PUTER Sas a a | 5 = TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITIES —Hello and thank you for purchasing this e-book! This is part one of a larger series of e-books. Think of this book like the cookie monster, where the purpose is to gather and fill this book with new team building activities. Check back with us as we continue to grow “The BIG Book of Fun Icebreakers and Team Building Activities”. As always happy planning! Angikindslows Senatus Copyright © 2014 by Angikindslows Senatus All rights reserved. Book design by Angikindslows Senatus No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. Angikindslows Senatus Visit my website at www.quickteambuildingactivities.com Myfreefundraisers LLCTable of Contents Fun & Active Team Building Activities 4: Back to back drawing. 2: Lifeboat 3: Famous Peopl 4: Choosing 5: Square Fl 6: Human Spring .. 7: Mine Field «ss 8: Trust Fall 9: The Perfect Team Member 10: Darkness «rs 11: Puzzle. 12: Building a Paper Tower. 13: Compliments. 14: Budget Dinner. 15: Play 16: Dilemma 17: Paper Ball Game. 18: Dictatior 20: Islands 21: Choose Just On 22: Stereotypes... 23: Story Building 24: Gutter Ball... 25: Balloon Pop... 26: Tug of War. 27: Shrinking Shi 28: Egg Drop. 29: Three Legged Rac 33: Broken Telephone... 34: Dictionary 35:36: Lies. oo 37: Statue Posing 38: Song Titles .. 39: RObOE saverene 40: Puzzle. 41: Paper Planes .. 42: Snowball fight 43: Informercial 44: Invisible Maze 45: Toe to toe 46: Drumming .... 47: Intuitive Counting ... 48: Team Scribbling.. 49: Pass the Stone 50: Story time .... 51: Group Library. 52: Halloween Tower... 53: Through the Spider Web... 54: Baby Pictu 55: Rummage Sa 56: Two Finger Li 61: Somebody Else’s Arm: 62: Comic Strip.. 65: Team Garden.. 66: Secret Santa... 67: Rope Star 68: Group Sit-up... 69: Interviews... 70: International Potluck. 71: Talk About Yourself 72: Games Day...76: Memory Game 77: Just the Facts. 78: It's in the Details....... 79: Impromptu Ski 80: Beach Ball Introductions. 81: Strange Creatures... 82: Role Play .. 83: Zombie Apocalypse 84: Multi-way Tug of War 85: Debat 86: Round Table... 87: Borrow an Employ: 88: Design a Relaxing Room 90: Marathon.. 91: Everyone's a teacher... 92: Bonding... 93: Do You Know Mi 94: Quiz Night... 95: Who am I? sve 96: Blindfolded Building. 97: Group Portré110: Spot the Difference... 414: And And And 112: Chain Story... \ding Shapes 126 : Arm Untangli Getting-To-Know Activities 127: Drawing Faces 128: Poetry. 129: Blind Cooperation.. 130: Christmas Garland 131: Dance Class... 132: Group Member Mad 133: One Voi 134: Visual Broken Telephone 135: Nutty Professors ... 136: Alien Making Tea... 137: Superheroes 138: Who is Winning? 139: Throwing the Bouquet.: The String Gam : Charm Bag .. : Opposite Debate : Five Years’ Time .. |: My Biggest Fear .. : What's in a Name : Happy Families : My Worst Trait : Would You Rather... : Human Sculpture : Secret Role Play : When I Grow U; : Same But Different. : Speed Dating... |: Blanket. : Bucket List. : Creating Vision Boards. : Name Bingo... : Colors : M&M Game : Remembering Names : Whodunit. : Creating Flags .. : Riddle: : Nautical Knots .. : Numbers ..: Three Wishes : Following Instructions : Stereotypes : Last Moments on Earth : Rule Breakers... : Dream Interpretation : Murder Mysteries : Name Adjectives : Balloon Bounce : Musical Chairs Variation .. : The Eyes Have It. : Story Mime : Spell it Out : Blindfolded Lunch. |; Human Equation... : Photo Sharing : Household Income... : Pizza Toppings.. : The Clapping Game : Group Debate. : Group Barter : Guess the Weight of a Cupcake : Team Song. : Impromptu Orchestra. : The Murder Game. : Nonverbal Memory Game ..: Awkward Questions... : Group Meditation : Name Balloons.. : Spinning Game.. : Naming Emotions : Group Sentence... : Group Sentence Variation .. : This or That. : Name Crossword : Compliments.. : “Kippers” : Changing Places. : Valentine's Heart : Personality Dress Up .. : Warmer and Cooler : Are You Lying? ): Straw Structures.. : Floating Stick inishing Each Other's Sentence : Group Rules. : Nature Haikus... Group Awards .. : Blind Interview Problem Solvers.My “Real” Nam Photographers. : Changes : Apologies : What IF. : Psych Testing... : Painted Quilt : Group Stand Up... : Time Capsule ... : Manner: : One Dollar Auction : House of Cards. : Best and Worst Jobs .. : Agony Aunts.. : Company "Dating Profile” : Pictionary. : Paint Bal : Anonymous Feedback Box. : Happy Pai : Icebreaker Feedback .. : Group Outing .. : Team Pen. : Hula Hoop Comps : Post It Sculpture. : Group Hike or Ru : “Day OFF”244: Team Building App 245: Embarrassing Stories ssc. oe 247: Closure.. 122 248: A “Not To Do” List 123 249: Strengths. 123 250: The Big Tournament 123Fun & Active Team Building Activities 1: Back to back drawing Purpose: Enhancing communication skills Group size: 4+, even numbers Level: Intermediate Tools: Enough chairs, pads of paper and pencils, simple line drawings on cards Time: 20 minutes Description: Pairs of people are put with their backs facing on chairs. Each person receives a picture card and has to describe how to draw this picture to their partner. They cannot say exactly what their picture is, only describe how to draw it, for example “there are four longer sticks attached to a flat board...”. When finished, the other person has their turn. The pictures are compared at the end of the game - who explained better? Follow up: How do people respond when they can’t communicate face to face? 2: Lifeboat Purpose: Learning cooperation Group size: 2+ Level: Basic Tools: None, or could use a blow up life raft for a fun prop Time: 15 minutesDescription: The team has to decide, collectively, what 10 items they will bring to a desert island when their ship sinks and they are forced to escape in a lifeboat. The trick is, everyone must agree on the 10 items and nobody should feel left out. Follow up: How did the group navigate the challenge, and how were compromises made? 3: Famous People Purpose: Warmer, ice breaker Group siz Level: intermediate Tools: Post it notes Time: 15 -20 minutes Description: Prepare by writing the names of very famous people on yellow post it notes. Now, without seeing what's written on the note, each person has a note stuck onto their backs. The group mingles and chat amongst themselves. The goal is to find out the name that's stuck to your back by asking questions that they can only answer with a yes or no, for example “am | male?". Follow up: How did the group feel about the exercise? 4: Choosing Sides Purpose: Getting to know you exercise; warmer Group size: 6+, the bigger the betterLevel: Basic Tools: None needed Time: Variable; at least 5 minutes Description: Draw a real or imaginary line on the floor and stand on it. Then, the group is asked an either/or question, for example “would you rather be rich or beautiful?" or “would you rather be famous for winning the nobel prize or an Oscar?" etc. People then actively stand on either side of the line to show their choice. This is a great, exercise to involve the whole group and get everyone moving, plus there are some laughs to be had when people discover the unexpected preferences of their group members. Square Flip Purpose: Morale booster; warmer; team work Group size: 10+ but the more the better Level: Basic Tools: At least 50 pieces of paper or cardboard, differently colored on each side; otherwise, one side can be marked with one symbol and the other side a different symbol; an open field or hall Time: 5 - 10 minutes Description: 1. Prepare the field or hall space by placing the sheets of paper or cardboard all over the ground. . There should be an equal number of both sides showing, i.e. the same number of each symbol or color.. People are sorted into two teams corresponding to the different colors or symbols on the cards. . The winning team will have more of their symbol or color showing after two minutes. Someone sets a timer for 2 minutes, and then the teams have to very quickly run around and turn over the papers as fast as they can to make sure their symbol or color is showing. . At the end of the 2 minutes, the papers are counted to see who the winning team is, 6: Human Spring Purpose: Building trust and cooperation Group size: 6+, even numbers Level: Basic Tool : None Time: 5 minutes Description: 1. 2. Group members stand in pairs facing each other. With elbows bent and palms touching, instruct everyone to gradually step their feet further and further back - they will eventually have to rely solely on one another to maintain their balance. Follow up: Was trusting your teammates easy? Why or why not? 7: Mine Field Purpose: Ice breaker; trust exercise Group size: 5+Level: Basic Tools: Various “obstacles” Time: 10 minutes Description: 1. To prepare, set up a mine field made of obstacles all over the place, example chairs, books etc. 2. One person is blindfolded and guided from one end of the minefield to the other through the help of his team mates, who are standing on the side shouting directions. 8: Trust Fall Purpose: Trust exercise Group size: 2+, better with pairs Level: Basic Tools: Chairs Time: 5 minutes Description: 1. Someone stands on a chair and the rest of the group positions themselves to catch them as they fall backwards. This takes considerable trust on the part of the person falling, but can be a good exercise if everyone gets a turn to trust in their team. Follow up: what emotions came up during the exercise? 9: The Perfect Team Member Purpose: Cooperation, morale boosting Group size: 4+Level: Intermediate Tools: A large piece of paper, markers and pens Time: 30 minutes Description: 1. Lay a massive sheet of paper on the floor, and trace the outline of a person on the paper. . This is to represent your "perfect team member”. . The group takes turns discussing their best features and strengths they bring to the group In tum, these are added to the drawing with colored markers and pens. . After everyone has contributed, the group discusses how this imaginary person embodies all their best qualities, and how. Follow up: How do members feel about discussing their strengths? Did people accept compliments gracefully? What strengths do you have that are unrecognized? 10: Darkness Purpose: Team Building Tools: A very dark room Time: 30 minutes + Description: 1. Ina room as dark as possible, get the team members to try and cooperate together on a group task - even something as simple as preparing some tea - without the use of sight.2. The team will have to rely on verbal communication to cooperate. Follow up: How do the members fee! about their verbal skills? 11: Puzzle Purpose: Group morale, ice breaker Group size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Tools: At least two sets of puzzles Time: 15 minutes Description: Two teams have to compete with each other to build a simple puzzle as quickly as possible, beating the other team. Follow up: Discuss how people approached the task - did some people dominate? 12: Building a Paper Tower Purpose: Critical thinking, group work, icebreaker Group size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Tools: Several sheets of plain paper Time: Up to 20 minutes Description: 1. Break the group into two teams. Now, they must compete to build the tallest tower in a set time, for example 5 minutes2. The only catch is that they must find a way to build a tower using nothing but plain sheets of paper. 3. The group will have to cooperate to find novel ways to build a good tower. Very good for children and younger groups. Follow up: What skills did the group need to draw on to work together and build a good tower? How could they have done better? 13: Compliments Purpose: Group solidarity and morale Group ny Level: Intermediate Tools: Sheets of paper Time: 20 minutes Description: Each group member takes some time to compile a list of short (sincere!) compliments about every other team member. Then, the instructor tears the paper into strips and compiles a list for each group member consisting of all the compliments they received. Follow up: This is a good way to start a conversation about praise in the workplace, self esteem and recognition. Talk about how each member felt about receiving their compliments. 14: Budget Dinner Purpose: Practical group work Group size: AnyLevel: Intermediate Tools: A set budget for each group, access to a supermarket and kitchen Time: Approx. half a day Description: 1. This is a great exercise for conferences and team building weekends. 2. In groups, people have to work together to plan and make a very cheap meal together. .. Given some parameters (a very, very low budget, dietary restrictions, number of people etc.) the group has to optimize as best they can and come up with a meal before the deadline. . Group members have to learn to break the task up, plan, allocate tasks to different members, do a costing exercise and agree on a good meal to make to be successful. ‘An optional “taste test” can be completed at the end to see which team made the best meal using their resources. Follow up: What lessons did the team learn? What skills are needed to do this exercise well? 15: Play Purpose: Teamwork and group morale Group size: 10+ Level: Intermediate Tools: None necessary, but a makeshift “stage”, clothing and props are useful Time: 3- 4 hoursDescription: A good exercise for teams where a creative element is required. Teams must plan and act out their own play. The cast, script, costumes etc are all up to them, but by the time the countdown is reached, they must go on stage and entertain a judge and the other teams. This requires planning, coordination and thinking on your feet. Follow up: How do the skills of each group member differ and was everyone's skill used to the most by the group? 