Materials: None

Aims: Group development, trust, warm-up

Procedure: The whole group links hands into a human chain. First person leads chain through itself, over and under arms, between legs, etc. Extra care must be taken not to break the chain, to move slowly and to be gentle. Tangle ends when group is too tightly packed to move. One person then untangles the group, giving them directions without touching them.

Materials: Circle of over 25 people

Aims: Trust, fun

Procedure:

Group stands in a close circle, in queue form, with right shoulders towards the center of the circle. The circle closes so that everyone is touching the person in front and behind them. Each participant holds the waist of the person in front. Everyone bends their knees until they feel themselves supported on the knee of the person behind.

If successful (rarely happens first time) the whole group is self supported, each person sitting on the knee of the person behind.

Note: This can only be successful if the circular shape is maintained throughout and it is helpful if the group leans slightly towards the center as they are trying to settle down.

Variations: After secure sitting position is achieved everyone leans inwards slightly and raises left leg. Try to alternate stepping with right and left feet (very difficult).

Aims: Trust, concentration, group development

Procedure: Group chooses each member in turn and elevates them to a horizontal position above the heads of the group. The person is held there for a specific period, and then lowered carefully to the floor. The elevated person must relax and close eyes. It is often a good idea to have the groups raise and lower in unison. This often avoids confusion and helps concentration.

Variations: Vary speed and control of lift: walk, rock, etc. Have the person involved give instructions to the group. Combine with Backward fall & catch.

Materials: None

Aims: Role-playing, group decision-making, group interaction

Procedure: Divide in groups of 8 – 10. Each group member adopts a specific role, usually an occupation (for example: a doctor, an athlete, a teacher, movie-star, mother, housewife, etc; these can be written out and picked from a hat).
Tell groups they are in an air-raid shelter after an atom bomb has fallen, big enough and with enough air and food for only six people, therefore they must get rid of several members.

Each group member must argue why he should be allowed to survive. A group decision must be reached for who goes and stays: no suicides or murder allowed.
Set a time limit for the decision.

Later discuss how the group interacted making the decision, whether each person played an active or passive role, how satisfied each was with his role, etc.

Variations: Instead of an air-raid shelter, have a life raft or desert island or space ship. Add incidents, accidents, rituals, funerals, ceremonies.

Required: just a pencil and paper

Players: small to large groups

Great game for adult groups, great icebreaker!

Make a list of things for teams to look for through their wallets, purses, and possibly what’s on their bodies. Divide into teams by tables, pairs, individuals or what seems best. Here is a list of ideas of what they can look for but modify the list to your liking. Do not list where they might find these items:

1975 Penny, $2 bill, $100 bill, red ribbon (found in a bible), hologram (usually found on a credit card, don’t tell them this!), a bird (usually found on a credit card), pick a few states from the new quarters (Delaware, Michigan, Florida), pearl (earring or ring), black sock, roman numeral (found on a watch), Susan B Anthony dollar, picture of a tree, tic-tac, paper clip, measuring tape, ruler, peppermint candy, toothpick, the word Moses (if they have a bible), M&M, Tums, children Tylenol, thermometer, white button, pink nail polish, screw driver, nose ring, tweezers, mirror, ankle bracelet, red hair, raisin, triangle, charge slip over $200 and so on.

Make a list and copy off the list for each team. Have them check off which items they have, the team with the most checked off, wins! At the end, tell them where they could have found some of the items.