When you have a large group of kids (20+), it can be difficult to keep them engaged and to make sure that they are all participating. Here is a game that checks both of those concerns off the list. Hungry Crabs can be played outside, in a gym, or in some other large, open area.
Equipment: Bean bags or small object that doesn’t roll (30-50 objects for 50+ children), 3-8 hula hoops (depending on number of teams).
Set-Up: Place bean bags in the center of the playing area. The bean bags or small objects are the “crab food” and the center is the “ocean.” Put hula hoops around the center area so each is an equal distance from the center (probobaly 20-30 feet). Divide group into equal teams (5 hula hoops=5 teams). Assign each team to a hula hoop. All at once, each student will crab walk and get a bean bag, either from the “ocean” or another team’s hoop, place it onto their stomach, and bring it back to their team’s hoop. Children can only take one bean bag at a time. Play for a set amount of time.
Variation: For smaller groups, only let one person from each team go at a time and don’t allow them to take from another team’s hoop. Play until all “food” is gone.