I’m just about to head into a big 3 day conference in Arizona. And I seem to have quite a few people asking about icebreaker ideas this week. Here are a few of my top favorites – one of which I actually learnt at Arthur Anderson Accountants (just in case you were thinking it was just for kids 🙂 )
Good for up to a dozen people.
1. Cut several pieces of string of different lengths.
2. The first person chooses a piece of string.
3. Get them to give a self introduction whilst winding the string around their finger.
4. The fun part is that some of the strings are reeeaalllyyy long, so you have to keep talking for ages.
5. Cue much laughter
P.S. This is also great for the over-talkers in class, they have to finish their intro before they run out of string. I always get at least one person who finds this impossible in a workshop! 🙂
Instead of saying vocab words…
1) Everyone rushes around to see how long it takes to say their name and shake hands with 5 people.
2) They sit down when they have finished. Quickest is the winner.
3) Test the winners to see if they remember the names they heard!
Slightly more involved.
1. Everyone writes down a favourite movie, song, person or food.
2. Put all the pieces of paper in a hat and everyone chooses one at random.
3. You have to find out who wrote the piece of paper you are holding by asking “What’s your favourite ….?“. e.g. ask everyone “What’s your favourite website?” if someone wrote down “GenkiEnglish.com”.
4. Sit down when you have found your partner.
More of a “bonding” than self intro game.
1. Put everyone into groups of 4 or 5.
2. The first person has to say either 1, 2 or 3 numbers. e.g. the first person can say “1”, “1,2” or “1,2,3”.
3. The next person then continues and can either say “4”, “4,5,” or “4,5,6” etc.
4. The person who ends up saying “12” is out!
For example:
5. Play again with the remaining players.
6. Play off the winners from each group.]
Do you have any favorite ice breakers? Do feel free to share them in the comments!
Earn More From Your Passion For Teaching English!
Hi Richard!
Thank you for refreshing our minds!
The games are ingeniously easy both to prepare and to perform.
“I Like Everything” and “The Time Bomb” games are always beloved by kids.
Oooo, I like that “What’s your favorite …?” game. I’ll have to include that sometime!
I can’t believe you were in Arizona and I didn’t know about it! What city were you in and when? I sure would’ve gone to see you!
In Phoenix for the 3 day conference then a few days off in the amazing Sedona and GC!
Hello Richard,
Thank you for ice breakers! Can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
Stay genki,
Charmaine