What is Cone?
The Cone Game is an exciting and active icebreaker game that tests reaction speed in a fun and engaging way. The purpose of this activity is to partner up and challenge your reflexes by trying to grab a cone before your opponent does when it is called out by the director. This game can be played with medium to large groups of any age, and works best with odd numbers so that everyone has a partner. All you need are some small pylon cones (or bottles) and enough space for players to move around comfortably. The Cone Game is a great way to get people moving and having fun while also improving their reaction times. It’s the perfect icebreaker for any occasion!
Rules for Cone
- Decide which member of the group will be the director and have everyone else get into pairs of partners.
- Line up all of the cones (bottles), leaving enough space between them for players to move around comfortably without hitting whoever is next to them.
- Mark the line on each side of the cones where the players have to stay behind.
- Each set of partners will now go to their pylon and position themselves across from one another.
- Players will get into a squatting position.
- The director will call out words (all parts of the body) in any order, and players will have to touch what they hear as quickly as possible while staying in their position.
- When the players hear the word “cone,” they will attempt to grab the cone in front of them before their partner does. If a player false starts, the opposite player wins the point.
Materials needed for Cone
- Small pylon cones (one cone for each pair of partners): These can be purchased from a sports equipment store or online. They are often used in sports like soccer, so they should be easy to find. You will need enough cones so that there is one between each pair of players.
- Bottles: If you don’t have access to small pylon cones, you can use bottles instead. Empty water or soda bottles will work well for this. Make sure to rinse out any remaining liquid before using them as cones.
- Tape (optional): You may want to use tape to mark the lines on each side of the cones where the players have to stay behind. This is not necessary, but it can help keep the game organized and running smoothly.
Setting up for Cone
To set up for the Cone icebreaker game, you will need to follow these steps:
- Decide which member of the group will be the director and have everyone else get into pairs of partners.
- Line up all of the cones (or bottles) with enough space between them for players to move around comfortably without hitting each other.
- Mark the line on each side of the cones where the players have to stay behind. You can use tape for this, but it is not necessary.
- Have each set of partners go to their pylon and position themselves across from one another.
- Have each player get into a squatting position.
Make sure everyone is dressed in comfortable clothing and shoes, as they will be moving a lot during the game. It’s also recommended to wear clothing that you would wear for working out. With these steps, you should have a successful set up for the Cone icebreaker game!
How to play Cone
- Decide who will be the director: I like to choose someone who is outgoing and has a clear voice, so that everyone can hear them easily during the game.
- Pair up players: Have each player find a partner. This works best in groups with odd numbers, as one person can act as the director.
- Set up the cones (or bottles): Place the cones (or bottles) in a line, leaving enough space between them for players to move around comfortably.
- Mark the starting lines: Use tape or some other marker to indicate where players should stand at the beginning of each round. This will ensure that everyone stays behind the line and gives an equal chance to grab the cone.
- Partners take their positions: Have each set of partners go to their pylon and position themselves across from one another.
- Get into a squatting position: Instruct players to get into a squatting position, ready to react quickly when the game begins.
- Start calling out body parts: As the director, start calling out different body parts in a random order. Players must touch the corresponding part of their body as quickly as possible while staying in their squatting position.
- Call out “cone”: Once you’ve called out several body parts, shout “cone” to signal the start of the race to grab the cone. The first player to successfully grab the cone earns a point for their team.
- Avoid false starts: If a player jumps the gun and starts moving before the word “cone” is called, they lose the round, and the point goes to their opponent.
This game is a great way to get people moving and working together in a fun and engaging way. It’s perfect for groups of all ages and sizes, and requires very little preparation or materials to get started. So grab some cones (or bottles), find a partner, and get ready to test your reaction speed with the Cone icebreaker game!
Benefits of Cone
- Improves Reaction Speed: The Cone Game is an excellent way to test and improve your reaction speed as you must quickly grab the cone before your partner does when the word “cone” is called out.
- Encourages Physical Activity: This game will keep everyone active, moving, and engaged, making it a great option for those who may find traditional exercise boring or tedious.
- Promotes Teamwork: By pairing up with a partner, the Cone Game encourages teamwork as you work together and challenge each other’s reaction speed during the game.
