Training games represent an important part of a trainer’s toolkit that allows the trainer to foster communication, enhance interaction, creativity and learning, and energize group formation.

Energizer Games are best used at the start of the session and should take no more than 5 - 15 minutes depending on the size of the group.

Musical Chairs

Objectives
To increase energy levels within the group.

Method
Place all the participant chairs in a line in the middle of the room and ask the group to sit on the chairs.

Use a radio or create a beat using hand claps. Ask the group to stand and when the music is played to walk around the chairs. When the music stops they have to sit on a chair nearest to them.

Gradually remove the chairs one at a time until all group members have to somehow sit on the same chair!


Chain Message

Objectives
To increase energy levels within the group.

Method
Ask the group to stand in a line.

The person at the back of the line is given the first line of a story (e.g., Seven tall men walked into a bar) and asked to whisper the line to the person in front of them. The next person has to add a second line and whisper both lines to the person in front of them. This sequence continues with each additional participant adding another line until each reaches the front of the line where this person is asked to tell the story.

You can add a variation to this story where the group also has to tell the story backwards by going back down the line again.


Ice-Cream Islands

Objectives
To increase energy levels within the group.

Method
Place four large cushions in the centre of the room with a small gap between each pillow (You can use other items to represent the four places if you don’t have pillows).

Tell the participants that these are Islands called - Spring, Summer, Fall, & Winter. Indicate which island is which. Also let participants know that these islands are safe but that the water around them are shark infested and that they once they are on the island they cannot place any part of their body in the water for fear of their life!

Now in quick succession tell the participants:

- ‘All those who like ice-cream go to Spring Island’
- ‘All those who like vanilla ice-cream go to Fall Island’
- ‘All those who prefer chocolate ice-cream go to Summer Island’
- ‘All those who don’t like ice-cream go to Winter Island’

Stand back and watch the scramble.