Grade:

Middle

Setup:

Circle Game

Objective:

Seat the players in a circle all facing each other. One player who is chosen as “it” sits in the center of the circle. The “it” player in the middle of the circle goes to a player in the circle, maintains eye contact and without touching them uses their silliest voice and expressions says “Darling, if you love me won’t you please, please smile?” The player who was asked the question responds with “Darling, you know I love you, but I just can’t smile.” without smiling. If the player responds, but cannot do so without smiling they become the “it” player in the center of the circle.

If the player successfully replies without smiling the “it” player moves on to the next player in the circle and again asks “Darling, if you love me won’t you please, please smile?”. The “it” player should go in order around the circle. This prevents them from only selecting their friends or players that are naturally smiley. When a new player becomes “it” they should continue where the previous player left off. To succeed it is highly recommended that as the “it” player you use whatever antics you can during your approach to the player you are about to ask the question. Use of silly body movements and facial expressions may get the player smiling before the question is even asked.

(If some campers are wearing a mask, the goal could be to make them laugh or break eye contact, or you could do an honesty policy on smiling… be creative!)