Time
10 minutes
Description
This fun icebreaker can be an energizing way to get participants going, or you can use it to select people for certain activities. It’s the familiar game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a twist. This game is not played with just the hands – it’s a full-body activity.
Materials
None
Preparation
None
Procedure
Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):
- “Who knows how to play ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors?’” (Even if some people know, you will need to give the full instructions if anyone is unfamiliar with the rules.)
- “’Rock, Paper, Scissors’ is a fun game of competition.”
- “Here’s how it works: two people compete to see who can beat the other.”
- “After counting to three, each person chooses either ‘rock,’ ‘paper’ or ‘scissors.’”
- “If both players choose the same thing, it’s a tie.”
- “If players choose differently, then ‘rock’ beats ‘scissors,’ because a rock could break a pair of scissors.”
- “’Scissors’ beats ‘paper,’ because a pair of scissors could cut the paper.”
- “’Paper’ beats ‘rock,’ because a piece of paper could cover a rock.”
- “Does that make sense to everyone?”
- “’Rock’ beats ‘scissors;’ ‘scissors’ beats ‘paper;’ ‘paper’ beats ‘rock.’” (If you need to, show them how to play the game with their hands. Each player counts to three, and on “three” makes the sign for either ‘rock’ (balled fist), ‘scissors’ (separated index and middle fingers – like making “bunny ears”), or ‘paper’ (open hand). Play a few rounds.)
- “Now, I want to show you a new way to play.”
- “Instead of using just your hands, we are going to use your entire bodies.”
- “It works like this: you make ‘rock’ by growling and making a ‘muscle-man’ pose like this.” (Demonstrate the pose by balling your fists, leaning forward, making a partial circle with your arms (hands near waist) and flexing your muscles.)
- “You make ‘scissors’ by saying ‘SWISH, SWISH, SWISH’ and moving your arms up and down in front of your body like this.” (Demonstrate. Your arms should ‘scissor’ each other – one up while the other is down, then passing in the middle and repeating several times.)
- “You make ‘paper’ by yelling ‘AHHHHHHH!’ and shaking your hands in the air like this.” (Demonstrate by holding your hands up near your ears on either side of your head and shaking them.)
- “Want to try?”
- “Okay, everyone find a partner, and stand back-to-back.”
- “I’m going to count to three.”
- “When I get to three, both of you should jump around to face the other person and make both the sound and noise for either ‘rock,’ ‘paper,’ or ‘scissors.’”
- “ONE – TWO – THREE!” (Do one or two rounds to make sure they get it. Then, start eliminating players that lose. If two players tie (choose the same strategy), both are out. This will make sure that you always have an even number of people. If you start with an uneven number of people, you can join the game until you are eliminated.)
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