5 x Instant Energy Boosters for Large Groups

1. The Clapping Game

This simple group energiser never fails to get people laughing.

Here’s how it works:

• Stand in front of your group and make sure everyone can see both of your hands.
• Their one job? Clap loudly whenever your hands cross in front of each other.
• Vary the direction, height, and speed of your hands – overhead, under your leg, near your chest.
• Occasionally fake them out with a near miss – your hands almost cross, but don’t.

That last bit always triggers laughter and light-hearted groans – because it’s unexpected and delightful.

2. Gotcha

This quick energiser is full of laughs and surprises:

• Everyone holds out one flat hand (e.g. right hand) in front of them.
• Then, using their other hand, place an index finger into the palm of a partner’s flat hand.
• When you say “GO”, the goal is to catch the finger in your palm while also trying to avoid being caught.

This game has loads of variations—switch hands, create larger circles, or crisscross arms for an extra challenge.

3. Kram Dralloc

This energiser has one goal – get people laughing at their own names.

• Everyone says their name backwards. For example, Peter becomes RETEP, Mark becomes KRAM.
• Add a twist by asking: “Where in the world would that name come from?”

So “Cram Dralloc” might sound like a Viking warrior from Denmark.

It’s all about sparking creativity and connection, with zero right or wrong answers.

4. Ice-breaker Question Exchange

A brilliant way to spark energy and meaningful conversation:

• Ask your group to pair up or gather in small groups.
• Fire off interesting, thoughtful questions they can discuss quickly, such as:
  – What’s stuck to your fridge door at home?
  – Where in the world would you describe as paradise?

Skip the clichés. Aim for questions that reveal stories, not just one-word answers.

You can download dozens of awesome no-cringe questions from the Resources tab of the activity (just click the link above.) Or, if you want to get fancy, purchase a set of We Connect Cards to access 60 great icebreaking questions.

5. Mr & Mrs Wright

This storytelling energiser works like a charm:

• Ask participants to stand (or stay seated with room to lean.)
• Explain the rule: when they hear “LEFT,” lean or step left. When they hear “RIGHT,” lean or step right.
• Then read a silly story featuring Mr and Mrs Wright. Every time you say the words “left” or “right”, they move accordingly.

It’s energising, silly, and full of momentum – perfect for snapping everyone out of a slump.