Group Ice Breaker Ideas

First Impressions Game

• The First Impressions Game helps group members to get to know each other. Each person writes their name on a piece of paper. The instructor tapes each person's paper to her back. All participants must mingle and introduce themselves to each other. Each person writes an adjective on the person's back describing his first impression of her. Instruct participants to be kind and positive when writing. Play the game for 10 to 20 minutes so that everyone has a chance to meet and write several first impressions. Take everyone's papers off their backs and read aloud the first impressions other people wrote about them.

Paper Airplane Game

• To begin this icebreaker activity, each person makes a paper airplane and writes his name on it. Instruct participants to also write one thing they like and one thing they dislike on their airplanes. On the instructor's command, everyone throws their paper airplanes around the room. Each person must find a paper airplane and locate that person in the room. After a few minutes of speaking, each person introduces her partner to the class.

Construction Zone

• This team building icebreaker activity requires groups of three or four. Each group is given a deck of cards that they will use to build a house. The groups can use any supplies around the room to assist them such as tape, staples, glue or scissors. They can bend, cut or rip the cards into any shape. The catch of the activity is that no one is allowed to talk. The team has to find other ways to communicate to build their house. Set a time limit for the activity so the groups must work quickly. The first team that finishes wins the game.

Treasure Hunt

• A treasure hunt helps students meet each other and learn about the classroom. Write a list of 20 to 30 items on the board. Students must work in pairs and search the classroom for the items. When one pair finds an item, check it off on the board. Use items such as glue, dictionaries and coat rack so students can learn where these items are in the classroom. After the game, allow students to ask questions to the instructor about where other items such as extra pencils or paper are located in the room.