Play Giants, Wizards, and Elves: The Ultimate Active Team Game
Team-building exercises. Yawn.
Icebreakers. (Nope.)
Family game night? Everyone’s leaving (or in bed) by 8.
I’ve got your fix.
Giants, Wizards, and Elves is a no-fail hit that blends epic mythical characters with silly gestures
It’s over-the-top, easy to play, and hilarious. Ridiculous growling, sneaky squeaking, and spell-zinging antics guarantee even those “too cool for school” players will give in. Yup, you’ve just saved fun.
So, let’s break it down step-by-step. Spoiler: It’s ridiculously easy to learn and even more fun to play.
Giants, Wizards, and Elves (The Basics)
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty gameplay, let’s cover the foundation.
This game thrives on three magical characters, a little imagination, and a lot of team spirit.
My 5th graders LOVE to play this game. But, if you’ve got a big group of fun-loving adults, they’ll enjoy it, too.
The Characters and Their Movements
Here’s the deal. Your team can transform into one of these three fantastic creatures:
- Giants: Stand tall on your toes, stretch your arms over your head like you’re swatting at a rogue fly, and let out your growliest growl.
- Wizards: Crouch slightly, wiggle your fingers like you’re brewing trouble, and channel your inner Gandalf
- Elves: Shrink low to the ground, cup your hands behind your ears, and squeak like a mischievous woodland creature.
The movements are big, bold, and honestly a little ridiculous—which is entirely why they work.
The Rules of the Game
Think of this as the ultimate battle royale of mythical creatures.
Your choices have consequences:
- Giants squash Elves. (Sorry, little guys, size matters.)
- Elves outsmart Wizards. (Brains over brawn, folks.)
- Wizards zap Giants. (Magic always wins against brute force.)
It’s a simple hierarchy.
You pick wisely—or not—and watch the chaos unfold.
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Setting Up the Play Area
This isn’t a game where you stand around politely. Trust me, you’ll want some room. Here’s how to get things ready:
- Mark a middle line: Use chalk, cones, masking tape, or whatever you’ve got handy. This is where the showdown happens.
- Create team zones: Divide your space into two areas—one for each team. Again, go with chalk, cones, or tape—just make sure the boundary is clear.
- Safety first: Keep tripping hazards out of the way and remind everyone not to go full WWE.
Got all that? Good. Let’s get to the fun part.
Create a secret hand signal system for quick character changes – like scratching your nose for Giants, tugging your ear for Elves. (Just try not to look like you’re having an allergic reaction.)
How to Play Giants, Wizards, and Elves
Now for the main event!
Follow these steps, and you’ll be headlining the Team Game Olympics in no time.
Preparing to Play
Step one, team setup. No surprise there.
- Split into two teams. Make sure they’re roughly equal in numbers.
- Pick captains for each team. It’s their job to lead discussions and make sure everyone’s not just standing around arguing.
- Explain the rules. (Seriously, don’t skip this. Confused players = chaos. And not the fun kind.)
Once everyone’s clear, it’s time to get those mystical brain juices flowing.
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Playing Each Round
Alright, here’s where things heat up:
- Each team huddles on their side of the play area. No peeking at the other team’s strategy!
- Teams decide their character (Giant, Wizard, or Elf). Captains can lead the decision, but everyone gets a say. Whisper, gesture—just don’t let the other team crack your code.
- Both teams line up at the middle line, ready to strike.
- The game leader counts down—“Three, two, one, GO!”—and the teams perform their chosen actions (growling, spell-casting, squeaking) at the top of their lungs.
- The winner is announced based on the character hierarchy: Giants squish Elves, Elves outwit Wizards, Wizards zap Giants.
Rinse and repeat for as many rounds as you want.
Keep track of points—one point per win—and crown your champions at the end.
Winning the Game
What’s a game without a little competition?
The team with the most points after a set number of rounds wins.
Feel free to add extra flair—give out homemade medals, do a victory dance, or just let the losers grumble.
Want to spice things up?
Here’s a few ideas to keep the game fresh, inclusive, and downright unforgettable.
Strategies for Success
- Communicate like pros. Clear, quick decision-making will get you those sweet, sweet points.
- Mix it up. Don’t be predictable. If your team keeps picking Giants, you’re begging to get zapped.
- Stay on your toes. Literally and figuratively. Quick reactions win rounds.
The “Misleading Huddle” Technique: During team discussions, have everyone practice ALL THREE character moves while “deciding.” The other team’s spies won’t know what hit ’em when your seemingly indecisive group suddenly unleashes their pre-planned attack!
Creative Variations and Twists to the Game
Giants, Wizards, and Elves getting a little bit stale? Swap them out for themed characters! Examples:
- Halloween version: Zombies, Ghosts, and Vampires.
- Space vibe: Aliens, Spaceships, and Astronauts.
- Superheroes: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
Pro tip: Let the group come up with their own characters. The weirder, the better.
Making the Game Accessible
Need to tweak the game for different age groups or abilities? No problem.
- For younger kids, simplify the movements or even use classic rock-paper-scissors.
- For physical limitations, adapt the actions. For example, Giants can raise their hands instead of standing on toes.
- Add rules that emphasize inclusion—like rotating captains every round.
Bottom line? Make it work for everyone. Fun doesn’t come in a one-size-fits-all package.
Rotate team captains every three rounds – keeps things fresh and prevents any wannabe Dumbledores from getting power-hungry.
Similar Games to Try
If you love Giants, Wizards, and Elves, you’ll love these too. Let’s stack them up.
Icebreaker Games for Team Building
- Duck, Duck, Goose: Classic and chaotic.
- Capture the Flag: A bit more strategic, but just as fun.
- Sock Wrestling: Totally awesome, chaotic fun.
Comparison Table
| Game | Space Needed | Complexity | Physical Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giants, Wizards, Elves | Medium | Easy | High |
| Duck, Duck, Goose | Small | Easy | Medium |
| Capture the Flag | Large | Medium | High |
| Simon Says | Small | Easy | Low |
Benefits of Playing Giants, Wizards, and Elves
There’s more to this game than goofy gestures. Here’s how it helps:
Teamwork and Communication
Players have to collaborate, share ideas, and make decisions as a group. It’s like boot camp for teamwork—but fun.
Physical and Mental Engagement
Running, crouching, squeaking—it’s a workout. Plus, the quick decision-making keeps brains firing on all cylinders.
Time to unleash your inner Giant, Wizard, or Elf. This game’s not just fun—it’s genius.
So the next time you’re looking for an icebreaker that doesn’t suck, you know what to do. Gear up, pick your team, and let the battle begin.