Ice Breakers
 

Anyone have any suggestions for ice breakers?

I need some for next month.

Thanks!!!!!

Re: Ice Breakers
 

I suggest a pick or jack hammer.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Are these people who don't know each other?

On our Emmaus Walks, no one knows anyone else when they get there (at least not most). We have them sit near someone they don't know and then pair them up. Then we give them about 10 minutes to get to know each other. Find out names, marital status, church they attend, how many kids they have and - key question - if they could go anywhere in the world this weekend, where would it be and why?
Then after 10 minutes, we have them come up front with their partner and introduce their partner. Tell us all they learned about the other person in the last few minutes. No fair bringing note cards up to cheat!

Re: Ice Breakers
 

You mean like a game ice breaker?

I think one that is really fun is dividing up into teams of five. Give the first person a pair of garden gloves and a package of gum (they usually contain five pieces). They open the package, get out a piece of gum, open it, put the gum in their mouth and pass the package and gloves to the next person. The first team to complete is the winner.

Another is fun for women. You put out a bunch of groceries. Give them a time limit and the first person to guess the total grocery bill is the winner.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

I like that, Margie! :thumbsup

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Love both of these!

Thanks

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Great ideas!

Some know each other and others don't.

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:smack

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Two Truths and a Lie

& a Lie
A different kind of get-to-know-you activity which is engages and challenges each group member in a fun way
Particularly useful as an icebreaker, e.g. can be used as a opener for a workshop/conference.
For large groups (e.g., 30+), it is best to split into smaller group sizes.
Hand out cards or paper and pens (or if participants bring their own, that's fine)
Explain that in this activity each person write two truths and a lie about themself and then we will try to guess each other's lie. The goal is to: a) convince others that your lie is truth (and that one of your truths is the lie) and b) to correctly guess other people's lies.
Allow approx. ~5+ minutes for writing 2 truths & a lie - this isn't easy for a lot of people - there will some scribbling out, etc. The slower people will probably need to be urged along to "put anything you can think of" down. Allocate 5-8 minutes, but you will probably need to urge people along.
Announce that we will now walk around and chat to one another, like a cocktail party, and ask about each other's truths and lies. The goal is to quiz each about each statement to help determine which are the truth and which is the lie, whilst seducing other people into thinking that your own lie is a truth. At the end we will caste our votes and find out the truth.
Emphasize that people should not reveal their lie, even if it seems others might have guessed.
Allow min. 10-15 minutes of conversation time.
Gather together in a circle. Start with one person who reads their three statements aloud (to remind everyone). Then read the statements again, stopping to allow a vote for each one. e.g., "I am Turkish. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote] I am vegetarian. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote] I have a metal pin in my right leg. Who thinks that is a lie? [Vote]. OK, my lie was "I am vegetarian."" The facilitator will need to help each person out, especially intially until the basic format is understood. The facilitator may add drama and reinforcement, etc. for correct guesses, tricky statements, etc.
The exercise can be run competitively, e.g., count up how many correct guesses of other people's lies and take away the number of people who correctly guesses your own lie. Highest score wins (honesty counts!).


I am thinking I could do this at each table.

How much flack will I have to take with a "lie" being in the mix?

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Marooned
You are marooned on a island. What five (you can use a different number, such as seven, depending upon the size of each team) items would you have brought with you if you knew there was a chance that you might be stranded. Note that they are only allowed five items per team, not per person. You can have them write their items on a flip chart and discuss and defend their choices with the whole group. This activity helps them to learn about other's values and problem solving styles and promotes teamwork.


I like this one also, may do some variations on it for my specific group.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Finish the Sentence
Go around the room and have each person complete one of these sentences (or something similar):

◦The best job I ever had was...
◦The worst project I ever worked on was...
◦The riskiest thing I ever did was...

This is a good technique for moving on to a new topic or subject. For example, when starting a class and you want everyone to introduce themselves, you can have them complete “I am in this class because...”

You can also move on to a new subject by asking a leading question. For example if you are instructing time management, “The one time I felt most stressed because I did not have enough time was ...”

This will be a ladies only group. Maybe
*The worst dish I ever made was...

etc.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Thanks for all your input.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

1)What does the church lack in this day and hour?
2)How can we make a difference?

Re: Ice Breakers
 

I liked all of your ideas, Esther.

I think that a "Get-to-know-you" and an "ice-breaker" can be the same and can also be different.

Sometimes an ice breaker is used to get everyone on their way to relaxing (via games) and not necessarily a get-to-know-you type of game. So, I think the setting is important. You sound like you are wanting specific "Get-to-know-you" ideas.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

I'm open for all ideas. We will be in a meeting room setting with tables and chairs and FOOD. :)

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Hammer.
Chisel.
Chainsaw.
Hacksaw.
Throw it off a tall cliff.

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:smack:smack

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Reach out and meet people and let them get to know you.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

How many people?

Re: Ice Breakers
 

Another one we've done is to make a list of questions:
Somebody born in the month of June________
Somebody who wears a size 9 shoe_________
Somebody who likes to shower at bedtime____________
Somebody who has read Little Women_________

All kinds of questions - you get the picture.

Make enough copies of these questions so every person there gets one. Then turn them loose. The instructions are to find people in the room who fit the question. the kicker is that you cannot use the same person for more than one of the questions. So if they're born in June, they can't also sign for showering at bedtime. See who can fill in their papers the fastest.

Re: Ice Breakers
 

around 100

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Oh, then a rousing game of Red Rover would be perfect!

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:toofunny :toofunny

Or Dodge Ball! Hit that woman in the head! :toofunny

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These ideas beat the stupid games one encounters at Tupperware and Pampered Chef type parties. :heeheehee

Work meetings/classes always do the classic > going around the table and everyone gives their name, how long with company, family notes and then the get you talking "?" ....such as favorite football or baseball team?

Re: Ice Breakers
 

I like the wintergreens, but sometimes I get the blue mints. The only drawback is they are made with aspartine.


:doggyrun

LOL

Re: Ice Breakers
 

:spit :smack:happydance