Icebreakers/Warm Ups

Line Tag
2 tagers the rest of the class are trying to escape from the tagers, the rules can change from only walking to only
jogging or running but at all times the players must keep to the lines of the gym, at no time are they allowed to go off
the lines or cut corners to tag or escape from being tagged. Once a person is tagged they become a tagger. The
last person standing wins.
Good game to play as an icebreaker for a class

Everybodys It
Everybody is a tagger. The idea is to tag as many people as you can within a certain time limit, in a confined space while
avoiding being tagged yourself. Players keep a score of how many times they have got a tag. Player with the most
tags at the end wins.
NB. players cannot keep tagging the same person over and over again and count each tag as a point.

3600 Tag
Players pair off into pairs of 2. 1 partner is the tagger the other is trying to avoid being tagged from their partner. As
soon as the escapee is tagged by their partner, the roles are then switched, they spin 3600 on the spot and are then able
to go chase ofter their partner.
Variations of this game; only walking, only jogging, etc
Good game to play as an ice breaker or as a warm up game

Bunny Tail Tag

A version of 3600 Tag except that one of the partners has a band tucked into the back of their pants.
Variations of this game can be, players must only walk, players must only run or players can only hop like rabbits. The
count tahi rua toru still counts when tagged.

Cumulative Relay
Players are numbered off into groups of 3. Idea is a relay race, but instead of tagging the next person to run solo, they
grab each other (linking arms) and run the same distance again then link arms with the 3rd person and so on. After the
team has all run one length together with their arms linked, the 1st person who ran, breaks off when they get back to the
start, then the 2nd player and so on until the final player runs one last length before the team is complete.
Good game to play as a warm up or a start to an activity

Rats and Rabbits

This game is a lot of fun. Class is split into 2 even teams, facing eachother in the middle of the gym and two arms length
between them (this is judged by players reaching out from where they are standing so that their fingers are just
touching). One team is called Rats the other Rabbits. The teacher/referee calls one of the two names. The name
that the teacher/referee calls are the taggers and have to tag the other team before the other team can get back to
their safe zone, which is usually behind a line near one of the side walls of the gym, or a line marked out with cones.
If you are tagged by the opposite team you then join their team. The object of the game is to eliminate the opposite
team.
Good game to play to raise moral in the class

Amoeba Tag

The game begins with two taggers who link arms. The taggers must then try and tag other members of the class. Once
tagged, students join onto the chain, until the chain consists of four people, when it breaks back into twos.
Good fun. Good game to play as a warm up activity.
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Name Race
Another get-to-know-you game.
Students stand in a circle and all say their names. After they have said their name they move to a position in the circle
which means they will be lined up alphabetically. Time how long this takes and get students to do it as quickly as
possible.
Variations of this game can be first names, middle names, last names, nick names.

Bump
Students stand in groups of two linking arms. There needs to be one tagger and one person being tagged. The person
being chased can join onto any group by linking their arms through another persons free arm, once they have done this
the person on the other side of the group is now being chased.
Variations of this game can be adding another chaser and tagger or 2 to the game. Could be used as a slow warm up
game or used in between activities as a warm down.

Knee Tag
In partners, try to slap the knee of the other person whilst not being tagged yourself.
NB. Probably best to leave this until you know the class better. A good way for kids to act silly with each other, but
safely.

Variation of game; switch from Knee Tag to Toe Touch, players can only use their toes to tag.
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Shark Attack
Students line up in a square facing each other, with 2 people in the middle (these are the taggers/sharks). When the
people in the middle call come out and play little fishys the students must get from their side of the square to the
opposite side without being tagged by the sharks. If you are tagged, you become seaweed and must stay on the spot
where you were tagged. These seaweeds have the ability to tag people too, but cannot move from where they are
standing.
Variations of the game can be, the game played at different paces e.g. first round walking, second round running, third
round can introduce a boffer.

Spinning Wheels
Link hands with a partner and spin around the gym leaning against the other person. Requires trust in the other person
in each partnership.

Body Guard
Class stands in a circle. Everyone in the circle silently picks someone to be their body guard and another person as a
spy, without anyone else knowing who they have picked. The idea of the game is to keep your body guard in between
you and the spy you picked.

Elevator Air
In a circle students are asked to walk from where they are standing to the opposite side of the circle on the count of 3,
firstly without any visual or verbal communication, secondly with only visual communication and thirdly with visual and
verbal communication.

Then recap what has just happened. Talk about pros and cons about each stage of crossing the circle and relate it to the
stages of life and getting to know each other.
Contract
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The being
As a group, draw an outline of a person and write inside the person virtues which the group should uphold to create a
positive learning environment. Around the outside of the person, brainstorm things which would have a negative impact
on the learning environment.

Circle of Hands
Sit in a circle with a large piece of paper in the middle. Everyone must place their hands on the paper so a circle of hands
is created. Then use a marker to draw the hands on the paper. Each person must then draw a symbol which describes
them inside one hand and write three words that describe them within the other.

