Games, Mixers & IcebreakersGEMS Conference 2017

1st things 1st – Pick your TeamsNever let the Kids Pick teams, Never Count off by 1,2,1,2

Here’s a few suggestions:1. Separate by Month of Birth. Then group months for # of teams you need.2. Separate by Birth date. 1-10 is 1st team, 11-20 is 2nd team, 21-31 is 3rd

3. Have a grab bag with different color pieces (one color for each team needed)a. Can use paper, candy, stickers, beads, anything b. Make sure it is a blind grab so they can’t see the color they are picking

4. Ask questions like:a. When you eat a cupcake, do you break it in half or take the frosting top

offb. When done with cereal do you drink the milk from the bowl, or use a

spoonc. Look at your Fingernails, did you curl finger towards you with palms up or

have palms down with fingers pointed away? (2 teams)5. Line kids up in one line using any method (this can be a mixer game by itself)

a. birthday, height, age, 1st name initial in alphabetical order, shoe size, address #

b. Then walk the 1st kid with the others following down to the last kidc. You should end up with 2 equal teams facing each other

6. If you need someone to be “It”a. Everyone puts one thumb in the center and counselor reaches in to grab

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Icebreakers & Mixers

Line Up – use #5 from above but add variations – no talking, blindfolds. Once they are done repeat with different line up.

Similarity Charades – Divide into smaller groups. Each group discusses their similarities and acts out for other group to guess.

Group Juggle – Group stands in circle, then 1st person tosses ball to player across circle calling out the name of the person they tossed too. Establish pattern so everyone is included. Add additional balls as the game continues.

Question & Answers – Create a list of questions as conversation starters. Questions can be based on any theme. Create rules to make it more interested like: Each question must be asked of a different person or you must ask one question to someone from each grade. (see sample included)

Loop-de-loop – Girls stand in a circle and hold hands. Start one hula hoop (innertube, long loop of fabric, etc.) hanging over one pair of joined hands. Each person

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in the circle must pass the hoop/loop over herself on to the next person WITHOUT letting go of hands. You can do this with 2 o3 hoops/loops going at the same time in different directions.

Blind Shapes – Group is blindfolded or have eyes closed. Have group form themselves into a square or a triangle, etc. Can use a rope w/ everyone holding on. Can also do this in teams to see who make the better shape.

Cheer Squad – Each player finds and opponent, introduces themselves and then plays a game of rock, paper, scissors. The winning player continues to play w/ a new opponent, while the losing player follows the winner and becomes their cheering squad. The game continues until one player has won and all the other participants are cheering for them.

Mingle, Mingle, Mingle – Have group walk around saying “Mingle, mingle, mingle” to the conga line tune. Leader calls out a number loudly. All the Players must form groups of the specified number.

Once in the groups you can do a couple of different things:a. group that is not in the right # is eliminated and, then the game starts overb. once in the groups have each person share their name and something about themselves. When they are finish, the game starts over and they will form new group with different number.c. use this to create groups for different activity. Repeat game using different # in groups to mix them up, then end with the # in the group you need for next activity.

Animal Game – Label each girl with an animal using tape/sticker across her back. Each girl needs to guess what animal has been taped to her by asking questions of other participants. Each girl can only ask 1 yes/no question to each participant.

Candy Game – Pick a candy that has colors like starburst, skittles or M&M. Have everyone take a few candies from the bag. Do not tell them the exact amount to take. Assign a topic for each color. For example: Blue – favorite food; Green – interesting fact about yourself; Yellow – Bible character you most would like to meet. Make up the topic list beforehand depending on the event and the candy that you use. This game is perfect for an event where people are sitting at tables.

2 truths and 1 Lie – each person take a turn saying 2 true things and 1 untrue thing about themselves. The rest of the group tries to guess which is the untrue thing.

GAMES

Paper Bag Skit: Preparation: Put 5 - 7 random household items in a brown bag. Divide into teams of

5 or 6Object: Each team is to create, practice, and perform a skit using the objects in the

bag You can give a topic or let them use their own imagination.

Rules: 1. They need to use each item, but not as it usually is used. 2. Every member of the team must have a speaking part

An added bit of fun is to perform the skit then perform same skit in 30 seconds, then 15 seconds, and then 5 seconds.

