Clump

Name and Purpose

• Clump gets players moving and connecting with different people in every round.
• Players practise listening, quick decision-making, and welcoming newcomers into their group.

a.k.a.

• Huddle Up, Number Groups

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 12-40 players | 10-15 minutes | Open flat space, indoor or outdoor

Materials

• 4 cones to mark the play boundary
• No other materials needed

Quick-Run Card

1. Spread out in the play space, everyone at arm’s length from each other.
2. Leader calls: “Clump of [number]!”
3. Form a group huddle of exactly that number.
4. Players who don’t form a full group visit the Second Circle for a quick fun challenge, then rejoin.
5. Mingle and repeat with a new number.

Setup and Boundaries

• Mark a clear rectangular or circular boundary with 4 cones.
• Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 whistles = stop and gather.
• Check the surface for wet patches or obstacles before play.

How to Play

1. Everyone spreads out inside the boundary at arm’s length.
2. The leader calls “Clump of [number]!” Players rush to form a group huddle of that exact number.
3. Groups that form correctly cheer or do a quick group pose.
4. Players left over (who couldn’t form a complete group) move to the Second Circle at the sideline. They complete a quick partner challenge (e.g., invent a two-person handshake, do 5 jumping jacks together), then re-enter as free players.
5. The leader signals a mingle and calls a new number. Encourage players to form groups with different people each round.
6. Vary the numbers to keep it unpredictable. Calling a number close to the total group size (e.g., “Clump of 19” for a group of 20) creates great chaos.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Sprint to form groups; recruit nearby players.
• S (Support): Notice who is looking for a group; pull them in quickly.
• Q (Quiet): Walk to groups; let others come to you.
• O (Observer): Help the leader count groups and verify correct numbers.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who use mobility aids or move more slowly: the leader can slow the count-down cadence. Staff can position these players centrally so groups naturally form around them.
• A verbal “I’m in your group!” call means a player doesn’t need to touch or grab to join a clump.

Stewardship Moment

• No equipment to clean up. 30-second space check before moving on.
• Reflection: “How did it feel when someone pulled you into their group right away?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves moving quickly to form groups. For those not comfortable with group huddles involving touch, standing at the edge of a group with your hand raised counts the same as being in the middle.”
• Mid-game check: After 3 rounds, pause. “How is the energy? Thumbs up, sideways, or down.”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Raise both hands to step out. Call “In!” to rejoin before the next clump call.

Risks and Mitigation

• Collisions when rushing: remind players to look where they are moving and to slow down in tight spaces.
• Pushing to get into a group: reinforce that any group can expand by one; no one gets squeezed out.
• Repeated exclusion of the same player: the leader can adjust numbers deliberately to include outliers.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Arm-Length Spread”: practice spreading out until no one can touch anyone else’s fingertips.
• “Silent Mingle”: walk around the space and make eye contact with 5 different people without talking.

Debrief Questions

• What? “What happened when the number called was really big or really small?”
• So What? “What did it feel like to be the person who helped someone find a group at the last second?”
• Now What? “When in real life do you need to quickly figure out where you belong in a group?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect 4 cones.
• 30-second space check.