The 40 Game

The 40 Game

Combine physical activity and endurance with simple arithmetic and teamwork.

  • 6+ years
  • Group size: 4+
  • Duration: 20 min
  • Alternative physical activities
  • Mountains, forests and fields
  • Gym / Sports hall
  • Indoor
  • Open space
  • Deck of cards

Cards with numbers 1–40 are spread out on the floor/area, face down. Participants are divided into groups, and each group agrees on a common 'group sound' (for example, an animal sound or a sound they make up themselves).

How to Play the Game

  1. The group rolls a dice.
  2. Everyone in the group runs out and individually searches for the card with the number shown on the die.
  3. When someone in the group finds the correct number, they call out to the others using their agreed-upon sound.
  4. Once the entire group is gathered, they run back to the start and roll the die again.
  5. The new die roll is added to the previous number (they sum as they go). Now the group must find the card with the total sum they have reached.

The game continues this way until a group passes 40. That group wins.

For better durability, and to be able to use the cards outdoors, it might be a good idea to laminate them.

Variations

Write a task on the back of each number card. The group must solve the task before they are allowed to go back and roll the dice again. The tasks can be academic (for example, math, Norwegian, science) or related to physical training (for example, 'do 5 jump squats').

Play the game outdoors, for example in an open space, a football field, or the schoolyard.