Birthday Line-up Confidence and Team Building Games Have the Scouts line up in order of their birthdays (month and day, year isn't necessary). The trick is, they CAN NOT TALK AT ALL. You'll find they resort to sign language, nudges, someone might try to start directing, etc. Group Knot Have the Scouts stand in a tight circle, with their hands in the center. Then the Scouts grab others' hands at random. The puzzle is then for the whole group to work together to get themselves untangled. Sometimes you'll find that the group has actually formed several smaller circles. This may get frustrating if you've formed a troublesome knot, but let them keep trying. Loop-de-loop Have the Scouts stand in a circle and hold hands. Start one hula hoop (or innertube, long loop of fabric, etc.) hanging over one pair of joined hands. Each person in the circle must pass the hoop/loop over him/herself and on to the next person - WITHOUT letting go of hands. I generally do this with 2 or 3 loop/hoops going at the same time in different directions. Keep the Ball Up Using a beachball, have Scouts start hitting it around and trying to keep it off the ground. Then challenge them to keep it in the air for 20 hits, or 30 hits, etc. Encourage them to develop some strategy (such as establishing "zones", or an order, etc.) to try to keep the ball up for as many hits as possible. The previous games were contributed by: Rosemary Speers; Cadette Leader and Campus Scout; Huron Valley Girl Scout Council Oath / Law Puzzle I'm Den leader for 14 wolf cubs and used a jigsaw puzzle type game to help them learn the scout promise and the law of the pack. I wrote out the Promise and law on pieces of two foot by two foot 1/4 inch masonite. I then used a jigsaw to cut out each word so when I was done each word was a separate piece of the puzzle. They took turns in groups of four putting the puzzles together. The groups were timed to see which group was the fastest to assemble the puzzles. Not only did this help them learn the promise and the law, It also forced them to work as a team if they wanted to be the winners. I was able to make two puzzles of each in about an hour for under $5.00. The puzzles are also good to use at the beginning of meetings, as boys arrive, to keep them busy until everyone is there. Lava Island The game may be called "lava island." To set up the game make a circle on a flat or partially sloped area using rocks, sticks, or whatever is available; the circle should be large enough to comfortably fit the participants in
and allow them working room. Everyone should have a small object (a water bottle works very well). Instruct all participants to lie fully stretched out on their backs around the outside of the circle, with their feet touching the perimeter of the circle. Make sure participants are evenly spaced. Now everyone places their object (water bottle) on the ground at the top of their head. Then the participants get up and get inside of the circle. Explain that they are now surrounded by a pool of lava and the only safe spot is the "island" they are now standing on, which is marked by the ring you created (rocks, sticks). The goal is to retrieve all the water bottles outside the circle without touching anything outside the circle (the lava) and without using anything other than themselves (no hats, gloves, bandannas, ect). The solution involves hanging onto one person as he/she leans out and grabs the bottle; in doing so (because of the location of the bottle) the person's body will be nearly parallel to the ground. This is a great team building and trust/support game. Line Up Line up: in order of size, birthday, address, shoe size, shirt color, etc. Variations include no talking, blindfolded, mute and deaf, etc. (communication) Stick Everyone in group touches stick at same time. Break stick in half and repeat. Continue until stick is very small. (it's easier to start with a simple goal and work up to a harder one...) Canyon Bridge Two groups meet on a log/bench/etc. (the bridge) The groups need to pass each other to get to the other side of the canyon. Anyone who falls off goes to the end of their group. Blind Walk Divide group into pairs with one member of each pair blindfolded. Seeing partner leads blind partner on a walk. The walk should be challenging, including such obstacles as climbing over tables, crawling under chairs, walking up or down stairs, climbing over railings, etc. Blanket Volleyball Divide group into two teams, each with a blanket held like a parachute. Toss in an object that is volleyed from team to team using the blanket for propulsion. Can add objects. Similarity Charades Divide into smaller groups. Each group discusses their similarities and acts out for other group to guess. Trolley Walk Group coordinates efforts to walk while standing on wooden trolleys (long boards with ropes to hang on to every few feet).
