five pennies will have their basic needs met and those with two or fewer pennies will have difficulty surviving due to disease lack of education malnutrition and inadequate shelter.
5. Tell participants that they may if they wish give pennies to others; however they are not required to do so. Tell them that those who do share will be honoured as DONORS with their names placed on the board. Let them do this. Then ask for the names of those who gave away pennies and the amount each gave. List them on the board or chart entitled DONORS. Ask if anyone changed the category as a result of giving or receiving pennies and record these shifts on the chart.
6. Explain that some people in their country (and perhaps in their community) and in every country around the globe lack adequate necessities such as food education health care and shelter. Point out that others often in the same community or country are able to acquire almost everything they need and want.

PART B Creating Economic Fairness
1. Divide participants into groups according to the number of pennies they have. Distribute those three participants withheld from the original "scramble" randomly among the different groups. Make note of their reactions to being placed in one group rather than another but save discussion of their placement until the debriefing session.
2. Give each group the task of creating a plan for the fair distribution of the pennies the world's wealth). Each group should prepare to a) show why their plan is fair b) explain what needs to be done and c) describe what the group plans to do and why. Give the groups ten minutes to devise their plans.
3. Ask each group to appoint a spokesperson to explain their plan to the others and answer questions. After the plans have been presented and discussed announce that a vote will now be held on which plan to adopt.
4. When participants are ready to vote announce the following Participants with six or more pennies have five votes those with three to five pennies have two votes and those with two or fewer pennies have one vote. This strategy reinforces the fact that the distribution of power often reflects that of wealth.

Have participants vote and tabulate the results. Announce which plan is to be implemented. Carry out this plan redistributing the wealth if necessary.
Then discuss.
(HRRC1999)

Categories: Brain games
Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Show respect
Express opinions
Participate
Acknowledge challenges
Explain consequences
Understand the role of power
Engage with democratic structures

Dreams and Failure Inspired by Laurence Lewars “You don't fail when you aim high and miss; you fail when you aim low and you hit."

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:07:22 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Where?: Gym hall/ similar

What you need- Flip chart
Pens
Post it notes

Instructions: Write on post-it notes the answers to.
What do you see yourself doing 15 years from now?
What does failure mean to you?
What does success look like?
Maybe hold off on the last one till the first few are done?
What do you see yourself doing 15 years from now if you could do anything?

Categories: Health
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Accept failure
Set goals
Listen
Express opinions
Express themselves
Participate
Recognise achievement

Dragons Den

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:05:30 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Stuff- empty bottles paper broken pens clay bits of cork string cups etc.
Scissors
Tape
Glue
Paper
Pens
Pencils
Instructions: Give participants a pile of stuff.
Challenge them to come up with an idea for a new product or service absent from the market-10 min.
Spend 15 min doing market research- asking everyone if there’s something they would like to see and what they think of their idea.
Then they have to make a model or practical demonstration of their product or service.
Have a panel of workers or participants judge the products.

Categories: Teams
Team Builder
Communication
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Achieve goals
Show respect
Express opinions
Express themselves
Participate
Make decisions
Recognise achievement
Understand safety

Motivation board

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:03:38 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need A3 paper
Images
Quotes
Magazines

Instructions: Give each participant a sheet of a3 paper either print or cut out positive quotes and images- include positive statements jokes and pictures of silly cats.
Categories: The Arts
Health
Communication
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Achieve goals
Be supportive
Express opinions
Express themselves
Participate
Acknowledge challenges

Animal drawing

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 20:01:59 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need- Large sheet of paper.
Pens and pencils
Access to info

Instructions: On a big sheet of the paper draw a tiger panda or another endangered animal.
Write facts around the animal bout its habitat food and risks.

Categories: Team Builder
The Arts
Communication
Environment
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Take responsibility
Be inclusive
Express opinions
Express themselves
Participate
Explain consequences

Endangered Pictionary WWF

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:59:53 GMT

Group size: Medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need- Animals pdf
flip chart
pens

Instructions: Ask a young person to draw one of the endangered animals while the others guess what they are drawing.
Talk about why the animals might be endangered and discuss actions that could be taken to prevent these problems.

