Actively Asking Questions

Skill: Dodge, Run

Time Required: 15

Activity Type: Physical

Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group

Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs

Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field

Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.

Equipment: Cones for boundaries if necessary.

Objective:

For participants to run to the other side of the gym/boundaries if they answer 'yes' to the question asked by the question master(s).
Other Skills:
Speed

Set up:

Use the size of the gym, or use cones to set up the boundaries.
Have one line on each side for the lines participants have to cross when running.
If indoors, be sure it is at least a couple feet in front of a wall.
Participants stand behind the line on one of the sides.
Select one participant to start in the centre and be the question master, or the leader can start as the question master.

Step by Step:

1. The question master will stand in the centre, facing the participants.
2. The question master will ask them a question, such as "Do you have a dog".
3. Any participant that does have a dog has to run to the other end without getting tagged by the question master.
4. If they do get tagged, then they join the question master in the centre.
5. The question master(s) will continue to ask questions to the same side until all participants are on the other side or have been caught.
6. When participants are on the other side, they are not in the clear.
7. If the question master asks a question that they answer 'yes' to, then they have to run on the spot (or jump, hop, jumping jacks...) until all participants have reached their end or been tagged.
8. Continue until all participants are caught.
9. Play again and choose a different question master.
10. Example of questions:
- Do you have a younger brother?
- Do you play hockey?
- Have you read all of the Harry Potter books?
- Have you been to Florida?
- Do you have 2 siblings?
- Can you play an instrument?
- Do you have a cat?
- Are you born in June?
- Do you play soccer?

Variations:

Have a list of questions prepared for participants to use.
All participants (including the question master) have to hop on one foot or skip instead of running.
Make sure the lines for participants to cross are not too close to a wall.

Adaptations (General):
Incorporate exercise challenges that correspond with the strengths of all participants.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Have another participant guide those who are blind or visually impaired.

Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.