Warm-up exercise: Zombie cats

Warm-up exercises play a crucial role in setting the tone for effective meetings. They encourage engagement, foster creativity, and help participants transition from their previous tasks. The main benefits include:

• Encouraging participation and engagement – When people contribute at the beginning of a meeting, they are more likely to stay engaged throughout.
• Setting the right focus – Helps participants shift their mindset and prepare for meaningful discussions.
• Building trust and common ground – Especially beneficial for new teams or team members to develop stronger connections.

Read more about warm-up exercises.

“Zombie Cats”

A fun and creative game designed to encourage teamwork, break the ice, and move participants out of their comfort zones.

Game Details:

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Participants: 4-12
• ✍️ Prep Time: 10 min
• 🕑 Duration: 40 min
• 🎭 Difficulty: Medium

“Zombie Cats” is an excellent icebreaker for new teams, helping participants get to know each other better. For established teams, it provides insight into personal interests and life outside of work, fostering stronger bonds and collaboration.

How to Play:

1. Divide into groups – Form small groups of equal size. If there are eight participants, create two groups of four.

2. Find two similarities – Each group must identify two common interests by asking each other questions.

   Example:

   • “Do you think zombies are cool?”

     • Dwight: “Yes”
     • Jim: “Yes”
     • Michael: “Yes”
     • Pam: “Yes”

   • The first word is Zombie.

   • “Do you like cats?”

     • Dwight: “Yes”
     • Jim: “Yes”
     • Michael: “Yes”
     • Pam: “Yes”

   • The second word is Cats.

3. Create a team name – Combine the two words to form a team name, such as Zombie Cats.

4. Draw or act out the words – Each team must either draw or mimic the two words they identified while the opposing team tries to guess.

5. Guess the name – Start the clock! The group that correctly guesses the other team's name in the shortest amount of time wins! 🎉

This warm-up exercise is engaging, fosters creativity, and helps build connections among team members. Give it a try in your next meeting and see the energy shift!