Get the party started with these cooperative outdoor games--they're great icebreakers for the preschool set.
4" x 6" index cards
Crayons
Old magazines
Child-safety scissors
Non-toxic glue or paste
Step 1
Prior to guests arriving, cut out images of animals from old magazines to be used to create animal cards. Count out a number of index cards that equals the number of game participants or party guests.
Step 2
Divide guests up into groups of three kids each. To determine how many animal groups there will be, divide the total number of guests by three (For example at a party with 15 guests, there could be a coyote, a bear, an owl, a frog, and a snake. Players will make 3 coyote cards, 3 bear cards, 3 owl cards, 3 frog cards, and 3 snake cards.)
Step 3
Assign an animal to each group, and hand out index cards to all the children.
Step 4
Using the magazine images, each group member will create a card for the animal assigned to their group by pasting the picture to their index card, or they can draw the animal in crayon directly onto their cards.
Step 5
When guests have completed their cards, have each group collectively decide what noise their animal makes ("howl," "grr," "hoot, hoot," "ribbit," and "ssss"). Once this is done, it's time to begin the game.
Step 6
Collect and shuffle all the cards, then hand out one card to each child and have them stand in a circle.
Step 7
Instruct the children to look at their card, but not show it to anyone.
Step 8
On your count of 3, have kids make the sound of the animal on their card two times.
Step 9
Tell the kids to find other players making the same animal sound. When an animal group is formed, have the children sit down and reveal their cards to each other. To repeat, collect all the cards, shuffle, hand them out, and start again.
Step 10
At the end of the party, kids can take their cards home as a party favor.
Game-Play Tips
Try to have an equal number of kids per animal group.
Try coming up with animal themes, for example, farm animals, jungle animals, etc.
