This book not only gives Silly Sports and Goofy Games to play it also explains why we play games. Games are played to develop character, emotional intelligence, positive social orientation, creativity, a process orientation, to stretch the bodily/kinesthetic intelligence, to create more equal participation, to create greater engagement and to connect with a fundamental part of ourselves-our instinctual playfulness. The book goes on to explain these nine reasons.

All of the games are broken down into these nine reasons we need to play. For example Terrific Tag is for working with reflexes and thinking on your feet; Happy Helpers if for character development; Beautiful Balances is for interdependence, harmony; Creative Coordination is for interdependence; Meaningful Movements is for emotional development; Crazy Challenges is for persistence, team esteem; Ridiculous Relays is for cooperation, teamwork skills; Silly Sports is for moral development and Goofy Games is just for fun.

There are over 200 games that use everyday household items or nothing at all but the players. The majority of the games are for groups which would be great for a youth group or a play group. I did not care for the size of the book as I felt it would be nicer if it was a little more compact for easier traveling. Overall though, I found the book to be full of creative ideas.

-- Product Review by Trisha White, Maine State Coordinator, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March, 2006