Youth Activity Archive

Activity Description: Play a movement game where youth move on calm animal behaviors and freeze on warning animal behaviors.

Items Needed:

• Animal Safety Cards
• A large, safe, open space for running
• A starting line and a finish line
• (Optional) Floor markers to show boundaries

Before the Meeting Starts:

1. Define the play area. (1–2 min)
   • Mark a starting line and a finish line.
   • The youth will start by standing behind the starting line.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 15–20 min):

1. Explain the movement rules. (1–2 min)
   • Animals show calm or friendly behaviors that mean it is safe to move forward. Warning or scared behaviors mean it is time to stop and give space.
   • Calm or friendly behaviors are Green Light.
   • Warning, scared, or upset behaviors are Red Light.
   • Instruct the youth to only take calm slow steps like approaching an animal, no fast movement. The goal is to get as many youth across the finish line as possible, not who is the first to cross the finish.
2. Draw a card and call the behavior. (2–3 min)
   • The leader stands at the finish and faces away from the youth. They draw a card and read the animal and mood.
   • (Optional) For an extra challenge, read the animal and the behavior description instead.
3. Count silently and turn around. (2–3 min)
   • The leader silently counts to three.
     • If the card shows a warning behavior, the leader turns around and anyone still moving is out. Then the leader returns to facing away and draws another card.
     • If the card shows a calm behavior, the leader draws another card right away.
4. Draw the next card. (3–4 min)
   • If the behavior was a warning behavior, Youth freeze and wait for the next card.
   • If the behavior was a calm behavior, Youth continue moving after the next card is drawn.
5. Continue playing. (5–7 min)
   • Play until all cards are drawn, or when all youth reach the finish line or are out.

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