Icebreakers and Team Builders
Icebreakers and Team Builders
Online Activities
Icebreakers, Games, and Fun Group Activities
Hemispheric Dominance Inventory
Reflection Activities for the Classroom
Icebreakers
True or False?
Each student should write down three sentences
describing himself. For example, "I have attended 11 schools," and "I have
an aunt and an uncle both named Laverne," and "I love to vacation in Cancun."
The catch is, two of the statements are true and one is false. (Try to
guess which one I am lying about!) The students then share their three
statements with each other or the entire class (whichever you prefer) and
vote on which they think are true and false. The catch here is that the
more unusual the information, the harder it will be for the other students
to guess. Let them know this, and you are sure to learn some interesting
trivia about your new students.
Famous Pairs Game
For this icebreaker, tape the name of a famous person or character to
the back of each participant. You will need an even number of participants.
Each person is to find his/her match without directly talking to each other.
They may give a description of who they are (once they figure it out) or
say a common phrase. Use the following list as a guide:
Fred and Wilma Flinstone
Bill and Hillary Clinton
George and Judy Jetson
George and Martha Washington
Dawson and Joey (Dawson's Creek)
Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Jack Dawson and Rose (Titanic)
Aladdin and Jasmine
*This activity can be adapted by handing participants notecards rather
than taping the cards to their backs.
Animal Pairs Game
This icebreaker is similar to the Famous Pairs Game, except that the
pairs will have the same character on their backs. This time, each participant
is an animal. The participants may only make the sound of the animal to
find his/her pair. Use the following list as a guide:
*This activity can be adapted by handing participants notecards rather
than taping the cards to their backs.
I've Never...But I'd Like to Someday
For this exercise, the entire group should form a circle and each participant
should be given three popsicle sticks. The first person begins by saying
"I've Never (insert words), but I'd like to someday." Each person in the
group who HAS done that activity should through a stick into the middle.
This continues around the circle as many times as necessary. The goal is
for each person to run out of sticks. Examples:
I've never ___________, but I'd like to someday."
Bungee jumped
Make straight A's on a report card
Rode a roller coaster
Been to Disneyland
Traveled outside the U.S.
See the ocean
Getting to Know You...Multiple Choice Style
This icebreaker helps students to understand that they are not as different
as they may think. This is an active learning activity in which the moderator/teacher/leader
reads a series of questions and participants respond by selecting a multiple
choice answer. Each corner of the room should be a designated letter. Example
statements:
If I had to see a movie, I would rather see: (A) Dumb and Dumber (B) Acaconda
(C) Star Wars (D) The Little Mermaid.
If I could go out to eat, I would eat at: (A) Red Lobster (B) Olive Garden/Pasta
House (C) McDonalds (D) Applebees.
My favorite thing about myself is: (A) My personality (B) My looks (C)
My car (D) My brain.
If I had to give up one thing at home, it would be: (A) Air conditioning
(B) Television (C) Microwave (D) Computer.
If I could hold one of the four jobs listed, I would be: (A) Pilot (B)
Webmaster (C) Teacher (D) Doctor.
Partner TV Commercials
This is a good one-on-one icebreaker. Students should get into groups
of two and interview each other. They only get two minutes each. Then,
the students have one minute to come up with a quick television commercial
advertising their partners. This one takes some creativity! You may wish
to give students a guide sheet and/or do an example commercial first.
For this activity, put the name of an individual on the back of each
participant. The participants must then go around the room trying to guess
who they are. They may only ask Yes/No questions. Examples:
Woody WoodPecker
Papa Smurf
Bill Clinton
Jim Carrey
Pass It Around
This activity can be done several different ways, but my favorite is
either with a roll of toilet paper or with a bowl of candy. Pass either
one around and have participants take "as much as they need." Then, go
around the room and for every piece of candy (or square of tissue), they
must share that much information about themselves with the group.
