Dixons

Child development / Drama games / Dixons

This imaginative group-building game invites children to transform themselves into working electrical items.

By collaborating to design, operate and present a "machine", children explore creativity, physical storytelling and teamwork in a playful, competitive context.

How to play

1. Introduce Dixons

Explain that Dixons is an electrical superstore and discuss the types of items you might buy there.

Divide the children into groups of around six or seven.

2. Become objects

Tell the children that you are entering the store and announce an item you need, for example:

"Oh, I really need a washing machine."

Each group has one minute to create that machine using their bodies. Once time is up, visit each group and observe their machine in action.

Decide which machine you are going to "buy" based on:

What it looks like
Whether it works or moves
Whether it makes a sound
Whether all children in the group are included
Whether the machine is clearly three-dimensional

3. Encourage imagination

As the game develops, encourage the children to use their imagination further by requesting more inventive items, such as:

An alarm clock that wakes you up even when you are grumpy
A machine that plays your favourite song
A machine that makes your breakfast
A machine that pays you a compliment
A machine that tells you what to wear
A machine that gives you a head massage or tickles your feet

4. Encourage healthy competition

Create a sense of fun competition and ensure that every group has their machine "bought" at some point.

What it teaches

Imagination and creative problem-solving
Physical storytelling and use of the body
Teamwork and inclusion
Presenting ideas clearly
Responsible decision-making by making choices that consider creativity, effort and group participation

Variations to try

Give each group a different item to build at the same time
Add a price tag and ask groups to justify their cost
Allow the audience to ask one question before you decide
Introduce a "customer review" after each purchase

Principal's notes

Encourage groups to involve everyone and think carefully about how their machine functions as a whole. Use your choices to model fair decision-making, highlighting creativity, effort and collaboration rather than just humour. This game works particularly well as a confidence-building ensemble activity.

Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.