icebreakers - iskcon congregational development ministry
TRANSCRIPT
The Book of
Icebreakers
ISKCONCongregational Development Ministry
The Book of IcebreakersSecond Edi�on
Publisher : ISKCON Congrega�onal Ministry
Compiled by : Kaunteya Das
Cover Design : Balaram Jeppesen
Proof Reading : Daru Brahman Das
Many Thanks to : Advaita Chandra Das, Hemagopi Devi Dasi,
Anu�ama Radhika Devi Dasi, Ganatosita Devi Dasi,
Suresh Aswani and Madhava Candra Das
For more informa�on, contact us at:
Visit our website at
www.iskconcongrega�on.com
ContentsIntroduc�on ............................................................... 3Who is this book for? ….................................................. 3
What is an icebreaker? .................................................. 4
The icebreaker in the Bhak�-vrksa group mee�ng ......... 5
Star�ng on �me ............................................................. 7
Types of icebreakers ...................................................... 8
Points on icebreakers .................................................... 9
Giving the choice to par�cipate (contrac�ng) .............. 11
Physical safety ............................................................. 13
Is it appropriate? ......................................................... 14
Length ......................................................................... 15
Debriefing and teaching points .................................... 16
The approach ............................................................... 17
Request ....................................................................... 17
Ques�ons .................................................................. 21
Standard Ques�ons ..................................................... 24
Light-hearted & Welcoming ......................................... 26
Some for Children ........................................................ 35
lf .................................................................................. 38
A Glance at the Past ..................................................... 42
Goals, Dreams & Desires .............................................. 46
Going Deeper ............................................................... 48
The Spiritual Side ......................................................... 57
For the Beginning of a Group Cycle (a�er Mul�plica�on)
……………………………………………………………………………... 65
When the Group is about to Mul�ply ........................... 67
Warning: Don't use these “Icebreakers”! ..................... 71
Ge�ng to Know You Be�er .................................. 75
You Are in the Newspaper Today! ................................ 75
String of Facts .............................................................. 77
Secrets ......................................................................... 78
“I Offer my Respec�ul Obeisances to Whoever...” ....... 79
Birth-months & Birthdays ............................................ 80
Birth Right ................................................................... 81
Missing Links ............................................................... 83
Guess Who .................................................................. 85
Toss the Ball ............................................................... 86
Save Me! ..................................................................... 87
Introduce Your Partner ................................................ 88
My most Precious Possession ...................................... 88
Find the Iden�ty .......................................................... 89
What Do You Like Most in ............................................ 90
True or False? .............................................................. 92
Common Denominators ............................................... 93
Personal Mandala ........................................................ 94
Games ...................................................................... 101
Group Poetry ............................................................. 103
Blinded by money ...................................................... 105
Shape Makers ............................................................ 106
Will You Please Smile for Me? .................................... 107
Posi�ve Thinking ........................................................ 108
Ways of Caring ........................................................... 109
Filling the Blanks ........................................................ 111
White and Offerable .................................................. 115
Anagrams .................................................................. 116
Can You Follow Instruc�ons? ..................................... 117
Do This and Add Something ....................................... 119
Funny Faces ............................................................... 120
Journalists ................................................................. 121
Object in Ques�on ..................................................... 122
Stand Up .................................................................... 123
The Eyes of Knowledge .............................................. 124
Hand-shi� .................................................................. 126
A Bag of Fun............................................................... 127
Pass the Orange ......................................................... 128
Original Step .............................................................. 129
Alphabet Search ........................................................ 130
Posi�ve Messages ...................................................... 131
Maha-mantra Sequence ............................................. 132
Simple Physical Energizers …....................................... 133
Circle Massage ........................................................... 134
Living Sculptures ........................................................ 135
Lap Link ..................................................................... 136
Going on a Picnic ....................................................... 137
Gita Details ................................................................ 139
Bhagavad-gita Analogies ............................................ 141
Untangling the Knot ................................................... 143
Hanging Bucket .......................................................... 144
Marginal Energy ...............,......................................... 145
“Blind Faith” in Chan�ng and Prasadam ..................... 146
Compliments ............................................................. 149
Blind Numbers ........................................................... 151
Balloon Dress Up ....................................................... 152
Theatrical Improvisa�ons .......................................... 153
Ge�ng in the Group at any Cost ................................ 154
Team Towers ............................................................. 155
How Many Are There? ............................................... 155
E-mail Addresses ........................................................ 156
Being Part of the Group ............................................. 157
The Color of Influence ................................................ 159
One Problem, Many Solu�ons ................................... 162
Sharing Solu�ons ....................................................... 164
Sastra Mime .............................................................. 165
Who Am I? ................................................................. 166
Search for Someone ................................................... 167
What Changed ........................................................... 168
Animals ..................................................................... 169
Paper Plate Heads ...................................................... 170
Story of My Life ......................................................... 171
What's Cooking .......................................................... 173
I Remember ............................................................... 174
Six Degrees of Separa�on .......................................... 176
Storyteller .................................................................. 177
Race for the Truth ...................................................... 179
Candy Confessions ..................................................... 180
That Rhymes .............................................................. 181
Pranks ...................................................................... 185
Co�on Balls ............................................................... 185
Mine Field .................................................................. 187
Water Waiter ............................................................. 188
Sports and Other Compe��ons .......................... 191
Balloons in the Air ..................................................... 192
Lemonade Makers ..................................................... 193
Devas and Asuras Aluminum-ball War ....................... 194
Survival of the Fi�est ................................................. 195
Knock the Pole Down ................................................. 196
No-snow Sled Race .................................................... 197
Electric Fence ............................................................. 198
Moving Circles ........................................................... 199
Crossing the River ...................................................... 200
Classic Musical Chairs ................................................ 201
Body Part Musical Chairs ........................................... 202
Musical Chairs with Balloons ..................................... 203
Bird on the Perch ....................................................... 203
Body Change .............................................................. 204
Balloon Game ............................................................ 206
Dodge the Sponge ...................................................... 206
Killing Snakes ............................................................. 208
Newspaper Hockey .................................................... 210
Four Squares .............................................................. 211
Snatching the Tail ...................................................... 212
Vimana Ba�le ............................................................ 213
Collec�ve Ski Race ..................................................... 214
Mummy Race ............................................................. 215
Rakshasa ................................................................ 217
Water Balloon Volleyball ........................................... 218
Living Net .................................................................. 219
Assist Lord Caitanya to Capture Them All! .................. 220
Hari-ball ..................................................................... 222
Introduction
Introduc�on
Who is this book for?
The main target audience of this book is the servant leaders of
Bhak�-vrksa groups. We wish to assist them in enriching their
repertoire of ac�vi�es for breaking the ice at the beginning of
mee�ngs. Of course the ac�vi�es presented in this book can also be
successfully used by devotees who might not be involved with the
Bhak�-vrksa Program: leaders of other types of congrega�onal
gatherings (Nama-ha�as, home-programs, study groups, etc.),
conductors of Sunday Programs, organizers of re-treats, teachers of
Gurukula or Sunday School, facilitators of training courses and
chairpersons of various types of mee�ngs: they can all benefit by
using the icebreakers, group-mixers, games and pranks presented
in this book. So, whoever works with groups can find ideas here
3
to help people to know each other be�er, to energize them, to help
devotees open their mind on various topics (from light to important
ones), to inspire friendship, to create a more relaxed atmosphere
and to simply have some clean fun and a good laugh together.
What is an icebreaker?
� I c e b re a ke rs a re to o l s to fo ste r i n te ra c �o n a n d
communica�on, to s�mulate crea�ve thinking and analysis, to
relieve mutual shyness, to challenge basic assump�ons, to
illustrate new concepts, to introduce specific material, to enable
people to get to know each other be�er (in both ini�al and deeper
interac�ons) and to help people to have a good �me together.
Icebreakers can be used nearly any �me a facilitator has the need to
gather a group of people and help them move forward.
4
When a group comes together there is some coldness in the air,
especially if people are away from each other for a few days or don't
know each other. An icebreaker just does what its name implies: it
breaks the ice. Each icebreaker should be a team-builder or should
be something that connects us more to Lord Sri Krishna or Lord Sri
Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
The icebreaker in the Bhak�-vrksa group mee�ng
� Bhak�-vrksa groups meet once a week, following the
standard format of six parts:
1. Icebreaker: an ac�vity to warm up the atmosphere and help
the devotees relate with each other in a more relaxed and
focused way.
2. Kirtan or bhajan: singing the holy names and songs glorifying
the Lord and His devotees.
5
3. Japa: prac�cing and discussing the chan�ng of the Hare Krishna
maha-mantra on beads.
4. Discussion, or Krishna-katha: talking about a verse and a
purport from Srila Prabhupada's books. A dialogue centered
on Krishna, His teachings and the applica�on of the science
of bhak�-yoga in one's daily life.
5. Preaching: discussing about sharing Krishna consciousness
with others. A �me for understanding the missionary aspect
Vaisnavism, repor�ng on the preaching ac�vi�es, for
reviewing the progress in cul�va�ng interested people, for
learning new techniques and for chalking out future plans.
6. Prasadam: honoring sanc�fied food together.
Group members and guests arrive at the weekly mee�ng
from different situa�ons (work, studying, home, etc.). Some might
have had a good day; others might have faced some struggle.
6
Since everyone is in their own par�cular mood, it is beneficial to
start with something that helps people to connect, something that
rekindles the group spirit and helps par�cipants to feel comfortable
with each other. Without the icebreaker people may tend to
remain “in their minds”, in their own private world, and be unable
to fully par�cipate and absorb themselves in the various spiritual
ac�vi�es.
Star�ng on �me
As a rule, mee�ngs should start right on �me. The group
members can thoroughly discuss what is realis�cally the best �me
to begin, but once the �me is fixed the leader should s�ck to the
schedule, and start on �me, even if only a few are present. Wai�ng
for the latecomers perpetuates a culture of lateness: those who
are late are rewarded (as everyone waits for them) and those
7
who are punctual are punished (they have to wait as if they did
something wrong by arriving on �me).
One advantage of regularly beginning with icebreakers is
that it inspires people to come on �me, because they don't want to
miss the fun.
Types of icebreakers
lcebreakers for ge�ng acquainted - They help to gain insight
into each other. They offer crea�ve ways of ge�ng to know
something basic or deeper about others: names, occupa�ons,
hobbies, talents, family backgrounds, likes and dislikes, value-
systems, realiza�ons, dreams, etc. These icebreakers serve as
spr ingboards for discovering common interests and
establishing closer rela�ons.
lcebreakers for mixing and ge�ng group par�cipa�on - They
8
generally require par�cipants to move around, mingling
together to complete a task. They o�en raise the energy level
of the group and promote interac�on.
lcebreakers to increase communica�on - They encourage
sharing and opening the mind. Sharing can be kept on the
surface or it can go much deeper.
Icebreakers for promo�ng teamwork and camaraderie - They
help group members develop a greater level of co-opera�on.
These icebreakers might engage smaller teams to complete a
task within a �me frame or to compete.
Points on icebreakers
Icebreakers help people to take the focus off themselves to feel
at ease with one another.
9
Icebreakers gently prick the mental bubble that prevents
people from ge�ng fully absorbed in the mee�ng.
lcebreakers assist in building rela�onships.
lcebreakers bring everyone to a common focus.
lcebreakers mi�gate social uneasiness.
lcebreakers help people bind together.
Icebreakers melt the crust of ice formed by being absent from
each other for several days.
lcebreakers ease the discomfort of being among strangers.
lcebreakers slacken, mollify the ini�al re�cence to par�cipate.
Icebreakers are useful for groups where members are
beginning to know each other, and for groups together for a
long �me.
lcebreakers help devotees to enter into each others' lives.
lcebreakers achieve the vital step of focusing the group at the
10
start of the mee�ng.
Icebreakers should be used in every Bhak�-vrksa group
mee�ng.
lcebreakers can be high-energy (physically involving and
requiring movement) and low-energy (needing minimum
physical ac�vity).
Giving the choice to par�cipate (contrac�ng)
� Icebreakers at �mes might work best when the leader
gives the par�cipants:
1. The reason of the ac�vity.
2. The objec�ves of the ac�vity.
3. The structure of the ac�vity.
4. The opportunity to ask ques�ons.
5. The choice to par�cipate or not.
11
This last point is cri�cal, and is o�en missed. The group
leader can announce that par�cipants are not “bound” to par�-
cipate. Although par�cipants will not always speak their concerns
to the leader, any given ac�vity can place undue stress on people
for a variety of reasons. For instance the deeply introverted person
might feel out of place in high-energy group ac�vi�es, or the
person with a difficult childhood might feel uncomfortable in
sharing the past, or, simply, the person who is having a bad day,
might not want to take part. So, par�cipants vary in their degree of
comfort with icebreakers, energizers and games. When they
perceive a poor fit between their state of mind and the
requirements of the icebreaker, people will either publicly or
privately “opt out” of par�cipa�on. When given the freedom to
choose, people tend to take greater ownership of their
par�cipa�on and are less able to claim “they made me do it.”
12
Ironically, when given choice, the vast majority of people will
choose par�cipa�on over either public or private op�ng out. To
maximize genuine par�cipa�on in icebreakers, it is best to formally
say that people have the right to “pass” at any point. When given
this explicit op�on, par�cipants only rarely “opt out”.
One sugges�on could be to have two or three icebreakers
ready, so that if the group rebels against one, the leader can have an
alterna�ve ready. Some�mes one can present the alterna�ves
beforehand and let the group decide.
Physical safety
� Apart from the psychological safety described above, one
should carefully consider icebreakers and games that require
complicated or challenging physical exer�on. Again, though one
may carry the a�tude of “no one has to par�cipate,” such an
a�tude has li�le benefit if not shared publicly with par�cipants.
13
Is it appropriate?
� To be effec�ve, icebreakers need to be appropriate. Bhak�-
vrksa group servant-leaders and other facilitators need to judge
how suitable each icebreaker is (or isn't) for their circumstances.
Some ac�vi�es are more appropriate for when there are guests.
