What are Icebreakers and Teambuilders?

The Encyclopedia of Icebreakers (University Associates, 1983) says that icebreakers are tools that enable the group leader to foster interaction, stimulate creative thinking, challenge basic assumptions, illustrate new concepts, and introduce specific material (p.1). Icebreakers can be used as a way to facilitate group success, promote team bonding or energize a group during a long activity. THE USE OF ICEBREAKERS In order to develop and facilitate successful icebreakers it is important to give the participants the following: The rationale for the activity. The objective of the activity. The structure of the activity. The opportunity to ask questions. The permission to participate at their own level of comfort or opt out. It is important to make sure that the last point is maintained. Many times an activity, especially one that requires self-disclosure, may be difficult for some individuals. It is important to allow for these individuals pass or opt out. Be aware of this and encourage full participation, but do not force it.

APPROPRIATENESS Icebreakers set the tone for the event that they precede. Given this, it makes sense to choose an icebreaker that is consistent with this tone. An icebreaker should generally last no more than 1/16th of the total time for a program unless it provides in-depth learning experiences for the group. It is important to understand the learning potential of the icebreaker. Many times icebreakers provide unintentional learning that may need to be processed. Be prepared that the icebreaker may provide more valuable information to the participant than the main activity planned.

Sample Icebreakers & Teambuilders

ALL MY NEIGHBORS or GET OFF YOUR BUTT Supplies: A chair for each participant except for the person standing in the middle Everyone begins by sitting on chairs in a circle with the facilitator standing in the middle.

Explain that the person in the middle needs to find some "neighbors." To do so, they'll make a true statement about themselves and hope that it will be true for others. Everyone that "identifies" with the statement has to then stand up and find an empty chair. The person in the center is also looking for a chair, so once again someone will be without a chair, and they get to go to the middle and find some "neighbors." The facilitator then begins with something like: "All my neighbors are wearing blue jeans." At this, everyone who is wearing jeans should jump out of their seats and look for an empty seat. The odd person out goes to the middle. Instead of saying All My Neighbors the person in the center of the circle can say Get off your butt if you are The same rules apply. This game can easily last ten to fifteen minutes.
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ALL MY NEIGHBORS #2 (FOR MORE "SEDATE" GROUPS) Supplies: A chair for each participant except for the person standing in the middle The group is in a circle, standing up. The facilitator is standing in the middle of the circle. Explain that you are going to make a variety of statements and you'd like everyone who "identifies" with the statement to join you in the center of the circle for "high fives." The facilitator then begins: "All my neighbors wearing white underwear." At this point, everyone who is wearing white underwear should join the facilitator in the middle of the circle for a high five. Folks then return to their starting positions. The facilitator then goes on through 10 to 15 other such statements. Examples include: All my neighbors who: Are wearing socks Have an older sibling Were born in a month without an R in it Whose last digit of their social security number is odd Havent been caught speeding in a year Dont eat meat Were engaged to be married more than once Remember the name of Yogi Bear's sidekick Have watched Gone With The Wind in one sitting Know how to tie a bow tie Play the piano (even a little bit) Have been to a Grateful Dead concert Have voted with an absentee ballot Figure on ten minutes tops for this activity. BLIND WALK Supplies: blindfolds for half of the group Find a partner and give one person a blindfold. The other person not wearing a blindfold will direct the other person around verbally. You are not allowed to touch the person with the blindfold. Remind the person directing to be kind because they will then switch places after 5 or ten minutes. Another variation is to blindfold a small team and have one person lead them around as a trust exercise.

