{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Nicola Hilliard, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"Let\u2019s face it \u2013 nobody wants to be out of a game! But what if there was a way to keep everyone included, even when they\u2019re technically \u2018out\u2019? These 10 simple tips will make sure that the fun never stops and everyone stays involved, no matter where they are in the game.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUse a waiting area rotation system: \u003C/strong\u003EWhen a player is \u2018out\u2019, they go to a row of chairs. The first person out sits in the first chair. When the next person is out, the first person moves along one to the second seat and the newly out person takes the first seat. Each time someone else is \u2018out\u2019, the \u2018out\u2019 players keep moving down the row until they reach the last chair. When they get to the end of the row, they can come back into the game!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2018Freeze and Melt\u2019 rule: \u003C/strong\u003EIf a player is tagged or \u2018frozen\u2019 in a game (such as freeze tag), let them to \u2018melt\u2019 back into the game after counting to 20. This keeps the pace lively and reduces frustration.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHelper roles: \u003C/strong\u003EGive \u2018out\u2019 players specific tasks, such as scorekeeping, timing or refereeing. They could also act as a \u2018judge\u2019 for the game, such as voting for best silly walk in a race.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAll-in ending: \u003C/strong\u003EIn elimination games, announce a final round where everyone is back in for one big chaotic finish. This makes sure nobody feels left out for the finale.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDesignated restarts:\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003EAfter a set amount of time or turns, everyone who is out automatically gets to restart. This keeps the game flowing and fair.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESecond chance tokens:\u003C/strong\u003E Give each player a token, such as a counter or card. They can use it once per game for a second chance. It prevents kids from feeling discouraged when they\u2019re out early.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheerleading rule: \u003C/strong\u003EIf someone is \u2018out\u2019, they join the cheer squad to encourage others, instead of feeling sidelined. Why not get flags and pompoms to wave, so it doesn\u2019t get too noisy?\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnd with an all-win game:\u0026nbsp;\u003C/strong\u003EConclude with a quick, easy game that everyone can win or enjoy equally, such as hide and seek or a playing catch.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReverse the rules: \u003C/strong\u003EHalfway through a game, flip the rules. For example, in tag, the tagged become the taggers. Keeps kids on their toes!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChallenge zones: \u003C/strong\u003ECreate a designated \u2018challenge zone\u2019 where kids who are out can rejoin after performing a simple task, such as hopping on one foot 10 times or saying a silly phrase.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/filfu1uc/db-20240609-8769-174408min.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3 class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYour top tips:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"We sometimes add surprise mini-tasks during the game to keep everyone on their toes. For example, \u2018Whoever touches the red cone gets 5 bonus points!\u2019","attribution":"Sofia, Cubs leader","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"In some of our games, we have dens. They\u2019re safe spots where players can stand for 5 seconds and not get tagged. It\u2019s great for anyone who needs a quick break or might find it hard to keep moving non-stop!","attribution":"James, Beaver volunteer","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/k5upfmts/db-20240720-7615-198877min.jpg","width":6000,"height":4000,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s impossible to win all the time, but both winning and losing teach important lessons, such as resilience, confidence and self-control. Here are 7 tips to help kids cope with losing:\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul class=\u0022ul1\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETalk about how they feel:\u003C/strong\u003E It\u2019s OK to feel upset. Validate and talk to kids about their feelings.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPractice staying calm: \u003C/strong\u003ELosing can be frustrating. Find something that helps them manage those feelings, such as deep breaths or colouring.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompliment everyone:\u003C/strong\u003E Point out something positive each person did (like their effort, teamwork or skills), regardless of who won.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFocus on the fun:\u003C/strong\u003E Explain that the aim of each game is having fun with friends, learning new skills and trying their best, not winning.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEncourage respect and kindness:\u003C/strong\u003E At the end of each game, get everyone to shake hands and say \u2018Great job! Can\u2019t wait to play again soon!\u2019, no matter if they won or lost.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe a good role model:\u003C/strong\u003E Make sure you demonstrate a healthy response to winning and losing that they can learn from.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli class=\u0022li1\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETrying again:\u003C/strong\u003E It\u2019s fine to lose\u2014what matters is staying positive, learning from it and being willing to try again when you\u0027re ready. We can all keep practising to improve!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember to always teach kids to play by the rules, and give them chances to experience both winning and losing in a positive way.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffb4e5","title":"7 top tips to help kids cope with losing","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Running active games safely and accessibly","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAll Scout activities must be safely managed. You need to complete a\u00A0\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Risk assessments\u0022\u003Erisk assessment.\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0You can use the\u00A0\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safe-scouting-cards/staying-safe-safety-checklist/staying-safe-leaders/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Staying Safe - Leaders\u0022\u003Esafety checklist\u003C/a\u003E to help you plan and risk assess your activity.\u00A0Always get\u00A0\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance/approving-activities-guidance-for-lead-volunteers/\u0022 title=\u0022Approving Activities - Guidance for Commissioners\u0022\u003Eapproval for the activity\u003C/a\u003E, have suitable\u00A0\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/safety/planning-and-assessing-risk/guidance-for-supervision-of-activities/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022Guidance for supervision of activities\u0022\u003Esupervision\u003C/a\u003E\u00A0and an\u00A0\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/intouch/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022InTouch\u0022\u003EInTouch\u003C/a\u003E process.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Staying safe","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"27 January 2025","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"17 quick and easy parachute games to play","url":"/news/2023/november/17-quick-and-easy-parachute-games-to-play/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"9 wide games to get everyone moving","url":"/news/2023/june/9-wide-games-to-get-everyone-up-and-moving/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"15 quick and easy circle games","url":"/news/2023/april/15-quick-and-easy-circle-games-to-help-fill-time/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Scouts Activity Finder","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Running active games safely","url":null,"newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Making reasonable adjustments","url":"/volunteers/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/including-disabled-and-neurodivergent-people/","newWindow":true}],"id":84458,"nodeName":"10 fun ways to keep kids involved when they\u0027re out of a game","title":"10 fun ways to keep kids involved when they\u0027re out of a game","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/wmrgjejm/db-20240720-7595-198857min.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db34f86c0da950","caption":"Cub Scouts jumping in the air and sat down cheering","type":"jpg","size":1048320,"width":6000,"height":4000,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"10 fun ways to keep kids involved when they\u0027re out of a game","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"These 10 simple tips will make sure that everyone stays involved, no matter if you win the game or not.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NDQ1OCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/january/10-fun-ways-to-keep-kids-involved-when-theyre-out-of-a-game/"}