Games and Activities
In this chapter, you’ll find tips for games and activities you can do on workcamps. There are different types so it’s up to you to choose which fits best the situation. For instance, there are activities for warming up and getting to know others, also some complicated games to show how participants can cooperate, think critically or be creative.
You can use tags (on the left side) to easily find the activity you would like to do.
You can use tags (on the left side) to easily find the activity you would like to do.
1. Cowshed
2. Evolution
3. Herding dog
4. How are you?
5. Rangers of the National Park
6. Relay race with stones
7. Rising sea levels
8. Climate salad
9. Curtain Falls
10. Four Corners
11. I have already..
12. Tree trunk
13. Which forest do you come from?
14. Fox Walk
15. Into the wild
16. Noise Location Game
17. Owl’s Eye
18. Thought Journey "Tree"
19. What are stones like?
20. Animal Theatre
21. Ant game
22. Plant groups
23. Brainwriting
24. Dartboard
25. Foodback
26. Weather forecast
27. Biodiversity made Easy
28. The History of Trash
29. Survival of Countries
30. Pieces of cake
31. In my Community
32. Mapping the Globe
33. Wall Street Simulation
34. Paper Factory
Category: Warm up, Energizer, Getting to know each other
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: -
Preparation: In the beginning, groups of three people form a cow shed together: Two people hold hands, (can also be represented with distance, and do not have to touch each other) stand opposite each other with as much distance as possible and thus form the shed. The third person stands between the other two as the "cow". If the division of the groups does not work out, those who cannot form a cow shed are allowed to help lead the game.
Game instructions: The persons who are left now call out a command. Possible commands are "Cow!", "Stable!" or "Cowshed". With "Cow!" all "cows" change the stable, with "Stable!" all "stables" change the "cow", with "Cowshed!" all persons change to a new stable with cows and do not have to keep their roles. Meanwhile, the remaining persons also try to come back into the game as a cow or stable. The person(s) left after the command and then give the new command. Otherwise, the group leader can take over.
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: -
Description:
Preparation: In the beginning, groups of three people form a cow shed together: Two people hold hands, (can also be represented with distance, and do not have to touch each other) stand opposite each other with as much distance as possible and thus form the shed. The third person stands between the other two as the "cow". If the division of the groups does not work out, those who cannot form a cow shed are allowed to help lead the game.
Game instructions: The persons who are left now call out a command. Possible commands are "Cow!", "Stable!" or "Cowshed". With "Cow!" all "cows" change the stable, with "Stable!" all "stables" change the "cow", with "Cowshed!" all persons change to a new stable with cows and do not have to keep their roles. Meanwhile, the remaining persons also try to come back into the game as a cow or stable. The person(s) left after the command and then give the new command. Otherwise, the group leader can take over.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Energizer, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
2. Evolution
Category: Warm up, Energizer
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: -
Preparation: To trace the evolution of the human being, practise the five developmental stages with the group:
3. The dinosaur stands up, stretches upwards, shows its claws with pointed fingers and roars terribly.
4. The ninja straddles his legs and bends his knees slightly, he fights with a fictitious sword.
5. The sage finally stands quietly upright, holds his hand under his chin and watches the primitive species evolve.
Game instructions: At the beginning of the game, everyone is at the egg stage and wants to develop to the next level. They do this by meeting two of the same species and using. "rock paper scissors" to negotiate who gets to evolve. Whoever loses, however will, however, move back one level or remain an egg. Once you have become a sage, remain a sage and enjoy watching. Only people of the same kind are allowed to negotiate with each other, i.e. dinosaurs must find dinosaurs, etc. find dinosaurs, etc. If there is no representative of the same level of development present, one has to wait or stay for a while in the same evolutionary stage
End of game: Everyone is a sag
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: -
Description:
Preparation: To trace the evolution of the human being, practise the five developmental stages with the group:
- The egg crouches down on the ground, with its arms around its knees and wobbles slightly back and forth. It is in the nature of things that eggs do not make any noise.
3. The dinosaur stands up, stretches upwards, shows its claws with pointed fingers and roars terribly.
4. The ninja straddles his legs and bends his knees slightly, he fights with a fictitious sword.
5. The sage finally stands quietly upright, holds his hand under his chin and watches the primitive species evolve.
Game instructions: At the beginning of the game, everyone is at the egg stage and wants to develop to the next level. They do this by meeting two of the same species and using. "rock paper scissors" to negotiate who gets to evolve. Whoever loses, however will, however, move back one level or remain an egg. Once you have become a sage, remain a sage and enjoy watching. Only people of the same kind are allowed to negotiate with each other, i.e. dinosaurs must find dinosaurs, etc. find dinosaurs, etc. If there is no representative of the same level of development present, one has to wait or stay for a while in the same evolutionary stage
End of game: Everyone is a sag
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Energizer, Indoor, Outdoor
3. Herding dog
Category: Warm up, Energizer
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Open field (meadow) without barriers on the borders
Preparation: Form a group of herding dogs (one or two people) and a group of sheep (the rest of the group).
Game instructions: On an open field, the sheep move around walking straight in different directions. The guard dogs need to keep the sheep together as close as possible. The dogs can do that by adjusting the walking direction of the sheep. If the dogs tap one time on the left shoulder of a sheep, the sheep needs to turn left, on the right shoulder to the right and when tapped two times, the sheep needs to turn around 180°. In this way, the herding dogs can make sure that no sheep gets lost.
End of game: The herding dogs succeed or fail in keeping the sheep together. Then the roles can be switched.
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Open field (meadow) without barriers on the borders
Description:
Preparation: Form a group of herding dogs (one or two people) and a group of sheep (the rest of the group).
Game instructions: On an open field, the sheep move around walking straight in different directions. The guard dogs need to keep the sheep together as close as possible. The dogs can do that by adjusting the walking direction of the sheep. If the dogs tap one time on the left shoulder of a sheep, the sheep needs to turn left, on the right shoulder to the right and when tapped two times, the sheep needs to turn around 180°. In this way, the herding dogs can make sure that no sheep gets lost.
End of game: The herding dogs succeed or fail in keeping the sheep together. Then the roles can be switched.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Energizer, Outdoor
4. How are you?
Category: Warm up, Energizer
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Preparation: Build a circle, one person in the middle.
Game instructions: Everyone sits in a circle, one person stands in the middle. They go to another person and ask how they feel. Answers are:
a) "Thank you, I feel good like a sunflower". -> nothing happens
b) "It's going like this, feel like a dormouse that has just woken up". -> neighbours switch places
c) "Not so good, like a fire salamander that is threatened with extinction". -> everyone is changing their seats
End of game: Each person was asked once how they were doing.
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Description:
Preparation: Build a circle, one person in the middle.
Game instructions: Everyone sits in a circle, one person stands in the middle. They go to another person and ask how they feel. Answers are:
a) "Thank you, I feel good like a sunflower". -> nothing happens
b) "It's going like this, feel like a dormouse that has just woken up". -> neighbours switch places
c) "Not so good, like a fire salamander that is threatened with extinction". -> everyone is changing their seats
End of game: Each person was asked once how they were doing.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Energizer, Indoor, Outdoor
5. Rangers of the National Park
Category: Warm up, Energizer
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Squeaking animal (e.g. duck)
Preparation: Mark a start line. Form a group of rangers (3-4) and a group of poachers (rest of the group).
Game instructions: The group of rangers stand around 5-10 meters away from the start where the poachers stand along the line. The squeaking duck is laying on the ground in front of the rangers. The rangers need to turn around while saying loudly: "We are the rangers of the National Park and we take good care of our wildlife." While the ranger says this the poachers need to approach the duck to get it but needs to freeze once the rangers finished turning around. This is then repeated. Once the poachers reach the duck they need to grab and hide it once they need to freeze again. Now the rangers can call three poachers to show their hands if they have the duck. If the rangers find the duck before the poachers reach the start line with it, the poachers need to start over again and can think about a better strategy. Be careful because the duck makes a squeaking sound if a poacher grabs it too hard!
End of game: The poachers bring the duck back over the start line.
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Squeaking animal (e.g. duck)
Description:
Preparation: Mark a start line. Form a group of rangers (3-4) and a group of poachers (rest of the group).
