Team building games are both fun and challenging. They can be used in many different situations and for varied purposes. Use team-building games with any age group – kids, teens, or adults.

Team Building Games for Kids

Team Dress-Up

Kids love to dress up and this team-building activity provides for imagination and fun. Gather clean clothing for boys and girls – shoes, tops, bottoms, hats, etc. Crazy colors and prints add to the fun of this game. Divide the children into teams and have each team choose a person to dress. Set a timer and give a specific amount of time to complete the outfitting of the chosen person. The team that manages to use the most items of clothing by end of the set time wins.

Frozen Tag

Tag is another kid’s favorite.

• Divide your group of kids into teams of eight to ten.
• In a large outdoor area, turn the teams loose and let them attempt to tag each other. Anyone tagged must freeze.
• At the end of a set time, the team with the most players remaining “unfrozen” wins.

Obstacle Course Game

Create an indoor obstacle course by lining up chairs and using other objects, such as couch pillows, small tables, etc.

• Have the children form teams.
• Choose a time limit based upon the length of the obstacle course.
• Have the teams take turns completing the course and see which completes the course in the shortest amount of time.
• If you wish, have the children complete multiple attempts, once crawling, once hopping on one foot, once crab walking.

Team Building Games for Teens

Zoom

A classic team building game, Zoom is perfect for teens, as it is fun and quick moving.

• Have the teens sit in a circle and give each a picture of whatever you desire – plants, animals, people, buildings, etc.
• The leader or facilitator shows a picture and begins a fictitious story.
• Each teen takes a turn, displaying their picture and adding to the story.
• The resulting story may be mysterious, funny, or romantic, but will definitely keep the interest of the group.

Four-Way Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war is always fun and makes a great team-building game when you divide your group into teams. For this game, you will need four 25-foot ropes and a piece of cloth.

• Divide your group into four equal teams.
• After tying the four lengths of rope together to make a circle, lay them on the ground in a square with the knots at each corner.
• Put the piece of cloth or another marker in the center of the square. Each team lines up on one side of the rope square.
• When the leader or facilitator says, “Go!” everyone picks up the rope and starts pulling.
• Set a time limit and when the time is up, the team that has pulled the rope the farthest from the center marker wins.

Team Building Games for Adults

Drama Time

After dividing your players into teams, have each player of this funny, icebreaker game use paper and pen to write down a life event on small slips of paper. For example, they might write down:

• Meeting a large, aggressive animal in the woods
• Winning the lottery
• Getting fired from your job

Place the completed papers in a small basket, bag, or box. Each player takes a turn randomly selecting a slip of paper and acting out an emotional reaction to the experience. Those players observing try to guess the experience. Set a time limit for each player to act out his or her event. Give a point for each correct guess. The team with the most points wins the game.

Blind Fetch

Divide the group into teams of four to six players. Have each team choose a team member to blindfold. Designate an area for play. Have the team members stand along the sides of the playing area. After throwing the ball into the center of the play area, team members yell out instructions to the blindfolded teammates, telling them where to find the fall. Once a blindfolded player gets the ball and returns it to their team, the team receives three points. Every time a team scores, a different team member on each team, a different team member is blindfolded. The team that wins gets the most points in a set amount of time.

Team Building Games for Work

Many businesses and corporations use team-building games in meetings and conferences, as they are effective for:

• Boosting morale
• Increasing motivation
• Breaking the ice
• Improving productivity
• Highlighting strengths and weaknesses
• Improving communication skills

One of the primary reasons for using team-building games is to promote teamwork in the workplace, a key factor for success. The four main types of business team-building activities are:

• Adaptability and/or planning activities
• Communication activities
• Problem solving and decision making activities
• Trust building activities

Business Team Building Games for Adaptability and Planning

Coin Toss Game

A game to enforce planning skills, the only material you need is a handful of coins. Divide your group into teams of any number of players. Have players take turns flipping the coins and calling, “Heads!” or “Tails!” Every time a player is correct, they can remove two coins from the pile of coins. Either alternate team members until all players have had a turn or the pile is depleted. There are two ways to win this game and you can choose which is required. The winner is either the team that gets the last coin or the one with the most coins at the end of the game. Additionally, this game can be varied by adding more coins or having teams put back one coin every time they make the wrong call.

Balloon Challenge

Balloons are fun and make this teambuilding game an effective way to increase the players planning and adaptability. Before the game begins, inflate three balloons for each player. Divide the players into teams and give each team member one balloon. Use a different color for each team. The goal of the game is to keep your balloon in the air. When a player’s balloon falls to the ground, they are not allowed to pick the balloon up and the other teams’ members are allowed to pop it. When a player’s balloon is popped, they retrieve another and continue in the game. After a set amount of time, the game ends and the team with the most balloons not popped wins.

Business Team Building Games for Improving Communication

Sneak a Peek

The leader or facilitator of this team building game builds a small sculpture with colored children’s building blocks. After the group is divided into teams with four members, each team is given a set of blocks with the same color and number as in the sculpture. Each team is seated with their backs to the sculpture. One member of each team is given a set amount of time – thirty seconds works well – to view the sculpture. After a player “sneaks a peek” at the sculpture, they return to their team and give directions for the team to build a replica. Team members take turns doing so until one team successfully duplicates the facilitator’s sculpture. This game teaches participants problem solve and communicate effectively.

Problem Solving and Decision Making Team Building Games

If You Build It

For this problem solving team-building game, each team is provided an equal amount of materials, such as pipe cleaners, string, heavy paper or cardboard, and small empty boxes. Challenge the teams to build a structure in a set amount of time. The team building the tallest structure wins.

Go for the Gold

Similar to “If You Build It,” teams have a common objective, to build a structure that will carry a marble from the beginning to the end. Give each team pipes, rubber tubing, and pieces of cardboard, and tape and blue. Set an amount of time for the structure to be completed. The one with the longest and best structure for carrying the marble wins this game.

Teambuilding Games to Build Trust

Minefield

A classic team-building game for building trust, Minefield requires players to trust team members as they verbally provide instructions for navigating an imaginary mine field. Place colored pieces of paper on the floor in a designated play area. Divide your group into equal teams. Team members take turns being blindfolded and instructed how to navigate the minefield. If a player steps on a colored piece of paper, they are “out.” All the team members take a turn and after all have done so the team with the most successful players wins the game.

Pinball

Similar to Minefield, this teambuilding game also involves blindfolded players. After dividing the players into teams, everyone gets into a circle with teams members together on each side. Each team chooses one person to be the pinball. Blindfold the chosen players, who must cross the circle without bumping into the other player. If they do so, they are out. When a person reaches the side of the circle, team members turn them around and they must return to the other side. Every time a player is “out,” another player takes his or her place. Set a designated time limit and the team with the most players still in the game when the time is up wins. The pinball person has to trust his team members to stop him before he runs into another player.

Get It Together

Designate a playing area and place small items on the floor, enough for each team member. Divide the group into teams and have one blindfolded team member retrieve specific items by following their team member’s instructions. Only allow a set amount of time for each team member’s turn. Continue with each team member taking a turn. Sometimes the blind folded individual will be successful and other times they will not. At the end, the team with the most retrieved items wins.

Team-building games ensure that people are engaging with each other in meaningful ways. They work in many situations and with any age. They can promote cooperation and communication, help establish a positive environment, and provide a much-needed reprieve from routine. Most importantly, teambuilding games are fun!

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The Mafia party game presents a conflict between the Mafia – the informed minority – and the Innocents – the uninformed majority. Originated by Dmitry Davidoff of the USSR in 1986, this popular game has many variations and can be played by a group of seven or more people. For very large groups, we suggest adding additional characters.

The game has two phases; night, when the Mafia might secretly “murder” an innocent, and “day” when Innocents vote to eliminate a Mafiosi suspect. The game ends when all the Mafia members are eliminated or there are more Mafia members than Innocents.

There are many variations of the game, some of which we have included below. Realistically, the minimum number of players needed to play is seven (5 Innocents against 2 Mafia). The basic version described here requires a deck of cards and works best with between twelve and twenty-four players.

Begin the Game

1. Select a Moderator
   This should be someone who knows the rules and has played the game before if possible.
2. Choose Players
   The Moderator divides the deck of cards as follows:
   • A king – the Detective
   • A queen – the Doctor
   • Cards of one suit (such as hearts) for Mafia members – one for every three Innocents
   • Miscellaneous cards (no hearts) for the Innocents
   • The Moderator may either assign additional roles or have players draw cards designated as being for a particular part, i.e. Jack of Spades for the Magician.
3. Shuffle and Deal the Cards
   The Moderator shuffles the cards and then deals them out so that each person has a card. Players are not to show their cards to anyone else.

Night Cycle

1. Time to “Sleep”

The Moderator begins the night cycle by having all players close their eyes and put down their heads. After everyone is “asleep,” the Moderator instructs the Mafia to wake up and choose a victim. At this time, the Mafia members will be able to see all their fellow members. They pick a victim by gesturing silently. Players may gently tap their fingers to disguise any noise made. They tell the Moderator their decision by pointing to him or her. Then the Mafia “sleeps” again until “morning.”

2. Awaken the Detective

While everyone else is still asleep, the Moderator wakes up the Detective, who points to someone they suspect is a member of the Mafia. If the Detective is correct, that Mafia member is eliminated from the game. If not, the Detective now knows the identity of an innocent. The Detective then goes back to “sleep.”

3. Awaken the Doctor

Next, the Moderator wakes up the Doctor who will choose a person to save by silent pointing. The Doctor can choose to save himself and thus survive the night. If the Doctor chooses another player and that individual is chosen by the Mafia to be killed, nothing will happen to the victim – they are “saved.” If the Doctor is chosen for death by the Mafia, he is out of the game and the townspeople can no longer be saved.

The Day Cycle

1. Time to Awaken

The Moderator tells the players to open their eyes and then announces who “died” the previous night.

2. Hold Discussions

The players discuss recent events. Players do not show their cards, but try to convince others they have a certain role. If the discussion reaches a point where a player has a suspicion, the game moves on to the accusation.

3. Make an Accusation

Whoever has a suspicion may accuse another player of being a member of the Mafia. This accusation must be seconded by another player. Additionally, the accuser must explain the reason behind the accusation. Other players may then tell if they believe the accusation is just.

4. Defend the Accused

Any player who feels the accusation is unjust may choose to defend the accused. If desired, this can be done as a trial, with the accused presenting a fictional alibi and even accusing other players. In some versions of the game, the defense if conducted by a player designated as the Lawyer.

5. The Vote

The Moderator calls for a vote and players indicate whether they believe the accused is guilty or not. It may be required that the vote be anonymous or not.

6. The Verdict

If it is not decided that the accused is not guilty, accusations begin again. Again there is a defense and vote. This continues until a player is declared guilty and leaves the game. If the majority voted the initial accused player guilty, the night round begins again.

The Players

Although the only roles that are absolutely necessary are that of the Moderator and the Mafia, others can be added. The number of roles assigned is dependent on the desire of the group and the number of players.

• The Mafia

These players determine who will be killed. They also know the identities of their teammates.

• The Innocents

Also known as the “townspeople,” these players only know the number of Mafiosi in the game. There are fewer Innocents than Mafia members.

• The Moderator

This individual plays an extremely important and significant role in the game. They may choose player roles, create stories about how victims were killed, and moderate the game play, making sure rules are followed.

• The Detective – an Innocent who learns the team of one player every night
• The Doctor – an Innocent may protect a player or him/herself from being killed each night
• The Barman – a Mafia member who may cancel the effect of another player’s ability every night
• The Vigilante – an Innocent who may kill a player every night
• The Magician – on the side of the Innocents; can choose to kill one person who they suspect is Mafia each night or can save one person from being lynched by signaling to the Moderator; can do each of things only once
• The Lycan – an Innocent or a Mafioso; appear to be Mafia during the night; this role helps the Mafia; if killed, they are revealed to be a Mafia member.
• The Peeping-Tom – allowed to open their eyes at any moment; knows who is who in the game; very likely to be killed for this knowledge
• The Grandma with a Shotgun – an innocent who visits during the night and kills any player they wish; if investigated by the Detective, they die, but if the Mafia attempts to kill her, a random Mafia is killed; cannot be killed by the Mafia; no one knows if deaths are caused by her or another player
• Cupid and the Lovers – Cupid is on the innocent team and picks two people to be the Lovers the first night, one of whom dies immediately; the other dies of a broken heart. Alternatively, the Lovers can be awakened by the Moderator during the first night and told of their roles. If one is a victim, the other dies also.
• The Informant – gets to know who the Mafia is but their identity remains unknown. During the first night cycle, the Moderator lets the Informant see who the Mafia members. The Mafia members keep their eyes closed and raise their hands. The Informant helps the Innocents, but need to do so secretively or is likely to be killed.
• The Armor – this player cannot be killed by Mafia and only be voted off
• The Bandit – has not voting power; knows who the Mafia is; works to aid the Mafia
• The Lawyer – chooses someone to defend; that person cannot be voted out the following morning
• Rambo – able to throw a “grenade” at someone and kill that person and the two people sitting on either side
• The Bus Driver – can blindly change two player’s roles
• The Other (Alien) – Looks like an innocent. Awakens after the Doctor and Mafia have finished their parts. If the Alien is picked for killing, the Moderator advises the Other secretly. At this point, the Other attempts to be hung. If successful, the Other stays in the game (or wins). If hung before activation, the other is out of the game.

Variations:

• A variation that provides fun and creativity, instead of accusations and discussions taking place during the day cycle, the Moderator tells a made-up story. If the innocent was killed, the story tells who was killed and how without (of course) revealing the killer. If the innocent was saved, the Moderator tells how and the extent of their injuries.
• At Halloween, you can play the games with Vampires or Werewolves instead of Mafia members.
• For very large groups, try having two teams of Mafiosi that compete.

Make the game more difficult by not allowing the Mafia to communicate at night. During the night cycle, the Mafia all shut their eyes and the Moderator says the names of the Innocents. Mafia members raise their hands if an innocent’s name is mentions who they wish to have killed. If half or more of the Mafia members vote for the same person, that innocent becomes the victim. If not, then no one is killed that night.

Mafia Game Rules

• Avoid random accusations in the first round, but use this round to assess players’ behavior.
• Watch for players who seen to know other players as they may be Mafia members. Remember: They have seen each other’s faces.
• Increase the number of characters if you have many players.
• The Moderator should keep a written record of the game play to keep track of characters and activity.
• Mafia members can use the strategy of voting off other Mafia embers to avoid suspicion.
• Give a certain amount of time – 5 to 15 minutes – for players to converse secretly before the discussion. Players cannot show cards, but can try to convince others of their innocence.

Mafia Game Tips:

• Try sitting in a circle around a table in a totally quiet room to add a touch of realism to the game. Remember: Getting into the game is what makes it fun.
• Players should attempt to remember accusations, supportive actions, etc. so when it comes time to decide who is Mafia, they will have some information to draw upon.
• The “days” are usually longer than the “nights” because of discussions, trials, and voting.
• For a more balanced game, have the Moderator pick out the Mafia members and other roles based upon the age and experience level of the players.

Add excitement by not having players show their cards when they die, but only at the end of the game. This way, Innocents do not know how many Mafia members are still in the game.

When the game has ended, it is run to talk about strategies used. Additionally, those who are eliminated will find watching the game is fun. Next time you have a party, try the Mafia Game for an entertaining evening.

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Using icebreakers for teenagers successfully can be challenging. You need to know your group of teenagers and the type of activity they prefer. To do so, follow these suggestions:

• Remember: Teens like active games and those they do not consider “childish.”
• When you decide which icebreaker activities to use, choose one based upon age, the groups familiarity with one another, and the purpose of the group gathering.
• Be flexible. Change the rules to suit the group and be ready to stop a game and start another if teens are not participating with enthusiasm.
• Build intensity. Start with simpler icebreaker games and increase difficulty gradually.
• Generate enthusiasm. Play an active role in the icebreaker activity.
• Use silly and fun props and equipment. Masks, stuffed animals, and brightly colored rubber balls and balloons add to the fun of an icebreaker game.

Introductory Teen Icebreaker Games

Group Juggling

Use this fun introductory icebreaker game to get teens to start working together.

1. Have the teens stand in a circle and stretch out their arms with fingers touching so that they are not too close.
2. Explain that you will be tossing an object to an individual while saying their name.
3. The teen who catches the object tosses it to someone else, saying the receiver’s name.
4. Remind the teens to pay close attention so that they know names of people and are ready to toss the object when they receive it.
5. Use a ball, stuffed animal, or other soft object for tossing. Increase the speed and add objects to toss until the game gets too crazy to continue.

Name Tossing

Begin this getting-to-know you icebreaker game by giving each teen a blank piece of paper.

1. Each teen writes their name and an interesting fact about themselves on their piece of paper and crumples it into a ball.
2. When all the teens have their paper balls, have them toss them back and forth around the room.
3. The leader then yells, “Stop!” and each teen picks up a paper ball, opens it, and reads it silently.
4. Have the teens take turns reading each paper to the group and introducing the person whose paper they are holding. Continue for the entire group of teens.

Fun and Crazy Icebreakers for Teenagers

Just a Minute!

A fun icebreaker idea for teens, one minute challenges, as the name implies, are only supposed to take a minute. However, in reality, they are so much fun that many will take longer as the teens want to keep playing.

• Name Game

Teens must learn as many middle names of the teens in the group as they can in one minute. The teen who remembers the most names is the winner

• Crazy Balls

Give the teens newspapers or other scrap paper and instruct them to see how many balls they can make in one minute. The teen who makes the most wins.

• Fill the Bucket

Teens must fill a bucket with water using only their hands to carry and pour the water.

If you have a small group of teens, you can divide them into teams and have them compete against each other. Playing these “one-minute” icebreakers as team games makes them last longer.

Amazing Body Tricks

Teenagers love these icebreaker games! Even if some of your teens have done these before, they will enjoy the reaction of group members experiencing these icebreaker activities for the first time.

Falling Through the Floor

1. For “Falling through the Floor,” divide your group of teens into teams of two.
2. One lies on their stomach on the floor. The second person holds the first persons arms up in the air by grabbing the arms at the wrist.
3. The teen laying down relaxes their neck and hangs their head down.
4. After twenty to thirty seconds, slowly lower the arms until they are flat on the floor and the teen laying down is flat on the floor.
5. At this point, the person lying on the floor will feel as if they are actually falling through the floor.

Floating Arms

The teens will need to take turns for this exercise, unless you have many doorways.

1. Have a teen stand directly in the middle of the floor between the sides of a doorway and push against the doorframe with the outside of the hands as hard as possible.
2. After they have done so for 45 seconds to one minute, have them step forward and relax their arms.
3. Both arms will float up on their own!

Pinocchio’s Nose

About half of your teens will experience having a “Pinocchio” nose or feel as if their noses have disappeared with this activity!

1. Pair your teens and have them sit on chairs, one with their back to the other. The one in the back is blindfolded and the one in front is not.
2. The un-blindfolded teen takes the blindfolded teen’s right hand and places it on their nose.
3. The blindfolded teen begins to tap and stroke the nose gently and randomly making identical movements on their own nose.
4. After about sixty seconds, the blindfolded teen with have the sensation their nose is extremely long, or completely gone.
5. Make sure the teens are comfortable doing this exercise and, if they are not, let them be spectators.

Hand Paralysis

1. Have all the teens get in a circle so they can observe each other.
2. Tell them to squeeze their left hand shut as hard as they can or provide a bead for them to squeeze.
3. After they have done so for at least thirty seconds, tell them to relax their hand and gently stroke all over their left hand with their right hand.
4. Direct your teens to open their fisted hand all the way. They will have trouble doing so.

Magnetic Hands

1. Pair your teens and have one teen ball their hands into fists and press them together as hard as they can.
2. The other teen pretends to tie the fisted hands together for 30 seconds.
3. Then have the first teen push their fists together again, followed again by the second teen pretending to tie them together again.
4. When the first teen attempts to pull their hands apart, it will feel as if there is a magnet between their hands, not letting them pull their hands apart. Have the teens switch places to repeat the exercise.

Sand Man

1. Pair your teens and have the first one lay down face up with their eyes closed.
2. The second teen pretends to slice open the prone teen’s legs, fill them with sand, and stitch them back up.
3. This process is repeated for the stomach, arms, and forehead.
4. Finally, direct the teen to stand up. They will find it difficult or impossible to do so.

My Favorite Scent

Our body and brains are remarkable, as demonstrated by this game.

1. Pair your teens and have them take turns for this exercise.
2. Have teen number one slap both the hands of teen two and ask which hand hurt the most.
3. Next, take the hand they indicated and tickle each finger and ask which finger tickled the most.
4. Take that finger and squeeze each part, the tip, the middle section, and the section closest to the palm and ask which hurt the most.
5. Rub and stroke that section and ask what they would like it to smell like.
6. Keep rubbing and stroking, then tell them to smell their hand. It should smell like their favourite scent.

Icebreaker Games for Teens Needing Advance Preparation

Some icebreaker games require advance preparation, either gathering the required materials or setting up the play area. If you have time for planning, these icebreaker games are some the teens enjoy most.

Ice Cube Hunt

An icebreaker game for teens to play outside on a rather cool day, variations contribute to the ability to customize this game depending on the size and composition of your group. You will need to freeze several trays of ice cubes colored with food coloring. Tell your teens set boundaries for the game and distribute the frozen ice cubes in the search area.

1. The teen who collects the most ice cubes in a set amount of time wins.
2. As a team game, have two or more colors of ice cubes and team members must find the color they are assigned.
3. Teens must use plastic spoons to carry the ice cubes they find.
4. Label large plastic cups with teen’s names and they must put their found ice cubes into their cup.
5. Give each team a small bucket or large bowl to put their ice cubes in.

Puzzle Piece Hunt

1. You will need a jigsaw puzzle with less than 100 pieces or cut a large picture into several pieces.
2. Choose a specific area of an inside room and hide the puzzle pieces.
3. Have a clear table top available for assembling the puzzle.
4. Teens are to search for puzzle pieces and bring them to the table and attempt to reassemble the puzzle.
5. If you wish to play this game with teams, have players put team initials or names on the back of the puzzle pieces. The team with the most pieces wins.

Hidden Surprise

Prepare for this icebreaker game by gathering a pill bottle, tape, newspaper, money, and dice. Put some money in the pill bottle and wrap it with multiple layers of newspaper and tape. Have the teens stand in a circle and provide a tray or shallow box with sides for throwing dice. If a player rolls a double, they get a chance to begin unwrapping the surprise. Pass the dice around the circle with each teen taking a turn at throwing the dice to get a double. Anyone who throws a double gets a turn unwrapping the surprise. Eventually, one teen will succeed in doing so and will be able to keep the money inside the pill bottle.

Variations:

• You can have several wrapped containers and the first teen chooses the container for the first game. Play more than one game until all the surprises are unwrapped.
• Use gag gifts, candy bars, fast food gift certificates, or small items such as key chains or party favors instead of money.

Anteater Relay

Gather the equipment you need for this fun relay race game. You will need empty bowls on one side of the room or play area and bowls with an equal number of peas on the other – enough bowls for the number of teams you have (dependent on the size of your group). Each player needs a straw. The goal of this game is to transport the peas from the full bowl to the empty bowl using the straw. If a pea is dropped, it must be picked it up with the straw by the person who dropped it and transported to the bowl. The winning team is the one which transports all their peas first.

Read our special collection of relay games.

Steal the Treasure

1. Invite the teens to sit in a large circle with a chair placed in the middle.
2. On the chair, place a “treasure.” Choose something that makes noise – a set of keys or a few bells on a ribbon work well.
3. Have a teen volunteer to be the first guard, making sure the thief does not steal the treasure.
4. The guard has a rolled up newspaper with which he attempts to swat the thief.
5. If the guard succeeds, the thief returns to the circle, but if the thief gets the treasure, he becomes the guard. The fun part of this game is that both the thief and the guard are blindfolded.