BUILDING MY HOUSE Supplies: Paper and pens. Have each participants draw a house. In the foundation have them write the concept or ideas that govern their life. Along the walls, have the participants write the methods by which they support and strengthen this idea. In the roof, have them write something that they are usually reluctant to share about themselves. In the window, participants should write something of which they are proud and want others to use or know about. In the door they should write an important part of them that they borrowed from someone else and the name of the person they got it from. On the chimney participants should write what they do to relax and unwind. COLOR JACUZZI The object of this small group exercise is to get the group to quickly meet the other members. The facilitator calls out a color of the rainbow - for example, RED.
Red (the stop/turn- off color) Orange (the motivation color) Yellow (the inspiration or creativity color) Green (the money color) Blue (the sky's the limit color) Indigo (an odd or different color) Violet/Purple (the color of royalty)

each member of the group quickly tells what is the one thing (that they can disclose in public) that is really a turn off to them.

what motivates them.

what was the best idea they've had.

what they plan to do for money, or the dumbest thing they ever did for money.

what is your favorite fantasy about your future.

what is the most daring thing they ever did. if you were ruler of the universe for a day - what is the first thing you would do?

CROSSING THE LINES, STEP OUT, OR TAKE A STAND The participants are asked to stand in a line facing the same direction, back against a wall. To answer yes to a question the individual will step out from the line and face the rest of the group. And then return to the group when the facilitator says to. The facilitator should make a list of the different questions or statements they want to present. This can be about values or diversity. The exercise is best when done silently. The facilitator should also ask for periods of self-reflection during the exercise (e.g., cross the line if, now notice who is standing/not standing with you)

DATA PROCESSING A mixer that keeps groups moving and meeting others. Ask the group to line up according to whatever category the facilitator chooses. (e.g., birthday, alphabetical, height, distance from hometown, etc.). This is a good re-energizer. Make sure you have the participants name their place in the line for all to hear.

DEMOGRAPHICS A mixer which helps people see where they stand in relation to others. Set the room as if it were the United States or the World. Ask different questions and have the participants move to the location in the room (US/Earth) that answers the question. Go around and ask everyone to say his or her location. Example questions: Where were you born? Where do you want to live? Where were your family members born? Where would be your ideal vacation spot? Where is your hometown? THE DRAWBRIDGE Have each participant read the following story and then rank the responsibility of the characters for the death. Discuss the reasons for their decisions. As he left for a visit to his outlying districts, the jealous baron warned his pretty wife: Do not leave the castle while I am gone, or I will punish you severely when I return! But as the hours passed, the young baroness grew lonely, and despite her husbands warning she decided to visit her lover, who lived in the countryside nearby. The castle was situated on an island in a wide, fast-flowing river. A drawbridge linked the island to the mainland at the narrowest point in the river. Surely my husband will not return before dawn, she thought and ordered her servants to lower the drawbridge and leave it down until she returned. After spending several pleasant hours with her lover the baroness returned to the drawbridge, only to find it blocked by a gate-man widely waving a long cruel knife. Do not attempt to cross this bridge, Baroness, or I will have to kill you, he cried. The baron ordered me to do so. Fearing for her life, the baroness returned to her lover and asked him for help. Our relationship is only a romantic one, he said. I will not help. The baroness then sought out a boatman on the river, explained her plight to him, and asked him to take her across the river in his boat.

I will do it, but only if you can pay my fee of five marks. But I have no money with me! the baroness protested. That is too bad, No money, no ride. The boatman said flatly. Her fear growing, the baroness ran crying to the home of a friend and, after explaining her desperate situation, begged for enough money to pay the boatman his fee. If you had not disobeyed your husband, this would not have happened, the friend said, I will give you no money. With dawn approaching and her last resort exhausted, the baroness returned to the bridge in desperation, attempted to cross to the castle, and was slain by the gateman. Rank from 1 (most responsible for the death) to 6 (least responsible for the death.) Baron Baroness Gateman Friend Boatman Lover EGO TRIPPING The facilitator sets one chair (the ego chair) in the middle of the room and asks the participants to place their chairs in a circle around the ego chair. The facilitator asks for a volunteer to occupy the ego chair and to receive only positive feedback from his/her fellow group members. The volunteer assumes the ego-chair position and is given a bell. The facilitator clarifies that if anyone makes a negative statements during the feedback period the volunteer is to ring the bell as an indication that the comment is out of order. The remaining participants verbally bombard the volunteer with positive feedback until all comments have been exhausted. Repeat until all participants have been in the chair. Process by asking the following questions: How did you feel about receiving only positive feedback? How did you feel about giving only positive feedback? Did you agree or disagree with the feedback you received? Why? FAMOUS DUOs Supplies: Paper or note cards, tape, pens Come up with a bunch of famous pairs (Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Tom & Jerry, The Oleen Twins, etc.). When the group arrives, explain that you will be taping the name of a famous person on their backs. Their task is to go around asking yes or no questions to each other to figure out their identity. Then they must find their partner and introduce each other to the group.

