Tapestry of Faith: Gather the Spirit: A Multigenerational Program about Stewardship

Activity 3: Water Charades

Activity time: 10 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Index cards

Preparation for Activity

  • Optional: Write individual charade assignments on index cards and set the cards aside.

Description of Activity

Playing a game of charades helps participants appreciate water's vast influence and many forms, while also enjoying some movement.

Summarize some amazing facts about water: It seems to be almost everywhere-including inside us (at least 60 percent of our bodies are water; even our bones are one-quarter water). There's much more water on Earth than there is dry land; ocean water covers three quarters of the planet. Water helps control the temperature of the Earth. Water helps keep us alive. Water is wonderful.

Ask the group to prove just how wonderful water can be by playing a special kind of Charades. Form groups of three or four participants, larger if necessary to include a mix of ages in each group. Say that each group will act out water in some kind of action, for the others to guess. Add:

  • Presentations will be informal; groups need not use the formal rules of Charades.
  • Presenters can make noise, but they cannot talk.
  • Presentations should involve all group members, and can be as active as is safe for participants and appropriate for the meeting space.

Allow groups to choose their own kind of water in action to represent. Or, randomly give each group an index card with a Charades assignment you have written. Here are some possibilities: Niagara Falls, Old Faithful, a local water body, a strong rain turning to gentle snow, someone taking ice cubes from a freezer, Noah's Ark , ocean waves, a burbling brook, a dripping faucet, someone skiing, someone surfing.

Separate the groups so they can plan and practice without being heard or seen by others.

When all are ready, bring the groups together. Have each, in turn, present a charade until others guess its meaning. If guessing is difficult, allow observers to ask questions that performers can answer by nodding "yes" or shaking their heads "no."

Including All Participants

Make sure the participants in small groups work together inclusively and find appropriate parts for participants of all ages and abilities in their presentations.