#medium group

No supplies required

Optimal group size: less than 30 people 

Directions:  

1. Have the entire group create a tight circle, with about 6 inches apart from each other. 

2. Each person will ask a question that IS NOT a yes or no question. 

3. The person has an instant to ask the question. Absolutely no hesitation or else that person is OUT.

4. The person could ask the question to the person on the left or right. 

5. The person asking the question must make eye contact with the person that they’re speaking to.

6. When you’re asked the question then you become the person who asks the next question.

7. If you are out um then you sit quietly outside the circle. 

• Step 1: Stand up in a circle so everyone can see each other.

• Step 2: The person who’s turn it is stand in the middle of the circle.

• Step 3: The objective is for the person who is in the middle to go up to someone and make them smile.

• Step 4: If the person smiles, it is now their turn to make someone else smile.

Rules:

• You have to say the phrase “Can I get a smile,” and you have to address the person by their name. (If you are unsure of the name, ask politely.)

• The person in the middle gets 3 chances to make someone smile. (They have to try with 3 different people)

• The person being asked the question must say the phrase “No honey, you may not have a smile.” While keeping a straight face or not smiling or laughing.

• A person can not cover their lips to hide their smile or laughter.

•No physical contact

To play Road Trip:

–First we need everyone to get in a circle, or a square, oval, triangle, really any shape where you can see everyone else’s eyes.

–Start by saying my name is _____, and on this road trip I’m bringing _____.

          What you are bringing should start with the first letter of your name.

–Before you say your name and what you are bringing, repeat what the two people before you said.

–At the end, we’re going to see if anyone can remember everyone’s name and what they’re going to bring on this Road Trip.

Circle formation

Come up with a topic (Appropriate)

Everyone says i like my (Topic) Served However they like 

Person to the right continues

Ends when last person go

Supplies: 

picture of PB&J (ex: http://www.bbb.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1.png)

Bread (two slices per person)

Peanut Butter (enough for each person to make a sandwich)

Jelly (enough for each person to make a sandwich)

Knives (one for each person)

spoons (one for each person)

Paper towels or plates (one for each person)

Pencil and paper

Appx. Time: 20+ minutes

Group Size: Recommended Small (2-10) or Medium (10-30), possible with Large (30-50)

Directions:

Show the group the picture and ask them what it is.  Ask the group to raise their hands if they have eaten a PB&J before.  Keep your hands up if you have ever made a PB&J.  Should be pretty easy, right?  Well, now we are going to see how easy it is to instruct someone else to make a PB&J.

Each participant should find a partner (optional: who they typically do not work with) and designate which partner will give directions first and which partner will receive directions first.  Pairs should find a space to sit with their backs to each other, with a hard surface (table, floor, etc.) available to one of the partners. 

The person receiving directions is given a plate with two slices of bread, a dollop of peanut butter, a dollop of jelly, a spoon, and a knife.  

The person giving directions gives instructions to their partner on how to make a PB&J. Refer to the picture for what a PB&J should look like.

For 5 minutes, the person receiving directions can only do what they are instructed to by their partner, and nothing more (give examples of what following exact directions could look like).  The goal is to make the best PB&J closest to the picture. 

After the 5 minutes are up, have each pair show their sandwiches to the group.  How did we do?  Participants can eat the sandwiches they made (sharing is optional and at the consent of participants--everyone will have an opportunity to make a sandwich for themselves) 

The partners should then switch roles.  Using a pen and paper if they want, the person now giving directions has 30 seconds to think of what they want to say and write it down (if they want).

After 30 seconds, the person now receiving directions can only do what they are instructed to by their partner, and nothing more (give examples of what following exact directions could look like).  The goal is to make the best PB&J (closest to the picture).

After the 5 minutes are up, have each pair show their sandwiches to the group.  How did we do?  Again, go ahead and eat the sandwiches. 

Debrief: 

How did it go?  Was it difficult to give detailed directions to a simple task? 

Anyone who actually has never made a PB&J before--what was the experience like for you?  

Was it easier or harder to give directions and make a PB&J when you had time to think and write out directions? 

This activity allows participants to practice giving directions and is a good primer for facilitation training. 

Supplies: 

writing utensils (one per participant)

slips of paper (one per participant for each round) 

Group size: Small (2-10), Medium (10-30)

Directions:

Participants are split into two groups: Why and Because

Participants in the “Why” group write a question, beginning with “Why” (ex. Why is the sky blue?)

Participants in the “Because” group write a statement beginning with “because” (ex. because today is a Friday)

Participants have 2 minutes to match with someone in the opposite group whose statement finishes theirs. 

Pairs should come up with an explanation of why their statements fit together.  The explanation can be true (based on reality) or not (fictional, creative answers)