Toilet Bowl Game: Preparation: Have 3 pieces of paper for each Girl. Then have them write down 3 people, places or things. (Examples. President Trump on one piece, banana on the other piece and waterskiing on the 3rd piece of paper) All the pieces are folded and put in a bowl. How to Play:

1. Divide girls into 2 teams2. Team 1 is given 1 minute. 3. They take a piece of paper out of the bowl and need to describe what is written using only words, without saying the item. 4. If their team guesses it, they get a point and take another piece of paper trying to get as many words right in 1 minute4. When the minute is up, the other team gets a turn. 5. After all the pieces of paper are gone, they all are put back in the bowl6. The second time around, they do the same thing, but this time, they may only say one word to describe the item. Both teams take turns each getting 1 minute at a time. When all the pieces of paper are gone, they are once more put in the bowl. 7. The third time around, they will act the word, saying nothing. The team with the most points win. Super fun!

Homemade Harmonicas: Preparation: Each girl receives a comb and piece of parchment paper.

Put the paper around the comb, and blow! Instant harmonica! Have familiar songs written out on pieces of paper.

How to Play: 1. Divide the girls into 2 teams. 2. Each team send one person up at a time. 3. Teams take turns playing a song, 1st team to guess it right, gets a point. 4. Play continues until all the songs are gone. 5. Team with the most points, wins. Super fun and simple!

Toothpick Tower Marshmallow: Supplies: Equal # of uncooked spaghetti noodles and marshmallows for each

team

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How to Play: 1. Teams create a unique/tall tower working together2. Each team member can only use one hand, the other is behind their back3. The team with the tallest tower wins

Shoveling Snow: Supplies: Vaseline, cotton balls, 1 napkin per personHow to Play:

1. Everyone sits in a circle on their knees. 2. Place a dab of Vaseline on the tip of each player’s nose. 3. Place a pile of cotton balls scattered in front of them and a napkin 4. Each player uses their noses to pick up a cotton ball and then somehow get the cotton ball off their nose and onto the napkin without using their hands. 5. Hands should be clasped behind their backs. 6. After 1 minute, the player with the most, wins.

A Work of ArtSupplies: 2 separate sets of the same craft material (exactly the same)Goal: To create 2 pieces of art that look as similar as possibleHow to Play:

1. Place craft materials a fair distance apart2. Choose participants to be artists and the rest to be communicators3. Place one artist at each end and the rest of the participants in between4. Have 1st artist arrange the material in any way they choose5. Have the communicators whisper down the line to 2nd artist what it looks

like6. 2nd artist constructs the art as described7. Limit communication to only one direction

Squirt, Squirt, Squirt (a never can tell game)How to Play:

1. Players sit in circle quietly, with leader in the middle (the shooter)2. Shooter says “Squirt, Squirt, Squirt, who did I get wet?” (w/ actions)3. Players then try to figure out who shooter shot – talking it out4. Shooter says, “I got you” and points to player who made the 1st noise5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 until players start to figure out the pattern

a. Then they will start saying “Me”Swat

Supplies: Have a paper bag rolled and covered in tape to use as swatterHow to Play:

1. Have all participants sit in a circle2. Have each participant pick a theme name

a. Christmas items (example: snow, wreath, tree, stocking)b. Any theme would work (spring, beach, camping, GEMS)

3. Have one participant start in the center of the circle with the swatter4. Have one participant in the circle start by saying “(their name) calls ……”

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5. That person would then have to follow by calling another name. (example: “snow calls tree, then tree calls wreath, then wreath calls stocking….) it continues6. The person in the center needs to swat one of the participants before they call someone else, then they would take that seat and the person who was not able to finish their call would go to the middle.7. Adding participants during the game is easy but review the names every time someone is added.8. Game continues for as long as needed

HINT: Review the names often if only a few people are getting called. Limit the back and forth between 2 participants by saying you can’t call the person who called you.

SardinesSupplies: Darkness, Flashlights if possible/neededHelpful Hints:

Have players travel in pairsHave many rooms available for leader to hide or play outsideLeader should find a hiding spot that can easily fit at least ½ the group

playingHow to Play:

1. Name one person/pair as the leader2. The leader is given 5 min to hide, while the rest of the group waits in a central location.3. When the time is up, the rest of the group must go looking for the leader4. If a player finds the leader, they must quietly join them in hiding5. The game ends when most of the group is in the hiding spot w/the leader6. The player(s) that were 1st to find the leader become the new leader & goes back to step 2.

