The primary goal for an icebreaker or a getting acquainted exercise is the development of an environment which is anxietyreducing and which allows individuals to "break the ice" or get acquainted by having fun. Icebreakers are intended to be tensionreducing rather than providing encounters on a direct interaction basis. Icebreaker exercises should be used with any group that appears to be extremely anxious in the initial stage of development (i.e., the first meeting of clubs, program boards, etc).
Icebreakers should not be used to avoid dealing with anxiety but rather to provide a less threatening environment. A nonthreatening environment initiated at the beginning of development may make way for more meaningful interaction and relationships during the life of the group. Here are some things to remember about icebreakers and getting acquainted exercises.
1. They can be excellent devices to help people feel more comfortable with themselves and with others and feel more "at home" in a group.
2. They break up the "cliques," invite people to form random groupings, and help individuals meet others in nonthreatening and fun ways.
3. They can be used to set a tone for the time a group will be together, will encourage people to feel "safe" and hopefully will evoke lots of laughter in releasing tension.
1. Human Scavenger Hunt.
Find someone who:
2. Favorite Possession
Members describe their favorite item in their room or home and
why.
3. Name Games
Why or how the members got their names, tell name and hobby; members
try to memorize information as you go around group, or, tell a
personality characteristic of yours that begins with the first
letter of your name. Make up your own!
1. Dyads
Members get into groups of two and find out information about
each other. Possible questions to use:
Who do you think is the most important person who has lived in the past 100 years?
What is the title of the last book you read?
If you could be any animal other than human, what would you be?
If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go?
What is your favorite sport?
One adjective to describe me is . . .
The emotion I find most difficult to control is . . .
If a movie were made of your life, who would you want cast to play you?
2. Crest or Coat of Arms
Members create their own "Coat of Arms" by filling in
information about themselves using words or drawings. Information
can include:
Hobbies
Favorite emotion
Hometown
Family Members
Major Five or tenyear goals
Favorite food
Favorite animal
Favorite hang-out
3. Forced Choice
Ask members to stand in the middle of the room and have them move
to either side to indicate their choice:
More of a saver or a spender?
More like New York or Colorado?
More yes or no?
More like a student or a teacher?
More here or there?
More religious or nonreligious?
More like the present or the future?
More like a file cabinet or a toy chest?
More intuitive or rational?
More like a tortoise or a hare?
More like a roller blade or a pogo stick?
More like a gourmet meal or fast food?
Additional resources for icebreakers are available by calling the Office of the Dean of Students at (949) 824-5181.