Ice Breakers High School Programs
Who Am I? (approximately 20 to 25 minutes) * Requires Preparation This exercise asks participants to identify the names of famous persons. This activity is generally more effective when used in the early stage of the learning program. Materials Required: For each participant, a trainer prepared sheet of paper with the name of a famous person written on it; masking tape, and pencils Space Required: A room that is large enough to permit the unrestricted movement of all participants. Group Size: Optimal group size is 10-20 participants, but can suit larger groups if needed. 1) As the facilitator, begin by explaining that in this exercise, participants will be asked to identify the names of famous persons. 2) The group leader (facilitator) then tapes to the back of each participant a piece of paper with the name of a famous person written on it. Participants are not to see what is taped on his/her back. 3) Tell the group that each participant has been given a new identity. Their task is to find out who they are. 4) The participants are to mill around the room and simultaneously ask each other questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no". For example: "Am I living?" "Am I a film star?" "Have I ever been on the cover of a magazine?" "Have I ever or do I now work in the field of science?" etc. 5) If the participant receives a "yes" answer, he/she can ask that group member questions until a "no" response is given. When the participant receives a "no response, he/she must move to another participant to ask another question. 6) Explain to the group that when a participant has established his/her new identity, he/she is to remove the tag, write his/her name across the top of the paper, and then tape the tag to his/her chest. The participant may then mill around the room, helping other group members discover their identities. 7) The exercise concludes when all participants find out their new identities.
Uncle Fred s Suitcase (approximately 10 to 15 minutes) This exercise challenges participants to remember the items they have packed into an imaginary suitcase. This icebreaker is effective at any time during the learning program. Materials Required: None Space Required: A room that has potential for flexible seating. Group Size: Optimal group size is 15-20 participants, but can suit larger groups if needed. 1) As the facilitator, ask participants to form a circular seating arrangement. 2) When all participants are seated, explain that they are going to take part in an exercise that is designed to stimulate their creativity and challenge their memories: they are going to pack Uncle Fred's suitcase. 3) Solicit a volunteer and tell him/her to begin the exercise with "I packed Uncle Fred's suitcase with " and then naming some item or object. For example: "I packed Uncle Fred's suitcase with ballet shoes." The person sitting to the right of the volunteer must repeat what the volunteer has said, and then must add his or her item. Objects cannot be repeated. 4) The exercise continues around the circle as each participant recites the previous items and then adds another object to Uncle Fred's suitcase. Participants may help any participant who cannot remember some object that has been named. 5) When the last participant in the circle has repeated the items and has added his/her item to the list, ask the entire group to stand and recite what is in the suitcase: "I packed Uncle Fred's suitcase with,,, etc."
The Human Knot (approximately 20 to 25 minutes) This exercise has participants, holding hands in a large circle, entangle and then untangle themselves in accordance with one group member's instructions. This structured experience is most appropriate for education programs of sessions that emphasize personal interaction among group members. This activity is generally more effective when used during the early stage in a learning program. Materials Required: None Space Required: An unobstructed indoor/outdoor area without tables or chairs. Group Size: Optimal group size is 20 participants or fewer. If the group contains more than 20 participants, two subgroups may be formed. 1) As the facilitator, ask participants to stand, form a circle, and then join hands. 2) When group members are in position, explain that they will be taking part in an exercise in which they must cooperate with one another and follow one person's instructions carefully. 3) Next, solicit a volunteer to serve as the problem solver. The volunteer is then asked to leave the room. 4) Next, ask participants to walk over and/or under one another's joined hands so that the group members become tightly entangled. 5) When the participants are completely entangled, ask the volunteer to return to the room and begin to unwind the group members without causing them to unclasp their joined hands. 6) The exercise continues until the group members, with their hands still joined are again standing in a large circle like in Step 1.
