Icebreakers for Large Groups
How do you break the ice with a large group? If this is a question that has passed through your mind at some point, you’re…
Ten Years Young
Today, the 12th of July is the 10th anniversary of playmeo.com.
As the founder and developer of this ever-expanding online activity database, ten years seem to have passed by as quick as the blink of an eye.
Ten years ago we launched our first 120 activities and offered recurring monthly plans for individuals only. There were only 8 x activity types and 14 x group and program attributes you could use to search for your perfect activity ideas. Looking back over our records, we welcomed approx 300 members by the end of our first year.
Today, our database features 530+ activities, 10 x activity types and 40+ searchable attributes. Having grown by more than 30% year on year for a long time now, we welcome dozens of new members every month to join our existing 5K+ members from all over the world. We attract a further 70K users to our website every month who value our free resources.
What’s next, you might ask?
Growth with a Purpose
As we describe here, playmeo is committed to helping people connect through play. This part is clear.
What’s not so clear is what our world may look like in 10, 50 or even 100 years from now.
We’re not interested in growing for the sake of growth. And while admirable, we’re not even interested in growing in a sustainable way. We are committed to growing in a responsible way. Responsible to our members, our community and to the planet.
This can be hard work sometimes and this may explain why I/we don’t always get things right.
The Thing About Hard Things
I recognise the fortunate position we find ourselves in today and am humbled by the support of thousands of playmeo members all over the world.
So, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want the next few years to look like for playmeo, and one thing jumps out at me. Looking to find the right words to say, I stumbled across this tweet recently which expressed it better than I could:
It’s time to do the hard things, and in most cases, the hard things are where playmeo and I make the most difference in the lives of others.
Guided by this spirit, you can expect some exciting new developments coming your way.
Two of the hardest nuts to crack (first) are building a community of members within the playmeo ecosystem, and to produce a collection of online courses that will help even more educators and trainers learn the finer skills of using group games & activities to help their groups connect (and hence, amplify whatever they are trying to get done.)
Bring on this next year.
And the next ten…
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Congratulations on 10 years! I just watched a video in your ice breaker category and couldn’t stop laughing! I just love how much fun you have as a facilitator and when you laugh, Mark, it’s contagious! I hope to discover new games and ideas to connect my group! Thank you so much!
Thank you Lynna, it is very kind of you to write. And yes, I do love to play and have fun. I’m so glad that this attitude is contagious.
Happy 10th Anniversary! I just discovered Playmeo this year, so I’m pleasantly surprised to know you have been around for a decade. Many more happy anniversaries!! ???
love your work Mark – you showed me how much fun we could have online as we grappled with the sudden shift from rooms to screens. Happy Anniversary!
It would have been about 10 years ago that I first heard you present Playmeo at a Girl Guide Leaders conference. We found it very useful for our programs. Now I’m a teacher and still use it for classroom engagement.
Congratulations team! I use your activities with a variety of students and ability levels – always a great success! Thank you
HAPPY 10th Anniversary Playmeo.com! I have truly appreciated all your efforts in providing teachers all over the world with this AMAZING Database of activities and support. My time spent on Playmeo is always enjoyable and useful which is a true credit to your efforts to provide the best possible tools. When I jump on a webinar or Learning Pod I immediately feel welcomed and part of the FAMILY. I am forever grateful. for our time spent together virtually during the Global Pandemic and the assistance Playmeo provided with my Virtual Instruction during those hard times. Congratulations and CHEERS Mate to another 10 years! #AppreciateYou
Congrats on 10th anniversary! Thanks very much Mark and Playmeo for valuable resources. I leaned lots of things from you/playmeo . Wish you/playmeo goes well for the benefit of people and this planet, Thanks.
Congratulations on 10 years of Playmeo, Mark! I found your resources 2 years ago when looking for games to teach online. But membership has provided much more value than this. It’s helped transform my approach to teaching overall. Many thanks, and all the best for the future.
I have jumped on board playmeo this year wanting to incorporate more play based learning into my Rites of Passage Year 9 boys class- plus added my colleagues (3 other teachers too) if they wanted to an an invite. It’s certainly helped to deepen my student’s learning, create opportunities for challenge and growth and been a gift to have so many games and activities up my sleeve at a moments glance. Super keen to continue to learn and develop in this area! And would love to have you, Mark, come to a Rite Journey conference one year!!
Happy 10 Year Anniversary Playmeo! I just love the tools that you provide. Our teams find great benefit in the resources.
Happy 10th anniversary to Playmeo!
Thank you for this wonderful resource, and for your thoughtful posts and leadership.
I am learning from you all the time!
Here’s to the next 10!
Thanks Jennifer, I’m sure the next 10 will fly by just as fast…
Congrats on 10yrs Mark -what a great accomplishment!! Loved the program you gave in Charleston SC . I have been a member since and really appreciate all the good stuff on your site. I am also thankful for all the times I have emailed you to ask questions and you quickly respond with answers. Hope to be around to see your 20th;)
You’re always welcome Hugh, it’s what gets me out of bed in the morning 🙂
Congratulations on 10 years! I have appreciated the wealth of resources you have provided through PlayMeo
Thank you Mark, and all of the team behind the project! I’ve been a member for 3+ years now, and as a group facilitator and a Video-therapist, your activities helped me a lot when planning a meeting! I even conjured my own variations for some of the activities. So thank you again, and keep up the hard work!
