Two extremes

3.5 shiney stars

A game of two extremes!  This is a simple ice breaker to get people up and moving and sharing their preferences or views on topics.

Create an imaginary line from one end of the room to the other.  Instruct people to move to a point on the line to indicate where they stand on a particular issue.

For example - move to the left hand side of the room if you like chocolate, the right hand side if you like strawberry.

If people don't have a strong opinion they stand in the middle. 

Continue with other examples / extremes:

  • Fold toilet paper or Scrunch
  • Sleep in or Get up Early?
  • Big party or intimate dinner?
  • Dance or Alternative Music
  • Would you rather go to the football or a concert?
  • The pub or night club (for young adults or older!)
  • Sweet or Savory
  • Do homework or do the dishes
  • Facebook or Twitter
  • Summer or Winter
  • Surf or Skate
  • Would you rather be beautiful or smart?
  • Be taller or shorter?

When everyone chooses a position, read out the next one and everyone moves again.  Kids love to express themselves so this is a good game to get them to explore and express their opinions on some things. 

The Would You Rather game contains some good sample questions which may help for this game too.



Features
  • Free / Low Cost
  • No equipment needed
  • Sharing, Get to know you
  • Night
Objectives
  • Ice breaker
Space
  • Indoor
  • Large area
  • Outdoor
  • Small area
Age
  • Primary or Elementary School
  • Teens (Age 12-15)
  • Teens (Age 16-18)
  • Young Adults

Group Size
  • Small Groups (1-9 people)
  • Medium (10-29 people)
  • Large groups (30+)

Duration
  • Medium (11-29 mins)
  • Short (1-10 minutes)
Submit your vote:



Share

          

Comments

hi i think that gameis fun
- Andre (12 Jun 2007)

after they split up, then what?
- anita (28 Jan 2009)

Then you read out another one and everyone moves again. The game is a good chance for kids to make a statement and observe where others stand (on trivial and more serious matters). I've seen it lead nicely into a piece on respecting other's decisions and positions too.
- admin (29 Jan 2009)

This is a very good game for people who just need to get to know each other.
- admin (30 May 2009)

This is also good for lessons on making decisions and peer pressure. Some kiddos can't make a choice and stay in the middle whle playing this game. Lesson - make a decision and stick to it. Often I have seen the youth make or try to change their choice because their friends are on that side. Lesson - resist peer pressure and make your own choices.
- Renee (17 Jun 2009)

I like the pub or the night club option, ha, that seems to be a good fit for teens. HA.
- (8 Jul 2009)

haha yeah Pub/Night club is definitely one for Young Adults not kids :)
- admin (8 Jul 2009)

Thanks. I used this at a warm up session for our Summer School event. Went down really well!
- unique gift ideas (24 Jul 2009)

Yeah, I was wondering about that pub/night club option since it is under "youth group" games
- B-Dub (29 Jul 2009)

Another way to do this would be for the kids to stand in a line, ask them the question and have them step forward or back depending on their answer. You could blindfold them and that would take the peer pressure aspect out of it. Ask them the question and then have them take the blindfold off so they can see how their friends answered
- (1 Nov 2009)

Variation on this: I took it down to 4 topics. Everone got a name-tag type sticker with their decision (picture of a strawberry or a snickers candy bar). After all 4 questions, we grouped people together that had ALL of the same answers. Very interesting to see the reaction of the kids when they saw WHO was in their group! I think it really helped break down some cliques within our group! CARE+SHARE=BE
- Gene B (4 Mar 2010)

the last question can be light or dark. then tell students that we have many choices to make but y you cannot serve two masters Matt 6:24
- rafael padilla (10 Mar 2010)

the thing with the pub...maybe change the wording since this is for youth groups and you don't want to encourage kids to partying...
- teri (12 May 2010)

Leave the pub question. It breaks down the thought that christians have to avoid these places like the plague. Disarm it by not making it taboo! I think students would appreciate that.
- J-Wil (16 May 2010)

This worked was an amazing game got my youth group really thinking.
- Pastor Chris Hargrave (23 Sep 2010)

Great activity!

As for using questions about pubs and such...Our youth group WOULD find that question about the Pub awkward because they can't relate. They DO avoid places like night clubs like the plague because taboo or not, most night clubs really are all about "bumpin and grinding." In a culture that targets youth, we need to be aware of how we counter the messages they hear everyday.

Will they just get the idea in their head like, 'hey! my yg pastor is cool with me goin to the club!'

This brings out a great topic for bible study/discussion. Certainly avoiding bars and "unchristian" places out of fear isn't a healthy way to approach our culture. Neither is jokingly choosing "the pub" or "the night club" in a youth group game.

Find the metaphorical line for your group with these issues. Empower and encourage each youth to find that line for themselves. :)


- Jess (23 Oct 2010)

For more Q's, Google "would you rather" and see what questions come up. Some are hilarious.
Eg. "Would you rather have needles for leg hair, or
have flares shoot out of your nose every time you say the word "the" (ouch)."
Quick note. Did one online and out of 270 people, more people said they would rather live a normal life (86%) than live like Jesus but get crucified (14%). There's a lesson.
- Steve (15 Apr 2011)

its an interesting game to make everyone discover himself and if he will be able to make choices for his life and not allowing others to lead his life

- mm (3 Apr 2012)

The pub and night club question is definitely uncalled for. The bible does encourage us to not be places or involved in things that would cause others to fall. Jesus didn't go to worldly parties and compromise his relationship with God, the sinner came to him and he spent time with them. Places where people are drinking alcohol and getting drunk, listening to ungodly music, while most people are looking for a sexual encounter with the opposite sex is definitely not right as a Christian leader in any sense. 1 Peter 4:1-5 And to influence teens to go there and indulge is a whole other level of #dudeIshouldslapyousilly. (please, take time to read these scriptures and pray and ask Holy Spirit to reveal Truth) I don't care what culture you come from, the Bible is a culture of its own that we are all supposed to adapt to(be transformed by renewing our minds). I don't mean to make anyone feel bad or mad (I know indefinitely this will) but we have a responsibility to teach truth. Like Jesus said, ''I forgive you but, go and sin no more.'' There's a difference between light and darkness. Shine your light of Jesus. Don't hide it by participating with the world. If your salt loses its taste it's good for nothing. The next generation does not need to be taught a compromising church that's powerless. They are not stupid, the Holy Spirit in them shows them what's right and wrong. But a leader that teaches them it's o.k. to do something against their consciences, the inward witness and the Word of Truth. My man! Please! Don't do that. It's one thing to do what we want but to teach others younger that it's ok. James 3:1. I know you will write me back maybe even arguing with me. That's cool. Love you and God bless.
- BigB (27 May 2015)

Post your own comment

Name:
Email or web site:
Anti-spam check
To prove you are human, what traffic light color means stop?(Hint: 3 letters, beginning with R)
Comments:
Note: comments may be edited and will not appear until approved


Icebreakers

9 Icebreakers that will leave your Group Buzzing

We've compiled a list of icebreakers which are fun and easy to run!



Team Building Activities

8 Fun and Effective Team Building Activities

Team Building Activities are a great way to strengthen relationships amongst your group. Here are 8 activities that will do just that!


Youth Group Names

Youth Group Names

Looking for a good name for your Youth Group? Check out our list of Youth Group Names.