Getting-To-Know-You Games

Getting-To-Know-You Games

Do you have a large bunch who don't know each other very well? Getting-to-know-you games are a great way to change that and have fun at the same time. They are recommended for all types of groups from birthday parties and youth groups to company picnics.


Back Snatchers
Here is a mixer with lots of action. Pin a name onto each person's back - this may be a phony name or their real name. To use this as a getting-to-know-you game, use their real names.


To start, each person is given a pencil and paper. On signal, each person starts copying names from other people's backs, while trying to keep people from copying the name on their own back. At the end of a time limit, the person with the most complete list of names wins.


Dumb Dolores
Have everyone sit in a circle or place them all at the picnic table. The first person (or even yourself) says his/her name and an adjective that begins with the first letter of his/her name. (Such as Dumb Dolores, Happy Harry, Sunny Sarah.) The next person repeats the first person's funny name and then says his own ("She is Dumb Dolores, and I'm Weird Wayne"). The game continues through the circle with each person remembering everybody before him and then himself. These goofy names will stick with you for the rest of the day!



Getting to Know You
This is a definite Getting-To-Know-You game! The object of this is to quote as many people as possible. It is very similar to Dumb Dolores (above).


The players sit in a circle. The first person makes a simple introduction ("I'm Sally, and I think this game is Silly"). The person beside Sally goes next and says "I'm Michael, and Sally says that she thinks this game is silly". The players continue the quotations as long as possible ("I'm Bob, and Michael says that Sally says that she thinks this game is silly", etc. etc.).


If the length gets too long, you may start again with the next player and, if they wish, a new introduction.



I Never
This is a getting-to-know-you game which fosters open communication among people. Each person is given 10 tokens of some kind (jelly beans, pennies, marbles). They must collect other people's tokens by telling them "I never ...". Players take turns relating some life experience they have never had (i.e. "I have never ridden on a roller coaster"). Then everyone who has done this must give a token to that player.


The only rule is that you must speak truthfully! You may also want to make some rules about good taste.


This game shows that everyone has missed doing something in their lives. At the end of this game, the person who has missed the most ends up taking home the most!



Instant Replay
In this wacky game, everyone needs to stand in a circle (about an arm's length away from each other), facing center. The first person begins by taking a few steps towards the center. He will introduce himself and perform any silly movement that he can think of. (i.e. He may hop around the circle and announce "I'm Marc and I am a frog!) After Marc has returned to his place in the circle, the rest of the group must do exactly as he did, in unison, mimicking his words and actions as closely as possible.


Next, it might be Susan's turn. She may choose to slither like a snake into the center, hissing "I'm Sssssussssan". The rest of the crowd must slither too!


By the end of this wacky game, everyone will be laughing hysterically, the ice will be broken, AND everyone will know each other's names! And, if you think you will play it safe and timidly walk into the circle saying "I'm Kevin", just wait until you see yourself on instant replay!



Interrogation
This is a great get-acquainted activity for larger groups. It is especially fun for youth groups when the leaders are the objects of the "interrogation".
Divide your group into any number of teams. Each team will designate one person to interrogate. Each group is then told that the leader has prepared a list of 20 questions (such as "What is is your favourite color?" or "When is your birthday?"). Unfortunately, the group does not know what those questions are.
The groups have 10 minutes to interrogate their person. When the time is up, the leader gives each group the list of questions and they must try to answer them. The team that answers the most questions correctly is the winner.



Name Train
This getting-to-know-you game is definitely for train lovers! Everyone needs to stand in a circle and face center. One person needs to volunteer to be the "locomotive". He may like to take a few chugs around the circle, choo-chooing his way around.


The locomotive makes his first stop and introduces himself to someone in the circle. "Hi, I'm Shaun." "Hello, I'm Laurie." After learning the person's name, Shaun the locomotive breaks into cheer, chanting "Laurie! Laurie! Laurie!"


Laurie then joins the train, placing her hands on Shaun the locomotive's hips. Then the two of them chug along the circle until the next train station. The train picks up another person and the chants begin again. Continue adding cars to the train, cheering each name as you go along.