Statue Garden

Name and Purpose

Statue Garden builds self-regulation, stillness, and playful creativity.
Players explore two modes of being: calm focus and creative expression. A great low-energy activity.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Materials

Quick-Run Card

One volunteer Entertainer (or pair) tries to make Statues laugh, smile, or move. No touching.
All other players lie, sit, or stand still as Statues.
Round is time-boxed: 3-5 minutes. Entertainer role is volunteer-only and limited to 1 minute per Entertainer before rotating.
Any Statue who reacts grabs a partner and heads to the Comedy Workshop to build a 10-second bit.
When the timer ends, the Comedy Workshop performs for the Still players. Both groups applauded.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a clear play area. Statues spread out so they are not too close together.
Signal: two short whistles = stop and sit up.
Check the ground for comfort if players will lie down outdoors.
Designate a Comedy Workshop area just outside the play area where pairs can quietly plan their bit.
Entertainer rotation timer: 1 minute per Entertainer, then the next volunteer takes over.

How to Play

One player volunteers to be the first Entertainer. (Entertainer role is always volunteer-only.)
All other players find their spot in the play area. They may lie, sit, or stand still as Statues.
On “Go!”, the Entertainer begins moving around and using funny faces, sounds, silly walks, or words to make Statues react. No touching allowed.
The Entertainer role is time-limited: after 1 minute, the current Entertainer sits down as a Statue and a new volunteer takes over. This prevents any single person from dominating or targeting.
When a Statue reacts (laughs, smiles, or moves), they sit up, find a partner who has also reacted, and the pair moves to the Comedy Workshop area to build a 10-second comedy bit, silly pose, or sound effect.
If someone reacts and no partner is available yet, they start planning solo and pair up with the next person who joins.
The round ends when the timer goes off (3-5 minutes), regardless of how many Statues remain.
Comedy Workshop pairs perform their bits one at a time for the Statues who stayed still. Both groups watch and applaud each other.
Both experiences are celebrated: the Statues showed calm focus, the Comedy Workshop showed creative expression.
Play another round. Players may end up in a different group each time.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Volunteer as an Entertainer, or lie still as a Statue with full focus.
S (Support): Help a Comedy Workshop partner plan their bit; cheer for performers at the end.
Q (Quiet): Play as a Statue and focus on stillness and calm breathing.
O (Observer): Watch the round from outside the play area, then join as a Statue or Comedy Workshop member next round.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to lie on the ground may sit upright or stand in their Statue pose.
Players who prefer not to be a solo Entertainer may go in pairs. Two Entertainers working together is just as fun.
Players who want to go directly to the Comedy Workshop at the start can do so. Both paths are equally valued.

Stewardship Moment

No equipment to clean up. Take a moment after the game to check the space for anything left behind.
Prompt: “We just used stillness and laughter. No materials, no waste. What other games can we play with just ourselves?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game is about two modes: stillness and silliness. You can be a Statue and practise calm focus, or head to the Comedy Workshop and create something fun. The Entertainer role is always volunteer-only and time-limited to 1 minute. For those who want to go straight to the Comedy Workshop, that is an equally great choice.”
Mid-game check: After the first round, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Is this working for everyone?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player may step to the Comedy Workshop or sideline at any time. Return as a Statue at the start of the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

Entertainers going too far with humour: set a clear tone in the pre-brief. Silly is welcome; mean-spirited is not. The 1-minute rotation prevents any one person from escalating.
Players lying on wet or cold ground: check conditions first. Offer mats or allow seated posture.
Comedy Workshop pairs struggling to create a bit: staff suggest a simple format (silly pose, animal sound, slow-motion replay of what made them laugh).

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Silly Face Mirror”: partners face each other and copy each other’s expressions for 30 seconds.
“Statue Pose”: on the whistle, everyone freezes in whatever position they are in. Hold for 5 seconds.

Debrief Questions

What? “What was it like to stay still? What was it like to create something in the Comedy Workshop?”
So What? “Which mode felt more like you today: calm focus or creative expression?”
Now What? “When do you need to be still and focused? When do you need to let your creative side out?”

Cleanup and Reset