Fun and Educational Summer Time Activities!🌞
Summer time doesn't have to be a choice between getting your child outside and getting them learning!
To prove it, we have compiled 3 Debate Mate-certified activities perfect for playing outside in the sun with friends and family. Not only that, all 3 are designed specifically to develop core confidence and communication skills in your child...
1) ZAH!
- Stand in a circle with the other players (you need around 4 or more players).
- Pretend that you are holding a ball that is really hot – you want to get rid of it quickly!Â
- Pass it to the other people in the circle, but you’re not allowed to say their name – you must pass it via eye contact.Â
- Once you’ve practiced this a couple of times, add in emotions. Are you happy about pretending to pass the ball? Sad? Scared? The more ridiculous and over-the-top you are with the emotions, the better!Â
2) The Magic Number Game
- This can be played alone or with other people and involves some shouting so it’s best to play outdoors!Â
- Count from 1 to 10, with 1 as a whisper and each number after that louder than the last.Â
- Then do it again, but crouch when you say 1, and as you say each number increase the volume of your voice and gradually come to standing – when you reach 10 you should be shouting on your tip-toes!Â
- Once you’ve done a couple of rounds, have a think about what number you think you should be speaking at when you are in a debate (hint: it’s higher than 6 and lower than 8!).Â
- This may seem quite loud, and takes a bit of getting used to, so try having conversations with the people around you at this volume. It may feel weird when having a 1 on 1 conversation, but when you’re in a debate it’s really important to speak loudly!Â
3) Water Balloon Debate!
- A summer-y adaptation of our famous balloon debate, this game requires a collection of water balloons and at least 5 participants. (If you don’t have water balloons, a bucket of water will do!)Â
- 3 of your group must think of a character (celebrity, politician, historic or fictional, someone famous that everybody knows, they can be dead or alive).
- Each of these individuals must speak for 30 seconds about why their character is so important that they do not deserve to have a water balloon thrown at them.Â
- The other participants are the judges, and must vote for their favourite based on the arguments the speakers make, how they spoke and how well they convinced them. Make sure to give them good feedback!Â
- After this first round, you should have one person that has been voted safe, and the other two must go head-to-head.Â
- They will speak for 30 seconds in criticism of the other individual left in the game.Â
- Another vote is held to determine who deserves to have the water balloon thrown at them. The judges must give good feedback before carrying this out!Â
Can't get enough of these activities? Head to our website to find out more about our courses- including our fast approaching Debating, Space, Journalism and Ancient Greece Summer Camps on offer, running over the next 2 weeks!Â