Resources
For These Interesting Times
Live Workshops in the Near Future
(Please give me a heads up if you know of any live workshops going on. Thanks. Use the CONTACT page if needed.)
Family-as-a-Team Building
Teambuilding Activities and Games to Do with Your Family (PDF) - Contributed by Rebecca Bowers (Thanks TONs Becky!)
| teambuildingwithfamily_rebeccabowers.pdf |
Team Building for Families, Part 2 - Here is another PDF of activity ideas for families from Rebecca Bowers (Thank you Becky!!)
| team_building_for_families_part_2.pdf |
Giant List of Ideas for Being Home with the Kids - This, yes, GIANT list crossed my path recently.
Dropbox Link (from Chris Cavert) with some good family team builders - this link is also shared with Safe Distancing groups (below). All good ones for families too.
Create Pangrams Together - Don't know what a pangram is? A nice way to have fun with letters of the alphabet.
What's the Quote? Cards - This is a print-n-play at the FUNdoing Blog. Here's the Family idea. Print and cut out the icon pictures. Make up and write inspirational quotes on the cards. Snap a picture and send the inspiration to others who could use some. Lots of examples of quoted cards at the post.
Phraseology Cards - This is a print-n-play at the FUNdoing Blog. Explore the meanings behind common phrase then create your own, mixing and matching the cards. (Some new combinations are pictured at the post.)
Print-N-Plays at FUNdoing - Here are the Search results for the Print-N-Plays at FUNdoing (you just need the first page). Lots of engagement for the family.
Word Circle Puzzles - Here are the basic directions and a bunch of puzzles to try.
| wordcirclepuzzles_pta_cavert.pdf |
Calvin Ball - (If you dare!) This is a puzzle to be solved using cryptic clues. You will need to cut out all the clues and safely distribute. THIS ONE IS NOT EASY. Give it a shot, see how it goes.
| calvinball_pta_cavert.pdf |
Anybody with Children - This is an illustrated eBook (PDF below) complied and shared with us by my friend in India, Vishwas. When you get the chance to read/look through it, be sure to remember the context from which it came. Resource availability often guides what we create and use - so is true for team building activities. Also, the perception of risk may also be different based on cultural norms and historical references. Be open. Consider your own resources and adapt to what you need. (Thanks Vishwas - we are grateful.)
| anybody_with_children.pdf |
Team Building While Safe Distancing
(There is still in-person - distancing participants - team building going on out there.)
(There is still in-person - distancing participants - team building going on out there.)
Dropbox Link (from Chris Cavert) with (7 so far) team building activities you can do with groups who still meet where participants stay at a safe distance from one another.
What's the Quote? Cards - This is a print-n-play at the FUNdoing Blog. Here's the idea for groups still getting together. Print out the pages of the cards (you might need multiple sets) - of course, handle the paper mindfully. Give a few pages to each person in the group - they can each cut out the cards they have. Make up and write inspirational quotes on the cards. Theme the task to something you are working on as a group. Give them time to write, then share what is created.
Phraseology Cards - This is a print-n-play at the FUNdoing Blog. Cut out all the cards, then scatter them about on the floor in the middle of your big circle. Participants can call out pairs - you go in to put cards together. After all pairs are created, talk about the meanings of the quotes - maybe some will relate to things you are working on. Then, challenge them to combine cards together in a different way to create different meanings - could be two or more cards together. Some good examples are provided at the post.
Calvin Ball - This is a puzzle to be solved with clues. You will need to cut out all the clues and safely distribute. THIS ONE IS NOT EASY. Give it a shot, see how it goes.
| calvinball_pta_cavert.pdf |
Virtual Team Building
UNH Digital Adventures - This is a link to an amazing collection of virtual activities (eBook with 61 activities) and resources developed and compiled by a group based at the University of New Hampshire. Jump on this quickly, I'm not sure how long it will be available.
