International themed games help the girls to learn about Guiding in other countries and also traditional games that originate in other countries. The international aspect of Guiding is a great way for girls to learn about different parts of the world and appreciate different cultures. Games are a fun way to do this.
World Regions or World Centres
For
Brownies,
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: None
This is a variation of the old game ‘Upset the Fruit Basket’. The girls stand or sit in a circle. Each is given the name of a WAGGGS Region (Western Hemisphere, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Arab or Europe). One person in the centre calls out two regions and everyone with those names tries to change places while the caller also tries to get a spot. The person left without a spot is the new caller. Sometimes the caller might call “WAGGGS” at which point everyone must trade spots.
Variations: Use the names of the World Centres – Our Chalet, Pax Lodge, Our Cabana, Sangam; and call out World Centres for all to change spots. This game can be made more challenging by calling out things like the country of the World Centre or a landmark found in a particular region.
World Centre Stretch
For
Brownies,
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: World map mat and Twister game wheel adapted for World Centres
This game is played like Twister. Make the game board by copying a world map on a sheet of plastic and mark on the World Centres and Regions. Use the Twister wheel to get right/left hand/foot and use either the names or facts about the centres or regions. For example, put right hand on Sangam and left foot on Our Cabana.
WAGGGS Countries
For
Brownies or
Guides
Equipment: None – just imagination!
Each small group (or patrol) is given a country. These can all be from the same region if you like. In their groups, have the girls make up an active chant for their country using the each of the letters for one action, then teach to the other girls in the group. Example: Mexico - M; clap hands in front E; tap floor X; clap hands over head I; hands on knees C; raise hands palms up O; sweep hands left and right – Mexico!
World Centre Relay
For
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: Make a set of cards that include pictures of the World Centres, a map of the countries in which they are found, foods, typical plants and animals etc. from that country (these are all easily found on the internet).
You can do this relay in more than one way; here are two examples:
Spread the pictures at one end of the playing area. Have the first person from each line run up and choose a World Centre picture. On each of the following turns the players must bring back something that would apply to their World Centre OR you can have a set of cards for each group and they must bring back what you tell them and put it with the correct World Centre.
How Many Can You Name?
For
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: Sticky notes with names of WAGGGS countries
Stick a note on the back of each player with the name of a WAGGGS country on it. Give a time limit for the girls to walk around the room reading the names, and trying to remember as many as possible. After a time limit, let then write down as many as they can remember.
Variation: have the girls try to locate the countries on a world map.
African Zoo Race
For
Sparks,
Brownies,
Guides
Equipment: None
Players line up in teams at a start line. Each player on the team represents a different animal from a WAGGGS country in Africa. On a signal the first person runs to a marker and returns tapping the next runner. The animals are:
- Elephants from Central Africa or Liberia – player holds arm in front like a trunk and swings it from side to side while running
- Ostriches from Namibia – players grasp the back of their knees with their hands while running
- Hares from Senegal – hop putting hands on the floor between each jump
- Zebras from Zambia or Zimbabwe – race pawing the air with their front ‘hooves’
- Bees from Uganda – run turning in small circles as they go
- Baboons from Tanzania or South Africa – hunch forward and swing their arms as they run
Water Carriers
For
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: Two large plastic containers, one filled with water (the well) and the other empty (family’s water barrel); a plastic cup for each girl; 10 cm square piece of paper and directions for making a paper folder cup; water or juice. This game is best played outdoors.
This game reflects a real life situation and is an effective way for the girls to learn a little about life in another culture. In many parts of the world women and girls have to walk several kilometres a day to get water for their family’s drinking, cooking and washing needs. Women are skilled at carrying water on their heads without spilling even a drop of the precious water. Place the empty container and other supplies at one end of the area and the full container at the other. Girls take turns going to the well to fill her container. She puts it on her head and walks back to the water barrel and pours it in. She can then make a paper cup and have a drink. You might want to teach the girls to make a first aid doughnut to carry the plastic cup on their head.