Some icebreakers are suitable for when the group is about to
mul�ply, while others are more indicated for when the members
are ge�ng to know each other. Be�er to have a serious icebreaker
or a “silly” one? Be�er a high-energy or a low-energy game? The
leader has to decide.
� A very important considera�on is to prevent careless
mixing of the genders. Some icebreakers are clearly for a single
gender group or at least for being performed separately by men
and women. By all means one should avoid promiscuity.
14
This book is intended for interna�onal use, for groups of all
ages and cultural backgrounds, and for different types of
gatherings. We are aware that some of the ac�vi�es we present
might raise a few eyebrows, especially if used indiscriminately-or
inexpertly without considering �me, place and par�cipants. In
selec�ng icebreakers one should keep in mind the local culture and
the flavor of the par�cular group. Something that works great for a
teenager gathering might not be the best for a middle-aged lot.
Length
� Some of the icebreakers in this compila�on are best for
short or standard-length mee�ngs. Others make most sense in
longer gatherings. Some training professionals, for instance, say
that an icebreaker that lasts more than 1/16th of the total �me for
15
a program is probably too long. But long icebreakers can be
acceptable if they provide in-depth learning experiences, or a much
needed release of tensions, or give the chance for building
meaningful rela�onships.
Debriefing and teaching points
� Generally an icebreaker is just that: a short ac�vity to break
the ice. But some�mes it can be useful to debrief the ac�vity using
the following or similar ques�ons:
How did you feel about this ac�vity?
Which answer did you like best? Why?
How did this ac�vity help us as a group?
Did you find anything surprising about the answers?
What are the common themes that surfaced? Did anybody
learn something from this ac�vity?
16
Some trainers and facilitators prefer to use icebreakers
that contain significant points that are part of the overall learning
objec�ves of the programs. Of course, icebreakers are dynamic and
can provide both intended and unplanned learning.
The approach
� We address the reader as if he or she will be the one to
facilitate the various ac�vi�es.
Request
� Please share with us any new icebreaker you might
encounter or invent, so that we might share it with other devotees
in future edi�ons of this booklet.
17
Questions
Ques�ons
� Perhaps the easiest type of icebreaker is asking a ques�on
that each person in the group answers. Ques�ons reveal
interes�ng details about people's history, life and values, and can
some�mes provide deep insights into their mentality. Some
ques�ons are very light. They help to make people comfortable and
can provoke smiles and a few laughs. Other ques�ons are more
serious and generate a more sober, introspec�ve atmosphere. You
should judge what is the best type for your environment. Make sure
that people don't feel threatened, interrogated, guilty or at fault.
Answer yourself the ques�ons you ask. In some cases it's be�er
that you start the sharing, especially with deeper, personal
ques�ons, to give the example and show that you are not there just
to probe into others' minds without opening up yourself.
21
If you feel that a ques�on might be inappropriate to your
situa�on, for your group, your cultural environment or the guests
a�ending–just don't use it. We are presen�ng these ques�ons and
the rest of the book as well, as ideas for you to consider, not as
something you have to do. So use your discrimina�on and don't
think that everything will be good for every situa�on because “it's
in the book.”
Some�mes you might choose to use more than one
ques�on, going around twice or thrice with different ques�ons or
going around once with two or more ques�ons, combined. In some
cases you will have to remind people to give brief answers or even
set a strict �me limit (for instance, one minute maximum of sharing
for each person), so that the icebreaker doesn't go on for too long.
� Keep in mind that ques�ons can be used in at least three
ways:
22
1) People speak one a�er another going around the circle. This is
the most common way.
2) People write their answer on a piece of paper and then speak
what they wrote one a�er another. This method has the
advantage of ac�vely involving everyone at the same �me and
it avoids the anxiety of thinking, “What will I say when I have to
speak?” lt also helps people to express themselves without
being influenced by what others have already said.
3) People write the answer on a piece of paper and then the
papers are mixed before reading them. In this way the writer
remains anonymous.
We have divided the ques�ons into categories, but some
ques�ons may fit into more than one category.
23
Standard Ques�ons
� In one sense you could ask these ques�ons at every
mee�ng (we are not sugges�ng that of course), because they refer
to the few days or hours before the mee�ng, and the answer will be
always different.
What is the most significant, important thing that happened to you
last week?
What is the most important thing/lesson that you learned last
week?
What has been the best moment for you in the last week?
Tell us what blessing/s you received from Krishna during last week.
24
Let's thank the Lord for something especially good/instruc�ve that
happened to us last week. Let's complete the following sentence:
“l thank Lord Krishna very much because during the last week...”
What has been the best moment for you today?
Share something good, or new, or interes�ng that you have
experienced in the last 24-hours.
If you could share something that happened to you since the last
�me we met, what would that be?
Describe your past week.
What did you learn this week?
25
Did you perceive the presence of the Lord in your life during the last
week? If yes, when and in what way?
Light-hearted & Welcoming
What is the most sa�sfactory job you've ever done?
What is the last thing you lent that never came back?
What is the last thing you borrowed that you never gave back?
Who was your first friend and for how long you were together?
Complete the following sentence: “People would be surprised to
know that I ..................................................”
26
What is your favorite prasadam. What prepara�on would you like
to cook for guru and Krishna?
What did you think the first �me you saw a Hare Krishna devotee
with shaved head and sikha?
What did you think the first �me you saw a devotee with �lak on his
forehead?
What did you think the first �me you saw a devotee dressed in a
dho� or sari?
Did you ever have a Krishna conscious dream? Which one inspired
you most? If not, which was the funniest dream you had.
27
What would you do if you could take a day off from work (or school)
next week?
If you could give any gi� to the person on your right (but just one
and within a value of 500 dollars) what would you give her/him?
What is the best thing that happened to you this year?
What is the best thing that happened to you last year?
What is your new year's resolu�on? (It can be done towards the
end of the year, at the beginning of the new year, and, for devotees,
before Gaura Pumima, the new Vaisnava year.)
28
Describe yourself u�lizing a symbol (for this each person needs a
pen and paper).
Tell us about your name: what is its meaning? How do you feel
about it?
Tell us about your surname: what is its meaning/history? How do
you feel about it?
When was the last �me you did something for the first �me?
If someone should ask you a ques�on, or bring up a topic, that
would certainly make you speak (in other words, about something
you have a lot to say), what would that be?
29
What do you do to relax a�er a busy day?
What do you do with gi�s that you don't like?
Were you ever caught lying? Tell us the story, and tell us how you
felt and what you learnt.
What did you do during your last vaca�on? What would you change
next �me?
If you could live on only three prepara�ons/types of food for the
rest of your life, which ones would you choose? (Example:
sandwiches, curd-rice and bananas).
30
If you could eat only two types of fruit for the rest of your life, which
two would you choose?
What quality do you appreciate most in a person?
Describe your last week in colors.
If you could learn any language, which one would you choose and
why?
What is the skill you possess that you like most?
What is your feeling about exercising regularly? Do you do it? Why
or why not?
31
Select one of the two following sentences and complete it:
“I am more like my mother because ........................................”
“I am more like my father because ..........................................”
Say something posi�ve about the person on your right.
When you were sick as a child, what did your parents do to make
you feel be�er?
What would be your ideal one-month vaca�on?
What is the book you enjoyed most reading?
What is your favorite �me of the day and why?
32
If the current (electricity) were to be cut for a week, what would
you miss most?
What is your most cherished, precious remembrance?
What is the best advice you ever got?
What is the best advice/teaching you ever got from your father?
What is the best advice/teaching you ever got from your mother?
What quality do you admire in your father?
What quality do you admire in your mother?
33
What is the best meal you ever had? What is the worst?
What is the most absurd thing you ever spent money on?
What is the most adventurous thing you ever did?
What is the most beau�ful thing someone told you?
What is the worst natural disaster/atmospheric upheaval you
found yourself in?
What did you not like about yourself when you were a teenager
that has changed?
What is the longest period you have been without sleep? Why?
What do you think you will be doing differently a�er ten years?
34
When you were small what did you think you would like to do as a
grown up?
Some for Children
Although these are intended mostly for children, some can
be also effec�vely used by grown-ups.
What causes most fights among your brothers and sisters? (Or in
your class at school.)
What is your favorite game? Why?
What is your favorite sport? Why?
How much do you watch TV every week? What is your favorite
program?
35
What would you like to be as a grown up?
Do you have some income? If yes, how do you spend it? If you are
saving, what are you saving for?
How do you speak with Krishna? What do you tell Him?
What home chores are you responsible for?
What is your home chore that you like least? Why? Which do you
like most? Why?
What is your favorite subject at school? Why?
36
How do you feel about giving your money to help others?
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
If you could ask one thing to Krishna, what would that be?
What is the best birthday party you ever had? Why did you like it
most?
How do you feel when you come back home from school?
If you found a 100 dollars bill in the street, what would you do with
it?
37
What do you like most when you go to the temple?
What would you like to change in the temple?
When there is a quarrel in your family, how does it make you feel?
If…
If you could visit a demigod/demigoddess, which one would you
like to meet and what would you ask him/her?
If you received a big sum of money, say, one million dollars, what
would you do first?
If you could choose the theme or story-line of what will you dream
tonight, what would that be?
38
If your house caught fire, what three objects (not persons) would
you try to save?
Would you give up 75% of all your belongings for a pill that would
change you permanently so that one hour of sleep a day would be
totally sufficient for you? Why?
If you had to leave something (an object or whatever) to be handed
down in your family to help them in their Krishna consciousness,
what would you leave and why?
If you could take a pill that would allow you to live 100 years, would
you take it? Why or why not? What addi�onal Krishna conscious
ac�vi�es would you do?
39
Which would you prefer to do for Krsna if it were presented as a
sacrifice: having to leave the country permanently or never being
allowed to leave the country? Why?
If you had a web site on the internet that describes who you are and
what you do, how would it be? Describe it.
If you could spend a week with any person now living in the world,
who would you choose and why?
If you could travel right now to any place in the world, where would
you go and why?
If you could do anything you want, what would you like to do?
40
If you could spend the rest of your life doing exactly whatever you
like, what would you do?
If you had enough money to do whatever you like, what would you
do?
If you could wake up tomorrow morning having a quality or ability,
what would you like that to be?
If you had to do a television program of one hour, what would you
do and with who?
If you had to take a 12-hour flight to somewhere, who would you
like to have si�ng next to you? Why?
41
If you had a �me machine that you could only use once, to which
place and �me period – in the past or in the future – would you like
to go?
If you were at the point of death and you could be alone with only
one person, who would that person be?
A Glance at the Past
Where did you grow up?
How many people were in your family?
What is the most far-away place you have ever visited?
42
Name three successes you have had in your life.
What is the vision of God in your family?
Tell us about the place where you were born and something you
remember of the place where you lived with your family when you
were very young.
What are some of the tradi�ons in your family that helped you in
your spiritual growth?
What traits of your family have you inherited that you like? And
what traits have you inherited that you don't like?
43
Where did you go to school? Do you have any special story from
your school days?
What was your favorite subject in school?
What was your first job? What did you like about it and what did you
dislike about it?
Did you ever get the dust of the lotus feet of a devotee? Tell us
about it. If you haven't had it yet, whose dust would you want to
get?
What is the best thing that ever happened to you as a devotee?
Tell us about the greatest Krishna conscious fes�val you a�ended.
44
Where did you go to school? Do you have any special story from
your school days?
What was your favorite subject in school?
What was your first job? What did you like about it and what did you
dislike about it?
Did you ever get the dust of the lotus feet of a devotee? Tell us
about it. If you haven't had it yet, whose dust would you want to
get?
What is the best thing that ever happened to you as a devotee?
Tell us about the greatest Krishna conscious fes�val you a�ended.
45
What is the nicest thing that someone did for you in Krishna
consciousness?
What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
A set of ques�ons:
Where did you live when you were between 7 and 12 years old
and how many brothers and sister did you have?
What type of transport did your family use?
Who was the person you felt closest to?
When did God become more than a word to you?
Goals, Dreams & Desires
What would like to do or achieve next week?
46
47
Complete the sentence: “A skill/ability that I would like to
develop is: .................................”. Why?
Share a dream (a deeply felt desire) you have.
Share one of your goals in life.
What is your main goal/dream for the next year?
What would you like to accomplish in the next five years?
What would you like to do when you re�re?
What work (occupa�on) would you like to do?
Is there anything that you have dreamt about doing for a long �me?
Why have you not done it?
What is your greatest hope for the next year?
Going Deeper
Are you encountering some block in reaching the goals of your life?
What are you doing to remove the block/s?
Share one of your strengths (honestly, without ar�ficial humility).
Share an aspect of your character that you consider a gi� from the
Lord.
48
If you could tell anything to your boss (or to some superior) what
would that be?
What do you admire most in your parents?
What is the best compliment you ever received?
Describe an episode in which you lied to someone or someone lied
to you. How did you feel a�er the incident?
Who is the first person that comes to your mind that had a strong
impact on your life? (It doesn't necessarily have to be the person
who had the strongest impact.) How did he/she influence you?
49
Who is the first person that comes to your mind to whom you are
grateful? Why?
Who is the first person that comes to your mind to whom you
would like to apologize? Why?
When someone tells you that you are doing something wrong,
what is your usual reac�on?
Name an old habit that you successfully got rid of.
Tell us about one thing that you learned the hard way, through
direct experience.
Tell us of a situa�on in which you felt trapped.
50
What topic, if any, do you consider too serious to joke about?
What would you like to be remembered for?
What do you do or where do you go when life becomes stressful?
Share a recent moment of stress and how you overcame it.
Tell us something you learned about yourself this year.
If you could give any advice to all the members of this group, what
would that be?
What did you like most about going to school?
51
What did you did not like about going to school?
Do you have a closer rela�onship with your father or with your
mother? Say something about this.
Generally, do you feel comfortable talking about how you feel?
Why or why not?
Do you s�ll ask help from your parents when you are in trouble? If
the answer is “yes” give a recent example.
How do you feel about old people? What does being “old” mean to
you?
How do you think people describe you?
52
Tell us about a grudge you held or hold toward someone. How did
you solve it or how are you planning to solve the situa�on?
