IcebreakerIdeas

It is coming – the end of the school year and time to celebrate with your graduate. Whether they are leaving kindergarten, elementary (lower) school, middle school, high school, or college, the experience of graduating is a reason for celebration, which means it is graduation party time. Our graduation party ideas help you plan the perfect celebration.

Before you begin to make major preparations, there are some things you need to consider to make you planning easier.

Consider the Cost of Your Graduation Party

Decide if you are going all out with catered food, purchased favors, and maybe even have a relatively popular local band or keep the celebration small and do much of the preparation yourself. Set up a budget up front. Doing so helps you avoid disappointment when the party is more expensive or less elaborate than you had planned on it being.

Decide on a Time and Place for Your Graduation Party

Cheerful students throwing graduation caps in the Air

The time of day and the place you choose for your graduation celebration both help determine the type of party you will have. For example, an outdoor location is perfect for a barbeque or picnic. If the weather is warm enough, a beach party might be fun. An inside party works well in your home, if the group is small. For a larger party, you may wish to rent a banquet hall or celebrate in the banquet room of a local hotel or restaurant. Consider renting tents if your party is outdoors in case of inclement weather.

With so many graduation parties in May and June, you may opt for a late summer party in July or August. Bill your get-together as a Going-Away-to-College Party. If you choose this option, have guests fill out postcards to send to your graduate’s college after they are settled to provide a link to those at home. This option provides the opportunity to receive gifts of funds and supplies for their college education.

Check with some of those guests you consider most important – close friends and relatives – before carving the date in stone to make sure you choose a date when most of them are available.

Create Your Guest List

So much of your party preparation depends upon who is coming and how many guests you will invite. Orders for food, favors, and so much else are determined by the composition of your guest list. If your child is old enough, they can help you determine who to invite for their special time with friends.

Choose Age-appropriate Activities

Your pre-school graduate and their friends will want to play, while your college graduate may simply want to talk, listen to music, and eat. Our graduation party ideas include fun activities, no matter what the age of your graduate. Remember, be flexible with activities. You don’t want to have too many, but you want to make sure you have enough. Also, be prepared to switch activities if one is not working for your guests.

Now that you have dealt with choosing the parameters of your graduation party, you can begin planning your party’s theme, favors, and food.

Choose Your Graduation Party Theme

A small party with a few friends may not need an overall theme. However, the occasion will be more memorable with special theme. For your kindergarten graduate, use a favorite cartoon or movie character. Older children may wish to use a favorite color or celebrity. School colors work well for high school graduates. Your college graduate may enjoy a theme based on their favorite sports team or the career they have chosen. If you do choose a specific theme, build your decorations, food, and party favors around it.

Send Invitations to Your Graduation Party

The formality and size of your graduation party will affect the type of invitation you send. A small, casual party probably only needs a phone call or e-mail invitations. However, remember that more formal written invitations encourage gift giving. If you need to know how many guests are coming to determine other party arrangements, be sure to include an RSVP. Send out invitations three or four weeks in advance so your guests can mark their calendars and make plans to attend.

You can purchase invitations or make your own. Match the invitations to your party’s theme if you have one. Invitations with a picture of the graduate make a nice memento. Consider using school colors. For a formal party, consider having invitations printed with an enclosed postcard for the guests’ RSVPs. You can also mail the invitations with graduation announcements.

Decide on What Type of Food You Will Serve

As with any other party, food is one of the highlights. Will you have a sit-down dinner, snacks, or a catered meal? Once you make a general decision about the food you will serve, consider the following:

A candy bar can be set up if there is a bar area at a banquet hall or hotel conference room.
Consider sub sandwiches, pizza, or tacos from take-out displayed on colorful trays.
Create an easy-to-do buffet with deli purchased pasta, tossed, and potato salad, chicken, and macaroni and cheese displayed in large clear dollar-store plastic bowls.
If you are handling the food yourself, opt for finger foods, cupcakes, and serve-yourself punch or a cooler full of canned sodas and bottled water.
Remember to match any colors you have chosen for the party or the graduate’s school colors with the icing on the cake or cupcakes.
Set out several bowls of nuts, small candies, and dried fruit for munching.
Your graduate may express a preference for a specific food either they like or they know will please their friends.

Choose Your Graduation Party Entertainment

Entertainment options for you graduation party vary from a well-known local band to letting the graduates simply mix and mingle. If you are hiring professionals, do so early to assure they are available.

Frequently the best party entertainment is the guests themselves. Given a bit of direction, everyone can have fun and you can turn your party into a memorable one. Try one of the following:

Entertain your guests with a Power Point presentation graduate’s life from birth to graduation playing continuously during the party.
Have a colorful box available for guests to write notes to the graduate.
Have your guests to write down memories about the graduate in a journal to share with the graduate after the party.
If you are having a graduation picnic or barbeque, a water balloon relay race is fun.
Pass around a notebook or address book so that guests can write down their names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays, and usernames on social media sites for your graduate so they can stay in touch.
Take photos and/or videos during the graduation party and request your guests use their smart phones and provide their pictures to give to the graduate.
Research party games on the Internet and choose some that are age appropriate.

Some Graduation Party Suggestions

Graduation Open House

If your graduate is from a large class and you have trouble finding a date when all the guests on your list will be available, consider an open house for your graduate. Set a beginning and end time and allow several hours for guests to stop by, congratulate the graduate, and enjoy some food. Stick to finger foods and small disposable plates for convenience.

Graduation Brunch

Most graduation parties occur during the afternoon and evening, so a brunch works well. Choose the banquet room of your graduate’s favorite restaurant or have your celebration at your home. A coffee mug with your graduate’s picture makes an excellent favor. If you have place cards, attach them to the mugs with thin ribbons in your graduate’s school colors. If you have your brunch at home, breakfast casseroles work well. Create a platter of breakfast pastries, muffins, and biscuits and another with fresh fruit. Serve coffee, hot chocolate, and juice as beverages.

Graduation Bar-b-que or Picnic

If the weather is nice, an outdoor party is great for a large group. Your home works well if your guest list is small, but for a larger group, consider a local park. Many have outdoor grills, covered pavilions, and restrooms – everything you need for your graduation picnic or bar-b-que. A water balloon toss with guests divided into teams is always fun with balloons in the graduate’s school colors.

Graduation Sleepover

For a younger graduate, consider holding their first sleepover as a graduation treat. Have celebrants bring bedrolls or sleeping bags and clear a large floor area for sleeping. Rent a favorite movie for entertainment and serve pizza, nachos, and popcorn. Have your child help choose a theme for their graduation sleepover.

Greeting Guests at Your Graduation Party

If possible, the graduate should greet every guest as they arrive. Sometimes this is not possible, as with a graduation open house where guests are constantly coming and going. Regardless of the size of the group and the type of celebration, you will want a designated place for graduation gifts. A good place is close to the entrance so guests can easily leave gifts and sign in upon entering.

You will also want a way to note who attends. Try one of the following ideas:

Create a graduation sign for guest to leave a message for the graduate. Provide a large poster board and colorful markers. Post a sign asking for first and last names and advise signers they can leave a message if they wish. Frame the poster for the graduate to keep.
For a small party, have guests sign a white or light color graduation cap with colorful permanent markers.
Purchase a signature frame from a craft store or online. Place a picture of the graduate inside the frame.
Use any meaningful item as a guest list – a guitar, skateboard, lampshade, or favorite book. Choose an item with special meaning for the graduate.
Search the Internet for guest list pages you can print out. Some have colorful borders and some are more utilitarian with places for addresses and for listing any gift given.

Graduation Party Decoration Ideas

When it comes to decorations, the options seem endless. You can find graduation decorations on-line. Choose themed paper products – napkins, cups, and plates – for attractiveness and easy cleanup. Search discount and dollar stores for clever items to use as centerpieces. For example, if your college graduate has chosen a college near the beach, use shells on tables and put snacks in small metal or plastic beach buckets. Additionally, try one of the following:

If your party is at night, line the drive way or walkway with luminary bags – a brown paper bag filled partially with sand and a small votive candle. For a daytime party, consider using high school or college pennants.
Balloons are fun and can serve as table centerpieces. Use helium balloons to add color and show where food and drinks are located.
Discount stores provide many favor options for your graduation party. Inexpensive glow-in-the-dark bracelets are fun, as are clever keychains.
Label plain white or clear plastic cups with guests names so guests do not lose track of their drinks.
Provide a variety of prints of the graduate for friends to choose from and take with them.

After the Graduation Party

Put all the pictures from the party along with cards and any other mementos – a napkin, favor, etc. – in a scrapbook for your graduate. Alternatively, create a video of party pictures on a CD.

Have your graduate send thank you notes to everyone who attended. If the guest gave a gift, make sure they mention their appreciation. Send a picture of the graduate at the party if you wish, especially if it includes the guest.

Whether your graduation party is a small get-together or a large party, planning is the key. This article provides everything you need for before, during, and after the party. So go ahead; plan, prepare, and then relax and enjoy the celebration.

The post Graduation Party Ideas appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

In social circumstances, we meet other people and need to begin conversing with them. Doing so can be very difficult. After all, here you are with a complete stranger and you are supposed to start a conversation with him or her. Additionally, when you want to get to know someone, you need to get them talking about themselves. When meeting someone for the first time or trying to get to know someone better, you need to know some good conversation starters.

What do we mean by a “good conversation starter”? Good conversation starters engage the other person and illicit a response. They relax those conversing and lead to longer and, perhaps, deeper conversational topics.

How to Start a Conversation

Before you attempt to begin a conversation:

Take a Deep Breath and Relax. Remember that people talk to each other all the time and most conversations come naturally after the first few sentences.
Let Go of Your Fear. Do not worry about being boring or saying something stupid. Just begin talking.
Introduce Yourself If Appropriate To Do So. If you think that doing so will help, extend your hand, and tell them your full name and, if they do not tell you theirs, ask what it is.

There are a few things to remember when you start a conversation. It is best to build a conversation on something you know the person likes or something you have in common, so choose your conversation topic carefully. Add intimacy by saying the other person’s name occasionally throughout the conversation. Use questions and respond to what your listener says appropriately. Also, consider the time and place. You probably do not want to use a funny conversation starter if you are at a funeral or after a sad movie.

Choose Your Conversational Topics

Use Current Events. If you know of something that happened recently that most people are talking about, ask the other person what they think about the story. Just be careful not to discuss anything too controversial – a real conversation stopper.
Use the Listeners Favorites. If you know something the other person really enjoys, that is always a good conversation starter. We all like to talk about what we love, whether it is a hobby or pastime, a pet, or our family.
Talk About Your Favorites. If there is something you really love, your will find it easy to talk about it with someone else. Sometimes your listener may want to just listen to you talk for a while and your enthusiasm about what you love may encourage them to open up and talk.

Say the Other Person’s Name

Doing so helps you remember the person’s name and often puts then at ease. It also adds a sense of intimacy, so is a good tool to use when talking about personal subjects.

Try Asking an Open-ended Question

An open-ended question cannot be answered with a simple “Yes” or “No,” but needs an explanation. Using the words who, what, when, where, why, and how cause the person to elaborate about their thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

Illicit a Response to Your Comment

Talk about something that is of interest to you, and then ask a question related to what you said. For example, share the title of your favorite movie, then ask the name of theirs.

Answer a Question with a Question

When a person seems hesitant to talk about him or herself, they may ask you several questions. You can deflect the question(s) with your own question(s). For example, if they ask, “What did you think of the music awards the other night?” you could respond with, “What did you think?”

Use Words That Appeal to the Senses

Words such as “feel,” “appear,” and “hear” encourage your listener to not only pay attention, but also remember the conversation. Describe colors, sounds, tastes, and feelings to paint a visual picture of a place or event.

Respond Naturally

Smile and laugh when someone is funny. Use facial expression to denote gratitude, empathy, and curiosity as appropriate for the conversation’s content.

How to Start a Conversation with a Girl

When you start a conversation with a girl, the key is sincerity. Most girls can tell if you are a player, just using flattery to get and keep their attention. Often beginning a conversation talking about you puts a girl at ease and opens the door for sharing thoughts and ideas.

Sometimes it is best to practice on a female friend or family member. Your sister, if you have one, will be brutally honest if your conversation starter misses the mark. Mothers and other older female relatives may also be able to give some advice as to what works and what does not.

Remember to really look at her. Flattering comments dealing with appearance are always good conversation starters. Do you like her hair or eyes? Tell her. Is she wearing your favorite color? Let her know.

Here are some specific conversation starters to interest a girl and get her talking:

Tell me where you are working (this summer, for the holidays, etc.) and why you chose that place.

This conversation starter can lead to recounting anecdotes about job experiences you have both had, you favorite jobs, and what job you want in the future>

Tell me about your family.

This open-ended question works to start a conversation about siblings, grandparents, and funny family vacations and experiences.

Name one thing you own that you really love.

Asking this question and listening carefully to the answer gives you some foundational information upon which to build an interesting conversation.

Talk about your most embarrassing moment and ask about hers.

Embarrassing moments are usually humorous, so this topic will help her relax and feel comfortable talking to you.

Talk about your favorite food (color, song, movie, etc.) and ask about hers.

Favorites always work well as conversation starters. Remember to pause while sharing yours so she has a chance to speak.

Relay what you have planned for the weekend and asked about her plans.

You may find out you have the same or similar plans, which can lead to sharing some time together.

Tell her about your pets and ask about hers.

Girls love talking about their pets. If she does not have any, ask what animal she would like to have as a pet.

Ask what types of clothing she enjoys wearing the most.

A good key to finding out her personality type. If she goes for casual clothes, future dates to sporting events, movies, or a local burger joint probably will appeal to her. If she loves to dress up, consider a date to the fancy restaurant.

Ask her favorite thing to do with her friends.

If she likes to do something with her friends, she will probably enjoy doing it with you as well.

Ask what is the best thing that has happened to her lately.

Another good way to find out what is important to her – money, helping others, etc.

Ask her opinion about where you are, what you are eating, or what you are doing.