Who Is the Killer?

All the teens sit in a circle. The group leader chooses one teen to be the detective, and that person leaves the room. The teens remaining close their eyes and bow their heads. The leader walks around the circle of seated teens and taps someone’s head. The tapped teen becomes the killer. When the detective comes back in, the goal of the killer is to “kill” others without being caught by the detective. The killer does so by secretly winking randomly at people in the circle, who then lie down and play “dead.” The detective gets three tries to guess the killer’s identity. If he does so, someone else becomes the detective for the next game. If the detective does not succeed, he is “out” and someone else becomes the detective. If you like this game, please read Mafia Party Game.

Use icebreaker games for teenagers for introductions and for teens to relax and feel comfortable in a new group. Although played traditionally at the beginning of an event or get-together, they work well any time: when teens begin to get bored, to liven up a group, or to close an evening of fun. Play on!

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Slap Jack is an extremely easy game to learn and play and is an excellent choice for younger children. Slapjack is fun for children ages 5 and up. Additionally, it can be played by only two players, or as many as 10, although the ideal number is three to five players. To play the Slapjack card game, you will need a 52 card deck, preferably one you do not mind having messed up, as this game can be extremely hard on the cards.

How to Play Slap Jack

The Slap Jack card game has several versions. We have included the three most common versions in this article.

Version #1

In this version, only jacks are slapped. The first person who is able to slap the pile collects the cards. The aim of the game is to collect all the cards.

1. Begin by having someone deal the cards to the players. It is okay if some players get one more than others.
2. Each player holds their cards as a facedown pile.
3. Play proceeds clockwise around the table with each player placing the top card in their hand (pile) face up in the center of the table creating a pile of face up cards.
4. If someone plays a jack, players attempt to be the first person to slap the pile of face up cards in the middle of the table. Players slap the cards with the palms of their hands.
5. Divide the pack roughly equally between the players. Everyone holds their cards as a face down pile.
6. The player that slaps the pile first wins the center pile. The contents of the center pile are placed face down on the bottom of the players pile.
7. Play continues starting with the player to the left of the player who won the cards.

Rules

• Players must not look at the card they are playing, but must turn cards over so that all players see what the card is at the same time.
• If several players slap the face up pile at the same time, the player whose hand is underneath and touching the top card wins the pile.
• If a player slaps a card that is not a jack, that player must give the top card from their own pile face down to the player whose card they wrongly slapped. The player receiving the card adds it to the bottom of their pile.
• When a player runs out of cards, they can still slap when the next jack is played. If they are successful and slap the jack (not just any card), they win and get the pile and are back in the game. If not, they are permanently out of the game.
• As soon as one player has all the cards, they win the game. Alternatively, you can set a time limit for playing. If no one collects all the cards before the end of the time limit, the person holding the most cards is the winner.

Version #2

In this version, cards are slapped when they match a card whose name or number is called out. The slowest slapper collects the cards. The aim of this version of Slapjack is to get rid of all the cards.

1. Someone serves as the dealer and deals a deck of cards clockwise facedown to all the players. Players do not look at their cards.
2. The dealer begins play by placing their top card in the center of the table face up. As the card is laid, the dealer calls out a number (two, three, etc.) or a name (King, Queen, Ace, etc.). If the card put down matches the card name or number shouted out, then the dealer and all the other players “slap” the pile palm down.
3. The last player to slap the pile must pick up the entire pile and put it on the bottom of their own pile.
4. Play then moves clockwise with each player putting their card down on top of the pile and calling out a name or number. Whenever the called out card matches the card put down, all of the players slap the pile and the player who is last to slap the pile picks it up and adds it to their hand.
5. Play continues until only one player still has cards in their hand: they lose.

Rules

If a player puts their hand on the pile when the card and the card name shouted out do not match, they must pick up the entire pile.

Version #3

The goal in this version of Slap Jack is to collect all the cards and win the game.

1. Players sit in a circle. The oldest player is the dealer.
2. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals all the cards to the players facedown. Players place their cards in piles in front of themselves facedown without looking at them.
3. The player to the left of the dealer goes first, taking the top card from their pile and placing it face up in the center of the playing area. If a Jack is played, all the players slap their hands palm down on top of the played card.
4. The first player to slap the Jack – the player whose hand is on top of the Jack – wins the round and adds the pile of cards to the bottom of their stack.
5. Play continues clockwise, and each time a Jack is laid down, players slap the pile as quickly as possible. The first player to do so picks up the pile and places it on the bottom of their stack.
6. When a player collects all the cards, they win the game.

Rules

• If a player gets too excited and slaps a card other than a Jack, they must give each player a card from their stack. Players place these cards face down on the bottom of their piles.
• A player who runs out of cards is not immediately out of the game, but watches while the game continues. If a Jack is played and they are the first player to slap the pile, they pick up the pile and rejoin the game. They only have one opportunity to do so, after which they are permanently out of the game.
• The player whose hand is lowest on the pile of hands that have slapped the pile, wins the pile.

Whichever version of the Slap Jack card game you choose, you and your friends will have an exciting time playing this game. Sometimes play is so competitive, a referee is needed to determine who slapped the pile first. Remember also, if you have eight or more players, you may wish to set a time limit for the game. Whoever has the most cards (or least – depending on the version you choose) at the end of the given time, wins.

However you choose to play it, Slap Jack is an exciting game!

The post Slap Jack Card Game appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

These Icebreaker Games are designed for ages eight to adult. If you have younger children that will be involved, you can modify how the games are played, making it a success for every player.
Icebreaker games can be played with people who are just getting to know each other, as well as classrooms of students, or friends and family members at a party or a reunion.
Information will be provided for each game, listing the materials needed, the space required, and the suggested ages of the players.

Do-It-Yourself Pictionary Game

Materials needed: several sheets of paper, or a notebook for each team; pens; a six-sided dice; and a timer or stopwatch
Space required: indoor area works best
Suggested ages: ages 8 and older. The recommended number of players on a team is 3-4 people.

How to play the game: Pictionary is a game of drawing, and guessing what is being drawn. It works well as an icebreaker game, as well as a fun game to play with family members or friends.
Before the game begins, give each player a few note cards. Have the different categories on a paper for the players to see. Have them write a different pictionary idea on each card. Then collect the cards, sort them into the different categories, and shuffle the cards for each category before playing. Remind the players that each of their pictionary choices should fit in one of the following categories:

1. Animal: If a one is rolled, the artist gets a card, sees what it is; and draws an animal or creature that is/was living (stegosaurus, skunk, mosquito, etc.)
2. Person or people: If a two is rolled, the artist gets a card, and draws the person, the cartoon character, or a group of people (Popeye the Sailorman; Madonna; The Beatles; or The Pilgrims, etc.) written on the card.
3. Object: If a three is rolled, the artist gets a card, and draws something that can be touched or seen (a helicopter; a hamburger; a bathtub; etc.) written on the card.
4. Action: If a four is rolled, the artist gets a card, and draws the action (shooting a basket; sneezing; being bit by a dog; etc.) written on the card.
5. Place: If a five is rolled, the artist gets a card, sees what type of place it is; and draws the place that is written on the card, (the Eiffel Tower, a bathroom; the inside a car; going camping, etc.).
6. All teams play: If a six is rolled, each team chooses a player to draw the same thing, at the same time as all of the other teams. The point will go to the team guessing correctly first.

Divide the players into teams of 3-4 people. If the players are just meeting, take a minute or two to give each team a chance to meet each other and learn each other’s names.
One team will go first. The player that is drawing for their team to guess, comes up and shakes a dice to determine the category. This can be told to the team. “The category is a place,” etc.
Rules

• The artist cannot make any gestures, noises, or say any words
• The artist cannot write any numbers or letters
• The team has one minute to guess the word or part of the word to get a team point, the team with the most points wins the game.

Read more information about  Pictionary Game in our special article

Order, Please!

Materials needed: none
Space required: enough space for players on each team to line up. This icebreaker game can be played indoors as well as outdoors.
Suggested ages: ages 8 and older. This activity works best with each team having 5 -10 people

How to play the game:
Divide players into teams, and have all of the players stand up. A category is announced, and players move to get into the correct order. Here are examples of categories:

• How many pets do you have? From least to greatest.
• How many letters are in your first name? From the greatest number of letters, to the least.
• How many brothers and sisters do you have? From greatest to the least.
• What is your favorite number? From least to greatest.
• Get in order of your birthday month, from January to December.
• How many hats do you have? From least to greatest.
• Get in order of height, from the tallest to the shortest.

As soon as each category is announced, players on each team quickly move and figure out their correct order. Each team sits down when they think they have done it correctly. Check the answers on the winning team to see if they are in the proper order. If the team is not in the proper order, go to the team that sat down second, and check their order. If it is correct, that team wins the point.
Have fun, and come up with your own categories to fit your players.

Inside and Outside Circles

The concept of using inside and outside circles to share ideas and information was started by Benjamin Bloom. His levels of learning have enriched the way children, teens, and adults learn and process information.
Inside and outside circles are also an excellent way for people to get to know each other as an icebreaker game.
Materials needed: a list of questions to ask your players
Space required: enough space for players to be in two different circles. This icebreaker game can be played indoors as well as outdoors.
Suggested ages: ages 10 and older. This activity works best with each circle having about 10 people. If there is an odd number of people in one of the circles, and someone does not have a partner; an adult will have to step in and be the person needed to make the circles even.

How to play the game: This is a great activity to use as a get-to-know-you game. It can be used with a church or Bible group; in a classroom sharing favorite books, or math concepts, as a youth camp activity; or as an icebreaker game.
Get people paired up with each other; one outside circle person will be paired with one inside circle person. Explain that questions will be asked, and one partner will speak while the other partner listens and does not speak.
Talk to your players about what it means to be a active listener. It means that the listener has eye contact, is quiet, and is listening to every word their partner says.
Then, players in one of the circles will be asked to move. The person who listened will now do the speaking, answering the same question; with a new partner showing active listening to them.
A facilitator asks the group questions, and he/she tells whether it is the inside or the outside circle that will answer the question first. Each person talks to the person across from them in the other circle. (See the figure above to better understand how to place your group members).
As soon as the first partnership finishes talking, have one of the circles move. If you wait, players get bored and will start causing problems.
It is helpful for the facilitator to stand on a chair, so as to be taller than the people in the circles. This helps to know which direction to move each circle to have new partners.
Some examples of icebreaker questions might include:

• Inside people, tell your partner about someone you consider to be your hero.
• Outside circle, move 2 people to the left, and tell your new partner about someone you consider to be your hero.
• Inside people, move one to the left and tell about your favorite vacation; or a place you want to visit.
• Outside people, move one to the right, and tell your new partner about your favorite vacation, or a place you want to visit.

(The facilitator keeps track of who has been together and who has not. That’s why it is helpful to stand above the circles).

• Tell about an injury you have had
• Share the name of your favorite movie, and why you like it
• What would you like to do for a job as an adult?
• If you could be any animal, which animal would you be?
• What is your favorite thing to eat for dinner?
• Would you rather go to the mountains or to the beach?
• Tell about a kind thing someone has done for you.
• What is your favorite thing to do with someone else?

Hopefully, this list inspired you to write some questions of your own that will work with your group.

Two Truths And A Lie

Materials needed: paper and a pen for each player
Space required: an indoor space for players to sit on chairs or on the ground.
Suggested ages: ages 10 and older. This activity works best with groups of about 8-12 people.

How to play the game:
Give each person a paper and pen. Players have to think of one thing that is a lie (not true), and two things that are true about themselves. If players are not familiar with each other, have each person say their name before beginning. Each person will stand up before the group and tell in any order, their two truths and one lie.
Example:

• I have been fishing in Alaska.
• I shot 13 free throws in a row without missing.
• I have been to Disneyland and Disney World.

The listeners have to decide which of the three things is a lie. This is a very interesting icebreaker game. It also gives each person an opportunity to stand before a group and speak; a skill that is greatly needed in today’s society.

Shoe Pile Mystery

Materials needed: none
Space required: a space for players to mingle and talk together
Suggested ages: ages 10 and older. This activity works best with large groups of people.

How to play the game:
This game is a very fun introduction game that can be played with students in a classroom; teens; or corporate workers at a business get-to-know-you activity.
As players begin this game, have each person take off one of their shoes, and put it in a large pile with everyone else’s shoes. When the signal is given, each person goes to the pile of shoes, and selects one shoe that is not their own.
Players mingle with each other trying to find out whose shoe they have.

Who Did It?

Materials needed: note cards and pens for players to write down their humorous actions and charade ideas
Space required: an indoor space works best
Suggested ages: ages 10 and older. This activity works best with medium sized group of eight to sixteen people. If your group is larger, divide your large group into two smaller groups.

How to play the game:
Make sure the players have been introduced before playing this icebreaker game.
Pass out a paper and a pen to each person. Each person writes down one interesting thing they have done. Remind the players to pick something that everyone doesn’t already know about them. The sillier or stranger the better for this game.

Examples:

• I fell off the roof and broke my arm
• I drank a whole can of soda pop without stopping
• I have eaten bugs before
• I can kick my leg above my head
• I have stayed awake for a whole night
• I have never played Monopoly
• I am one of ten children

This get-to-know-you game can be played individually or with two teams. For team playing, collect all of the cards from one team, and keep them separate from the other team’s cards. Shuffle the cards, and hand one card out to each person on the other team. Each person will read their card, and will try to match the correct standing team member to the activity on the card.
The person who was guessed simply answers, “no” if it is not them; or “yes” and can briefly tell a few sentences about the experience. At the end of the round, the players who were not guessed correctly can briefly tell what he or she really did that was written on their card.
The players on the other team come up, cards are shuffled and passed out to the other team, and play guessing begins again.

The post 6 Popular Group Games appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

The Telephone Game is familiar to many people, as it has been around for years. The game remains popular because it can be played by any age and in many situations. A good telephone game works in the classroom, at parties, and for a family fun night. No special materials are necessary and you can play anywhere.

How to Play the Telephone Game

1. Getting Started. Players must sit in a circle or stand in a straight line. They need to be close enough that whispering is possible, but not so close that players can hear each other whisper.
2. Begin the Game. The first person in the line or circle whispers a word or phrase into the ear of the person sitting or standing to their right.
3. The Game Continues. Players whisper the phrase to their neighbors until it reaches the last player in line.
4. The Conclusion. The last player says the word or phrase out loud so everyone can hear how much it has changed from the first whisper at the beginning of the circle or line.

Rules for Telephone Game:

• The word or phrase can only be whispered once, so players must pay close attention.
• The word or phrase should never be a too familiar; you want to make sure it changes as it is whispered.
• Only one player – the first – should know what the word or phrase is. The facilitator of the game may wish to have the original phrase or word written down.

The Object of the Game

The main purpose of the Telephone Game is for the amusement of the players. However, there are some additional benefits for those playing. The Telephone Game:

• helps clearly show how small misconceptions can end up making a huge difference.
• is fun for the players, generates laughs, and helps a group relax.
• can help young children or those learning English develop their active listening skills.
• serves as a springboard for discussing the importance of active listening.
• is used for classroom counseling lessons to help children understand the impact of gossip and rumors.

Variations:

Team Telephone Game

The Telephone Game works as a team game, especially if you have a large group. Give both teams the same word or phrase, or let them choose one of their own. The winning team is the one with the ending word or phrase closest to the original.

Rumors

Rumors is a version of the telephone game where players deliberately change one or two words of the phrase. Rumors is also known as Gossip.

Examples to Help with the Telephone Game

Telephone game examples of words, phrases, and sentences help a facilitator provide a suitable starting point for the game. It works well to start with easy words, phrases, or sentences and move to some that are more difficult. We have listed some examples of good telephone game starters you can use.

Telephone Game Words

Telephone game words work well for younger players. Words should be fairly long and open to misinterpretation. Some examples of telephone game words are:

• Manipulation
• Anticipation
• Regulator
• Proposition
• Typical
• Additional
• Incredible
• Courageous
• Triumphant

Telephone Game Phrases

Good telephone game phrases use alliteration – the repetition of letters and sounds. Some examples of good telephone game phrases are:

• a guppy in a shark tank
• candy crunching coconut lovers
• red roses with thorny stems
• doorknobs and doorjambs with hasps and hinges

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Telephone Game Sentences

Good Telephone Game sentences include famous quotes, or sentences containing multiple numbers and colors. Remember that a Telephone Game sentence should be fairly easy to misinterpret. Also, try to use sentences with alliteration.

• Two tiny toads ate fat flying flies.
• The funny bunny hid the colored candy in the colored can.
• The queen sat on her throne and ate thorny kumquats.
• Many maids mop motels.
• Dogs dig holes for big bones.
• A bunch of yellow bananas launched on a blue boat.
• Twelve tumbling purple people pulled turnips.

A good Telephone Game provides not only amusement, but also involves your group in an unexpected challenge; how can something whispered be so totally changed when it moves through a group of people. You can play the Telephone Game with ages eight through adult and in classrooms, before and after school programs, at sleepovers, and with sports groups or at camp. Have fun!

The post The Telephone Game appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Updated: 29/07/2015

One might wonder what sets an icebreaker game apart from other types of icebreakers. Icebreaker games are longer and a bit more complicated than other icebreaker exercises. Many of them need some advance preparation. Some of the best icebreaker games work for any size group and any age and have modifications and variations to help them work for any occasion.

Additionally, an icebreaker game can be “played” just as any other type of game can be. Our group of icebreaker games includes some for teams as well as whole group games. Getting-To-Know-You icebreaker games take a while and are excellent at the beginning of an extended group activity such as a conference, class, or camp where you want members to get to know each other thoroughly. We have icebreaker games that challenge thinking, require creativity, and some that simply provide many laughs. You are sure to find the perfect icebreaker game among the following.

Adult Icebreakers for Parties

Whenever a group of adults gets together, an icebreaker game is an excellent way to get everyone familiar with everyone else. Even those who think they know everyone well may be in for some surprises when you use our icebreakers for adults. Use them for parties, meetings, or anytime you have a group of adults getting together for any purpose. We have arranged our list into two categories – Adult Icebreakers for Parties and Adult Icebreakers for Meetings – to make it super simple to find the perfect adult icebreaker for any occasion.

Icebreaker games for adults are a fun way to start a party and keep it going. You will find one for introductions, one for adults to get to know each other, and some that are simply crazy and fun.

How Much Do You Use

A fun adult icebreaker game, this game can provide plenty of laughs.

1. Have the participants sit in a circle and tell them that you are going to pass around a roll of toilet paper.
2. Invite players to “take as much as they will need to get the job done.”
3. After every one has had a good laugh over the amount of paper they took, tell them that for every piece of toilet paper they ripped off, they must tell the group one thing about themselves.

Crazy Questions and Answers

An adult icebreaker game that can take quite a bit of time, Crazy Questions and Answers is perfect if the party is slow to start or bogs down halfway through.

You will need two index cards for each adult that will participate. If you collect and keep the cards, you can use this game multiple times.

1. On half of the cards, write as many questions as you have adults, and on the other half, write answers from our list.
2. Stack the cards in two piles, one for questions and one for answers.
3. The first player chooses a question and reads it aloud.
4. The next player chooses an answer and reads it aloud. These two cards are set aside.
5. Continue the game until all the questions have been asked and answered.

You can use the questions and answers below or create your own:

Questions:

• Would you like to be a millionaire?
• Would you like to find yourself in a harem?
• Do you often visit restaurants?
• Do you go to work with pleasure?
• Do you wear a wig?
• Have you any shortcomings?
• Do you like music?
• Are you always so polite as today?
• Are you able to love?
• Do you like to dance?
• Would you like to sit next to me?
• Do you love children?
• Do you often have appointments?
• Do you love me?
• Do you behave decently while drunk?
• Are you jealous?
• Are you sorry that you are married?
• Are you modest?
• Would you like to have many new friends?
• Do you often tell lies?
• Can you flatter?
• Can I rely upon you?
• Do you smoke?

Answers:

• No, once I tried, but it ended up a disaster.
• Being on the verge of despair only.
• We are not angels. Things happen.
• It is my life’s work.
• I do it with the greatest pleasure.
• Once, but only in a weak moment.
• I am not capable of such a stupid thing.
• I have only one dream and that is it!
• No, I’m well bred.
• I will answer you in private.
• I must plead the 5th amendment.
• Only in the bathroom.
• Every other day.
• By no means!
• If it is cold outdoors.
• On a payday
• It is quite necessary on Saturday.
• To while away the time.
• Only while having a rest in the health resort.
• People do not speak about it aloud.
• During my lunch hour.
• I’ll do it if you will do it.
• I dream about it after dinner.

Betty Boop

A rather noisy, but very fun adult icebreaker, this game is sure to relax the group.

1. Divide the group into 3 Teams – Betty, Popeye, and the Wolf.
2. You are going to read the following story and when you mention “Betty” that team stands up and says, “Boop-Boop-De-Doo” (with hip action).
3. When you mention “Popeye” that team stands up and says: “Well, blow me down”(with arm waving action).
4. When you mention “Wolf” that group stands up and gives a “Wolf Whistle.”
5. Make sure you pause for group action each time you mention Betty, Popeye, or the Wolf.

The Story

Once upon a time, there was a charming young lady named BETTY who was loved by a sailor called POPEYE. BETTY lived near a great forest in which there roamed a big WOLF. One day BETTY decided to visit her grandmother who lived in the heart of the forest where the WOLF lived. POPEYE wanted to go along, but BETTY would not listen and would not let POPEYE accompany her. Soon the WOLF followed BETTY. The WOLF crept closer and closer, but behind him came POPEYE! Just as the WOLF was about to leap on BETTY, POPEYE killed him with his trusty club and saved BETTY’S life. Thus ends the story of POPEYE, BETTY Boop, and the Big Bad WOLF.

The Magic Word

This great adult icebreaker game can be played with many different variations. You can even have this game last throughout an entire party (or conference meeting).

1. Hand a lei, cheap bead necklace, or some party favor to each of your guests when they first arrive.
2. Give each of them a “magic” word they cannot say at any time during the party.
3. Choose words that are commonly said in regular speech to keep people paying attention.
4. Each person is to listen for their magic word and collect leis, necklaces, or favors from other guests who say them.
5. They can also trick people into saying their magic word.
6. The winner is the person who collects the most trophies.

If you wish, you can give a small surprise at the end of the game.

Scavenger Hunt

Put an adult twist on this well-known game.

1. Divide the group into teams of up to five.
2. Provide them with a list of items to find.
3. Choose items that can be found in the immediate area, pockets, purses, or on-line. For example: a credit card, a digital photo of a bald man’s head, a pair of reading glasses, a baby picture, a recording of a toilet flushing, and the address of a donut shop in Miami, Florida.
4. Tell participants to use the many types of technology that adults carry on a daily basis – cell phones, PDAs, laptops, etc. The team that finds the most items wins.

Belly Balloon Break

This adult icebreaker game is best played by pairing couples, or at least people who know each other well. The goal is to try to break a blown up balloon between two bellies. Have at least three blown up balloons for each pair. Have everyone stand or sit in a circle, with the blown up balloons in the middle. They are to begin when you say, “Go!” The pair who burst the most balloons wins. You can set a timer for a specific amount of time – five minutes works well – if you wish.

Adult Ice Breaker Games for Meetings

Yes, I Have Done That!

Make a list of 25 or more icebreaker questions for adults with lines after each for a signature and pass it out to everyone. You need to have at least one question for each person. Adults circulate, asking questions until they find someone who can answer, “Yes, I have done that!” That person signs their name on the line next to the question. Once they get at least one “yes” from each guest, they are allowed to obtain multiple “yes” responses from any guest. People may find they cannot find a new someone to answer “yes” to a particular statement. In that case, they must backtrack and remove the name of someone’s “yes” response to a particular statement in order to answer another statement “yes”. The first person to complete their list wins. You can use the list that follows or make one of your own.