Balloon Boop
One member of the group must blow up a balloon and then write on it things which create a positive learning
environment. The group must uphold these virtues in a literal way by not letting the balloon touch the ground.

Deinhibitizors
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Bumpty Bump Bump

This is a get-to-know-you game.

Class is divided into two circles at separate ends of the gym, with a person in the middle of each circle. Before the game
starts each person in the circle says their first name while the others listen. The person in the middle then says X
number of people to the left/right, then spins around with their eyes closed. When they stop spinning they point at the
person they are facing and say bumpty bump bump, within the time that it takes the middle person to say bumpty
bump bump, the person that is pointed to has to say the persons name that is X number of people to either their left or
right, depending on what the person in the middle stated before they span. If they fail to answer correctly within the
time it takes the middle person to say bumpty bump bump or they name the wrong person or get their name wrong,
they switch with the person in the middle.
There is no outright winner overall, its really just a get-to-know-you game
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Birthday
The task is to line up in a straight line in order of birthday dates in the class. The rules are that you cant talk at all or
move your mouth, so the class must work together to find a way to line up starting from Jan Dec.
Is a good game for the class to find out more about each other in a safe and fun environment while promoting a sense of
unity and belonging as this task requires everyone to participate to successfully complete this game.

Hog Call United Kingdom

Class is split into groups of 2. Within those groups they are to come up with an everyday word with 2 syllables eg.
Peanut butter, united kingdom, johny walker, jelly bean. One partner takes one word eg. United while the other partner
takes the other word eg. Kingdom. They are then told to go to opposite ends of the gym and turn their backs to each
other so that they are facing the wall. They are then told to rearrange themselves, without turning their heads or backs,
along the wall. They are then blind folded and told to turn and find their partner. They find their partner by calling out
their own name from the word(s) they came up with.

They must not take their blindfolds up until they have found their partner.
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Fire in the Hall

Same game as Hog Call but with the exception that one partner is given a balloon blown up. When the two partners
find each other, they squeeze each other and when they think the balloon is about to break they both yell Fire in the
Hall!

Chase the Nut Case

The class is divided into four groups. Within each group they are to come up with a song that they can all sing
successfully ie one that they all know. The teacher then directs the groups around him/her so that one group is
infront/behind/left/right. The teacher then runs around the gym, like a nut case. When he/she stops the class must line
up in their groups, on the correct side that the teacher put them on and sing their song, all in unison and as loud as
possible. The group that gets all together and in the right position and starts singing their song the quickest gets a point.
Teacher specifies how many points win the game.
Good game to play in between activities to keep the class warm. Also a good bonding game to play with them all.

Boffer Tag
Students stand in a circle, on dots on the ground, with one person in the middle. The person in the middle tags any
person standing around the circle with the foam stick and then puts the stick back in the middle. They then have to
return to a spot before the new person in the middle has a chance to tag them. Members of the circle can switch places
at any time to increase difficulty.
Great game to play with kids as a general activity.

Speed Rabbit

Students stand in a circle with one person in the middle. The word rabbit, elephant and cow have three different actions
to be performed when called out. The person in the middle points to members of the circle, who must perform the action
in less than three seconds, or else they are in the circle.
Fun game that lets kids act silly and look cool amongst their peers at the same time.
Variation of the game; students make up 3 more animals and actions for the game, then adding all 6 animals together
into one massive game. Our animals were a retarted giraffe, a chicken and an alligator/crocodile.
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All Sit, All Stand

In groups the students stand back to back in a circle and link arms. The task is for them all to sit down in a group without
breaking the circle of linked arms and then to all stand back up together still linking arms.

Inchworm
Students are divided into groups and are told to sit on the gym floor in several straight lines. The teacher sets a distance
that the students must make. The students must make this distance all linked together in a straight line with only their
bums on the floor. Students cannot use their feet to pull them forward neither their hands. They must work as a group
to reach the finish line.

Reflection
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Back to Back Rating

In pairs, students are asked to line up back to back and take turns at asking each other questions regarding the days
activities. Such questions that can be poised can be; how would rate the leadership of today? How would you rate the
level of participation? How fun was today? Was today a good learning experience for you? How effectively did we
work as a team today?

Students rate the questions by raising their hands to a certain level, down low, i.e. arm below chest height = very poor,
very high i.e. arm extended above head = very good.
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Out of 5
Students are asked to stand in a circle facing each other to poise questions to each other in regard to the days activities
and rate it out of 5, 5 being really good, 1 = very poor.
In one round make sure that there is no eye contact or any sort of communication between students in between new
questions, as this may then provoke some more honest answers.

Iris and Onion

In a circle, students are asked to get comfortable and talk about the pros and cons of the days activities. They are also
asked to praise some students for things that they might have done during the day, and constructive criticism where
necessary.

