Readers Respond: What's Your Favorite Ice Breaker for Adults?

Responses: 17

By Deb Peterson, About.com Guide

See More About

From the article: Top 10 Ice Breakers for Adults

Share the ice breakers you think belong in every teacher's top ten. What has worked for you, or not? Share What Works for You

I would to got with my wife because she is funny and lovely. next would be my 2-year old twin daughters because they are curious of their surrounding
—Guest MUTEBE FRED

This is a great introductory warm up that allows people to perform a gesture that relates to their personality, and says their own personal name. The group stands in a circle. Then, everyone must repeat the gesture (with their own style of course!), and say that person's name in unison. Everyone gets a chance to perform a gesture and say their name, until the circle completes. It's a very fun, ice breaker, that allows people to remember each others' names and personalities.
—Guest Linda Simthong

The Ctrl+ does not work for AOL however. Any ideas on that? All other web pages it's great.
—Guest Linda

Called this because Bob first played this game with us. Each person needs pen and paper. The person who is "Bob" declares a category e.g. European Country. All others have one minute to write down answers that match the title as possible.After one minutes "Bob" says stop writing and then makes up the answer. e.g. Luxembourg. Any one who has written down Luxenbourg circles their answers and get a point. The person to the left of original Bob then becomes Bob and can choose the category. Keep going until each person has been Bob.
—Guest Petram20

Write a question for each M&M color on the board (fav movie/book, dream vaca, interesting fact, etc.). Use a napkin or small paper bowl/plate and distribute a small handfull of M&M's to each student (can delegate this too). Go around room and have them choose3-4 Q's depending on the colors they have. Fun! Buiding a structure is good for getting them into mixed groups. I get dollar store spaghetti and marshmallows for each group- size up to you. They have to work together and design and build the tallest structure together. The tallest structure that lasts 1/2 hour or so after the set time they have to make it (that you determine) wins! I make the prize something they all want like a pass on a case study they would present to the class (they do many). Make the passes and print them out and stick them to the board as bait! It's a blast for them and it gives me a chance to mix ages and genders together so they get to know each other better.
—Guest Angel M

Put one name of someone famous on a standard mail or Name label. Put/stick one label on each student's back. Now they have to mingle and interact with each classmate to ask questions about the name on his/her back. Only yes or no questions and answers are permitted. Example: Pope John Paul II. Is it a woman? NO Is he alive? NO Is he American? NO Is he European? YES Is he known for his generosity/good works? YES Is he a religious figure? YES Is he the POPE? Yes. .. but which one? etc.....
—Guest JoAnn

I've found playing Would You Rather is a good adult icebreaker. You can use the classic version for more general audiences and the Twisted, Sick, and Wrong version (warning: it's pretty raunchy sometimes) for a group that is a little bit more edgy. (www.zobmondo.com)
—Guest eladelson

When in groups of about 40 people, put on the music and let them dance around. When you call out a number, e.g., 6, participants are to form groups of 6, or whatever number you call out. Anyone not in a group is out. The game continues until there are 2 people remaining.
—Guest Crystal

Have some Pictures of Motorcycles cut in half and laminated hand them out and ask the class to find the mate and introduce themselves.
—Guest Eric

I just downloaded a great iphone app called TheNameGame (libertymobile.ca). It generates random names using your own personal info - great ice breaker. I tried it at a work bbq & it got everyone (incl spouses) laughing & chatting. :)
—Guest GNat

Marooned You are marooned on a deserted island. What five items would you have brought with you if you knew there was a chance that you might be stranded? These items must fit in your luggage. Next briefly discuss and defend your choices.
—Guest Darlene

Pick up a beach ball from the dollar store and write all sorts of questions all over the ball ex. what would you do with a million dollars? which famous person have you been told you look like? etc etc. Then throw the ball around the room - wherever their right thumb lands, they answer that question.
—Guest Kristen

a list of 20 questions that each party goer has to search among other visitors to find..example: who has 3 or more cats in their house, who is going to the ocean for summer vacation. etc.
—Guest debbie

I liked the candy game, and my students seemed to open up to it as well. I believe if we give people the opportunity to share, they will.
—Guest Nichole

This works for all age groups, but especially for adults, because we seem to have perfected the lie! 1. Divide the class into groups of four. 2. On a scrap of paper, have each student compose two truths about themselves along with one lie that could be true (not outlandish) 3. Then, one by one, each group member shares their truths and one lie, and the other members have to guess which one wasn't true. This sparks a lot of chatter among the groups because the students get to find out two miscellaneous tidbits about others in their class.
—Kelly_Roell

This may not work for every age group, but if most of your class is 35 , you can play the Seinfeld game during introductions (name, why you're taking the class, and Seinfeld character that's most like you.) Also, jokes help. I go to About.com's humor site and browse for new jokes, and they are generally PG enough to tell in class. You can also type "jokes" and your specialty into search.
—Guest Susan

Deb Peterson
Continuing Education Guide