• Have you ever been to Europe?
• Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle?
• Have you ever lived in another state?
• Have you ever met a celebrity?
• Have you ever been to Disney World?
• Have you ever planted a vegetable garden?
• Have you ever been a car salesperson?
• Have you ever planned a wedding?
• Have you ever ridden in a limousine?
• Have you ever driven a riding lawn mower?
• Have you ever participated in a marathon?
• Have you ever gone mountain climbing?
• Have you ever been to a chiropractor?
• Have you ever been a member of a sorority or fraternity?
• Have you ever participated in a beauty contest?
• Have you ever had a dog compete in a dog show?
• Have you ever been somewhere while an earthquake occurred?
• Have you ever been somewhere while a tornado took place?
• Have you ever been somewhere while a hurricane occurred?
• Have you ever been on a college sports team?
• Do you speak a second language?
• Have you ever played an instrument?

If I Could Have, I Would Have

Books and movies abound with stories of people seeking different paths in their lives, and almost everyone has wished at some point that they had done so. Ask each adult to state their name and what path they have been on – personally or professionally – and what path they would have taken if they could start over, if they knew then what they know today.

Sentence Starters

1. Before the adults get together, write sentence starters on slips of paper.
2. Have each person pull a slip from a bowl and write their name, read the sentence starter, and then complete it.
3. They should also provide several additional sentences of information that coincides with their sentence starter.
4. Read the completed slips when everyone has arrived to help everyone get to know each other.

Variation: Have the adults sit in a circle and pull one slip at a time from a bag, basket, or box. Read the sentence starter and have each person take turns completing them.

The following is a sample list of sentence starters:

• Although most people don’t find…
• I am…
• I have never…
• I love it when…
• I love to…
• I think I have the best…
• I would never…
• My idea of beauty is…
• The best thing I ever did for my child is…
• The best way for me to relax is…
• The best way to save…
• The biggest and best…
• The funniest thing that ever happened to me was…
• The greatest thing my child ever did was…
• The lowest…
• The most important decision I ever made in my life was…
• The most unbelievable thing…
• The thing that makes me laugh is…
• There is nothing I enjoy more than…
• When I think of prunes…

Cup Stacking

Everyone, including adults enjoy stacking cups! Have plenty of durable plastic cups on hand and a sturdy, flat tabletop completely empty. Every person that walks through the door must take one cup (or more if you do not have that many people coming) and stack them one on top of another. As more people arrive, the mountain and the difficulty of not knocking everyone else’s cups down intensifies. If they are all knocked down and many people are still arriving, you can start over.

Paper Balls

Paper Balls can be played by the whole group, or you can divide the group into teams. Groups of from three to five adults work well. Pass out a sheet of newspaper to each person and tell them to roll it into a tight ball. Have the participants stand at the far end of a room with a basket of some kind on the other side of the room. The object of this adult icebreaker game is to roll the balls as close as possible to the basket. Those who do so score points.

Team Icebreaker Games

Superlatives

A good icebreaker game, this one can be as long or as short as you wish. Divide your group into teams of five to ten people. The goal of this game is for players to reorder themselves as quickly as possible. You can use your own category or one of the following:

• From shortest to tallest – how many letters are in your first name.
• From farthest away to closest – birthplace.
• From least to most – how many brothers and sisters you have.
• Shortest to tallest – height.
• Beginning to end of year – birthdates.

Once a team has arranged themselves, the leader of the group makes sure they have done so correctly. The first team to do so wins.

Protect the Egg

Protect the Egg is a great icebreaker game to promote team building and requires creative problem solving. This game works best with a large group of people.

1. Divide the group into teams and give each team an egg. Have available a variety of materials each team can use to build a way to protect their egg when it is dropped.
2. Place the materials where all teams can choose what they need. Straws, cotton balls, tape, glue, pop sickle sticks, and paper all work well. Additionally, this icebreaker game is fun to play outside with no materials provided. Players use whatever they can find outside to protect their egg.
3. Set a specific amount of time for teams to design and make a contraption to protect their egg. Then, someone in each group stands on a chair and drops their team’s egg. The team whose egg does not break is the winner!

Electric Pulse

The name of this game comes from the two long lines of players resembling electric pulsing.

1. Form two teams using whatever method you prefer. Have the two teams form lines facing each other.
2. Instruct the teams to hold hands forming two long human chains.
3. At the end of the two lines, place a chair with a small object on it – a tennis ball works well, but you can use any object you have on hand.
4. A referee stands at the other end of the lines, facing the chair.
5. Tell everyone in the lines to close their eyes and downward face.
6. The referee then flips a coin and quietly shows it to the first players on each team.
7. If the coin is heads, the two people at the front of the lines squeeze the hand of the next person in line as quickly as possible.
8. Each person, whose hand is squeezed, squeezes the person’s hand next to him or her.
9. The goal is to be the team with the “electric pulse” passing all away along the line first.
10. The team that does so wins a point.

If the team makes a mistake and tails was actually the result of the toss, they lose a point. Set a total number of points as the goal for winning the game – ten points for a short game works well.

Getting-to-Know-You Icebreaker Games

Pick a Straw

Good for any size group, you can vary the questions used to cover a variety of topics, groups, and situations.

1. Before the group arrives, count out straws or pop sickle sticks, one for each person. If you decide to use this game at the last minute, no problem. You can simply use post-it notes or small slips of paper.
2. Place them in a cup, basket, or bag after marking 20% of them, i.e. two for every ten.
3. Have each member of the group draw one and, if the one they draw is marked, they answer a question.

You can use any set of questions you wish, or choose one of our Icebreaker Questions. You can repeat this process as many times as you wish.

String a Story

An introduction and conversation icebreaker game, this game gets people to tell each other about themselves. You can make this game as short or as long as you wish and use it for any size group. For a large group, you can divide into teams. It also works for any age, from children to senior adults.

1. You will need to get a big roll of yarn or string. Color or multi-color string is fun.
2. Cut the string in various lengths from 12 to 30 or more inches.
3. Bunch it all into one big clump.
4. To play, ask a volunteer to pull a piece of string from the clump and slowly wind it around their index finger.
5. While they do so, they must introduce themselves and then talk, either about themselves, or you can choose a topic if you wish, until the string is completely wound up.
6. The fun part is that some people get a long string and must keep talking.

Whose Story Is It?

This icebreaker game lets you hear some fun, fascinating, and surprising stories.

1. Pass out paper and pens and have everyone take a few minutes to write a personal experience, the stranger the better.
2. Fold the papers and put them into a bag, basket, or box.
3. Have three people at a time sit in front of the group. The leader randomly picks a slip of paper, and hands it to the three people.
4. Each member of the trio reads the paper aloud and then adds some details to the story.
5. The group guesses if the story really belongs to one of three and, if so, to which one.

This continues until all the slips of paper are used. At that point, each person tells his or her own story with additional details.

Simply Fun Icebreaker Games

Act and React

A funny icebreaker game, players use paper and pen to write down an event, or you can prepare papers ahead of time. Some examples you might include are:

• Winning the lottery
• Meeting a large, aggressive bear in the woods
• You just got fired from your job
• Your boyfriend just broke up with you

Put the papers in a bag, box, or basket. Have players randomly select a piece of paper and react to the experience using words, gestures, and facial expressions. Players try to guess what happened. Set a time limit for the players to act out their event. You can give a point for each correct guess. You can also vary the game by making players act out their event without talking. This icebreaker can work with any group size and any age.

Ha, Ha

This game is fun for any age.

1. Begin by having all the players sit in a circle.
2. Tell all of the players they have to remain as solemn and serious as they can throughout the game.
3. Pick one player to start the game, saying “Ha” once.
4. The player standing next to him says the word “Ha” twice.
5. Following this pattern, the third player says “Ha” three times.

As the game progresses, eliminate any players who laugh or make noise when it is not their turn. The player who avoids laughing throughout the game wins.

Hodge Podge Word Game

One of the best icebreaker games for fun and to get a group relaxed and ready to work with each other, this icebreaker game takes no materials or preparation and is excellent for any size group.

1. Have the group stand or sit in a circle.
2. Choose a person to start the round or do so yourself.
3. Slap a relatively slow rhythm – both legs on the first beat, clap hands on the second beat, thumbs-up on the left hand for the third beat, and thumbs down on the fourth beat.
4. Everyone in the circle matches the rhythm and then the leader says with the rhythm, “Hodge podge, hodge podge, hodge podge, hodge podge,” and then the first world for a sentence.
5. The second person is another word to build the sentence and so on around the circle, with one word for each beat. If a player wants to end a sentence or insert punctuation, they do so.
6. When a sentence ends, the next player starts a new sentence. The goal is to create a story.
7. If a player makes a mistakes, in unable to say a word with the beat, says something illogical or grammatically incorrect, they have to start the next round.

The stories are sometimes silly, but always fun.

Active Icebreaker Games

Picture Scavenger Hunt

An active icebreaker game and teambuilding activity, this game takes some preparation and lasts quite a long time. However, it is well worth it as it is fun for those 15 and up.

Make a list of 12 to 15 interesting places, things, and circumstances that players can capture in pictures wherever you are. For example, on a college campus, the following would work:

• A group photo with in the chemistry lab
• A very relaxing place
• Something big and purple
• A big tree
• A photo with a green car
• The funniest thing you can find
• Seven things with the letter “P”

Make copies for each team. Divide the group into teams of three or four people and give each group a digital camera. The goal of this game is to find everything on the list within a set amount of time. When teams get back together, award one point for each photo taken and bonus points for extra effort or creativity.

You may also be interested in Mall Scavenger Hunt Game

Icebreaker Games for Groups

A What?

Before beginning this icebreaker game, gather items whose names only have one syllable. You need as many items as you have people. Some good items are fork, spoon, pen, shoe, etc.

Have the group form a circle. Choose one person as the leader. The leader chooses one of the objects – let us say a fork – and hands it to the person to their right saying, “This is a fork.”

The conversation continues moving from person to person as follows:

Person #2 – “A what?”

Leader – “A fork.”

Person #2 – “Oh, a fork!”

Then Person #2 passes the fork to person #3 and the same conversation occurs again. Meanwhile, the leader takes another object and begins passing it, saying the same thing, for example “This is a pen.”

The leader continues to take new objects and pass them and the objects make their way around the circle with the same conversation repeated by all players as they pass and take an object. If a player messes up, they are out of the game. You may wish to pass the items around the circle more than once.

Camping Trip

Camping Trip takes concentration and a good memory. Have your group form a circle. Choose a pattern the words used in the game must follow. Some suggested patterns are:

1. Things that start with a certain letter of the alphabet such as the letter D (diamond, dog, drink, etc.)
2. Things that end with a certain letter of the alphabet
3. Words with two vowels or consonants together (wheel, pizza, book, etc.)
4. Words with a certain letter or sound at the of the word such as the letter K (rake, book, coke, etc.)
5. Items consisting of two words (hot dogs, baking dish, waffle iron etc.)
6. Items of the same color
7. Items with the same number of letters
8. Items that begin with the last letter of the last item mentioned

Choose a person to begin the game. They say, “I’m going on a camping trip and I’m going to bring ______.” The player picks anything they would like to bring on the trip that follows the chosen pattern. For example, if he pattern is “things which begin with the letter C,” they might say “cookies.”

You will need a pattern for the players to follow, but only have one player know the pattern before you start. This will make the items they suggest on bringing that much harder to think of.

Let us assume that the pattern is things that begin with the letter ‘S’ so the player says “socks”. Players who have figured out the pattern will say things that begin with “S.” All the players who know the pattern will say, “Okay, you can bring that on the camping trip”. However, a player who does not get the pattern might say, “Apples.” At that point, the players who know the pattern say, “No, you can’t bring apples.” Play continues around the circle until all players have figured out the pattern. If a player thinks they know they pattern, they begin their turn by whispering to the leader what they think the pattern is. The leader will say yes or no. Sometimes players think they know the pattern, but they simply guess something that happens to fit.

Make your pattern choice according to the age and composition of the group. Some are more complicated than others are. You can also use more than one pattern at a time.

Good icebreaker games provide fun and help people feel relaxed if they are with people they do not know well. The icebreaker games in our list do not need to be limited to a specific length of time. You can play the same game for more than one round. You can also use variations to meet specific needs. Try all of ours; you will find that your favorite icebreaker game is whichever one works best for you.

The post 23 Best Icebreaker Games for Adults [Updated] appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

GaGa (or Gaga) Ball gets its name from the Israeli word for “hit” – ga – and originated in Israel. Therefore, GaGa Ball means “Hit, Hit Ball.” A fun and active game, GaGa is played with a ball and any number of players in an enclosed space. The object of the game is for players to use their hands to hit the other players with the ball, while avoiding being hit themselves. Players are eliminated if they are hit by the ball.

Preparing to Play

• Choose a Ball

GaGa Ball is played with a foam ball, kick ball, volleyball, or a soccer ball. Whatever ball you choose should be a good size and inflate. There are some advantages and disadvantages for both the kickball and the soccer ball. A kickball is soft and bounces well. However, it is harder to hit and almost too bouncy. A soccer ball is harder and can hurt a player. Any size ball can be used, but a mid-size ball is best.

• Find a Place to Play

The area where you play should be enclosed and totally clear. An empty room or a squash court will work. The area needs to be level and have walls.

• Assemble the Players

GaGa Ball is designed for large groups, ideally from five to thirty players. However, you need to make sure the playing area is not too large for a small group, but large enough for a big one.

How to Play GaGa Ball

1. The game begins when a chosen player holds the ball and yells, “Ga!” The other plays respond with, “Ga!” to indicate they are ready. Then the ball is thrown against the side of the playing area or up in the air. When the ball bounces once, it is considered “live” and play begins.
2. Players hit the ball at the other players while using their hands to block. If a player is hit, or just touched by the ball, they are out.
3. If a player “double hits” the ball, they are out. The ball may be hit twice by the same player if it bounces off the ball between the two hits. Just touching the ball counts as a hit.
4. Players removed from the game stand still on the sides or in the corners of the play area. They are treated as walls when balls bounce off them during play.
5. Continue removing eliminated players, until only two players remain. These two players have a showdown to see who wins the game. Holding the ball is still not allowed, although the final two players may touch the ball three times in a row.

Tips

• If you keep facing the ball, you are less likely to be eliminated.
• Stand hunched over with your arms and fists in front of your legs, palms facing out.
• Try jumping to avoid the ball.
• Face the ball at all times, and you will be tough to eliminate.
• If you are an older player, try hitting the ball with your fists. This is not suggested if playing with young children who might be hurt.
• Play defensively as well as offensively, trying to stop the ball instead of just hitting it.
• Don’t forget to use the walls to bounce the ball and hit the other players from behind.
• If you are playing with older people, use your body for hip checks and box outs. A hip check is simply using your hips to stop a player. With a box out, you use your elbow to block the player, then turn away from that player to hit the ball.
• Ask if it is okay to use the stance of putting the hands in front of the legs. This move, called “turtling,” is sometimes against the rules.

Variations:

• If you have boards enclosing the playing area, have eliminated players crouch outside the boards. These players are allowed to hit the ball to get a still-participating player out of the game. If they manage to do so, they take the player’s place.
• Players in some games are eliminated for hitting a ball out of bounds.
• Rules may include that players are only eliminated if the ball hits them from the waist down.
• Another variation allows catching the ball when it is in the air to eliminate the player who hit a pop-up.
• Sometimes games are played with more than one ball.
• Gaga Ball can also be played as a team game.

Gaga Pit Ball

Gaga Pit Ball is played in a 20-foot-diameter octagonal pen with 3 foot high walls. An action packed game with multiple players very similar to dodge ball, this game is both fun to watch and play.

How to Make a Gaga Pit

A Gaga Ball pit is simply an area designed for playing the game of GaGa Ball, octagonal in shape, with three foot walls. Sometimes players build an impromptu court with five or six sides out of whatever they have, such as tipped-over folding tables. Remember that whatever you use must have walls off of which you can bounce the ball.

How to Play Pit Gaga Ball

1. All the players – any number – assemble in the pit and touch a wall.
2. One player tosses the ball in the center of the pit, where it bounces twice on the ground. As it bounces, all the players say, “Ga!” for each of the two times it does so. After the second bounce, the ball is in play.
3. Players move around the walled-in octagon play area, attempting to hit other players with the ball.
4. Players can only hit the ball with an open hand and cannot hit it twice in a row, unless it touches the boundary wall or another player between the two touches.
5. The goal of the game is to eliminate other players by hitting them with the ball below the knees. Those hits striking above the knees do not count.
6. Players can use the three-foot tall boundary wall to help them jump and dodge, but if a player falls outside the playing area, they are eliminated.
7. The winner of the game is the last one remaining after all other players are out.
8. A game normally lasts about five to seven minutes.

Gaga Pit Ball Rules

• Make sure you slap-hit the ball with your hand and aim it at other players’ legs at the knee or below.
• When the ball hits or touches anyone at the knee or below, the hit player is out and must leave the Gaga pit.
• Any time a player makes any type of contact with the ball at the knee or below, the player is out.
• When the ball goes out of the pit, the last person the ball touched is out.
• A player can only hit the ball one time, but if the ball either touches another player or the wall, then a player is allowed to hit it again.
• A player can dribble the ball against the wall to position it.
• Players can move around anywhere inside the pit during the game.
• Be careful when playing with children that are very young, avoiding hard hits and head shots.

Variations

• If you wish to speed up the end of the game, give the last few players a count-down for a tie game
• Try playing with more than one ball.
• Play the game as teams. The team that wins three games out of five is the winner.
• Expand the hit area to be above the knee.
• If a player catches a ball, the person that hit it is eliminated.
• Try rotation instead of elimination. Have only a set number of players in the pit and when one is eliminated, the player at the front of the line of those waiting to play takes the eliminated player’s place. This works very well if you have a very large group and a playing pit that will not accommodate all the players.

Tips:

• Make the rules easier for young players, such as having to be hit below the knees a set number of multiple times to be out.
• Do not play Gaga Ball in rooms with things that will break or windows.
• Drink plenty of water if you play for a long time, especially outdoors.

Take a group of people of any or every age, throw them in an empty, walled room or Gaga pit, toss in a ball and watch the fun. Add some music if you wish to increase the energy level. Fun to play and fun to watch; that’s Gaga ball!

The post GaGa Ball Game (GaGa Ball Pit, Rules, Tips and Variations) appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

For thousands of years, String Games have been enjoyed and played by children and adults all over the world. Long before there were books or television, string games have been used to tell stories, to build eye-hand coordination, and to entertain people of all ages!

String games can be played anytime and anywhere; around a campfire, in a car, at school, or any place you have a few minutes to make a string figure.

In researching string games, it was amazing to find how many different games are played using some type of string. The games will be introduced on this website, and different links will also be sited.

When you finish visiting that link, come back to our website and discover other kinds of string games!

String Games – using only a string

A good length to cut your string is 58 inches (147 cm). Make sure you tie a square knot or another type of knot that will not come untied. It helps to trim off the loose ends about an inch (2 cm) from the knot.

This website will give you short videos to help make seven different string figures: Cat’s Cradle; The Soldier’s Bed; Candles; The Manger; Diamonds; The Cat’s Eye; and Ending The Game.

Take the time to videos below for many different string games and activities:

How to do Cup and Saucer with string

How to do Cats Whiskers with string

How to do Jacobs Ladder

How to Play Cat’s Cradle with string

Source

If seeing pictures and reading instructions is the best way for you to learn new skills, then visit this website. It has simple instructions to help you learn the names of the different string wrapping moves; and find success making string figures. At the end of the instructions for each string figure, there is a video link you can also watch.

Diabolo

This string game is played with two cones joined with a metal axel and metal or plastic hubs. The diabolo spins and balances on a string or a cord that is connected to two sticks. These sticks are held in each hand, and are used to move the string to get the diabolo spinning; and to throw and catch it. Thus creating different movements and tricks.

There are many different types of diabolos, from beginner to professional level, and many different websites to examine. Here are three websites that will be helpful to you as you researched diabolos:

This is a great tutorial to help you choose a diabolo that is right for you

Balero – Cup and Ball Game

A Balero is a traditional toy that is played by the children and adults of Mexico. There are three parts to a balero – the stick, with a narrow top and a handle; the string; and a thick, colorful wooden cup. The string is tied to both the stick and the top of the cup.

The object of the game is to swing the cup in the air, and then catch the opening of the cup on the narrow end of the stick.

This game takes practice, but once you see how to swing the cup so that the opening lines up with the stick; it will get easier to do.

Another type of balero has the cup hooked to the stick, with a string and a wooden disk. The disk swings in the air, and is caught in the cup.

Baleros can be purchased online or at Mexican-type markets. They are a lot of fun to use! The website listed below is a place to purchase either type of balero.  

If you are searching for good, quality toys, and string toys, check out this website. These products look like they will last for many years.

Yo-Yo Tricks

String games would not be complete without mentioning yo-yos. They have been around since the 1950s, and are still popular today around the world. There are yo-yos to fit every budget and every skill level. Here are some good websites to get you started buying the right yo-yo, and some basic beginner tricks you can learn.

Yoyo – which one is right for me?

Beginning yo-yo tricks: Sleep; Walk the Dog; Rock the Baby in the Cradle

Simple String Games to Make Yourself

Old Time Telephone

Materials Needed: A string that is about 12-15 feet (3.65 – 4.57 m.) long, and two paper or plastic cups.

How to make the telephone:  Gently poke a small hole in the bottom of each of the two cups. Thread the string through the hole in each cup. Pull the string out from the cup so you are able to tie a knot in the end of the string to keep it from coming out of the cup. Gently pull on the string until the knot is at the bottom inside the cup.

These knots will be hidden inside each cup, Each person can talk into their cup, while the other person has the cup up to an ear;  talking and listening like an old telephone!

Cup and Ball Game

Materials Needed: A small paper or plastic cup, a small ball (a ping-pong ball, or a small rubber ball), that is able to fit inside the cup, and string cut about 15-18 inches (38-45 cm) long, and tape.

How to make the ball and cup:  Make a knot at each end of the string. Take one end of the string and lay it inside the cup, at the bottom. Tape it to the bottom of the cup, with the knot outside of the tape. This will prevent the knot from slipping through the tape. Tape the other string to the ball with the knot slightly out of the tape.

You can decorate your cup with stickers, and draw a face on your ball if you have a permanent marker; or just use them the way they are.

Hold the cup in one hand, with the ball hanging down. Swing the ball so that it goes up in the air above the cup. Catch the ball in the cup.

You might enjoy these books about String Games:

• “Fun With String” by Joseph Leeming  – a collection of string games, braiding and weaving, knot work, and magic with string and rope.
• “String Games” by Richard Darsie – available at WalMart or on WalMart.com $6.92 USD

The post Best String Games for Kids appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Whenever you have a group of people together, they need to get to know each other before participating in the event, activity, or project you have planned. This does not only mean just learning each other’s names, but also involves getting the leader familiar with the group members. Additionally, the group needs to become comfortable working together. Our group of fun get to know you games provides activities to meet all three of these requirements. We have divided our list by ages to make it easy for you to find the perfect activity for any occasion.

Get to Know You Games for Kids

Kiss the Kids!

For this easy getting-to-know-you activity for kids, you will need some chocolate kisses and a set of age-appropriate questions. Begin with the children seated randomly or in a circle. The leader asks questions and if a student can respond positively, they stand up. You can stop at any time or wait until all the kids are standing. At that point, say, “Everyone needs at least one kiss a day!” and give each participant a candy “kiss.” You can use the following list of questions or make up some of your own:

• If you traveled to another state or country for your last vacation, stand up.
• If you have a brother (sister), sit down. If you are the youngest (oldest) of all the children in your family, stand up.
• If you own a pet, sit down.
• If you have a sister, stand up.
• If your family owns a computer, sit down.
• If you live in an apartment, stand up.
• If you are in ____ grade, stand up.
• If you have blond (brown or black) hair stand up. (You can use this as the last question and use all three colors if you wish to give a chocolate kiss to every child playing.)