Game instructions: The group of rangers stand around 5-10 meters away from the start where the poachers stand along the line. The squeaking duck is laying on the ground in front of the rangers. The rangers need to turn around while saying loudly: "We are the rangers of the National Park and we take good care of our wildlife." While the ranger says this the poachers need to approach the duck to get it but needs to freeze once the rangers finished turning around. This is then repeated. Once the poachers reach the duck they need to grab and hide it once they need to freeze again. Now the rangers can call three poachers to show their hands if they have the duck. If the rangers find the duck before the poachers reach the start line with it, the poachers need to start over again and can think about a better strategy. Be careful because the duck makes a squeaking sound if a poacher grabs it too hard!
End of game: The poachers bring the duck back over the start line.
Tags: Short, Energizer, Outdoor
6. Relay race with stones
Category: Warm up, Energizer
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Stones
Preparation: Mark a start and a finish line. Form two or three groups.
Game instructions: In small groups, the group does a relay race with various dexterity and balance tasks: Balancing a stone on the head or the instep of the foot from the start to the finish line and back, rolling a stone along the ground without throwing it, running with the stone in the hand or between the knees… The "risky stone path" takes a little more time: From the start to the finish line, the participants are only allowed to move on three distributed stones, which they always place in front of them in turn. If you miss, you have to start all over again.
End of game: One group wins the race.
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Stones
Description:
Preparation: Mark a start and a finish line. Form two or three groups.
Game instructions: In small groups, the group does a relay race with various dexterity and balance tasks: Balancing a stone on the head or the instep of the foot from the start to the finish line and back, rolling a stone along the ground without throwing it, running with the stone in the hand or between the knees… The "risky stone path" takes a little more time: From the start to the finish line, the participants are only allowed to move on three distributed stones, which they always place in front of them in turn. If you miss, you have to start all over again.
End of game: One group wins the race.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Energizer, Cooperation, Outdoor
7. Rising sea levels
Category: Warm up, Energizer
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Preparation: Circles of different sizes made of cardboard are placed on the floor. Each circle represents a life raft that can hold a different number of people.
Game instructions: Everyone moves around the room to music. As soon as the music stops, everyone looks for a life raft. The person who does not find one or jumps up as "one too many" is eliminated.
Variations:
● Replace the music with a story in which the life rafts play a role.
● Only people with the same characteristics, e.g. same eye colour or hobby, are allowed on the same life rafts.
Aim: Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Description:
Preparation: Circles of different sizes made of cardboard are placed on the floor. Each circle represents a life raft that can hold a different number of people.
Game instructions: Everyone moves around the room to music. As soon as the music stops, everyone looks for a life raft. The person who does not find one or jumps up as "one too many" is eliminated.
Variations:
● Replace the music with a story in which the life rafts play a role.
● Only people with the same characteristics, e.g. same eye colour or hobby, are allowed on the same life rafts.
Tags: Short, Energizer, Indoor, Outdoor
8. Climate salad
Category: Warm up
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Chairs
Preparation: In enough space, put a tight circle of chairs, where there is one chair less than the number of people playing.
Game instructions: The climate salad is based on the game fruit salad. One person stands in the middle and asks a climate-relevant question to the other players sitting in the circle. All the people who answer this question must then stand up and change their chairs. The person in the middle tries to get a free chair as quickly as possible. The person, who goes away empty-handed is back in the middle and has to think up a new question. It is forbidden to move directly to the neighbouring chair. If the person in the middle calls out "climate salad" (if they cannot think of a question), all the other players must change their chairs.
Possible questions:
3. Who eats mainly organic food at home?
4. Who takes a bath instead of a shower?
5. Who always leaves his computer on stand-by?
6. Who uses a clothes dryer at home?
Tip: The climate salad is particularly suitable after working on your own "Ecological Footprint or after a discussion about options for action in everyday life
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Chairs
Description:
Preparation: In enough space, put a tight circle of chairs, where there is one chair less than the number of people playing.
Game instructions: The climate salad is based on the game fruit salad. One person stands in the middle and asks a climate-relevant question to the other players sitting in the circle. All the people who answer this question must then stand up and change their chairs. The person in the middle tries to get a free chair as quickly as possible. The person, who goes away empty-handed is back in the middle and has to think up a new question. It is forbidden to move directly to the neighbouring chair. If the person in the middle calls out "climate salad" (if they cannot think of a question), all the other players must change their chairs.
Possible questions:
- Who has already flown on holiday this year?
3. Who eats mainly organic food at home?
4. Who takes a bath instead of a shower?
5. Who always leaves his computer on stand-by?
6. Who uses a clothes dryer at home?
Tip: The climate salad is particularly suitable after working on your own "Ecological Footprint or after a discussion about options for action in everyday life
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Icebreaker, Fun, Indoor
9. Curtain Falls
Category: Warm up
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation, Learning names
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Blanket, curtain or bed sheet
Preparation: You need two teams and a large blanket. The teams are divided randomly and should have the same number of players. Two game leaders stretch the blanket as a curtain between the two teams so that they cannot see each other.
Game instructions: While the curtain is stretched: Each team designates one person to sit in front of the curtain. When both teams are ready, the ceiling is dropped. Then the curtain falls: Now the two sitting in front of each other have to say the name of the opposite person as quickly as possible. The slower one has to switch to the other team. Then the game starts again from the beginning. The curtain is drawn and two players are positioned.
Tip: If the players already know each other better, you can have them say their hobbies or favourite food or colour instead of their names. The game is suitable as a get-to-know-you game or as an Energizer to interrupt group lessons and events and to draw the attention of the participants to each other.
End of game: The game ends when there are no players left in one team or after each person has had one turn and one of the two groups has won.
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation, Learning names
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Blanket, curtain or bed sheet
Description:
Preparation: You need two teams and a large blanket. The teams are divided randomly and should have the same number of players. Two game leaders stretch the blanket as a curtain between the two teams so that they cannot see each other.
Game instructions: While the curtain is stretched: Each team designates one person to sit in front of the curtain. When both teams are ready, the ceiling is dropped. Then the curtain falls: Now the two sitting in front of each other have to say the name of the opposite person as quickly as possible. The slower one has to switch to the other team. Then the game starts again from the beginning. The curtain is drawn and two players are positioned.
Tip: If the players already know each other better, you can have them say their hobbies or favourite food or colour instead of their names. The game is suitable as a get-to-know-you game or as an Energizer to interrupt group lessons and events and to draw the attention of the participants to each other.
End of game: The game ends when there are no players left in one team or after each person has had one turn and one of the two groups has won.
Tags: Short, Difficult preparation, Icebreaker, Fun, Indoor
10. Four Corners
Category: Warm up
Aim: Getting to know each other
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Four corners in a room
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: All players move around. The game leader calls out the main topic and assigns possible answers to the corners. The players now move to the corner whose answer is closest to them.
Examples:
● Nutrition: vegan, vegetarian, everything, other specialities
● Transport/travel: Plane, train/bus, car, bicycle/walking
● Favourite place: beach/sea, mountains, forest, city
● Shopping: supermarket, discount shop, organic market, unpacked shop
Aim: Getting to know each other
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Four corners in a room
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: All players move around. The game leader calls out the main topic and assigns possible answers to the corners. The players now move to the corner whose answer is closest to them.
Examples:
● Nutrition: vegan, vegetarian, everything, other specialities
● Transport/travel: Plane, train/bus, car, bicycle/walking
● Favourite place: beach/sea, mountains, forest, city
● Shopping: supermarket, discount shop, organic market, unpacked shop
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Icebreaker, Fun, Indoor
11. I have already..
Category: Warm up
Aim: Introduction round, Getting to know each other
Duration: 5 - 15 minutes
Material needed: Chairs (one less than participants)
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: One person stands in the middle of a circle of chairs, so there is one chair too few in the circle. This person now says a sentence that begins with "I have already done…" or "I have already been…" and ends with one thing. All those who have already done this thing stand up and look for a new place. One of them doesn't find one and has to say a sentence next.