Group Jump-Rope Given long piece of rope, group tries to jump rope simultaneously (again, easier to start with simple task - one or two people - and work up to larger goal gradually) Human Knot Each person grabs hands with two different people across a circle. Group works to untangle itself. (leadership, everyone important) Fingertip Hula Hoop In groups of around four, have students all put the tips of two (fingers of each hand) under the hula hoop. The object is for the group to be able to lower the hoop to the ground without anyones fingertips coming off. Their fingertips MUST be in contact with the hoop at all times. To make this even more challenging, you can have the students try it WITHOUT ALLOWING ANY TALKING. This activity takes a lot of team work and cooperation. It is also a lot of fun for the kids. Paper Fold Paper Fold, split into teams of about 5 or 6 making sure equal distribution of size etc. If inside can remove shoes. Give each team a sheet of newspaper(broadsheet), flipchart paper or similar, tell them all to stand on it. Everyone off, fold in half on the long edge, and then everyone back standing on. Keep folding in half until one of the teams is the winner. Various techniques of standing on one leg etc, and other acrobatic tricks allowed & encouraged! Octopus Race Divide the den into two teams of three or four boys each. Team members line up back to back with elbows linked. On signal they race to a turning line and back. The Build Tower Game Summary: Great creative group game- See whose team can build the highest tower using newspapers! Goal: Build the highest newspaper tower as possible. Preparation: - At least 4-5 stacks of newspapers - 5 rolls of masking tape - Measuring tape How to Play The Build Tower Game:
1. Split everyone into teams of five. Hand each group a stack of newspapers and a roll of masking tape. 2.Explain the game: The object of the game is to build the highest newspaper tower, using only the newspaper and masking tape. The teams will be given a couple of minutes to strategize. 3. Give the groups about 15 minutes or more. Measure how high each team s newspaper tower is. The team with the highest tower wins the game. Variation: - Instead of building the highest tower, ask teams to build the strongest bridge using masking tape and newspapers. For this, you ll need to have about a dozen pop cans. At the end, place pop cans one by one on top of the bridge. The team whose bridge can hold the most pop cans wins the game. The Number Game Summary: Work as a team to display the numbers as quickly as possible. How to Play The Number Game: 1. Arrange everyone into teams of 6. Hand each team a set of numbers and ask everyone to take a number. Have the team elect one person to be the leader of the team. 2. The goal of the game is to be the first team to rearrange themselves to the number that you call. The leaders can help rearrange them to their appropriate positions. Once the team rearranges themselves, they have to raise their hands and stand in place. 3. The first team to arrange themselves correctly receives one point. The team that reaches 10 points wins the game. The Great Rocket Game Aka The Stick Game Equipment: 1 pole per participant. 3/4 or 1 inch PVC pipe about 5 ft long, capped at both ends works great. How to Play: Players stand in a circle, facing inwards, each holding his rocket (the pole) in his left hand so that it stands upright resting on the ground, and his right hand kept in his pocket. The leader calls out commands, for example: One left. The participants let go of their rocket and atttempt to grab the rocket immediately to their left before it falls to the ground. One right The same except he tries to grab the rocket to his right. Two left (or right) he tries to grab the rocket 2nd to the left. If the rocket falls to the ground, or touches someone before it is caught, the player is out. Reaching through the circle to grab a rocket is not allowed. (player is out.) When only two players remain, on the command 2 left, the players must release their rocket, run to their left completely around both rockets and catch the rocket they just let go. In this case, if one player runs the wrong direction, chaos results. Great fun. All Aboard Game Required: 2x2 plywood for all to stand on, solidly raised off the ground 6 inches. Notes: An initiative game to have a group cooperate to reach a goal. Instructions: See how many scouts can stand on the platform with no body parts touching the ground. They must stay on board for 10 seconds. If an entire patrol can do it, try combining groups to set a record. Build It Game Required: blocks, scraps of wood, twine, sticks,... any materials with which to build.
Instructions: Make a pile of materials for each team. Each team has 2 minutes to inspect their materials, without touching anything. They also need to decide what they are going to build. Then, each team has 3 minutes to build their structure, without talking. Be sure to explain all the rules before they start so they can make a plan on how they will accomplish their goal. After the game, discuss how teams communicated without talking. Did someone just take over or did everyone co-operate? What would they do differently if they tried again? Kim's Group Game Required: Large piece of cardboard with 9, 16, or 25 squares depending on skill level of scouts. Various items to place on the cardboard - red feather, black feather, gray stone, white stone, neckerchief, pocketknife, pinecone, sunscreen,... Preparation: Place all the items on the board, one in each square. Do this away from the group so they do not get to study it. Write down what is where. Instructions: Scouts silently gather around the board and observe the items on it and their placement for 30 seconds. All items are swept off into a pile. The timer is set as the scouts walk around the board in a circle, each taking his turn to put an item in position. On his turn, a scout may choose to move an item from one square to another if he feels it is incorrect. When all items are in place, and the team signals that they are finished, 1 point is awarded for each correct item and the time is recorded. Allow the team to discuss a plan for 30 seconds away from the game while the items are arranged again. See if a better score can be made in a shorter time. Electric Fence Clove hitch a line between two trees, etc., so that you have at least 5 feet of line showing. Have your team assemble on one side. The line should be hip-high on the tallest person in the group, guaranteeing that no one can step over it. They are told that this is an electric fence - anyone touching it or the space between it and the ground is electrocuted. They must get their entire team across (over) the electric fence safely. (A touch means a start-over). Please set a few ground rules first, like no diving over the rope! (Team members must be passed.) Marshmallow Tower For this game, you need packet(s) of marshmallows and packet(s) of spaghetti. Split the group into two or more teams. Generally between 4-8 is the ideal team size. The goal is to see which group builds the highest tower using only the items provided. The towers must be stable. It is fun but covers many competencies i.e. team work, communication, problem solving, leadership. It allows participants to use negotiating skills and improve their general communication...they also learn the benefit of planning.
