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

Bang-Bang Your Dead!

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gun_finger.jpgGroup Size: Groups of any size.

Time: 10 minutes

Applications: Learning Names

Materials
None

Objective
For the group to learn each others names. As people are eliminated they will have to learn the names of different persons on their left or right until only two participants remain for the final duel.

INSTRUCTIONS

Circle up: All participants stand in a circle facing each other.

Introduce: Go around the circle having everyone introduce themselves by name.

Ready-Aim: Everyone makes a gun with their hands by interlocking the fingers together and pointing out their two index fingers.

BANG BANG: The game begins by the facilitator calling out the name of someone in the group. That person must quickly duck (squat down). The two people on either side of the person whose name was called fire their guns at him by pointing their guns in his or her direction and saying “Bang-Bang! Your’e Dead”.

Eliminate: If the named participant does not duck in time then he is the one shot dead and is eliminated. If he ducks in time, the participant on either his left or right who gets shot first is eliminated. Whoever is shot must dramatically die and then sits down in the centre of the circle and calls the next name. The game continues until only two participants remain.

Last Duel: When there are only two people left, they should stand back to back in the center of an open space. The facilitator then begins slowly counting from 1. With each number, the participants take one step forward. As soon as the facilitator skips a number, the two participants must turn around and shoot each other– “Bang-Bang You’re dead.” Whoever shoots first is the overall winner.

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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.

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Icebreakers

Dream Vacation

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postcards.jpgMaterials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will share a little about themselves as they choose a dream vacation that reflects their life goals.

Icebreaker Preparation
None

Icebreaker Activity

  • “You’ve just won a dream vacation for two. You can travel to any destination in the world and stay there for two weeks, and all your expenses will be covered. Where would you go?”
  • “What if you there was an additional condition in the rules for your free vacation: You must choose a destination that will help you to achieve your goals in life? Would your destination change? What does your newly chosen dream vacation reflect about your goals, dreams, purpose in life, direction for your life?”

Discussion

  1. Allow pairs time to discuss their new vacation choices and why they’d chosen them with their partners.
  2. Then have kids announce their choices to the entire group.
  3. Allow time for teenagers to ask each other why they chose their vacation destinations and what they reflect about their goals and dreams for the future.

Debrief
When we think of vacations we think of fun and excitement. But when we think of our goals in life we often are fearful and less than optimistic about what the future holds for us. If we realise that God is in charge and we can trust him with our future, the future becomes so much less scary. They say that if you enjoy what you are doing, you will never work a day in your life. Every day will be like a vacation. When we find God’s purpose for our lives we will find meaning and joy in everything we do because we are living the life God intended.

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

Just for Laughs

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Materials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will learn a little about each other as they share experiences that have caused them to laugh.

Icebreaker Preparation
No preparation is required if you do this crowdbreaker activity in pairs. If you want to divide people into groups as a crowdbreaker, you can put the following phrases representing the sounds of laughter on pieces of paper as needed for the size of your group. Randomly hand one slip of paper to each youth as they enter the room. Some of these sounds are more easily distinguished than others.

Sounds of Laughter: giggle, hah-hah, hee-hee, ho-ho, har-har, maniac laughter, snicker

Icebreaker Activity

  1. If you are using the sounds of laughter to separate into groups, have participants laugh according to the slip of paper they have given and try to find others in their group. They may not show anyone the slip of paper and may only communicate using the sound of laughter they have been given.
  2. Once the youth have found everyone in their groups, they should use a couple of the questions listed below to share with each other as an icebreaker.

Possible Questions

  • My most embarrassing moment was…
  • The funniest television commercial I’ve seen is…
  • The funniest thing anyone ever said to me was….
  • The best (clean) joke I’ve heard recently is…
  • The funniest person I’ve ever met is…
  • The funniest face I’ve ever seen someone make is… (Have youth attempt to create the face for their group.)
  • The best practical joke I’ve ever heard is…
  • The hardest I ever laughed was when…
  • The funniest cartoon strip I have ever seen was…

Debrief
Life is full of funny moments. Yet sometimes, we tend to focus more on the pains than the laughter. In the case of an embarrassing moment, the pain of embarrassment can later be recalled with laughter. Scripture uses a strange statement: “Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds. ” (James 1) While laughter, joy, and happiness are related, they are not the same things. Sometimes they come together, sometimes they don’t. Happiness comes with positive circumstances, but joy can be present even in difficult circumstances. Happiness is external, but joy is internal. Laughter is momentary, but joy is long lasting. Joy ultimately comes from our assurance that God is in charge of our lives and will work all things for our benefit.

