Cooperative games are a natural (and fun!) way for kids to develop collaboration skills, one of the 6Cs at the heart of the Begin Approach to helping kids succeed in school and life. Kids who can collaborate do better in school, form healthier relationships, and build more self-esteem.
What important features define a cooperative game? And what kinds of games can you play with your child at home? We’ve gathered 10 here for you to try.
Key Takeaways
- Cooperative play—the last stage of the six stages of play—occurs when kids collaborate to work toward a common goal.
- Cooperative games foster a sense of interdependence and build sharing, problem-solving, and empathy skills. Examples include building a fort with friends, playing tag at a party, and pretending to be a veterinarian at an animal hospital.
- The more kids play cooperative games, the better they do in school and the stronger their relationships become.
Table of Contents
What Is Cooperative Play?
When kids play together to achieve a common goal, they’re engaged in cooperative play—the last stage of the six stages of play, which are listed below.
Unoccupied Play
Usually lasting from birth to three months, this kind of play consists of babies becoming aware of their own bodies (e.g., waving arms, kicking feet) and their surroundings.
Solitary Play
This occurs when kids begin to play with toys by themselves.
Onlooker Play
When a child observes others playing and absorbs some of the rules and dynamics they see, they’re participating in onlooker play.
Parallel Play
Kids begin to play games next to each other and take in information that will prepare them to play together.
Associative Play
In this last stage before cooperative play, children use the same toys or engage in the same activity but are not working toward a common goal.
Cooperative Play
All of the previous observation, information gathering, and practice comes together when a child plays cooperatively. During this stage of play, kids are interacting directly with each other while playing with the same goals in mind.
Some examples of cooperative play include:
- Building a fort with friends
- Playing running games like tag at a party
- Role-playing, like pretending to be veterinarian at an animal hospital
Components of Cooperative Games
In cooperative games, the participants are all working together to achieve something.
As kids spend more time playing cooperative games, they get better at communicating clearly and actively listening, sharing, compromising, problem-solving, showing empathy, and valuing fairness.
10 Fun Cooperative Games for Kids
All of the below cooperative games can be modified depending on kids’ ages and skill levels. As long as the rules are crystal clear and all participants are open to trying, these games are great fun for everyone!
1) We Belong Together
What You’ll Need
- 20 everyday objects such as pens, cups, socks, gloves, blocks, etc.
What to Do
- Place all of the objects on a table or arrange them on the floor.
- Have the kids sit around them.
- Give the kids category descriptions, then ask them to work together to divide the objects into groups accordingly. For instance, a pen and a cup can be categorized as “things you hold in your hands.” Invite older kids to come up with their own descriptions. The more creative, the better!
2) Pattern Ball
What You’ll Need
- Four kids or more
- A lightweight ball that’s safe and easy to toss
What to Do
- Ask the kids to stand in a circle.
- One child begins by tossing the ball to another child.
- They continue to toss the ball, ensuring each child receives it only once.
- When everyone has caught the ball, the group tosses it again—in the same order.
- If the kids need to remind each other of who gets the ball next, great! They can try it until no one needs a reminder!
3) Mirror, Mirror
What You’ll Need
- Two kids or more
What to Do
- Divide the kids into pairs and have them face each other.
- Designate one person in each pair as the “mirror” and the other as the “gazer.”
- The “gazer” looks at the “mirror” and moves into different positions. The “mirror” must copy their movements exactly.
- After a designated period of time, have the kids switch roles.
4) Beach Ball Challenge
What You’ll Need
- Four kids or more
- One beach ball
What to Do
- Ask the kids to stand in a circle.
- Toss the beach ball into the middle of the circle.
- Working together, the kids need to keep the ball off the ground and in motion for as long as they can.
5) Chalk Walk
What You’ll Need
- Chalk
- Open “chalkable” space, like a driveway or school blacktop
What to Do
- Ask the kids to stand a few feet apart from one another in one long line.
- Give each of them one piece of chalk.
- Tell the kids they need to draw one part of a path. For example, someone might draw a row of squares, or someone might draw a long, squiggly line. (You may need to demonstrate this.)
- Once everyone has drawn their part of the path, the kids can walk it, one at a time.
6) Barnyard
What You’ll Need
- Six kids or more
- Open space
What to Do
- Give each child a secret animal identity, making sure you give two or more kids the same identity. You can tell each child privately or give them an index card with their animal written or drawn on it.
- Ask the kids to spread out within the space.
- When you say “go,” the kids need to find their matching animals by making their animal’s sound.
- The game ends when all of the animals have found their matches.
7) Animal Doctor
What You’ll Need
- Two kids
- An assortment of stuffed animals
What to Do
- Explain to the kids that they’ll be pretending to be veterinarians.
- Write down various ailments on index cards and set them next to each stuffed animal. (e.g., “The tiger’s stripes are itchy”; “The shark has a cavity”; “The bear ate too much honey.”). If playing with pre-readers, read the cards aloud.)
- The two “vets” collaborate to come up with a way to treat the animal.
8) Family Cook-Off
What You’ll Need
- A kitchen
- Eight ingredients
- Cooking utensils
- Mixing bowls, plates, cookware/bakeware
What to Do
- Place ingredients on a counter or table.
- Work as a group or divide into teams
- Explain that the goal is to make an edible treat using only the eight ingredients available.
- Set a time limit.
- Everyone makes their treat.
- When the time is up, everyone tries the treats.
- If working in teams, give awards for “Sweetest” or “Most Creative,” etc.
9) Team Tower Building
What You’ll Need
- Two kids or more
- Blocks
What to Do
- Everyone can work together, or you can divide the kids into pairs or groups.
- The first kid places a block as the base of the tower.
- The next kid adds a block.
- The kids continue taking turns balancing blocks until the tower falls.
- To vary, use a timer or a die (each kid rolls the die on their turn and places that number of blocks on the tower).
10) Crossing the River
What You’ll Need
- Three kids or more
- Jump ropes, chalk, string, or tape
- Pieces of cardboard
What to Do
- Using jump ropes, chalk, string, or tape, delineate the two sides of a river. (The river should be at least four feet wide.)
- Have all the kids stand on one side of the river together.
- Give each kid a “rock” (a piece of cardboard.)
- Explain that everyone has to work together to get from one side of the river to the other, using the rocks as stepping stones.
- If someone steps off a rock into the river, they have to go back to the beginning and begin again.
- Once the entire group has made it from one side of the river to the other, they win.
When We Work Together, We All Win!
Making a child’s learning journey successful is a cooperative effort, and at Begin, we’re committed to playing our part through accessible, engaging, and award-winning programs for kids ages two to ten. Because when kids have the support they need to grow and thrive, everybody wins!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are cooperative games used in physical education classes?
Studies show that most kids prefer games where everyone is trying to attain the same goal, as opposed to the more traditional win-lose game model. And since enjoyment is an important component in keeping kids interested in physical activity, the use of cooperative games in PE classes has become popular.
Do any cooperative games for kids focus on STEM?
Many cooperative games focus on STEM learning, and many STEM activities can be adapted into games. A few to try:
- Mind the Gap: kids use blocks to create bridges that span pretend bodies of water
- Piece by Piece: a group of kids puts a puzzle together by only touching the pieces that are designated as theirs.
- Domino Derby: kids work in groups to create domino set-ups and then a chain reaction where the dominos fall one by one.
What’s the difference between competitive and cooperative games?
Competitive games are built on a win-lose model. One player or one team succeeds, and the other fails. Cooperative games, on the other hand, are win-win. Players have a common goal and must work together to succeed.
