What is KidsGames?

The KidsGames in each community are a multi-day, multi-group, sport focused, value-based, global initiative for children aged between 6-14 years. KidsGames provides a means for all sorts of groups to work together on an ongoing basis, serving children who learn and compete together.

There are KidsGames happening on every continent and in a large number of countries. After launching in the year 2000 in seven countries, it has grown now to at least 150 countries participating. This number is continuing to grow. Many millions of children have been involved in KidsGames.

Describing KidsGames is like describing a tree. Every tree has roots, branches, leaves and a trunk. But what those elements look like in one part of the world will be very different to how they look in another but both will still be a tree. In the same way, KidsGames varies greatly in different parts of the world.

The great strength of KidsGames is that it comes from everywhere. As you look at KidsGames you will find manuals, ideas and models from the Middle East, Africa, South America, North America, the Pacific, Asia and Europe.

World-Wide Partnership

KidsGames has been developed by many voluntary people, groups and organizations from across the globe who want to impact the lives of children and who want to help you do the same.

KidsGames is not an organization. It has no staff, no office and exists because people like you catch the vision and spread it locally to interested groups. It is facilitated by a team of volunteers from across the world as part of The Ultimate Goal and More than Gold programs.

KidsGames is always run in partnership with other groups and is not meant to be run in just one group (unless as a sample event to get others involved).
While you are free to run KidsGames as often as you like, it is recommended that KidsGames be run in your location every two years to correspond with new resources being developed.

Multi-day

KidsGames is run over many days. This is to give the children a fun experience and to build lasting relationships, something which cannot be done quickly.

There are many variations, but following are the most common models used successfully by KidsGames:

• One day per week for 10 weeks
• One day per week for 5 weeks
• Every day for 10 days
• Every day for 5 days

Each KidsGames organizing committee is free to choose when and how long they want their KidsGames to be. The details of what is done in these days is covered later in this manual. The only exception to the multi-day model is when a city does a trial one day KidsGames for promotional or training reasons. These are normally a KidsGamesDay.

Multi- group

No KidsGames is done by just one group. The strength and purpose behind KidsGames is to draw many different groups together. In some cases this will mean 2 or 3 groups, in other cases it will mean hundreds of groups. If the situation arises that only one church, school, group or organization wants to be involved, run KidsGames and invite other groups to observe with the hope of more partners becoming involved next time.

Some KidsGames have started on a very large scale with many groups, while other cities have begun their KidsGames with just a few groups and grown it from a small beginning. For a large KidsGames involving thousands of children and 20 or more churches, schools and groups, see the City Organizing Manual – large models.

For smaller KidsGames with 50-100 and up to a thousand children with less than 20 groups, you might find the City Organizing Manual – small models Manual more helpful see the City Organizing Manual – small models.

Sport Focused

Sport is a universal activity that draws countries and people together in a unique way. This is particularly seen in the large global Sports events, like the Olympic Games or the World Cup of Football. KidsGames is a sports event that makes children the “heroes” and the celebrities.

KidsGames involves sports and games in three ways:

• Traditional and new Competitive Sports – for those children that enjoy competing to win in their chosen sport. KidsGames provides an opportunity for play and for coaching these skills.
• Experiential Games – especially designed games that teach a lesson linked to the values and Biblical message of the day.
• Fun Games – a time to let children be children, to have fun, play and enjoy being kids.

The sports and games are demonstrated in the Opening Ceremony with the competition played in the days or weeks following. The finals are played in the Closing Ceremony with awards and medals given to all participants (not just the winners). More details can be found in the Sports & Games Manual.

Value-Based

KidsGames provides a caring place to have fun with children while sharing Biblical stories, values and messages in a creative and unique way.

Experiential learning games, dramas, stories, discussion and the testimonies of famous athletes are all key parts of KidsGames. It is a time for the children to experience and discover for themselves, in small groups, on the playing field or in a hall.

Five well designed KidsGames learning Curriculums have been developed. Look under FREE DOWNLOADS and then MANUALS to find what you are looking for.

Global Initiative

KidsGames is truly global, from the team facilitating and helping bring resources together through to the number of countries involved. The most unique aspect about this global initiative is the partnership that makes it happen.

There are even KidsGames worldwide championships and projects in which children can compete. See the World Championships Manual.

The guiding leadership principles underneath the KidsGames partnership are quite special. They describe a leadership model of facilitating and serving. An initiative that is like a body where every part is important and where everyone, no matter how young, has a part to play. KidsGames will take committees and leaders to make it work, but shared partnership and humility will make it work well. The full page of KidsGames Leadership Principles can be read in both Large or Small Models of the City Organizing Manuals.

For Children Aged 6-14

In so many ways, children are special. Children are the largest single generation on earth. They have the potential to bring about great good to our world or send it further into turmoil. In years to come they will be the leaders of the world. Through KidsGames they can realize their potential now and begin to express their sporting, creative, leadership and spiritual gifts.

In so many ways, children are under threat.

Children the world over face difficult circumstances, from loneliness and family breakdown, to famine, war, disease and exploitation. KidsGames is an opportunity to show compassion and love to those least loved and cared for. In the Indian KidsGames and elsewhere, it was the children who took on the challenge of being compassionate to other kids.

KidsGames facilitators and committees are encouraged to pursue ways of including disabled children, poor children, neglected and left-out children. Already KidsGames has provided love, care and fun to refugee children and child-soldiers in Central and Western Africa. Every city, village and island in this world has children who will benefit from KidsGames.

For information on Compassion in KidsGames see the Compassion Manual or involving children with disabilities, see the Disabilities Manual.