Icebreaker Compilation

Ice Breakers Classroom Training
Compilation of external trainer resources and ACST feedbacks Version 2.0 - Feb 27th 2012
Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only
The 40 ice breakers listed below are from http://www.training-games.com. Visit the website to find out more about other ice breakers and team building games. In addition, you may also want to consider purchasing any of the TGI Games listed on the website.
Three Questions Game

Everyone in the group writes down 3 provoking questions they would like to ask others in the group. Not the normal whats you name type questions but something like, "Where is the most interesting place you have ever traveled" or "Name a topic you feel absolutely passionate about". Give them time to mingle, and to ask three different people in the group one of their three questions. Get back together and have each person stand and give their name. As they say their name, ask the group to tell what they know about this person.
The Pocket/Purse Game
Everyone selects one (optionally two) items from their pocket or purse that has some personal significance to them. They introduce themselves and do a show and tell for the selected item and why it is important to them.
The Talent Show
Everyone selects one talent or special gift that they possess and can demonstrate for the group. They introduce themselves, explain what their special talent is, and then perform their special talent for the group.
Toilet Paper Game

Pass around a roll of toilet paper to the group and ask them to take what they need. No further explanation. When done, tell the group that as they go around the room, each person must tell a fact or something about themselves for each square of TP they took.
Birthday Game

Have the group stand and line up in a straight line. After they are in line, tell them to re-arrange the line so that they are in line by their birthday. January 1 on one end and December 31 at the other end. The catch is that they must do all this without talking or writing anything down.
Map Game
Hang a large map of the world. Give everyone a pushpin. As they enter, they pin the location of their birth on the map.
Paper Airplane Game

Everyone makes a paper airplane and writes their name, something they like and dislike on it (You may also want to add additional questions). On cue, everyone throws their airplane around the room. If you find an airplane, pick it and keep throwing it for 1-2 minutes. At the end of that time, everyone must have one paper airplane. This is the person they must find and introduce to the group.
The Shoe Game
When entering, everyone must take off one shoe and leave it in a pile at the door. They keep the other shoe on. After everyone is in. The host will distribute the shoes to people not wearing the same shoe. When instructed, everyone must find the mix and find the person who belongs to the shoe and get some info about them. They then introduce their new friend to the group.
The Artist Game
Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. In 5 minutes they must draw a picture that conveys who they are with out writing any words or numbers. At the end of 5 minutes the host collects the pictures. Show the pictures to the group one at a time and have them try to guess who drew it. After this allow each of the artists to introduce themselves and explain how their work clearly conveys who they are.
Three in Common Game

Break the group into 3s. Their objective is for each group to find 3 things they have in common. But not normal things like age, sex or hair color. It must be three uncommon things. After letting the groups converse for 10 - 15 minutes, they (as a group) must tell the rest of the groups the 3 things they have in common.
Dream Vacation Game

Ask participants to introduce themselves and describe details of the ideal, perfect dream vacation.
Polaroid Game
As participants arrive, take their picture with a Polaroid type camera. Hand out the pictures to the group with each participant getting a picture of another member of the group. Give them 15 minutes to find and talk to the people matching their picture. When the group reassembles,
have each member introduce their new picture pal to the group and talk about what they learned about them.
Favorite T-Shirt Game
Ask attendees to bring (not wear) their favorite T-shirt to the meeting. Once all participants have arrived, ask each person to show the shirt to the group and explain how the T-shirt best resembles their personality.
Famous People/Cities Game

As each participant arrives, tape a 3 x 5 index card on their back with the name of a famous person or city. They must circulate in the room and ask questions that can ONLY be answered with a YES or NO to identify clues that will help them find out the name of the person or city on their index card. EXAMPLES: Paris, Madonna, Santa Claus, John Wayne, Casablanca
Favorite Animal Game

As the participants arrive, and before you write their names on a name card, ask them to tell you their favorite animal and three adjectives to describe the animal. As they tell you, write the three adjectives on a name tag BEFORE their name (omit the name of the animal). Ask them to mingle with the crowd, sharing why these adjectives best describe their own personality. EXAMPLES: Loyal, cuddly, playful
Creative Name Tags
Give everyone 15 minutes to make their own name tag-they can list hobbies, draw a picture, give a self- profile, etc.
Circle of Friends Game

This is a great greeting and departure for a large group who will be attending a seminar for more than one day together and the chances of meeting everyone in the room is almost impossible. Form two large circles (or simply form two lines side by side), one inside the other and have the people in the inside circle face the people in the outside circle. Ask the circles to take one step in the opposite directions, allowing them to meet each new person as the circle continues to move very slowly. If lines are formed, they simply keep the line moving very slowly, as they introduce themselves. You are marooned on a island. What five (you can use a different number, such as seven, depending upon the size of each team) items would you have brought with you if you knew there was a chance that you might be stranded. Note that they are only allowed five items per team, not per person. You can have them write their items on a flip chart and discuss and defend their choices with the whole group. This activity helps them to learn about other's values and problem solving styles and promotes teamwork.
Marooned Game
The Interview Game
Break the group into two person teams (have them pick a partner that they know the least about). Have them interview each other for about twenty minutes (You can also prepare questions ahead of time or provide general guidelines for the interview). They need to learn about what each other likes about their job, past jobs, family life, hobbies, favorite sport, etc. After the interviews, reassemble the group and have each team introduce their team member to the group. This exercise helps them to learn about each other.
Story Time Game
The facilitator starts a story by saying a sentence. It then goes in a circle, each person adding a sentence onto the story-after repeating each sentence that's already been added.
Ball Toss Game

This is a semi-review and wake-up exercise when covering material that requires heavy concentration. Have everyone stand up and form a resemblance of a circle. It does not have to be perfect, but they should all be facing in, looking at each other. Toss a nerf ball or bean bag to a person and have tell what they thought was the most important learning concept was. They then toss the ball to someone and that person explains what they though was the most important concept. Continue the exercise until everyone has caught the ball at least once and explained an important concept of the material just covered.
Positive Reinforcement Cards Game

Whenever a participant arrives to class on time from breaks, lunch, etc. give them one playing card. You can also hand out cards to people who volunteer for activities, are helpful, answers a difficult question, etc. At the end of the day, play one hand of poker. Give a small prize to the best hand (you can also pick the top two or three hands if you want to give away more prizes). Note that the more cards a person has, the better the chance of winning.
Human Bingo Game

Before the training, make a bingo matrix and at the top of each square put something that someone in the group might have done-for example, voted for Ross Perot, served in the Peace Corps, etc. Everyone gets a copy and is asked to circulate, getting other group members to sign one square that is true of them. The first person to get "bingo" wins the prize (a candy bar or some other small thing).
Out on the Town Game
If you have a two-day training and need a quick warm-up for day two, ask everyone to pantomime something they did the night before. Individuals or groups can act out a movie they went to, describe a meal they ate, or recreate a scene witnessed at a bar.
Lucky Penny Game

Each person takes a penny or other coin out of their pocket and looks at the date. When it's their turn, they tell the year that's on their coin and recall something spectacular that happened that year.
Straw & Paperclip Game
Give each group a box of straws not flexible straws) and a box of paperclips. Check that the paperclips can fit snuggly into the end of the straws.
Give each group a task (you can use the same one for each group if you want) and let them go. Sample tasks: Build the structure as a group. tallest strongest longest most creative most functional etc. Debriefing included describing teamwork and situational leadership skills used as well as how different models are needed to accomplish different tasks.
Four Facts Game

