ANGER MANAGEMENT GAMES
Some people want to control everything happening in their life and when things go against it, they couldn't control their anger. The aim of the following anger management games is to help people realize that every situation has several possible outcomes and they cannot control everything in their lives but they must learn how to deal with things that seem out of control, rather than giving in to anger and frustration. By encouraging an open mode of communication these anger management games help us get a handle on ourselves and our emotions, and let us deal with the anger triggers like frustration, disappointment, jealousy and resentment in a matured, non-confrontational way.
The games we present here are similar to each other and may be played with 4-15 people.
Game 1
A) Items needed to play this Anger Management Game:
• Several small prizes wrapped in gift wrapping paper, or anything that will not reveal the prize. The prize can be something as small as a piece of chocolate, or something more elaborate such as movie tickets, food certificates or whatever your participants would enjoy winning.
• Playing cards.
B) Description:
1. Prior to the anger management game, get together small prizes that are equal to the number of participants in the game minus one, and gift wrap each one. There should be one less prize than the number of participants. Place all of the gifts on a table and gather the participants.
2. One variation of the game is to have a participant draw a card from the deck. If the card value is less than or equal to 7, (kings, queens, aces, and jacks are considered value = 10) they may select a gift from the pile, unwrap it and set it on the table in front of him/her for the rest of the group to see. If the card value is greater than 7, the next person draws a card from the deck in order to try and win a prize. Everyone in the group continues to draw a card from the deck until all of the gifts have been dispersed. In the end one participant may end up with more than one gift, and others may not have won a gift at all.
3. Another variation of the game is played in the same as above except now instead of selecting a prize when a card number less than seven is drawn, a prize may be selected from anyone else in the group. This continues until either all the gifts have been selected or the deck runs out of cards. Again, some people may end up with more prizes in front of them than others, and some people may not have any prizes.
C) At the end of the game have a group discussion session:
• What was your reaction when you did not draw that lucky card you wanted?
• What can you do when life seems unfair and things do not happen according to your plan?
• If you were angered about your outcome during the game how have you expressed this emotion?
• How do you cope when life appears to be out of control?
Game 2
A) Items needed to play this Anger Management Game:
• Several small prizes (any items the group members would like) wrapped in wrapping paper. Candy bars may be used in place of prizes and do not need to be wrapped in wrapping paper but should be left in the candy bar wrapping.
• One pair of dice.
B) Description:
1. Prior to the activity gather together some small prize items and wrap them. There should be at least one prize for each participant plus a few extra. Place all of the prizes on a table and gather the group around.
2. Instruct the group that the game will be played in two different parts (do not explain the second part until the first part is completed). In the first round of the game one person starts with a pair of dice and rolls them once. If she/he rolls a double, she/he may select a prize from the pile, unwrap it and set it on the table in front of him/her for the rest of the group to see. If a double is not rolled, the dice are passed to the next person who attempts to roll a double in order to get a prize. Everyone in the group continues to roll and pass the dice (collecting prizes for a double) until all of the prizes in the middle are gone. In the end one person may end up with two or three prizes while others may end up with nothing.
3. Introduce the second part of the game at this point. This half is timed (for a smaller group use about five minutes and about ten minutes for a larger group). The game is played in the same manner as it was for the first part only now instead of selecting a prize from the middle when a double is rolled, a prize may be selected from anyone else in the group. This continues until the allotted time is up. Again, some people may end up with more prizes in front of them than others.
C) At the end of the game have a group discussion session:
• What do you do when "the luck of the roll" does not always go your way?
• Do you feel like you have control over your life?
• How do you handle things when life feels out of control or unfair?
• Does anyone feel angry about this game? If so, how have you handled this feeling?
• What can you do when life feels unfair and things do not go your way?
Game 3
A) Items needed to play this Anger Management Game:
One of the more common versions of this anger management game involves a group of people sitting around, with each person bringing in a gift that is completely wrapped or hidden in a bag.
B) Description:
1. This game can be played by drawing from a lot of numbers or by any other means, where there is a scope for luck or chance to play a part in determining the number each person is going to get in each turn. When drawing from a lot of numbers, if you draw an odd number from the lot, you get to open a gift of your choice, and set it by you on the table; if you draw an even number you lose your turn to the next person.
2. Once all gifts are opened up, the game can be continued the same way, with one variation.
This time, if you draw an odd number, you get to choose and keep any opened gift from anyone else on the table; you lose your turn for an even number draw. This can continue for a preset time limit. At the end of the game, some people will have multiple gifts, others will not have drawn any, while yet others will have lost the gifts they earned in an earlier draw.
C) At the end of the game have a group discussion session.
• How did you feel when the draw did not end up in your favor?
• When the game did not end up in your favor and if your reaction was of anger, how you dealt with the anger?
