Objective(s) & Context
Offer an opportunity to get to know each other.
Provide a chance to get energized.
Duration
20 minutes
Group Size
10–40
Age Group
7 +
Skills
Sharing, Communicating, Listening
Format(s) & Technique(s)
Large group work
Materials
Meta cards (4 x 6 coloured paper) or large post-it notes
Cut-outs of famous people (cartoon character, actors, and singers, etc. You can find these in magazines, posters, newspapers, online, etc.)
Flip chart
Markers
Masking tape
Facilitation Tips
Divide participants into groups of 5 or 10 depending on the size of the group:
10 people = 1 group
20 people = 2 small groups of 10 each
30 people = 3 small groups of 10 each
Remember to choose famous people that the group will know and can relate to!
Popular Education Prompts
Getting to know each other is an important building block for moving forward as a group.
Having a chance to play and have fun together cannot be underestimated in building a strong group dynamic.
Leading the Activity: Steps to Take
Preparation:
Ensure you have cut outs of famous people.
Workshop:
Ask participants to form a line with their backs facing you.
Tape a picture of a famous person to the back of each participant. Don’t let them see who it is.
Ask participants to form a horseshoe and sit down.
Option 1:
Explain to the participants that they will each get a chance to stand at the opening of the horseshoe. They will then ask up to five questions to the group in order to determine what famous person they are.
Prior to asking questions, ask each participant to introduce themselves with: their name, a hobby, favourite food, or musician/group they enjoy.
Repeat this process for each participant.
Option 2:
(Best considered with younger girls and as a game)
Explain to the participants that they will go around and randomly ask each other “yes” or “no” questions to find out what famous person they are.
Explain that they are only allowed to ask “yes” or “no” questions. For example: “Am I a cartoon?” or “Am I a singer?” or “Am I alive?” or “Am I a man or woman?”)
If they do not guess who they are, the group can give them a few hints. If they still do not guess who they are, they can be told.
Debrief
Did we learn anything new about other people in the group?
Ask the group what their impressions were of the workshop.
Success Indicators
Participants are:
Talking and laughing with the group
Communicating well together
Sharing more about themselves with the group
Source: Adapted from www.wilderdom.com/games/icebreakers.html