The Line Game
Divide the students into equal groups. You will announce an order that
you wish them to line up in, first group to do it and sit in a line on
the floor wins a point.& Use any of these categories:& street
addresses (highest in the front - lowest in the back), age, shoe size,
birthdays, telephone& numbers,& middle names in alphabetical
order, Mother's first name, etc.
Remember My Name
This is a fun activity for learning names. Put group members in a circle.
The first group member introduces himself, gives himself a nickname that
starts with the same letter, and explains why he chose that name. Then,
the group works their way around repeating each nickname along the way.
If they mess up, they must start back at the beginning. Example:
Jeff--Jumpy Jeff (he gets frightened easily)
Paula--Pretty Paula (her mom always tells her she is pretty)
Carlos--Caring Carlos (he always lends others a helping hand)
Getting to Know You Bingo
Each participant should be given a preprinted bingo card and a pen/pencil.
On the card should be several unique (some do not have to be too unique)
attributes. Each person must work their way around the room trying to find
someone who fits that box. That person must sign the box. NO NAME MAY BE
USED MORE THAN ONCE. Once the winner is determined, use the winner's card
to introduce the rest of the group members. Examples for card:
Has never been outside of Missouri
Was born in another state
Works at the local grocery store
Plays volleyball
Is taking Keyboarding this year
Has a younger brother or sister
Is an only child
Is in Beta Club
The Great Wind Blows
This is a fast paced icebreaker that gets student moving and laughing.
Arrange a circle of chairs. Ask each student to sit in one of the chairs
(have an exact number). Tell students that if they agree with your next
statement, they should stand up and move to another chair. Stand in the
center of the circle and say: "My name is ___________ and the great wind
blows for everybody who...." (choose an ending that would likely apply
to nearly everyone in the class, such as "likes chocolate ice cream." At
this point, everyone who likes chocolate ice cream gets up and runs to
another empty chair. As the students move, make sure you occupy one of
the empty seats. If you do, then one students will have no seat to occupy
and will replace you in the center. Have the new person in the center finish
the same incomplete sentence. Play the gave as often as it seems appropriate.
*This can be adapted by using the phrase "I've got mail for....anyone
who likes chocolate ice cream" instead of "The Great Wind Blows."
The Company You Keep
Make a list of categories you think might be appropriate for a getting
acquainted activity (Examples: month of birthday, people who like/don't
like something, favorite something, hand in which you write, color of your
shoes, agreement or disagreement with any statement of opinion on a current
issue). Clear some floor space so students may move around freely. Call
out a category. Direct students to locate as quickly as possible all the
people whom they would associate with the given category. For example,
right-handers would separate from left-handers. If there are more than
two choices (birthday month, for example) you will have more than two groups.
When students have formed the clusters, ask them to shake hands with "the
company they keep." Invite all to observe approximately how many people
there are in different groups. Proceed immediately to the next category,
Keep students moving. Reconvene the class and discuss the diversity of
students revealed by the exercise.
Summer Activities Name Game
Have each student introduce himself by first name and tell something
they did this summer that starts with the same letter. For example, I could
say "Hi, my name is Nicole, and I nudged the President." The next person
in the line (or circle) does the same but must also introduce the people
before him and their summer activity.
Sing a Tune
Each student receives a slip of paper with a song title on it, with
about four or five people receiving the same song. They don't show their
song to anybody. Instead, they hum their song, walking around the room
trying to find other people humming the same song.
Blanket Name Game
Students are divided into two teams. Each team sits on the floor facing
the other team. A blanket is held by two volunteers (teacher and a student)
between the two groups.& Each team then quietly chooses one member
of their team to sit just behind the blanket and ahead of their own team.
At this point the chosen individuals are sitting facing each other, but
concealed by the blanket. The blanket is then dropped and the two students
quickly identify his opponent. A point is scored for the team who shouts
out the opposing person's name first.
