Activity Research 5- What Do We Have in Common?

Activity: The name of this Activity is What do we Have in Common?

Target participant group: This activity is best for any age of participants that are getting to know each other.

Therapeutic potential of this activity: This activity is a great ice breaker and allows a group to get comfortable with one another while getting to know each other and seeing what they may have in common.

What other groups may benefit from this activity? Groups that have been together a long time but do not know each other well can reap a benefit. Also, sports teams can benefit from this by getting to know each other on another level and to relieve stress.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity? It may be difficult for groups in wheel chairs because you have to move quickly from place to place but could be adapted by having a bigger area.

Activity description:

1.    Set up chairs or spots in a circle (enough for everyone in your group except one person).

2.    Choose one person or have the facilitator start in the center while everyone else sits on a chair or stands on a spot.

3.    The person in the center of the circle will state one thing about their self so the whole group can hear it.

4.    Anyone in the surrounding circle that has that thing in common with the person in the center must leave their spot and find another that is at least one spot away from where they were. The person in the center will also run to get a spot.

5.    Whomever is left without a spot will go to the center of the circle and say something about their self.

6.    Repeat steps 3 through 5 until everyone has been in the center at least one time.

Resources needed: You will need at least 6 people and a place marker for all but one person. You will also need an area large enough to accommodate your group size.

Best leadership style for this activity: The best leadership style for this activity is simply giving the participants’ instructions and encouraging them throughout the activity. Joining in can be beneficial as well if you have a shy group so you can go first.

Where did you find this activity? Learned and played it in a previous course.

Where can others find more information on this activity?