Energizer Bible: Creative Icebreakers For Trainers and Facilitators
Energizer Bible: Creative Icebreakers For Trainers and Facilitators
Energizer Bible: Creative Icebreakers For Trainers and Facilitators
BIBLE
Creative Icebreakers for Trainers and Facilitators
Index:
Index:............................................................................................................................. 2
Name games.................................................................................................................. 3
Thats what I like......................................................................................................... 3
Happy slapping news paper...................................................................................... 4
Sitting behind a blanket.............................................................................................. 4
Get to know each other games...................................................................................... 5
ABC chair game........................................................................................................... 5
Tattoo.......................................................................................................................... 5
I Remember................................................................................................................. 6
Thumbs up.................................................................................................................. 6
Two truths and a lie..................................................................................................... 7
My name:.................................................................................................................... 7
Buy a friend................................................................................................................. 7
Energizers....................................................................................................................... 8
IA Energizers in smaller groups (some can be played in fairly bigger groups) ......8
Cat and mouse............................................................................................................ 8
Electric chock.............................................................................................................. 8
Spirals......................................................................................................................... 9
Untie the knot/ Kluddermor...................................................................................... 9
Statues........................................................................................................................ 9
The human machine.................................................................................................. 10
Swusch...................................................................................................................... 10
A+B........................................................................................................................... 10
Catch the other ball................................................................................................... 11
Pulse.......................................................................................................................... 11
IB Energizers in big groups........................................................................................... 11
COCONUT.................................................................................................................. 11
Monsters.................................................................................................................... 12
Caterpillar................................................................................................................. 12
Zip-zap-spoink........................................................................................................... 12
Bille bille bob............................................................................................................. 13
Penguins and flamingos............................................................................................ 14
Atomic game............................................................................................................. 14
Giants, wizards, and trolls (Mosquito, fish, bear).......................................................14
Fruit salad.................................................................................................................. 15
Keeping my boy-/girlfriend........................................................................................ 15
Evolution I forgot Help!!.......................................................................................... 16
Trust games.................................................................................................................. 16
Trust game................................................................................................................ 16
Height in the dark..................................................................................................... 16
Circle/Knees.............................................................................................................. 17
Games sitting down...................................................................................................... 17
Crossed / uncrossed.................................................................................................. 17
Salt and pepper......................................................................................................... 17
Concentration games/team building............................................................................ 18
Fingers on a stick...................................................................................................... 18
Pen in a bottle........................................................................................................... 18
Theatre......................................................................................................................... 18
Mirror theatre............................................................................................................ 18
Dont know/ dont understand...................................................................................... 19
Crabs......................................................................................................................... 19
Name games
General: These are mainly for the beginning where people do not know each other
yet. There are a number of them, and if you fell like playing more, you can always
change the right names with names you make up. Changing names can be fun after a
couple of days where you just need a god laugh.
Variation: Instead of saying something you like, a silly action can be done
instead such as an animal impression.
Each person introduces them self with and adjective or animal starting with the
first letter of their name, and does a gesture to illustrate it: e.g. Adventurous
Andy, Huge Hannah, Boozy Bob; Turtle Tom Otherwise like above.
Good when: This is one of the best name games, since it really helps you
remember the names of everyone in the group.
say the name of the other person wins. The loser joins the winning team.
Repeat.
Tattoo
Materials: Paper, Tape, Markers
Players: 6-15 people. It can be done with more people, but then in smaller
debriefing groups
Times: 30 min. or more
How to play: You have just arrived at Tonys Tattoo Parlor for a tattoo. Tony is
competing for Tattoo King of the Year, a contest sponsored by Needle Knows
magazine. Every design is a potential entry, and Tony wants each of his tattoos to
say something about the person wearing them. From you, he needs a little
inspiration and a design before he can start his work. Tony is excellent at lettering,
animals, characters, band logos, maps, etc.
1. On your piece of paper, you are to design a rough tattoo that reveals something
about yourself, your work, your hobbies, or your family, in order to help get Tonys
creative juices flowing.
2. You must also make a note about how big the tattoo should be and where you will
have it applied.
Allow five to ten minutes for setup, drawing, and posting designs on the wall. Make
a debriefing in the group. One-two minute(s) per person. What is what on the
drawing and why is it there. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to
debrief in smaller groups. If possible, leave the designs posted throughout your
training.
Variations:
1) Narrow the scope of the tattoo design: what you do at work, an animal most like
you, favorite song, favorite band, adjective that best describes you, etc.
2) Divide your group in two. For round one, assign one group the role of Tony and the
other group the role of the customer. Each customer must find a Tony and tell him
about the design they would like and why. Tony is to draw a design, asking questions
as he or she goes. After the first set of designs is complete, the groups reverse roles.
