Activities to get students moving while promoting peace​


​Peaceful Relay Races


  • Organise relay races where each team needs to complete tasks related to peace concepts such as delivering
"peace messages" from one point to another. These can be encouraging words or thoughts written on cards that
participants hand off like a baton.

Objective:
The aim is to promote teamwork and reflection on peace concepts while engaging in physical activity.
​
Setup:
Teams and Lanes: Divide students into teams, with each team having an equal number of participants. Set up
lanes using cones or markers for each team.
Peace Stations: Place "peace stations" at various points along the relay track where tasks must be completed
before proceeding to the next leg of the race.

Materials Needed:
- Cards or small sheets of paper with "peace messages," peaceful quotes, or tasks written on them.
- Optional props for tasks such as hula hoops, balls, or small obstacles for added challenge.

Relay Race Structure:
Starting Line: Each team begins at the starting line with their first runner holding a baton or the first peace
message card.
First Leg: The first runner races to the first peace station, where they pick up a "peace task" card. These tasks
should encourage reflection or action, such as
  • Say a positive affirmation to yourself and a teammate before continuing.
  • Perform a peace gesture, like a handshake or high-five, with another participant.

​Hand-Off: Once the task at the station is completed, the runner passes the baton or card to the next team
member to continue the relay.

Subsequent Legs: The next team member races to the next station where they might find tasks such as:
  • - Share one way you can spread kindness today.
  • - Smile and wave at the next competitor to promote friendliness.
  • - Share a peaceful moment you have experienced with the next runner."
  • - Write a word that represents peace to you.
  • - Make up a two-line poem about peace.
  • - Smile and wave at someone in the other team to promote friendliness.
Final Task: In the last leg, the task must involve delivering an important peace message to a finish line judge,
e.g., - Thank someone who has helped you recently.
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Debriefing: After the relay race, gather all participants to discuss their experiences and reflections on peace.
This conversation could include how it felt to perform peaceful tasks, any challenges they encountered, and
personal takeaways about the importance of spreading peace.


​Dance for Peace

Host a dance-a-thon where students create dance routines to songs with themes of peace and kindness. Here are
examples of songs:


​Peace Scavenger Hunt

Design a scavenger hunt where students search for symbols or items related to peace or words that promote
togetherness and understanding. Each find could come with an activity or reflection question about peace.
Here are some symbols, signs, and reflection questions that could be associated with each peace symbol or item
found during the scavenger hunt:

Dove:
  • Activity: Draw a dove and write a peaceful message or wish on its wings.
  • Reflection Question: Why do you think the dove is a common symbol of peace?

Olive Branch:
  • Activity: Create a mini-poster describing what "extending an olive branch" means and give examples of how you can do this in your life. (“Extending an olive branch” means that you are sorry and that you want to be nice and have peace.)
  • Reflection Question: How can making peace with others change a difficult situation?
Peace Sign:
  • Activity: Design your own peace sign using colours and patterns that represent peace to you.
  • Reflection Question: What does the peace sign mean to you personally, and how does it inspire
    you to act?
Words like "Harmony"or "Unity"
Activity: Use these words to write a short poem or rap that promotes peace.
Reflection Question: How can coming together as a group or community help resolve conflicts?

Rainbow:
  • Activity: Draw a rainbow and write something you can do to promote peace for each color.
  • Reflection Question: Why might a rainbow be associated with peace and unity?
Heart:
  • Activity: Create a card for a friend or family member, expressing appreciation and kindness.
  • Reflection Question: How does showing love and appreciation to others contribute to peace?
Handshake:
  • Activity: Pair up with someone and practise introducing yourself and offering a handshake in a friendly manner.
  • Reflection Question: How can a simple gesture like a handshake promote peace and understanding between people?
Tree:
  • Activity: On a cutout of a tree, write ways you can help peace grow in your school or community.
  • Reflection Question: In what ways can peace grow like a tree in your life?


​Cooperative Games

Play games that require teamwork and collaboration.


​Nature Walks with a Peace Mission

Organise walks where students observe nature and talk about how peace is reflected in the environment. They
can collect natural items (like stones or leaves) to create peace symbols afterwards.

Balloon Messages:

Give students balloons and have them write positive messages or words related to peace on them.