Aim: Introduction round, Getting to know each other
Duration: 5 - 15 minutes
Material needed: Chairs (one less than participants)
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: One person stands in the middle of a circle of chairs, so there is one chair too few in the circle. This person now says a sentence that begins with "I have already done…" or "I have already been…" and ends with one thing. All those who have already done this thing stand up and look for a new place. One of them doesn't find one and has to say a sentence next.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Icebreaker, Fun, Indoor
12. Tree trunk
Category: Warm up
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation, Learning names
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Tree trunk or string, maybe paper and pen
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: The whole group stands on a tree trunk. According to the size of the group, the game leader writes consecutive numbers on individual pieces of paper. Now the players are given the numbers by the game leader in an unordered way. The group has to arrange themselves according to the numbers - without any of the participants touching the ground. You can make the game more difficult by not allowing people to talk to each other, so that they only know their own number, but not other people's numbers. Depending on what changes, you may have to change places more often during the game.
You can also play the game by tightening a string. The players have to keep one hand on the string at all times (they can only let go of one hand). Or you do it in a way that everyone stands in a row and can only swap places with the next person if they climb through between their feet. For extreme athletes: Stretch the rope relatively low. The string must always run between the legs, one hand of each player must always remain on the string. You can also vary this game so that the players don't get numbers, but letters, which they then have to use to form a word. Here, of course, the chaos is even greater because the players first have to agree on what kind of word they want to form. Or they have to sort themselves by first name/birthday.
End of game: When the group thinks they are in the right order, they reveal it.
Aim: Getting to know each other, Activation, Learning names
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Tree trunk or string, maybe paper and pen
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: The whole group stands on a tree trunk. According to the size of the group, the game leader writes consecutive numbers on individual pieces of paper. Now the players are given the numbers by the game leader in an unordered way. The group has to arrange themselves according to the numbers - without any of the participants touching the ground. You can make the game more difficult by not allowing people to talk to each other, so that they only know their own number, but not other people's numbers. Depending on what changes, you may have to change places more often during the game.
You can also play the game by tightening a string. The players have to keep one hand on the string at all times (they can only let go of one hand). Or you do it in a way that everyone stands in a row and can only swap places with the next person if they climb through between their feet. For extreme athletes: Stretch the rope relatively low. The string must always run between the legs, one hand of each player must always remain on the string. You can also vary this game so that the players don't get numbers, but letters, which they then have to use to form a word. Here, of course, the chaos is even greater because the players first have to agree on what kind of word they want to form. Or they have to sort themselves by first name/birthday.
End of game: When the group thinks they are in the right order, they reveal it.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Icebreaker, Fun, Outdoor
13. Which forest do you come from?
Category: Icebreaker
Aim: Introduction round, Getting to know each other
Duration: 20 minutes
Material needed: Pictures of forests
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Everyone presents themselves and also describes how the forest looks like where they are from. Which species are growing there? How tall are the trees? Do mainly coniferous or deciduous trees grow there? Or is another species dominant?
End of game: Everyone introduced themselves.
Aim: Introduction round, Getting to know each other
Duration: 20 minutes
Material needed: Pictures of forests
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Everyone presents themselves and also describes how the forest looks like where they are from. Which species are growing there? How tall are the trees? Do mainly coniferous or deciduous trees grow there? Or is another species dominant?
End of game: Everyone introduced themselves.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Icebreaker, Fun, Indoor, Outdoor
14. Fox Walk
Category: Perception, Forest, Meadow
Aim: Mindfulness, Connection with nature
Duration: 10 - 25 minutes
Material needed: -
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: In the fox walk, you start with the first task and tell the group to walk as quietly as possible. Once they have done this for a certain distance, you can take the next step and demonstrate how to put your feet up extremely slowly: The outside touches the ground first and then you roll off very slowly. If you move like this, it may take you half an hour to walk 10 metres, but you also have the chance to see more animals and become more aware of the nature around you. It's also good in combination with the Owl's Eye activity.
End of game: After 10 to 25 minutes the group stops and talks about their experiences.
Aim: Mindfulness, Connection with nature
Duration: 10 - 25 minutes
Material needed: -
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: In the fox walk, you start with the first task and tell the group to walk as quietly as possible. Once they have done this for a certain distance, you can take the next step and demonstrate how to put your feet up extremely slowly: The outside touches the ground first and then you roll off very slowly. If you move like this, it may take you half an hour to walk 10 metres, but you also have the chance to see more animals and become more aware of the nature around you. It's also good in combination with the Owl's Eye activity.
End of game: After 10 to 25 minutes the group stops and talks about their experiences.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Perception, Outdoor-
15. Into the wild
Category: Perception, Forest, Meadow, Water
Aim: Experience of nature, Confidence building
Duration: 30 - 60 minutes
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Everyone chooses a place in nature to which they feel attracted and which invites them to linger. This can be a large stone, a forest clearing or a particularly beautiful piece of flower meadow. Individually spread out in nature, the players observe animals and plants and listen to the sounds of the environment. The next participants are out of sight. Into the Wild" promotes the participants' trust in themselves and their surroundings. They perceive their mood and thus get to know not only nature but also themselves a little better.
End of game: After 30 minutes, the leader calls everyone back. A previously agreed bird call can be used for this purpose. In the reflection round, they then share their observations with the others.
Aim: Experience of nature, Confidence building
Duration: 30 - 60 minutes
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Everyone chooses a place in nature to which they feel attracted and which invites them to linger. This can be a large stone, a forest clearing or a particularly beautiful piece of flower meadow. Individually spread out in nature, the players observe animals and plants and listen to the sounds of the environment. The next participants are out of sight. Into the Wild" promotes the participants' trust in themselves and their surroundings. They perceive their mood and thus get to know not only nature but also themselves a little better.
End of game: After 30 minutes, the leader calls everyone back. A previously agreed bird call can be used for this purpose. In the reflection round, they then share their observations with the others.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Perception, Outdoor
16. Noise Location Game
Category: Perception, Forest, Meadow
Aim: Activation
Duration: 20 - 30 minutes
Material needed: Something to blindfold
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: One person is blindfolded and stands in the middle of a suitable, quiet piece of a forest. The group spreads out around the person at a distance of about 7 metres. Now everyone is quiet and must try to get as close as possible to the blindfolded person. The person has the task of locating people. Whenever they think they know where someone is, they point their finger in that direction. If they are right, the person has to stay where they are. If they are wrong, nothing happens.
End of game: The game continues until everyone has been located or someone high-fives the blindfolded person. This person or the person who has made it the furthest is the winner and is in the middle in the next round.
Aim: Activation
Duration: 20 - 30 minutes
Material needed: Something to blindfold
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: One person is blindfolded and stands in the middle of a suitable, quiet piece of a forest. The group spreads out around the person at a distance of about 7 metres. Now everyone is quiet and must try to get as close as possible to the blindfolded person. The person has the task of locating people. Whenever they think they know where someone is, they point their finger in that direction. If they are right, the person has to stay where they are. If they are wrong, nothing happens.
End of game: The game continues until everyone has been located or someone high-fives the blindfolded person. This person or the person who has made it the furthest is the winner and is in the middle in the next round.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Perception, Outdoor
17. Owl’s Eye
Category: Perception, Forest, Meadow
Aim: Mindfulness, Inner peace and connection
Duration: 5 - 10 minutes
Material needed: Nothing, possibly a seat pad
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Spy like an owl and look at your surroundings differently. Imagine you are an owl and, without moving, scout your surroundings for potential prey. To do this, find a place where you have a good view and sit cross-legged with your hands in your lap or on your knees. Your eyes are open and you look alternately from left to right. Only your eyes move, the rest of your body is still, like an owl looking for prey. To become completely calm, you can adjust the movement of your eyes to your breath and inhale slowly on the left and exhale slowly on the right. Then close your eyes and look mentally at your forehead to trace.
End of game: After 10 minutes, the leader calls everyone back. A previously agreed bird call can be used for this purpose. Ask for the experience.
Aim: Mindfulness, Inner peace and connection
Duration: 5 - 10 minutes
Material needed: Nothing, possibly a seat pad
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Spy like an owl and look at your surroundings differently. Imagine you are an owl and, without moving, scout your surroundings for potential prey. To do this, find a place where you have a good view and sit cross-legged with your hands in your lap or on your knees. Your eyes are open and you look alternately from left to right. Only your eyes move, the rest of your body is still, like an owl looking for prey. To become completely calm, you can adjust the movement of your eyes to your breath and inhale slowly on the left and exhale slowly on the right. Then close your eyes and look mentally at your forehead to trace.
