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Group Division Games

When it is not a question of the group getting to know each other, but when games in which different persons or groups play together, it is important that a fair division of the group occurs. The same clicks are built quickly – the strong against the weak, the big ones against the little ones, the regulars against the new members. Because of this, much is lost in the joy of play, fairness and community of the group. The following games will give a few ideas, perhaps how groups can be formed.

Thread Pull

The game leader holds a bundle of strings in his hand. Each player chooses a string and holds the end of it. The leader lets go of the bundle. The players who are holding the same string, will be a team for the next game. If groups with numerous teams are needed, then this game can be repeated as necessary.
Animal Sounds

Every player receives a card with a symbol (animal, family member) and doesn’t look at it. At the signal, everyone looks at their cards and then using only the sounds, must find his (animal)-family. Animals are only allowed to make the sound of his animal.
Chair Contest

Set up in the meeting room a number of sturdy chairs to match the number of groups you wish to have. All players walk about the room to music. When the music stops, the leader calls out how many players are to get on a chair and the players stand on the chairs, forming the required number for the group. All players on the same chair make up one team. (Usually, 5 to 7 people can find a spot on a sturdy chair.)

Atomic Groups

Instead of using chairs, the players gather together to form the required groups. For example: a group of 5 players makes a 5-group as fast as possible in one area of the room.

Variation: each group hides under a blanket.
Great friendships

In this game, two names always belong together. Both names from the couples are put into a hat. There are enough names in the hat so that everyone in the group has a name. Each group member now pulls a name from the hat and must find his partner. As soon as the couples have found each other, they are together in a team for the following game.
- Tom & Jerry
- Jesus & John
- Snoopy & Charlie
- Stan & Olli
- Laurel & Hardy
- Shaggy & Scooby Doo
- Batman & Robin
- Fred & Barney
- Luke Skywalker & Hans Solo
- Barnum & Bailey
- Calvin & Hobbes
- Asterix & Obelix
- Bert & Ernie
- Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson
- Kirk & Spock
- Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn
- Bonnie & Clyde
- Pippi Longstocking & Mr.Nielson
- Jim Knopf & Wilde 13
- Bud Spencer & Terence Hill
- Winnetou & Old Shatterhand
- Kermit & Miss Piggy
- Etc.
Opposites

The group should split into pairs of opposites. For example: boy-girl, blond hair-dark hair or little-large.
Similarities

The group should split into pairs with something in common. For example: Boy-boy, blond hair, same initial, same size or the same length hair.
In order

The group orders themselves according to size, age or initials in alphabetical order. Every second person is chosen for the first group.
Puzzle

A picture is cut into 2 (or several) pieces. The matching pieces form pairs (or a group).
Pulling numbers

The pairs are put together by pulling numbers.
Homogeneity

During a theme evening it can make sense to ask the group members about their opinions on a certain theme. Everyone looks for a corner or stands on a grade line according to the level of “agreement”, “partial agreement” or “completely disagreed”. The groups are made using this system to split the team into two/three.
Giants, elves and magicians

In this decision game, the aim is to decide who will be in group A and group B. Two players play against each other. The winner is in group A and the loser in group B. If several groups should be chosen, several rounds are possible.

Presentation:
Giants stand on their tip toes, the elves makes themselves as small as possible and the magicians bend over and spread their arms out.

Judging:
The giants beat the elves with their strength, magicians beat giants with their magic spells and the elves beat magicians with their slyness.
Scissors, paper, stone

Presentation:
The scissors are represented with the index finger and middle finger in a “V”, the stone is represented by a fist and paper is shown with a flat hand.

Judging:
The scissors beat the paper, the stone beats the scissors and the paper beats the stone.
Lions, hunters, mothers-in-law

Presentation:
The lions roar loudly, the mothers-in-law flap wildly with their arms, the hunters load their weapons.

Judging:
The lions beat the mothers-in-law, the hunters beat the lions and the mothers-in-law beat the hunters.