Build speaking skills and critical thinking skills with these fun, play anywhere games. An engaging way to spend some family time together at home. Or why not try them on your daily walk?
This is a popular, fun game that will help children develop their persuasive speaking skills and their confidence in speaking on the spot.
Write out a list of indefensible statements (get the kids to write some out too) and put them in a bowl). Players take it turns to pick one out of the hat and have one minute to try and defend the others of the truth of the statement.
This is a great game to build up children’s critical thinking and listening skills and help them think up ideas on the spot. An adult can play against a child or children can play against each other. A standard singles match is for two players but doubles matches can be fun too if you have four people who would like to get involved.
Decide who is going to have the service (in this game that means you will agree with the statement) and who is returning (that means they will disagree with the statement). Announce the statement and the player who is serving will begin the game by saying a reason why they agree with the statement and then using an imaginary tennis racket to knock the argument over the imaginary net. To return, player B disagrees with the reason given or comes up with a reason why they do not support the statement and returns is over the net. To see this in action you can watch a video
Some possible topics include:
For many more ideas check here or come up with your own based on the kids’ interests.