Activities

Virtual Team Building Events

Activity Description

Clap Clap Circle Clap Game

Clap Clap is an interesting group activity that highlights and illustrates the benefits of collaboration and synergy. You will be amazed by what outcomes can be achieved from this simple group ice-breaker. 

Benefits of Clap Clap Circle Clap

  • Aids in precision & goal-setting
  • Promotes collaboration
  • Encourages creativity
  • Improves communication
  • No props

How to Play Narrative Clap Clap Circle Clap

Have the group form a circle and let them all clap their hands simultaneously, causing a commotion like one loud clapping noise.

Here is the problem, no one is allowed to clap both of their own hands together, which means that everyone needs to clap one of their hands with the hand of the person next to them. This will take a bit of practice, but with problem-solving, they will soon overcome the difficulty.

If the group needs a helping hand, suggest that they start at one point. This means that everyone in the circle must put their left hand with the palm face up in the direction of their neighbour to the left. Then have them place their right hand with the palm facing down, which will be over the left palm of their neighbour to the right. After everybody is ready, it is only timing that counts.  The aim is to get everyone to clap at the same time.

To make the activity more interesting, allow the group to work out the process on their own, and you will be surprised to see how many different positions they come up with.

Once the group is ready start counting “1, 2, 3”,  you will have one loud outburst of clapping, or maybe not.

Give the group as much time as they need to discuss the activity, work out a plan and solve the problem. Otherwise, give the group a certain number of attempts in order to come up with one single loud clapping noise. 

Once the group is successful, form a discussion group, and focus on team building, objectives and cooperation. 

Contextual Framing Ideas for Clap Clap Circle Clap

It seems ridiculous and impossible to make a clapping sound by using only one hand. Give it a try, clap with one hand in front of you. This is precisely what you will be required to do in this activity, make a clapping sound but using only one hand.  

Many have tried, and it is proven to be a very tricky task to get a group of people to achieve a single act concurrently. In other words, getting everyone to act as if it were done by one person. However, this is not impossible, as we have all seen a group of dancers or circus performers working together in unison. This activity requires that same accuracy but without the dancing and action.        

Step-by-Step Instructions to facilitate Clap Clap Circle Clap

  • Get the group to form a circle
  • Let them understand, they need to work together to produce one synchronized clapping noise.
  • Nobody is allowed to use their own hands to clap but must work together with their neighbour’s hands to produce the clapping sound.
  • Give them time to work out a plan or solve the problem, or else reduce the number of efforts.  

Facilitators and Leaders Tips

A good idea for the group is to do a warm-up effort beforehand in order to prepare them for the main activity. You can do this by starting at one point in the circle and getting one person to clap their hands, have their neighbour follow and so on around the circle. You should try to encourage the group to speed up the process by getting the clapping to follow immediately after the first clap. Allow this to carry on a number of times until the group attempts the world speed record.   

The group can form a circle for the activity, but any other shape will work out just as well. They may even start in the form of a circle and as the game progresses, they can move into a different shape.  

Sometimes, it can be very difficult to gauge if the group has got it right, clapping as one. The best way to determine the success of the group is to watch their faces, invariably the look of satisfaction or excitement will tell you if they have been successful or not.  

Debriefing and Reflection Strategies

Here are a few questions to ask the group, which will help them to process their experience of the game “Clap Clap Circle Clap”.

  • How difficult was it to produce one synchronized clap as a group?
  • Did you encounter any challenges? What did you do to solve the problem?
  • How important was it to get everyone to obey the identical instructions?
  • What lesson did the group learn from this activity, in order to cooperate more effectively?  

Variations of Clap Clap Circle Clap

  • One Clap: Get everyone in the group to produce one synchronized clap by using both of their hands.
  • Claps in a Row: If the group masters the one clap, then have them attempt two or more claps one after the other e.g. Clap, Clap, and Clap.
  • Circle Jump: Get the group to jump instead of clapping, then upon landing, produce one simultaneous loud noise.

Clap Clap Group Team Building Activity

Basic Details
Property Type : Team Building
Listing Type : Placeholder
Activity Type : Team Building
Focus On : Communication, Collaboration, Having Fun, Leadership
Outcome Based : Yes
Facilities : Indoor, Outdoor
Props Required : None
Duration : 6 - 15 minutes
Exertion Level : Low
Group Size : 1 - 8, 9 - 16, 17 - 30, 31+
Age : Children, Youth, Adults