A collection of gesture-game prompts for elementary school kids: fun ideas to liven up class parties and children's gatherings.

banana

Perfect for a fruit-themed prompt! Here are some banana ideas.

When hosting a charades game, narrowing the theme until elementary school kids get used to the game can help it run smoothly.

To start, how about choosing fruits that they’re familiar with from school lunches or at home? If you ask them to express “banana” with gestures, you’ll likely see unique interpretations—some children will mime peeling and eating it, while others will use their whole bodies to become a banana.

Relay

The highlight event of any sports day or field day! Here are some relay race ideas.

When you think of sports day or a field day, what events come to mind? There are many, like ball tosses and giant ball rolls, but relays are the kind of competition that gets everyone—kids and adults alike—fired up.

This time, let’s try expressing a “relay” through gestures.

In the actual event, teams pass a baton, so conveying a relay solo is the tricky part.

Try incorporating gestures like handing off the baton and running with all your might to get the idea across.

Swimming

Perfect for a summer theme! Here are some ideas for “swimming.” In summer, many people have experience swimming in the sea or a pool.

However, the tricky part is getting respondents to say the word “swimming.” When they see a swimming gesture, they might answer with place names like “the beach!” or “the pool!” The key for the questioner is to persist and express it in a way that draws out the specific word “swimming.” Highly recommended as a prompt for summer recreational activities or event games!

soccer

It probably depends on the value of money in that era, but I hear the top spot on the richest athletes list is held by soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo.

His total is $275 million.

That’s about twice the $150 million of the NBA’s Stephen Curry in second place, which shows just how incredible it is.

Speaking of soccer gestures, nothing beats the shooting motion.

Even people with no connection to soccer could probably pull it off somehow.

The powerful motion of a goalkeeper diving for the ball is great too.

pigeon

A bird with distinctive movements! Here are some ideas for acting out a pigeon.

For elementary school students, familiar birds might be crows, sparrows, pigeons, and chickens…

This time, it could be good to exaggerate your gestures so that participants can quickly arrive at the answer “pigeon.” Just showing it flying in the sky might be confused with other birds, so try the challenge while recalling specific traits of pigeons.

You might feel tempted to make cooing sounds, but you must not speak or add sound effects.

Be sure to have fun as you incorporate these ideas!