Icebreaker Games
These games are great for breaking the ice and helping new kids feel welcomed.
Some of the criteria I've looked at for choosing the best "get to know you" games include: how well the game facilities players to learn about each other whether that's simply names or something more, how well the game provides a springboard for conversation after the game is over, how well it works for groups that mostly already know each other as well as groups that have never met before, how fun it is to play and how much is involved in setting up the game.
Check out some icebreaker questions here!
1
Name BingoA good get to know you game that is quick to explain and quick to play. Helps get kids moving and mingling as well. Might also be a good way to get kids into random groups or pairs at the end of the game, as they'll be moving to different seats and sitting next to different people during the game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
2
Two Truths and a TaleThis has got to be my all time favourite small group get to know you game. I've played this on countless camps as the first get to know you activity for my small group. I find it really gives the group a good insight into how each member thinks, what's important to them and what they like to talk about. And as a leader, with the amount of times I've played it, I don't even need to think that hard to come up with my own truths and a lie. I highly recommend this get to know you icebreaker game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
3
Team ArchitectMaybe a bit of a wildcard entry in this category, but I think it works really well. The game involves getting teams of kids to work together to build something. It's a fantastic team building game, but I think is also a really good get to know you game as it provides opportunities for people to interact while working together to achieve something. It gives people an opportunity to showcase their personality and their gifts in a way that other youth group games don't.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
4
Speed Dating With A TwistIf you want a straight forward talking game without any bells and whistles added, then this is the get to know you youth group game for you. Pair the kids up, give them some questions or discussion topics to talk about, give them a minute and then rotate. Simple and effective!
See instructions for this get to know you game »
5
Mix & MeetChocolate is always a great way to break the ice and help people bond. This game uses M&M chocolates to get the players to interact with each other about their different "favourites". Doesn't put too much pressure on anyone, can be really funny and it has CHOCOLATE! Highly recommended for a small group situation.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
6
Never Have I EverA good get to know you game that is quick to explain and quick to play. Helps get kids moving and mingling as well. Might also be a good way to get kids into random groups or pairs at the end of the game, as they'll be moving to different seats and sitting next to different people during the game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
7
Get To Know You Bang"Bang!" encourages kids to react quickly and this is a modification of the classic game which helps kids get to know everyone's names really well. It is good because there's pressure on everyone to remember names, not just the new kids. The kids that have been hanging around for years still might find themselves forgetting names under the pressure.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
8
Shoe TalkA funny one to play with a fairly confident group of people as it involves taking off a shoe, picking up another shoe and finding the owner. It also might be wise to choose to play this one when the weather is cooler to avoid stinky shoe situations! A favourite of mine as it is a great way to randomly mix up the people playing the game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
9
Mingle Mingle MingleIf you're up for some chaos with your group then this is another great "get to know you" game for you. Players need to continually repeat an answer to a question about themselves and find other people who are answering the same thing. It's positivie is how chaotic it can get! It's negative is how chaotic it can get!
See instructions for this get to know you game »
10
Penny For Your ThoughtsAn interesting game involving coins and facts. Might take a little bit of setup time (collecting the right coins) but with the right bunch of kids it could work really well.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
Name Plate Activity
Hand out a sheet of paper (construction paper is best). Fold the paper in half (5-1/2 x 8-1/2) and have students use a marker to print their name in the middle. Then have them place something about them in each corner - for example - upper left corner a drawing of what they did this summer, lower left corner - print a word or two that best describes them (friendly, athletic, etc.), upper right corner a drawing of their fa- vorite hobby or activity, lower right corner - favorite movie.
After students are done, then tell them to get in groups of three (some-
times it is fun to have some music for this activity - as soon as the mu-
sic begins they need to get into a group of three ). Stop the music - and
have them share what they have drawn in one (or two) of the corners.
After about 2-3 minutes start the music again and have them regroup
into another - this time with different people. Share what is in the other corners.
After doing this a few times, have everyone sit down and select people to tell about what they learned about someone else in the room.
Introduce Another
Divide the class into pairs. Each person talks about him/herself to the other, sometimes with speci c instructions to share a certain piece of information. For example, “The one thing I am particularly proud of is...” After ve minutes, the participants introduce the other person to the rest of the class.
Character Descriptions
Have students write down one or two adjectives describing themselves. Put these on a stick-on badge. Have class members nd someone with similar or opposite adjectives and talk for ve minutes with the other person.
I’ve Done Something you Haven’t Done
Have each person introduce themselves and then state something they have done that they think no one else in the class has done. If someone else has done it, the students must state something else until he/she nds something that no one else has done.
