Ships and Sails

Get ready

1. Have everyone stand in the middle of the room facing the leader (the Captain) at the front.
2. Explain that they are all sailors on a ship. Anyone who can't complete an order correctly and quickly is out and sits on the side.
3. Have a few helpers demonstrate each order before you start.

How to play

1. Go West: everyone runs (or walks) to their right.
2. Go East: everyone runs (or walks) to their left.
3. Hit the Deck: everyone quickly lies on their stomach.
4. Captain's Waiting: freeze! No one moves until the Captain says “At Ease.” The Captain may call several orders before “At Ease” to catch people moving.
5. Man Overboard: find a partner. One gets on hands and knees; the other puts one foot on their partner's back and shades their eyes with their right hand to look for the sailor overboard.
6. Three Men Eating: form groups of three, sit in a circle, and pretend to hold a plate and quickly scoop food into your mouth.
7. Four Men Rowing: form groups of four, sit in a row on the floor, and swing your arms like you're rowing.
8. Shark Attack: helpers become sharks who “jump on deck.” Sailors run to a safe place (chairs or the wall). Anyone tagged before reaching safety is out.

Tips & variations

• Call orders faster as the game goes on to keep it exciting.
• Groups that are the wrong size for Three Men Eating or Four Men Rowing are out.