Team  Building  Ideas

BEST TAG GAME
Starting with a large group in a fairly confined space, invite everyone to find a partner. Next, one partner is asked to turn around in place three times (the tagger) while their partner moves off to another location. If the tagger manages to touch their partner, (by walking - not running) these two people change roles. The new tagger rotates three times while their partner moves off to hide amongst the other players.
One of the most interesting components of this activity occurred during the debriefing process at the end of the activity. Pat asked, "when you were a tagger, those other people in the room, did they help or hinder you?" Most folks suggested that they hindered them. "But when you were trying to evade your tagger, were those same people helpful?" This time, the answer was a resounding yes. "How then is it possible that the same people could be both helpful and a hinderance at the same time?" Which brought about some very interesting conversation about the value of our contributions.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS
This is a fun, light-hearted, competitive (and noisy) activity. Ask everyone to find a partner and play Rock, Paper, Scissors.   The person who wins the match advances, the person who lost joins the winner's "team" as an enthusiastic fan and cheerleader. Winners continue to play by finding another undefeated participant to play against, while their growing fan bases cheers them on. Play until one person wins the final match and all the fans. Congratulations!  This is super easy and super fun!  Give it a try...it will rapidly become your favorite game

HAND MATH
Partners face each other, with hands behind their backs. On the count of three, they each present one hand, with fingers showing from zero (a fist) to five (all fingers showing). The first partner to correctly count the total number of fingers showing (theirs and their partner's) wins! For round two, partners can display one or both hands (answers range from zero to twenty). In round three, three players form a small group, starting play with one hand (answers range from zero to fifteen). And finally, for the highest level, three players with both hands (answers ranging from zero to thirty). One of the take-aways from this mathematically playful experience is the element of good sportsmanship. When your partner happens to win a round, they deserve a high five and a 'good job,' from their opponent. Teaching audiences how to play well together and with sportsmanship is a valuable life skill indeed.
 
I AM THE KING! 
A large circle is formed, with players standing. One person is selected to be the tagger and stands inside the circle. At the center of the circle is an object (a shoe, a stuffed animal, a book, even a cardboard box). We'll choose a mitten for this example. The goal of the tagger is to tag someone moving inside the circle, and trade places with them. But during this process two other hilarious things can happen. First, two players on opposite sides of the circle can attempt to exchange places. This can temporarily distract the tagger, which makes the next heroic move even more possible. And that is for a single person to run to the center, lift the object above their head and yell, "I am the mitten king!" and make it back to their original location (or a new position that opens up) without being tagged.
If they manage to return without being tagged, they are indeed The Mitten King!

KNIGHTS & DRAGONS
Here is an excellent and brief activity for a large group of people. For each person in the group, there are two other people that are very important to them. One is a fire-breathing dragon (oh no!). But that's ok, because the other is a knight in shining armor. Once each person has chosen who will play these roles for them (without telling them who they are), the game begins. Each player attempts to stand in a position where their knight in shining armor stands between them and the fire breathing dragon. What happens next is pure chaos, as players begin to move around, quickly trying to get in the proper position. But alas, this configuration never settles, as players continuously try to position themselves as best they can.

LOCK & LOAD
Here is a game for partners that requires split second timing. Each round has three beats. On beats one and two, opponents slap their knees with their open hands. On the third beat there are three possible moves (each one requires both players to hold their hands in six-shooter position - or water pistol position, if you prefer).
1.     A player can raise both hands to the sky. This is the loading position (as rain falls, it fills your water pistol!)
2.     A player can cross their arms in front of them (making an X). This is the 'block' position -which prevents you from getting wet.
3.     A player can aim both barrels at their opponent. This is the 'shooting' position.
The goal is to get your partner 'wet.' When one partner is in the shooting position, and their partner is in the loading position, the loading partner gets wet.
Each player must 'load' before 'shooting.' It is possible however, to load several times, and then shoot several times, if desired.

NINJA
In a small group of players, one ninja invites the others to take their position, with much ceremony and respect.
Ninja is basically a hand slapping game. At the very beginning, players stand in various combat positions. The lead ninja is allowed to make one simple movement with their arm in an attempt to connect with another player's hand. The only point of contact allowed is hand to hand. The opponent in this case is also allowed a simple movement to avoid contact. If contact is made, that opponent is out. If not, play continues with the opponent having another simple movement to connect (with the player on either side of them). A simple moment is described as a single fluidly-moving body part (arm, body, elbow), while a complex move would involve multiple movements of arms, legs and body at the same time. As ninjas are eliminated, players may use their turn to advance their position towards another opponent instead of striking. Play continues until a champion ninja is identified.  
 
PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
Partners work together in this great game of human connection. Begin by inviting players to find a partner and form a large circle. The leader of this activity stands in the center of the circle and shouts out various (appropriate) body parts that the partners must connect. If for example, they yell, "elbow to elbow," both partners would touch one of their elbows to one of their partner's elbows. "Hand to ear," would connect one partner's hand to the other partner's ear. "Toe to toe," would connect at least one of each partner's toes to the other. Partners continue to hold their first connection point as they attempt to complete the second and third connections as well. After three commands, the leader yells, "people to people," and players scatter attempting to find a new partner for themselves (so does the leader). If the leader is successful in finding a new partner, the person without a partner become the new leader and begins the process again.
 
PIRATE'S TREASURE
This communication activity requires three people per team. All three are needed to help find an object that has been placed in the playing area.

• One Seeker - Who is searching for an object in the play area with their eyes closed and listening to the Communicator for directions.
• One Director - Who watches the Seeker, but cannot speak. The Director must use signals (point) to assist the Communicator.
• One Communicator - Who can talk, but whose back is to the Seeker. They must watch the Director and then shout instructions to the Seeker.

The challenge here is for the Director to steer the Seeker by instructing the Communicator who tells the Seeker where to go (forward, to your right, etc.). The object can be any small item (poker chip, playing card, shoe, cell phone). This situation is made a bit more challenging as multiple teams attempt to work in the same space. Some teams may even set out to steal your object before your Seeker can find it.

SHOE TOWER
Here is an activity that combines creative problem solving and construction. Invite the members of your medium size group to take off both shoes. Toss one shoe in a pile and the other shoe in another pile. Next divide this group into two smaller teams. Each of these smaller teams takes one of the piles of shoes (they are identical) and attempts to create the tallest tower they can from only these resources. The challenge here is to find a way to stack these shoes, to create the tallest tower possible.

 STAND OFF
This physical challenge is best with partners of similar physical size. Stand facing your partner, with feet together, hands up (so that you could touch your partner's shoulders, but don't). In this sport, the only body parts that can contact each other are the player's hands. Players are asked NOT to interlock the fingers of their hands with their opponent's. The challenge here is to force your partner to take a step in any direction from their present position, by pushing with your palm against the palm of their hand. Strategies that work include brute force, faking contact, different pressure on each hand and a few more that you are sure to discover while playing.
 
TITANIC
This playful game is a great way to quickly mix your audience and an ideal method for dispersing a large group in a slow and orderly fashion. Begin by demonstrating the following commands to your audience:

• Captain's Coming: Everyone stands and salutes the Captain (facilitator).
• Front of the Ship: Everyone moves to the bow of the ship.
• Back of the Ship: Everyone moves to the stern of the ship.
• Mid-Ship: Everyone moves to mid-ship.
• Dinnertime: Five people required. One forms a 'table' on their hands and knees, four other players kneel around the four sides of this table and mime eating.
• Lighthouse: Four people required. One player stands in the middle, arms raised and 'beeps' as the lighthouse. Three other players join hands and circle around this person.
• Row Ashore: Three people required. One person lies flat on the ground, two people stand over them using their arms to make 'rowing' movements (like paddling a canoe).
• Couples Dancing: Couples dance in ballroom position.
• Swab the Deck: Individuals. Everyone individually kneels to the floor and 'scrubs' it.

 
After demonstrating these commands to the crew, the Captain (facilitator) barks these commands out in random order while moving the entire crew from the bow to the stern to mid-ship and back again. Crew members successfully completing each command remain in the game while those without sufficient partners or failing to complete a command quickly and properly are asked to do one of the following:

• Leave the game. Use this version if you want to slowly disperse your group on to the next activity location. This is an ideal way to serve snacks during a program, so that your entire audience does not immediately flock to the serving tables.
• Form a continuous chain with other outcasts, walking about and singing 'yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!' until all players are members of the outcast group.

