High Tide, Low Tide is a storytelling and drama game that you can use to get younger children moving!
How to play
You will need a storyteller to lead this game.
Players stand about the space. The storyteller then begins to a story, which everyone must mime — individually or in small groups. E.g. If the characters in the story are wading through thick mud, everyone has to pretend to be doing that too – and you could add in sound effects too (squelch squelch!).
As you play the game, from time to time use the words “high tide” or “low tide”. At high tide, everybody must get their feet (and all other parts of their body) out of contact with the ground — crouched on chairs, sitting on tables, etc.
At “low tide” everybody must lie down on the floor.
Underwater tales might be appropriate — create a setting beneath the sea, discussing the different animals and plants searching for food, drifting in the current, etc.
Tips
To play this game online, make sure that everyone can be seen on their screens and all the players have access to something safe to climb on.
Take it further
This is taken from the book Games, Games, Games, a publication with around 250 group games. The games are essentially co-operative in nature and develop skills and attitudes which encourage learning together and supporting one another.
If you enjoyed playing this game in your group, you could try playing when I go to camp… to get everyone’s memories working.