Ice Breakers in the Classroom

Icebreaker Definition

- a thing that serves to relieve inhibitions or tension between people, or start a conversation. "a good board game can be the perfect icebreaker"

Oxford Language Dictionary

Good icebreaker questions will help to set your students at ease. They should be light-hearted and easy to answer. Using an ice breaker on the first day can help set the tone that your class will be friendly and interactive. You want to help students become more comfortable participating in class. Be sure to set the tone that a variety of answers are okay, including “I don’t know.” 

What makes a great icebreaker will depend on your context. If students are asked to share their answers with the whole class, try questions that are very low-stakes and don’t require much thought. If students are answering questions in small groups or partners, you might choose icebreakers that are deeper and more interesting 

Be sure to ask a question that anyone can answer, regardless of background or upbringing. Avoid questions that could be too personal (e.g., “What is the best advice your father ever gave you?”). You should go first and give an answer that makes you seem human rather than bragging about some accomplishment

Icebreakers can be performed with or without technology.

Remember, keep it brief, fun, and non-threatening.

Some Ideas

Fun & Quirky (Good for Larger Classes or 1st Year Students) 

  • If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
  • What is the weirdest food you have ever eaten? 
  • What food do you hate the most? 
  • If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 

Getting to Know You (Good for Smaller Classes) 

  • What is one thing about you that surprises people? 
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? 
  • If you won the lottery, what is the first (silly) thing you would buy? 
  • If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be? 

Getting to Know Each Other in Small Groups or Pairs 

  • Pick a photo on your phone and share why you like it.  
  • If you had to become an animal, what would you be?  
  • Which Toy Story character would you be and why? 

For more ideas:

Top Hat - 20+ Icebreakers for College Students: A Guide for Professors [+ Free List]

First Day of Class and Ice Breakers - Brooklyn College list of sources

Michigan Tech - List of Icebreaker Ideas (pdf)

11 fun icebreakers for college students that work in HyFlex classrooms - Nureva