Background information
Research shows that people who engage in creative activities on a regular basis will be more confident in their own creative abilities. This is just one of the reasons why we suggest to incorporate short warm-up exercises into your workshops and meetings.
A second reason is that people who play with each other develop a different level of communication. Playing at the beginning of a meeting or workshop will change the energy in the room. A third reason is that hierarchical levels are diminished when people play together. Maybe the manager does not win the game. Maybe the less senior colleague has the best ideas in a playful introduction round.
Great Warm Up Exercises
Squiggle Birds
A fun drawing exercise in which everyone will have a moment of astonishment, when they realize that they can actually draw, even if they didn’t think so before. This can be easily done remotely as well. Find an instructional video here.
Rock, Paper, Scissors – Tournament
This is a fun and loud energizer based on the well-known “Rock, Paper, Scissors” game. It has a twist: the losing player become the fan of the winner as the winner advances to the next round. The fans do what fans do best: they cheer for their champion. This goes on until a final showdown with two large cheering crowds! It can be played with adults of all levels as well as kids and it always works! Find a detailed description here.
Yes, and… No, but…!
This is a nice warm-up which makes participants playfully aware of the way we deal with new ideas and proposals. Do we say “Yes, and…” and encourage our colleagues or do we always say “No, but…” and therefore discourage them? Find a detailed description here.
Human Bingo
A great exercise to get to know each other. It requires a little more preparation but will engage the team in deeper discussions. The idea is to prepare a bingo sheet with characteristics. The participants walk around in the room and try to find others with the characteristics on the sheet. Find a detailed description here.
Additional Links
Sessionlab – Energizer Library
This is Service Design Doing – TiSDD Method Library (especially “10 Facilitation”)
Hyper Island Toolbox “Energizers” – Hyper Island Toolbox
