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Free Icebreakers
AUTOGRAPH SHEET: Participants are given a sheet with various traits on it. The objective is to find a person in the group who fits one of the descriptions and get that person’s autograph next to the trait. When making up the list, be creative, but include traits pertinent to the group. Each person may sign each sheet only once. Here are some examples:
Likes broccoli _____________
Balances his/her checkbook ______________
Has been to a fortune teller ______________
Speaks another language _______________
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Players should be paired up. All players divide into two lines (facing in) shoulder to shoulder, with partners facing each other. Participants should be given approximately 30 seconds to look at their partners, taking in all details about the individual. The leader then instructs the two lines to turn and face away from the center. One or both lines has 15-20 seconds to change something about their appearance (i.e. change a watch to different wrist, unbutton a button, remove a belt, etc.). The change must be discrete, but visible to the partner. The players again turn in to face each other and have 30 seconds to discover the physical changes that have been made. Players get to interact with each other and have fun!
COMIC STRIP CHAOS: Each participant takes a turn at picking a comic frame out of the 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.
HUM THAT TUNE: Each person in the group is given a small piece of paper with the name of a nursery rhyme or other song written on the paper. (i.e. “Row, row, row your boat,” “Rock-a-bye baby,” etc.) All of the people who are given the song must hum that tune and fine everyone else singing the song. They then form a group.
HUMAN TACO: Stick labeled note card (with taco ingredient) on the back of everyone’s shirt. (i.e. the word meat printed on a note card). Have each player mingle around asking yes/no questions to find out the taco ingredient that is on their back. Explain the correct order of ingredients in a Human Taco: shell, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa and then give the start command, “I’m hungry! Let’s eat! Run for the Border!” Each individual must find out which ingredient they are and then find enough to form a complete Human Taco.
LOLLIPOP: Pass out dum-dum lollipops to the group. For every letter that appears in the flavor, the participant has to share something about him/her with the group.
MAKE A DATE: Give each participant a paper plate. Have them draw the face of a clock on their plate with a line next to each number (no digitals!). Then have participants walk around a find a “date” for each hour, writing their name by the hour. The catch is that no one can make a “date” with more than one person per hour. After everyone has made their dates, speed up time and allow 1-3 minutes for each hour. The facilitator then asks a question for discussion on each date. The pairs will have a chance to get to know one another.
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 first 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 can both keep a straight face, the rest of the group can act ask hecklers to disrupt them.
TOILET PAPER GAME: Get a roll of toilet paper and explain to your group that they are going camping and need to take as much toilet paper as they think they may need for a three day trip. Once everyone has an ample supply, explain to the group that for every square in their possession, they must share something about themselves. NOTE: If anyone knows the activity, ask them not to give away the secret under any circumstances.
WHO AM I…OR FAMOUS PAIRS: In this exercise, group members will be asked to identify the names of famous pairs or persons. The leader tapes the name of a famous person on the back of each participant. (i.e. Fred Flinstone, Mary Lou Retton, Bill Clinton, etc.) The group member is not to see who is taped to their back. Their task is to find out who they are. The class participants mill around the room asking others yes/no questions. If the member receives a “yes” answer, they can continue to ask that individual questions until they receive a “no” answer. Then they must continue on to ask someone else. When a group member figures out who they are, they take off the tag, put it on the front of their shirt, and write their own name on it. The member then can help other members find out who they are. The exercise concludes when all members have discovered who they are.