1. Divide the participants into groups of 15 maximum. The ideal size would be 8 to 12 each. Each group should sit in a circle with an adult.
2. Assign each participant an identity, a plant or animal name. Be sure they know a little about the plant or animal. To play the game, they will need to know how the plants and animals are connected to food chains.
3. Start the game - Show the ball of string and explain that the string will let us see the connections between plants and animals. Explain that you will represent the sun. You will start because all energy comes from the sun. Model the game by saying, “I am the sun. I am passing the ball of string to the apple tree because I give the tree energy to grow.” You hold onto the string and pass the ball to the tree.
4. Continue the play - The ‘tree’ now chooses a plant or animal in the circle that is connected to it in some way. The ‘tree’ holds onto the string and passes the ball to that plant or animal. For example, the tree might pass the ball to the deer that eats tree leaves, the woodpecker that eats the bugs in its bark, or the owl that roosts in its branches. Keep the string tight, but not too tight! The fun continues until everyone is holding onto the string. Some plants or animals might have more connections, but everyone should be a part of the web.
5. Explore the connections - Reflect with the young people. Which plant or animal has the most connections? Who depends on whom? What would happen if the string breaks? What would happen if the mushroom (or some other plant or animal) disappeared? Mushrooms aren’t that important, are they? Try the game again with the mushroom gently tugging on the web. As each plant or animal in the circle feels the tug, he/she should call out the plant or animal he/she represents.
6. Finish the game- Ask some participants about the game. How did they feel about it? Can they provide some examples of other connections from their backyard?
