Adult Recess: 7 Movement Games That Bring Back Play & Connection

Games are one of the simplest ways to create a space for play, fun, belonging and connection. Play lowers barriers, builds trust, and gives people permission to show up as they are. When we design games based on exploration and collaboration with other it shifts the focus from performance to presence. Games are a way to build relationships and bring fun back into movement.

Many of the games in this Adult Recess shared below came from colleagues who are intentionally weaving play, creativity, and human connection into the classes they lead. I’ve been inspired by past podcast guests and movement leaders Shelby Copeland, Jesse Danger, Gill Erskine, and Andrew Telfer, founders of WildStrong. They are leading the way in showing how simple movement games can create moments of trust, connection, and joy in movement.

Play is a powerful pathway to connection, confidence, and community. And as we get older, it becomes more important.

During Active Aging Week this year, I hosted an Adult Recess class to bring fun and connection to movement. The games below are simple, low-cost, and designed to bring people together through exploration and shared experience. No special equipment. No athletic ability required. Just a willingness to play.

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1. Jenga Blocks: The Silent Dance

What you need: One Jenga block per pair

Partners face each other and balance a single Jenga block between their index fingers. Without speaking, one person becomes the “leader” and begins to move — forward, backward, side to side — while the other follows, keeping the block balanced.

It’s a fun challenge in communication and awareness. You quickly realize how much you can “say” without words and how subtle adjustments in pressure or movement can make all the difference.

2. Balancing Tower

What you need: 5 Jenga blocks per pair

One partner is the holder, gripping a single Jenga block in one hand. The other is the builder, stacking the remaining blocks to create a tower on top of the held block.

Once the tower is built, the real fun begins — the holder can test their balance by switching hands, standing on one leg, or slowly turning in a circle. The challenge isn’t just balance, but trust and teamwork too.

3. T-Party

What you need: 2 Jenga blocks per person

Each person holds two Jenga blocks in a “T” shape — one flat, one balanced on top. The goal is to move ove around the play area and try to knock off other people’s top blocks without losing your own. Yoga blocks could be used instead of Jenga blocks.

Rules are no covering the blocks or holding them overhead. It's about fun and strategy while dual-tasking.

4. Newspaper Relay

What you need: A sheet of newspaper per participant, a few cones

Divide into two teams. Each participant holds a newspaper page flat against the front of their body (no hands!) and walks down to a cone, circles around it, and returns to hand off the paper to the next teammate.

Once both teams complete the course, they race again to beat their previous time.

5. Magic Tiles

What you need: 3 discs (or other items for people to step on) and 2 foam pads per team

This is a twist on the classic “floor is lava.” In teams of 3–4, participants must move from one side of the designated space to the other without touching the floor — only the foam pads and discs are “safe.”

Team members strategize how to share, move, and reuse the discs to get everyone across. The last person has to make it without help. It’s teamwork and problem solving.

6. Waiter

What you need: A foam pad or tray, 3 plastic cups per pair

Partner up. One person is the waiter, holding a foam pad with three cups balanced on top. Their partner invents what’s in the cups. One cup could be "popcorn," one is “ladybugs,” and the other is “milk duds.”

The waiter must walk around a cone and return without spilling — then recite back to their partner what was "in" the cups.

One participant decided to do an extra challenge, and balanced the foam pad on her head while walking! T

7. Have You Ever?

What you need: Just your group in a circle

A leader asks a question like:

• Have you ever met anyone famous?

• Do you have two or more siblings?

• Are you a grandparent?

If the answer is yes, participants step into the center and high-five everyone else who joined them.

It’s a simple way to build connection and get participants to learn about one another and find surprising common ground. Every question becomes a story starter.

Stretch & Reflect

After all the games are played, take a few minutes to stretch and reflect. Ask:

• What was your favorite game today?

• Did anything surprise you about the games?

If you use any of these games in your next class, let me know! If you have games you like to play, I'd love to learn about them. You can email me at erin@agentsofmovement.com