201 Icebreakers Pb (Paperback)

by Edie West (Author) "This activity uses light competition as participants name words that reinforce content..." (more)
Key Phrases: physical energizer, organize participants, mental energizer, Instructions Variations Tips, Tips Notes, Instructions Variation Tips (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Designed specifically for trainers, speakers, and group facilitators, this 400-page cookbook of playful group mixers helps to "break the ice" among participants at the beginning of any meeting, or to recharge participants on the brink of boredom. Complete with guidelines, these simple activities-like games, energizers, brain-teasers, and quizzes-require little or no preparation time, and most can be completed in less than 5 minutes. Also included are props and hand-outs that can be photocopied for the entire group to enjoy.

From the Back Cover
The largest collection of icebreakers ever published! Re-energize trainees or workshop participants on the brink of boredom; Introduce strangers to each other in interesting, involving ways; Stimulate positive interaction and creative thinking among group members and teams; Generate interest and excitement about the subject of a meeting or the topic of a speech; Improve communication and build trust; Boost problem-solving skills in an atmosphere of relaxation and fun. .And much more!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070696004
• ISBN-13: 978-0070696006
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,898 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

123 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Residence Life staff, July 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 201 Icebreakers: Group Mixers, Warm-Ups, Energizers, and Playful Activities (Ring-bound)

There are few books on icebreakers/teambuilders that I've found to be useful with college students ( I work in Student Affairs). This book, however, offered many activities that were useful not only for just 'breaking the ice' but also for applying them to the many educational workshops we do in this field. There was also a very helpful section called "Icebreakers for the Non-Icebreaker types" that was both interesting and practical. Because I work with such a diverse range of students, I struggle to find icebreakers that are not geared solely to the extroverted-types. This collection gives a number of activities that are beneficial to teambuilding while respecting the different learning/interaction styles we see in our students. Out of the 201 offered in the book, I have found at least 180 of them that I will use as integral parts of the next staff training. This book also offers activities for groups ranging from 8 participants (good for small staffs) to 400 participants (good for all-hall activities)!

104 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, June 29, 2000

By	Michelle Harvey (Toledo, Ohio) - See all my reviews

It was disappointing to find so few ideas for a group of 100 business people who don't know each other. Most of the activities are far too personal for such a group, involving sharing personal information or touching. In addition, many of the activities have no "closure": they simply end, leaving us to wonder, what was the purpose of THAT? Many of the activities would be fine for very informal gatherings where being silly (marching in a parade, charades, making a human octopus) and getting personal are appropriate. But business people--even my lighthearted group--expect some degree of professionalism and purpose associated with such activities.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some good ideas, but a little too much prep required for many, August 12, 2008

By	B. Miller "Small business owner" (Ogunquit, ME) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book had several good, usable activities. Like all books of this type, you just have to weed through a few to get to one that will work for your particular group. I really like the grid at the beginning of the book that matches activities to intended purposes. The only complaint I had was that many of the activities required quite a bit of prep work up front--particularly in the form of photocopying handouts.

By the way, if you don't want to pay the hefty price tag, get "Quick Meeting Openers for Busy Managers." It's also pretty good (and no photocopying prep work!).

Both of these books are 100 times better than "the big book of icebreakers"! That one had very few worthwhile activities.