Ice Breakers
Whether you're teaching a class, facilitating a meeting, hosting a group, or attending a casual summer party, getting to know the people around you can be intimidating or very fun. Break the ice! All ice breakers are printable!
Ice Breakers - 10 Party Games as Energizers
Are party games appropriate in the classroom? If you use them to energize your class, they can be. The trick is to choose ice breakers that won't drive your adult students out of the room.
Are party games appropriate in the classroom? If you use them to energize your class, they can be. The trick is to choose ice breakers that won't drive your adult students out of the room.
Ice Breaker - Tattoo
I'm often surprised, maybe even shocked, by the people who share with me that they've always wanted a tattoo. These are people I would never have guessed would be interested in such a thing. The first question is always, "What kind of tattoo?" And then, "Where?" You know the drill.
I'm often surprised, maybe even shocked, by the people who share with me that they've always wanted a tattoo. These are people I would never have guessed would be interested in such a thing. The first question is always, "What kind of tattoo?" And then, "Where?" You know the drill.
Ice Breaker - A Few of My Favorite Things
You know the song. These are a few of my favorite things... Use this ice breaker just for fun, or customize it to your topic.
You know the song. These are a few of my favorite things... Use this ice breaker just for fun, or customize it to your topic.
Ice Breaker - Time Machine
Were you born way ahead of your time? Maybe too late? When and where would you travel if you could go forward or backward in time?
Were you born way ahead of your time? Maybe too late? When and where would you travel if you could go forward or backward in time?
Ice Breaker - Everyone’s a Foodie
Find out what your students or guests like to eat. And what they never want to put in their mouths again!
Find out what your students or guests like to eat. And what they never want to put in their mouths again!
The Importance of Meaningful Conversation
Meaningful conversation is one of the most important aspects of learning, especially for adults. Sadly, it doesn't happen very often anymore. Whether you're the teacher or the ageless learner, following Ron Gross's suggestions for stimulating meaningful conversation will enliven your classroom and your dinner table.
Meaningful conversation is one of the most important aspects of learning, especially for adults. Sadly, it doesn't happen very often anymore. Whether you're the teacher or the ageless learner, following Ron Gross's suggestions for stimulating meaningful conversation will enliven your classroom and your dinner table.
Ice Breakers - Top 10 Ice Breakers for Adults
'Tis the season for ice breakers, no matter what kind of teacher you are. Ice breakers are the best way to help your students get to know each other, to break the ice on the awkward first day of school. If your students are adults, it's important to break the ice too, but even more important to choose an ice breaker that won't backfire on you. Most adults don't want to play silly games. Choose on…
'Tis the season for ice breakers, no matter what kind of teacher you are. Ice breakers are the best way to help your students get to know each other, to break the ice on the awkward first day of school. If your students are adults, it's important to break the ice too, but even more important to choose an ice breaker that won't backfire on you. Most adults don't want to play silly games. Choose on…
Ice Breaker - Super Powers
Wouldn't it be great to have super powers? If you could have one super power, which one would you choose?
Wouldn't it be great to have super powers? If you could have one super power, which one would you choose?
Ice Breaker - Three Words
If you had to describe yourself in three words, which three would you choose?
If you had to describe yourself in three words, which three would you choose?
Ice Breaker - Personal Flag
Flags have a way of making everybody feel good, especially when they’re waving in the breeze. Ask your students to make their own personal flag and present it to the class.
Flags have a way of making everybody feel good, especially when they’re waving in the breeze. Ask your students to make their own personal flag and present it to the class.
Ice Breaker - Fortune Cookie Writer
Everybody loves a fortune cookie, especially if they get a good fortune. Some love it even more if the cookie is a little sassy. Learn something about your students when you ask them to write fortune cookies. Are they gurus? Or wisecrackers?
Everybody loves a fortune cookie, especially if they get a good fortune. Some love it even more if the cookie is a little sassy. Learn something about your students when you ask them to write fortune cookies. Are they gurus? Or wisecrackers?
Ice Breaker - If You Won the Lottery
Money is pretty powerful. How’s that for an understatement! It’s easy to think having a lot of it would solve all our problems, but history shows otherwise. If you won the lottery, what would you do with all the cash?
Money is pretty powerful. How’s that for an understatement! It’s easy to think having a lot of it would solve all our problems, but history shows otherwise. If you won the lottery, what would you do with all the cash?
Ice Breaker - Play-Doh Animals
This ice breaker is perfect for any group that has gathered for hands-on topics. Get them involved right away by giving each student a can of Play-Doh and a handful of pipe cleaners. Can you imagine the results already?