16: Dilemma Purpose: Communication, critical thinking Group size: Any Level: Advanced Tools: None, but prepare by finding an ethical dilemma or problem Time: Up to 1 hour Description: Find a controversial topic, difficult problem or dilemma (look in the news, in agony aunt columns or create something ‘rom scratch) and present the dilemma to the group. Have them debate the solution to the dilemma as a team. When the hour is up, they should have formed some compromise between them that accommodates all the different opinions. This will take patient and respect for each member to arrive at a solution that works for everyone 17: Paper Ball Game Purpose: Teamwork, group morale Group size: AnyLevel: Basic Tools: Plenty of paper and regular drinking straws Time: 20 minutes Description: Prepare a “board” on a piece of paper by drawing concentric circles - like a dart board. Assign points to each circle, the middle being the most points. Now, roll up pieces of paper to make balls roughly the size of grapes (you could also make different sizes to make the game more difficult). Now, the team members have to use the straws alone to gently blow the paper balls around the board and earn the points in each circle. The goal can be to accumulate @ set amount of points by positioning the paper balls just right - it sounds easy but it can be quite tricky, especially with many people having to work together. This can be done in one group with a time limit or else in separate groups that compete with each other. Follow up: Did anyone lose their temper during the game? How did the group manage their frustrations? 18: Dictation Purpose: Coordination Group size: 4+, even numbers Level: Intermediate Tools: A few copies of a printed short story - around 200 or 300 words Time: 20 minutes Description: A printed short story is stuck up on the far end of one wall in @ room. On the other end, a blank piece of paper is stuck to the wall. In pairs, team members have to help each other transfer the story from one wall to the other. One member must read and memorize the story as much as possible, run across the room to the otherside and explain exactly to the other member what he has read, so he can write it down verbatim. Make teams of 2 compete against each other or set a time limit. Group members need to work quickly but they are also penalized for making errors. Follow up: what was your technique - to sacrifice time or accuracy? How did you achieve a balance? How did you remain patient with each other. 19: Eye Contact Purpose: Building trust and rapport Group size: Any, pairs preferable Level: Basic Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Description: This is a very simple but very profound exercise to do with people where they may be some friction in the group. Have people sit face to face, crossed legged if possible, and simply make eye contact for a full minute. This can be challenging for some people, but it is always an illuminating experience. Switch up groups and make different pairs. Follow up: There will be a lot to discuss. How do participants feel? Exposed? Empathetic? Embarrassed? Discuss the role of eye contact and let each person explain how they feel about prolonged and intimate eye contact. This can really pull a group together. 20: Islands Purpose: Team workGroup size: 4+ Level: Basic Tools: Large pieces of paper or cardboard Time: 15 minutes Description: 1. Ina large room, lay out some “islands” - pieces of paper on which people can stand. . Some should be close to one another and others further apart. . Now, each person stands on one island. Make an empty goal island very far away from everyone - the goal is to reach this island without stepping off of the paper. . Group members will have to work together to move their islands around, share their islands and make a plan to reach the goal island together. Follow up: How could the team have reached the goal island more quickly? 21: Choose Just One Purpose: Communication, critical thinking Level: Intermediate Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Description: Explain to the group that the earth is being destroyed and that only one member from the group will be saved by being taken away on a spaceship. Each group member has to argue for why they should be the one to go, and make their case to therest of the group. After a set time has elapsed, they must choose one person or the spaceship will leave and nobody will be saved. Who will they choose and why? Follow up: This activity can bring up a lot of discussion. How did different people respond to the challenge? What did you learn about each other? 22: Stereotypes Purpose: Good team rapport Group size: 6+, best with a larger group Level: Intermediate Tools: None Time: 30 minutes Description: Sort people into groups based on their ethnic background, language or gender. Now, ask the people in the group what stereotypes they think belong with their group that are actually not true. . After some discussion, have the groups share with each other the stereotypes they think are unfair for their group. Follow up: What usually happens is that people discover through discussion that they are more complicated than just being a member of a group - this brings about empathy and tolerance in the group as they realise that everyone is an individual and that stereotypes are not useful 23: Story Building Purpose: Empathy, communicationGroup size: 4+ Level: Advanced Tools: A set of pictures that tells a story in a sequence Time: 30 minutes Description: 1. The group has to create a story that makes sense using the pictures. 2. Each person is given one picture but cannot show it to anyone else. 3. This means they have to take turns to explain what their picture is and work together to organize it well Follow up: Has anyone in the group dominated discussion? What ways can people learn to see others’ point of view? 24: Gutter Ball Purpose: Icebreaker, morale booster Group size: 4+, but not more than 6 Level: Basic Tools: Each person gets a small piece of pipe or gutter, plus a small ball Time: 15 minutes Description: The aim of the game is to move the ball from one end of the room to the other without touching it. The group can use their pipes/gutters to transport the ball and make sure it doesn’t fall on the ground - or else they have to start again/ Follow up: How well does the group work as one?25: Balloon Pop Purpose: Icebreaker Group size: 4+ Level: Basic Tools: Balloons and strips of paper Time: 10 minutes Description: Write different numbers on strips of paper and place them inside blown up balloons. Two groups try to pop the balloons as quickly as possible and get to keep the numbers in the balloons as points. After a few minutes, or when all the balloons are popped, the points are tallied to see who the winner is. Follow up: The group can share their experiences 26: Tug of War Purpose: Fun, team building, morale Group size: 10+ Level: Intermediate Tools: A rope Time: 10 minutes Description: A classic game that's best suited to those who are OK with the physical exertion. Better with very big groups and done outside. 27: Shrinking Ship Purpose: Fun, teamwork, ice breaker Group size: Any Level: BasicTools: a very large piece of paper/bed sheet Time: 10 minutes Description: The piece of paper or sheet is the ship, but itis rapidly shrinking - every round, the sheet is folded in half, which means team members have to find a way to fit everyone on Follow up: How did the group respond to the challenge together? 28: Egg Drop Purpose: Teamwork, critical thinking Group Level: Intermediate Tools: Some eggs, random stationery like tape, boxes, straws, string, paper etc. Time: 30 minutes Description: In teams, groups must try to prevent an egg dropped from a one story height from breaking on impact. To do this, they have access to some tools and materials, but must work together to design some kind of protection/vehicle for the egg - the challenge is met when the egg survives the drop. Follow up: What is the leadership like in the group? Did everyone get to share their ideas? 29: Three Legged Race Purpose: Teamwork, ice breaking Group Level: BasicTools: Rope or thick string Ti 5 minutes Description: A classic game that requires people to work together. Tie the left leg of one member to the right leg of the other. Now, tied together pairs have to have a race to see who wins. Follow up: What did the winning team do that the others didn’t? 30: DIY Purpose: Creativity, team work Group ny Level: Advanced Tools: None Time: 1 hour Description: The group must design and complete their own activity. They have to work together to create a game that everyone will enjoy and explain why they've chosen this game. Follow up: Was the game successful? What did everyone take form the experience? 31: Ordering Purpose: Warm up, getting to know you Level: Basic Tools: None Time: 5 minutesDescription: Group members stand up. The instructor asks them to order themselves in a row according to, for example, their height. Next their age, or the length of their hair or their number of siblings for example. The instructions can become more and more complex, for example the instructor could ask people to rank according to who's the best at certain skills Follow up: As long as members get the chance to move around enough, there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss the questions and learn more about each other - as long as the instructor avoids making things too competitive. 32: Circles Purpose: Fun, ice breaker, getting to know you Group size: 4+ Level: intermediate Tools: Big pieces of paper, art supplies Time: 30 minutes Description: People are paired or put into small groups and given a piece of paper with a big, empty circle drawn on it. They have to use crayons, paints ete. to fill the circle in any way they like. When everyone is done, the groups take turns explaining their drawings and what they mean Follow up: This is a good open-ended discussion which could lead to people expressing their feelings about one another and themselves. 33: Broken Telephone Purpose: Icebreaker, communicationGroup size: 10+, bigger groups better Level: Intermediate Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Description: In two groups, the members have to pass along a whispered message without getting any of the details wrong. At the end, both of the final messages are compared to see who communicated the clearest message. Follow up: How good are you at passing along information? How could you improve? 34: Dictionary Purpose: Team building, getting to know you Group size: Any Level: Intermediate Tools: Paper Time: 15 minutes Description: Get participants to brainstorm a flattering adjective for each letter of the alphabet and write it on a piece of paper. When finished, the group must decide who to award each adjective to. Which person in the group most portrays that adjective? Follow up: This can be a great exercise to build trust and good rapport in a group - just make sure the adjectives are positive. Do the members agree with the words they were given to describe them? 35: Mission Impossible Purpose: Fun, team building, ice breakerGroup size: Any Level: Basic Tools: String Time: 30 minutes Description: Prepare a room or corridor to resemble the lasers in the famous mission impossible movie scene. By attaching string to points in the room, you can create a tangled web that participants have to work their way through without touching the strings. This is a lot of fun and often members have to help one another through. Follow up: What lessons did everyone take from the game? 36: Lies Purpose: Getting to know you, ice breaker Group size: Any Level: Advances Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Description: Group members are instructed to tell the group three statements - one is a lie and two are true. The rest of the group has to decide which is which. This can be a fun and illuminating exercise and in particular shows how wrong assumptions can be. Follow up: Who told the most convincing lie? What assumptions did you have about others that was unfounded? 37: Statue Posing Purpose: Getting to know you, ice breaker Group size: 4+ Level: BasicTools: None Ti ‘0 minutes Description: Each person takes a turn being the “statue”. The rest of the group can now position his/her arms and legs into whatever pose they feel best represents that person's personality. Members can be creative and change facial expressions or use props and actions. Follow up: what did each member think of the way they were posed by others - were they accurate? 38: Song Titles Purpose: Icebreaker, fun Group si Level: Intermediate Tools: Paper and pencils Time: 10 minutes Description: Teams compete with each other to find out who can come up with the most number of song names and put them on a list. The instructor gives a keyword, for example “love” or “baby” (common in songs) and group members have to brainstorm titles with that keyword in it. 39: Robot Purpose: Communication Level: Basic Tools: None Time: 10 minutesDescription: One member out of the group leaves the room while the instructor hides an object somewhere in the room. When that member returns, they are the “robot” and must find the object with the help of the other team members, who know where it is, Team members can only give simple instructions to lead the robot to the hidden object, for example “tum 180 degrees”, “take two steps forward”, “stop”. The robot can only do what he is told. Description: How good is the team at giving clear instructions? 40: Puzzle Purpose: Getting to know you Group size: 8+ Level: Basic Tools: Paper Time: 15 minutes Description: On a few slips of paper, prepare some questions along the lines of “find someone who has been abroad” or “find someone who can play a musical instrument” etc. The group has to stand up and mingle around the room, making sure that they find someone who has done the activity on their piece of paper. Follow up: Each person can take a tun describing something interesting they learnt about their groupmate to the rest of the group. 