‘Chopped’ (the art version) for all ages
Supplies: paper bags and any extra or left-over art supplies
Optional Supplies: printouts of the food network’s ‘chopped’ logo
This art game is great to use on the last school day before a holiday break or as a reward for a class with good behavior. It’s based on a cooking game show on the ‘Food Network’ called, Chopped. On the program, several chefs are each given a basket containing four mystery ingredients that they must use to create a dish. What makes the challenge so hard is that the four food items are not usually used together. For example: watermelon, sardines, cheese and zucchini or kumquats, quail, chocolate and chili peppers. This art game version is like the food game show in that it challenges the ingenuity and resourcefulness of your students.
Begin by preparing the baskets, boxes, bags, or whatever you have to stash the art supplies so they are hidden from view. Each group of students will use the items in their bag to create a masterpiece. I use paper bags and glue a color copy of the ‘Chopped’ logo to the outside of each bag. Then, I use a marker to write “Art” above the ‘chopped’ logo. Fill each of the bags with any extra art supplies or materials left over from other projects. This is a chance for you to use items you want to get rid of or supplies that are inexpensive and that you have plenty of. I’ve used pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, clothes pins, dried pasta, stickers, cups, pom-poms, paper scraps, straws, buttons, yarn, all kinds of random stuff. The important thing is that there is an even amount of each supply in each bag.
Along with the bags of random mystery supplies, provide each group with a sturdy base to build their creation on. A square of cardboard, matt board, or foam core works just fine. I have a ton of round, cardboard cake rounds that I bought in bulk for another project that didn’t work out so I used them for this game to use them up. This is a great way to find a use for stuff that is just taking up space.
The ‘pantry’ on the food network program contains staples that are necessary in most recipes. For this game, our pantry would include masking tape, scotch tape, stick glue, scissors, paper clips and staplers. Have these basic pantry items accessible to the students to use. I don’t let the kids use liquid glue for this game since there isn’t enough time in the competition for the glue to dry.
When students enter the classroom you should have the mystery items sealed in their bags and set out on each table and the pantry items set out and accessible. If you want to let the kids regroup as teams instead of their usual seating arrangement, it’s up to you. Begin by telling your class that they are not allowed to open or even touch the mystery bags on their tables.
Ask students if they are familiar with the program on the Food Network called, “Chopped”. Discuss the show and explain their challenge: to create a masterpiece using the mystery supplies provided. Unlike the game show, students DO NOT have to use every supply in their bag. It is up to them to use what they want to create their masterpiece.
Show them where the staple supplies in their ‘pantry’ are.
To keep things fair, there is no trading supplies OR no using anything that is not found in the bag... no matter how much they beg and plead.
Any game is more fun if there is a prize. Think of a prize to give the winning group of students. At our school, we have a snack bar so a coupon for a snack or drink is a popular reward. Store-bought or goofy hand-made trophies are fun, too. Let the students know how their finished creations will be judged. I’ve had the judging done by a few school staff members and I’ve also had other classes do the judging during lunch or break. Be sure there are no student names visible on the projects so the judging is fair.
Finally, be sure everyone understands the rules, then take a look at the clock together. Let your students know how much time they have or set a timer and give the word... to... “GO”.
Something happens to kids when they compete against each other that turns them into frantic animals. They go nuts. Make sure each team is including everyone and not leaving someone out. I enjoy watching them brainstorm together and figure out how to work as a team.
When time is up, direct students on where to place their works of art. They will have created a huge mess while competing against the clock and their classmates. Dismiss groups only after you approve their clean-up. Since there is one creation for a group of students you might have more than one kid who wants to keep the finished masterpiece. It’s up to you if you want to keep all of them to avoid argument or take pictures of the piece for each student to keep. Whatever you think is fair. If your school uses social media or has a newsletter, this is a fun way to show off the winning pieces and your art students.
