Works best with large groups that you need to divide into smaller groups To divide the campers into any size group. This is to get campers into groups of any size. Campers say “People to people, People to people…” and keep repeating, waiting for the leader to shout out a number. Whatever number is shouted out the campers must get …
Read MoreIce Breakers
Ice Breakers are a great way to get people to learn each others names, find out interesting things about one another, and help people begin new relationships.
Aside from name games, ice breakers provide a way to establish common ground between participants, get everyone moving, and create a inviting environment.
These type of activities are especially important on the first day of camp - in fact, leading fun ice breakers helps counselors set ground rules, ease camper anxiety, and start the day off on the right foot.
Question Game
Question game Arrange the group in a circle. In order, each person asks an open-ended (can’t be answered with ÛÏyesÛ or ÛÏnoÛ) question to the person to their left. Instruct everyone to remember the question that they asked and the answer they gave to the question they were asked. Those are now the only 2 phrases each peron is allowed …
Read MoreReverse Name Toss
Start the activity with the traditional name toss. Once the group has successfully completed the task, instruct them to pass the ball in the exact REVERSE order. People will quickly realize that they didn’t really pay attention to the person that passed the ball to them. Great way to help participants to learn each other’s names.
Read MoreSausage
Everyone sits in a circle. The person who is it stands in the center of the circle. Each person asks the person who is “it” an appropriate question. The only answer to every question can be “Sausage.” The first person to make the center person laugh wins a try in the middle. Ex: What color is your hair? Sausage. What …
Read MoreScars
Everyone sits in a circle and one person starts by showing everyone a scar that they have on their body, keep it clean, of course. Each person begins by telling the story behind the scar. After they are done, continue on around the group until everyone has had a chance to share an experience. This is a great ice breaker …
Read MoreScream Machine or Screaming Toes (with Video)
Everyone stands in a tight circle, with their heads down looking at their shoes. When “Heads Up” is called, everyone looks up and stares at someone else in the circle. If that person is staring right back at you, then you scream real loud and jump back out of the circle. If the person you’re looking at is not looking …
Read MoreSelf Portraits
Each camper is given a large piece of butcher paper, and each has a friend trace his/her body on the paper (this can also be done on a black top with sidewalk chalk). The leader then calls out characteristics, such as”if you have a pet, draw curly hair; if you don’t draw straight hair” or “if you like art more …
Read MoreSets
Have the kids sit down. Pick two or three kids that have something in common, such as stripes on their shirts, no shoelaces, or the same first letter in their name. Have them stand up. The rest of the kids try to figure out what makes them a “set.”
Read MoreSilent Interviews
To learn something about another person without talking. Divide the group into pairs – try to make mix the group into pairs of folks who don’t know each other well. Ask the participants to introduce themselves to their partner. Instruct the group that from this point forward, speaking is not allowed. This includes whispering, mouthing words, and making sounds, too! …
Read MoreSlap, Clap, Snap
Cards with numbers starting from one and up. Break the tension in cabin groups or teams. Assign everyone in the group a number, starting at number one and progressing consecutively. Have the entire group get the rhythm of slapping their hands on their legs twice, clapping twice, then snapping twice. Don’t go too fast, you won’t be able to play …
Read MoreSpeedy Rabbit
Everyone stands in a circle and the leader is in the middle. You first teach the group the various poses of the game, each should use 3 people. The leader points to 1 person in the circle, and then that person, and the person on either side of them needs to make the pose that you say. If someone messes …
Read MoreSpinning a Yarn
Prepare a long piece of yarn with knots tied throughout it. Ask the group to sit on the ground in a circle and close their eyes. The leader begins to pass the yarn to the person to their right. The group passes the strand of yarn around. Whenever a person feels a knot, they say something about themselves.
Read MoreTen Fingers
This activity is great for the first day or just when ever your group has free time. It works best with more people, and everyone should be honest when playing. Have everyone sit in a circle or close enough to be able to hear everyone. Tell them to hold up all 10 fingers. A counselor can start off by stating …
Read MoreThe Big Wind Blows
Everyone stands in a circle with one person in the middle. Something marks the spot of each person in the circle (a shoe works well!) The person in the middle says “The Big Wind Blows for anyone ______ ” they fill in the blank with something like “wearing socks”, “who has a birthday in September”… etc. Everyone who fits that …
Read MoreThe Kids From Mars
Set up two boundaries across from each other on a flat playing surface. Choose two participants to be ÛÏThe Kids From MarsÛ. They are it and should begin the game in the middle of the two boundaries. The rest of the players should line up along one of the boundaries facing ÛÏThe Kids From MarsÛ. Play begins when ÛÏThe Kids …
Read MoreThe Toilet Paper Game
a roll of toilet paper, a group of campers with really good attitudes! The objective is to get to know each other while having fun!! 1. Take a roll of toilet paper and ask a person how many squares they want, but don’t tell them why. Set a Limit From 5 to 50. 2. Count out the squares, Rip after …
Read MoreThree Words
Three words will help participants attach some meaning to the names below the faces on their screen. Ask the people in the meeting to think of three words that make them and their name unique. Call out one participant to share their three words. When they have finished, that participant calls another name from their screen. That person will then …
Read MoreThrow me a Line / Web of Names
You will need a ball of twine or string large enough to be passed around your entire group. This is a low energy name game that can be played either indoors or outdoors. The group begins by sitting or standing in a circle. One person starts with the ball of twine. They start by saying their name and then calling …
Read MoreToilet Paper Pass
2-3 Rolls of Toilet Paper Campers and staff learn about each other in a fun way! You will need 2-3 rolls of toilet paper depending on the size of the group 1. Have the group sit in a circle 2. The leader tells the group to pretend that they are going on a camping trip overnight. 3. The group leader …
Read MoreValues Clarification
Present the group with a value statement related to the theme of the event. Ask them to arrange themselves in a line from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree. Encourage discussion so each person is in the right place in line. Count off by 2’s for diverse groups or divide in half for more homogeneous groups.
Read MoreWhere Do You Stand?
Have campers sort themselves into groups based on their opinions on simple topics. For instance, ask campers to split into ‘favorite toothpaste’ groups. Campers might sort themselves into ‘Crest’, ‘Colgate’ and ‘Don’t care’ groups. Try asking about house pets, (cats, dogs, fish, none,) pizza toppings, favorite colours, etc. This can also be used to split campers into groups for a …
Read MoreWho Stole the Cookies From the Cookie Jar? or Who wants a Cookie from the Cookie Jar?
This name game is great for use with younger participants. Start by getting the group into a circle for this game. If the participants already know each other’s names and you are using this as a warm up/reminder then you can begin right away. If the group names are not yet automatic be sure to model asking another participant for …
Read MoreYou, Me, Left, Right
Have the group form a circle, with the facilitator in the middle serving as the first “caller.” Ask the participants to introduce themselves to the people directly on their left and right sides. Explain to the group that the person in the middle will point to someone in the circle and say either “You” “Me” “Left” or “Right” and count …
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