Drink Can

The Drink Can icebreaker is a fun and engaging activity that involves balancing an unopened drink can on its edge after consuming most of the contents. The purpose of this game is to create a sense of camaraderie and competition among participants, making it an excellent choice for parties or team-building events.

To play the Drink Can icebreaker, first, divide the room into two teams and give each player an unopened drink can. The starting players will open their cans, drink about three-quarters of the contents, and then attempt to balance the can on its edge as quickly as possible. Once a player successfully balances their can, the next player in their team can proceed to do the same. The first team to complete this relay race wins!

This activity not only provides an opportunity for participants to interact with one another but also tests their speed and coordination skills. With its simple yet effective concept, the Drink Can icebreaker is a great way to break the ice and create a lively atmosphere at any gathering.

1. Split the room into two teams.
2. Have each team arranged into a rough line, so they know what order they will play in.
3. Give all players an unopened drink.
4. The starting players open their can, drink approximately three quarters of the contents, and then attempt to balance the can on it’s edge, as quickly as they can.
5. As soon as a player has successfully balanced their can, the next player in their team can proceed to open their own can and attempt the challenge.
6. The first team to get from the start of their line to the end, with the last player having successfully balanced their can wins!

• 330 ml drink can: One unopened drink can for each player, used in the Tipsy game for a relay race and balancing act.
• Tables or other surface: A stable and reachable surface for all players to balance their drinks during the Tipsy game.
• Empty cans: Six empty cans per player for the Sliding Towers game, where participants race each other by pushing cans with their heads and faces.
• Paper plates: Five paper plates per player for the Candelier game, in which players construct an unstable pyramid structure using cans and plates.

To set up for the Drink Can icebreaker activity, you will need to split the room into two teams and have each team arranged in a rough line so they know the order they will play in. Give all players an unopened drink can and tell the players at one end of each line that they will be the starting players. There is no need to open the cans or attempt to balance them yet, as this will be done during gameplay. The main focus of the setup is to divide the players into teams and provide them with a drink can each.

1. Split the room into two teams: I divided the participants into two groups for some friendly competition.
2. Arrange each team into a rough line: The players in each team stood in a row, so they knew the order they would play in.
3. Give all players an unopened drink: I handed out a sealed can to everyone, setting the stage for our game.
4. Designate starting players: I pointed out who would begin the challenge on both teams.
5. Starting players open their can and drink three-quarters of the contents: Each first player opened their drink and consumed around 75% of it.
6. Attempt to balance the can on its edge: Next, they positioned the can diagonally on its side as quickly as possible.
7. Proceed to open and balance their own can: Once a teammate successfully balanced their can, the next player in line was allowed to start the process.
8. First team to finish wins: The game continued until the last person on one team balanced their can, claiming victory for their side!

Now that you’ve got plenty of empty cans, here are more games to play:

Sliding Towers

1. Place a can near each corner of the table: I put an empty can at both ends, where players would begin and end their turn.
2. Set up stacks of two and three cans: Nearby, I prepared piles with two and three cans for players to use during their race.
3. Push a single can to the other end using only your head: Each participant used only their face and head to slide a can from one side to the other.
4. Add stacks of two and three cans: After successfully pushing the initial can, players picked up larger stacks and attempted to do the same.
5. First player to push the third stack to the end wins: The game ended when someone managed to move a stack of three cans across the table first.

Candelier

1. Gather 15 empty cans and 5 paper plates per player: I collected enough materials for everyone to build their own “candelier.”
2. Construct an inverse pyramid: Each participant attempted to create a structurally unsound pyramid with increasing numbers of cans and plates, as quickly as possible.
3. The first player to finish wins: The game concluded when one person successfully built their “candelier” before anyone else.

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• Builds teamwork: By playing the Drink Can icebreaker in teams, participants must work together towards a common goal, helping to build trust and collaboration within the group.
• Encourages quick thinking: The relay race aspect of this game requires players to think on their feet and make quick decisions, which can help improve reaction times and problem-solving skills.
• Promotes responsible drinking: Although the game involves alcohol, it encourages moderate drinking by having players consume only a set amount before attempting to balance the can. This can help promote responsible drinking habits among participants.
• Develops fine motor skills: Balancing a drink can on its edge requires precision and control, which can help improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
• Provides entertainment: The Drink Can icebreaker is a fun and engaging way to get to know other people at a party or social gathering. It offers a unique twist on traditional drinking games and provides plenty of laughs and memorable moments.
• Fosters friendly competition: By turning the game into a relay race, participants can compete against each other in a friendly manner. This can help build camaraderie and encourage healthy competition among team members.

