Animal is an icebreaker to learn names and create positive energy

Until one has loved an animal a part of one‘s soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France (1844–1924)
French Novelist

Participants will learn and remember the other participants’ name. It’s also very energising and great fun.

Objective of “Animal”

Self-presentation.

Resources

None

Time.

10—15 mins depending on group size.

Task

Present yourself with name plus animal name, e.g. I am Anita and I am a cat because I love the independence and self-reliance of cats.

Or: I am Chris and I am a lion, the king of the jungle, but perhaps more because my zodiac sign is leo.

Optional: If you want to have more action you can ask the participants to act for a few seconds as their favorite animal, i.e. to move around and to do a typical sound (doesn’t work with all of course, e.g. fishes, turtles etc.). Usually, you are going to have much more laughter with this version. But be aware that the audience has to feel comfortable with the workshop environment. Furthermore, not all age groups might appreciate it, e.g. 50 year old manager might find it a little childish 😉

Phase

Good as starter in the morning and in later phases with the question, ‘Which animal would you be to describe your current mood and energy level?’

Flashlight

You freeze a current moment of the workshop by doing a quick round of all the participant to know the current emotion or opinion.

Newspaper Interview

Newspaper Interview is an ice-breaker activity to familiarize your participants with each other. Create teams of two participants who interview each other. It’s advisable to mix gender, organisation, and age groups.

Wanted Poster

This is an ice-breaker activity to familiarize participants with each other. The form of the wanted poster reduces information to the relevant and the time needed.Make teams of two who interview each other and draw a Wanted Poster. It’s recommended to mix gender, organisation, and age groups.

Facts of My Life

Often so-called facts are presented to us, which we accept without further questioning. This excellent game teaches people to question further.

Icon – I can

Icons are visual symbols, which are very important in our everyday lives. We are all familiar with symbols for toilets, exits, or restaurant logos etc. But have you ever thought of symbolising yourself in a single sign? Icon - I can!

Invisible Friend

Write the name of each participant on the back of the cards and let each participant pick one. Now, they have to find their ‘invisible friend’, i.e. ask around which person belongs to the name of the card.

Remember my name

There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth...

Alliteration

Alliteration means using the same starting letter of words as a rhetorical tool. Here, we use alliterative epithets together with participants’ names, e.g. Ali the Attractive, Laila the Lunatic, or Jim the Jealous.

Treasure Hunt

There is a treasure in each workshop participant. Find it and let find the participants in each other. This game sets a positive atmosphere when everybody is new - and perhaps a little insecure - in the workshop. It builds confidence and relationships.