Name Tapping

A fun game for learning everyone’s name, this kid’s icebreaker game takes no advance preparation or materials. It is particularly good if you have a few new members joining a group. The children sit in a circle facing each other. Choose one child to be “It” first. This child walks around the outside of the circle tapping the heads of the other children, saying their names. The leader can prompt this child, if necessary. Choose a group name – the name of a flower works well. The second time around the circle, if there is a name the child playing “it” cannot remember, they can say the group name. The child whose name is not remembered becomes “it.” They now walk around the outside of the circle tapping heads and saying names. Continue until all the children appear to know the names of all the group members.

My Bear

A get-to-know-you icebreaker game, you will need a printout of a bear or other animal suitable for coloring and crayons or colored pencils. The goal of this activity is to help each child realize how unique they are and to share with other children in the group. The leader will ask questions and the answer determines which color the children will use to color a particular part of the animal’s body. For younger children, use fewer questions.
Questions

• Do you have any sisters or brothers? If you have a sister, color the animal’s tummy red. If you have a brother, color it blue. If you have both a sister and a brother, color the animal’s tummy purple.
• Do you have any pets? If yes, color the animal’s feet green. If no, color the animal’s feet black.
• What do you like to do most, read a book or draw a picture? If you like to read a book, color the animal’s nose grey. If you like to draw a picture, color the animal’s feet orange.
• Do you like summer or winter best? If you like summer best, color the animal’s fur brown. If you like winter best, leave the animal’s fur white.
  When the children are finished, have them look at one another’s animals and spot similarities and differences.

Our Names Book

Although not really a game, we have included this activity because it is such a good getting-to-know-you activity for a group of children. Give each child a thin, long rectangle of colorful paper. Also, provide a supply of crafty materials – crayons, glitter glue, ribbon, buttons, etc. Have the children write their names in big letters on their strip of paper and then decorate it any way they like. After the children finish their creations, have them share what they have designed. Then, when all the glue has dried, staple the pages together inside a colorful cover. This works especially well for a class or group that meets more than once. As new kids join the group, they can add a page to the “book.”

Get to Know You Games for Adults

Cocktail Party

A roll-playing game that is fun, Cocktail Party quickly loosens participants up, relieves social tensions, and helps one learn about themselves and others. This game involves pretending to meet people under different circumstances and acting out how you would talk and act in a given situation. Players should begin by introducing themselves. Suggest some questions participants can use in their conversations such as:

• Hi, how are you?
• What kind of work do you do?
• Where are you from?
• Do you like the food (carpet, curtains, music, etc.)?
• How long are you staying?

Suggested situations are the cocktail party (of course), on the beach, in a nightclub, at the funeral of a mutually loved friend or family member, as competing athletes before tennis match, and as prisoners arriving in jail.

Commonality

An icebreaker game that helps people meet others with whom they have things in common, this game works well for dividing people into teams. Provide a paper and pencil for each player. If you know all of the participants, you can save some time by listing their names on paper beforehand and pass these papers out. Explain that everyone has something in common – at least one thing – with everyone else in the room and their job is to discover commonalities. The players are to mingle and find others with whom they have something in common. It should not be things that are visible, such as hair color or clothing worn. It should be something intangible, such as, “I met a President of the United States.” The winner is the first person to find something in common with all the other players. If you wish to use this game to form teams, set a number of commonalities and when people have found the set number, they form a team.

Seven Word Biographies

A challenging and fun icebreaker game, the goal is for players to write their life story in seven words exactly. Begin by passing out paper and a pen or pencil for each player. Tell players to think carefully and use words that will sum up their life experiences. The stories will end up cryptic and very interesting. The listeners are bound to ask for elaboration and each player has two minutes to answer questions or tell more about their life. You may have such “biographies” as the following:

• Jail time, reformed, married, millionaire, happy!
• Jobless, college graduation, success, married, divorced, France.

Pillow Toss Name Game

As the name implies, you will need a small pillow for this game. The goal of this icebreaker game is for players to learn the names of the group. There are four stages to this game:

1. Have the players form a circle. Have one person begin, throwing the pillow to another person as they say their name. The person who catches the pillow says his or her name and quickly throws the pillow to someone else. Keep doing this until everyone has said his or her own name several times.
2. Have the players hold the pillow, say someone else’s name, and throw the pillow to that person. Repeat this until each person receives the pillow several times.
3. Have players throw the pillow, saying the name of the person and whom they should throw it to next. For example, “Dave, throw the pillow to Susan.” When Dave catches the pillow, he will throw it to Susan, who will name someone else, and who that person needs to toss the pillow to.
4. Give players the opportunity to name everyone in the group.

If you wish, you can have players say their names and favorite person, place, or thing to end the game.

Get to Know You Games for Teens

Octopus Tag

A fun and frantic variation of tag, you will need a large area with boundaries set. This game pairs hand-in-hand teens. One pair begins as “It” and runs to catch another pair. Once they catch a pair, they join the first pair. At this point, only the people at the end of the line may tag others. However, if the line breaks, a catch is invalid. Also, if a running pair breaks their hold or runs out of bounds, they are automatically caught. If you have a very large group, you can start with two or more pairs serving as “It” and use this as a team game.

Who Am I?

Give each teen a 3 x 5 card and have them write their name at the top and four things about themselves they are sure no one else in the room knows. Collect the cards and hand out paper and pencils to each player. Give everyone a lined piece of paper and tell the teens to number each line. Read the cards one at a time and have the teens write down to which they believe the card is referring. When you have read all the cards, have the teens exchange papers, and read the correct answers for the teens to check the sheets. Whoever has the most right answers is the winner.

Name and Number Game

Another game using 3 x 5 cards, this icebreaker game will help teens get to know each other and get the group ready for whatever activity or event comes next. When teens first arrive, provide each with an index card. On one side, have them write their name and on the other side, give them a number. Make sure you keep a master list of everyone’s number and name. Have teens mingle, introducing themselves to each other. Make sure you tell them to meet as many other teens as possible. After everyone arrives, give the players a few minutes to mingle. Then have each guest turn their nametag around so only their number is showing. Give each teen a piece of paper with only the numbers on it and have them fill in the names of each person next to their number. The winner is the one who get the most names right.

Find Another Seat

A fun and active game, Find Another Seat takes quick thinking. Have the teens sit on chairs in a circle, with one chair missing. The teen without a chair stands in the middle and tells their name. Then the teen calls out a characteristic, or color or type of clothing. For example, the teen may call out, “Everyone wearing orange!” All the teens who are wearing orange must get up and find another seat, but not one immediately to their right or left. The teen in the middle races to grab a seat and the person left standing becomes the next caller in the middle.

Human Pizza

An icebreaker game that works well for a larger group of teens, you need to prepare ahead of time. Using 3 x 5 cards, write pizza ingredients on each card making sure you have enough for each teen. All the ingredients needed to make one pizza will make up one team. Tape the cards to the teen’s backs, making sure they do not know which ingredient they have. They are to form themselves into groups with each group having all the ingredients and toppings for a pizza. The trick is, they must do so asking only “yes” or “no” questions. The first group to do so is the “winner.” You can use the assembled teams for other games and activities.

Our fun collection of fun get to know you games not only will help you learn the names of the members of a group, but also help them learn each other’s names. Additionally, many of the games help people know something about other group members. Have fun using and sharing this collection of getting-to-know-you icebreaker games.

Get To Know You Activities

Having a few well-planned “get to know you games” will add laughter and fun to any party, the first day of school or camp, or any size group for people of all ages!

A list of supplies is mentioned at the beginning of each game if needed.

Who Is This?

You will need: paper, pencils, blank paper, something like a magazine or file folder, or a table, etc. to give the artists a hard surface to lay their paper to draw; pre-cut slips of paper, and a master list of each person’s name

This game is especially great as a shower game, or the first day of school for children and teens 8 years and older, and adults. It helps to have everyone in a big circle for this activity.

Write a master list with every person’s name, and write each person’s name on a slip of paper. Put the slips of papers with names in a bag or bowl and have each person pick a paper.

Make sure that everyone in the circle has either been introduced or is wearing a name tag. Each person has to draw a picture of the person whose name they drew. Remind the artists to add details (glasses, earrings, jewelry, patterns or pictures on clothes), that might help other people guess who that person is.

1. Artists cannot tell anyone who they are drawing. Once a person has finished drawing, the leader takes the picture, quietly finds out the name of the person in the picture, and gives that paper a number. The leader writes the same number by that person’s name on the master list.
2. Hand everyone a blank paper and have them number their paper, for example: number to 25, if there are 25 people playing the game. To begin, give each person a picture to guess, and have them write the person’s name on their paper by the number written on the picture. Players will pass their picture to the person next to them on the leader’s signal. Each picture will be passed to each person in the circle.
3. When every picture has been seen by every player and the names written on each person’s paper; then it is time for the leader to read the correct numbers and the person that goes with that number. The person(s) who get the most correct win the game.

Acrostic Poem

You will need: paper and a pencil or pen for each person in the group. Something like a magazine, a file folder, or a table, etc. to give the writers a hard surface to lay their paper to write

This activity works extremely well for the first days of school, or at the beginning of the “get to know you” games. It can be used with ages 8 and older.

Each person writes his or her name going down the paper only using capital letters for each letter. Then, he or she writes attributes, strengths, or funny things that begin with that letter. These are written on the line next to the letter that begins those words.

Examples:

Takes 3 point shots and makes them             Kind and funny

You know I love cheeseburgers                       Everyone’s friend

Sisters make me crazy                                                I don’t like cats

Only boy in my family                                        Rainbows are my favorite

Nice to everyone                                               Airplane trip is my goal

The Acrostic poems can be shared in small groups or table groups. Depending on the group size, they can also be shared with the whole group

About Me Shield

You will need: examples of shields for demonstration, paper, pencils, or colored markers; something like a magazine, file folder, or a table, etc. to give the artists a hard surface to lay their paper to draw;

1. Hand out a paper and a pencil to each person, or let them share colored markers for this “get to know you” activity. Children ages 4 through adults can successfully complete this activity. For younger children, I would have copied a picture of a shield with the four boxes ready for them to use, with extra copies if needed. Older children and adults are able to draw and divide the shield themselves.
2. Each person draws a large shield on a paper, and divides it into 4 parts. In the first box, have each of them draw or write something they like to do (a hobby). Next, in the second box, each person can draw or write something(s) they love. In the third box, everyone will draw or write a place they like to go, or would like to visit. And, in the fourth box, each person will write or draw a picture of their favorite movie, or TV show.
3. There are several ways to share each person’s shield, depending on the size of the group and the ages of the people: partner sharing, small group or table sharing, or whole group if it is possible, for each person to share their shield information with the entire group.

It’s What I Like About You

You will need: cardstock-heavy paper sheets with the title, “It’s What I Like About You,” at the top, and a blank for the person’s name ; 2 holes, one on each side, punched at the top of the paper; and a long piece of string or yarn to tie at each punched hole, and go around a person’s neck and hang down their back; and a pen or pencil

This is a wonderful way to end a “get to know you” group experience when everyone is comfortable and familiar with each other. It works best for ages 8 and above. I have done this activity with older children, teenagers, and adults, and it works beautifully with every group.

Each person gets a paper with the string or yarn attached ready to begin. Have every person in the group write his or her name on the blank of their paper, and put the paper so it hangs down their back with the string around their neck.

Tell the group that they are going to move around the area and write strengths, funny or nice things on as many papers as they would like; while letting everyone who wants to, write strengths or nice things on their paper do so. Make sure that each person understands that only kind, positive things can be written on the papers. They cannot write mean or rude comments. Help each person to understand that the object of this “get to know you” activity is to help each person feel good about themselves.

The person writing can sign their name, or leave their message unsigned. If your group is young, brainstorm examples of kind and nice things to write; so that it might be a self-esteem building experience for everyone. It may help younger children to have their brainstorm ideas written down for the group to see and use for ideas. I have done this activity three times myself, and each paper is a treasure of my strengths and good things that others see in me.

Inside, Outside Circle

You will need: questions prepared ahead of time to ask your group as they share with each other.

Examples:

• Where is a place that you would love to go? Why?
• Would you rather sail across the ocean, or fly in an airplane? Why?
• If you could, would you rather live in the old west, or in the future? Why?
• Who is a person living now, that you would like to meet? Why?
• Would you rather go to a movie, or stay home and watch TV? Why?
• What would you do if you won a million dollars?
• What is something you like about yourself?
• If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why?

This “get to know you game” takes a few minutes to move people to the inside circle facing out, or around the outside circle facing in, but it is worth it! Pair up each person in the inside circle with a person on the outside circle. If there is an odd number of people, one of the leaders can be the partner needed.

Ask the inside people to tell their partners the answer to the question. Outside partners only listen to their partner now. Then, ask the outside circle to move two people to the right, and to tell their answer of the same question, to the new inside partner who is just listening. Give each group about 30 seconds to one minute to tell their answer to the question.

Keep the circles moving so that each person gets to listen and to share ideas with different people. Move three to the left, answer a question; move one to the right, answer a question. etc. The challenge for the leader calling directions and moves, is to not pair people together that have already been partners.

Be aware to end the game before players lose interest or run out of new people to have as a partner.

Name and Action

Children, teens, and adults enjoy this game because it gives each person a chance to be noticed and remembered. If your group is more than 12 – 15 people, divide the people into two groups.

Let your group(s) know that they will say their name, and demonstrate some type of an action that the group can do. Start with a leader who can demonstrate what to do.

Example: “My name is Michael,” (action) swings a pretend baseball bat. The next person does player one’s name and action, “Michael,” (action) swings a pretend baseball bat. Then, adds his or her own name and action, “I’m Nichole,” (action) does a dance move. The third person begins with player one and two’s names and actions “Michael,” swings a baseball bat. “Nichole,” does the dance move. Then says his or her own name and does the action, “My name is Brittany,” (action) sings in an opera-like voice, etc.

Remembering and telling each player’s name and action continue around the circle until everyone has had a turn The last person will tell the name and do the action of every person in the circle beginning with the first person, and ending with their name and action.

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Summertime is a perfect time to play in the water. Pools, beaches, and lakes provide perfect places to cool off and play a fun water game. Not all water games require that you get in a body of water. Water balloon games also cool off participants and provide a great deal of fun. Try out one of our many swimming pool and water games the next time you have a party or get-together.

Water Games

Water games are fun for every age and perfect for hot summer days, picnics, and camp – any outdoor activity. Make sure parents know you are having a “Water Play Day,” as bathing suits need to be worn for most of these games.

Sponge Tag

Fill a bucket with water and inexpensive sponges. Designate one player “It.” On the signal of “Go!” It tries to tag other players by throwing wet sponges. The last one left becomes the next “It.”

Beach Relay Race

Materials:

• A beach bag filled with game items for each team: towel, sunglasses, and magazine
• A lawn chair for each team

Teams gather in lines some distance from the beach. Each team has a member go, in relay-race fashion, to the designated place on the beach carrying the lawn chair and the beach bag.

Each person must:

• Set up the chair.
• Lay out the towel.
• Put on the sunglasses.
• Open the magazine.
• Repack the bag.
• Return and pass the bag to the next team member.

The team that has all members complete the tasks first is the winner.

Jump Rope Water Splash

Materials: Jump ropes, plastic or paper cups filled with water

Give each child a plastic or paper cup full of water. The goal is to make three consecutive jumps without spilling any water. Two players twirl a large jump rope, while other players attempt to keep the water in their cups. The winner is the one who managers to keep the water in their cup the longest.

Melting Ice Cubes

Line up players in two teams with an equal number of players. The first player on each team is given an ice cube. The child rubs the ice cube between his hands for as long as possible to try to make it melt. When a player’s hands get too cold, they pass the ice cube to the next child in line. The first team to melt the ice cube wins.

Water Balloon Games

Water balloons provide a fun, inexpensive game tool. The tossing games that we have shared can all be played as team games.

• Hula Hoop Water Balloon Toss

All you need for this simply water balloon game is a hula hoop and a supply of filled, water balloons. One person holds a hula hoop and players take turns tossing the water balloons through the hoop.

• Leaking Water Balloon Toss

You will need filled water balloons that have holes poked in them with a safety pin. You want more than one so you can play this game more than one time. Players stand in a circle, tossing the balloon to other players. The goal is not to be holding the balloon when it runs out of water.

• Water Balloon Toss

You will need enough water balloons for each set of paired players plus some extras to replace those popped. Two lines of paired players, facing each other, toss a water balloon back and forth, taking a step backwards after every toss. The winning pair is the one that is able to do so the longest without popping theirs. You can play this game over and over.

• Musical Water Balloon Toss

You will need a large supply of water balloons for this game. Have players play catch with the balloons. Every time one breaks, do not provide a new balloon unless the player who dropped the balloon sings a song. Suggested songs are “Happy Birthday” (at a birthday party), or nursery rhymes.

Towel Water Balloon Catch Game

Divide players into teams of four. Provide two towels and a supply of water balloons for each team. The goal is for two players to use a towel to toss water balloons and the other two players on the team try to catch the tossed balloons. The team able to catch the most balloons without breaking them wins the game.

Water Balloon Dodge Ball

Divide the players into two teams with an equal number of players and water balloons. Have the teams face each other a good distance apart. When you yell, “Go!” the teams try to hit members of the opposing team with water balloons. Players hit are out. When all the water balloons are gone, the team with the most players remaining wins.

Warning: Make sure you pick up all the broken balloon pieces, as they are dangerous for young children (a choking hazard) and wild life.

Swimming Pool Games

Always be careful and sensible when playing in or near water. The games mentioned here should only be played in swimming pools and by those who are able to swim without help.

Follow these rules when you play swimming pool games:

• Always make sure children are supervised by a responsible person.
• Remember that water can be dangerous.
• Always put safety first.
• Always obey pool rules

Swimming Pool Races

Remember to keep the race course safe. Also, use common sense, such as use of the shallow end for swimmers who are not confident in the water.

Obstacle Course

Include things such as swimming through hoops, pushing a ball through the water, swimming underwater, retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool, etc.

Diving Games

Compete to see who can:

• Retrieve items e.g. set of keys, coins, diving bricks
• Go through weighted hoops (if available)
• Swim the farthest under water
• Hold their breath the longest underwater

The Invisible Bottle Swimming Pool Game

Fill an empty, clear, two-liter plastic bottle with pool water. Try to use one with a white cap, or a cap the same color as your pool tile. Line the players up on the pool deck with their backs to the water. Throw the bottle into to water and when the players hear the splash they turn around and try to find it. This is harder than it sounds as the water camouflages the bottle.

Tag Games

Shark in the Pool Game

This game of tag allows players to hop in and out of the water. The shark – It – tries to tag players when they are in the water. If the shark tags someone, they become “It.” Players can only stay out of the water for 5 seconds at a time to give the shark a chance to catch them.

Variation: Players are not allowed to leave the water. Once a person is caught they either stand or sit on the side of pool.

Popsicle Pool Game

In this game of freeze-tag in the water, when a player is tagged, they stand straight with their hands above their head, like a popsicle. If a player is underwater, they cannot be tagged. Additionally, when a player is underwater, they can tag a frozen player and unfreeze them.

The Octopus Pool Game

All the players in this game try to get from one side of the pool to the other without being tagged by It. If a player is tagged, they join hands with it in the middle of the pool. They join It in tagging other players. Each player tagged holds hands with the players attached to It. Eventually you have a long line. The last player remaining not linked to the others become the next It.

Marco Polo

A classic game of tag in the water, a player is chosen to be “It.” With eyes closed or back turned, It yells “Marco!” The rest of the players respond with “POLO!” while they move around the pool and try to avoid being caught.

Swimming Pool Games for Kids

These water games for kids provide hours of fun. Use them at parties or to keep kids entertained on a long, summer afternoon.

Simon Says Water Game

One player plays Simon and gives directions for the other players to follow, such as:

• “Simon says jump!”
• “Simon says leap into the water!”
• “Simon says swim front crawl!”
• “Simons says get an inflatable and swim around for a minute”

If a direction is given without “Simon says . . .” and a player follows this direction, the player doing so is out. If someone does not obey a Simon Says direction, they are also out. The player that remains the longest becomes the next one to be Simon.

Water Polo Pool Game

This fun water game is best played in the shallow end of the pool, unless your group is made up of strong swimmers. Play water polo across the width of the pool with two targets, such as floatation boards set on end, set up as goals at either side.

Players include a referee, and two goal keepers.

When a player holds the ball, they cannot move. They must either try to score a goal or throw the ball to another player. All other players, including the goal keepers, are free to move, but must remain in the water. If the ball goes out of the pool, it is handed to the nearest goalkeeper who makes a throw. Whenever a goal is scored, the ball is given to the referee to be thrown into the middle as a `toss-up’ between teams.

Ping Pong

It is just as fun to collecting things that float as it is collecting things that sink to the bottom of the pool. Ping pong balls work perfectly because they are light weight and hard to see. If you wish, you can put numbers on them for point values, initials on them and have players find just their own, etc. The more ping pong balls you toss into the pool the more fun it is.

Swimming Pool Games for Adults

Adults will enjoy these swimming pool games designed just for them.

Chicken Pool Game

Nominate someone to be the leader. The leader has to do something funny, such as:

• A funny walk
• An impression of someone
• Jump into the pool anyway they want

The other players then have copy what the leader did. If a player gets any part of it wrong, they get given a C of the word CHICKEN. Once a player has collected all the letters that spell CHICKEN, they must get out of the pool, do the chicken dance, say, “Bok, bok,” and jump back into the pool.

If a player wishes, they can also decide to chicken out to avoid getting a letter. However, if they do so, they are out of the game.

Pairs

Pair up players. The goal of this game is to swim in pairs with one doing the arm movements, and the other doing the leg movements. This is harder than it sounds. Players race to the end of the pool to see which pair wins.

Ship Station Pool Game

A game that challenges players to follow directions, Ship Station uses nautical terms.

• “Bow” – Swim to the front (shallow end) of the pool.
• “Pirate” – Everybody huddle together in the middle of the pool (or shallow end).
• “Port” – Swim to the left side of the pool.
• “Shark” – Swim to any edge and get out of the water, fast!
• “Shipwreck” – Everybody forms a human line through linked hands from one side of the pool to the other, or as far as possible.
• “Starboard” – Swim to the right side of the pool.
• “Stern” – Swim to the back (deep end) of the pool.
• “Whale” – Swim/float on your back and create a ‘blow’ (water fountain) with their cupped hand or feet.

Categories Pool Game

One person serves as leader and goes to the opposite side of the pool from the other players. The leader chooses a category – for example cars, colors, food, ice cream, animals, etc.) The leader tells the other players the category and they choose an answer related to the category as a group. The leader either gets out of the pool or puts their head under water in order not to hear what answer the players are choosing. Once the players have chosen their answer, the leader has to try and guess the other players choices. If the leader gets it right the player (or players if several have the same answer) have to race to the opposite side of the pool while the leader races to the players side of the pool. All players must be touching the side of the pool before racing. If the leader wins they remain the leader, but if they lose, the person who won the race becomes the new leader.

Swimming pool and water games work well with every age and in many different environments. Try water games at camp, for a backyard party, or at the park. Not all of our games require a large body of water. Some we have shared use sponges or are water balloon games. Make sure you have adequate supervision for swimming pool games for kids. Swimming pool games for adults can break the ice and make a party or get-together more fun. Whichever game you choose, age group it is for, or occasion for which it is used, you are sure to have a fun and memorable time.

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Seven Up originated as an indoor, children’s classroom game, and has become a party game and icebreaker suitable for any age. Versions include an outside game played with a ball and a card game. We have included three different types of Seven Up games with how to play, rules, and variations.