Categories: Teams
Team Builder
The Arts
Communication
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Be inclusive
Be supportive
Express opinions
Participate

Solar Oven! REQUIRED- hot day 20c +

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:56:59 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Outdoors

What you need Pizza box. The larger the box the better the oven should work.
Pencil or pen
Ruler
PVA glue
A sheet of black paper
Utility knife
Aluminium foil
Plastic wrap/ cling film
Shipping tape or black electrical tape
A wooden skewer or pencil

Instructions: On the top of the pizza box's lid draw a square that is about one inch inward from each edge.
cut along each side of the square you just drew except the side that runs along the hinge of the box. Cut all the way through the cardboard on those three sides of the square. Then fold the flap back slightly along the attached side.
Line the inside of the cardboard flap with aluminium foil. Fold the edges of the foil over the flap to help hold the foil in place and glue the foil onto the flap. Keep the foil as smooth as possible.
Cover the opening made by the flap (in the lid) with a layer of plastic wrap. Attach the plastic wrap to the opening's edges using shipping tape or black electrical tape. Make sure there are no holes in the plastic wrap and that all of its edges are completely attached to the lid.
Line the inside of the box with aluminium foil so that when you shut the box the entire interior is coated with foil. It is easiest to do this by covering the bottom of the box with foil and then covering the inside part of the lid (going around the plastic-covered opening) with foil too. Glue the foil in place.
Glue or tape a sheet of black paper to the bottom of the box centred there.
Lastly use a wooden skewer or pencil (and some tape) to prop the solar oven's lid up at about a 90-degree angle from the rest of the box.

Categories: Food
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Set goals
Achieve goals
Express opinions
Participate
Make decisions
Recognise achievement

PAINT THE ROSES RED!

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:55:06 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Under 10 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Flowers
Food colouring
Scissors
Cups

Instructions: Get some fresh flowers they don’t have to be roses but they should have white petals cut the stem short.
Place in a container with a small amount of water mixed with concentrated food colouring.
Place in bright hot locations for best results.
Have a chat about xylem and phloem.

Categories: The Arts
STEM
Core outcomes: Start and finish
Achieve goals
Express themselves
Participate

Totally unhealthy rock candy

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:53:38 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need A wooden skewer
Clothes peg
1 cup of water
2-3 cups of sugar
A tall narrow cup
Optional food colouring
Instructions: Prep- boil water and dissolve sugar bit by bit about 5 tablespoons at a time until no more will dissolve let cool for 20 min.
Get cups skewers and pegs.
Peg the skewer and place across the cup so the skewer dangles inside the cup.
Pour cool liquid into the cup.
Add food colouring for colour.
Take it home and watch the candy grow.

Categories: Food
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Start and finish
Set goals
Participate

Table top hovercraft

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:50:33 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need An old CD or DVD disc
A balloon
A pop-top cap from a bottle
blue tack

Instructions: If you are using the cap from a water bottle cover the centre hole of the CD with a piece of tape and poke about 6 holes in the tape with a push-pin or small nail. This will slow down the flow of air and allow your hovercraft to hover longer.
Place the balloon over the mouth part of the cap open and blow that balloon up through the other side close and leave.
Use blue tack to attach to the centre of the CD or DVD disc I tried it with rubbish white tack and it worked and that stuff can’t even hold up my poster. Create a good seal to keep air from escaping. Use the edge of a ruler or fingernail to press into place and create a seal.
Make sure the pop-top is closed and fit the neck of the balloon over the pop-up portion of the cap.
Put the craft on a smooth surface and pop the top open.
To re-inflate either blow through the hole in the cd or take the balloon off and try to put it back on- better with 2 people.

