Category Archives: Icebreakers

Activities intended to help a group to begin the process of forming themselves into a team. Youth icebreakers are commonly presented as a game to warm up the group by helping the members to get to know each other.

Icebreakers

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Introduction
This Icebreaker is an excuse to have a little violence and learn the names of others in the group. There’s no application to it, but it is fun none-the-less.

Game Description
Sitting in a circle, names are called and the person in the center of the circle tries to “whack” them with a rolled up newspaper before they can call another name.

Game Materials
newspaper, tape

Game Preparation
Roll up the newspaper into a roll. The roll can be as hard or as soft as you like, but remember that people are gonna get “whacked” with it!

Game Play

    1. Sit everyone in a circle
    2. Choose one person to be “it” in the center of the circle. The person in the center of the circle gets the rolled up newspaper. Their objective is for the person in the middle to hit the person in the surrounding circle whose name has been called, before that person can call another name. (All hits must be on the legs only!)
    3. There are three rules regarding the names:
      • You cannot call the same person who called you
      • You cannot call the name of the person in the center of the circle, and
      • the name of the person you call must be present in the circle.
    4.  Begin with introductions: Each person in the circle gives their name and possibly one interesting fact about themselves. You can give them a question to answer like “What is your favorite ice-cream?” or questions related to a lesson you plan to do.
    5. After everyone has introduced themselves, explain the rules.
    6. Then call out the name of a person… i.e. “Ken”. Ken must call the name of another person in the circle BEFORE the person in the middle “Whacks” him with the newspaper.
    7. If the person called another name, that person must then call a name, continuing until someone gets “whacked” before they call a name or until someone breaks one of the rules or makes a mistake.
    8. When someone is “whacked” or breaks a rule / makes a mistake they must move to the center of the circle.
    9. The person who just came out of the circle begins the next round by calling a name.
    10. We usually play it so that if you end up in the center of the circle three times, you must perform some kind of “forfeit”such as sing a song, do a dance, tell a joke, etc.
    11. Continue until your time limit has been reached or the game starts to drag a little. Its always better to leave them wanting for more!

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Creative Teaching Ideas, Icebreakers

Did Jesus Use Icebreakers?

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How can you “break the ice” with a youth who is a total stranger and guide the discussion from an awkward silence into a meaningful conversation?

Jesus often got people talking with his first question and then was able to guide the discussion so that it developed into a meaningful conversation about a life-changing topic!

He met people where they were–whether they were drawing water, fishing, collecting taxes, watching him from a treetop, or worshipping God in the Temple in Jerusalem.

But Jesus was never content to leave them where they were.
His objective was always a changed life!

Remember the Woman at the well…
A simple request for a drink led to a meaningful discussion on “living water” that transformed a village.

Zacheus was simply hoping to get a glimpse of Jesus but instead got to talk to him at his own dinner table in a conversation that not only changed his life, but reached out to the lives of many sinners!

Christ’s first words to Nicodemus, a religious scholar, were a conundrum, a puzzle that left him searching.
And that search seemingly reached its conclusion when Nicodemus took a bold step of faith, along with Joseph of Arimathea, and asked for the body of Christ after the Crucifixion.

The gospels are filled with the stories
of people who encountered Christ and then
their personal stories would be forever changed!

In encounter after encounter… Jesus not only broke the ice, but he left a lasting impact on the lives of the people he spoke with!

Sometimes Jesus used questions to break the ice. But on other occasions he use everyday objects, shared experiences, stories, and even crises to break the ice and open up the way to life changing spiritual discussions.

He asked people to share their opinions,
challenged their assumptions,
and asked them to find solutions.

He constantly invited others to join him in experiences
and used those common experiences
to bring out life changing spiritual truths.

Fresh experiences often served as living parables.

It’s easy to relate to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences when you have just experienced them.
Then it is only a short little jump to deeper truths and understanding.

The “here and now” becomes a springboard
to the distant future,
to choices and consequences.
A small controlled simulation
becomes a safe crucible
to test the consequences of real life decisions.

In the same way today, games, challenges, and contrived situations can generate discussions and expose the same deep set beliefs, attitudes, and values as real life situations and events.