Girls like to be taken seriously and when you ask your opinion, she gets the idea that you have respect for what she thinks.

Ask which she prefers – texting, calling, or emailing.

You can follow up by asking for your new friend’s phone number or email address.

How to Start a Conversation with a Guy

The key to starting a conversation with a guy is knowing his interests. Check out his Facebook page, if he has one, to see if he likes cars, fishing, sports, etc. Usually a leading question about his favorite pastime will get the conversation going. If you do not know some of the terminology he uses, ask him to explain. Additionally, a sarcastic or funny comment can get the conversation going.

Practice starting a conversation with your father, brother, other male relative, or a male friend. Since you are practicing with someone you know, you can relax. Make sure you ask them how well you are doing at starting a conversation and for any tips they may have.

Most guys love cars, so ask him about his first car.

Continue the conversation by asking about his dream car. Ask if he has any pictures of vehicles he likes or vehicle shows he has seen.

Guys get scars from being so active.

Ask him if he has at least one scar from some activity or mishap. Ask he responds positively, ask if you can see it (if it is not someplace inappropriate), and what the story is behind the scar.

Guys like compliments and do not receive them often.

If you like his shirt, tell him so and why – it is your favorite color, you like the style, etc. you can also comment on his hair.

Say, “I like your tattoos (piercings). Tell me about them.”

If he has none, ask if he would like to have a tattoo. If he responds positively, ask of what.

Ask about the scariest thing he has ever done.

Guys tend to be daredevils. Asking this question is a good way to get him to talk about his daring deeds.

Ask if he participates in or enjoys a particular sport.

It should not be hard to get him talking about a recent game or his favorite player.

Funny Conversation Starters

You may not think of yourself as a funny person. However, it is not difficult to start a conversation with humor. Doing so gets the other person to relax, the first step in building a good conversation. You do not have to get belly laughs each time – a simple smile is sometimes enough to get your listener in a good state of mind. Funny conversation starters work well at parties and to break a gloomy mood caused by a cloudy day or unexpected circumstances. Try one of the following:

Make an animal noise and then explain that if you could be any animal, this is the one you would choose and why. Then ask the other person which animal they would choose to be and why.
Tell about the silliest, weirdest, or wildest thing you have ever done and ask your listener to tell about their experiences.
Tell a joke you have heard recently and ask your listener if they have heard a good joke lately.
Tell about a weird or yucky food you have eaten lately and ask what they have eaten that was unusual.
Ask about what they do when the power goes out and tell about what you or your family does.
Tell which superhero you would like to be or super power you would like to have and ask which they would choose.
If you have a nickname, tell the story behind it. Then ask them if they have a nickname and how they got it.
Tell about one thing that happened to you this week that made you laugh and ask them what made them laugh recently.
Share a fun story about your family and ask about your listener’s family.
Share who is your favorite cartoon character and why they are your favorite. Then ask them to share theirs.
Ask what their favorite comedy (movie or sitcom) is and what part (or episode) they thought was the funniest. Share yours.
Find out if the other person dreams in color and hears sounds when they dream.
Share your most embarrassing moments.
Talk about the dumbest purchases you have ever made.
Share the worst movies you have ever seen.
Discuss pet peeves and habits that are annoying.
Talk about collections – stamps, rocks, etc.
Share the most adventurous things you have ever done.
Share you best vacations and worst vacations.

Conversation Starter Questions

Conversation questions work well, as most people feel that they must answer, no matter what you ask. Try one of the following questions:

Do you play an instrument? Which one?
How do you spend your spare time?
How old do you want to be when you die?
I you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what is one thing you would want to do?
If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would you choose to be?
If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
What do you do to relax?
What do you want to be doing in ten years?
What is one thing hard for you to do?
What is one thing you hate about yourself?
What is one thing you have never done that you would love to do?
What is one thing you like about your Mom?
What is one thing you like about yourself?
What is the best live performance you have been to?
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite food? Your favorite drink?
What is your favorite hobby?
What is your favorite movie
What is your favorite pizza topping(s)?
What is your favorite song?
What is your favorite sport?
What is your favorite thing on which to spend money?
What is your favorite thing to do alone?
What kind of pet do you have?
What makes you discouraged?
What sporting event, concert, or other form of entertainment would you buy tickets to regardless of how expensive they were?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
What would your perfect day be like?
When are you happiest?
Who (is) was your favorite teacher in school?
Who is your favorite singer? Your favorite actor (actress)?
Whom do you consider the most important person in your life?
Would you rather take a vacation in the mountains or at the beach?
Do you have any nervous habits?
How many siblings do you have, and what are their ages?
If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? Wny?
If you could live at any time in history, what time period would you choose? Why?
If you had to eat the same food every day for the rest of your life, which food would you choose? Why?
What is one statement that you hope people will say about you after you die?
What is one thing you would like to change about yourself?
What is your favorite vegetable? Fruit?
What possession do you cherish the most?
What song would you choose as your theme song?
What sound do you like best? What sound do you hate?
What super power would you like to have? Why?
What was the most recent movie you saw? Did you like it?
What was your favorite toy when you were a child?
What would you like people to say about you after you die?
Where have you lived? For how long? How old were you when you lived in each place?

How to Keep a Conversation Going

Once you get a conversation started, the next thing is to keep it going. Doing so helps you find out more about the other person and begin building a relationship. Our four tips will help you keep the conversation rolling.

Tip #1 – Maintain the Conversational Momentum

An ideal conversation consists of both individuals contributing about equally. Look for the following to keep the conversational momentum moving:

Cues that the other person wants you to talk, such as a series of questions directed at you.
Pauses that indicate a change in topic.
Signs that the other person is getting bored with the conversation and that it needs to change direction, such as yawning or losing eye contact.

Tip #2 – Listen Actively

Pay attention to what the other person is saying, so that the conversation moves smoothly and you are aware when a response or comment is appropriate. You may be able to use what you hear to ask additional questions or make comment to keep the other person talking.

Tip #3 – Encourage with Conversational Cues

Acknowledging what is being said with single words, such as “Oh,” “Wow!” or a nod or shake of the head helps move the conversation along.

Tip #4 – Draw on Previous Conversations

Think about any previous conversation you may have had with or about the person. For example, if you had a brief conversation previously about a school project, ask for more details. If you know the person’s favorite movie or song, discuss the acting or the singer and their most recent album.

How to Keep a Conversation Going with a Girl

Most girls like to share their feelings – about clothes, their friends, and their families. Finding a topic that is of interest to a girl can get her started talking and keep the conversation going. Ask a girl about her pets or animals in general. Then share information about your pets. Liking animals and talking about them is a great way to keep a conversation going.

Remember to be sensitive to feelings. Make sure the girl you are talking to is comfortable with the topic you have chosen. Be thoughtful and stay away from topics that may be too personal, such as previous relationships or the death of a family member.

If necessary, talk about simple things. Simple, everyday topics, such as the weather, are non-threatening and can lead into longer conversations. For example, talking about the weather (“It sure is hot today.”) can lead to a longer conversation about ways to stay cool (“But it is great weather for swimming. Do you swim often?”) Simple subjects keep a conversation relaxed and usually avoid controversy, making it possible to find things you both like. Stay away from deep or controversial topics until you know each other better.

Choose the right questions. Avoid anything romantic, very personal, or sexual in nature, as you do not want to scare her away. Use our list of Conversation Starter Questions or Funny Conversation Starters to get her to relax and talk about herself. When she seems to be talking about a subject of particular interest to her, use questions to keep the conversation going. Avoid questions that can be answered with just a “Yes” or “No” as much as possible unless you can follow her answer with a “Why,” “Why Not,” “How,” or another suitable query.

How to Keep a Conversation Going with a Guy

Although it sometimes is difficult to start a conversation with a guy – especially with one you have an interest in – it can be even more difficult to keep the conversation going. Consider making a comment on where you are or what you are doing. For example, comment on the room, the food, or the lighting and ask him what she thinks about each. Any topic that leads to a string of questions and answers will keep the conversation moving.

However, if you follow these tips, you will achieve success.

Get Him to Talk About Himself

Use questions to get him to open up and talk about himself. After all, the goal is to get to know him, and if you talk only about yourself, you will end up knowing nothing about him and appear self-absorbed.

Build a Conversation What He Says

Watch for clues that he is talking about something that really interests him and continue asking questions or making comments to keep him talking. If you agree with him, say so. If you do not understand something he says, ask him to explain.

Stay Focused on What He Says

Use facial expressions and phrases to indicate you are paying attention and to encourage him to keep talking. Do not interrupt with long comments of your own unless there is a pause. Let your facial expression convey your reaction to what he is saying. If he says something funny, laugh.

Use Compliments

Men do not get compliments often. Think about it; men do not compliment men. Therefore, a simple mention of liking something he is wearing, participates in, or his hobby goes a long way. Just do not go overboard with compliments, as that becomes creepy!

Although it is not always easy to start a conversation and keep it going, the more you converse with others, the easier it will become. Soon you will find beginning a conversation with someone comes naturally and without much effort. Once you learn how to start and keep a conversation going, you will make more friends and have more opportunities for socializing. Get out there and meet people, using what you have learned in this article to be a great conversationalist!

The post 100+ Best Conversation Starters & Conversation Tips appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

This or That asks players to choose between two options, even if they do not like either of them. Our selection of This or That questions presents funny options and also lists questions by category and for different age groups. The game works well as an icebreaker or party game as one can ask as few or as many questions as desired. This or That works for any group size. Use This or That questions in school, at camp, in the car, or anytime you want a quick and easy game that needs no special equipment or advance preparation.

How to Play This or That

There are two options for play:

Taking Turns

Have the group sit in a circle on the floor and take turns asking their neighbor a This or That question. Players must answer within 5 seconds or they are out. You can either pass out pre-prepared slips of papers with questions or have someone call out the questions.

Team Playing of This or That

For a very large group, consider dividing the group into pairs or teams of three or four players. All members of the group must agree on the option they choose within ten seconds. If the team cannot agree, they lose a turn. Award one point for each answer. After a set number of questions, the team with the most points wins. If there is a tie, continue until the tie is broken.

Encourage players to think for a second before answering. If you wish, add another level of fun by asking why players answer the way they do – particularly fun with the couple This and That questions!

Funny This or That Questions

Every choice provides enjoyment, but some are just plain funny! These This or That questions work for any age or occasion.

Fat or thin?
Underwater or up in the air?
Student or teacher?
Doctor or patient?
Trash or treasure?
Fast or slow?
Trees or flowers?
Cloth or paper?
Carnivore or herbivore?
Lost or found?
Trash or treasure?
Find or lose?
Prince or frog?
Big ears or big nose?
Small eyes or small mouth?
Cold or flu?
Inside out or right side out?

Food and Drink This or That Questions

Eating and drinking activities and ingredients provide many choices for This or That questions. We have questions dealing with taste, appearance, and preferences for just about any food item you know and like (or dislike!)

Coffee or tea?
Wine or beer?
Bacon or sausage?
Tea or soda?
Grill or Bar-b-que?
Dust or vacuum?
Pasta or rice?
Scrambled eggs or over easy eggs?
Wheat bread or white bread?
English muffin or bagel?
Potato salad or pasta salad?
Baked potatoes or mashed potatoes?
Hamburger or hot dog?
Cake or pie?
Ice cream or sherbet?
Electric stove or gas stove?
Oven grilled meat or barbecued meat?
Organic fruits and vegetables or non-organic fruits and vegetables?
GMOs or no GMOs
Black coffee or cream and sugar?
Fast food or sit-down restaurant?
Candy or gum?
Grilled chicken or fried chicken?
Salad or French-fries?
Potato chips or potato salad?
Diet soda or regular soda?
Eat in or dine out?
Salt or pepper?
Chinese food or Japanese food?
Ice cream or sorbet?
Chocolate or vanilla?
Ketchup or mustard?
Pickles or cucumbers?
Chicken or fish?
Beef or pork?
Lobster or crab?
Fried shrimp or boiled shrimp?
Fudge or caramel?
Doritos or Cheetos?
Burger King or McDonalds?
Apples or bananas?
Mexican food or Italian Food?
Chicken or Beef?
Pepsi or Coke?
Regular or extra crispy?
Low calorie or tastes great?
Mint or cinnamon?
Chocolate or vanilla?
Strawberry shake or peach shake?
Pulp or no pulp?
Sprite or 7up?
Strawberries or blueberries?
Popcorn or candy?
Milkshake or smoothie?
Cake or cupcake?
Jell-O or pudding?
Fruit or vegetables?
Chocolate or hard candy?
Spaghetti or pizza?
Expresso or latte?
Skittles or Starbursts?
Spoon or fork?
Orange or apple?
Cookies or cake?
Nachos or French Fries?
Hot or cold?
Baked or fried?
Honey mustard or BBQ sauce?
Ketchup or mustard?
Pancakes or waffles?
Raisins or nuts?
Picnic or nice restaurant?
Sweet pickles or dill pickles?
Crushed ice or cubed ice?
Dark chocolate or white chocolate?
Spicy or mild?
Apple juice or cranberry juice?

Personal Appearance This or That Questions

A fun category with some telling questions, answers to our personal appearance This or That questions help you learn about your friends and family. You may be surprised at some of the answers!

Sneakers or flip-flops?
Heels or flats?
Bare feet or shoes?
Hair dryer or air dry?
Coat or jacket?
Manicure or pedicure?
Piercings or tattoos?
Natural or dyed hair?
Mini or maxi?
Matching or mismatched socks?
T-Shirt or button-up?
Dress or pants?
Beard or mustache?
Bikini or one piece?
Nightgown or pajamas?
Curly or straight?
Long sleeved or short?
Short nails or long?
Blue eyes or green?
Brunette or blonde?
Wallet or purse?
Shoulder bag or clutch?
Buttons or snaps?
Tie or no tie?
Black or white?
Pink or blue?
Black or red?
Yellow or orange?
Purple or green?
Neutral or bright colors?
Boxers or briefs?
Shorts or pants?
Flats or high heels?
Long hair or short hair?
Sweatshirt or sweater?
Sweater or jacket?
Perfect teeth or perfect hair?
Tall or short?
Name brand or discount?
Toothpaste or deodorant?
Body wash or soap?
Show or bath?
Washcloth or luffa?
Boots or sandals?
Dresses or skirts?
Bracelet or necklace?
Dress up or dress down?
Facial hair or clean shaven?
Freckles or dimples?
Tan or pale?
Gloves or mittens?
Checks or stripes?
Plaid or polka dot?
Glasses or contacts?
Pierced or clip-on?
Toothpaste or deodorant?
Brush or comb?