Each person writes down four facts about themselves, one of which is a lie. Each person takes turns reading their list aloud and the rest of the team writes down the one they think is the lie. When all are done reading the lists aloud, the first person reads their list again and identifies the lie. The team sees how well they did.
A to Z Freeze Game
Ask participants to recite the alphabet in unison. Let them go on for a while until you yodel Stop! At that point, identify the letter they stopped on and ask everyone to share something they are looking forward to at school that begins with that letter. For example, if the letter is R, they might say ravioli in the dining hall or rooming with someone cool. Once everyone has shared, have them recite the alphabet again. Stop them on a different letter and ask participants to share a personality trait they possess that begins with begins with that letter. If the letter is D they might say things like diligence or doofiness. Come up with different questions to ask for each letter and repeat the process.
Reception Line Game

Divide everyone into 2 groups. Have them stand facing each other. Each person talks to the person across from them until signaled (flash lights). At signal, person at end of one line moves to other end. Consequently everyone has a new person to talk to.
Autograph Sheets Game

Prepare a sheet listing traits or facts about people with a line for them to sign their name next to the trait if it applies to them (i.e.: someone who wears contacts, someone who has been to Europe, etc.). People then mingle around the room with their sheets seeking to find people who are eligible to sign their sheets. A person can only sign once on any sheet. The process may also be reversed by having people seek out the autograph of people to which they think the category applies (i.e.: someone who looks like they enjoy the outdoors, someone who is from the east, etc.)
Puzzles Game
Give participants a blank piece of puzzle (cut up a sheet of index card stock). Each person writes on the piece one skill which they contribute to the group. The puzzle is then assembled to show that everyone contributes to the whole.
Human Knot Game

Divide into groups of 6-10 people. Each group forms a tight circle., standing and facing each other.
Everyone extends their hands into the circle and by intermingling their arms, grasps hands with other members of the group. Instruct people to be sure that the two hands you are holding does not belong to the same person . The groups goal: untie the knot which results. Member of the group physically climb over/ under/ through each others arms to untie the knot of bodies. Note: Its RARE but it is possible for a knot to be unsolvable or end in two separate circles.
Find Someone Game
Each person writes on a blank index card one to three statements, such as favorite color, interest, hobby, or vacations. Pass out cards so everyone gets someone else's card. Have that person find the person with their card and introduce themselves.
Get in the News Game
Divide your group into teams of four or five persons each, and make sure each team has the necessary supplies--scissors, tape, pins, and plenty of old newspaper. You'll also need a separate room or corner in which each team can work with privacy (and hilarity). Each group selects one person to be the model. After deciding what kind of costume to make, the team goes to work--cutting, crumpling, bunching, rolling, piecing, pinning, taping. After an appropriate amount of time, call everybody together for a costume show.
(And don't forget to recycle your newspaper when you're finished!)
Kangaroo Court Game
Try this if there's an incident that irritates members of your group. Announce that a kangaroo court will be held to properly try and prosecute all guilty parties. After you make the announcement, everyone will begin to view the incident in question with a contagious sense of humor. Name the defendants. Select a lawyer for the defense, as well as a prosecuting attorney. Write up formal charges and submit them to the judge. Appoint a bailiff and court recorder. Screen and swear in your jurors.
Make a Date Game
Give each participant a paper plate. Have them draw the face of a clock on their plate with a line next to each number (no digitals!). Then have participants walk around a find a "date" for each hour, writing their name by the hour. The catch is, no one can make a "date" with more than one person per hour. After everyone has made their dates, speed up time and allow 1-3 minutes for each hour. The facilitator then asks a question for discussion on each date. The pairs will have a chance to get to know one another.
People Knots Game

Everyone sits on the floor in a circle with legs extended toward the middle. Each person grabs two others' hands and holds them. The hands cannot be those of either person sitting on your sides and also cannot be the two hands of the same person. Now, everyone stands up and untangles each other into a single circle, without letting go of the hands you have.
Quick Change Artist Game

Pair off into partners facing each other. Each player is to observe his or her partner's appearance. Then the players turn around back-to-back and make two or more changes in their dress, hair accessories, etc. When they face each other again, each partner must identify the changes made by his or her partner. This game can be repeated several times by changing partners and increasing the number of changes made.
The Quiet Game
The instructor explains that this exercise will take self control. Members pair back to back. On the count of three, everyone must face their partner, look each other in the eyes, and then try to remain solemn and serious. No speaking! The first to smile or laugh must sit down. All who remain standing then take a new partner and the activity continues until only one person has not smiled or laughed. (Second round of playing can involve two teams competing to outlast each other.) If you get a pair at the end who are both keeping a straight face, the rest of the group can act ask hecklers to disrupt them.
Sunshine Cards Game

Everyone writes their name in the center of a piece of paper and draws a sun around their name. Pass your paper around to the person on your right. That person will write something positive about you and they do not have to sign their name. Continue to pass your name around until everyone has written something on all the papers.
Finish the Sentence Game
Write the start of a question on the board (i.e. My Favorite job was..,My Hobby is..) and go around the room with each person finishing the sentence. When the group is finished, post another question and start again.
Story of My Life
You have just been given a contract to write your autobiography for a major publishing company. Your agent Harry Hardnose is anxious to get to press. He has decided to help you get started with a few probing questions. 1. First, take a piece of flipchart paper and fold it in half and then in half again to form a book. Choose the title of a popular song for the name of your book. Write that title on the front cover. On the inside of the front cover (page two), list a table of contents. o Name of the place where you were born o Description of your first job o Number of years you have been working for your company On page three, draw a picture of your family. On the back cover of the book, draw a picture of what you plan to do when you retire. Where will you go? Who will you go with? Etc. Materials Needed Paper Markers Time Allow five to ten minutes for setup, and drawing. When all books are complete, have people tell their story, using the book as a visual aid. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to debrief in smaller groups. If possible, leave the books in a central location during your training to encourage further introductions and discussions. Variations o Change the focus of the pages of the book. For instance, most exciting moment, favorite food, most exciting vacation, etc. Be careful not to make any of the questions too personal. The idea is to open people up, not shut them down.
2002 Business Training Works, Inc. 9015 Katie Court | Port Tobacco, MD 20677 www.businesstrainingworks.com High-Energy, High-Impact, Business Training Solutions
Too Many Cooks

