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One-Two-Three

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Woman clapping her hands above her head in game of One-Two-Three

One-Two-Three

Simple partner exercise to trigger bursts of laughter.

  • Very playful & fun
  • Fosters critical thinking
  • Invites collaboration
  • Partner activity
  • No props

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Form partners, with each person facing the other about 1 metre apart.
  2. Each pair will aim to count out loud the numbers “1, 2, 3” with each person saying one number at a time, eg Jane says “1” and then Amber says “2,” then Jane says “3,” etc.
  3. Pairs continue repeating this pattern of numbers as fast and accurately as possible.
  4. After a short practice, explain that you want each pair to repeat the process but first substituting the calling of “1” with a clap over one’s head, eg sounds like clap, two, three.
  5. Then, after several rounds, repeat the process by substituting the calling of “2” with a little jump on the spot, eg sounds like clap, jump, three.
  6. Finally, repeat the process by substituting the calling of “3” with the sound of a cat’s meow, eg sounds like clap, jump meow.
  7. Encourage each pair to complete the exercise as quickly, accurately and for as long as possible.
  8. If a mistake is made, the pair should enjoy a good laugh and then start over.
  9. Swap partners, or try a variation.

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Contributor

Add your Comments...

Have you played this activity? What worked, what didn't work? What type of group? Do you have useful advice for other users? Do you know a fun variation?

Comments (9)

  1. Silvio Berlfein

    When I do this I talk a lot about adapt to change. At first it is difficult but as you make mistakes you get better at it. Like in life. It is ok to make mistakes. I also add when doing it with a partner when either one makes a mistake we celebrate failure. How ? Jumping around saying ooo ooo ooo like a monkey with our index finger in the air pointing up. It is OK to make mistakes. Embrace and celebrate it, and laugh together. A great game I use it quite a lot.

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      Totally agree Silvio. Thanks for sharing your experience with this awesome energiser, one of my all-time faves.

    • jeWElle de Mesa

      thanks mucho for this sylvio. love the framing annnd the additional ‘celebration move’! will incorporate this next time. (“,)

  2. Mary Henton

    This is a new one for me. I love it! Waiting for a chance to use it.

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      Mary, you will LOVE this one. A classic partner that I could just imagine the likes of Karl Rohnke pulling out frequently to invite his groups to play and laugh.

  3. jeWElle de Mesa

    finally used this as a synthesis activity – on the last day of a 3 day workshop. first two days had lots of sharing about what participants called ‘mistakes’, or finding opportunities to doing things differently.

    so the framing was ‘how do we look at mistakes? what comes up when we or others make mistakes? one of the learning/applications questions was: what are opportunities to help manage these situations?

    i thought it worked well – people were laughing harrrrrd, sharing insights, identifying future scenarios. this was one of 4 activities to end the 3-hour afternoon session. (along with group juggle – 3 levels, appreciation/affirmation, gift giving connections [like group juggle with a string])

    yeyyyyy!

    Reply
    • Mark Collard

      Terrific stuff JeWElle, I’m so glad you gave this go. It is one of my all-time faves. Thanks for sharing.

  5. Chad Littlefield

    Fantastically simple! Love the additions to the base exercise too, Mark!

    Reply

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