The Heatwave Hideout Challenge · Connected Through Play

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The Heatwave Hideout Challenge

According to our local weather folks, the heatwave is going to continue for a few days and head back to Europe. For our families in the Southern hemisphere, what’s the weather like by you?

Today we wrap up the heatwave activities with another favorite of mine.

Today is a mini family game show designed by the kids, run by the kids, judged by everyone.

Gather Your Gear:

Whatever’s left from the week (maps, builds, ice experiments — anything)
Paper for scorecards (optional)
A “trophy” (a stuffed animal, a silly hat, a paper crown — anything works)

How to Play:

1. Each person (or team) designs one challenge for the others. It can be physical (balance this), mental (guess what I’m describing), creative (build this in 3 minutes), or memory-based (what changed?).

2. Take turns running a challenge. Everyone else competes.

3. Award points however feels fun or skip points entirely and just play.

4. End with the question: What was the hardest part? What would you change?

Variations by age:

🐣 Ages 3–6: Their “challenge” might just be “everyone hop like a frog.” Let it count. Help them feel the power of running something.

🔍 Ages 7–12: They design the challenge AND explain the rules clearly enough that everyone can follow them. If the rules are confusing, that’s part of the after play recap.

🧠 Teens: They design the challenge AND run it as a host: intro, rules, judging, closing. This is low-key facilitation practice. You don’t have to tell them that part.

Share in the comments: What challenge did your kids come up with? Which activity was the hit of the week?

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The Heatwave Hideout Challenge