Playing Games & Taking Turns

Taking turns means waiting for your chance so everyone gets to play and have fun fairly.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Playing games & taking turns as an interactive lesson.

Definition

Taking turns means one person does their part in a game, then waits while someone else does their part. Everyone gets a chance, and no one goes all the time or never at all. It is a fair way to share time and activity with others.

Remember the rule

Wait → Watch → Cheer → Play! (Wait for your turn, Watch others go, Cheer them on, then Play when it is your turn.)

Key words

Turn: Your special moment to do something in a game, like roll the dice or kick the ball.
Wait: To stay calm and patient until it is your time to go.
Fair: When everyone gets the same chance to play, no one is left out.
Order: The set plan for who goes first, second, third, and so on.
Patience: Being able to wait nicely without getting upset or grabbing.
Cooperate: Working together and following the rules so the game is fun for all.
Rule: An agreement everyone in the game follows so things stay fair.
Sportsmanship: Being kind and a good sport whether you win or lose.

Worked examples

It is a game of Duck Duck Goose. There are 6 kids sitting in a circle. Maya just got tapped. Whose turn is it to be the tapper next?

→ After Maya runs around the circle and sits in the empty spot, the child who was the tapper sits down and a new round begins. Everyone waits quietly in the circle until they are tapped. · Waiting in your spot without running around early is how the game stays fun.

Four friends are playing a board game. They roll a die to see who goes first. Liam rolls a 5, Sofia rolls a 3, Jaylen rolls a 6, and Priya rolls a 2. What order do they take turns?

→ Jaylen goes first (6), Liam goes second (5), Sofia goes third (3), Priya goes fourth (2). Then the order repeats: Jaylen, Liam, Sofia, Priya. · Using a die to decide order is a fair way so no one argues about who starts.

During kickball, it is Ben's turn to kick. He already kicked once this inning. His friend Carlos has not kicked yet. Ben wants to kick again. What should Ben do?

→ Ben should wait in line and let Carlos take his turn. Ben will get another chance when the order comes back around to him. · Skipping someone else's turn is not fair, even if you really want to go again.

Two kids are taking turns on the class swing. Emma has been swinging for a long time. Theo is waiting. What should happen next?

→ Emma should stop and give Theo his turn on the swing. A good rule is to count to 10 or wait for a teacher's signal, then switch. · Short, equal turns mean both kids get to enjoy the swing.

During a relay race, the team passes a baton. Zoe runs her leg and hands the baton to Marcus. Marcus has not started running yet. What is the mistake?

→ The team must wait until Marcus grabs the baton before Zoe lets go. Marcus then runs his leg and hands it to the next teammate in order. · Passing the baton in the right order is how a relay team takes turns together.

A group plays a clapping pattern game. Each child adds one clap to the pattern when it is their turn. It is Nia's turn but she claps twice by mistake. What should the group do?

→ The group can kindly remind Nia of the rule and let her try again with one clap, then the next person takes their turn. Mistakes are okay — just fix them and keep going. · Being kind when someone makes a mistake is part of good sportsmanship.

Common mistakes

Jumping ahead and going before it is your turn, which makes the game feel unfair to everyone else.
Giving up and walking away when you have to wait, which leaves the group short a player.
Hogging a turn by going much longer than everyone else or refusing to stop.
Getting angry or upset when you lose instead of saying 'good game' and trying again.
Forgetting the order and having to argue about who goes next — using a simple system like going clockwise helps avoid this.

FAQs

Why do we have to take turns? Can't I just play the whole time?

If one person plays the whole time, everyone else just stands and watches. Taking turns means every single person gets to play and have fun, not just one.

What if someone cuts in line and takes my turn?

Calmly tell them 'It is my turn next' and ask a teacher for help if needed. Do not push or yell — use your words.

What if I do not know whose turn it is?

Go in a circle order or ask the group to decide together. You can also use a die, count eeny-meeny, or take a vote to make it fair.

What if I lose the game? That feels bad.

Losing can feel disappointing, but every player loses sometimes. Say 'good game,' shake hands, and remember that playing and trying your best is what really matters.

Do the rules change for every game?

The details change, but the big idea stays the same: everyone gets a fair turn, you wait patiently, and you follow the rules the group agreed on.

What if a friend does not want to wait for their turn and gets upset?

Stay calm and remind them kindly that their turn is coming soon. You can say 'You are next!' to help them feel included and less worried about waiting.

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