- Suitable for All Ages: With its simple rules and adaptability, this game is appropriate for people of all ages (6+), making it an inclusive activity that can be enjoyed by everyone in a group setting.
- Easy to Organize: The Cone Game requires minimal preparation and materials, making it easy to organize on short notice or when resources are limited.
Skills built with Cone
- Reaction Speed: The Cone Game is an excellent way to improve reaction speed, as players must quickly grab the cone when their body part is called out by the director. This game encourages players to be quick on their feet and agile in their movements, making it a great option for those looking to build this particular skill.
- Teamwork: Even though Cone Game is an individual competition between partners, it still fosters teamwork as each player must work with their partner to ensure they are both ready to react when the word “cone” is called out. This game encourages communication and collaboration, helping players build stronger relationships and improve overall team dynamics.
- Physical Fitness: The Cone Game is an active game that requires players to move quickly and frequently, making it a great way to improve physical fitness. By squatting and jumping in response to the director’s calls, players can increase their lower body strength, flexibility, and endurance, all while having fun.
- Focus and Concentration: The Cone Game requires players to stay focused on the director’s calls and react quickly when they hear the word “cone.” This helps build focus and concentration skills, which are essential for success in many areas of life, from school to work to sports.
- Competitive Spirit: While the Cone Game is meant to be a fun and engaging activity, it also encourages a healthy competitive spirit as players strive to grab the cone before their partner does. This can help build confidence and motivation, encouraging players to push themselves to new heights and achieve their goals.
Why I like Cone
As someone who enjoys staying active and promoting group engagement, I appreciate the Cone icebreaker game for several reasons. First and foremost, it effectively tests and improves reaction speed in a fun, competitive manner. The thrill of grabbing the cone before my partner does adds an exciting element that keeps me engaged and motivated throughout the game.
Additionally, I like that the Cone Game is adaptable for various age groups and settings, making it a versatile option for different occasions. Its simplicity in preparation and materials needed also makes it convenient to organize on short notice. The fact that it encourages physical movement and interaction among participants is an added bonus, as it contributes to building a lively and energetic atmosphere during the activity.
The Cone Game’s clear objectives and straightforward rules ensure a smooth playing experience, allowing me to focus on enjoying the game and connecting with fellow players. Overall, I find the Cone icebreaker to be an enjoyable and beneficial way to promote physical activity and social interaction in any group setting.
Tips for making Cone more inclusive
- Tip: Modify the words called out by the director to be culturally diverse and inclusive. Instead of only using body parts, you can incorporate objects, actions, or phrases that represent various cultures and backgrounds. This will encourage all players to participate and feel represented.
- Tip: Use cones in different colors to make the game more visually appealing and accessible for colorblind individuals. You can also use objects other than cones, such as balls or frisbees, to cater to different abilities and preferences.
- Tip: Encourage players to take breaks when needed and ensure they are wearing comfortable clothing and shoes. This will help accommodate individuals with mobility limitations or physical discomfort, ensuring everyone can participate at their own pace.
- Tip: Pair up players randomly or create diverse partnerships by considering factors like age, gender, and cultural background. This will promote cross-group interaction and foster a more inclusive environment during the game.
- Tip: Clearly communicate the rules and expectations of the game to all participants. Using simple language and visual cues can help ensure everyone understands how to play and feel included in the activity.
Reflection questions for Cone
- What did you enjoy most about playing the Cone Game? This question can help participants reflect on the positive aspects of the game and give facilitators feedback on what worked well.
- How did you feel when you were able to grab the cone before your partner? This question can help participants tap into their emotions and feelings of accomplishment or competition.
- What strategies did you use to improve your reaction speed during the game? This question can help participants reflect on their problem-solving skills and strategies for improvement.
- How did you communicate and coordinate with your partner during the game? This question can help participants reflect on their teamwork and communication skills, which are important in many group activities and work settings.
- What challenges did you face while playing the Cone Game, and how did you overcome them? This question can help participants reflect on their resilience and ability to adapt to unexpected situations, which are valuable life skills.
- How did the Cone Game compare to other icebreakers or group activities you have participated in before? This question can help facilitators gauge the effectiveness and appeal of the game compared to other options.
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About the author
Jon Zajac
Founder & Chief Icebreaker
I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.
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