Inside Seven Up Game

This traditional version of Seven Up is used by teachers as a relatively quiet game when the weather forbids outside recess or as a game just before the children leave for the day. Most of us remember this game from our school days. The goal of this heads up game is for each selected player to guess correctly which person has tapped their head or pressed down their thumb, depending upon the version of the game being played.

Variations:

• Seven Up goes by other names, among them “Heads Up, Seven Up,” “Heads Up, Thumbs Up”, “Thumbs Up, Seven Up” or “Heads Down, Thumbs Up.”

How to Play

1. Everyone puts their heads down on their desks or table and extends one thumb.
2. The leader or a designated adult chooses one person to be “It.”
3. “It” goes around touching the thumbs of six people.
4. Everyone whose thumb is touched, goes to the front of the room.
5. After all six people are at the front of the rom, “It” joins them and yells, “Seven up!”
6. Everyone raises their heads and has to guess which of the seven people is “It.”
7. Those who succeed change places with the person who touched their thumb.
8. After all players are guessed, changed places, and/or taken their seats, another round is played.

Variation:

1. Everyone puts their heads down and extend their thumbs.
2. The teacher, leader, or a selected player moves around the room, touching seven thumbs and then calls, “Heads up, seven up!” or “Heads up, stand up!”
3. All children raise their heads and the seven whose thumbs were touched stand up.
4. Now all the children except for those standing put their heads down. The seven move through the group touching thumbs.
5. This time when the leader calls, “Heads up. Seven up!” those who had their thumbs touched stand and try to guess which player touched them.
6. If the standing person guesses correctly, they take that person’s place.
7. Now the seven players, some new and some not, take a turn touching thumbs while heads are down.

Other Variations

• You need at least fourteen players, but more is better. If you do not have enough players, have two or three players tap heads or press thumbs
• To make sure children do not peek, have them cross their arms and then put their heads on their crossed arms.
• You can have the children who are “It” either press thumbs or tap heads.

Outside Seven Up Game

Played with a ball, parents and grandparents may remember this one from childhood. You need a smooth, flat surface, and a ball that bounces – a tennis ball or a small rubber ball the same size. This fun game works for one player or a group. Play this game against a smooth flat wall, the floor, hard ground, or a garage door.  The object of the game is to bounce the ball against the wall a set number of times, sometimes with a skill attached, as follows:

• Onesies – Throw the ball against the wall, spin around completely and then catch it before it hits the ground or wall.
• Twosies – Toss the ball under your leg, bounce it off the wall or ground, and then catch it. Do this twice.
• Threesies – Bounce the ball on the ground, then use your palm to bat it against the wall and catch it before it hits the floor or ground. Repeat this twice.
• Foursies – Bounce the ball from the ground to the wall and then back to you (the opposite of what you do for Sixies). Repeat this four times.
• Fivesies – Bounce the ball on the ground five times.
• Sixsies – Bounce the ball against the wall and then allow it to bounce once on the ground before you catch it and throw it again (the opposite of what you do for foursies). Repeat six times.
• Sevensies – Bounce the ball seven times, catching it after the last bounce.

Keep playing, repeating the series above. However, on round two, clap hands once between each throw or bounce and then add another clap for each additional round.

Seven Up Card Game

The Seven Up card game is a quick, two player game, that takes only about 20 minutes to play. When a player reaches seven points, they win.

You will need a deck of playing cards for this fun two-person game.

How to Play

1. One player serves as the dealer, shuffling the cards and dealing six cards to each person. The remaining cards are set in a stack with the top card turned up. If the top card is a Jack, the dealer gets one point.
2. The dealer has the option of letting the suit on the face-up card serve as trump or not. If the dealer does not want that suit, three more cards are dealt to each player and the next card on top of the stack is flipped face up. If the flipped over card is the same suit as the previous one, the dealer continues dealing three cards and flipping over the top card until the trump suit is different from the original the dealer rejected.
3. At this point, there are two options. Players can either discard additional cards choosing which they wish to keep, until they have six cards again or play with all the cards in their hand.
4. Now the player who did not deal lays down a card.
5. The dealer either follows suit or trumps if he is able and desires to do so. The dealer does not have to play the suit if it is available if he or she wishes to trump instead. If she has neither a card in the suit or a trump card, she can lay down any other card.
6. The winner of this trick is the person who has the highest suit card or who trumps or plays a higher trump card.
7. Players place the cards they win face down in a pile in front of them.
8. After each trick, score is taken as follows:
   • One point to the player who has the highest trump card
   • One point to the player who has the lowest trump card
   • One point for having the Jack of trumps.
   • One point to the player with the highest face value total of captured cards
   • Aces count as 4
   • Kings as 3
   • Queens as 2
   • Jacks as 1
   • All other cards count as their face value.
9. Collect the cards and switch roles of dealer and non-dealer. Continue playing hands, switching the role of dealer each time and counting points.
10. The first player to score seven points wins. If there is a tie, additional hands must be played until the tie is broken. If two players exceed seven points in the same hand, the higher score wins.

Tips:

• Instead of leading the trump card, a player should use their low trump cards to trump the suit that the other player leads. This prevents the player from having to lead with a low trump card at the end of the game and losing it.
• Games can become longer if the trump takes a while to be chosen, since this results in additional cards in players’ hands.

As you can see, when a person says they like to play “Heads Up! Seven Up” they may be referring to a sit down group game, an active game with a ball, or a card game. Which version of this game you choose, you are sure to have an enjoyable time.

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For some reason, everyone loves a good scary story, and this includes kids. Children of every age, from toddlers to teens, love to shiver in response to something creepy or scary. Our selection of scary stories for kids includes not only some very short stories, but also some longer stories where the suspense builds. Make sure you choose one appropriate for the age and emotional maturity of the kids listening to the story. For very young children, we suggest you share your plans for telling a scary story with parents before doing so to avoid any problems.

Scary Short Stories for Kids

Scary stories do not need to be long and drawn out. Kids have short attention spans and our collection of short, scary stories for kids considers this fact and provides a good scare in a short amount of time.

The Clown Statue

A girl in her teens babysat for a wealthy family one night. The wealthy family had a very large house with many rooms. It was filled with lots of artefacts and old ornaments from all over the world. As the parents were leaving to go out, the father told the girl that once the she put the kids down, she must go down to the basement, watch TV there, and not go wandering around the house.

Once the kids are asleep, the girl retires to the basement room to watch TV. However, she cannot concentrate on her show because in the in the corner of the room is a life-size clown statue grinning at her. She finally decides to drape a blanket over the statue so she can ignore it. After a while she can’t stand looking at the clown statue’s over-sized feet sticking out from under the blanket. She decides to call the father and ask his permission to watch TV in another room, because she is freaked out by the giant clown statue in basement room.

“Listen very carefully,” says the man to the girl.

“Our children have been complaining about a clown that comes into their room in the middle of the night. We just thought it was nightmares. We don’t own a clown statue. You need to get the kids and get out of the house NOW! I’ll call the police.”

The girl hangs up the phone, turns around to look at the covered clown statue, but all there is a blanket on the floor! She hears steps coming down the basement stairs.

Hide and Seek

This scary story for kids ends with a question, the answers to which can make the story even scarier.

Two young brothers were at home alone in the apartment while their parents visited their neighbours next door for a while.

“Be good boys,” their parents said.

To keep themselves occupied the boys decided to play a game of hide and seek. The older boy turned his head to the wall and began to count. He could hear his little brother’s feet as he scampered about looking for a place to hide.

“Ready or not I’m coming,” cried the older brother and off he went looking for his brother. He looked in all the usual places, behind the sofa, in the bathroom behind the shower curtain, behind the curtains in every room, and under all the beds, but he couldn’t find him. The apartment was eerily silent.

Then he heard a scraping sound coming from the wardrobe. The boy was sure he’d already looked there, but he went anyway and called out, “Come out I’ve found you!” but there was only silence.

Again he called for his brother to come out and again nothing. Opening the door, the boy tried to peer behind the wall of dresses and coats hanging there. He bent down, but he did not see any feet standing there. He began to rise up and put his hand out into the mass of clothing to feel for his little brother when a small, white, icy cold hand came out, grabbed his wrist, and tried to pull him into the closet.

As he is trying to pull himself free, he hears a noise behind him, looks over his shoulder, and sees his brother behind him. “Couldn’t you find me?” asks the boy.

The older brother screams in fright and desperately tries to free himself from the grip of the hand, all the while being pulled into the wardrobe. The younger brother grabs him and together they manage to pull free. They both run screaming from the apartment.

Nobody knows what would have happened if the hand had managed to pull him in. Do you!

The Flying Dutchman

An old legend and famous scary story, there was even a movie based upon this legend in the 1950s. Some versions say the Dutchman must sail the seas until he finds the love of a good woman.

The legend of The Flying Dutchman began 1641, when a Dutch ship sank off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope. The captain, a Dutch man named VanderDecken, failed to notice the dark clouds looming. Only when he heard the lookout scream out in terror did he realise that they had sailed straight into a fierce storm.

The captain and his crew battled for hours to get out of the storm. At one point it seemed as if they would make it. Then they heard a sickening crunch; the ship had hit treacherous rocks and began to sink. As the ship plunged downwards, Captain VanderDecken knew that death was approaching. He was not ready to die and screamed out a curse: “I WILL round this Cape even if I have to keep sailing until the end of time!”

So, even today whenever a storm brews off the Cape of Good Hope, if you look into the eye of the storm, you will be able to see the ship and its captain – The Flying Dutchman. The legend goes that whoever sees the ship will die a terrible death.

Many people have claimed to have seen The Flying Dutchman, including the crew of a German submarine boat during World War II.

On 11 July 1881, the Royal Navy ship, the Bacchante, was rounding the tip of Africa when they were confronted with the sight of The Flying Dutchman. The midshipman, a prince who later became King George V, recorded that the lookout man and the officer of the watch had seen The Flying Dutchman and he used these words to describe the ship:

A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief.

It is pity that the lookout saw the Flying Dutchman. For, soon after, on the same trip, he accidentally fell from a mast and died. Fortunately for the English royal family, the young midshipman survived the curse to become The King of England!

The Vanishing Hitchhiker

This urban legend appears in many forms in different parts of the country. Resurrection Mary is the most famous and is associated with the southwest suburbs of Chicago and Resurrection Cemetery. Tell this story as if it happened to a personal friend.

My Uncle Joe was driving home late one night when he picked up a pretty girl hitchhiking in a white dress. The girl was very nice and they have a good conversation. He drove her home and dropped her off at her house. The next day, he realized she left her sweater in his car. He decided to drop the sweater off at her house. When he rang the bell, an old lady answered the door. He tells her his story and she tells him he must be mistaken – her daughter died in a car accident after a night of dancing many years ago.

Variation: The hitchhiker never gets to her house. She mysteriously vanishes from the car as they pass the cemetery gates.

The Big Toe

This is a story that is not too scary for young children and can actually be quite funny. This traditional Southern tale should be told in a serious tone.

A woman is gardening when she digs up a hairy toe. She brings it in the house and puts it in a jar. When she goes to bed that night, she hears the wind moaning and groaning and then she hears “Where is my Hair-r-r-y To-o-e?”

She creeps further under the covers as the house creaks and cracks and she again hears, “Where is my Hair-r-r-y To-o-e?”

Continue this story as long as you wish, with more details about the scary noises in the house and repeating the question “Where is my Hairy Toe” more forcibly and louder.

Finally, say “Where is my Hair-r-r-y To-o-e?” in a low, menacing voice and then jump up, point at the listeners, and scream, “You’ve got it!”

The following stories are a bit longer. To build the suspense, tell them slowly, with a great deal of vocal expression

The Lady with the Emerald Ring

A rich man’s wife became deathly ill the night before Christmas in 1798, so he called for the doctor. By the time the doctor arrived, his wife had died, or so it seemed. Her husband was so grief stricken that he locked himself in his room and did not attend the funeral the following day. The servants of the house carried the rich woman’s body to the Vicar who, in a drunken stupor, held the ceremony quickly. The veil was drawn across her face, the stone lid lowered, and the iron grille locked.

Just before the clergyman fell to sleep later that night, he remembered the beautiful emerald ring on the finger of the woman he had laid to rest. Wanting the ring and thinking no one would find out, he went downstairs, unlocked the lid, opened it, and tried to pry off the ring. It would not budge. He ran and brought back a file to cut the ring off her finger. When that did not work, he severed her finger and pulled the ring off. As he left, he turned around to pick up the iron lid, and screamed at the top of his lungs. He dropped the ring and ran. The woman had awakened, was moaning, and held her severed finger towards him with an evil smile on her face.

Wearing nothing but her fine silk dress, the woman walked back to her home, knocked on the door, and rang the bell, but to no avail. The servants had all gone to sleep, for it was late on Christmas Eve. She lifted a heavy stone, threw it at her husband’s window, and waited. He came to the window with a sorrowful look on his face.

Suddenly, to her surprise, he yelled, “Go away. Why must you torture me so? Don’t you know my wife has just died? Let me mourn and do not bother me again.”

With this he shut the window. He did not realize it was his wife who had thrown the rock at the window. She repeated her actions, again throwing a rock at the window. He opened the window again, and she yelled to him, “I am no one but your so-called dead wife. Now come down here and open this door, unless you’d like me to die a second time on our doorstep.”

“You are a ghost then?” he said to her.

She said, “No, for ghost’s don’t bleed. Now come down here before I catch my own death of cold.”

The man with a joyous look on his face came down to meet his wife and took her inside where he called the doctor once more and told him the news.

Meanwhile, the clergyman ran home and up the stairs. In a state of fright, he hung himself from the rafters of his home. If he had only known that the woman only wanted to thank him. She had not died after all but had gone into a coma. When he cut off her finger, the pain woke her up.

The Long-Dead Boy

Sometimes the occasion is perfect for a longer scary story for kids. The following story has been presented as “true” by many past storytellers.

Once upon a time, there was a 10 year old girl who lived in London in a very old house. She hated the house. It was cold and damp all of the time. Plus, none of her friends would visit because it was believed by everyone in the neighbourhood that a ghost lived in the house. The little girl was curious about the ghost, but nobody would talk to her when she asked questions about it or the history of the house.

The house was scary, and some nights were worse than others. One night, when she was in her room reading, the lamp suddenly went off. She thought the light bulb had died. She did not want to bother her mother, who was already sleeping, by asking for a new bulb. So she put down her book and prepared to sleep. All of a sudden, there was a quiet knocking on the window next to her bed. She saw the reflection of a boy, about her age, reflected on the window glass.

The girl turned to look in her room, but saw nothing. She got out of bed and went over to her lamp. She felt something wet on the ground. She flicked on the lamp, which now worked, and saw a red stain where she was standing. Then it disappeared. It wasn’t blood, because the red was too bright, almost pink, like paint. She scratched at the purple wall of her room and, believe it or not, behind the purple paint was pink, the same dark shade that had been on the floor.

The girl ran out of her room toward her parent’s room. But then she saw something that made her open her mouth to scream, though no sound came out. The attic door was right above her staircase, really high up; only her dad could reach it. Hanging from it was a noose, the thing they hung people on.

The girl ran back to her room and there was a body in her bed. She grabbed her phone to take a picture. She wanted proof. She wanted to know in the morning if what she saw was a dream or real. She took a picture of her bed, and, without looking at it, ran to get her mother.

Grumpily, her mother came up the stairs. The girl pointed to where the noose had been, but now it was just a piece of string from her mother’s sewing kit. She led her mother up to her room, to show her the child’s body, but now there was nothing. As her mother turned to leave the room, the girl remembered the camera. She grabbed it and turned it on, showing it to her mother.

There was no longer a photo of her bed. Instead there was a photo of a teenage boy, with a red mark around his neck, and pink paint all over his torn clothes.

Her mother told her stop joking around. However, her mother had an extremely worried look on her face. When asked what was wrong, she said, “He is back!”

The little girl never saw the boy again and her mother refused to tell her who he was.

The Piggy Back Ride

A married couple fought a great deal and finally began talking about getting a divorce. However, the wife discovered she was pregnant and, for the sake of the baby, they decided to give the marriage another try.

The boy was born and the family had a short period of tranquillity. Before long the old problems resurfaced and the father and mother were fighting all the time.

One night, when the boy was about 5 years old, the couple put the boy to bed and then got into an enormous fight. In a fit of rage, the father put his hands around his wife’s neck and choked the life out of her.

Eventually, when he realised what he had done, he began to panic. He knew he had to get rid of the body if he wasn’t going to get caught.

He bundled the body into the boot of his car and drove out of town to a swamp. He took the body from the car, but rigor mortis had started to set in and it was difficult to carry it. He slung his wife’s body across his back, as if he were giving her a piggy back ride, and waded out into the foul-smelling swamp. He let her go and watched the stiff hands and wretched face recede into the murky swamp water.

The man went home, and got in the shower to clean up, but he couldn’t get rid of the foul stench of the swamp. The smell made him sick to his stomach. No matter how hard he scrubbed or how often he showered, he could not get rid of the smell. It followed him wherever he went.

As the days passed the boy became anxious for his mother and asked all kinds of question. The father told the boy his mother had gone to stay with relatives.

The smell remained. The man began to ignore it as much as he could. One day the man noticed his son was looking at him in a strange way. Every time he approached his son, he recoiled in horror and would not let him touch him.

One day, he walked into his child’s room as he was playing on the floor.

“Son, there seems to be something bothering you. Is there something you want to say to me?”

“Yes, father.”

“Is it about your mother?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Why is mommy’s face so pale?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you give her a piggy-back ride every day?”

The Hitchhiker

This is a story definitely not suitable for younger kids, but for older ones (from age 10 up). Make sure you use discretion with this classic scary story.

A recently married couple were on a long road trip through the heart of the United States. One night it was raining hard and the headlights of their car flashed across a bearded man on the side of the road hitchhiking. Not usually one for picking up hitchhikers, the husband stopped and pulled over to offer the guy a lift because the weather was so bad. The man thanked the husband and climbed in the back of the car. He seemed agitated and edgy, barely speaking a word for the whole journey. Eventually the couple dropped him off where he asked, at a crossroads. The rain was still coming down in sheets.

The couple drove on for a good while and, to pass the time, the husband turned on the radio. The couple heard a news report about an escaped lunatic, considered very dangerous, who should not be approached under any circumstances. The description matched the hitchhiker and the couple looked at each other, clearly shocked, but happy nothing bad had occurred.

Just then the car gave out, and no amount of keying the ignition would make it start again. The husband tells his wife to stay in the car while he sets off through the rain to try and get help. The woman locks the doors and wants to listen to the radio, but the car battery seems dead. Eventually she doses off.

A while later, she wakes up seeing flashing police lights through the water coming down the windshield and a voice through a loud speaker, “Lady, open the door, get out of the car and run towards us as fast as you can. Do it NOW!”

The woman is confused, but she gets out of the car with her hands above her head.

“Run and don’t look back!” orders the police officer.

But the woman is curious and turns. In the flashing blue lights of the police car and illuminated by flashes of lightning she sees the top of the car where the hitchhiker with a machete is hacking at the dismembered corpse of her husband. Blood is streaming down the sides of the car. She screams and faints as a flurry of gunshots ring out.

Whether the occasion is a camp fire, a sleepover, or a Halloween party, a scary story sets the stage for a fun time. Turn off the lights, set the stage, use your creepiest voice, and be prepared for a late night with little sleep!

The post TOP 10 Scary Stories for Kids to Tell appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Playing clapping games provides fun for children of every age. From the simple toddler game of “Patty Cake,” to the more challenging “Down, Down, Baby!” you and your friends will enjoy our collection of hand clapping games. We have included instructions when the games require more sophisticated hand clapping.

If you are not familiar with hand clapping games, here are some easy Directions for any basic handclapping game:

Sit across from your clapping partner. Choose your handclapping rhyme. Begin by clapping your hands together at the same time, then reach out with your right hand to clap your partner’s right hand. Next, clap your hands again. Now reach out with your left hand and clap your partner’s left hand. Repeat. Clap on each beat of the rhyme.

Patty Cake Song

Double, Double

Instructions:

Hold your hands up, your fingers pointing to the ceiling. As you are saying the rhyme, turn your hands back and forth. Whenever you say “double,” both hands face towards you. Whenever you say “this,” and “that,” your palms face away from you. This is NOT as easy to do as it sounds!

 Variations:  You can use almost any compound words. For example:

Miss Mary Mack

Miss Suzie

Miss Susie

Instructions:

Clap your hand on each word as follows:

• Miss – clap own hands
• Lu – clap right hand with partner
• cy – clap own hands
• had – clap left hand with partner
• a – clap own hands
• ba – clap partner’s hands
• by – clap own hands.
• (pause) – clap own hands behind back

Repeat this sequence in rhythm until end of rhyme.

Say, Say, Oh Playmate

Long Legged Sailor

Instructions:

• Have you – clap your own hands
• ever – clap right hand with partner
• ever – clap own hands
• ever – clap left hand with partner
• in your – clap own hands
• long – arms extended, left hand palm up, right hand palm down, clap partners
• legged – left hand palm down, right hand palm up, clap partners hands
• life – arms up clap partners hands palm-to-palm
• seen a – clap own hands
• long – arms extended, left hand palm up, right hand palm down, clap partners
• legged – left hand palm down, right hand palm up, clap partners hands
• sailor – arms up clap partners hands palm-to-palm
• and his – clap own hands
• long – spread own hands far apart
• legged – clap own hands
• wife – clap partner’s hands palm-to-palm

A Sailor Went to Sea

Instructions:

• A – clap own hands
• sai – clap right hand with partner
• lor – clap own hands
• went – clap left hand with partner
• to – clap own hands
• sea, sea, sea – clap partner’s hands three times

Repeat this sequence in rhythm until end of song.

Suggestion: On “sea, sea, sea” clap partner’s hands, partners clap backs of hands, clap partner’s hands.

Went to a Chinese Restaurant

A very long handclapping rhyme, it takes a while to learn this one, but it guaranteed to provide entertainment for the clappers and those watching.

Lemonade Crunchy Ice

“Lemonade Crunchy Ice” is a clapping game traditionally played either with 2 children or with several kids all together. To play the game in a group, the children clap three times after these words – “lemonade, crunchy ice, beat it once, beat it twice.” After that the lines are repeated except children do not need to clap three times at the end. The game ends by turning around, touching the ground, and then freezing. The first kid to move is out.

Charlie Brown

Apples on a Stick

Down, Down, Baby (Roller Coaster)

ABC

Nobody Likes Me

Try one of our clapping games, or make up your own. Be creative with the hand clapping, making it unique and difficult. No matter what your age, handclapping helps with coordination, teaches rhythm, and stimulates the mind. Have fun!

The post 15 Awesome Hand Clapping Games with VIDEO appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Truth or Dare is a great way to break the ice with someone new! This game is also great for a nice party with both new and old friends. There are many versions of this game that range from a children’s version all the way up to an adult’s version. Everyone can enjoy the wonderful game of Truth or Dare

Rules

In the game of Truth or Dare each participant has the choice in whether they would like to complete a challenge, or express a truth. Dares are challenges that must be completed by the participant that they were given to. If a dare is not completed, there will be a penalty that will be decided by all participants in the game. For example, if someone refuses to do a dare, the group may decide that player cannot blink until next round.  If a participant chooses Truth, he or she must answer the given question truthfully. The players may decide if there were will be unlimited or unlimited amount of truths for each player. In the game of Truth or Dare, it is no fun if people pick truth every single time. For an exciting game of Truth or Dare, 5 truths per person is recommended.

Let’s Play !

As stated before, Truth or Dare is a game that be enjoyed by people of any age. In the sections below there are different questions for each age group or party type. Parents may want to supervise some of the sections meant for younger people, but it is not required because all questions are easy enough to understand. ENJOY!

Truth or Dare for New Couples

This set of questions if for all the new couples out there :)! With these questions you can break the ice in a far less awkward way than the usual first date. Build a strong connection with your new partner by asking all of the questions that matter.