Entertainment and Leisure Activities

We spend a great deal of time entertaining ourselves. Vacations, sports, and other leisure activities create perfect This or That choices. You can also offer some This or That questions with recent events or current popular favorites.

Aerobic exercise or yoga?
Arctic or the tropics?
Art festivals or music festivals?
Football or baseball?
Baseball or basketball?
Play sports or watch sports?
Bowling or skating?
Skiing or sledding?
Golf or putt-putt?
Car or truck?
Van or sedan?
Circus or carnival?
Cruise or rail?
Disney World or the beach?
Drawing or painting?
Canoeing or kayaking?
Forest or beach?
Piano or guitar?
Drums or tuba?
Hot tub or hot spring?
Hot weather or cold weather?
In your own country or abroad?
Arcade or movie theater?
Ocean or mountains?
Running or walking?
Skydiving or bungee jumping?
Spring or fall?
Summer or winter?
Thunderstorms or sunshine?
Theme park or water park?
Bus or train?
Cars or buses?
Trains or planes?
Cycle or walk?
Vacation away or stay at home?
Video games or board games?
Aquarium or zoo?
Africa or Asia?
Comedy or horror?
Facts or fiction?
Book or movie?
Rap or rock?
Hip Hop or R&B?
Books or magazines?
Driving or riding?
Flying or driving?
Motel or hotel?
Reality or drama?
Romance or horror?
Sports or reading?
Facebook or Twitter?
Drums or guitars?
Skateboard or roller blade?
Ferris wheel or roller coaster?
Jazz or rock?
Bicycle or motorcycle?
Hunting or fishing?
Dancing or singing?
Sci-Fi or fantasy?
Star Wars or Star Trek?
Grammys or Oscars?
Detailed or abstract?
Antique or brand new?

Home and Family This or That Questions

Your family will enjoy playing This or That with this category. Encourage players to come up with some of their own questions.

Carpet or hardwood?
Blanket or comforter
Basket or box?
Paper clips or staples?
Air conditioner or ceiling fan?
Fire pit or fireplace?
Pet or no pet?
Electric or natural Light?
Mansion or cabin in the mountains?
City or country?
Smoking or non-smoking?
Bar soap or liquid soap?
Subway or car?
Facebook or Twitter?
Calendar or cell phone alerts?
Store-bought gifts or handmade gifts?
Amazon or eBay?
Laptop or desktop?
Microsoft or Apple?
Firefox or Internet Explorer?
Mac or PC?
Online or at the mall?
Bank account or PayPal?
Credit card or cash?
Sofa or loveseat?
Garage or carport?
Desktop or laptop?
Pen or pencil?
Picture or painting?
Overhead light or lamp?
Rent or buy?
Apartment or house?

This or That Questions for Adults or Couples

Married or dating, our This of That questions for adults or couples discloses some surprising personality traits. Think before you answer as many questions have a double meaning. You may find out you are not compatible with your partner or friend.

Happiness or wealth?
Wet or dry?
Off or on?
Funny or romantic?
Roses or wildflowers?
Smile or game face?
Personal chef or personal fitness trainer?
Shower in the morning or shower in the evening?
Washing dishes or doing laundry?
Shower or bath?
Hang out with friends or stay at home?
Abs or chest?
Boobs or butts?
Hands or feet?
Charging or pay with cash?
Pumping gas or pumping iron?
Twins or triplets?
Early bird or night owl?
Introvert or extrovert?
A dog or a baby?
Hugs or kisses?
He or she?
Calling or texting?
Fix it yourself or call a professional?
Write or call?
Letter or postcard?
Blondes or brunettes?
Marry or live-in relationship?
Smile or eyes?
Classic or modern?
Serious or funny?
Lust or love?
Drunk or sober?
Real or fake?
Inside or outside?
Buttoned up or unbuttoned?
Bath or shower?
Cut or break?
Plastic or glass?
Smoke or drink?
Weird or normal?
Male or female?
Cry or scream?
Older or younger?
Diamonds or rubies?
Gold or silver?
Roses or lilies?
Outside or inside?
Sunrise or sunset?
Rich or poor?
Town or country?

This or That Questions for Kids

Our list begins with some simple questions for younger children. These easier choices also help kids get the idea of the game.

Boy or girl?
Happy or sad?
Snake or lizard?
Cat or dog?
Jokes or riddles?
Christmas or Halloween?
Valentine’s Day or Fourth of July?
Elmo or Ernie?
School or no school?
E. or recess?
Jam or jelly?
Sweet or sour?
Mom or dad?
Sister or brother?
Clean or dirty
Bad or good?
Wading pool or running through sprinkler?
Rain or snow?
Sun or moon?
Beach or pool?
Dolphins or whales?
Walk or skip?
Addition or subtraction?
Multiplication or division?
History or English?
Fair or theme park?
Cowboys or aliens?
Numbers or letters?
Hop or skip?
Hide-and-seek or obstacle course?
Cartoons or animal shows?
Cars or dolls?
Books or puzzles?
Ants or spiders?
Opened or closed?
Door or window?
Inside chores or outside chores?
Saturday or Sunday?
Sit or stand?
Fast food or mom’s cooking?
Toys or video games?
Play inside or play outside?

Challenging This or That Questions

Some This or That questions provide a challenge for a number of reasons. Some of the choices provide no easy answer without putting players in a difficult position. Some of the questions are controversial and some elicit strong feelings. Choose these questions only for groups that know each other well and prepare for some surprises!

Evil or good?
Life or death?
Earthquake or tornado?
Sinful or righteous?
For or against?
Truth or lies?
Badly wounded or dead?
Love or hate?
Naked or overdressed?
Passive or aggressive?
Minimum or maximum?
Ignore or acknowledge?
Smart or beautiful?
Love or money?
Noise or silence?
Alone or in a crowd?
Invisible or invincible?
Get paid or volunteer?
Yes or no?
This or that?
Real or artificial?
Hit or miss?
With or without?
Secretive or open?
Heart or soul?
Locked or unlock?
Passive or defiant?
Armed or unarmed?
Murder or suicide?
Friends or enemies?
Stop or go?
Hidden or discovered?
Touch or taste?
Younger or older?
Lose your sight or lose your hearing?
Work or play?
Temporary or permanent?
Truth or dare?
Talk before thinking or think before talking?
Adventurous or cautious?
Slacker or over-achiever?
Asking questions or answering questions?
Right or wrong?
Democrat or Republican?

Sometimes players simply have to guess an answer as neither is one they would prefer. When you use our lists, be selective with the questions you choose, basing your choice on the age and composition of the players. Not every question is appropriate for every group. Have fun!

The post 350+ This or That Questions + Game Rules appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

For a party or family get-together, there is nothing quite as much fun as playing a game of “Would You Rather.” This article provides lists of “Would You Rather” questions for many occasions and different group compositions. We have also included funny and challenging “Would You Rather” questions. Included are some of the best “Would You Rather” questions available.

“Would You Rather” Entertainment Questions

A horror movie entitled Would Your Rather (2013) pitted players hoping to win a large amount of money against each other. The questions became more and more sadistic, resulting in the deaths of those playing. Our collection of Would You Rather Entertainment Questions lists “Would You Rather movie questions, television questions, and many other forms of entertainment. Don’t worry – none of them are harmful!

Would you rather be a character in the movie Gone with the Wind or The Wizard of Oz?
Would you rather make a movie of your life before you were twenty-one or a movie of your life after the age of twenty-one?
Would you rather be an actor/actress in a movie or in a television show?
Would you rather be an actor/actress in a comedy or in a drama?
Would you rather do your own stunts in an action movie, or have a stunt person do them?
Would you rather play a villain or a hero in a movie?
Would you rather be on a game show or star in a soap opera?
Would you rather be a stand-up comedian or a concert pianist?
Would you rather be a famous movie star or a member of your favorite popular music group?
Would you rather win an Olympic Gold Medal or an Academy Award?
Would you rather be famous for your dancing or famous for your singing?

Funny “Would You Rather” Questions

Some “Would You Rather” questions are just plain funny. These questions work well for school and camp groups, or anytime you want to have fun.

Would you rather eat a small can of cat food or eat two rotten tomatoes?
Would you rather be completely bald or covered from head to toe with hair?
Would you rather always have to skip everywhere or run everywhere?
Would you rather have hands instead of feet or feet instead of hands?
Would you rather have a horse’s tail or a unicorn horn?
Would you rather hold a snake or kiss a jellyfish?
Would you rather always smell rotten meat or always smell skunk?
Would you rather have a pig nose or a monkey face?
Would you rather surf in shark-infested waters or jump free fall with a parachute into the Grand Canyon?
Would you rather sit with a resting lion for ten minutes or run across a hungry alligator’s back?
Would you rather have your grandmother’s hairstyle or first name?
Would you rather drink all your food from a baby bottle or wear visible diapers for the rest of your life?
Would you rather always talk in rhymes or sing instead of speak?
Would you rather suffer from spontaneous shouting or unpredictable fainting spells?
Would you rather wear clown makeup every day for a year or wear a tutu every day for a year?
Would you rather not be allowed to wash your hands for a month or your hair for a month?
Would you rather always have a booger in your nose that moves when you breathe in and out or a piece of food stuck between your two front teeth?
Would you rather have to use a public toilet that is extremely dirty and dark or one that has a snake in it?

“Would You Rather” Questions for Kids

Kids love “Would You Rather” questions because they appeal to their sense of adventure and are silly. Beware! Some of the following questions may seem repulsive and inappropriate if you are an adult.

Would you rather get caught eating a booger or scratching your privates?
Would you rather play video games or play outside?
Would you rather have an unlimited amount of chips or candy?
Would you rather have cookies or cake?
Would you rather eat tacos or pizza?
Would you rather to never eat your favorite food the rest of your life or only be allowed to eat your favorite food for the rest of your life?
Would you rather be a police officer or fire fighter?
Would you rather never have to brush your teeth again or never have to take a bath or shower again?
Would you rather lick the bottom of your shoe or eat your boogers?
Would you rather eat a dead bug or a live worm?
Would you rather get good grades or be good at sports?
Would you rather go to the school only for four months in the winter and have the rest of the year off or go to school in the summer and have the rest of the year off?
Would you rather be the most intelligent kid in school and make awesome grades or be the most popular kid in school and make poor grades?
Would you rather set the table before dinner or clean up after dinner?
Would you rather get up very early or stay up very late?
Would you rather jump into a pool of chocolate pudding or a pool of mud?
Would you rather have a dog as a pet or a cat as a pet?
Would you rather have five stitches to fix a bad cut or have a tooth pulled?
Would you rather play inside all day or play outside all day?
Would you rather sneeze cheese or have your tears be chocolate flavored?
Would you rather have 500 spiders in your bedroom or 1000 grasshoppers in the rest of the house?
Would you rather live in an amusement park or a zoo?
Would you rather lie to your parents or lie to your best friend?
Would you rather eat two tablespoons full of liquid soap or drink a glass full of liquid one tablespoon in water?

“Would You Rather Questions” for Teenagers

Teenagers sometimes consider games to be childish or stupid. However, “Would You Rather” keeps them interested and entertained. Try our questions at any function with teens or at a teen party.

Would you rather not use your computer for a month or not eat junk food for a month?
Would you rather live in Narnia or go to school at Hogwarts?
Would you rather have only two close friends or many acquaintances?
Would you rather be known as the best student in your school or be the captain of one of the sport teams?
Would you rather always have to sing instead of speaking or dance everywhere you went?
Would you rather be the star basketball player on your school’s losing team or sit on the bench all season with your school’s winning team?
Would you rather save your country from an invasion or from a terrible disease?
Would you rather have bad breath and body odor the entire day or be completely naked?
Would you rather all of the members of the opposite sex liked you or have the prettiest (but dumb) girl in school as a girlfriend?
Would you rather be very short or extremely tall?
Would you rather have overly large hands or very small feet?
Would you rather eat a small can of dog food or six overripe bananas?
Would you rather have to eat a bowl full of worms or a live frog?
Would you rather live without your phone for two weeks or your computer for a month?
Would you rather be the teacher at your school or the janitor?
Would you rather be invisible or be able to fly?
Would you rather lose your ability to speak or have to say everything you are thinking?
Would you rather live on a plant or beneath the sea?
Would you rather have to listen to music all of the time or not be able to listen to music at all?
Would you rather have live one hundred years in the future or one hundred years in the past?
Would you rather be the best player on a losing team or the worst player on a winning team?
Would you rather have extremely small freakishly eyes or an extremely large nose?
Would you rather have friends that are smarter than you or friends that are be much better looking than you?
Would you rather give a speech to the whole school, including teachers, for 30 minutes or work in the school cafeteria for a semester?

“Would You Rather Questions” for Couples

Our selection of “Would You Rather” questions for couples works well for holiday and other parties. It is fun to see how much couples agree or disagree on various questions and topics.

