Icebreaker games are a good way to help groups get to know each other better. One of the most exciting games includes a game known as the Great Wind Blows. This group game requires some mingling about in a room and is perfect as a game to help relieve the awkwardness in a room of strangers.
Features of the Great Wind Blows Game
| ★ Game Name | Great Wind Blows |
| ★ Group size | small and medium |
| ★ Age | any (6+) |
| ★ Type | active |
| ★ Skill | acting / running |
| ★ Place | indoor and outdoor |
| ★ Time | up to 5 – 15 min |
| ★ Preparation | no |
| ★ Materials | chairs |
The aim of the Game
The game aims to have all the players move around the room in search of a seat when the statement called out relates to them. There are generally no winners to the Great Wind Blows game, but you’ll be guaranteed a fun game time together.
Ideal Age and Group Sizes
Great Wind Blows is best played when you have 4 to 10 players in a room. Having larger groups is fine, but you’ll have to have enough space for everyone to move around.
It’s suitable to be played by anyone aged 6 and up, although you may have to tweak the difficulty of the themes to suit different age groups.
Preparation and Needed Materials
To prepare for Great Wind Blows, you’ll need to place some chairs in a circle. Do prepare one less chair for the number of players you have, so one person will be left standing. For example, if you have 8 players, you will have to prepare 7 chairs.
How to play Great Wind Blows?
Once you have all your players ready and your chairs in a circle, you’ll be ready to play Great Wind Blows. Here’s how:
Step 1: Have all your players sit down and pick a volunteer from the group. This volunteer will be the one to start the game by stating a general statement befitting the theme of the party like, “The great wind blows for anyone married.”
Step 2: When a statement is made, anyone seated and matches the description must then stand and find a different seat. In this example, anyone who is married must stand and look for another seat. You may not choose the seat that is next to you.
Step 3: If there is a player left standing after everyone has found a seat, they will become the volunteer for the round. The game ends when the host would like for it to end, although there are generally no winners or losers in Great Wind Blows.
The Great Wind Blows can also be made extra challenging by having the volunteer say, “The great wind blows,” to start their sentence. If they don’t include this sentence, then the seated players will not have to stand up.
Different ways to play Great Wind Blows
If you’d like to add extra excitement to the game, you can also opt to make the game competitive among the group. To do this, you’ll have to remove one chair for every player that leaves the group.
As a host, you will have to play the role of the volunteer and make the statement for everyone to move about. The last player who can retain a seat will be crowned the winner.