Spiders web

Purpose
To identify and reinforce things that group members have in common. These may be general likes and dislikes, or sibling issues.

It can be especially effective if used as the first and last formal games of the group.

You will need

• A ball of wool
• A pair of scissors

How to do it

The first person holds the end of the wool in one hand and the ball itself in the other. They say something about themselves. All those who feel it applies to them put their hand up. The ball of wool is thrown to one of them (the first person keeps hold of the end) who then says something else. Repeat, with each person holding onto the wool and throwing the rest of the ball on, until everyone has had the wool thrown to them several times – the wool should now form a "spider's web" linking everyone in the group.

A leader can suggest ideas to keep it moving.

Variations

If used at the first session, each person could be asked to say their own name as they catch the ball of wool, or the name of the person they throw it to.

If used at the end of the final session, the strands of the web can then be cut to signal the end of the group.