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• Fine Motor Skills: Playing the Drink Can icebreaker requires players to have good control over their hand and finger movements, as they need to balance the can on its edge and push cans across a table using only their head and face in the game “Sliding Towers.”
• Coordination: The game “Tipsy” involves drinking a certain amount of liquid from a can and then attempting to balance it diagonally on its edge, which requires good coordination between the hands and eyes. In “Sliding Towers,” players must coordinate their head movements with the positioning of the cans to successfully push them across the table.
• Concentration: The game “Candelier” requires players to build a large and unstable structure using cans and paper plates, which requires a lot of focus and concentration. Players need to carefully place each can and plate on top of the structure without knocking it over.
• Patience and Persistence: All three games require patience and persistence, as they may take some time to complete and there is always a risk that the structure will topple or the player will not be able to balance the can. Players must keep trying until they succeed and may need to develop strategies to improve their performance.
• Teamwork: The game “Tipsy” involves two teams competing against each other, which requires good communication and cooperation among team members. Players must work together to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to play the game and complete the challenge as quickly as possible.

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I enjoy the Drink Can icebreaker because it is a fun and engaging way to encourage interaction among participants at a party or event. The game requires players to work together in teams, promoting collaboration and communication. I also appreciate the unique twist of incorporating a balancing act into a drinking game, which adds an element of challenge and excitement.

Furthermore, the Drink Can icebreaker is versatile and can be easily adapted for different settings and group sizes. The instructions are clear and concise, making it easy for players to understand and follow the rules. Additionally, the use of unopened drink cans as the main component of the game adds a sense of novelty and excitement.

Overall, I find the Drink Can icebreaker to be an enjoyable and memorable way to bring people together and promote social interaction.

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• Tip: Use non-alcoholic beverages. Instead of using alcoholic drinks, use non-alcoholic options to make the game more inclusive for people who don’t drink alcohol or are underage. This way, everyone can participate and have fun without feeling left out.
• Tip: Provide alternative challenges. For those who don’t wish to consume any beverages, offer alternative challenges that still allow them to balance the can on its edge. For example, you could use water or sand in the cans, or even create a separate relay race using empty cans without any liquid inside.
• Tip: Ensure accessibility. Make sure all participants have easy access to the tables or other surfaces where they’ll be balancing their drink cans. Consider factors like wheelchair accessibility and seating arrangements to ensure everyone can comfortably take part in the game.
• Tip: Encourage teamwork and communication. Instead of focusing solely on competition, emphasize collaboration and cooperation between teammates. Encourage players to help each other balance their cans, cheer each other on, and celebrate their collective achievements.
• Tip: Adapt the rules as needed. Be open to making adjustments to the game rules that better suit your group’s needs and preferences. This might include changing the order of play, modifying the amount of liquid in the cans, or introducing new challenges during the relay race.

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1. What did you enjoy most about the Drink Can icebreaker? This question can help facilitators understand what participants found engaging and fun about the activity, and how they can incorporate similar elements into future events.
2. How did working in a team during the Tipsy game affect your experience? This question explores the impact of collaboration on the participants’ enjoyment and success in completing the challenge. It can help facilitators understand the importance of teamwork and how to foster it in their groups.
3. What strategies did you use to balance the cans during the Tipsy game, and how did they change over time? This question invites participants to reflect on their problem-solving and adaptation skills, as well as how they learned from their mistakes and improved their performance.
4. How did you feel when you successfully completed a challenge during the Drink Can icebreaker? This question explores the emotional impact of achievement and success, and how it can motivate and inspire participants to continue learning and growing.
5. What did you learn about yourself and your abilities through the Sliding Towers game? This question encourages participants to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their growth mindset and resilience in the face of challenges.
6. How did you approach the Candelier challenge differently from the other games, and why? This question invites participants to think about their strategy and planning skills, and how they can apply them to different types of problems and tasks.
7. What was the most challenging part of the Drink Can icebreaker for you, and how did you overcome it? This question prompts participants to reflect on their perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles, as well as their ability to bounce back from failure or setbacks.
8. What would you do differently if you were to play the Drink Can icebreaker again? This question invites participants to think about their learning and growth, and how they can apply it to future challenges and experiences. It can help facilitators understand how to support participants in their continuous development and improvement.

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