Opener: Silly Hats

Purpose: Openers are key in setting the stage for what is to come and a great way for trainers to break the ice while providing focus on the topic.

Audience: Any size

Time: 10 minutes

Materials: 2 sheets of newspaper per participant, one roll of tape per small group

Application: Helps participants become better acquainted and relieves tension associated with the topic.

Give each participant one to two sheets of newspaper and give one roll of tape per subgroup of five to seven people. Using the newspaper sheets, ask everyone to make a hat, including the trainer. The trainer wears the hat when introducing him or herself to the group. Each participant is asked to do the same.

The trainer then makes the point that they will be trying on some new ideas during the class and that they may feel awkward, but that none of them will look any sillier than they do right now, so everyone can relax.

This activity can be found in 50 Creative Training Openers and Energizers by Lynn Solem and Bob Pike (1997, Creative Training Techniques Press), available through the Bob Pike Group at our e-Store.