If you could ask people around you (family friends, colleagues)
what you lament or complain most about, what would they say?
Why do you complain about that?
Would you like to be rich? Why or why not?
How do you react when someone gives you a compliment?
What do you like most about/in your life? What do you like least?
53
Did you ever steal anything? What and why?
Do you speak with others about your past mistakes? Why or why
not?
When is the last �me you cried alone?
When is the last �me you cried in front of others?
What is the most difficult thing that you had to tell someone?
What makes you laugh more? How much of your laughter is in
Krishna consciousness?
54
What i s the most d ifficult th ing you ever d id in Kr i shna
consciousness? Why was it so difficult?
Did you ever get a Krishna conscious le�er or phone call that
inspired you? What was it? If not what kind of le�er or phone call
would you like to receive?
Why or why not? How important do you feel it is for your spiritual
life?
What animal best describes your personality? Why? What
aspect/characteris�c/mood of the animal could be helpful in
spiritual life?
(For this icebreaker the par�cipants could be asked to first draw the
animal and then speak.)
55
What animal best describes your present mood? Why? What in
your mood is posi�ve for your Krishna consciousness and what do
you think is not? (For this icebreaker the par�cipants could be
asked to first draw the animal and then describe it).
Tell us about the first �me you met a devotee.
Tell us about the day in your life that you consider the most
important.
What makes you most angry and what do you do with your anger?
Tell about the last �me you lost your temper. What happened and
what did you learn from the incident?
56
Would you like your family and friends to tell you what they really
think about you? Why or why not?
What does the word “hatred” mean for you? Tell us about
something or someone you “hate”.
Did you ever share with an in�mate friend about a deep internal
struggle? If yes, how did you feel a�erwards?
What are your feelings about death?
The Spiritual Side
If you could write an ar�cle for Back to Godhead or similar
magazine, what would you would you write about?
57
What ar�cle would you like to see in Back to Godhead or in some
other Krishna conscious magazine?
What is the most beau�ful dress you have ever seen a Deity wear?
Where was it and why did you like it most? Please describe it. (You
could ask them to bring a photo – if they have one – to the next
mee�ng).
What smell reminds you most of some Krishna conscious
experience?
What do you wish your parents would have done to make you more
Krishna conscious and happy?
What is your favorite devo�onal service? Why? How did you start?
58
From all the Puranas, who is your hero/heroin? How would you like
to emulate him/her?
Tell us about the meaning of your spiritual name: what is its
meaning/history. How do you feel about it. If you don't have a
spiritual name, what kind of spiritual name would you like and
why?
Which person (among those you know personally) you would like
to accept Krishna consciousness?
What would you say to someone who doesn't have faith, to
encourage her/him to chant the holy names?
What comes first to your mind if someone asks you:
“What do you get out of Krishna consciousness?”
59
Tell us of a �me when you felt the joy of serving someone else.
Tell us of a �me in which you felt blessed by the Lord.
Tell us of a �me you felt grateful to the Lord
Where were you the last �me you prayed deeply? Did the
environment help or impede your prayer?
What is the thing you like most about the local temple?
What does Ekadasi mean for you?
Who is the first person that comes to your mind who possesses the
quality of humility? Why? Share an episode which shows that
60
quality in ac�on. (You can ask this ques�on for other quali�es as
well: determina�on, pa�ence, intelligence, tac�ulness, scriptural
knowledge, wisdom, tolerance, joyfulness, simplicity, sobriety,
mercy, and so on.)
Share something about a person who contributed to your spiritual
advancement. What did she/he do for you?
Tell us about the person/devotee who introduced you to Krishna
consciousness.
Tell us about the first devotee you established a rela�onship with.
Who had the greatest influence in your accep�ng Krishna
consciousness?
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Tell us one thing that you learned in your childhood that is now
useful in your spiritual life.
Tell us one recent episode in which you felt that Krishna used you as
His instrument.
Tell us about something you recently did to help someone else in
spiritual life.
Tell us something you recently did only out of duty.
If you could ask just one ques�on to Srila Prabhupada, what would
that be? (This is an example of ques�on that could be answered
individually on paper, before sharing, so that people are not
influenced by what others say.)
62
If you could ask just one ques�on to Arjuna, what would that be?
(or Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Srila Bhak�siddhanta Sarasva� Thakura,
Srima� Saci Mata, Nanda Maharaja, or whoever - cosider the level
of knowledge of the group before asking: do they know who that
personality is?)
In which specific way did you grow in Krishna consciousness during
the last month?
Tell us something you learnt this year about Krishna, the person
Krishna.
If you could choose one famous person to become a devotee who
would you choose? Why him or her?
63
What part of your character/personality/understanding do you
feel is becoming spiritualized in this period?
If you were to ask Krishna to change one thing in the world of today,
what would that be?
Tell us something you are confiding in Krishna to do because you
feel that only He can do it.
What do you like most about sharing Krishna consciousness with
others?
What is the most major challenge you face in sharing Krishna
consciousness with others? What do you think could help you in
overcoming it?
64
Men�on a moment of joy in sharing Krishna consciousness with
someone.
What would you like to see changed about this group's a�tude to
preaching?
For the Beginning of a Group Cycle (a�er Mul�plica�on)
� We recommend that Bhak�-vrksa groups use the word
'mul�plica�on' when one group divides and becomes two. This is to
avoid the nega�ve connota�ons of words like 'divide' or 'split'.
Share something you did during the previous cycle that you would
like to do in a different way in this cycle.
In what way would you like to be different at the end of this cycle?
65
Tell us something you started doing in the previous cycle that you
want to con�nue doing, and doing it be�er.
What is your main goal for this cycle?
What should we do to make this group a happier, be�er group?
What could each of us do, individually, to make being in this group a
be�er experience for everyone?
Tell us what do you think is the main strength of this new group.
Who is the person from the other group that you miss the most and
why?
66
What did you like most about the previous group servant-leader?
(lf it is a different one).
What did you learn from the experience of mul�plying (dividing the
group)?
What are your expecta�ons from the group servant-leader?
What are your expecta�ons from the group as a whole?
When the Group is about to Mul�ply
You could use some of these ques�ons when the �me to
mul�ply the Bhak�-vrksa group (divide it into two groups) is ge�ng
closer.
67
How do you feel about the mul�plica�on? What are your hopes
and fears?
Tell us some posi�ve changes that you witnessed in any of the
group members during this last cycle of the group, some good
quality or behavior that he or she developed.
What did you learn in this cycle of the group?
Is there anything the Lord has done for you through a member of
this group? What and through whom?
What has been the most difficult thing to learn (or do) during this
cycle of the group?
68
What has been the biggest challenge for you in this group-cycle?
Describe in one word the period together as a group.
Is there something you fear about mul�plying? Why or why not?
What gives you joy in the idea of mul�plying?
Did you already experience mul�plying before? Is this�me the
same or different? If it is different, in what way is it different?
Which has been the most difficult phase for this group?
Which has been the easiest phase for this group?
69
What would you do differently in the next group?
Share something you learnt from a member of the group during
this cycle.
What did you learn from your servant-leader that impressed you
most?
What devo�onal service did you start/learn/prac�ce during this
cycle of the group?
Share a moment in the life of the group that had a big impact in your
personal life.
70
What did you learn about cul�va�ng new people during this cycle
of the group?
Did you bring any guests to visit the group in this cycle? Who would
you like to invite in the next group?
Warning: Don't Use these “Icebreakers”!
� Examples of the types of ques�ons that is be�er to avoid.
These ques�ons are actually “icemakers”!
What is your strongest material a�achment at present?
What do you hate most about the group leader?
Tell us a secret that you have never told to your wife/husband?
71
Tell us about the �me in your life when you felt a big failure.
With what event in the life of Maharaja Prithu can you relate most?
(Or any other ques�on based on detailed knowledge of the
scriptures that could make people feel inadequate, embarrassed
and ignorant).
What would you change in the person who is on your right?
What is the worst name/insult you have ever been called?
Tell us how the person on your right could be a be�er parent.
Tell us a sin you know that someone in this room has commi�ed, so
that we can pray for her/him.
72
Getting to know you better
Ge�ng to Know You Be�er
These ac�vi�es help devotees to know and be�er
understand each another. Some are especial ly useful as
introduc�ons for when there are new people, but you can also use
them effec�vely with groups that have been together for a long
�me. For some of these ac�vi�es you will need to prepare some
materials beforehand.
You Are in the Newspaper Today!
Materials: newspapers, pens (color markers and highlighters work
even be�er)
Get some old newspapers (in some countries Sunday newspapers
are be�er for this game because they have a few extra sec�ons).
75
Have everyone pick a big sheet (4 connected pages). Give the
par�cipants a few minutes to look for words, sentences and
pictures that:
a) Describe some of their characteris�cs; tell something about
them.
b) Remind them of something important for them.
Tell them to circle with a pen or marker what they selected. A�er
picking words, sentences and pictures, each person will share with
the rest of the group what they chose and why.
76
String of Facts
Materials: one yarn of string and scissors (or whatever can cut the
string)
Pass around the ball of string and the scissors, and have everyone
cut off a piece, without specifying anything. Some will take �ny
pieces, some long ones. A�er everyone has a piece, go around the
circle and have everyone say one thing about himself/herself for
each finger length of string. This usually gets a few laughs for the
person who cut off several feet!
77
Secrets
Materials: pens and paper
Divide the group into two, three or more teams (be�er if boys are
with boys and girls with girls). Give all the players a small piece of
paper and ask them to write one thing that no one knows about
them (you can ask them to write two or three things). Collect all the
papers, but keep them separated by team. Read one thing from the
first team: the other teams have to guess who wrote it. Each team
has only one chance and they can consult with each other before
answering. Who guesses correctly gets a point for the team. If no
one guesses, the team where the “secret” comes from gets a point.
Con�nue reading one fact at a �me (finishing all the secrets of one
team first or proceeding by reading one secret from each team).
The team that gets most points wins. Devotees get to learn some
78
curious facts about each other, some of which they might never
forget.
“I Offer my Respec�ul Obeisances to Whoever...”
Materials: chairs (one less than the total number of people)
Have the whole group sit in chairs in a circle. One person stands in
the middle while everyone else sits. The person in the middle says,
“I offer my respec�ul obeisances to whoever...” and adds
something like “wears �lak” or “has been to Vrindavana”, “chants
at least four rounds”, “likes sweets more than salty preps” or
whatever other aspect comes to mind. (Warn them to maintain
good taste and avoid grossness.) Whoever fits the descrip�on must
get up and run to a different chair, while also the person in the
middle tries to sit on a chair. If the thing applies
79
only to the person speaking, then automa�cally he/she will remain
standing. Whoever doesn't get a chair is now in the middle, and
says the same thing (“I offer my respec�ul obeisances to
whoever...”) adding something different. Everyone gets to know
everyone else be�er.
Birth-months & Birthdays
Materials: nothing
This is a high-energy ac�vity and it's especially suitable for big
groups. lt brings together people born in the same month, and
possibly on the same day. Ask par�cipants to walk around and find
others who share the same birth month. When all par�cipants are
in “birth-month groups”, ask them to share their exact birthdays.
You can then ask how many people discovered common birthdays.
Keep this ac�vity crisp, quick, light, and pleasant.
Varia�on: instead of months you can use astrological signs.
80
Birth Right
Materials: nothing
This ac�vity helps members get to know and relate with each other
and is a physical energizer.
Step one: explain that birth order (being the first child, the last or
whatever) plays a role in our personal development. There are
o�en common experiences, pa�erns of behavior and feelings
shared by people of the same birth order. This game is an
opportunity for the group to discover such common traits.
Step two: ask par�cipants to group themselves into the four
comets of the room by the following birth orders: oldest, youngest,
middle, and only child. Explain that middle means anyone who is
not an oldest, youngest, or only child.
Step three: a�er par�cipants are grouped, tell them they have a
couple of minutes to answer and record their agreed-upon
81
responses to the following ques�ons:
What were the advantages of being a ............... child?
What were the disadvantages of being a ................ child?
Step four: a�er the two minutes are over, ask the spokesperson of
each group to share their conclusions.
Varia�ons:
a. Before step two, ask everyone to individually list the advantages
of being a .......... child on a piece of paper and, on the other side,
the disadvantages of that situa�on. Then, when they group into
the corners, encourage them to share what they wrote and
come to agreement on a few of the advantages and
disadvantages.
b. Ask each group to demonstrate with a skit (short drama) one
advantage and one disadvantage.
82
c. Ask each group to perform a mime on one advantage and one
disadvantage and have the other groups guess what it is.
d. Rather than birth order, ask par�cipants to think of their order in
the organiza�on they work (or in ISKCON): new hire; been here
between six months and two years; been here between 2 and 5
years ; been here more than 5 years (or some s imi lar
categoriza�on).
Missing Links
Materials: nothing
This ac�vity gives the opportunity to discover connec�ons or
“missing links” with the other members of the group. It is a physical
energizer and it can be used with big groups. If your
83
group is so big you can just keep it as it is, if it is quite big divide it
into smaller groups of six to twelve people. Ask them to stand and
form a circle. Tell them to choose one person in each group who will
begin the ac�vity by telling things about himself/herself, such as
“places where I have lived, jobs I had, people I have known, schools
I have a�ended,” and so on. Of course, one can also share
experiences in Krishna consciousness. Tell them that the first to
recognize a connec�on with what the speaker say should iden�fy
himself/herself as a “missing link,” move to the le� of the speakers,
explain the link, and then proceed to tell things about themselves
un�l another group member makes a connec�on. Con�nue the
“missing l ink” process un�l al l members of the group are
connected.
84
Guess Who
Materials: pens and paper
Ask all the members of the group to write 3, 4 or 5 true less- known
facts about themselves. Then ask them to fold their paper and put it
in the middle of the circle. Mix all the papers and pick one. Read the
facts. Whoever is the first to guess who that person is gets a point.
Whoever scores more points wins. Members can try to guess even
before you finish reading the whole list of facts, but if the guess is
wrong he/she can't try again for that person.
85
Toss the Ball
Materials: one small, so� ball (or something else, like a teddy bear
or whatever can be tossed harmlessly around).
