Games Children Play II: 237 Fun Games for Groups and Families

This is a collection of 232 tried and tested games to play with children and groups of all ages.  This is a companion to the Waldorf Games Handbook for the Early Years (2020). It is a thoroughly updated second edition of the classic, Games Children Play (1996) with new games added, by popular demand.

Kim John Payne and Cory Waletzko’s Waldorf Steiner and Spatial Dynamics approach is uniquely focused on how games develop children’s spatial awareness, social skills, confidence and movement in age-appropriate ways. Each game is clearly and simply described, with diagrams and drawings for how to play. There are games for helping graceful movement, co-operation, fairness and equality for the 7-10’s. Games for courage, accuracy, teamwork and gentle preparation for sports for 11- to 12-year-olds, along with games for renewing playground culture and holding a DIY Olympic Games. How to develop spatial awareness is described through sport, gymnastics and outdoor games. There are sections on child development, introducing games sessions, children’s temperaments, the senses, tackling children’s problems with play or sport, how to introduce games sessions, teaching movement to children, and cultivating the lost art of real-life play with children challenged by the digital age.

Games include variations depending on the age and number of players. There are tips for the games leaders on meeting the varying social and emotional needs of the players within a group. A section sets the context for the ever-increasing need for ‘IRL Games’ for children growing up in a digital age. Some new games have an embedded subheading, ‘For children who may struggle to play this game,’ as well as practical/do-able tips on how we can engage this new generation of children.