Group Size: 1 to 50+
Time Needed: 5 minutes plus discussion
Goal: To examine conflict resolution
Audience: Parents, Couples, Teens, Children, Singles
Special Considerations: To keep it from getting out-of-hand, keep this one short. Couples in particular can be very competitive. If you have two facilitators, you can demonstrate the activity before participants begin.
Resources Needed: None
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Have couples stand face-to-face, lock arms together and remove their shoes.
- Explain to the couples or pairs that this is a playful game and they should make sure that no one gets hurt.
- Instruct participants that while holding onto their partner, each partner should try simultaneously to gently step on their partner’s toes.
Tips for Discussion and Processing
This activity can be a lot of fun; however, couples can get really competitive. That is why it is so important to limit the time on this activity. Participating in the game is a wonderful way to illustrate conflict patterns in a relationship. This is truly what happens when people get locked into their positions and choose to battle it out; each person is trying to make their point and protecting themselves at the same time. It is often a battle where no one wins and both partners end up exhausted. There has to be a better way! This is when you introduce communication and self awareness as a way to manage these conflict struggles.
Note: These activities can be modified to reflect a variety of skills.