Ice Breakers

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Three Questions Game Everyone in the group writes down 3 provoking questions they would like to ask others in the group. Not the normal hats you nametype questions but something like, "Where is the most interesting place you have ever traveled" or "Name a topic you feel absolutely passionate about". Give them time to mingle, and to ask three different people in the group one of their three questions. Get back together and have each person stand and give their name. As they say their name, ask the group to tell what they know about this person. The Pocket/Purse Game Everyone selects one (optionally two) items from their pocket or purse that has some personal significance to them. They introduce themselves and do a show and tell for the selected item and why it is important to them. The Talent Show Everyone selects one talent or special gift that they possess and can demonstrate for the group. They introduce themselves, explain what their special talent is, and then perform their special talent for the group. Toilet Paper Game Pass around a roll of toilet paper to the group and ask them to take what they need. No further explanation. When done. Tell the group that as they go around the room, each person must tell a fact or something about themselves for each square of TP they took. Birthday Game Have the group stand and line up in a straight line. After they are in line, tell them to re-arrange the line so that they are in line by their birthday. January 1 on one end and December 31 at the other end. The catch is that they must do all this without talking or writing anything down. Map Game Hang a large map of the world. Give everyone a pushpin. As they enter, they pin the location of their birth on the map. Paper Airplane Game Everyone makes a paper airplane and writes their name, something they like and dislike on it (You may also want to add additional questions). On cue, everyone throws their airplane around the room. If you find an airplane, pick it and keep throwing it for 1-2 minutes. At the end of that time, everyone must have one paper airplane. This is the person they must find and introduce to the group. The Shoe Game When entering, everyone must take off one shoe and leave it in a pile at the door. They keep the other shoe on. After everyone is in. The host will distribute the shoes to people not wearing the same shoe. When instructed, everyone must find the mix and find the person who belongs to the shoe and get some info about them. They then introduce their new friend to the group. The Artist Game Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. In 5 minutes they must draw a picture that conveys who they are with out writing any words or numbers. At the end of 5 minutes the host collects the pictures. Show the pictures to the group one at a time and have them try to guess who drew it. After this allow each of the artists to introduce themselves and explain how their work clearly conveys who they are.

Three in Common Game Break the group into 3s. Their objective is for each group to find 3 things they have in common. But not normal things like age, sex or hair color. It must be three uncommon things. After letting the groups converse for 10 - 15 minutes, they (as a group) must tell the rest of the groups the 3 things they have in common. Dream Vacation Game Ask participants to introduce themselves and describe details of the ideal, perfect dream vacation. Polaroid Game As participants arrive, take their picture with a Polaroid type camera. Hand out the pictures to the group with each participant getting a picture of another member of the group. Give them 15 minutes to find and talk to the people matching their picture. When the group reassembles, have each member introduce their new picture pal to the group and talk about what they learned about them. Favorite T-Shirt Game Ask attendees to bring (not wear) their favorite T-shirt to the meeting. Once all participants have arrived, ask each person to show the shirt to the group and explain how the T-shirt best resembles their personality. Famous People/Cities Game As each participant arrives, tape a 3 x 5 index card on their back with the name of a famous person or city. They must circulate in the room and ask questions that can ONLY be answered with a YES or NO to identify clues that will help them find out the name of the person or city on their index card. EXAMPLES: Paris, Madonna, Santa Claus, John Wayne, Casablanca Favorite Animal Game As the guests arrive, and before you write their names on a name card, ask them to tell you their favorite animal and three adjectives to describe the animal. As they tell you, write the three adjectives on a name tag BEFORE their name (omit the name of the animal). Ask them to mingle with the crowd, sharing why these adjectives best describe their own personality. EXAMPLES: Loyal, cuddly, playful Dan Creative Name Tags Give everyone 15 minutes to make their own name tag-they can list hobbies, draw a picture, give a selfprofile, etc. Circle of Friends Game This is a great greeting and departure for a large group who will be attending a seminar for more than one day together and the chances of meeting everyone in the room is almost impossible. Form two large circles (or simply form two lines side by side), one inside the other and have the people in the inside circle face the people in the outside circle. Ask the circles to take one step in the opposite directions, allowing them to meet each new person as the circle continues to move very slowly. If lines are formed, they simply keep the line moving very slowly, as they introduce themselves. Marooned Game You are marooned on a island. What five (you can use a different number, such as seven, depending upon the size of each team) items would you have brought with you if you knew there was a chance that you might be stranded. Note that they are only allowed five items per team, not per person. You can have them write their items on a flip chart and discuss and defend their choices with the whole group. This activity helps them to learn about other's values and problem solving styles and promotes teamwork.