Sit in a circle and toss a small ball to one person, who then has to
tell, for instance, his/her name. That person tosses the ball to
someone else who says his/her name (in case everyone knows
everyone else's name, you can skip this step) and so on �ll finishing
one full round. The second round could be about telling one's
favorite food, the favorite color, something unusual about oneself
or whatever you choose. You can add whatever you want to the list
of informa�on they share and do as many rounds as you like.
86
Save Me!
Materials: nothing
Ask the players to imagine that they are all survivors of a shipwreck,
swimming for their lives in the ocean. There is only one life-belt,
and you have to decide who gets it. Only one survivor can receive it
and be saved. Each person must give reasons why he/she should be
the one who gets the life-belt. Whoever comes up with the most
convincing or amusing case wins. For added effect you can stand on
a chair (if possible holding a real life-belt) and have everyone stand
around you.
Varia�on: have everyone giving reasons why the person on their
le� (or their right) is the most worthy of being saved. This version
has the advantage of encouraging selflessness and glorifica�on of
others.
87
Introduce Your Partner
Materials: nothing
Divide the whole group in pairs and have each pair interview each
other. Give a �me limit. A�er that have everyone introduces their
partner to the whole group.
My most Precious Possession
Materials: colors and paper (or at least pens and paper) Ask people
to draw their most precious possession. This may be a person or an
object. Then have each share with the rest of the group, sharing
their most precious possession, while other listen a�en�vely
without speaking. This can be a powerful exercise and o�en brings
up strong feelings for all par�cipants.
88
Par�cularly useful for family groups as children usually enjoy it. You
can play some music in the background while people draw.
Varia�on: you can do this ac�vity without drawing, by having
people just speak about their most precious possession.
Find the Iden�ty
Materials: pens and paper
Have people write 4 or 5 adjec�ves or phrases to describe
themselves. Collect the sheets and hand them out randomly (but
make sure that nobody gets their own). Each person reads the
sheet he/she-gets and a�empts to guess who wrote it. If he/she
can't guess, ask the next person or the whole group to try to find
the iden�ty.
89
What Do You Like Most in...
Materials: pens and paper, a li�le bell
This icebreaker is especially good for the last mee�ng of a group,
before the group divides in two, but it can be used also in other
circumstances, like the end of a course or retreat. The idea is to
make the members feel appreciated and leave them something to
remember and cherish from being in the group. This icebreaker
also offers the chance to think posi�vely about the devotees, to
focus on their good quali�es. Make everyone sit in a circle. Give
everyone a blank sheet of paper, not too small – A4 size is ideal –
and a pen. Tell everyone to clearly write their name on top of their
sheet of paper. Tell them to give the sheet of paper to the person on
their right. Now tell everyone that they will have 45 seconds to
write what they like most about the person whose paper they hold.
90
They can write one or more quali�es or the way that person does
something, or whatever they appreciate about her/his character
and personality. Also tell them that a�er the 45 seconds you will
ring a bell (or a pair of karatalas) and everyone will hand the paper
to the person on her/his right. It is important to have a fixed �me. If
the group is not too big it could be a full minute. A�er everyone has
passed their paper and received a new one, have them repeat the
process and write what they like most about the person whose
paper they now hold. Have everyone handing over the paper to the
next person – at regular intervals – �ll everyone gets his/her paper
back. Give them some �me to read what people wrote about them.
Tell them that they can keep the sheet as a souvenir.
91
True or False?
For bigger groups it might be be�er to break up in smaller groups of
5 o r 6 p e o p l e e a c h . Ea c h p e rs o n s ays fo u r fa c t s a b o u t
himself/herself – three true and one false. Generally the three true
should be hard to believe and the one false should sound
believable. Others in the group try to guess the false “fact”. You can
give a point to whoever guesses correctly and who scores more
points wins.
Varia�ons:
a. Three false facts and one true (and have people guess which
one is true).
b. Two true facts and one false.
c. Four true and one false.
d. Two false and two true.
e. Whatever combina�on you like.
92
Common Denominators
Materials: nothing
Divide the group into pairs. Each pair will have 30 seconds to find 5
things they have in common. At the end of the 30 seconds, ask each
pair to join another pair and give the four people a minute to find 5
things they have in common. You can stop here and have each
group present what they have in common, or if you like you can
con�nue joining the groups, adding four to four and then eight to
eight, �ll everyone is together.
Varia�on: Compe��on by elimina�on: as each pair finds the 5
common things they raise their hand and say “Haribol!” The last
pair to complete is out. These apply to the successive stages also,
un�l only one team is le�.
93
Personal Mandala
Materials: large sheets of paper (A4 size would do, but bigger is
be�er) and color markers
This ac�vity promotes communica�on and rela�onship among
group members by visual expression. Explain that we will draw a
personal mandala (“circle” in Sanskrit), a visual representa�on of
different things about oneself. At this point people generally start
to complain and lament: “I don't know how to draw” etc,. But don't
worry: explain that it is not an ar�s�c compe��on, and even the
simplest drawings are acceptable. Give out the paper and a variety
of color markers. Show the example of the mandala (given on the
next page) and review the four quadrants with par�cipants:
1. What I am comfortable doing (something he/she is good at,
something the person feels to be especially efficient and
talented in, in any realm of personal or work life)
94
What I am
comfortable
doing
Gi�
I bring
to the group
Source of
fustra�on
with the
group
Group
be�erment
95
2. A gi� I bring to the team (a personal strength or skill).
3. A source of frustra�on with the group (an irrita�on or upset
that the person experiences or has experienced within this
group).
4. Group be�erment (what the person thinks the group should do
to become be�er).
Tell them to use only images, icons, or pictures that symbolize their
responses to each of the four quadrants. Ask them to put their
names at the top of their papers. Allow 10-15 minutes to complete
the mandalas (you can have background music while they draw).
You can use the completed mandalas in several ways: one is to
break into smaller groups and have everyone briefly explain to the
others what the pictures represent. Another is to ask volunteers to
share with the whole group. Or you could share just a couple of
mandalas, keeping the rest for future mee�ngs.
9696
Varia�on 1: (actually an extension) You can have a ribbon
displayed below the mandala, a space for wri�ng a personal credo,
or mo�o-an essen�al, guiding principle or perspec�ve that the
individual relies on as a guide for everyday life. This may be an
inspired thought, a verse, the �tle of a book, a line of a song,
whatever they like expressed in a phrase or short sentence (in the
ribbon they will write words; they won't draw pictures).
Varia�on 2: Ask them to represent, with pictures, 4 answers to the
following 7 ques�ons (you can have the ques�ons wri�en on a
board for everyone to see):
1. What are 3 things you are good at?
2. What do you like most about your family?
3. What do your friends like about you?
4. What do you think you can do be�er than almost anyone else
your age?
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5. What do you dream about doing one day?
6. What is something you have already done that makes you
feel really good?
7. What is one thing you are planning to change about yourself so
you will be be�er?
They select which 4 ques�ons they would like to answer (with their
drawings). You can debrief this ac�vity in smaller groups (faster) or
with the whole group.
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Games
Games
� Here we present two types of games: low-energy
(peaceful, mellow) and high-energy (physically or mentally very
involving, o�en involving compe��on). Some playful ac�vi�es are
offered especially for younger groups, who have lots of energy to
burn, but anybody might enjoy par�cipa�ng or watching.
� In using these games you must be very careful to prevent
indiscriminate mixing of the sexes. Some of these games are to be
played by only boys or only girls. Use your discrimina�on and
carefully avoid promiscuity.
� Think of a crea�ve Krishna conscious introduc�on for each
game. We give some ideas, but you can use your imagina�on.
Although we don't specify it for every game, you might give a
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reward to the winners. Prepare the prizes in advance (o�en a li�le
maha-prasadam does the job perfectly).
The games have different dura�ons, depending on the number of
players or how long you decide to con�nue. During many of these
games you can play some music to help create the atmosphere and
add to the experience (so�, medita�ve bhajans for low-energy
ac�vi�es, loud, lively kirtans for high-energy ones).
� Some games will provoke funny situa�ons and lots of
laughter and you might want to have a camera or video to
immortalize the players in the crucial moments.
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Group Poetry
Materials: pens and paper
Have the group sit in a circle, on the floor or around a table. Give
each person a sheet of paper and a pen. Give a common theme for a
poem (the subject could be “Krishna Li�ing Govardhana Hill” or
“ The Damodara-li la” or it could be “Book distribu�on” or
“Resolu�ons for the New Year”, “The Ratha-Yatra”, or whatever you
like, also according to the level of knowledge of all par�cipants).
Have everyone write the first line of the poem at the top of the
page, then have everyone pass the paper to the person on her or his
right. The person who receives the paper reads that first line and
then writes a second line to it (it could be a rhyme but it is not
essen�al). That person must then fold the paper to hide the first
line from view, so that only the second line – the one he just wrote-
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shows. The poets pass their papers again to their right. Each �me
they get the paper and write a new line, they should fold back the
previous line out of view so that only what they have wri�en shows.
Keep the pace brisk: they should just write whatever comes to mind
first without taking more than 30 or 40 seconds. You can fix a
number of passes, like 8 or 10. Inform people when it is �me to
write the last line of the poem so that they write some conclusive
line. The end result is a strip of folded paper. Have one a�er another
open the paper and read the poem.
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Blinded by money
Materials: coins and a bucket (or some other container)
Pair everyone up and form a big circle. Give each pair two coins.
One person in each pair �lts his head back and places a coin on each
eyelid while keeping the eyes closed (no peeping!). Put a container
in the center (a bucket, a box or something). The blinded players
must dump the coins into the container, while their partners will
direct them verbally, without touching or physically guiding them in
any way. If any coin drops, the person must pick it up and start all
over again. The biggest fun comes when all the pairs go at once,
crowding around the container, blinded by money, trying to hear
their partner's direc�ons. The first pair to complete the task wins.
The last pair could be asked to do some form of funny atonement.
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Shape Makers
Materials: nothing
This game is more interes�ng with larger groups, but you can also
play it in smaller ones. Divide the group into two teams and have
the members of each team stand close together. This is the star�ng
posi�on. Start by calling out a shape (you can begin with simple
shapes). The teams race to form a shape out of their bodies (on the
floor if the shape is two-dimensional or standing if it's a three-
dimensional form). They should signal that they have finished and
then go back to the standing posi�on. You can keep increasing the
complexity of the shapes to represent. A�er every round you (or
some other spectator) could judge which team made the best,
most resembling or original shape. The team that scores most wins
(but it could also be done without compe��on). Sample shapes :
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�laka, omkara, the number 108, India, Garuda, a peacock, a
temple, Hanuman, a bow and arrow, etc,.
Will You Please Smile for Me?
Materials: nothing
Have the group sit in a circle. One person will be in the center and
will have to make another smile. He/she goes around the circle,
kneels before a person and asks: “Will you please smile for me?" In
asking this, the person can make all sort of funny expressions,
gestures or use strange voices, but can't touch the person. The
person must respond with, “Sorry, I just can't smile for you,"
without smiling. If he/she smiles, that person replaces the first one
and has to make someone else smile, approaching one a�er
another un�l someone smiles. This is a circular game, in the sense
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that it doesn't have a fixed end. It is up to you to decide when to
stop, perhaps when everyone has smiled.
Posi�ve Thinking
Materials: safety pins
This game can con�nue throughout the mee�ng. Give out one
safety pin to each person. Everyone must wear it so that others can
see it. The idea is that whoever says the word “no” loses the pin and
gives it to the person who made him/her say “no”. To again get a pin
one has to get someone else to say “no”. Whoever ends with most
pins wins.
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Ways of Caring
Materials: pens and paper.
Divide players into two or more teams. Give them a specified
amount of �me (say, 5 minutes) and have them write down as many
ways of caring as they can think of. These should be prac�cal,
feasible, observable ways to show care, a�en�on, or love to other
devotees or people in general. At the end of the allo�ed �me have
each team read what they wrote while you and the rest of the
group judge if all the ideas are acceptable or not. The team that lists
most ways of caring wins.
Varia�on 1: have the teams list ways of pleasing Srila Prabhupada,
or things to avoid in preaching, or good advice for chan�ng japa or
animals men�oned in the Bhagavad-gita, or the names of avatars,
or names of spiritual masters in the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya
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Vaisnava Sampradaya, or places visited by Srila Prabhupada, or
divine quali�es, or holy places in India, or chapter �tles in the
Krishna Book, or whatever else you can think of.
Varia�on 2: Pick a category, for instance: devotees, objects
present in the temple, etc,. Give a le�er of the alphabet (an easy
one) and tell the teams to list as many items as possible belonging
to that category and star�ng with that le�er.
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Filling the Blanks
Materials: stories with blanks
This is a fun game with language. Have a short story ready. The story
will have blanks instead of various words (below you'll find two
samples with indica�ons of what words to ask for, but you can make
up as many as you want). To fill the blanks ask the group for nouns,
verbs (ac�on words such as swimming, singing or sleeping),
adjec�ves (words that describe nouns, such as beau�ful, slow or
peaceful), adverbs (words that describe the verb, such as slowly,
quickly or steadily) and other missing words (you should be specific
some�mes and ask for “a feeling", or “a smell”, or “a color”. But –
a�en�on – without reading the story to them. Just ask, for
instance: ”Give me a number.”, ”Tell me a place.” And so on. You can
go around the group and have each person provide a word.
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You will use what they say to fill the blanks. Encourage devotees to
use descrip�ve, exci�ng words. At the end you read the story, for
everyone's amusement.
”The Story of this Bhak�-vrksa Group”
This group started in a [adjec�ve] ___________ way, with [number]
_________ members. At first, the thing they liked most was [verb]
________, but a�er some�mes their favorite ac�vity became
[another verb]____________. One problem we faced in the
discussion is that some would [again a verb]___________ before
the other person finished speaking. The most beau�ful experience
has been when we all went to [place] __________ and we all [verb]
__________ in the grass.
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By leading this group I learned at least three things: first is that it is
be�er to [verb]_______ before [verb] _______; second, that when
a group member feels [a feeling]__________ I should ask others to
[verb] ________; third, that I should always use words that are
[adjec�ve]__________. I know that some group members are
[adjec�ve] _______ devotees, and it is a great opportunity for me to
serve them by [verb] ________. The last thing I want to tell you
about this group is that I will be very [feeling] _______ when we
mul�ply.
