Very short activities for transitions, warm-ups and moments when you only have a few minutes.
Picked with your group in mind
Games are selected because a meaningful round or challenge can fit into about five minutes once the group understands the rules. Longer optional variations are not the focus here.
Find your next “let’s play”.
Medium energy
Zip Zap Zop
Players pass a three-word sequence around the circle with eye contact and pointing, trying to keep the rhythm unbroken.
- Players
- 5–25players
- Ages
- 10+ages
- Minutes
- 5–15minutes
Low energy
Pass the Face
A facial expression travels around the circle, with each player copying it and making one small change before passing it on.
- Players
- 5–20players
- Ages
- 8+ages
- Minutes
- 5–15minutes
Medium energy
Simon Says
Players follow movement instructions only when the leader begins with “Simon says.”
- Players
- 3–30players
- Ages
- 5+ages
- Minutes
- 5–15minutes
Low energy
Sleeping Lions
Players try to stay completely still and quiet while leaders attempt to make them smile using funny faces or harmless noises.
- Players
- 3–20players
- Ages
- 4+ages
- Minutes
- 5–15minutes
Medium energy
Copycat Circle
Players take turns creating simple movements that everyone else copies.
- Players
- 4–20players
- Ages
- 5+ages
- Minutes
- 5–15minutes
Medium energy
Balloon Keep-Up
The group works together to keep one or more balloons from touching the floor.
- Players
- 3–20players
- Ages
- 5+ages
- Minutes
- 5–15minutes
Medium energy
Balloon Keep-Up Challenge
A player tries to keep one or more balloons off the floor continuously for 60 seconds.
- Players
- 2–20players
- Ages
- 6+ages
- Minutes
- 5–10minutes
Low energy
Straw Transfer
Players use gentle suction through a straw to lift lightweight paper pieces and transfer them between bowls.
- Players
- 2–20players
- Ages
- 8+ages
- Minutes
- 5–10minutes