Black Magic (a never can tell game)Secret: the right answer is always the object after the black objectHow to Play:

1. 2 people who know game must be leader and guesser2. Guesser goes into another room3. The leader and the group decide on a secret object, then retrieves

guesser4. Leader asks questions to see if guesser can determine the secret object

a. Is it this blue binder? Nob. Is it the blackboard? Noc. Is it this red umbrella? – yes, that is it

5. The right answer is always the object after the black object6. Continue Playing the game until the group has discovered the secret

Bipity BopHow to Play:

1. Players form a circle2. Leader chooses one player to be the Bopper to start3. Bopper stands in the center of the circle and introduces themselves4. Players then turn to their left and right to introduce themselves

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5. Bopper points at a player saying one of the following:a. “Me” – player must call out the name of the Bopperb. “You” – player must call out their own namec. “Left” – player must call out the name of the person on their leftd. “Right” – player must call out the name of the person on their right

6. Players pointed at must call out the appropriate name before the Bopper calls out “Boppity bop bop bop”7. If the Bopper completes the phrase before the player calls out the name, then the participants switch places

8. If the Bopper does not complete the phrase before the player calls out the name, then the Bopper stays in the center and points at someone new9. Game continues for a long as needed

Pass the Spoons (a never can tell game)Supplies: 2 spoons, and seats for all playersHow to Play:

1. Players sit in a circle2. Starting player must know the secret and will start passing spoons3. They will pass the spoons saying “I pass these spoons to you …. (crossed or straight)” Secret – the way the spoons are passed reflects your leg arrangement4. If they pass them crossed, their legs must be crossed – if they pass them straight, their legs must NOT be crossed5. Player 2 says “I accept these spoons (straight or crossed) and I pass them …” following the same pattern as step 4

a. If Player 2 does not follow step 4, the spoons return to 1st player. They will start again in the other direction b. If Player 2 is correct, they pass them on to Player 3, etc.

The Yes GameSupplies: A List of Yes/No questions (example included) and seat for everyoneHow to Play:

1. Players sit in a circle 2. Using the list of Questions read one out loud.3. If the girls can say “Yes” to it, they move one seat to the right. If they answer “No” they stay where they are seated.4. If there is already someone on the chair, just pile on. You may have 4-5 people staked on one chair.5. Play for as long as you what using as many questions as needed. 6. Be creative and add or subtract questions based on event your using it for7. You can also use this game around a table instead of moving around a

circle. a. Just give 1 point for every “yes” answer and keep track of points.

LEFT and RIGHT Game:Use same format as “The Yes Game” but use a story that uses the words Left and

Right.Girls move left or right as the word is used. Stories can be found online for any situation. Sample included.

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Scavenger HuntMany different formats can be used:

1. List of items to find (great for camping trips or outdoors)2. Picture Hunt – They have a list of things to take pictures of or of their group in front of and object. Works great at Christmas time w/ Christmas decorations3. People Hunt – have a list of items that can only be found on individuals present. They need to find those people. Great Mixer.4. Treasure Hunt – they follow a clue to a specific location to find the next clue and so on. You can have teams follow the same path starting at different locations or you have separate hunts for each team.

Be creative with this and have fun! A few examples have been included.

Frisbee BallPlay regular game of softball using a frisbee instead. No pitcher needed. Batter throws frisbee from “batter’s box”.

Backwards BallPlay a regular game of softball with the same rules, but 1st base is actually the

normal 3rd base, 2nd base is the normal and 3rd base is actually normal 1st base.

Ships & Sails/Captain’s ComingSupplies: NoneObject: Be the last participant in the game & then take over callingHow to Play:

1. One person is the caller and faces the group2. Other participants are in rows and face caller3. Participants will perform actions that caller calls4. Failure to perform actions results in being eliminated from game

Calls:1. Chicken in the Hen House

a. Participants are to break into pairsb. 1 goes down on all 4sc. 1 stands beside w/ knee on back of partner

2. Lover’s Leapa. Participants are to break in to pairsb. 1 stands and other leaps into arms

3. Ships – everyone moves to the right4. Sails – everyone moves to the left5. Man Overboard

a. Participants are to break in to pairsb. One person drops to one knee the other stands behind them, puts a hand on their shoulder. Both scan the ocean for the overboard man Mess Table

6. Mess Tablea. Participants break into groups of 4b. Players squat in a circle like sitting at table and pretend to eat like they haven't eaten in days yelling out "YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!"

7. # men in a Boat (caller uses any # they want – 3, 4, 8 etc.)a. Participants break into groups of # calledb. Participants then stand in line and row w/ hands like being in boatc. If a group is unable to find right # of people the whole group is eliminated from the game

8. Captains Cominga. Participants stand at attention & saluteb. No one may move until caller says relaxc. If caller says any of the other calls before saying relax & participants move they are eliminated from the game.