WAH!
Wah is a game of the samuari (well, probably not, but it is fun to frame it that way!) So when you say, 'Wah!' you can't say it with a New York accent, you need to say it like a samuari, 'WHAT There are three basic movments to this game. Begin with multiple circles of about 8 people in Wha position - feet slightly spread (like the capital letter A), hands together, pointed forwards. In each circle, one person will volunteer to begin the game. This first person gains eye contact with another person, points to them with both hands and says, "Wha!" The second person now raises both of their hands straight up over their head, and says, "Wha!" The third and final move involves the two people standing on each side of person two, who make non-contact lumberjack chopping motions towards person number two, and also say "Wha!" If each person completes their task and says 'Wha!' with gusto and on time, the game continues. But, if anyone is early or late in the performance of their duty, or they just mess up, they are 'out' of the game. But the good news is, they are not permanently out of the game. They can quickly move to another circle and immediately get back into the game. After the third movement is completed, person number two (whose hands are still raised high above their head) become the first person in the next round, points to one of their group members and evokes the command, "Wha!" And the game continues.
 
POKER FACE
Type of Activity: Problem Solving, Diversity
Purpose: This activity focuses on inclusion and diversity.
Props Needed: A deck of playing cards, preferably jumbo playing cards
Set Up: Plays well with 10 or more. Activity will focus on inclusion and diversity. Shuffle your deck of cards and give one to each participant. Ask them not to look at the face of the card.
Process:   As you explain the directions, ask the participants to hold their card so the face is down towards the floor. Tell them that in a moment you are going to ask them to place that card to their forehead. They are not to look at their own card, but everyone else can see their card. Instruct them that you are going to be intentionally vague with the directions. Figuring out what to do is a part of the game.
This activity involves the participants mingling around the room, holding their card on their forehead, and treating each other based on the face value of the cards that they see. You can play this game silently or you can allow talking—both ways are powerful. Playing the game silently usually has a more powerful impact. If you choose this option, instruct the group that they do not have the resource of their voice. Then ask them to place their card to their forehead and say, "Please treat each other based on the face value of the card that you see. Ready, Go." The mingling begins and there is some slight confusion at first. Some participants are uncertain how to treat others.
Typical behaviors are:
The royalty cards are usually bowed down to, given high fives, and generally treated very well. Most cards want to 'hang out' with the high cards. Usually royalty cards start grouping together.
The middle cards are pretty much ignored. They sometimes get a 'so-so' hand motion demonstrated to them or a shrug of the shoulders.
The low cards are treated many different ways. Some get a dismissive hand gesture; some get the letter 'L' sign on a forehead depicting 'Loser.' Some low cards will get a pretend kick their way or dirty looks by others. Some will get a thumbs down motion. These behaviors are obvious and can look somewhat severe to onlookers. Often participants with low cards will form smaller subgroups and begin to back out of the middle of the mingling area.
After some mingling, ask the participants to stop talking and stand still—DON'T LOOK AT THE CARDS YET! Ask the group to separate into what group they think they are in, low cards, middle cards, or high cards. Participants place themselves based on how they were treated. When everyone is in a group, ask the participants to look around the room at the order of cards on each participant's forehead, and then look at their own card.
NOTE: This game can bring up some interesting emotions that you may have to deal with.  These are the teachable moments! Some teachable moments are more powerful than others for different people. Keep a watchful eye over all your participants. Make sure they all leave the activity with their self-esteem intact.

GROUP BLACKJACK
Type of Activity: Problem Solving
Props Needed: Jumbo deck of Playing Cards
Set Up: Give each participant a card and ask them not to look at it
Process:   Place the card on their forehead. Ask them to play 'Blackjack' but everyone in the group must be included in a group that equals a combined value of 19, 20, or 21.
Simple blackjack rules in case you are unfamiliar with it: Aces equal a value of 1 or 11. Royalty cards equal a value of 10. All other number cards are face value.  If you give them a range of 19,    20, and 21 they should be able to include EVERYONE in the group no matter how many participants you have. Even groups of 15 should be able to do it as long as there are a few aces thrown in. To make it a little harder throw a Joker card in and make it a 'wild' card, so it can be whatever value they want it to be.
Debrief:

• How did you get into your groups?
• Did anyone feel left out?
• How did it feel when someone helped you find a partner?