Would you rather break up with someone or have someone break up with you?
Would you rather be handsome/beautiful and marry an ugly person or be ugly and marry a handsome/beautiful person?
Would you rather marry someone who does not love you or marry someone you do not love?
Would you rather marry someone who is extremely attractive or be extremely attractive yourself?
Would you rather have your first child when you are 18 years old or when you are 40 years old?
Would you rather live a long life in poverty or a short life with wealth?
Would you rather have everyone know about your personal finances or know the details of your romantic life?
Would you rather marry someone very rich or someone who is very handsome/beautiful?
Would you rather only have one child of your own or adopt as many children as you wish?
Would you rather have a beautiful sporty car and an old house or a real “clunker” car and a beautiful house?
Would you rather save someone’s life or have a bucket full of gold?
Would you rather be poor and attractive or rich and ugly?
Would you rather fly all over the world with your true love or be marooned on an island with your favorite celebrity?
Would you rather be locked inside an old building with your boyfriend/girlfriend or inside an amusement park with a celebrity?
Would you rather marry someone who has lots of money or someone with a good heart?
Would you rather stay up all night helping an irritating family member with a problem or babysit a baby that will not stop crying?
Would you rather be able to dress in designer clothes or buy everything you want at a discount store?
Would you rather get everything you want materially or find your true love?
Would you rather date someone who is 10 years older or someone 10 years younger?
Would you rather have an arranged marriage or spend the rest of your life single?
Would you rather have disappointing sex every night for a full year or great sex for one night?
Would you rather live out in the country or in the city?
Would you rather unknown and rich or be famous and poor?
Would you rather take your vacation at an exotic resort or go camping?
Would you rather baby sit crying infant triplets for six hours or go without food and water for 24 hours?

Would You Rather Questions for Adults

Adults face decisions every day. Many involve deciding between two choices. That is exactly what this set of “Would You Rather” questions for adults calls upon participators to do. Some of these questions are fun, some challenging, and some serve as good icebreakers. Use them any time you have adults get together for fun and to find out more about each other.

Would you rather travel 100 years into the future or 100 years into the past?
Would you rather spend 2 months living in a nursing home or two months in jail?
Would you rather have a bee sting you on the face, or hold a snake?
Would you rather wear a bathing suit or wear formal attire everywhere you go for the next two weeks?
Would you rather borrow $10,000 from your parents or borrow $1000 from your friends?
Would you rather live around a noisy neighbor or a barking dog?
Would you rather win a million dollars in the lottery or never have to buy anything for yourself ever again?
Would you rather be bitten by a poison snake or a poison spider?
Would you rather be famous and remembered with hatred or unknown and forgotten?
Would you rather be a doctor or a nurse?
Would you rather be a chef or a server?
Would you rather stay forever at your current age or be 10 years younger?
Would you rather be very strong or be able to run very fast?
Would you rather own your own boat or your own island?
Would you rather spend one year sailing around the world or one year living in your foreign favorite country?
Would you rather take a trip down the Amazon River or walk the Great Wall of China?
Would you rather meet your favorite movie star or the President of the United States?
Would you rather be a rabbit or a fox?
Would you rather go skiing in the winter or to the beach in the summer?
Would you rather lose your sense of smell or your sense of taste?
Would you rather raise chickens for eggs or beef for meat?
Would you rather live on a houseboat or in a cabin in the mountains?
Would you rather always have your favorite song stuck in your head forever or always dream the same thing at night?
Would you rather have hair that is always straight or hair that is super curly?
Would you rather develop a paralyzing fear of heights or be afraid of water?
Would you rather have everyone know the details of your finances or the details of your love life?
Would you rather have the ability to read other people’s mind or the ability to see into the future?
Would you rather be able to sing like diva or be able to play the guitar like a rock star?
Would you rather live as a vegan for a month or only be able to eat meat and dairy for a month?
Would you rather have all of your emails for the next two months made public or have your text messages read by everyone?
Would you rather have to shout everything you say or whisper everything you say?
Would you rather be a giant mouse or a tiny elephant?
Would you rather never eat your favorite food for the rest of your life, or only be able to eat your favorite food?
Would you rather be a tiny person no taller than a few inches or a giant person over nine feet tall?
Would you rather be stranded on an island with someone you hate or stranded on an island alone?
Would you rather forget who you are or not know who everyone else is?
Would you rather let it go or get even?
Would you rather never be able to say what is on your mind or always have to speak the truth?
Would you rather never play or always lose?
Would you rather be the circus person who puts their head in the lion’s mouth or the clown that is shot out of a cannon?
Would you rather walk barefoot in a public bathroom or through poison ivy?
Would you rather wear an overcoat to bed every night or sleep with shoes and socks on every night?
Would you rather have hail rocks or rain arrows?
Would you rather have a noisy neighbor or a nosy neighbor?
Would you rather have the ability to see ten years into your own future or six months into the future of the world?
Would you rather be famous for being extremely intelligent or for being good looking?
Would you rather parent ten children who are well-behaved angels or parent one child who is totally out of control?
Would you rather go to your 20-year class reunion and nobody remember who you are or have everybody comment on how old you look?
Would you rather live life in a small submarine at the bottom of the sea or in a small space capsule in outer space?
Would you rather lose your keys (all of them – house and car) or lose your phone?
Would you rather win one million dollars today or ten million dollars in ten years?
Would you rather have your body age or your face age?
Would you rather spend every minute the rest of your life outside or inside?
Would you rather have the power to make anyone fall in love with you or be able to read minds?
Would you rather go back in time and prevent the Titanic from sinking or prevent the 1929 stock market crash?
Would you rather live in a home with no electricity or in a home with no running water?
Would you rather have to crawl everywhere or run everywhere?
Would you rather wear a cape for a month everywhere with no explanation or wear an eye patch everywhere for a month?
Would you rather wash the laundry or fold and put away the laundry?
Would you rather be able to live under water or live in outer space?
Would you rather have the power to end war in the world or the power to end poverty?
Would you rather be able to sleep as late as you wish or be able to stay up as late as you like?
Would you rather have a dinosaur as a pet or a unicorn?
Would you rather have a submarine or a space shuttle?
Would you rather be able to fly everywhere you want or be invisible?
Would you rather eat any flavor of ice cream you wish for one week of summer or only vanilla-flavored ice cream for an entire summer?

Challenging “Would You Rather” Questions

Some “Would You Rather” questions take some serious consideration because the choices are not easy. Our collection of hard “Would You Rather” questions is guaranteed to cause some soul-searching and possible debate.

Would you rather be an expert at everything or have all knowledge?
Would you rather have a paid for luxury two-bedroom apartment in a big city of your choice or a free mansion in the country of the state or country where you live currently?
Would you rather win the Nobel Peace Prize or 5 million dollars?
Would you rather travel 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future?
Would you rather go to jail for a year or be homeless for a year?
Would you rather live with someone you hate or live completely alone?
Would you rather be rich with no friends or poor with lots of good friends?
Would you rather be on an airplane between two arguing passengers or next to a screaming infant?
Would you rather save the life of an elderly family member or the life of a child to whom you are not related?
Would you rather never touch an electronic device again or never touch a human again?
Would you rather have a terrible short-term memory or forget everything bad that ever happened to you?
Would you rather have one wish granted today or three wishes granted ten years from now?
Would you rather be homeless and have family and friends or live comfortably but entirely alone?
Would you rather spend a year in a psychiatric hospital or a year in jail?
Would you rather spend a week adrift at sea in a life raft or spend one month in the coldest place on earth?
Would you rather share a toothbrush with a random stranger or kiss a random stranger on the mouth?
Would you rather be able to eat as much as you want and never gain weight or feel refreshed and well rested after only three hours of sleep each night?
Would you rather be completely alone for 5 years or never alone for 5 years?
Would you rather lose you sense of taste or your sense of smell?
Would you rather not be able to read or not be able to write?
Would you rather have to eat only warm food or have to eat only cold food?
Would you rather spend 48 straight hours in a public restroom or the same amount of time in a morgue?
Would you rather live in a place where it is always cold or in a place that is always hot?
Would you rather be 4’2″ or 8’2″?
Would you rather be short and physically fit or tall and fat?
Would you rather exercise regularly or eat a healthy diet?
Would you rather lose half your hearing or half your seeing?
Would you rather be rich and alone or be poor and find true love?
Would you rather have a constant itch or be in constant pain?
Would you rather go through life unable to ask any questions or unable to answer any questions?
Would you rather go without the internet or your phone for a month?
Would you rather be great at math or an amazing writer?
Would you rather only be able to jump everywhere you go or only be able to skip everywhere you go?
Would you rather be able jump incredibly high or run incredibly fast?
Would you rather have no sense of smell or smell everything around you with extra ability?
Would you rather be blind the rest of your life or mute the rest of your life?
Would you rather look strong and be weak or look weak and be strong?
Would you rather have a third eye or a third ear?
Would you rather be as tall as you are wide or as wide as you are tall?
Would you rather age only from the neck up or only from the neck down?
Would you rather have a very muscular lower body and a normal upper body, or a muscular upper body but a very skinny lower body?
Would you rather be a moron in a world of geniuses or a genius in a world of morons?
Would you rather have $1,000,000 now or $5,000 a week for the rest of your life?
Would you rather listen to songs you have no control over 24 hours a day for a year or listen to your favorite song 24 hours a day for a year?

Would You Rather Questions about Employment

Almost every adult works and “Would You Rather” employment questions cause individuals to think about their jobs and speculate what is most important to them. Use one as an opener for a weekly meeting for fun.

Would you rather be rich working a job you hate or poor working a job you love?
Would you rather be the boss or the employee?
Would you rather have a job that requires very little work but it boring or work very hard at an interesting job?
Would you rather work the job you have now for a year at double your current rate of pay or have one year off with what you are making now?
Would you rather have a one month paid vacation or not have to pay taxes on your income for a year?
Would you rather take a year off at full pay or work your current job for the next year at double your salary?
Would you rather have a job that impacts your society or the world and make very little money or become famous for something trivial and have a great deal of money?
Would you want to stay the age you are physically forever or stay the way you are now financially forever?
Would you rather stand all day at work or sit all day at work?

“Would You Rather” questions provide a fun time for every age, occasion, and event. Once you begin playing, you will find yourself thinking of your own fun and challenging questions to ask your friends and family. “Would you rather . . . ?

The post 250+ Funny Would You Rather Questions for Kids, Teens and Adults appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Team-building exercises work well for every age group and in multiple environments. Known for establishing trust, building feelings of camaraderie, improving communication, and developing collective strategies, the successful completion of most team-building tasks requires sharing ideas, listening to others, the willingness to try new approaches, and cooperation. Participants in team building exercises discover ways to apply similar skills and techniques at work or play, in school and youth camp, and in everyday situations.

When you use teambuilding exercises, follow these guidelines in order to be successful:

Prepare for your team building exercises before presenting them to the group.
Consider the size of your group when you plan your team building exercises.
Explain the rules and make sure everyone obeys them.
Choose age-appropriate exercises.
Make sure all participants are safe during the exercises.
Avoid making participants uncomfortable.
Provide comfortable spaces for team building exercises.
If appropriate, provide snacks and beverages.

How to Create Groups for Team Building Exercises

Number the group and have odd and even numbers together.
Have everyone whose last name begins with A through M together and those whose last name begins with N through Z in the other group.
Number pieces of paper with 1, 2, 3, etc. for however many groups you want, and have each person draw a slip of paper to determine their group.
Those whose birthdays are on even number days are together and those on odd number days are together.
Pick out an even number of different colored candies – M&Ms work well – with enough for each person to be in an equally numbered colored team. Have them draw from a bag or bowl and find their group.

Team Building Exercises for Work

Structured team building exercises create opportunities for employees get to know each other better. Additionally, some are designed to teach collaborative skills, teamwork, and cross-departmental understanding and cooperation. Try one of the following at your next meeting, conference, or employee get-together.

Employee Improvement Book Reading Groups

Employees read a book provided by the manager or company about personal or career growth. Then employees take turns leading discussions about applying what they are learning to their personal career or company goals.

Lunch as a Team Building Exercise

Employees tend to relax when they have lunch together. Either provide a lunch for the work team or take them out to a nearby restaurant. Seat them at tables as teams and give them some topics related to improving the work environment or solving simple work problems to discuss during lunch.

Use Ice Breaker Team Building Exercises

Use icebreakers at meetings to help employees relax and get to know one another better. Create a list of simple icebreakers by researching the internet or seeing our article on icebreakers on this site. A good icebreaker improves a team’s ability to work together effectively.

Group Mentoring for Team Building

There are two effective methods of mentoring to use as team building exercises.

A manager or work team leader teaches employees a new skill to improve their work or build relationships between employees.
An employee who excels at a particular ability teaches other employees their skill or knowledge.

Work Sport Teams for Team Building

Company sponsored sport teams work well as team building exercises. The company provides equipment, t-shirts, uniforms, etc. and pays any fees required.

Lunch and Learn Team Building Exercises

Set up a lunch schedule for employees and invite an outside speaker or an employee with special knowledge to speak to the group. If you have a large group of employees, divide them into teams according to their interest or level of work ability. You can provide lunch in the office or out of the office, or have employees bring their own lunches.

On-Site Events and Classes for Teambuilding

Offer on-site events or classes after work or on weekends to promote team building. Some fun classes work well with employee spouses and/or families. Consider offering one of the following:

Cooking classes of all kinds
Fitness or yoga classes
Weight loss groups
Table game playing
Sport watching parties

Employee Hobby Groups Team Building Exercises

Sometimes employees share an interest in outside-of-work activities. The company provides a space for meeting, and promotes communication of hobby-team members with e-mail and some financial help.

Employee Volunteering as a Team Building Exercises

Encouraging employees to volunteer as a group to participate in a charity fundraising event effectively builds team cooperation. Some ways employee can volunteer are:

Helping to build homes for those who are homeless
Collecting food for a local food bank
Fund raising events, such as a local marathon
Collecting coats or blankets for the needy during the winter months

Family Gatherings as Group Team Building Exercises

Many of the team building exercises mentioned above work well for employees’ families. Other ideas include:

Holiday parties and activities, such as hosting trick or treating in the office late in the afternoon at Halloween
Showing family movies in a large conference room during the summer
Having an annual company picnic at a nearby amusement park

Team Building Exercises for Small Groups

Use a team building exercise for small groups if you have fewer than 12 people. Small groups create an intimate environment, which is very effective for team building. Our selection works in most environments and for nearly every age group.

