MUSICAL CHAIRS

Age Level: 4 and up

Number of Players: 5 or more

What Is Needed: a radio or record player for music, as many chairs (the sturdier the better) as there are players, minus one

Type of Game: competitive or noncompetitive

Location: inside

HOW TO PLAY

Put the chairs in a row in the middle of a cleared-out space. Face every other chair the opposite way, or put two rows of chairs back to back. Have the children stand in a circle around the chairs. When the music starts, the children walk (not run) around the chairs. When the music stops, they sit down. One child will be left standing. Do not let the game get wild.

COMPETITIVE VERSION

The child who is out leaves the circle, and a chair is removed. Children who are out of the circle can dance to the music, if they like. Continue playing until there are two players left and only one chair. Whoever sits on it when the music stops is the winner.

NONCOMPETITIVE VERSION

Don't remove chairs. Whoever is left standing each time gets a good laugh: "This time it's Matthew!" That's all. Matthew doesn't have to leave the game.

VARIATION: MUSICAL BALLOONS

Children bat around balloons (as many as there are children minus one). When the music stops, see who's left without a balloon. Rule: you can't catch a balloon until the music stops. If you play competitively, let the child who's out pop a balloon so there will be one less.