Hi everyone!

I'm a high school English teacher and as part of our virtual field days next week I'm hosting a "party" for students on my island. I wanted to do some challenges, but I can only do challenges that are achievable with a Dodo code.

I was thinking about things like "First one to catch a sea bass" or "First one to catch a common butterfly" where they'd have to show off whatever creature they catch. I wanted to do "first to catch 3" or something to make it more challenging, but I don't think you can drop live animals on islands. Can you?

LEt me know if you have any ideas for challenges I could run without friending my kids on the Switch and just using the Dodo Code. Also, if you do custom designs, let me know if you can help me design a shirt for kids to take home!

Any help appreciated!

No you can't drop furniture when the gate is open period. You have the option to "show off your catch" on the fish in the inventory menu. So you can have them show off the fish.

Ok, so then that challenge might work for them if I pick random fish/bugs and announce it. We're going to do it in tandem with a Google Meet or Hangout chat.

Any other ideas?

you can buy a timer from the upgraded shop. I haven't bought one in NH yet, but I assume it works the same as in the older games, where it displays the number of fish and bugs you caught after time runs out

if you have enough open area in your town, you could also try making a maze! you can't have the same type of puzzles as the mayday maze obviously, but items like beds and chairs (specifically chairs with a backrest that you can't turn all the way around on) could add an extra little bit of challenge. maybe you could hide gift wrapped items in the maze as well as prizes

there are also the classic games like sumo, where you designate an arena area and bury pitfalls all around the edges. players have to push each other inside the arena and if you fall into a pitfall, you're out. last one standing wins! you might have to find a pitfall DIY or get a bunch of pitfalls from someone with the DIY for this one if you don't have it already

You could borrow some ideas from the tortimer island minigames from new leaf like the dig up item matching where you have 2 of the same items for about 8 items in a big grid of buried items. So you have to match both pairs of the 8 items or so by digging them up.
example video

I agree about using the timer item. I could get you one for free if you haven't upgraded your shop yet. Maze and digging up items (matching game) could also be cool.

Sidenote: Really love this idea of an ACNH field trip. Nice thinking!

I am a prekindergarten teacher. This is such a fantastic idea.

Perhaps you can also have a design contest where your students can vote for whomever comes up with the best pattern design.

Using the timer is great. You can set the time (3,5,10,15 minutes) and everyone will be able to see it. It does only showcase bugs and fish caught.  

However, you can use the timer to have them go on a treasure hunt. You can bury various items around your island. Whomever finds the most items, wins a prize.

Will they be able to use shovels if I'm only inviting them via Dodo code?

Only people you have added as your best friend within the game will be able to use shovels.

You could have different clothing items scattered on the ground and they have to find the matching pieces to an outfit...no shovels required then...

There could be a rule about dropping the extra items for others to find or keeping as many as they find to prevent others from completing an outfit...

It might get pretty cutthroat, but it would be amusing to watch!

If you have the time, you could set up a maze on your island with fences and have prizes hidden throughout the maze or give one to each student as they reach the end. If you dont have fencing, I'd be happy to craft a bunch for you!

I like the bug and fish competition idea. First one to bring it back to wherever you are and show it off wins.

What about a scavenger hunt? You could drop a bunch of items on the ground, but the student has to solve the clue to know which objects to pick up.

Musical chairs! You set up a bunch of areas with seating, and you play an instrument for the music. After each round, you go to a different area of the island with less seating.

Hide and seek could be another easy game