Mystery Drawing

Break your group into pairs and have each pair decide who will be the illustrator and who the director. Give a simple drawing to each director, instructing him or her not to disclose the drawing to his or her partner, the illustrator. Give a blank piece of paper and a pencil to the illustrators. The directors describe the drawing, step-by-step, to the illustrators who attempt to replicate the drawing. To make the process a bit tougher, do not allow the illustrators to ask questions. When everyone is finished, have them compare their drawings. This team building exercise improves participant’s ability to give and receive directions.

Over the Fence

Tie a rope between two chairs if you are inside or two trees if you are outside. The height should be such that a challenge is provided when one attempts to go over the rope, but low enough to make going over it possible. Challenge the team to go over the fence without touching it. This team building exercise fosters planning and collaboration skills.

Pass the Can

Participants in this team building exercise learn to work around constraints and obstacles. You will need a large can and an object to place inside, such as a rock, fake jewelry, small plastic toy, or toy car. Begin by telling a story about how the object has great value or importance. The goal is to pass the can around the circle without dropping it. However, before doing so, place a limitation on each player such as:

You cannot use your hands.
You must pass the can with your legs or feet.
You must close your eyes as if you are blind.
You must pass the can using your elbows.

If anyone in the group drops the can, passing it starts over again.

Tarp Turn-Over

Fold a tarp (or blanket) so that everyone can stand on it, with some extra space. Have the group stand on the tarp and attempt to turn it over without stepping off it. Use this activity only with people who do not mind being in close proximity to each other. This exercise promotes collaboration, communication, and problem solving.

Team Building Exercises for Kids

Today’s children often need assistance building trust and learning teamwork skills. Our selection of team building exercises for kids entertains children while teaching them to interact with their peers. Our exercises/games also teach critical thinking and communication skills.

Fingertip Hula Hoop Drop

Direct the children to stand in a circle with their arms in the air and their index fingers extended. Place a Hula Hoop so that it rests on the children’s fingertips. You may need more than one hoop if you have a large group of kids. The goal is to lower the Hula Hoop to the ground without holding the hoop with their index fingers or hands.

Jump Rope Team Building Exercise

You will need one or more ropes, depending on the size of your group. Two adults or two older teens hold the ends of the rope(s) and swing it with a group of children standing in the middle. The goal is for all the children to jump at once. If you wish, keep track of how many jumps in a row each team (if you have multiple ropes) manages to complete and declare the team with the most successful jumps the winner.

Obstacle Course

Children learn cooperation, as well as how to give and follow directions in this fun game. Set up a safe obstacle course with no sharp edges or other dangerous hindrances. Divide your group of children into pairs and have one person in each pair blindfolded. Partners verbally navigate the blindfolded children through the obstacle course. The blindfolded players should be far enough away from the obstacle course that they cannot hear the other teams’ verbal directions, so that they do not know what to expect when it is their turn.

Human Knot Team Building Exercise

Human Knot works well for either inside or outside play. It works best with smaller groups, so divide a large group into teams of six to eight players. Children will learn teamwork skills and problems solving as they attempt to form their human knot. Begin with the children facing inward and standing in a closed circle. Have them extend their arms into the center of the circle and randomly grab the hands and wrists of another child. The challenge consists of untangling without loosening their hands.

Over the River Team Builder

Create a “river” by using chalk, masking tape, or spray paint to make two parallel lines. Give each team a cardboard or poster board raft after you divide the group into teams small enough to fit on the raft. The goal is to cross the river following the rules. You can vary the size of the river, rafts, and any imposed rules depending on the age, size, and skill level of the players. Some rules you may wish to impose are:

Players may not leave the raft.
The raft will sink if you jump on it.
Players may not leave their assigned place on the raft.

Variation:

You may wish to give each player his or her own small raft. If you do so, add the rule that you must have your hands and feet on the raft at all times.

Stranded Team Building Exercise

Create an “island” in the middle of a large area using tape, chalk, or spray paint. Divide your group in to teams if necessary. Two or more children from each team go to the “island” and the other team members try to find something to get the “stranded” children off the island. They may use shoelaces, items of clothing (socks tied together), or any other items they can find. You may need to hide some appropriate gear for them to use if you are inside. Outside games of Stranded usually provide more options – tree limbs, hanging vines, etc.

Circle Sitting

Teach teamwork with this fun game for older children. Have everyone stand in a circle facing inward, rotated a quarter turn in the same direction. The goal is to sit simultaneously in the lap of the person next to them. If they are successful, they will remain supported. The timing must be almost perfect when they sit, which is way this game is most effective for older children.

After participants complete a team building exercise, have them talk about how they accomplished a task or completed a challenge. The real benefits of team building exercises are learning problem solving skills, how to work together effectively, and how to follow directions. Additionally, team-building exercises stretch the imagination and foster a sense of community. Make your work and play more enjoyable with one of our easy teambuilding exercises. Learn and have fun!

The post 21 Fun Team Building Exercises (for Work, Kids or Small Groups) appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Sometimes our relationship with someone else needs a boost of some kind. We desire a closer connection – a way to know the other person intimately. Talking about things that mean a great deal to us or that have influenced our lives significantly provides a special bond. Our deep conversation topics give you a springboard for building relationships that have that something extra we all crave.

Deep Conversation Topics for Dating Couples

Although you probably should not use these deep conversation starters for a first date, they work well to find out more about a person. The answers can reveal some hidden facts and lead to a deeper relationship. Pick carefully, however, as some may mean the end of a beautiful relationship.

Talk about a significant event that caused a positive change in you as a person.
Talk about your future; how you picture your life in five years and in ten.
Who is your hero and what qualities make them your choice?
Tell about a time when someone showed you kindness or compassion. Tell about a time when you showed compassion or kindness to someone else.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy? Why?
Find similarities and differences. Discuss them.
What makes you excited? What was the last exciting experience you had?
What is your favorite item of clothing and why is it your favorite?
What values are important in your life? Were they imparted to you by your parents? If not, from where did they come?
What kind of date do you consider romantic? Plan a romantic date night together.
What scares you the most? Has what you are afraid of changed since you were a child?
Discuss your first impression of each other and whether it was accurate.
Has your relationship changed since you began dating? Give some examples to support your answer.
What would cause you to end a relationship? Would you be able to forgive and forget and renew the relationship?
Have you ever had a very bad nightmare? What was it about?
When and where do you feel most like your real self? Why?
Which celebrity is your favorite? What do you find attractive about them?
What characteristics do you think are necessary for a strong relationship? Do you possess these characteristics?
What controversial issue – social or political – do you feel strongly about? Why?
What was your favorite book as a child? Why was it your favorite?
What was your favorite movie as a child? Do you still enjoy seeing it? How many times have you seen it?
If you could go back to your childhood, what advice would you like to have from your adult self?
Share a secret about yourself.
What would you do on a “perfect” day? Would you want to do something with someone else or be alone?
What is one thing that scares you the most? Why?
If you could be any character in a book or movie, who would you be? Why?
Describe your biggest regret?
What did you dream of being when you were a child? Have you managed to achieve any of your dreams?
What is your dream job and do you believe you will ever succeed at having it?
How many siblings do you have and are they older or younger? How is your relationship with them?
Tell about a time when someone hurt or betrayed you and how the experience has affected your adult life.
Tell about your most difficult challenge thus far in your life. Were you able to overcome and what did you learn?

Deep Conversation Topics for Married Couples

After a couple has been married for a while, intimacy can be lost. Our deep conversation topics for married couples increase connectivity and closeness. We have questions about dreams, goals, raising children, and how to improve sexual relationships.

Is there something that you would like to change about yourself? How can you achieve a change?
Is there something your spouse would like you to change? Are you willing to make this change?
Share a sexual fantasy and propose trying it out.
Talk about what you and your spouse enjoy most in the bedroom.
Do you and your spouse have the same opinion about if the glass is half empty or half full? What changes can you make to make your life more fulfilling?
Discuss your dream vacation and create a plan to make it happen.
What are the strongest and weakest parts of your relationship? How can you make the weak parts stronger?
Why are you and your spouse compatible? Discuss similarities and differences.
How do you and your spouse handle disagreements? Do you think you can improve in this area? How?
Talk about an obstacle you have faced and how you conquered it.
Discuss what you need to “let go,” and how you can do so.
Discuss what motivates you in life as individuals and as a couple.
Write down five things you love the most about your spouse. Take a minute to guess what is on the other spouse’s list.
What makes you feel the happiest and the most fulfilled?
What fears do you have?
What talents and skills to you have?
What are your weaknesses?
If your family and friends were asked to describe you, who would provide the most accurate description? What do you think they would say?
If you have children, how good a job do you think you are doing raising them?
If you were describing your spouse to someone, what would you say?
Share a secret with your spouse. What do you think about couples keeping secrets from each other?
Tell your spouse how they make you a better person and thank them.
Take time to create a bucket list together.
To ask your wife: What things around the house need repairing or replacing? To ask your husband: Are there things around the home that need to be cleaned?
To ask your wife: With what chores and home responsibilities would you me like help? To ask your husband: What can I do to make it easier for you to lead the family?
When do you need assurance of my love the most and how can I show that love?
What concerns and interests do you have in which I do not seem interested?
What things make you sad as a parent and as a spouse?
Discuss what each of you places first in your lives. Be completely honest.
When you are worried or hurt, what can your spouse do to provide comfort and encouragement?
Ask each other what personal habits you have that each of you would like changed.
In what ways do I show you that you are a very important person to me?
Tell me five things that you enjoy doing with me, with the most enjoyable first.
What can I do to show that I appreciate you?

Deep Conversation Topics for Teens

Teens frequently are leery of forming personal attachments quickly. Our deep conversation topics for teens work best with a group who know each other well. They can also be used by teens in a relationship for a while and want to find out more about someone. Use them for teen devotionals, at the end of camp sessions – anytime you want teens to get closer and share what is important to them.

If you had the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Give a reason for your choice.
What is your major goal in life?
What do you think you will be doing ten years from now?
If you got a tattoo, what would it be? Why is that your choice?
Do you think adults deserve respect? Do you think teenagers do?
If you could do so, how would you change the world?
Is it ever okay to lie? If it is, when and in what kind of situations?
Whom do you respect? Why?
What do you think are the five most important traits for a person to have?
What are three things for which you are grateful?
What is a regret you have?
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
What is the furthest you have ever traveled from your home? Where did you go and how long did you stay there?
Do you like school? Why or why not?
What are two things you like about yourself?
In what situation(s) do you become discouraged?
Who is the most important person in your life? How can you enhance your relationship with this person?
Who had a profound influence on you as a child? Was the influence positive or negative?
If you died today, is there something you would regret not doing or something you would regret not saying?
What so you find is the hardest thing for you to do?
Have you ever written poetry, a story, or painted a picture? If so, what about?
Name four qualities you want your friends to have.
If you only had one month to live, how would you spend your time? With whom?
What one possession do you cherish the most? Why?
If you could have a super-power, which one would you choose and why?
If you could live at any time in history and experience any event, when would you choose?
Where have you lived, for how long, and how old were you when you moved from each place? Which was your favorite?
Who is someone you admire and/or respect? Why?
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Why?
What would you like people to say about you after you die?
If you could have any car you desired, which one would you choose?
If you could improve the world by doing one thing, what would you choose to do?
Have you ever had the opportunity to help someone? Tell about your experience.
What is the best thing that ever happened to you?
Tell about something that made you laugh recently.
If you could go on a trip anywhere in the world with anyone, where would you go and whom would you take?
What is the biggest struggle you have faced (or are facing) in your life?
What is the most frightening thing you have ever done?
What are your greatest weaknesses? Your greatest strengths?
How many siblings do you have, and what are their ages? Are you close to them?
What is a personal tragedy you have overcome? How did the experience change you?

Fun Deep Conversation Topics

When you get together with friends, sometimes you want to do more than just gossip or dance. These fun deep conversation topics will help you learn more about each other, stimulate some awesomely deep conversations, and even generate laughter.

What do you think the world will be like in twenty-five years?
Is there life on other planets? What is the reason for your opinion?
Without using the names of people, discuss “the ideal” President or other world leader.
Talk about what the one thing is that you cannot live without.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten? Where and when did you eat it?
What awards or prizes have you won? What was the reason you won them?
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet anyone famous? Did you get their autograph?
If you could invite one person over for dinner, who would it be?
Share something that makes you laugh – a joke, story, or saying.
If you won a million dollars, what would you do?
What us the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
If you left alone in the wilderness and could have only one item, what would it be?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Deep conversation topics can help dating and married couples build a deeper relationship. They can help friends, coworkers, and families increase their knowledge of and respect for each other. Not only is thinking stimulated, but also many of our deep conversation topics are fun. Start today to know those you care about in a new and more special way.

The post 120 Deep Conversation Topics & Questions appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Leadership styles are evident in both professional and personal environments. Most people have a leadership style they have developed as part of their personality, frequently in response to various life experiences. For example, someone in the military in a position of leadership may have an autocratic style. Another person with a strong religious background may have a servant leadership style.

Sometimes an organization requires a particular leadership style. One can either find an organization in need of their natural leadership style, or modify their style to fit the needs of the organization.

The option providing the most opportunity is learning how to adapt one’s leadership style to the environment in which they must lead. Knowing the characteristics of each leadership style is important so that you can identify your own leadership style as well as those of others, and develop the characteristics of a leadership style required at a particular time and place.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each leadership style. In this article, we will help you identify which leadership style you currently possess and the characteristic of other leadership styles. Additionally, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of each. We have not included all of the possible leadership styles, but those you are most likely to encounter and may wish to use yourself.

Delegating (Laissez-Faire) Leadership

The delegating leadership style, also known as laissez-faire, works well with trained, highly experienced employees who require minimal supervision. This type of leader provides very little guidance to those reporting to them.

Advantages:

Delegating tasks makes it possible for a leader to have more time for others tasks they may deem more important. With the right group, delegating can challenge a follower and build their self-esteem, as they realize the delegator trusts their skills and abilities. Frequently, delegating brings forth innovative ideas. Delegating also provides an opportunity for growth as employees tackle and succeed at harder and more important delegated tasks.

