Circle Games resource cover image
Image description: Within a frame mimicking a retro video game, the title Circle Games: All Panels, Public Resource appears as a title and subtitle above a group of children playing in a circle.

Games featured here have been used by drama and dance practitioners, educators, and artists in various formats for many years. If we have sourced a game from a specific website, it is credited at the end of the game description.

Most of these games can be adapted up or down with the right supports (e.g., supporting scripts or sentence stems for younger students). Use your professional judgment about whether these games are right for your group.

Notes:

  • It may be worthwhile to review procedures for participating safely in drama games before playing (e.g., be prepared to stop when the teacher needs your attention, etc.). Explicit rehearsal of procedures and routines are beneficial for all students and essential for some.
  • Games should include the right to pass and the right to return when students are ready and able to participate again. This honours the social and emotional access needs of students including the need for longer transitions and opportunities to observe before participating, and physical access needs including the need for rest if an activity is overstimulating or tiring. It also honours preferences if a game includes touch that does not feel safe or appropriate for a student (for any reason).
Game Name
Skill Focus
Recommended Panel

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Energizer

Any

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Energizer

Any

Concentration, Ensemble-building

Any

Concentration, Risk-Taking, Ensemble Building, Energizer

Any

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Risk-taking

Any

Concentration, Ensemble-building

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Concentration, Risk-taking, Ensemble-building, Energizer

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Energizer

Any

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Energizer

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Physical warm-up, Language skills, Energizer

Any

Concentration, Ensemble building, Risk-taking, Non-verbal communication

Any

Concentration, Ensemble building, Risk-taking, Non-verbal communication

Any

Non-verbal communication, Risk-taking, Energizer

Any

Concentration, Risk-taking, Ensemble-building, Active Listening

Any

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Active Listening

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Non-verbal communication

Primary/Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Concentration, Ensemble-building, Active listening

Intermediate/Senior

Ensemble-building, Active listening

Any

Ensemble-building, Active listening

Any

Ensemble-building, Observation, Concentration, Problem-solving, Non-verbal communication, Self-awareness

Intermediate/Senior

Ensemble-building, Active Listening, Concentration

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Ensemble-building, Concentration, Non-verbal Communication, Risk-taking

Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Ensemble-building, Risk-taking

Any

Ensemble-building, Concentration, Observation, Non-verbal communication, Self-awareness

Primary/Junior

Ensemble-building, Concentration, Observation, Non-verbal communication, Self-awareness, Risk-taking

Primary/Junior/Intermediate/Senior

Do you have a game you'd like to add?  Let us know using the Feedback form in the menu on the left!

Further Resources

  • Booth, David. Games For Everyone. Pembroke Publishers Limited, 1986.
  • Booth, David & Charles Lundy. Improvisation, Learning Through Drama. Harcourt Brace Jananovich, 1985.
  • Boal, Augusto. Games For Actors and Non-Actors. Routledge, 1992.
  • Neelands, Jonothan.  Beginning Drama 11-14.  David Fulton, 1997.
  • Rooyackers, Paul. 101 Drama Games: Fun and Learning with Acting and Make Believe. Hunter House, 1997.
  • Rooyackers, Paul. 101 Dance Games for Children: Fun and Creativity with Movement. Hunter House, 1996.
  • Spolin, Viola. Theatre Games for the Classroom: A Teacher’s Handbook. Northwestern University Press, 1986.
  • Swartz, Larry. The New Dramathemes. Pembroke Publishers, 2002.
  • Name Games from https://www.dramanotebook.com/drama-name-games
  • https://www.childdrama.com/lessons.html