Ice breakers for pupils

Icebreakers are a great way to help pupils get to know each other and feel more comfortable in a new or unfamiliar environment. Here are some fun and engaging icebreaker activities for pupils:

  1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each pupil tells two true statements about themselves and one false statement. The others have to guess which one is the lie.
  2. Human Bingo: Create bingo cards with different traits, characteristics, or interests (e.g. "has a pet", "speaks more than one language", etc.). Pupils need to find someone who fits each of the characteristics and get them to sign the corresponding square.
  3. The Name Game: Have each pupil introduce themselves and share a unique fact about themselves that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g. "I'm Emma and I love elephants").
  4. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items or challenges that pupils need to complete in small groups (e.g. "find someone wearing the same color shirt as you", "take a photo with a teacher", etc.).
  5. Would You Rather: Present pupils with two difficult choices and ask them which one they would prefer (e.g. "would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?", "would you rather have a million dollars or the ability to travel anywhere for free?", etc.).
  6. Word Association Game: Have each pupil write a word on a piece of paper, fold it up, and pass it to the person on their right. Then, each pupil takes a turn saying a word associated with the word they received (e.g. if someone writes "dog", the next person might say "bone").
  7. Show and Tell: Ask each pupil to bring in an object that represents something about themselves (e.g. a favorite book, a hobby, etc.). They then have to explain why they chose that object and what it means to them.
  8. The Human Knot: Have pupils stand in a circle and put their hands in the center. Each pupil should grab the hand of someone across from them, not next to them. Then, they have to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands.
  9. Guess My Picture: Ask each pupil to draw a picture that represents something about themselves (e.g. a favorite animal, a hobby, etc.). Then, have the other pupils try to guess what the picture represents.
  10. One-Word Introductions: Ask each pupil to come up with a word that describes themselves (e.g. "adventurous", "creative", etc.). Then, have them introduce themselves using their word (e.g. "Hi, I'm Emma and I'm adventurous").

Remember to keep the icebreakers fun and engaging, and make sure they're appropriate for your pupils' age and abilities. Good luck!