Name & Purpose Ha Ha Ha! is a laughter game β and the goal is to hold it together. Players lie in a chain with each head resting on the next person’s stomach. As the chain shouts a growing sequence of “HAs,” the movement of laughing stomachs makes everyone’s heads bounce, which makes everyone laugh, which makes heads bounce more. It is wonderfully silly and almost impossible to win.
a.k.a. Ha Game | Laugh Chain | Stomach Bounce
Age Band / Group Size / Time / Space Ages 8β16. Best with 8β30 players. Allow 5β15 minutes. Use a clean flat floor β indoors on carpet, rugs, or mats, or outdoors on clean dry grass. Players lie down for this game.
Materials None required. Optional: yoga mats or blankets for players who want cushioning.
Quick-Run Card
- Players lie on their backs in a long chain (or a curved line or loose spiral β any shape works).
- Each player rests their head on the stomach of the person next to them in the chain.
- The first person in the chain shouts “HA!” clearly and firmly.
- The second person shouts “HA!” and so on down the chain, one person at a time.
- Round 1 complete. Now round 2: the first person says “HA HA,” the second says “HA HA,” and so on.
- Each round adds one more “HA” per person.
- Aim to reach round 10 (ten “HAs” per person) without everyone dissolving into real laughter.
- When laughter breaks out β that is the game working perfectly.
Setup & Boundaries Lay out the space before players lie down β check for hard surfaces, sharp objects, or uneven ground. Players choose which direction to lie and who to lie beside β do not assign positions. Everyone should be comfortable with whose stomach their head rests on. Give players a moment to settle before starting. Hair on faces: give players a moment to adjust so hair is not uncomfortable for the person lying on their stomach.
How to Play Once everyone is settled in the chain, introduce the game with energy: “The goal is to say your HAs without laughing. You will almost certainly fail. That is the point.” Start with the first person in the chain. They say “HA” β just once, loudly and deliberately. The next person says “HA.” And so on down the chain. The bouncing of laughing stomachs is already infectious after a few rounds. Round 2: each person says “HA HA.” By round 3 or 4, most groups are already in genuine laughter. Keep going for as many rounds as the group can manage. The shared goal β reach round 10 β is usually impossible, but trying is the whole fun.
I-OPt Roles Run at least three simultaneously:
- Chain Starter β the first player in the chain; sets the tempo and volume for each round.
- Ha Caller β all players in sequence; say their HAs on cue, keep a straight face if possible.
- Round Counter β one player (can rotate) who calls out the round number between each pass.
- Setup Crew β players who help others find a comfortable position in the chain before play starts.
- Opt-Out Observer β any player not in the chain; sits nearby and watches, free to laugh along.
Inclusion Supports
- Players who are uncomfortable lying with their head on another player’s stomach can participate as an Opt-Out Observer or join the chain with a yoga mat or folded jumper as a buffer.
- Players with hair or neck sensitivities: encourage them to position themselves at the end of the chain where only one person’s stomach is involved.
- Players with digestive sensitivities or who are self-conscious about their stomach: reassure that the head rests lightly; offer Opt-Out Observer or Round Counter roles.
- Players with back pain or who cannot lie on the floor: they can be the Round Counter or Chain Starter while seated.
- No player should feel pressured to allow their stomach to be used as a pillow β this is opt-in physical contact.
Stewardship After the game, players help each other up. Collect any mats or blankets used. Check the floor for any items that ended up on the ground. Take 30 seconds standing in a circle: ask everyone to take one deep breath together β in, hold, and slowly out. Ask: “What just happened in your body when you laughed?”
Consent Pre-brief: Players choose who they lie next to. Explain that heads will rest on stomachs β ask if anyone is uncomfortable with this arrangement and offer alternatives before the chain is set. This is a personal physical contact game β never assign positions. Mid-game check-in: If a player looks uncomfortable once the chain is set, pause and allow repositioning or a move to Observer. Opt-out / re-entry: Any player can remove themselves from the chain at any time by sitting up. They become an Observer. They may rejoin the end of the chain between rounds.
Risks & Mitigation
| Risk | Likelihood | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Players knock heads when getting into position | Medium | Brief players to lie down gently; spot the formation as it assembles |
| Player uncomfortable with physical contact on stomach | Medium | Opt-in setup; no assigned positions; Observer role available |
| Player with neck pain unable to use hard floor | LowβMedium | Offer mats or blankets; seated roles available |
| Genuine laughter causes accidental movement/collision | Low | Ensure chain is on soft ground; adequate spacing between chains if multiple chains are used |
| Player feels embarrassed laughing uncontrollably | Low | Frame the game: uncontrollable laughter is winning, not failing |
Warm-Up Suggestions
- Laughter warm-up: stand in a circle and do a fake laugh together β “ha ha ha!” β for 30 seconds until it turns real.
- Deep breath: inhale slowly, hold, and exhale together as a group to settle energy before lying down.
Debrief What? Ask: “What round did the laughter break out for most people? What set it off?” So what? Ask: “Why does hearing and feeling laughter make us laugh ourselves? What does that tell you about how emotions spread in a group?” Now what? Ask: “When is laughter a tool you can use as a counsellor or leader?”
Cleanup & Reset Collect and return mats or blankets. Check floor for personal items dropped during play.