Zooming In: Deeper Facilitation in Virtual Space - Video Replays and Ideation eBook. This virtual workshop was produced by John Losey and co-hosted by Solomon Masala and Chris Cavert. There is the 90-minute video replay of the entire workshop (filled with all sorts of virtual engagement discussions) and there are two shorter videos of just the activity deliveries. There is also an Ideation eBook with all the data collected on how each of the activities could be used in an online team building session. (Please reach out if you have any questions.)
The Number Game (Virtual Team Building Activity, presented by Chris Cavert - 24 minutes)
The Pencil Flip (Virtual Team Building Activity presented by Solomon Masala - 8 minutes)
Ideation eBook from Zooming In on possible applications/outcomes for the two activities.
| zoomingin_ideation_ebook.pdf |
The Number Game - Virtual Application Replay (video) Lead by Dr. Chris Cavert. This is a 40-minute replay of Chris presenting The Number Game to a group of Beber Summer Camp campers (middle school ages) - meeting online every day to play and connect. There is a bit of connection (before content) going on in the beginning. So, if you don't have time for the whole thing, you know what to do.
Below are the documents needed to run this one. The first - full directions, the second - handout you can send ahead, the third is the 'screen share' PDF so you can toggle up and down to show the numbers to those who don't have the handout.
Below are the documents needed to run this one. The first - full directions, the second - handout you can send ahead, the third is the 'screen share' PDF so you can toggle up and down to show the numbers to those who don't have the handout.
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(The Number Game is from Newstrom & Scannell, Games Trainers Play, 1980. It can also be found in, Games for Teachers by L. Frank & C. Cavert - used with permission. Adapted for virtual application by Chris Cavert.)
9 Tips for Engaging Virtual Meetings (in a 9-minute video) - These tips come from nine different team building facilitators working online with groups all over the world. Here from Dr. Amy Climber, Mark Collard from Playmeo, Chad Littlefield & Will Wise from We and Me and more....
Video Replays - Virtual Team Building Activities & Ideas from Michelle Cummings
Virtual Team Building Ideas, Part 1, YouTube Recording April 2nd
Virtual Team Building Games, Part 2, YouTube Recording April 10th
Virtual Team Building Games, Part 3, YouTube Recording April 23rd
Virtual Team Building Ideas, Part 1, YouTube Recording April 2nd
Virtual Team Building Games, Part 2, YouTube Recording April 10th
Virtual Team Building Games, Part 3, YouTube Recording April 23rd
Virtual Team Building Games - FREE eBooks from Michelle Cummings of Training Wheels for Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 video workshops. Fabulous resources. Be sure to keep an eye on the "Michelle Cummings" Facebook page for future live workshops (registration will be required).
Quick Links from Virtual Team Building Games Session - Part 3 This is from Michelle Cummings, resources from the April 23rd Webinar (Video Replay above).
NC State University Digital Teambuilding Webinar - Video Replay. (About 75 minutes) Thanks so much to Lori Stover for sharing this information. In the video: NCSU Teambuilding Model; Choosing a Digital Platform; Activity Examples; How to find/create Activities; Examples of Commonly Used Tools; Tips for Success.
Interactive Icebreakers & Team-Building Games for Online Meetings & Virtual Conferences - 60-minute replay from Mark Collard or Playmeo. Through April, Mark is giving FREE Access to Playmeo for 7 days (and then 50% off of an annual membership to Playmeo) - lots of virtual activity resources. Details are provided at the end of the video.
