Overview
How long can you stay frozen in place while being "cleaned" by a tickling feather or keep a straight face while being stared at? Play this game and find out how good your statue skills are!
Age
Preschool, School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
5 to 10, 10 to 20Team Division
Every man for himself (individual players)Competitiveness
Either/or (can be played either way)Difficulty
Attention, please! (a few rules to follow)Indoor or Outdoor
EitherSpace Needed
Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage)Noise Level
QuietMess Factor
Clean and tidyPrep Time
No prep time needed!Game Time Length
5 - 15 minutesSupplies
Setup
1. Select one person to be the "janitor".
2. Have all the other players (the "statues") gather around the janitor.
3. Hand the janitor his cleaning tool - a clean feather duster, a puff ball, a soft rag, anything tickely (if you like).
4. Explain to everyone that the janitor may not touch the statues with his or her hands, only the feather duster may be used, and then, only on three statues.
How to Play
1. On "Go", the janitor begins to count to ten.
2. All the statues scatter around the playing field.
3. Upon reaching "10", the janitor shouts - "freeze".
4. All the statues must freeze in whatever position they are in (some may be mid run, but that's what makes this fun).
5. The janitor walks around observing all the statues, looking them in the eyes, making comments about their position, watching for movement of any kind.
6. Should the janitor see movement from any statue, they are "out", and must sit down where they are.
7. For the more steady statues in the group the janitor may choose up to three statues to gently "clean" with his/her feather duster.
8. The last statue standing becomes the next janitor.
Variations
1. After each statue fails, the janitor counts to 10 again, allowing those remaining to change their position. (This version is great for young kids that can't hold one position for too long).
2. Make the statues sneaky. When the janitor's back is turned the statues can move, but if the janitor turns and catches them...well, then of course, they are out.
3. Set a time limit to see how many statues the janitor can eliminate in the allotted time.
Tips
1. Keep the janitor moving, encourage him/her to walk around and not spend too much time on one statue.
2. Encourage the janitor to say funny things, make silly comments, whatever, to try and get the statue to move.
3. Make sure the janitor never touches the statue with his/her hands - only with the feather duster.
4. Make sure the janitor is gentle with the feather duster, and never places it up someone's nose or in their mouth. No poking with the feather duster.