Kids Games from Ireland #EntertainmentHOP

Whether you run a youth group or kid’s camp or you are a teacher, these games work good for small to medium groups of kids and are all from Ireland! These would work great for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime you want to teach the kids about life in other countries.

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Corners

Ages 3+
5+ Players

This game is similar to musical chairs but makes use of the whole room. One child stands in the middle of the room and 4 take a corner. If there are other players, they stand around the room. The center players says “Change corners!” and everyone runs to a new corner including the center child. If there are more than 5 kids, whoever is out steps aside and a new child takes center.

Irish Bulldogs

Ages 5+
10+ Players

Children stand at one end of a room or outdoor play area. IT is in the middle of the two ends and calls a name. That child must run to the opposite side without being tagged (lay down a line on each side so there is a clear safe area.) Once someone is tagged, they join the center player and both call out “Irish bulldogs!” Everyone runs to the opposite side and those tagged remain in the center. Play continues with IT calling a name and when someone else is tagged, everyone yelling “Irish Bulldogs” again until there is only one winner left.

40-40

Ages 6+
8+ players

This is a hide and seek type game. IT stands at a pole or wall and covers her eyes. She counts up to 40 while everyone else hides. IT looks for everyone BUT still tries to stay near the pole. If they see somebody, they must race back to the pole and shout “40-40 I see ____________”. The person they saw comes to stand at the pole. When the chaser is away from the pole, anyone can sneak back and touch the pole and say “40-40 I free all.”  Everyone who was caught is then back in the game. Whoever is caught very first in the game is the next chaser.

Shadows

Ages 5+
8+ players

This is a simple game of chase but to tag someone, you must stand on their shadow. If IT stands on your shadow, you are now IT! If you run into a shaded place where you have no shadow, then you are safe. You can only stay there for a count of 10. You can also crouch down low so you have a smaller shadow which would be harder to stand on.

Dog and Bone

Ages 4-10
5+ players

One child is blindfolded and sits on a chair with something representing a bone under the chair (ball, scarf, beanbag.) The rest of the children stand in a circle around the dog. A leader or designated child who is outside the circle points to one child who is selected to try to steal the bone from the dog. The child tries to sneak up to the chair and take the bone back to his spot. If the dog hears something he barks in the direction of the sound. If the dog barks in the direction of the child, the child must return to his spot in the circle. If the child gets the bone, he returns to the circle and all the children in the circle put their hands behind their backs. The dog can then guess who has the bone. If the dog cannot guess correctly, the child who successfully stole the bone becomes the new dog.

For more St. Patrick’s Day fun, check out a few posts from some of my favorite blogs:

• 10 Best Leprechaun Movies from In Our Spare Time
• 5 Fun Modern Paranormal Irish Tales from Pretty Opinionated
• St. Patrick’s Day Movies on Netflix from Mom on the Side
• Sweet St. Patrick’s Day Books for Babies from My Kids Guide
• Movies Set in Ireland from Better in Bulk
• St. Patrick’s Day Music from Callista’s Ramblings
• 10 Favorite Irish Actors from Day by Day in our World
• Books about Brendan the Navigator from Upstate Ramblings