Sort Yourselves

Name and Purpose

Sort Yourselves is a movement-based grouping activity that helps participants find unexpected connections.
Participants practise quick decision-making and discover shared preferences with people they might not know well.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open indoor or outdoor space with room for multiple clusters

Materials

Optional: signs or cones for each group zone (label with category names)
A prepared list of 5-8 sorting questions, ranging from light preferences to slightly more reflective ones
No other materials required

Quick-Run Card

Setup and Boundaries

Designate 3-4 zones in the space, evenly spread; label them clearly if using signs
Signal: 1 whistle = everyone stops moving and listens for the next question
Check the space for hazards before groups start moving between zones
Build in a “none of the above” or “all of them” zone so no one is forced into a category that doesn’t fit

How to Play

Staff explains the activity: “I’ll ask a question with a few options. Move to the zone that matches your answer. There’s always a ‘none of the above’ zone if nothing fits.”
Staff calls the first question: something fun and low-stakes. Example: “Cats, dogs, or neither as your favourite pet?”
Participants move to their zone. Groups have about 30 seconds to connect: introduce names, share one thing.
Staff calls the next question. Everyone moves again, forming new groups.
Repeat for 5-8 rounds, gradually moving from light preferences (pizza toppings, favourite colour) toward slightly more reflective topics (morning person or night owl, indoors or outdoors).
Use the final grouping as ready-made teams for a game or project.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Move quickly, initiate introductions within the group, suggest the next question
S (Support): Welcome newcomers into the zone; make sure quieter group members are included
Q (Quiet): Walk to the zone; listen to introductions; share your name when ready
O (Observer): Stand in the “none of the above” zone or just outside; observe the patterns; join when comfortable

Inclusion Adaptations

A “none of the above” zone is always available so no one has to force a category fit
Participants who prefer not to move can hold up a colour-coded card matching their zone from where they are standing

Stewardship Moment

Signs and cones are reused; pack them away carefully after the activity
Reflection: “We sorted ourselves by preferences, but what surprised you about who ended up in your zone?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “You get to choose your zone based on what feels true for you. There’s always a ‘none of the above’ option. No one will be asked to justify their choice.”
Mid-game check: After the first two rounds, check in: “Is the pace working for everyone? Any adjustments?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Participants can stay in the “none of the above” zone for any round and move into a category zone whenever they feel ready.

Risks and Mitigation

One zone gets almost everyone and another gets no one: have a backup question ready; imbalance is also a natural debrief point
A question inadvertently triggers a sensitive disclosure: keep questions to preferences and light choices; avoid questions about family structure, religion, or personal history
Groups form cliques rather than mixing: deliberately change question types to shuffle groupings

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Walk and Freeze”: participants walk randomly; on “freeze,” they stand near the person closest to them and share one fact
Staff demo: answer the first question yourself first to model the activity and set a playful tone

Debrief Questions

What? “Which group had the most people? Which had the fewest?”
So What? “Were you surprised by who ended up in your group? What does that tell you?”
Now What? “How can knowing more about each other’s preferences help us work together this week?”

Cleanup and Reset