Icebreakers
Hula Hoops (low-risk)
For this game you will need two hula hoops.
All participants join hands and form a circle. Two participants drop hands and put they arms through the hula hoops. They then join hands again. The hula hoops are then dangling from their arms.
The objective of the game is to send the hula hoops completely around the circle and return them to the starting point without releasing hands. This means that each person has to go through the hula hoops as they make their way around the circle. One of the hula hoops will also have to travel through the other hoop. You cannot use your fingers at all! It takes co-operation with your partners.
Once experienced, you could add more hula hoops!
Lap Circle (Mid Risk)
People stand one behind the other, in a snug circle. Have each person put their hands on the waist of the person in front of them. On the count of three, the person behind says "Sit on my knees please," and the person in front slowly sits down for a few seconds. On the count of three everyone slowly stands.
Note: Before starting this activity, ask if anyone has a hurt back or ankle, etc. They will want to pass on this activity. Have the person assist in the set-up and conducting of the activity.
Imaginary Volleyball (Low Risk)
Divide your group into two teams and have the teams face each other as they would on a volleyball court.
Tell the players that they are to play just as they would on a court with a ball and a net, but pantomiming the motions of hitting the ball.
The rules...
- The "ball" must be "hit" 3 times on each side.
- Each time a player "hits" the "ball" he/she must call out the name of the person the "ball" is "hit" to.
- The third person on a side to "hit" the "ball" must "hit" it over the "net" calling the name of a player on the opposing team.
- A team scores a point when a player on the opposing side "hits" the "ball" and doesn't call the name of another eligible player.
Honey Do You Love Me? (Mid-risk)
The children sit in a circle with one person in the center of the circle is “it”. The person who is 'it' chooses a victim and says to them, whilst performing such antics as to cause them to smile involuntarily, "Honey if you love me, will you please, please smile?"
The person that they stop in front of must say, "Honey, you know I love you, but I just can't smile." with a straight face.