Virtual Team Building Activities for Extraordinary Teams FREE eBook created by Solomon Masala of the Source Consulting Group. This amazing resource includes 21 Virtual Energizers and 7 Team Activities (as well as some information about working virtually).
| virtualteam-buildingactivities_masala_4.29.20.pdf |
Paper Folding About Trust - This is a trust-related activity (object lesson) from the book, A Foundation of Trust by Sam Sikes. With his permission, I (Chris) added a few suggestions and a note about the virtual application. Good takeaways about building and breaking trust and what someone might look/be like after someone breaks his/her trust.
| paperfoldingtrust_sikes.pdf |
Points of View/Perspectives - This activity is shared by Jaime Amling, I trainer for Outward Bound Colorado (be sure to look through all the pages). We could use some feedback on this one regarding the virtual application - how can we set this one up and use it? Thanks!!
| perspectivesactivity_amling.pdf |
4 is Cosmic - This one is from Barry Thompson, from When People Play. I would use this one to emphasize 'critical thinking skills' and inquire how people are engaging in the challenge. (This is one of those 'all in' games.) There are no specific directions for a virtual application, but I'm guessing, if you've been working virtually you can figure it out.
| four_is_cosmic_bthompson.pdf |
Symbols of Hope & Hopeful Quotations - Two Virtual Activities from Jim Cain (Thanks so much Jim!)
| hope_jimcain.pdf |
The Colour Game - This is a recent FUNdoing Blog post with a Virtual Application. The are 5 'Games' with different degrees of difficulty. Send (text or email) a sub-set of clues to each person in your virtual meeting and they are ready to talk it out. (Thanks to David Chambers for this share).
The County Fair - This is another 'helping' (you'll get the pun when you see it) of a clue-based puzzle (like The Colour Game above). Distribute the clues to the meeting participants and they are ready to go. (Thanks to Dr. Jim Cain for sharing.)
| thecountryfair_jimcain_virtualteambuilding.pdf |
Word Circle Puzzles - Here are the basic directions and a bunch of puzzles to try.
| wordcirclepuzzles_pta_cavert.pdf |
Word Circle Puzzle using Flippity - Sent to us by Jeremy Yarbrough as one example of great ways to use Flippity. Idea: While in ZOOM (or other platform that has a 'share your screen' feature), share the open window with this puzzle. Participants can take turns telling you want to move as all look on. I (Chris) would add in a few 'Help' cards the group can agree to use.
Word Circle Puzzles at FUNdoing - Try this virtually:
- Go to the FUNdoing.com/blog and search for Word Circle Puzzles posts (use the Search feature to find a bunch).
- Find some puzzles that have more word cards than your group.
- When you're together online, verbally assign a word or two to each person, it doesn't matter if others hear what you assign.
- You may need to show a visual of a small puzzle solved written out on a piece of paper or do a screen share of a solved puzzle.
- Ask them to solve the circle puzzle.
- You have the answer.
- You can give them a certain number of 'Helps' if they all agree to ask for a Help.
- You can decide whether or not they can write their word(s) on paper and show a visual.
- And, of course, you may need to set up some virtual ground rules or let them struggle through a bit and figure out they might need some - ground rules.
Xerox - Sent by Jess Anderson, from Kieve Wavus Education, sent this to us. It's a blog post (by Katrina Smith) describing a tried and true communication activity we can do virtually. The team builder of the meeting sends out a request to participants to draw (on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper) a fairly simple picture of something in their house (e.g., looking into the living room). Be sure to give them choices of medium - something that most people will have in their homes (e.g., markers, pens, Sharpies). Then, when everyone is together, participants (voluntarily) can take turns verbally describing their picture to others so that the others can draw (make a copy of) the scene being described. Be sure to discuss communication behaviors and other qualities that can lead to clear understanding after each attempt. Over a few attempts, you might be able to see marked improvement in the 'copies' due to the information shared in the discussions.
Other Amazing Resources
The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) has built a wonderful Resources Library accessible to all!
Digital Team Building Tools Resource Guide - Shared by Lori Stover, Coordinator of North Carolina State University Outdoor Adventures. This is a comprehensive slide deck of virtual tools team builders can use for online groups. (Thanks TONs Lori!)
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BONUS Material
Self-Guided Directions for Three Activities in the Book
Processing Questions for ALL Activities
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Workshop Handouts & Content
Below you will find a variety of handouts and content shared at past workshops. These documents will change from time-to-time so be sure to download them to your own computer for future reference. Have FUN out there!