Your family (group) just inherited a successful restaurant from Chef Charlie, a long lost relative. The only problem: Charlie was very disorganized. The only recipes you have found are on torn strips of paper. You have to make sense of it all and quickly! The restaurant is opening tonight, and you have to have the food ready. 1. Each member of the group will be given part of recipe (an ingredient, instruction, etc.). 2. Your job is to put yourselves in order as quickly as possible. Your recipe must make sense. 3. When your group is done, loudly announce bon appetite to signal the end of the game.
Materials Needed Several Small Prizes for the Winning Team Cut Recipes (Separate the Title, Ingredients, Instructions, Etc.) Time Allow ten to 12 minutes for the game. Once a team calls bon appetite, have them introduce themselves and read their recipe in order. Variations o For an added challenge, this game can be made considerably more difficult if groups are not pre-designated before the recipe pieces are distributed. Participants must then not only find the correct order but the correct recipe as well.
ABCs of Me
You have been hired by the Creative Classroom Company to illustrate a poster to help children learn their ABCs. By happy coincidence, you and your first name are the subject of the poster! First, take a piece of flipchart paper and write your name vertically down the left side. Next, choose a word that starts with each letter of your name. The word should describe something about you. Write those words horizontally across the paper, using the letters of your name as the first letter of each descriptive word. After you have listed your words, draw an accompanying picture to illustrate each. When you are finished, tape your poster to the wall. Materials Needed Paper Markers Tape Time Allow five to ten minutes for setup and drawing. When all posters are complete, have people introduce themselves using their name drawing. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to debrief in smaller groups. If possible, leave the drawings posted throughout your training session. Variations o Narrow the focus of the words. For instance, all words must be adjectives, nouns, or verbs related to work, related to foods you like, etc.
I Remember
You and the others in your group are about to revisit the past and take a trip down Memory Lane. 1. First, get a coin. 2. Next, look at the year on the coin. Take a minute to think about what you were doing when that coin was minted. Were you in school? Were you a child? Where did you work? Were you married? Where did you live? What was going on in your life at that time? What was the music of the day? Etc. (If you were not yet born or prefer not to discuss your life during the year selected, choose another coin.) After you have had some time to remember where you were, you are ready to play the game. Your goal is to find someone with a coin that was minted at least two years before or after yours. Ultimately, your goal is to have the oldest coin in the room. Once you have found a partner, take three minutes to tell each other about your moments in time. When you are finished, each of you flip your coin. Reveal the results of your toss to your partner. If they are alike (both heads or tails) exchange coins. If they differ, keep your original coin. Repeat the process up to three times as designated by the facilitator. Materials Needed Coins Prize Time Allow five minutes for setup. Allow five minutes for each round. At the end of all rounds, call each year in order and ask each participant to stand and give his or her name. Award a prize to the holder of the oldest coin. Variations o Use your own coins to ensure an even distribution of years. o If using your own coins, incorporate a piece of corporate history with each. Research a fact or figure about each year of your business and include it with the corresponding coins. When the participants exchange their own information, they can also share a piece of the corporate history. When debriefing, call each year in order and ask the participant with the year called to read his or her fact.
6 Degrees of Separation
It happens all of the time: we meet someone who knows someone we know. Its a small world, thats for sure. The object of this game is to see how small the world really is. 1. First, find a partner. Introduce yourselves and make a list of five to ten things that you have in common with each other: where you went to school, year you were born, number of years with the company, food likes, sports likes, etc. Once you have completed your first list, you must find someone else in the room that also has one of those five to ten things in common with you. When you have found that person, repeat step one and develop a new list. Repeat step two. Continue until you have met five other people or time is called by the facilitator. A prize will be given to the first person able to complete the game. When you are done, let the facilitator know that you have finished. Materials Needed Prize Time Allow approximately 15 - 20 minutes for game. Once most people have finished, call time. Ask your winner to reveal his/her chain of separation by introducing those interviewed.
Scavenger Hunt
You are about to begin a scavenger hunt with several members of this training group. The object of the game is to collect all of the items listed below as quickly as possible. You may talk with anyone in the group. You may not leave the room. You must associate each item with the person who gave it to you. You may not get more than two items from any one person. Once the facilitator has assigned groups, you may begin play. When your team is finished, your team should loudly announce the phrase hunt over to the rest of the group. Be prepared to say where you got each item. A prize will be awarded to the team that finishes first.
A Drivers License A Family Photo A Store Receipt A 1979 or Earlier Penny A Piece of Candy A Ballpoint Pen A Lipstick A Planner, Palm Pilot, Calendar, or Other Organizer A Drink A Coffee Cup A Marker A Piece of Candy A Store Credit Card A Pair of Glasses A Magazine or Book
The list of hunt items should be reviewed by the facilitator before the game begins in order to make sure that all items are available. Materials Needed Several Small Prizes for the Winning Team Time Allow 10 - 12 minutes for the game. Once a team calls hunt over, have them review each of the items, where they got them, and from whom. Variations Instead of using actual items, list activities and facts as the items to find. For instance, plays piano. The object of the game is to find someone who plays the piano and associate the persons name with that item.
Tattoo
You have just arrived at Tonys Tattoo Parlor for a tattoo. Tony is competing for Tattoo King of the Year, a contest sponsored by Needle Knows magazine. Every design is a potential entry, and Tony wants each of his tattoos to say something about the person wearing them. From you, he needs a little inspiration and a design before he can start his work. Tony is excellent at lettering, animals, characters, band logos, maps, etc. On your piece of paper, you are to design a rough tattoo that reveals something about yourself, your work, your hobbies, or your family, in order to help get Tonys creative juices flowing. You must also make a note about how big the tattoo should be and where you will have it applied. Materials Needed Paper Tape Markers Time Allow five to ten minutes for setup, drawing, and posting designs on the wall. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to debrief in smaller groups. If possible, leave the designs posted throughout your training to encourage further introductions and discussions. Variations Narrow the scope of the tattoo design: what you do at work, an animal most like you, favorite song, favorite band, adjective that best describes you, etc. Divide your group in two. For round one, assign one group the role of Tony and the other group the role of the customer. Each customer must find a Tony and tell him about the design they would like and why. Tony is to draw a design, asking questions as he or she goes. After the first set of designs is complete, the groups reverse roles. To encourage additional interaction, ask the customers to shop around and find another partner to work with. To debrief, let each Tony describe what he or she drew and for whom.
Storyteller
You are about to stretch your storytelling skills with the help of others in the group designated by the facilitator. You will incorporate facts about yourself into a story that could just go anywhere. 1. First, write down the name of ... something you would see in a store. something you would buy as a gift for your mother. o your favorite sport your favorite celebrity. a crime. your favorite restaurant. a tourist attraction. a profession. the name of someone in the room.
2. The facilitator will begin the story with, Once upon a time, I found the most unusual thing. The next person is to fill in the next piece of the story. The object of the game is to incorporate as many of the items as you can from those listed above. No one can say more the two sentences at a time. Turns must be taken in order. To win, you must incorporate all of your words and then conclude the story. Everyone must get an opportunity to write from their imagination at least twice before the story can end. Materials Needed Prize Time Allow ten to 20 minutes for the game. If the group is large, consider breaking into smaller subgroups or reducing the number of incorporated words required to win. For instance, you must work in five words from those listed in part one. Variations You can easily tailor this game by changing the questions in part one to better match your industry, company, etc.
Trait Trader
You have just taken a job as a trait trader in the fictitious exchange, the Personality Market. You are a new executive, and it is very important to you that you do well in your new job. To do so, you must trade wisely and end the game with a trait that applies to you. In a moment, you will be given a piece of paper (trade slip) with a personality or character trait written on it (e.g. tall, creative, adventurous, quiet, etc.) Write your name on the slip. You must trade your slip with someone else. If your new trait also applies to you, write your name on that slip. If not, move to step three. Trade again. Your goal is to end up with a trait that applies to you and to have written your name on more slips than anyone else. When the facilitator calls out exchange closed, the game is over. You may stop trading before the exchange closes. Remember, your goal is to end up with a trait that applies to you and to have written your name on more slips than anyone else. Materials Needed Prize Trait Slips (Consider: Over 58 , Born in the 70s, Red Hair, Curly Hair, Athlete, Creative, Talkative, Adventurous, Quiet, Bossy, Demanding, Funny, Dare Devil, etc.) You design the slips based on your group. Remember to be sensitive to age, gender, etc. Time Allow 12 - 15 minutes for the game and then call exchange closed. Next, ask everyone to turn their trait slip to the side that holds the names of the traders. Ask your first trader to say his or her name and to read his or her trait, stating whether or not it is true about them. Then, ask the others in the group to raise their hands if the traders name appears on their trade slips. Count the hands. Move to the next trader and repeat. When done, award the prize to the trader with the most slips signed who has a trait that describes him or her on the final slip.
Race for the Truth