Modification: Each team can reveal a verbal clue describing the chosen
individual directly behind the blanket, prior to the dropping of the blanket.
I'm Going on a Trip
For this activity, the students line up in a circle.& Someone starts
by saying "I'm going on a trip. My name is_____ and I'm taking _______."
(My name is Liz and I'm taking luggage)& You must use your name and
an item you are taking that starts with the same letter.& Then, the
next person adds on: "I'm going on a trip. My name is Frank and I'm taking
a flashlight. This is Liz and she is taking luggage."& The game continues
around the circle or as long as needed.
Pile of Hats
Gather together as many different and unique kinds of hats as you can
find and place them in the
center of the room. Ask the group members to sit in a circle around
the hats and select one member
of the group to start. Ask this person to choose the one hat that they
feel best represents how they
are feeling right now. Allow everyone to take a turn selecting a hat
and to explain why they chose the
hat that they did. Each person should return his/her hat to the pile
when their turn is done so others
may select the same hat if they choose.
After everyone has chosen a hat, the group may do mare rounds of this
activity with different
instructions. You may ask them to select a hat that represents how
they feel when with this group,
when with their family, when alone, when at school, when at work, etc.
Compare the different "hats"
people wear when with different groups.
Team Builders
Human Knot
For this team builder, participants get in groups of five, and connect
hands so that they form a tangled knot. Then, each team must try to get
out of the knot without letting go of each other's hand.
*This activity can be adapted by having participants use string to
knot up rather than their hands.
Machine Game
For this team builder, participants get in groups of four to six. The
rule is that everyone must participate. Each group will be given a card
with the name of a machine. They must group like the machine and once the
machine is put together, they may make the sound of the machine. The following
are ideas for machines:
Television Set
Washer/Dryer
Three-hole punch
Photo Scavenger Hunt--Objects
For this activity, each group needs a list of objects and a disposable
camera. Give each group 30 minutes to find the objects on the list. Rather
than retrieving the objects (and having to worry about returning them to
their owners!), they must take a picture of the object with at least one
group member in the picture. This can be done either at school or using
the community (if you are in a small town where people know each other
well enough). Record the time for each group, have the pictures developed
that night, and post poster boards with each group's pictures the next
day. Ideas for objects:
Elvis record
8 track tape
Merry-go-round
Baby swing
Christmas decoration
Photo Scavenger Hunt--Poses
For this activity, each group needs a list of poses and a disposable
camera. Give each group 30 minutes to get to the appropriate locations
and get the pictures. All group members (except the one taking the picture)
must be in the picture. When they arrive back at school, record the time
for each group, have the pictures developed that night, and post poster
boards with each group's pictures the next day. Ideas for poses/locations:
Police Station: You're under arrest! Three group members are cops and the
rest of you are up against the building ready to be searched!
Basketball Court (park): It's time to shoot some hoops! Get your group
into positions as if you are playing a basketball game. Someone should
be taking a shot.
Red Rover (playground): It's time for a playground game of Red Rover. Divide
up your group into two red rover lines. When someone is called to run through,
snap a picture.
Adopt-a-Highway: This place is a mess! Clean up that road. Get your group
members to the road to pick up trash and get a picture!
Team Getaway
Provide each team with a stack of index cards (different sizes in each
stack are best). Challenge each team to be as effective a group as possible
by constructing a three-dimensional model of a "getaway retreat" solely
from the index cards. Folding and tearing the cards are permitted, but
no other supplies can be used for the construction. Encourage teams to
plan their retreat before they begin to construct it. Provide marking pens
so that the teams can draw on the cards and decorate the getaway as they
see fit. Allow at least 15 minutes for the construction. Do not rush or
pressure the teams. When the constructions are finished, invite the class
to take a tour of the getaway retreats. Visit each construction and request
that team members show off their work and explain an intricacies of their
house. Applaud each team's accomplishments.
