People games

Have fun together with people games

As their name suggests, you don’t need special equipment to play people games – just you, some time, and a space to enjoy being together with your child. 

Ideas for people games

There are lots of well-known people games and families often make up their own games. 

Here are some ideas: 

• traditional Māori games such as tī rākau (stick game), mahi whai (string game), poi, and haka
• peekaboo, using a soft blanket or hands
• finger-play games like this little piggy, round and round the garden, and where is Thumbkin?
• games like Simon says, hide and seek, and I spy
• chase, tag, or running around a circuit
• make up a story by taking turns to add the next sentence

When children are included in people games they can learn to: 

• take a turn 
• wait for you to take a turn 
• focus their attention and copy you 
• make choices 
• ask to start a game, or for it to continue 
• practice using new body actions, sounds, and words to communicate. 

Te reo Māori words and phrases for people games

• Kei whea koe? (where are you?)
• Kei konei ahau (here I am)
• E oma (run)
• E peke (jump)
• Titiro (look)