Why do we play games in Girl Scouts?

• To help girls and leaders get acquainted easily and enjoy being together.
• To meet some of the needs of the whole group and of individuals. For example, games can give girls a chance:
  • To be active and noisy after a time they had to be quiet.
  • To learn teamwork and fair play.
  • To learn to win or lose in a good natured way.
  • To be both leaders and followers.
• To present new information or skills in an engaging way.
• To review or practice skills in an enjoyable way.
• To help girls understand and appreciate both similar and different games of Girl Scouts in other countries.

How do we prepare to teach games?

• Choose games to teach according to:
  • The ages, interests, and abilities of the group.
  • The special purpose you want each game to serve.
  • The size and type of play space available.
  • The weather – during hot days, choose less active games, a shaded space, or water based games if possible.
• Know the games you want to play well enough that you don’t have to refer to a book or notes.
• Start with simple/familiar games and work up to new ones that are harder.
• Alternate between quiet games and exciting games.
• Collect all necessary equipment.

How do we teach games?

• Get the attention of the group and have them get into formation for playing the game.
• Explain or show the game briefly and let them play right away.
• If the game is hard, show them one part at a time, letting them try each part immediately.
• Let them have fun with the game before you check on mistakes, but stop when necessary to make rules or actions more clear.
• As soon as the girls are able, let them carry on the game themselves. Help them only if questions or disagreements arise which they can’t settle.
• In competitive games, encourage the girls to play for the fun of the game and for their team and to applaud or otherwise recognize the winning team.
• When teaching singing games, be sure you have practiced the song so everyone knows it.
• If a competitive game is coming to a close and you can feel the rivalry getting out of hand, take a group time out and ask, “how do we act when we win?”, “how do we act when we lose?” and get the girls input on what good sportsmanship looks like. Then continue and finish the game.