Helium Stick Deceptively simple but powerful exercise for learning how to work together and communicate in small to medium sized groups. Line up in two rows which face each other. Introduce the Helium Stick- a long, thin, lightweight rod. Ask participants to point their index fingers and hold their arms out. Lay the Helium Stick down on their fingers. Get the group to adjust their finger heights until the Helium Stick is horizontal and everyone's index fingers are touching the stick. Explain that the challenge is to lower the Helium Stick to the ground. The catch: Each person's fingers must be in contact with the Helium Stick at all times. Pinching or grabbing the pole in not allowed - it must rest on top of fingers. Warning: Particularly in the early stages, the Helium Stick has a habit of mysteriously 'floating' up rather than coming down, causing much laughter. A bit of clever humoring can help - e.g., act surprised and ask what are they doing raising the Helium Stick instead of lowering it! Some groups or individuals (most often larger size groups) after 5 to 10 minutes of trying may be inclined to give up, believing it not to be possible or that it is too hard. Eventually the group needs to calm down, concentrate, and very slowly, patiently lower the Helium Stick - easier said than done. How Does it Work? The stick does not contain helium. The secret (keep it to yourself) is that the collective upwards pressure created by everyone's fingers tends to be greater than the weight of the stick. As a result, the more a group tries, the more the stick tends to 'float' upwards. Toxic Waste The challenge is to move the toxic waste contents to the "neutralization" container using minimal equipment and maintaining a safe distance within a time limit. Set-Up Use the rope to create a circle at least 8 ft in diameter on the ground to represent the toxic waste radiation zone. The larger the radiation zone, the more difficult the activity. Place the small bucket in the center of the radiation zone and fill it with water or balls to represent the toxic waste. Place the large neutralization bucket approximately 30 to 50 feet away. The greater the distance, the more difficult the activity. Put all other equipment (i.e., bungee, cords, and red herring objects (optional)) in a pile near the rope circle. Directions The challenge is for the group to work out how to transfer the toxic waste from the small bucket into the large bucket where it will be "neutralized", using only the equipment provided and within a time frame. The waste will blow up and destroy the world after 20 minutes if it is not neutralized. Anyone who ventures into the radiation zone will suffer injury and possibly even death, and spillage will create partial death and destruction. Therefore, the group should aim to save the world and do so without injury to any group members. The rope circle represents the radiation zone emanating from the toxic waste in the bucket. Emphasize that everyone must maintain a distance (circle radius) from the toxic waste wherever it goes, otherwise they will suffer severe injury, such as loss of a limb or even death. Give the group some planning time with no action e.g. 5 mins. Then start the clock and indicate it is time for action, e.g., 15 or 20 mins. Rubber Band Toxic Waste Concept is same as above except use a strong rubber band with six cords attached. Use the rubber band to move an empty soda can. When they are really working as a team, have them stack multiple cans!
Balloon Juggle Challenge participants to keep all balloons (1+ per person) in the air. This gets the group moving and cooperating. Once they've got the hang of it, make it harder by adding in more balloons or placing restrictions e.g., no hands to keep balloons up. Ask participants to keep juggling the balloons, but to sort them into colors (works best with large groups). Duct Tape Trolley Walk Concept is same as Trolley Walk except use duct tape. You will need 2 pieces of duct tape long enough to be doubled back on itself that will fit 2-3 boys feet. Double the tape on itself and then cut another piece the length of the doubled piece. Stick this to one side of the doubled tape-this becomes the bottom of your trolley. Place both pieces of tape on the floor sticky side up next to each other. Have the scouts place their feet on each tape one behind the other. Have them hold onto the shoulders of the scout in front of them to steady themselves. Have the den problem-solve to find a method of walking in unison. They will probably break the tape a few times before they can work together!