Blanket Name Game: The Blanket Name Game is a simple name recognition/identification game. Go around the room
and make introductions (share your name and other information such as your hobbies, major, etc. if desired. Separate
into two groups and have two people hold a large, thick blanket separating the two groups so that neither group can see
the other. When the blanket drops, the first person to correctly call out the name of the other group’s designated
person wins the round (which typically means the loser of the round must leave the game, though if you prefer to avoid
‘elimination’ then you don’t have to do this). The group may strike different humorous poses to distract the attention of
other group’s person. As a variation, several people may be facing the other group with one person being chosen to call
out the information of the other group’s people.
Celebrity ID Game: The Celebrity ID Game is a good way to get a large group to mingle and break the ice by interacting
with lots of people rapidly. To set up, the moderator prepares several labels with famous celebrity or well-known names
(e.g. Tom Hanks, Mickey Mouse, Barry Bonds, etc.) The moderator sticks a label on each person’s back. Then, the
moderator announces it is time for the game to begin. At this point everybody mingles and introduces themselves to
each other, and then each person asks yes or no questions to gain clues about the name. When a person correctly
identifies the name, he or she removes the label and continues to mingle until a preset amount of time.
First Impressions Game: To set up First Impressions, pass out the large sheets of paper and writing utensils. Have each
person write their name on the top of a sheet of paper. Tape each person’s sheet to their back so that they can’t see it.
Instruct everyone to mingle with each other and to converse. Tell everyone to say hello and to introduce each other for
a few moments. After a minute or so, ask each person to write an adjective (their “first impression” of the person they
just spoke with) on each other’s papers. Then have each person continue mingling with new people, repeating the
process. After 10-20 minutes (depending on how large your group is and how long you want this activity to run), each
person should have several adjectives and descriptive words listed on their backs. Go around the room and introduce
each other, reading the words writen on your neighbor’s paper. This should be pretty humorous, and if people did this
activity correctly, there should be lots of kind things said about each other. Important note: instruct everyone to write
nice (or encouraging) words ONLY! Do not allow any mean, rude, or critical words to be written. For example, one can
write words such as “beautiful smile,” “great sense of humor,” “smart and witty personality,” “gifted listener,” etc.
Giants, Wizards, & Elves: Teach everyone how to become three characters: the giant, the wizard, and the elf. Each
character features hand motions and a noise.
• For the giant, each person stands on their tippy toes, lifts up their arms, and makes an angry growling noise:
“Roooar!”
• For the wizard, each person crouches a little bit, flutters their fingers as though they are casting a spell, and they
make a magical noise: “Woooo!”
• For the elf, each person gets down very low on their knees, cups their hands around their ears, and makes a high
pitched elf noise: “Eeeeee!”
Practice each motion together a few times. Divide everyone into two teams and have them separate into opposite sides
of the room. The game involves several rounds. For each round, the following takes place:
1. Each team forms a huddle and decides to become a giant, wizard, or elf.
2. Both teams then line up and face each other, about 5 feet apart.
3. The facilitator says “3..2..1..Go!”
4. Each team acts out the giant, wizard, or elf (whatever they decided to become).
5. As soon as they act out their character, the winner tries to grab the loser and pulls as many people over to their
side as they can. The loser tries to run away, back to their side, in order to be safe. The winner of each round is
determined by the following. The giant defeats the elf because giants “squash” elves. Elves defeat wizards by
outsmarting them, chewing at their legs. The wizard defeats the giant by “zapping” them with a magic spell.
Identical characters are a draw (no one wins).This process keeps repeating for multiple rounds until one team is
entirely consumed (or when time runs out.)
Human Sculptures Game: Competitive Version: The facilitator should announce a category (e.g. famous movies or
famous songs — the more specific the better). All players are then divided into smaller groups and one team leader is
given a pen and paper. Each group brainstorms an idea that goes along with the topic and each team leader must write