Conflict Resolution Games |
Target Themes: Conflict Resolution, Community, All Together
Supplies: a ball (or rolled up tape); for each group: 6 pieces of newspaper, 4 paper plates, 4 paper or plastic cups, ruler, scissors, roll of tape, 4 toothpicks (optional)
Divide participants into groups and have them sit around their building materials. Tell them they are not allowed to touch their materials at this point. Explain that each group is going to build a bridge using only the materials in front of them. The bridge must be able to support a small ball rolling from one side to the other and must meet the following criteria:
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that for the next 10 minutes the groups can talk and plan how they will build their bridges, but that they still cannot touch the materials. After these 10 minutes are up, give them another 10 minutes to build their bridges, however they may not talk once the building time has begun. When time runs out the facilitator will measure each bridge to make sure they are at least 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and then each group will test their bridge with the ball.
Ask if they have any questions before the activity begins. Be sure to walk around to each group during both the planning and building phases to monitor their progress and make sure they are sticking to the rules.
Variations:
-Randomly assign a leader to each group but do not give them any specific responsibilities.
-To do this activity with slightly younger children, allow them to talk throughout the building phase.
Supplies: a ball (or rolled up tape); for each group: 6 pieces of newspaper, 4 paper plates, 4 paper or plastic cups, ruler, scissors, roll of tape, 4 toothpicks (optional)
Divide participants into groups and have them sit around their building materials. Tell them they are not allowed to touch their materials at this point. Explain that each group is going to build a bridge using only the materials in front of them. The bridge must be able to support a small ball rolling from one side to the other and must meet the following criteria:
- It must be at least 2 feet tall
- It must be at least 3 feet wide
- It cannot be anchored to the table or floor
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Explain that for the next 10 minutes the groups can talk and plan how they will build their bridges, but that they still cannot touch the materials. After these 10 minutes are up, give them another 10 minutes to build their bridges, however they may not talk once the building time has begun. When time runs out the facilitator will measure each bridge to make sure they are at least 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and then each group will test their bridge with the ball.
Ask if they have any questions before the activity begins. Be sure to walk around to each group during both the planning and building phases to monitor their progress and make sure they are sticking to the rules.
Variations:
-Randomly assign a leader to each group but do not give them any specific responsibilities.
-To do this activity with slightly younger children, allow them to talk throughout the building phase.
Target Themes: Leadership, Community, Conflict Resolution, All Together
Supplies: Six paper or plastic cups per team, rubber bands, string or twine
This game is played in small groups and is good for encouraging players to work together as a team. The variation can be used to examine the role of the leaders.
Before you play the game, make rubber band tools for each group. There should be four people per group. Make the rubber band tools by tying four pieces of string to a rubber band so each person on the team can hold a string and partially control the opening and closing of the rubber band.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
It will probably be easiest to explain this game by demonstration. Have all the players gather around one group of four people. Six cups should be laid out in the middle of the four players. The players should then stack the cups into a tower by only using the rubber band tool. After they have made a tower, they can be given additional challenges.
Variations:
- Have the groups try to stack the cups or make some other kind of structure without talking.
- Designate one member of each group as the leader. The other members of the group must close their eyes. The leader will guide the other members of the group in stacking or making a structure.
Supplies: Six paper or plastic cups per team, rubber bands, string or twine
This game is played in small groups and is good for encouraging players to work together as a team. The variation can be used to examine the role of the leaders.
Before you play the game, make rubber band tools for each group. There should be four people per group. Make the rubber band tools by tying four pieces of string to a rubber band so each person on the team can hold a string and partially control the opening and closing of the rubber band.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
It will probably be easiest to explain this game by demonstration. Have all the players gather around one group of four people. Six cups should be laid out in the middle of the four players. The players should then stack the cups into a tower by only using the rubber band tool. After they have made a tower, they can be given additional challenges.
Variations:
- Have the groups try to stack the cups or make some other kind of structure without talking.
- Designate one member of each group as the leader. The other members of the group must close their eyes. The leader will guide the other members of the group in stacking or making a structure.
