Clumps

January 16, 2010 by Mark Collard
Filed under: Ice-Breakers 

Zany, fast-paced energiser designed to mix people frequently

At A Glance

People quickly form a series of temporary groups matching the number called by the leader.

What You Need

  • 5 – 10 mins

What To Do

This is so simple, yet so good. Gather your group around you, and explain that, in a moment, you will shout out a number – any number from, say one to ten (the bigger your group, the bigger you can make the top end). Immediately, everyone must form a group consisting of that number of people. In my experience, groups get very huggy at this point, and form little fortresses with their bodies to prevent others from joining their little huddle.

Naturally, you will often get a few poor souls left over, the so-called remainder, if we speak in the language of long division. At this moment, you have several options. You can eliminate these folks, move them to the side, and continue with the next shouted number, and so on until you get the lucky ‘winners.’ This is fine; however, I think it’s best to simply shout another number. It keeps the energy up, is much less competitive, and more fun for everyone. And the look on the faces of the ‘dejected’ when they hear the next number called (‘I’m saved’) is priceless.

Move from five to three, then up to nine and back down to four so that a high degree of mixing occurs. Shout “ONE!” just to see what happens.

Variations

  • Add the proviso that when a new number is called, a person cannot form a group with anyone who was in their previous group (as much as is possible). This tweaking of the rules will spoil the plans of those crafty individuals who prefer to stick together, simply opting to ebb and flow in terms of their membership number at any point in time.
  • Form a group according to a simple, easily-accessible category, such as dark-coloured tops, brand of running shoes, gender, colour of eyes, etc. Similar to Categories.
  • Once formed, instruct the newly-created groups to use their collective bodies to make the shape of a letter of the alphabet, or numeral, or object, e.g., table, house, car, etc.

Taken from ‘Count Me In: Large Group Activities That Work’

If you know of a cool variation to this exercise, please add a comment…

Tags: , ,

Comments

2 Comments on Clumps

[...] a variety of Clumps, ending with “THREE” to form random groups of three people. Ask one person to place hands on [...]

  • Barbara White on Wed, 17th Feb 2010 2:44 am

This is such a simple, fun activity, we use it all the time with great success.

Hi, please share something of value to others here...





  • Who am I?

    I love to lead ice-breakers, group games and team-building

    Hi, I'm Mark Collard.

    This blog shares some of the most successful group games, team-building activities & programming tips I know.

    >>> FREE ACTIVITY eBOOK

    ice-breakers, group games and team-building

    Enter your name and email address in the form below to receive a FREE 30 page ebook which features ten of the BEST ice-breakers & group games ever!

    Email Address
    First Name








    Go to InspireYourGroup web.