Hand Shake Mingle

Subgroup Size

Entire group

Duration

30 minutes

External Cost

No

Source

Stanchfield, J. (2018, Dec. 4). Re-purposing icebreakers for reflection and review. Experiential tools. https://blog.experientialtools.com/2018/12/04/re-purposing-icebreakers-for-reflection-and-review/?mc_cid=d11ea5d7e0&mc_eid=d3a06fccb0

 

Jennifer Stanchfield originally learned this activity as a community building exercise from Aimee Desrosier Cochran. It can also be found in the following:

Stanchfield, J. (2016). Tips & tools for the art of experiential group facilitation (2nd edition). Experiential Tools. https://experientialtools.com/collections/my-books/products/tips-and-tools-the-art-of-experiential-group-facilitation

The facilitator may choose to incorporate "getting to know you" or reflections questions into the activity.

A note from the activity author:

"Be thoughtful and observant and use handshakes that are appropriate, taking into consideration space, physical abilities, setting, cultural norms, and the background of your group. Some of my favorite handshakes are 'fishing' partners (one is the fisher with reel/rod and the other the fish) and 'ankle shake' partners. BUT, I am very careful about when to introduce sillier handshakes, if at all."