Schoolyard Games: Elves, Giants and Wizards

Here's a spin on an old favourite.

Elves, Giants and Wizards

This is a full-bodied version of "rock, paper, scissors", but for this game, Elves beat Wizards, Wizards beat Giants and Giants beat Elves.

In a park or backyard, map out a playing area and mark home bases for each time.

Next, divide players into two teams. Each team huddles at the centre of the playing area and chooses whether they will be Elves, Giants or Wizards. Once they've chosen, they line up facing each other (about 8' apart).

On the count of three, each team yells out their choice. The losing team now must run to their home base without getting tagged by someone from the winning team. Anyone tagged joins the other team. The game continues with the teams returning to the centre and choosing again. The game ends when everyone is on one team.

Suggestions:   

1. For younger kids, have a parent or older child help the teams decide what they will be on each turn.
2. Try having children invent movements to enhance the game - for example standing on tip-toes for giants, pointing fingers as if to cast spells for wizards, or crouching low for elves.

By Rochelle Strauss