Chatter Bugs
Overview:
This quick moving ice breaker allows participants to get to know everyone in the group through brief, mini-chats with each other. Topics are of a personal nature and are predetermined by the trainer.
Length:
15 - 20 minutes. Activity can be extended based on time available.
Size of group:
Unrestricted
Required items:
1) “Chatter Bugs” handouts with topics of discussions predetermined by trainer. Each participant should receive one. (See below for suggestions).
2) Whistle to signal when participants should change partners.
How it works:
1) Ask participants to pair up with a buddy and introduce themselves. Total time for this activity can vary and can be decided by the trainer.
(The trainer can serve as a participant if there are an unequal amount of people.)
2) Have participants select one of two categories – Ladybugs or Lightening Bugs. (The pair has to consist of one or the other. They both can’t choose the same thing).
3) Have all Ladybugs form a circle with their backs toward the center of the circle.
4) Have all Lightening Bugs face their partners in a larger circle outside the Ladybugs.
5) Once everyone is in place, issue “Chatter Bugs” handouts with suggestions to chat about. (See suggestions below).
6) Have all participants rotate 1 person to their right to face a new partner.
7) Call out a “Chatter Bugs” topic from the handout and instruct participants to begin chatting about it with their new partner. Each person gets 30 seconds to respond.
8) After 1 minute, blow your whistle to single time is up. Instruct participants to rotate 1 person to their right to face another new partner. Call out a different topic and have participants repeat the process until they have completely gone around the circle and met everyone.
9) Allow a few minutes of free time at the end of the activity for participants to mingle and discuss the things they didn’t get to cover with people they’d like to get to know better.
Variations:
1) If the training room you are working with is too small to form large circles, ask participants to form rows of equal numbers and stand in front of each other. You can have various sets of rows throughout the room and have them switch groups once they’ve met each other. Example: Have 5 people line up in the front of the room with 5 other people in front of them. When the time is up, have them rotate to the right. The person on the end will have to go to the opposite end of the line to meet a new partner.
2) Create a “Chatter Bugs” handout that is themed or specifically geared toward your training or social function.
Next page > Sample Worksheet
Ask your partner a question when instructed.
1) My favorite thing is…
2) My favorite television show is…
3) My favorite type of music is…
4) If I could travel any where new I would go to…
5) The thing that makes me the happiest is…
6) My family…
7) The most important thing in my life is…
8) For a hobby, I…
9) I like or hate technology because…
10) I have or would like to have a pet…
11) I like to read…
12) If I could do anything I wanted, I would…
13) My dream car is a…
14) My favorite type of food is…
15) If I could say whatever I wanted to generations past, I’d say…
16) My favorite actor or actress is…
17) My best piece of advice is…
18) If my car could speak it would say…
19) My dream job is…
20) In ten years I will be…
21) Did I ever tell about the time I…
22) If I were a millionaire I would…
23) My favorite movie is…
24) My favorite place is…
25) The craziest thing I ever did was…
Ask your partner a question when instructed.
1) My favorite thing is…
2) My favorite television show is…
3) My favorite type of music is…
4) If I could travel any where new I would go to…
5) The thing that makes me the happiest is…
6) My family…
7) The most important thing in my life is…
8) For a hobby, I…
9) I like or hate technology because…
10) I have or would like to have a pet…
11) I like to read…
12) If I could do anything I wanted, I would…
13) My dream car is a…
14) My favorite type of food is…
15) If I could say whatever I wanted to generations past, I’d say…
16) My favorite actor or actress is…
17) My best piece of advice is…
18) If my car could speak it would say…
19) My dream job is…
20) In ten years I will be…
21) Did I ever tell about the time I…
22) If I were a millionaire I would…
23) My favorite movie is…
24) My favorite place is…
25) The craziest thing I ever did was…
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