Categories: STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Start and finish
Achieve goals
Participate

Rocket launch

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:48:58 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Outdoors
What you need- Bicarbonate of soda
Vinegar at least 1l
Kitchen roll
Bottle
Art supplies
No mess option-
1 balloon (round ones will work but the longer “airship” balloons work best)
1 long piece of string
1 straw
tape

Instructions: Attach 3 support sticks to the bottle so it can stand on its head or build a rocket launch pad.
Decorate the rocket- have fun talk about aerodynamics.
Fold 1-2 spoonsful of bicarbonate of soda in kitchen roll fill ½ the bottle with vinegar.
Place the cap back on the bottle and run if the bicarbonate of soda falls down.
To prevent this place a thin layer of water on top of the vinegar.
If not turn over and place on the ground or launch pad quickly.
Stand back. The longer it takes the higher it should go.
Discuss possible improvements- try again.

You could also turn this into a research project on propulsion.

No mess option-
Put the string through the straw.
Tie string across the room.
Attach the balloon to the straw.
Blow up a balloon (don’t tie).
Let go.

Categories: Teams
Team Builder
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Achieve goals
Be supportive
Participate
Understand safety

Mini derby

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:46:35 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Adaptable
Where?: Anywhere, indoors, outdoors or gym hall

What you need Wheels
Assorted stuff i.e. bottles chunks of wood cups pipe cleaners
Cardboard boxes x4 at least
Support structures i.e. chairs

Instructions: Create a ramp from boxes start at a height and try to make it mostly flat using support structures. Or use a hill.

Set the young people up at a table with assorted resources and the task to create the fastest car maybe add a wee driver.
Race cars!
Best ones are made from door stops.

Categories: Teams
STEM
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Start and finish
Achieve goals
Be supportive
Express opinions
Participate
Recognise achievement

Races

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:44:52 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Under 10 min
Where?: Outdoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Depending on type
Start and finish line markers
Eggs or alternative and spoons
-
Balls
Pennies
Bowls

Instructions: Wheelbarrow crab and bear-walk races
Animal races Hop like a bunny or frog; squat and waddle like a duck etc.
Egg and spoon.
Team races
Over and underline up and pass the ball over then undergoing up the line the last person brings it back to the front the first team to get the first person at the start of the game to the end of the line wins!
Drop the penny-
To set this relay up start by marking off two lines a starting line and a turn-around line. Divide your players into teams. Place an egg carton (lid removed) about halfway between the two lines one for each team.
Next head to the turn-around line where you'll place a bowl containing enough pennies for each player.
The first player from each team starts the game by racing to the bowl and picking up one penny. Then they run to their team's egg carton and from waist height drop the penny into one of the carton's cups (decide in advance whether second chances are allowed if a player misses). The game is over when one team has successfully dropped a penny into each cup in their egg carton.
Mix it up-
Simple relay race but each person must move differently from everyone who came before them one runs one skips one hop and so on.

Categories: Teams
Movement
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Achieve goals
Be inclusive
Be supportive
Participate

Balloon volleyball

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:43:02 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Balloon
2 chairs
String

Instructions: Create your playing field by tying the yarn across a 10-foot area free of furniture and other obstructions. The yarn must be at least one foot above the floor attach each end to a chair.
Each team moves to opposite sides of the string. Ask them to lean on the floor “crab style” with their faces up to the ceiling using their hands and feet to support their bodies. They must remain in this position throughout the entire game.
One person begins by kicking the balloon into the air. Their teammate then scurries to the balloon and tries to launch it over the string and to the other side. The opposing team then kicks the balloon so it floats back.
If one team allows the balloon to touch the floor on its side the other team earns one point. That team then serves trying to kick the balloon to the other side. Play continues until one team reaches 15 points and becomes the winner.
DITCH THE NET-
Regular volleyball with 3 teams or balloon volleyball but the net team sits and can use their hands.
The "net" can take one step in any direction (only one step) to hit the ball. The "net" can change direction of play at any time.

