Stunts and Games for Small Numbers

Crocodile

One or more teams try to form a crocodile of people, although 'centipede' would be a more apt! One person is the anchor and forms the tail by getting down first on hands on knees. Successive members of the team then add segments to the crocodile by placing their hands in front of the last person down with their legs resting on the back of the person behind them. This continues until the whole team is in place. Once the whole team has created their crocodile try moving!
Can also be used as a race.

[NB: Girls wearing loosing fitting tops (such as T-shirts) may find it useful to make sure that their tops are tucked into trousers or skirts. Otherwise the player behind can get an unexpected view!]

Egg Throw

Something to try outside! An egg or small ball is thrown between two players, each takes a step backwards for every successful catch they make. If an egg is used this will break sooner or later.

Honor of ‘Siam’ 

Taken from a very old book, hence the use of 'Siam'. All taking part are informed that the organiser has been given the privilege of being able grant anybody they wish with enlightenment and the ‘Honor of Siam’. The honor being given in a simple ceremony:-

All participating sit on their knees facing the organiser and at the end of each phrase bow their heads to the floor with arms outstretched saying each time they do so:

"Oh waa" (bow)
"T-ah nah" (bow)
"Siam" (bow)

Participants continue to do this getting faster until enlightenment is achieved!

Hula-hoop Pass

Sent in by Erika Dorsey

Ideally for groups of 5 or more people. All players join hands in a circle with one pair joining hands through the hula hoop. The object of the game is to get the hula hoop around the circle without anybody letting go of the others' hands.

"Inky Poo" 

Glyn School, Epsom. 1980's

This one was used during Glyn School 6th Form (17-18 year olds) biology field trips, and can either be used in the form described here or amended to suit as a ongoing stunt for holidays and holiday projects.

Decide on a stupid code word such as "Inky Poo" (which is the one that got used on these trips). Make it clear that this code word can only be used once or twice a day and only one person is allowed to call it out To start off with you could make this person yourself so that everybody gets the idea, however the person who has the privilege has to wear something stupid… (eg a limpet shell with a bit of seaweed made into hat). However within these restrictions they can use the code word at anytime, at which point everybody taking part has to carry out a daft action. In this case it was to lie on your backs waving your arms and legs in the air shouting "Horses, horses!". The last person to comply is the next person who has to wear the silly hat for the day and gets the privilege of calling out next time. Sounds daft? Very!! But fun as there is no real limit to where you can call use the code word, such on buses, middle of supermarkets, middle of mud flats, transport cafes…. So long as the place chosen is not dangerous.

If you are thinking of doing something like this with younger youth, it would probably be better to keep the privilege of calling out the code word to leaders to make sure its done safely. And possibly to choose an action that’s more appropriate for the group. Oh... and make sure the leaders do it as well!!

Pole Game

Submitted by Joan Esser

Take a 5 foot closet pole. Drill a hole two inches up the pole all the way through the pole on both ends.  The hole should be large enough to put a small rope through it.  Enough rope to tie around your waist.  In the middle of the pole drill another hole straight through.  Drill a hole through the top of a tennis ball.  With a string tie a knot large enough at the end so that you can shove it into the ball and it will stay.  Tie the end of that string (2feet long) through the middle hole of the pole and let it hang.

The object of the game is to tie the pole to a player on each end. With their hands behind their back they must swing the ball around the pole until it is wound to the end.  Then reverse the effort to unwind it. This is a timed game and can be with as many groups of two that you want. Hip movement and coordination of movement with your team mate a must.

Pyramids 

Don't do this on a hard floor and not for those with weak backs. Outside on grass or if you have crash mats use them. One or more teams try to create a pyramid building up layers by players resting on all fours (hands and knees) on the backs of the players below. Not as easy as it sounds and it is suggested that due to the weight on those at the bottom of the pyramid you make it a maximum of three layers high... ie 6 people.

Right Foot, Left Foot

Sent in by Roy Craver

Have the group form a circle by placing their right foot next to the left foot of the individual next to them. Now without breaking contact move counter clockwise one turn.

"Younger kids usually solve it very fast by just jumping on the count of three. Older scouts do a more systematic approach and usually end up with a centipede solution. I like it because it requires no props little explanation and helps to identify youths in a group with natural leadership skills."- Roy Craver

Scissors, Paper, Stone 

(See Elves Wizards Giants for a team game version.)

Very simple game for two people. Each player tries to outwit the other by coming up with the winning symbol using a hand to indicate what they have chosen out of Scissors, Paper or Stone. So that:-

Stone blunts scissors: stone wins
Scissors cut paper: scissors win
Paper wraps stone: paper wins
If both the same: neither win/draw

Scissors: Hand held in a fist but extending first amd middle fingers to make a 'V' held horizontally
Paper: Hand held out flat.
Stone: Hand held as a balled fist

The game is played so that players hold their hands behind their backs and on a count of three reveal what symbol they had chosen. Alternatively instead of hiding their hands behind their backs, bang their own fists together on the counts of one and two before extending one hand into the symbol they were going to use on the count of three. It's important players show their chosen symbol together. Points goes to the player who wins each round.

It is also sometimes seen played with a third category.... "Dynamite" shown as a balled fist with the thumb sticking out. Dynamite wins against all the others except scissors because this cuts the fuse.

Sitting Circle 

With players standing in a circle try and get them to sit on each other's lap so that a complete circle is formed.

Spinning Pairs

Get into pairs and face each other. Place your palms on other's palms between you a little above shoulder height. Both partners close their eyes and pull their palms apart (approx. 12 inches) while keeping their palms at that height. Both then turn around on their respective spots 3 times at the same time. The goal is to reconnect palms after spinning while keeping your eyes closed.

Submarine

[Ed: Claire's undertaker game reminded me of this one that we used to do.]

Select somebody who doesn't know the game and game for a laugh (at their expense). Ask them to lie down on the floor and place a coat over them so that the arm hole to one of the sleeves is over their face. Ask the victim to hold the sleeve upright as they are now in a submarine and this is the periscope of the submarine. If you want to be very elaborate at this point you could give them a mirror attached to a long stick down the sleeve which they can take hold of with their other hand to turn and look around the tube created by the sleeve, but it's not necessary.

Explain that they are now going to be given a quick course in controlling the submarine and learn a few commands which you get them to repeat after you and will control the boats movement. Eg -

"Hard to Port" = turn left.
"Hard to Starboard" = turn right.
"Dive, Dive, Dive" = Submarine dives under the water.

When the victim says "dive, dive, dive" pour some water down the arm hole and explain they forgot to take the periscope down....

Thumb Wrestling

For two players. Each player grips the others right hand so fingers are hooked, leaving the thumbs free. Players count to three moving their thumbs alternately to each side, after `three’ each player has to try and capture their opponents thumb and hold it down.

The Undertaker Game

Sent in by Claire Ferguson

Take one person out of the room who doesn’t know the game. Then explain to the rest of the group that you are going to pretend to take the person’s measurements for a coffin but your actually going to pour water down their trouser leg! Bring the person back in and pretend your measuring them (you may need an assistant) then pour the water down their leg.