GET 20
Type of Activity: Problem Solving
Props Needed: Jumbo deck of Playing Cards
Set Up: Invite your participants to get into groups of 4 or 5. Give each participant one card. For this game face cards have a value of 10.
Process: Ask them to use any math function (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) to get their cards into a sequence that would equal the number 20. For example, if one group had a cluster of cards that are these values: a King(10), Ace (1 or 11), 5, 6 and 8, the group would get into a line and explain to the group how they equal 20: a King plus an Ace would be 11,11 plus 8 equals 19, 19 plus 6 equals 25. 25 minus 5 equals 20. Make sense? Occasionally you will have groups that will not be able to make their cards work for a value of
20.    In this case you can invite other groups to invite a 'card' to their group and make a new sequence. You can also switch up cards to keep the same group intact but with different cards.
Variation: Have the group present their favorite equation by performing it for the other group. Group stands in order showing their cards and team members make symbols using body parts for plus, minus, time, divide, etc.
Debrief:

• How did your group work together to come up with 20?
• Were you able to come up with more than one solution?
• How did you involve everyone in your group?

1. Me Too! (K-20)
First student gives a fact about themselves—I love basketball, I have two sisters, etc. If that statement or fact is true about another student, they stand up and say “Me too!” They can also stay seated, but simply raise their hand and say “Me too!”

2. Park Bench (6-20)
Two chairs are placed together to resemble park bench. Two students volunteer—or are selected—to act out “what happened” in a fictional news story. They are given one minute to prepare a scene where they discuss the “event” without every actually saying what happened. After given time period (1-5 minutes), peers guess “what happened,” but they must give up all four important details: Who, What, Where, and When, e.g.:
    What: College Basketball game Who: Kentucky and Kansas When: Early April Where: New Orleans

3. Fact or Fiction (Grades 3-12)
In circle, first student offers two facts and one piece of fiction about themselves. Others raise hand or are called on to identify which were facts, and which were fiction. The correct guesser goes next. Play is completed when all students have gone.

4. Green Door (Grades 5-20)
Leader chooses a topic, but keeps it quiet, only saying that “You can bring a ____ through the green door.” Students are then forced to deduce the topic by asking if other things can be brought through the green door as well, e.g., “Can I bring a _____ through the green door?” Leader can only reply yes or no. When topic is identified, topic resets. Topics can be content related, such as parts of speech, colors, geometric figures, historical figures, etc.

5. One Minute Talk (Grades 5-20)
Students are chosen to give 60 second talks on anything, from self-selected topics they are passionate about, have specific expertise in, etc., to topics given from teacher.

6. Count to Ten (Grades 3-20)
All students stand in circle. First student says “1,” or “1,2.” The next student picks up where that student left off, and can say a maximum number of 2 numbers. The movement continues clockwise until it gets to 10, where that student has to sit, and the game starts back over at 1 at the next student. Note that there can be no pausing or silent counting—any pauses or indications the student is counting/calculating forces them to sit. Also, pouting or talking during counting results in elimination from future rounds. The big idea is to count strategically so that you can keep from saying “10.”

7. I Never (Grades K-20)
Students form circle. First student says something they’ve never done. Each student that has done the thing the other student has not steps briefly into the center. The game continues until every person has stated something they’ve done.

8. Magic Ball (Grades K-20)
Students form circle. First student is “given” imaginary magic ball. Student sculpts imaginary ball into new shape, handing it to person to their right. Activity is silent. Any talking/noise results in student sitting. After game, guessing may be done to predict what “sculpture” was.

9. Silent Line (Grades K-8)
Students are given a criteria, and must silently put themselves in a line as quickly as possible, to meet a goal, compete against other classes, or receive some reward (free reading time, no homework, etc.) The criteria can simple (birthdays), or slightly more complicated (alphabetical order of college or career ambition).

10. Inside-Outside Circle (Grades 3-20)
Students form a circle within a circle with (ideally) equal number of students in both circles. Inside circle members pair with outside circle members. Activity leader (usually teacher, but can be a student) presents a topic, prompt, or question. Partners share for 10 seconds (or less), leader asks inside circle to move clockwise a certain number of spaces to collaborate with new partners directly across from them. This is usually content focuses, and helps spur quick discussion on content related topics, or even current events.


