Dance Charades

Dance Charades -A chance to act out independent living and self-help skills

Get ready to move, as Dance Charades is a game you don't play sitting down. What makes this dance charade game exciting to an occupational therapist is that many of the dances go through everyday movements that relate to self-help and independent living skills such as brushing your teeth, wiping the counter and vacuuming the rug.

This is the second game I have come across this year that can include Google Assistant and/or Alexa, but it is not necessary. There is a CD included with music to dance to, but if you don't want to use it you can make your own playlist with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

About the CD: We tried several things and were not able to open it for some reason. The CD showed that it was recorded in 1994, even though the copyright on the game is 2014. So I can't even tell you what kind of music is on it. I think most people have access to an Alexa or can make a playlist on a device. Use instrumental music, all one genre or mix it up. The music should play for 40 seconds and stop. This is how long the player will dance and others will have a chance to guess what they are doing/dancing. Either make a playlist with 40 second music clips or just play a song and, using a timer, stop it at 40 seconds.

About the dances: Each card names one action, person or thing. Dances that an OT might get excited about (there are so many) include combing your hair, folding the laundry, dusting, making a pizza and blow drying your hair. If I was playing this game in therapy with one other person, I would 1) stack the deck and 2) take my time in guessing so they have longer to go through the motions. They are going to all take motor planning. Examples of what is on other cards include ice skating, electric guitar, changing a diaper, spider, robot, stretch, rain, weed whacking, the twist, putting on a belt and cracking an egg. There are also several blank cards so that you can add whatever movements you are working on. If you have some type of removable sticker, you could write on that and put it on the card and then remove it later. Then you could reuse them over and over.

Object:
Be the player with the most points at the end of the game.

Set up:
Decide how many rounds you will play. For instance, each player will get three turns to dance and then the scores will be tallied. Players sit in a circle. Divide the 45 tokens evenly between players. If there are any left over, set them aside, out of play. Decide who will be the first dancer. The person to the left of the dancer is always the DJ (the person to start and stop the music). 

Play:
Players take turns. Turn over a dance card and read it to yourself. The DJ starts the music. Dance what is on the card. No speaking allowed. If someone guesses your dance, draw another card and keep dancing for the 40 seconds. For every dance someone guesses, you get one point and the guesser gets one point. If another player(s) likes your moves, they can throw up to three tokens into the circle. Players are not obligated to throw coins. At the end of your dance, even if no one guessed it, score one point for each token (if you got any). Then put those tokens out of play for the rest of the game. Record any scores on paper. Play continues until the previously decided-upon number of rounds are over. Highest scorer wins the game. 

Try this:

• Work as a team. Act out a supporting role, model an action, or offer suggestions if the individual has trouble coming up with an idea and/or executing the action. 
• Allow sound or the use of props for additional clues. 
• Be ready with encouragement and keep the atmosphere light and fun.
• Allow the individual to choose a different card if he picks something that he doesn't want to act out. It is not meant to put anyone on the spot.
• Make up your own dance cards based on any skills or activities that you are working on to practice going through the motions.
• Use before or after actually performing the activities.
• Play with just one other person in therapy to practice. If they have trouble with motor planning, play follow the leader where you will perform each action and they will copy. After practicing, reverse roles.
• Work on motor planning, body awareness, spatial relations, creativity, balance, coordinated movements, process skills, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: Audio CD with 40 dance songs, 45 dance tokens, 300 dance cards, including some blank cards, pouch, score pad and pencil

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.