Disadvantages:

Those reporting to a delegating leader may not be productive. Additionally, they may find it difficult to work without supervision and experience stress from not knowing their leaders expectations. Those reporting to delegating leaders sometimes are not productive and refuse to accept personal responsibility.

Authoritarian (Autocratic) Leadership

The authoritative or autocratic leader provides clear expectations and focuses on commanding and controlling. The authoritarian leader makes decisions alone without input from others. They often have total authority, telling others what to do. This style of leadership works best when there is a need for strict guidance for a group of individuals, due to lack of experience or a new direction for a company or group.

Advantages:

The authoritarian leadership style works well with those who require close supervision and need direction. Usually characterized by rules, regulations, and standards, the authoritarian leadership style works well when work must be completed quickly. Additionally, it works best when the authoritarian leader has more knowledge than his followers do.

Disadvantages:

Authoritarian leadership does not work well when those being led have equivalent or more knowledge than the individual leading. It does not promote creativity and many employees do not like this method of leadership. Sometimes people have trouble functioning, even becoming hostile, when they report to an authoritarian leader.

Participative (Democratic) Leadership

The participative or democratic style presents a balance between the autocratic (controlling) and the delegating (laissez- faire) leadership styles and works well in organizations desiring innovation. Many believe this leadership style is the most effective. Although this leadership style seeks input from team members (employees), the participative leader makes the final decisions. It is, however, important, that the leader and followers feel positive about the goals and the outcome of a plan or decision. Additionally, the leader needs to be able to illicit fresh ideas from others.

Advantages:

One reason democratic leadership is considered by many to be the most effective leadership style is because of its many advantages.

Morale is boosted through contributions to the decision-making process.
Since it causes people to feel as if their opinions matter, self-esteem is boosted.
Changes are accepted easily as employees are involved in the change process.
Contributions tend to be of high quality.
Engagement increases motivation and creativity.
When team members perceive their contributions are important, commitment to goals is fostered.

Disadvantages:

The participative leadership style is not the best choice when decisions must be made quickly or when those being led are not prepared and informed enough to assist the leader.

Transformational Leadership

The transformational leader focuses on the big picture and large organizational goals and delegates smaller tasks to the team. Employees are motivated and productivity enhanced with the leader assuming high visibility and providing excellent communication. A transformational leader is usually energetic and intelligent, committed to the organization and its goals. Along with the participatory (democratic) leadership, this is another leadership style many believe is very effective.

Advantages:

One of the key characteristics of his style of leadership is the ability to motivate and inspire followers. Additionally, these leaders direct positive changes in groups. The result is higher performance and employee satisfaction. The transformational leader acts with an orientation towards service and usually has a foundation of positive values such as honesty, trust, and fairness. Thus, it is the follower that benefits the most from this type of leadership, not the leader.

Disadvantages:

Sometimes transformational leaders develop an “anything goes” attitude in order to achieve organizational goals. The transformational leader must avoid long hours and unreasonable deadlines, or employees will lose the inspiration to work.

Seeing the desired result of transformational leadership takes time, so this leadership style is not appropriate when organizations seek quick results.

Transactional Leadership

Transactional leadership provides monetary rewards for success and punishments for failure. The leader sets predetermined goals with input from team members. The transactional leader reviews results and provides training to assist team members who fail to meet team goals. This style of leadership often is combined with another style, as many employers have regular performance evaluations as part of their organizational structure with salary increase dependent upon successful completion of work goals.

Advantages:

Transactional leadership creates clearly designed job descriptions and roles. Employees know what they must do and what the advantages are for completing predetermined goals. Leaders offer a great deal of direction, which gives employees a sense of security. Frequently, team members perform well in order to receive promised rewards.

Disadvantages:

Very large bureaucratic businesses and organizations choose this method to maintain the status quo. Unfortunately, the transactional style does not encourage creativity.

Coaching Leadership

Coaching leaders have the desire to provide career guidance and help those who report to them reach their personal and professional goals. To do so, they provide constant feedback on performance, delegate, and challenge their direct reports. Frequently, leaders resist using the coaching style as it takes more time than other leadership styles. Therefore, it is the leadership style least used in the workplace, which is unfortunate as it provides many advantages.

Advantages:

As mentioned previously, coaching leadership takes time. However, the investment made in employees provides the following advantages:

Improves overall results
Creates a positive work environment
Employees know expectations and are able to meet them

Disadvantages:

The coaching style of leadership takes more time than other styles, and some people lack the personality to coach effectively.

Visionary Leadership

The visionary leader inspires others to contribute to his or her vision. A strong visionary leader moves his followers towards a shared vision of the future with the belief that the vision can come true. The commitment of the both the leader and his followers provides direction and success.

Advantages:

Visionary leadership often combines with another leadership style. Many great leaders throughout history have used the visionary style, i.e. Alexander the Great and Martin Luther King.

Disadvantages:

Visionary leaders must understand what is happening both socially and economically, not only in their industry, but also nationally and globally. They must also be able to communicate their vision effectively.

Pacesetting Leadership

The pacesetting leadership styles works best for short-term goals, as it involves driving participants to initiate goals and achieve results. The pacesetting leader sets high standards not only for themselves, but also for those they are leading. They desire to motivate their followers by example. This leadership style is most effective when quick results are needed.

Advantages:

Pacesetting leaders get their followers moving towards progress quickly. Followers are frequently high-energy, achieving outstanding performance in accomplishing goals. The pacesetter style works best with employee are highly skilled and able to complete tasks in a timely manner.

Disadvantages:

Pacesetting leaders do not have time to give employees feedback. Additionally, there is no time to teach or mentor someone if they need assistance.

Servant Leadership

There are a number of identifying characteristics of the servant leader.

The servant leader serves others by helping them improve and reach their career coals.
The servant leader is selfless, an admiral trait.
The servant leader feels responsible for others.
Servant leadership is characterized by listening with empathy, and a commitment to the growth of their followers.

Due to the characteristics listed above, servant leadership is often seen in those who work for social causes or seek to help those who are disadvantaged.

Advantages:

Servant leadership is seldom seen in the corporate environment, which is a shame since it has many advantages.

The collaborative nature of servant leadership builds community.
Servant leaders create environments built upon trust and teamwork, creating feelings of fulfillment.
Management is personalized, leading to creating cohesiveness in diverse groups.
Career development is emphasized, along with work-home balance.
Servant leaders gain respect, thus leading employees to high levels of productivity.

Disadvantages:

Employees often do not have an opportunity for creative thinking. Additionally, employees must have the same goals as the servant leader for this leadership style to be effective.

Choosing Your Leadership Style

One might question which is best, to determine one’s natural leadership style and use that in a chosen job, or develop the leadership style chosen by the company or pertinent to the situation. The answer is it depends – on you, your career goals, the company you work for, and the current situation. Generally speaking, great leaders use one of the more effective styles, such as the participative (democratic) leadership or transformational leadership styles. However, to be effective, a leadership style must meet the conditions, needs, and goals of the organization. Consider the following:

Delegating (laissez-faire) leadership works well with an established group of individuals with comprehensive training and the knowledge and ability to complete delegated tasks.
Authoritarian (autocratic) leaders have the ability to take inexperienced workers and effectively direct their work. Thus, this leadership style works best in new companies or work environments.
Democratic leadership is an effective approach when trying to maintain and strengthen relationships with others, as in a team-based work environment.
Transformational leadership works well in an environment where change is necessary as when a company takes a new direction or introduces a new product.
Transactional leadership works well for employees motivated by rewards and punishments. Thus, transactional leading is frequently seen in environments that are extremely goal oriented.
Coaching leadership works well in small, tightly knit groups with very specific goals.
Visionary leaders are very effective with the start-up of an organization or the introduction of a new system or product.
The pacesetting style is very effective for short-term projects.
The servant leadership style works well for Christian organizations and in the public sector.

Conclusion

Leadership style refers to the characteristic behaviors used when guiding, managing, directing, and/or motivating a group of people. People have different leadership styles. Additionally, organizations often have a particular leadership style specified for various positions. It is important to know which leadership style works best in various work environments, so that you can choose the most effective style for a particular situation.

Every work style has its advantages and disadvantages. The key is choosing the right leadership style at the right time. Doing so helps one become a great leader and have the resultant success one desires in their personal and professional life.

The post 10 Leadership Styles. Which one to choose? appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Everyone gets angry sometimes – it is a normal emotion. However, if you explode and express yourself in harmful ways, you need anger management. Anger management teaches you how to express your anger in a healthy way and manage conflicts. The more you practice the skills of anger management, the easier it is to control yourself when you get angry.

Uncontrolled anger not only hurts relationships, but also takes a physical and mental toll. It is important to recognize anger and manage it before it becomes uncontrollable. To do so, you need to recognize both the physical and emotional signs that you are about to react angrily.

Consider the following:

Physical Responses

If your hands and jaw clenches, and your muscles tense in response to a stimulus, you are probably beginning to get angry. Additionally, your heart may pound and you may breathe faster. Your face may flush and you may feel hot and clammy.

Thought Patterns

Frequently, anger comes from having an idealistic view of how things should be and reacting negatively when reality does not match expectations. You may also blame others when something goes wrong instead of assuming responsibility yourself. Some people are simply pessimistic or have a negative view of life, which easily leads to anger.

Triggers

Each person has his or her own triggers that activate anger. Recognizing your triggers is the first step in avoiding unnecessary anger. Once you know your triggers, you can either find ways to avoid them or learn how to view them differently so that you are not provoked to anger.

Once you have identified some of the things that lead to your anger, you will be ready to use the following anger management skills to improve your ability to avoid not only your physical and emotional responses, but also the triggers for your anger. The next section tells you how to manage anger.

Anger Management Skills

Anger management skills are ways you can prepare physically and emotionally to deal with situations that cause anger. Instead of waiting until you feel angry, anger management skills get you ready to deal with anger before you actually have to do so.

Exercise

Physical activity reduces stress. Walking, running, or participating in a sport also lowers your blood pressure and releases endorphins into your body that improve your moods. Exercising before a stressful situation or occasion can help you remain stable and in control.

Stress Management

Stress can lead to a loss of control. Having a circle of supportive friends or an extended family provides a foundation of connectivity. Additionally, try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga.

Have a Healthy Lifestyle

Get sufficient sleep, eat a healthy diet, reduce stimulants such as caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and nicotine, and reduce the amount of sugar you eat. Additionally, make sure you include recreation and relaxation in your life.

Practice Relaxing

Frequently people who get angry easily need to learn how to relax. Yoga and meditation work for some people. Try deep breathing exercises. Having a mantra, such as “Relax.” or “Take it easy.” helps some people. Others listen to music or write their feelings in a journal.

How to Manage Active Anger

Once you get angry, you need to get yourself settled down so that you can avoid an outburst. The following eight anger management tips will help you.

#1 Stop and Think

When you get angry, make yourself stop and think before you say or do anything. Think before you speak. If possible, get others involved in the situation to stop and think as well. Ask:

Is this situation that important?
Is anger an appropriate response?
Will anger resolve anything?

#2 Relax

Count to ten very slowly. If doing so does not help you regain control, count to ten again. Stretch or massage areas of your body that feel tense, or squeeze a stress ball.

#3 Engage Your Senses

Use your five senses – smelling, hearing, touching, seeing, and tasting – to rewire your responses. Try picturing yourself in a safe and relaxing place. Listen to the sounds, smell the foliage.

#4 Express Your Anger

Be assertive, but non-confrontational and state your concerns clearly and concisely. Avoid saying anything hurtful or controlling.

#5 Look for Solutions

Try to resolve whatever issue has made you angry. Remember that anger will not make the situation better and, in fact, may make things much worse.

#6 Use “I” Statements

To avoid escalating the anger, use “I” statements to avoid placing blame. For example, say, “I do not like it when you do not tell me what time you will be home, because I worry about you.”

#7 Laugh

Laughter can stop anger, if used appropriately. Avoid sarcasm and personal slams to prevent escalating the situation.

#8 Forgive

If your anger gets out of control, it is important to apologize and seek forgiveness. Additionally, forgive those who anger you. Doing so is healing for relationships.

How to Tell If You Have an Anger Management Problem

If your anger seems natural and normal to you, you may be unaware that you actually have an anger management problem. Look for these clues to determine if you need help managing your anger:

Inability to Compromise

If you cannot understand and accept the opinions and points of view others express, and always get angry and demanding instead of compromising, you need help managing your anger.

Viewing Others Opinions as a Personal Challenge

In addition to expressing anger when you view different opinions, you also may take them as a personal challenge, believing your way is always right. Anyone who disagrees with you is open to your anger, as it makes you feel in control.

Trouble Expressing Emotions Other Than Anger

Often those who get angry have trouble expressing emotions other than anger and feel they must remain tough and in control.

Signs That Your Anger Is out of Control

Out-of-control anger damages your life in many ways. Relationship problems, impaired judgement, lack of success, and the negative opinions of others are only a few. Consider the following:

Physical health is impaired. Anger causes stress, which compromises the immune system. It also can cause high blood pressure, insomnia, weaken the immune system, and lead to diabetes and heart disease.
Mental health problems arise. Anger consumes energy. It also makes it harder to think clearly and concentrate. The result is a lack of joy leading to depression, stress, and poor mental health.
Career goals are hurt. When you lash out, you lose the respect of supervisors, co-workers, and clients.
Work and social relationships fail. Anger hurts those you love. Relationships suffer and others feel they cannot trust you. They are uncomfortable around you.

Sometimes a person recognizes their anger is out of control, tries anger management techniques, and still finds themselves losing it. If you find yourself unable to control your anger, you have a problem that may need professional help, therapy, or medication. You should seek professional help for anger management if you:

Find your temper causes problems with your family relationships.
Have problems at work because you lose your temper.
Continually feel angry no matter what steps you take.
Have ever resorted to physical violence while angry.
Have ever been arrested because of your anger.

If you get professional help, your therapist will probably attempt to explore what is really behind your anger. Often, angry responses learned in childhood are a result of watching someone in your family scream, hit others, or throw things; these responses seem normal. Sometimes anger is a cover up for true feelings, especially if feelings other than ange were discouraged during childhood. A therapist might do testing to find out if your uncontrolled anger is caused by an underlying health problem, such as chronic stress, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS).

