Silly Handshakes

Name and Purpose

Silly Handshakes is a playful icebreaker that builds memory, connection, and a sense of shared silliness.
Players practise introductions, creative collaboration, and quick recall in a low-pressure way.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Open space with room to move and circulate

Materials

No materials required
Optional: printed or written cue cards listing handshake names and brief descriptions

Quick-Run Card

Setup and Boundaries

Open space with room to move between partners
Signal: one short whistle or clap pattern = find a new partner; two whistles = stop and gather
No physical boundary needed for circulation; use the natural edges of the space
Remind players to move at a walking pace when finding new partners

How to Play

Players pair up, introduce themselves by name, and together invent a silly handshake. Give each handshake a name.
On signal from the leader, pairs split and each player finds a brand-new partner.
Players introduce themselves and create a completely different handshake with the new partner. Name that one too.
Repeat for 4-5 rounds so each player has multiple handshakes with different people.
The leader calls out one of the handshake names. Players must move quickly and find the person they made that handshake with.
Once reunited, partners do the handshake together for the group to see.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Invent the most energetic or physical handshake you can; run to find your partner when a name is called
S (Support): Help a player who hasn’t found their partner yet; offer to share your handshake idea if someone is stuck
Q (Quiet): Choose calmer handshake styles (a gentle finger wiggle, a slow wave-and-tap); walk to find your partner
O (Observer): Watch the handshakes being formed; join a trio if available or choose to join the next round

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to make hand contact can substitute an elbow bump, a wave, or an air high-five; the handshake name and shape still applies
Players with mobility considerations can create seated or upper-body-only handshakes that are equally inventive

Stewardship Moment

No materials to clean up
Reflection: “We all came up with something creative and different together. That is what good teamwork looks like.”

Consent

Pre-brief: “We are going to make up silly handshakes with different partners. For those not comfortable with hand contact, an elbow bump, a wave, or any gesture you choose works just as well. The goal is connection, not a specific move.”
Mid-game check: After 2-3 rounds, quick thumbs up/sideways/down check-in.
Opt-out/re-entry: Players can observe one round and jump in with a new partner at any point.

Risks and Mitigation

Player left without a partner: Have staff ready to pair with an odd-numbered player; trios are fine
Handshakes becoming too rough or physical: Model gentle, creative options in the pre-brief; reinforce during play
Players forgetting their handshakes: Cue cards help; allow players to re-demonstrate to their partner before the recall round

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Name and Gesture”: stand in a circle, each player says their name with a matching body gesture, the group repeats it back
“Speed Greet”: walk around the space and simply wave at as many people as possible in 30 seconds

Debrief Questions

What? “How many different handshakes did you create? Were any of them similar?”
So What? “What made it easy or tricky to remember which handshake went with which person?”
Now What? “What does it feel like to have your own special greeting with someone? How could that carry into everyday life?”

Cleanup and Reset