Group games are a great way to spend a sunny day out in a field. If you’re looking for an active icebreaker game to introduce to your group, you may want to consider an old favorite – Red Light, Green Light.
This game is a great example of a fun group game for everybody.
Features of the Red Light, Green Light Game
| ★ Game Name | Red Light, Green Light |
| ★ Group size | small and medium |
| ★ Age | any (6+) |
| ★ Type | active |
| ★ Skill | running / reaction |
| ★ Place | indoor (gym) and outdoor |
| ★ Time | up to 10 – 20 min |
| ★ Preparation | no |
| ★ Materials | no |
The aim behind Red Light, Green Light
The goal behind the game Red Light, Green Light is for all your players to reach the finish line quicker than the rest. This can be difficult as there will be one volunteer player who will act as the traffic light to control their movement. Like a real light – red light means all your players must stop running, and a green light means they can sprint for the finish line again.
Ideal Age and Group Sizes
Red Light, Green Light is a great game to play with groups of 4 to 10 people. For larger groups, you may want to have some players watch from the side and swap them in when someone in the initial group becomes too tired to play.
You can play Red Light, Green Light with anyone aged 6 and up.
Things to prepare to play Red Light, Green Light
To play Red Light, Green Light, you do not need anything except 1 volunteer player as the traffic light.
How to play Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light is an active group game that requires little to no preparation, making it a great icebreaker game if you need ideas on a whim.
Step 1: Begin by choosing 1 player as the traffic light and have them stand at one end of the field with their back facing the other players. Assume this is player 1. You will have to line the rest of your players behind the line at the other end of the field.
Step 2: When player 1 yells, “Green light,” all the remaining players must rush over to where player 1 stands. Player 1 must then yell, “Red light,” and jump around, so he or she faces all the other players. All the players must freeze when a red light is called.
Step 3: If there are any players found moving after a red light has been called, player 1 will have to call out their names and send them back to the starting line. This is a great way to have your players know each other as they must then remember everyone’s names.
Step 4: Repeat the call for a green light and red light until any of the players reach player 1. The first player that reaches player 1 will be the winner. You can then select another player to be the traffic light or continue until all players have crossed the finish line.