important things for game facilitators to be aware of
Inclusion/Right to Pass
Everyone always has the choice to play
Those who want to play are welcome and encouraged to play.
Those who don't want to play are welcome and encouraged not to play, and all players always have the right to pass if they don't feel like playing at that moment.
Physical and Non-Physical Boundaries
Games are contained within physical and non-physical boundaries. The clearer the facilitator communicates these boundaries the smoother the games run.
Physical boundaries refer to the physical area demarcated as the space within which we play the game. For example, for a game of freeze tag, the physical boundaries could be 'on this playground,' 'between these trees,' 'in this room,' 'within these pylons,' etc.
Non-physical boundaries are the boundaries of game rules and limits, or 'how the game is played.' They are the spoken and unspoken rules and limits of the game.
In our game of freeze tag, the 'rules' or non-physical boundaries that are usually spoken include:
- This person is 'It.'
- If the It person touches you, you must remain frozen with your arms sticking out.
- If someone who has not been frozen runs under your arms, you become unfrozen.
Some of the non-physical boundaries or limits that are usually unspoken include:
- The 'It' person can only tag you lightly with their hand. No kicks, slaps, punches, etc.
- If someone needs to tie their shoe or catch their breath they can be on 'time out' temporarily within the game space.
- If someone seems hurt, the game stops immediately and the injury is addressed.
It is very important to be clear with groups about the physical and non-physical boundaries of games, so that everyone is aware of the same boundaries and is able to agree on them with their participation.
It is especially helpful to agree to the often unexpressed boundaries of the game. The clearer and sooner these can be communicated, the less problems will arise during the game.
Variations
Games are just sitting there waiting to be varied upon; they like having variations made of them.
Good games are open to adaptation to best suit the group playing them, so don't get stuck on a certain set of game boundaries. Boundaries are endlessly variable, so long as they are clear to everyone, and agreed upon by all of the players.
Games grow and change organically, so take all the 'Game Rules' as suggestions, and vary them as you and your group see fit. Just make sure that when a variation is proposed and accepted, that the change of boundaries it requires is clearly communicated before embarking on the game.
Tip: To make a running game safer for indoor play, crowded spaces or spaces with little kids, try making it Slow-Motion, Dancing-Only, Crawling or Crab-walk.
Reflection
After playing a game with a group, take a moment to debrief participants' experience.
Take a moment for yourself as the game facilitator to observe and reflect on the experience.
Integrate these reflections for use in future situations.
Why Play Games?
Games are fun, and fun is fun.
Fun is for its own sake.
In playing games we are brought into the moment and made more aware of ourselves and each other.
Games create memorable moments among groups of laughter, surprise, risk-taking, group-bonding, trust- and skill-building.
Including kids and play in organizing spaces helps make organizing spaces places where people can and want to come to, be in, and stay.
