Get Kids to Listen and STOP Running Away with 1 Simple Game

I owe this simple game to get kids to listen and to STOP running away to the camp that I used to work at.

In fact, I learned almost everything about how to get kids to listen during the summers that I worked for the best camp on Earth. When you’re responsible for a huge group of kids, it’s important that they listen to you the first time (that’s important as parents, too – right?!).  Not the second, the third, the fifth {{shudder}}. And, believe it or not, there is a simple way to get kids to stop running away from you by playing a simple game…

The counselor said, “And, what if you see smoke?!”

He pointed off in the distance and continued, “You see the grey clouds just up ahead and those kids of yours are still running. Playing, joking, and not noticing the signal (smoke) that you know could mean there’s a fire.”

And, then he ended with, “Do you know with 100% certainty that if you yelled, ‘STOP,’ each and every child would stop?”

I remember thinking, how could you be sure that all of them would stop?!

I mean, kids love to run and it might be hard to hear, right?  (Now, as a parent, I know how much my toddler loves to run too…)

So, was there really a way to be sure?

Yep, maybe not 100% guarantee, but this game will definitely increase your odds.

But, just like any important life skill, it takes practice.

Now, for camp, we were talking about older kids as well as preschoolers. In my experience, this tactic works best with toddlers through older elementary school.

So, Here’s The Simple Game to Get Kids To STOP Running:

Practice playing the “stop game.”

Tell kids that you’re going to try a super tricky game. It’s to practice listening for a word that’s SO important you’re not sure that you should even say the word outloud… (use your best top secret tone)

Then tell them that the word is STOP. (I use the sign for stop with my toddler, too.)

Ask if they think they can stop when you say that word.

For older kids, tell them it’s super tricky and you’re not sure if they can do it…then ask, “do you think you can stop when I say so??” (again, I’ve asked my toddler this question and he nodded yes, so it works for lots of ages).

Then, practice.

Here’s How to Play:

1. Say GO or GREEN LIGHT.
2. Let them walk ahead or run (for kids who don’t stop when they’re running). Then, yell STOP!!
3. If they do stop (and, they will…) act shocked – “how did you do that?! Can you do it again??”
4. Then, say GO or GREEN LIGHT again. (I normally do this three or four times).

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Make the game more FUN:

• Get Standing stop signs for your kids to use while they’re riding their bikes. This is a great way to practice stopping while having some fun! Or, grab handheld signs for you to hold (or for your kids to hold).
• Get smaller stop signs and other street signs for kids to play with their cars. They can build a whole city and figure out why it’s so important for cars to stop while they’re driving too. This road tape is awesome because kids can make roads and cities wherever they go!
• Some kids benefit from reading books about street signs too (or, go around the neighborhood and take pictures of your own signs!).

Afterwards, I always follow up by saying something like, “Remember STOP is a super important word. I only use it when I really, really need you to stop.”

If they’re older, ask them what are some things they may happen when I really need you to stop and let them answer. (emergency, cars, roads, hiking, Disneyland (ha) etc..).

Then, only say stop when it’s really important because if you overuse the word, it will lose it’s importance to them and they won’t listen to it again!

And, we always try and remember that if it’s past our son’s bedtime, he’s sick, or we’re on vacation and in a new routine, he’s less likely to listen when we say stop. So, we’re always extra careful on these occasions.

What do you do to help your child to learn to stop? Come tell us your best tips on our Facebook page!

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