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Games with sponges and foam blocks

Sponges and other toys made of foam have the advantage; they can be used over and over again and virtually are indestructible. Game elements made from foam can already be crafted in a group afternoon. All you need are a few old mattresses and then, the kids can cut out different shapes you might need for other games. The possibilities are limitless. The game ideas can start by cleaning objects as quickly as possible with a sponge, the famous sponge battle or to defend one’s field. You can either shoot down as many as possible “enemies” or try to get as many as possible sponges into the other field.

1. Sponge battle

   A hot battle with sponges with plenty of water and maybe some paint.

2. Field defence

   Throwing as many as possible sponges in the opponent’s field, while keeping the own field free of them.

3. Cleaning Frenzy

   Cleaning a dirt smeared surface with the help pf a sponge in the shortest time possible.

4. Catching the sponge

   Everyone is trying to catch a sponge. Whoever misses the sponge is eliminated from the game.

5. Sponge crash

   The objective of this game is to throw two sponges at the same time with the intention for them to crash into each other in the air.

6. Sponge Chain

   A wet sponge is handed down from person to person. The remaining water is wrung into a bucket and measured.

7. Sponge stacking

   Throwing wet or even dry sponges and at the end stack them to a tower

8. Well padded

   For this game, you will need plenty of sponges to pad one of the kids.

9. Cockfight

   The famous cockfighting game, but this time the opponents are padded with sponges

10. Foam roll

    Stuffing a roll with sponges or foam pieces and rolling it down a hill.

11. Wet touches

    The objective is for two kids to squeeze a wet sponge between their bellies, run with it for 5m and then wring the remaining water into a bucket.

12. Hitting the sack

    2 potato sacks are filled with foam. Subsequently, each fighter tries to beat the opponent out of the circle.

13. Hidden and immured

    This game of hide and seek is suitable for a swimming pool full of foam pieces.

14. Touching with a sponge

    Participants must touch a sponge with certain body parts.

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Games with Brooms

Even with one or two brooms you can come up with some exciting games for a group afternoon. However, if you think about a relay race, you might need a few more objects. Brooms can be used from the relay race to the javelin throwing and most certainly, brooms are great for all balancing games. This will promote the sense of balance of kids. However, the team leader is advised to take good care that no one gets hurt. Another thing to consider is that the broom handle is made from wood and therefore is likely to break. Make sure, whenever you think of broom games to have a few spare ones just in case.

1. Balancing a broom

   Balancing a broom on your palm.

2. Balancing relay

   Balancing a broom on the palm while completing a relay race.

3. Broom Javelin

   “Misusing” a broom for javelining.

4. Target throwing with a broom

   Shooting a broom through a hoop.

5. Target rings for broom shooting

   A broom has to be thrown into different-sized target rings with also score differently.

6. Witches’ broom

   A catching game while riding on a broom ...

7. Broom hopping

   Covering a certain distance while standing on a broom

8. Broom stilts

   2 brooms serve as stilts to complete a race.

9. Water transport

   Transporting water on your shoulders with the broomstick. – On each side is a bucket of water.

10. Sweeping

    Sweeping as much as possible sand into a bucket.

11. Transport Stretcher

    2 broomsticks serve as a stretcher on which a volunteer is transported.

12. Hockey

    The broom is used as a hockey stick

13. Broom Slalom

    A small ball must be manoeuvred through an obstacle course or slalom

14. Broom croquet

    The broom is used instead of a croquet bat

15. Water Slide

    With a broom, water has to be pushed uphill into a trough

16. Transport staff

    2 players are trying to transport an object on a broom.

17. Stiff as a poker

    1-2 broomsticks are inserted through sweater and pant leg. The candidate has to complete and obstacle course this way.

18. Race

    The entire group holds on a broom and complete a hurdle race without ever letting go of the broom.

19. Socket fight

    2 fighters stand opposite each other on pedestals. The objective is to push each other off the base using a broom.

20. Everything revolves around the broom

    The players must hold on to a broom and rotate several times around it. Then they have to try jumping over an on the ground lying broom.

21. Broom-chocolate bar eating contest

    As quickly as possible the candidate has to eat a chocolate bar, which is attached to a rope.

22. Catching the broomstick

    The objective is to catch a broomstick which is sliding down.

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Games with Ladders

For the common ladder game, you will need one or more ladders. However, this kind of games is more for older kids because almost always are a bit challenging. In addition, the team leader must secure the ladders safely, because the risk of injury is relatively big. Those risks are the greatest in various climbing games where the kids have to complete certain tasks, such as crawl in and out between the rungs like a serpentine at the same time. However, the ladder does not necessarily be secured to the ground. The ladder could be suspended from a tree just as well. This, of course, makes the game much more difficult.

1. Snake crawling

   Crawling through the rungs of a ladder.

2. Snake climbing

   Climbing through the rungs of a horizontally fixed ladder

3. Dangling ladder climbing

   Climbing up a dangling ladder.

4. The slanted ladder

   Climb on a dangling and slanting ladder.

5. The walking ladder

   A few volunteers hold the ladder upwards with ropes. Now the contestant has to cover a certain trail like that.

6. Ladder Stilts Race

   2 ladders are the stilts on which a candidate has to move around.

7. Wagon

   The team completed an obstacle course on a ladder.

8. Balancing a ladder

   Holding a ladder vertically and balancing it at the same time.

9. The Stretcher

   A ladder is used as a stretcher. Either objects or people have to be carried in this relay race.

10. In the footsteps of the pioneers

    Building a bridge with ladders and ropes

11. A balancing act

    Putting wooden boards between two ladders and then balance on them.

12. The seesaw

    The objective is to keep a ladder suspended and in balance

13. Ladder pushing

    Two teams stand at the end of a ladder trying to pull each other over a marker.

14. Up the ladder

    A volunteer needs to climb a ladder up and down.

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Games with Blankets

Smaller games can be carried out with old blankets, towels and bath towels. The great advantage of this is that the blankets and towels can be used both indoors and outdoors. For example, all kids have to stand on one towel. If that works well, then the towel is folded in half. Best you use towels and blankets which still have a bit of life in them and do not fall apart at the feet of the kids. Towels and blankets can easily be used for all kind of guessing games.

1. Blanket scooting

   The objective is while sitting on a blanket the candidate has to scoot across the finishing line.

2. Portable Hammock

   The objective is to carry a child who is laying on a blanket.

3. What do I feel?

   Feeling and guessing objects which are hidden underneath a blanket.

4. Who's under the covers?

   Who knows who is under the covers? A guessing game to get to know each other.

5. Football on a blanket

   Players have to direct a balloon through a tube on a blanket

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Games with a Parachute

One parachute might be sufficient to keep an entire group of kids and young people entertained for an afternoon. However, obtaining a parachute is not that easy. If you really can’t get hold of a parachute, a big blanket or tarp will do. With those games, kids need to support each other to solve tasks. For example, making waves with a blanket. Whenever kids are embarking on games with a parachute, never leave them unsupervised. It is important that no kids get completely wrapped up in the parachute.

1. Changing your position at the blanket

   People change their position at the blanket

2. The tent

   Swinging a blanket up into the air so that it forms a dome.

3. Wrapping up

   A volunteer becomes a gyroscope

4. Polar Bear game

   The polar bears have to try to catch an Eskimo which is in the safety of his igloo

5. The Carousel

   A large and sturdy tarp serves as a carousel, which is put into motion by the team leaders or parents.

6. Popcorn

   There are many small balls on a large blanket. They have to stay on it as long as possible.

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