Video Examples of Joyful Together® Games
Check out our videos below for examples of Joyful Together® activities and testimonials from parents and family services professionals.
Animal Hugs (with a twist!)
How does a koala hug? How does a giraffe hug? Who knows! Take turns being different animals, and give lots of animal hugs.
Sometimes games don’t go according to plan, and that’s OK! Joyful Together® is about joy and play. A basketball hoop may not be an animal, but it still can give hugs if you use your imagination! It’s important to go with the flow sometimes rather than following strict guidelines for how a game should be played.
Be My Baby
Hold your child on your lap while you bounce, tilt, and tip them around, making silly faces and exciting sounds.
The Big Sneeze
Put an object on your head — a sock, a stuffed animal, or a soft toy — and build up for a big sneeze. Send the object flying from your head.
Breathing Buddies (with a twist!)
Use your breath to help your child calm down by becoming Breathing Buddies. Face your child and show them how you take air in and out through your nose and mouth. Then ask your child to copy the way you are breathing.
Sometimes games don’t go according to plan, and that’s OK! Joyful Together® is about joy and play. Sometimes joy is calm, but sometimes it’s just too funny! It’s important to go with the flow sometimes rather than following strict guidelines for how a game should be played.
The Director
The Director calls the shots: Be sad! Be happy! Be mad! Switch roles from time to time. Your child will be laughing while you get to teach different emotion words. Or maybe you’ll just have some silly fun trying to figure out how to be a bookbag!
How Tall Am I?
Use random items to measure your child, such as a spatula, a dandelion, or a sneaker. Hold the item against your child and work your way up their body, building the excitement as you count higher and higher.
Mirror Game
Be your child’s “mirror” by imitating their facial expressions, body movements, and postures. Take turns being the mirror and the mover.
Running Legs
During diaper changes or when dressing your little one, gently move their legs back and forth as if baby is taking a jog.
Sing and Squeeze
Select a familiar children’s song, such as “The Wheels on the Bus.” Sing the song with your child while adding touch to match the lyrics. Match your pace, tone, and intensity to the situation: calm and slow at bedtime, or with lots of energy when you’re trying to improve your child’s mood.
Stinky Tootsies
Smell your child’s toes and make exaggerated “pee-eww” sounds. You can try other body parts, too, making sure to make yummy sounds sometimes.
Strike a Pose
Take turns posing for a pretend camera. These silly images will only remain in your memory, so let go and have fun!
Testimonials
Betsy’s Story
Hear from mom Betsy about how Joyful Together® helped her and her family.
Community of Learners Certificate Program
Want to take your Joyful Together® training even deeper, participate in a community with other home visiting and early childhood practitioners, and earn a small stipend?
Sign up for the Joyful Together® training program today! For more information, email us at research@ohioguidestone.org.