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Icebreakers and other acquaintance exercises are important when groups come together and when bringing in new members. Throughout the year, they can be used to re-energize a group or break up meeting monotony. They can be excellent devices to help people feel more comfortable with themselves, with others and feel more "at home" in a group.

Icebreakers are different from team builders because they are lower risk-meaning they do not require an individual to share as much or step out of their comfort zone. Icebreakers are designed to be purposeful and fun, giving people the opportunity to bond through fun, movement and laughter.

Listed below is a sampling of icebreakers. There are many more. For more ideas on icebreakers, please contact the Student Life Center.

M & M's

Have each person take a handful of M&M's (or any candy). Tell people not to eat them, yet. Each person must introduce him/herself and tell one thing about themselves for each M&M in their hand.

Variation: Use toilet paper instead and have people say one thing for each square.

String/Yarn

Hand out different lengths of string or have participants cut their own. Each person introduces him/herself by winding the string around a finger, saying one thing for each wrap.

Nametags

Provide each person with paper and markers. Have them write their name and draw pictures of things important in their life.
Variation: In a group already familiar, have people draw names and make a nametag for someone else in the group.

My Name Is

Have everyone sit in a circle. First person says, "My name is…." Second person introduces the first person and then him/herself. Last person must introduce the entire group.

Laps

Sit in a circle. Read a statement such as, "If you brushed your teeth twice today, move one space to the right." People move right and left according to the statement. People will end up on each other's laps.

Halves

Prepare pictures of objects on cards. Cut the pictures in half and give each person a card as they walk in. When told, they are to mingle and find the other half of the picture.

Limericks

Limericks are 5-line poems. Find several limericks and cut each line into a strip of paper, passing them out as people arrive. When told so, they are to mix until they have put their entire limerick together.

Animal Sounds

On pieces of paper, write the names of animals (one per piece of paper), such as dogs, snakes, cats, etc. Give each person a piece of paper (there should be several with the same animal on it). When told, people make the noice of the animal on the paper and mix to find the other like animals.

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