Categories: Teams
Movement
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Achieve goals
Be inclusive
Be supportive
Participate

Balloon football

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:41:10 GMT

Group size: Medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Where?: Gym hall/ similar

What you need- A balloon
Instructions: This game is easy simply drop a balloon in the middle of a long rectangle table and have each team try to blow the football toward the other’s side goal.
Or
Get two teams and play it like football.
Or
Play elephant football. Where the players form a circle foot apart and touching the person next to them. Then use one arm to try and put the balloon through the legs of another person. If this happens they turn around and if it happens again they are out.
Or
Just let them run around with a balloon any activity is good activity.
Categories: Movement
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Accept failure
Learn from failure
Achieve goals
Participate
Recognise achievement

Indoor hockey

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:39:39 GMT

Group size: Big group 10+
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Gym hall/ similar

What you need Hockey sticks
Ball
Cones
Bibs

Instructions: A team consists of six players on the pitch one of whom is a goalkeeper with a maximum 12 players on a team. The players may not hit the ball but only push it or deflect it and may not raise the ball except in the shooting area (about 1 meter in front of goal or the penalty spot) with the purpose of scoring a goal.

Penalties awarded for lifting or kicking the ball going out of bounds and breakages of any additional rules i.e. no contact.

Categories: Teams
Team Builder
Movement
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Accept failure
Set goals
Achieve goals
Show respect
Participate
Recognise achievement
Understand safety

Papier-mâché pretzel

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:38:05 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Anywhere, indoors, outdoors or gym hall

What you need Newspaper
Paste (a combination of flour and water)
Paint
Brushes

For other projects
Pipe cleaners
Wire
Toilet/ kitchen roll tubes
Assorted balloons
Crepe paper

Instructions: Twist newspaper into a sausage about 30″ long using masking tape to keep twisted. Form into a pretzel shape and tape to secure.
Rip strips of newspaper and let soak in a bowl of warm water
Use the wet strips of newspaper and mod podge to paper mâché the pretzels.
Let dry completely.
Paint the pretzels in pastel colours.
Use a smaller paintbrush to paint small sprinkles onto the pretzels.
Glue or tape a loop of string onto the back of the pretzel for hanging.
Tape the pretzels to the wall.
Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Start and finish
Express themselves
Participate

Quilling designs

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:35:22 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Thin strips of paper (3mm wide)/ quilling paper)
Toothpicks or cotton bud
Glue
Card
Scissors

Note quilling scissors can cut the correct size.

Instructions: Cut the ends off your Q-tip and use it to roll one of your paper strips into a tight coil.
Apply a small amount of glue to the end and press it down for a few seconds (I’m using YES! Paste here).
Now pull out your Q-tip “quill” – you have just completed your first tight coil.
Roll another coil the same way but when you get to the end pull out your quill and release your grip just a little so your coil begins to expand. You can let it expand a lot or just a little…. it’s up to you. A small amount of glue will hold it in place at the size you want. We’ll call this a loose coil.
Now make two more loose coils. Pinch one of them on one side to form a teardrop shape. Pinch the other one on two opposing sides to form an eye shape.
To make a graceful “S” curve roll a strip halfway and release it. Then roll the other end of the strip halfway in the opposite direction and release again.
A heart shape is made by first folding your paper strip in half. Then roll each end in toward the middle releasing when you get to the size you want your heart shape to be.
Finally use small amounts of glue to assemble your shapes into all kinds of fun designs.

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Learn from failure
Start and finish
Achieve goals
Take responsibility
Be inclusive
Be supportive
Participate

Marbling

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:33:28 GMT

Group size: Adaptable Big group 10+ small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: Under 10 min
Where?: Anywhere, indoors, outdoors or gym hall

What you need Shaving FOAM
Shallow baking dish
Liquid watercolour paint (or watered-down food colouring)
Droppers
Stir stick such as a chopstick or the bottom of a paint brush
Paper or Card
A scraper such as a square piece of cardboard

Vegetable oil
Food colouring or liquid watercolours
paper or cardstock
Droppers (optional)
Dishes and utensils (pie pan or baking dish small cups or bowls forks spoons)
Instructions: Using shaving foam-
First spray a layer of shaving cream to cover the bottom of your baking dish.
Then use a dropper to add drops of liquid watercolour paint on top of the shaving cream. Next use a stick to swirl the paint around for a marbled effect. Press a piece of paper or card into the paint covered shaving cream lift off. Scrape off the shaving cream.

