Go Fish

The Go Fish icebreaker is a fun and engaging game that involves eating a hanging donut or fruit as quickly as possible. The purpose of the activity is to promote friendly competition and teamwork, all while providing a good laugh for everyone involved. Whether you choose to play using the bar method or the fishing stick method, the goal is to be the first person or team to finish your food.

Playing Go Fish requires minimal preparation, making it a convenient option for parties or gatherings. All you need are some donuts or cut fruits, strings, and a bar or stick to hang them from. The rules of the game are straightforward, and players can jump right into the action without any complicated instructions.

Overall, Go Fish is an excellent icebreaker that is sure to liven up any event. Its simplicity and fun factor make it accessible to people of all ages, making it a great option for families or groups with diverse age ranges. So, if you’re looking for a way to break the ice and have a good time, give Go Fish a try!

1. The aim of the game is to be the first person or team to finish a hanging donut or fruit.
2. The game can be played with groups of 2 to 10 people, and is suitable for anyone aged 6 and up.
3. To play using the bar method, tie donuts or fruits to a bar and have players try to eat them without using their hands. The first player to finish their food wins.
4. To play using the fishing stick method, attach a piece of food to a string and loop it over a stick so that it sways back and forth. Have one player sit on a chair while another holds the stick over their head, and have the seated player try to eat the food. Swap out players after each round, and the first team to finish all their food wins.
5. Players cannot hold the string with their hands in either version of the game.
6. Adult supervision is recommended when playing with children.

• Bar for food to hang from or a stick as an alternative
• Strings to tie donuts or cut fruits to the bar or stick
• Donuts or cut fruits, such as apples, that are easy to eat hanging freely.

To set up for the Go Fish icebreaker activity, you will need to prepare a bar or stick for food to hang from. If using a bar, tie donuts or cut fruits like apples to the bar with strings, allowing them to hang freely. If using the “fishing stick” method, attach a piece of donut or fruit to a string and loop it over a stick for each team. Make sure there is enough food for every player on the team. The seated players will try to eat the hanging donut or fruit while their teammate holds the stick over their head.

1. Gather the materials: I gather a bar for food to hang from, strings to tie donuts or cut fruits like apples to the bar, and enough pieces of donuts or fruits for all players. If I don’t have a bar, I prepare a stick as an alternative.
2. Decide on the method: I choose either the bar method or the fishing stick method depending on the number of players and their preferences.
3. Prepare the food: I tie the donuts or fruits to the bar, allowing them to hang freely, or attach a piece of donut or fruit to a string and loop it over a stick if using the fishing stick method.
4. Explain the rules: I explain the objective of being the first person or team to finish their hanging food, emphasizing that players cannot hold the string with their hands during the game.
5. Start the game: For the bar method, I signal the start and encourage fair play among participants as they compete to eat their hanging donut or fruit. For the fishing stick method, I have each team designate two players (one seated and one standing) and explain their roles before starting the game.
6. Monitor the progress: I observe the players as they try to finish their food, ensuring that everyone follows the rules and has a fair chance at winning.
7. Determine the winner(s): In the bar method, I announce the player who finishes first as the winner. For the fishing stick method, I keep track of which team finishes all its allocated food first, declaring them the winners.
8. Encourage good sportsmanship: After the game, I remind participants about the importance of having fun and being gracious in both victory and defeat, promoting a positive atmosphere for future activities.

Back to top

• Builds teamwork skills: By playing Go Fish in teams, players must work together to achieve a common goal, which can help build trust and collaboration.
• Improves focus and concentration: The physical challenge of eating a hanging donut or fruit while it sways back and forth requires players to stay focused and engaged in the game.
• Encourages healthy competition: Go Fish is a competitive game that can motivate players to perform their best, while still maintaining a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.
• Promotes physical activity: The act of reaching up to eat a hanging donut or fruit requires players to use their upper body strength, making it a great way to incorporate movement into a party or gathering.
• Boosts morale and mood: Laughter and giggles are inevitable during a game of Go Fish, which can help create a positive and enjoyable atmosphere for all players.

