Did you realize that icebreakers are NOT just for the beginning of the school year? You can use them throughout the entire year. What are some easy icebreakers for kids that you can use all year long? Keep reading to find out!
What Are Icebreakers?
Icebreakers are quick games and activities used with the intent of welcoming people, introducing participants to each other, and starting conversations.
If you’re like me, you probably CRINGE when you find out you’re going to be doing an icebreaker activity. As an introvert, these activities tend to make me nervous even in a room full of staff members that I know and like!
Why Use Icebreakers?
Even if we may not enjoy doing icebreakers ourselves, they do serve a purpose in the classroom. They can be an informal and FUN way to get to know each other better. Not only does it give us some insight into our students’ interests, but they also get to know their classmates better. This helps them form friendships once they realize they have certain things in common. And as they begin to find those friendships and commonalities, they feel a part of our classroom community. Find out more reasons why you should be using Icebreakers.
Easy Icebreakers You Can Use
There’s an endless amount of icebreakers that you can use with students. In fact, you can make up your own! Since I can’t share them ALL with you, I’ll just share my students’ favorites!
Tell Me 3
Have students name 3 things they like in a certain category (3 things they like to eat, 3 things they like to do inside)
2 Truths & a Lie
As the name implies, students will tell 2 truths and a lie about themselves. Then challenge a partner to guess their lie.
Grab & Tell
Compile a large amount of a certain item. You can use things such as pompoms, candy, or a toilet paper roll. Students each take some of the items. You can decide if you want to specify the amount they take or let them decide. Then for each item they take they must tell 1 fact about themselves.
Snowball Fight
Write questions on small pieces of paper. Crumple them up so they look like little snowballs and throw them around the room. Have students find a partner. They will then pick up a snowball and answer the question. Once they’ve answered, they can throw the snowball and restart the process with a different partner.
Raise Your Hand If
Show a picture and/or statement (such as “I have a dog.”) Students raise their hand if it applies to them. This was perfect for distance learning!
Find Someone Who…
Create a bingo board with various statements. These statements could be: Is the oldest sibling, Has a pet cat, Has a summer birthday, etc. Students must walk around the room to find a classmate for each statement. Once they find someone who a statement is true for them, they write their name next to it. They should not use a student’s name twice. Challenge them to see if they can fill up their entire board.
Classroom Mingle
Have each student write a question on an index card (for younger students you may want to have these cards already created). Play music while students walk around the room. When the music stops they must pair up with someone closest to them and ask their questions. After students have had time to answer the questions, start the music again to restart the process.
Beach Ball Toss
Write various questions on a beach ball with a sharpie marker. Students will take turns tossing the ball to their classmates. When a student catches the ball, they must answer the question that is closest to their right thumb. After answering, they call another classmate’s name and throw the ball to them.
Blobs & Lines
This icebreaker idea from the Cult of Pedagogy has limitless options. You can have students line up in a particular order (such as by birthday). To make it harder, you can have them do this without talking. You can also have students form blobs based on things they have in common. So blobs may be formed by their favorite colors, movies, sports, foods, etc.
This or That
Display two pictures or statements on the board. An example might be a picture of a cake and a picture of ice cream. You can have students write their preference on a white board and hold up their answers. Another option is for them just to hold up 1 or 2 fingers to convey their preference. A simple yet fun way to find out things they have in common with each other.
Inside/Outside Circles
Make 2 circles of students. Some students will be in the inside circle facing out, while the outside circle students will line up in front of them facing inward. Each student from the inside circle will be paired up with a student from the outside circle. Ask a question and provide the pairs 1 minute to discuss. The length of time may depend on the students and the question. You may also need to prompt students at the halfway point to ensure each partner has time to share. Once time is up the outside circle will rotate so each student has a new partner to begin the process again.
Candy Questions
Pick a type of candy with multiple colors such as Skittles. Assign a different question for each color and display them on the board. Give students some of the candy (the fun-sized packets work well!) Students will then answer the questions that correspond to the candy colors they have. Plus they get to eat the candy, so you know they love it!
Partner Pictionary
Students can take turns drawing something about themselves and having their partners guess what it is. I recommend providing a specific prompt for each round to make it easier for younger students. Prompts could be your favorite food, favorite sport, or favorite subject.
Ready to Use Icebreakers?
Here are some additional Icebreakers you can do with Reading Buddies or other pairs of students in your classroom. I also created digital icebreakers that you can use during remote learning or display on the board for your students.
As previously mentioned, icebreakers for kids are a great way to create a sense of community and help students get to know each other. They are a quick and fun way to start your day during morning meeting or to conclude your day at dismissal. What other icebreakers have you used with your students? Please share in the comments!
Want to Pin this for later?