41: Paper Planes Purpose: Fun, getting to know you, building rapport Group size: 4+Level: intermediate Teols: Paper and imagination Time: 30 minutes Description: Groups have only a short time to construct @ paper plane. If possible, planes can be decorated with pens and paints etc. The winning team is the one whose plane can go the fastest. Follow up: What are the best qualities of a team that works well under pressure? How does your group compare? 42: Snowball fight Purpose: Icebreaker, fun, getting to know you, trust building Group size: 6+ Level: Basic Tools: Paper Time: 10 minutes Description: This game is excellent for awkward or icy groups and is great at relieving group tension. Everyone in the group is instructed to write their best qualities on A4 pieces of paper, then ball those pieces of paper up to make "snowballs". Now, when the instructor signals to start, the group has a “snowball fight” where they have fun throwing the paper balls all around the room. After a minute or two, the game is stopped and people are asked to pick up a handful of snowballs from around the room. They open them and take tums guessing who wrote down the attribute on the piece of paper. Follow up: How well did the group members know each other's strengths?43: Informercial Purpose: Teamwork, morale boosting Group size: 6+ Level: Intermediate Tools: Paper, art supplies Time: 45 minutes Description: This exercise is good for teams that have to work together frequently. The group has a set time, for example 30 minutes, to brainstorm and create a TV informercial to sell a common object in the room - say a board eraser or waste paper basket. The team that has the most innovative, creative and persuasive advertisement wins. Adapt this by including role plays, logo design, radio advert writing etc. Teams vote for their favorite group to determine the winner. Follow up: What techniques did the group use to make sure everyone got a chance to speak? 44: Invisible Maze Purpose: cooperation, non verbal communication skills Group size: 4+ Level: intermediate Tools: Masking tape Time: 20 minutes Description: With masking tape, mark out a 7'x7’ grid on the floor of a room. Secretly have an “answer key” that highlight a single path through this grid. Without talking,the group has to find out what the correct path is. They do this by stepping into a block. If correct, the facilitator tells them “yes”, if not, “no”. The group cannot talk but they can take turns trying to uncover the hidden path and reaching the other side. Follow up: How did you communicate with the group when you couldn’t speak? HOw did you decide whose turn it was and how could you have done it better? 45: Toe to toe Purpose: Trust, rapport building, warmer Group size: 6+ Level: Basic Tools: None Time: 5 minutes Description: Group members have to sit down on the floor with their toes touching in pairs. Now, they have to try and get up together while keeping their toes touching. The trick is that they will only master this if they work together and help each other up. Follow up: How easy do you find it to ask for help from your colleagues? Why or why not? 46: Drumming Purpose: Teamwork, fun Level: Basic Tools: A drum for every member, if not, just one drum and the group can use their hands to clapTime: 10 minutes Description: A drum leader leads the group in different rhythms played on the drums. Starting off easy, the group follows the beat on their own drums or else claps to keep in time. The leader makes more and more complicated beats and if appropriate, the group can even add singing or chanting Follow up: This is a very simple but powerful way to build bonds between team members. Go around the group and ask how each experienced the activity. 47: Intuitive Counting Purpose: Teamwork, fun, cooperation Group size: 4+, although the bigger the group the more difficult Level: Intermediate Tools: None Time: 15 minutes Description: In a circle, the group has one goal: to count to ten together. But there are rules. A person cannot say two consecutive numbers, if two people speak at the same time the group has to start counting from the beginning, and there are no gestures allowed. To get to 10, the group has to be finely tuned into one another and move slowly and with focus. In time, the group may develop a strategy all on their own. To make it more difficult, close eyes or count to a higher number. Follow up: What are some good ways to "tune into” your group mates? Did it become easier with time?48: Team Scribbling Purpose: Fun, teamwork Group size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Tools: Paper, drawing materials Time: 25 minutes Description: Fold an Ad piece of paper into four rows across. Passing the paper around the group, everyone takes a turn to add to the drawing, starting from the top. ‘The top quarter contains the head, the next two sections the body and the last section the feet. Once a section is drawn, that part of the paper is folded up and hidden and given to the next person to add to it. In the end, the paper is unfolded to reveal a creature drawn by four different people. It’s a good idea to leave a small amount showing so that people can attaché the next drawing at the right place. Follow up: What does the group think of their creation? 49: Pass the Stone Purpose: Fun, concentration, getting to know you Group size: 10+ Level: Basic Tools: Two stones Time: 10 minutes Description: Two teams sit facing opposite one another. A stone is passed, hand to hand, from one end of the line to the other. The stone is concealed though and from the outside, the other team cannot see if a stone has been passed or if someone merely pretended to pass it. By watching the other side very closely, each team must decide at the end of the line where they think the stone is located. If they guess right,they get a point The game can be done a few times to leam the other teams strategy and perfect your own. Follow up: What was the best strategy and what worked for the winning team? 50: Story time Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: Any Level: Intermediate Tools: None Time: 45 minutes Description: Going around the group, members take turns telling the story of their first day on the job at the company. They can include any details they like and others can join in and compare stories to what they remembered Follow up: What's changed since your first day and now? 51: Group Library Purpose: Team development, getting to know you Group Size: Any Level: Basic Tools: Each member decides on what they'll contribute Time: Variable Description: Decide to build a "team library” with inspiring books, stories, pictures, magazines, poetry, artwork or anything else that people find motivating. Group members have a week to decide what they'd like to contribute that has meant a lot to‘them in their lives. On a set day, each member tells the group about what they're contributing and why. People can ask questions or later borrow the material if they're interested. This is a good way to share values in the group and become curious about one another. Follow up: Try to set a follow up task where group members can give a short presentation about something new they've leamt about themselves or their team mates, 52: Halloween Tower Purpose: Fun, teamwork Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Tools: Pumpkins, knives to carve, candles, sturdy pole Time: 2 hours Description: Alone or in groups of two, participants carve a halloween jack-o'-lantern. When everyone is done, the pumpkins can be stacked by piling them on a pole to make a sort of pumpkin totem pole Follow up: What made your pumpkin totem pole successful? 53: Through the Spider Web Purpose: Teamwork, warmer Group Size: 6+ Level: Intermediate Tools: Rope, two trees or polesTime: 20 minutes Description. A great, physical activity. Tie two parallel to the ground ropes between two trees or poles. Now, make a "spider web" by linking the top and bottom ropes with smaller pieces to make gaps to pass through. Some should be smaller than others, and differently shaped. Bear in mind the shape, height and size of the group members The goal is to get everyone to pass through the net without touching the rope. Follow up: The group can reflect on what strategies worked best. 54: Baby Pictures Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: Any Level: Basic Tools: Each member brings a photo of themselves as babies Time: 20 minutes Description: The group facilitator collects a baby photo from each member. The group then has to decide which picture belongs to who. Follow up: Each member can explain a little about the picture and give the group a story about their childhood. 55: Rummage Sale Purpose: Getting to know you, community building Group Size: Any Level: BasicTools: Each member brings in unwanted household items to trade in a makeshift marketplace Time: Variable Description: On a designated day, everyone brings in good condition items that are no longer wanted, and for a short time group members can exchange or sell their items. This gives them a good chance to discuss each other's hobbies and lifestyles. Follow up: What isn’t sold or exchanged is sent to a charity shop of the group's choice. 56: Two Finger Lift Purpose: Teamwork, fun Group Size: Level: Basic Tools: None Time: 5 minutes Description: One group member lies on the floor surrounded by the others, who must try and lift them up using only two fingers each. This requires coordination and teamwork. Follow up: Allow everyone in the group to have a turn. 57: Logo Making Purpose: Teamwork, group cohesion Group Size: Any Level: IntermediateTools: Art supplies, paper, even certain software Ti }0 minutes Description: The group has to brainstorm and design a logo that represents their team. They must work together to find symbolism and colors that reflect the team’s ideals. Follow up: The logo can be put on T shirts, mugs or other office supplies. 58: Tarp Flip Purpose: Communication, teamwork Group Level: Basic Tools: A tarp or bedsheet Time: 10 minutes Description: A tarp or bedsheet is laid flat on the ground with all the group members standing on it. The goal is to get everyone standing on the opposite side of the tarp - but without anyone's feet leaving the tarp. This requires planning and good communication. Follow up: Try the task again and see if it can be done more quickly - what has the team learnt? 59: Appreciation Tree Purpose: Teamwork, building gratitude Group Level: BasicTools: A painted dead tree or branches, paper and art supplies Time: 20 minutes Description: Group members spend some time making paper ornaments to hang from the tree with ribbon or string. The ornaments can be colored, painted ete. and must contain an affirming and grateful message. The team can erect the tree in the office and decorate it Follow up: Are there any things that you feel you take for granted? 60: Mirror in the Box Purpose: Self reflection, team building Group size: Any Level: Intermediate Tools: A box, some black cloth and a mirror Time: 10 minutes Description: Pass around the circle a box covered in a cloth. Ask members one by one to look in the box and describe what they see there to the other people in the group without saying directly what they see (i.e. that it's a mirror). It can be fascinating to see how people describe themselves. Routinely ask those who haven't looked in the box yet what they think the mystery item is. Follow up: Ask each member what they take away from the exercise. 61: Somebody Else’s Arms Purpose: Fun, getting to know you Group size: 4+Tools: None, or other random objects Ti 5 minutes Level: Basic Description: In pairs, one team member stands behind the other and pretends that they have their arms. The other team member holds their arms behind their back. The instructor now gives each pair some tasks to do - for example, pouring water, building some blocks etc. The winning pair is the one who can work together as one. Follow up: How did you communicate with each other when you couldn't see the other person’s eyes? Did you become better over time? 62: Comic Strip Purpose: Fun, bonding Tools: Comic strips, pens Time: 30 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Prepare by copying some daily comic form the newspapers. Blow them up large and then blank out the words in the word bubbles. As a team, group members must fill in the empty speech bubbles together. Follow up: Hang the comic somewhere where everyone can see it. 63: Team Pet Purpose: Strengthening team, building responsibility Group size: AnyTools: A pet and accessories Time: Variable Level: Advanced Description: If it's appropriate, organize for a small team pet to be taken care of by each team member. Small animals like hamsters or turtles are great. Each member is responsible for some aspect of the animal's care. Follow up: Use the activity to instigate a conversation about responsibility. How do the members feel about looking after the pet? 64: Scavenger Hunt Purpose: Teamwork building Group size: 10+, bigger groups are better Tools: Lists of items, items to hide Time: 1 hour Level: Basic Description: Prepare a list of treasure hunt items that the group must gather in a certain time. The group with the most number of items wins. Follow up: Discuss the group strategy. Where they able to successful break down tasks so that they were using resources wisely? 65: Team Garden Purpose: Working together, community development Group ny Tools: A small garden patch and vegetables and plants to grow thereTime: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: The team decides as a group on what plants and vegetables they'd like to grow in a small patch. They can use what they grow for office functions and hold meetings etc. in the garden Follow up: What other ways can the workspace be improved? 