What is an Icebreaker Game and when to use it?
What is an Icebreaker Game and when to use it?
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When first forming a Discipled Friend Group it can be awkward. To help this, start with an Icebreaker. An Icebreak game is simply an easy game the whole group can play that is lighthearted, an easy entry, and fun to play. If used correctly, it makes the teens feel comfortable being there and keeps them from falling into a "Bible Study" or "school" vibe. It is often only used to help get over the initial awkwardness of the group. After about 3 months, when the teens begin to get more comfortable with one another, they will want to share more about their lives in the highs and lows, and you will drop the game to make room for this. Games can be used at anytime to make a meeting lighthearted or more fun, but it is predominately used only in the very beginning of a group formation.
Discipled Friend Group Schedule with an Icebreaker games (First 3 months of Meeting):
30 mins - Icebreaker Game
30 mins - Highs and Lows
30 mins - Bible Study
Schedule after you phase out the games (After 3 months of Meeting):
45 mins - Highs and Lows
45 mins - Bible Study
Guild Ranked Icebreaker Games
Guild Ranked Icebreaker Games
1). Fishbowl
Words go into a bowl. Teams take turns trying to guess them. 3 Rounds. 1st Round - Catch Phrase. 2nd Round - Charades. 3rd Round - Only one word. Most guessed words at the end wins.
Click here for full game explanation.
2). Mafia
Among Us IRL. The whole group is a "town" and divided into two teams - Mafia and Townspeople. Every night, the town goes to sleep and Mafia kill off a player. In the day, townspeople wake up and have to kill off someone they think is Mafia. Whoever is left at the end is the winner.
Click here for full game explanation.
3.) Roaming Pictionary
Two Teams. Pictionary but you have to run to find the "roaming" leader with the words!
Can also be played as "Roaming Charades" or "Roaming Emoji Charades"
Click here for full game explanation.
4.) Flyswatter Hockey
Its hockey...but with flyswatters and ping-pong balls.
Click here for full game explanation.
5.) Who, What, Where
A telephone-style charades game in which teams silently act out a Who, a What, and a Where through three successive groups before a final guesser tries to identify all three. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
Click here for full game explanation.
6.) Guess the Gibberish
Two-team game. Read gibberish that sounds like a real phrase; first to guess real words wins.
Click here for full game explanation.
7.) Telephone Pictionary
It's the game "telephone" and "pictionary" together. One writes a scene. The next draws it. The next writes what they think the last person drew. It continues. Then laugh at how scene changed.
Click here for full game explanation.
8.) Birdie on a Perch
Musical Chairs but your partner is the chair.
Click here for full game explanation.
10.) 4 Square
That simple 3rd grade recess game ... just do it with a competitiveness and intensity.
(You can play pretty much any childhood recess game with high schoolers. They will think its funny if you do it with intensity and energy. )
Click here for full game explanation.
11.) Head, Shoulders, Knees & Cup!
A Simon Says type game where youth have to touch the body part called. When "Cup" is yelled, the first to grab the cup in front of them wins.
Click here for full game explanation.
12.) Two Truths & A Lie
A "Get to know you" game where everyone says two truths and one lie. Group votes on which one is fake.
Click here for full game explanation.
You can also use games from the Large Youth Group Model:
You can also use games from the Large Youth Group Model:
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