Comments for Ice-breakers, Group Games & Team-Building Activities

Comment on Categories by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:32:27 +0000

Mark-

Thanks so much for the great ideas you have shared-

I am always looking to “borrow” large group activities to use, and this looks like an easy one to incorporate into most any setting…

Here is a collection of teamwork resources from my website your fans might enjoy!
http://www.greatresultsteambuilding.net/resources

Comment on Space Counting by Alison Thompson

Alison Thompson — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 20:50:47 +0000

This look great I’m going to try this with my group this week and let you know how I went on. I did the playing cards and getting in numerical order last week and there was lots of laughter and adrenalin. A great start to the day.

Comment on Ubuntu Cards by Mark Collard

Mark Collard — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:27:17 +0000

Hey Darren, thnak you so much for your detailed and enthusiastic reply – it’s so good to hear your experiences. Play on and have FUNN, Mark

Comment on Ubuntu Cards by Darren Wensor

Darren Wensor — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:59:35 +0000

Hey Mark, a few weeks ago I had my first experience with using the Ubuntu cards. It was hugely successful. The occasion was the introductory session at the start of the first live-in preparation camp with the 2012 Little Athletics NSW State Team. The overall team program consisted of two team camps plus a four-day trip to Hobart to contest the Australian Little Athletics Championships. The group consisted of twenty-six 13-15 years old athletes (male and female) and their parents who were there for an introductory/information session. Prior to the formal part of the information session we played half an hour of icebreakers with the group, the first using the Ubutu cards. We had each of the athletes team up with their own parent/s, distributed a card to each athlete/parent team and then paired up the athlete/parent teams. Each group introduced themselves to their immediate partners, then as you suggest, were asked to find the common item on the card, then something else they had in common. The amount of chatter, smiling and laughing was amazing. Teaming up the athletes with their own parents had many advantages: the more shy children had their parents with them to help break the ice and promote conversation thus it was less of a step outside their comfort zone; parents got to know children other than their own child and the athletes got to know parents other than their own parent; and everyone got to know which athletes “belonged” to which parents and which parents “belonged” to which athlete. It was the ideal icebreaker to begin our program which ultimately proved very successful: a very close state team; a very supportive and easy-to-get-along-with group of parents; and a team victory at the championships.

Comment on Me You You Me by Darren Wensor

Darren Wensor — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:59:09 +0000

Hey Mark, I’m a huge fan of your game “Me You You Me”, having used it now in the opening sessions with a number of teams and groups. I find your ideas for framing the activity very helpful.

Comment on The Maze by Mark Collard

Mark Collard — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:04 +0000

That’s great news Melissa, well done on impressing your supervisors. And keep an eye out for my new online resource which will blow this blog out of the water – http://www.playmeo.com – it will launch in July 2012, and will become the largest online resource of play and adventure-based activities in the world. Have FUNN, Mark

Comment on The Maze by Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:12:44 +0000

I am a Education Assistant Student in WA at the moment and today I had to present a 20 minute lesson to a group of students. After flicking through a few websites for ideas for an introductory game, the maze took my eye. It worked brilliantly and even my supervising lecturer loved it. I will certainly be keeping an eye on your blog and recommend it to anyone in education.

Melissa

Comment on Do You Have Something To Share? by Mark Collard

Mark Collard — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:28:30 +0000

Nathan, it was an absolute pleasure to have you “on board.” And I just wish everyone who works with groups could share your new, deeper understanding of what an ‘ice-breaker’ really is (and isn’t). Have FUNN… Mark

Comment on Do You Have Something To Share? by Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:24:03 +0000

After attending the workshop with Mark earlier this year I felt compelled to get the book for my group. Since that time we have taken on the challenge of incorporating one or two activities from them each time we meet. It has been an absolute blast as we all look forward to a new and exciting way to begin our time together as a group. Everyone has a laugh and is relaxed and ready for whatever our group is to do. I recommend the ideas and activities that Mark has put together for anyone very highly. I also look at the website continually to find out any new and fun ideas that we can use too. Mark, you are an inspiration, I am so glad that I met you to learn that my idea of ice breakers was way off! Thank you.

Comment on Do You Have Something To Share? by Andrew Gammon

Andrew Gammon — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:30:33 +0000

I attended one of Marks professional development days. The day was a lot of fun and got everyone involved. His sequencing of activities ensured that even those who may have been a bit timid to start were being heard, engaged and challenging themselves. The books I purchased have also been a big help with my Outdoor Education, Physical Education and Leadership programming. Thanks Mark