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

Weather Report

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Materials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will describe various types of weather they have experienced as an icebreaker / crowdbreaker. This is a good crowdbreaker to use at events or meetings that have been forced inside by inclement weather

Preparation
None

Icebreaker Activity
Give youth a question related to the weather. They must mingle and share the answers to the question with one another. On a periodic basis, change the question.

Possible Questions

  • the hottest temperature they’ve experienced
  • the coldest temperature they’ve experienced
  • the deepest snowfall they’ve seen
  • the worst windstorm they’ve experienced
  • the closest they’ve been to a tornado or hurricane
  • the densest fog they’ve witnessed
  • the most beautiful sunset they’ve seen
  • the strangest weather they’ve experienced.

Debrief
If you had to describe your life at this moment in terms of the weather, how would you explain it?
Examples: Partly Cloudy, thunderstorm, dry season, flooded, sunny, clowdy, lightning, hot, hurricane, tornado. pleasant breeze, windy, clear, sunny, overcast, warm, cold, freezing, hail, ice, fog, smog, mist, frost, drizzling, raining, afternoon showers, blizzard, snow, scattered showers, windy, gusty, squall, gale, stormy, pleasant, dusty

Conclusion
Sometimes life seems stormy, at other times it is a pleasant afternoon. Sometimes the world can be a cold place and other times is can be warm and sunny. There are times when we are in a fog and other times it is clear. The nice thing about weather is that it changes all the time. The same is true for life. Life is always changing. Next time live sends you rain, don’t worry… the sun will shine again!

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

Build a Burger

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burger.jpgMaterials
Paper slips with various parts of a hamburger written on them.

Icebreaker Description
Youth will divide into groups of various sizes to introduce themselves to each other.

Preparation
Cut up several slips of paper so that there is enough for everyone. On each slip of paper write a part of a hamburger: MAIN: Bun, Meat ADDITIONAL: Tomato, Cheese, Onion, Ketchup, Pickle, Mustard, Mayonnaise, BBQ Sauce, Bacon, Lettuce, Salt, Pepper, Mushrooms. The higher the number of expected participants, the more ingredients you can include. There should be more buns and meat than other ingredients.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. As people arrive, hand a slip of paper to everyone with some part of a burger on it.
  2. Have everyone mingle and then yell out “BUILD A BURGER!”
  3. Everyone should get together with enough people to build a burger from everything on it to plain meat and buns. Each burger must consist of a minimum of 2 buns and a meat patty.
  4. In their burger groups get youth to introduce themselves to each other, tell their favorite fast food place etc.
  5. After few minutes, call out “Build a Burger” again.
  6. Everyone must form new groups and then share again.

Debrief

  • We sometimes hear that “we are what we eat.” What are some of your favorite foods? Do they reveal anything about your personality?
  • Scripture tells us that it is not food that makes us unclean, but the words that come out of our mouths. These words come from our heart. (Matthew 15:17-19) What do your words say about you?

Conclusion
Instead of “Build a Burger” take a few moments to “Build Others Up.” Tell the people in your group something that you admire about them, a word of encouragement, or a mention a gift / talent they have.

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

Bob

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nametag.jpgMaterials
One chair for each person in the group.

Icebreaker Description
Use this icebreaker to allow youth to quickly learn each others names.

Preparation
Arrange the chairs in a circle.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Pick one person to be the leader-that person becomes “Bob.” Everyone else keeps their own name. Before you begin the game, have everyone tell the group thier name.
  2. Start a rhythm by slowly slapping your hands on your knees twice and then clapping twice. Keep repeating until everyone is in rhythm. Begin slowly. Later as the game is familiar you can speed up the rhythm.
  3. “Bob” then begins by saying “Bob” during the knee slaps, and anyone else’s name in the group during the handclaps.
  4. The person “Bob” names must respond immediately by saying their name during the next knee slaps, and anyone else’s during the hand claps (exception: you can never call the name of the person who just called you).
  5. The person called must do the same thing, calling out their own name and then someone else’s name. (Example: Bob, Sally. Sally, Fred. Fred, Sarah. Sarah, Steve. . .)
  6. This keeps going until somebody makes a mistake or fails to shout a name in time.
  7. At that point, the person who made a mistake moves to the spot to the right of Bob. Everybody moves one spot to the right to fill the hole left by the person who lost.
  8. Here’s the catch: Each person’s name remains with their chair! They become the name of the person who was ahead of them. Throughout the game, the name will always stay with the spot, and the person becomes that name as they move into that spot.
  9. The ultimate goal is to unseat “Bob” and take his place.