Hints: the Last 2 calls listed are the ones that will eliminate people. To shorten the game faster call these frequently and use larger # for men in a boat.

There are many other calls that you can find online and use when they become more familiar with the game.

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Christmas SkitSupplies: 3 Copies of this skit a 3 skit VolunteersHow to Use: 1. Assign Narrator, Angel & Mary parts to volunteers

2. Divide rest of group into 4 smaller groups and assign each group a word from below

a. MANGER: Away in the Mangerb. ANGEL: Hark the Herald Angels Singc. BABY: What Child is Thisd. BETHLEHEM: Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem

2. When each of these words are read during the skit, the small group must sing the 1st line of the song listed w/ their word above3. The Skit is read as follows:

Narrator: Mary was a girl of Galilee. She lived long years ago, but such a wonderful thing happened to her that we remember and lover her still. One day and ANGEL _ appeared to Mary.Angel: You are blessed among women, for you shall have a son, whom you shall name Jesus. He shall be called the Son of God, and his kingdom shall never end.Mary: I am glad to serve the Lord; may it be as you have said.Narrator: Then the ANGEL _ left her. Mary married a good man from Nazareth. His name was Joseph, and he was a carpenter by trade. Joseph had to go from Nazareth up to BETHLEHEM_. He had to pay taxes. Mary went with him. It was a long, weary journey for her as she was expecting a BABY _. When they reached BETHLEHEM _ it was crowded. All the inns were full. Though Joseph asked shelter only for his wife, every innkeeper turned them away. At last one innkeeper, seeing that Mary was weary and expecting a BABY _ showed them to a stable full of warm, sweet hay. Joseph cleaned the animals’ food out of a MANGER _ then he filled it with straw for the BABY _ to sleep in. There in BETHLEHEM _ in the animal stable Mary gave birth to a BABY _. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the MANGER _. There were in that same country shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An ANGEL _ of the Lord appeared to them in shinning glory. They were all afraid.

Angel: There is nothing to fear, I come to bring you news of great joy which shall come to all people. For a child is born this day in BETHLEHEM _. A Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you, you shall find the BABY _ wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a MANGER _.Narrator: Suddenly the sky was full of ANGELS _, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will towards men. When the ANGELS _ disappeared into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let us go to BETHLEHEM _ and see this thing which the Lord has made known to us. They hurried to the town of BETHLEHEM _ and found Mary and Joseph, and the BABY _ lying in the MANGER _. Afterwards the shepherds told everyone they met about the child. The BABY _ was called Jesus, the name given by the ANGEL _ before he was born. And the child grew and became strong in spirit and full of wisdom. And the grace of God was upon him. Now you hurry out and tell everyone you meet about the BABY _ lying in a MANGER _ in BETHLEHEM _. Finish by singing “Go tell it on the Mountain”

Question Answer Samples. Edit as needed for your group before printing.

MEET THOSE GEMS!

FIND A GEM WHO FITS EACH DESCRIPTION AND HAVE HER SIGN ON THE BLANK. YOU MAY USE A PERSON ONLY ONCE IN THIS GAME. HAVE FUN!

1. Find a GEM who has a birthday in the same month as you: 2. Someone who is brand new to GEMS this year: 3. Someone who has never had a filling in her teeth: 4. Someone who made her bed this morning: 5. Someone who really LOVES math: 6. Someone who is wearing hair ties in her hair: 7. Someone who has never been out of the state: 8. Someone who has never flown on an airplane: 9. Someone who has been in a foreign country (Which Country): 10. Someone who owns a horse: 11. Someone who is allergic to cats: 12. Someone who is an only child: 13. Someone who is just as tall as you: 14. Someone who loves Broccoli: 15. Someone who has never been to a professional Sporting event:

Congratulations you have just learned the names of 15 GEMS!

Here is a couple you can use when you have GEMS and adults together.

Here’s a chance to meet new Friends and learn a few things about old ones.

You may use a person ONCE. Write their name in the blank.

