Sunday school ice breaker for preteens

Here are some fun and engaging Sunday school ice breaker ideas for preteens:

  1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each student shares two true statements about themselves and one false statement. The others have to guess which one is the lie. This game encourages sharing and gets to know each other.
  2. Human Bingo: Create bingo cards with different traits, characteristics, or interests (e.g., "has a pet," "loves reading," "has traveled to another country"). Each student needs to find someone who fits each of the characteristics and get them to sign the corresponding square.
  3. The Name Game: Have each student introduce themselves and share a unique fact about themselves that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g., "I'm Alex and I love animals"). Then, have the others repeat the name and fact to help everyone remember each other.
  4. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items or challenges that students need to complete in small groups (e.g., "find someone wearing the same color shirt as you," "take a photo with a team member who has the same favorite food"). This activity encourages teamwork and interaction.
  5. Would You Rather: Present two difficult choices and ask students which one they would prefer (e.g., "would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?"). This game sparks interesting conversations and helps students get to know each other's preferences.
  6. Word Association Game: Have each student write a word on a piece of paper, fold it up, and pass it to the person on their right. Then, each student takes a turn saying a word associated with the word they received. This game encourages creative thinking and gets to know each other's interests.
  7. Mission Impossible: Divide the students into small groups and give them a seemingly impossible task to complete (e.g., "build a bridge with only straws and tape"). This activity encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
  8. Show and Tell: Have each student bring an object that represents something about themselves (e.g., a favorite book, a sports jersey, a family heirloom). Then, have them share the story behind the object with the group.
  9. The Human Knot: Have each student stand in a circle and put their hands in the center. Each student should grab the hand of someone across from them, not next to them. Then, they need to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands. This activity encourages teamwork and communication.
  10. Get to Know You Interviews: Pair students up and have them interview each other for 5-7 minutes. Then, have them share one interesting thing they learned about their partner with the group. This activity encourages active listening and helps students get to know each other better.

Remember to keep the activities fun, engaging, and relevant to your preteen students. Choose one or two activities that fit your group's size and energy level, and be prepared to adapt as needed.