wibadgercamp

We all need to be physically active, not just for our bodies but for our minds and for fun. The best way to encourage fun, physical activity is to make a game of it! Name your prize and see who can have the most fun during the day.

Size of Group: 1-6

Equipment: Poster board or canvas, markers, stickers or post-it notes.

Objective: Promote physical activity and wellness in participants, sportsmanship in play, socializing and group activity participation. Let participants help design the board and they can work on penmanship and artistic abilities too.

Description: On your board, use the markers to create bingo grid with as many rows and columns as you desire. Next, fill in each box with an exercise activity; anything from swimming, running, basketball, jumping rope, hop-scotch—whatever you’d like that’s a physical activity! Make sure to make the center space a “free” space because this is bingo, after all. Let the participants chose activities and set a time limit before they move on to the next one. Follow the rules of bingo: they have to fill in boxes to make a line across, up-and-down, or diagonal to win. After each activity completed, let them put a sticker or a post-it note with their name on it in the space to track their progress. When a participant completes a full line, they can shout, “BINGO!” and claim a prize.

We all get hungry, and what’s better than some cookies? Kids or adults can agree to participate in this activity because nobody is going to turn down something this delicious and easy to make!

Size of Group: 1-3 (not including parent/adult assistant)

Equipment: Oven, large mixing bowl, 3 small bowls, rubber spatula, 1 sheet parchment or cooking paper, cookie sheet, 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg.

Objective: Participants are given the chance to work as a team towards a goal, follow a set of simple instructions, count and measure, and learn safe practiced for handling food.

Description: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating up, mix peanut butter, sugar and the egg into large mixing bowl until smooth. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then place on parchment covered cookie sheet, or use a scoot to create the cookie balls. Use a fork (note: probably not a good idea to use the forks from the fork painting exercise!) to press the balls flat, then press again from the opposite direction, which will create the pattern on the top of the cookie. Bake for 12 minutes and allow to cool for 2 minutes before moving to a safe area to continue cooling. These cookies are chewy and taste great!

Tired of the same old paints and brushes? Can’t find your art supplies? Well, you can change it up with some common items around your home to make new, eye-catching works of art.

Size of Group: 1-6

Equipment: Paint (acrylic) of various colors, 1-3 forks per participant, construction/sheet paper, paper plates/plastic lids, paper towels (for clean-up), and aprons (because painting can get messy, especially when you’re having fun!)

Objective: Build creativity and outside the box thinking; encourage spatial reasoning, sharing and peer cooperation.

Description: Enjoy using your imagination! Using a fork to paint with isn’t like using a brush. What can we paint? Flowers? Animals? What does a fork look like? Give each participant paper, an apron, and some paper towels to put their forks on during and after the project. Then, place a half-dollar sized glob of paint onto the paper plates/plastic lids for each desired color. Then give 1-3 forks to each participant (Important note: if using plastic silverware, the ones without ridges on the bottom work best.) Then everyone can make their own works of art.

Everyone likes to bowl once in a while even though most of us aren’t that good (Including Austin). Well here is a cool little activity that doesn’t require all that many items and whatever you have around your house will usually be all you need!

Size of Group: 1-5

Equipment: Bowling - 10 (can be water bottles, Plastic Cups, cans, or anything your imagination can think of), A ball, and a place to play

Objective: Builds sportsmanship, counting the pins and adding score can work on math skills, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and Social skills

Description: Obviously we all know how bowling pins are set up- if not they will be placed in a triangle and start with one pin in the front 2 in the second row and 3 in the third and ending up with 4 in the back row. Don’t set them up too close or they won’t knock them all down properly. (see attached picture) You can set up the pins anywhere you would like may it be outside on the sidewalk or driveway, a long table inside the house for someone who requires a platform that is off the ground or a hallway where the walls act as gutters! Stand at least 6-10 feet away (or further for more of a challenge) and put a line on the floor where you have to stand using tape or even a sticky note. Once there you have to roll the ball to knock over the pins. Points system can be set up to whatever you want it to be. Each pin can be one point or whatever you want. Throw some colored pins in for extra points. Make it the game of a lifetime!