You and the other runners in the room are about to embark on a race for the truth. Your goal is to cross the finish line as quickly as possible by truthfully answering questions about yourself as you follow the facilitators directions. 1. Line up on the starting line as directed by the facilitator. 2. In a moment you will hear a statement. If it is true about you, move forward one step. If it is false, remain at the finish line. Once all first moves have been made, the facilitator will make another statement. Again, if it is true, move forward one step. If it is false, remain on the starting line if you have not yet advanced. If you have advanced past the starting line, take one step back. Repeat step three until the first runner completes the race. Materials Needed 2 Long Pieces of String for the Start and Finish Lines List of Statements Related to The Group (e.g. I have worked here more that one year. I think we have too many meetings around here. or I understand xyz aspect of my job. Time Allow five to ten minutes for this activity. Variations Narrow the scope of the statements to relate to issues at work, materials being covered, etc.
Candy Confessions
You have just taken a job as a candy tester in the Candy Confessions factory. What makes this candy different from other candy is that each flavor is associated with a fact about you. Your job is to select and test four different candies from a bowl/box that will circulate among all testers. 1. Choose four candies from the bowl without looking. In a moment, a key code will be revealed, indicating which truths you should tell. 2. Once the code has been revealed you may begin your confession. Materials Needed Basket of Candy Key Code (e.g. Kit Kats = Favorite Movie, Favorite Magazine, Favorite Song, or Favorite Book, Krackle = Favorite Vacation Spot, Place You Would Like To Visit, Place You Would Least Like To Visit, or Worst Vacation, Lollipop =Number of Years in Current Position, Where You Work, What You Do, or Brief Description of First Job, Gum Drops = Something About Where You Live, Something About Where You Grew Up, Something About Your Family, Something About Your Town/City, Kisses = Wildcard [tell us anything]) Time Allow ten to 20 minutes for the entire process. Variations Allow people to take as many candies as they like from the basket and reveal something random about themselves for each candy they take. Use a ball of string. Allow each person to take as much as they like. For each inch, they must reveal something about themselves. (Additional material: string, scissors, and ruler)
True or False
You have just entered a new society of truth-tellers and liars. You and the others sometimes tell the truth and sometimes lie. The key to this society is knowing when you are being lied to and when you are being told the truth. Partners must guess if a statement is the truth or a lie. If both players are correct, move on. If both are incorrect, move on. If one is correct and one is wrong, the wrong person is out. First, flip a coin. If it reveals heads, you tell truth; if tails, you lie. Find a partner, swap stories. Your partner must then guess if you told the truth or a lie. If both are correct, move on. If both are incorrect, move on. If one is correct and one wrong, the person who guessed incorrectly is out. Move on and repeat steps one and two until one person remains and is declared the winner. Materials Needed Prize Extra Coins Time Allow ten to 20 minutes to play the game, depending on the size of the group. Award a prize to the person who remains standing.
The Magic Lamp

You and your team have just found a lamp. You rub it, and surprise! A genie appears. The genie grants you three wishes. You are allowed to make three changes at work. You may change yourself, your boss, your job, the people around you, etc.
1. The facilitator will soon divide you into groups of three to five people and give your team a piece of flipchart paper and a marker. 2. Once you have your materials, design your wish list for your genie. When you are finished, post it on the wall.
Materials Needed Flipchart Paper Markers Time Allow five to ten minutes for setup, writing, and posting lists on the wall. Allow five minutes for debriefing. If possible, leave the lists posted throughout your training to encourage further introductions and discussions.
Totem Truths
In the past, a totem pole was carved for several reasons; for example, to honor a deceased elder who was important to the carver, to show the number of rights and names a person had acquired over his or her lifetime, or to document an encounter with the supernatural. Today, totems are carved not only for those reasons but also to tell the story about the person commissioning the pole. You and your team are about to design a totem pole to discover your groups strengths and weaknesses. In a moment, the facilitator will divide you into teams. Each of you will be handed a piece of cardboard and a list of totems. You are to design a totem figure that best represents your strengths in the group. You may use one of the totem symbols given or make up your own. Once you have completed your drawing, you and your team will tape them one on top of the other on a portion of the wall. Be prepared to explain your strength to the group. Materials Needed 8.5 x 11 Cardboard Piece for Each Participant Markers List of Animal Totems (pages following) Time Allow 20 minutes for the entire process. This exercise is excellent for teambuilding. Variations Ask each group to design a group crest, similar to a family crest. The only disadvantage to this versus the totem is that the groups are static. With the totems, you can reorganize the groups and have them rebuild the poles throughout the days activities.
Totem Poles
SYMBOLS
Alligator - Maternal and vengeful Ant - Group minded, patient, active, and industrious Antelope - Active, agile, and willing to sacrifice Armadillo - Safety oriented and cautious Badger - Courageous, aggressive, healing and energizing Bat - Regenerative and long living Bear - Industrious, instinctive, healing, powerful, sovereign, protective of the world, and strong Beaver - Determined, strong-willed, constructive, and protective Bee - Organized, industrious, productive, wise, social, celebratory, and enthusiastic about life Buffalo - Sacred and strong Butterfly - Metamorphic and transformative Cat - Protective, detached, sensual, mysterious, magical, and independent Cheetah - Swift, insightful, and focused Cow - Nurturing and maternal Coyote - Intelligent, stealthy, tricky, and mischievous Crane - Solitary, just, enduring, independent, intelligent, and vigilant Crow - Law enforcing, shape shifting, changeable, creative, spiritual, energetic, and just Deer - Intellectual, gentle, caring, kind, subtle, graceful, feminine, gentle, and innocent Dog - Noble, faithful, loyal, trainable, protective, and guiding Dolphin - Kind, prudent, capable of deep emotion, wise, and happy Dragon - Enduring, infinite, wise, powerful, and fiery Dragonfly - Flighty, carefree, and strongly imaginative Eagle - Divine, sacrificing, intelligent, courageous, spiritually illuminated, healing, and daring Elephant - Strong, powerful, and wise Elk - Strong and agile, proud, independent, pure, and noble Falcon - Adventurous, passionate, and leading Fish - Graceful Fox - Cunning, agile, quick-witted, diplomatic, wild; feminine in its magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility Frog - Cleansing, transformative, sensitive, medicinal, undiscernibly beautiful and powerful Gazelle - Aggressive Goose - Self-demanding, reliable, prudent, rigid, vigilant, parental, and productive Hawk - Informative, intuitive, victorious, healing, noble, cleansing, visionary, and protective Horse Independent, enduring, mobile, terrestrial, powerful, and free Hummingbird - Portentous, timeless, healing, and combative Jaguar - Chaotic and shape shifting Lion - Family-oriented, strong, energetic, courageous, and protective Lizard Conservational and visionary Llama - Comforting to others Lynx - Discrete, protective, and guiding Moose - Headstrong, enduring, steadfast, and wise Mouse - Observant, orderly, organized, and detail oriented Opossum - Diversionary, strategic, and deceptive Otter - Playful, friendly, dynamic, joyful, helpful, and generous Owl - Deceptive, clairvoyant, insightful, informative, detached, wise, changeable, and silent Ox - Sacrificing and self-denying Peacock - Immortal, dignified, and self-confident Porcupine - Innocent, companionable, and trustworthy Rabbit - Fearful, timid, nervous, humble, fertile, intuitive, balanced, and fertile.
Raccoon - Curious and clean Raven - Introspective, courageous, self-knowing, healing, protective, tricky, and magical Salmon Proud, intense, confident, wise, inspiring, and rejuvenating Seahorse - Confident and graceful Seal - Loving, desirous, imaginative, creative, and dreamy Shark - Predatory, enduring, and adaptable Skunk - Noticeably present, and strong Snake - Impulsive, shrewd, transformative, healing, energetic, and wise Squirrel - Organized and gathering Stag - Sovereign, regenerative, giving of bounty, beauty, and mystical signs. Swan - Graceful, balanced, innocent, soulful, loving, beautiful, self-possessed Tiger - Strong, valorous, powerful, and energetic Turkey - Generous, life-giving, and self-sacrificing Turtle - Nurturing, shy, and protective Weasel - Strong, energetic, ingenious, and stealthy Whale Wise and giving Wolf - Loyal, persevering, successful, intuitive, trainable, ritualistic, and spirited Woodpecker Sensitive, protective, and loyal
Most Unusual Job