Truth:

1. What is your biggest fear in a relationship?
2. What was your funniest first date ever?
3. What is your biggest turn off in a partner?
4. What is your weirdest habit?
5. How many kids would you like to have?
6. What is the perfect first day?
7. What is one embarrassing fact I should know about you?
8. What was your childhood nickname?
9. What is your favourite movie?
10. Describe your worst date ever?
11. If there was no such thing as money, what would you do with your life?
12. What is your favourite food?
13. What are your three favourite colours, and why?
14. What is your dream job?
15. If you were trapped on an island for 3 days, what would you take with you?
16. Who is your favourite person and why?
17. Do you prefer apple or android?
18. How do you put your toilet paper on the roll?
19. What is your best talent?
20. Do you believe in love at first sight?
21. Do you believe in love at all?
22. What is your dream wedding?
23. Would you ever consider being a nudist?
24. How do you feel about end pieces of a loaf of bread?
25. Can you touch your tongue to your nose?
26. If you could take away one bad thing in the world, what would it be?
27. What is your guilty pleasure?
28. What is the most exotic food that you have ever eaten?
29. What country would like to live in if you had the chance?
30. If you could change one thing on your body, what would it be?
31. What do you daydream about the most?
32. Describe the weirdest dream you’ve ever had?
33. Can you lick your elbow?
34. Is the dress Black and Blue or Gold and White?
35. How do you feel about social media?
36. What is your favourite season of the year?
37. Could you go a week without junk food?
38. How was your first kiss?
39. Describe your worst kiss ever?
40. Do you like to exercise?

Dares:

1. Do an impression of your favorite celebrity
2. Close your eyes and send a blind text to a random person
3. Go grab a broom and do your best tango
4. Give a 3 minute stand-up comedy routine
5. Break dance
6. Make up a story about the item to your right
7. Sing the alphabet without moving your mouth
8. Do your best president impression
9. Yell out the first word that comes to your mind right now
10. Call the pizza place and order 300 sardine pizzas
11. Pound on your chest and act like a gorilla for the next minute
12. Sing everything you say for the next 10 minutes
13. Give a foot massage
14. Say the alphabet backwards in 15 seconds
15. Go to the neighbour’s house and ask for a banana
16. Go up to someone random and ask for a hug
17. Set your cell phone language to Chinese for the next 10 minutes
18. Act like your favourite Disney character for the rest of the game
19. Sing “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star” while beat boxing
20. Give a concert with your air guitar
21. Make a poem using the words orange and moose
22. Unbuckle your own belt using your elbows
23. Brush someone else’s teeth
24. Twerk for a minute
25. Belly dance to a country song
26. Make up a country song of the top of your head
27. Get on all fours and act like a dog until your next turn
28. Make up a short rap about another player
29. Act like Romeo from “Romeo and Juliet” (pick who you want to be Juliet)
30. Do an impression of someone until another player can guess who you are
31. Say “ya heard meh” after everything you say for the next 5 minutes
32. Act like you do not understand your own language until your next turn (come up with your own language)
33. Use the letters of the name of another player to describe them (ex. SAM : S – Silly ; A – Attractive ; M – Merry)
34. Only use sign language for the next round
35. Do pushups until it’s your turn again
36. Wear a finger moustache for the next 5 minutes
37. Only use your elbows and knees to go make a sandwich
38. Write a Facebook (or other social media) post only using your toes
39. Take a selfie with the toilet and post it online
40. Paint your toenails only using your teeth

Dirty and Sexy Truth or Dare Questions

This set of questions is for those who are trying to spice up the night ;). With this set you will be able to learn the deepest and dirtiest parts of the participants’ minds. Questions and Challenges in SEXY Truth or Dare are meant for the use of adults. ENJOY!

Truth:

1. What was your best sexual experience?
2. What is the longest you’ve ever given head?
3. Would you ever do a 3-some?
4. How do you feel about sex in groups?
5. Would you ever watch your partner have sex with someone else?
6. How many partners have you had at one time?
7. Describe how you orgasim feels?
8. Where is your favourite place to be kissed?
9. Have you ever taken it in the butt or would you?
10. What is the longest time you’ve gone without sex?
11. Do you enjoy rough or slow sex?
12. Do you prefer to be on top or bottom?
13. What is your favourite position?
14. Do you like anal?
15. What is your least favourite position?
16. What is the worst sexual experience you’ve ever had?
17. Have you ever had sex outside?
18. Where is the strangest place you’ve ever had sex?
19. Have you ever performed oral on someone of the same sex?
20. Have you ever paid for sex?
21. Who was your first partner?
22. Have you ever made a video of yourself?
23. Who is your favourite porn star?
24. What is your favourite type of porn?
25. What is your favourite strip club?
26. Have you ever thought about being a stripper?
27. Do you prefer the lights on or off?
28. Does size matter?
29. Do you prefer to have music in the background, or for it to be be quiet?
30. Do you prefer for your partner to be silent, or do you like moans?
31. Do you like a lot of foreplay?
32. What is your favourite type of foreplay?
33. Have you done role-playing?
34. What is your role-playing fantasy?
35. What is your “sweet spot”?
36. What is your strangest sexual fantasy?
37. Would you ever have sex for money?
38. How flexible are you?
39. How many orgasms have you had in one sexual encounter?
40. Spit or Swallow?

Dares:

1. Get on the table (or in the middle/front) and do a strip tease
2. Tie a cherry stem with your tongue
3. With clothes on (for now) top your partner and start riding
4. Twerk in only your underwear
5. Lick your partner (or person to your left) from their neck all the way to the brim or their underwear
6. Suck on your partner’s belly button for a minute
7. Lick or suck on the nipples of your partner for a minute
8. Unwrap a piece of candy in your mouth
9. Put a wrapped piece of candy in your mouth and then unwrap it with your partner
10. Take off your partner’s underwear using only your teeth
11. Kiss your partner all around their “down-low” area (not the actual part tough)
12. Put your hand down your partner’s pants until the next round
13. Make out with the person to the right of you (if okay with your partner :])
14. With no bottoms, sit on your partner’s man piece until the next round (women)
15. With no bottoms, spoon your partner until the next round
16. Give your partner head for 3 minutes
17. Take and ice cube and run it up and down your partner’s body until it is melted
18. Spray whipped cream (or any other food) all over someone in the group and eat it off of them
19. Bite/kiss your partner’s booty
20. Masturbate in front of the group (or just your partner)
21. Blindfold yourself, Spin around for ten seconds, who ever you are pointing to at the end, go in the next room and enjoy 7 minutes of heaven
22. Sit naked for the rest of the game
23. Take a naked selfie and send it to your partner
24. Go in the next room and make a sex video with your partner for 5 minutes
25. Give your partner’s private a peck
26. Stand outside naked for 3 minutes
27. Give a hand job for 3 minutes
28. Make love with your partner for 3 minutes only (must stop after 3 minutes)
29. Take off your partner’s bra (or nearest woman’s) using only your teeth
30. Give a back rub the person to your right
31. Pull up your favourite porn site your phone right now
32. Send a nude to your ex
33. Wear a pair of your partner’s underwear
34. Put a hickey on the inner thigh of the person to your left
35. Give head to the person next to you for 2 full songs
36. Make your partner cum using only your hands
37. Let your partner rub your inner thighs, but don’t let yourself get hard
38. Make a porno in front of the group. You must do everything the group says to do for 10 minutes
39. You must act like the sex slave to the person to your right. Doing whatever they say to do for the next 15 minutes.
40. Go blindfolded into the closet, undress, and redress with items only available in that same closet.

Truth or Dare Questions for Married Couples

How well do you think you know your spouse? Questions in section are good for both new weds and people who have been married for a while. You may learn new things about your husband or wife; this is a perfect anniversary game.

Truth:

1. What was your first impression of your spouse?
2. How soon did you realize that you were in love with your partner?
3. Who is your favourite in-law?
4. Who is your least favourite in-law?
5. How many children would you like to have?
6. Have you ever thought about marrying someone else?
7. How many relationships have you had before your spouse?
8. What is your partner’s most annoying habit?
9. What is the sweetest thing your spouse has ever done for you?
10. What is your favourite thing about your spouse?
11. What can your spouse do/say to make you do anything?
12. If you had never met your spouse where do you think you would be?
13. What body part of your spouse does you like the most?
14. What is the sexiest thing about your spouse?
15. If you could fix one body part on your spouse, which would it be?
16. Does your spouse act more like their mother or their father?
17. Is your spouse a good dancer?
18. What white lie have you told your partner to make sure not to hurt their feelings?
19. What was the best night you have ever had with your spouse?
20. What sexual position do you and your spouse use the most?
21. How many days could you go without your spouse?
22. What personality trait does you least like about your spouse?
23. How soon did you want start a family?
24. What country would you like to visit with your spouse?
25. What is your spouse’s favourite colour?
26. What is your spouse’s favourite sport’s team?
27. What was your spouse’s childhood nickname?
28. What could your spouse not go a day without?
29. Would your spouse trade you for a million dollars?
30. What is one lie your spouse tells everyone else, but you know the truth?
31. Have you ever accused you spouse of cheating?
32. How many times have you and your spouse broken up before you got married?
33. Would you leave your spouse if it meant that you would be very rich?
34. Who in your family likes your spouse the least, why?
35. Has your spouse ever done something really embarrassing in public to the point that you did not want to be seen with them?

Dares:

1. Kiss your favourite part of your spouse
2. Do an impression of your favourite in-law
3. Do an impression of your least favourite in-law
4. Sing you and your spouse’s favourite song
5. Do an impression of your spouse
6. Take a strawberry and eat it with your spouse
7. Say something that only your spouse will understand
8. Whisper something in your spouse’s ear that will turn them on
9. Give your spouse a backrub
10. Take off your spouse’s shirt only using your teeth
11. Give your spouse a lapdance
12. Hop in the shower with your spouse, stay in there while two of your favourite songs play
13. Go five minutes without looking at your spouse at all
14. Give your spouse an eskimo kiss
15. Do an impression of your spouse’s best friend
16. Turn your spouse on without touching them
17. Be your spouse’s slave for the next 15 minutes
18. Pour syrup on your spouse and then eat it off of them
19. Make out with your spouse until the next round
20. Sit upside down on your spouse’s lap until the next round
21. Make up a 2 minute song about your spouse
22. Sing to your spouse
23. Give your spouse a foot rub for 3 minutes
24. Blow a raspberry on your spouse’s forehead
25. Brush your spouse’s teeth
26. Switch underwear with your partner
27. Give your spouse a strip tease
28. Smack your partner’s booty
29. Suck your partner’s toes for 2 minutes
30. Eat a piece of fruit out of your partner’s underwear
31. Call an ex of your spouse’s and get advice on how to deal with one of your spouse’s annoying habits
32. Bite your spouse’s bottom lip
33. Do something funny that only your spouse will understand
34. Take your spouse’s phone and go through all the emails and pictures, but don’t say a word about what you see
35. Walk on your spouse’s back for a minute

Truth or Dare Questions for Kids

This section of questions can be enjoyed by children ages 7 to 12. Questions in this sections will allow the kids to play with each other and be able to make new friends. There are perfect questions for slumber parties, along with summer camps, or if your children feel like being goofy for a day.

Truth:

1. What is your favourite color?
2. What is your favourite animal?
3. What is your favourite food?
4. What is your favourite school subject?
5. Who is your favourite teacher, and why?
6. What is your favourite song?
7. Who is your favourite Disney character?
8. What is your favourite TV show?
9. What is your pet’s name?
10. What is your shoe size?
11. What is your favourite movie?
12. Who is your favourite singer?
13. Do you like bugs?
14. What is your favourite vegetable?
15. Would you rather be a chicken or duck?
16. Would you rather be a pig or snake?
17. What is your favourite game to play?
18. Do you like doing chores?
19. What is your favourite thing to do on the weekends?
20. Do you know how to dance?
21. Do you know how to cook?
22. Can you speak a different language?
23. What is your favourite thing to do after school?
24. Are you in any sports?
25. What is your favourite sport?
26. What animal are you scared of?
27. Are you scared of monsters?
28. Do you have an imaginary friend?
29. Who is your best friend?
30. When did you learn how to ride a bike?
31. Can you use a pogo stick?
32. What do you want to be when you grow up?
33. What is your favourite sport in the Olympics?
34. What is the capital of the state that you live in?
35. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
36. If you a million dollars, what would you do with all of your money?
37. If you could dye your hair any colour, what colour would you pick?
38. How many brothers and sisters do you have?
39. If you could be any animal, which one would you be?
40. What is your favourite place to go out to eat?

Dares:

1. Do the silliest dance that you can think of
2. Act like an old lady or an old man
3. Spin around 10 times, when you get done try to walk in a straight line
4. Do 10 jumping jacks, and then do 10 pushups
5. Say the alphabet backwards in 30 seconds
6. Go a whole minute without blinking
7. Hold your breath for 10 seconds
8. Act like a chicken for 1 minute
9. Jump up and down until it’s your turn again
10. Close your eyes until it’s your turn again
11. Sing “Itsy Bitsy Spider” while standing on your head
12. Do 5 cartwheels in a row
13. Do a backbend
14. Act like your favourite Disney person
15. Say “banana” after everything you say until it is your turn again
16. Make up a poem about the colour blue
17. Act like a monkey until it is your turn again
18. Do a handstand
19. Cross your eyes
20. Lick your nose
21. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter
22. Tickle the person to your right
23. Tie your shoe strings together and try to walk to the door and back
24. Act like a baby until your next turn
25. Moo like a cow as loud as you can
26. Do the sprinkler dance
27. Act like your favourite superhero
28. Go 10 minutes without saying the words: but, a, the, or
29. Act like a statue until it is your turn again (no talking or moving)
30. Meow like cat
31. Put your leg behind you head
32. Sing your favourite song
33. Make a fish face
34. Pretend that you are an airplane for 2 minutes
35. Dance like a ballerina
36. Say the alphabet in a different language
37. Do your best hip hop dance
38. Try to lick your elbow
39. Paint your fingernails with a crayon
40. Sit upside down in a chair until your next turn

Truth or Dare Questions for College Students

College can be the best time of anyone’s life. There are nights filled with a lot of fun and drinking games. Truth or Dare can get the night started. You won’t have to look far for a good time, because the questions right here for you.

Truth:

1. How people have you slept with on campus?
2. What is your real GPA?
3. What is your least favourite frat on campus?
4. What did you do on your first night of freshman year?
5. Would you ever have sex with one of your professors? If so, which one?
6. Have you ever blacked out from drinking too much?
7. What is the craziest thing that you have ever done while drunk?
8. Who is the best roommate that you have ever had?
9. What is the most annoying thing that your roommate has ever done?
10. Have you ever had sex anywhere on campus?
11. Have you ever had sex in your roommate’s bed?
12. Did you smoke or drink before college? Or did you start when you got here?
13. Have you ever been a stripper?
14. Have you ever slept with your roommate’s bf/gf?
15. Have you ever had sex in your parent’s bed?
16. Would you drop out of school if you were to win the lottery?
17. What is the best party that you’ve ever been to?
18. How many parties have you thrown at your house?
19. Have you ever had a threesome?
20. Have you ever wanted to have an orgy?
21. Have you used a toy while have sex?
22. What is the longest you’ve had sex in one session?
23. What is most amount of shots that you have taken in one night?
24. Have you ever thrown up in someone’s car?
25. Have you ever wet bed from being too drunk?
26. What is the longest you have gone without sleep?
27. What is the longest you’ve gone without sex?
28. How many times have you skipped class for no reason?
29. Have you ever gotten an STD?
30. Have you ever woken up to a stranger in your bed?
31. What is the earliest you have ever started drinking in the day?
32. Have you ever spent your parent’s money on alcohol?
33. How many freshmen have you slept with?
34. Have you ever taken money from a freshman?
35. Have you ever lied to your parents about if you were in classes or not?
36. Have you ever taken money from your roommate?
37. What is the most annoying thing your roommate does?
38. Have you been in any fights while in school?
39. Have you ever had someone write a paper for you?
40. Have you ever done a sex train?

Dares:

1. Take a shot
2. Take a shot off of the person to your right
3. Run down the street in only your underwear
4. Slap the person to your left on the booty
5. Eat a raw egg
6. Eat a dry pack of noodles
7. Floss the teeth of the person to your left
8. Take a shower fully clothed
9. Speak like Tony Montana for the next 10 minutes
10. Give the person to your right a hickie
11. Eat toilet paper
12. Snort a line of sugar
13. Eat some soap
14. Twerk on a handstand
15. Let someone give you haircut with their weak hand
16. Make a freestyle rap song about each person in the group
17. Lick someone’s foot
18. Give a topless lap dance
19. Call someone random, and talk freaky to them
20. Twerk while in a split
21. Spin the bottle, whoever it lands on you must take their shirt off, only using your teeth
22. Send a nude to one of your exes
23. Email one of your professor’s and tell them you love them
24. Lick the wall
25. Blindfolded, spin around for 10 seconds, kiss the person in front you at the end of your spinning
26. Close your eyes, go to the refrigerator and eat whatever you grab
27. Give some head with their underwear still on
28. Take two shots of a dark and a light liquor ( 4 shots total )
29. Blindfolded, let someone tie you to a chair and give you a lapdance
30. Go outside completely naked and walk slowly up to the mailbox and back
31. Let someone lick a full circle around your face
32. Stand in the corner in “time out”, not say a word for the next 3 rounds
33. Make out with someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend
34. Raise your shirt play with your nipples
35. Chug a whole beer in 15 seconds
36. Sit in the trash can for the next round
37. Chug an entire beer, then spin around for 15 seconds, after that try to run to the door
38. Wearing only high heels do a strip dance for the group
39. Take 2 shots and do a cartwheel
40. Call your parents and tell them you’re dropping out

Truth or Dare Questions for Family Game Night

If you need to spend more fun time with your family these questions will allow you to enjoy a night remember. There is nothing better than having fun with the family. No one is excluded in this category, the questions are meant to be used by everyone from age 1 to age 100.

Truth:

1. What is the most annoying thing that your mom does?
2. What is the most annoying thing that your dad does?
3. Have you ever snuck anyone into to the house?
4. How many times have you snuck out of the house?
5. What is the best dish that you mom makes for dinner?
6. If you could change any of the house rules, what would it be?
7. Would you rather be a horse or a cow?
8. What is the funniest thing your grandparents have ever said?
9. If you could get rid of one household chore, what would it be?
10. What is your favourite cartoon from your generation?
11. What is your favourite childhood song?
12. What is your favourite board game to play with your family?
13. If you could put one person in your family on mute for a day, who would it be?
14. At what age did you learn to ride a bike?
15. Do you know how to swim?
16. Describe your dream home
17. What is the funniest dream that you have ever had?
18. Have you ever had a dream about one of your relatives?
19. Who is your celebrity husband or wife?
20. Who taught you how to tie your shoes?
21. What is the longest that you have ever been without taking a shower?
22. Have you ever worn the same clothes for more than three days?
23. What is your favourite holiday and why?
24. If you could be any dinosaur, which would it be?
25. How long could you without eating your favourite food?
26. Who in your family tells the corniest jokes?
27. Would you rather be a bumblebee or a slug?
28. Have you ever eaten a worm?
29. Have you ever picked your nose when you thought no one was looking?
30. If you could be any super villain, who would you be?

Dares:

1. Put peanut butter on your nose, and try to to lick it off
2. Do a headstand
3. Stand on one leg for the next three rounds
4. Cross your eyes and walk to front yard and back
5. Do an impression of your favourite relative, do not stop until everyone can guess who you are
6. Act like the family pet until it is your turn again
7. For the next 2 rounds, you must do whatever the person to your right says
8. Quack and walk like a duck
9. Do your best impression of Mickey Mouse
10. Spin around for 10 seconds and run out the mailbox and back
11. Balance a spoon on your nose until the next round
12. Do your best evil laugh, as loud as you can
13. Make a funny face, take a selfie, and post it on Facebook
14. Call a random person and sing happy birthday to them
15. Blindfolded, go to the kitchen and make sandwich
16. Give the person to your left a wet willy
17. Wiggle your ears without using your hands
18. Talk like a baby for the next 3 rounds
19. Record yourself doing the silliest dance you can do, and post it to Facebook
20. Tell a funny knock knock joke, everyone must laugh
21. Hold your breath for 15 seconds
22. Do a headstand while you sing your favourite nursery rhyme
23. Try to spin on your head like a break dancer
24. Balance the object to your left on your head for the next three rounds
25. Do your best hula dance
26. Tapdance on the couch
27. Stand up and spin around for the next two rounds
28. Do 150 jumping jacks
29. Use the person to your right’s stomach as a drum and make up a tribal dance
30. Stand like a flamingo for the next four rounds

Truth or Dare Questions for Teens

The questions in this section are meant for people ages 13 to about 16; however, you may want to use them for an older crowd as well. These questions will give you a guaranteed good time.

Truth:

1. Who is your best looking teacher that you have ever had?
2. Have you ever cheated on any test?
3. Who is your crush at school?
4. Who is the most annoying person you know?
5. Have you ever pulled a prank on your teacher?
6. Have you ever lied to your parents about what you were doing after school?
7. Have you ever blamed something that you have done on one of your siblings?
8. What college do you plan on going to?
9. Are you still a virgin?
10. How many boyfriends (or girlfriends) have you had?
11. Have you ever been kissed yet? If so, who was your best kiss?
12. What is your biggest pet peeve?
13. What is the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
14. Have you ever told one of your best friend’s secrets, even if you said you wouldn’t?
15. Have you ever had a crush on someone that your best friend has dated?
16. What is the most annoying thing that one of your siblings has done?
17. Do you have a job? If so, what is your favourite thing about it?
18. If you were a billionaire, what would you spend your time doing?
19. What is the longest time you have ever been grounded?
20. What is the longest time that you think you could go without your cell phone?
21. What is the most expensive thing you own?
22. If you had the choice to live on your own right now, would you do it?
23. Can you see yourself being married to the creepiest kid a your school someday?
24. Would you ever get on a dating website?
25. Have you ever watched an adult film without your parents knowing?
26. If you could own your own business one day, what would it be?
27. What is your favourite kind of clothing?
28. What celebrity are you obsessed with?
29. What is the funniest youtube video you have ever seen?
30. Who is the worst teacher you have ever had, why?
31. What is your favourite sports team?
32. What he craziest thing that you have ever done without your parents knowing?
33. What would you do if your parents left the house to you for a whole week?
34. What is your favourite song that is out right now?
35. Could you go two months without talking to your friends?

Dares:

1. With powder in your hand, smack the person to you left on the cheek
2. Do a handstand on the wall for the next two rounds
3. Kiss a pillow until it is your turn again
4. Do your best chicken dance outside on the lawn
5. Eat three spoonfuls of mustard
6. Using only your elbows, make a Facebook status and post it
7. Text your crush and tell them how much you like them
8. Send an email to one of your teachers, telling them about how your day is going
9. Smell pepper and try not to sneeze
10. Ask your crush out on a date
11. Blindfolded, spin around 10 times and walk down the street and back
12. Take a selfie with a broom and post it on all of your social media
13. Put the socks of the person to your right in your mouth
14. Do an impression of your most annoying teacher
15. Prank call a local restaurant and order one of everything on the menu
16. Do 20 cartwheels
17. Eat half a stick of butter
18. Try to tickle yourself
19. Go rinse your mouth out with soap or a minute, then blow soap bubbles from your mouth until the soap runs out
20. Do a cannonball onto the couch
21. Eat as much hot sauce as you can
22. Call and break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend
23. Give person to your left a kiss on the forehead
24. Share a shirt with the person to your right for the next 3 rounds
25. Hold your shoe up to your nose until it is your turn again
26. Go outside and sing your national anthem as loud as you can
27. Fold yourself into a pretzel
28. Run in place or the next three rounds
29. Call and yell at one of your parents and then tell them they are grounded for a week
30. Take a selfie with your finger up your nose and post it to all your social media
31. Do your best belly dance
32. Walk on your hands from one side of the room to the other
33. Make up a three minute song about the first thing that comes to your mind
34. Act like a pig until it is your turn again
35. Put makeup on with no mirror

Truth or Dare Questions for Adults

Two person truth or dare is meant for adult couples. It is like couple’s Truth or Dare, just  little more steamy. This would be perfect to get a romantic evening started.