Awesome Daniel, thank you. And when you get the chance, please share your variations with the playmeo community – just add them in the Comments section. This way we get to learn from you 🙂
Happy 10 years! May the FUNN continue with joy, at a good pace, and with more and more friends of Playmeo. Thank you Mark for all your work and perseverance in encouraging creative thinking and un-boringness 🙂
Ah yes, unboringness – that’s a good way to look at it 🙂 Thanks for commenting Leah
Happy Birthday Playmeo and congratulations for the whole “experiment”
I say experiment because whenever I had the need for a energizer, ice breaker or anything else, I say to my self “let’s experiment” what Mark has to suggest!!!
Up up and away!!! Super Playmeo
Oh, Nikos, I love this idea very much. And you are correct. Right from day one, playmeo has been one giant experiment. I’m so glad it’s a source of inspiration to you.
Mark,
I read your blogs with my morning coffee and just love starting my day on your Playmeo website, energizing and motivating me to be my best as a Camp leader.
Your resources have improved the quality of our Camp and community 10-fold, and by extension, aspects of my life.
Thank you for sharing your so freely and graciously. The accessiblity of your resources is what I appreciate the most.
Sending big love for the next 10 years and thanks for “having coffee with me” for the past 10 years.
So beautiful Emily, and thank you. I have loved every one of those coffees 🙂
Congratulations Mark and Playmeo on your 10 years anniversary.
To get to 10 years with 30% growth every year is certainly impressive, bravo!
We really enjoy the materials from Playmeo, they are unique which made us then stand out among our peer trainers. Most importantly, our clients enjoy them, so thank you so much for that.
We look forward to what Playmeo will bring next. Congrats again and all the best!
Awesome stuff Ibrahim, thank you for your comments. I’m so glad we have been able to elevate you and your team.
Mark congratulations on a successful 10 years on enabling us facilitators to enlighten and connect groups for fun and purpose. Playmeo is the “bible” a “tool” of wealth of resources to get groups interacting and feel comfortable to have a go achieving successful personal outcomes.
Always waiting for new updates of news and activities – congratulations !!!!
You’re a champ Jim, thank you for your kind words – they mean a lot.
Congratulation on your 10 year anniversary. I love everything on this website and look forward to the next 10 years.
Congratulations Mark on a mighty 10 years. As we navigate the COVID years we definitely need to take having fun far more seriously!
Congratulations Mark! Playmeo has been an incredible resource for me as a facilitator and I’ve also really appreciated your advice and support as well. Here’s to another 10 years!
Congratulations on your 10th anniversary. You should be justly proud.
Your site has been a very valuable resource we’ve used for our Board and members.
and members.
On a personal note, thank you for your site.
During the pandemic and still even today, it is a guaranteed positive
place I can go and get inspired.
Kevin, thank you so much for sharing the impact my resources have made for you. I couldn’t be happier 🙂
Congratulations Mark. How fortunate we were to spend 2 days with you whilst studying at Wodonga Tafe 2018. You have inspired me no end and I continue sharing your website to all I meet in the outdoor rec industry.
Oh wow, thank you, Alison, I really appreciate your kind words. I’m so happy to have inspired you – my mission 🙂
Congrats Mark on reaching this amazing milestone. All the best on the continued journey of supporting educators all over the world.
Thank you Cameron, this means a lot, especially from a long-time member 🙂
Thank you Mark for this amazing resource that has been so useful to me. Congratulations on achieving 10 years!
I love this site, so many useful activities, and all of them are well laid out. I especially like the categorization and attributes associated with the activities.
Have really found the site useful. Appreciate your work and community.
Congratulations on 10 years! This has been and continues to be an incredible resource. Whether I need something specific (an activity, a person to bounce ideas off of) or am just scrolling through to get inspired, I can usually find it here. Thank you for all you do and for looking to be responsible in your growth/ vision for the future.
Kristin, thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to add your thoughts. And yes, I am very much focused on charting a responsible path forward. I thank you for your support.
Congratulations on 10 years! I love your site and tell many colleagues about it. I was fortunate enough to attend one of your in person sessions in Charleston, SC at the Parks and Rec Department and I used every activity in my classroom throughout the year. Thank you for everything!
Jodi
Hey Jodi, I have fond memories of that workshop in SC, and of you! Thanks for sharing the love around. Stay tuned for lots of exciting new stuff this year…
Love all the awesome content! Keep up the good work!
Congratulations on this big birthday (of sorts) celebration! What you have created and provide to the field of Experiential learning is valuable beyond what you or others may realize. The creative format and easily searchable fields make Playmeo one of the simplest and most user friendly resources out there. Thank you for what you have done, and for what you continue to do. Keep up the good work!
Thank you David for your kind words, much appreciated. Here’s to finding a way to get me to NC one day…
Congratulations on 10 years!! I love everything about Playmeo!! Thank you!