Buzz
The Four Corners game is an entertaining and simple activity that you can set up right in the classroom or with a group of friends. To play, you'll need a group of players, a few pieces of paper, and pens for writing.
Steps
Playing the Four Corners Game
Label the four corners of the room. Assign the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 to each corner.
- You can mark the corners with colors or use words instead of numbers. If you're a teacher, try incorporating some terms related to the lesson into the game.
Clear space along the room's edges. Tidy up the area near the four walls so the children can move easily between the corners.
Ask a volunteer to be the "Subject". The volunteer will stand in the center and countdown.
Explain the game rules. Clarify the rules to the players:
- The person in the center will close their eyes and count down slowly and loudly from 10 to 0.
- The other players will quietly move to one of the four corners.
- The person in the center will then choose a number between 1 and 4 (keeping their eyes closed). Anyone standing in the corner corresponding to the chosen number must sit down.
- If anyone can't find a corner after the countdown, they must also sit down.
Continue the game with the remaining players. After each round, the person in the center can open their eyes to identify the players they have eliminated, then close their eyes again and count down from 10 to 0. Each round continues in the same way. In every round, the player standing in the chosen corner will be eliminated from the game.
Adjust the rules when most players are eliminated. If only a few players are eliminated, the game might take too long. Add some rules to speed up the game:
- If there are 8 or fewer players, a maximum of 2 players can stand in each corner.
- If 4 or fewer players are playing, only 1 player can stand in each corner.
Play until there's only one winner. When players are eliminated, they move to the center and start counting. The remaining players can stand up and join in the next round.
Variations
Aim for the noisiest corner. Instead of choosing a random number, the person in the center can try calling out the corner that has the most sound coming from it. This forces everyone to move quietly and is also a way to prevent overly aggressive actions.
Point to the chosen direction instead of calling out numbers. If it’s difficult to remember the names of each corner, the person in the center can point with their hand instead of calling out the corner's name. This variation is great for younger children.
Switch the person in the center after a few rounds. If no one wants to be in the center, everyone can take turns after every 5 rounds.
- After the first round, you can ask the eliminated players to count in your place.
Things You’ll Need
- 15 or more people
- A spacious room with four corners
Tips
- Play one or two practice rounds first, then begin the official game. This ensures that everyone understands the rules and helps those who are eliminated early feel less disappointed.
