Here's something new I want to try (not sure I can make it last, but let's try). I run across short activity snippets in my files (both paper and digital) all the time - activity ideas with little information. Just the basics. I always say to myself, "Chris, you need to do something with these." Okay, so here is me doing something with these.
I wasn't feeling 100% about simply typing them up in short form. So, how about we (meaning you) decode them?! What is "decoding", you might be asking? Well, in a nutshell, it's taking an activity in short form and putting it into long form. Reading a summary and then writing it out in a way that someone new to team building could read and lead.
NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? (I know Challenge Course Practitioners need them!) Scroll down below the activities and find the Professional Development link - clicking this link takes you to the (super secret) PD Information and how to start your Decoding adventure.
DON'T NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? Well, then, just jump right down to the snippets below and read on.
I wasn't feeling 100% about simply typing them up in short form. So, how about we (meaning you) decode them?! What is "decoding", you might be asking? Well, in a nutshell, it's taking an activity in short form and putting it into long form. Reading a summary and then writing it out in a way that someone new to team building could read and lead.
NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? (I know Challenge Course Practitioners need them!) Scroll down below the activities and find the Professional Development link - clicking this link takes you to the (super secret) PD Information and how to start your Decoding adventure.
DON'T NEED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS? Well, then, just jump right down to the snippets below and read on.
Marilyn's Game (From a Laurie Frank Handout, year unknown)
Needs & Numbers: One deck of standard playing cards for every 5 to 7 players.
Description: Get into smaller groups of 5 to 7 - each group gets a deck of cards. Within each group, deal out the cards and no one looks at them. Go around the circle and have everyone say his/her name (if needed). Everyone has his/her pile of cards face down in front of them.
On a signal, at the same time, everyone turns over the top card of his/her pile. If anyone has a rank (number or letter) that matches with someone else, he/she says the name of the person that has the match. Whoever says the name first gets all the turned over cards from his/her group. These cards are added to the bottom of the "winner" pile.
This is My Nose (From a Laurie Frank Handout, year unknown)
Needs & Numbers: No props. 8 to 14 players.
Description: Circle up players. One starts by saying, "This is my nose" while pointing to a different body part (e.g., ear). The next player to the starters left points to another body part (e.g., knee) and says, "This is my ear" - saying the body part the first player pointed at. The next players in turn, while pointing to a new body part, will always say what the last player pointed at.
Passing Gas (From hand written notes, by Chris Cavert [way back in the day] attending a Karl Rohnke workshop)
Needs & Numbers: One balloon for each player and several permanent markers. (If you have a big group) Divide any size group into smaller groups of 16 to 20 players.
Description (decoded from my notes): This game can be done standing or sitting. Give each player a balloon [be mindful of latex allergies] to inflate to the size of their own cranium - and then tie off the opening. Pass around the permanent markers so each player can write his/her first name on their balloon. The Challenge: Time how fast all the balloons can get around the circle back to their owners - each player is required to pass along every other balloon in the circle. Play multiple rounds to achieve the fastest time.
Easy Line Up (From a hand written note, by Chris Cavert, attending an AEE workshop - no note about what workshop this was (??). Easy Line Up ended up in Challenge Energizers in the book, The EMPTY Bag, Cavert & Hammond)
Needs & Numbers: No props needed. 12 to 24 players.
Description: Line up in alphabetical order by first names with your eyes closed.
Needs & Numbers: One deck of standard playing cards for every 5 to 7 players.
Description: Get into smaller groups of 5 to 7 - each group gets a deck of cards. Within each group, deal out the cards and no one looks at them. Go around the circle and have everyone say his/her name (if needed). Everyone has his/her pile of cards face down in front of them.
On a signal, at the same time, everyone turns over the top card of his/her pile. If anyone has a rank (number or letter) that matches with someone else, he/she says the name of the person that has the match. Whoever says the name first gets all the turned over cards from his/her group. These cards are added to the bottom of the "winner" pile.
This is My Nose (From a Laurie Frank Handout, year unknown)
Needs & Numbers: No props. 8 to 14 players.
Description: Circle up players. One starts by saying, "This is my nose" while pointing to a different body part (e.g., ear). The next player to the starters left points to another body part (e.g., knee) and says, "This is my ear" - saying the body part the first player pointed at. The next players in turn, while pointing to a new body part, will always say what the last player pointed at.
Passing Gas (From hand written notes, by Chris Cavert [way back in the day] attending a Karl Rohnke workshop)
Needs & Numbers: One balloon for each player and several permanent markers. (If you have a big group) Divide any size group into smaller groups of 16 to 20 players.
Description (decoded from my notes): This game can be done standing or sitting. Give each player a balloon [be mindful of latex allergies] to inflate to the size of their own cranium - and then tie off the opening. Pass around the permanent markers so each player can write his/her first name on their balloon. The Challenge: Time how fast all the balloons can get around the circle back to their owners - each player is required to pass along every other balloon in the circle. Play multiple rounds to achieve the fastest time.
Easy Line Up (From a hand written note, by Chris Cavert, attending an AEE workshop - no note about what workshop this was (??). Easy Line Up ended up in Challenge Energizers in the book, The EMPTY Bag, Cavert & Hammond)
Needs & Numbers: No props needed. 12 to 24 players.
Description: Line up in alphabetical order by first names with your eyes closed.
Even if you don't officially decode these snippets, I'd love to hear about the "variants" you add to them. Leave a Comment below!!
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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