Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting, Zero-Prep Team Builders for All Ages »

Susan Ragsdale is a leadership development trainer and Developmental Assets® specialist for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. She has worked with the YMCA of the USA, Character Counts!, and United Way on a variety of projects to help equip adults to work with youth. Ann Saylor is the cofounder of the Center for Asset Development. She has worked with the Points of Light Foundation, the Tennessee Commission on National and Community Service, and Safe & Drug Free Schools. They both live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Whether it’s the kick-off of an event, a 20-minute gap between functions, or an all-day or multiday retreat, this sourcebook suggests a wide array of solutions for keeping young people upbeat, engaged, and unified. Offering icebreakers, “straight-up” games, and reflection activities, the book provides instructions for staging meaningful, fun interactions that encourage participants to think. Games are organized in sections identifying various stages of group-building, ranging from establishing foundational relationships and building upon them to transitions and celebrations. Among the games included are: Change Over—turn a tarp completely over while always remaining on the tarp; Common Ground—Which team has the most in common?; and You’re a Star—team members guess whose celebrity name is on their backs. Details on timing and supplies are also featured for each activity.