Blind Map Walk
Giving and receiving directions over the phone is much more difficult
than giving them in person. When you are talking on the phone, you need
clear communication skills for both parties to understand each other. In
this game success depends on clear verbal skills and excellent listening
This teambuilder is designed to help participants to learn the importance
of giving clear directions and to learn what is required of them when using
good listening skills. To build trust among group members. You will need
blindfolds and a sketch of the surrounding area with a course drawn on
Divide the group into pairs and blindfold one member of each pair. Give
the partner, without& the blindfold, a copy of the map. The partner
without the blindfold must guide the blindfolded partner
through the course with only verbal directions. The partners may walk
together but they may not touch each other.
Once the course has been completed, switch the blindfold to the other
partner and give the pair a
new map to follow.
HINT: This works best when you use an area that is unfamiliar to the
group so they do not already
know what obstacles they may encounter.
Discussion Prompts:
1. Did you like giving or receiving directions the best? Why?
2. What did you do to make sure the directions were clearly understood?
3. What did you do to make sure you were following the directions?
4. Why are good communication skills important?
5. How was trust a factor in this activity?
Big Vs. Small
Being put into an unfair situation isn' and some people
who lack anger control will act out in this type of situation. This game
is a good object lesson in how things can (at times) be unfair, unbalanced,
or mismatched. This game is also a good discussion starter in what is unfair
in people's lives and how it should be handled, especially for those who
are easily angered and who become destructive when things don't go their
way.& For this activity, you will need a basketball, volleyball or
beach ball.
Ask the group to line up from shortest to tallest. Divide the line in
half so all the short people are on
one team and all the tall people are on the other. Set up a game for
the group to play in which height
is an advantage. Some suggestions are: basketball, volleyball or keep
away with a beach ball.
After playing this way for a while, the tall team will most likely be
winning with the short team being
frustrated. At this point change the rules and tell the tall team that
they must all put one hand in their
pocket or behind their backs for the rest of the game.
Discussion Prompts:
1. How did you feel when the game was in your favor?
2. How did you feel when the game was not in your favor?
3. Do you ever feel like your life is like this game? Are you usually
winning or losing?
4. Do you ever get angry when things seem to be unfair?
5. How do you release the anger that you feel when things are unfair?
6. Is there a better way to handle an unfair situation?
Human Scavenger Hunt
Break the large group into smaller groups of about six to twelve people
each. Have each group stand
or sit together in a place that is separate from the other groups but
of equal distance from you - the
leader who stands in the middle of the room.
Read one item from the list at a time. The team who sends up a person
or group of people to you
first that fits the description you have just given earns a point.
For example, you might say "two
people who have the same middle name" and within each group the members
must talk, find out if
any two have the same middle name, and then quickly send those people
up to you. The first group
of people with the same middle name to reach you earns a point for
their team. You may give a
bonus point for different items if it applies - for instance, if a
group has three people with the same
middle name they may earn a point for this round even if they were
not the first group to get to you.
The group with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Human Scavenger Hunt List
1. Two people who have the same first and last initial
2. The person in your group who was born the farthest away from here
3. Two people with the same middle name
4. A group of people whose ages add up to 100
5. Two people with the same birthday (or birthday month)
6. A group of people whose shoe sizes add up to 40
7. The person in your group who lives the closest to here
8. A group of people who have attended school for a total of 38 years
9. A group of people who can spell a word by putting together the first
letters of their first names
10. A group of three people who all have different colored eyes
Variations
~ Ask for items such as "a 1982 coin" or "an expired drivers license"
or any other items that group
members may be able to find in their pockets, purses, wallets, or on
themselves.
~ Add a stunt to each item on the list - for example, "Two people who
have the same first and last
initial must leap frog up to me".
Other Icebreakers and Team Builders
:& Includes some ideas for ice-breakers they've used successfully
and recommend to you.
Please submit other icebreakers and team builders (or web sites)
to me at .& Thanks!