Comic Creation and Game

Skill: Catch, Dodge, Jump, Run, Throw
Time Required: 50
Activity Type: Creative Art, Physical
Group Size: Individual, Large Group, Medium Group, Pair, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Classroom (small indoor space), Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the activity area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Remind participants that the ball has to hit below the shoulders.
Equipment: Paper
Pencils
Markers
Pencil Crayons
Scissors
Tape
Hat/Bowl/JarOptional: Foam Balls and pylons
Objective:
Participants are going to create their very own comic book main character and the enemy of that character (for example, Garfield's enemy is Monday, and Superman's enemy is Lex Luther [along with many others]). Optional for participants to then participate in a game of dodgeball with their characters.
Set up:
Have the materials prepared for participants to create their comic book characters.
The foam balls and pylons are for an additional activity where participants will play dodgeball.
Step by Step:
1. Participants will create their very own comic book main character, along with their biggest enemy.
2. Participants will think up the name of their comic book character and draw a picture of this character.
3. They will then think up a name of that character's enemy and draw a picture of that enemy (or just write the name).
4. Encourage participants to be very creative and unique when creating their characters.
5. The main character could be a super hero, a regular person, an animal, an alien, an inanimate object, or anything else.
6. Participants will draw and colour in their main comic book character and write the name of their character, and do the same for their enemy.
7. Optional step: Have participants create the main character's best friend/side kick and a brief comic strip that includes them and the enemy.
8. Optional physical activity: Comic Dodgeball
a. Participants tape their comic book character to the front of their shirt.
b. Divide participants into two groups.
c. Each participant will write their enemy's name on a piece of paper and put it into their groups hat/bowl/jar.
d. Participants on the other team will draw an enemy's name from the other team's hat/bowl/jar.
e. Participants could tape this name to the back of their shirt, put it in the pocket, or remember it and keep it at the side.
f. Use the outside lines of the gym for boundaries.
g. Each team starts at the end of their half.
h. The leader will place 4-6 foam balls on the centre line.
i. The goal for each team is to hit the participants on the other team (below the shoulders).
j. If a participant is hit, then they are out and stand at the sidelines.
k. If a participant catches the ball, the participant that threw it is out and stands at the sidelines. Also, if a participant on team A catches a ball, then the first participant on team A that was out, gets back in.
l. When one team has no more players, then the game is over.
m. The participants on the winning team that are not out, will say the name of their comic book character's enemy.
n. The participants on the other team who selected that enemy, will have to do a set activity, such as a lap of the gym, 20 jumping jacks, 10 burpees and so on.
o. OR, they start sitting out for the next round and can only get back in if a participant on their team catches the ball. OR, they're not allowed to catch the ball in the next round. Or another punishment.
p. At the start of each round, participants can trade enemies with other participants on their team.
Variations:
Comic Book Strip: Participants create a comic strip with a partner or small group.
Dodgeball: Play for a set amount of time, and the enemy of the participants still standing have to do a set activity.
After each round, the participants that are still standing will draw an enemy from a hat/bowl/jar, and the participant who's enemy that belongs to, has to do the set activity.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.