It’s hysterical to see kids’ brains freeze up as they forget who they are. Eventually each person will have been almost everybody else, so names are learned very quickly.

Debrief

  • Have you ever wished you were someone else? Why or Why not?
  • Have you ever been confused about your own identity?
  • Have you ever tried to fit in by being like others in a group?
  • Have you ever felt pressured to be a certain way that is really nothing like the way you really are?

Possible Applications / jump off points to spiritual discussions

  1. Use this as an introduction to our identity in Christ
  2. Use this as an introduction about peer pressure.
  3. Use this as an introduction to a discussion about making mistakes. We can start again and keep trying!
  4. Just use this is a fun way to learn names!

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

Animal Kingdom

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sheepish.jpgMaterials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will identify themselves with an animal the most reflects some aspect of their personality. It’s a great way for kids to get to know a little about each other. It also functions somewhat as a crowdbreaker by dividing them into groups, but you may need to do some adjustment as the groups are likely to be of different sizes.

Preparation
Choose 3-5 animals, one animal for each group you want to have. Choose animals that are vastly different from each other. Some options are:

Aardvark, Albatross, Anteater, Armadillo, Badger, Bat, Bear, Camel, Cat, Chicken, Chinchilla, Cow, Crab, Crane, Crayfish, Cuckoo, Deer, Dog, Dolphin, Dove, Duck, Dugong, Eagle, Elephant, Emu, Ferret, Flamingo, Flying fox, Frog,
Giraffe, Goat, Goose, Hamster, Hawk, Hedgehogs, Hippo, Horses, Hummingbird, Iguana, Kangaroo, Koala, Lemur, Lion, Lizards, Llamas, Loon, Mammoth, Monkey, Mouse, Octopus, Ostrich, Otter, Owl, Panda, Parrot, Pelican, Penguin, Pig, Pigeon, Porcupine, Rabbit, Rat, Raven/crow, Rhinoceros, Seal, Sheep, sloths, Snake, Sparrow, Stork, Swan, Tapir, Toad, Tortoise, Turtle, Unicorn, Weasel, Whale, Wolf, Wombat, Zebra

Icebreaker Activity
1. Ask kids to introduce themselves by giving their name and then choosing which of the selected animals they most identify with.
2. Then have kids group themselves according to the animals they chose. (Combine the two smallest groups if either has fewer than three members.)

Debrief
Direct kids to answer one of the following questions in their small groups.

  • Are you more commonly the predator or the prey?
  • Nocturnal or diurnal?
  • What do think the choice of a this animal says about a person?
  • What does the chosen animal reflect about you?
  • What are some of the characteristics of this animal that are like you?
  • What lessons could we learn from this animal?
  • If you could choose to be any animal, what would you choose and why?

Conclusion
Have groups brainstorm the benefits of being similar to this animal and then share it with the rest of the groups.

Possible Applications / jump off points to spiritual discussions

  1. Lesson on Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6)
  2. Lesson on Creation (Genesis 1)
  3. Lesson on us being Sheep
  4. “Ask the animals and they will teach you” – Job 12:7 Many refections of the Creator can be found in his Creation.
  5. As God takes care of birds, even more so will he take care of us. (Matthew 6:24-34, Luke 12:24-27)

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

Story of Your Name

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Description
Everyone has stories, often fascinating ones, based around their names. Use this icebreaker to learn about the names of people in your group. This could also be used as a children’s sermon.

Activity
Divide participants into groups of 3-5 people and have each person take a turn telling the story of his/her name.

