Forming Pairs or Groups

Pair up with someone who...
Made similar fashion choices today

Wearing similar colors
Has similar footware
Has similar hairstyle
Similar height
Similar amount of warmth-retaining clothing

Shark Islands

"In a moment, not now, the floor will turn to an ocean filled with hungry sharks. The only way to be safe is to quickly get into a group of X people and form an island. You need the exact number of people to form the island. Ready, GO!"

This is one of my favorite methods of getting a group to form smaller groups. The psychological trick of this activity is that you have now defined safety as being WITH other people. People will move quickly to form islands and help others get onto islands. This is the exact opposite experience of participants awkwardly trying to find a group they feel comfortable approaching.

Once they are in island groups you can release the floor from being an ocean of sharks and proceed with the activity.

Forming new groups
At any time the floor can turn back into an ocean of sharks and you can reform new groups. "Look around the room, see the locations of the islands. In a moment your islands will melt down and the only way to be safe is to get to a new island. 3,2,1 GO!"

Larger groups
If its a big group then be more flexible about island size. ie. 5-6 people. Also give safety instructions - be aware of other people.

Who goes first

Minimal discussion

Wearing the brightest colors
Longest hair
Smallest feet
Is wearing the most... (specific color/ metal/etc.

More discussion / connection --

Speaks the most languages
Has the most pets
Slept the most hours last night
Has been in X location the longest (if conference or retreat)
Most times attended [this event/conference etc.]
Most years worked in this department or at this company
Travelled the farthest to get here
Has been in X organization the longest
Was born the closest to (place of workshop)
Done X activity most recently (shoveled snow, been on an airplane etc.)
Earliest birthday in the year

Group of 3

Choose an apple, chocolate, hamburger (or any 3 random things)

Changing partners in a circle

Inner circle and outer circle, chairs facing each other. Inner circle rotates.

Have people stand in a circle. Face each other in pairs. People facing one way stand still. People facing the other way rotate to the next person.

Methods (1)

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