Using oil and water-
Pour a small amount of vegetable oil into a dish and add food colouring. Stir vigorously with a fork so the big drops of colour are dispersed throughout the oil as smaller droplets. Repeat with as many colours as you want to use. Pour an inch of water give or take into a shallow pie pan or baking dish. Use a dropper or spoon to transfer the oil + colour mixture to the dish of water. Use one colour or many. Lay your paper on top of the water. Lay the newly marbled paper flat to dry.

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Start and finish
Be inclusive
Express themselves
Participate

Stained glass

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:31:37 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Glasses or laminated outlines paints and brushes or pens.
Instructions: Paint a design on glass colour in the design using the templates.
Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes:
Increase confidence
Start and finish
Express themselves
Participate

Clay masks and hearts

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:29:50 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Air dry clay coverings for table pens paint brushes water cups cookie cutters (heart) objects that make shapes i.e. fondant cutters tools for shaping the icing
Aprons are optional.

Instructions: For masks- give a lump of clay and some tools. Let creativity run its course.
For hearts- Use cookie cutters to shape hearts.

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Start and finish
Take responsibility
Express themselves

Clay flowers

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:27:23 GMT

Group size: Adaptable, Big group 10+, small group 3+ and medium 5-9
Timescale: 10-30 min
Where?: Indoors
Where?: Gym hall/ similar

What you need Air dry clay coverings for table flowers rolling pin paint brushes
-String/wool

Instructions: Select the flowers you want to press into the clay slab. You can use either fresh flowers from your garden or from a bouquet or artificial flowers. Place the flowers on top of the clay slab without actually pressing them into the clay until you feel satisfied with the arrangement. Once you're happy with the flower positions use the rolling pin to roll over the clay slab gently pressing down to create an impression of the flowers on the clay. The flowers will stick into the clay. Use the very tip of a clay knife or cookery knife to lift up the flowers and remove them. You can now paint the clay with ceramic paint.
In a variation you can also use string for the pattern.

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Start and finish
Express themselves
Participate
Recognise achievement

Basket case!

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:24:39 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Indoors

What you need Paper bowl
Yarn (at least three different colours)
Scissors

Instructions: First cut a slit from the rim of the bowl to the flat part of the bowl. Don’t go too deep into the bowl just to where the flat part starts.
Continue to make slits like the first all around the bowl about two inches apart. For a six-inch diameter bowl it’s about six slits.
Take a piece of yarn about three feet long and tie it to one of the cut sections of the bowl.
Start weaving the yarn in and out of the slits of the bowl until the yarn runs out.
Then tie another colour of yarn where the first piece left off continue to weave the yarn in and out of the slits.
Weave to the top of the bowl and tie off the end.

Categories: Duke of Edinburgh
The Arts
Core outcomes: Start and finish
Express themselves
Participate
Recognise achievement

Twoot twoo

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:19:13 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Indoors

What you need Owl template - https// www.allcrafts.net/owlcrafts.htm
Felt in varying colours
Scissors
Needle
Thread
Coloured embroidery thread
Sewing pins
5-6 cotton balls

