B’gawk!

Name and Purpose

• B’gawk! is a fast-paced circle game that sharpens attention and reaction time.
• Players practise listening, quick decision-making, and recovering from mistakes with a laugh.

a.k.a.

• Chicken Pass, B’gawk

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Any space with enough room for a standing circle

Materials

• No materials required

Quick-Run Card

1. Stand in a circle.
2. Teach the hand-circle-over-eyes gesture.
3. Right hand drop = pass right. Left hand drop = pass left. Both hands = skip the person directly across.
4. Start slowly, build speed.
5. Hesitation or wrong signal? Do a quick Chicken Loop around the outside, then rejoin immediately.

Setup and Boundaries

• Form a standing circle with enough arm-length space between players
• Signal: leader raises both hands to pause the whole group
• Check the area around the circle for trip hazards before the Chicken Loop path is used

How to Play

1. Everyone stands in a circle and makes two finger-rings (index finger and thumb), one over each eye.
2. The starting player drops one hand in a quick bounce and calls “B’gawk!” Right hand means the action passes to the right. Left hand means it passes to the left.
3. Play continues around the circle in the chosen direction.
4. If a player drops both hands, the action jumps across the circle to the person directly opposite, then continues in the same direction from there.
5. The first player in the round cannot use the double B’gawk, since no direction has been set yet.
6. If a player hesitates too long or sends the signal in the wrong direction, they do one quick Chicken Loop: jog around the outside of the circle flapping arms and making chicken sounds, then rejoin their spot.
7. Play continues while the Chicken Loop is happening. More loops = more fun and more chances for distractions.

I-OPt Options

• Start
  • A (Active): Jump in as one of the first players to send the signal
  • S (Support): Offer a quiet nod to help a neighbour track direction
  • Q (Quiet): Start in a spot with less pressure (not directly beside the opener)
  • O (Observer): Watch one full round before joining in
• Mid
  • A (Active): Try to set records for fastest clean passes
  • S (Support): Help count Chicken Loops as the scorekeeper
  • Q (Quiet): Focus on just receiving and passing cleanly, no extras
  • O (Observer): Tally which direction catches people out most
• Late
  • A (Active): Volunteer to start a new round with a tricky double B’gawk
  • S (Support): Cheer Chicken Loopers as they run and rejoin
  • Q (Quiet): Steady and reliable: be the anchor the signal always comes back to
  • O (Observer): Signal the group when a new personal best is happening
• End
  • A (Active): Lead one final speed round
  • S (Support): Lead a group cheer for Chicken Loop champions
  • Q (Quiet): Give a thumbs rating for the round
  • O (Observer): Share the funniest moment they witnessed

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to run can substitute the Chicken Loop with a seated flap-and-cluck in place, then return to the circle
• A verbal cue (“Right!” / “Left!” / “Skip!”) can be added alongside the hand gesture for players who benefit from auditory reinforcement

Stewardship Moment

• No materials, no waste.
• Reflection: “This whole game runs on your attention and energy. What does that tell you about what you actually need to have fun?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves making silly sounds and doing a short run around the circle if you get caught. For those not comfortable with running, a seated flap-and-cluck in place is a great option.”
• Mid-game check: After the first few rounds, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Ready to keep going?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Step back from the circle any time. Raise a hand to rejoin at the start of any new round.

Risks and Mitigation

• Chicken Loop runners bumping into bystanders: confirm a clear path around the outside before play
• Players feeling embarrassed by the Loop: staff model it enthusiastically on the first mistake to set the tone
• Direction confusion leading to frustration: slow the pace back down whenever mistakes spike; speed is earned, not assumed

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Quick mirror game: pairs copy each other’s hand movements for 30 seconds
• “Left or Right?” challenge: leader calls directions and players jump that way three times fast

Debrief Questions

• What? “What happened to your focus as the game got faster?”
• So What? “How did it feel to make a mistake and get right back in?”
• Now What? “Where else in your life could you practise bouncing back quickly instead of staying stuck?”

Cleanup and Reset

• No cleanup needed
• Check the circle area for any trip hazards before clearing the space