By noticing and responding to the moods of special guests, children practise reading social cues, non-verbal communication and sustaining character in improvisation.
1. Set the scene
Tell the children they are all invited to a party.
Explain that the mood of the party changes depending on who arrives.
2. Choose special guests
Select four children to be special guests. Secretly give each one an emotion, for example: happy, sad, cross and scared.
3. Assign roles
Adult 1 becomes the party host.
The rest of the children are already at the party, dancing, chatting, eating and drinking. Play party music throughout.
Adult 2 waits outside with the four special guests.
4. Invite the first guest
Adult 2 knocks on the door and sends in the first special guest.
The party host welcomes them warmly, using natural conversation and body language, for example: "Thanks so much for coming. Let me take your coat. How are you today?"
5. Show the emotion
The special guest answers in role, showing their emotion through tone, facial expression and body language.
They must not name the emotion. For example: "I've had such a bad journey here. The train was cancelled and it's freezing outside."
6. Mood spreads
The rest of the party gradually notice the emotion and begin to adopt it themselves. The party continues in that mood until the next special guest arrives.
7. Repeat
Send in the remaining special guests one at a time, each with a different emotion, and let the party mood change naturally.
This game is most effective when emotions are shown rather than stated. Encourage the children to watch faces, posture and energy levels. Remind them that the mood should spread gradually, not switch instantly. The role of the party host is crucial and works best when played with calm authority and genuine curiosity. This is an excellent bridge into devising, character work and discussions about how emotions affect group dynamics.
Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.
