Complex Thoughts
Icebreakers
Why do icebreakers? Because new groups, or new people in groups, require an introduction to each other in order for members to gain a level of comfort, get to know each other, and build trust. Icebreakers are structured activities that are fun, energizing and interaction. Here are some things to keep in mind before you start:
- Be sure to clearly spell out how the icebreaker will proceed and that everyone understands what is expected of them.
- Identify pre-existing conditions that might affect people’s ability to participate. For example, someone who is recovering from knee or shoulder surgery might not be able to participate in a human knot, and someone in nice clothes might not appreciate an exercise that requires being on the floor. Provide alternatives for involvement for people who opt not to participate for physical or comfort reasons.
- Stress that icebreakers are not a competition, but are an opportunity for everyone to participate. They should bring people together, not drive them apart.
BALL TOSS
Have the group stand in a circle. Using a small ball
(tennis or koosh ball), the leader introduces
himself/herself to the group, then hands the ball to
the next person, who introduces himself/herself to
the group, etc., around the circle until the ball
returns to the leader. The leader than repeats his/her
name and throws the ball to a person across the
circle, saying, “This is for ________,” and saying the
name of the person who is to catch the ball. That
person says “Thank you, ________,” stating the
name of the people who threw the ball. The person
who now holds the ball repeats this, throwing the
ball to another person in the circle. This repeats until
everyone has been thrown the ball. At the end,
challenge one person to go into the circle and name
each person.
HUMAN KNOT
Have the group stand in a circle, facing each other.
Instruct them to reach out their right hand and grab
the hand of someone across the circle. Next have
them reach out their left hand and grasp the hand of
a different person across the circle. The object, now,
is to untangle the resulting knot into a single circle
without releasing hands.
IDENTIFICATION
With the group in a circle, the leader asks each
participant to look in their wallet, purse or backpack
to find something representative of their personal or
professional characteristics or skills (for example, a
picture, membership card, dollar bill, etc.). After
several minutes, the leader asks each person to
share his or her name, identify the item he or she
has chosen, and provide a brief explanation why the
object is symbolic.
KILLER
The group forms a circle and closes their eyes. The
leader circles the group selecting a Killer by
squeezing an individual’s shoulder. The group then
opens their eyes and introduces themselves to each
other while shaking hands (and trying to spot the
Killer). The Killer tries to eliminate all the group
members without being caught in the act. The Killer
strikes by winking (with one eye) while shaking
hands. A person winked at may not die until at least
five seconds after they have left the Killer, and they
must die in their most dramatic fashion. Under no
circumstances may the person who has been killed
give the Killer away to the group. When someone
thinks they have discovered the Killer, they
announce “I know the Killer.” In order to expose the
Killer, another person in the group must also
announce that they know the Killer within ten
seconds. If not, the game continues. If a second
person joins the announcement, both point to who
they think the Killer is on the count of three. If they
don’t point to the same person of if they both point at
the wrong person, they are automatically dead. If they
both select the correct person, the Killer is dead.
PERSON-TO-PERSON SCAVENGER HUNT
This activity requires some advance preparation.
Make up a list of the things that might be unique to
different members of the group, leaving a blank
space in which names can be written. Sample items
might be “Find someone who sees himself/herself
as a funny bone more than a backbone,” “Find
someone who has travelled to a foreign country,”
“Find someone who speaks a second language,”
“Find someone who used to have braces,” “Fine
someone who knows a good joke,” “Find someone
who wears contacts,” etc. Each member of the
group gets a copy of the list. The object is to talk to
as many different people as possible and complete
the list with names. Each name may be used only
once. Variation: May also be used in a bingo format;
the first person to get bingo or blackout would win.
SECRETS
The object of this exercise is for each person to find
out one “secret” about every other person in the
group. Be sure everyone has a piece of paper and
something to write with. The leader instructs the
members to talk with every other person, collecting
one piece of information about that person that no
one else in the room knows. Once everyone has a
secret from each member, sit down in a circle. The
leader then picks one person, and has everyone
share what they found out about that person. If
there are ten people in the group, there should be
nine different secrets shared. Repeat the process for
the next person in the circle until everyone has been
named and all the secrets have been shared. Note:
Don’t share information that is too personal for a
large number of people to know.
SOLEMN AND SILENT
The leader explains that this exercise takes self
control. Members pair up back to back. On the count
of three, everyone must face their partner, look each
other in the eyes and try to remain solemn and
serious. No speaking! The first to smile or laugh
must sit down. All who remain standing then take a
new partner and the activity continues until only one
person has not smiled or laughed.
ADAPTED FROM COUGAR CLUES, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA–MORRIS.
