We as caretakers know how important first days are. Your children often feel nervous or shy. You want to set everyone up for success and start strong, and the best way to do that is with an icebreaker Games!
An icebreaker is a game or activity that will “break the ice” for your learners. These game ideas don’t have to just be for the first days, either! You can use these any time. In fact, I’d recommend using these often. Routines are a great way to help children feel comfortable, and playing these activities regularly will be great for getting your kids warmed up.
You can’t go wrong with these 12 icebreaker games for kids that will wake them up and get them talking!
1. All My Friends…
This icebreaker is similar to musical chairs. All the kids will stand or sit in a big circle with one volunteer in the middle. The volunteer will say “All my friends…” and think of something that they enjoy! For example, “All my friends like to ride bikes!” or “All my friends like ice cream!”. It can be anything.
If they agree, the other students must stand up and find another spot anywhere in the circle. Whoever is left standing is the next volunteer. Repeat until most everyone has been in the middle.
2. Two Truths, One Lie
Many great icebreaker games, the following one is a classic one for kids. Have the learners think of three sentences: two are true, one is a lie. For example, it could be something like:
- My favorite subject is English
- I like dogs more than cats
- I went to New York this summer
The other kids then have to guess what two are true and what is the lie. This icebreaker is great for introducing children to each other.
3. One Rose, One Thorn
If you’re coming back from a long vacation (or just a weekend), you can have your learners share what they did. They’ll give one “rose” = best part of it and one “thorn” = worst part of it.
Usually kids will love talking about their lives. Plus with this icebreaker game, you’ll get them thinking about the positives and negatives of something they did.
4. The Human Knot
For this one of the next icebreaker games split kids into two teams. They will start in a big circle. Have everyone lift their left hand, reach across, and shake another person’s hand. Then have them raise their right hand and take a different person’s hand. Make sure no one is holding hands with the person directly next to them.
They must figure out how to untangle the knot and become a circle again without ever letting go of hands! First team to finish wins. This icebreaker is great for getting them to communicate and cooperate with each other.
5. Inside-Outside Circle
Have the kids form two circles with an equal number of members. One circle will be on the inside, the other will be on the outside. Each kid in the inside circle will pair with a student on the outside. Then, the leader (can be the teacher or another child) will come up with a topic, such as “favorite foods.”
The children will have ten seconds to share their favorite foods. When the time is up, they’ll move clockwise to the next person and repeat with a new topic until they’re back at the beginning.
This icebreaker game is a great way to have children familiarize themselves with each other, and they have to think fast on their feet.
6. Pass the Ball
Children will start in a big circle sitting on the ground. They’ll have a big beach ball or similar fuzzy one and you’ll play music. They must pass the ball quickly (no throwing!) around the circle until the music stops.
When the music stops, you can have them say whatever you like! For example, they can introduce themselves, say something they like or don’t like, or review the material they’re learning. A child with the ball can then stay in the circle or leave–your choice. Then, they keep playing.
7. Four Corners
Start by labeling each corner of the room with Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree. Children will start in the middle of the room.
Adult will read out a statement, such as “I love pineapple on pizza” or “I think P.E. is better than art.” The children will then move to the corner that represents their opinion best. Add timer and gets the kids making decisions fast!
8. Find My Partner
Write out matching names on index cards. For example, “Ariel” and “Prince Eric” or “Peanut butter” and “Jelly”. Tip: Disney, Marvel or other popular movies and tv shows are good to use!
Then give each child a card. They can hold it up to their forehead or you can tape it on their back. They’ll stand up and ask the other kids yes-or-no questions so they can find hints as to a) who they are and b) who their match is.
Some questions they can ask are:
- “Am I a cartoon?”
- “Can you eat me?”
- “Am I a boy?”
- “Do I have magical powers?”
Once everyone is matched up or time is up, you can ask who they think they are. Then they can reveal their cards and see who got it right!
9. Who Started It?
Pick one child to leave the room. Pick another child to choose a motion, like rubbing their heads, jazz hands, or clapping. All the other kids will copy their movement.
Then, have the first child come back into the room. They will have three chances to guess who started the movement. Repeat until several people get the chance to guess who started it!
10. Tell Me A Story
Have children get into a big circle on the floor. One child will start the chain story by saying 4 words, such as “Once upon a time,” or “Last weekend I saw.”
The next child will repeat what they said and add one word. Then, the next child will repeat everything and add another word. This will keep going until someone messes up and can’t remember the sentence! Create some really silly stories.
11. Silent Line
Children must organize themselves in a line silently and as quickly as possible. The line can be based on any criteria, like height or birthday. They must do all of this without talking, but you can allow them to use their hands or whisper.
You can make this more competitive by having them face off against another classes’ time. This is a great way to get them working cooperatively even on the first day!
12. Silent Interview
The last one of our icebreaker games is a little like charades. Start by pairing off children. They will then have 3 minutes to tell their partner three things about themselves, like their favorite movie, food, or sport without talking, mouthing, or whispering. They can only use their body!
After the time is up, call everyone back and ask the other children to introduce their partner and tell the class about their three things.
This game is best played with older children because it can get a little challenging. You can also play it as a whole group instead of pairs if you want to make it easier for younger children.
12 engaging, thought-provoking icebreaker games for kids
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