HONEY I LOVE YOU In this game everyone is sitting in a circle. As the facilitator you will normally go first. The object is to identify someone in the circle, go up to them, and say "Honey, I love you, but I just can't make you laugh" with the express purpose of making them laugh. The person you are saying this to must look at you and work at keeping a straight face. If after three tries at getting them to laugh you haven't succeeded, pick another target. If they laugh or even smile they move into the middle of the circle and select a target. You can do just about anything to get someone to laugh except touch them. Funny faces, strange voices, props, etc. are all fair game. Once a person has been made to laugh, they can no longer be a target. The game goes on until the last person either breaks down and laughs or withstands the final three attempts at getting them to laugh. Note that depending on the size of the group and the ability of folks to keep a poker face, this is often not a quick game. Nevertheless, its always a lot of fun.

HULA HOOP Supplies: Hula hoop Divide the group into even sub groups, instruct the group to select a time keeper and form a circle with clasped hands. Insert a hula hoop into the group, instruct the group to pass the hula hop around the circle as fast as possible without unclasping hands. Repeat the activity allowing for time to communicate prior to the exercise. Facilitate discussion and stress the importance of communication.

IMPROMPTU EXERCISE A person will be called upon. A question will be presented to the person called upon. The person will present a response/reply. The time frame is as follows: 1 minute minimum, 2 minutes maximum, 2 minutes thirty seconds- disqualified. Times will be recorded and announced after the exercise. Reply should contain a opening, body, and conclusion. Vote on the best impromptu speaker. Feedback- open to the floor. Most important lesson- Have fun!

LIFELINE Supplies: Markers, pens and large piece of poster board or paper for each person. Explain that each member will be drawing a diagram representing his or her life. Have them include anything that is significant in their life that they would like to share with the rest of the group. Make sure they label each section of their life. Afterwards each person will have the opportunity to share their lifeline with the rest of the group. Budget the time for this exercise wisely.

MEET N GREET

To help participants get acquainted, and to help them discover common backgrounds and interests. At the beginning of the meeting, ask people to introduce themselves to as many people as they possibly can in two minutes. After the time is up, ask them to get into groups of three people. Tell them that in two minutes they must find out three distinctive things that the three of them have in common. The only rule is that the thing cannot have anything to do with the residence hall that they live in.

M&M or TOILET PAPER GAME Supplies: M&M candies or roll of toilet paper Tell each person to take a handful of M&Ms. Tell them not to eat them yet. Each person now must introduce himself/herself and tell one thing about himself or herself for each M&M they have in their hand. A variation is to tell them they are going camping and to take the number of toilet paper sheets they would use for an overnight trip. Each sheet acts as one M&M.

MY FAVORITES Supplies: Paper and pen for each participant 1. Ask each person to identify their favorite color; then list three words that describe it. (Example: Bluecool, relaxing and distant.) 2. Ask them to identity their favorite animal; then list three words that describe it. (Example: Tigerstrong, tense, dangerous.) 3. Ask them to name their favorite city; then list three words to describe it. (Example: New Yorkexciting, busy, refreshing.) Then suggest that their answers to question #1 provide clues to how other people view them; that their answers to question #2 provide clues to how they view themselves; and question #3 provides a portrait of how they feel about their sensuality. Those who would like to share may do so.

PAPER PASS Supplies: Paper and pens for each participant Have each participant write their name on the top of an 8 1/2 X 11 piece paper. Pass the paper around the room and ask the group members to write something positive on the paper about each participant.

PERSON TO PERSON Participants need to form a circle and pick a caller. The caller yells out 2 parts of the body. The participants then need to quickly find a partner and match the announced parts. After about three calls are made, the caller is replaced with someone else from the group.