End of game: After 10 minutes, the leader calls everyone back. A previously agreed bird call can be used for this purpose. Ask for the experience.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Perception, Outdoor
18. Thought Journey "Tree"
Category: Perception, Forest, Meadow
Aim: Mindfulness, Connection with nature
Duration: 15 minutes
Material needed: -
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Go to a tree. Think about it for three minutes. Think of how it grows, think of its leaves, of the birds that sing in its branches, of the mosses and lichens that grow on it, of all the animals that live on it and so on. But don't think about anything else. If a thought does come to you, put it in a cloud and let it drift away in the blue sky.
End of game: After 10 minutes, the leader calls everyone back. A previously agreed bird call can be used for this purpose. Ask for the experience.
Aim: Mindfulness, Connection with nature
Duration: 15 minutes
Material needed: -
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Go to a tree. Think about it for three minutes. Think of how it grows, think of its leaves, of the birds that sing in its branches, of the mosses and lichens that grow on it, of all the animals that live on it and so on. But don't think about anything else. If a thought does come to you, put it in a cloud and let it drift away in the blue sky.
End of game: After 10 minutes, the leader calls everyone back. A previously agreed bird call can be used for this purpose. Ask for the experience.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Perception, Outdoor
19. What are stones like?
Category: Perception, Forest, Meadow, Stones
Aim: Activation
Duration: 20 - 30 minutes
Material needed: Different stones
Preparation: The group goes around and is searching for stones. Everyone needs a stone.
Game instructions: From a large pool of different stones, pairs of stones are selected and placed next to each other on a cloth in such a way that they stand as an example for a pair of opposing characteristics. It is important to choose the pair of stones in such a way that exactly the intended characteristics are shown to be advantageous. Either the group guesses the characteristics of the pairs that have already been placed or they place them themselves.
Example: light and heavy (white pumice stone and white pebble of the same size) or colourful and monochrome, smooth and rough, angular and round…
Aim: Activation
Duration: 20 - 30 minutes
Material needed: Different stones
Description:
Preparation: The group goes around and is searching for stones. Everyone needs a stone.
Game instructions: From a large pool of different stones, pairs of stones are selected and placed next to each other on a cloth in such a way that they stand as an example for a pair of opposing characteristics. It is important to choose the pair of stones in such a way that exactly the intended characteristics are shown to be advantageous. Either the group guesses the characteristics of the pairs that have already been placed or they place them themselves.
Example: light and heavy (white pumice stone and white pebble of the same size) or colourful and monochrome, smooth and rough, angular and round…
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Perception, Outdoor
20. Animal Theatre
Category: Group breakdown
Aim: Group formation
Duration: 10 minutes
Material needed: Animal cards
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Each participant is given a picture of an animal, which can be an animal from the forest, the meadow, the water or something completely different. All animals are represented several times without the participants knowing who has which animal. Before the game begins, it is clarified whether everyone knows their animal. How does it move, what, how and where does it eat? What sounds does it make?
At a starting signal, all participants slip into the role of their animal and play it at the same time as the others. In this way, it becomes clear who is which animal and identical animals come together in groups without speaking. Then each group introduces its animal so that the others can guess the type of animal. Depending on how large the groups are to be, a corresponding number of identical animal cards are distributed.
End of game: After each group presents their animal the groups are formed.
Aim: Group formation
Duration: 10 minutes
Material needed: Animal cards
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Each participant is given a picture of an animal, which can be an animal from the forest, the meadow, the water or something completely different. All animals are represented several times without the participants knowing who has which animal. Before the game begins, it is clarified whether everyone knows their animal. How does it move, what, how and where does it eat? What sounds does it make?
At a starting signal, all participants slip into the role of their animal and play it at the same time as the others. In this way, it becomes clear who is which animal and identical animals come together in groups without speaking. Then each group introduces its animal so that the others can guess the type of animal. Depending on how large the groups are to be, a corresponding number of identical animal cards are distributed.
End of game: After each group presents their animal the groups are formed.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Group breakdown, Indoor, Outdoor
21. Ant game
Category: Group breakdown, Warm up
Aim: Activation, Learning names
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: -
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: The players run around like ants on a meadow. The game leader suddenly calls out "ant" and then a number, e.g. "Ant seven!" Immediately, the players have to form ant colonies in the number called out by the game leader. The game leader can control the length of the game by clever number sequences.
End of game: When the group size wanted is formed. Or normally, there are always a few players left who are too few to form a state of the required size. These players are eliminated. After a few rounds, there are only very few players left and the game is over.
Aim: Activation, Learning names
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: -
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: The players run around like ants on a meadow. The game leader suddenly calls out "ant" and then a number, e.g. "Ant seven!" Immediately, the players have to form ant colonies in the number called out by the game leader. The game leader can control the length of the game by clever number sequences.
End of game: When the group size wanted is formed. Or normally, there are always a few players left who are too few to form a state of the required size. These players are eliminated. After a few rounds, there are only very few players left and the game is over.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Group breakdown, Indoor, Outdoor
22. Plant groups
Category: Group breakdown
Aim: Group formation
Duration: 10 minutes
Material needed: Plant cards
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Each participant is given a picture of a plant, which can be a plant from the forest, the meadow, the water or something completely different. All plants are represented several times without the participants knowing who has which animal. Before the game begins, it is clarified whether everyone knows their plant. How does it look, and where does it grow?
At a starting signal, all participants describe their plant. In this way, it becomes clear who is which plant, and identical plants come together in groups without telling the name of the plant. Then each group introduces its plant so that the others can guess the type of plant. Depending on how large the groups are to be, a corresponding number of identical plant cards are distributed.
End of game: After each group presents their plant the groups are formed.
Aim: Group formation
Duration: 10 minutes
Material needed: Plant cards
Description:
Preparation: No Preparation.
Game instructions: Each participant is given a picture of a plant, which can be a plant from the forest, the meadow, the water or something completely different. All plants are represented several times without the participants knowing who has which animal. Before the game begins, it is clarified whether everyone knows their plant. How does it look, and where does it grow?
At a starting signal, all participants describe their plant. In this way, it becomes clear who is which plant, and identical plants come together in groups without telling the name of the plant. Then each group introduces its plant so that the others can guess the type of plant. Depending on how large the groups are to be, a corresponding number of identical plant cards are distributed.
End of game: After each group presents their plant the groups are formed.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Group breakdown, Indoor, Outdoor
23. Brainwriting
Category: Feedback
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 30 minutes
Material needed: Four walls with paper or flipcharts, pens
Preparation: The walls are labelled with the following headings:
3. traffic and mobility
4. utopias for a more climate-friendly world
Game instructions: At the signal to start, the participants have about 5 minutes (longer if necessary) to think of a climate friendly behaviour/alternative for the headings 1 - 4 on the walls and to write it down on the wall in a way that is Easy for everyone to read. According to the motto: What would have to be done, or what would we or each individual have to do, so that climate change does not get worse? It is possible to work individually or in groups. Individual options for action can also be added to or commented on by others on the board.
Evaluation:
The comments are read out loud by the facilitator and sometimes taken up as a discussion and passed on to the participants. Incomprehensible ideas or comments should be explained again by the respective authors for all to hear.
Tip: What is needed are somewhat unusual ideas and, above all, ideas about a world in which the young people themselves would like to live. In this respect, it is particularly interesting if young people are encouraged not to think in terms of rules and norms, but to fantasise freely and still come up with ideas and possibilities that can be taken seriously.
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 30 minutes
Material needed: Four walls with paper or flipcharts, pens
Description:
Preparation: The walls are labelled with the following headings:
- education and politics
3. traffic and mobility
4. utopias for a more climate-friendly world
Game instructions: At the signal to start, the participants have about 5 minutes (longer if necessary) to think of a climate friendly behaviour/alternative for the headings 1 - 4 on the walls and to write it down on the wall in a way that is Easy for everyone to read. According to the motto: What would have to be done, or what would we or each individual have to do, so that climate change does not get worse? It is possible to work individually or in groups. Individual options for action can also be added to or commented on by others on the board.
Evaluation:
The comments are read out loud by the facilitator and sometimes taken up as a discussion and passed on to the participants. Incomprehensible ideas or comments should be explained again by the respective authors for all to hear.
