Cousin Games: Finding the Shared Structure Across Cultures

Three students from different backgrounds in the class each teach a tag or steal-the-object game from their country or family. After playing them, the group analyzes their internal logic (space, time, roles and goal), finds what they have in common and creates a game that blends all three.

How to play

1. In the previous lesson, ask for three volunteers to bring a tag or steal-the-object game from their family's culture; the teacher checks safety with them; today each one briefly introduces their game and where it comes from (2 min).
2. First game, led by the student who brought it, with the whole class split into two halves (6 min).
3. Second and third games, also led by the students who brought them (12 min).
4. In groups of five, students fill out an internal-logic worksheet for all three games: space, time, relationship with teammates and opponents, and how to win; they share the similarities (4 min).
5. Each group suggests one blending rule, and the class plays a round of the resulting cousin game using the best ideas (6 min).

Rules

• The presenting student leads their game; the teacher steps in only for safety.
• In tag games, tag with an open hand on the back or shoulder, without pushing.
• No game leaves anyone out for more than a minute: use rescues or role swaps.
• Respect the game's original name and the way the presenter explains it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: the safe zone or object to steal is placed somewhere accessible, and they can be a presenter or analyst.
• Hearing impairment: the presenter backs up the explanation with a demo and a picture card.
• Newcomer students with limited Spanish: can present their game with help from a classmate translator or pictures.

Learning goals

• Recognize and value games from the cultures in the group.
• Analyze the internal logic of games to find shared structures.
• Cooperate to create a new game that brings together diverse contributions.

Equipment for a class of 25

• pinnies: 14
• cones: 12
• worksheets: 6
• bandanas: 6

Teacher tip

Talk with the presenters beforehand so no one feels they have to represent a whole country: they can simply bring a game from their family. Keep the worksheets for a school games wall.

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