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Co-operative games help to develop qualities such as compassion, empathy, good self-esteem and the ability to share by allowing children to participate without fear of missing out or losing and to contribute their best to a group effort, whatever their abilities may be. These are games to change the world. That co-operation and sharing not only have some big words going for them like equality, fraternity and justice but a great little word too - fun!

These games encourage team-work, creative thinking, problem solving, and helps players realize that everyone can win.They are full of surprises and challenges, but most of all, they are fun! Cooperative games are not new. Some of the classic games we participated in as children are classic because of the play emphasis. There may be competition involved, but the outcome of the competition is not sitting out or losing. Instead, it may involve switching teams so that everyone ends up on the winning team. Some people avoid calling them "games," choosing "activity," "challenge," or "problem" instead.  Whatever a group chooses to call them, these games can boost our efforts to create powerful, lasting community change.

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The Basic 'Rules' are :

Everyone plays (i.e. no one is excluded and the games are structured so that everyone can join in).
No one gets hurt.
Everyone has fun.
Everyone wins.
If a game made it difficult or impossible for players to meet those criteria then it needs to be modified.
The Golden Rule with these games is to stop long before the kids are fed up with them ( usually around 10 minutes).

Some of the best games are invented on the spot by Eco kids.

Usually it helps to set a few guidelines to help narrow the creative field a bit.

Challenge groups to stick to the cooperative games rules, then introduce a few specific elements, like: groups of three, one ball and one hoop per group.

Suggested Games

Try these variations of common group games.

Musical Chairs

The childen walk or run around a circle of chairs or cushions one less in number than the number of children. The music stops. All the children scramble to fit on the remaining seats, sharing space to make sure everyone is seated. Another seat is removed and the music starts again. Eventually, all the children are trying to help each other fit onto one chair or cushion.

Lap Sit

At least eight people form a tight circle by standing facing towards the centre, then all turn to the right, grasp the waist of the person in front of them and take one step to the centre to tighten the circle. Everyone then tries to sit on the knees (not the thighs) of a person behind them, creating a sitting circle. Each person has a turn at commanding the circle to perform a variety of collective actions, e.g. clapping hands, touching the floor, taking steps forward.

Back and Up

Two people sit back-to-back on the ground with their arms linked and try to stand up at the same time by pressing their backs together. Variations can be dreamed up, e.g. one-legged stand-ups, arms folded across chest and eyes closed.

Pass the Message

The children sit in a circle. One person whispers a message to the person on his / her left. The message is passed around until it returns to the originator, but is it still in its original form?

Coverup

Place a large coin in a bucket or bowl and cover with 15 cm 96 in) of water. Divide about 15 small coins among the players and let each take a turn dropping a coin into the bucket, trying collectively to cover the larger coin completely.

Colour Touch

Remember ' Twister '? Children stand in an open space and are then asked to touch something of particular colour with their right hands. Yhye must then keep their right hands there and touch another named colour with their left hands. Then right feet. left feet, heads, etc. The idea is to help each other.
 
Eco Themed Co-operative Games

Nature Treasure Hunt

Hide objects in nature. Each person makes a list of those observed without telling others (say how many objects there are to find at start).

Happy Families

Make sets of 3 or 4 cards linked by subject e.g. tree, leaf, fruit; name, country, food, job; tool, material, article, animal, food, habitat. Mix up cards, hand out a card for each person. Ask people to find others with cards of their group and get into those groups. If too difficult place a copy of the cards in correct groupings on tables in different parts of the room for people to go and compare with.

Pyramid

Choose to be plants or animals, split into groups of meat eaters, vegetable eaters & vegetables. Make an eating or be eaten pyramid.

Relativity

Numbered related objects or cards with names of related things are put around the room at random. Go around the room writing down which ones are related to each other e.g. ozone, skin cancer, carbon dioxide, greenhouse effect could be two groups; cats, dogs, robin, swallow another two groups.

Snack Track

Each has badge of something eaten by one of the other badges. Try to tig your dinner without being dined on. When tigged freeze. Unfreeze by any of usual methods.

Wood Relay

Make three similar sets of blocks of different woods including mahogany. Stick identification labels on one set. Put this set between two teams at each end of the room each team with its own unmarked set. At sign both teams run to centre with a block and by comparing it to those in the centre, identify their block then run back to base to check with a leader if identification is right. If not re-match. Then next person matches till team have finished. First team made Protector of Rain Forest. Can do this with leaves, tree pictures, birds, matching leaves to trees etc.

Resource List

The Co-operative Sports and Games Book and The Second Co-operative Sports and Games Book, by Tery Orlick (Pantheon).

The New Games Book , Andrew Fluegelman, New Games Foundation (Doubleday).

Co-operative Games Manuel, by Jim Deacove (Family Pastimes).

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Glade/6694/cooperat.html

Ultimate Camp Resource is a free Resource for Camp Games, Camp Songs, Camp Skits and more.
http://www.ultimatecampresource.com/site/camp-activities/cooperative-games.page-1.html