The Interview Game Break the group into two person teams (have them pick a partner that they know the least about). Have them interview each other for about twenty minutes (You can also prepare questions ahead of time or provide general guidelines for the interview). They need to learn about what each other likes about their job, past jobs, family life, hobbies, favorite sport, etc. After the interviews, reassemble the group and have each team introduce their team member to the group. This exercise helps them to learn about each other. Story Time Game The facilitator starts a story by saying a sentence. It then goes in a circle, each person adding a sentence onto the story-after repeating each sentence that's already been added. Ball Toss Game This is a semi-review and wake-up exercise when covering material that requires heavy concentration. Have everyone stand up and form a resemblance of a circle. It does not have to be perfect, but they should all be facing in, looking at each other. Toss a nerf ball or bean bag to a person and have tell what they thought was the most important learning concept was. They then toss the ball to someone and that person explains what they though was the most important concept. Continue the exercise until everyone has caught the ball at least once and explained an important concept of the material just covered. Positive Reinforcement Cards Game Whenever a participant arrives to class on time from breaks, lunch, etc. give them one playing card. You can also hand out cards to people who volunteer for activities, are helpful, answers a difficult question, etc. At the end of the day, play one hand of poker. Give a small prize to the best hand (you can also pick the top two or three hands if you want to give away more prizes). Note that the more cards a person has, the better the chance of winning. Human Bingo Game Before the meeting, make a bingo matrix and at the top of each square put something that someone in the group might have done-for example, voted for Ross Perot, served in the Peace Corps, etc. Everyone gets a copy and is asked to circulate, getting other group members to sign one square that is true of them. The first person to get "bingo" wins the prize (a candy bar or some other small thing). Out on the Town Game If you have a two-day meeting and need a quick warm-up for day two, ask everyone to pantomime something they did the night before. Individuals or groups can act out a movie they went to, describe a meal they ate, or recreate a scene witnessed at a bar Lucky Penny Game Each person takes a penny or other coin out of their pocket and looks at the date. When it's their turn, they tell the year that's on their coin and recall something spectacular that happened that year. Straw & Paperclip Game Give each group a box of straws not flexible straws) and a box of paperclips. Check that the paperclips can fit snuggly into the end of the straws. Give each group a task (you can use the same one for each group if you want) and let them go. Sample tasks: Build the structure as a group. tallest strongest longest most creative most functional etc. Debriefing included describing teamwork and situational leadership skills used as well as how different models are needed to accomplish different tasks. Four Facts Game Each person writes down four facts about themselves, one of which is a lie. Each person takes turns reading their list aloud and the rest of the team writes down the one they think is the lie. When all are done reading the lists aloud, the first person reads their list again and identifies the lie. The team sees how well they did.