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SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES
The following activities are for groups of 5-20. Great for cabin time or for rainy days!
Circle Simon Says
Everyone is sitting in a circle. One person has to shut their eyes while a leader is chosen. The leader than starts a rhythmic beat, and the group follows. The point of the game is for the person who had their eyes shut has to find the leader of the group. To make this work, you have to make sure that the leader changes beats periodically

Ah, SO, GO!
The group sits in a circle. Begin to pass the word "AHH" to the person to your right or left. The next person passes with the word "So" to their right or left The next person points to someone in the circle and says "GO" the person pointed to either start a new pass with "AHH" or they can say "No" and the person who passed it must start with "AHH" Keep it going as quickly as possible.
Gimme!
The counselor calls out an item, and the first person or team to bring it back to you gets a point. Be creative. On a rainy day you can ask for things that they have in their suitcases as you play inside the cabin. Let the campers be creative also. If they don't have the hat that you asked for, let them convince you that the sock they brought is really a hat!
What Is Your Ailment?
Players should be standing or sitting in a circle so that all can see each other. The first person chooses their ailment and describes it. They may say, for example, "I can't open my eye". Then they close one eye, and everyone else must close one eye. The next person may then say, "My left foot has the jumps" and bounces their foot up and down. Everyone must do the same while they continue to keep their eye closed. This continues around the circle, and by the time it reaches the end, everyone should be in stitches!!!
Buzz
One player starts the game by saying "one". The others in turn say two, three, four, etc. But when SEVEN is reached, that player must say "buzz". The counting goes on, but each time there is a multiple of seven or a number with seven in it, the player must substitute the word "buzz". Each time the word "buzz" is used, the direction of counting can switch within the circle. If the kids get really good at this, add double digits to the list (11 ,22,33,etc.).
Up Jenkins
The group is seated around a table, one team on each side. One person is chosen to be "IT". "IT" puts his/her hands on the table while the others pass a quarter from hand to hand. When the person chosen to be "IT" says "Up Jenkins", all must put their elbows on the table, fists closed. When the one who is "IT" says, "Down Jenkins", all slap their hands on the table top hard enough to muffle the sound of the quarter hitting the table. "IT" must point to the hand under which they think the coin lies. If it isn't there, the hand is raised and counts one against "IT". "IT" keeps pointing at hands until the coin is found. Score may be kept to see who finds the coin with the least guesses.
Touch Telephone
Campers sit in a line and then person at the back draws an object on the back of the person in front of them. This continues on up the line with the last person guessing what the object was.
Mrs. Mumble
Campers sit in a circle. One person starts by asking someone, "John, do you know Mrs. Mumble." John then answers, "No, I do not know Mrs. Mumble" and then asks someone else. All this continues, the only catch is that each person talking cannot show any teeth or gums. If they do, they lie down and the game continues.
Who's the Leader?
Send one person out of the room. Sit in a circle and pick a leader. The leader picks and action (snapping) and the group follows. The person sent out is brought back in and they try to guess whom the leader is. The leader changes the action throughout the game.

LARGER GROUP ACTIVITIES
The following activities are done in larger groups, usually 30 people or more.
Secret Service
All players are arranged in a large circle. One player is chosen to be the president and stands in the center of the circle, and another player is chosen to be the secret service agent, and they stand in front of the president. The point of the game is for the people in the circle to try to hit the president with a throwable object. The secret service agent is to guard the president by blocking the object. The president is not allowed to move during the game. When someone hits the president they become the secret service agent, the secret service agent becomes the president, and the president joins the circle. Safety rule: shots to the head of the president DO NOT count so don't throw at the head, and all throws MUST be underhand. Encourage the player to pass the object around the circle to tire the SSA out and get a clear shot.

HUMAN ALPHABET
Each team is formed of five or more players and a captain. Teams are an equal distance from the leader who shouts a letter of the alphabet. The captain then quickly arranges teammates in a formation to look like the letter called. The captain can be part of the letter. The first team to finish wins the round.

MACHINE
Tell the players that the object of this game is to build a group machine. One person starts an action and adds an accompanying sound (e.g., an arm moves up and down while saying "BEEP"). One at a time, other players hook on with a different action and sound until all are part of the "machine".
Volley-Volley Ball
This new game variation changes the way you score. Teams receive one, two, or three points, depending on how many different team members hit the ball before sending it over the net.