Find Someone
Each person writes on a blank index card one to three statements, such as favorite color, interest, hobby, or vacations. Pass out cards so everyone gets someone else’s card. Have that person nd the person with their card and introduce themselves.
Famous Person
People write a famous name on a piece of paper and pin it on someone else’s back. Person tries to guess what name is pinned on his/her back by asking others around the room yes or no questions. Variation: Use famous places instead of famous people.
My Name
People introduce themselves and tell what they know about why they have their name (their mother wanted to name me after her great aunt Helen who once climbed Pike’s Peak in high heels, etc.). It could be the rst, middle, or nickname.
How do you Feel?
Ask the students to write down words or phrases that describe their feelings on the rst day of class. List the responses on the blackboard. Then ask them to write down what they think you, as the teach- er, are feeling this rst day of class. List them on the blackboard in a second column and note the parallels.
Interview Three Words
Assign each person in the group to another person from the group. Then have them nd out as much of the following information about each other as they possibly can in 2-3 minutes; name, hobbies, family, state, school/job, favorite color, favorite food, favorite type of music, etc. They can interview back and forth or each person could be assigned to interview one person while a completely different person is interviewing them. Then have them use 3 words to describe their assigned partner, but 3 words only, (example: Joe Bob was my partner, funny, energetic, happy)
Variable Names
Choose one of the introductions below. Gather people around and give them the instructions and an example using your own name as an example. Tell the group that you will be passing to your (left or right) and then ask if there are any questions. People should have the right to pass if they can’t think of an answer right away, just make sure to get back to them at the end to see if they have an answer. • Everyone introduces him/herself as their favorite food. (I had to go around saying, “Hello! I’m Sau- sage McMuf n with Egg!”
• Introduce yourself with your rst name and an adjective that begins with the same rst letter of your name. (Hi! I’m Nan. I’m feeling nutty today.)
Interpersonal BINGO
Make up a BINGO style sheet with information in each square that may t people in your group. (If you know the people, you can actually tailor the information to speci cally t your group). Use a diver- sity of information regarding hobbies, background experiences, cultural references, etc. (e.g., traveled more than 60 miles to get here; is an only child; didn’t see (insert movie here);... the possibilities are endless). People then play BINGO by meeting other people in the room, introducing themselves and getting prizes.
Mute Line-up
Participants are asked to line themselves up according to their date of birth (not year). For example, someone born on the 16th of January would be closer to the front than someone who was born on the 5th of May. The rules of the icebreaker are:
• Participants must not talk or use their mouth in any way.
Use other categories (birth date, shoe size, bus number, etc.)
Solemn and Silent
The instructor explains that this exercise will take self-control. Members pair back to back. On the count of three, everyone must face their partner, look each other in the eyes, and then try to remain solemn and serious. No speaking! The rst to smile or laugh must sit down. All who remain standing then take a new partner and the activity continues until only one person has not smiled or laughed. (Second round of playing can involve two teams competing to outlast each other.) If you get a pair at the end who are both keeping a straight face, the rest of the group can act as hecklers to disrupt them.
Meuume
The basic aim of this activity is to learn the names of others in your group, without forgetting your own!!! Participants stand in a straight line. The rst person in line (e.g., Jim) turns to the 2nd person (e.g., Penny) and follows the name process of “Meuume” as outlined:
Jim says his own name: Jim
Penny says her own name: Penny
Jim says Penny’s name: Penny
Penny says Jim’s name: Jim
Jim then moves onto the 3rd person in the line, the 4th, and so on. The 2nd person then addresses the 3rd person and so on. Continue until the last person in line has had their turn at introducing them- selves to each person in line.
If you forget the order that the introductions are done, think of the name of the game: Meuume, or Me, You, You, Me.
Truth or Pretend?
Have each person tell one thing about themselves that is true and one thing that is false, without re- vealing which is which. Then have all participants try and guess which one is the truth.
Toss-A-Name-Game
The objective of this activity is to gradually learn the names of all those in the group. This is achieved by rst throwing a soft object (small soft objects, balls, or toys) around/across the circle, with each person saying their name when they catch the object. After a few minutes of this, as well as saying their own name, participants then also say the name of the person they choose to throw to. Partici- pants cannot throw to the person directly beside them. Eventually, the game can be made more dif - cult by throwing in more objects.
Comic Strip Chaos
Each participant takes a turn at picking a comic frame out of a large container. After the entire group has each chosen one, the participants begin to search for others with the same comic strip sequence. After the participants have found everyone in their group, they must arrange themselves so that the sequence of frames are in chronological order to form the comic strip correctly. Upon completion of sequence, the newly formed group sits down together. Great game to break large group into smaller groups.