”First Visit to the Temple”
Once I went with my [a type of rela�ve] ___________ to visit the
Hare Krishna Temple. The garden outside was [adjec�ve]
_____________, full of [plural noun] _________________. Inside
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the door we immediately smelled a fragrant odor of [smell]
___________________ . The devotees looked very [adjec�ve]
__________________ with their clothes coming from [place]
___________. I felt immediately at home, especially with the
prasadam; we ate with great [feeling] _____________________
t h e d i v i n e f o o d , a n d t h e n w e a s k e d : [ a q u e s �o n ]
“____________________________?” ln the temple shop I bought
a [something to wear] ______________________, the price was
[adjec�ve] _____________________________ and the 'quality
was [adjec�ve] __________________. As soon as I reached home I
put it on and I looked at myself in the mirror, [exclama�on]
“_________________” I said.
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White and Offerable
Materials: pens and paper
Divide the group in two or more teams. Ask the teams to write a list
of things that are white and are food (and can be offerable to
Krishna!). Give them a fixed �me (3-5 minutes) and then find out
which team wrote the longest list. That team wins.
Varia�ons: have the teams wri�ng lists of: names of devotees in
the body of animals, animals men�oned in the Bhagavad-gita
(verses and purports), holy places, names of warriors in the Ba�le
of Kuruksetra, countries visited by Srila Prabhupada, or whatever.
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Anagrams
Materials: pens and paper
Divide the group in teams of 3-4 people each. Give everyone a piece
of paper and ask them to write as many words as possible from the
le�ers in a word or a brief expression such as “Vrindavana”,
“Mayapuri”, “Srila Prabhupada”, “tree of devo�on”, “bhak�-yoga”,
etc,. Give them a fixed �me. The team who writes most words wins.
To make it more difficult (and more spiritual) accept only words
somehow related with Krishna consciousness.
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Can You Follow Instruc�ons?
Materials: copies of the ”Read and Do Test”, one for each person.
Tell everyone that they have to strictly follow the list of instruc�ons
on the sheet you are going to distribute. Stress that they have to do
whatever is wri�en there in maximum three minutes.
Hand out copies of the following
Read and Do Test – �me limit: 3 minutes
1. Read all that follows before doing anything.
2. Write your name in the upper right hand corner of this page.
3. Circle the word “corner” in sentence two.
4. Draw five small squares in the upper le� hand corner of this
page.
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5. Put an “X” on each square.
6. Put a circle around each square.
7. Sign your name under line 5.
8. A�er your name, write “Haribol, Haribol, Haribol.”.
9. Put a circle around number 7.
10. Put an “X” in the lower-le�-hand corner of this page.
11. Draw a triangle around the “X” you just made.
12. Call out “Hare Krishna” when you get to this point.
13. On the reverse side of this paper add 108108 and 10081008.
14. Put a circle around your answer.
15. Now that you have finished reading carefully, do only
number 2.
Be quiet and watch as everyone follows instruc�ons. People
o�en start doing all the weird things listed, neglec�ng the first
instruc�on: <<Read all that follows before doing anything.>>
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A�er the �me is up you can ask: “So, who completed the
assignment and followed the instruc�ons?” Then you should point
that some neglected the very first instruc�on.
Do This and Add Something
Materials: nothing
Get everyone in a circle. One person starts doing something, for
instance scratching the head. The person on the right must repeat
the same ac�on and add something else, say slapping the �e. The
game goes on with each having to repeat all the previous ac�ons in
order, then adding one. If a player misses an ac�on or gets fouled
up, he/she is out. The last one to remain in the game wins. You can
go around a few �mes.
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Funny Faces
Materials: nothing
Arrange the par�cipants in a circle. An appointed player turns to
the person next to him/her and makes a funny face or assumes a
funny posture. That person mimics the gesture, passing it on
quickly to the next person, and so on around the circle. When the
funny face has completed the circuit, another person begins, un�l
all or as many persons as possible have had a chance to ini�ate the
face-making. You can also establish the rule that whoever smiles or
laughs is out.
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Journalists
Materials: newspaper headlines
This exercise in impromptu (improvised) speech can be very funny
and it is also a good training for public speaking. Before the
mee�ng, cut some headlines from a newspaper and put them in a
paper bag or other container. Explain the game: you will ask
different people to randomly pick one headline, and then they will
have one minute to explain why they wrote that ar�cle (as if they
were the journalist who wrote it). O�en people don't have a clue
what the ar�cle is really about, even a�er hearing its �tle. You could
also use �tles from Back to Godhead or other devo�onal
publica�on. Keep track of what the original ar�cle was about so
that you can point that out at the end of their one-minute
explana�on.
Varia�on: you can also add the rule that in their speech they also
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have to include a word fixed in advance, for instance: compassion,
simplicity, wisdom, medita�on or whatever.
Object in Ques�on
Materials: nothing
Two players privately select an object in the room (it could be a
par�cular book or whatever). They then discuss it with each other –
it could also be in the form of ques�ons and answers – while the
others listen and try to guess what it is. Whoever guesses what the
object is, wins. When the object is discovered, another two players
select an object.
Varia�on: For an extra challenge, choose an object not in the
room, but somewhere else, like in the temple or in the rest of the
house.
122
Stand Up
Materials: nothing
Energizer: two people sit on the floor, backs together, feet in front
and arms linked. They have to stand up together. A�er they
succeed, add another one to the original pair and have all three of
them stand up together. Keep adding people un�l your whole
group (or rather all the people of the same gender) try to stand
together.
You can put some upbeat devo�onal music in the background.
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The Eyes of Knowledge
Materials: A large drawing of a face, two bu�ons for every
par�cipant.
Srila Prabhupada wrote: “In Bhagavad-gita it is said that one can
see the Supreme Personality of Godhead through jnana- caksusah,
eyes of knowledge. He who opens these eyes of knowledge is called
a spiritual master. Thus we offer our prayers to the spiritual master
with the following sloka:
om ajnana-�mirandhasya
jnananja na-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
“I offer my respec�ul obeisances unto my spiritual master, who with
the torchlight of knowledge has opened my eyes, which were
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blinded by the darkness of ignorance".(Gautamiya Tantra).
“The guru's task is to open the disciple's eyes of knowledge”.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.1.11, purport).
Place the large drawing of the face on the floor. Each player will
drop or throw (from an established distance) the pair of bu�ons to
form the eyes of the face. One who places the eyes most accurately
wins.
125
Hand shi�
Materials: pens and paper
This game has a surprise element. Have everyone ready with pen
and paper. Inform them that at the “go” signal, everyone will have
to write down a list of something (objects related to Deity worship,
names of Krishna, names of devotees, ci�es where there is a
temple, spiritual quali�es, names of spiritual places or whatever
you choose) in a �me limit of two minutes. When everyone is
poised and ready tell them to shi� the pen to the other hand: right-
handers become le�-handed and vice-versa The player who writes
the longest and/or the most legible list wins.
126
A Bag of Fun
Materials: several pairs of old stockings, two blindfolds, two pairs of
thick gloves and two paper bags.
Ask for two volunteers. They should be without shoes or at least
without one shoe. Have each put on a pair of gloves and give each
of them a bag containing several pairs of old nylon stockings.
Blindfold them. Whoever succeeds in first ge�ng all the stockings
in the bag over one foot wins. The fun thing is that the gloves make
it difficult to tell the top of the stocking from the foot. This produces
plenty of laughs for the spectators.
127
Pass the Orange
Materials: one orange (or other suitable fruit) for each team.
Form two or more teams (strictly same gender) and have them
stand in rows. Put an orange under the chin of the first person of
each team. The orange is kept there by lowering the chin towards
the chest. The person has to pass the orange – from chin to chin and
without touching it with the hands – to the next in line and so on.
The first team to complete wins.
128
Original Step
Materials: slips of paper
Write the names of the par�cipants on slips of paper and put them
into a hat or other container. Have everyone line up on one side of
the room. As each person's name is randomly pulled out of a hat,
that person must cross the room in a manner different than the
others. So, if the first person simply walks, everyone that follows
must get to the other end of the room differently, by hopping on
one leg, walking on their knees, rolling on the floor, or whatever
they like.
129
Alphabet Search
Materials: pens and paper
Divide the group into two or more teams. Have them search for
objects the team members have on them (as items of clothing or
things in their bags and pockets) that start with each of the le�ers
of the alphabet, from A to Z (you can specify that undergarments
don't count). Have teams write down all the items they iden�fy.
Give a �me limit. First team to get all the le�ers wins. If they can't
find an item for each of the le�ers, the team that gets most le�ers,
wins.
Varia�on: tell the teams to put all the items represen�ng the
le�ers, into a bucket.
130
Posi�ve Messages
Materials: pens and paper
This ac�vity helps in promo�ng trust in the group. Give a piece of
paper to each group member. Ask everyone to write a posi�ve
message about the group and the experience of interac�ng with
the other group members. Collect all the papers, shuffle them and
redistribute them. Then ask each person to read the message
aloud.
131
Maha-mantra Sequence
Materials: nothing
Going around the circle, have everyone say loud one of the holy
names of the maha-mantra: “Hare” “Krishna” “Hare” “Krishna”
“Krishna” “Krishna” and so on. Whoever says the “wrong” name
(not according to the right sequence of the maha-mantra) or
hesitates too long is out. The last remaining player wins. If nobody
makes a mistake or a few people remain playing for too long, you
can go to the second version:
Varia�on: Have each par�cipant call out two names: “Hare
Krishna”, “Hare Krishna”, “Krishna Krishna”, “Hare Hare” and so on.
Same rules as the first version above.
There is also a third version:
Varia�on: Have each person say three names in a row: “Hare
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Krishna Hare” “Krishna Krishna Krishna” “Hare Hare Hare” “Rama
Hare Rama” “Rama Rama Hare” “Hare Hare Krishna" and so on. The
last remaining player wins.
Simple Physical Energizers
Have the group stand and stretch, while shou�ng out loud
“Gauranga!”
Throw one, two or three balls around the group. You could add
– but it's not essen�al – that those who touch the ball but let it
fall on the floor are out.
Individual cross-body touching, right elbow to le� knee, le�
elbow to right knee, twenty �mes, fast.
Tap head and rub stomach simultaneously, then swap
movements.
133
Circle Massage
Materials: nothing
Have everyone standing or si�ng in a circle, giving each other the
back and have everyone massage the head and shoulders of the
person in front. In these and similar ac�vi�es involving physical
contact in circles, you can have the men and the women forming
different circles.
134
Living Sculptures
Materials: nothing
This ac�vity helps in building trust, in�macy and awareness of
others. Have par�cipants pair up, one will be the sculptor, the other
the sculpture. The sculptor gently moves the other's body into a
sculpture using his/her imagina�on (if people can't come up with
an idea you can suggest that they sculpt Krishna, Arjuna,
Hanuman, Garuda or whoever). The sculpted allows the body to be
moved and keeps it where the sculptor places it. You can do this in
silence or with background music. Par�cipants don't speak. A�er a
few minutes have the pairs swap roles.
Varia�on: Group sculpture: one or two people do the sculp�ng
while everyone else becomes part of the sculpture. Sculptors move
par�cipants to create a group sculpture, making sure that
individuals can keep their balance. The mood of the ac�vity is
135
gentle and slow with both sculptors and sculpted being aware of
each other. At the end you can invite people to talk about the
experience.
Lap Link
Materials: nothing
A fun game that can be done with very large groups (once 1700
people did it in a stadium in Boston, USA). Have the players stand in
a circle with shoulders almost touching. Have them turn to the right
so that they are directly behind someone. As you count to three,
everyone slowly lowers to sit on the knees of the person behind,
while holding the waist of the person in front. The number three is
the signal for the moment of si�ng. Poor �ming can send the
whole group to the floor. If at first you don’t succeed, try again. You
136
can have everyone doing the coun�ng together. Suggest that those
with bad knees sit this one out.
Going on a Picnic
Materials: nothing
Tell the group that you are going on a picnic. Anyone can come,
provided they bring something appropriate with them. Tell them
that there is a rule but you can't explain it: they have to fi-gure it
out, and when they understand it they should not tell others. Then
you start by saying your name and one thing that you'll bring with
you. It has to be something star�ng with the same le�er as your
name (for instance: “I am Balarama das and I'll bring some
bananas.”) Going around the circle each person must do the same,
137
saying their name and what they are bringing. You will tell them if
they can come to the picnic or not: they can come only if the thing
they bring begins with the same le�er as their name. It might be
good to have in the group one or two people who know the rule of
the game. Go around the circle un�l everyone has understood or
people are too frustrated by not understanding the trick.
138
Gita Details
Materials: Bhagavad-gitas (ideally one for every devotee, but at
least one for every two or three devotees)
Divide the group into two or more teams. It's best to have teams of
3-4 people so that everyone can par�cipate in the excitement even
if they don't know a lot about the Gita. Ensure fair compe��on by
arranging that the 'scholars' are fairly distributed in the various
teams. You will ask the teams to find specific words and details in
the Bhagavad-gita. Specify that what they have to find could be
either in the transla�ons of the verses or in Srila Prabhupada's
purports. The first person (or team) that finds it and says aloud the
number of the verse and the chapter scores a point. Whoever
makes the most points wins (you can have them reach a fixed
number of points, like 5 or 10, or have a �me limit for playing).
139
Sample ques�ons: Find a place where the Gita men�ons a fish, a
monkey, the word “crea�on”, Ksirodaksayi Visnu, the word “fool”,
the conch of Krishna, the ocean, a scorpion, the sun, death, the
moon, birth, karma-yoga, Brahma, a chariot, the word “fruit”,
Avatara, Paramatma, reincarna�on, guru, jnana-yoga, a shark, the
word “bow”, the word “chariot”, Brahmaloka, spiritual world,
surrender, Upanisad or Upanisads, India, and so on.