TAG GAMES
Link Tag
Couples stand spread out with elbows hooked between them. One player runs around between these couples while another player chases. If the runner is caught, the roles reverse. The runner can get a break by hooking elbows with one of the couples, creating a trio, forcing the person on the opposite end of the trio to now become the runner.
Blob Tag
This time, when "IT" tags a person, the person must hold hands with "IT", and the two of them run around together trying to tag others. The object is to capture everyone.
VARIATION ... The blob may be allowed to break up into smaller blobs and chase others. They must have at least four per blob. If one group yells, "Blobs Unite", all of the blob groups must get back together.
Freeze Tag
When a person is tagged by "IT", they must freeze with their legs spread a little further than shoulder width. When another player wants to "unfreeze" them, they must crawl between their legs. The leader must continue to switch the person who is "IT" so one camper is not running for too long.
Sarah and Abraham
Designate a "safety zone" at each end of the playing field. Choose someone to be the "captain" and have the rest go to one of the safety zones. Each round begins with the group singing a taunting song to the captain: Ships across the ocean, ships across the sea. Captain, captain, you can't catch me! The captain then calls out a descriptor (clothing color, type of shoe, etc.) and all who match it must run to the other side. Whoever the captain tags must stop and freeze where they got tagged to become seaweed-seaweed may tag others trying to cross, but must remain seated and move only their arms. Those who make it to the opposite safety zone survive to brave the ocean again. Sometimes it helps to have more than one captain with very large groups. Anther way to play is the 2 IT's and the frozen people are Wheat, the called line is "Sarah and Abraham, May we please cross your wild wild wheat field"
Noah's Arc Tag
Kids find a partner and decide what animal they would like to be together. Some one is Noah and then tries to tag all the animals. The partner's must run together and when they are tagged they go to the ark. Probably just a grassy spot, unless you feel like making an ark for the effect and to make the game more interesting. Directions for building an ark are found in Gen. 6: 14-16.
Line Tag
The player get into a line shoulder to shoulder, and each facing the opposite way. Two it's are choose, one to chase and one to be chased. The person being chased can only run in one direction, it chaser can run any dierstion they want. The chaser may get out of trouble by stepping in line BEHIND someone. When that happens the person who was stepped behind become the person being chased. When some gets tagged the become it and chase the other. NOTE if someone is having trouble cetching the other person, the leader can always decide to switch the person who is it at any time.

U Around
Campers are split into 2 teams each having half of the field. Each team has a "jail" at the back of their half of the field. Once players cross to the other teams half, they can be tagged by that team and put in jail. If a player makes it to the other team's jail, they get a free walk/run back holding up the hand of a teammate they've rescued. Players can also put the other team's members in jail by crossing to their side and running in a circle around them and back to their own side without being tagged.

DRAGON TAIL
Divide the group into two teams. Have each team line up one person in back of another, placing hands on the hips of the person in front of them. Place a handkerchief under the belt of the last person in each line (not tied, but loose). Line up both teams so that the first person on both teams are facing each other. At the starting signal, the first person must attempt to get to the back of the other team and grab the handkerchief. A point is scored when the handkerchief is grabbed. A team also scores a point if the other team "breaks" apart, even if only one hand is dropped from a hip.

Hospital Tag
Everyone is "it" in this game. When a camper gets tagged the first time, they put a "bandage" (which is their right hand) on the spot where they were tagged. They do the same for the second time they are tagged with their left hand. When they are tagged the third time, they must sit down and yell for a "medic." This counselor comes over and has the camper do something or simply tells them they are healed and then they run again.

Triangle Tag
Form groups of four. Have one person step away from the group while the other three pick who is "it." The fourth person comes back and the other three hold hands in a triangle as the fourth tries to figure out who is "it" and tag them.


9

Games
LOW ELEMENTS
T.P. Shuffle
Divide the group into two equal parts; one group stand together on one end of the log, and the other group stands together on the other end. The goal is to get the two groups to switch sides with each other, without touching the ground. The most common solution is people working in groups of three. One person sits down on the log as a second person steps over them. The third person is there to offer a stable hand to whoever needs it. Another variation is to get into some kind of fun order (ex. Make believe animals, age, height, etc.) Without speaking.