To encourage additional interaction, ask the customers to shop around and find
another partner to work with. To debrief, let each Tony describe what he or she drew
and for whom.
Good when: This is a good game when the group does not know each other yet. By
playing this game they will come to know basic things about each other. This game
takes some time, since the debriefing is important and that will take some time.
I Remember
Materials: a lot of coins made in different years
Players: 6 -50
Time: 20 min
How to play: You and the others in your group are about to revisit the past and
take a trip down Memory Lane. Everyone gets a coin. L ook at the year on the
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coin. Take a minute to think about what you were doing when that coin was minted.
Were you in school? Were you a child? Where did you work? Were you married? Where
did you live? What was going on in your life at that time? What was the music of the
day? Etc. (If you were not yet born or prefer not to discuss your life during the year
selected, choose another coin). After you have had some time to remember where you
were, you are ready to play the game. Your goal is to find someone with a coin that
was minted at least two years before or after yours. Ultimately, your goal is to have
the oldest coin in the room. Once you have found a partner, take three minutes to tell
each other about your moments in time. When you are finished, each of you flip your
coin. Reveal the results of your toss to your partner. If they are alike (both head or tail)
exchange coins. If they differ, keep your original coin. Repeat the process up to three
times as designated by the facilitator.
Thumbs up
Materials: None
Players: 4-20 peoples
Time: 5-15 min.
How to do: Everyone stands in a circle. One by one you tell something about
yourself. For each sentence everybody puts out their right thumbs - up if they
believe it and down if they dont believe it. The one who said the sentence is
the last one to turn the thumb to show everyone if it was true or false. A
sentence could be I love bananas or I climbed Kilimanjaro
My name:
Materials: none
Players: 6 - 100
Time: 15-20 min
How to play: Most people know why they got the name they got. Most times
there is a story behind that name. Everyone is teamed up with another person.
First they get two min. to think of their story. They have to tell each other their
name and the story behind. For example My is Jean since my parents was fans
of Marilyn Monroe and her real name was Norma Jean. Had I been a boy I would
have been Elvis or My name is Solvej, which means sun-road and that is
because the sun was shining the day I was born. Or My father wanted me to
be Muhammed and my mother Ali so now my name is Muhammed Ali After 5
min and both people has told each other the story, they team up with two/three
other pairs and tell the story of the other person to the rest of the group.
Good When: Everybody is new to each other and you need a least one you
know a bit better than everyone else e.g. the theory form group dynamic.
Buy a friend
Materials: pens, small pieces of paper, a hat
Players: 20-100
Time: during a party
How to play: This game is fun, when you have a big group of people, who
does not know each other. Everyone put their phone number in a hat when
they arrive. Later on you can buy a new friend for a very small amount. (50
re/1 kr) When having bought a phone number you can sms your new friend.
Maybe you can meet each other in the bar. It is important not to know if the
number belongs to a boy or a girl since it is a lot of fun when two guys flirt with
each other thinking the other one is a hot girl. It is a lot of fun!
Energizers
Energizers are for when you need energy and a good laugh. All these
energizers requires some space so you can move, run or jump around. Some
can be played instead and others only outside. This part is divided into two
Electric chock
Materials: a scarf/a flower or something that can be picked up
Players: 8-50
Time: 5-10 min
How to play: The group is split up in two (or more) teams, and the two teams
hold each others hands. They should stand in two rows next to each other. 5
meters in front of them is an item. One person squishes the last person of each
teams hand, and they the next persons hand and so on, so it starts an electric
wave. When the first person in each row, who feels the wave he/she will run to
get the item. The team who gets the item wins.
Good when: You need some energy and team spirit
Spirals
Materials: none
Players: 10-15
Time: 5 min
How to play: Everybody forms a straight line and hold hands. The person at
one end starts rolling up the line without letting go of the next persons hand.
Everyone follows along until a large spiral is formed. Now the person who
started the spiral must clamber out. Everyone must follow without letting go of
each other. This can be played in one big group or in smaller groups that
competes.
Good when: you need to move and get some energy
Statues
Materials: none
How to play: Everybody stands in a circle. Two people stand in the middle in a
funny position, as statues. When a person, any person claps his/hers hands,
another person changes places with one of the persons in the statue - now
making another position. For every clap there is a new statue based of the
former one. When everyone has been in the statue, you do it again backwards.
A clap brings back the person who was part of the statue before the person in
the statue at the time. In the end you finish with the statue you started out
with. (first statue 1-2-3-4 and then 4-3-2-1)
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person has to find the best place to fit in. When your spot has been found you
freeze and wait for the next person and the next. When everyone is in the
statue the first one take a new position and so on. When everyone has been
places twice the next step starts. Now the system is the same but you will not
freeze but make the same movement. Think of it as a machine. Every part has
to work together. This also continues until everyone has been placed in the
machine twice. Last round; now you both have to make a movement and a
sound any sound. The machine has to work and sound right.