  • “Where does your name come from?”
  • “Do you like your name? Why or why not?”
  • “Do you know the meaning of your name?” Explain
  • “How did you get your name?”
  • “Why did your parents give you your first name or middle name?”
  • “Do you have any pet names / cute names your family or friends call you?”
  • “What nicknames have people given to you?”
  • ” What’s the story of your last name/ family name?”
  • “Where did it come from?”
  • “What do you know about your family name?”
  • “How far can you trace back your family tree?”
  • “What were some interesting people and events in your family history?”

People can share as much or as little information as they like.

Discussion
Ask each group to share the most interesting story they heard.

Application
Throughout the Bible God called people by name. Sometimes he even changed the name of people in the Bible to reflect their character and reinforce the decisions they made in following him. God knew Moses by name (Exodus 33:17). He called Jacob by name (Isaiah 43:1-3). God called Jeremiah before he was even born. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Psalms 139:14-18 tels us that God not only knows us by name, but our whole personal history was written before even one day came to pass. Jesus calls us each by name and guides us (John 10:3). Whatever your name, always remember God knows you by name and loves you. He has a plan for your life and your future if you will trust Him.

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

Easter Sign-up

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easter_egg_candy.jpgMaterials
A list of characteristics related to the group and Easter

Game objective
Be the first to get someone to sign your list for each of the characteristics, or to have the most names before the time is up.

Game Play
1. Give each person a copy of the Easter Sign-Up
2. Find someone to sign his or her name for each item on a list. To sign the list, the characteristic must be true of the person who signs it.
3. You can ask a person only one question at a time on the list. If the answer is no, you must go to someone else before returning to this person with another question.
4. If the answer is yes, have the person sign your list next to the item.
5. A person may only sign the list once.

How to win
The first person to complete the list wins or after 10 minutes, the person with the most names is declared the winner. Check all answers to the winning list by calling the person’s name and the characteristic and verifying that it is true of the person.

Choose from the following sample characterictics or create your own
* Has spent Easter in another country
* Is wearing a cross
* Ate an egg today
* Hunted Easter eggs this year
* Went to the sunrise service
* Attended the Good Friday Service
* Has 30 silver coins in his/ her pocket
* Has ridden on a donkey
* Has heard a live rooster crow
* Was baptized at Easter
* Eats the ears first from chocolate easter Bunnies
* Ate a Hot Cross Bun this year
* Is wearing new clothes
* Read the Easter Story in his/ her Bible today
* Gave someone an Easter Card
* Has eaten Jelly Beans today
* Can Quote John 3:16
* Dyed or decorated Easter eggs this year
* Has a plastic Easter Egg
* Can sing the song “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” in its entirety
* Can name the first two people who went to the tomb on Easter Morning.
* Has an Easter basket at home
* Is a Christian
* Favorite Easter food is Marshmellow peeps
* Does not like chocolate
* Favorite Jelly Beans are the black ones
* Took a family photo for Easter

Variation
Place the items in a 5×5 Bingo Grid. First person to get a bingo (5 in a row) wins then the first person to cover all also wins.

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Games and Activities in celebration of Easter.

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Icebreakers

Easter Hoax

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easter_conversation2.jpg
Materials
None

Game Play
1. Each person in the group writes answers to four Easter questions. Three of the answers are to be true and one is to be a hoax. Questions should center around Easter.

For example, select from the following suggested questions for Easter or create your own:
* What is the most unusual Easter you have ever experienced?
* What is the most meaningful thing that happened to you during Easter?
* What is your favorite Easter food?
* What is your favorite Easter tradition or symbol?
* What is your favorite part of the Easter story?
* What is your favorite thing to do during Easter?
* What is the ideal Easter celebration for you?
* What is the most meaningful thing you do as a family at easter?
ETC

2. Each individual reads his or her answers to the group. The other youth guess which answer is a hoax. After all have given their guess, the person tells which answer was the hoax.

Variation
Toss all the answers in a bowl and have people read the responses, guess the person and guess the answer which is a hoax.

Application
For many people the Easter story is a hoax. For the early disciples the idea that Christ would rise again seemed impossible. The feared someone had stolen the body. But Jesus appeared to many after the resurrection. It was no hoax. He is alive.

Get Creative Youth Ideas: "Easter Collection" ebook Easter Collection
Games and Activities in celebration of Easter.

Get more than 80 creative ideas for planning a Youth Easter celebration or Easter Party. You can immediately download my best Easter Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Easter activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

=> Tell me more about the Easter Collection