Tip: What is needed are somewhat unusual ideas and, above all, ideas about a world in which the young people themselves would like to live. In this respect, it is particularly interesting if young people are encouraged not to think in terms of rules and norms, but to fantasise freely and still come up with ideas and possibilities that can be taken seriously.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Reflection, Indoor
24. Dartboard
Category: Feedback
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 5 - 15 minutes
Material needed: Paper, pen, adhesive dots
Preparation: A dartboard is drawn on a sheet of paper. So a circle is drawn, divided into several concentric circles and different pieces of cake.
Game instructions: The participants get sticky dots or a pen. They rate whether a section of the programme has "hit the bull's eye" or was perhaps "completely off the mark", i.e. even outside the target.
Tip: The dartboard is particularly suitable for quick reflection at the exit door when there is not too much time left for reflection.
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 5 - 15 minutes
Material needed: Paper, pen, adhesive dots
Description:
Preparation: A dartboard is drawn on a sheet of paper. So a circle is drawn, divided into several concentric circles and different pieces of cake.
Game instructions: The participants get sticky dots or a pen. They rate whether a section of the programme has "hit the bull's eye" or was perhaps "completely off the mark", i.e. even outside the target.
Tip: The dartboard is particularly suitable for quick reflection at the exit door when there is not too much time left for reflection.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Reflection, Indoor, Outdoor
25. Foodback
Category: Feedback
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 30 minutes
Material needed: Shopping basket, mixer, compost, moderation cards, pencils
Preparation: Three symbols (shopping basket, compost and mixer) are placed on the floor (either draw on site or print out beforehand and bring with you).
Game instructions: The participants are then given moderation cards on which they can write down their feedback. Depending on the time capacity and the size of the group, the moderation cards with the comments can be read out and put down to match the symbols or simply silently assigned.
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 30 minutes
Material needed: Shopping basket, mixer, compost, moderation cards, pencils
Description:
Preparation: Three symbols (shopping basket, compost and mixer) are placed on the floor (either draw on site or print out beforehand and bring with you).
Game instructions: The participants are then given moderation cards on which they can write down their feedback. Depending on the time capacity and the size of the group, the moderation cards with the comments can be read out and put down to match the symbols or simply silently assigned.
Tags: Short, Reflection, Indoor, Outdoor
26. Weather forecast
Category: Feedback
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 30 minutes
Material needed: Blackboard or large poster for the weather report, pens, possibly A4 sheets
Preparation: The different points to be reflected are drawn on a poster or blackboard. These can be the individual programme points of a weekend seminar or sections of project implementation. The symbols for the weather map (sun, rain, clear to cloudy, fog, etc.) are presented to the group and explained. Suggestions from the participants for extending the map can be taken up.
Game instructions: Each participant draws or staples their weather symbols in the spaces provided and explains what they mean.
Aim: Feedback, Reflection round
Duration: 30 minutes
Material needed: Blackboard or large poster for the weather report, pens, possibly A4 sheets
Description:
Preparation: The different points to be reflected are drawn on a poster or blackboard. These can be the individual programme points of a weekend seminar or sections of project implementation. The symbols for the weather map (sun, rain, clear to cloudy, fog, etc.) are presented to the group and explained. Suggestions from the participants for extending the map can be taken up.
Game instructions: Each participant draws or staples their weather symbols in the spaces provided and explains what they mean.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Reflection, Indoor, Outdoor
27. Biodiversity made Easy
Category: Experiment, Forest, Water, Meadow
Aim: Getting to know species through play
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Sheet of paper, pen, identification book
Preparation: Introduction to the areas where counting is to take place. Distribution of pens and paper.
Game instructions: Go out into nature and count all the plant or animal species you can find. How many species grow in which areas? Look for all the species you can find in the meadow. Count them, then go to the next meadow and do the same.
End of game: Compare the numbers and look at the surroundings and the location. Of course, you can do the same in the forest or just outside your door. Now start to identify some species. Use an identification book or an identification app (e.g. FLORA Incognita APP for plants). Start thinking about why there are more species in one area than in the other.
Aim: Getting to know species through play
Duration: 10 - 20 minutes
Material needed: Sheet of paper, pen, identification book
Description:
Preparation: Introduction to the areas where counting is to take place. Distribution of pens and paper.
Game instructions: Go out into nature and count all the plant or animal species you can find. How many species grow in which areas? Look for all the species you can find in the meadow. Count them, then go to the next meadow and do the same.
End of game: Compare the numbers and look at the surroundings and the location. Of course, you can do the same in the forest or just outside your door. Now start to identify some species. Use an identification book or an identification app (e.g. FLORA Incognita APP for plants). Start thinking about why there are more species in one area than in the other.
Tags: Short, Easy Preparation, Reflection, Outdoor
28. The History of Trash
Category: Simulation game
Topic: Waste consumption and disposal
Aim: To reflect on the negative effects of the waste store in the next 10 years; to reflect on the importance to find alternative solutions to the over-waste consumption problem
Duration: 60 minutes
Material needed: Paper, pencils, pens, flip charts
Participants are divided into groups (3 – 5 pax. each).
Step 1. each group has to search for some e-waste and electronic waste material (trainers should have already prepared the materials and the different parts) and choose a maximum of 3;
Step 2. with the pieces they found they have to create a Short story of their life, from their production to their destruction.
NOTE: the story will be afterwards presented in plenary and each group can find the most suitable and creative way to present the story. During this phase they should also figure out the possible impact of these waste in the 10 following years and they should search for alternative solutions to reduce the impact of the waste consumption and disposal.
Step 3. presentation in plenary of the stories.
Debriefing. Key questions for the debriefing:
● Is the scenario described realistic?
● Is it possible to measure, in a trustworthy manner, the real impact? If yes, how?
● Do you agree with the solutions proposed?
● Do you have ideas to solve or at least manage the problem?
● Lessons learnt from the activity.
Topic: Waste consumption and disposal
Aim: To reflect on the negative effects of the waste store in the next 10 years; to reflect on the importance to find alternative solutions to the over-waste consumption problem
Duration: 60 minutes
Material needed: Paper, pencils, pens, flip charts
Description:
Participants are divided into groups (3 – 5 pax. each).
Step 1. each group has to search for some e-waste and electronic waste material (trainers should have already prepared the materials and the different parts) and choose a maximum of 3;
Step 2. with the pieces they found they have to create a Short story of their life, from their production to their destruction.
NOTE: the story will be afterwards presented in plenary and each group can find the most suitable and creative way to present the story. During this phase they should also figure out the possible impact of these waste in the 10 following years and they should search for alternative solutions to reduce the impact of the waste consumption and disposal.
Step 3. presentation in plenary of the stories.
Debriefing. Key questions for the debriefing:
● Is the scenario described realistic?
● Is it possible to measure, in a trustworthy manner, the real impact? If yes, how?
● Do you agree with the solutions proposed?
● Do you have ideas to solve or at least manage the problem?
● Lessons learnt from the activity.
Tags: Long, Easy Preparation, Creative, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
29. Survival of Countries
Category: Competition, Reflection, Cooperation Activity
Topic: Sustainability, International relations
Aim: To understand sustainability as the product of a complex system that starts with personal and collective attitudes and which includes economic relations, international relations, (and specifically north/south) environment, history, etc.
Duration: Around 45-60 minutes
Material needed: Chairs (one for each participant), sticks (around 10 per participant); markers, flipchart
The activity is played in 3 phases, and each phase has several rounds (for example 3 or 4). There is a flip chart prepared, with a table, where the facilitator will write the results of each round and each phase. Participants sit on chairs, in a circle, but looking outside the circle (not within). They are told these instructions:
Game explanation
● Each of you is a country, tell me the country you are in. NOTE: when the participants tell the country each represents, the facilitator writes it on the tables of the flipchart.
● Your responsibility is to survive. You need 4 sticks to survive. If you don't get the 4 sticks, your country will die and you won't be able to participate until the next phase.
● You will close your eyes and we will throw these sticks to the floor, and when I say “now!” you should open your eyes and you have to go as fast as possible to take the sticks you need to survive.
● When I say “stop!” you won't be allowed to take any more sticks and you have to return back to your seat.