PERSONAL COAT OF ARMS

Draw a coat of arms in the shape of a shield and divide it into six sections. In the first section draw two things you do well. In the second box draw what or where you consider home. In the third box draw two personal attributes that enable you to be successful in your position. In the fourth box draw your biggest fear about your position. In the fifth box draw what you would like to accomplish this year. And finally in the sixth box write three words you would like said about you after the year is over. Discussion questions for processing: Are the things you do well related to your academic major, staff position, or of a more personal nature? How far are you from your psychological home? Did the other people in your group list similar abilities that will help them succeed? In what ways might you expect to grow and develop personally from your year on staff? Did others in your group list concerns similar to yours? Are your personal goals possible for this year? Are they clear and well thought out? Were the goals of the group similar? Are the words you used about yourself reflective of personal values or ethics? What types of values were you describing in yourself? How might you ensure that you are thought of in these ways? PICTURES OF MY LIFE Supplies: Index cards, markers, old magazines, tape, scissors and glue. Ask participants to represent two significant aspects that define their self through drawings or magazine clippings on the blank index card, which will become a nametag. Instruct participants that their names should be clearly visible. When participants are done have them split into groups and introduce themselves using their new nametag.

PICTURE FRAME Supplies: Inexpensive picture frames (try IKEA), art supplies Give each participant a picture frame and ask them to decorate it using puffy paints, stickers, and other art supplies. They may decorate it for themselves or another group member. You may also give them a theme or special instructions for decorating. Give each participant a picture to put in their frame. Variation: Clipboards.

PIG PERSONALITY PROFILE Here's a fun personality profile activity that can be used to start or finish any number of training sessions. Supplies: paper and pencil per participant. On a blank piece of paper, draw a pig. The pig is of the animal variety.

 DO NOT look at your neighbor's pig. DO NOT give any further instructions. DO NOT influence how the pigs are drawn. After participants complete the assignment. Explain that their drawing will serve to interpret their personalities. Results: If the pig is drawn toward the top of the paper you are a positive and optimistic person. If the pig is drawn towards the middle of the page you are a realist. If the pig is drawn toward the bottom of the page, you are pessimistic and have a tendency to behave negatively. If the pig is facing left, you believe in tradition, are friendly, and remember dates and birthdays. If the picture is facing forward (towards you) you are direct, enjoy playing the devil's advocate, and neither fear nor avoid discussion. If the pig is facing right, you are innovative and active, but have neither a sense of family, nor remember dates. If the pig is drawn with many details, you are analytical, cautious, and distrustful. If the pig is drawn with few details, you are emotional, naive, care little for detail, and take risks. If the pig is drawn with four legs showing, you are secure, stubborn, and stick to your ideals. If the pig is drawn with less than four legs showing, you are insecure, or are living through a period of major change. The larger the pig's ears you have drawn, the better listener you are. And last but not least . . . the longer the pig's tail you have drawn, the more satisfied you are with the quality of your sex life. SELF COLLAGES Supplies: Construction paper, magazines, scissors, markers etc. Each member is to make a collage of who they are by using pictures. They can also draw a big circle with a small one within, depicting how others see them and in the big circle small circle, how they see themselves.

THE SHOEBOX Supplies: A shoebox for each participant. After each participant has been seated explain that the residence hall is going to blow up in 10 minutes. Have them run back to their rooms and save any valuables that will fit into the box (the top must close). Instruct the participants to return to the original meeting place once they have filled their boxes. After everyone has returned, take turns sharing the items in the box, and share why those items were chosen.

STAGE NAME Ask each person to remember their first pets name. This becomes their first name. Then

ask them to remember the first street they lived on. This becomes their last name. Have them share their new stage name with the rest of the group.

