And Still More Large Group Icebreakers

I (Rob) had the opportunity to serve as one of five "Playmasters" at the AEE Mid-South Conference last month.  The Playmasters is a Mid-South tradition, the conference opening event in which some of our best "players" share their large-group activities for all conference attendees to enjoy.  Besides sharing a few of my own, I learned, played and enjoyed those on the list below.  While these weren't the only activities, they were my favorites.  SUGGESTION: several of these activities are of the quieter variety.  Don't do these back to back, and don't lead off with them.  Lead off and intersperse with some of the other, more active games (e.g., Pairs Tag, Categories).

Thanks to Joel Cryer for organizing the Playmasters event and for facilitating activities three and four below.

Activities

1. PLAYING CARD LINE-UP

   1. Instruct participants to not peek at their cards, then pass out one playing card to each member of the group (you may need a few decks ...).  On your signal, each participant places the card on their forehead so that others can see the card.  Without talking, all participants then group by suit, and then in numerical order (Is Ace high or low?  Yes!)

2. ALPHABET SOUP

   1. Pass out an Alphabet card (a playing card with one letter on it -- can be purchased at the local dime -- sorry, dollar -- store) to each participant.  For a warm-up activity, have players line up in alphabetical order without talking.  There, that was easy.  Now, have players join with others to form three letter words ... then try four-letter words (careful!  This is a family show!) ... then five letter words.  Can be done with or without talking.

3. TRUST GUMBO

   1. [Before beginning, decide in your mind and then designate a boundary that will allow space for everyone in the group to be moving at once without anyone bumping into one another.  Then shrink that by a quarter as this activity works best in a relatively confined space.]  Have each person pair with one other and then decide who will start off with their eyes closed and who will start with their eyes open (one of each, please).  The object is for the sighted person to guide the blind person throughout the playing area without the blind person touching anyone else, and, of course, all pairs are moving at the same time.  For safety, each blind participant must have "bumpers up": the person has both arms extended straight forward from the shoulders with elbows slightly bent and the palms turned forward (like you were motioning "stop" with both hands at once). Demonstrate for them the "bumpers up" position and check for understanding.  Begin play with all pairs moving slowly, then encourage them to SAFELY move faster, then faster until the group is full of energy.  Switch roles, and play again.

4. CROSSING CLOSURE

   1. A simple activity that closed our Playmasters session.  Designate a starting and ending boundary about 15-20 yards apart.  Have each pair cross to the other side in whatever way suits them, one pair at a time.  Repeat coming back, only this time do as groups of four ... then eight ... and so on until everyone crosses together.  As the groups traverse the space, provide encouragement.  While this activity as written may sound truly lightweight, the reverse is true.  You're culminating a session in which perfect strangers got a chance to meet, stretched their boundaries with each other and had fun; now, you're asking them to "step out" one more time, extend themselves, risk looking a little bit silly  (here's the key) in the company of others.  And folks GET INTO IT.  They'll shuffle across the space, dance, high-step, etc., and others will encourage them.  They will have, in a tiny way, taken a risk that turned out well and will leave feeling bonded with the group.  Give it a try.

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