ICE BREAKERS
The Art of Thawing Groups
Suzanne Vander Wekken
HSCI: Advocacy & Health Communication
January 24, 2013
AT A GLANCE
 Ice Breaker Activity
 WHY ice breakers?
 WHAT ice breakers should be
 Types & Examples
 Ice Breakers 101: Preparation & Delivery
 Things to Avoid
 Resources & Videos
Q&A
Image source: http://tinyurl.com/bfu2med
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ICEBREAKERS 101
ICE BREAKER
ACTIVITY
Find someone else in the room who
… then make the awkward moose
Image source: http://tinyurl.com/9wdf8ux
 Is wearing the same coloured socks as you
 Who’s name starts with the same first letter as yours
 Was born in the same month as you
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ICEBREAKERS 101
WHY Ice Breakers?
 Mixer and introduction
 Relieve nerves or tension (group and speaker)
 Sets the stage/tone
 Increases energy and attention
Image source: http://tinyurl.com/aw7mr54
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ICEBREAKERS 101
WHAT
Ice breakers should be …
 Non-threatening
 Simple and easy
 Success-oriented
 Interactive
 Fun!
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICE BREAKER
TYPES & EXAMPLES
Type
Example
Getting to Know Others
 Me too yarn game
 Get to know the people BINGO
Move Around
 Numbers
Team & Trust Building
 “Alphabet game”
 Build the tallest newspaper tower
Race or Competition
 Pockets & purses
Imagination & Props
 “This is not a water bottle…it’s a…”
 What you would bring to a desert island
Thinkers
 “Would you rather …”
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:
“Would you rather …”
Be able to turn invisible
OR
Be able to fly
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:
“Would you rather …”
Lose your sense of
hearing
OR
Lose your sense of
taste
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:
“Would you rather …”
Win the lottery
OR
Become famous
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:
“Would you rather …”
That mermaids be real
OR
Unicorns be real
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:
“Would you rather …”
Drink a glass of wine
OR
Drink a glass of beer
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICE BREAKERS 101
PREPARATION
 WHO? Size, nature, demographics
 WHEN?
Image Source: http://tinyurl.com/a6z6tnf
meetings, trainings, parties…
 First thing, and/or in the middle, how much time?
 WHERE? What is the nature of the space?
 WHAT?
 Is your goal? Introduction , blood moving, engaging a topic …
 Materials or props
 Have a Plan B … and maybe C and D …
 Practice
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ICEBREAKERS 101
ICE BREAKERS 101
DELIVERY
HOW?
 Be excited and optimistic (and funny if possible)
 Give clear instructions “Set the scene”
 Ask for volunteers and give examples
 Participate
 Gauge time, interest and energy
 End at the peak
ICEBREAKERS 101
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Things to Avoid
 Unclear or disjointed instructions
 Overly complicated or competitive activities
 Getting too personal
 “Choose a partner”
 Letting the activity go on too long
 Feeling upset if it falls flat
ICEBREAKERS 101
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100s by type and goal
Meetings
Resources
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/gr
oups/4749922/97365488
4/name/Icebreakers.pdf
http://www.inspireyourgr
oup.com/media/surefire3
.pdf
http://www.playmeo.com/
activities/search/category:i
ce-breakers
Youth
http://insight.typepad.co.uk/4
0_icebreakers_for_small_grou
ps.pdf
http://www.squidoo.com
/ice-breakers-fun-groupgames
Children
http://www.ultimatecampreso
urce.com/site/campactivities/ice-breakers.html
A few other worthwhile links …
 Free Ice breakers at “Trainer Bubble”:
http://www.trainerbubble.com/Products.aspx?Category_ID=35
 Top 10 Meeting Ice breakers:
http://www.deskdemon.com/pages/uk/venues/icebreakers
 Community Building Ice Breakers:
http://www1.villanova.edu/content/villanova/artsci/undergrad/se
rvicelearning/community/instructors_facilitators/resources/_jcr_
content/pagecontent/download_4/file.res/Ice%20Breakers.pdf
ICEBREAKERS 101
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You Tube Video Resources
 “The Potato” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrWVqLzNywA
 “Clumps” by Mark Collard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiooqYoYJtw
 “The Mintie” Game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uihLH1dgKoY
 “Draw a 6” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVM2i1eNQpU
 Alphabet Game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS1J-2QYB-Q
 “Me too” Yarn Activity : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnnV38PXZ-U
ICEBREAKERS 101
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ICEBREAKERS 101
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QUESTIONS?
THANKS!
ICEBREAKERS 101
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