THE STONE SHARING EXERCISE Supplies: Small, attractive, varied-colored stones for everyone in the group. Have the group sitting in a circle, close enough to each other to hand off and receive stones easily. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GROUP (with rationale): "This warm-up exercise is designed to help us get in touch with three aspects of life that contribute to our overall health and well-being: a right relationship with ourselves; a right relationship with all other living beings; and a right relationship with the earth." After everyone has selected a stone from the basket that I will pass around, we will each share briefly with the group: Our full name and some mention of its possible meaning or significance to us, its family or ethnic origin, etc. (expressing right relationship with oneself); An animal that has been special in our life, e.g., as a pet, e.g., or as an object of fascination and interest (expressing right relationship with all other living beings); A place on earth that is special to us as a place of beauty, comfort, good memories, inspiration, relaxation (expressing right relationship with the earth). I will start, and when I have finished sharing, everyone should pass their stone to the person on their left and receive the stone from the person on their right. This is the process that we will follow after every sharing. By the time we have finished the exercise, everyone will have had their stone touched by everyone in the group and will have touched everyone else's stone, and we will each end up with our own stone. You may keep your stone for the rest of your life, or give it back to the universe at some point. You might keep it in your pocket, your pocketbook, on your desk, or on a shelf and it can serve as a reminder of each person who shared and with whom you connected during the exercise; it can serve as a reminder of this workshop/session/training/experience and of all the things that you will learn from it; and it can serve as a "touch-stone" to rub when you are feeling stressed. "My name is . . . . . . . etc." (You may have to remind and prompt about the way to pass off and receive the stones after your sharing as leader.) VARIATIONS: 1. Right relationship with oneself can be expressed in a variety of ways: "My name is and my favorite color is . . . and why," "My name is and I was born in (country, city, state, province, etc.)," "My name is and my parents are/were (professions, careers)," "My name is . . . and what gives me great joy in life is "My name is . . .and when I retire I am going to " etc. 2. Right relationship with all other living beings can also be expressed in a multiplicity of ways: "My spouse/partner/children/grandchildren/ favorite friend is/are special because . . ." "What I value most in my friendships/co-worker relationships is . . ." "It is easier for me to forgive someone who has wronged me if . . ." etc. 3. Right relationship with the earth can also be expressed in many different ways: "What I do to care for the earth is . . ." "One way that the earth nourishes me is . . ." etc. It is useful and helpful to process the exercise a little bit at the end and to allow for some

expression of how it felt to do it.

STRENGTH BOMBARDMENT Supplies: Paper, markers, and tape. Each participant has a piece of paper taped to his or her back. Everyone writes a phrase or a word to the person that is affirming.

TWO TRUTHS & A LIE To allow people to get to know and appreciate one another better, through discovering both common and unique interests and experiences and help level the playing field within a group through making human connections that aren't related to either organizational or power structures. In addition this helps people begin to be more comfortable talking and listening with one another and begins to facilitate the process of peoples exposing something of themselves and their ideas to a group. But most of all it is FUN! DESIGN: In groups of three to eight (depending on how much time you want to devote to this exercise) have individuals take turns making three statements about themselves - two which are true; one that is a lie. After an individual makes their statements, the other folks in the group discuss among themselves what seems most plausible and what is most likely to be the lie. Once they come to some sort of consensus, the individual who made the statements not only tells which is the "lie" but also provides a bit more background about the "truths" as well as what made them think folks might have thought the "lie" was a "truth." (A group of three can easily do this in less than 10 minutes. A group of eight can take from 20 to 30 minutes.) Comments: This game works well with groups that are new to one another. It is often surprising how relative strangers can instinctively pick up the nuances between truths and lies based on very little information. The game also works well with groups that have been together awhile and with members who think they know a lot about each other. The first person or two asked to make statements can find it pretty difficult, but after a couple of folks have taken a turn others typically find it easier to do. One way to help alleviate this and make the process run smoother is to alert a couple of people beforehand to begin thinking so that they can be somewhat more ready to volunteer. This type of a "plant" can make it much easier for folks who come later because they won't see someone "struggle" and get "uptight" about their ability to "perform." Another way to get around the difficulty the "first" folks have is to start it yourself.

WANTED POSTER Supplies: Paper, pens, magic markers or crayons. Each participant receives materials and is asked to draw a Wanted poster. The poster should include the following: WANTED Name

 Hometown FOR Always being Having strong needs for Greatly valuing Living by the slogan REWARD People should then pair up and introduce each other to their partner. The partners then introduce each other to the group.