Instructions: Pin your template to the felt you’d like to use for the wings of your owl. Cut your wings out. Pin the middle template of your owl to the felt you’d like to use for the body of the bird. Using your white felt cut out two circles about the size of your thumb. These are for the eyes. Cut out two small circles and a break from your black felt and a little tummy (if you want!) from another shade of felt. If you want a faster option you can glue the tummy beak and eyes in place.
Pin the tummy in place. To attach the small black circles use some coloured embroidery thread and tie a knot at the end. Tie off the small tail and string the thread through the black dot so the knot is on the OUTSIDE. Then string it through the centre of the white eye. Secure and repeat for the other eye. Continue to sew all the other embellishments into place.
Now it’s time to assemble your owl! Place the owl face down on the back fabric. You want both front sides facing each other and the back sides facing out…that way when you turn it inside out the front sides are on the outside! Pin the segments of the cut templates back into place.
Sew around the template stitching the two fabrics together. Cut about a quarter of an inch around your stitching to remove excess fabric. Remove the template and discard. Turn your owl inside out so the wrong side is now inside and the right side is on the outside. Pull your cotton balls apart so they’re long and stringy. Stuff some into the ears of your owl first and then stuff until he’s full! Sew the hole closed and you’ve got yourself a cute little owl!

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Start and finish
Achieve goals
Express themselves
Participate
Recognise achievement

Feltabet

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:17:57 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 1-2hrs
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Felt
Scissors
Needle
Thread
Pins
Printed out letters to trace onto your felt
Stuffing

Instructions: Cut the letters out from the paper and trace them onto the felt. Make sure to make two of each letter for a front and back! Pin the letters together. Find some matching embroidery thread and thread your needle. Stitch around the edge of the pinned letters using a simple whip stitch (see below). Before finishing the letter stuff it with your stuffing (natural stuffing?). Sew up the remainder of the letter and tie it off.

Whipstitch-
Begin the whip stitch by tying a knot at the end of your thread. Then poke your needle up through the top layer of fabric about 1/8" in from between the two pieces.
Next poke the needle up through both layers of fabric so the needle and thread come up in almost the same place as in step 1. By doing this the thread should be wrapped around the edges of the fabric in one neat stitch. Once again poke the needle up through both layers of fabric. Poke the needle through the same hole as before so this next stitch will cover the first stitch. However this time you will angle the needle so that it comes up about 1/8" from the first stitch (as well as 1/8" from the edge of the fabric). Pull this stitch tight and you should have what still looks like one stitch but the thread is coming out of the fabric next to it. Now poke the needle up through the fabric directly under where the thread is coming up. But again angle the needle so that the end comes out next to this second stitch. It should be parallel to the first stitch.

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Start and finish
Achieve goals
Express themselves
Participate
Recognise achievement

Felt Butterfly and flower

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:15:04 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Indoors
Gym hall/ similar

What you need Glue felt scissors
optional templates.
-14+
Needle thread.
Instructions: Cut out a butterfly and flower outline start glueing. For older groups a needle and thread can be used instead of glue.
Categories: Duke of Edinburgh
The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Start and finish
Take responsibility
Express themselves
Participate

Apple or other fruit (yarn)

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 19:11:53 GMT

Group size: Individual
Timescale: 30-60 min
Where?: Indoors
Where?: Gym hall/ similar

What you need craft yarn – red green or yellow
pipe cleaners
brown and green
piece of cardboard – 2 in x 5 in

Instructions: First find a piece of cardboard to help you with the winding. If you want a smaller apple use a piece of cardboard that is 2 inches thick. Or if you want it a little larger go 3 inches. Bend the piece of cardboard in half a bit just so it’s easier to take the yarn off when it’s done being wrapped. Take your yarn colour of choice and start wrapping it around your cardboard about 100 times. Cut string. Cut your brown piece of pipe cleaner in half and slip one through your winded up yarn. Then twist up the end together forming a stem for the top of the apple.

You now put the other cut half brown pipe cleaner through again and twist it up on the opposite end of the yarn creating the round apple and looking like the little bottom end of an apple. Twist it up ways then cut off the pipe cleaner with scissors fairly close to the yarn and bend that end of the wire in.

Categories: The Arts
Core outcomes: Increase confidence
Start and finish
Listen
Express themselves
Participate
Recognise achievement