NOTE FOR TRAINERS: they can take more than 4 sticks if they want. We don't encourage nor discourage them to do so…we don't want to give more instructions than the given ones. Despite this, the facilitator will adopt the tone of a contest, to stimulate their attitude.
Step 1. First phase – PRE-INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
Once instructions are told and sticks (around 10 per participant) are thrown on the floor (sticks are thrown unequally around the participants), participants get them, and we say “stop!”, it will be time to count the results. One facilitator will write the results; those participants who have less than 4 sticks are eliminated and the facilitator tells it with big grief. Those who took 4 are correct. And those with more than 4 are received with surprise and admiration (“wow! They took that many!! -we never say that it is good or bad-). There are 3 rounds played until there are no more sticks on the floor. Once we count the results, we take all the sticks, and they are removed (they only know it after it happens in the first round). The new round is with only the sticks still on the floor. At the end of the established number of rounds for the phase, we count how many countries survived, how many died. After that, we start the next phase, again with all the participants.
Step 2. Second phase- INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
After the 1st round, we explain to them that those who took more than 4, now they have an advantage: we will say a first “now!”, when only them will go for the resources; and a second “now!” when the ones who only survived with 4 will be able to go as well for the resources. At the end of the established number of rounds for the phase, we count how many countries survived, how many died. After that, we start the next phase, again with all participants.
Step 3. Third phase – CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
The same as the Second Phase, but after each round, we will throw again to the floor half of the sticks the participants took. At the end of the established number of rounds for the phase, we count how many countries survived, how many died.
ANALYSIS
● What were the results of each phase? (how many countries survived until the end? How many survived at least 2 phases? Any phase with all surviving?) -participants shall note that the “death” of one country is already a failure…and most of them die…
● Do you think each phase has a correspondence with historic phases? (which ones? It is supposed to be pre-industrial societies -they just used the resources; industrialised societies -those with benefits can invest to create technology and have an advantage; postindustrial societies
● What is it that motivated the death of the countries? More than the scarcity of resources, it will be the use of them, the attitude towards them (excessive consumption, competition against others, …) and the other countries that motivated the death.
● Did anybody try to change behaviour? What happened then?
● Were there at any moment dynamics of Cooperation?
● Which alternatives could have arisen? (collaboration-solidarity; sustainable consumption; de-growth; education for sustainability -telling the others that this way is gonna kill them all…)
● When do we change our behaviour? (After experiencing things that are going wrong, we ACTIVATE OUR CRITICAL THINKING).
● Is it enough to recycle to survive?? What else can be done??
Download this support table in PDF
Topic: Sustainability, International relations
Aim: To understand sustainability as the product of a complex system that starts with personal and collective attitudes and which includes economic relations, international relations, (and specifically north/south) environment, history, etc.
Duration: Around 45-60 minutes
Material needed: Chairs (one for each participant), sticks (around 10 per participant); markers, flipchart
Description:
The activity is played in 3 phases, and each phase has several rounds (for example 3 or 4). There is a flip chart prepared, with a table, where the facilitator will write the results of each round and each phase. Participants sit on chairs, in a circle, but looking outside the circle (not within). They are told these instructions:
Game explanation
● Each of you is a country, tell me the country you are in. NOTE: when the participants tell the country each represents, the facilitator writes it on the tables of the flipchart.
● Your responsibility is to survive. You need 4 sticks to survive. If you don't get the 4 sticks, your country will die and you won't be able to participate until the next phase.
● You will close your eyes and we will throw these sticks to the floor, and when I say “now!” you should open your eyes and you have to go as fast as possible to take the sticks you need to survive.
● When I say “stop!” you won't be allowed to take any more sticks and you have to return back to your seat.
NOTE FOR TRAINERS: they can take more than 4 sticks if they want. We don't encourage nor discourage them to do so…we don't want to give more instructions than the given ones. Despite this, the facilitator will adopt the tone of a contest, to stimulate their attitude.
Step 1. First phase – PRE-INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
Once instructions are told and sticks (around 10 per participant) are thrown on the floor (sticks are thrown unequally around the participants), participants get them, and we say “stop!”, it will be time to count the results. One facilitator will write the results; those participants who have less than 4 sticks are eliminated and the facilitator tells it with big grief. Those who took 4 are correct. And those with more than 4 are received with surprise and admiration (“wow! They took that many!! -we never say that it is good or bad-). There are 3 rounds played until there are no more sticks on the floor. Once we count the results, we take all the sticks, and they are removed (they only know it after it happens in the first round). The new round is with only the sticks still on the floor. At the end of the established number of rounds for the phase, we count how many countries survived, how many died. After that, we start the next phase, again with all the participants.
Step 2. Second phase- INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
After the 1st round, we explain to them that those who took more than 4, now they have an advantage: we will say a first “now!”, when only them will go for the resources; and a second “now!” when the ones who only survived with 4 will be able to go as well for the resources. At the end of the established number of rounds for the phase, we count how many countries survived, how many died. After that, we start the next phase, again with all participants.
Step 3. Third phase – CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
The same as the Second Phase, but after each round, we will throw again to the floor half of the sticks the participants took. At the end of the established number of rounds for the phase, we count how many countries survived, how many died.
ANALYSIS
● What were the results of each phase? (how many countries survived until the end? How many survived at least 2 phases? Any phase with all surviving?) -participants shall note that the “death” of one country is already a failure…and most of them die…
● Do you think each phase has a correspondence with historic phases? (which ones? It is supposed to be pre-industrial societies -they just used the resources; industrialised societies -those with benefits can invest to create technology and have an advantage; postindustrial societies
● What is it that motivated the death of the countries? More than the scarcity of resources, it will be the use of them, the attitude towards them (excessive consumption, competition against others, …) and the other countries that motivated the death.
● Did anybody try to change behaviour? What happened then?
● Were there at any moment dynamics of Cooperation?
● Which alternatives could have arisen? (collaboration-solidarity; sustainable consumption; de-growth; education for sustainability -telling the others that this way is gonna kill them all…)
● When do we change our behaviour? (After experiencing things that are going wrong, we ACTIVATE OUR CRITICAL THINKING).
● Is it enough to recycle to survive?? What else can be done??
Download this support table in PDF
Tags: Long, Difficult preparation, Critical thinking, Indoor
30. Pieces of cake
Category: Competition, Reflection, Cooperation Activity
Topic: Sustainability, international relations, difference between richer and poorer regions of the world in terms of wealth
Aim: To raise awareness of differences in economic status around the world; to become familiar with the social and economic rights; to discuss the impact of poverty on human dignity to open the discussion about human rights
Duration: 60 minutes
Material needed: 32 slices of cake or sweets (it can be a real cake or something drown …), 5 signs representing 5 regions of the world, draw or print a world map (and put it on the floor)
NOTE: you can use anything in place of the cake – for example, false money. The statistics are taken from www.geohive.com/default1.aspx – you may wish to break down the regions into smaller parts.
Ask the group what they think is the total number of people in the world. Give them a few guesses and then tell them the correct number. Explain that, for today’s activity, the group represents all the people in the world:
● Show them the world map and the five signs placed on the map; ask them to distribute themselves among the five regions that these represent. For example, if they think that 20% of the world lives in Europe, then 20% of the group should go and stand next to the Europe sign;
● Give them time to discuss this among themselves; then tell them the true proportions. Invite people to move between regions so the correct number stand beside each sign;
● Bring out the cake. Tell the group that this represents GDP (gross domestic product) for the world as a whole.
NOTE: for the purposes of the activity, GDP means the amount of food it can buy – in other words, the amount of cake.
● Ask the group to try to work out, or guess, how many slices of cake they think each part of the world consumes. Again, give them time to discuss this;
● When they think they have the correct answer, distribute the cake according to the table in the handout, giving each region of the world the correct number of slices.
Debriefing in plenary, K-questions for the debriefing:
● Are you surprised by the information? What are you feeling at the moment?
● Was this a fair way to divide up the cake? What would have been a better way?
● Do you think it is fair that the world’s resources are distributed in this way?
● How do you think that such a state of affairs has come about?
● Do you think that the rich have a duty (or responsibility) to share resources with the poor, or do you think it should be a matter of personal choice?
● “Possession is nine tenths of the law” – do you agree? What does it mean for resources to “belong” to someone or some country?