66: Secret Santa Purpose: Group cohesion, fun Group ny; even numbers Tools: Hat, strips of paper Time: Variable Level: Basic Description: Members draw names from a hat to see who they will be buying a gift for over the holiday season. The trick is to find a gift that is perfectly suited to your person and acknowledges something unique and special about them. Also, make the budget for each gift very small so that people have to think creatively. Have a special day where gifts are exchanged. Follow up: Have people thank one another for their gifts. 67: Rope Star Purpose: Group work, communication skills Group Tools: A length of ropeTime: 15 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: A long rope is laid flat on the ground to form a circle. Members stand around the circle and pick it up with two hands. Together, the group members have to form a star with the rope - one with criss crosses and 5 points. The trick is, the group can only either move or speak at once, never both. If they are busy planning, they have to stand dead still, if they are moving, they have to be quiet. Follow up: Discuss as a group what your best and worst strategies were. 68: Group Sit-up Purpose: Lateral thinking, group work Group si Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Level: Advanced Description: The challenge is for the group to make sure that only their hands are making contact with the ground and no other part of them for at least 10 seconds (no handstands!). There are several ingenious ways to achieve this as a group, but let the team figure it out for themselves. No props may be used Follow up: Can they think of a way to make this challenge even more difficult? 69: Interviews Purpose: Getting to know you Group size: 4+Tools: None; paper optional Time: 30 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Divide the group into employers and prospective employees. Create @ ridiculous fantasy position and then practice interviewing one another for the position Employers decide at the end of the game who gave the best interview and who they'd like to hire. Follow up: What interview skills do you need to improve on? 70: International Potluck Purpose: Cultural enrichment, team building, getting to know you Group si Tools: Each member contributes a dish Time: Variable Level: Basic Description: This is good for teams with members from different cultural backgrounds. Ona special day have everyone bring in a dish they feel represents their cultural heritage well. Take turns tasting and talking about the different dishes. Follow up: You could also do this activity with music from different countries/cultures for a work party. 71: Talk About Yourself Purpose: Getting to know you Group size: 4+Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: Start a timer for one minute. Each group member has to think of as many facts about themselves as they possibly can and share them with the group, for example “I'm from Spain, | have two dogs, | ma married..." without stopping, Each fact gets one point. Tally up who has the most points at the end. Follow up: After the activity, have each person share something that they found unexpected about another group member. This can lead to interesting discussions. 72: Games Day Purpose: Team building Tools: Each member brings in a board game Time: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: Have each member bring in their favorite board game. They can explain the rules to the group and then everyone can vote on the game they'd most like to play. Follow up: What games are easy for your team? Which games are more difficult and why do you think that is? 73: Human Letters Purpose: Group work, funGroup size: 10+, the bigger the better Tools: Paper Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Prepare on strips of paper some simple, short words (those with straight letters in them are best). Now, the group is divided into two and separated on opposite ends of a large hall or field. The facilitator gives each side some words they need to communicate to the other side by forming the word's letters with their bodies ‘They cannot talk and say the word to the other team, only form the shape physically. Then, it's the other side's tur. Follow up: How did everyone do with the challenge? 74: Name Game Purpose: Remembering people's names, getting to know you Group size: 4+ Tools: Whiteboard with markers Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: In a group, people have to use the letters from every group member's name to form one coherent sentence. All the letters must be used but only one each. Follow up: The sentence can be framed somewhere or made into artwork with each letter in a color that the relevant person likes.75: Concentration Purpose: Improve concentration, fun, teamwork Group size: 6+ Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: People sit in a circle. Each member is assigned a number. People establish a rhythm by tapping twice on the table with both hands and then clapping twice. As the beat is kept, somebody starts by saying first their number then the number of someone they wish to “call”, for example “One one, seven seven” and then if number seven is paying attention, they may say “seven seven four four” to indicate that it's four's turn next. If you mess up or miss your call etc., you are out and then cannot be called again Follow up: Once the group gets the hang of this game it can be sped up quite a bit. 76: Memory Game Purpose: Improve memory, fun, team building Group size: Any Time: 5 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Suddenly announce that everyone in the room will be playing a memory game. Everyone gets up and goes outside or to another room. Now, as a team, they have to try and remember every detail they can from the room they were just in - including the placement of all the items, colors, numbers etc.Follow up: The team goes back into the room to see how their memory measures up. 77: Just the Facts Purpose: Warmer, communication activity Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: Group members first decide on a topic that they'd like to talk about - this, can be a relevant workplace issue or something that makes sense for the work the team usually does. Now, going round the group, each member takes a turn to say one fact about the topic. Sounds simple, but eventually it gets very tricky to think of new information. When someone can’t think of a fact, they are “out” and then a new topic is chosen for the next round. Follow up: A more informal version of this could be to state facts about something fun, like food or sports. 78: It's in the Details Purpose: Warmer, getting to know you Group size: 6+ Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Level: BasicDescription: Form two groups of people standing in rows facing each other in pairs. For a minute, they have to examine everything they can about the person in front of them. Then, one row turns to face the other direction for a moment, while the other row quickly change something about themselves - remove or ad jewelry, change their clothes etc. When the other group turns around, they have to try and find out what change was made. Follow up: This is good for sluggish groups that need a kick of energy 79: Impromptu Skits Purpose: Energizer, warmer, getting to know you Group size: 10+ Tools: A range of props and enough drawstring bags Time: 30 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: The facilitator prepares goodie bags with a collection of three props each inside. For the next 15 minutes, groups of around 4 have to create a skit using all the props in their bag, then show the other groups. The winning group is the one with the most creative skit, so try to make the items unusual. Follow up: For an extra challenge, try to make the skits more workplace themed and see if anybody wants to communicate a message suitable for the workplace. 80: Beach Ball Introductions Purpose: Getting to know you Group size: Any Tools: Any kind of ball, but bigger is betterTime: 5 minutes Level: Basic Description: The group stands in a circle. The facilitator explains that whoever has the ball must introduce themselves to the rest of the group, then throws it to another person Follow up: This game can be continued, with each continued catch meaning the person has to add something more about themselves. 81: Strange Creatures Purpose: Collaboration, warmer Group size: Any Tools: Craft supplies, especially pipe cleaners Time: 20 minutes Level: Basic Description: This is a great and relaxing way to get group members to bond with one another. Have them create fantasy animals and figurines using fuzzy pipe cleaners, bits of yam or fabric, googly eyes etc. Two or three people can work on one animal and the most bizarre and creative one wins. Follow up: People can discuss their choices as they craft, creating a sort of mascot for their group, 82: Role Play Purpose: Creating harmony, team building, empathy exercise Group size: Any Tools: NoneTime: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Carefully pair together people who don’t always see eye to eye. Then, ask them to act out a certain scenario, for example an everyday dilemma in the workplace, but while pretending to be their partner instead of themselves. Things get quite interesting as people see how they are perceived by others - and get a reflection of how they are seen to solve problems Follow up: Reflect on how it felt for each member to see their behavior in someone else. Ask if anyone wants to share their experience. 83: Zombie Apocalypse Purpose: Team building Group si Tools: Paper and pen Time: 20 minutes Level: Basic Description: Tell the group that a zombie apocalypse is imminent and that as a team, they have to plan a way to survive together. Give them 15 minutes or so to plot a way to save themselves. You can embellish the story to make it more engaging, but make sure that the group thinks of everything that can go wrong and what they're going to do to save themselves. Follow up: This activity can be extended by asking each group member to explain what they think their best contribution to the group will be in case of such an emergency.84: Multi-way Tug of War Purpose: Warmer, team building Group size: 9+ Tools: A few lengths of rope 10 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: This is much like the classic tug of war game, only a few different teams all pull on a few different ropes all attached at the centre. Follow up: This is a great game for boosting the energy in a group 85: Debate Purpose: Team building, getting to know you, critical thinking Tools: None Time: 30 minutes Level: Advanced Description: Have two teams that debate an important issue going on in your community right now. Explain that each side should open with an argument, then have another few people to add to the debate in turn, and then they should pick someone to close up the final argument. Use the exercise to promote communication and planning, as well as learning how to debate politely etc. Follow up: This can be made more interesting by choosing a topic that directly relates to problems the team actually faces.86: Round Table Purpose: Building rapport, communication Group size: Any Tools: Lunch Time: Variable Level: Basic Description: This is very simple but shouldn’t be overlooked as a great way to build team cohesion. Get some delicious lunch for everyone to share and enjoy - for example pizza - and then invite everyone to say whatever they feel like saying, discuss important issue or bring things to the group's attention. The focus should be on speaking out and being heard, all while enjoying one another's company in a relaxed environment. Follow up: End the activity by thanking everyone and asking them to give feedback on the efficacy of the talk 87: Borrow an Employee Purpose: Promote better communication between departments Group size: Any Tools: None Time: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: Have a “Take an employee to work" day, where employees from one department spend some time ghosting other employees to see how they do things and get a feel for their day.Follow up: Ask each employee to come up with a short presentation outlining what they've learnt about other members in their organization and what they contribute. What changes can be made with the new knowledge? 88: Design a Relaxing Room Purpose: Promoting employee wellness Group size: Any Tools: A budget is needed for this, but people can donate decorative materials, furniture ete. Time: Variable Level: Advanced Description: Have the group brainstorm and plan a special stress free room in the workplace. They can discuss exactly what they'd like to include in this special time-out zone, for example a water feature, a big bean bag or a few office plants. Once planned, the team can put the room together. Follow up: Use this activity to start talking about different ways to manage stress in the workplace, 89: Future Selves Purpose: Self improvement, getting to know you Tools: Paper and pen Time: 15 minutes Level: BasicDescription: Have group members take the time to write out a letter of advice written from their older selves to the people they are today. Let them explore what they imagine they'd be like as an older person, and what words of wisdom they'd like to share. If people feel comfortable, some of these insights can be shared with the group - this is a great way to reorient to life's important values, and see how they differ in your team Follow up: A variant of this is to write advice to your teenage self - a good platform to discuss goals and past experiences. 90: Marathon Purpose: Team building Group size: Any Tools: Running kit Time: Variable Level: Advanced Description: The group can organize a charity marathon or else join one to boost morale and raise funds Follow up: At the end of the marathon, people can share experiences about what qualities helped them get through it, and how those qualities can be transplanted into the workplace.91: Everyone's a teacher Purpose: Team building, getting to know you Group size: Any Tools: Each member will bring the relevant equipment Time: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: Ask team members to prepare by thinking of something they know how to do well and can teach the rest of the group. This could be cooking, wiring a plug, doing a cartwheel etc. The rest of the group gets a turn to learn something new, get to know their teammates and also show of their own expertise. Follow up: Use the activity to start a discussion about the different skills we all possess. 