The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program aims to educate children and teens about the dangers of drug use and help them resist peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol. DARE first began in Los Angeles in 1983 and has since expanded across the United States and to over 40 countries around the world. The program is typically taught by local law enforcement officers over the course of 10 weeks. Lessons cover topics like understanding risk, media influences, stress, decision-making, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and opioids. The curriculum and teaching methods are tailored for each age group. For 10-year-olds, lessons and activities focus on building self-esteem, managing stress, decision-making, analyzing media influences, and understanding the health risks of drugs. Interactive games help reinforce the lessons in an engaging way for this age group. Here are some examples of DARE games that can be used with 10-year-olds:
Role-playing
Role-playing is an effective technique to help kids practice responses to situations involving peer pressure to use drugs or alcohol. The DARE officer sets up scenarios where kids must make choices about drug use and respond appropriately. For example, the scenario may be at a party where a friend offers them an alcoholic drink or a cigarette. The kids must think through the possible consequences and then demonstrate refusing the offer using assertiveness skills learned in DARE. Practicing these real-world situations boosts their confidence to handle peer pressure. Other role-plays may involve reporting a concern about a friend’s drug use to a trusted adult. Acting out possible responses in a safe environment builds communication skills. Role-playing works well with 10-year-olds as they have strong imaginations and enjoy the dramatic play.
Decision-making games
Learning to make wise decisions is another key component of the DARE program. Various games help reinforce the decision-making model while keeping 10-year-olds engaged. For example, the officer may present a scenario and have students identify the problem, brainstorm options, evaluate possible outcomes, and choose the best course of action. Students can share their ideas in small groups or as a whole class. The officer highlights how evaluating choices can avoid negative consequences. Other decision-making games may involve ethical dilemmas or responding to risks like riding in a car with an impaired driver. Games provide a low-stakes way for kids to apply the decision-making process to situations involving drugs and alcohol.
Advertising analysis
A critical theme in DARE is analyzing media influences, especially advertising. Ten-year-olds can understand how marketing promotes alcohol and tobacco use in society. Games that involve examining ads can strengthen these skills. For example, the DARE officer may provide examples of magazine alcohol ads and have students identify the marketing tactics used, target audience, key messages, and influence tactics. Kids can discuss how ads associate drinking with relaxation, luxury, happiness, and popularity. Understanding persuasive advertising techniques immunizes kids against idealized media portrayals of alcohol use. Similar games can analyze tobacco, marijuana, or prescription drug advertising in age-appropriate ways.
Peer pressure group skits
Practicing resistance skills to counteract peer pressure is essential in DARE. A fun game is to have small groups of students create and perform skits about managing peer pressure. The DARE officer establishes scenarios dealing with drug-use offers, like at school, a party, a park, or home alone. Groups then develop 2-3 minute skits demonstrating peer pressure situations and effective refusal techniques. Kids can brainstorm assertive resistance lines to use. Humor makes it engaging for 10-year-olds. Turning down a pushy friend persuasively in a funny way helps messages stick. Presenting the skits provides peered modeling of strong refusal skills. Discussion afterward reinforces strategies to counteract peer pressure.
Prescription drug bingo
A game of bingo helps 10-year-olds learn about proper use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The DARE officer prepares bingo cards with pictures or names of medications in the squares. When a medication is drawn from a bag, kids mark that square if it is on their card. To win, they need to articulate the proper use and risks of the medication named. Getting bingo provides positive reinforcement about drug facts. Versions for younger kids may simply match a medication picture to its purpose. This engages 10-year-olds in reviewing key facts about safe medicine use.
True/False quiz show
A True/False quiz show makes learning DARE concepts interactive. Kids take turns being the contestant and answering true/false questions read by the DARE officer. Questions may cover material like effects of tobacco, alcohol or marijuana, myths versus facts, media influences, peer pressure issues, and decision-making dilemmas. Adding silly sound effects builds fun. For correct answers, the class cheers and tallies points. If the contestant misses a question, the DARE officer explains the right answer. A quiz show format highlights key knowledge from DARE lessons in an energetic way 10-year-olds love.
