A get to know you game to celebrate Lost Penny Day!

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     Did you realize that February 12th is known as Lost Penny Day?  Neither did I, but when I heard about it, it brought some things to mind. 

     Pennies have been around since 1787, and while they don't have much value now, a bunch of them together can add up! 
      There is a trend out there to do away with cash and change.  That makes me kind of sad.  What will become of the joy of piggy banks?  Pulling coins out of my purse and handing them to my grandkids for their banks is always so much fun for them and for me.  What will the Tooth Fairy put under pillows in exchange for lost teeth?  How will gumballs come out of a gumball machine?  I have many memories associated with pennies and other coins.     

      So, I'm glad that there is a penny day.  And to celebrate it, I have a game that I learned long ago from my friend Elizabeth.  It is based on the book, The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathis.  It is the story of a little boy whose great-great aunt is 100 years old.  She has a box that contains a penny from each year of her life.  Although her memory fades in her old age, the memories in the box mean a lot to her and to her young nephew. 
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     Here is how the game goes:

1. Collect pennies from various years, that fall within the age range of the people who will be playing. 
2. Have everyone choose a penny from the box.  They should check the date and make sure it is a date that occurred within their lifetime! 
3. Give everyone just a minute or two to think about where they were during that year of their life.  For some people, it will be just a time period.  For example if the penny had the date 1979, I would say, "That is the year that I graduated from college and then got married 10 days later!" For others, the year might spark a specific memory, such as, "That is the year I bought my first car.  It was copper colored with bucket seats!"  Or something like that.  
4. Go around the room and let everyone share the year on their penny and their memory of it.  Let people ask a question or two if you would like.  This game is a really nice way to learn more about one another and is so simple to play.

         The Penny Game would be great to play for many occasions!  Here are my ideas:

• At any party or get together with friends or family where you want everyone to become better acquainted with one another!  (Yes! Families can get better acquainted as well!)
• Loads of fun at a Galentine's Day Party!
• To kick off an activity that is about writing life stories or personal journaling. 
• At a Bridal Shower you could ask people to specifically share good memories about marriage and family. 

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     Have some fun on Lost Penny Day! Let me know if you get a chance to play the Penny Game! 
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Other Get to Know You Games or Games You May Not Know About!

Trivia Truths-These are trivia games about yourselves! 
A Bespoke Stem Game for Kids!-My kids invented this one!
Galentine's Day Ideas-More than just games!
An Unvalentine's Day Party-Lots of ideas here!