Truth:

1. What is your favourite part of my body?
2. If you could do whatever you wanted to me what would it be?
3. Describe what you would like me to do to you.
4. How many orgasims have I given you in one sitting?
5. On a scale from 1 to 10 how good is the head that I give you?
6. Do you like giving me head?
7. What is our best sexual experience that you remember?
8. Have we ever had bad sex?
9. Where do you like my tongue the most?
10. Would you ever eat my booty
11. Do you like it rough or soft?
12. If you could invite any of our friends into the bedroom with us, who would it be?
13. Would you ever want to go to a swingers party?
14. What is your favourite pair of my underwear?
15. Do you ever dream about the sex we have together?
16. What is the thing that I do that makes you cum every time?
17. Would you ever want to have sex with one of my friends? If so, who?
18. What is the funniest thing that I have ever done during sex?
19. Have you ever faked an orgasim with me?
20. Have I ever done something that you didn’t enjoy during sex?
21. Have you ever not been in the mood, but still had sex because it made me happy?
22. What part of your body would you love for me to massage?
23. Have you ever thought about someone else while we were having sex?
24. Do you like drunk sex?
25. Would you ever want to get a stripper pole for our room?
26. What food would you like me to eat off of you?
27. Would you ever cook naked for me?
28. Do you like “doggy-style” or “missionary” better?
29. What sexual position have you always wanted to try?
30. Would you ever want to make a video with me?

Dares:

1. Give me head for three full songs, or until I cum, whichever comes first
2. Put on the sexiest song you know, and give me a naked lap dance
3. Give me a hickey on my chest
4. (For women) Finger yourself until you cum while I record you
5. (For men) Jack off until you cum while I record you
6. Eat my booty out
7. (For women) Ride my penis for 3 minutes only (if you go longer it’s a penalty)
8. (For men) Do me in doggy-style for 3 minutes only (if you go longer it’s a penalty)
9. Make me cum without touching my privates
10. (For women) Let me use a dildo on you until you squirt
11. (For women) Let me put my penis in your booty
12. Sit on my lap with no clothes on
13. Grab whatever ever you want out of the fridge, put it on my privates, and cuck it off
14. Try to do a naked split
15. Take off my underwear using only your teeth
16. Let me tie up your hands and feet, then I will give you head, do not make a sound
17. Rub on your nipples until they become hard
18. Play with yourself for the next 3 rounds
19. Try to give yourself head
20. Moan as loud as you can
21. Take of a video of you masturbating and send it to my phone
22. Let me record you giving me head for the next two minutes
23. Do your best yoga pose naked
24. Pick your favourite porn, let’s watch it together and do exactly what they do
25. (For women) Let me put a dildo in your vagina while I put my penis in your booty
26. Let’s go have sex in the shower
27. Do me in your favourite position
28. Be my sex slave for the next 30 minutes
29. Let me sit on your face while you give me head
30. Invite one of your friends over for threesome

The post 200+ Truth or Dare Questions for CRAZY party! appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Birthday parties are always more fun for guests if they get to have some fun along with their cake and ice cream. If you wish, make small prizes available for the winners. Our selections of fun birthday party games provide entertainment for children of every age as well as adults.

Birthday Party Games for Kids

It is easy to make sure your child has the very best birthday by including some birthday party games for kids to make it special and fun. Our selection of birthday games and activities for birthday parties contains proven winners.

Prize Walk Birthday Party Game

You may be familiar with a cake walk (a popular carnival game), where winners win cakes or baked treats. In this kid-friendly version, instead of winning a cake, kids win prizes. Write the numbers 1 to 30 on squares and tape them to the ground in a circle. Fill a basket with small slips of paper upon which you have written corresponding numbers. Have each child choose a number upon which to stand. Begin playing music while each child walks around the circle. When the music stops, the children stop on one of the numbered squares. If their number is chosen from the basket, they win a prize. You can continue the game until everyone wins a prize.

Bubble Wrap Races

For this game, you will need a large roll of bubble wrap. Lay out a 5-foot piece of it in the yard or in an open space. The object of the game is for each child to cross the bubble wrap barefoot without popping any of the bubbles. You can make this game more competitive by lining up teams to race across to the other side. The team which crosses without popping any bubbles (or making the least pops) wins!

Balloon Burst

A kid’s birthday party favorite, kids bop a balloon in the air to music. When the music stops, whoever was the last to touch the balloon must pop it and complete a challenge that is on a slip of paper inside. Prepare before the party by writing challenges on paper and inserting them into the balloons before they are inflated. Make sure you have enough balloons to continue the game for as long as you wish. Make challenges fun, such as:

• Try to lick your elbow.
• Sing a song with a mouthful of crackers.
• Try to touch your nose with your tongue.
• Make an animal noise (bark like a dog, moo like a cow, cluck like a chicken, etc.).
• Tell a funny joke.

Guess How Many

This game works well when party guests are arriving. Fill a jar with many small items and have each child write down how many items they think are in the jar, along with their name, on a slip of paper. The child who guesses closest to the actual number wins. You can choose colorful candy or small toys, or items that match your party theme, such as:

• Lego Party – Guess the number of Legos in the jar.
• Pirate Party – Guess the number of gold coins in the chest.
• Princess Party – Guess the pearls in the jewel box.
• Dinosaur – Guess the eggs (jelly beans) in the jar.
• Sports – Guess the baseball cards in the box.
• Garden Party – Guess the numbers of beans or large seeds in the jar.

Pin the ____ on the ___

The old favorite “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” takes on a clever twist when you base the game on the theme of the kid’s birthday party. Some creative ideas include:

• Circus Birthday Party – Pin the Nose on the Clown
• Pirate Birthday Party – Pin the ‘X’ on the Treasure Map
• Disney Birthday Party – Pin the Bow on Mickey Mouse (or Minnie)
• Ninja Turtle Party – Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza
• Winter Birthday Party – Pin the Nose on the Snowman

Button, Button

A game that works well for very young children, party-goers take turns searching for a hidden button hidden by an adult somewhere in a room. Children sit in a circle on the floor. The birthday child leaves the room and while they are gone, the button is hidden. When the child returns, the search is on for the button. The other children use the words “Hot!” and “Cold!” to tell the searcher when they are close to the button. After the button is found, another child takes a turn. Play continues until all children have had a turn.

Sock ‘Em Birthday Party Game

You will need six times as many socks as party guests and a selection of kid songs from iTunes. Have the kids sit in a circle and place a large pile of socks in the middle of the circle. Start the music and have the kids begin trying to put on as many socks as possible, one over the other. When the music stops, the guest with the most socks on is the winner. Play repeatedly as long as the kids are having fun.

Mural Fun

A game that works well at the start or the end of the party to keep guests entertain, this game involves creating a coloring wall using large sheets of butcher paper and painters’ tape. Provide markers, paints, or colored pencils and let the guests create a mural or draw characters and objects related to the birthday party theme.

Ice Breaker Game

Although this game involves some advanced preparation, the fun provided makes it well worth it! Gather a collection of empty milk cartons or similar containers and, the day before the party, fill them halfway with colored water, and stick them in the freezer. Before the ice is completely set, drop a collection of small plastic toys or party favors into the containers and fill them the rest of the way with colored water. At the party, give each child a colored brick, and a heavy object to chip away at the ice until they find their very own buried treasure! Considering the level of danger involved, play this game with older children or teens.

Birthday Party Games for Adults

Dance Contest

Pick songs and dances familiar to the guests at the birthday party dependent upon their ages and taste in music. Have two or three guests serve as judges. You can either have couples pair up for the dance contest or judge individuals. This birthday party game is guaranteed to bring back memories.

Limbo

“How low can you go?” Choose some lively music, and lower the bar as guests dance under. A broomstick works well as a limbo bar. Remind players they must face forward and lean as far back as they can. Whoever manages to go the lowest is the winner.

Fortune Telling Birthday Game

Have the guests guess what the birthday person will be doing in ten years. Encourage guests to have some fun with their predictions. If you wish and if the group knows each other well, you can write the name of guests on slips of paper and have them predict the future of whoever’s name they draw.

Act It Out

Start by giving each player two to three slips of paper. Instruct them to write down funny things they would like the other guests to perform. Place the slips of paper in a bag, basket, or bowl. Guests pick a slip of paper and act out whatever is on the piece of paper. As the host of the party, put in a few slips yourself, such as:

• Pretend to be a snail
• Dance on one leg while flapping your arms
• Pretend to be a cat and clean yourself.
• Pretend to be a dog begging for a treat.

Crocodile Race Birthday Game

Break your birthday party guests into two lines of 4-10 players, each team lined up behind a designated leader. Each player places their hands on either the hips or shoulders of the person in front of them. Then everyone crouches down by bending down into their heels, almost like they are sitting on each other’s laps, creating a “crocodile.” When the host says, “Go!” the “crocodiles” race against each other to a designated finish line. The goal is for each team to run fast enough to win, but not so fast that their crocodile comes apart. The first team to cross the line without breaking their crocodile wins the race.

Birthday Hot Seat Game

Before the birthday party, have the person whose birthday party it is jot down a list of about 100 questions about themselves. This game spotlights the birthday party guests, putting them on the hot seat to see just how well they know your birthday star.

Have the guests form a circle and put a chair in the middle. One by one have birthday guests sit on this “hot seat.” The birthday guy or gal fires as many questions as they can in 30 seconds. Keep score of how many answers each guest gets right. Give a prize to the guest who gets the most questions right. This adult birthday party game is fun and fast-paced, especially when the questions are funny.

Hidden Messages Birthday Game

Adult birthday party games that involve anything hidden always provide fun for guests. In this game, guests have a hidden message they must insert into party conversation.

Before the party starts, write out silly messages or statements on individual index cards. As guests arrive at the party, give each a card and instruct them to keep their message secret from everyone. The goal is to work their phrase into conversations without anyone recognizing their hidden message. Some suggestions for silly phrases are:

• I love turtles.
• Was that a spider?
• I am going cliff climbing Saturday.
• I am thinking of moving to a Caribbean Island.
• Do you think I should buy an airplane?

Variations

#1 Have guests race to say their phrase first without detection. Note the time they say their phrase on the back of their notecard. Whoever is the last person successful is the loser.

#2 Guests try to slip their message into the conversation without detection. If they succeed, they are a winner.

Have a Birthday Roast

If your birthday guest of honor has a good sense of humor, a birthday party roast can create some awesome fun and memories. Set up a “podium” and a microphone to create a realistic setting. Seat the person whose birthday it is next to the podium so some of the speakers can talk directly to them and everyone can watch facial expressions. It works best to have a few preselected people with prepared questions begin the roast and then ask for volunteers. Encourage the telling of embarrassing anecdotes, past adventures, and any other story as long as it is not mean spirited.

If you think your guests might have a hard time thinking up memories, create a list of fun ideas and let each guest choose one. You can actually send roast ideas along with birthday party invitations. Make sure you emphasize the need to add humor. Here are some ideas for your birthday party roast:

• I knew that ________ was a true friend when . . .
• I wish I had a picture of the time that. . .
• The first time I met __________ . . .
• Top 10 things that we are all glad ___________ grew out of.
• Top 5 Reasons Why I’m Surprised that _______ made it to (age of recipient)!”
• You know you’re older then dirt when . . .
• Funny headstone epitaphs
• Mock obituary

It does not matter what time of the year your birthday occurs, or what age you are, birthday party games are always fun for you and your guests. Our selection provides some birthday party games that are short and take very little preparation as well as longer games upon which you can base your entire party. Choose a themed party game, an old favorite, or one that gets your guests up and moving. Whichever game you choose, we guarantee that you and your guests will have a birthday party experience that creates memories that last for years.

The post Birthday Party Games for Kids and Adults appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Many occasions call for some entertainment – nothing fancy, just something to break the flow and get everyone revived and attentive. Skits work perfectly in this situation, as well as many others.

A skit is very short play, usually performed in an informal setting. A skit requires very few props and little preparation. Skits are used in schools, at camp, in work-related conferences and conventions, and many other venues. Skits can be as short as a minute or two or much longer and have only one person speaking or many speaking parts. Read on for a selection of skit ideas and some full-length skit scripts you can use for many different occasions, groups, and ages.

Skits for School

Dealing with serious situations with a skit creates a message that remains in the students’ minds, especially if you insert some humor. Skits dealing with serious situations like drug abuse or addictions are handled in a sensitive yet effective way. This serious skit has a message about bullying.

Bully Butch

There’s a bully on the playground, but one kid is having none of it. Although the bully wants to fight, Bobby has a trick planned to stop him.

Characters:

Bobby, played by a relatively small kid

Bully Butch, played by a larger kid

Other kids (as many as you want)

A group of kids run on-stage. It is recess and they chase each other around. One is kicking a ball. Bully Butch enters and is surrounded by some of the other kids. He brags loudly about himself, pushes a kid, grabs someone’s lunchbox, and kicks a ball away. Bully Butch starts to pick on Bobby, calling him names like, “Wimp.” The other kids join in.

Bobby stands his ground, not responding to Bully Butch. This makes Bully Butch even madder and he gets louder and more abusive. Finally he says, “You’ve made me so mad, I’m gonna hit you!”

Bobby says, “Go ahead. But I won’t hit you back. You are just a bully and only pick on someone smaller than you are.”

Bully Butch calls Bobby, “Chicken!”

Bobby responds, “I’m not afraid of you. If you hit me, you will get expelled. Go ahead.”

The two boys begin to circle each other. When Bobby manages to get behind Bully Butch, he grabs him around the waist and hangs on. Bully Butch tries to shake Bobby off, but cannot do so. The other kids find this hilarious and start laughing. Bobby lets go so suddenly that Bully Butch falls to the ground. Bobby runs off, while the other kids laugh at Bully Butch. Bobby calls back over his shoulder, “I think your days of bullying are over!”

Skits for Kids

Humorously written skits connect with the youngsters, and messages are presented in a light-hearted way. For very young children, have them act out nursery rhymes, such as Jack and Jill.

School gatherings, such as open houses, give kids an opportunity to perform, as do birthday parties. Try using props or puppets to make the skits more entertaining and interesting.

The Catch Skit

Characters: Four people, three playing men fishing and one playing a young boy who stands a small distance away from the three men.

Props: Fishing poles – suggested but not required

The young boy arrives at a fishing hole and throws in his line and immediately catches a fish. The three men show surprises through gestures and body language. The young man casts his line two more times, each time pantomiming reeling in a fish. Now the three fishermen begin to discuss the young boy’s catch, using phrases such as:

• “It’s just luck.”
• “Must be where he is standing.”
• “Wonder what he is using for bait.”

Finally, the man closest to the boy asks, “How come you have caught three fish and we have been fishing here since early morning and haven’t caught any?”

The boy responds, “Ru raffra reep re rorms rarm.”

Another of the men poses that, “He must be speaking a foreign language.”

The boy reels in another fish, saying, “Ru raffra reep re rorms rarm.”

The boy looks at them, pretends to spit his bait into his hand, and says, “You have to keep the worms warm.”

The third man says, “That’s disgusting.”

The boy pantomimes placing the bait back in his mouth and goes on fishing.

Skits for the Workplace

Role Play Skits

The goal of these role playing skits is to help employees understand how anger and yelling accomplishes nothing. It also teaches them to work together to come up with solutions. Create scenarios where employees:

• Prioritize the work calendar for the day
• Coordinate a work function or meeting
• Discuss an employee’s behaviour or performance.

Divide employees into small groups to role-play these scenarios. First have them play their parts calmly and then have them play the same scene with anger.

What’s Up There?

Funny, quick, and simple, this skit requires no props and can be performed anywhere. The message is how we quickly follow someone without thinking and the results.

You can have four or more people participate. Explain that participants are to follow whatever action they see, without comment.

One person enters the area looking up. A second person enters, observes the first, and looks up also. This continues until all participants are looking up.

Tell the last person to turn to the person next to them and asks, “What are you all staring at?”

Other people will state they do not know.

The person who entered first then says, “I have no clue what you all are looking at, but I am helping my stiff neck feel better!”.

Religious and Christian Skits

Church camps, Sunday schools, and teen devotionals are great places for skits. Choose a Bible verse and give it a modern twist. We have included the following skit suitable for any age or religious event.

Little Mister Skit

To prepare for this skit, you will need paper for signs and a roll of tape.

Characters:

• Narrator
• Little Mister
• Eight “Mister Men”
• The “Big Mister”

Narrator: Little Mister finds the fruit of the Spirit in this skit with love, joy, and peace.

Little Mister: Enters with signs taped to his clothing that say: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, and SELF CONTROL.

Mr. Anger: Enters and says, “Well, look at you mister smarty or should I say (looking at the sign on his bottom) “Mister Love Bottom?”

Little Mister: “The name’s Little Mister, and what might I do for you?”

Mr. Anger (says gruffly): “I’ve got a lot of anger!” He points to a larger sign on his chest with the word “ANGER” written on it. “See! Anger! Anger!! I hate it! I hate being here! And I hate you too!”

Little Mister: “Maybe I can help you with that.”

Mr. Anger: “Help me with that? Sure you can help me with that! I’ve got this anger, see! And I’d like to trade it in. What will you give me in return for this anger? It’s awesome, look what it does!”

Mr. Anger: Pretends to punch Little Mister, who grimaces in pain.

Little Mister: “Ouch!”

Mr. Anger: “See, anger is awesome! Want some more!”

Little Mister: “Well, if you’re looking to get rid of that anger, why don’t you trade it with me for something more useful. Look at me; I’m full of good fruit! I’ve got LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, and SELF-CONTROL. Which one would you like?”

Mr. Anger (grabs Little Mister, turns him around roughly, and looks at all the signs): Finally he says, “I’ll take LOVE!”

Little Mister: “Really? It’s on my bottom you know.”

Mr. Anger (says while wiping his eyes as if he is crying): “That’s alright, I could really use it.”

Little Mister pulls the LOVE sign off his bottom and they trade signs. Little Mister slaps the anger sign on his butt.

Mr. Anger slaps the love sign on his chest and becomes a changed man. He smiles and laughs and starts bouncing around uncontrollably.

Little Mister: “How do you like it?”

Mr. Anger (bouncing over and giving Little Mister a hug): “I love it! Thank you!” He bounces off.

Other people walk up to Little Mister and trade their bad signs for good ones. The same kind of interactions happens with them.

• Confusion – “I’m so confused. Who are you? Where am I?”

Little Mister hands him PEACE.

• Irritable – “Stop bothering me; stop doing that, and that, and that! Aaargh!! I’ll take PATIENCE.”
• Mean – “I’m real mean (twists shopkeeper’s ear – ouch!) See what I mean? I need KINDNESS.”
• Bad – “I bad!”

Little Mister backs away and says, “Don’t hurt me, here take some GOODNESS!”

• Fear – “I’m afraid of dying, afraid of failing, afraid of germs, snakes, spiders, etc.! I’ll take FAITH.”
• Out of Control – “I can’t stop myself (throws himself into things and on to the floor). I need self-control.” Takes SELF-CONTROL.

Little Mister stands in a daze.

Big Mister enters and looks at all the bad signs on Little Mister. He asks, “Little Mister, what happened to you?”

Little Mister: “Wow, Big Mister, a lot of bad things happened to me today. Those messed up misters had a lot of problems.”

Big Mister: “Hey, I’ve got some good fruit left here. What would you like?”

Little Mister (looks at the signs on Big Mister): “Hmm. Let’s see, which one, which one?” Finally he says, “I’ll take JOY!”

Big Mister takes his joy sign off and slaps it on Little Mister’s forehead, laughs, and says, “There you go! Some joy just for you, Little Mister!”

Little Mister and Big Mister walk off side by side.

Little Mister: “I love you Big Mister!”

Big Mister replies: “I love you Little Mister.”

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23.

Message: The way we respond to others can have a huge impact. If we are willing to trade love for hatred and faith for fear, we can change people’s lives.

Skits for Camp

Summer and day camps are perfect locations for skits. They can be used to entertain around the campfire, or to fill in time while waiting for meals or activities to begin.

The Invisible Bench

Many people have seen this skit before. We have added some variations to make the skit new and funny.

This skit requires 4 to 8 campers, depending on how long you want the skit to last.

Camper #1: Walks onstage and squats down as if he is sitting on a bench that is invisible.

Camper #2: Walks up to #1.

Camper #2: “Whatcha doin’?”

Camper #1: “Just sitting on this invisible bench.”

Camper #2: “Can I join you? “

Camper #1: “Sure.”

Camper #2: Sits down next to #1.

Camper #3: Repeats the dialog.

Each camper comes on and repeats, making a long line of campers sitting on the bench.

Last camper walks up to line of campers.

Last Camper: “What are you guys doing?”

All Campers: “Just sitting here on this invisible bench.”

Last Camper: “No you aren’t. I moved the bench over there.” (Points)

All the sitting campers fall down.

Variations:

For each variation, repeat the dialog above, changing the end.

#1

Last Camper: “No you aren’t. I moved the bench over there yesterday.” (Points)

Camper #1: “But, I moved it back here this morning!”

Last Camper: “Oh, ok!” (And sits down with the rest)

#2

After the last camper says, “Oh, ok!” (And sits down with the rest)

One more Camper enters: “What are you guys doing?”

All Campers: “Sitting on this invisible bench.”

One more Camper: “Oh no! I just got done painting that bench!”

All Campers: “AAAAGH!” (Stand up and wipe paint off back sides.)

#3:  

One more Camper: “Oh no! I just got done painting that bench!”

Camper #1: “Oh, that’s ok. We all have our invisible paint suits on.” (All stand up, and unzip front of invisible suits and step out.)

Not Enough Parachutes Skit

This fun skit requires four campers to play the following parts:

• Pilot
• President
• Camper
• Smartest Man in the World

Preparation: Line up 4 chairs in a column sideways to the audience. These chairs serve as seats on the plane. The campers should sit in the following order: the camper at the back, then the smart man, and the President. The Pilot stands by the plane.

Pilot: (to arriving passengers) “Good afternoon. Please tell me who you are, so I can check our passenger list.”

President (quite importantly): “I am the President of the United States.”

Pilot: “Welcome aboard, Mr. President. Please take a seat.”

The Pilot repeats this for each passenger and they respond as follows:

Smart Man (very importantly): “I am the Smartest Man in the World. I’ve just been awarded this wonderful ‘Smart Guy’ award and I am heading to my office to think about important things.”

Camper: “I am a Camper on my way to summer camp.” (Or make up something specific for your group.)

Pilot (after each passenger makes their response): “Welcome aboard. Please take a seat.”

Pilot (taking his seat): “This is your pilot. We are cleared for take-off. Please buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.”

The plane takes off and everyone looks out the windows for a few seconds.

Pilot looks nervously at controls, taps instruments, and then addresses passengers: “I’m sorry to report that we have a major malfunction. The plane is losing altitude and we will crash in just a few minutes. We will need to parachute to safety. Please follow me.”

The Pilot gets up and walks to the rear of plane with the President, Smartest Man, and camper falling in line behind him.

The Pilot counts parachutes and addresses passengers: “I have more bad news. We only have 3 parachutes.”

President (pushing past pilot and grabbing a parachute): “I am the President! My country needs me!” He jumps out.

Smart Man (pushing past pilot and grabbing a parachute) “I am the world’s Smartest Man! I must live so I can do important things!” He jumps out.

Pilot (to camper): “Well, there’s only one chute left. You take it. I guess the pilot will go down with his ship.”

Camper: “Actually, there are 2 chutes left.”

