Description: Standing in a Circle, Group Members Reach Across and Shake Hands, Each Hand

Ice-Breakers

Human Knot

Time: 15-20 min

Description: Standing in a circle, group members reach across and shake hands, each hand connecting to a different person. The group then tries to unravel the “human knot” by unthreading their bodies without letting go of each other people’s hands.

Set up & instructions:

Ideal group size is approximately 10, but it can be done with anywhere from about 7 to 16. The more in a group, the more difficult the task, partly because of the complexity, and partly because there is physically less room to move.
If there are two or more groups doing the task simultaneously, have the groups reasonably spaced out, so they don't feel distracted by a sense of competition.
Ask participants to form a circle, shoulder-to-shoulder. Encouraging/urging participants to all stand closer can be a subtle way of helping to prepare them for what is about to come.
Ask participants to each place a hand in the middle of the circle and to grasp another hand.
Then ask participants to put their other hand in the middle, grasp a different person's hand.
Don't let participants let go of hands - some will be tempted to think the activity might then be over - but it is only just starting.
Explain to participants that what you'd like them to do is untangle themselves, without letting go of hands, into a circle.
Participants may change their grip so as to more comfortable, but they are not to unclasp and re-clasp so as to undo the knot.
Stand back and see what happens.
Be prepared to see little progress for quite some time (up to 10 minutes). However, once the initial unfolding happens, the pace towards the final solution usually seems to quicken.

Facilitator notes:

Stay at a moderate distance, allowing the group to handle the activity with feeling like they're being too closely observed; but maintain good hearing contact and be ready to step in to help answer questions or change the direction of the activity quickly when appropriate.
It is relatively easy to notice who's talking, who's not, who seems comfortable, who doesn't. Also note that sometimes the natural leaders are not in a good position to lead - do they try to dominate inappropriately or do they sit back appropriately and just do what they can. Sometimes, a new leader emerges from being in an opportune position in the knot. This can offer this person a significant boost. Also, almost everyone gets a positive sense of having played his or her part. Some people have difficultly enjoying the activity due to their uncomfortableness physically (e.g., very tall, or inflexible people may find the activity particularly awkward).
Often this activity speaks for itself as an icebreaker. However, because it can be quite challenging, and people will often have been pulled in all sorts of directions (literally), be prepared to have at least a short debrief, e.g. by asking "How well did you think the group worked together?"and "What could have been done differently?" or "What do you think you've learned from this activity which can be applied in future activities?"

Fear in a Box

Time: ~5 min + 1-2 minutes per participant.

Equipment: Paper and pen/pencil per participant; hat, tin, or bag.

Description: People write personal fears anonymously on pieces of paper which are collected. Then each person reads someone else’s fear to group and explain how the person might feel.

Set up & Instructions:

Have the participants sit in a circle.
Introducethe topic of fear and explain how it is normal and natural at this stage of program that people are experiencing all sorts of anxieties, worries and fears about what might happen. A good way of starting to deal with these fears is have them openly acknowledged - lay them on the table, without being subject to ridicule. Having one's fears expressed and heard almost immediately cuts them in half.
Can be done as the first activity in a program, during the initial stages or well into the program. When used early on in particular, it can help to foster group support and be helpful for alerting the group to issues they may want to respect.
Ask everyoneto complete this sentence on a piece of paper (anonymously):
"In this trip/group/program, I am [most] afraid that..." or "In this trip/group/program, the worst thing that could happen to me would be..."
Collect the pieces of paper, mix them around, then invite each person to a piece of paper and read about someone's fear.
One by one, each group member reads out the fear of another group member and elaborates and what he/she feels that person is most afraid of in this group/situation.For example: the leader reads the first one and might say: "In this class I am afraid that I will be laughed at . . . (continues) I am afraid to say my feelings because everyone laughs at me, so I never say anything". This procedure continues around the circle. No one is to comment on what the person says, just listen and move on to the next person.
If the reader doesn't elaborate much on the fear, then ask them one or two questions. Avoid implying or showing your opinion as to the fear being expressed, unless the person is disrespecting or completely misunderstanding someone's fear. If the person doesn't elaborate after one or two questions, leave it and move on.
When all the fears have been read out and elaborated on, then discuss what people felt and noticed.
Can lead into other activities, such as developing personal or team goal settings, course briefings which specifically tackle some of the issues raised, or into other activities in which participants explore their feelings and fears.
Variations: Likes and dislikes - in two separate hats, Worries, Complaints/gripes, Wishes, Favorite moments

2 Truths & a Lie

Time: ~15-20 min

Description: People write down two truths about themselves and a lie. Then introduce the three “facts” to the rest of the group who tries to guess which one is a lie.

