If there are one thing theatre kids are known to do (besides putting on a great show) it’s creating a fun-filled and enthusiastic environment. Where one person’s energy radiates off of the other. Speaking of energy, the Energy Circle Game is a great game played among students to create such an environment.
It can also be an excellent icebreaker activity to get the players pumped up – and it works!
Features of the Energy Circle Game
| ★ Game Name | Energy Circle |
| ★ Group size | small and medium |
| ★ Age | kids (6+) and teens |
| ★ Type | stationary |
| ★ Skill | acting |
| ★ Place | indoor and outdoor |
| ★ Time | up to 5 – 15 min |
| ★ Preparation | no |
| ★ Materials | no |
Aim of the Game
While the name pretty much gives it away, the Energy Circle Game is a class warm-up activity where players are made to stand in a circle and amplify the preceding players’ sound and motion.
The game starts with one player making a sound and a corresponding motion. The next player in the circle will mimic that sound and motion – only at an energy level above the previous player.
This game is best played amongst children between the ages of 5-15.
Group Size and Age
The entire point of the Energy Circle game is to pump kids up and raise their energy levels through the roof. Which is why it is advised to involve as many players as possible.
However, bear in mind the fact that there’s only so loud a person can get. You wouldn’t want the final three or four players to give off the same energy. This is why, if you have a group with a larger number of students, break them into smaller groups of not more than six students.
Preparation and Needed Materials
You don’t need much to play the Energy Circle Game, besides a couple of kids who know how to have a good time. To prepare for the game, group children into groups of six and ask them to stand in a circle. Next, explain the rules of the game and tell each kid to have a sound and motion ready for their turn.
That’s all the preparation and materials you’ll need – just a group of enthusiastic kids!
How to Play Energy Circle Game
Step 1: Group students into groups of 6 – 8 students at most.
Step 2: Ask them to form a circle.
Step 3: Explain the rules of the game.
Step 4: You might want to kick things off first to give the students a general idea of how the game is played.
Step 5: Make a sound and a motion.
Step 6: Ask the next person in the circle (going counter-clockwise) to mimic the same sound and action but at a higher energy level.
Step 7: Ask the next person to do the same.
Step 8: The next person would probably be able to do it without you indicating them to do so.
Step 9: So forth and so on until it’s back at you. End the turn with the loudest sound and the most enthusiastic motion out of the bunch!
For example:
Let’s say there are three people in a circle, Emily, Dylan, and Matt.
Emily kicks things off by making a growling sound and raises both of her hands. Next comes Dylan who takes it up a notch by growling louder and raising his hands with more force. Matt takes up a notch further with an even louder growl and a more enthusiastic motion.
Finally, Emily gives it all that she has! Dylan kicks things off in the next round with a different sound and motion. The game goes on until everyone in the circle is done with their turn.