How you play the game
is a reflection of who you are
and how you deal with life!

But in all things Jesus always had a purpose.
He broke the ice,
and later his own body would be broken,
so that broken lives could be mended.

Learn how you also can “break the ice”
and make a lasting impact in the lives of youth!

I’ve specially prepared 52 of my best icebreakers of all time!
(That’s a full year of icebreakers – one a week!)

And like Christ’s encounters with strangers they are icebreakers with a purpose.

Each one includes debriefs and meaningful discussion questions that engage youths to deal with real life issues.

Check out my new book: “Icebreaker’s Ahead: Take It to the Next Level”

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

What is an Icebreaker?

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The term “icebreaker” comes from the phrase “to break the ice”, which in turn comes from special ships called “icebreakers” that are designed to break up ice in the arctic regions. For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it needs to have the ability to propel itself onto the ice, break it, and successfully clear the frozen debris from its path to make it easier for other ships to travel.

In the same way, icebreakers are structured activities that are designed to relax learners, introduce them to each other, encourage conversation, energize them in what is normally an unduly formal atmosphere or situation, make them feel more comfortable, and lead them into a lesson or topic of discussion.

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Get Lost

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Description
This game provides an opportunity to mix the group up and for them to share information about themselves in a non-threatening way while having fun. In this elimination game, people are grouped into groups of three and then one person in every group which meets a certain characteristic is asked to “Get Lost.” Everyone who had to leave must quickly find another group and form groups of three again. The last group to form is eliminated.

Resources
None

Preparation
Prepare a list of criteria. You can choose from the list below or create your own:
• Name closest to letter “A”
• Name closest to letter “Z”
• Neither the youngest nor the oldest in a group.
• Oldest
• Youngest
• Has the most colorful socks
• Has the oldest living grandparent
• Has the most cousins
• Has the least number of pets
• Has the most pets
• Has the largest pet.
• Is the tallest
• Is the shortest
• Has the longest hair
• Has the shortest hair
• Has the shortest fingernails
• Has the biggest foot.
• Has the smallest foot.
• Has the longest finger
• Has the darkest skin tone.
• Has the smallest nose
• Lives farthest from this meeting place
• Lives on the highest floor
• Born the Farthest away
• Longest last name
• Biggest shoe size
• Lives the closest to this place
• has been on the most vacations in the past year
• Has the most siblings
• Birthday closest to today
• Shortest Person
• Youngest Baby brother/ sister
• Has the most traffic tickets
• Has been a member of this group for the longest time
• Newest member of this group
• Has been to the most foreign countries
• Longest fingernail
• Spent the most money today
• Has played on the most sports teams
• Can do the most one-armed push-ups
• Tallest Person
• Longest eyelashes
• Smallest belt
• Highest numbered Street Address
• Biggest Purse / or wallet
• Highest Serial Number on currency
• Most jewelry
• Least jewelry
• Longest earrings
• Wearing the most blue
• Oldest
• Neatest handwriting
• Messiest handwriting
• Loudest
• Most quiet
• Has darkest color notebook
• Most rings
• Biggest hands
• Has most books
• Whistles the loudest
• Longest Paper Airplane Throw

What to Do

  1. Form groups of 3-7 people. It’s ok if groups are not equal as long as there is a minimum of three in each group and they are balanced as closely as possible.
  2. Based upon different criteria, at a given signal, one person in each group will be told to “get lost”
  3. Ask them to introduce themselves to each person in the group and then determine which person in their group meets the specified characteristic.
  4. Allow time for the groups to introduce themselves and determine who best fits the given criteria. You might want to ask the groups to raise their hands when they have identified the person so that you know when everyone is ready.
  5. Explain to the groups that on your signal the identified person must move to another group. You will say “One, Two Three!!!” and then all the groups will say “Get Lost!!”
  6. Then every group must get ONE new member to replace the one they lost.
  7. The last group to reform is eliminated.
  8. Continue to play with new criteria for getting lost until only group survives. Then you tell this trio that for being so competitive that they must all “Get Lost!”