92: Bonding Purpose: Group cohesion, fun, teamwork Group size: Any, but bigger is better Tools: Some cling film, rope or any kind of band Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: The facilitator literally ties groups of 3 or 4 people together (be careful not to make anyone uncomfortable) and then teams have to compete with each other to see who can complete a series of tasks first. The tasks could be running a race, building something or moving things from one place to another. Follow up: Give everyone a chance to discuss the experience afterwards. How did it feel to not be able to move independently?93: Do You Know Me? Purpose: Getting to know you, fun Group size: Better with a smaller group Tools: Pen and paper Time: 15 minutes Level: Basic Description: Have each group member write a list of 5 questions that they believe anyone close to them will be able to answer. Now, go through the group and see who can answer each set of questions the best. Follow up: Have a discussion - how well do you know your team mates? Did anything surprise you? 94: Quiz Night Purpose: Team building, cooperation Group size: 8+ Tools: Some prepared quiz questions, possibly prizes Time: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: Have an old fashioned quiz game between two groups. The rules can be varied according to numbers, difficulty and length of the game, but it's a lot of fun for everyone, Follow up: This can be adapted by having opposite groups design questions for each other.95: Who am I? Purpose: Getting to know you, warmer Group size: 6+ Tools: Paper Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: Have everyone in the group write down on a slip of paper five things about them. This is great for new groups who don’t know each other well, but if they do, ask them to write a few things that others might not know. Then, collect all the slips of paper, shuffle, and read each one aloud. The rest of the team has to guess who the five things refer to. Follow up: This is a fun activity for the group to share some previously unknown things about themselves. Allow some time for questions and chatting afterwards. 96: Blindfolded Building Purpose: Teamwork Tools: A few simple puzzles Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Pair off team members. One person is blindfolded and a very simple puzzle is placed before them (ones designed for young children with only a few pieces are best). The blindfolded person has to build the puzzle with the other person’s guidance. The group whose puzzle is built first wins. Also possible with other easy to assemble items - look in a toy shop.Follow up: What were the best communication strategies and how did the group's manage their frustration with one another. 97: Group Portrait Purpose: Getting to know you, fun, building morale Group size: Any Tools: Group members create their own costumes Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: On an assigned day, each group member brings in some simple costume that they feel represents who they are - this is good chance to have fun with hats, fancy dress etc. A photograph is taken with each member posing however they wish. Great for an end of year function or when some members are leaving the group. Follow up: Frame and hang the picture somewhere prominent. 98: Projection Purpose: Warmer, getting to know you Group size: 4+ Tools: A Rorschach inkblot or any other ambiguous picture Time: 15 minutes Level: IntermediateDescription: Display prominently a picture that can be interpreted in many different ways - look online for scenes or images from psychological projection tests. Now, each member has a turn to explain what they see in the picture and describe it. Follow up: Is anyone surprised in the variation of descriptions? Reflect on what it means that people see different things in the same picture. 99: General Knowledge Game Purpose: Fun, team work, group morale Group size: 6+ Tools: Pen and paper Time: 30 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Have groups of three write down on a piece of paper a few columns of different kinds of words - for example personality traits of a good leader, words describing challenges at work, words that describe a good employee etc. Now, the instructor chooses a random letter and in one minute the groups have to find words in those categories beginning with that letter. The group with the most answers after a few rounds with different letters wins. Follow up: Were there any disagreements about the words chosen? Have a discussion about the different qualities mentioned in the game. 100: Charades Purpose: Fun, morale boosting Group size: 4+Tools: None Time: 30 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: This common party game is great for building team morale. Have each group mime out a movie or book title, song name or famous person etc. Follow up: To make it more work oriented, the facilitator can choose a few selected phrases for the group to mime beforehand - except they are all connected by a theme. After the game is finished, have the group guess the theme and why you chose those particular things to mime. 101: Hot Seat Purpose: Fun, morale boosting, teamwork Group si Tools: Whiteboard with markers Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Have one group member sit with his back facing a whiteboard and the other group members facing him. The facilitator writes @ word or phrase on the board behind him. Now, the group members have the give clues to the person sitting so that they say the word on the board without turning around. The people giving the clues cannot say the word either. When it’s guessed, that person changes places with another group member for another round. Follow up: Increase the difficulty of the words to get the group to come up with more and more creative ways to give clues. Another challenge is to give a time limit to create some urgency.102: Saying a Few Words Purpose: Getting to know you, team morale Group size: Any Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Level: Advanced Description: Although this is a slightly morbid activity, it often ends up in some real insights being shared and strengthening of the bonds in a group. For each member of the group, have the rest of the group “say a few rods” as though at their funeral. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or very serious, they only have to share with the group some parting words with their teammate. Follow up: If done correctly, this activity spurs a lot of interesting discussion. How did each group member feel when they heard their parting goodbyes from the others? Also discuss what each group member would ideally like to have said at their funeral one day. 103: Twenty Questions Purpose: Warmer Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Level: Basic Description: Another classic game, the group has to ask the facilitator 20 yes/no questions to find out the thing he is thinking of.Follow up: This can be made more engaging by choosing something related to the next exercise, or, if the group guesses what itis, they win that item as a prize. 104: No Purpose: Getting to know you Group size: 4+ Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: Pair off group members. Now, one person has to ask the other any question they like - but they have to be sure the answer is "no”. The first team to arrive at 10 consecutive “no” answers wins. If they arrive at a “yes” answer, they have to start counting from the beginning again. Follow up: Have one person from each group explain anything interesting they learnt about their teammate. 105: Obstacle Course Purpose: Team building, morale boosting Group size: 4+ Tools: Ropes, tires, barrels, any obstacles Time: 1 hour + Level: Advanced Description: This is an intense and lengthy exercise but can be a lot of fun if there is time. Divide the group into two teams. On separate patches of ground outside, the‘teams spend time building an obstacle course they want the other team to get through. The challenges must be realistic but still difficult. Afterwards, each team tries to run through the obstacle course created by the other group. The team with the shortest time (or the most difficult course!) wins, Follow up: Were there any times that the group made effective use of their whole team? How? 106: Bake Sale Purpose: Morale boosting Group size: Any Tools: Baking equipment and ingredients, tables Time: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: This works well if the team needs to raise funds for something. Have everyone prepare at home some baked good (not shop bought!) to bring and sell at a market or to other departments in the workplace. The money can be used to buy something the team needs or go to charity. Follow up: Give the group time to share their experiences about the bake sale. 107: Feedback Jar Purpose: Team building Group size: 6+Tools: Boxes for each group member, paper and pens Time: Variable Level: Basic Description: Set up some boxes with slots cut in to the top where letters can be “posted”. Each member gets a box with their name written on it, and the boxes are stored somewhere quiet in the office. Throughout the week, group members can post slips of paper into any box containing compliments, affirmations, constructive criticism and acknowledgments. Follow up: At the end of the week, all the boxes are opened and each group member can read their feedback privately. Then, they are asked to choose and share one or two that they found interesting/helpful etc. and discuss with the group how they feel about it. A great exercise for group development. 108: Group Skip Purpose: Fun, team building Group size: 4-8 Tools: Very long rope Time: 15 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Much like the classic schoolyard game, group members must skip as a group through a long rope big enough for all of them. They have to reach 10 skips consecutively without anyone tripping up. Less physically inclined members can be the ones to hold the rope on either end. Follow up: Have people share their favorite school games as a kid.109: Many functions Purpose: Fun, lateral thinking, group morale Group size: 6+ Tools: Any everyday and unremarkable items Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: This is a good creative exercise that brings the lateral thinking out of people. Present the group with a very boring object - a brick, a paperclip, a teacup etc. - and tell them they have 10 minutes to brainstorm as many uses for their object as possible. Encourage wackiness. The team with the most uses wins. Follow up: Have the group reflect on how they organized this process - how did they make sure everyone's ideas were heard? 110: Spot the Difference Purpose: Teamwork, communication Group size: 4+ Tools: Copies of picture pairs with slight changes to the details - look on teacher's websites for resources Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Divide the group into teams of two, who then sit back to back with one variation of a picture each. They have to find out what the differences between their pictures are just by communicating. They cannot show their pictures to one another. Follow up: Have the group brainstorm a few characteristics of god communication - did they use any of them during this exercise?111: And And And Purpose: Good communication skills Group size: 4+ Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: This is a great exercise for encouraging harmonious communication, Assign a topic to pairs of people. They have to discuss the topic, for five minutes, but without disagreeing with anything the other person says. In fact, every sentence they say must begin with “and”. This is a good exercise in empathetic communication and collaboration. Follow up: Did the group find this task easy? Difficult? Why? 112: Chain Story Purpose: Teamwork, listening skills Group size: 4+ Tools: None Time: 15 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Members sit in a circle and go around, each person adding their own few sentences to a story. This can be made interesting by making the story a workplace dilemma or something topical to the group.Follow up: Have a discussion on how the course of events can be changed by one person - did the story go the way they expected it to? 113: Word Association Purpose: Warmer Group size: 4+ Teols: None Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: Choose a word to start the game. Going around the group circle, each member says the first word they think of when they hear the word previous. They have to speak quickly without thinking about it too closely. If the association seems tenuous, give members the chance to explain what they think the connection is. Continue the game as long as group members retain interest. Follow up: Did any of the connections surprise you? 114: A Bad Day Purpose: Warmer, group morale Group size: Any Tools: Pen and paper Time: 15 minutes Level: intermediate Description: Have pairs of group members write down an example of a really bad hypothetical day, one where everything goes wrong. Encourage them to really get intoit -it can be funny to explore all the many little disasters of everyday life. Share with the group for a fun discussion. Follow up: This is a great springboard to discuss good ways to weather life's little irritations - as well as bond over our shared troubles. Chat about good ways to deal with adversity in the workplace. 