What Makes You Happy?
What Makes You Happy? Identifying and Sharing Sparks is a 45-minute activity where participants share their deep interests, talents, or activities — their sparks — with the rest of the group. It focuses on connecting people with new ideas, people, places and experiences. Facilitators ask participants to reflect on things they are really passionate about, when they feel happiest, and when they lose track of time because they like what they are doing so much.
Planning and Preparation: This 45-minute activity works with any size group. You’ll need blank paper, pens or pencils, and sticky notes (or half sheets of paper or index cards and tape). You’ll want to identify some open wall space where you can post each person’s sticky note with space for everyone to read them. Encourage positive sparks. If someone’s spark is a harmful activity (drugs, self-injurious behavior), you’ll want to follow up after the activity to see if they need support or resources.
Developmental Relationship Element: Expand Possibilities.
CASEL Competencies: communication, self-awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making.
Objective: Build and strengthen relationships among participants and between participants and leaders. Deepen understanding of Expand Possibilities in Search Institute’s developmental relationships framework.
Activity
What Makes You Happy?
Resource Audience
Resource Type
Read Time
Participants
# of Participants
Task Group Size
Task Length
More Activities to Build Strong Relationships in Your Classroom or Group

Activity
Mapping Young People’s Web of Support
Help young people identify the people they know who can support them as they work toward their life goals.

Activity
Inspiration Wall
Activity where participants name people who have inspired them and work together to create an inspiration collage.

Activity
Suggestion Box
Suggestion Box activity
Related Resources on Relational Practices

Video
What is youth Social Capital?
This short video is a great way to help young people understand the importance of social capital.

Activity
Blindfold Adventure
Activity where participants guide a blindfolded partner from one point to another, learning and demonstrating the importance of giving and receiving help.

Video
They Shape Who We Are
They Shape Who We Are is a five-minute video introducing the importance of Developmental Relationships in young people's lives