If You Draw It, They Will Play

Skill: Catch, Dodge, Jump, Kick, Run, Strike, Throw
Time Required: 35
Activity Type: Creative Art, Physical
Group Size: Individual, Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Classroom (small indoor space), Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Ensure that for all activities there are no obstacles or safety hazards in the area.
Remind participants to always move around with their head up and to be aware of their surroundings.
Equipment: Arts and Crafts supplies: paper, crayons, markers, pencils, pencil crayons, paint, paint brushes, scissors, glue, and any other materials the participants can use to create their activity.
Activities: Depends on the activities selected.
Objective:
Participants draw their favourite physical activity, and depending on equipment, time, and space; the whole group can participate in each activity. This is a great way to have all participants feel included and have a voice.
Skills: (depends on the activities selected): Run, jump, strike, kick, dribble, throw, catch, and more

Other Skills: Coordination
Set up:
Have the paper and arts and crafts supplies prepared for the participants.
Step by Step:
1, The participants are each going to draw their favourite physical activity on a piece of paper.
2. The activity can be a sport, a game (such as tag or dodgeball), an activity that uses a sport ball and so on.
3. They can use any of the arts and crafts material to draw and create the activity.
4. The participants can draw the activity as it's being played, they can draw the different steps of the activity, the set up of the activity, the goal of the activity and so on.
5. Encourage the participants to be creative and detailed when creating their picture.
6. For an additional element, have participants write the rules of the activity on the back of the paper or on another piece of paper.
7. Once all participants have completed their activity, have each participant say what activity they chose, why they like it and a brief explanation of how it's played.
8. The leader can write down each activity as the participants are explaining them.
9. The next step is to have the group participate in each activity.
10. This step can of course be done over a couple days or weeks.
11. If there is not the required equipment for a certain activity, try to adapt the activity to equipment that is available.
12. If the activity is a long game, adapt it to work for a shorter time.
13. The goal is for the whole group to participate in each participant's activity.
14. For older participants, have them explain the activity to the group and how it is played.
15. For younger participants, the leader can help them explain the activity.
16. Be sure to add any extra rules to the activities to ensure they are safe and at the skill level of the participants.
17. This gives participants a change to be a leader, have a voice and participant in an activity that they love.
18. Participants could also be a judge or referee is one is needed.
19. The leader(s) can join in on the activities as well!
Variations:
Have participants select and draw activities within a theme or topic.
Have participants draw their favourite sport.
Participants can draw more than one activity.
Participants can vote on which activities to participate in, if there is not enough time to do them all.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.