1. Find a girl who has never been to GEMS before:

2. Find a counselor who used to go to GEMS:

3. Find someone who traveled to a cool place this summer:

4. Find someone who stayed around home this summer:

5. Find a new counselor:

6. Find a Mom who used to go to GEMS:

7. Find someone with a baby in their family:

8. Find someone with an unusual pet (What is it?):

9. Find someone who has had an operation (what was it for?):

10. Have someone sign here who you did not know before this evening:

Write one interesting thing you learned about her:

GEMS’ ICE BREAKER

Ask Each Question to a Different Person! Ask ½ of the Questions to a person you don’t know! Ask the Even Numbered Questions to an adult and the Odd Numbered Questions to a GEMS Girl!

1. Would you rather swim or sun bathe?2. Would you rather visit the East Coast to see the sun rise or the West Coast to see the

sun set?3. Would you rather go to the Beach or to the Pool?4. Would you rather build a sand castle or dig a deep hole when you’re at the beach?5. Would you rather jump off a diving board or go down a water slide?6. Would you rather take a cruise to Alaska or the Caribbean? 7. Would you rather water ski/board or ride on a tube?8. When Fishing do you put your own worm on the hook?9. This year in GEMS we learned we should overflow and splash what?10.What is your favorite way to splash God’s Love?

GEMS’ ICE BREAKERAsk Each Question to a Different Person! Ask ½ of the Questions to a person you don’t know! Ask the Even Numbered Questions to an adult and the Odd Numbered Questions to a GEMS Girl!

1. Would you rather swim or sun bathe?2. Would you rather visit the East Coast to see the sun rise or the West Coast to see the

sun set?3. Would you rather go to the Beach or to the Pool?4. Would you rather build a sand castle or dig a deep hole when you’re at the beach?5. Would you rather jump off a diving board or go down a water slide?6. Would you rather take a cruise to Alaska or the Caribbean? 7. Would you rather water ski/board or ride on a tube?8. When Fishing do you put your own worm on the hook?9. This year in GEMS we learned we should overflow and splash what?10.What is your favorite way to splash God’s Love?

(This is one that doesn’t need any other supplies like pencils)

Questions for the “YES” game

1. You have never had a filling in a tooth2. You have no brothers3. You are an only child 4. You were born in another state5. Your mom or dad was born in another country6. Can you swim?7. Do you have more than six letters in your first name?8. Are you wearing glasses?9. Are you wearing clothing WITHOUT a zipper?10. Have you ever gone fishing?11. Do you live on a farm?12. Do you have pierced ears?13. Are you wearing a necklace?14. Did you hug your mom today?15. Do you know someone who has served or is serving in the military?16. Did you make your bed this morning?17. Do you ever help do the laundry?18. Have you ever cooked an entire meal for your family?19. Do you ever sing in the shower?20. Do you play a musical instrument?21. Do you have a ring on your right hand?22. You have a birthday in the month of February23. You took a bus/carpool to school/work today24. You love to go camping25. You eat pizza at least once a week26. You have been to Disneyland or Disneyworld27. You have been to foreign country other than Canada/USA or Mexico

28. You are the oldest child in your family29. You own a horse30. You have eaten at a restaurant in the past week31. You have been told you snore32. You Love math33. Your family has a red car34. Your family drives a van35. You drank milk today36. You skipped breakfast today37. You did NOT watch the Super Bowl38. You have talked on the phone today39. You like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches40. You have been in a grocery store this week41. You have emailed someone today42. You can count to ten in at least two foreign languages43. You have no sisters44. You have never been in an airplane45. You have a baby in your family46. You have broken a bone47. You have sent someone a text todaySCAVENGER HUNT IDEASPerson HuntFind someone who fits each description below and fill in a name.1. Has a rubber band around their wrist 2. Has on socks that DON’T match 3. Is wearing a watch upside down 4. Has sunglasses in their pocket 5. Has a red pen in their pocket 6. Is wearing only one earing 7. Has a penny in her shoe 8. Has a paperclip on her shirt 9. Has nail polish on only one fingernail

10. Is chewing bubblegum 11. Has on 3 necklaces 12. Is wearing a GEMS Sticker

Nature Scavenger Hunt – Used for Camping w/ these instructions1st one finished gets to roast their supper 1st. Please do not bother other campers and take only what is requested. We will return all “nature” items back to nature when we are finished.1. Feather2. Roasting stick for each member of your group3. Round smooth pebble4. Piece of Driftwood5. Open Pine cone6. Closed Pine cone7. 10 Pieces of litter/trash, 1 must be an aluminum can8. Maple leaf9. Half Burned Stick10. Something Yellow11. Monarch Caterpillar12. Red Berry13. Milk weed14. White Leaf15. Something purple

Sample of a Right / Left Game you can find on the Internet. Just search Right and Left games