Body Letters

Number of Participants:           Any number in small groups of 6-8    

Equipment Needed:                 None

Activity Time:                        7-10 minutes

How to play:

Start by dividing all participants into groups of 6-8.  Once groups are formed explain that you will be calling out different letters of the alphabet and that it is the groups’ objective to create that letter as quickly as possible with all group members connected in some way.  Try a few easy letters to ensure that groups understand and then start a “Body Letter” competition.  Award the 1^st group to complete their letter 3 points, the 2^nd place group 2 points and the 3^rd place group 1 point.  End the activity by using the following letters . . . A, O, and K.  Have participants name the last 3 letters created and respond with, “you know what . . . you guys are A, O, K!”

3, 2, 1, Ups

Number of players:                    Any number in small groups
Equipment needed:                    Various throwable objects

Activity time:                             10-15 minutes

How to play:
Each group starts this activity with 1 soft object that can be thrown. One person is chosen to be the leader, and his/her job is simply to give the command: “3, 2, 1, Ups!”. On the word “Ups,” whoever is holding the soft object throws the ball a minimum of 5 feet in the air with the game requiring that someone else in the group other than the thrower catch the thrown object. If the group is successful in tossing and catching the one item, they repeat the process again. If they are successful a second time in a row, then they add another object. This time, on the command “Ups” both items are tossed up into the air at the same time with the group trying to catch both objects. To add another object the group must successfully make 2 catches in a row. If an object touches the ground the group tries again but it is only their first attempt (remember, the group must get 2 catches in a row to add another item).  This is a fun, low level cooperative activities that groups really love!

Marbles

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                     Beach Balls, Nerf Balls, Fleece Balls

Activity time:                             10-15 minutes

How to play:

Begin by having all participants form a large circle.  Inside that large circle place a number of randomly placed polydots and 4 semi-deflated beach balls.  Provide a number of nerf and fleece balls to those in the circle and you’re ready for the “Marbles” challenge.  Explain that the goal of the activity is to get the semi-deflated beach balls on top of the polydots as quickly as possible.  At no time may a group member go inside the circle to retrieve a ball; however, if a ball becomes stationary inside the circle the group can choose to hit the ball out with another ball.  Time the group to see how long it take to get all 4 balls on top of the polydots and then use this time as the “Marbles” records that can be challenged at any future time by the group.

Computer Glitch

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    Long Rope, 20 Number Cards, Stopwatch

Activity time:                             15-20 minutes

How to play:

Create a large circle with a piece of rope/string and then randomly place 30 number cards inside the circle.  Have all participants gather around the circle and explain that their goal is to sequentially touch each of the numbers inside the circle as quickly as possible.  Next inform participants that they can step into the circle if they can't reach a number; but, computer glitches occur when one of the following things happen:  1) two people are touching numbers at the same time,  2) a person touches a number or the rope while another group member is inside the circle,  3) a person touches a number out of sequence.  If any of the above computer glitches occur, a .10 second penalty is added to the ending time.  Cooperating and communicating are the keys to succeeding in this initiative.  Set a record and challenge your group to see if they can beat that time by cooperating and communicating even more effectively with one another.

Balloon Circle Initiative

Number of players:                    Any number in small groups

Equipment needed:                    Balloons

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:

Instruct each group to create a circle with everyone’s feet touching.  Provide enough balloons to each group so that every other person has a balloon.  The challenge of this colorful activity is to see how long it will take the group to bop (not pass) all the balloons around the circle from one person to the next without anyone loosing foot contact or allowing any of the balloons to touch the ground.  Time this initiative from the initial "Go!" and record the time when all of the balloons are back at their original starting point.  This one really requires some teamwork - good luck!

Quick Switch

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    4 Cones/markers

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:

Begin by creating a square formation using 4 cones/markers.  Create four even teams and then ask that each teams members stand between a set of cones facing inward.  Once completed, the leader stands in the center of the square.  At this point, have groups note the position they are in relative to the leader and their teammates.  Emphasize to the group that in this position, team #1 will always be facing the leader, team #2 will always be facing the right side of the leaders body, team #3 always faces the left side of the leaders body, and team #4 will always be facing the back of the leader.  Each player must then remember two things: 1) his/her position in line, and 2) the teams orientation to the leader.  Each round of play begins when the leader starts rotating his/her body a ¼ of a turn randomly in the center of the circle.  Teams must remain still until the leader comes to a stop and then at this point all teams are allowed to move with the goal being to reassemble themselves into their original order and position (relative to the leaders new position) as quickly as possible.  The first team to correctly line up between thier new cones in their original order and orientation to the leader wins a point.  The first team to reach a preset score wins the game.  Players may not hold onto each other when moving.