Target Themes: Self Awareness, Conflict Resolution, Community, All Together
Supplies: Several bowls, Candy
From the start announce to the group that there will be no talking during this activity. You also want to mention that there is no physical contact with other members, so if someone gets a piece of candy before another they CANNOT attempt to take it away from them. Also, let the groups know that they can’t eat the candy until the activity is over. Groups of 3 to 5 should be created.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Each group should be given a bowl with twice as many pieces of candy as there are people (i.e if there are 3 people the group starts with 6 pieces of candy). The object of the game is for each player to get the most candy for his or herself. The game works in rounds, to start a round the facilitator simply says “Go” and the participants have the choice of taking either at least one piece of candy or as many pieces as they’d like. Before you start the first round let everyone know that at the end of each round (which is determined by the facilitator) the amount of candy left in the bowls is doubled (with a maximum of the original amount in the bowl). Once a group has no candy left in their bowl they can no longer participate. The game goes until all of the groups have no candy left or the facilitator calls the game
Supplies: Several bowls, Candy
From the start announce to the group that there will be no talking during this activity. You also want to mention that there is no physical contact with other members, so if someone gets a piece of candy before another they CANNOT attempt to take it away from them. Also, let the groups know that they can’t eat the candy until the activity is over. Groups of 3 to 5 should be created.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Each group should be given a bowl with twice as many pieces of candy as there are people (i.e if there are 3 people the group starts with 6 pieces of candy). The object of the game is for each player to get the most candy for his or herself. The game works in rounds, to start a round the facilitator simply says “Go” and the participants have the choice of taking either at least one piece of candy or as many pieces as they’d like. Before you start the first round let everyone know that at the end of each round (which is determined by the facilitator) the amount of candy left in the bowls is doubled (with a maximum of the original amount in the bowl). Once a group has no candy left in their bowl they can no longer participate. The game goes until all of the groups have no candy left or the facilitator calls the game
Target Themes: Introductions, All Together, Teamwork, Communication
Supplies: A light-weight object, such as a hula hoop or long stick
Have the group put their pointer finger underneath the object. Explain to the group that the task is to lower the object slowly to the ground, but the object must stay in contact with everyone’s finger or the challenge starts over.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: A light-weight object, such as a hula hoop or long stick
Have the group put their pointer finger underneath the object. Explain to the group that the task is to lower the object slowly to the ground, but the object must stay in contact with everyone’s finger or the challenge starts over.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Safe space, Leadership, Critical thinking, Teamwork
Have the group stand in a tight circle. Tell everyone put their right hand into in the middle of the circle and grab the hand of someone else, making sure that it is not the person standing on their immediate left or right. Next, tell everyone put their left hand into the middle of the circle and grab someone else’s left hand, again making sure that it is not the person on their immediate left or right (and also making sure that they are holding the hands of two different people). To make sure that everyone is connected,have the groups quickly “pass a pulse” around the circle. When the group is well-tangled, explain that their job is to untangle themselves without letting go. Walk around the group and observe the strategies that players are using and the way different people are displaying leadership. Also, make sure that people are physically safe and mindful of each other.
Variation: Challenge the group to untangle the knot without talking.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Have the group stand in a tight circle. Tell everyone put their right hand into in the middle of the circle and grab the hand of someone else, making sure that it is not the person standing on their immediate left or right. Next, tell everyone put their left hand into the middle of the circle and grab someone else’s left hand, again making sure that it is not the person on their immediate left or right (and also making sure that they are holding the hands of two different people). To make sure that everyone is connected,have the groups quickly “pass a pulse” around the circle. When the group is well-tangled, explain that their job is to untangle themselves without letting go. Walk around the group and observe the strategies that players are using and the way different people are displaying leadership. Also, make sure that people are physically safe and mindful of each other.
Variation: Challenge the group to untangle the knot without talking.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Embracing Potential, Communication, Conflict Resolution, All Together
The object of this game is for people to work cooperatively in small groups to imitate a machine using only their bodies. Divide the groups into teams of approximately 3-6 people. Explain that they will have five minutes to choose a machine and to plan how the team will present it to the rest of the group.
Some guidelines:
After five minutes, bring the teams back together and have each team present their machine for the whole group. After a team has presented, have participants raise their hands if they think they can identify the machine. Give the group three chances to guess the machine.
Variation: Have the whole group (or teams) create a new machine – either functional or fictional. Begin with one or two players performing a motion, possibly accompanied by a sound. One by one, have additional players add a complementary motion and sound until the machine is complete. This can get quite loud so make sure the group is in a place where they can make noise without disturbing others. If the group is mature or has had some practice, tell them that their new machine must accomplish some task, such as cooking, cleaning, building, making music, farming, or something else.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
The object of this game is for people to work cooperatively in small groups to imitate a machine using only their bodies. Divide the groups into teams of approximately 3-6 people. Explain that they will have five minutes to choose a machine and to plan how the team will present it to the rest of the group.
Some guidelines:
- The machine must be an actual machine. (Examples have included everything from televisions to tractors to espresso machines)
- The only materials available to use are the people in the group.
- Every person on the team must be included.
After five minutes, bring the teams back together and have each team present their machine for the whole group. After a team has presented, have participants raise their hands if they think they can identify the machine. Give the group three chances to guess the machine.