This ice breaker is perfect for any group that has gathered for hands-on topics. Get them involved right away by giving each student a can of Play-Doh and a handful of pipe cleaners. Can you imagine the results already?
Ice Breaker - Beach Ball Buzz
Have a little beach fun without leaving your classroom. Beach Ball Buzz can be as fun as you choose depending on the questions you write on the ball. Make them related to your topic or completely frivolous and fun.
Have a little beach fun without leaving your classroom. Beach Ball Buzz can be as fun as you choose depending on the questions you write on the ball. Make them related to your topic or completely frivolous and fun.
Ice Breaker - Time Capsule
What message would you put in a time capsule to be opened by your ancestors in 100 years? Assuming we haven't destroyed our planet by then, of course. We’re thinking positive here. Do you have advice? An admonition? Or would you make them laugh?
What message would you put in a time capsule to be opened by your ancestors in 100 years? Assuming we haven't destroyed our planet by then, of course. We’re thinking positive here. Do you have advice? An admonition? Or would you make them laugh?
Ice Breaker - The Movie of Your Life
If they made a movie of your life, what kind of movie would it be and who would be cast as you? Are you Bond...James Bond? Or more the Ahnold type? Maybe you’re like Scarlet in Gone With the Wind. Or Cat Woman. Is your life an adventure, drama, romance, or horror flick? Entertain us.
If they made a movie of your life, what kind of movie would it be and who would be cast as you? Are you Bond...James Bond? Or more the Ahnold type? Maybe you’re like Scarlet in Gone With the Wind. Or Cat Woman. Is your life an adventure, drama, romance, or horror flick? Entertain us.
Ice Breaker - Photo Scavenger Hunt
A picture is worth a thousand words. Almost everyone has a photo or two in their wallet, especially when you’ve got a room full of adults, or even better, baby boomers with grandchildren. The photo scavenger hunt is on!
A picture is worth a thousand words. Almost everyone has a photo or two in their wallet, especially when you’ve got a room full of adults, or even better, baby boomers with grandchildren. The photo scavenger hunt is on!
Ice Breaker - Would You Rather...
Would you rather find true love or win the lottery? Would you rather be bald or completely hairy? Would you rather tell your best friend a lie or your parents the truth?
Would you rather find true love or win the lottery? Would you rather be bald or completely hairy? Would you rather tell your best friend a lie or your parents the truth?
Ice Breaker - The Name Game
You may have people in your group who hate the name game so much they’ll still remember everyone’s name two years from now! Ha! You can make it harder by requiring everyone to add an adjective to their name that starts with the same letter (e.g. Cranky Carla, Blue-eyed Bob, Zesty Zelda). You get the gist.
You may have people in your group who hate the name game so much they’ll still remember everyone’s name two years from now! Ha! You can make it harder by requiring everyone to add an adjective to their name that starts with the same letter (e.g. Cranky Carla, Blue-eyed Bob, Zesty Zelda). You get the gist.
Ice Breaker - 2-Minute Mixer
You may have heard of 8-minute dating, where 100 people meet for an evening full of 8-minute dates. They talk to one person for 8 minutes and then move on to the next. Eight minutes is a long time in the classroom, so we’ll call this ice breaker a 2-minute mixer. Ready? Go!
You may have heard of 8-minute dating, where 100 people meet for an evening full of 8-minute dates. They talk to one person for 8 minutes and then move on to the next. Eight minutes is a long time in the classroom, so we’ll call this ice breaker a 2-minute mixer. Ready? Go!
Ice Breaker - People Bingo
People Bingo is one of the most popular ice breakers because it's so easy to customize for your particular group and situation, and everyone knows how to play it.
People Bingo is one of the most popular ice breakers because it's so easy to customize for your particular group and situation, and everyone knows how to play it.
Ice Breaker - Where in the World?
The more technology brings us together, the smaller the world becomes. Where in the world are you from? Or, where in the world is your favorite place?
The more technology brings us together, the smaller the world becomes. Where in the world are you from? Or, where in the world is your favorite place?
Ice Breaker - Marooned
This ice breaker is a great introduction when the people gathered are strangers, and it fosters team building in groups that already work together. I have always found the choices people make to be very revealing about who they are as a person.
This ice breaker is a great introduction when the people gathered are strangers, and it fosters team building in groups that already work together. I have always found the choices people make to be very revealing about who they are as a person.
Ice Breaker - If You Could Have Taken a Different Path
If you could have taken a different path in life, what would you have chosen to do, knowing what you know today? Find out if your students are in your classroom to change their lives. It happens.