Anger Management for Kids

It is important to help your child understand what anger is and how to manage it. Anger is not only a response to a situation or person, but also is the way a child declares their independence and expresses feelings. Triggers for children often involve situations with parents, siblings, or other children. Very young children’s anger can result in tantrums, fighting, and biting. Older children may whine, sulk, or pout.

Anger Management Skills for Children

You can help your child manage their anger by doing the following:

Acknowledge your child’s anger. Name the emotion when your child gets angry.
Help your child recognize triggers. Doing so will eventually help your child control their anger.
Be a good example. Handle your anger in an appropriate way, discussing what makes you angry, how your feel and what you do to control your anger.

Anger Management Tips for Children

It is best to start helping your child to control their anger as soon as they begin experiencing it. The following five tips will help you do so.

#1 Take time out.

When your child begins to exhibit signals indicating they feel out of control, separate them from the person or situation. Have them leave the room or area.

#2 Teach calming activities.

Have your child take deep breaths. Provide a glass of cool water. You can also have them read a book, sing or play music, or play alone for a few minutes.

#3 Teach your child to understand their anger.

Discussing what is happening helps a child not only identify their triggers, but also understand what is happening and why. This is an important step in learning to control anger.

#4 Think about the other person.

Children as young as three not only can understand that the other person has feelings, but also understand they may have a different point of view. Ask your child what they think the other person is feeling and why.

#5 Find a solution.

Help your child find a solution or compromise to diffuse the situation and end the anger. For example, if your child and their sibling both want to play with the same toy, get two more toys and sit with them for a few minutes. Choose a toy yourself, asking one of the children if they want the same one. Then play with them for a few minutes. Alternatively, let them take turns with the preferred toy for a set number of minutes – twenty minutes works well – then switch toys.

When an Angry Child Becomes Aggressive

If your child becomes aggressive when they are angry, you must immediately intervene to prevent harm to one or both children. Do so with the following:

Restore safety by stopping aggressive actions.

You may need to isolate whoever is getting physically aggressive. The goal is to help your child learn to stay in control and still protect themselves. Both children need to feel reassured and safe.

Exert parental control.

There are times when you must assume control, set limits, and tell children exactly what they must do. For example, say, “Stop fighting right now!” If they do not, step in and stop them.

Establish consequences.

Consequences help a child learn to stop unacceptable behavior because they know the consequences of such behavior are unpleasant. For example, if your child knows a playmate will have to leave if they do not get along, they may work harder to control their anger. Remember that you must follow through for consequences to be effective.

Teach forgiveness.

Children need to understand that although their behavior may be unacceptable, they are not “bad.” They need to learn how to give and accept sincere apologies. Additionally, explain how one makes amends, as this will help them not feel guilty. Teach them they will have an opportunity to do better in the future.

Anger is a very powerful feeling that can happen when you are frustrated, hurt, annoyed, or disappointed. Anger can help or hurt you, depending on how you react to it. If you can react without hurting someone else, it can be a positive feeling. If you hold your anger inside, it can lead to passive-aggressive behavior like ”getting back” at people without telling them why or being critical and hostile. Knowing how to recognize and express these feelings in appropriate ways can help you handle emergencies, solve problems, and hold on to meaningful relationships. Using anger management skills and tips helps both adults and children to have healthy anger.

The post Anger Management Tips & Skills (for Adults and Kids) appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

A brainteaser is a type of riddle that makes one think outside the box. Some brainteasers are easy, some are a little harder, and some can really make you ponder for a while. Often, when you finally hear the answer, you feel ignorant or silly, because it should have been obvious to you. However, brainteasers are fun. Therefore, we keep testing ourselves and hoping we get better at solving them.

Our collection of brainteasers includes brainteasers for kids and for adults. Those for adults have some longer, more complicated brainteasers to challenge your mind. We close with a collection of brainteasers without answers, so that you can test your ability to solve brainteasers.

Brain Teasers for Kids

Kids love brainteasers, as long as they do not get too frustrated trying to figure them out. Our collection of brainteasers for kids takes that into consideration. Most of the answers are fairly obvious if kids listen carefully and think for a moment. Adults will have fun sharing these with their children, teachers with their students, and kids with their friends.

There are three houses. One is red, one is blue, and one is white. If the red house is to the left of the house in the middle, and the blue house is to the right to the house in the middle, where is the white house?
Show answer
In Washington, D.C.!
You are in a cabin and it is pitch black. You have one match on you. Which do you light first, the newspaper, the lamp, the candle, or the fire?
Show answer
You light the match first!
Who is bigger: Mr. Bigger, Mrs. Bigger, or their baby?
Show answer
The baby, because he is a little bigger.
Mike is a butcher. He is 5’10” tall. What does he weigh?
Show answer
Meat
A farmer has 17 sheep and all but nine die. How many are left?
Show answer
Nine
How far can a rabbit run into the woods?
Show answer
Halfway. After that, he is running out of the woods.
In a year, there are 12 months. Seven months have 31 days. How many months have 28 days?
Show answer
They all do.
What are the next three letters in the following sequence?J, F, M, A, M, J, J, A, __, __, __
Show answer
S, O, N. The sequence is first letter of the months of the year. September, October, and November are the next in the sequence.
Jimmy’s mother had four children. She named the first Monday. She named the second Tuesday, and she named the third Wednesday. What is the name of the fourth child?
Show answer
Jimmy, because Jimmy’s mother had four children!
Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?
Show answer
Mt. Everest. It was still the highest in the world. It just had not been discovered yet!
Which is heavier? A pound of feathers or a pound of rocks?
Show answer
Neither. Both weigh a pound!
What is full of holes but can still hold water?
Show answer
A sponge
A family lives in a large tower apartment building, 10 floors high. Every day their son takes the elevator from the family’s apartment on the 10^th floor to the ground floor and goes to school. When he returns in the afternoon, he uses the elevator to get to the fifth floor, and then uses the stairs for the remaining five floors. Why?
Show answer
Because he cannot reach the buttons higher than five.
A plane crashes on the border of the U.S. and Canada. Where do they bury the survivors?
Show answer
You do not bury the SURVIVORS!
I do not have any special powers, but I can predict the score of any football game before it begins. How can I do this?
Show answer
Well, the score before any football game is always zero to zero!
You are driving a bus. At the first stop, two women get on. The second stop, three men get on and one woman gets off. At the third stop, three kids and their mom get on, and a man gets off. The bus is grey, and it is raining outside. What color is the bus driver’s hair?
Show answer
Whatever color your hair is! Remember, you are the bus driver!
Imagine that you are in a boat, in the middle of the sea. Suddenly, you are surrounded by hungry sharks, just waiting to feed on you. How can you put an end to this?
Show answer
Stop imagining!
Give me food, and I will live; give me water, and I will die. What am I?
Show answer
Fire
Which travels faster? Hot or Cold?
Show answer
Hot is faster, because you can catch a cold.
When you have me, you immediately feel like sharing me. But, if you do share me, you do not have me.
Show answer
A secret
What can you hold without ever touching or using your hands?
Show answer
Your breath!
First, I threw away the outside and cooked the inside. Then I ate the outside and threw away the inside. What did I eat?
Show answer
Corn on the cob

Brainteasers entangle the mind of the reader and make him forget his worries, at least for a while. Many adults find brainteasers work well as stress relievers. We have two lists of brainteasers for adults. One has longer brainteasers that are more difficult. The other has normal brainteasers for adults. Try out selection to relax and have fun.

Longer Brain Teasers for Adults

A lift is on the ground floor. There are four people in the lift including me.
When the lift reaches first, floor, one person gets out and three people get in.
The lift goes up to the second floor, 2 people get out 6 people get in.
It then goes up to the next floor up, no-one gets out but 12 people get in. Halfway up to the next floor up the lift cable snaps, it crashes to the floor. Everyone else dies in the lift. How did I survive?
Show answer
Answer: I got out on the second floor!
A man walks into a restaurant and the waiter says, “Good day, Admiral.”
Why did the waiter call the man an Admiral?
Show answer
Answer: Because he was wearing his uniform!
I have no voice, yet I speak to you.
I tell of all things in the world that people do.I have leaves, but I am not a tree.I have pages, but I am not a bride.I have a spine, but I am not a man.
I have hinges, but I am not a door.
I have told you all. I cannot tell you more.
What am I?
Show answer
Answer: A book
A man pushes his car to a hotel and tells its owner that he is bankrupt. Why?
Show answer
He is playing Monopoly
You are a cyclist in a cross-country race. Just before the crossing finish line, you overtake the person in second place. In what place did you finish?
Show answer
Second Place. If you pass the person in second, you take second place, and they become third.
You are in a room that has three switches and a closed door. The switches control three light bulbs on the other side of the door. Once you open the door, you may never touch the switches again. How can you definitively tell which switch is connected to each of the light bulbs?
Show answer
Turn on the first two switches. Leave them on for 5 minutes. Once 5 minutes has passed, turn off the second switch, leaving one switch on. Now go through the door. The light that is still on is connected to the first switch. Whichever of the other two is warm to the touch is connected to the second switch. The bulb that is cold is connected to the switch that was never turned on!
I left my campsite and hiked south for 3 miles. Then I turned east and hiked for 3 miles. I then turned north and hiked for 3 miles, at which time I came upon a bear inside my tent eating my food! What color was the bear?
Show answer
White. The only place you can hike 3 miles south, then east for 3 miles, then north for 3 miles and end up back at your starting point is the North Pole. There are only polar bears in the North Pole, and they are white!
Crime Scene: A large wooden box was built with one door. The door was locked from the inside, and then nailed shut from the inside. The police break into the room. In the middle of the room there is a dead man hanging from the ceiling, with his shoes 3 feet off the ground. The only other thing in the room is a hammer lying in a puddle of water. Can you explain what happened?
Show answer
He committed suicide by hanging himself when the ice melted.
You are in a cookie factory, and need to make a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies. The recipe calls for exactly 4 cups of sugar. Problem is that you have two buckets. One bucket holds 5 cups, the other 3 cups. Using these buckets, how can you measure exactly 4 cups of sugar?
Show answer
This is possible, and there are two ways to do it:
Solution 1: Fill the 3-cup bucket and pour it into the 5-cup bucket. Fill the 3-cup bucket again, and pour it into the 5-cup bucket until the 5-cup bucket is full. That will leave exactly 1 cup of sugar in the 3-cup bucket. Dump out the 5-cup bucket, and dump the 1 cup from the 3-cup bucket into the empty 5-cup bucket. This leaves 1 cup in the 5-cup bucket. Now fill the 3-cup bucket again and add it to the 5-cup bucket. Now you have exactly 4 cups of sugar in the 5-cup bucket!Solution 2: Fill the 5-cup bucket. Pour it into the 3-cup bucket. This leaves 2 cups in the 5-cup bucket. Dump out the 3-cup bucket. Now pour the 2 cups from the 5 cup into the 3 cup. Refill the 5 cup. Now pour the 5 cup into the 3 cup until the 3 cup is full. That will leave exactly 4 cups in the 5-cup bucket!
A man is the owner of a winery who recently passed away. In his will, he left 21 barrels (seven of which are filled with wine, seven of which are half full, and seven of which are empty) to his three sons. However, the wine and barrels must be split, so that each son has the same number of full barrels, the same number of half-full barrels, and the same number of empty barrels. Note that there are no measuring devices handy. How can the barrels and wine be evenly divided?
Show answer
Two half-full barrels are dumped into one of the empty barrels. Two more half-full barrels are dumped into another one of the empty barrels. This results in nine full barrels, three half-full barrels, and nine empty barrels. Each son gets three full barrels, one half-full barrel, and three empty barrels.
An Arab sheik is old and must will his fortune to one of his two sons. He makes a proposition. His two sons will ride their camels in a race, and whichever camel crosses the finish line LAST will win the fortune for its owner. During the race, the two brothers wander aimlessly for days, neither willing to cross the finish line. In desperation, they ask a wise man for advice. He tells them something; then the brothers leap onto the camels and charge toward the finish line. What did the wise man say?
Show answer
The rules of the race were that the owner of the camel that crosses the finish line last wins the fortune. The wise man simply told them to switch camels.
You have a 3-gallon jug and a 5-gallon jug. You need to measure out exactly 7 gallons of water. How can you do it?
Show answer
Fill the 5-gallon jug, pour it into the 3-gallon jug until the 3 gallon is full, and leaving 2 gallons in the 5-gallon jug. Now pour the 3-gallon jug out. Pour the remaining 2 gallons from the 5 gallon into the empty 3-gallon jug. Now fill the 5 gallon from the faucet. You now have exactly 7 gallons.
A man is on a game show. He is presented with two doors, one on the left, and one on the right. Behind one is 2 million dollars, and behind the other is a donkey. Choose the correct door to win the prize. There are also two men in front of the doors, and they know which door leads to the millions. One wears a black hat, and the other wears a white hat.The host explains that one of the men is a liar, and will always lie, and the other man will always tell the truth – but you do not know which is which.You can ask only one of the men only one question. What is the question, and which man do you ask to ensure you win the money?
Show answer
Answer: You ask either man the following question: “If I asked the other guy which door has the money, what would he say?” and then choose the opposite door. Work it out: If you ask the question to the liar, he will lie about the ‘correct’ answer, so you must choose the opposite door. If you ask the truth teller, he will tell the truth about the lie, so you can choose the opposite door as well.
Cannibals in the jungle capture three men. The men are given one chance to escape with their lives. The men are lined up and bound to stakes such that one man can see the backs of the other two, the middle man can see the back of the front man, and the front man cannot see anybody. The men are shown five hats, three of which are black and two of which are white. Then the men are blindfolded, and one of the five hats is placed on each man’s head. The remaining two hats are hidden away. The blindfolds are removed. The men are told that if just one of the men can guess what hat he is wearing, they may all go free. Time passes. Finally, the front man, who cannot see anyone, correctly guesses the color of his hat. What color was it, and how did he guess correctly?
Show answer
The back man can see the hats worn by the two men in front of him. So, if both of those hats were white, he would know that the hat he wore was black. However, since he does not answer, he must see at least one black hat ahead of him. After it becomes apparent to the middle man that the back man cannot figure out what he is wearing, he knows that there is at least one black hat worn by himself and the front man. Knowing this, if the middle man saw a white hat in front of him, he would know that his own hat was black, and could answer the question correctly. But, since he does not answer, he must see a black hat on the front man. After it becomes apparent to the front man that neither of the men behind him can answer the question, he realizes the middle man saw a black hat in front of him. So he says, correctly, “My hat is black.”
A man is looking at a photograph of someone. His friend asks who it is. The man replies, “Brothers and sisters, I have none. But that man’s father is my father’s son.” Who was in the photograph?
Show answer
His son.
What words are pronounced differently by merely capitalizing the first letter?
Show answer
There are several, and there could be more: 1. job, Job 2. herb, Herb 3. polish, Polish
A man left home running. He ran a ways and then turned left, ran the same distance and turned left again, ran the same distance and turned left again. When he got home, there were two masked men. Who were they?
Show answer
The catcher and the umpire.
Your dad tells you that he will pay you $6.00 an hour for the 6 seconds that you take to wash your hands before dinner.
How much did you make for washing your hands?
Show answer
Answer: 1 cent
There is a fishing trawler, with a ladder in it, leaning against a wall at the harbor. There are five oars and two fishing nets in the trawler. The distance between two consecutive steps on the ladder is 1 meter. If waves lashing against the wall rise half meter in every half hour, in how much time will six steps of the ladder get under the waves?
Show answer
The trawler rises with the waves, so no steps will go under water.
When young, I am sweet in the sun.When middle-aged, I make you gay.When old, I am valued more than ever.
Show answer
Answer: Wine
As I was going to St. Ives,
I met a man with seven wives.Each wife had seven sacks,Each sack had seven cats,Each cat had seven kits.
Kits, cats, sacks and wives,
How many were going to St. Ives?
Show answer
Answer: One. Only I was going to St. Ives