Variation 
Give them an additional question to share while introducing themselves such as a favorite ice-cream, a discussion thought, etc.

Taking It to the Next Level
In each round of this game there were a lot of people who were rejected. Among them some were even eliminated. Whenever people form groups this will always be the case. There will also be those group members that are very popular and those that no one seems to want. There will always be selection and rejection when groups are formed. It’s part of life. It’s of great benefit to be around like minded people. It’s good to be surrounded by people that inspire you and challenge you to grow and become your best. Yet it is also good to have people who are different, people with a different perspective, people with skills and gifts you don’t possess. The question is what is the best way to handle the selection process?

  • Have you even seen someone get rejected from a group? On what basis were they rejected?
  • What are some of the reasons that people get rejected from a group?
  • Have you ever been told to “get lost”? Been rejected from a group?
  • Why? What was the basis for your rejection?
  • How did it make you feel? Did it seem fair? How did you respond?
  • Is it wrong to want to choose your friends? Why or why not?
  • Does bad company always corrupt good character?
  • If everyone were exactly like you, what would the world be like? Would there be anything missing in the world?
  • Are there ever legitimate reasons to be selective about a group? When? If so, how can you be selective yet also seek the best for everyone?
  • How can you find a balance of putting together the best group for a situation, task, or specific purpose, yet also making sure that no one is rejected? Can it be done? How should it be done?

Action Points

  • What is one way that you can become more accepting of others?
  • Identify several specific people that you need around you to help you to achieve your goals and dreams in life? What can you offer to them in return? Commit yourself to be that kind of person.
  • Find someone in the group whom you don’t know very well, but whom you would like to know and make an effort to reach out to them. You never know what undiscovered gifts you might find in others.
  • What is one way you can personally bring out the best in others, even when they may not be part of your chosen group?

Possible Applications / jump off points to spiritual discussions
Tell youth they are all “LOST” but in grace you are going to consider them all the victors and give each a prize. Grace is actually an “undeserved gift.” In the book of Romans we discover that all men are “lost” because of our sinful nature. Like some of the characteristics in the game, part of our sinful nature we have no control over… it was passed down as a result of Adam and Eve’s fall. But other aspects of our sinful nature are due to choices we made so that we are without excuse. But through Grace, God pardons our sin so that we are no longer lost, but saved! Instead of getting lost, let’s “get saved” through God’s grace. Let me tell you how…

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Living Statues

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Description
Have you ever tried to change someone? To shape someone into your idea of a perfect husband, a perfect child, a perfect parent? Do our expectations of others in the group help them or hinder them?

Resources
Camera (Optional)

Preparation
Divide the group into pairs. One person is the “Sculptor” and one is the “Statue”

What to Do

  1. If participants already know each other, then without talking, the “Sculptor” must position the “statue” into a pose that best illustrates how he or she sees the other person or to illustrate that person’s place or contribution to the group. If participants don’t know each other well, have them pose the “statue” into a role or characteristic that is important to the growth and well being of the group.
  2. Have each pair work in front of the entire group. Take photos of each “Statue” when the sculptor is finished.
  3. After the statue has been positioned and a photo has been taken, the “statue” must try to explain to the group, what quality he or she thinks the sculptor is trying to illustrate and explain what they think it means to the rest of the group. Verify with the sculptor what was intended.
  4. If you have time, ask the pair to switch roles and do it again.

Taking it to the Next Level
We usually have specific expectations of other people. We have an image in our mind of how they should act, the things they should do, and the characteristics they possess. We may even try to shape them according to our expectations of what they should be. But most of the time it simply doesn’t work. Very soon they go back to their old self, leaving both frustrated.

Debrief

  • How did you feel when your partner was trying to change you?
  • When you were a sculptor, how did you feel when your statue changed position from what you intended?
  • Did you understand what the person was trying to change in you? Why or why not?
  • What were some of your frustrations – from both sides of the situation?
  • How could you have been more effective?