Risks and Consequences board game
Board games that involve moving pieces along a path to reach a destination allow kids to learn about risks and consequences of drug use. Squares or cards contain scenarios involving decisions about drugs, like being offered alcohol at a party. Players discuss possible choices and outcomes. Safe decisions let you advance while risky ones mean losing a turn or going back spaces. Reaching the final square involves demonstrating resistance skills. Creating the gameboard using their own drug-related scenarios boosts relevance for 10-year-olds. Debriefing the choices made solidifies learning about assessing risks and rewards in real world situations.
Drugs versus healthy alternatives poster
Creating posters contrasts the effects of drugs with healthy alternatives. Kids work in small teams to design posters showing negative consequences of using tobacco, alcohol or marijuana versus positive outcomes of eating right, exercising and avoiding substance use. Visuals depict specific risks like lung cancer, impaired driving crashes, school failure and social problems contrasted with images of athletic achievement, academic success and friendships. Presenting their posters provides peer education and reinforces DARE messages for 10-year-olds. Displaying the posters prominently keeps the risks top of mind.
Drug myths versus facts
Distinguishing drug-related myths from scientific facts prepares kids to make informed choices. The DARE officer presents common myths about alcohol or tobacco use and challenges student teams to determine if they are true or false. Points are given for correct answers with explanations. For example, a myth may be that smoking makes you look cool or mature. Teams explain reasons this myth is false based on marketing tactics, health risks and impairment of sports performance or academic achievement. Identifying myths sharpens critical thinking skills about substance use that help 10-year-olds perceive risk accurately based on facts.
Refusal inventory
Building a list of refusal statements and comebacks prepares kids to face peer pressure. The DARE officer brainstorms assertive one-liners and responses students can use if pressured to use drugs. For example, “No way, my body’s a temple,” “Get lost, I wanna stay in control,” “I don’t need drugs to have fun,” or “No thanks, you can’t convince me.” Kids practice role-plays using their favorite lines. Writing down their favorites gives them a ready response “inventory” when faced with tempting situations. Practicing these snappy comebacks boosts confidence about resisting peer pressure. This verbal empowerment builds self-efficacy to stay drug-free.
Concentric circles
A powerful closing DARE activity is the Concentric Circles exercise. Students form two equal lines facing each other. The officer reads scenarios involving drugs or alcohol, like being offered a cigarette at school. The kids facing each other discuss and practice refusing firmly. On signal, the two facing kids switch roles. The lines rotate so students face new partners and discuss the next scenario. The steady rotation gives 10-year-olds chance to role-play drug-refusal multiple times with increasing confidence. Debriefing afterward reinforces their capability to resist drugs. This kinesthetic game energizes their commitment to stay drug-free and make wise choices.
Graduation
The culminating DARE event is a graduation ceremony attended by students, parents, and community members. Students receive certificates to recognize completion of the program. Many create thank-you notes for their DARE officer. Graduation speaks to 10-year-olds’ desire for acknowledgement and accomplishment. Affirming their achievement brings joyful closure and energizes them to apply DARE lessons. Speeches, songs or skits allow graduates to showcase their capabilities. Group photos capture the pride. Providing food makes it festive. Graduation ceremonies unite families and the community around supporting kids’ healthy development and drug prevention.
Conclusion
Interactive games and activities make the DARE program engaging, memorable and effective for 10-year-olds. Role-playing, decision-making games, media analysis, skits, bingo and quiz shows provide active learning experiences that stick with kids. Creating posters, practicing refusal statements and debating myths versus facts boost skills for resisting drugs. Fun graduation events celebrate students’ completion of DARE and commitment to healthy, drug-free living. Age-appropriate games lay the foundation for children to make wise choices as they navigate future decisions involving drugs and alcohol. Interactive learning gives kids confidence, communication skills and peer support to avoid the risks of substance abuse.
| DARE Game | Key Skills Developed |
|---|---|
| Role-playing scenarios | Practice drug refusal skills |
| Decision-making games | Assess options and consequences |
| Analyzing advertisements | Recognize media influence tactics |
| Peer pressure skits | Model resistance strategies |
| Prescription drug bingo | Learn safe medicine use |
| Drug quiz show | Reinforce DARE knowledge |
| Risks & Consequences board game | Practice decision-making skills |
| Drugs vs. Healthy Alternatives posters | Highlight risks and positive choices |
| Myths vs Facts debates | Distinguish myths from facts |
| Refusal inventory | Prepare responses to peer pressure |
| Concentric circles role-play | Build refusal self-efficacy |