Variation: Have the whole group (or teams) create a new machine – either functional or fictional. Begin with one or two players performing a motion, possibly accompanied by a sound. One by one, have additional players add a complementary motion and sound until the machine is complete. This can get quite loud so make sure the group is in a place where they can make noise without disturbing others. If the group is mature or has had some practice, tell them that their new machine must accomplish some task, such as cooking, cleaning, building, making music, farming, or something else.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Communication, Critical thinking, Teamwork
Supplies: Rope
Divide participants into groups of four or six. Group members move as if they would hold hands, but instead they hold pieces of rope between them. The goal of the exercise is to tie a not in the piece of rope between the middle two classmates. Participants must hold onto the rope at all times, but move in a way such that they make a knot.
Confused? Watch one of the many possible solutions here
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Rope
Divide participants into groups of four or six. Group members move as if they would hold hands, but instead they hold pieces of rope between them. The goal of the exercise is to tie a not in the piece of rope between the middle two classmates. Participants must hold onto the rope at all times, but move in a way such that they make a knot.
Confused? Watch one of the many possible solutions here
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Conflict Resolution, All Together, Our Space,
Split the group up into groups of 6 people and explain that they are going to work together to make a jigsaw person. Inform the groups that each jigsaw person will be made up of a head, a torso, two arms, and two legs. Tell the groups it will be up to them to decide who will be which body part, and to arrange themselves on the floor so that they make up a jigsaw person.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation:
- Assign each member of each group to a body part. Explain that they will be limited by their body part assignment, and may only use that part of their own body while attempting to form the jigsaw person. The person who has been assigned the head may think and talk, but may not point or move unless directed. The people who have been assigned the arms may point and wave, but may not move unless directed. The people who have been assigned the legs may walk and nudge people into position, but may not talk or point. The person who has been assigned the torso may not talk or move unless directed.
- An additional variation is to have the groups form giant animals, and to act out how that animal would behave.
Split the group up into groups of 6 people and explain that they are going to work together to make a jigsaw person. Inform the groups that each jigsaw person will be made up of a head, a torso, two arms, and two legs. Tell the groups it will be up to them to decide who will be which body part, and to arrange themselves on the floor so that they make up a jigsaw person.
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Variation:
- Assign each member of each group to a body part. Explain that they will be limited by their body part assignment, and may only use that part of their own body while attempting to form the jigsaw person. The person who has been assigned the head may think and talk, but may not point or move unless directed. The people who have been assigned the arms may point and wave, but may not move unless directed. The people who have been assigned the legs may walk and nudge people into position, but may not talk or point. The person who has been assigned the torso may not talk or move unless directed.
- An additional variation is to have the groups form giant animals, and to act out how that animal would behave.
Target Themes: Embracing Potential, Community, Introductions, Conflict Resolution
Try to find a playing space that has a clearly marked dividing line long enough for each team to line up along. Divide players into two teams and have each side choose a “home base” like a wall or play structure. Once a player reaches his or her home base, they are safe and cannot be tagged. Explain that in each round, one team (Team 2) will stand a few feet back from the center line while the other team (Team 1) will huddle up and choose an occupation to act out without talking and a home city/state/country. After they have decided, have them start walking toward the centerline and begin the following script:
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Try to find a playing space that has a clearly marked dividing line long enough for each team to line up along. Divide players into two teams and have each side choose a “home base” like a wall or play structure. Once a player reaches his or her home base, they are safe and cannot be tagged. Explain that in each round, one team (Team 2) will stand a few feet back from the center line while the other team (Team 1) will huddle up and choose an occupation to act out without talking and a home city/state/country. After they have decided, have them start walking toward the centerline and begin the following script:
- Team 1: “Here we come”
- Team 2: “Where from?”
- Team 1: “_” (the city/state/country)
- Team 2:” What’s your trade?”
- Team 1: “Lemonade”
- Team 2: “Well show us some if you’re not afraid”
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Target Themes: Communication, Leadership, All together, Conflict Resolution, Speaking Up
Supplies: Marshmallows, toothpicks
Split the group into two or more teams. Each team should have about 3-6 people. The goal of this game is to see which group builds the highest tower using only the items provided. The towers must be stable. What’s the catch? Explain to the groups that each person in their group with have different skills taken away from them. The roles are listed below.
Person A – eyes open, can talk, cannot build
Person B - eyes open, cannot talk, can only build using pointer and middle fingers
Person C – eyes closed, can talk, can build
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes
Supplies: Marshmallows, toothpicks
Split the group into two or more teams. Each team should have about 3-6 people. The goal of this game is to see which group builds the highest tower using only the items provided. The towers must be stable. What’s the catch? Explain to the groups that each person in their group with have different skills taken away from them. The roles are listed below.
Person A – eyes open, can talk, cannot build
Person B - eyes open, cannot talk, can only build using pointer and middle fingers
Person C – eyes closed, can talk, can build
Back to Fall Themes
Back to Spring Themes