115: Riddles Purpose: Warmer Group size: Any Tools: Find a few riddles beforehand to prepare Time: Variable Level: Intermediate Description: Present the group with a few riddles (puzzles also work) and the first team to guess correctly wins. Follow up: This can also be done over a longer course of time, i.e. a weekly riddle can be presented on Monday and then the group can reconvene to see who solved it on Friday. 116: Cocktails Purpose: Getting to know you, warmer, fun Group size: Any Tools: Art supplies Time: 20 minutes Level: IntermediateDescription: Each group member has to create a unique cocktail in their own honor. They can have fun with colors, special and wacky ingredients etc. This can be extended by making members draw their cocktail and then explain to the rest of the group why they made the choices they did Follow up: A good variant, especially for a group that knows each other well, is to have them make cocktails of someone else in the group and explain why. 117: Shapes Purpose: Warmer, lateral thinking Group ny Tools: Paper, markers, pens etc. Time: 15 minutes Level: Basic Description: Prepare a few pages of paper with bold, abstract squiggles or lines on them. It’s great to have just one or two variations of the squiggle. Now, teams have to take that squiggle and tur it into some kind of picture by adding elements to it. This is lots of fun and gets members communicating and sharing ideas. Follow up: Compare pictures. It can be fun to see how other people worked with the same squiggle to create something entirely different. 118: Positive News Purpose: Group morale, communication, getting to know you Group ny Tools: NewspaperTime: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Bring in a newspaper and ask members to go through it and choose the most interesting looking story. Now, in teams or as a large group, they can try to convert the (often negative) news there into something more positive. Follow up: Have a chat about the ways group members deal with negativity in their lives and how they maintain a positive attitude. 119: Customer Service Role Play Purpose: Improve communication, teamwork Group size: 6+ Tools: None Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Outline a hypothetical scenario and get teams to enact a possible situation where they have very bad customer service. Have them role play the scenario. while the other teams watch. Then, discuss as a group what problems they saw with the interaction and again in their teams work out a second scenario that is better and incorporates the lessons they've learnt. Act these out for the group. Follow up: This is usually a lot of fun for members who have experience with bad customer service, so it may be appropriate to share horror stories from the workplace - how did they deal with difficult scenarios?120: Back-writing Purpose: Quick warmer Group size: 8+ Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Level: Basic Description: In pairs, group members take turns writing @ word on their partner's back with their finger. The other person has to guess what the word is just by feeling. Then, once everyone has guessed their word, they come together to see if the words can be combined into a sentence. This can be a fun way to build up/ lead onto the next exercise. Follow up: A quicker version is to just do this with single letters. The sentence or word can be discussed afterwards. Otherwise, discuss with the group how good they think they are at nonverbal communication. 121: Real Life Puzzle Purpose: Teamwork, communication Group size: 6+ Tools: A range of items associated with any task, bags for each group member Time: 20 minutes Level: Intermediate Description: Give each member of the group a bag with a single item in it. They can put their hands in to feel the item but must not show anyone else what it is. Now, everyone mingles in a group to try to find out what they all have in their bags, but they cannot say the item's name directly, they can only describe its physical properties (forexample, “it's long and has a heavy end and a rubberized handle, it’s made of metal” for a hammer). When the group has determined what's in everyone's bag, they should decide on the activity you can do with all the items together. For example if the items include a cup, a baking tray, a spoon, a whisk and an egg, the group can guess that the items are used for baking something Follow up: This exercise is great at demonstrating how people work well when everyone understands where each team member is coming from. If one person doesn’t contribute, they only have a part of the puzzle solved - have the group reflect on this. 122: Quote Match Purpose: Quick warmer Group size: Any Tools: A selection of quotes that are appropriate for leadership, life, work etc. Level: Intermediate Description: Print out a selection of different quotes from famous people - these are easily available online. Now, have the group guess who said the quote. After they've tried their hardest, show them the possible famous people who said the quotes and have them match them up. Follow up: The group can discuss whether they agree with the quotes or not, or share some inspirational quotes of their own. 123: One Question Purpose: Lateral thinking, getting to know you, communication Group size: 4+Tools: None Level: Intermediate Description: Choose a hypothetical place, i.e. the workplace, in marriage, with friends etc and have group members brainstorm just one question they could ask that would show them the personality of the person they're talking to. For example, if the context is marriage, the group may decide on questions like “what do you think love is?” or" would you rather be happy or right?” Follow up: Members share their one question and take turns explaining why these chose that question. Then, if there's time, everyone can practice answering the questions to get to know one another better. 124: Your Last 30 Seconds Purpose: Self reflection, getting to know you Group size: Any Tools: None Description: Members are asked to close their eyes and think of the best memories of their lives. Glve them time. Now, tell them that the challenge is to think of only the best 30 seconds of their lives, and choose just one event that they would replicate for the last 30 seconds of their lives. Follow up: Each member can take a turn to explain their 30 seconds and give the rest of the group an idea of their hopes, dreams and personalities.125: Finding Shapes Purpose: Team Building Group Size: 4+ Tools: Whiteboard/None Description: Divide the group into teams and assign each team a shape - square, circle, triangle etc. Now, the group has a minute or two to brainstorm as many objects as they can think of that are predominantly that shape, i.e. for a square they can guess a book, a certificate, @ building, an ipad etc. Follow up: For an extension to the game, see which team can find the most actual examples of that shape on them or in the room - the most wins the game. 126 : Arm Untangle Purpose: Encouraging teamwork Group size: 4+ Level: Basic Tools: None Time: 10 minutes Description: . Each person stands up and comes to the center of the room. . Everyone hooks hands with two other people, putting hands and arms over and under or in any tangled combination. . Then, the game is to try and untangle the arms without letting go of each other's hands.4. People will have to work together to communicate how they're going to untangle themselves. Good for a younger group. Follow up: + How did everyone eventually solve the problem? + What worked and what didn’t?Getting-To-Know Activities 127: Drawing Faces Getting to know you 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Pair group members up and have them face one another comfortably. Give each person a paper pad and pen/pencil. Give everyone 10 minutes to sketch the person they see in front of them, highlighting their most noteworthy features but being accurate as possible. Good for groups who know each other a little already. Afterwards, discuss the pictures. You may choose to keep some. 128: Poetry Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Write some random words on slips of paper and put them into a hat. The group each pulls one word out of the hat. Now, individually, they must write a short “poem” using the words, then share them with the group. This is a great way to break down barriers and get, people to be a little vulnerable. 129: Blind Cooperation Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Directions: Find a small and easy jigsaw puzzle or else some other item that needs to be assembled. Group members are blindfolded and must work together, by feeling alone, to put the object back together. They can use words but are unable to see, and this forces them to communicate with one another.130: Christmas Garland Purpose: Getting to know you, fun Group Size: 4+ Level: Basic Directions: The group will make a long paper chain that can be used for any holiday or any time of year. Make plenty of strips of colored paper. Ask members to write a handful of things they are grateful for on the slips. Now, go around the group, each person reading their slip and folding their paper into a ring and gluing the ends closed. The next person does the same, linking their slip through the previous one, till a long chain is formed. What is written on the slips can be varied depending on the needs of the group, for example they could also do it at end of year to make their new year’s resolutions. 131: Dance Class Purpose: Getting to know you, fun, team building Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Dance can be an excellent way to let a group relax a little, especially those who are very stressed or overly cerebral. Sign the whole group up for a dance class that everyone will enjoy and have them practice moves with one another. Choose an appropriate dance form that’s not too difficult to start, such as ballroom dancing or square dancing if physical proximity may be a problem. 132: Group Member Mad Libs Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Advanced Directions: Present each group member with two copies of a work sheet of sentences that are incomplete, for example, “I can’t stand it when people...” or “All you need is...". Now, in pairs, group members take a moment to fill out the sheets - once for them and once for what they imagine the other person will say. Next, the sheets are compared. How well did they guess each other's answers? Have a chat about first impressions etc.133: One Voice Purpose: Getting to know you, team building Group Size: 10+ Level: Advanced Directions: Separate the group into two teams. Tell the teams that from now on, they are to act "as one”. The trick is, that each person can only say one sentence, which you've given them on a slip of paper. Other group members don’t at first know what is on their other team member's slips. Now, the two groups must have a negotiation. This can be a dialogue about selling something, a job interview or some other kind of negotiation. The group members can only say their sentence so they will have to communicate non-verbally to make sure that they are presenting a united front to the other team. Can be hilarious and quite challenging. 134: Visual Broken Telephone Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 6+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Conceal a picture underneath a pile of blank sheets of paper. Pass this around the group. Each person must look at the top-most picture just once, then secretly draw what they saw on the blank piece of paper on top of that (no peeking, no tracing!). They pass this on and the next person does the same, much like in the game of broken telephone except that the message in this case is a picture. At the end, the picture is compared to the original. How did different people focus on different aspects of the picture/ what was lost? What was added? A good springboard for a conversation about communication. 135: Nutty Professors Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Each person gets a piece of paper and some art supplies like crayons, colored pens etc. For 10 or 15 minutes, they have to design and portray a groundbreaking invention ‘that will solve their life's biggest problem. Tell them to go wild with their imaginations and notto hold back. Share the pictures with the group and get each person to explain the invention’s function. A good way to learn about people is to learn about what bothers them! Some commonalities may be discovered. Vote for the best invention. 136: Alien Making Tea Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Break the group into two teams. The goal is for each team to manage to get an “alien” (played by the instructor) to do a simple task like make a cup of tea. The trick is that the alien has no concept of what water is, how to use a cup or what it means to “turn on a kettle” etc. so the group have to be very, very clear with their instructions. The instructor can play dumb and be intentionally difficult to force the group to be more specific. This is a fun game with a message on how easy it is to misinterpret instructions. 137: Superheroes Purpose: Getting to know you at Directions: Pair group members off and tell them to interview the other person to find out, in thorough detail, what their values and principles are in life. What is their life motto? What do they stand for? Now, each group member has to design an appropriate superhero person for the person they interviewed to capture this essence. This can be done verbally or through drawing, depending on the group. This is a great way to get to the root of who people are and can leave the group feeling very appreciated as individuals. 138: Who is Winning? Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 10+ Level: IntermediateDirections: This takes alittle preparation. Make some questions along the lines of, “who is youngest?", “who is best under pressure?", “who has the nicest sense of humor?" etc. Now, group members have to organize themselves in rows according to how they rank themselves on this question. The exercise will start out with people being quite competitive, but soon it will emerge that someone is always better than you at some things, and that in life, it isn’t really a competition as we all have our good features. Have a discussion about how people felt when they were at the back of the ranks versus in the front. What did they take from the experience? Obviously, the questions have to be designed so that everyone in the group gets a chance to be in front. 139: Throwing the Bouquet Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 6+ Level: Basic Directions: Pick a “bride” and give her (or him!) a bouguet of flowers to throw just like a bride would do on her wedding. Whoever catches it is must now come up to the front and decide, would they make a good match for the bride? Keep this casual and humorous, for example don’t make a big deal of mixed genders etc., instead focus on some questions: what would make these two work well together in a partnership (j.e. marriage?) what would they need to work on together? Have the rest of the group weigh in. The bouquet is then thrown by that person to see how well they match up with someone else (the one who catches their bouquet). This can be a lot of fun and gets people thinking about how their personalities interact with those around them. 140: The String Game Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Basic Directions: Cut plenty of short lengths of string or yarn to prepare. Now, pass the strings to the first member in the group. They have one minute to lay down a piece of string while saying one fact about themselves. They keep the strings they've put down after the minute is up. Whohas the most strings at the end of the game? What new information did you lean about your group? 141: Charm Bag Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Basic Directions: Ask group members to secretly bring a small “charm” — any item that has special meaning for them. It could be a piece of jewelry, a vegetable, a toy, a tool, a spoon, a pretty rock, an ornament, anything really ~ as long as it means something to them. Now, they each secretly out their charm into a bag. The instructor collects this bag and then empties the contents out into the center of the group. One by one, the group tries to decide which item belongs to each person and why. Lots of fun for people who have never met before. 142: Opposite Debate Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: This is a great exercise to increase feelings of empathy in the group. Choose some contentious issue (not too contentious — use your discretion) and then find a statement that the group seems divided 50/50 on. Now, they have to debate the issue, but the trick is they have to debate the issue from the opposite point of view. This can lead to some very interesting and illuminating conversations. 143: Five Years’ Time Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Have each group member stand at the front of the room and explain briefly what they plan for the next § years of their lives. The rest of the group can ask questions or make comments. If this goes well, you can even extend it - what about 10 or 20 years?144: My Biggest Fear Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 6+ Level: Basic Directions: Ask group members to think of what they believe is their biggest fear. Now, they have to tell the rest of the group, but only through miming. They are not allowed to talk. This can be interesting as the group invariably projects their own fears onto the actions they see. A good start to a discussion about fears. 145: What's in a Name? Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Basic .ctions: Each group member gets a piece of paper and is asked to write their names in big letters down the one side. Now, they have a minute or two to think of characteristics they possess that being with each letter. Share with the group. A fun extension is to ask members to share what their actual names mean and how they got them. This can be a great way to get to know each other. 146: Happy Families Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Basic Directions: Ask the group to have discussion in pairs about who they most take after in their family - their mother or father? if appropriate, this can also be extended to which of their children take after them and in what ways. People usually enjoy this question and will willingly share a lot of information about themselves. 147: My Worst Trait Purpose: Getting to know you, fun Group Size: 4+Level: Advanced Directions: This is a useful exercise to get people to know one another more closely, but is also a good technique for people to explore themselves a little more fully. Ask people to think silently for a moment on their single worst trait in their personality, be it their impatience, shyness or snobbery. Now, ask them to mingle around the room and have a discussion, but to amplify that trait as much as possible, to ridiculous proportions even. People are usually happy to throw themselves into this activity and the results can be quite funny. Have the group decide afterwards what trait each person was demonstrating, 148: Would You Rather...? Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: The instructor starts by giving the group a choice between two very horrible things, for example, would you rather live the perfect life for only one year and then die, or would you rather live till 100 but have a bit of a boring life? Then, each member can suggest their own set of choices, This can be a fun way to start discussing values etc. 149: Human Sculpture Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: Intermediate Directions: Tell group members that they are all going to be exhibitions in a museum, and must position themselves as statues in poses that represent their personalities the best. Clear the room of furniture and give them time to position themselves. You can take a literal photograph of this if you like. Get each member to explain why they positioned themselves in the way they did. 150: Secret Role Play Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Level: AdvancedDirections: Have the group mingle around in a group and chat about some topic that you've chosen beforehand. The trick is, each person in the group is assigned some other group. member who they have to pretend to be. As they talk and mingle, people have to find out if the person they are talking to is actually portraying them. This can get very interesting and makes for some good conversation afterwards. 151: When I Grow Up... Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Intermediate ns: Group members take some time to explain to the rest of the group what they wanted to be when they were little. Did they achieve their dreams? What changed? This is a nice relaxed way of learning more about each member. 152: Same But Different Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Have group members mingle loosely with each other and pair of naturally with each other person in turn. As they chat, they need to find one thing that that is the same about ‘them and one thing that is different. People can share this after everyone's had a chance to speak to everyone else. Even the most different people can always find something that is the same about them. To finish, ask the group to find one way in which every single one of them is the same, and also one way in which every single member is different from every other. 153: Speed Dating Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 4+ Directions: Arrange some chairs in the room to resemble a speed dating set up: have pairs of chairs facing each other set up all over the room. For one minute, people need to chat to another group member and make a quick first impression about how suitable they'd be to do a joint project with. After a minute is up, they move chairs and go onto the next person (one person always stays sitting). When that's over, have each person explain who they would like to pair up with a project for and why.154: Blanket Purpose: Getting to know you, team building Group Size: 6+ Directions: A nice physical activity that also builds trust. Have a big blanket, sheet or tarpaulin that group members have to hold on the outside edges. The task is to pick someone to holding the middle of the blanket, without them falling off or touching the ground in any way. For this to work, each member needs to literally pull their weight and coordinate to carry the chosen person properly. 155: Bucket List Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Ask students to write down a list of 5 things they want to do before they die. This is a lot of fun to share with the group. Were there any similarities? 156: Creating Vision Boards Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Set aside some time to create vision boards as a group. ON large pieces of cardboard, people can cut and paste pictures from magazines etc. to create inspiring collages. of their goals, plans and dreams for the future. This can be a lot of fun with the right materials, or else the group to bring in their own supplies. The boards can be hung up somewhere prominent and each person can take a moment to explain their boards, 157: Name Bingo Purpose: Getting to know you - especially names! Group Size: 4+ Directions: The instructor stands some way away from the group, who are arranged in a row. He calls out random letters from the alphabet. Each person can take one step closer to the instructor for each time that letter appears in his name. The first person to touch the instructor wins. This can be altered so that the instructor calls out places that people may have visited,foods they have eaten or things they know how to do. Mixing it up is also a fun possibility and the instructor will have to be careful as one person gets closer and closer. 158: Colors Purpose: Getting to know you, teamwork Group Size: 4+ Directions: Give a box of crayons or colored pencils to the group and ask them to pick @ color that they love best and that they think is a good match for them. Now, give the group some blank paper and ask them to draw something simple - the trick is, they can only use the color they have chosen. To get a really beautiful picture, they will have to work together to make sure the colors are well used. Great for group cohesion. 159: M&M Game Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Get a big bow of M&Ms and tell group members to take a handful. Now, assign a category to each color, for example blue is about family life, red is about work ete. Each person has to state a fact about themselves according to the color before they can eat their M&M. 160: Remembering Names Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 14+, bigger is better Directions: This is a way for a new group to remember everyone's names. Have two people hold up a sheet or blanket vertically that can completely conceal a person hiding behind it. Now, there are two teams on either side of the blanket. Taking turns, a person on either side of the blanket stands behind it, and then the two people quickly drop the blanket to reveal who it is. The first person on the other team who can correctly remember the name of this person is the winner and gets a point. 161: Whodunit Purpose: Getting to know youDirections: Get people to write down on a slip of paper something outrageous they have done. Put the slips in a hat, mix and then open all of them. The group now has to decide who did what crazy thing, 162: Creating Flags Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Separate the group into teams and have them design and create a flag that represents everyone's strengths and goals as a team. Encourage them to choose animal mascots, symbols and colors that mean a lot to them. Then, teams can explain to other groups what their lags mean and if possible, the flags can be hung somewhere prominent. 163: Riddles Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Put the group into small teams and present them with a series of riddles, ranging from easy to difficult. Have them chat together and solve the riddles. It's great if you can find a way to link the riddles to general issues relevant to the group. The team that solves the most riddles wins, and then the group can take a few moments to share any riddles they know. Also chat about the group dynamics as each team tried to work on their problems together. 164: Nautical Knots Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Give half the people in the group a card with a printed visual instruction on how to tie a particular knot. There are thousands of varieties, some more difficult than others. The other half of the group gets a length of rope. Pair these people off. Now, without showing them the picture, the first person has to verbally describe how to tie the knot to the other person. Make a time limit and compare the resulting knots to the picture. How good is everyone at keeping calm during the exercise?165: Numbers Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 8+, bigger is better Directions: The instructor stands in front of the group and writes a few numbers on a white board, say about 5 or 6 of them. Now, the rest of the group has to guess what each number represents, Number of children? Year they married? Number of years living in their current house? When they are all guessed, it’s the next person's turn. This is a great way for people to, selectively share things about themselves to the group. 