Varia�on: Have them find the answer to par�cular ques�ons (if
they don't know it already). For instance: What is the name of
Krishna's conch? Who gave his chariot to Arjuna? Who among the
Daitya demons represents Krishna? Who is the last person who
speaks in the Gita? Who is the first person who speaks in the Gita?
In which chapter is the analogy of the well and the large reservoir of
water? In which chapter is the analogy of the sky and the wind? And
so on.
140
Bhagavad-gita Analogies
Materials: a large piece of paper (or a white board), markers
(preferably various colors). “
You can play this with every person playing by him/herself, or in
small teams. This very instruc�ve game is for devotees who are
already familiar with the Gita. New people should join someone
else, so that they can somehow par�cipate.
You draw analogies from the Gita (verses and purports) on the large
paper (ideally a flipchart) or the white board (black board would
also do). Whoever guesses the analogy first gets a point. But to
score they have to tell both aspects of the analogy (for instance:
just like the tortoise withdraws the limbs in the shell, the yogi
withdraws the senses from the sense objects). They can start
guessing at every stage of the drawing, but they have only one
141
chance for each drawing. If you feel totally incompetent at drawing,
have someone else draw.
Varia�on: you just read half the analogy and the players have to
complete it. For instance: “...as the mighty wind, blowing
everywhere, rests always in the sky...” (“...all created beings rest in
Me”, says Sri Krishna in chapter 9, text 6).
142
Untangling the Knot
Materials: nothing
Get 5-9 people in a circle and have them reach across and grab the
hand of two other people. They cannot grab their own hand, nor
can they hold both hands of the same person. Then they have to
untangle themselves without le�ng go.
143
Hanging Bucket
Materials: big plas�c bucket (possibly 20 liters or so, but smaller will
also do)
This can be played in teams. Three, four or five players lie on their
back with their feet up in the middle. Their feet will form a “table”, a
pla�orm for holding the bucket. Put the bucket (full of water!) on
top of the “table”. The players have to remove all their shoes
(and/or their socks) without le�ng the bucket fall. If you play it in
teams, the team that completes the opera�on in the least �me
wins. You can make it easier or harder by increasing or decreasing
the amount of people or water.
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Marginal Energy
Materials: nothing
Draw a long line on the floor (with chalk, yarn or tape, or use some
exis�ng dividing line or a carpet). One side will be the antaranga
sak� (internal energy) the other side of the line will be bahiranga
sak� ( external energy). Line all people up on one side: they
represent the tatashta sak� (marginal energy-which they are
anyway). When they are on the bahiranga side and you call
“Antaranga!” they will all jump from bahiranga to antaranga. When
they are on antaranga and you call “Bahiranga!” they will all jump
from antaranga to bahiranga. You might also call the name of the
side they are already in, and in that case they don't have to jump.
The last to jump when they have to jump is out of the game. Also
145
the first one who jumps when they don't have to jump is out. The
last remaining player wins. You will try to confuse them by poin�ng
to the wrong side or by changing the pace of the yelling.
“Blind Faith” in Chan�ng and Prasadam
Materials: some solid prasadam (gulab jamuns or cookies;
something that can be bi�en) and blindfolds.
You can introduce this game with the following words of Srila
Prabhupada:
“You can understand God” simply by service. There is no other way.
And the faith begins from the tongue. You see? Therefore it is
advised that you chant and take prasada. Then faith will come.
Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. It begins... The faith begins from the
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tongue. “Why?” People will be surprised. "Faith must begin from
the mind, from the eyes, and why it is said tongue?” They do not
know. That is also faith, that “Simply engaging tongue in the service
of the Lord, I shall understand.” So this is also blind faith. But
actually it is happening. Chant Hare Krishna and take prasadam.
That's all.” (Morning Walk, San Francisco, 21 July 1975)
Several small teams (2-5 people per team) can play this game
simultaneously. Prepare some prasadam in separate plates or
bowls on a table, numbered or named for each team. Each team
selects a volunteer who gets blindfolded. The blindfolded person
must reach the prasadam and eat it, but without using his hands.
The rest of the team will give direc�ons, but can use only the holy
names:
“Gauranga” for “go forward”
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“Hare Krishna” for “go to the right”
“Hare Rama” for “go to the le�”
“Haribol” for “stop”
“Sarira Avidya Jal” for “Eat, the prasadam is here”. (You might want
to write these direc�ons on a large board for everyone to see).
Also they cannot touch the blindfolded person. The first one who
finishes ea�ng the prasadam wins.
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Compliments
Materials: many small pieces of paper and envelopes (one
envelope for each par�cipant)
The whole group sits in a circle. Give everyone an envelope and
various pieces of paper (three, four or more). Tell them to write one
compliment on each piece of paper, possibly in readable
handwri�ng. For instance:
“You are a good listener”.
“You are very humble”.
“l like your sincerity”.
“The group mee�ng is more fun when you are here”.
“I like that you are so�ly-spoken”.
“You never lose your temper”.
and so on.
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A�er a few minutes tell them to put the pieces of paper in
the center and mix them. Divide all the pieces of paper equally
among the group members. Then tell them to write their name on
the envelope they received at the beginning and put it in the center.
Now ask them to put each of the compliments in their hands in the
envelope of the person who deserves it. At the end they will all
receive their envelope. Give them a couple of minutes to check
what compliments they received.
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Blind Numbers
Materials: small pieces of paper, blindfolds
Give everyone a small piece of paper with a number on. The
numbers will be sequen�al: 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on, as many numbers as
there are people playing. Nobody can tell, show or reveal the
number. Then the players get blindfolded and have to form a single
line in numerical order, with the number l in front. The only rule: no
talking permi�ed. The players can clap their number with their
hands, or they can tap others as many �mes as their number. For
added difficulty you can set a �me limit.
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Balloon Dress Up
Materials: 2 sets of dresses, 2 large balloons
Get two volunteers (you can have more than two if you have
enough sets of clothes). The object of the game is to get fully
dressed while keeping a balloon in the air at all �mes. Obviously the
players must be already decently covered before they start pu�ng
on the extra clothes. Make sure that the two people have the same
or at least very similar items of clothing (for instance: dho�, kurta,
sweater and socks). The winner is whoever dresses up completely
without le�ng the balloon touch the ground.
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Theatrical Improvisa�ons
Materials: li�le pieces of paper (drama costumes and accessories
could also be useful)
Write everyone's names on separate pieces of paper and place
them in a bag (or hat, or whatever). Beforehand you should have
thought of different situa�ons or lilas for the “actors” to play. Pick a
scene or story and draw out as many names as actors needed (for
instance: for the death of Hiranyakasipu you need at least three:
Hiranyakasipu, Prahlada, and Nrisimhadeva). Each cast of actors
could prepare their performances simultaneously and then
present them one a�er another.
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Ge�ng in the Group at any Cost
Materials: nothing
This game helps us to recognize that some�mes we tend to keep
people out of our groups even without realizing it. Get a volunteer
and have the rest of the group arranged in a circle, standing. In front
of everyone tell the volunteer to do whatever it takes to get into the
group. Remember that you must not tell the group to try keep the
volunteer out. The volunteer can jump over, push or whatever it
takes. At the 'go' he/she starts to try to get into the group. A�er a
few minutes or a�er the volunteer succeeds in penetra�ng the
group ask him/her: “What did you have to do to get into' your
group?” “How did you feel about trying to get into the group?”
A�er listening carefully to the answers, tell the group: “I told the
volunteer to do whatever it took to get into the group, but I never
told you to keep him/her out!” They might suddenly realize that
this is true.
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Team Towers
Materials: lots of drinking straws, rolls of tape
Form two or more teams of 5-7 players each. Give each team the
same number of drinking straws, 50 or 100 will do, and one or two
small rolls of s�cky tape. The team building the tallest self-
suppor�ng structure wins. Give them 10 or 15 minutes to complete
the task. This exercise manifests different teamwork dynamics:
who are the leaders, who are the followers, etc,.
How Many Are There?
Fill a bowl with peanuts, almonds, small sweets or whatever.
Whoever guesses the exact number or gets closest wins.
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E-mail Addresses
Materials: enough small pieces of paper (the number of
par�cipants mul�plied by itself)
This is for groups in which everyone is familiar with email. This
ac�vity offers the opportunity to give posi�ve feedback to each
other. The group sits in a circle and you ask everyone to write an
email address for each of the other players. The addresses should
have some warmth and personality, reflec�ng only the most
posi�ve aspects of the person's style, character, role, skills or
experience.
A�er wri�ng all the addresses, each player gets all the addresses
wri�en for him/her.
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Being Part of the Group
Materials: short messages wri�en on pieces of paper (one for each
par�cipant)
The goal of this game is to provide a vivid demonstra�on of the
sa�sfac�on of being included in a group, and the uneasiness of
being excluded. You will arrange that everyone will join in smaller
groups, except one who will be le� out (in larger groups you can
leave out even two or three people). Prepare in advance a series of
short messages (for instance: “Chant Hare Krishna and be happy”,
“Books are the basis” or whatever) and make 5 copies of each (If
your group is small you can make only 3 or 4 copies of each
message). Also write one different message, but don't make any
copy of it. Have people pick up the messages (the pieces of paper
could be folded) from a hat or box, one to each person. Then have
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them read the message (silently, not loudly) and circulate around
the room, introduce themselves, and repeat the messages (so�ly).
Once they find someone with the same message they should stay
together. Tell them to con�nue this search un�l they all find their
companions. Tell them that a�er forming their groups each should
tell something confiden�al about himself/herself. When all but the
loner are in their groups, wait for a couple of minutes and lead
everyone in the following debriefing of the experience:
1. How does it feel to not be accepted into a group? Does this
ever happen to you in real life? How does it feel?
2. How did it feel when you found someone with the same
message?
3. Why didn't those persons already in a group reach out to the
excluded persons?
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4. What can we do to include others?
5. What lessons about team-building can we draw from this
experience?
The Color of Influence
Materials: a set of four small pieces of paper with four different
colors for each par�cipant (generally red, green, blue and yellow),
two envelopes for each par�cipant (one with the colored papers,
and one labeled “Response”), a couple of large pieces of paper (or
board).
This ac�vity helps in iden�fying the degree of influence the group
members feel they have within the team. It also helps to clarify
percep�ons of influence. Give two envelopes to each par�cipant
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(one with the four colors and one labeled “Response”). Explain that
in one envelope they will find four colors: red, green, blue and
yellow. Ask them to consider to what degree they feel they have
influence within the group and then select a color according to the
following scheme (which you will have wri�en on a large piece of
paper or a board):
Red - I have a great deal of influence
Green - I have quite a bit of influence
Blue - I have li�le influence
Yellow - I have no influence
Ensure that people sit far enough apart to be able to select a color
privately and explain that their selec�on is anonymous. Give them
enough �me to seriously consider their response and then
ask them to put the color they choose into the envelope
labeled “Response”. Collect the “Response” envelopes. Ask the
160
par�cipants what they considered when determining their degree
of influence. You can also record the responses on a board or
flipchart. Common responses are: “Whether my opinion is asked.”;
“Whether my ideas are listened to.”; “Whether outcomes are
influenced by my input.”
S�ck the colors to a board or flipchart sheet, pu�ng same colors
close together. Describe the pa�ern suggested, for instance, “Most
people feel they have a good deal of influence but a few feel they
have li�le influence.” You can also discuss the results asking
different ques�ons, for instance: “How does this affect the group?”
“Does this pa�ern and/or discussion suggest that we should be
doing something differently?”
161
One Problem, Many Solu�ons
Materials: pens and paper
Everyone sits in a circle, with pen and paper (to make the ac�vity
quicker, form sub-groups of 6-8 people each). Ask them to think of a
current problem, concern, perplexity or challenge they face and
write it down. Tell them to be specific (don't write “health
problems”, but rather “constant headache prevents me from
concentra�ng”). Allow one or two minutes to think and write, then
ask them to pass their problem to the right. That person reads the
problem just received and jots down the first thought or thoughts
that come to mind in addressing that problem. Allow one, minute
for wri�ng the solu�on. Repeat this process every minute, and keep
it going un�l everyone gets his/her own sheet back. If �me allows,
you can briefly discuss the experience:
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1. Did anyone discover solu�ons or ideas not previously
considered?
2. Can you see any value in trying some of these sugges�ons?
3. Do some of these sugges�ons trigger other ideas or solu�ons
for you?
4. What lesson does this teach us about reaching out to others for
their assistance?
163
Sharing Solu�ons
Materials: pens and paper, container (hat, box, or tray)
Everyone sits in a circle, with pen and paper. Ask them to think of a
current problem, concern, perplexity or challenge they face and
write it down. Tell them to be specific (don't just write “envy”, but “I
feel bi�er because a Godbrother is being more successful than me
in his devo�onal service”). Allow a minute or so to think and write
(without pu�ng their name), then ask them to fold their paper and
place it in the container in the center of the circle. Pick one piece of
paper and read the contents, which remain anonymous. The rest of
the group will offer some words of advice and encouragement to
whoever wrote, even though they don't know who that is. Pick as
many pieces of paper as �me allows.
164
Sastra Mime
Materials: nothing
Divide the group into teams of three to six members. Every team
selects one event from the scriptures of from the Vaisnava tradi�on
in general and pantomimes for the rest of the group. The watchers
try to iden�fy the scene or story being enacted.
Varia�on: episodes from the scriptures are wri�en on slips of
paper and then drawn from a box for performance.
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Who Am I?
One volunteer picks a personality from the scriptures (without
telling who that is). The rest of the group has to discover who that
personality is by asking ques�ons, but only “yes or no” ques�ons:
“Are you a man?”; “Are you in Lord Caitanya's lila?”; “Are you
alive?”; “Are you a demon?”; “Are you in the Ramayana?” and so
on. You can give a �me limit, for instance three minutes. Whoever
iden�fies the personality wins. If the personality is not discovered
within the �me limit, the volunteer wins.
166
Search for Someone
Materials: pens and paper
This game is ideal for a group whose members don't know one
another. At the beginning of your class or mee�ng, hand everyone a
sheet of paper with three or four categories. Include things like
favorite movie, favorite book, best dance song and favorite food.
