Activities

Virtual Team Building Events

Activity Description

You First Group Ice Breaker Activity

You first is a fun and engaging creative activity that becomes an interesting people dynamic intervention. As the activity goes on the test of compromise becomes more tangible.  

Benefits of You First Drawing Activity

  • Collaboration
  • Encourages creativity
  • Perfect for partners
  • Simple props

Props required

  • Pens
  • Paper

This exercise is a very simple one and produces some amazing results. Some participants may be hesitant at first, but once committed, find the activity becoming quite fun.

Larger groups can be divided into smaller groups of 2 or 3 people maximum, any more and the exercise becomes difficult and will lose some of its enjoyment. Once you have your groups, hand out a sheet of paper and a pen to each group. Make sure each group has a table or hard surface, such as a clipboard to lean on.

Get everyone’s attention and inform them of their task, they must create a work of art together. As mentioned, some may feel hesitant because they don’t consider themselves very good at anything artistic, or they might feel that it is a private task and feel awkward if others are watching. Acknowledge their fears, but continue with the exercise, explaining how easy it really is.

To begin, ask one participant in the group to start. Tell them to draw a line, shape or some type of object onto the paper. This should be done very quickly, only a few seconds, whatever they draw doesn’t need to be anything specific. Then, have the second person in the group draw a shape or line on the paper. Follow with the third person, if there is one, who must do the same. Each added drawing can complement or add to the overall picture.

Once everybody in the group has had a turn, start from the first person again and repeat. Everybody in the group will be adding something more to the picture, remember when it is your turn to add to the drawing, it must be done quickly. Let the group know that in the beginning, the image that starts to form may not look like much, but they must press on.

Inform groups that they should go with the flow, they should not try and control the end result. Improvise and a let the creative juices flow, the end result will amaze. The aim of the exercise is to get the groups to work together and produce an art piece that everyone is happy with.

When everyone has finished their drawings, you can have those who wish to, share their masterpieces. This exercise can be quite an experience for some, so make sure to have some reflection strategies and questions ready, which will help them to process what happened during the exercise.

Contextual Ideas of You First Drawing Activity

When you think of all the famous artists that ever lived, they were only a tiny fraction amongst the entire population. Every single one of us has some form of creativity within us, we should embrace this part of ourselves and stop feeling we’re not good enough. To bring your creative side out, let’s do an exercise called, Collaborative Drawing.

When you think of art, you think of a single person painting or creating, and this is generally what happens. But what if we combine ideas and together create a unique piece of art? The following exercise will be a collaboration between two or three individuals. When you consider working together, what are your thoughts on collaboration? Are there any challenges to overcome? What has influenced your knowledge of collaboration? Think about your answers to these questions during this exercise.

 One of the main aspects of collaboration is choosing to let go. When getting together with others, there are plenty of thoughts, ideas and opinions. In many instances, everyone feels their ideas are best and may find it difficult to listen and understand others. Collaborative Drawing aims to put a spotlight on collaboration, how you should sometimes let go and trust others. The activity teaches you how to be open to an outcome without controlling the entire process.

Are you ready to have some fun and live in the moment? Be prepared to create something unique with others, let me explain how it works.

Step-by-Step Instructions for facilitating You First Drawing Activity

  • Have groups form into pairs
  • Hand out a sheet of paper to each pair along with some pens
  • Direct one of the pair to start drawing a shape or line onto the paper, this must be done quickly.
  • Instruct the partner to also draw the same, add to the drawing
  • The pair must carry on like this for at least several minutes.
  • Inform the pair to relax and not control what happens next. The outcome should be spontaneous.
  • When everybody is finished, let those who want to, share their works of art.
  • Follow up with some questions and reflections

Facilitator and Leaders Tips

When starting out with the activity, encourage the participants to draw as quickly as possible without thinking about it too much. On occasion, a demonstration is a good idea, as this helps participants better understand what to do. There are also sometimes video tutorials, which can show everyone what to expect. These methods communicate more clearly what is expected, sometimes explaining is not enough.

To create more of a creative atmosphere, think about adding some music to the background. Explain that trying to manipulate or influence the outcome of the exercise defeats its purpose. Allow the process to flow without too much thought into the outcome.

This exercise is a creative way to fill up some time, during a team building event or even if you are in a waiting room. This is something you can do to pass the time and get rid of any boredom that might be slipping in.

There is a method known as the ‘Exquisite Corpse’, which you can have a look at. This method is also a collaborative drawing exercise, with a collection of words or images coming together. The exercise can be seen as more of a Surrealist Drawing Game, which interestingly enough, may have been enjoyed by Salvador Dali.

Debriefing and Reflection Strategies

Here are a few questions to ask a group, which will help them to process their experience of the exercise ‘Collaborative Drawing’.

  • What were your thoughts when you were told what the exercise entailed?
  • How did you feel and what thoughts did you have while you were drawing?
  • Do you think your awareness and experience changed while you were drawing? Explain.
  • Did you feel the need to control the outcome or did you just go with the flow?
  • What stood out for you in this experience?
  • Were you amazed at the results you and your partner created together? Why?
  • Do you think there is a lesson about collaboration and trust to be learned from this activity?
  • When it comes to trusting others or collaborating with anybody, do you find it easy or difficult? Explain?

Popular Variations of You first Drawing Activity 

  • Different media: Instead of just using pens include coloured pencils and crayons, maybe even some paint and brushes. You could also use larger pieces of flip chart paper or smaller cards.
  • Time Limit: Allow each person to only have a few seconds to draw something. This helps to prevent over thinking things.
  • Single styles: Allow only one style of drawing, for example, draw only wavy lines or only straight lines.
  • Add colour: After drawing, have groups colour their images in one turn at a time.
  • Larger Group Circle: Have everyone sit in a circle, preferably by tables, invite the first player to draw something on a sheet of paper for several seconds. Then pass the paper to the next player on the left, continue until the paper returns to the first player.
  • Let’s not forget about the game of Pictionary, which is also a fun game to play in groups.

You First Activity

Basic Details
Property Type : Ice Breakers
Listing Type : Placeholder
Activity Type : Ice Breakers
Focus On : Build Trust, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Having Fun
Outcome Based : Yes
Facilities : Indoor, Outdoor
Props Required : Minor
Duration : 6 - 15 minutes
Exertion Level : Low
Group Size : 1 - 8, 9 - 16, 17 - 30, 31+
Age : Children, Youth, Adults