If you could have taken a different path in life, what would you have chosen to do, knowing what you know today? Find out if your students are in your classroom to change their lives. It happens.
Ice Breaker - If You Had a Magic Wand
If you had a magic wand, what would you choose to change? Pass a magic wand around your classroom and generate some energy!
If you had a magic wand, what would you choose to change? Pass a magic wand around your classroom and generate some energy!
Ice Breaker - Expectations
Expectations are powerful, especially when you're teaching adults. Understanding your students' expectations of the course you're teaching is key to your success. Make sure you know what your students expect with this expectations ice breaker.
Expectations are powerful, especially when you're teaching adults. Understanding your students' expectations of the course you're teaching is key to your success. Make sure you know what your students expect with this expectations ice breaker.
Ice Breaker - The Power of Story
Adults bring to your class or meeting room an abundance of life experience and wisdom. Tapping into their stories can deepen the significance of whatever you've gathered to discuss. Let the power of story enhance your teaching of adults.
Adults bring to your class or meeting room an abundance of life experience and wisdom. Tapping into their stories can deepen the significance of whatever you've gathered to discuss. Let the power of story enhance your teaching of adults.
Table Topics Product Review
When you're tired of superficial chit-chat and want to start meaningful conversations to break the ice and get to really know people, get out the Table Topics. There are several different versions, each with 135 questions in a four-inch acrylic cube. Start talking!
When you're tired of superficial chit-chat and want to start meaningful conversations to break the ice and get to really know people, get out the Table Topics. There are several different versions, each with 135 questions in a four-inch acrylic cube. Start talking!
Ice Breaker - Table Topics
Table Topics is an ice breaker sure to make introductions interesting and conversation lively. Choose from nine versions of the four-inch acrylic cube, each filled with 135 thought-provoking questions. Great in the classroom and meeting room, around the table or on the patio.
Table Topics is an ice breaker sure to make introductions interesting and conversation lively. Choose from nine versions of the four-inch acrylic cube, each filled with 135 thought-provoking questions. Great in the classroom and meeting room, around the table or on the patio.
Ice Breaker - Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is a fun and humorous ice breaker for introductions in the classroom, at a meeting, anywhere.
Two Truths and a Lie is a fun and humorous ice breaker for introductions in the classroom, at a meeting, anywhere.
Great Ice Breakers for Professional Groups
Karen Schweitzer, About.com's Business School Guide, has a great collection of ice breakers for professional groups and team building.
Karen Schweitzer, About.com's Business School Guide, has a great collection of ice breakers for professional groups and team building.
Creative Icebreakers, Introductions, and Hellos
This wonderful and very professional booklet of icebreakers is offered by Business Training Works. Each printable page is dedicated to one icebreaker and includes steps, materials needed, time involved, and variations.
This wonderful and very professional booklet of icebreakers is offered by Business Training Works. Each printable page is dedicated to one icebreaker and includes steps, materials needed, time involved, and variations.
Mind Tool Icebreakers
Mind Tools not only provides a great list of icebreaker ideas, they also share info about when to use an icebreaker, exactly what it is you're breaking, and how to design the right activity for your group.
Mind Tools not only provides a great list of icebreaker ideas, they also share info about when to use an icebreaker, exactly what it is you're breaking, and how to design the right activity for your group.
eslflow.com
This is a large collection of icebreakers, some designed specifically for use in ESL classes.
This is a large collection of icebreakers, some designed specifically for use in ESL classes.
Don Clark's Favorite Icebreakers
This is a nice collection of icebreakers from Don Clark, intended for an office setting. While you're there, check out the rest of his awesome training, performance, and development material.
This is a nice collection of icebreakers from Don Clark, intended for an office setting. While you're there, check out the rest of his awesome training, performance, and development material.
Janice LaVore's Top Ten Icebreakers
For Coachville, Janice LaVore lists her top ten icebreakers. There are a few in her list I've never heard of and they seem fun!
For Coachville, Janice LaVore lists her top ten icebreakers. There are a few in her list I've never heard of and they seem fun!
Wilderdom Games
A nice collection of games and links to other icebreaker websites.
A nice collection of games and links to other icebreaker websites.
Icebreakers, Even Online
From Virgil E. Varvel Jr. for the Illinois Online Network, a great article about using icebreakers online.
From Virgil E. Varvel Jr. for the Illinois Online Network, a great article about using icebreakers online.
Kim's Korner for Teacher Talk
A teacher's collection of icebreakers that have worked for her.
A teacher's collection of icebreakers that have worked for her.