Intended for:
This fun free icebreaker helps participants in a training session to get to know each other. It can be re-visited at several points during the day and by doing this can help to energise participants.
Training course contents:
Contents – the instructions to help you run the icebreaker, ‘Animal Instincts’ can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page, or you can follow the instructions below.
Resources Needed – pen or pencil, paper, flip chart and marker pen.
Instructions – everyone in the group including the trainer is to think of a name for themselves made up of the following:
First name: Plant, vegetable, flower or tree
Second name – animal, fish or bird
For example: – Sycamore Shark
Warn them that they will need to be able to explain why they have chosen their particular name, later in the day, but must not let their fellow participants know what they have chosen yet.
The chosen names should be written on a piece of paper, which in turn should be handed to the trainer.
Explain that you are going to write each name up on flip chart paper and display them around the room, and that during the day you would like everyone to write the name of the person that they think is represented by the plant animal name.
Trainer Note – you may want to start this off yourself be writing a few names up during a comfort break. And can also use this activity at suitable points to raise energy levels by inviting participants to take a minute or two to walk around the room and add to the flip chart sheets. At a suitable point in the day (ideal during the early afternoon), lead the group in revealing who is who, what their colleagues thought, and why each person chose their particular name.
Objectives:
This icebreaker is useful to help participants get to know each other in a fun way.
To help break the ice and then energise participants during a training session.
