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Wink Murder Game

Use the fun game "Wink Murder" to teach children about anger

Practice screaming and winking - Have the group of children seated on the floor.
  • Tell the children that if you point to them, it means that you had just stabbed them with a knife. They are to count to 5 silently then scream (dramatically) in pain and die. Begin the practice and repeat with a few children.
  • Ask the children if they can wink that is close and open one eye quickly. Have all children practice winking at one another. If children have difficulty winking, switch to BLINKING that is close and open both eyes quickly. 

Round #1 - One murderer and one detective 

Now have all the children bow their heads and close their eyes. Move around the children and tap one child on his head and another child on his shoulder. Tells everyone to open their eyes then explain that you have tapped two children but they are not to identify themselves. Also explain the following:

- Child who was tapped on the head = Murderer
- Child who was tapped on the shoulder = Detective

Explain that everyone is to stand up and move around in the room, looking at one another but no talking.

The murderer is to stab as many people as possible by winking when somebody looks them in the eye without being caught. Children who are NOT the murderer are NOT allowed to wink.

If someone winks at you, you are to continue walking, count silently to 5 then scream in pain and die ... fall to the ground. After that, move to the side of the room as game continues.

The detective is to observe everyone else's actions and see if he can find out who the murderer is before the next person is killed. But if the murderer winked at the detective, the latter will also be killed.

When the detective thinks he knows who the murderer is then he can accuse the person at any time. The detective has only three chances to guess correctly who the murderer is. But now the detective is in grave danger because the murderer knows who the detective is!

The game ends when the detective guesses the murderer correctly or when the detective is killed.

Round #2 - One murderer and two detectives

Repeat the procedure for choosing murderer and detective but for this round, choose one murderer and two detectives. In this round, if a detective guesses incorrectly as to who the murderer is, the former is automatically killed.

The game ends when the murderer is identified or when both detectives are killed.  

Round #3 - Three murderers and two detectives

As in Round #2 but have more murderers. A guide would be one murderer for every seven children.

The game ends when all the murderers are identified or when both detectives are killed. 

Round #4 - One murderer and the rest are detectives 

If a child wants to guess they must say "I suspect" without naming the suspect. The game pauses and a second child must say "I second it" without naming the suspect. Both accusers are forbidden from communicating their thoughts on who the murderer might be.

On cue, both of these children must simultaneously point to their suspect; if they are both pointing to the same child who admits to being the murderer, the game ends. Otherwise (if they are pointing to different children or to an innocent child) both accusers are killed and game continues.

Teaching Point – Read Matthew 5:21-22 
Sometimes, when we are angry at someone, we give a nasty glare as if we want to kill that person. Anger in the heart brings forth sinful actions like insults and name calling. Like murder, anger brings God's judgment.  
Ask the following questions and interact with the children:
  1. Have you been angry with someone?
  2. What happens when you lose your temper?  
  3. Why is it important to control our anger? 
  4. How can you control your anger and not get mad at things or people.

© April 2014 by Alan S.L. Wong