A�er everyone has listed their favorites, members mingle with
others to find someone else with the same favorite. Members must
find a different person for each category. This rule keeps friends
from finishing the game without mee�ng anyone new.
167
What Changed?
Materials: nothing
In this observa�on game, everyone lines up in two lines facing each
other. A�er everyone is paired up, they are given 30 seconds to
study everything about the person in front of them. Then the
students in one line turn around and close their eyes. Meanwhile,
the students in the other line change something about themselves.
Changes could include taking off their glasses, reversing their shoes
or removing an earring or a barre�e. Once everyone has changed
something, the other kids turn around and try to guess what
changed. Then, switch roles and play again.
168
Animals
Materials: pens and paper
Write four animal names on several pieces of paper, such as a pig,
cow, dog and cat. Be sure you have at least three or four of the same
animal. Fold the pieces of paper and mix them in a bowl. Each
student draws one piece of paper out of the bowl (without le�ng
anyone see what it is). When you say, “Go,” the students crawl
around mimicking the sounds of the animal they picked. The
students cannot talk, but can make animal sounds as they try to
find the other animals just like them. The first group to have all their
animals together wins the game.
169
Paper Plate Heads
Materials: pens and paper plates (or paper)
A great game to put names with faces, this ice breaker is especially
suited for groups of 15 or less. Give each individual a paper plate
and a marker. Allot one minute and instruct every individual to
draw a self-portrait of his/her head onto the paper plate. Once the
minute is up, collect the paper plates, collate into random order,
and have everyone guess who is the subject of each self-portrait.
170
Story of My Life
Materials: paper, markers
You have just been given a contract to write your autobiography for
a major publishing company. Your agent Harry Hard-nose is
anxious to get to press. He has decided to help you get started with
a few probing ques�ons. First, take a piece of flipchart paper and
fold it in half and then in half again to form a book.
Choose the �tle of a popular song for the name of your book. Write
that �tle on the front cover. On the inside of the front cover (page
two), list a table of contents, name of the place where you were
born, descrip�on of your first job and number of years you have
been working for your company. On page three, draw a picture of
your family. On the back cover of the book, draw a picture of what
you plan to do when you re�re.
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Where will you go? Who will you go with? Etc,.
Allow five to ten minutes for setup, and drawing. When all books
are complete, have people tell their story, using the book as a visual
aid. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to debrief in
smaller groups. If possible, leave the books in a central loca�on
during your training to encourage further introduc�ons and
discussions.
172
What's Cooking?
Materials: several small prizes for the winning team, cut recipes
(separate the �tle, ingredients, instruc�ons, etc,.)
Your family (group) just inherited a successful restaurant from Chef
Charlie, a long lost rela�ve. The only problem: Charlie was very
disorganized. The only recipes you have found are on torn strips of
paper. You have to make sense of it all and quickly! The restaurant
is opening tonight, and you have to have the food ready. Each
member of the group will be given part of recipe (an ingredient,
instruc�on, etc,.). Your job is to put yourselves in order as quickly as
possible. Your recipe must make sense. When your group is done,
loudly announce “bon appe�te” to signal the end of the game.
Allow 10 to 12 minutes for the game. Once a team calls “bon
appe�te,” have them introduce themselves and read their recipe in
order.
173
I Remember
Materials: coins, prize
You and the others in your group are about to revisit the past and
take a trip down “Memory Lane.”
First, get a coin. Next, look at the year on the coin. Take a minute to
think about what you were doing when that coin was minted.
Were you in school? Were you a child? Where did you work?
Were you married? Where did you live? What was going on in your
life at that �me? What was the music of the day? Etc,. (If you were
not yet born or prefer not to discuss your life during the year
selected, choose another coin). A�er you have had some �me to
remember where you were, you are ready to play the game. Your
goal is to find someone with a coin that was minted at least two
years before or a�er yours.
174
Ul�mately, your goal is to have the oldest coin in the room. Once
you have found a partner, take three minutes to tell each other
about your moments in �me. When you are finished, each of you
flip your coin. Reveal the results of your toss to your partner. If
they are alike (both are heads or tails) exchange coins. If they differ,
keep your original coin. Repeat the process up to three �mes as
designated by the facilitator.
Allow five minutes for setup. Allow five minutes for each round. At
the end of all rounds, call each year in order and ask each
par�cipant to stand and give his or her name. Award a prize to the
holder of the oldest coin.
175
Six Degrees of Separa�on
Materials: prizes
It happens all of the �me: we meet someone who knows someone
we know. It's a small world, that's for sure. The object of this game
is to see how small the world really is. First, find a partner. Introduce
yourselves and make a list of five to ten things that you have in
common with each other: where you went to school, year you were
born, number of years with the company, food likes, sports likes,
etc,. Once you have completed your first list, you must find
someone else in the room that also has one of those five to ten
things in common with you. When you have found that person,
repeat step one and develop a new list.
Repeat step two. Con�nue un�l you have met five other people
176
or �me is called by the facilitator. A prize will be given to the first
person able to complete the game. When you are done, let the
facilitator know that you have finished.
Storyteller
Materials: pen and paper.
You are about to stretch your storytelling skills with the help of
others in the group designated by the facilitator. You will
incorporate facts about yourself into a story that could just go
anywhere.
First, write down the name of:
something you would see in a store
something you would buy as a gi� for your mother
your favorite sport
your favorite celebrity
177
a crime
your favorite restaurant
a tourist a�rac�on
a profession
the name of someone in the room
The facilitator will begin the story with, “Once upon a �me, I found
the most unusual thing.” The next person is to fill in the next piece
of the story. The object of the game is to incorporate as many of the
items as you can from those listed above. No one can say more than
two sentences at a �me. Turns must be taken in order. To win, you
must incorporate all of your words and then conclude the story.
Everyone must get an opportunity to “write” from their
imagina�on at least twice before the story can end.
178
Race for the Truth
You and the other “runners” in the room are about to embark on a
race for the truth. Your goal is to cross the finish line as quickly as
possible, by truthfully answering ques�ons about yourself, as you
follow the facilitator's direc�ons. (1) Line up on the star�ng line as
directed by the facilitator. (2) In a moment you will hear a
statement. If it is true about you, move forward one step. If it is
false, remain at the finish line. (3) Once all first moves have been
made, the facilitator will make another statement. Again, if it is
true, move forward one step. If it is false, remain on the star�ng
line if you have not yet advanced. If you have advanced past the
star�ng line, take one step back. Repeat step three un�l the first
“runner” completes the race.
179
Candy Confessions
Materials: basket of candy
You have just taken a job as a candy tester in the Candy Confessions
factory. What makes this candy different from other candy is that
each flavor is associated with a fact about you. Your job is to select
and “test” four different candies from a bowl/box that will circulate
among all testers. Choose four candies from the bowl without
looking. In a moment, a key code will be revealed, indica�ng which
truths you should tell. Once the code has been revealed you may
begin your confession.
Key Code (e.g. Kit Kats = Favorite Movie, Favorite Magazine,
Favorite Song, or Favorite Book, Krackle = Favorite Vaca�on Spot,
Place You Would Like To Visit, Place You Would Least Like To Visit,
180
or Worst Vaca�on, Lollipop = Number of Years in Current Posi�on,
Where You Work, What You Do, or Brief Descrip�on of First Job,
Gum Drops = Something About Where You Live, Something About
Where You Grew Up, Something About Your Family, Something
About Your Town/City, Kisses = Wildcard [tell us anything])
That Rhymes
Arrange the group into rows, either horizontally or ver�cally. Give
each leader a piece of paper with an easily-rhymed word wri�en on
the top, such as bat or bee. Upon hearing the word “Go”, the first
person needs to come up with a word that rhymes with the top
word. Once they find a word, he passes the paper onto the next
person, who needs to do the same. This con�nues to the end of the
line. The first group to successfully complete the task wins.
181
Pranks
185
Pranks
� The main aim of these games is to have fun. Be careful to
choose “vic�ms” who can go through the experience without
feeling too bad a�erwards.
Co�on Balls
Materials: two pairs of gloves, many small co�on balls, and
blindfolds.
Pick two volunteers. Have them come and stand at the two ends of
a table (or kneel on the two ends of a low table).
Spread many co�on balls on the table and have each person put on
gloves (be�er if very thick gloves). Tell them they have to sweep all
the co�on balls off their own side of the table: who will have the
least co�on balls on their side of the table wins.
They are then blindfolded. Quietly remove all the co�on balls and
yell “Go!”. The two will wildly sweep an empty table while the rest
of the group keeps urging them on. Watch at their face when, a�er
a minute or so, you stop the game and they realize that they have
being sweeping air, not co�on balls.
186
Mine Field
Materials: many empty or full bo�les
Pick a volunteer. Put the many bo�les (empty and/or full) all
around the room and tell the volunteer that he will have to go,
blindfolded, from one side of the room to the other without
knocking down any of the bo�les (for more effect you can put other
valuable objects like crystal glasses). You will direct him on how to
move. Ask the volunteer to leave the room. While the volunteer is
out of the room, silently remove all the bo�les and then bring him
back, already blindfolded. Start direc�ng him: “Go right,”; “Go le� a
li�le bit,”; “A li�le step forward,”; “Stop!”; “Be very careful!”; “Now
jump”; etc,. Plenty of laughs while the volunteer goes with the
greatest cau�on through the empty floor, and especially at the end,
when he takes off the blindfold and sees the empty room and
everyone laughing!
187
Water Waiter
Materials: a plas�c cup and a chair
The scene is a Govinda's restaurant. One devotee is the customer,
another is the waiter (these two must know the game in advance).
Get a volunteer to be the table. Put the chair near the “table” and
start the play. The customer orders to eat (should act in the funniest
way possible) and then the waiter asks: “Anything to drink?” The
customer says, “Oh, just water”. The waiter brings the cup filled to
the brink and places on the table, right between the vic�m's
shoulder blades. Then everyone goes away, leaving the “table” to
try to take the cup off without spilling the water over him/herself –
it's almost impossible!
188
Sports andother
competitions
Sports and Other Compe��ons
Some of these games are obviously meant to be played in
open areas, gyms, large rooms (where there is nothing breakable)
and other specific environments (Hari-ball, for instance, is played
inside water). As a general recommenda�on, we do advise that the
Bhak�-vrksa groups do something completely different from the
standard weekly mee�ng once in a while. They can have a picnic or
some other form of ou�ng. Some of these games will add fun to
youth groups, retreat, summer camps and other special gatherings.
This selec�on is offered especially with youngsters in mind, but
anyone who is young at heart might also love to get involved!
191
Balloons in the Air
Materials: balloons, one for each player
Give everyone an inflated balloon. The balloons should be in
different colors, or should have iden�fiable marks or names. Every
par�cipant tosses the balloon in the air and tries to keep it off the
floor while simultaneously trying to get everyone else's' balloon to
touch the floor. When a player's balloon touches the floor, he/she is
out for the round. The last person to s�ll have their balloon in the
air wins.
192
Lemonade Makers
Materials: a table, lemons, sugar, paper cups, and water.
Divide the group in two teams having the same number of players.
Put three cups across on both ends of the table (how many rows as
team members). In the first row of cups put a slice of lemon, in the
second row put a teaspoon of sugar and in the third put water.
Make the two teams stand at some distance from the table, behind
a line. At the “Go!”, one player from each team starts: they have to
run to the table, pick up the first cup and eat the lemon. Then they
have to pick up the second cup and pour the sugar into their mouth,
and then they have to pick up the third cup and drink the water.
Then they have to jump up and down three �mes to shake the
lemonade. They must then run back and tag the next person in line.
The first team to complete the opera�on wins.
193
Devas and Asuras Aluminum-ball War
Materials: a roll of aluminum foil, a large room (it can be played
outside).
Divide your group (any size) in two teams: Devas and Asuras. Divide
the room in two territories. Each team has a “flag” they can place
anywhere in their territory, as long as there is direct access for the
other team (not inside cupboards, under beds, etc,.). Each team
can place tables, chairs, or other “defense objects” in their
territory. Supply each team with as many aluminum foil balls as
possible (or with whatever small, harmless balls you can arrange).
The objec�ve is to get the other team's flag to your side without
ge�ng hit by an aluminum foil ball thrown by the other team. On
the “Go!”, it's a firing frenzy. Whoever is hit with a ball must sit out
un�l the next round.
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When, the team members begin to dwindle, raids can be made on
the other team's flag. The first team to capture the other team's
flag scores a point. Everyone re-stocks with aluminum foil balls and
another round can begin. The game can played for as long as you
want. The winner could be the team who first wins 3 rounds, or
whatever you establish.
Survival of the Fi�est
Materials: a chair.
This game is especially for ac�ve youngsters who need to burn off
some extra energy. You can introduce it by saying that it's an
applica�on of the “survival of the fi�est” theory, in which only the
strongest remains. Put a chair in the middle and form a circle
around it, with everyone holding hands. The objec�ve of the game
is to make others touch the chair, by pulling, pushing, etc,.
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The circular link cannot be broken. Whoever touches the chair is
out of the game. If the circle breaks, the two people who broke the
link are both out of the game. The game is over when there is only
one person le�. This game gets very compe��ve and can get a li�le
rough on less aggressive people.
Knock the Pole Down
Materials: a pole or something about a meter long that will stand
up and is not hard to �p over.
Basically the same rules as “Survival of the Fi�est”. Get everyone in
a circle around the pole holding hands. The object is to get
someone else to knock down the central pole. Whoever knocks the
pole down leaves the circle. If the circle breaks the two people who
let go leave the circle. The last remaining person wins.
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No-snow Sled Race
Materials: carpet scraps or cardboard.
No snow? No problem! All you need are some carpet remnants (or
cardboard boxes, or burlap bags, or whatever) to serve as a “sled”
and the smooth floor of a large area. One par�cipant rides the
“sled” while the rest pull and push the sled around the race course
you set up. This works great as a relay with everyone taking a turn
as the rider, and two (or more) teams racing each other. For
hilarious slippage, have the players compete in socks on a �le floor.
