Body Language

Directions:

Why are your kids rubbing their stomachs and tapping their heads? Because they're speaking in a secret code (they're actually concurring that it's time for an ice-cream break).

You can get in on the action, too, by helping your children devise a code language that can involve words, hand signs, and various types of body language. Start off simple, with a substitute for "yes" and "no." Perhaps patting the head means "yes" and pointing to the nose means "no." Ask a series of yes/no questions, such as, "Is your name Madeline?" "Do you like chocolate?" "Do we live on earth?" Rattle off the questions as quickly as you can, seeing if your kids can keep the hand signals straight.

Next, up the challenge by substituting body language for common words. For instance, pointing to an elbow might mean "table," and waving twice might mean "book." So you might say, "Please pass the green [wave twice] on the [point to elbow]."

See how many substitutions you and your kids can devise. When you're done, you may be able to have a complete conversation without opening your mouths!

More on: Games for the Whole Family

Excerpted from:

© 2005 by Steve and Ruth Bennett. Excerpted from 365 Unplugged Family Fun Activities with permission of its publisher, Perseus Books Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

To order this book visit perseusbooksgroup.com.