Pantomime Ideas for Kids

For some "old-school" entertainment and physical activity, teach your kids pantomime games. With pantomime, kids can enjoy themselves while learning valuable social and communication skills. The classic parlor game of charades is a popular example of pantomime -- but there are other pantomime ideas for kids that can be more appropriate for their ages.

  1. Mirror Exercise

    • The mirror pantomime exercise consists of two participants. Place two children directly facing each other. Designate one child to be responsible for starting the pantomime actions, such as body movements and facial expressions. The other child then mimics the actions of the first child to create a mirrored image. Examples of actions can include teeth brushing, dressing or simply making crazy movements and funny faces. The mirror pantomime exercise promotes inventiveness and timing.

    Passing the Face

    • The passing the face pantomime can include a whole group of children. The group of children form a circle, holding hands, with each child facing toward the center of the circle. Choose one kid to start the pantomime exercise. That child will make a silly face as she looks to the child next to her. That kid will then mimic the face and turn to the next child while making a new face. Children can get creative and see how many different faces they can make around the circle.

    General Activity Pantomime

    • Divide the children into groups. Come up with a specific setting or activity, such as an office or grocery store. Assign a duty to each child corresponding with the setting you have chosen. For example, if creating an office setting, have one child typing, another taking a phone call, and another child acts as the "boss" meeting with a client. Have the children act out their duties while the other children try to guess what the activity or setting is.

    Tug of War

    • Tug of war is an entertaining game for children using a rope and two teams. During tug of war pantomime, there are still two teams, but the rope is invisible. Divide the children into two groups. Have them line up on opposite sides -- instruct the kids to begin pulling on the imaginary rope. One child can take on the duty of the referee and initiate the tug of war. The children will tug and pull while trying to get their team the "win." An important factor in pantomime is that everyone remain silent. Tug of war is also a good exercise for teaching teamwork.

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