Overview
In this activity, participants work together to send a message using their feet.
Resources:
- No resources needed.
Space Required: Can be indoors or outdoors.
Group Size: Â Small to large, but it is better to have groups no larger than 30.
Total Time: 20 minutes
- 5 minutes for the introduction and card dispersal
- 10 minutes for the activity
- 5 minutes to review and debrief
Prerequisite: None
Set Up
- Participants should stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a circle.
Running the Activity
- Have participants stand near shoulder-to-shoulder in a circle with their feet shoulder width apart – facilitator included.
- Then, instead of having their two feet next to each consecutively, have them step to the right with their right foot. It should rest inbetween the two feet of the person on their right.
- For comfort, some participants may want to step infront of, or behind, the person on their right. They may also want to put a hand on the shoulders of the participant next to them for stability.
- Now, all participants should have two other feet between theirs – one from the person on the left and one from the person on the right.
- Tell the participants that you want to send a message around the group IN THE ORDER OF THE FEET AS THEY APPEAR IN THE CIRCLE!
- They will send the message by stomping the feet in the order as they appear.
- As the facilitator, you start the message by stomping your foot. Â You can go in either direction (left or right).
- Going to the right…you pick up your left foot slightly and stomp. The next foot to stomp should be the one directly to the right of yours. Remember to stomp in the order of the feet, not the people.
- It helps greatly if you look at your feet while doing the activity. If the activity stalls, restart it at the beginning.
- Once you have gone in one direction, try it in the other direction. Or you can try it for a better time.
Suggested Learning Outcomes
- Energizer
- Collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Communication
Activity Guidance and Notes
While this activity requires no movement other than stomping your foot, it can be tiring. Have participants put a hand on the shoulder of the next person to create stability. Also, if you are not done with the activity but participants look uncomfortable, take a break and have them walk around for a minute. Then resume the activity. If they struggle to stomp in the order of the feet, have them stare at their feet, count or tap the shoulder of the person whose turn it is next. This should be a fun energizer, not a frustrating experience.
Review
Suggested questions to ask:
- What did it take to be successful?
- How did you react to it being your turn?
- Did you have difficulty recognizing your own foot? And why?
- What types of communication helped ensure that the group would be successful?
- Did you consider changing where you were in the circle to be more comfortable?
- How important is self-care?
- How did it feel when the group was successful?
