Summary: A high energy game similar to Simon Says. The captain calls out “orders” from the middle of the room while the sailors do their best to follow orders.
Instructions:
- Explain the commands to the players (listed below).
- Choose one player to be the “captain” who will call out the commands.
- Begin the game by calling out a command. If a player does the incorrect action or cannot find a group, then that player is considered “overboard” (aka out until the next round).
- The game ends when there is only one player left.
Commands:
- Captain’s Waltz: players must find a partner and pretend to waltz around the room.
- Row Boat: players must form groups of three, stand in a line, and pretend to be rowing a boat while singing “row, row, row your boat.”
- Captain’s Table: players must form groups of four and pretend to be sitting around a table eating dinner.
- Starfish: players must form groups of five, put their arms together in the center of the circle, and spin around, creating the five arms of a starfish.
- Beached Whale: players must lie down on their backs and put their arms and legs in the air.
- Port: all players must run to the left side of the room.
- Starboard: all players must run to the right side of the room.
- Bow: all players must run to the front of the room.
- Stern: all players must run to the back of the room.
- Attention: All participants must face the captain and stand at attention. Once this command is called no one may move or perform other commands until the captain says “at ease.”
Debrief Questions:
- Were you better at some commands than others?
- How did you find people to do commands with?
- What was the hardest part of the game?
- How did it feel when you didn’t follow the orders properly?
- Was it difficult or easy to find a partner?
Activity Length: Short (<15 minutes)
Energy Level: High
Grade Level: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & Up
Group Size: Large (10+)