A to Z Freeze Game Kangaroo Court to recite the alphabet in unison. Let them go on for a while until you yodel top!At that Ask participantsGame point, identify the letter they stopped on and ask everyone togroup. something they a kangaroo court will be Try this if there's an incident that irritates members of your share Announce that are looking forward to at school that begins with that letter. all guilty parties. After you make theyannouncement, everyone will begin held to properly try and prosecute For example, if the letter is , the might say avioli in the dining hall or view the incident in question with a contagious sense of humor. Name the defendants. Select a lawyer for to ooming with someone cool.Once everyone has shared, have them recite the alphabet again. Stop them on a different letterprosecuting attorney. to share a formal charges and submit them to the judge. the defense, as well as a and ask participants Write up personality trait they possess that begins with begins with that letter. If the letter is Screen and swear in things like iligenceor oofiness.Come up with Appoint a bailiff and court recorder. they might say your jurors. different questions to ask for each letter and repeat the process. Make a Date Game Reception Line Game Divide everyone into 2 groups. Have them stand facing each other. Eachon their talks to theaperson across Give each participant a paper plate. Have them draw the face of a clock person plate with line next to from number (nosignaled (flash lights). participants walk around of find line moves to other end. Consequently each them until digitals!). Then have At signal, person at end a one a "date" for each hour, writing their everyonethe hour. The catch is, noto. can make a "date" with more than one person per hour. After name by has a new person to talk one everyone has made their dates, speed up time and allow 1-3 minutes for each hour. The facilitator then Autograph Sheets Game asks a question for discussion on each date. The pairs will have a chance to get to know one another. Prepare a sheet listing traits or facts about people with a line for them to sign their name next to the trait if it applies Knots Game someone who wears contacts, someone who has been to Europe, etc.). People then People to them (i.e.: Everyone sits the room with a circle with legs extended toward the are eligible person grabs two others' mingle around on the floor in their sheets seeking to find people whomiddle. Eachto sign their sheets. A hands can only them. The hands sheet. be process may also be sitting on your sides and seek out the personand holds sign once on any cannotThethose of either personreversed by having peoplealso cannot be the two hands of the same person. think everyone stands up (i.e.: someone who looks like single circle, autograph of people to which they Now, the category appliesand untangles each other into athey enjoy the without letting go who hands the east, outdoors, someoneof the is fromyou have.etc.) Puzzles Game Artist Game Quick Change Give participants a blank piece of puzzle (cut up a sheet of index card stock). Each person writes on the piece off into partners they contribute to the group. The puzzle is then assembled to show that everyone the Pair one skill which facing each other. Each player is to observe his or her partner's appearance. Then contributes to the whole. players turn around back-to-back and make two or more changes in their dress, hair accessories, etc. When they face each other again, each partner must identify the changes made by his or her partner. This Human Knot repeated several times by changing partners and increasing the number of changes made. game can be Game Divide into groups of 6-10 people. Each group forms a tight circle., standing and facing each other. Everyone extends their hands into the circle and by intermingling their arms, grasps hands with other The Quiet Game members of the explains that this exercisebe take self control. Members pair back to back. not belong to of The instructor group. Instruct people to will sure that the two hands you are holding does On the count the same personmust face their partner, look each other in the eyes, and then try togroup physicallyand three, everyone The groups goal: untie the knot which results. Member of the remain solemn climb over/ under/speaking! The others arms to untie the knot of bodies. Note: remain standing then take a newa serious. No through each first to smile or laugh must sit down. All who Its RARE but it is possible for knot to be unsolvable orcontinues until only one person has not smiled or laughed. (Second round of playing partner and the activity end in two separate circles. can involve two teams competing to outlast each other.) If you get a pair at the end who are both keeping a Find Someone Game of the group can act ask hecklers to disrupt them. straight face, the rest Each person writes on a blank index card one to three statements, such as favorite color, interest, hobby, Sunshine Cards Game or vacations. Pass out cards so everyone gets someone else's card. Have that person find the person with Everyone writes their name in the center of a piece of paper and draws a sun around their name. Pass your their card and introduce themselves. paper around to the person on your right. That person will write something positive about you and they do Get have to sign their name. Continue to pass your name around until everyone has written something on all not in the News Game the papers. Divide your group into teams of four or five persons each, and make sure each team has the necessary supplies--scissors, tape, pins, and plenty of old newspaper. You'll also need a separate room or corner in Finish the Sentence Game which each team can work with privacy (and hilarity). Each group selects one person to be the model. After Write the start of a question on the board (i.e. My Favorite job was..,My Hobby is..) and go around the deciding what kind of costume to make, the team goes to work--cutting, crumpling, bunching, rolling, room with each person finishing the an appropriate amount of time, call everybody together for a costume show. piecing, pinning, taping. After sentence. When the group is finished, post another question and start again. (And don't forget to recycle your newspaper when you're finished!)

In Conclusion

We hope you use and enjoy some of the Icebreaker games listed above. We also invite you to look at the TGI Icebreaker and Team Builder games on our website. In addition you may want to consider purchasing any of the TGI Games listed on our Homepage. Input general trivia questions into the game to play an exciting and fun Quiz Show, Board Game or other TGI offering!