Statue (Freeze Dance)

Players

3 or more

Time

10 minutes

You need

Music

Ages

3 and above

Type

Games for kids

Who it suits and when to play

Statue suits the youngest guests, from three years, and it is the safest way to let small children use up energy indoors. It needs only music and a little space. Older children enjoy it too if the poses are made harder. It is a good first game at a birthday party, because nobody has to wait for a turn.

How to play

1. Play lively music and let everyone dance.
2. Stop the music without warning and call "Statue!"
3. Players must hold their position. The host walks around and tries to make them laugh, without touching.
4. A player who moves or giggles is out, and helps the host to judge.
5. The last statue standing wins.

Tips and variations

• Call out a theme before each stop: "Freeze like an animal", "Freeze like a cricketer", "Freeze like a tree in the wind".

Common problems and how to fix them

• Small children cry when they are out. Do not send anyone out. Let the "statues" who moved clap for the others, or become judges.
• Children bump into each other. Mark a dancing spot for each child with a chalk circle or a mat.
• Judging who moved is hard. Appoint two older children as judges; blinking and breathing are allowed.

More games for kids

• Treasure Hunt at Home 30 minutes, plus 20 to prepare
• Memory Tray 10 minutes
• Leader Says 10 minutes
• Picnic Races 30 to 45 minutes

Need fair teams or someone to go first? Use the team maker. See all 45 games.