23 icebreakers for kids

Creature moves: Would you move like a slow turtle, a quick rabbit or a still owl for ten seconds?

3 minutes, 4 to 30 Directions: Everyone picks and moves at the same time; then switch creatures. Facilitator note: Sitting versions count.

Find your pair: Find the person whose card goes with yours: sun and moon, cup and saucer, lock and key.

5 minutes, 6 to 32 Directions: Hand out picture cards; children walk and find their match. Facilitator note: Have spare cards for odd numbers.

Name rhythm: Tap a rhythm with your name, and everyone taps it back.

5 minutes, 4 to 20 Directions: Go round the circle; children may tap without saying their name. Facilitator note: Skipping a turn is fine.

Finish the doodle: Turn this squiggle into a picture. What is it?

5 minutes, 3 to 30 Directions: Give everyone the same squiggle; show the drawings and name them. Facilitator note: Every picture is right.

Loud or quiet: Is a cat loud or quiet? What about a drum, a feather and a doorbell?

7 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Children point up for loud and down for quiet; ask for one reason each time. Facilitator note: Add their own examples at the end.

Three clues: Give three clues about something in the classroom, and others guess what it is.

6 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Take turns; clues cannot say its name or color. Facilitator note: Help younger children with the first clue.

Make a machine: Each person adds one movement and sound to build a silly machine. What does it make?

6 minutes, 4 to 12 Directions: One child starts a movement; others join one at a time until the machine runs. Facilitator note: Quiet movements are welcome.

First, next, last: What happened first, next and last in the story of the three picture cards?

6 minutes, 3 to 24 Directions: Groups put three cards in order and tell the story. Facilitator note: More than one order can work.

How can I help: Your friend cannot find the next step. Would you point to the example, read it together or ask the teacher?

6 minutes, 4 to 20 Directions: Children pick an answer by holding up one, two or three fingers. Facilitator note: All three are kind choices.

Secret shape rule: Sort the shapes into two groups with a secret rule. Can your partner guess it?

6 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Pairs take turns sorting and guessing. Facilitator note: Rules such as round and pointy are perfect.

Copy my pattern: Clap, tap or wave a pattern for the next person to copy, then add one move.

5 minutes, 4 to 16 Directions: Pass the pattern round the circle. Facilitator note: Two moves is a fine pattern.

Help the puppet: The puppet hears put the block there. What words does it need to put the block in the right place?

6 minutes, 3 to 24 Directions: Children give the puppet better instructions; the puppet follows them exactly. Facilitator note: Funny mistakes by the puppet help.

Island map: Add a bridge, a tree, a path or a pond to our imaginary island. What is it next to?

7 minutes, 4 to 20 Directions: Each child adds one thing to a shared drawing. Facilitator note: Name the island at the end.

What comes next: Circle, star, square, circle, star... what comes next?

5 minutes, 3 to 18 Directions: Children say or hold up the next shape, then make their own pattern. Facilitator note: Use shapes, not colors, so everyone can play. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Silly shop sign: Make a sign for a shop that sells something silly, like bottled giggles.

7 minutes, 4 to 22 Directions: Children draw or say their sign; the class visits each shop. Facilitator note: Any made-up thing is fine. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Robot steps: Guide the robot from the door to the chair with three arrow cards.

6 minutes, 4 to 16 Directions: One child is the robot and follows the arrows exactly; swap roles. Facilitator note: The robot moves slowly and safely. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Pick a hat: If a story character could have a hat, a basket or a flag, which would you give them, and what would they do with it?

5 minutes, 3 to 20 Directions: Children choose a picture card and say one sentence. Facilitator note: Any choice is a good choice. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Paper boat story: The paper boat sailed to an island and found ___. What did it find?

6 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Go round; each child adds what the boat found next. Facilitator note: Silly finds are welcome. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Card bridge: Find a third card that goes with both of these: a sun and a beach ball.

6 minutes, 3 to 15 Directions: Children choose a card and say why it fits both. Facilitator note: More than one answer can be right. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Quiet conductor: Lead the group with point, pause and turn-over cards. Can everyone follow without talking?

5 minutes, 5 to 25 Directions: Children take turns as the conductor. Facilitator note: Keep each turn short. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Fix the mix-up: The toy was told to put the square card in the round hole. What should we say instead?

5 minutes, 4 to 28 Directions: Children change one part of the instruction so it works. Facilitator note: Celebrate every fix. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Tiny building: Build a tiny tower with three blocks. What does it look like from the top?

8 minutes, 4 to 12 Directions: Children build, then draw or describe the top view. Facilitator note: Paper squares can stand in for blocks. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Which way: The story character can cross the bridge, follow the path or ask for a map. What should they do?

6 minutes, 3 to 21 Directions: Children vote with their hands, then tell what happens next. Facilitator note: Every path leads somewhere fun. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.