Folk Games

Rainstorm

Source: Woodcraft Folk Games Games Games

Players stand in a circle, with one player acting as the conductor stood in the centre of the circle. The conductor starts rubbing their hands together, loud enough to make a gentle rustling sound. They then look at another player, who copies their actions, and the conductor slowly rotates round, looking at each player in turn, who each copy the conductor's motions until they are directed otherwise.

Once the conductor has started all players rubbing their hands, they change their actions and repeat the process. The idea is that each action should be louder than the last, with the rainstorm gradually building up.

Woodcraft folk suggest the following actions in order of volume:

• Snapping fingers
• Hands clapping thighs
• Stamping feet

The conductor reduces the intensity of the storm by reversing their series of actions, until eventually everyone is silent.