Group splitting does several things that is useful for both the facilitator and the group.
For the Group: Often times, groups are either clustered into different "cliques" (that often exclude others or don't branch out within a group) or are not familiar with one another well enough to form into groups. Group splitting can help break down barriers to interaction but also could help get people talking to one another and build community.
For the Facilitator: Group splitting is a way to make activities run smoothly and more quickly without forcing participants to find groups on their own. Moreover, group splitting is a fun thing to do, so be creative in the ways you split a group up!
Note: Group splitting works if you use it in moderation. Try not to do it too much because it can become distracting/ groups can find ways to get around your intentional splitting.
Groups of 2 and/or 2 equal groups
Same sized pinky, thumb, hand (Groups of 2 or 2 groups)
Same colored shoes, shirt, pants, eyes, hair.......find someone with XXX if some people don't get paired exactly
Rock, Paper, Scissors; Thumb War; Finger Fencing....winners go one way, losers go the other
Vanilla and Chocolate, Ketchup and Mustard, Ice Cream and Bowl, Packers and Badgers, Up and Down, Day and Night, etc.
If you do an activities like handshakes, birdie on a perch, etc., you can group split with these things too
Groups of 3 and/or 3 equal groups
See groups of 2 for same sized/ same color stuff
Red, Yellow, Blue; Chocolate, Vanilla,
Groups of 4 and/or 4 equal groups
See groups of 2 for same sized/ same color stuff (harder challenge since there is a larger group)
North, South, East, West; Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall; Packers, Badgers, Brewers, Bucks;
Groups of <5 and/or <5 equal groups
See groups of 2 for same sized/ same color stuff (harder challenge since there is a larger group)
Make a Band: pick different instruments depending on how many groups you wanted to make
Make a Pizza/ Sub Sandwich: pick ingredients depending on how many groups you wanted to make
5 fingers: Have participants get into groups of 5 and pick a finger
Be creative! These are just examples! If you have a good way to split a group up, feel free to share it with PDC!