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Dinotopian Games

Adapted from Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara

Trio Tag

In this game for four players, three stand facing each other, holding hands. One (here in yellow) is called the Morsel and the other two the Guards. It is the job of the Guards to pivot to protect the Morsel from the Allosaur (here played by a harmless Struthiomimus). As the Allosaur circles, trying to tag the Morsel, the Guards turn to protect him. Tagging across the triangle or on the hands is not allowed. Once tagged, the Morsel becomes the next Allosaur.

Whipper

Whipper

A long-tailed dinosaur, here a Coloradisaurus, stands in a large clearing with jumpers standing in a circle behind him. As the tail wags back and forth, slowly at first, each must jump over it. Players who are touched by the tail must step back until a single winner remains standing. If you don’t live in a region with live dinosaurs, you will need to simulate the action of the tail. Begin by wrapping a baseball in a piece of cloth and attach it to the end of a long rope the thickness of a clothesline. Have an adult lie on the grass and spin the rope around, paying it out gradually.

Tuggle

Two players crouch on stumps or overturned buckets facing each other and holding a thick rope. At a signal they begin tugging, with the aim of unbalancing the other. The first to force the other to the ground or to gain full possession of the rope is the winner. In this game neither strength nor weight is any great advantage. A smaller player can win by tricking a larger player into anticipating a strong tug. Then a sudden release of tension will send the other falling backward.

Plank Walking

Plank-Walking

Cut two 8-inch-wide boards 54 inches long and round the corners. Stagger four eye bolts 16 inches apart and tie stout ropes 4 feet long to each bolt, with a knot or handle at the end. To walk, the plank team must lift the ropes and their feet on each side.

Three-Legged Soccer

Each team of eight players form four pairs (either two humans or a human and a dinosaur in each pair). Each pair ties their legs together with rope or cloth from below the knee to the ankle. They then play soccer on a small field with no goalies. Players can kick the ball either with a free foot or the bound feet.

Funny Face Contest

Funny Face Contest

Contestants take turns in front of a quick-sketch artist (or, for outworlders, a digital camera). They can enter any of the following categories: Scary, Disgusted, Terrified, Tragic, or Goofy. Images may be printed and attached to a bulletin board or placed on a Web site gallery for anonymous voting to determine the winner in each category.

Bucktail

In this game, a Stegosaurus stands between two large mounds of straw. Each player in turn climbs on the tail and holds onto the spikes. The tail begins to wag back and forth until the player loses hold and tumbles safely onto the straw. If no Stegosaurus is available, two adults can hold a strong blanket between them. Make sure there’s a straw pile, sandy beach, or soft mattress to cushion the landing.

Shadow Chasing

Shadow Chasing

A very tall dinosaur (or a very tall person) stands on the beach casting a long shadow in the early morning or late afternoon of a bright, sunny day. Two or three smaller dinosaurs (or people) stand nearby with their feet touching his shadow. On the count of three, the shadowcaster begins running around on the beach trying to keep his shadow from being stepped on.

Contact: Kathy Hilliard, Publicity Director, (800) 851-8923, ext. 6741, khilliard@amuniversal.com

Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara

Written and illustrated by: James Gurney
ISBN-13: 978-0-7407-6431-8
ISBN-10: 0-7407-6431-4
Format: Hardcover: 10 1/2 x 9 3/4, 160 pages
Price: $29.95 ($37.50 Canada)
Publication: October 2007