• Number of participants: 10-50
• Age level: elementary school - adult
• Source: Traditional "ice-breaker" game
• Uses: Introduce people to each other for the first time, get to know each other on a deeper level, explore unity and diversity within the group

This is a game that can be adapted to any age, any group, and any topic; I have used it with elementary school students and with executives.

Everyone sits in chairs in a circle. One person stands in the center (there is no chair for the middle person). The middle person says something that is true about herself, for example, "I have blue eyes." Everyone in the circle who has blue eyes then must stand up and find an empty chair. The one person who is without a seat is now the middle person, who must say something true about himself: "I have a cat." All cat owners then stand up and try to find a new chair.

The longer you let the game go, the more interesting it becomes. The initial statements will likely be silly and shallow, but after several minutes, people have to start thinking harder about what to say. After a time, the facilitator can also direct the group to focus on a specific topic. For example, if the group is examining the topic of "communication," participants can be instructed to say things like, "I told a lie this week," "I call my mother every day," and "I'm afraid of speaking in public."

This game is particularly useful with teens when you are dealing with sensitive issues such as peer pressure, sex, substance use, and bullying. Participants are always surprised at who stands up to claim the statements as their own, and a sense of solidarity is quickly established.