This is the second part of the two-part series on "Games in Seminars." As described in the first part of the blog post, games can significantly lighten the seminar flow and strengthen group collaboration.

Below, we introduce 5 more game categories, each with an example game.

Role-Playing Games

Using small role-playing games, participants are challenged to put themselves in the shoes of others in the group. This not only broadens their perspective but also teaches them about external and self-perception (Johari Window).

• Who Am I: In this game, participants' names are written on small slips of paper. These are mixed in a bowl, and each participant draws a slip. The participant must then mimic the person whose name they drew, both verbally and physically. The others must guess who the actor is imitating. It's important that the group agrees in advance on the attributes to be mimicked (e.g., hobbies, strengths, profession, marital status, place of residence, etc.). This ensures participants don't accidentally hurt each other's feelings.

Business Simulation Games

In this category, participants simulate running a company as a group. These games help identify different participant types and also analyze and promote group collaboration.

• Company: The group should simulate starting a company on their own. The task is to assign the right people to specific positions, develop a concept, and then present it. Finally, the results are analyzed together (with the seminar leader).

Team Building Games

As the name suggests, these games focus on team cohesion. They promote team spirit and the integration of each participant.

• Ball Toss Chain: Several small balls are needed for this. Participants form a large circle. The seminar leader randomly throws the ball to a participant, who then passes it on. This continues until everyone has had the ball once, and it returns to the seminar leader. Participants must remember the order of throws. In the next round, the ball must be thrown in the same order as the first. To make it more challenging, the seminar leader throws additional balls into the circle at shorter intervals, which must also be passed in the same order.

Activation Games

A seminar day can be tiring. Sitting in a room with several participants all day can be exhausting. Short activation games can help. They get participants' circulation going again. Movement brings back energy and motivation.

• Chair Leaning: For this exercise, participants stand in a large circle. Each stands behind a chair. They tilt the chairs forward with their left hand until they balance on two legs. On the seminar leader's command, everyone lets go of their chair and quickly grabs the back of the neighboring chair. Only one hand can be used. If a chair falls, the exercise starts over.

Board Games

Familiar board games (like Taboo or Memory) can be easily adapted into seminar games.

• Taboo: The trainer prepares topic-related cards. Participants are divided into 2 groups. One participant from each group takes turns going forward and receiving a card. The card has a term that the participants must guess. The participant must explain the term to their teammates without saying it. To increase difficulty, there are 3-4 words under the term that the participant cannot use in their explanation.

Conclusion

Integrating various short games into the seminar flow is definitely recommended. They lighten the mood, enhance group cohesion, and encourage each participant to step out of their comfort zone. The learning effect of a game should not be underestimated. What is learned is not only practiced theoretically but also transferred directly to the action level.