Discussion

  • What are some of the positions or roles that we have in our group? Make a list.
  • What should a person in each role or position do? What characteristics should they possess?
  • Do you ever feel like others are trying to change you? What are some of the things you think other people are trying to change about you? How does this make you feel?
  • Have you ever tried to change another person? What were the results?
  • Would the results be different if you modeled for them what you would like them to become? What if you tried to inspire them rather than force them? What is the most effective means by which we can bring about change in another person’s life? Is force sometimes necessary? If so, how do you know how much force to apply? How do you insure that the change is lasting?

Application
Pick one trait that you would like to see in others in the group and choose to model that in YOUR OWN LIFE! The only person you can truly change is yourself.

Possible Scripture References
Paul Instructed Timothy to “be an example to the believers…” – 1 Timothy 4:12. The word for “example” that Paul used comes from the Greek word “tupos” and is used in the sense of being a pattern, an example, for others to follow. Its like a mold that you can press the clay into so that it takes that same shape. Its like a loom that guides the threads for the weaving. Its like the painter’s masterpiece that his students are inspired to imitate. It’s a physical or visual reference so that you know how something should look when it is completed and that can be used to guide progress. Each of these illustrates, with varying degrees of pressure, the importance of a pattern or an example for others to shape their lives. Christ is that same example for all of us. By God’s grace, one day we might all be able to say as Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ!” “Follow me to the extent that I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Photo Freeze Frames!

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Can you imitate the people in the photo and be the first to complete all the images?

Description
Participants will try to copy the poses of people as contained in photos.

Resources
You need a variety of magazines, shopping catalogs, newspaper clippings, photographs or other images that show groups of people in action. For some great photo opportunities have a few cameras available!

Preparation

  1. Since participants will be posing in the same positions as those in the selected images, you will need images that the participants can imitate. You will also need to consider the size of the teams you will use (i.e. couples, groups of three, four, or more).
  2. Cut out the images and mount them on colored pieces of construction paper or notecards.
  3. The crazier the images, the better. To make it more fun, you can have images from specific sports (basketball, football, baseball, golf, swimming, acrobatics, etc), from various professions (chefs, lumberjacks, firemen, construction workers, etc), or from the arts (orchestra musicians, ballet dancers, circus acts, etc). The possibilities and variations are endless.

What to Do
Divide the group into teams. You can play with this in a variety of ways:

  1. Randomly draw from the images. Have all groups imitate the same image. The first group to get in the same pose as the chosen image gets a point. To make it more difficult, allow only one participant from each group to see the image and then they must go back and form their group into the correct pose.
  2. Randomly deal the images to the groups face down so they cannot see them. Provide a judge for each group that will decide if the group is close enough to the original image before moving on to the next. The first group to complete all the images first wins.
  3. Make it a relay race, where group members must run to the other side of the room, grab an image and then emulate it before the next person from the group can go. The first group to have all persons go wins!
  4. Give each group a camera and make it a photo scavenger hunt. Give each group a collection of photos involving props, positions, and even locations that they must duplicate with the group. The first group to complete the assignment and return with the most correct photos wins!

Variations
Choose images containing props and make those the props available (i.e. baseball bat, ballerina skirt, fireman hat, etc). Teams must also include the props.

Taking it to the Next Level
For good and for bad, we often imitate others in life. Sometimes this can be a positive thing when others have qualities or traits that we wish to develop in our own lives. At other times it can be stifling as we try to fit into roles and expectations instead of being the person we were created to be.

    • Are there people in your life you would like to imitate? Name some of your role models.
    • Who are the people you aspire to be like?
    • Is it important to have role models? Why or why not?
    • How do you draw a balance between being the unique person you were created to be and expectations that society expects us to conform to?
    • What are some of the qualities you would like to imitate from a role model? How can you develop these qualities?
    • If you don’t have a mentor or role model, who is someone that has the qualities, skills or experience to help you in your personal development?
    • Is there an area of your life where you have simply been conforming to what is expected rather then expressing your unique self? If you were not concerned about other people’s expectations and what other people think, what is something you would change about yourself?

Application

  • Choose a trait or quality you want to develop and find a role model or mentor to help you develop that in your own life.
  • Choose a trait or quality that you have stifled because of expectations that you can begin to develop and learn to express in a positive way.

