Family Interview: From a Family Game to a Rulebook

Before class, each student interviews a family member or older adult about a game from their childhood: its name, place, equipment, rules and songs. In class, groups turn those interviews into a written rulebook and test it outside.

How to play

1. Share in groups of four: each student tells the game from their interview (who, where, when, how it was played) (8 min).
2. The group picks one game, or blends two, and fills in the card: name, origin, number of players, equipment, objective, rules and a safety rule (8 min).
3. Pilot test: play their own game with the available equipment for five minutes (7 min).
4. Revise: note what went wrong (waiting, unclear rules, danger) and fix the card (6 min).
5. Swap: each group tries another group's card without any spoken explanation, only reading (8 min).
6. Wrap-up: collect the cards for next class's game fair (3 min).

Rules

• What goes into the interview is up to the family: if someone can't do it, they bring a game they played as a kid.
• Every game must let the whole group play, without long eliminations.
• Each card includes at least one safety rule.
• Respect each game's origin: no mocking names, languages or songs.

Variations

Adaptations

• Families with language barriers: the interview can be done in their language and translated in class with the group's help.
• Visual impairment: the card is dictated and audio-recorded on a school device.
• Writing difficulties: the group assigns roles and someone else is the note-taker.

Learning goals

• Research and value traditional games from students' families.
• Write clear rules and test them.
• Value the cultural diversity within the class.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cardstock cards: 8
• pens: 8
• cones: 24
• soft balls: 8
• ropes: 4
• scarves: 8
• chalk: 8

Teacher tip

Send the interview home a week ahead with a few guiding questions; many families get more involved than you'd expect. Keep a backup game for anyone who brings nothing, without singling them out.

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