Good when: (This can be a really good laugh if you make some funny or sexy
sound and movements, but also a bit boring if everyone is just playing safe)
Swusch
Materials: none, however you need space so everyone can move around.
Players: 5-12 people
Time: 10 min.
How to play: The participants stand in a circle without touching each other. The first
person touches another person and says swusch when doing this. The swusched
person then has to swusch someone else (touch the body of another person by a part
of his body). If you can not maintain the swusch you have made you loose it gets
more and more difficult to keep all your swusch the more each participant gets
connected to the other participants. The game is over when a person can not keep all
his/her swusches.
Good when: trust game and a good laugh
A+B
Materials: none
Players: 6-50
Time: 5-10 min
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How to play: Everybody choose a person who is going to be their A and one who will
be their B. You want to get as close to A as possible, and as far from B as possible. On
the count of 3 everybody starts running after their A and escaping their B. The game
finishes after some time of running around, or you can do the opposite getting as
close to B as possible and as far away from A as possible.
Good when: You need some energy
Pulse
Materials: none
Players: 6-20
Time: 15 min
How to play: Everyone kneels down in a circle or sit around a table. Lay both
hands flat on the floor crossing over with the people next to them. One hand
claps the ground and the hand next to have to clap and so on; sending a pulse
around in the circle. Two claps reverse the direction. If you fail to clap, you have
to move your hand. The winners are the two persons left with one or both
hands in the circle.
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How to play: The players say; my head feels like a coconut. Then they get up and
spell COCONUT with their arms/body. Just like the YMCA, just not as gay!!!
Good when: you need a fast energizer, and get people up and stretching. (You can
introduce the game the first day, and the game can go on the whole seminar - every
one can say my head feels like a coconut, when they need a fast break during
workshops).
Monsters
Materials: none
Players: 12-50
Time: 10-15 min
How to play: Split the group into teams of 5 or 6 people in each. Place the
teams about 5 meters away from a winning post. Every group has to
create/form the Nastiest, Noisiest, Ugliest and Scariest Monster ever based
on some rules for example only 4 feet, 3 hands, 3 elbows, 1 bum, 2 knees etc.
are allowed to touch the ground. The winning team is the team which crosses
the winning point first. If any other parts touch the floor, the judge can decide
to make the team return. You can make up all sorts of rules, such as giving an
extra foot or hand for the ugliest or nosiest monster.
Variation:
This time a gap must be bridged using a limited number of body parts. Once
the gap is bridged then somebody must cross over it.
Good when: For competition and energy
Caterpillar
Materials: none, however a lot of space is needed
Players: 10-30
Time: 5 min
How to play: Participants are split up in two teams. They stand in a row with their
hands on the shoulders on the person in front of them. Now the two teams have to
catch the other caterpillars tail, when they catch it the team who caught the other
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teams tail, will gain a person. The winning team is the team who end up with all
the people.
Good when: you need some new energy or if the participants have been sitting
down for a while.
Zip-zap-spoink
Materials: none
Players: 8-20
Time: 15 min
How to play: Everyone stands in a circle. One person bends down and pick up
an invisible gun. The person can only shoot the gun to his/her left or right, right
next to him/her. When shooting left you must make a gun with your fingers
and point to the left saying zip. Shooting to the right, you must point to the
right and say zap. When being zipped or zapped you have the gun and you
have to shoot someone new as fast as possible still pointing and saying zip or
zap. If you say the zip and point to the right you start over. After some rounds
and everybody understands the game spoink is added. Then you spoink
someone you can shoot someone who is not next to you, but it is important to
point so everybody knows who you spoink.
Variation: when a mistake is made you die. The winners are the two left in the
end.
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James Bond
added to the game. Now the person can point and say bille bille bob,
elephant or giraffe. The person pointed out has to imitate an elephant or
giraffe with the help of the two people standing next to him/her. After the
person in the center has said a statue they have to count to ten. If one fails
doing the statue before the count of 10 the person pointed out has to go to the
center. The game continues added new figures all the time:
Pop corn
Marilyn Monroe
James Bond
Single mother
Bear (you must do nothing when this is being said)
Hammock
Burger
Double burger (the two on each side of the person
pointed out has to join the burger
Drier
Atomic game
Materials: none
Players: 10-100 persons
Time: 10 min.
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The facilitator of the games says atoms (groups of people) consisting of an x amount
of people needs to be created. If there is 11 participants and the facilitator says that
atoms of the size of four people then the three last persons to form an atom of four
have lost the game and leaves it - 8 participants are then left. The facilitator then says
that atoms of three people needs to be formed and again to people looses. The
winner is the last two persons to stay in the game.
selected. The winning team chases the loosing team back to their home.
