Evolution: a game by PLAYWORKS

One of my favorites games that we played at the PLAY ON 2010:


Group size: 10-40
Length of Activity: 10-15 minutes
Development Goal: To increase social comfort and to improve non-verbal communication

Before you Start:
-Have the whole group gather in a contained area.
-Explain the evolution of all life: First the egg, then the chicken, the dinosaur, rock star and superhero. 

-Each stage of evolution has a corresponding action-egg is low to the ground with hands over their head, chicken walks like a chicken and clucks, dinosaur has arms outstretched like big jaws, etc.

-Demonstrate clearly the different steps and order of evolution, including what to do if you win or do not win Rock/Paper/Scissors (Ro-Sham-Bo)

-Make sure everyone knows how to play Rock/Paper/Scissors.
-Remind players that they can only do RPS with someone who is at the same stage of evolution, this encourages students to interact with many different people, not just their friends.

How to play:
-Everyone begins as an egg.
-Players mix up, pair up and play RPS.
-The person who wins evolves to the next step, the person who did not win goes down a stage. If the player is already an egg she remains an egg.
-Players pair up again, only with someone who is in the same stage of evolution. 
-When a player evolves all the way to superhero, she is finished and can fly around the area.
-Game ends when all players are also superheroes or when the time limit is up.

Enjoy the game and tell me about your experience with it, if you decide to give it a try!