Jumping Popcorn - Icebreaker

Skill: Jump
Time Required: 10
Activity Type: Physical, Transition
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Classroom (small indoor space), Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Be sure participants are not too close to each other, so when they pop up they won't jump into or on another participant.
Equipment: No equipment necessary
Objective:
For participants to jump up from their crouched position when they say yes, agree or relate to the statement said by the leader.
Set up:
Have all participants scattered in an area and in a crouched position.
Ensure they are not too close to each other.
Step by Step:
1. This activity can be used to get to know more about each other in an active way.
2. The leader will say a statement, such as "I have a brother", and any participant that does of a brother will pop/jump up like popcorn and spread their arms and legs and say "Pop!".
3. Then they will go back into crouching position and the leader will say another statement.
4. Example of statements:
- I play hockey
- I have a pet dog
- My birthday is in December
- I've been to Quebec
- I can name two Beatles songs
- I've read Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham
- I'm left handed
- I've held a snake
- I like pizza
- I like sushi
- I play soccer
- My favourite season is summer
- I snowboard
Variations:
Variations:
Participants will pop up, and then have to run and touch a wall and run back to their spot.
If in a small space, participants have to 'pop' up from their chairs.

Adaptations (Mobility Impairment): Participants with a mobility limitation may not be able to jump up from a crouch position. Allow these participants to simply raise and spread their hands if they can, or indicate in some other manner whether the statement applies to them.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.