Groupings (approximately 40 to 45 minutes) This exercise uses a grouping process to help participants become acquainted with one another. This activity is generally more effective when used in the early stage of the groups formation. Materials Required: None Space Required: A room that is large enough to permit the unrestricted movement of the learners. Several small meeting rooms or areas that provide private or semiprivate interaction are recommended, but otherwise, each group using a specific area of the room will work in lieu of small meeting rooms. Group Size: Optimal group size is 16-32 participants. 1) As the facilitator, tell the group members that they will be participating in an exercise that will help them become better acquainted with one another. 2) First, instruct participants to line up according to height. Next, divide them into pairs, matching the tallest member with the shortest participant, and the next tallest with the next shortest, and so on until all of the participants have partners. If needed, one group may have 3 participants. 3) Then, tell the pairs to find an area where they can spend 5 minutes introducing themselves and then sharing their recent their recent personal/professional accomplishments. 4) When they have finished their discussion, each pair is to return to the group meeting area and remaining together, to locate another pair. The pairs introduce themselves and discuss personal/professional goals. 5) After 10 minutes, ask each foursome to select and join another foursome. For 15 minutes, the participants introduce themselves and share what they feel are their personal or professional strengths. 6) Then, call all of the group members together and initiates a discussion in which the participants talk about their reactions to the activity and the impact of their first impressions.
Follow the Leader (approximately 10 to 15 minutes) This exercise helps participants become more acquainted as they repeat one another's names and favorite activities. This activity is most effective when used in the early stage of a group s formation. The optimal group size is 10-20 participants. Materials Required: None Space Required: A room that has potential for flexible seating or an outdoor field. Group Size: Optimal group size is 10-20 participants. 1) As the facilitator, ask participants to form a circular seating or standing arrangement. 2) When participants are seated, explain that since this exercise is designed to help them become better acquainted with one another, participants are asked to think of something they enjoy doing. 3) Then, solicit a volunteer to begin the activity. The volunteer is to say his/her first name and then mention some activity or pastime he/she enjoys doing. The person to the volunteers right is to repeat what the volunteer has said and then add his or her name and favorite activity. The next person repeats what the others have said, and adds his/hers' personal information. For example: "His name is David, and he likes to eat; her name is Sarah, and she likes to read; and my name is Ann, and I like to sail." 4) If needed, have participants exchange seats so participants are truly becoming acquainted rather than just memorizing. 5) Participants may, at any time, help a person who has some difficulty remember a particular name or activity. 6) The exercise continues around the circle until the last person or trainer has repeated all of the names and activities and added his/her name and personal information.
Entrance Exams (approximately 10 to 12 minutes) * Requires Preparation This exercise asks participants to think creatively as they attempt to solve a series of visual riddles. This icebreaker is effective at any time during the learning program. Materials Required: For the instructor/facilitator, a whiteboard or pad or newsprint, and a dry erase marker/black marker, and riddles list. (see Appendix A) Space Required: A room that is large enough to accommodate the comfortable seating of the participants. Group Size: Optimal group size is unlimited. 1) Explain that in this exercise, the participants will be asked to think creatively to solve a series of visual riddles. 2) Then tell the participant that they will be shown a series of diagrams (see Riddles List) one at a time and that they will have three minutes to determine what each diagram means. The group members may ask any questions they wish, but the instructor/facilitator can only answer "yes " or "no". 3) Then, draw the first diagram on the whiteboard/newsprint, and allow the group members to begin asking questions. 4) After 3 minutes or when the correct answer has been guessed, draw the second diagram. This process continues until the participants have viewed and then attempted to decipher all of the visual riddles. 5) As the instructor, you may process the activity through a discussion the elements of creative thinking, primarily the ability to view a situation from a different/new perspective.
