Whirligigs

In honor of the upcoming Dragon Boat Races, there are two great games that include dragons in The New Game Book compiled and written by Soshana Tembeck and Andrew Fluegelman.

I am a big fan of New Games and I have been playing them for years because they are great for any age. The book was published in the mid ’70s and the philosophy it uses is a wonderful reflection of the era. Basically, there are no winners, no losers, it’s all about playing together and having fun. Another important component of New Games is they foster group cooperation and communication, skills we can never practice enough. The games range from quiet, low activity games all the way up to neverending running games, leaving you exhausted and laughing at the same time. They work well both indoors and outdoors, but my favorite place to play them is outdoors, even in the winter.

Of course, both of these games include dragons, those fantastically mythical creatures of many stories and legends the world over. All you need for either game is a bandana, a dish towel, or a piece of fabric of any kind and color.

» Catch the Dragon’s Tail An open field works nicely for this game and it is best to have at least seven or eight people, but the more people you have, the better. Everyone lines up and either holds hands or grabs each other around the waist making a long dragon body. The head works hard trying to catch the tail. The tail, which has the bandana in his or her back pocket or looped

around a belt, works hard not to be caught. The dragon head is free to yell out fearsome roars in pursuit of the tail or be quiet and sneaky. Once the tail is caught, or several in the group tumble like a pile of puppies, or the head just can’t catch the tail no matter how much fancy foot work is done, take a short rest, switch and let the others take a turn at being the head or tail and play again. If you have lots of people, there could be two or three or more dragons, all trying to catch each other’s tail!

» Smaug’s Jewels Smaug is the big, dangerous dragon in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. He lives in a dark and damp cave, surrounded by priceless jewels that the elves would love to get their hands on. You must be a brave elf if you dare take any of the jewels from the cave under the watchful eye of the dragon. If you get caught, your punishment is a fiery death at the clawed hands of the giant toothed dragon!

This game can be played with as few as four people, but it works better with more. If there

are more than 25 or so, it may be best to have

two games going on at the same time. All

the elves sit, cross-legged, in a circle on the

ground. Smaug the dragon also sits on the

ground cross-legged, but in the center of

the circle, with the bandana sitting directly

in front of him or her but not touching the

dragon. The bandana is the jewel and the

dragon must protect it with all its might, but

it may not touch it, or move it. The dragon

must remain sitting. Its arms can move about and anytime it touches an elf in pursuit of the jewel, the elf must return to the circle and wait another turn. A Hobbit is in charge of the game. The elves must listen closely and follow all orders as the Hobbit calls out such things as “any elves who have Velcro shoes” or “any elves with red on your clothing” or “any elves with birthdays in the winter,” ect. Any characteristic that would apply to random and various elves in the group can be called out by the Hobbit. The Hobbit’s job is to try and make sure everyone gets a few chances. If what the Hobbit says applies, the elves are allowed to get up from their sitting spots and move in to try and capture the jewel.

It is not easy, especially with a quick dragon. Sometimes, especially if the elves work together, it is possible. This is a game of speedy distraction, wit and luck. If an elf is touched by the dragon, that is all it takes to “die” and the elf must return to the circle. The good news is that elves, once sitting, are quickly reborn to try again.

If you are lucky enough to capture the jewel without being tagged, you then get a chance to be the dragon and the dragon gets a chance to be an elf. If the Hobbit notices that there are only a few who have not had a chance to be the dragon, or it is simply time for a new dragon, the Hobbit can order a switch so that everyone who wants to be the dragon gets a chance. If the circle is too small and the elves are sitting too close to the dragon, the Hobbit may order all elves to move back, making the circle wider. This makes for a better game.