Distribute one small post-it note per participant. Ask participants to think of the Most Unusual Job they have ever had and to write it on the post-it with out their name. Collect all of the post-its. One by one, read them aloud and ask people to guess who they think had that job. After discovering who had that job, its fun to ask specific questions about the job such as where was this?, how long ago? Include yourself in the mix to further stump them. Or do this with one interesting fact, get them to guess who it belongs to.
Tenure Line-up
This works best when you dont know the group well at all, or they do not know each other well. At the beginning of the session, ask people to stand up and form a horseshoe by tenure. Ask the person with the longest tenure to stand at the far right of the room (if you are facing them- your right) and ask the newest hire to be at the opposite end (the left hand side of the room from your vantage point.) However, they must do this silently. After horse-shoe is formed, ask people to introduce themselves with name, role, and how long they have been with the organization. Record the number of years the participants report, and add them up. To debrief, mention we have XX number of years of experience collectively. What observations can you make about our tenure? Notice any patterns? Are their gaps in hiring? What percentage of folks are over five years? Ten years? Twenty?
3 Questions
Purpose: To show how people have various interpretations of the same exact data . This is usually a very amusing way to get to know a little bit about others in a group. Materials: 3 Post-its and a pen for each person (you can improvise by having them write it anywhere and share it verbally)
Set-Up: Let people know that you will be demonstrating how easy it is for people to think they are in alignment, when they may in fact not be and how easy it is to misinterpret or misunderstand each other. Conduct: Write 3 questions on a flip chart How late is late? How much is an expensive dinner for two? Whats a crowd? (How many people constitute a crowd?) Ask everyone to write their answers to each of the questions on a separate post it Review the groups answers by asking for their answersone question at a time. Go around the room OR have people share at their tables De-brief: Quick conversation about how we all interpret the world according to our experiences, preferences and values and often assume that these are correct . Stress the importance of clarifying what people mean and the value they place on things when working together.
My Shield / Who Am I?
Purpose: To get to know each other / Team building Materials: Paper & Pen. Optional: this can be done as a collage, in which case youll need: old magazines, chart paper, markers, scissors, glue and tape. Set-Up: Explain that this is an opportunity to get to learn a bit more about each other. To this end, they will be answering some questions and sharing their answers with the team. Optional: If making collages, explain to them that the visual representations allow for more creativity and the real insights will come when each person explains why they chose a particular image. Conduct: Select no more than 5-6 items from the list below (or create your own), based on where the team is at, what will surface key issues and create a team building experience: Skills/experience I bring to the team A work related accomplishment I am most proud of What I believe is my strongest attribute Things I appreciate from my colleagues Skills I would like to develop while on this team My future expectations of this team My one request from my team members My pet peeve when working with others What I value in others My vision for the team My passion is My super hero or movie alter ego Chart the questions and have them write their answers to each one. Optional: You may use a shield image, by drawing a shield and dividing it into as many questions as you have selected. Instruct them to find or draw an image that represents their answer and place it in the corresponding quadrant of the shield. De-brief: Have each person share their answers (and/or their shield images) with the group.
My 3 Lives
Purpose: To get people using their imaginations and learning something completely new about others while getting them out of their seats. Materials: None Set-Up: None, just be sure you have enough time for this one. People usually groan when you first explain it to them, but then get really into when theyre doing it. Conduct: Ask people to write down three imaginary lives they would like to lead or things they would be interested in pursuing if they werent doing their current job. NOTE: This will usually provoke several groans of discomfort/displeasure at the idea of playing this game. No worries, it definitely is a winner. Model this by telling them your 3 other lives (i.e. acrobat, travel writer, marine biologist, etc..) Give them some time to come up with their 3 lives. NOTE: Keep a close eye on the group while theyre doing this. Some people may feel very stressed by this activity. DO NOT force people to participate. Also, if someone can only come up with 1 or 2, thats o.k. (but 3 is best!). When theyre ready, tell them to go mingle as they would at a party. They must introduce themselves to 3 new people, each time introducing themselves in each one of their different lives. Again, keep on eye on the group and give verbal clues as to when they should be moving on to meet their next person so they dont get stuck at one. De-brief: If you have time, go around the room and ask each person to tell the group which 1 of their 3 lives was most exciting/energizing for them to step into .
Quick Draw - (Energizer)

Purpose: Have fun using the right side of the brain (this one always gets em laughing) Materials: Chart paper, multi-colored markers and tape Set-up: Cut chart paper into 2 pieces (across the middle) and have one marker per person Conduct: Ask people to pair up with someone with whom they have not yet worked Have each person select a marker that is a different color than their partners Give each pair 1 sheet of paper Explain the steps: Together you will have 1 minute to create a being , creature or thing . When I call time, you will begin by each person taking turns drawing - 1 line at a time . (A line is from the time one puts their marker on the paper to when they pick it up off the paper.) After 1 minute, I will call time and you must stop drawing. You will then have 30 seconds to NAME your being by taking turns writing one letter at a time. De-brief: Have people introduce their beings and then hang their artwork around the room. When all artwork has been shared, do a gallery walk to admire.
Birthday Line-Up (Energizer)

Purpose: Dividing people into groups and getting them out of their seats
Materials: None Set-up: Determine how many groups you need Conduct: Ask people to line up according to their birth DAY and MONTH (not year) WITHOUT SPEAKING Indicate which end of room one should stand if their birthday is January 1st and where they should stand if their birthday is December 31st. Be sure to remind people that theyre not supposed to talk (sign language or writing is fine) Once theyre lined up, go down the line starting at Jan 1st asking them to tell us their birthday see if they get it right. Afterwards, separate them into the number of people you want per team. De-brief: None.
Exotic Fruits (Energizer)

Purpose: Dividing people into groups Materials: None Set-up: Determine how many groups you need Conduct: Ask people to call out the names of exotic or unusual fruits (as many as the number of groups needed) After you have your fruits (i.e. lychee, dragonfruit, durian, etc.), go around the room assigning fruits to individuals in the determined order. Tell people to go find their fellow fruits. You can assist this part of the process by indicating where fruits can be found (i.e. lychees in the front of the room, dragonfruits by the door, etc.) De-brief: None.
Are You My Match? (Energizer)

Purpose: Divide people into pairs or trios Materials: Tape and pieces of paper with the names of matching things, 1 name per person in the room. Some examples are: Graceland / Elvis Italy / Pizza China / Great Wall Germany / Polka France / Eiffel Tower England / Big Ben Australia / Kangaroo Russia / Vodka Egypt / Pyramid / Sphinx Ireland / 4 leaf clover / Guinness Japan / sushi / kimono
India / Ganges River / curry Set-up: Explain that you will be walking around the room and will be attaching one item with tape to each persons back Conduct: Explain that each one of them will need to find their partner or partners This is done by first discovering what you are. To discover what you are, you may only ask others questions that can be answered with Yes or No. (i.e. Am I a food? Am I a country?) Mill around and ask different people different questions Once you know what you are, go and find your partner/s De-brief: None.
Two Truths and a Lie OR Fact or Fiction (Ice-breaker and Energizer)

Purpose: Get to know others and to shake up the energy in the room Materials: 5 x 7 cards Set-up: Ask people to write 1 statement about themselves that is True and 1 or 2 (you decide) that are False. Conduct: Have each person read their statements aloud and people vote with a show of hands as to which one is true. This can be done throughout the meeting as a little comic relief; i.e. after returning from breaks. Optional: you can keep track of who guessed correctly and give them some sort of prize . De-brief: None
Strange Facts (Ice-breaker and Energizer) (see variation above)

Purpose: Get to know others and to shake up the energy in the room Materials: Post-its or 3x5 cards Set-up: Have each person write one unusual and/or little-known fact about themselves and collect the cards. Conduct: Throughout the day, you can read a strange fact out and ask for the group to nominate who they think it is (only 3 nominations maximum). Ask the real person to remain standing. De-brief: None.
Move It! (aka: Move Your Butt!) - (Energizer)

