Lemonade

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Coordinate physical action and quick communication under time pressure through group mime and chase rules.

Use it when: Use in an open indoor or outdoor space as an active energizer during team retreats, youth programs, or active training sessions.

Skip it when: Skip in tight indoor rooms, spaces with trip hazards, or when participants prefer seated or low-exertion activities.

Group arrangement: Two opposing teams of roughly equal size facing off across a center line.

Timing: Playmeo lists low effort tag sequence; 15 minutes allows setup, 4 to 6 rounds of play, and a brief debrief.

Materials and tools

• 6 field cones or floor markers to outline two safe lines and one center line
• 1 whistle or clear audible signaling device for the facilitator

Before participants arrive

1. Choose a flat, obstruction-free running area at least 25 to 30 meters long.
2. Place markers for Team A safe zone on one end and Team B safe zone on the other end, roughly 25 to 30 meters apart.
3. Place markers indicating a center line midway between both safe zones.

Say this to open

We are going to play Lemonade, a classic team charades and chase game. One team picks a secret trade or job and mimes it together. The other team guesses. The second someone calls the right trade, the actors run back to their safe line while the guessers chase and tag them. Let us set up teams and walk through the call-and-response chant first.

How to run it

1. Set boundaries and assign teams 3 minutes

   Split the group into Team A and Team B. If numbers are odd, place the extra player on either team or invite them to referee. Show the two safe lines and the center line. Explain that tags must be light two-finger touches on the shoulder or upper arm, never shoves or grabs.

2. Huddle and select trades 2 minutes

   Team A huddles at their safe line to pick a specific trade, like carpenter, dentist, or baker. Team B waits at their own line. Remind Team A that all team members should perform a recognizable motion together.

3. Chant, mime, and chase 7 minutes

   Both teams meet 3 meters apart across the center line. Team A steps forward and chants: 'It's as easy as lemonade!' Team B steps forward and responds: 'Show us your trade if you're not afraid!' Team A mimes their trade silently while Team B shouts guesses. The instant Team B calls the right trade, blow the whistle. Team A runs for their safe line. Team B chases. Tagged players join Team B. Swap roles and repeat for several rounds.

4. Group debrief 3 minutes

   Gather both teams at the center line. Ask two focused questions about team coordination and reaction speed. Take two or three quick observations from volunteers before concluding.

Debrief questions

• How did your team coordinate your mime so everyone acted out the same trade?
• What cues helped you react immediately when the right guess was spoken?

Finished output: Completion of 4 to 6 alternating rounds of mime, guessing, and pursuit.

Remote

This active physical chase game cannot run online in its original form. For a remote team-mime alternative labeled 'Virtual Charades Sprint', put teams into breakout rooms for 2 minutes to choose an occupation and a coordinated video gesture. Both teams return to main gallery view. One team turns off audio and performs their gesture simultaneously while the other team races to type the correct occupation into chat within 45 seconds.

Hybrid

Hybrid play is not recommended because the defining mechanic requires shared physical running and tagging space. Remote participants should run the remote video charades variation in parallel breakout rooms rather than attempting to interact with the physical field.

Access and participation choices

• Participants who prefer not to run can serve as line judges at the safe lines, spotters, or caller judges who verify guesses.
• Tagging can be modified to a two-hand flag pull, tag belt, or verbal freeze if touch is uncomfortable.
• Anyone may choose to sit out a round at their team safe zone without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Disputes occur about whether a tag happened before or after crossing the safe line.

Appoint designated line judges or declare ties in favor of the runner. Remind the group that team sizes balance out naturally over rounds.

Guesser team shouts correct answers in rapid succession while the acting team freezes, unsure if they were heard.

Instruct the facilitator or the miming team captain to shout 'Yes!' or blow a whistle the moment the right guess is made, triggering the chase instantly.

Terms used here

• Safe Line: The boundary line at a team's home zone that runners must cross to be safe from being tagged.