● Do you think we have obligations only to our own people, or do obligations stretch across national boundaries? What do you feel about obligations between Northern and Southern countries?
● Do you think there should be limits to the resources that one individual or country can own, if there are others who are starving?
● How do you understand what has been discussed today in terms of human rights?
NOTE: it’s important to reflect that the statistics are only approximate (obviously there are some countries and individuals in each region that are richer than the overage, and would receive more cake; there are countries that are poorer than the average and would receive less. The attention should be focused not on the exactness of the figures but on the fact that there are extreme inequalities within every country of the world.
NOTE: the handout with the excel figures is printed at the end of the activity description.
Topic: Sustainability, international relations, difference between richer and poorer regions of the world in terms of wealth
Aim: To raise awareness of differences in economic status around the world; to become familiar with the social and economic rights; to discuss the impact of poverty on human dignity to open the discussion about human rights
Duration: 60 minutes
Material needed: 32 slices of cake or sweets (it can be a real cake or something drown …), 5 signs representing 5 regions of the world, draw or print a world map (and put it on the floor)
NOTE: you can use anything in place of the cake – for example, false money. The statistics are taken from www.geohive.com/default1.aspx – you may wish to break down the regions into smaller parts.
Description:
Ask the group what they think is the total number of people in the world. Give them a few guesses and then tell them the correct number. Explain that, for today’s activity, the group represents all the people in the world:
● Show them the world map and the five signs placed on the map; ask them to distribute themselves among the five regions that these represent. For example, if they think that 20% of the world lives in Europe, then 20% of the group should go and stand next to the Europe sign;
● Give them time to discuss this among themselves; then tell them the true proportions. Invite people to move between regions so the correct number stand beside each sign;
● Bring out the cake. Tell the group that this represents GDP (gross domestic product) for the world as a whole.
NOTE: for the purposes of the activity, GDP means the amount of food it can buy – in other words, the amount of cake.
● Ask the group to try to work out, or guess, how many slices of cake they think each part of the world consumes. Again, give them time to discuss this;
● When they think they have the correct answer, distribute the cake according to the table in the handout, giving each region of the world the correct number of slices.
Debriefing in plenary, K-questions for the debriefing:
● Are you surprised by the information? What are you feeling at the moment?
● Was this a fair way to divide up the cake? What would have been a better way?
● Do you think it is fair that the world’s resources are distributed in this way?
● How do you think that such a state of affairs has come about?
● Do you think that the rich have a duty (or responsibility) to share resources with the poor, or do you think it should be a matter of personal choice?
● “Possession is nine tenths of the law” – do you agree? What does it mean for resources to “belong” to someone or some country?
● Do you think we have obligations only to our own people, or do obligations stretch across national boundaries? What do you feel about obligations between Northern and Southern countries?
● Do you think there should be limits to the resources that one individual or country can own, if there are others who are starving?
● How do you understand what has been discussed today in terms of human rights?
NOTE: it’s important to reflect that the statistics are only approximate (obviously there are some countries and individuals in each region that are richer than the overage, and would receive more cake; there are countries that are poorer than the average and would receive less. The attention should be focused not on the exactness of the figures but on the fact that there are extreme inequalities within every country of the world.
NOTE: the handout with the excel figures is printed at the end of the activity description.
Tags: Long, Difficult preparation, Critical thinking, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
31. In my Community
Category: Simulation
Topic: The “community” concept, definition of the needs (and proposals to meet them), proposal to organize the community, defining roles and rules for the shared living
Aim: To reflect on the concepts of: Community, needs, “liberated time”, “space out of the space”
Duration: 90 - 120 minutes
Step 1. The participants are divided into two groups, representing two different “new” communities. Then they are asked to construct their own community defining the following aspects:
● Name of the community;
● Define the local community language;
● How do they greet each other?
● Which is their taboo?
● What is allowed?
● What is forbidden?
● And what do you do when someone is not respecting the “forbidden thing”?
● Local organization in terms of natural resources and market (or exchange);
Step 2. Each group has to “practice” a bit the life in the community;
Step 3. Are chosen 2 ambassadors in each community, exchange of ambassadors;
Step 4. The ambassador comes back to home culture and describe the other culture
The two communities come back in plenary, debriefing. K-questions for the debriefing:
● What did you understand about the other community ? to the ambassadors;
● Did they understand correctly? To the communities;
● Do you have a hierarchy? If yes, which and how is it Functioning?
● How do they divide the natural resources?
● How do you manage the space?
● How do you manage the time?
● How decisions are taken within your community?
● Why did you define this taboo?
● How did you define what is allowed and what is forbidden?
● Why and how did you decide the punishment?
Topic: The “community” concept, definition of the needs (and proposals to meet them), proposal to organize the community, defining roles and rules for the shared living
Aim: To reflect on the concepts of: Community, needs, “liberated time”, “space out of the space”
Duration: 90 - 120 minutes
Description:
Step 1. The participants are divided into two groups, representing two different “new” communities. Then they are asked to construct their own community defining the following aspects:
● Name of the community;
● Define the local community language;
● How do they greet each other?
● Which is their taboo?
● What is allowed?
● What is forbidden?
● And what do you do when someone is not respecting the “forbidden thing”?
● Local organization in terms of natural resources and market (or exchange);
Step 2. Each group has to “practice” a bit the life in the community;
Step 3. Are chosen 2 ambassadors in each community, exchange of ambassadors;
Step 4. The ambassador comes back to home culture and describe the other culture
The two communities come back in plenary, debriefing. K-questions for the debriefing:
● What did you understand about the other community ? to the ambassadors;
● Did they understand correctly? To the communities;
● Do you have a hierarchy? If yes, which and how is it Functioning?
● How do they divide the natural resources?
● How do you manage the space?
● How do you manage the time?
● How decisions are taken within your community?
● Why did you define this taboo?
● How did you define what is allowed and what is forbidden?
● Why and how did you decide the punishment?
Tags: Long, Easy Preparation, Critical thinking, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
32. Mapping the Globe
Category: Work in groups with the conceptual map tool
Topic: Connections between human rights and the environment
Aim: To understand the close connection between environmental questions and human rights, to explore the Needs, Time and Space, to develop skills of co- operation and analysis
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Material needed: 4 Big flip charts, post it, markers, pens, A4 papers, glue, scissors, 4 printed handouts with the k-words (one for each group)
NOTE: be sure that you have enough room for three groups working around their sheet of paper
Step 1. make a Short presentation in plenary of the Conceptual Map tool;
Step 2. divide participants in 4 groups: Community / Needs / Time / Space
Step 3: give each group the hand out and explain to them that they have to create their own conceptual map, according to the “title” of their group.
Step. 4: presentation in plenary of the conceptual maps, analysis of the connections and debriefing.
Download this support description in PDF
Topic: Connections between human rights and the environment
Aim: To understand the close connection between environmental questions and human rights, to explore the Needs, Time and Space, to develop skills of co- operation and analysis
Duration: 90 – 120 minutes
Material needed: 4 Big flip charts, post it, markers, pens, A4 papers, glue, scissors, 4 printed handouts with the k-words (one for each group)
NOTE: be sure that you have enough room for three groups working around their sheet of paper
Description:
Step 1. make a Short presentation in plenary of the Conceptual Map tool;
Step 2. divide participants in 4 groups: Community / Needs / Time / Space
Step 3: give each group the hand out and explain to them that they have to create their own conceptual map, according to the “title” of their group.
Step. 4: presentation in plenary of the conceptual maps, analysis of the connections and debriefing.
Download this support description in PDF
Tags: Long, Difficult preparation, Creative, Critical thinking, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
33. Wall Street Simulation
Category: Role Play Game
Topic: Economy and ethics
Aim: To make the participants reflect on the motives and methods of transnational corporations; to reflect on how low in their hierarchy of priorities stand ethics, social issues, environment, fair competition. The game also points out how interpersonal conflicts and animosities can influence company's decisions that affect thousands of people
Duration: 120 minutes
Material needed: Role descriptions for each participant, sets of 9 problems (one set per each "company"); answer scheme and score scheme for the "Wall Street"; a board or a big sheet of paper on which the stock exchange graph will be drawn (see example here); colour markers to draw the graph (different colour for each "company")
Step 1. participants are divided into 5 "companies' ' (splitting in different groups people from the same country) and ask to each "company" sits in some distance from each other so that they don't overhear other companies' discussions;
Step 2. The facilitator gives participants their roles (which must be kept secret and not revealed to anybody neither in nor outside the "company").