Purpose: Have some fun while getting some blood circulating Materials: One roll of masking tape and space large enough to accommodate the group standing in a circle Set-up: Explain to people that this is a fast-moving game and allow people to opt out Have the group stand in a circle facing the middle You stand in the middle while you explain the instructions Ask everyone to tear off a piece of tape about 12 long and place it on the floor in front of them to mark their spot Conduct: Explain the game: The person standing in the middle will make a statement or ask a question. If that statement/ question is true for you, you must move it and find another spot to stand in. The person left without a spot remains in the middle and asks the next question/statement. NOTE: There are 2 rules of the game: You cannot move to your immediate left or right. The statement /question must be true for the person (in the middle) saying it The more universal the truth is, the more people will have to move and the more fun it is. Sample statements/questions could be: If you work at Xilinx, if you have traveled out of the country, if you have children, etc.. Let people know when it is the last question Do this for as many rounds as you wish or have time for and De-brief: None. Just have everyone remove their piece of tape from the floor.
Team Challenge: Ball Toss - (Energizer)

Purpose: To engage people in an activity that encourages them to think as a team Materials: A soft (easy to catch) ball or roll of masking tape Set-up: Have the group stand in a circle and give the instructions Conduct: All people should hold one hand in the air Remember who tossed you the ball and to whom you tossed the ball People are to toss the ball or tape to another person and once youve caught the ball, you can put your hand down. Continue this until all people have been caught and thrown the ball/tape and the teams pattern has been established. Have them throw the ball/tape in the same pattern, letting them know that you will be timing them. Do it one more time, this time more quickly Give them a team challenge by telling them that they must pass the ball/tape around in the same pattern in under 15 seconds. The criterion is that each person must touch ball/tape in the same order. NOTE: The team will usually figure out that they have to move around and get in order to facilitate this challenge.
De-brief: Discuss team process and importance of innovating to get desired results
Potential Ice Breaker Questions

Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Interesting or little know fact about yourself __________________________ . Which words or phrases do you most overuse? What do you consider your greatest achievement? If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would it be? What was your first job? If you could have a super power what would it be? Do you have a favorite quote or motto? What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? What profession would you not like to do? What are your hobbies? What are your top 3 favorite movies of all time? What is your favorite album of all time? If you were stranded on a tropical island and could have only one book, what would it be? What is your favorite city to visit? What movie you have watched the most number of times? How many? If your life was a movie What is the title of the film? What genre (e.g. comedy, horror, documentary, etc.)? What is the movie about? What actor/actress would play you? Who is your hero and why? If you could reverse or rearrange the order of anything at all (e.g. the four seasons), what would you choose? If you could investigate any famous archives, which would you choose?
17. 18.
19.
20.
If you could create a drive-through that would offer one product or service while you waited in your vehicle, what would it be? If you could be any famous persons therapist, whose would you be? Aside from family, friends, or pets, what would be the most difficult thing for you to give up in life? What technological breakthrough or invention absolutely blows your mind when you stop and think about what it is capable of doing? What is the one item that you think will never become obsolete? Youve no doubt heard the expression Its a dogs life. In your opinion, what particular aspect of a dogs life seems the most enviable? As a part of an assignment on the study of human behavior, you have been asked to do a couple of hours of people watching. Where do you think would be the best place to go conduct this entertaining research? What is your biggest pet peeve? If, for one month, you had to live day and night in any one retail store which one would it be? In hindsight, what particular class in school above all others do you wish you had paid more attention to or taken more seriously? What is the best one hundred dollars you have ever spent? Barnum & Baileys circus was once known as The Greatest Show on Earth. If you were in charge of giving that same title to something incredibly entertaining in this day and age, what would it be? If you had a chance to declare a new regional or national holiday in honor of somebody famous, whom would you choose? Id love to have my own personal _____________. How would you fill in the blank? If you could un-invent any past invention, which one would it be? (Consider all the ramifications of eliminating this invention.) What is the best piece of advice youve ever received? Who gave it to you? If you were a contestant on a trivia-style game show, what category would you most want to see displayed when it came down to the million-dollar question?
21. 22.
23.
24. 25.
26.
27. 28.
29.
30. 31.
32.
33. 34.
35. 36.
37.
What is the most outrageous thing that has ever happened to you or in which you have ever been involved? If you could give your current job a new title, one that would make your job seem far more exciting or important that it actually is, what would you choose as your new title? If you were given the opportunity to be an apprentice to any person, living or deceased, from whom would you want to learn? Who is the most famous person youve ever met face-to-face? Suppose income taxes still had to be paid, but instead of going to the government, your tax dollars would go to any one cause or charity of choice. Where would you want your money to go? If, through the benefit of hindsight, you could go back in time to warn any famous person in history about something, who would you visit and what would you tell that individual to help him or her avoid a tragic mistake or fate? On a scale of one to ten (with one being you cant stand it and ten being you love it), how well do you like your given first name? If you were to change it, what name would you choose for yourself? Whats your favorite Guilty Pleasure?
38.
39.
40. 41.
42.
43.
44.
Cultural Pursuit
The attached document shows a grid similar to a "bingo" sheet. Each square has a statement about a different culture. Participants are asked to circulate among the other participants and find people who know the answers to each question. (Specific instructions are listed on the sheet.) The first person to complete his/her sheet wins. The answers are then revealed and the group can discuss what they've learned, what they disagree with, what they want to hear more about, what they've experienced personally, etc. -- whatever they want to share. It's a great activity for getting to know more about other cultures and the background of their colleagues.
Cultural Pursuit
Instructions: 1. Read your pursuit squares and note mentally which ones you can answer or illustrate. 2. Be prepared to share what you know with others and sign your name on the related squares. 3. Each person may sign only two (2) squares per grid. Therefore, you will need to circulate to get all the squares signed. 4. There may be more than one correct answer for a square.
FIND SOMEONE WHO

Knows why you should not stick chopsticks straight up in your rice bowl. Knows which hand Knows the etiquette gesture is offensive for returning a in Arab countries. toast at a Chinese banquet. Knows the Islamic word for God. Knows why not to confuse someone from Barcelona with someone from Madrid.
Knows why you shouldn't use your left hand in Arab countries.
Knows why reference to Americans is offensive.
Knows when foreign executives should arrive at social events in the Philippines.
Knows why the Irish Knows the etiquette immigrated to the for handshakes in U.S. in the 1840's. formal Indian business settings.
Knows why exposing the sole of your foot might be offensive.
Knows the Indian gesture of affirmation.
Knows when the Chinese New Year is.
Knows in which country cheese is eaten as a dessert course.
Knows why not to write someone's name in red ink.
Knows why you Knows the names of Knows why not to Knows why the Knows in which should not give a 2 African languages. put your hands on number 4 is taboo in country people send Chinese man a green your lap while dining Japan. New Year's cards hat. in France. instead of Christmas cards.
Adapted from original versions by Project DARE (UC Berkeley) and The Brannen Group.
Cultural Pursuit Answers

Instructions: 1. Read your pursuit squares and note mentally which ones you can answer or illustrate. 2. Be prepared to share what you know with others and sign your name on the related squares. 3. Each person may sign only two (2) squares per grid. Therefore, you will need to circulate to get all the squares signed. 4. There may be more than one correct answer for a square.
FIND SOMEONE WHO

