A fun Zoom game of improvisation and pantomiming for the whole family!
For 3 or more players | Ages 4+
RULES OF PLAY
Players pantomime something they’re doing (an activity or action). When someone else asks “what are you doing?” and they say a different action. This new action becomes the physical pantomime the next player starts with. The game goes until someone answers “What are you doing?” with “Finishing the game!”
MATERIALS
Device to use Zoom platform
Friends and family who also have Zoom!
OBJECT
Silliness and fun as a family – if everyone is silly and has fun, then the whole team wins!
THEATRE CONCEPTS
Pantomime- a physical gesture that conveys meaning.
Improvisation- spontaneous creation without preparation.
SETUP
Make sure that everyone has their Zoom meeting set to GALLERY MODE so that they can see everyone at once!
Choose a starting player.
The starting player begins to pantomime a simple action or activity (it can be anything!)
GAMEPLAY
Player B asks, “(Player A’s name), what are you doing?”
Player A states a different action while continuing to pantomime original action.
Player B begins to pantomime the action that Player A said until someone else asks them “(Player B’s name), what are you doing?”
(repeat)
EXAMPLE
Tammi: (pantomimes lifting weights)
Jamal: Tammi, what are you doing?
Tammi: I’m walking on the moon.
Jamal: (pantomimes walking on the moon)
Calvin: Jamal, what are you doing?
Jamal: I’m washing the dishes.
REPEAT
ENDING THE GAME
The game ends when a player answers, “What are you doing?” with “Finishing the game!”
FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS
The game can be adapted so players take turns suggesting activities to pantomime at the same time, which is still engaging and allows participation on every turn!
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
Use people’s NAMES to help clarify who is talking to whom.
Remember to say YES to all the ideas put forth in the game – if you honor other’s ideas, they will honor yours!
Ideas can be simple (brushing your teeth) and crazy (brushing your dragon) – mix it up!
If someone is having a hard time coming up with an idea, remind them to say the first thing they think of and not to overthink it. What is an activity you do every day?
Encourage each other! It can feel risky to play games like this, especially if you’re not used to it.
Tags: Creative Learning, Family Fridays, Games