166: Three Wishes Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Group members take some time to brainstorm three wishes they would ask from a genie if he came out of a magic lamp right at hat moment. The group can have some fun discussing this together, but once they're done, give them another challenge: the group has to decide on 3 wishes for the entire team together. They will have to decide on the best choices that will benefit everyone in the group. This can be a lot more challenging than it first looks. Monitor the group so they don't choose something easy like “everyone gets to be a billionaire”. The instructor can play genie and decide if a wish is truly serving the whole group. 167: Following Instructions Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Print a list of 10 ridiculous actions - standing up and crowing like a chicken, blowing a kiss at the window or clapping three times, for example. But put at the top of the list the instruction: “read everything once first and then proceed.” The trick is the last item on the list is “don’t do any of the above items”. This can be funny as you watch people move through the list doing the actions. Have a discussion about being thorough and following instructions afterwards.168: Stereotypes Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Have each person in the group think carefully for a moment what stereotype they feel is often applied to them but which is completely untrue. Have a group discussion as each member shares their insights about stereotypes. Have any group members held that same stereotype about others? This can be a great exercise to build empathy for other people. 169: Last Moments on Earth Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Very dramatically tell the group that the next ten minutes are the least they will ever experience, and then the entire world will blow up forever. How do they want to spend those last few minutes? Have them think carefully about it before sharing with the group. This activity can be extended by asking people to brainstorm their priorities in life in general. What about at work? Can they spot any differences and similarities with others? 170: Rule Breakers Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Start the exercise by having group members think of one rule they have or regularly do break in life and why. Have everyone share theirs - this can be very illuminating, as most people have varied ideas of what counts as an unbreakable rule. After the discussion dies down, have the group brainstorm 5 unbreakable rules that they think should apply to everyone. Play devil's advocate occasionally and argue with them if they reach consensus too quickly. This is a great way to delve deeper into the way each person constructs their own morality and allows the group to reflect on ways they can work around these differences. 171: Dream Interpretation Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+Directions: Each group member takes a tun sharing a dream they have had with the group. They can choose how revealing they want to be but usually most people are happy to tall of bizarre or funny dreams they've had. Now, have the rest of the group put on their psychologist hats and try to decode what the dream could possibly mean. What does the person think of each interpretation? This is a lot of fun with a big group, and can be interesting to see how different interpretations can be. 172: Murder Mysteries Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: There are plenty of online resources for murder mystery activities, many of which can be adjusted to group size and time available. Print out cards and other materials, and even get the group to dress up in costumes appropriate to the role they'll be playing. These games can be quite involved and intensive, so it may be fun to make a whole evening or weekend out of them. Ironically, people get to know each other a little more easily when they are pretending to be someone else! 173: Name Adjectives Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: This is a quick and simple exercise to kick off with. Ask each group member to come up with two adjectives that describe them, one good and one bad, but both should begin with the same letter of their name, for example, Lovable Lazy Linda etc. 174: Balloon Bounce Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Blow up a big balloon and get the group to keep the balloon up in the airas a team. The only catch is that they have to do it without using their hands - they can use their heads, faces, shoulders etc. In fact, you might find the group finding more and more creative ways to keep the balloon floating.175: Musical Chairs Variation Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: This is based on the classical musical chairs game: play some music while the group walks around a circle made of chairs. When you stop the music, people have to quickly find a chair to sit down in, except there is always one chair too few and one person will be left standing, In this game, the person left standing has to answer a “getting to know you" question by the instructor. The game is then continued, but this time the person who just left the group gets to stop the music and ask the next standing person an interesting question Continue till there is only one more available seat. 176: The Eyes Have It Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: This is a fun and quick activity to show how important reading facial cues is when we communicate with others. Have everyone go around the group and mingle a little with each other, but as they do, they have to cover the bottom half of their face with a sheet of paper so only their eyes are visible. Have the group discuss how easy or difficult it was to communicate this way. As an extension, as one person to demonstrate some facial expressions and have the rest of the group guess how he is feeling without seeing the bottom half of his face. Some people will be better than others at this. 177: Story Mime Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 4+ Directions: Each person in the group has to come up and stand in front of the rest of the group, then mime a popular and well-known story without using any words. The instructor times the miming as the rest of the group try to guess the story being acted out. The personwith the shortest time (i.e. the best miming skills) is the winner. Have a brief discussion afterwards - who is good at non-verbal communication? Was this task easy or difficult and why? 178: Spell it Out Purpose: Getting to know you, fun, team building Group Size: 4+ Directions: This is a very fun and active exercise that people usually enjoy. Divide the group into two teams and send them to opposite ends of the room. Each member of this team must choose one body part ~ i.e. head, left arm, even butt if you have children and this will keep their attention. Now, choose one word with as many letters as there are people in the team, and assign each person a letter. The have to write out this word with the chosen body part, so that the team on the opposite side of the room can “read” it and guess what the total word is This usually causes all sorts of fun and games and can be a great warmer and ice breaker. 179: Blindfolded Lunch Purpose: Getting to know you, communication Group Size: 4+ Directions: If your team regularly eats together or shares a lunch break, have a game where everyone has to do as they normally do, but blindfolded. They will have to communicate very well to avoid bumping into each other, and will likely listen a bit more closely to what is going ‘on around them. After the blindfolds are off, have the group share their experiences — what's different when one of your primary senses is removed from the equation? 180: Human Equation Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+Directions: Assign each person in the group a number - choose simple numbers under 10. Now, hand the group four pieces of paper with the mathematical symbols written on ther 1 /, and x. The instructor now chooses any number off the top of his head, for example, 80. Now, the group has to find a way to make a "human equation” using their numbers and the mathematical functions. The papers can be put between people to show how the equation works out so that the final result is the number the instructor initially said. Everyone needs to be included. The instructor might take some time beforehand to make sure that the sum is actually possible. Afterwards, have the group reflect on their process and how they could have done better. 181: Photo Sharing Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: This activity can be done on the fly as most people have photos on their phone. ‘Ask people to pick one photo they have on their phone and then show the rest of the group, explaining when and where it was taken, and giving the group a bit of information about the meaning behind the picture. This can be a great way to learn more about each other. 182: Household Income Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Put the group into smaller “families”: one mother, father, and two differently aged children. Now, hand out newspaper ads (the kind with plenty of pictures of things for sale with prices on them) and assign each family a “budget’ of a fixed amount they are allowed to spend on things found in this paper. They have to discuss and agree so that each person gets something they legitimately want form the list while staying in budget. More tricky than it sounds, and people's personalities come through quite clearly.183: Pizza Toppings Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Similar to the above exercise, people have to decide in their groups on one pizza that everyone in the group can enjoy - i.e. they have to decide on what toppings everyone likes. Usually a dominant person will emerge in the group and there will be a few stragglers and people who are “fine with anything”. Have a discussion afterwards about how easy this was, and if people noticed anything about the way they managed the task. Were they inflexible? Overly accommodating? 184: The Clapping Game Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: The instructor starts by clapping out a rhythm with his hands. The rest of the group follows and tries to keep up, as a group. Only once they have mastered this particular beat, can the next person change the beat — there is to be no discussion about who goes next, the group will have to nonverbally work it out as people are courteous and attentive to who is clapping a different rhythm. Once this new rhythm is started, people will try to follow this one instead, only once the entire group is comfortably stuck in this rhythm can the next person try to get ‘their rhythm going. This takes a lot of focus and compromise. Afterwards, discuss the experience ~ did everyone get a chance? Were some “voices” drowned out by more insistent ones? 185: Group Debate Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: Choose a contentious issue currently in the news and have the group debate it in a free form fashion. This is great for groups who are a little shy with one another or who arecompletely new to being in the group, but not as good for people who routinely chat with each other anyway. The instructor can facilitate things and make sure that the discussion is interesting without being argumentative. 186: Group Barter Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: A very interesting exercise if you have varied group of people. Have them bring in something, anything at all, to the group to barter with. Have the group sit in a circle and then start the timer for 2 minutes. Each member has to successfully get rid of their item and find another one they like by trading and doing swaps with other members. Keep doing this until the time runs out. Now, each person can try to remember where the original item came from and discuss how hapoy they are with the trade, A good way to start talking about people’s hobbies and interests. 187: Guess the Weight of a Cupcake Purpose: Getting to know you, fun, team morale. Group Size: 4+ Directions: Find a delicious looking cupcake (or a few of them if there are many rounds of the game) and show it to the group. Each person has to guess the weight of the cupcake, and the closest one wins the cupcake. This can also be done with number of jellybeans in a jar or the exact dimensions of a cookie for example. Great for when a group is getting tired or taking things too seriously 188: Team Song Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+Directions: In teams, group members have to come up with a team song to celebrate some aspect or relevant theme. After some time to practice and sort out the words, they can perform their song to the rest of the group. Naturally, this is great for children, who are less self conscious about singing. Have a vote for the best, most creative and catchiest tune. 189: Impromptu Orchestra Purpose: Getting to know you Group Size: 4+ Directions: This works well for outdoor activities. Break the group into teams and have them, forage around outside for some materials to create a makeshift musical instrument. Encourage them to think as creatively as possible - their instrument must actually be able to be played and used. To extend this, each group can share their creation (what is the instrument called etc) and maybe even play them all together in a finishing song the whole group knows. This can be a lot of fun. 190: The Murder Game Purpose: Getting to know you, warmer Group Size: 4+ Directions: A popular party game for children that is excellent for groups in a corporate setting. Have people sit in a circle around a table. Ask them to close their eyes. Tap once on the shoulder for “villager” and twice on the shoulder for “murderer”. There is only one murderer in the group, and the other members, when they open their eyes, must figure out who it is before he kills them. He kills them by making eye contact and blinking deliberately. if he does this to someone, they are dead and must put their heads down on the table. The trick is for everyone to figure out who the murderer is by watching eye contact closely before they themselves are murdered.