Possible Scripture References
Psalm 139:14ff, Ephesians 2:10; Deuteronomy 18:9; 1 Corinthians 4:16-17; Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 13:7; 3 John 1:11, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; 2 Kings 14:3; John 13:15; Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 2:22-24

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Are your Icebreakers a SNORE?

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In group activities, icebreakers are those fun, energizing activities, which allow the participants in the group to get to know each other. They can also be used to introduce a topic, to facilitate teamwork, to get people engaged in a program, to loosen them up to start sharing feelings and ideas, or simply just for fun!

As the name suggests, an icebreaker session is designed to “break the ice” at an event or meeting.

What is the ice that needs to be broken?

  • They haven’t met each other before
  • They have never worked with you before as a leader, teacher, or trainer
  • They have never worked together on a project before
  • They come from different levels or have a different status in an organization (i.e. management, employees, teacher, students)
  • The group is not united and you need to break down inhibitions so they can bond together
  • The participants come from different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, or have different perceptions of others in the group

Keys to Success

  • Simple
  • Non-threatening
  • Open ended
  • Relevent
  • Energizing

Simple
Your icebreaker needs to be simple enough for everyone to understand with a minimum of explanation. The simpler, the better. Many icebreakers fail because the instructions are too complicated and people have trouble understanding what they are supposed to do.
Is it easy for the participants to understand what they are supposed to do?

Non-threatening
Icebreakers should not make people feel uncomfortable. Most people aren’t willing to share their deepest feelings with strangers. That’s too personal. The best icebreakers, get the participants to engage each other at a simple level without revealing their life stories or things that are very personal.
Will the participants be comfortable with participating or contributing? How are the participants likely to react to the activity?

Open ended
There should be a variety of levels of response so that the uniqueness of individuals is allowed to be expressed. Through discovery they will often find that they are not so unique after all – that they do share something in common with others in the group.
Does it open up possibilities and establish a common playing field or does it stifle the group, close off the options, and reinforce the barriers?

Relevent
Choose an icebreaker that meets the needs of the group and contributes toward the purpose of the meeting. That purpose could be as simple as the introduction of strangers to each other or to get the participants to begin thinking about a specific topic.
Will participants feel that it is appropriate and worthwhile?

Energizing
Design your Icebreaker to energize. It should excite the group according to their level of activity. Highly physical activity might be appropriate for some groups while for other groups it may tire them out before you even start! Laughter, fun, creativity, and intellectual stimulation are almost always energizing!
Will they have fun and enjoy the activity?

With these keys, you can avoid the SNOREs of boredom in your next icebreaker!

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Game Ideas, Icebreakers

SuperBowl Teams

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There are 32 professional football teams. Identify the 31 listed below and then name the 32nd.

1. Army insect
2. Seven squared
3. Streakers are
4. A 747
5. Hostile attackers
6. Iron workers
7. Sun tanned bodies
8. I.O.U.
9. Helpers to relocate
10. Toy baby arms
11. Bird trained to kill
12. Cars
13. Six rulers
14. Opposite of ewe
15. Class of boy scouts
16. American gauchos
17. Fundamental rule
18. Credit card users
19. Indian leaders
20. King of beasts
21. Used to be a girl
22. A dollar for corn
23. Ocean going bird
24. Hot epidermis
25. Louis Armstrong’s favorite song
26. Rodeo horses
27. Ski shooters
28. Edgar Allen Poe’s
29. Lone Stars
30. Halloween cats
31. Jupiter’s Moons
32. Name the 32th

Answers
1. Giants, 2. 49’ers, 3. Bears, 4. Jets, 5. Raiders, 6. Steelers, 7. Browns, 8. Bills, 9. Packers, 10. Dolphins, 11. Falcons, 12. Jaguars, 13. Vikings, 14. Rams, 15. Eagles, 16. Cowboys, 17. Cardinals, 18. Chargers, 19. Chiefs, 20. Lions, 21. Bengals, 22. Buccaneers, 23. Seahawks, 24. Redskins, 25. Saints, 26. Broncos, 27. Colts, 28. Ravens, 29. Texans, 30. Panthers, 31. Titans, 32. Patriots

Variation
Use can also use this idea for a crowdbreaker or icebreaker. Simply write the description on one name tag and the corresponding football team name on another. Mix them up and give one to each guest when they arrive at your Superbowl. One everyone arrives have guests find their partners by matching the descriptions with the names of the football teams. Great fun for your next Superbowl Party or for an after game fellowship!