World Shopping Charades
For
Brownies,
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: List of shopping items
This game can be played in small or larger groups. The girls pretend they are shopping in a country where no one understands their language which means they will have to act out what they want to buy. A girl goes to the leader who tells them what item they need to buy (i.e. dog with long ears; two piece swim suit; soccer ball; donkey; hamster; milk shake; hot dog with mustard etc). The girl returns and acts it out until someone guesses; then the next girl takes a turn.
Fishes – Papua New Guinea
For
Sparks,
Brownies or
Guides
Equipment: Tape or chalk to mark circles, or hula hoops
Circles large enough to stand in are drawn or taped on the ground (or hula hoops can be used), one fewer than the number of players. One player is the leader and all the girls are given the name of a local fish, (e.g. rainbow fish, gudgeon, bull shark, catfish, hardyhead, cardinal fish, goy, pony fish). The leader walks around and calls out the name of a fish. Anyone with that fish name falls into line behind the leader. The leader continues calling out fish names and they join the line. At any time the leader may call out “the sea is rough”. Then everyone in the line including the leader tries to get into a circle. The one left out becomes the new leader.
Chupa Chuppi - India
For
Brownies or
Guides
Equipment: None
This game is also known as hide-n-seek. The variation is that all the participants have to be caught. The seeker waits for everyone to hide and then starts to hunt for them. Each person who is discovered joins the seeker by holding on to her hand and making a chain. Together they try to catch the other hidden participants. The first person who was found becomes the next seeker.
Kabaddi - India
For
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: None, played in a field or gym
The game of ‘Kabbadi’ is 4,000 years old and is a type of tag. The group is divided into two teams, preferably each with at least three players. Use tape or a rope on the floor to divide the playing area in half. The teams line up about 10 metres back from the centre line on their corresponding sides. To start the game a player from one team stands near the centre line and then she runs into the opposing territory and tries to tag her opponents. While doing this, she must keep yelling “kabaddi-kabaddi” the entire time she is on the opponent’s territory without taking a breath until she makes it back to her side. Everyone she touches is out and joins her team. The opponents can try to capture that player and prevent her from getting back to her side. If she does not make it back to her original side before she runs out of breath (i.e. she stops saying “kadaddi-kabaddi”) then she will be out and join the opposing team. The teams take turns being the offense and defense. The team with the most players on their side wins.
Insuknawr or Rod Pushing - India
For
Guides or
Pathfinders
Equipment: Round wooden pole, eight feet long, three inches diameter; marked circle area, 15 feet diameter; leather gloves are helpful if pole is not smooth.
Two girls stand facing each other, in the centre of the circle, holding the rod. It should extend beyond their bodies at least four inches behind them. On a signal both girls start pushing the rod, trying to push the other girl out of the circle. A round is 60 seconds or when one girl gets pushed out. Girls must maintain constant pushing; releasing or pulling the rod to get the other girl off balance is not allowed. Many rounds can be held before a winner is declared.
Uffangali - India
For
Sparks,
Brownies,
Guides
Equipment: A pile of large dried beans
The beans are piled in the centre of a flat area. Girls take turns blowing one puff of air onto the pile, trying to scatter the beans. After one blow she can pick up the beans that are not touching another bean and puts them in her own pile. Other girls take turns until all the beans are picked up. Winner is the girl with the biggest pile.
Scarf Toss - Africa
For
Sparks,
Brownies or
Guides
Equipment: A lightweight scarf
The leader stands in the centre of the circle and tosses the scarf into air. Everyone laughs until it lands on the ground, when there should be complete silence. Do it several times. Then whoever does not remain silent, or is the last to get silent, becomes the leader.
Giant Turtle – Togo and Benin, Africa
For
Sparks or
Brownies
Equipment: Blankets
In groups of three, four, or five, girls are covered with a blanket to form a shell, like a newborn turtle looking for water. They race or move about the room keeping together and trying to hold their blanket shell in place.
Lebolabola (or snakes) – Botswana, Africa
For
Brownies or
Guides
Equipment: Obstacle course
The girls form lines of six to eight and make a snake by holding on to the shoulders, waists or hands of the girl in front. All of the girls close their eyes except the one at the head of the snake. She leads the snake around, negotiating real and imaginary obstacles, climbing over things, going up stairs, traveling around, under or through things, turn tight bends, crouch, go on tiptoe, etc.
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