Riddles List 1. 0 Ph.D. M.A. B.Sc. 2. LE VEL 3. J You U Me S T 4. W O R H T 5. T O W N 6. HE'S HIMSELF 7. CRAZY YOU 8. OATH U R Answers: 1. Three degrees below zero 2. Split level 3. Just between you and me 4. Throw Up 5. Downtown 6. He's beside himself 7. Crazy over you 8. You are under oath
Trust Me (approximately 18 to 20 minutes) This exercise asks the participants, wearing blindfolds to trust their partners to lead them safely on a trust walk. This directed experience, generally more effective when used during the later stage of the training, is most appropriate for education programs or sessions that emphasize personal interaction among group members. Materials Required: For each pair, a blindfold Space Required: A room that is large enough to permit the unrestricted movement of participants Group Size: Optimal group size is 16 or more participants. 1) As the facilitator, begin by explaining that in this exercise, each participant will be asked to trust another group member. 2) Then, instruct them to form pairs, each of them finding a partner he/she feels is trustworthy. 3) Next, give each pair a blindfold. One of the partners puts on the blindfold in such a way that his/her vision is totally obstructed. 4) Without talking, instruct each sighted partner to take his/her blindfolded partner for a walk around the room. The sighted partner guides the blindfolded one in touching various objects, such as tables, the floor, a blackboard, other members, a door, a garbage can, etc. (the sighted member may have to take his/her partner outside of the room and into a new environment) 5) After 5 minutes, instruct partners to exchange roles, the sighted partner becoming blindfolded and vice versa. Again, without talking, the partners take another 5 minute trust walk. 6) When the allotted time has elapsed, reassemble the group and initiate a discussion on the feelings the participants experienced while they were the sighted and then the blinded folded partner.
Know Your Neighbor (approximately 25 to 30 minutes) This exercise gives the participants an opportunity to learn how their fellow group members perceive others and themselves. This directed experience is best implemented after the participants have had some opportunity to engage in feedback and disclosure during the learning program. Materials Required: None Space Required: A room that has potential for flexible seating Group Size: Optimal group size is 20 or fewer participants. If the group contains more than 20 participants, subgroups should be formed. 1) As the facilitator, as the participants to form a circular seating arrangement. 2) When the participants are seated, explain that they will be engaging in an activity that will help them learn more about one another. 3) Then, solicit a volunteer to assume the role of the leader. The volunteer is to select one group member and ask him/her a personal question. For example: "Do you like to spend most of your time with others?" or "Do you enjoy attention?" 4) The participant to whom the question is addressed is not to respond; instead, the person sitting to his/her right answers the question, basing the answer on his/her perceptions of the person to whom the question was directed. 5) The leader continues around the circle, asking questions of and receiving answers about all of the participants. 6) Then, select a new leader. The exercise continues, this time with the person to the left answering for the participant to whom a question is addressed. 7) This procedure is repeated until all of the group members have had an opportunity to assume the role of the leader. 8) When the exercise has been completed, participants discuss their thoughts and feelings about how others perceive them.
Dimensions of Trust (approximately 18 to 20 minutes) This exercise asks participants to brainstorm actions that create trust. This exercise is generally more effective when used in the early stage of the groups formation, this structured experience is most appropriate for educational programs or sessions that emphasize personal interaction among group members. Materials Required: A whiteboard or pad of newsprint, with a dry erase marker or black marker and masking tape. Space Required: A room that is large enough to accommodate the comfortable seating of the participants. Group Size: Optimal group size is unlimited. 1) As the facilitator, begin by requesting that the participants think about what the word "trust" means to them as an individual 2) After several minutes, ask the group to brainstorm actions of personal characteristics that they feel build or promote trust. For example: maintaining confidentialities, being dependable, having a caring manner, being understanding, etc. 3) List these actions and characteristics on the whiteboard/newsprint. 4) Then, ask the group members to brainstorm specific actions and characteristics that can help them build trust in one another during the particular training session or program. 5) Then, list these on the whiteboard/newsprint and ask the group members to incorporate some of the actions or behaviors into the remainder of the training session or program. 6) To conclude, you may want to end the exercise with a brief discussion of trust in the personal or professional setting.