“Get Off the Floor”

Number of players:        Any number in groups of 4

Equipment needed:        3 four-foot lengths of rope per group

Activity time:                 20-30 minutes

How to play:
Create small groups of 4 or 5 participants to initiate this initiative.  Once grouped, give each group one sheet of newspaper, flip chart paper or butcher paper and instruct them to put it in the center of the group.  Then challenge all groups to “get off the floor” within 5 seconds (groups will usually jump onto the paper).  Now ask someone in the group to fold the paper in half and then challenge the group again to “get off the floor” in 5 seconds.  This continues for several more rounds (each time folding the paper in half) with each round becoming more and more difficult for the groups.  Various techniques will be employed by all group members to accomplish “getting off the floor,” with the best one being simply to fold the paper in half as instructed and to have all group members “get off the floor” onto chairs or a table, etc. (but don’t tell them this).  A great “ah ha” experience for teaching out-of-the-box thinking to your group.

Santa's Helpers

Number of players:              Any number in pairs

Equipment needed:              Wrapping Paper, Scotch tape, Scissors, Ribbon, 
                                           Paper tissue boxes

Activity time:                       10-15 minutes

How to play:
Wrap it up and tie it with a bow . . . one handed!  Start by having all participants get into pairs.  Provide all necessary gift wrapping supplies (wrapping paper, tape, scissors and ribbon) and a present to wrap (I have found that a tissue paper box is perfect).  Have pairs stand side-by-side with one hand free and the other behind their back.  In this configuration, one participant will be using their left hand, and the other their right hand.  The object is to see which of the Santa’s Helper pairs can wrap the present the best in the allotted time.  Have participants select the best package as the winner.  As a variation, this can also be played as a relay or be based on fastest time (as long as it is wrapped correctly).  Santa needs all the help he can get this holiday season and together we can all help to make everyone’s holiday season the best ever!

"Thankerchief"

Number of Participants:            Any number     

Equipment Needed:                  1 Bandanna / Hankerchief

Activity Time:                           7-10 minutes

How to play:

As a closing activity, arrange all participants into a circle.  Introduce the “thankerchief” (colorful bandanna) and ask participants to think of 2 or 3 things that they are thankful for.  Explain that the “thankerchief” will be passed around the circle from person to person while the group chants this simple 4 line verse: 

   Thankerchief, thankerchief, round you go -- 
   Where you'll stop, nobody knows.
   But when you do, someone must say,
   What they are most thankful for on this day.

At the completion of the verse, the person holding the “thankerchief” must share out loud one thing for which they are thankful.  This continues until everyone has had a turn to share.  Don’t underestimate the power of this simple closer as we all should count our blessings daily and be thankful for all we have.

Halloween Riddle Contest

Number of players:                    Any number

Equipment needed:                    List of Riddles

Activity time:                             7-10 minutes

How to play:

Everyone loves to solve riddles so why not use this as a low level teambuilding activity that promotes dialog, brainstorming and will stimulate the brains of all your participants? Start by forming teams of 4 and explain that as a team they will receive 5 points for every riddle that their group is able to correctly guess.  Points can also be given to groups that come up with and can explain a creative answer that would also work as an answer to the riddle.  Read 1 riddle at a time and give groups a time limit to solve the riddle.  With Halloween just around the corner, the riddles provided below have a Halloween theme, but you can use this activity at any time with any type of riddle.  Your right brains are going to love this one – have fun!!!    

·         Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?   (answer:  He didn’t have the guts)

·         What do skeletons say before they begin dining?   (answer:  Bone appetite!)

·         What do ghosts serve for dessert?  (answer:  Ice Scream)

·         When is it bad luck to meet a black cat?   (answer:  When you’re a mouse)

·         What do you call a skeleton who won't work?  (answer:  Lazy bones)

·        What kind of music do mummies listen to?  (answer:  Wrap)

·         Where do baby ghosts go during the day?  (answer:  Day-scare Centers)

·         Why don't skeletons like parties?   (answer:  The have no body to dance with)

·         What kind of mistakes do spooks make?   (answer:  Boo boos)

·         What do the birds sing on Halloween?   (answer:  Twick or Tweet)

·         Who won the skeleton beauty contest?   (answer:  No body)

·         What type of dogs do vampires like best?  (answer:  Bloodhounds)

·         How does a ghost cry?  (answer:  Boo-hoo)

·         What kind of key should you always take to a haunted house?  (answer:  A skeleton key)

·         What do you get when you cross a vampire with a snowman?  (answer:  Frostbite)

Swap Knots
 

Number of players:                   Any number in even numbered groups

Play site:                                   Any area

Equipment needed:                    4 Short ropes per group

Activity time:                             15-20 minutes

How to play:

Begin by making groups of 8, 10, or 12 members each.  Give each group 1 piece of three-foot rope per two participants.  Once this is done, instruct participants to put these ropes on the floor so that they criss-cross each other creating an asterisk like shape (this will be both the beginning position and ending position of the activity).  Once this is completed, invite all participants in the group to take hold of one end of one of the ropes.  Allow each group 2-3 minutes to tangle the ropes as much as possible without ever letting go of the end of their rope.  At the end of the time, ask the teams to carefully place the tangled ropes on the floor so that the ends of the ropes can be seen.  Now, it's time to "swap knots!"  Have each group move to another team's tangle, individually grab onto the end of one of the ropes and as a group, try to untangle the ropes.  A group is successful when they are able to put the ropes back into the original asterisk starting position.