Ice Breakers

Esther · #1 06-10-2011, 12:38 PM

Anyone have any suggestions for ice breakers?

I need some for next month.

Thanks!!!!!

Hoovie · #2 06-10-2011, 12:42 PM

I suggest a pick or jack hammer.

Margies3 · #3 06-10-2011, 12:44 PM

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!

Pressing-On · #4 06-10-2011, 12:49 PM

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.

Pressing-On · #5 06-10-2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

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!

I like that, Margie!

Esther · #6 06-12-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

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.

Love both of these!

Thanks

Esther · #7 06-12-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margies3

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!

Great ideas!

Some know each other and others don't.

Esther · #8 06-12-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I suggest a pick or jack hammer.

Esther · #9 06-12-2011, 02:34 PM

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?

Esther · #10 06-12-2011, 02:42 PM

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.