Knows why you should not stick chopsticks straight up in your rice bowl. Knows which hand Knows the etiquette gesture is offensive for returning a in Arab countries. toast at a Chinese banquet. Knows the Islamic word for God. Knows why not to confuse someone from Barcelona with someone from Madrid. Catalan vs. Castilian cultures/languages
It symbolizes death.
Knows why you shouldn't use your left hand in Muslim & Hindu cultures.
Thumbs-up
Before the next dish is served
Allah
It is considered unclean.
Knows why exposing the sole of your foot might be offensive.
Knows why a Knows when foreign reference to executives should Americans is arrive at social offensive. events in the It often excludes Philippines. Canadians, Mexicans, & other Americans. 15-30 minutes late Knows the Indian gesture of affirmation. Knows when the Chinese New Year is.
Knows why the Irish Knows the etiquette immigrated to the for handshakes in U.S. in the 1840's. formal Indian business settings.
Potato Famine
Knows in which country cheese is eaten as a dessert course.
Namaste greeting
Knows why not to write someone's name in red ink.
It is considered unclean.
2002: Feb. 12-14th Moving the head in a 2003: Feb. 1-3rd side-ways figure 8 2004: Jan. 22-24th
France
It symbolizes death.
Knows why you Knows the names of Knows why not to Knows why the Knows in which should not give a 2 African languages. put your hands on number 4 is taboo in country people send Chinese man a green your lap while dining Japan. New Year's cards hat. Afrikaans, Arabic, in France. instead of Christmas Bambara, Djula, cards. It tells him his wife Hausa, Lingala, It is considered is sleeping around. Swahili, etc. improper/impolite. It symbolizes death. China
Adapted from original versions by Project DARE (UC Berkeley) and The Brannen Group.
Colors
Pass around a bowl of different colored candies, such as M&Ms or Jolly Ranchers, and ask each person to randomly select 3-5 and place them in front of them (i.e. don't eat them yet). Then, you show the attached slide and people have to answer the questions that correlate with the colored candies they have selected. Afterwards, they can eat the candy. You can ask whatever questions you want. The main point is that people don't get to choose which questions they answer -- that's dictated by what colors they chose prior to seeing the questions. :) It's a fun and easy way to get people talking, sharing, and learning about each other.
5 Cs
Print the attached document on card stock, cut it in half, distribute the blank cards to participants at the beginning of the offsite, and then read/guess who's who during the course of the meeting. The topics are:(1) favorite car, (2) favorite country for vacation or living, (3) favorite cuisine, (4) celebrity they'd most like to meet (living or dead), and (5) what career they'd have if they didn't work for Apple. Like "Colors", this one is easy and a fun way to disclose some safe personal information about the participants. There are usually some surprises and laughter when the group discovers who maps to each card.
CAR:
COUNTRY: CUISINE: CELEBRITY: CAREER:
CAR:
COUNTRY: CUISINE: CELEBRITY: CAREER:
16 Boxes
What do your team members have in common. Try to get three different team members signatures in each individual box. Each team member can only sign up to three different boxes.
Plays one musical instrument
Plays more than one musical instrument
Enjoys hiking
Knows organizations values
Can operate a vehicle Has been on television Knows organizations other than a car or bike mission statement
Creates art as hobby (any form)
Would rather eat a hamburger than a filet mignon
Knows Apples top selling product
Knows how to dance Can speak more than three or more different two languages types of dances
Knows Apples customers
Has more than one pet Has a pet that is not a Visited over 7 countries in household dog, cat, hamster, in their lifetime rabbit, or fish
Shield Activity
Each team member is given a model of a shield and will fill each area of the shield with the following:
Something you excel at doing
Picture representing a onetime peak performance
Your credo or key value
Your definition of what characteristics define a high performing team
- The areas can be filled with any topic that is pertinent to the leader and team. - The idea is to get everyone to draw these areas, not write it. Debrief: 1. What drawings captured your attention the most? Why? 2. What surprised you about your team members? 3. What did you learn about your team members that you did not know before? 4. How does this help you work more effectively together?
Two Strengths
- Have each person think about what two strengths they contribute to the team - Have them get up from their chairs and share their two strengths with each other for 5-7 minutes List - What strengths do they have in common - What strengths are unique to the team - How can they leverage the strengths
- What might the team be missing for the them to be able to accomplish their goals - how can they develop those strengths .
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Write down your team members names in the left- column. Speak to as many team members within the allotted amount of time and write down at least one thing that you have in common and one way you are different. Things can range from interests, talents, hobbies, adventures, travels, languages, food, music, sports, etc.
Team members NAME
SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES
UNIQUELY IN COMMON
5. Write the name of the team members that you speak with in the first column. 6. Write down things that you have uniquely in common with your team members. For starters, think about your interests, talents, hobbies, adventures, misadventures, travels, languages, food, music, sports, and then, get creative as you mingle with your team members - have you ever climbed Mt. Everest, swam with dolphins, competed in marathons, lived in more than one country, etc.
Team members NAME
UNIQUELY IN COMMON
How heavy am I?
Think of an Apple product and find it on apple.com. Find out the weight of the product and then get the group to stand up and sort themselves out in order of the heaviest to the lightest. Ask then for a feature and benefit of that product. This is good also if you need to m ix them up in their seating arrangements. Michael Hobeck - Germany
The Name Game.
Stand learners in a circle and ask them to think of an animal that begins with the first letter of their name. They then introduce themselves around the circle by acting out that animal. You can play with this to get them to remember other peoples animals/names by repeating everyone in the circle also. When I pointed out that on trying this one day I struggled to think of an animal that begins with 'N' - very difficult in English!! During the call we could only come up with Nightingale - Chris has now sent through a wonderful little tool to assist with this game to fix the problem of not being able to think of an animal! I enclose his web app instructions in italics below - thanks Chris - Super!! When you said that you couldn't think of an animal beginning with N, it reminded me that this is a common problem with the animal name game. To solve this, I created a little iPhone web application to help trainers run this game. Follow the URL on your iPhone,save it to your home screen as a web clip, and then open it just before running the warmer. If anyone has problems thinking of an animal, just tap on the appropriate letter and show them the screen. It saves having to whisper in anyone's ear and being overheard. tinyurl.com/animalpicker Alternative - draw the animals on iPad instead Chris Mellor - UK
Keep it Safe
Beware of games that trigger personal feelings - like tell us about your best friend - what happens if you don't have a best friend! Myriam
What if?
Found that the Truth and Lie game did not work well in UAE, participants simply all repeated each others truths and lie exactly and felt uncomfortable being asked to 'lie'. He found that a more physical game broke barriers better and used the ball game to ask the question 'What if..?' Ahmed - UAE
Paper Aeroplanes
Get the group to write down something that impressed them )good or bad) about the course then fold them into the plane and fly them.
Also - animals that begin with 'N' -http://wiki.answers.com/Q/ What_are_some_animals_that_begin_with_the_letter_N

Thierry - France
Paper Planes Test Drive
I like to do the paper aeroplane as a test drive activity. Ask them in pairs to test drive each other in making and folding the paper plane. They have to give exact instructions without touching the paper and the builder has to follow the instructions, you then fly the planes to see who flies the furthest. This supports the emphasis on test drive/guided demo in many of our courses and creates a nice paired demo focus. NeveTaylor
Top tips - Rob Geraghty - UK

To wow people I believe that the first 30 minutes are crucial to this. I think that too many icebreakers are just "games" and hence I prefer to do things which encourage people to genuinely connect with each other and the content of the workshop. How to do this depends a lot on whether the people already know each other or not. I'm a big fan of getting people to talk 1:1 with the other group members and then moving this round every 3 minutes or so. In this way, people learn who the others are but without the creeping death (when people aren't listening because they are worried about what they will say themselves!). You can also add in a more course-relevant question such as "what's your best sales experience" or "talk about your experiences of selling Apple solutions" and this starts to get people on message for the upcoming workshop.
Top tips - Jarkko Ahonen - Finland