ICEBREAKERS / DE-INHIBITISERS
Hospital Tag: Within boundary, One person is it and has a boofer. When you get hit you have to clutch your injury with your hand. 3
hits youre dead.
Boofer Spot Tag: Lay spots in a circle with 1 in the middle too. Everyone stands on a spot, the person in the middle has the boofer and
is it. They have to hit someone (below the knees) then put the boofer back on the middle spot and take the place of the hit person on
their spot. The hit person has to run to the middle, grab the boofer and hit it before they get to the outside spot. If they miss the they
are it.
Scorpion Tag: In a marked area give it two boofers, the scorpions head. When they get someone that person joins onto it and
becomes one head of the scorpion. Eventually you will get a chain of people with a boofer at each end. The group will have to work
together to get all the people or the scorpion will get pulled in different directions.
Variations: Can sabotage and steal spots on the outside. Can add in a points system, points for stealing and extra points if you make it
to the middle spot, say ____ and get back to outside safely.

Walking Partner Tag: Round 1; Set boundaries. In pairs, 1 is it when you get tagged do a 360 and then youre it. Round 2; 1
person is left and can only go in a straight line of turn left, the other can only go straight or right. Round 3; Close one eye and cup a hand
around the other eye like a Cyclops. Can make boundaries smaller and smaller.
Peg Tag: Need lots of pegs. Everyone grab as many pegs as they want. Have to get the most, the least, one of each colour, all of one
colour etc.
Bodyguard/Spy: Stand in a circle. Without telling anyone pick a bodyguard, then pick a person who is spying on you. You have to keep
your bodyguard between you and your spy, GO!
Clumps: Walk around and find someone who has similar or same.interests, plays same sport, is oldest child, does same job, did similar
thing inlast 2 years etc.
Evolution: Start off as primordial slime, evolve into a chicken, to ape, to Elvis! To evolve to the next level you play paper, scissors, rock
and the winner evolves. You can only play with someone at the same evolutionary level as you.
Singapore Shuffle: Set some chairs up in a half circle. Divide into 2 teams and line up at each end of the semi-circle. Have to move
around by placing whole but on each chair, its a competition to get to the other end of the semi-circle. You can only have 1 person from
each team at a time on chairs. When you meet someone from other team you play paper, scissors, rock. Winner carries on and loser goes
back to end of their line. Can make semi-circle smaller for more competition.
Star Wars: Two groups with a boundary rope in the middle and lots of soft balls on the boundary rope. On each side put a hoop about 510 metres back from the rope. Each group chooses a Jedi to stand in the hoop with a boofer (light saber) everyone else starts standing in
line with the Jedi, they are Ewoks. The object is to kill all the other teams Ewoks OR the other teams Jedi. Rules; the Jedi is safe only if
inside the hoop, if you get hit by a ball you die (crouch down) you can be saved by the Jedi toughing you with their light saber, the Jedi
must have both feet out of the hoop to save an Ewok. You cant cross the boundary rope or throw balls from behind the Jedi. If you catch
a ball on the full the thrower dies.
Shrinking Island: Get a tarp and everyone has to stand on it. Every 5 seconds the Island shrinks (everyone has to get off and you fold it
up so its smaller) See how small an Island the group can stand on.
Two truths and a Lie: Have to tell the group 3 things about you except 1 of them is a lie, the group has to guess which one is a lie.

NAME GAMES
Im___ and I Like: a sport, action, thing that starts with the same letter as your name. Before introducing youself you have to
first introduce all the people who have gone before you.

Mexican Name Wave: Round 1; Stand in a circle and without talking circle up alphabetically, to check say names starting at
A. Round 2; Time how long it takes to line back up in same order you were in before and say names in a mexican wave
around circle. Round 3; Now time how long it takes to get back into alphabetical order, say names, back to original order and
say names. Try 2 times to get best time.
Whakaropiropiai (follow me): Circle up with 1 person in the middle. Person in middle points at someone and they have to
say the middle persons name before they say Whakaropiropiai. Can then add in left and right, in Maori Left is Maui and right
is Matou. Person in middle points and says Maui . The pointed at person has to say name of person on their left before the
middle person can say Whakaropiropiai. Whoever finishes saying there bit last has to go in the middle. Can have multiple
people in the middle.
How do you do: Circle up with 1 person on the outside. They tap someone on the shoulder and say How do you do___ the
other person repeats it and then they must run in opposite directions around the circle, say their greeting as they pass each
other and get back to the space in the circle. Last one that people on the outside can also greet them as they run past. Could
change to greetings in other languages.

Barf ball: You and your team need to stand in a circle or cluster and everyone throws their ball up into the air to a height of
3m at the same time. Each person needs to catch a ball that they did not throw. The balls that are missed count as a negative
score. You and your team will need to discuss, plan and practice how you can achieve the result of no balls missed on each
throw. When this is achieved the controller will count and record how many all catch rounds your team can do before a miss is
made. Rules; Each person must catch a different ball to one they threw. The balls must be thrown to a height of approx 3 m
each time.