Pilot: “Really? How is that possible?”

Camper: “Well, the Smartest Man in the World just jumped out with my knapsack!”

Skits for Adults

The Bus Stop

This simple skit needs no advance preparation and can be as long or as short as desired. Place two or three chairs side-by-side to create a “bench” at a bus stop. A person enters and sits down, pretending to wait for the bus. A second person enters and sits next to the first person and tries to get them to leave by making them uncomfortable. They can use whatever method they wish and can talk or use gestures. If the first person leaves, the second person sits alone until the third person enters. This can continue as long as you wish and can be quite hilarious.

Guess Who Skit

Before this skit, have those watching write the names of characters, people, or animals on slips of paper and place them in a hat. Ask for four volunteers. Have three of the participants draw a name from the hat and act it out. The other person must guess what each person is pretending to be. The identities of the characters, people, or animals can be kept a secret from the audience or written on a whiteboard for everyone but the party guesser to see.

Skits for College Students

College students learn course content from skits in classrooms. They also learn about themselves and each other in skits performed in dorms. Relationships in college can be challenging and skits are an excellent way to help college students deal with relationship problems.

Questions Only Skit

This skit works well in any size group as it can include as many or as few participants as desired. Ask the group for suggestions to set the scene, such as a doctor’s office, high school cafeteria, or a pet shop. Two people then begin by acting out the scene. However, they may only interact with each other by asking questions. If one person accidentally answers with a statement, he or she must exit the stage, and is replaced by another person.

Alien Arms

This skit involves two people, one sitting on a chair with their arms behind their back. The second person sits behind the first person and puts their arms underneath the first person’s arms. The second person proceeds to act out motions like putting on makeup, cooking using their arms, or doing their hair, while the first person tries to narrate what he or she is doing. To make this skit really funny, try using real makeup.

Holiday Skits

Holidays bring families together and are a perfect time for a fun skit. Try one of the following:

• Have family members mime each other, using familiar poses and gestures.
• Thanksgiving family functions are perfect for the kids to perform a skit.
• At Christmas, have family members pretend they are opening a package and act out their reactions. Let the group guess what the present is.

Skits work well for any gathering or occasion. They can be performed indoors or outdoors. Skits serve as icebreakers, entertain during an otherwise monotonous meeting, or offer entertainment at a party. The ideas mentioned in this article will get you started. Try writing your own skit. Just think of any topic, situation, or character and as many funny things as you can about your chosen topic. Have fun – lots of laughs are guaranteed!

The post Funny Skit Ideas for Kids, Teens and Adults appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

You’ve just received a note from your child’s teacher saying that your little one isn’t doing so well in school, particularly in the reading department. They are not showing interest in learning, unwilling to try new words, or are trying but getting easily frustrated or confused by the exercises. The bottom line is that they are falling behind in class, and their teacher recommends that your child take special extra-curricular reading classes after school or possibly get a private tutor.

“But my child already plays basketball/trumpet/Minecraft after school,” you may say in response, “I can’t rob them of that valuable personal time they’ve devoted to developing important life skills! And private tutors are expensive! Will I have to make my child sacrifice family time in the evenings in order to work with a tutor?”

Don’t Panic!

There are only a few common concerns listed above when it comes to figuring out how to get your child the extra help they need in school, but the list is endless because, just like your child, everyone and every situation is different. But before you hit the panic button, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and read on.

There’s a Fun, Easy and Inexpensive Solution at Hand!

Before you call the coach or the school music director to pull your child from these great activities; before you set up a payment plan with the best tutor money can buy, or change the password to your at-home WiFi, consider some of the following options:

1. Special Library Events
2. One-on-One Reading Time
3. Family Game Night

Special Library Events

Pencil it in

Most libraries have a host of events each month that are centered around reading (naturally). The events range in age categories and topics, but there are almost always more events geared toward kids than any other age group, and the list of possible activities you’ll find there is endless. From follow-along storytelling to topic-centered arts and crafts to word-building activities, these events are specifically designed to engage children and help them find their inner reading skills.

Show up

One of the great things about library-sponsored activities is that they are structured, scheduled and carried out for you. All you need to do is show up. However, this one and only job of yours is crucial, as children generally thrive on structure and dependability. Don’t go once and then quit if your child doesn’t seem to be showing interest in the activities right away. Give it a few weeks of consistent planning, and just see what happens.

Let your child lead

If there aren’t any activities going on at your local library, go there anyway and just let your child explore. Do some exploring yourself, or tag along behind your child and see what sparks their interest. This will help you identify the topics and hobbies your child is interested in that may make it easier for you to find books they’ll want to read.

Talk to someone who knows

While your child is roaming the maze of books, talk to the librarian. Most libraries hire staff that are specifically trained and placed in certain sections of the library for the express purpose of helping patrons find the books and materials they need. The librarian in the Children’s section should be able to help you identify good books and learning materials that will help your child succeed, and may even know of some good reference books in the adult section that will help you as well.

One-on-One Reading Time

This is exactly what it sounds like. Sometimes the best remedy for a child having difficulty in school is a parent who’s willing to take uninterrupted time out to help them. Regardless of how your child may be reacting to their struggle in school (whether they’re actually trying or not), it’s usually best to let them choose the book that the two of you will read together, within certain boundaries (age-appropriate material, for example).

The first thing you need to do is have a good, long chat with your child’s teacher. Here are just a few questions you should be asking during your parent/teacher talk:

• How does my child respond when they are struggling?
• How do you (teacher) respond to my child’s struggle during class, and in front of the other students?
• Is my child showing an interest in learning, or are they too embarrassed to try?
• What types of books or activities does my child really enjoy? (themes, topics…etc)
• What types of books are the students reading in your class?
• Is there a specific area in reading that my child is struggling with (grammar, vocabulary…etc)?

Naturally, since it is your child that needs help, these questions are just a starting point to help you prepare for your conversation with the teacher, in order to make sure you have all the information you need to help you child succeed. Once you know what it is your child needs, you can assess whether or not you are the best person to help them. If your child shows an interest in learning, one-on-one reading time is a great way to encourage that desire, as it gives them space outside the classroom (and away from potentially embarrassing situations among their peers) where they can not only practice, but hopefully be more open to making mistakes and taking risks because they are more comfortable working with you, their parent, than with a teacher or fellow student.

One-on-one reading time is a great way to encourage your child to take chances with their reading comprehension, as well as builds trust and camaraderie between the two of you.

If your child doesn’t seem interested in reading with you, don’t worry. There are ways you can encourage your child to want to read. It may take a little time, effort, and ingenuity, but you can do it. Here are some helpful ways to plant little reading seeds in your young ones life:

• Take a break from your daily routine to do some leisurely reading. Do this when your child is around to see it so that they know reading is something enjoyable, not just something their teacher (or you) is making them do. Note: try to avoid reading anything that puts a frown on your face, as this may very well have the opposite affect. 
• Plant some reading seeds around your home. Reading seeds are engaging materials that you leave in conspicuous places around your home that your child is bound to see and take interest in. This is where it’s handy to watch your child roaming the library and assess the things they’re interested in. Seeds include books, magazines, games, movies, event brochures…etc.
• While driving or walking anywhere, read the signs you see out loud and comment about them to your child. Ask them to do the same.
• In order to encourage your child to read about the things they’re interested in, support those interests with special trips and activities, such as going to a sporting event or museum.
• For some kids, the TV, computer and video games seem to be their only passion. Don’t despair. Take some time to engage in these activities with your child and see what it is about it that interests them. If there is a certain show, website or game they are really into, find books about those programs and either present them to your child as a gift or use them as “seeds” around your house. If there doesn’t seem to be anything specific your child enjoys other than just the act of watching or playing, this can be used as well. There are tons of TV programs, computer games and video games that are designed to help kids enhance their reading skills. Invest in some of these shows and games and encourage your child to watch or play them.

Note: Do not use these electronics, or any other non-reading activity your child enjoys, as a reward or punishment when it comes to reading. If you do this, they will see the non-reading activity as the thing to be desired and reading as a chore to be avoided or suffered through.

Family Game Night

One of the most effective ways to encourage your child to read is by completely removing the notion that it’s a chore or job. For kids, depending on their age, a lot of schoolwork is seen as just that: work. Very few kids understand the lasting benefits of what they’re learning in school until they get closer to their teen years and adulthood.

That’s why having regular family game nights is often one of the best ways to help your child learn a myriad of skills, including reading. In order for this to work, however, it really helps to have the whole family involved, including siblings of all ages. Your spouse or significant other ought to be aware of the underlying purpose of the family game nights in order to help make sure these nights become a regularly scheduled event, and to make sure you have their support throughout the process. This will also help draw other siblings into the fun of the evening, and whether or not they need to know that it’s for the benefit of helping their sibling learn to read is entirely up to your discretion.

Classic Board Games

Scrabble

Classically known as Scrabble, most stores carry a comparable version called Words with Friends, the Board Game. This is an excellent starting game to help kids with their word-building skills. There’s also a Scrabble Jr. available, which you may want to use if your child is especially young.

Mad Gab

You may not think of it as a very helpful reading game, but Mad Gab is an excellent way to help kids with sound and word recognition. Let them look at the cards once the round is over so they can see the difference between the two different sentence structures.

What’s Gnu?

This is a fantastic word-building game for kids that know some basic reading skills, but are still struggling with sentence structure and larger vocabulary words.

Bananagrams

In addition to being my personal favorite, this connect-the-words game is also for kids who already have a basic vocabulary set. It teaches them to expand their knowledge with the limited letters they have available, in an exciting and competitive environment.

Apples to Apples

This is a wonderful game that helps kids broaden their vocabulary by identifying synonyms and antonyms, as well as creating hilarious end results during each round. There is a Junior version of this game as well, for much younger kids.

In addition to these conventional board games, there are also some great topic-specific games created especially to assist children with their reading skills. There is an entire set of board games created by Smart Kids called Comprehension. These games come in all levels and categories, so you’re sure to find one that fits your child’s needs perfectly. There are also tons of interactive PC games that teach children reading comprehension, such as Reader Rabbit and the Arthur game series. These are great tools to encourage your child to read, and they can usually be played solo, for those times when your child wants to play on the computer, but they haven’t yet accomplished their reading goals for the day.

These are just a few resources and ideas to help you child build their reading skills. Only you know what’s best for your child, so don’t stop here. Keep researching so that you can help your child get back on track, and maybe even onto the fast track, of reading success.

The post Cool Reading Games for Kids appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Just as with every holiday we celebrate, Halloween has many surprising facts that many people do not know. We have listed Halloween trivia questions and answers to use at a party or to test your knowledge of Halloween. We have also included interesting facts, many of which are new to most people. Additionally, we have made suggestions on the best way to use our Halloween trivia questions and answers.

The Origin of Halloween

The origin of Halloween can be traced back to the Celts, a tribe that resided in Ireland and Northern France. The Celts’ lives were dependent upon farming and thus, they worshipped nature. The Celts were superstitious. They believed that the winter season brought death. The last day of October marked the end of summer because November was the beginning of winter. The Celts celebrated the last day of October and believed the dead would visit them, so they left food and drink outside their homes for the spirits of the dead. Halloween is thought to have originated around 4000 B.C., which means Halloween has been around for over 6,000 years!

Halloween Facts

Halloween, like any other time of celebration that has been around for a while, has many fun facts associated with it. Read through our list to become familiar with all the fun Halloween trivia.

The Origin of the Word “Witch”

The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.” The plural for wicce is wiccan. Wiccan were highly respected people at one time. According to popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings, or sabbats, on Halloween night.

Owls and Halloween

Owls are associated with Halloween because, in Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches. To hear an owl’s call meant someone was about to die.

Jack O’ Lanterns

Jack O’ Lanterns are pumpkins with a lighted candle inside. According to Irish legend, Jack O’ Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. Therefore, he was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.

The Origin of Bonfires

During the celebration of Samhain, bonfires were lit to ensure the sun would return after the long, hard winter. Often Druid priests would throw the bones of cattle into the flames – “bone fire” became “bonfire.”

The History of Candy Corn

Candy Corn was invented by George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderle Candy Company of Philadelphia in the 1880s. Candy Corn was originally called “butter cream candies” and “chicken feed” because corn was commonly used as food for livestock. They even had a rooster on the candy boxes. Candy Corn had no association with Halloween or fall, and was sold seasonally from March to November. After World War II, advertisers began marketing it as a special Halloween treat due to its colors that match those of the fall harvest.

The History of Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating has been around for a long time, with versions existing since medieval times. Originally, it was called “guising” and children and poor adults wore costumes and begged for food or money in exchange for songs or prayers during Hallowmas. This practice was also called “souling.”

Halloween Superstitions

• Scottish girls believed they could see images of their future husband if they hung wet sheets in front of the fire on Halloween.
• Some girls believed they would see their boyfriend’s faces if they looked into mirrors while walking downstairs at midnight on Halloween.
• If a person wears their clothes inside out and then walks backwards on Halloween, they will see a witch at midnight.
• Girls who place the apple they bobbed for under their pillows are said to dream of their future love.

Halloween Fun Facts

Tossing a few little known facts out to your Halloween party guests will really get them in the Halloween spirit!

• Agatha Christie’s mystery novel Halloween Party is about a girl who is drowned in an apple-bobbing tub.
• In the United States, the first citywide celebration of Halloween was in Anoka, Minnesota in 1921.
• More than 93% of children under the age of 12 go trick-or-treating.
• Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange is associated with fall harvest and black is associated with darkness and death.
• Over $1.5 billion is spent on costumes each year and more than $2.5 billion on other Halloween paraphernalia
• Halloween is the second most commercially successful holiday; Christmas is the first.
• Tootsie Rolls was the first individually wrapped penny candy in the US.
• Halloween candy sales average about $2 billion annually in the United States and it is the largest candy-purchasing holiday.
• Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers first.
• Pumpkins are not only orange, but also white, blue, and green.
• Black cats were once evil omens thought to be spirits of witches, or a witch’s familiar who protected their powers.
• Apple bobbing is believed to have originated from a Roman harvest festival held in honor of Pomona, the goddess of fruit trees.
• Vampires are mythical creatures who defy death by sucking the blood of humans.
• Vampire bats do exist, but they are not from Transylvania. They live in South and Central America, and thrive on the blood of cattle, horses, and birds.
• Worldwide, bats are vital natural enemies of night-flying insects.
• The common little brown bat of North America has the longest life span for a mammal its size – an average of 32 years.
• If you see a spider on Halloween, it is considered a good luck, as it means the spirit of a loved one is guarding you.
• The 1978 blockbuster, Halloween, was only made in 21 days on a very limited budget.
• Hundreds of vampire clubs and societies exist and claim to have real vampires as their members.
• In 1962, the Count Dracula Society was founded.
• About 50% of adults dress up for Halloween.
• Sixty-seven percent of adults take part in Halloween activities, such as parties, decorating the house, and trick-or-treating with their children.
• 86% of Americans decorate their house for Halloween.
• Over 10% of pet owners dress their pets in Halloween costumes.
• The Ouija Board ended up outselling the game of Monopoly in its first full year at Salem. Over two million copies of the Ouija Board were shipped.
• The first Halloween card was made in the early 1920’s.
• S. consumers spend about $50 million on Halloween greetings, sending over 28 million Halloween cards each year.
• 90% of parents admit to sneaking goodies from their kids’ Halloween trick-or-treat bags.
• More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be for Halloween. That equates to nearly 9 billion pieces – enough to circle the moon nearly 4 times if laid end-to-end.
• The tradition of making Jack O’ Lanterns to ward off evil spirits is thousands of years old. Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits and ghosts on the Samhain holiday.
• Halloween was brought to North America by immigrants from Europe, who celebrated the harvest around a bonfire, shared ghost stories, sang, danced, and told fortunes.
• The ancient Celts, who thought that spirits and ghosts roamed the countryside on Halloween night, began wearing masks and costumes to avoid being recognized as human.
• The fear of Halloween is known as Samhainopobia.

Halloween Trivia Questions and Answers

Halloween is one of the most popular holidays of the year. But even if you have been celebrating it since you were a kid, how much do you really know about All Hallows Eve? Test your knowledge with these fun trivia questions.

Set #1

Questions:

1. In which country did Halloween originate?
2. Which Catholic Church holiday is Halloween linked to?
3. What was the name of Dracula’s sidekick?
4. From which words did ‘bonfire’ originate?
5. What does the name Dracula mean?
6. What was Dracula’s real name?
7. Who was the first actor to play Wolf Man?
8. Which phobia means you have an intense fear of Halloween?
9. Out of which vegetable were Jack O’ Lanterns originally made?
10. Every Halloween, Charlie Brown helps his friend Linus wait for what character to appear?

Answers:

1. Ireland
2. All Saints (Hallows) Day
3. Renfield
4. Bone and Fire
5. Son of the Devil
6. Vlad the Impaler
7. Lon Chaney
8. Samhainophobia
9. Turnips
10. The Great Pumpkin

Set #2

Questions:

1. According to superstition, if you stare into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, what will you see?
2. From which region in the world do pumpkins originate?
3. Who wrote the novel Frankenstein?
4. Transylvania is a region in which country?
5. Halloween has its origins in which ancient Celtic festival?
6. Which actor played Dr. Frank-n-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show?
7. Is a pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable?
8. What is the significance of seeing a spider on Halloween?
9. Which country celebrates the Day of the Dead starting at midnight on Oct. 31?
10. According to superstition, a person born on Halloween has what particular ability?

Answers:

1. Your future husband or wife
2. Central America
3. Mary Shelley
4. Romania
5. Samhain
6. Tim Curry
7. Fruit
8. It is thought to be the spirit of a loved one watching over the person who finds the spider.
9. Mexico
10. The ability to see and talk to spirits

Set #3

Questions:

1. Who directed The Nightmare before Christmas?
2. Which vampire said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m going to give you the choice I never had.”
3. How many people were hanged during the Salem Witch Trials?
4. Who is said to haunt the White House Rose Garden?
5. Pumpkins can be orange, white, green, or what other color?
6. In The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, how many people are killed with a chainsaw?
7. What’s the body count for the film Halloween?
8. Which year was the movie Freaks made?
9. In the original Alien film, how many alien eggs were made for the egg chamber inside the downed spacecraft?
10. How many Oscars was Psycho nominated for?

Answers:

1. Henry Selick
2. Lestat (Interview with the Vampire)
3. First Lady Dolly Madison
4. 19
5. Blue
6. One
7. Five people and a dog
8. 1932
9. 130
10. Four

Easy Halloween Trivia Questions and Answers

1. What does the word ‘Hallow’ in relation to this holiday mean?
2. How do pumpkins grow?
3. Is a pumpkin a fruit or vegetable?
4. What do Halloween colors, black and orange, signify? Orange stands for harvest, and black signifies death
5. What do people “bob” for on Halloween?

Answers:

1. Saint
2. On vines
3. A fruit
4. Orange stands for harvest and black stands for death
5. Apples

Using Halloween Trivia Question and Answers

Halloween is the one of the most popular holidays and many people have parties to celebrate. Play a game of trivia giving points for correct answers. If you have a large group, consider dividing the players into two or more teams and having them compete against one another. Whoever answers the most questions correct wins the game. If you wish, provide the winners with a special prize. Your guests will enjoy showing of their Halloween knowledge at your celebration.

On October 31st, people will celebrate one of the most popular festivals of all time – Halloween. Prepare to have fun and create a memorable occasion with our Halloween trivia, facts, and questions and answers.

The post Halloween Trivia Questions & Answers + FUN Facts appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Red Light, Green Light can be played by children of all ages. A simple game that children love to play, Red Light, Green Light can be played by any number of players either inside or outside. If there are too many players to play safely in the space provided, divide into groups and play multiple rounds. The first person to finish round one can be the leader for round two.

The goal of the game is to get from one end of the playing area to the other (or back again) without being called out because you keep moving after “Red Light!” is said.

Red Light, Green Light Game Origin

Although the origin of the game is unknown, Red Light, Green Light has been played for generations. Called Statues or Grandmother’s Footsteps (UK), it is a popular children’s game, often played in Australia, Finland, and Sweden. However, how the game is played varies throughout different regions of the world.

Preparing to Play Red Light, Green Light

No equipment is required for the game. However, if you wish, round green and red signs can be used. It works well to use a double sided sign with one side green and one red.

The game can be played inside or outside. Designate the playing area and have the children line up in a row across from the person who will be calling out “Red Light, Green Light!”

Playing Red Light, Green Light Outside

To play Red Light, Green Light outside, you will need a large area such as an open field, tennis court, or gymnasium. Players line up on one side and the person who is calling out “Red Light!” and “Green Light!” stands in the middle of the field.

Whenever “Green Light!” is called out, players can run forward. However, when “Red Light!” is called out, they must stop immediately.

At any point, the caller may say “Red Light!” and turn around. If any of the players are caught moving after this, they are out.

Remember the following:

• Do not run too fast or when “Red Light!” is called out, you will not be able to stop.
• Wearing long pants is important so you can throw yourself down if necessary in order to stop.
• The last person to make it back to the starting line is the new person in the middle.

Playing Red Light, Green Light Inside

The children line up about 15 feet away from the person who will be calling out “Red Light!” “Green Light!” The caller faces away from the line of players and says “Green Light!” The children walk forward until the caller turns and says “Red Light!” and turns around quickly. If one or more children keep moving and are caught by the caller, they are out. The players start moving again when the caller turns back around and says “Green Light!” The caller wins if all the kids are out before anyone is able to touch him/her. Otherwise, the first player to touch the caller wins the game and earns the right to be the caller for the next game. Make sure the players understand that no running is allowed.

Using Red Light, Green Light in the Classroom

Teachers love this game. It teaches children how to follow directions, listening skills, and agility in a fun way. Additionally, the game can be played in as few as ten minutes or, if the children are engaged, as long as your wish. This game can be played either indoors or outdoors.

Directions:

1. The students line up, side-by-side at one end of the playing space facing the teacher.
2. The teacher stands opposite the students, facing them.
3. When the teacher shouts “Green Light!” the children move toward the teacher. Instruct them to walk, walk quickly, or run, depending on the amount of space you have for playing the game.
4. When the teacher shouts “Red Light!” the children stop where they are.
5. The teacher continues to shout “Red Light!” and “Green Light!” until the children reach her
6. All the children go back to the starting line and the game begins again.

Red Light, Green Light Game Variations

• The children can take turns being the ones to shout “Red Light!” and “Green Light!”
• You can have simple red and green signs to hold up as it adds to the games enjoyment.
• When playing with children of different ages, you may want to designate two start lines, the closer one being for the smaller kids.
• In one variation of this game, you may add “Yellow Light!” which means that the players can continue to move, but must move slowly.
• In some versions of this game, the traffic light player stands with his back to the others, only turning around when “Red Light!” is called to check whether anyone is moving.
• The caller also can stay facing the others at all times.
• Some versions allow the traffic light player to shout “Red Light!” or “Green Light!” twice in a row in order to trick over-eager players who are not paying attention to the words.
• You may wish to introduce new colored lights, giving variations how to move towards the finish line. For example, run on green, walk heal to toe on purple, hop for yellow, etc.
• The caller can designate his/herself as the finish line. This enables the game to move around so that when players get close to the finish line (the leader), the finish lines moves farther away.
• For the hearing impaired, try having the caller turn their back towards the group for a red light and turn around (face your group) for a green light.

Red Light, Green Light Game Rules

Before you begin playing, make sure everyone knows the rules and what happens if they move on a Red Light.

• Players have two seconds to come to a complete stop or hit the ground or they are out.
• Make sure players understand they must move quickly and safely.
• The winner is not only the fastest player, but also the player who is the most alert and controlled.

The trick to winning Red Light, Green light is to move smoothly so that you can freeze instantly until you are within reach of the caller. Whether players win or lose, they will still have fun playing this challenging but simple game.

The post Red Light / Green Light – Game Rules & Variations appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.