Warm Up Ideas Part 1

Part 2 Part 3
The following three activities are great warm ups for a group that is first getting to know one another. These warm ups do not require a lot of moving around or pretending, but they do allow groups to gain a level of comfort with one another.

Coat of Arms

Have everyone draw a coat of arms on a paper, or have a template ready for them. Divide the coat of arms into 3 boxes. Choose three of the following ideas and have them fill in each box with one: a recent experience that made them happy, something that few people know about them, favorite movie or book, a hobby that they would like to try, a personal motto, a picture of their best friend or their favorite memory. Allow time for participants to talk about what they put on their coat of arms.

Name the Group Member

Pass out 3 x 5 cards and ask everyone to write down their name and four true facts about themselves. Participants should try to choose facts that most people in the group wouldn’t know. Collect the cards, shuffle them, and then tell the group that they will have to guess who the card describes. Draw a card and read the items, allowing people time to guess who the card describes before revealing the group member’s name.

Colored Candy Get to Know You

Using colored candies, assign each of the following questions a color. Each participant takes two to three candies, and then answers the questions that correspond to the colors. This activity works best if you allow participants to choose one of their possible questions. What is the last act of kindness you did for someon? What is your favorite color? What is something you like to do with your family? What is the last book you finished? What is the last movie you saw? What is the best vacation you have had? What was your first pet? Where is your favorite place to relax?