A short activity that works to improve your group teamwork and cooperation through some mild physical activity.
Materials
- No materials are needed for this activity.
Framing
In program, we spend a lot of time together, getting to know each other, and working together, but sometimes we just don’t agree and that can make things challenging. Let’s challenge the way we work together.
Instructions
- Have the group line up in single file and place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them.
- When you yell “Go!” the person at the front of the line, the head, will try to catch the person at the end of the line, the tail, without breaking the line.
- The line comes apart, stop and restart the activity.
- Rotate the group from front to back or back to front for each new activity round.
- Play as long you like.
Modify
- Divide your group and form two snakes. Have one snake try to catch the tail of the other snake.
Safety
- When catching the tail of the snake, reinforce safe touching such as shoulder taps and discourage aggressive or invasive touching like pushing.
- There can be some ambiguity about whether the snake line has broken. Remember, that as the facilitator, you have the final say as whether rules were broken or not. Be sure to enforce your authority to minimize any group disagreements.
Wrap-up
After ending the activity, reconvene for a brief reflection by posing to them some questions like:
- Was is easy or difficult to catch the tail? Why or why not?
- Was is easy or difficult to stay away from the head? Why or why not?
- Was is easy or difficult to keep your place in the snake? Why or why not?
- Could you work together? Did you help the head catch the tail or the tail stay away from the head?
Submitted by Somerset West community Health Centre.