NOTE: if the group size is more than 4, there can be more than one councillor with the same role in a "company";
Step 3. the president of each "company" introduces herself/himself to the other members of a group and the game starts. "Companies" decide on their names and inform the "Wall Street" (the game facilitators);
Step 4. The problems are distributed to the "companies" in different order, following the score scheme. "Companies" discuss and vote to choose one of four possible solutions (in case of parity the president's opinion prevails). Then they quickly communicate it to the "Wall Street" that reacts according to the score scheme and shows the result on the graph.
NOTE: time is the essence! You can set up a time limit for solving each problem(for example 5 min). The "Wall Street '' can demand slow groups to fasten their actions. It can also punish "companies” unable to take quick decisions, eventually lowering the quotation of their stocks. You can modify the set of problems by adding new or changing already existing ones. Don't forget to update the score scheme and the answer scheme.
De briefing in plenary. K-questions for the debriefing:
● How was your role?
● How do the group act?
● Did everybody equally participate?
● Did you perceive tensions?
● Which were the most significant problems your "companies" were struggling with?
● Were your "companies" eager to sacrifice profits for the good of the environment, people's health, safety, rights?
● What was the impact of interpersonal relations within the "companies" on the decisions that you took?
● Do you think this game reflects reality?
● How can we make huge corporations become more responsible?
Download this support handout in PDF
Topic: Economy and ethics
Aim: To make the participants reflect on the motives and methods of transnational corporations; to reflect on how low in their hierarchy of priorities stand ethics, social issues, environment, fair competition. The game also points out how interpersonal conflicts and animosities can influence company's decisions that affect thousands of people
Duration: 120 minutes
Material needed: Role descriptions for each participant, sets of 9 problems (one set per each "company"); answer scheme and score scheme for the "Wall Street"; a board or a big sheet of paper on which the stock exchange graph will be drawn (see example here); colour markers to draw the graph (different colour for each "company")
Description:
Step 1. participants are divided into 5 "companies' ' (splitting in different groups people from the same country) and ask to each "company" sits in some distance from each other so that they don't overhear other companies' discussions;
Step 2. The facilitator gives participants their roles (which must be kept secret and not revealed to anybody neither in nor outside the "company").
NOTE: if the group size is more than 4, there can be more than one councillor with the same role in a "company";
Step 3. the president of each "company" introduces herself/himself to the other members of a group and the game starts. "Companies" decide on their names and inform the "Wall Street" (the game facilitators);
Step 4. The problems are distributed to the "companies" in different order, following the score scheme. "Companies" discuss and vote to choose one of four possible solutions (in case of parity the president's opinion prevails). Then they quickly communicate it to the "Wall Street" that reacts according to the score scheme and shows the result on the graph.
NOTE: time is the essence! You can set up a time limit for solving each problem(for example 5 min). The "Wall Street '' can demand slow groups to fasten their actions. It can also punish "companies” unable to take quick decisions, eventually lowering the quotation of their stocks. You can modify the set of problems by adding new or changing already existing ones. Don't forget to update the score scheme and the answer scheme.
De briefing in plenary. K-questions for the debriefing:
● How was your role?
● How do the group act?
● Did everybody equally participate?
● Did you perceive tensions?
● Which were the most significant problems your "companies" were struggling with?
● Were your "companies" eager to sacrifice profits for the good of the environment, people's health, safety, rights?
● What was the impact of interpersonal relations within the "companies" on the decisions that you took?
● Do you think this game reflects reality?
● How can we make huge corporations become more responsible?
Download this support handout in PDF
Tags: Long, Difficult preparation, Critical thinking, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
34. Paper Factory
Category: Simulation game
Topic: Conflict management about waste disposal
Aim: To reflect on the waste disposal problem; to reflect on the impact of pollution caused by the waste disposal; to practise skills of conflict analysis; to work on creative management of conflict
Duration: 90 minutes
Material needed: Photocopies of ‘Paper Factory’ and the role cards Flipchart paper and marker pens for each group
Step 1. Invite people to form four groups. Explain that the activity takes place in the imaginary Republic of Liper, where there are serious concerns about an emerging conflict with the neighbouring Republic of Gonzo. Hand out the description of the conflict and explain it in your own words.
Step 2. Explain that the first task is to analyse the conflict so that the different elements are better understood. Introduce the five elements that will be analysed by the groups:
● Causes: anything that has helped to cause the conflict;
● Splitters: anything that is helping to divide the two sides further;
● Connectors: everything that connects the two sides in the conflict;
● Threats: things that could escalate the conflict;
● Opportunities: things that could help to transform the conflict
Give the groups 25 minutes to think about these five items and map them on flipchart paper.
Step 3. Then go round the groups, giving each a role card, which gives details of the next task. Tell them they have 45 minutes to think what they will do and draw up a plan of action.
They need to decide on:
● a name for the project;
● aims;
● beneficiaries;
● the main project activities
Bring the groups back together after 45 minutes and allow each group to present its solution to the others. Allow time for others to ask questions if they wish.
Step 4. Debriefing and evaluation of the activity.
K-questions for the debriefing:
● How did you feel?
● Do you think this situation could be realistic?
● How was the conflict analysis?
● How did you decide on the project in your group?
● Was there agreement over the general direction?
● What was the most difficult thing about deciding on a project?
● Do you think these types of projects might really make a difference in this kind of conflict?
● What are the most important lessons you have learned from this activity, in planning future youth work?
NOTE: it’s important to create a link between this activity and the disposal of waste (e.g. the illegal E-waste disposal done in African and Asian countries)
NOTE: this activity, if played in this way, can be also used for the morning session “Project planning simulation”
NOTE: the activity can be also played keeping the case study, but without project planning and adding a specific session with theatre and TdO.
Download this support handout in PDF
Topic: Conflict management about waste disposal
Aim: To reflect on the waste disposal problem; to reflect on the impact of pollution caused by the waste disposal; to practise skills of conflict analysis; to work on creative management of conflict
Duration: 90 minutes
Material needed: Photocopies of ‘Paper Factory’ and the role cards Flipchart paper and marker pens for each group
Description:
Step 1. Invite people to form four groups. Explain that the activity takes place in the imaginary Republic of Liper, where there are serious concerns about an emerging conflict with the neighbouring Republic of Gonzo. Hand out the description of the conflict and explain it in your own words.
Step 2. Explain that the first task is to analyse the conflict so that the different elements are better understood. Introduce the five elements that will be analysed by the groups:
● Causes: anything that has helped to cause the conflict;
● Splitters: anything that is helping to divide the two sides further;
● Connectors: everything that connects the two sides in the conflict;
● Threats: things that could escalate the conflict;
● Opportunities: things that could help to transform the conflict
Give the groups 25 minutes to think about these five items and map them on flipchart paper.
Step 3. Then go round the groups, giving each a role card, which gives details of the next task. Tell them they have 45 minutes to think what they will do and draw up a plan of action.
They need to decide on:
● a name for the project;
● aims;
● beneficiaries;
● the main project activities
Bring the groups back together after 45 minutes and allow each group to present its solution to the others. Allow time for others to ask questions if they wish.
Step 4. Debriefing and evaluation of the activity.
K-questions for the debriefing:
● How did you feel?
● Do you think this situation could be realistic?
● How was the conflict analysis?
● How did you decide on the project in your group?
● Was there agreement over the general direction?
● What was the most difficult thing about deciding on a project?
● Do you think these types of projects might really make a difference in this kind of conflict?
● What are the most important lessons you have learned from this activity, in planning future youth work?
NOTE: it’s important to create a link between this activity and the disposal of waste (e.g. the illegal E-waste disposal done in African and Asian countries)
NOTE: this activity, if played in this way, can be also used for the morning session “Project planning simulation”
NOTE: the activity can be also played keeping the case study, but without project planning and adding a specific session with theatre and TdO.
Download this support handout in PDF
Tags: Long, Difficult preparation, Creative, Cooperation, Indoor, Outdoor
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