I haven't done Apple Sales training for that long yet so I mainly stayed as a listener on this call to "gauge the field" if you will. I've been trying out various ones from the lists with varying success and all the points (expecially with the facetime one) were brought up nicely by the others. Also got some nice ideas so it was a good call. I didn't bring this up in the call as this only works if most of the people already have an iPhone/ iPad, but it is one that I use on some iPad and iPhone trainings. And also it's quite a mild ice breaker to use. Doesn't help much if the ice is thick and solid. Basically if/when you ask people to introduce themselves, ask them also to claim their favourite App. This can tell a lot about the person and it also allows for non-apple believers to go "wow, that thing can do a lot". As for the "graveyard shift problem", my simple solution is to make sure we have an excercise for the attendees to perform after lunch. This way the schedule problem doesn't become as bad either. During the exercises (Mac and iPad), I also play music and run a music quiz at the same time: 1 point for correct song, 1 point for correct artist. Winner is determined at end of event. Winner gets an undisclosed prize (usually a handful of sweets or a chocolate bar) not to mention immense admiration of the other attendees.
Janice Phillips - UK The ice breakers I mostly use are :
Getting to know you
This is where I get the delegates to dig deep and find out 3 things they have in common ruling out the obvious and getting them to look further than just - we all like going to the pub. I then get them to draw the three things cryptically for the other groups to guess.
Speed meeting
I line the delegates up facing each other in two lines. I then give then 30-40 seconds to find out as much as possible about who they are with and then they introduce them to the rest of the group. This demonstrates a good balance of asking open questions and listening skills as no pens and pads can be used.
Paper Tower Building

two teams have 6 or so mins to build a tower out of paper. the moral of the story is foundations and patience and not trying to get too high too soon as it usually falls over before the end. With iPad training if I have a small group I get them to open photo booth take a funny picture of themselves and then line them up with the iPads in front of their faces and take a picture. This is really funny and if the delegates want I can send them the photo or take one with their phones. I think it would be a great idea to get a top 5 or 10 ice breakers from everyone and maybe direct them to certain courses. That way any delegates who go on 3 courses in a week won't have the same ice breaker etc. I sometimes draw two arched arrows on a flip chart and tell the delegates I am a responsible trainer providing a healthy workshop environment and tell them of my duties and the other half is them and their responsibilities which we discuss together. This results in a circle to represent a good learning eco system. Making the day work well.
Top tips - Florian Grundel - Germany

I just wanted to quickly outline for you the icebreaker I mentioned. Its not a classical icebreaker as there is no specific action involved, but it works because the participants get comfortable, recognize the safe space and time of the workshop and have fun with each others ideas. When doing the introduction round I ask the participants in addition to the typical questions ("who are you", "where are you from", "your experience with Apple", etc.) also what their favorite character from a book, a play or a movie is. There are several aspects that make this question interesting and helpful: The question hits the participants (especially those who never attended an Apple training before) unprepared. They think of lots of things (why they were sent, how will the training be, etc.), but not about something personal. This question gets them back to themselves, involves them emotionally. Its especially helpful for the more shy ones. The effect is that the participants feel a bit more safe. And it makes them curious what comes next. So i have their attention.
It also helps (me) with remembering the participants. Not all wear name tags, and Im not very good in remembering names and faces but I remember facts. So I might easier remember the name of the character which works quite well as a substitute if I dont have the participants name at hand immediately. It creates an atmosphere of Interest among the participants. If someone says "James Bond" this needs no explanation, but if someone says some lesser known hero it needs explanation. This also gives me the chance to get a feeling for the group (how do they interact?, is there someone how is really good in explaining things?, etc.) in an early stage of the workshop. The characters also do work well as a hook. In later stages of the workshops there are always occasions where relating to a given character helps. Either in explaining something or when a specific problem is on topic ("what would your favorite character do?"). They can be used as hooks in lots of situations. So just a quick overview. For me, this icebreaker was always helpful and I never had any problems with it. One other idea, regarding seating. Ive never tried it and wanted to hear your feedback first. Currently the partcicpants come in and look for a place they like. Very often I have at least two (sometimes more) people from the same company that come in groups, sit in groups, and therefore very likely in most cases talk (too much and too loud). I can handle that, but Im always thinking about a better solution. I thought about a different seating system. To avoid the described grouping and to mix the participants, so they can also benefit from getting to know each other. The idea was some kind of lottery. Every table gets a name (iMac, Mac mini, etc.) and I have box full of papers. Every paper contains the name of a table. When the participants come in, they draw one of the papers and that defines the table where they are seated. My idea was that this hopefully works to mix the group without me being involved, so the participants have no problem with me splitting them up. Additionally it gives them the chance to connect with each other. Id really like to hear from you if you suggest trying this idea.
Other contributions:
Truth and lie
Write the statement on a post it and stick it on your back. Walk around the room others decide whether the statement is a truth or lie. Physical and personal barriers broken.
Name your favourite hero Eye contact
From a movie or fiction - helps people relate to each other from Florian as above.
Stand in a circle, look at the floor then look up at connect with someone and swap places.
Tell something Zip Zap Zoom
that no-one know about yourself -be careful to set up a safe atmosphere here, we don't want to cross the line into therapy!
The old favourite always always works. See Neve/Peter if you are unfamiliar with the game.
Being John Malkovich - Andr Fredriksson- Sweden

I have tested a new icebreaker-activity recently, which I would like to share with you as I thought it worked really well! It's called "Being John Malkovich", like the film starring John Cusack andJohn Malkovitch. If you haven't seen it I encourage you all to doso, if only for being able to deliver the icebreaker in a better way. At least watch the trailer (link below). Preparations: The participants will need to have something to write on - iPads for instance! Prepare to show the trailer for Being John Malkovich (http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=K7ahIGLNNwo) Prepare questions (see below). The activity: Ask the participants if they have ever seen the film Bein John Malkovich. Regardless if they've all seen it or not, tell them a little bit about the film: - "John Cusack's character works in an office at the 7 1/2 floor, where he discoveres a doorway behind a filing cabinet that leads into the head of actor John Malkovitch. Thislets him experience everything that John Malkovitch does for a little while, before being briskly thrown out next to a road just outsidethe city." Show them the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ahIGLNNwo - it's bound to bring out a few laughs :) Now, tell the participants that you are going to play the game Being John Malkovich, taking turns to have the others visit yourbrain! They can work in teams or on their own - that's up to you to decide. For this you will need to have prepared one question for each participant (or have 2 or more participants per question, rotating it).These should be questions about topics that you and/or the participants are interested in knowing more about, or something thatyou can use later on during training. It should also be possible to answer these questions in a simple way. For example, during theSelling more iPads training, one of the topics could be "Which three words does participant X think describes a typical iPadcustomer?", or "Which three words does participant X think describe the main challenges when delivering an iPad demo?" Ask the first participant X to come up / stand up, and ask the group the question about participant X, telling them that they have one minute to write down as many answers/words as they can which they think participant X might use to answer the question! Also ask participant X to write down the first three (or whichever number you'vedecided) words that spring to mind, i.e. the three correct words. After one minute, tell the participants to stop writing, and ask participant X to tell you and the rest of the group the answers. Tellthe participants that they get 1 point for each word they've been able to match with participant X (three word = 3 points). Repeat with all of the participants, sum up the points and award a winner/winning team! Use the answers and discussions that might have occurred during the activity during the rest of the training.

Icebreaker Compilation

Încărcat de

Informații document

Descriere originală:

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Icebreaker Compilation

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Ice Breakers Classroom Training

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Three Questions Game

The Pocket/Purse Game

The Talent Show

Toilet Paper Game

Paper Airplane Game

The Shoe Game

The Artist Game

Three in Common Game

Dream Vacation Game

Favorite T-Shirt Game

Famous People/Cities Game

Favorite Animal Game

Creative Name Tags

Circle of Friends Game

The Interview Game

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Story Time Game

Ball Toss Game

Positive Reinforcement Cards Game

Human Bingo Game

Out on the Town Game

Lucky Penny Game

Straw & Paperclip Game

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Four Facts Game

Reception Line Game

Autograph Sheets Game

Human Knot Game

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Find Someone Game

Get in the News Game

(And don't forget to recycle your newspaper when you're finished!)

Kangaroo Court Game

Make a Date Game

People Knots Game

Quick Change Artist Game

The Quiet Game

Sunshine Cards Game

Finish the Sentence Game

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Too Many Cooks

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Race for the Truth

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

The Magic Lamp

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Most Unusual Job

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only

Apple Sales Training. For training purposes only