# Clumps

Participants mill around an open space and assemble into clusters matching numbers called by the facilitator. In each round, groups complete a short conversational prompt before disbanding or settling into final working teams.

**Time:** 10 minutes. Playmeo documents this as a quick game under 5 minutes; 10 minutes allows 3 rounds of clustering, prompt sharing, and a brief debrief.
**People:** 8 to 24. Whole group milling, then assembling into small clusters of 3 to 5 people.

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Sort a gathering into random, temporary clusters of specified sizes using rapid physical grouping and brief structured prompts.
**Use it when:** Use when starting a workshop or transitioning between agenda items to create randomized small teams without complex counting systems.
**Skip it when:** Skip when the physical space lacks clear floor room, when participants must stay seated, or when rapid movement causes access barriers.

## Materials and tools

- Countdown timer or stopwatch
- Flip chart and marker or slide displaying the prompts

## Before participants arrive

1. Clear tables and chairs to leave open floor space for walking.
2. Post the three round prompts where everyone can see them.

## Say this to open

We are going to move around the room and form quick clusters. When I say 'Mingle,' walk around at a comfortable pace without pairing up. When I call out a number, quickly gather into a clump of exactly that size. If the headcount leaves extra people who cannot make a full clump, any single remaining person joins an existing group to make it one person larger, or two or more remaining people form their own bonus clump. Once your clump forms, I will start a 60-second timer for everyone in your cluster to share a quick response to the prompt.

## How to run it

### 1. Explain movement rules and start walking (2 minutes)

Deliver opening script. Emphasize that running is barred; participants must walk. Give an example: if the call is three, find two others so the clump equals three. Remind everyone of the remainder rule: a single remaining person joins an existing group to make it one larger, or two or more form their own bonus clump. Invite everyone to begin walking through the open room without stopping beside friends.

### 2. Run three grouping rounds with prompts (5 minutes)

Call 'Three!' Participants form clusters within 15 seconds. Apply remainder rules: single extras join existing groups; two or more form a bonus group. Show Prompt 1. Give clusters 60 seconds total to share quick answers. Call 'Mingle!' to disperse. Next, call 'Five!' Apply remainder rules and give 60 seconds for Prompt 2. Call 'Mingle!' then call 'Four!' Apply remainder rules and give 60 seconds for Prompt 3.

### 3. Hold final formation (1 minutes)

Direct participants to stay standing with their final clump from Round 3. Confirm that every cluster has 4 people, or is between 3 and 5 people if remainders were accommodated. Announce that this formation serves as their team for the upcoming agenda item.

### 4. Debrief the grouping exercise (2 minutes)

Gather whole-room attention while participants stay near their teams. Ask one debrief question from the list. Invite two brief comments from volunteers, keeping responses under 30 seconds each.


## Debrief questions

- What made it easy or hard to form your cluster quickly without leaving people out?
- How did moving between three different groups affect your readiness for group work?

**Finished output:** The entire room is sorted into randomized small working teams of 3 to 5 people.

## Remote

Run the grouping using video platform random breakout rooms. For Round 1, set breakout targets of 3 participants. If remainders occur, move a lone participant into an existing room of 3, or assign two or more remainders to their own bonus room. Open rooms for 90 seconds, broadcasting Prompt 1 in chat. Return to main room. Repeat for Round 2 with target size 5, and Round 3 with target size 4, applying the same remainder rule. Round 3 rooms become final working teams.

## Hybrid

Split facilitation across channels. In-person participants clump physically on the floor. Remote participants are sorted into breakout rooms matching target sizes (3 in Round 1, 5 in Round 2, 4 in Round 3). A co-facilitator adjusts assignments before opening: move a lone participant into an existing room to make it one larger, or place two or more leftover people into their own bonus room. A co-facilitator displays prompts on the screen. Both cohorts run parallel 60-second sharing rounds before re-mingling. Remote and in-person cohorts do not mix.

## Access and participation choices

- Participants who prefer not to walk or who use mobility aids can act as stationary anchors that walking participants form clumps around.
- Participants may pass on answering any prompt or offer a one-word check-in without giving personal details.

## If the session gets stuck

**The total room count does not divide evenly by the announced number, stranding one or two people.**

Remind the room immediately that a single stranded person joins any formed group to make it one larger, or two stranded people form their own smaller group.

**Participants run or scramble aggressively to grab teammates.**

Pause the round immediately, remind participants that running is prohibited, and restart the round at a walking pace.


## Terms used here

- Clump: A temporary small group matching the specific headcount announced by the facilitator.

## Participant material: Facilitator Prompts List

Round 1 (Target size: 3):
Share your name and one beverage you drank today.

Round 2 (Target size: 5):
Share one topic or skill you hope to work on today.

Round 3 (Target size: 4):
Share one quick practical win you want by the end of this session.

## Sources and adaptation

Observed in Playmeo documentation under the name Clumps, attributed to Mark Collard.

Preserved the core Playmeo mechanic of announcing numbers to produce spontaneous small clusters and having groups respond to a prompt upon gathering. Added specific round sizes (3, 5, and 4), walking safety rules, explicit remainder rules for single people and pairs, exact 60-second group sharing limits, and parallel hybrid instructions with co-facilitator breakout balancing.

[Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/clumps)

[Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/clumps/)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/quick-grouping-exercise-mixes-teams-rapidly-clumps/