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Electric Fence
Materials: rope.
This is a fun game and a teamwork exercise, mainly for outdoors.
Set up an area surrounded by a rope about 120- 150 cen�meters
high. The area could be triangular or square, with sides of
approximately 3-4 meters in length. Trees offer a natural support to
the rope. Divide the group into two teams. Place a team inside and
tell them they have to get out without touching the rope or the
imaginary electric fence from the rope to the ground. (they will
throw people out, so make sure you are not playing on broken
glass, etc,.) You can penalize the team every �me they touch the
rope (say, 10 seconds penaliza�on). The team that gets everyone
out in the shortest �me wins. This game gives you a chance to see
some problem-solving skills in ac�on and how people work
together.
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Moving Circles
Materials: nothing
This is a high-energy game, which requires team-coopera�on.
Divide the group in two or more teams. Fix a star�ng and a finishing
line. In each team the players lock arms in a circle and face outward,
with their backs inward. Stress the need to work together to win.
Teams line up at the star�ng line and at the “Go!” start to speed
walk. The first team to completely cross the finishing line wins.
Varia�on 1: During the race you yell “Turn!” and the team must
rotate clockwise by one player, and allow another person to face
the finishing line. You can say “Turn!” as many �mes as you like,
perhaps so that all players get one chance to face forward.
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Varia�on 2: Each team stands and walks from inside a hula-hoop,
facing the outside of the hoop and holding it with both of their
hands at hip level.
Crossing the River
Materials: newspapers, blindfold.
Place a number of folded newspapers on the floor, with spaces in
between. The newspapers represent rocks across a river, and the
players have to cross without ge�ng their feet “wet”, that is
without stepping outside the “rocks”. One by one, each player
carefully notes the posi�on of the rocks and then, a�er being
blindfolded, starts to cross the river. Whoever gets their feet wet
more than once (or twice, it is up to you to decide how difficult you
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want to make it) is out. Whoever crosses the river in the least �me
wins.
Varia�on: Divide the group into two teams and have each team
lead their blindfolded representa�ve across the river, instruc�ng
him on how far and in which direc�on he should step and so on.
Classic Musical Chairs
Materials: as many chairs as there are players, minus one, music
Set up the chairs in a circle, as many as there are players, minus one.
Start the music and have the players walk or dance around the
chairs. When you stop the music everyone tries to sit down on a
chair. Whoever remains without chair is out. Take one more chair
out, and start the music again. Con�nue like this un�l only one
person is le�: they're the winner.
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Body Part Musical Chairs
Materials: chairs, music
This game uses the same dynamics as in Classic Musical Chairs, but
when you stop the music, you call out a body part. Everyone races
to touch that body part to a chair - only one person per chair.
Whoever doesn't get a chair or is the last to touch their body part to
the chair is out. You can start in a simple way: nose, hair, le� elbow,
etc., and gradually get more complex: bare feet; one foot while
both hands touch the floor; standing on the chair; on one foot;
head and foot and so on.
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Musical Chairs with Balloons
Materials: chairs, balloons, music, shaving cream.
This game is played like Classic Musical Chairs, except that the
players must sit on the balloon on each chair. To add fun: when it's
down to the last two people, you put a balloon half-filled with
shaving cream on the chair, without the players knowing it. The
winner gets a surprise!
Bird on the Perch
Materials: music
Divide the group into pairs. Have each pair decide who the “bird” is
and who the “perch” is. Then form two circles, one inside the other
- the birds on the outside and the perches on the inside.
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Start the music and have one circle turn clockwise and the other
counter-clockwise, so that they are going in opposite direc�ons
When you stop the music, the perches kneel with one knee on the
floor and the birds must find their perches and sit on their leg. In
every round the last couple to pair up is out. The last remaining pair
wins.
Body Change
Materials: as many chairs as there are players, minus one
Line up two rows of chairs facing inward or place them in a circle.
Each chair should have the name of a species of life (it could be
names of animals, plants, demigods, etc,.). One person stands in
the middle and is “Death”, the rest of the players are embodied
beings. Death calls two or more species (Death can have a wri�en
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list of the species) and then says “Body change!”
The people whose species are called run to get to a different seat.
Death also tries to get a seat. Whoever is le� standing becomes the
next Death. People do sit pre�y hard on the chairs, so try to use
sturdy ones. Death can start by calling two species and then make it
more difficult (three, four, five species at a �me or “any species with
wings, etc,.) A�er switching chairs people have to remember what
their new species is (that is what species is wri�en on their chair).
Once in a while Death can yell, “Change of body for everyone!”, and
everyone must get up and try to sit in a different chair.
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Balloon Game
Materials: 4 balloons
Form two teams of equal numbers. Set them in two lines facing
each other, approximately two meters apart. Give two balloons to
each team. The object is to throw the balloons over the heads of
the other team - a goal. The team that scores most goals wins. One
person will be referee and scorekeeper. The referee's decision is
final.
Dodge the Sponge
Materials: sponges, buckets filled with water, various obstacles.
Begin by marking out a star�ng and a finishing line approximately
20 meters apart. Find five or six obstacles that are large enough to
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hide behind (for example tables or wheelbarrows) and place them
about three meters apart in a zigzag pa�ern between the start and
the finish mark. Pick two people to be the “bombers”. Set one
bomber halfway and the other near the finishing line, and give each
of them a bucket full of water and about 10 small sponges. (You
could cut big car sponges into three or four pieces and use those.
You could use water balloons but they are more expensive and hurt
more). The object of the game is for the rest of the players to get
from the start to the finish without ge�ng hit by a wet sponge. The
job of the bombers is to try to hit the runners, but the “halfway
bomber” is only allowed to hit un�l the runner has passed him. The
players will go from obstacle to obstacle and take cover. When a
player is hit he has to start all over again. The winner is whoever
crosses the finishing line most �mes in the given �me (say 5
minutes). At the end, everyone is soaking wet.
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Varia�on: form two teams. Same rules as before, but each team
tries to cross separately, while the bombers are members of the
other team. Each player that crosses the finishing line, without
being hit, scores a point. The team that scores most points wins.
Killing Snakes
Materials: a ball
Sri Prahlada Maharaja says in Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.15: “Even
saintly persons take pleasure in the killing of a scorpion or a snake.”
In this game players take pleasure in “killing snakes”.
Divide the whole group into two or more teams. Form a circle on
the floor (ideally by drawing a line so that the boundary is clear).
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The first team goes into the center of the circle and forms a line (the
snake) by a�aching their hands to the waist of the person in front of
them The rest of the group posi�on themselves around the circle
remaining behind the line. They will throw the ball trying to hit the
last person forming the snake, but only below the waist, on the legs
(so that he/she can jump and try to avoid being hit). Once hit, the
person is out. The players around the circle con�nue to try to hit the
new person at the end of the snake un�l the last person le� (the
head of the snake) is also hit and the snake is killed. A new team
then goes into the middle. The snake (team) that lasts the longest
wins.
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Newspaper Hockey
Materials: newspapers, li�le ball and large room.
Fold or roll the newspapers and use them as hockey s�cks (put
some s�cky tape around to make them more solid). As a puck, you
can use a ping-pong ball, or a golf ball or similar ball. Set up the two
goals (two iden�cal tables or some other crea�ve goals). Divide the
group into two teams and have them play hockey. Only the goalies
can touch the puck with anything other than the newspaper hockey
s�ck. The team who scores most goals wins.
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Four Squares
Materials: various balls, an empty room
Divide your group up into four teams and divide the room into four
areas (there should be no or almost no furniture). Throw the balls
to the team members (10-15 or more, they could be tennis balls,
basketballs, ping-pong balls, or any other type-they don't need to
be all of the same type or size) and tell them to hit or throw the balls
into the squares of the other teams. Play for 2 or 3 minutes (upbeat
music helps in crea�ng the mood) and stop when you blow the final
whistle (or stop the music, or hit the gong, or whatever other
ending signal you use). The team with the least amount of balls in
their area wins. Balls hit a�er the end signal go back to the team
that hit them in extra-�me.
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Varia�on: a li�le less energe�c version. Tell all teams to sit in their
assigned area. They should try to cover as much space as possible.
They can hit the balls with only their hands and head. They must
remain seated during the game and not get up (that's why they
must try to cover as much ground as possible).
Snatching the Tail
Materials: a piece of cloth (scarf, handkerchief, or something)
Divide the group into two teams and have each team form a chain:
each team-member holds the waist of the person in front with both
hands. Put a piece of cloth or a handkerchief in the back pocket (or
s�cking somehow out of the waist) of the last person of each team.
That's the “tail” of the team. The front person of each team should
try to get the “tail” of the other team. The first team to snatch the
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other's tail, wins. You can play several rounds with the teams having
to score, say three points, for winning or playing with a �me limit.
Vimana Ba�le
Materials: scrap paper or newspapers
Make lots of paper airplanes ('vimana' is the Sanskrit name for
'flying machine'). Make two teams and divide the room in half. The
taller the divider, the be�er. A couch works but a rolling chalkboard
would be be�er. Put a team on each side. Put half of the paper
vimanas on each side. Explain that each person can throw only one
plane at a �me (this is the most important rule) and everyone must
stop when you say “stop” (or you stop the music or blow a whistle
or whatever ending signal you use). At the “Go!”, players throw the
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Vimanas over the divider as fast as they can. Vimanas start flying in
both direc�ons. Let them go for about 3 minutes. Give them a ten
second warning before the end. Count how many vimanas are on
each side of the divider. The team with the least number on its side
wins.
Varia�on: Use a big bag of socks instead of the paper vimanas.
Collec�ve Ski Race
Materials: wood and rope
Prepare four skis (60cm X 120cm or larger) with ropes at each end
(drill one hole at both ends of each ski pass the rope through and
knot it). Have each team stand on a set of skis (put as many people
on as possible) and have them race (30 meters or more). A good
problem solving exercise they have to yell “Le�, right, le�, right.”
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as they go, but don't tell them. The team that crosses the finishing
line first wins.
Mummy Race
Materials: bed sheets or dho�s (of same length, one for each
team).
You can play this relay race with two or more teams. Establish a
star�ng and the finishing line. The first person in each team wraps
up in the bed sheet by laying down and rolling up into the sheet
(must have arms inside of sheet), then stands up (can get help from
team members to stand up) and runs – or rather hops – towards the
finishing line. Instead of a finishing line you could have a pole and
have mummies go around it before coming back (the “advantage”
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of having to go around a pole is that the hopping mummies could
bump into each other). The player arrives back and unrolls.
Another team member rolls up in the sheet (or dho�) and rushes to
the other side. First team to complete the race wins.
Varia�on: Have each team divide in two parts, each part will stand
on one side of the racetrack and as soon as the mummy crosses the
finishing line, one partner wraps up.
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Rakshasa
Materials: flashlight ba�eries
This is a special game to play on a dark night in a house with all the
lights turned off. Take the different pieces of a flashlight and hide
them on surfaces throughout the house (not inside drawers or
cupboards). One person is chosen to be the rakshasa. The players
the rakshasa touches, “die”. The rakshasa wins if all the other
players are dead simultaneously. The others win if they can find all
the pieces of the flashlight assemble it and shine the light in the
eyes of the rakshasa. The rakshasa is not allowed to touch any of
the pieces of the flashlight. When the rakshasa touches someone,
the touched player screams very loud and dies (lies down on the
floor). The scream lets everyone else know where the rakshasa and
the dead are. You can have the rule that if another player touches
the dead person the dead player comes back to life.
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Water Balloon Volleyball
Materials: water balloons, 2 bed sheets (or blankets), volleyball net
(or something similar)
This game gets teams to work closely together. Fill a few balloons
with water. Form two teams and give each a sheet. Tell them to
spread it out. Everyone in the team should par�cipate in holding it.
The object of the game is to volley the water balloons back and
forth from one team to the other using the sheet to catch and
launch the balloon to the other side of the net. If the balloon falls on
the floor (within boundaries), the team that launched it gets a
point.
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Living Net
Materials: a volleyball (or similar ball)
Play this game with the same rules as volleyball, but with three
teams. Two teams play against one another while the third acts as
the net. The net can take one step in any direc�on (only one step) to
grab or hit the ball. The net can change direc�on of play at any �me.
You can have each of the three teams be the net once, and at the
end calculate which team made most points (while playing as a
normal team).
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Assist Lord Caitanya to Capture Them All!
Materials: nothing
This energizer needs a large room or a wide, open space. You can
introduce this game with this quota�on from Sri Caitanya
Caritamrita, Adi Lila 7.31-32 Transla�on: “Seeing that the
Mayavadis and others were fleeing, Lord Caitanya thought: I
wanted everyone to be immersed in this inunda�on of love of
Godhead, but some of them have escaped. Therefore I shall devise a
trick to drown them also.” From the purport: “Here is an important
point. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to invent a way to
capture the Mayavadis and others who did not take interest in the
Krishna consciousness movement... it is He who proposed to invent
a way to capture those who strayed from Krishna consciousness.”
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One volunteer will represent Lord Caitanya trying to catch all the
condi�oned souls who are trying to stay away from Krishna
Consciousness. When he/she tags someone (simply touching the
person) they lock arms and jointly a�empt to tag someone else.
Whoever is tagged, locks arms with them and they con�nue to try
to catch the remaining players. The game is over when the last
person is captured. In the open you should set boundaries to keep
people from roaming too far.
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Hari-ball
Material: a volleyball (or similar ball), a body of water (river, lake,
sea or swimming pool) and strips of clothes (long enough to be �ed
around the head).
Form two teams (you can give colorful names to the teams). Have
each team �e a different color around their head (or just one �es
the cloth and the other stays without) keeping it visible on the
forehead. The idea is to pass the ball among team members, each
�me calling a name of Lord, trying to complete the Panca-Ta�va
and Hare Krishna maha-mantra, while the other team tries to
intercept and capture the ball. When a team captures the ball they
have to begin the mantras anew. The team that can “chant” the
whole two mantras scores a point. When a group makes a mistake
in the sequence of the name of the mantras, the possession of the
ball passes to the other team.
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