Even though we usually refer to mime as an artform used for expression and entertainment, we wanted to write this short post about mime games for children because we see it as an integral part of their development process – no less than any other board games or artwork.
Pantomime is a game technique that offers action or emotion without words by using only gesture, expression, and movement. This art began as early as ancient Greece, became popular in the age of silent films, and culminated with the famous French entertainer Marcel Marceau and his legendary character “Beep the Clown”.
But now it has been scientifically proven: Imagination games are important for children’s development and have been proven to contribute to academic success. Most scientific literature supports the claim that imaginative games can be used to prepare young children for entry into school, and life in general.
In a famous study conducted on the subject, the research team conducted “pretend games” with the children. Studies have shown that children who played with the responsible adult in imaginative mime games gained higher abilities in readiness and social integration compared to the control group in which the game was not performed.
And beyond all these benefits, imagination and pantomime games are just fun!
So come on, let’s get started.
Mime Games For Children
What’s in the box
Sit the children in a circle and ask them to imagine that there is a magic box in the center of the circle. You can ask the children what the size of the box is, what color it is, can they see it?
We will then enter the center of the circle and mime the opening of the box and the removal of an object. We will do a pantomime of holding the object and ask the children to guess what it is. When the children guess correctly, we will return the object (in the pantomime) to the box and close it. The child who guessed correctly gets the next turn and has to take another object out of the box.
Move the object
This is a mime game for children that is basically “a sequel” to the previous game but can also be performed separately. With mime, an object is taken out of the box – for example, a mouse, a rotten egg, a cream cake, chewing gum, lipstick, or a puppy dog - and the children have to guess what it is. When they guess, we will move the object around the circle. Children should respond as if they are holding the actual object.
The walking game
This is one of our favorite mime games for kids. Let the children imagine the ways people walk. Ask them to walk around the room, then come up with different ways of walking and the kids will have to walk accordingly. A few examples:
- A baby.
- A boy in high heels.
- A boy wearing heavy boots.
- A child splashing in puddles.
- A boy stuck in the mud.
- A boy walking on pebbles.
- A boy walking on hot sand.
- Someone who goes on fire.
- Someone walks tiredly.
- An old man.
Shop
One of the things we recommend you do is to try and regularly collect all kinds of “adult” items that have fallen out of use – a worn-out wallet, an expired credit card, a defective mobile device, etc. – and keep them in some “adult bag”. This will allow you to produce a quick and easy game with the kids where they can play adults, and you will be the sellers in the store (or vice versa).
Ask the children what store you are in, what they want to buy, is it expensive, etc. And you can try and learn some numbers along the way!
Random meeting (in pairs)
Two children can play this game together and imagine a meeting between them under different cases to be defined:
- Two strangers meeting.
- Close friends who have not seen each other for a long time.
- Meet someone they have not seen in 10 years.
- Meeting someone who owes them money.
Invent a product
Invent a new product with the kids. It doesn’t have to be practical – a dream catcher, a robot making an omelet, catapult firing donkeys – everything goes. Ask the children: What will it be? What will it be used for? Where will we sell it?
Are you done with the product? Let’s make him an advertisement!
A simple mime game
This is the simplest game, but one of the most fun! Each party is given half a minute to present action in a pantomime, and the other party has to guess what that action is. You can start with simple activities such as: eating, drinking, reading, cleaning – and from there move on to more complex actions and situations.
If there are two children playing, they can play together, and if it is one child you can play the other side.
Mime is a theatrical medium or performance art that involves acting out a story through body motions, without the use of speech. Learn more about the key elements in mime.
This is it for today!
Do you have any other games we did not think of? Write to us in the comments and we will be happy to add it to the list.