Anyone caught on the way has to join the opposite team. Then start again and
carry on until everyone is on one team.
This game is better known in ILTS as mosquito, fish, and bear.
Good when: you are a big group and everyone needs some energy
Fruit salad
Materials: chairs for everyone
Players: 10-40 people
Time: 20 min
How to play: The participants sit in a circle on chairs, except one person who stands
in the center. Everybody is assigned the name of a fruit. (For example apple, pear,
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pineapple, and banana) It is important that there is more than one person with each
fruit name. Once the name of your fruit is called by the person in the middle you have
to stand up and find a new chair. The person in the middle calls out fruit names until
he finds a chair of his own. The person left without a chair stays in the middle. If the
person in the middle says fruit salad, everybody has to find a new chair. You can not
return to the same chair you just left.
Variation:
1) Everyone stands in a circle apart from the person who started the game. He/she
stands in the center. Now the person in the center shouts out everyone with
(blond hair, glasses, big feet etc.) Change places
2) Same procedure as above. The person in the center says I have been leading a
workcamp or I have never been to Africa Ect. and the ones who agree in
the statement have to move.
Good when: you need some energy
Keeping my boy-/girlfriend
Materials: none
Players: 17-51 (you must be an uneven number)
Time: 10-15 min.
How to play: Half of the people stand in a circle. Behind each of them is
another person. The person in the circle and the person behind him/her is a
couple. The person behind has to keep his/her hands on their bag. One person
is single and has no one in front of him/her. His/her job is to steel someone
elses boyfriend/girlfriend by winking at them. When you get a wink, you
must try to run to you new partner. However the person behind him/or her has
to catch him/her before he/she runs of. When you boyfriend/girlfriend has left
you, you have to find a new by winking at another one. And so on. After some
time the couple changes places to the other one is in front.
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Trust games
Trust game
Materials: none
Players: 6-10
Time: 10 min
How to play: Make a circle, one person is standing in the middle, with the eyes closed
or blindfolded. Then lean to one side, and trust the person to safely move you to the
next person.
Good when: you need the group to trust each other, teambuilding and careNB: Be aware that this can be very uncomfortable for some people, so do not push
anyone if they are not up for being the one in the middle!!
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How to play: Participants are blindfolded and then they have to turn around,
and get in a row according to height. So the lowest are in the front and the
highest in the back.
Good when: For concentration, focus and trust
Circle/Knees
Materials: none
Players: 10-100
Time: 10 min
How to play: Everybody stands in a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Then you turn 90
so that everyone is looking at the back of somebodys head. Everyone takes on step in
to the circle. On the count of three everyone sits down on the knees of the person
behind them.
Good when: you need trust in the group, a really team building exercise
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How to play: The participants all stand in a circle. The leader has salt and pepper in
her/his hands. The leader turns to the person on his right and says, This is the salt,
showing them the salt. The person on the leaders right then says The what? and the
leader answers the salt, and the leader gives the salt to this person. The receiver on
the right then does the same thing with the person on his right, but when the second
person asks The what? the first turns back to the leader and says The what? The
leader replies The salt and the first person says to the second person the salt and
gives them the salt, etc.
The leader then turns to the person on his left and says, This is the pepper, showing
them the pepper. The person then responds The what? and the leader replies the
pepper and passes them the pepper and so this continues like the salt around the
circle with each time the The what? always going all the way back to the leader. See
what happens when the salt and the pepper passes each other :O)
Good when: you need an energizer while sitting down
Pen in a bottle
Materials: pen, a lot of string, bottle
Players: 3-30 persons
How to play: Tie the strings to the pen. Make a circle and place a bottle in the
middle. Everyone the circle holds the end of a string. Cooperate in getting the
pen inside the bottle.
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Variations: use only one hand, sit down, have the string in your mouth so you
can not talk while trying to get the pen in the bottle.
Good when: Team building, especially good to big groups. Leaves you with the
feeling of we are a team, we can make it together
Theatre
Mirror theatre
Materials: a chair
Players: 10 people
Time: 15-25 min
How to play: A person is placed on a chair; the rest of the group is divided up
in two teams. Both teams are going to create a small act, which they are going
to perform behind the person on the chair. So the game starts with 10 min of
thinking and practicing what to act. It can be anything which is takes about 2-4
min. to act. When both teams are ready they stand on each side of the person
in the chair. One team is standing in front of the person in the chair and is
going to copy the theatre the other team (behind the person in the chair) acts.
After the act is finished, the chair person is going to tell the story as he/she saw
it. Then the person in the chair turns around and the other team acts their act.
Good when: you need a good laugh
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Variation:
Two people sit facing each other both holding on to a circle of rope. Now using each
other they must co-operate to stand up by placing weight on the rope. Add people as
before. (The rope circle should not be too large)
Source: MS Denmark
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