Team Challenges
January 13th, 2006 at 6:53 pm (Unschooling Life)
Kris Bordessa, who wrote a humorous article for our November/December issue, has a new book out called Team Challenges: 170+ Group Activities to Build Cooperation, Communication, and Creativity. Initially, I thought it would be of little use to home/unschoolers, but she sent me a copy several weeks ago and definitely changed my mind. Originally intended for those who work with groups of children, the activities are great for homeschooling co-ops, support groups and park days, but most can also easily be adapted to much smaller groups - like families and gatherings of friends.
There are listing activities ("Name things that spin," "Name things
that are bright"), connection games ("Make a connection between a tree
and electricity"), and question and answer games ("The answer is a
honeycomb. What is the question?"). There are building challenges
(invent an aircraft using only 1 sheet of paper, 1 toothpick, 5 straws,
5 mailing labels, 1 envelope, and 3 pipe cleaners or create a vehicle
using only 4 paper cups, 6 drinking straws, 1 square of cardboard, 1
clothespin, 5 mailing labels, 10 rubber bands, 8 sheets of newspaper, 6
toothpicks, and 3 cardboard tubes). There are physical challenges,
improvisational activities (such as story starters, skits, etc.), and much more.
The book’s 270 pages are filled with creative, enjoyable activities
great for any rainy (or sunny) day. I’ve seen lots of activity books
for kids, but few are so all-encompassing. Kenzie and I have been
going through it with gusto. You can see more about the book at Kris’s
blog, or on Amazon.
Way to go, Kris!
