Looking for a fresh, engaging way to help students meet new people during orientation? Pairing Speed Friending with a hands-on creative activity is the perfect way to turn introductions into meaningful conversations.

Instead of simply rotating between quick conversations, students also work on a creative project as they move from table to table. Each table features a different color, giving participants the opportunity to add something new to their project while meeting a new group of people every few minutes.

The result? Students leave with a personalized keepsake and a campus full of new connections.

How Speed Friending with Creative Activities Works

The setup is simple but incredibly effective.

Arrange several tables throughout the room, assigning one color to each table. For example:

– Red Table
– Blue Table
– Green Table
– Purple Table
– Orange Table
– Yellow Table

Each table is stocked with supplies in that color and conversation cards featuring fun icebreaker questions.

Students begin at different tables and spend several minutes creating, coloring, and chatting with the people seated around them. When time is called, everyone rotates to a new color table, continues working on their project, and meets a whole new group of students.

By the end of the event, participants have visited every color station, completed a unique project, and made multiple new connections without the pressure of traditional networking.

Creative Programs That Pair Perfectly with Speed Friending

1. DIY Color Totes

One of our most popular orientation programs, DIY Color Totes lets students create a functional keepsake they’ll actually use throughout the school year.

Students decorate canvas tote bags using fabric markers while rotating between color stations during Speed Friending. Every stop adds another splash of color and another opportunity to make a new friend.

Choose from:

– Seasonal artwork
– Trendy sayings
– Inspirational designs
– Custom artwork featuring your school name, mascot, or logo
– Your own submitted artwork

Everything is shipped directly to your campus, making setup quick and easy. Students leave with a personalized tote they’ll use long after orientation ends.

2. Color Your Own Zlipperz

Color Your Own Zlipperz combines creativity with comfort. Zlipperz are innovative slippers featuring interchangeable zip-off tops that students customize using fabric markers. Participants can even mix and match different designs for each foot before bringing them to life with color.

Each package includes:

– Zlipper bottoms
– Two interchangeable tops
– Fabric markers

During Speed Friending, students visit each color station to decorate different sections of their slippers while chatting with new classmates. They leave with a one-of-a-kind pair of cozy slippers and plenty of new campus connections.

3. Grab, Go, Color

Grab, Go, Color combines three of our most popular DIY activities into one convenient package featuring a mix of Color Your Own Zlipperz, DIY Color Totes, and Color Photo Frames.

Coloring has been shown to reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, and provide a calming activity that naturally helps conversations flow. Instead of worrying about what to say next, students focus on coloring while getting to know the people around them.

Choose packages of 150, 300, 450 pieces or more, making Grab, Go, Color perfect for orientation, welcome week, family weekends or anytime you want a ready-to-go engagement activity on hand.

As students rotate between color tables, they’ll gradually complete their projects while meeting new classmates in a relaxed, creative environment.

4. DIY Creative Engagement Package

Our DIY Creative Engagement Package transforms any orientation space into an interactive creative zone where students can create, relax, and connect.

Simply set up multiple creative stations throughout the room, each featuring a different project or a different color theme. As students rotate between tables during Speed Friending, they’ll meet new classmates while completing fun DIY projects together. Sometimes all it takes to start a conversation is, “Can you pass me that marker?”

This format naturally encourages interaction, making it an ideal way to break the ice during orientation, welcome week, or evening programming in the student union. The creative activities keep students engaged as they rotate between tables, giving them an easy way to start conversations and connect with new classmates. Instead of simply introducing themselves, participants create, laugh, and collaborate together, leaving with personalized keepsakes and lasting memories of their first campus friendships.

Mix and match one or several of these popular DIY activities:

– Color Your Own Zlipperz
– DIY Color Totes
– Alpha Art
– DIY Zen Gardens
– Color Your Own Picture Frames
– Alphabet Shirts
– Sand Scapes
– And more!

Whether you’re creating one large creative zone or several smaller stations across campus, the DIY Creative Engagement Package offers a flexible solution for colleges looking to increase student engagement and interaction while giving students plenty of opportunities to connect.

Why Creative Speed Friending Works

Adding a creative activity transforms traditional Speed Friending into something comfortable and engaging.

Students enjoy:

– Natural conversation starters
– A relaxing, mindful activity
– Opportunities to meet dozens of new classmates
– Personalized keepsakes they’ll actually use and remember

The rotating color stations keep the event moving while encouraging interaction throughout the session. Students often discover they have far more in common while creating together than they would through traditional introductions alone.

Perfect for Orientation and Beyond

These creative Speed Friending events are ideal for:

– New Student Orientation
– Welcome Week
– Family Weekend
– Campus Celebrations
– Team Building Events

Turn your next orientation into an event students will actually remember. Contact Neon Entertainment today to learn how DIY Color Totes, Color Your Own Zlipperz, Grab, Go, Color, or our DIY Creative Engagement Package can help your students build friendships from day one through creativity, conversation, and colorful connections.