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
-
- Sit everyone in a circle
- 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!)
- 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.
- 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.
- After everyone has introduced themselves, explain the rules.
- 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.
- 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.
- When someone is “whacked” or breaks a rule / makes a mistake they must move to the center of the circle.
- The person who just came out of the circle begins the next round by calling a name.
- 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.
- 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!
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!
Materials
- Pieces of white paper. (Almost any white paper will work: butcher paper, Mah Jong paper, posterboard, white tissue paper, even newsprint classified ads).
- Charcoal or a dark crayon
- Bright light.
Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker / crowdbreaker, youth will try to guess the identity of other youth by looking at their profiles.
Preparation
Set up the bright light so that it shines against a wall where you can place the pieces of paper. You will also need someone who can use the crayon or charcoal to follow the edge of the shadow projected onto the paper. Someone with some artistic ability is useful but not necessary.
Icebreaker Activity
- As each guest arrives he is taken into a room and asked to stand between a strong light and a smooth wall. Then the person drawing outlines the profile with a crayon or charcoal – outlining only the head.
- Be careful to write the name of each subject on the back of the drawing.
- When all guests have arrived the profiles are held up to see who can recognise the most people from the profiles.
- Show the profiles 1 at a time. Youth can make a numbered list and put the suspected person’s name beside each number.
Optional Debrief
- How were you able to recognise the profiles?
- What were some of the distinguishing characteristics that helped?
Optional Conclusion
In Scripture we are told that Jesus was the image of the Father. He was fully God and fully man. When you looked at Him you saw God. When He acted, He acted as God the Father. Many did not recognise Him as God because they focused on his physical form. Yet even though his physical form was different there were many things that revealed who he was. We are also to reveal God/ Jesus in our lives. What are some ways we can do this?
Application
- As Jesus revealed the father through his words, deeds, actions, heart, etc., do your actions reveal God as your father?
- Do your actions, thoughts, words, deeds, and heart reveal Christ in you or your old self more clearly?
- What is something you need to put off to more clearly reveal the image of Christ in your life this week?
Scripture
- Colossians 1:15 – Jesus was the image of God
- Colossians 3:10 – we are to put on the image of Christ
- John 14:9-12 – Whoever has seen Christ has seen the Father
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 Youth ideas: 1700+ Resources for youth leaders, pastors, ministers to help plan camps, retreats, and meetings using games, illustrations, Children's Worship, Bible Studies, object lessons, sermons, creative ideas,creative activities
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level