Name of Icebreaker: Birthdays
Category of Icebreaker: Communication
Time Scales: 2 - 20 Minutes (Depending on Size of Group)
Size of Group: 10+
Materials Required: None
Aim of Icebreaker: To test the group’s ability to communicate with each other non-verbally and to achieve the task as a team.
Pre-Organisation
None
Process
- Explain to your group that they are to get themselves in birth date order (emphasizing date) forming one long line with the beginning of the year at the front of the room.
- They need to ensure that you are in exactly the right order.
- However, they are not allowed to speak to each other at all. They need to communicate non verbally.
- Give them a set time to complete the exercise in, depending on the group size. It should take them about 2 minutes with 10 people.
Conclusion
This game identifies the need to communicate and the need to work as a team. You may also identify leaders within the group who will take over organizing people and the differing personalities.
Discussion Points: How did they communicate?
What did they find hard?
Did someone check to see if they were all correct?
How did the team work together?
Happy Training!
P.S Share your experiences of running this icebreaker here!
I'm working with a new team of people and this really seems like a great way to get everyone going on the same page. Thanks for such helpful tips!
Posted by: Dan | 22 February 2011 at 06:28 PM
Hi Philly :)
I`m using this exercise before separating training participants of small groups. In this arrangement you can guarantee that order is casual and after that you can define groups for example of "first four", "second four", etc...
Hope this is useful
Daniela
Posted by: Daniela | 11 February 2011 at 10:11 PM