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Our “Destined to Win” series is a great follow up for youth who are new Christians or to emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum / Small Group Study has a sports theme and is great for athletes and works well as a tie in to what’s going on in the NBA and the current Linsanity.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”

Icebreakers

Connected

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This icebreaker game is often called “spider web” because at the end of the icebreaker, a large web of interconnected strong or yarn will be created. You can use this icebreaker to discuss interdependence on one another, picking up the slack for another person, uplifting others, and teamwork.

Description
Sitting in a circle, youth toss a ball of string to someone else in the circle. The person receiving the string must name a quality, item, or something else related to the topic or keyword.

Resources
Ball of string or yarn

Preparation
None

What to Do
In the classic variation of this icebreaker, students introduce their name and one characteristic about themselves before tossing it to another person in the circle. Here’s how it works:

  1. Sit the group on the floor in a circle with everyone facing inward toward the center of the circle.
  2. Tell everyone your name and one characteristics about yourself. You could also have everyone answer the same a common question like “What is your favorite ice-cream?”
  3. Holding firmly to the end of the string, toss the ball of string to someone in the circle who has not yet received the string.
  4. The person receiving the string gives his/her name and one characteristic.
  5. Then, holding firmly onto the string, he or she tosses the ball on to another person.
  6. The string should be held tightly and above the ground at all times.
  7. Continue until everyone has received the string at least once and told the group their name and one characteristic.

Variations:

  • Use this icebreaker to discuss how the members all depend on each other.
    The first person who receives the string introduces him/herself and role in the organization or group. Then before tossing the ball to another person, tells how he or she is dependent upon that person.

Taking it to the Next Level

  1. Have someone in the group pull the string – What happens?
  2. Have everyone pull the string tight then cut the string in the middle – What happens?
  3. In what ways does this string represent various relationships in the group?
  • Our relationships are intertwined and connected.
  • If a single person pulls the string it affects everyone in the group to varying degrees, depending on how closely they are connected.
  • If one person’s string is cut – the relationship is broken, it affects all.
  • We need to support each other and not let others down

Action Point
What is one thing you will commit to do in order to support others in the group?

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Acrostic Icebreaker (Enhanced)

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Youth introduce themselves to each other by creating acrostics of their own names.

Description
Youth use acrostics to introduce themselves. An acrostic is an arrangement of words in which certain letters in each line, when taken in order, spell out a word or motto

Resources
None

Preparation
None

What to Do

  1. Give youth a few examples of acrostics:
    GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
    DIANE = Dynamic, Independent, Able, No-nonsense, Enthusiastic.
    TODD = Tried and true, Oh boy, a boy!, Diamond in the rough, Destined for glory.
  2. Give the youth a few minutes to think of an acrostic for their own name (or nickname) using words or phrases that describe themselves.
  3. Once everyone has thought of something, ask the group members to introduce themselves to each other by using the acrostics

Variations

  • When creating the acrostic, have kids mix up the order of the letters in their names (Example: Ken = New Education King or NEK). Then have the rest of the group attempt to figure out each name.
  • Instead of an acrostic, ask youth to create actions for each syllable in their name… (Example: Diane might act as if she will “Die” and hold up her “hand” – Die-Hand = Diane)
  • If the group can be trusted to be encouraging and already knows each other to some degree, then you can ask the group to create acrostics for the names of each other.

Taking it to the Next Level

  • Was there any truth in the words and phrases you chose to represent your name in an acrostic?
  • If you didn’t have to use the letters in your name, what words and phrases might your friends use to describe you?
  • At the end of your LONG life, what words and phrases would you want people would use to describe you?

Action Point
What are some things you can start doing now to start building the type of reputation that you want?

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