Animals in Action

  1. Icebreaker

  • Any Size

  • Grades 1-2

  • None

Development Goal

To develop hand-eye coordination, rhythm and awareness of different animal sounds.

Before You Start

  • Identify a long object that two people can hold, such as a yard stick.
  • Have players stand in a large circle, allowing some space between each person.

Set Up

Designate a safe play area for entire group to stand in a circle.

How to Play

  • One person in the middle will close his/her eyes and spin slowly with the yardstick. Everyone in the circle must move in a clockwise motion to a beat from one or more players.
  • The player in the middle will gently tap the yardstick on the ground three times to let the circle know it’s time to stop moving. The player in the middle will then, with her/his eyes still closed, extend the yardstick to someone in the circle.
  • Whoever the yardstick points to must grab the end of the opposite. If two players are not sure who is closest to the yardstick, they will silently play rock paper scissors. The player in the middle asks to hear an animal. The player on the other side of the yardstick must, to the best of their ability, make the sound of the animal.
  • The player in the middle gets one guess to name which player is making the animal sound.
  • Players who make the sound become the new person in the middle.