Skip to main content
Loading Loading
Toy Fair
SAVE THE DATE
February 14 – 17, 2026
Jacob K. Javits Center | New York, NY
Interested in Attending
Member Login
  • ExhibitToggle
      • Why Toy Fair?
      • Who Exhibits?
      • First-Time Exhibitors
      • Returning Exhibitors
      • Private Meeting Space
      • Exhibitor Tools
      • Exhibitor Academy
      • Promotional Opportunities
      • Charitable Activity
  • AttendToggle
      • Why Attend?
      • Who Attends?
      • I'm Interested
      • Admission Policies
      • 2025 Exhibitors
      • 2025 Retailers
      • Service Providers
      • Toy Fair FAQs
  • At Toy FairToggle
      • Call for Speakers
      • Exhibit Design Reimagination Awards
      • Creative Factor
      • Student Congress
      • Industry Education from Toy Fair 2025
  • PressToggle
      • Why Attend?
      • Toy & Play Trends
      • Online Press Room
      • Publication Partners
  • Hotel & TravelToggle
      • Where to Stay
      • Getting Around
      • Things to do in NYC
  • News
  • I'm Interested

Human Knot

(for ages 6+)

Ingredients:

  • Minimum of 8-10 kids to play

Recipe for Fun!

Aside from encouraging active play, this play idea gives kids the chance to expand their social skills in a larger group and use their literacy skills to communicate directions.

STEP 1: Have children stand in a circle so that each child is standing closely to the next. Children will have to reach across the circle to form the human knot, so larger groups may have to scrunch closer together.

STEP 2: Ask the children to each extend their right hand into the center and (lightly) grab someone else's hand.

STEP 3: Then ask the children to extend their left hand to grab a different child's hand.

STEP 4: Make sure each child is holding hands with two different children to create the “human knot."

STEP 5: Once each child is holding hands with two different other children - the goal is to untangle the "human knot" by working together without letting go of hands until everyone is standing in a circle again! (Players may have to readjust their grips as they are untwisting – make sure to tell them to hold the same player’s hand after they adjust!)

MODIFICATION: Depending upon the age of the children, you can always add a challenge to race the clock by setting a timer or time limit to untangle the group.

This play activity was submitted by Happy Camper Live.

  • Social
  • Physical
  • Communication
  • Share

More "Genius" Play Ideas

social

Frosty Toss

Ages 3 years and older
Let's Play!
social

Quicksand

Ages 4+, requires adult help
Let's Play!
social

Let’s Go Shopping

Ages 5 years and older
Let's Play!
social

Balloon Ball |Play Ideas

Play ideas for ages 4 years and older
Let's Play!
 

Toy Fair FAQs

Contact Us | About The Toy Association | Privacy Policy
©Copyright 2022 The Toy Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

North American International Toy Fair

{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##