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After being a day-camp leader for a few summers I have gotten to play many great games that encourage children to use their imagination.

1) Only Questions
If you've ever watched Whose Line is it Anyways? you'll probably recognize this game. Kids love it! It's simple and can last as long as the kids want.

The only rule: You can only speak in questions. Start two kids off in some random situation (that any other children around can help to create) and see who can last the longest while only speaking in questions. The most creative kids will last the longest and it really challenges them to think and be imaginative in what they are going to say.

2) Who's telling the truth? This is also a game gotten from a TV show, but I can't remember the name of the game-show that this game is based off.

To play you should have at least three kids at the people being questioned and the rest to be asking the questions.

The kids being questioned must come up with a place, situation, pet, something that one has done/been/has that the others haven't. An example would be that one has a hamster and the others don't.

Then, the kids being questioned stand in the front of everyone else and they all say they have a pet hamster (continuing the example). Then everyone in the audience gets to ask questions (about 20) and try to guess who actually has a pet hamster apart from those who are lying.

It may sound like this game is all about improving a child's ability to lie but it's all about improvisation and quick, creative thinking. If they're asked what their pet hamster's name is they have to come up with something believable quickly or else the audience will know they are lying.

If you're playing this game at camp try having at least one round with only leaders doing the lying/telling the truth. This can really challenge the audience to pick out the truth teller.

I hope you try these games some time soon, they're proven fun by all the kids I've played them with. And remember, if you ever get stuck and want something fun to challenge a child's imagination, just grab five random objects and give them 10 minutes to come up with some type of game for two or more teams to play. You'd be surprised by the fun that can be created!

Learn more about this author, Kim P.
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