Active Social Emotional Learning (Summary of Activities)
Workshops at Pune & Bangalore India, December 2019
| active_sel_summary_of_activities.pdf |
Purposeful Program Design (Summary of Activities)
Workshops at Pune & Bangalore India, December 2019
| purposefulprogramdesign_activitysummary.pdf |
| decodingsheet_purposefulprogramdesign.pdf |
| activitydeterminationcale_purposefulprogramdesign.pdf |
| funprogramming_purposefulprogramdesign.pdf |
ACCT 2019, Denver Colorado
Portable Teambuilding Activities, Pre-Conference
| portableteambuildingactivities_acct2019.pdf |
Handout Keepers
Fine Line Cards Activity Guide - from Nate Folan (THANKS TONS Nate)
| 10_ways_to_use_fine_line_cards.pdf |
Fine Line Cards - HERE is the link to pick up the cards. (You might find them cheaper somewhere else, but I like to support the guys that created them.)
Categories List from a Karl Rohnk at Northeastern Illinois University
| categorieslist_rohnke.pdf |
Noodle Mania: Team Building Activities with Foam Pool Noodle Toys
| dupage2014_noodlemania.pdf |
Tag-TEAM Activities presented by Sam Sikes, Jim Cain & Chris Cavert
| team2013tagteampre_sikescaincavert.pdf |
My Favorite Tag Games
| myfavoritetaggames.pdf |
As Simple As Possible - 16 activities and debriefing suggestions that are easy to present and require minimal equipment.
| asapactivities_handout.pdf |
Activity Websites
[Please let me know if any of the following links are broken. Thank you!!]
PLAYMEO is the largest online resource of experiential group games & activities in the world, used by teachers, corporate trainers, outdoor educators, and youth leaders (brought to you by Mark Collard). This is a fee-based site, now with hundreds of activities. Each activity includes: Step-by-Step Instructions, How to Play Narrative, Practical Leadership Tips, Popular Variations, Useful Framing Ideas, and Lesson Plans. Most of the activities include a video tutorial. You can choose from monthly, yearly, or lifetime plans.
Wilderdom.com [The Link is Inactive right now. We'll keep an eye on it, you can check too, and re-link when it's back up.] A free substantial index (including descriptions) of group activities, games, exercises and initiatives.
The Thiagi Group This site has a variety of free resources for the adult/corporate trainer - Podcasts, Free Training Games, an Online Newsletter, and other "Free Resources." Most of the activities can be adapted for youth populations. LOTS HERE!!
Youthwork includes a wonderful variety of free "Successful Activities for Youth and Youthworkers" - be sure to explore the other links at this page including the "Other Activities Sites" link which takes you to over two-dozen more options to explore.
Group-Games includes free "instructions to the world's best icebreakers and group games!" You'll find a home blog type format with some initial games and instruction links, as well as tabs (at the top of the page) that take you directly to specific game pages.
PLAYMEO is the largest online resource of experiential group games & activities in the world, used by teachers, corporate trainers, outdoor educators, and youth leaders (brought to you by Mark Collard). This is a fee-based site, now with hundreds of activities. Each activity includes: Step-by-Step Instructions, How to Play Narrative, Practical Leadership Tips, Popular Variations, Useful Framing Ideas, and Lesson Plans. Most of the activities include a video tutorial. You can choose from monthly, yearly, or lifetime plans.
Wilderdom.com [The Link is Inactive right now. We'll keep an eye on it, you can check too, and re-link when it's back up.] A free substantial index (including descriptions) of group activities, games, exercises and initiatives.
The Thiagi Group This site has a variety of free resources for the adult/corporate trainer - Podcasts, Free Training Games, an Online Newsletter, and other "Free Resources." Most of the activities can be adapted for youth populations. LOTS HERE!!
Youthwork includes a wonderful variety of free "Successful Activities for Youth and Youthworkers" - be sure to explore the other links at this page including the "Other Activities Sites" link which takes you to over two-dozen more options to explore.
