It’s cold
out there and while temperatures are plummeting, I thought I would share some
ideas on how to thaw the ice and get your own office staff or meeting attendees
to warm up to each other.
From time to
time clients and colleagues have asked me for suggestions for games to refresh
attendees, get them energized, ready to work and into a collaborative mind set.
Here is a list of easy Ice
Breakers and team activities that I have collected over the years that may work for your next meeting:
The common pursuit of trivial knowledge
This one is very simple and
works well for drop in hospitality rooms or casual settings where attendees are
arriving at different times. Put out the
playing cards of a Trivial Pursuit game where guests will easily see them. People
will automatically start reading the questions to one another instantly and
naturally engage in conversations with one another.
Who am I?
Tape a piece of paper with
the name of a person, place or thing on the back of each participant, but don’t
let them know what the paper says. Have attendees mingle around asking each
other questions about the word on their back. They can’t directly ask what the
word is – they can only ask for hints. This is a great game to refresh people
and get them talking to each other.
Penny for your thoughts
Break people into small
groups at a volunteer meeting or first gathering of a volunteer board and give
each person a penny. Ask them to introduce themselves to the group and talk
about what they were doing during the year on their coin.
Pick Pocket
This activity is a mini
scavenger hunt which doesn’t require a great deal of space or preparation. Participants hunt through their pockets,
purses, wallets and briefcases.
Organize attendees into
groups of five to ten.
·
Give
each participant a Pick Pocket List of 10 items (items listed should be things that are normally found in a wallet or
handbag like a nickel, a points card, photograph of children, a mobile device,
mints or gum)
·
Tell
groups they have 2 minutes to come up with as many items from the list as they
can. Tell them that each item is worth
2-5 points.
·
Explain
that they may make a reasonable substitution, but if they do, that item will be
worth less. For example, someone may
have an Aeroplan card rather than an Air Miles card.
·
After
2 minutes, ask groups to count their points.
·
Ask
groups to share what items they got from the list and which substitutions they
made.
Cocktails and Dreams
A la Tom Cruise, teams mix
up their own cocktails, collaborating to win the tastiest and most attractive
concoction from a range of identical ingredients. (Think reality shows like the
Cocktail Chronicles or Battle Mixology). Make fruity virgin versions for
meetings where alcohol may not set the right tone.
Hope
my “Free Idea” makes your Friday!