Networking Bingo (approximately 30 to 35 minutes) * Requires Preparation This exercise asks participants to use a bingo sheet provided, and try to find people that have completed or possess various traits in the bingo sheet through the process of networking. This activity is generally more effective at the beginning of the training program. The optimal group size is 20 participants (or however many bingo squares you choose to prepare). Materials Required: A networking bingo sheet provided by the instructor, pens/pencils for each participant. Space Required: A room flexible for seating and walking around. Group Size: Optimal group size is 20 participants (or however many bingo squares you choose to prepare). 1) As the facilitator, prepare a networking bingo sheet (sample provided in Appendix B) and hand it out to participants. 2) Inform them that they will be taking part in a practice called networking, and using this bingo sheet, the objective is to have met people that have done, or currently do the activities on the bingo sheet. How it works is that participants will mill around the room, making conversation and networking, while trying to complete the objective of filling their respective bingo sheet. Each participant can only fill out on square on the bingo sheet, even if more bingo squares apply to him/her. 3) Also inform them that they cannot simply ask "Do you like ice cream?", but rather must introduce themselves and learn something about one another before asking the question. 4) The activity continues until a participant has filled the whole page (or however many squares you would like to see completed).
Networking Bingo Sample Sheet Find someone that: Hates ice-cream Is in grade 10 Is allergic to peanuts Has a part time job Is a returning achiever Has been to 3 different countries Lives in a city or town other than Edmonton. A person who does not enjoy ice cream Enjoys reading Can speak 3 different languages Where? Enjoys going to school Has been on a road trip outside of Alberta Watches Dragon's Den Has already developed a prototype of their product Enjoys writing poetry Plays a musical instrument Is interested in business Is interested in Human Resources Has met a celebrity before Likes to karaoke Which celebrity? Is left handed Likes the penny Has never been to Calgary Owns two Apple products Likes math *Some values may need to be changed to cater to the specific age group, purpose and desired outcome of the learning program.
Two Truths and a Lie (approximately 10 to 12 minutes) This exercise asks participants to come up with two truths and one lie. While the participant coming up with his/her two truths and lie, the rest of the group must guess to see which is the lie. This activity is effective at any time during the training program. Materials Required: None Space Required: A room for flexible seating of all participants. Group Size: Optimal size is 10-20 participants, but can suit larger groups if needed. 1) As the facilitator, explain to the participants that they will be coming up with two truths and one lie through a series of 3 statements, and the rest of the group will have to guess which is the lie. 2) As the facilitator, you may want to start the activity by presenting your two truths and one lie. For example: "I like the color red", "I am left handed", "I like ice cream". Participants must now decipher which is the lie. 3) Give the participants 1 guess. If it is incorrect, come up with two more truths and one lie, and again, allow only one guess. 4) Next, solicit a volunteer to present his/hers' two truths and one lie, and continue the exercise clockwise until everyone has had an opportunity to share their two truths and one lie. 5) The object of the game is to complete all two truths and one lie for each individual as fast and accurate as possible.
In Parliament Hill (approximately 18 to 20 minutes) This exercise asks participants to list their qualifications for becoming President of the United States/ Prime Minister of Canada (pick one for the group). Since this self-affirming experience is best implemented after the participants have had some opportunity to engage in feedback and disclosure, the activity is generally more effective when used during the middle stage of the training program. The optimal group size is 10-20 participants. If the group contains 20 or more participants, subgroups should be formed. Materials Required: For each participant, a piece of paper and a pen/pencil Space Required: A room that contains adequate writing space for all participants. Group Size: Optimal group size is 10-20 participants. If the group contains more than 20 participants, subgroups should be formed. 1) After giving each participant a piece of paper and pen/pencil, explain that in this exercise the group of members are all candidates for President of the United States OR Prime Minister of Canada (pick one position for the entire group to be a candidate for) 2) Then ask the participants to list their qualifications for office, basing their comments upon their self-perceptions, so that their campaign managers can begin to prepare their campaigns. 3) After 5 minutes, ask for a volunteer, who assuming the role of his/her own campaign manager, then reads his/her list of qualifications to the entire group. 4) The activity continues until all of the participants have read their lists. 5) The group members may then vote to determine the person who, based on the lists and the manner in which they were presented, they feel would make a good leader of a country (President of the United States or Prime Minister of Canada). 6) To conclude, lead a general discussion on self-perception and its relationship to one's personal and/or professional impact.