Playing With a Full Deck

Tonight my friend and colleague, Ken Bellemare, introduced me to the wonders of playing cards used with a group. He gave everyone a playing card when they came into the room. Then he started his icebreaker.

It was simple really. First he asked everyone to join up by their number, all sixes together, all two's together and so on. We had nice little groups of four and we all introduced ourselves to each other.

Then he had us organize by suit, all diamonds together, all spades together and so on, and had us start a new quick discussion.

Last we divided into red and black on opposite sides of the room to go forward for a new activity.

These playing cards were wonderful and were used a few more times in the evening. On each card Ken had stuck a small sticky label with the date of the next event on it.

So versatile and so simple. There are many more ways to use cards with a group, but as an icebreaker, they are inexpensive, fun and get people moving.

Try it.