1. "Name game" ball toss
This classic activity helps everyone learn names quickly. Stand in a circle and toss a soft ball to a student. When they catch it, they say their name and one thing they like (for example, “I’m Sam and I love pizza”). Then, they toss the ball to someone else. Keep going until everyone has had a turn.
Tip:For older students, add a twist—ask them to share a favorite book, hobby or something unique about themselves.
2. Two truths and a lie
Each student comes up with two true facts and one false fact about themselves. They share all three with the group, and everyone guesses which one is the lie. This activity encourages laughter and helps students discover fun facts about their classmates.
Example:“I have a pet snake, I’ve been to Japan, and I hate chocolate.”
3. Would you rather?
Ask fun “Would you rather?” questions, such as “Would you rather fly or be invisible?” or “Would you rather eat only ice cream or only pizza for a week?” Students choose their answer and explain why. You can do this as a whole class or in small groups. This is a great way to start conversations and see students’ personalities.
4. Story chain
Start a story with a single sentence, such as “Once upon a time, a cat found a magic hat.” Each student adds a sentence to continue the story. This activity encourages creativity, listening and teamwork, and often leads to lots of laughs as the story takes unexpected turns.
5. "All about me" posters
Give each student a blank poster and ask them to draw or write about themselves, their favorite foods, hobbies, family and dreams. Hang the posters around the classroom. This helps students express themselves and gives everyone a chance to learn about each other. You can also get them to create a poster of themselves, similar to a trading card, with stats and abilities.
6. Mystery classmate
Write fun facts about each student on slips of paper (gather these ahead of time with a quick survey). Read a fact aloud and have the class guess who it belongs to. This is a great way to highlight unique qualities and get students talking.
7. Classroom scavenger hunt
Create a simple list of things to find or tasks to complete around the classroom, such as “Find the classroom library”, “Spot a poster with a science fact”, or “Introduce yourself to someone wearing blue”. Students work in pairs or small groups to complete the hunt. This helps them get familiar with their new environment and each other.
8. Emoji feelings chart
Give each student a card with different emojis showing feelings like happy, nervous, excited or curious. Ask students to pick the emoji that matches how they feel about starting school and share it with the class or in small groups. This activity encourages students to talk about their emotions and helps you check in on how everyone is feeling.
Tips for successful icebreakers
- Keep it simple:Choose activities that match your students’ ages and personalities.
- Be inclusive:Make sure everyone can participate and feels comfortable.
- Join in:Participate alongside your students. This helps build trust and shows you care.
- Mix it up:Use different icebreakers over the first week to keep things fresh.
Icebreakers are just the beginning. Keep building connections throughout the year by celebrating birthdays, sharing stories, and working on group projects.