Some of the criteria I've looked at for choosing the best "get to know you" games include: how well the game facilities players to learn about each other whether that's simply names or something more, how well the game provides a springboard for conversation after the game is over, how well it works for groups that mostly already know each other as well as groups that have never met before, how fun it is to play and how much is involved in setting up the game.
Check out some icebreaker questions here!
1
Name BingoA good get to know you game that is quick to explain and quick to play. Helps get kids moving and mingling as well. Might also be a good way to get kids into random groups or pairs at the end of the game, as they'll be moving to different seats and sitting next to different people during the game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
2
Two Truths and a TaleThis has got to be my all time favourite small group get to know you game. I've played this on countless camps as the first get to know you activity for my small group. I find it really gives the group a good insight into how each member thinks, what's important to them and what they like to talk about. And as a leader, with the amount of times I've played it, I don't even need to think that hard to come up with my own truths and a lie. I highly recommend this get to know you icebreaker game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
3
Team ArchitectMaybe a bit of a wildcard entry in this category, but I think it works really well. The game involves getting teams of kids to work together to build something. It's a fantastic team building game, but I think is also a really good get to know you game as it provides opportunities for people to interact while working together to achieve something. It gives people an opportunity to showcase their personality and their gifts in a way that other youth group games don't.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
4
Speed Dating With A TwistIf you want a straight forward talking game without any bells and whistles added, then this is the get to know you youth group game for you. Pair the kids up, give them some questions or discussion topics to talk about, give them a minute and then rotate. Simple and effective!
See instructions for this get to know you game »
5
Mix & MeetChocolate is always a great way to break the ice and help people bond. This game uses M&M chocolates to get the players to interact with each other about their different "favourites". Doesn't put too much pressure on anyone, can be really funny and it has CHOCOLATE! Highly recommended for a small group situation.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
6
Never Have I EverA good get to know you game that is quick to explain and quick to play. Helps get kids moving and mingling as well. Might also be a good way to get kids into random groups or pairs at the end of the game, as they'll be moving to different seats and sitting next to different people during the game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
7
Get To Know You Bang"Bang!" encourages kids to react quickly and this is a modification of the classic game which helps kids get to know everyone's names really well. It is good because there's pressure on everyone to remember names, not just the new kids. The kids that have been hanging around for years still might find themselves forgetting names under the pressure.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
8
Shoe TalkA funny one to play with a fairly confident group of people as it involves taking off a shoe, picking up another shoe and finding the owner. It also might be wise to choose to play this one when the weather is cooler to avoid stinky shoe situations! A favourite of mine as it is a great way to randomly mix up the people playing the game.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
9
Mingle Mingle MingleIf you're up for some chaos with your group then this is another great "get to know you" game for you. Players need to continually repeat an answer to a question about themselves and find other people who are answering the same thing. It's positivie is how chaotic it can get! It's negative is how chaotic it can get!
See instructions for this get to know you game »
10
Penny For Your ThoughtsAn interesting game involving coins and facts. Might take a little bit of setup time (collecting the right coins) but with the right bunch of kids it could work really well.
See instructions for this get to know you game »
Name Plate Activity
Hand out a sheet of paper (construction paper is best). Fold the paper in half (5-1/2 x 8-1/2) and have students use a marker to print their name in the middle. Then have them place something about them in each corner - for example - upper left corner a drawing of what they did this summer, lower left corner - print a word or two that best describes them (friendly, athletic, etc.), upper right corner a drawing of their fa- vorite hobby or activity, lower right corner - favorite movie.
After students are done, then tell them to get in groups of three (some-
times it is fun to have some music for this activity - as soon as the mu-
sic begins they need to get into a group of three ). Stop the music - and
have them share what they have drawn in one (or two) of the corners.
After about 2-3 minutes start the music again and have them regroup
into another - this time with different people. Share what is in the other corners.
After doing this a few times, have everyone sit down and select people to tell about what they learned about someone else in the room.
Introduce Another
Divide the class into pairs. Each person talks about him/herself to the other, sometimes with speci c instructions to share a certain piece of information. For example, “The one thing I am particularly proud of is...” After ve minutes, the participants introduce the other person to the rest of the class.
Character Descriptions
Have students write down one or two adjectives describing themselves. Put these on a stick-on badge. Have class members nd someone with similar or opposite adjectives and talk for ve minutes with the other person.
I’ve Done Something you Haven’t Done
Have each person introduce themselves and then state something they have done that they think no one else in the class has done. If someone else has done it, the students must state something else until he/she nds something that no one else has done.