Set up & Instructions:

Hand out cards or paper and pens
Explain that in this activity each person writes two truths and a lie about themself and then we will try to guess each other's lie. The goal is to: a) convince others that your lie is truth (and that one of your truths is the lie) and b) to correctly guess other people's lies.
Allow approx. ~5+ minutes for writing 2 truths & a lie - this isn't easy for a lot of people - there will some scribbling out, etc. The slower people will probably need to be urged along to "put anything you can think of" down.
Announce that we will now walk around and chat to one another, like a cocktail party, and ask about each other's truths and lies. The goal is to quiz each about each statement to help determine which are the truths and which is the lie, whilst seducing other people into thinking that your own lie is a truth. At the end we will caste our votes and find out the truth.
Emphasize that people should not reveal their lie, even if it seems others might have guessed.
Allow min. 10-15 minutes of conversation time.
Gather together in a circle. Start with one person who reads their three statements aloud (to remind everyone). Then read the statements again, stopping to allow a vote for each one. e.g., "I am Turkish. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote] I am vegetarian. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote] I have a metal pin in my right leg. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote]. OK, my lie was "I am vegetarian."" The facilitator will need to help each person out, especially initially until the basic format is understood. The facilitator may add drama and reinforcement, etc. for correct guesses, tricky statements, etc.
The exercise can be run competitively, e.g., count up how many correct guesses of other people's lies and take away the number of people who correctly guesses your own lie. Highest score wins (honesty counts!).

Have You Ever?

Time: ~10-15 mins

Description: Active, fun group activity to explore and celebrate the rich diversity of people’s past experiences.

Set up & Instructions:

The instructor explains that he/she will call out different things that may or may not apply to each person. If the item does apply to you, then run into the middle, jump in the air, and do a high 5 with anyone else who runs in.
A list of about 20 items should be tailored to the particular group, setting, and program goals, but some suggestions are below. Usually the items are of a "Have You Ever....?" form, but also free to ad lib, e.g., "Does Anyone Have....?"
The motivation of participants to participate often needs some amping up. The rest is down to the leader's skill in demonstrating and encouraging.
List of Possible "Have Your Ever?" Items:
Have you ever been outside of the state?
Have you ever lived out of the country for more than 1 year?
Have you ever skipped school?
Have you ever felt lost?
Have you ever been camping?
Have you ever ridden a horse?
Have you ever been to Disneyland?
Can you speak 3 or more languages?
Have you ever been a leader?
Have you ever danced in front of a large crowd?
Have you ever flown on an airplane?
Have you broken a bone in your body?
Have you done volunteer work sometime in the last month?
Have you ever skied or snowboarded?
Have you ever felt discriminated?
Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 20 people?
Have you ever been homesick?
Have you ever felt like dropping out of school?
Have you ever laughed so hard you cried?
Have you ever been told you look like someone famous?

Appreciations Exercise

Time: 15-30min

Description: In a good learning event, people give off their best and often show more of themselves than they do otherwise. SO everyone has a good insight into each other’s strengths. When you hear about your strengths from others and acknowledge them to yourself, this builds your motivation and self-confidence.

Set up & Instructions:

Have people sit in a close circle, including the facilitator(s).
Explain the value of feedback about strengths, as above.
Giveeveryonea sheet of paper, including the facilitators.
Ask them to write their own name on the bottom of thepaper CLEARLY.
Pass paper to the person on the left
That person writes a phrase or two or a few words, at the top of the page,to describe what she or he has most valued about the person whose name is on the bottom of the sheet.
Fold the paper neatly so the comments are covered
Pass the paper on to the next person and repeat until everyone has had a go and has the paperback withhis or herown name on the bottom.
Everyone reads their owncomments quietly.
Ask each person to mark the one he or she likes the best.
Ask people to stand up in a close circle, and ask everyone to say the strength she or he liked using positive words like "I am...." or "I have...."
Remind people to take their pieces of paper home and treasure them.

Name Tag Swap

Time: 15-20 min

Description: Participants will introduce themselves to each other each other and state three facts about themselves. They then swap identities and continue with the rest of the group. In the end, facts will be revealed to see if they were correctly introduced.

Set up & Instructions:

Hand name tags to each participant. Have them write their full name.
Give about 5 minutes for each participant to think of three random facts about themselves.
Have all participants walk around the room introducing themselves by stating their name and the three facts to someone. Once both persons have finished, they switch name tags and will now introduce themselves as that person with those three facts.
Continue this for about ten minutes.
Regroup and have everyone introduce themselves as the person they have in the name tag.
Whose ever name and facts are stated, they must correct any errors on the three facts and then introduce themselves as whoever they are in the name tag they have.
Continue until everyone in the group had gone.