Name & Purpose Elephants, Cows and Giraffes is a fast, funny coordination game. A caller in the centre of a standing circle points at one player and names an animal. That player and their two immediate neighbours must quickly form the animal shape together β each playing a different body part. It builds reaction speed, cooperation, and laughter.
a.k.a. Animal Poses | Zoo Circle
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space Ages 8β16. Best with 10β40 players. Allow 10β20 minutes. Stand in a wide circle indoors or outdoors β players need enough room to reach their arms sideways without touching those not in the group of three.
Materials None.
Quick-Run Card
- Everyone stands in a circle. One volunteer stands in the centre as the caller.
- The caller points at a player and calls one of three animals: “elephant,” “cow,” or “giraffe.”
- That player (the centre of the animal) and the players on their immediate left and right form the animal shape as fast as possible.
- The caller counts to 5 out loud. The last of the three to get into position becomes the new caller.
- If all three are in position before 5, the caller picks again without swapping.
Animal Shapes
- Elephant: Centre player puts both hands in front of their nose, fingers interlocked, arms extended to form a trunk. Left and right neighbours each place one hand near the centre player’s hip and the other near their shoulder, arms curving out to form elephant ears.
- Cow: Centre player links fingers and turns hands upside down, thumbs pointing down to form udders. Left and right neighbours each “milk” the thumbs with a gentle downward pull.
- Giraffe: Centre player raises both arms straight above their head, hands together, to form the neck. Left and right neighbours bend forward, each touching one foot of the centre player to form the legs.
Setup & Boundaries Teach all three animal shapes before starting the game. Practice each one slowly as a full circle β call each animal and let everyone try it without the pressure of a countdown. Only then start the caller mechanic. Remind players: the aim is to get into position fast, not to do it perfectly. No one loses for being slow.
How to Play Once the shapes are learned, one volunteer moves to the centre as the caller. They make eye contact with a player in the circle, point clearly, and call an animal. The target player and their two neighbours immediately start forming the shape. The caller counts “1, 2, 3, 4, 5” at a steady pace. Whoever among the three is last to complete their part of the shape moves to the centre and becomes the new caller. The previous caller takes the now-empty spot in the circle. Keep the game moving fast β hesitation is part of the fun. After a few rounds, increase challenge by having the caller count faster or add more animals of the group’s own invention.
I-OPt Roles Run at least three simultaneously:
- Caller β one player in the centre; points and names animals; counts to 5.
- Animal Former β all circle players; respond to calls instantly with the correct shape.
- Animal Inventor β optional: any player can suggest a new animal and shape for the group to practice during a break in play.
- Shape Judge β one or two rotating players who watch for ambiguous positions and call a friendly “almost!” for the caller to use.
- Encourager β any player who cheers good attempts and laughs with the group.
Inclusion Supports
- Players who cannot reach sideways (due to mobility, arm length, or physical difference) can modify the shapes: for elephant, use one arm for the trunk instead of two; for giraffe, raise one arm only.
- Players who cannot stand for extended periods can play in a seated circle β shapes are adapted to seated positions (same gestures, just sitting).
- Players who find rapid physical coordination difficult: offer a “learning round” where the count starts at 10 instead of 5, reducing to 5 as confidence grows.
- The “slow caller” role is available for any player who finds the centre-caller pressure too high β they simply call the animal without a countdown.
- Players who are touch-averse: the cow milking shape involves touching the centre player’s thumbs β a no-touch alternative is to mime milking in the air near the hands.
Stewardship After the game, take 30 seconds in the standing circle. Ask players to look at the two people immediately on either side of them β the same people who formed animal shapes with them all game. Ask: “What do you appreciate about working with the people right next to you?”
Consent Pre-brief: Some shapes involve touching (cow milking, elephant ears near hips). Explain each shape and the touch involved before play starts. Offer no-touch alternatives for each. Mid-game check-in: If a player in a trio looks uncomfortable, the facilitator pauses the countdown and checks in. Opt-out / re-entry: Any player can step back from the circle at any time. They may return when ready β they simply rejoin the circle at any open spot.
Risks & Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Players collide reaching sideways for shapes | Medium | Ensure spacing in circle; practice shapes slowly first |
| Accidental touch in sensitive areas (hips for elephant ears) | Medium | Pre-brief touch; offer modified ear placement (hands at waist height instead) |
| Player embarrassed at slow reaction time | LowβMedium | Frame speed as fun, not judgment; praise all attempts |
| Players become the caller repeatedly and feel targeted | Low | Set a rule: no caller stays in the centre for more than 3 rounds; rotate by choice |
Warm-Up Suggestions
- Simon Says: a classic warm-up using body part commands β primes players for quick physical response.
- Practice all three animals as a whole circle before starting: call each one and hold for 5 seconds.
Debrief What? Ask: “Which animal was hardest to form? Why?” So what? Ask: “What helped your group of three get into position fast? Did you communicate? Did you just know what to do?” Now what? Ask: “When in real life do you have to react quickly and work with the people right beside you?”
Cleanup & Reset No materials used. Return the space to its original layout.