Back to top

• Teamwork: Go Fish requires players to work together in teams to complete the challenge of eating hanging donuts or fruit. This encourages communication, coordination, and cooperation among team members.
• Competitiveness: The game fosters a healthy sense of competitiveness as players strive to be the first to finish their food and win the game.
• Patience and Focus: Players must exercise patience and focus while trying to eat the swaying food without using their hands, which can help improve concentration and self-control.
• Fine Motor Skills: The act of reaching out to grab the food and bringing it to one’s mouth helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Adaptability: Depending on the method used to play Go Fish, players must adapt to different situations such as eating from a bar or using a fishing stick, which can help build flexibility and resilience.
• Creativity: Players may come up with creative strategies or techniques to eat their food more quickly, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving skills.

Back to top

As someone who enjoys bringing people together for fun and engaging activities, I find the Go Fish icebreaker to be a fantastic choice for any group gathering. There are several reasons why I appreciate this game:

1. Inclusive and adaptable: Go Fish can accommodate small and medium-sized groups, making it a versatile option for various settings. It can also be adjusted based on the age and skill level of the participants, ensuring that everyone can participate and enjoy the game.
2. Laughter and camaraderie: The very nature of Go Fish, with its food-related challenges, is bound to create laughter and good-natured competition among players. These shared experiences help strengthen bonds between group members, fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie.
3. Easy preparation: With minimal materials required, Go Fish is simple to set up and doesn’t demand much time or effort. This convenience allows me to focus more on other aspects of the gathering and less on game logistics.
4. Multiple playstyles: The two methods of playing Go Fish (bar method and fishing stick method) offer different levels of engagement and challenge, depending on the number of participants. This variety keeps the game fresh and exciting, allowing me to choose the best approach based on my group’s preferences and dynamics.
5. Watching growth and development: As a group icebreaker, Go Fish provides an opportunity for players to step out of their comfort zones and attempt a new challenge. Watching participants grow more confident and skilled throughout the game is truly rewarding and highlights the value of teamwork and perseverance.

In summary, I find the Go Fish icebreaker to be an excellent choice due to its inclusivity, ability to create laughter and camaraderie, ease of preparation, multiple playstyles, and potential for growth and development among participants.

Back to top

• Use a variety of food options: Consider offering different types of donuts or fruits to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences. This will make sure everyone can participate and enjoy the game.
• Provide seating options: Make sure there are enough chairs for everyone, especially if you have players with mobility issues or injuries that make standing difficult. This will help ensure everyone can play comfortably.
• Offer modifications to the game: If some players find it challenging to eat from a hanging bar or stick, consider offering alternative ways to play. For example, they could hold the food with their hands or use utensils instead.
• Create teams with diverse abilities: When breaking into teams, mix players with different strengths and abilities so that everyone has an equal chance of contributing to their team’s success.
• Encourage positive reinforcement: Remind players to cheer each other on and offer words of encouragement throughout the game. This will help create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Back to top

1. What was your strategy for eating the hanging donut or fruit? Knowing each participant’s approach can provide insight into their problem-solving skills and creativity.
2. How did you feel when you were struggling to eat the food? This question can help facilitators understand how participants handle frustration and perseverance in a fun, low-stakes setting.
3. What was the most challenging part of playing Go Fish? Understanding the difficulties that participants faced during the game can reveal areas where they might need support or guidance.
4. Did you find it easier to play with the bar method or the fishing stick method? Why? This question can help facilitators determine which version of the game is more suitable for their group, based on participants’ preferences and feedback.
5. How did working in a team (if applicable) influence your performance and enjoyment of the game? This question can shed light on the importance of collaboration and teamwork in achieving goals and having fun.
6. Did you learn anything new about yourself or others while playing Go Fish? Encouraging self-reflection and empathy can help participants better understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and communication styles.

Back to top