Animal Kingdom

Materials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will identify themselves with an animal the most reflects some aspect of their personality. It's a great way for kids to get to know a little about each other. It also functions somewhat as a crowdbreaker by dividing them into groups, but you may need to do some adjustment as the groups are likely to be of different sizes.

Preparation
Choose 3-5 animals, one animal for each group you want to have. Choose animals that are vastly different from each other. Some options are:

Aardvark, Albatross, Anteater, Armadillo, Badger, Bat, Bear, Camel, Cat, Chicken, Chinchilla, Cow, Crab, Crane, Crayfish, Cuckoo, Deer, Dog, Dolphin, Dove, Duck, Dugong, Eagle, Elephant, Emu, Ferret, Flamingo, Flying fox, Frog,
Giraffe, Goat, Goose, Hamster, Hawk, Hedgehogs, Hippo, Horses, Hummingbird, Iguana, Kangaroo, Koala, Lemur, Lion, Lizards, Llamas, Loon, Mammoth, Monkey, Mouse, Octopus, Ostrich, Otter, Owl, Panda, Parrot, Pelican, Penguin, Pig, Pigeon, Porcupine, Rabbit, Rat, Raven/crow, Rhinoceros, Seal, Sheep, sloths, Snake, Sparrow, Stork, Swan, Tapir, Toad, Tortoise, Turtle, Unicorn, Weasel, Whale, Wolf, Wombat, Zebra

Icebreaker Activity
1. Ask kids to introduce themselves by giving their name and then choosing which of the selected animals they most identify with.
2. Then have kids group themselves according to the animals they chose. (Combine the two smallest groups if either has fewer than three members.)

Debrief
Direct kids to answer one of the following questions in their small groups.

• Are you more commonly the predator or the prey?
• Nocturnal or diurnal?
• What do think the choice of a this animal says about a person?
• What does the chosen animal reflect about you?
• What are some of the characteristics of this animal that are like you?
• What lessons could we learn from this animal?
• If you could choose to be any animal, what would you choose and why?

Conclusion
Have groups brainstorm the benefits of being similar to this animal and then share it with the rest of the groups.

Possible Applications / jump off points to spiritual discussions

1. Lesson on Noah's Ark (Genesis 6)
2. Lesson on Creation (Genesis 1)
3. Lesson on us being Sheep
4. "Ask the animals and they will teach you" - Job 12:7 Many refections of the Creator can be found in his Creation.
5. As God takes care of birds, even more so will he take care of us. (Matthew 6:24-34, Luke 12:24-27)