Group-Games includes free "instructions to the world's best icebreakers and group games!" You'll find a home blog type format with some initial games and instruction links, as well as tabs (at the top of the page) that take you directly to specific game pages.
Online Stores - Books, Equipment, Supplies & more...
FUNdoing Store Digital downloads (activities and team building kits) ready to read and use right away.
Training Wheels One of the most comprehensive online retail stores for adventure-based programming resources & equipment.
Training Wheels One of the most comprehensive online retail stores for adventure-based programming resources & equipment.
Future Factory If you can invest in some "serious" training tools, check out the offerings from Future Factory (out of the UK). They are the creators of "Colour Blind" (and now Colour Blind II) and much more. They tell me there is an easy price and shipping converter that helps us understand our total (let me know). AGAIN, we're talking "investment" here!
Informational Websites - Adventure Ed Theory & Practice
Active Reviewing From Roger Greenaway - explore the why and how of experiential learning. Loads of useful information about reviewing (i.e., processing) with your groups.
Teamwork and Teamplay Check out the wonderful resources provided by Dr. Jim Cain.
Essays, Documents & Articles
Raccoon Circles: The Official Internet Edition (PDF Document) from Jim Cain - found at the Teamwork and Teamplay website. Be sure to explore Jim's site to discover more useful resources.
Essay: Educators on the Challenge Course by Chris Cavert Ed.D., takes a look at three possible roles for challenge course practitioners - The Instructor, The Teacher, and the Facilitator. Situations, group objectives, and educational intent all help to determine the most appropriate role at any given time within a program. [Recently published in the Fall edition of Zip Lines produced by ACCT.]
| educatorsonthecourse.pdf |
Programming Tools
Decoding Sheet This is an open format worksheet used to "decode" activities after participating, reading, or viewing them (e.g., videos). I've used this tool for classes and trainings to help students and participants understand the different aspects of what goes into thinking about, programming, and leading an activity. Putting "pen to paper" (or thoughts through the keyboard), also serves as a reflective practice for the experience, and a fair assessment to check for understanding. (This file is in PDF format. Use it as a guide to create your own digital version, or copy this version and work with the static space provided.)
| decodingsheet2_template.pdf |
Activity Tools
ICE BREAKER QUESTION CARDS There are 32 ready-made ice-breaker question cards in the PDF file below. I excerpted them from the BIG selection of questions at Jim Hough's website. I picked out the ones I thought were a bit more out of the ordinary.
| icebreakercards_deck1.pdf |
Equation Analysis Test Cards, Deck #1 - Print and Play Puzzle Cards
| eatpuzzlescards_deck1.pdf |
LIST PLAY #1 - Activity handout and answers to Blog Post, March 31, 2015
| listplay1_033115.pdf |
LIST PLAY #2 - Activity handout and answers to Blog Post, August 30, 2018
| listplay2_2018.pdf |
BAKERS DOZEN CHECKLIST (This is the handout needed for the activity described in this Blogpost)
| bakersdozenchecklist_handout.pdf |
PICTURE PROCESSING QUESTIONS Two pages of questions you can reference when using any sort of picture cards (e.g., Chiji Cards, Climer Cards)
| pictureprocessingquestions_adved.pdf |
TEAM BUILDING CARDS A set of 26 printable cards with team building behavioral terms you can use for discussion prompts and activities - needed for the activity in THIS blog post.
| teambuildingcards_behaviors.pdf |
HEALTH & FITNESS FINDINGS BINGO The PDF file below is a variation of the ice-breaker Human Bingo where participants fill out their bingo card (sheet) with signatures. Items on the card are related to health & fitness endeavors.
| healthfitnessbingo_2013.pdf |
THE WRITE FAMILY STORY is an action-oriented tale where a circle of players pass objects around based on the directions given.
| wrightfamily.pdf |
Share your favorite adventure-based educational resources with: chris.cavert@gmail.com