# Number Shuffle Participants hold large single-digit signs from 0 to 9 and physically line up to display announced multi-digit numbers as quickly and accurately as possible. The group coordinates movement and communication across repeated rounds. **Time:** 10 minutes. Source recommends playing for up to 5 minutes. UWT expands this to 10 minutes to allow for briefing, multiple rounds, and debrief. **People:** 10 to 24. Teams of 10 participants, each holding one unique digit from 0 to 9; extra participants act as callers, spotters, or timekeepers. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Coordinate group movement and communication under time pressure to form designated multi-digit numbers. **Use it when:** Use as an active energizer during team sessions, workshops, or transitions when a group needs physical movement and fast coordination. **Skip it when:** Skip when the physical space is too cramped for safe movement, or when group members prefer quiet or stationary activities. ## Materials and tools - 1 set of 10 large sheets of paper printed with digits 0 through 9 per 10-person team - 1 flip chart or whiteboard with dry-erase marker - Pre-written list of multi-digit numbers with no repeating digits (such as 407, 9,641, or 83,250) - Digital timer or stopwatch ## Before participants arrive 1. Print or write digits 0 to 9 clearly on separate sheets of paper. 2. Draft a sequence of 6 to 10 prompt numbers where each digit appears at most once. 3. Clear an open floor space where 10 people can easily move past each other and form a line facing the audience or facilitator. ## Say this to open Each of you holds one single-digit card from 0 through 9. When I call out and write a number, the people holding those exact digits must run up and form a line so the audience can read the number correctly from left to right. Everyone else steps back. Let us see how quickly and accurately you can assemble. ## How to run it ### 1. Distribute cards and explain rules (2 minutes) Divide participants into teams of 10, or form one active 10-person line while remaining group members serve as callers, timekeepers, and judges. Hand one digit card from 0 to 9 to each active team member. Explain that numbers will be read from the perspective of the room facing the team. ### 2. Run initial practice rounds (3 minutes) Call out a 3-digit number and write it on the board (example: 407). The participants holding 4, 0, and 7 step forward and line up in correct sequence from left to right as seen by the facilitator. Unused digits take two steps back. Confirm accuracy, reset, and call a 4-digit number (example: 9,641). ### 3. Execute timed challenge rounds (3 minutes) Run 3 to 4 faster rounds with larger numbers up to 6 or 7 digits (example: 83,250 or 1,947,260). Track completion time on a stopwatch. Challenge the group to reduce their setup time while keeping the sequence completely accurate. ### 4. Debrief coordination strategies (2 minutes) Bring the team together for a brief reflection. Hear observations from 2 or 3 participants about what communication tactics helped or hindered their alignment. ## Debrief questions - What specific tactic helped the team organize into the correct order fastest? - How did participants decide who took charge of positioning the line? - What changed in your communication between the first practice round and the final timed round? **Finished output:** A series of accurately assembled physical number lines completed within recorded challenge times. ## Remote This activity requires physical movement and directional alignment that does not translate directly to standard videoconferencing. For an online group, run a digital card sort where 10 participants rename their video screen display names to single digits (0 to 9) and arrange themselves in a virtual gallery or drag numbered tiles onto a shared digital board in order. Label this online adaptation as Digital Number Sort. ## Hybrid In a hybrid setting, in-person participants form the physical line holding the cards while remote participants serve as spotters and timekeepers, verifying accuracy via webcam and calling out navigation cues. ## Access and participation choices - Participants with mobility limitations can participate from a seated row by holding up their card when their digit is called rather than running across the floor. - Anyone preferring not to hold a card or move quickly may opt to serve as caller, timekeeper, or verification judge without disclosure. ## If the session gets stuck **Participants arrange digits from their own point of view rather than the viewer perspective, reversing the number.** Remind the group before each round that the line must be legible from left to right for someone looking at them from the audience. **Multiple participants talk at once, creating confusion and slowing down the lineup.** Pause between rounds and give the group 30 seconds to designate one caller or a standard alignment anchor, such as establishing the left-hand digit first. ## Terms used here - No-repeat number: A multi-digit number in which each individual numeral from 0 to 9 appears only once. ## Participant material: Sample Number Prompt Sheet Round 1 (3 digits): 407 Round 2 (4 digits): 9,641 Round 3 (5 digits): 83,250 Round 4 (6 digits): 179,342 Round 5 (7 digits): 5,820,631 Round 6 (7 digits): 4,901,873 ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Playmeo collection, where the activity is attributed to Mark Collard. Retained core mechanic of assigning digits 0 to 9 and having participants physically assemble announced numbers from Playmeo. Added explicit roles for extra participants, timing brackets, hybrid considerations, access modifications, and structured debrief questions. [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/team-building-problem-solving-activities/number-shuffle) [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/team-building-problem-solving-activities/number-shuffle/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/fun-team-building-game-to-boost-quick-thinking-number-shuffle/