Find Someone
Each person writes on a blank index card one to three statements, such as favorite color, interest, hobby, or vacations. Pass out cards so everyone gets someone else’s card. Have that person nd the person with their card and introduce themselves.
Famous Person
People write a famous name on a piece of paper and pin it on someone else’s back. Person tries to guess what name is pinned on his/her back by asking others around the room yes or no questions. Variation: Use famous places instead of famous people.
My Name
People introduce themselves and tell what they know about why they have their name (their mother wanted to name me after her great aunt Helen who once climbed Pike’s Peak in high heels, etc.). It could be the rst, middle, or nickname.
How do you Feel?
Ask the students to write down words or phrases that describe their feelings on the rst day of class. List the responses on the blackboard. Then ask them to write down what they think you, as the teach- er, are feeling this rst day of class. List them on the blackboard in a second column and note the parallels.
Interview Three Words
Assign each person in the group to another person from the group. Then have them nd out as much of the following information about each other as they possibly can in 2-3 minutes; name, hobbies, family, state, school/job, favorite color, favorite food, favorite type of music, etc. They can interview back and forth or each person could be assigned to interview one person while a completely different person is interviewing them. Then have them use 3 words to describe their assigned partner, but 3 words only, (example: Joe Bob was my partner, funny, energetic, happy)
Variable Names
Choose one of the introductions below. Gather people around and give them the instructions and an example using your own name as an example. Tell the group that you will be passing to your (left or right) and then ask if there are any questions. People should have the right to pass if they can’t think of an answer right away, just make sure to get back to them at the end to see if they have an answer. • Everyone introduces him/herself as their favorite food. (I had to go around saying, “Hello! I’m Sau- sage McMuf n with Egg!”
• Introduce yourself with your rst name and an adjective that begins with the same rst letter of your name. (Hi! I’m Nan. I’m feeling nutty today.)
Interpersonal BINGO
Make up a BINGO style sheet with information in each square that may t people in your group. (If you know the people, you can actually tailor the information to speci cally t your group). Use a diver- sity of information regarding hobbies, background experiences, cultural references, etc. (e.g., traveled more than 60 miles to get here; is an only child; didn’t see (insert movie here);... the possibilities are endless). People then play BINGO by meeting other people in the room, introducing themselves and getting prizes.
Mute Line-up
Participants are asked to line themselves up according to their date of birth (not year). For example, someone born on the 16th of January would be closer to the front than someone who was born on the 5th of May. The rules of the icebreaker are:
• Participants must not talk or use their mouth in any way.
Use other categories (birth date, shoe size, bus number, etc.)
Solemn and Silent
The instructor explains that this exercise will take self-control. Members pair back to back. On the count of three, everyone must face their partner, look each other in the eyes, and then try to remain solemn and serious. No speaking! The rst to smile or laugh must sit down. All who remain standing then take a new partner and the activity continues until only one person has not smiled or laughed. (Second round of playing can involve two teams competing to outlast each other.) If you get a pair at the end who are both keeping a straight face, the rest of the group can act as hecklers to disrupt them.
Meuume
The basic aim of this activity is to learn the names of others in your group, without forgetting your own!!! Participants stand in a straight line. The rst person in line (e.g., Jim) turns to the 2nd person (e.g., Penny) and follows the name process of “Meuume” as outlined:
Jim says his own name: Jim
Penny says her own name: Penny
Jim says Penny’s name: Penny
Penny says Jim’s name: Jim
Jim then moves onto the 3rd person in the line, the 4th, and so on. The 2nd person then addresses the 3rd person and so on. Continue until the last person in line has had their turn at introducing them- selves to each person in line.
If you forget the order that the introductions are done, think of the name of the game: Meuume, or Me, You, You, Me.
Truth or Pretend?
Have each person tell one thing about themselves that is true and one thing that is false, without re- vealing which is which. Then have all participants try and guess which one is the truth.
Toss-A-Name-Game
The objective of this activity is to gradually learn the names of all those in the group. This is achieved by rst throwing a soft object (small soft objects, balls, or toys) around/across the circle, with each person saying their name when they catch the object. After a few minutes of this, as well as saying their own name, participants then also say the name of the person they choose to throw to. Partici- pants cannot throw to the person directly beside them. Eventually, the game can be made more dif - cult by throwing in more objects.
Comic Strip Chaos
Each participant takes a turn at picking a comic frame out of a large container. After the entire group has each chosen one, the participants begin to search for others with the same comic strip sequence. After the participants have found everyone in their group, they must arrange themselves so that the sequence of frames are in chronological order to form the comic strip correctly. Upon completion of sequence, the newly formed group sits down together. Great game to break large group into smaller groups.