Overview
Imagine what it would be like to have paws instead of fingers! In this game, children are challenged to do everyday activities while wearing mittens. Tie your shoes, button a shirt, or my favorite -- open a piece of wrapped candy!
Age
School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
5 to 10, 10 to 20, 20+Team Division
Every man for himself (individual players), Teamwork! (divide into teams), All together now! (everyone works together)Competitiveness
Either/or (can be played either way)Difficulty
Easy peasy (fun and simple)Indoor or Outdoor
EitherSpace Needed
Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage), Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage)Noise Level
Semi-rambunctiousMess Factor
Clean and tidyPrep Time
5 minutes or lessGame Time Length
5 - 15 minutesSupplies
Setup
1. Divide the group into two or more even teams.
2. Provide each team with a pair of mittens.
3. Place a container of small wrapped candies about 10 feet away.
How to Play
1. On "Go!" the first person on each team puts on the mittens and runs to the container of candy.
2. They need to quickly grab, unwrap, and eat a piece of candy with the mittens on.
3. An adult is to carefully supervise to make sure the candy is completely chewed and swallowed before the player is allowed to continue.
4. When they have finished eating the candy, they run back to their team and pass the mittens to the next person.
5. Each person on each team must successfully grab, unwrap, and eat a piece of candy.
6. The team that completes the relay first, wins!
Variations
1. Instead of unwrapping candy, the task can be wrapping a present, tying a knot, picking a penny up off the floor...
2. You can also add multiple tasks to the relay!
3. This game can be played individually. Place all the children in a circle and pass out multiple pairs of mittens. The children that have the mittens unwrap and eat a candy, then pass the mittens to their left.
Tips
1. The candies being used should have easy wrappers: Starbursts, Hershey's Kisses, etc.
2. Use candies that can be eaten quickly -- no hard candies.
3. If you are playing this as a relay, make sure the children understand they MUST finish the candy and swallow carefully BEFORE running back to their teammates.