ALL-A-BOARD
Either take a wood box, a tree stump, or tape out a square on the ground. Explain to the group that they need to get their entire group to stand on/in the box or stump and sing happy birthday, Jesus Loves Me, etc. as loud as they can. They must sing the whole song and they cannot have any other part of their body touching the ground outside of the box. Once they successfully do it on a larger box, give them a smaller area to do it in. This usually ends up as a huge group hug. The smallest people inside and the larger people outside, so they can reach around everyone else. Another helpful hint is that they do not have to be touching the board with both feet. They just cannot touch the ground. Many groups have had the outside people hold one of their feet up in the air to save space!
Spider's Web
The object of the spider's web is to get the entire group through the web without ringing the bells or allowing the spider to fall from the web. Send two of the stronger people through the bottom holes first. Then start passing the other participants through the high holes saving another two of the stronger people to crawl through the remaining bottom holes at the end. You can add as many challenges to this element as you would like. For example, having a web hole magically close after a person passes through it. Taking away eyesight, speech or the ability to stand on two feet. Have fun with this element; it is a classic. Another way to do this is to use a piece of retired rope, and have the group feed it thru all the holes with out touching the web, this way no one is being lifted, and therefore cannot be dropped
Mountain Tops
This element is like a puzzle. The entire group must move from stump to stump without touching the ground until they reach the final point. After realizing that the two boards they were given are of different lengths, they should decide which board goes into which slots. Then place the first board and get the entire team to stand on it. Once the entire team is on the board, place the second board. Once the team has moved onto the second board, remove the first board, pass it forward and place it in the next slot and continue on.
Camp Is ...
Have participants get together with a partner. Begin by teaching the "Camp Is ... " handshake to everyone by demonstrating the words and motions. The words are simply "Camp is ... ;" but, on the word "Camp" the two players do a high 10 slapping both hands together. Immediately the hands rotate downward and clap together about waist high and it's here that the partners say: "is ... " The ending of the handshake is completely up to the participants. They must add on to the "Camp is ... " handshake by adding their own word(s) and own action. One option: Camp is "is cool!" while leaning against each other shoulder to shoulder and fanning ourselves.

GROCERY STORE
Divide the group into two, three or four even teams, with members of each team lined up one in front of the other. The leader stands in front of the two teams and calls out a letter of the alphabet. The first player in each line must name anything one could buy in a grocery store that starts with that letter. The first one to callout a product, goes back to the end of his own line. The other players that were on the front of the line drop out. This is done until only one player remains. In the case of items being called out at the same time, the leader can either callout another letter for the players that tied the call to answer or these players can go to the ends of their lines and play again.

SAME YOU'RE OUTTA THE GAME
This is a variation to the Rock, Scissors, Paper game. This game has been around for thousands of years and has many variations. Players play until there is only one player left in the group. Each player has a partner to begin with. Play the regular RSP game. If you lose, you sit-down. If you win, you go and find another player that has won and challenge them. If, at any time, two players "Tie" (do the same sign), they both are out of the game. This game moves along very quickly and players sitting down won't be there very long. Have fun with this simple yet traditional game.

TRANSITIONAL TECHNIQUES
BIRTHDAY CIRCLE
The leader asks the group to make a birthday circle with the leader included in the circle. The group forms a circle either verbally or non-verbally. This is a communication tool as well as a control tool. When all the children have lined up, have each player (starting with Jan. 1st) callout their birthdays (in order) and see if any have the same birthdays. At any time during your play sessions, the leader can say, "Birthday Circle!" and an instant circle can be created where everyone knows exactly where they need to be.
Center Spot
Place a dot in the center of the area. When the teacher calls for a number of students to get together, the students that don't have a group come to center spot to group up.
Fill-In
This is a great transitional activity that gets players from a scattered position to a circle very quickly. When the leader wants the circled formation s/he says, "Fill-in!' and upon that command, the group starts to power walk in a counterclockwise circle. The players fill in the opening until the spacing is good, at which time leader says, "Freeze!" and a nice circle has been formed.

FING, FANG, FOOEY - (USA)
This is a great way to determine who will be the "IT" for your next game. Have all participants stand in a circle, using the rock, scissor, paper technique, have everyone say: "Fing, Fang, Fooey." On the word "Fooey", each player will throw down 1, 2, or 3 fingers. Total the number of fingers and then count around the circle from the leader and the player that the number lands on becomes the "IT."

SPECIAL SPACE
Have all participants scatter throughout the playing area to find a spot that they want to call their own. This space should be away from any of the other players. Ask participants to sit in their space and to remember exactly where it is. From time to time, the leader can call-out "Find your special space!" At this time, all participants need to stop what they are doing and go directly to their space and sit down.

WHISTLE MIXER
Participants mill around the play area and each time the leader blows his/her whistle the participants group according to the number of times the leader blows his/her whistle. Example: group leader blows whistle 3x - the participants need to group in 3's.