No.59
Funny-Face Standoff
Japanese name: にらめっこ
Materials
- No special equipment is needed.
How to play
- Face a partner far enough apart not to touch faces. You may look slightly beside their face or choose to facilitate instead of making eye contact.
- On the facilitator’s “Ready, go!”, make funny expressions. Do not tickle, poke or startle anyone with a loud noise.
- The first person to laugh loses that round. Simultaneous laughter is a tie. Stop after about 10 seconds if neither laughs.
- Relax your face, rest and repeat. After about three rounds, change partners or facilitator. You may also take turns showing faces without scoring.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: copy expressions with an adult. Younger primary school children: about 10 seconds per round. Older primary school children: agree whether to keep score.