Pick a Side

Name and Purpose

• Pick a Side is an energetic ice breaker that gets people moving, laughing, and discovering what they have in common.
• Players practise making choices, finding their group, and celebrating differences.

a.k.a.

• Scattergories, Would You Rather, Choices

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 10-50 players | 10-15 minutes | Large open area with room to move and cluster

Materials

• None required
• Optional: signs or cones to mark choice zones

Quick-Run Card

1. Facilitator calls out a “this or that” question (e.g., “Alaskan cruise or Caribbean cruise?”).
2. Players move to the side of the space matching their choice.
3. Groups celebrate their choice with a cheer.
4. For open-ended questions, players find others who share their answer and cluster together.
5. Each cluster shouts their answer proudly.

Setup and Boundaries

• Designate two sides of the space for binary questions (left/right or cones)
• For open-ended questions, the whole space is open for clustering
• Signal: facilitator voice for questions; 1 whistle = freeze in place; 2 whistles = gather
• Check area for tripping hazards

How to Play

1. The facilitator calls out a two-choice question (e.g., “Beach holiday or mountain holiday?”).
2. Players move to the side that matches their choice.
3. Each side cheers together.
4. For open-ended questions (e.g., “What’s your favourite pizza topping?”), players call out their answer and find everyone who shares it.
5. Each cluster shouts their answer for the whole group to hear.
6. Mix binary and open-ended questions. Start simple, get more creative.
7. Play 8-12 rounds as energy allows.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Move enthusiastically to their chosen side, lead the cheer
• S (Support): Help gather people for open-ended questions, round up stragglers
• Q (Quiet): Walk to their side calmly, participate without cheering
• O (Observer): Stand in a neutral zone, watch the patterns, join when they feel ready

Inclusion Adaptations

• Seated version: raise left hand or right hand instead of moving across the space
• “Middle ground” option: for any question, a player can stand in the middle to say “both” or “neither”

Stewardship Moment

• “No materials needed. Let’s make sure we leave this space as clean as we found it.”
• 30-second scan of the area

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game is about sharing your preferences. There are no wrong answers. If a question feels too personal, you can stay in the middle or sit one out.”
• For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, sitting out or joining as an observer is another option.
• Mid-game check: After 5-6 rounds, “Want to keep going, or wrap up with one big question?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Stand in the neutral zone for any question. Rejoin any time.

Risks and Mitigation

• Questions that feel too personal or sensitive: keep questions light and fun, avoid topics like family, relationships, or finances
• One player alone on a side: facilitator normalises it (“Love that you’re bold enough to be the only one!”)
• Rushing and collisions: remind players to walk, not run, to their side

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Start with a silly, obvious question (“Ketchup or mustard?”) to show how it works
• “Four Corners”: point to four corners and have players pick one, then explain why

Debrief Questions

• What? “What surprised you about how people answered?”
• So What? “What did you learn about someone that you didn’t know before?”
• Now What? “How does finding common ground help us connect with new people?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect signs or cones if used
• Quick space check