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AFFIRMATIVE
FOLD-UPS
BACK
TO BACK: Every group member must find a partner
of approximately equal height and weight, if possible.The partners will lock arms with their backs to one another.With arms remaining locked at all times, the
partners will sit down on the ground, kick their legs
out straight, and try to stand back up.Then groups of four will try the same thing.Then groups of eight, sixteen, and eventually,
the entire group together.This is the perfect activity to begin a trust
sequence.
CHALKBOARD
SENTENCES
CLIPBOARDS
HUMAN
KNOT: The group starts out in one or two
tight circles.Everyone in the group reaches across the circle
with their right hand to grab another group member’s
right hand.The group then reaches in with their left hand
to grab a different group member’s left hand.The object is to untangle the group without
letting go of hands until a circle is formed.If the group is having extreme difficulty,
you can administer “knot first-aid” and break one
set of tangled hands (with group consensus), otherwise
group members may not let go at any time.You may have to decide as a group that the
know is not solvable, after prolonged attempt.NOTE: Can have group do without talking if
they are advanced enough.
KEEP
IT UP
LAP
SIT
LEVITATION
LIFELINES
MACHINE
GAME: The object of this game is to create
a machine out of a group of people (i.e. ceiling fan, hot air balloon,
watch, etc.).You might
want to split your group into two or three smaller groups.Each person is required to be accountable for one noise and one
motion of the machine.The
group members should then put their motions and sounds together to
create the machine.Give
each group about 5 minutes to work together and prepare, and then have
the groups present to everyone.Ask
the other groups to guess what machine the group is.
MASKS
PENNY
FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
PEOPLE
PASS: Have the group split into two smaller
groups, if necessary.Have the groups lie down on their backs, in
a straight line, ear to ear, alternating guy-gal-guy-gal,
etc.Have
the first person in line stand at the end of the line
and lay down (on their back) on the hands of the first
person.Have
the group pass the individual from one end to the
other.NOTE:
Each group MUST have a spotter and the group should
be VERY aware and serious.
PIECE
OF THE PUZZLE
POSITIVE
BOMBARDMENT
PROGRESSIVE
STORY
PRUI:
The purpose of this game is to integrate group members
and build trust and communication.Have each player take a blindfold and spread
out on the floor.Ask those who feel comfortable to put their
blindfolds on.Explain that you will tap someone on the shoulder;
that person will be the “Prui” and will take off his/her
blindfold.(None
of the other players will know who the Prui is.Everyone will mingle around slowly (with bumpers
up).Each
time a player bumps into someone, they should shake
his/her hand and ask, “Prui?”If the person says “Prui,” they are NOT the
Prui.If
the person does not answer you back, they ARE the
Prui.Once a player finds the Prui, he/she should join hands with
him/her and take off his/her blindfold.That person is now part of the Prui, so if
someone bumps into him/her, they should NOT respond,
so that person knows to join the Prui as well.Everyone will continue mingling around until
they find the Prui chain.When everyone is part of the chain, the game
is over. NOTE: This is a high trust activity, and should be done at an
appropriate time.
SING
DOWN
TAFFY
PULL
TEAM
VS. THE WALL
THREE
PERSON TRUST FALL**:
This trust activity should not be done with out doing
a “two person trust fall” first.The responsibilities and commands are the same
as the two person trust fall.This time there will be two catchers, one in front of the faller,
and one in back of the faller.Both catchers will go through the commands,
and the faller may fall either way (forwards or backwards).The faller’s feet are STATIONARY, and the catchers
gently push the faller back and forth like a windshield
wiper.NOTE:
The faller should not be on fast speed!
TINKER
TOY COMPETITION
TOUCHSTONES
TRUST
WALK
TWO
PERSON TRUST FALL**:
Every group member needs to find a partner of approximately
equal height and weight.One partner will designate themselves as the
faller, and one will be the catcher.Both partners will get the chance to act in
both roles.The faller’s responsibilities are to stay as
straight as possible, not bend at the waist, keep
their arms across their chest, and communicate with
the catcher.The catcher’s responsibilities are to get in
a sturdy stance (usually one leg in front of the other
in a lunge position), be aware, keep their hands right
below the faller’s shoulder blades, use the arms as
shock absorbers, not underestimate the force being
generated by the faller, and constantly communicate
with and reassure the faller.The faller will have his/her back to the catcher.The commands are performed, and the faller
falls straight back.After three tries, the partners should switch
roles.NOTE:
Give the group members the opportunity to say “no”
to this exercise.This and all other trust activities are very
serious activities.
VALUES
DISCUSSION
WEB
WE WEAVE
WHAT
YOU DON’T KNOW
WILLOW
IN THE WIND: Should follow after a “two or three
person trust fall” has been completed.This activity can be performed in one large
group or in smaller groups with a minimum of seven
people.Have
the group stand in circle with their shoulders touching.One person stands in the middle, with his/her
eyes closed, body stiff, and feet planted.The rest of the group should be in a tight
circle, in a sturdy stance.The outside circle group members have both of their hands up
and ready at chest level.The commands are performed, and the faller
may fall any way he/she likes.The rest of the group will gently change the
faller’s direction by easing their “fall” and sending
them in another direction.The middle person will change after a few minutes.NOTE: Address the fact that the more hands
on someone, the safer they will feel.The leader also should ask group members to
remain quiet during the activity - or even to make
the sound of a gentle breeze.
*These
activities, as well as other physical teambuilders,
have inherent risks. It is recommended that you bring
in a trained facilitator for these activities
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