Brain Teasers with Answers

Although these brainteasers are not as hard the previous ones, they still present a challenge. These brainteasers prepare you for our last group, where answers are not provided immediately!

Guess the next three letters in the series GTNTL.
Show answer
I, T, S. The complete sequence is the first letter of every word in the sentence.
A boy is walking down the road with a doctor. While the boy is the doctor’s son, the doctor is not the boy’s father. Then who is the doctor?
Show answer
The doctor is the boy’s mother.
I am the beginning of sorrow and the end of sickness. You cannot express happiness without me yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk yet never in danger. You may find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness.
Show answer
The letter S
Joseph and Lena are found dead on the floor with some water around. The windows are open and a strong wind draft is blowing the curtains around. How did they die?
Show answer
Joseph and Lena were goldfishes. The wind tipped their bowl over, hence killing them!
What has a mouth, but cannot eat; moves, but has no legs; and has a bank, but cannot put money in it?
Show answer
River
A man wanted to encrypt his password but he needed to do it in a way so that he could remember it. He had to use seven characters consisting of letters and numbers only (no symbols like ! or <). In order to remember it, he wrote down “You force heaven to be empty.” What is his password?
Show answer
Try to pronounce the sentence like these characters: u472bmt.
A man condemned to death has the option of picking one of the mentioned three rooms. The first room is a furnace filled with flames. The second has armed men with loaded guns, while the third has lions starving for years. Which one should the man choose?
Show answer
The third room, because lions starving for years would be long dead!
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a long one. Michael J. Fox has a short one. Madonna does not use hers. Bill Clinton always uses his. The Pope never uses his. What is it?
Show answer
Surname
A man wanted to work, but he could not log in to his computer terminal successfully. He tried twice, but still his password did not work. He suddenly remembered that the passwords are reset every month for security purposes. So, he called his boss and said, “Hey boss, my password is out of date.”
His boss replied, “Yes, that’s right. The password is different. Listen carefully. I am sure, you can figure out the new one. The new one has the same amount of letters as your old password, but only four of the letters are the same.””Thanks boss.”With that, the man could correctly log into his station. What are both the new and old passwords?
Show answer
Answer: The old one was “out of date.” The new one is “different.” Both passwords contain the letters d, f, e, and t.
The number 8,549,176,320 is a unique number. What is so special about it?
Show answer
This is the only number that includes all the digits arranged in alphabetical order.
A man is headed to a mountain along with a lion, a goat, and a basket of vegetables. On the way, he needs to cross a river and the boat can only carry two things at a time. If he takes the vegetables, the lion will eat the goat. If he takes the lion, the goat will eat the vegetables. How does he cross the river?
Show answer
Trip 1: He takes the goat with him, leaving the lion and the vegetables behind. On reaching the other riverbank, he drops off the goat.Trip 2: He then comes back for the lion, leaving the vegetables behind. On reaching the bank this time, he drops the lion, and again takes the goat along.Trip 3: He drops off the goat again and takes the vegetables with him to the other shore.Trip 4: Lastly, he comes back alone for the goat.
Your parents have six sons including you and each son has one sister. How many people are in the family?
Show answer
Nine. Two parents, six sons, and one daughter. All of them have one sister (not six sisters).

How to Find Answers for Brain Teasers

Brain Teasers with Answers

Now that you have read our collection, here are some good brainteasers without their answers for you to try.

What 5-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?
Find a number less than 100 that is increased by one-fifth of its value when its digits are reversed.
A bat and a ball cost $1.10. The bat costs one dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
What letter comes next in the following sequence? D R M F S L T_
How many times can you subtract the number two from the number fifty?
In British Columbia, you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not?
Can you think of a common word that contains double C, double S and double L? Can you think of a second one?
What number comes next in the following sequence? 2 4 8 10 20 _
Without it, I am dead. If I am not, then then I am behind. What am I?
If you wrote all of the numbers from 300 to 400 on a piece of paper, how many times would you have written the number 3?
You are in a place called Jack’s World and there is only one law. There is a mirror, but no reflection. There is pizza with cheese, but not sausage. There is pepper, but no salt. There is a door, yet no entrance or exit. What is the law?
I come in different shapes and sizes. Parts of me are curved, other parts are straight. You can put me anywhere you like, but there is only one right place for me. What am I?
What is black when you get it, red when you use it, and white when you are all through with it?
It goes in dry, it comes out wet, the longer it is in, the stronger it gets. What is it?
I have no eyes, no legs, or ears, and I help move the earth. What am I?
A truck is stuck under a bridge and the driver cannot get it out. A man walks by and stops to help. He easily gets the truck unstuck. How did he do it?
How much dirt is there in a hole that is 3 feet deep, and 6 inches in diameter?
What makes more as you take them?
When can you add two to eleven and get one as the correct answer?
A man went into a party and drank some of the punch. He then left early. Everyone at the party who drunk the punch subsequently died of poisoning. Why did the man not die?

Answers:

Short
45 (1/5 of 45 = 9, 9 + 45 = 54)
The ball costs 5 cents. One dollar more than 5 cents is $1.05, the sum of which is $1.10.
D – each letter represents one note in the diatonic musical scale: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti, Do
After that, you would be subtracting from 48.
You cannot take a picture with a wooden leg; you need a camera.
Unsuccessfully.
22 (the sequence alternates +2, x2)
Ahead
120 (100 threes in the hundreds place + 10 threes in the tens place + 10 threes in the ones place)
Everything (each word) in Jack’s World must contain double letters.
A jigsaw puzzle piece
Charcoal
A tea-bag
An earthworm
He let the air out of the tires.
None, because a hole and contains no dirt!
Footsteps
When you add two hours to eleven o’clock, you get one o’clock.
The poison from the punch came from the ice cubes. When the man drank the punch, the ice was fully frozen. Gradually, as the ice cubes melted, the poison was released into the punch.

Brainteasers are popular for a number of reasons:

Brainteasers help you improve your concentration and logical thinking.
Brainteasers are good for sharing at parties and with friends.
Brainteasers are fun!

For additional fun, try making up a few brainteasers of your own. Think of unusual relationships and situations, and then pose them to your family and friends. Brainteasers never get old! Puzzle on!

The post 100 Brain Teasers With Answers for Kids and Adults appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Teachers’ day and teacher appreciation week both occur in May in the US. However, there are many other times to show your child’s teacher how much you appreciate them – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, the beginning or end of the year, your teacher’s birthday, or anytime you wish. The key to providing the perfect teacher appreciation gift is knowing your teacher’s likes and dislikes. Additionally, teachers do not get paid much and always need things. Find out what your teacher wants or needs that they cannot afford or will not purchase for themselves and you are on your way to giving the perfect gift.

How to Choose a Teacher Appreciation Gift

Your teacher receives many gifts during their years of teaching, but there are a few they keep forever or that remind them of a particular student. In order to choose the perfect gift for your teacher that not only lets them know how much you appreciate them, but also leaves a lasting impression, consider the following guidelines.

Choose something your teacher loves. If you find out your teachers favorite candy, cookies, or other treat, you can purchase the item on not only teacher appreciation day, but also anytime you wish to say “Thanks!” In the future, your teacher will probably associate that item with you.
Give something that lasts. If your teacher is a gardener, buy a plant for them. Students gave many of the plants in my garden to me and I enjoy remembering them as I groom these special plants. Books, CDs, and inexpensive jewelry all are good choices.
Find something unique. One of my past students brought me unique gifts, all of which I still have. One was a single silver metal rose, another very pretty stone for a necklace. Another student brought me a clever novelty pencil – too large to use, but fun to keep on my desk in a pencil holder.
Put it in writing. As a former teacher, I have a folder of notes and cards given to me that carried a special message of love and appreciation. Your teacher will probably keep something written if it includes how they have positively influenced your life. Of course, this only works with that very special teacher you will never forget.

Every teacher has his or her own likes and dislikes, so it is important to choose your gift carefully. However, you probably should not purchase some items for your teacher.

Coffee Mugs Unless your teacher intentionally collects them, you probably want to refrain from buying a coffee mug as teachers get them frequently enough to have more than they need or want.
Pets A pet requires care and attention. In addition, most people wish to pick out their own pets. If your teacher has expressed a desire for a particular breed and cannot afford to purchase the pet and supplies, such a gift might work as a collective class gift. However, in most cases, do not give live pets.
Anything Labor Intensive Teachers are very busy, so you should avoid plants that require a great deal of attention or anything else that requires a tremendous amount of care. One hundred daffodils are a beautiful addition to the garden. However, if your teacher is not a gardener, they will never be planted. The same is true of bushels or fresh fruit or zucchini from your garden. Check first to find out if your teacher enjoys canning or preserving before giving lavish amounts of fruit, berries, or produce.

Teacher Appreciation Week Gift Ideas

It is fun to give your teacher something special each day during teacher appreciation week. Your gifts do not need to be large. You may wish to end the week with a larger, more memorable gift. Following is a list of gifts suggested for each day of teacher’s appreciation week.

Day 1 – A card expressing your appreciation

Homemade cards are often more meaningful.

Day 2 – Some treat your teacher likes to eat

Again, homemade treats are fine, although some teachers will not eat anything not store bought as they worry about the cleanliness of the kitchen in which they were prepared.

Day 3 – A plant or flower

Ask the florist for a long lasting variety that takes very little light and care if you are buying a live indoor plant. An inexpensive bouquet of fresh flowers is always nice or you can pick flowers and create your own arrangement.

Day 4 – A gift certificate

If you have seen your teacher bring in food from a particular fast-food restaurant, buy a coupon so one of your teacher’s meals is on you.

Day 5 – A DVD of your teacher’s favorite movie, TV series, or music

By the time teacher appreciation week rolls around, you should know what your teacher watches and listens to for enjoyment and can make the perfect choice.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Teachers work hard and a gift telling your teacher always loves a gift letting them know you appreciate them. Although teachers love being remembered on Teachers’ Day or during Teacher Appreciation Week, a spontaneous gift given anytime provides a welcome surprise. Sometimes your teacher may need a boost. For example, maybe they just recovered from an illness or you know they had a great many papers to grade. At such times, knowing a student appreciates them can really make a difference and create a lasting memory. Try one of the following to let your teacher know how much you appreciate them.

Gift certificates. Food, entertainment, or variety store gift certificates are welcome gifts. Remember that your teacher’s salary often does not cover everything they need or want. Even if your teacher uses your gift certificate for family necessities, they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
T-shirts. If your teacher has a favorite sport team or college, find a t-shirt with their logo. Some schools have t-shirts and teachers often do not have the funds for purchase them.
Highlighters. Teachers love highlighters, especially sets with multiple colors.
Sticky notes. Again, a variety of sizes and colors help make your teacher’s job easier and more fun.
Dry Erase Markers. Teachers never have enough dry erase markers and often do not purchase multiple colors because of the expense. Your teacher will appreciate some markers in unique colors.
Writing Utensils. Mechanical pencils, red, or other colored pencils, good pens, or a laser pointer make a thoughtful gift for your teacher. If you choose to buy mechanical pencils, buy the kind that does not require lead refills. For some reason, colored lead pencils are expensive. You should know what color your teacher grades your paper with, so purchase whatever color they use. Teachers frequently use the least expensive pens they can find, so they always appreciate good pens. Laser pointers are great, but teachers sometimes will not purchase one for themselves, so they are always appreciated.
Money Holder. Your teacher may appreciate a new wallet, or coin purse. If your teacher does not have one already, consider a “piggy” bank for their desk for collecting loose change.
Specialty Foods. If your teacher has a food they love that is expensive, such as high-end chocolate, coffee from a special place, or a particular type of food, consider either purchasing the food or a gift certificate, which will allow them to visit the shop or restaurant for their favorite.

Ideas for Collective Teacher Appreciation Gifts

When you are buying a teacher appreciation gift, try not to purchase and give anything too expensive. The exception is a collective gift bought by the whole class. Such a gift provides the opportunity to give your teacher a larger gift and one that will last longer. Some suggestions for a group teacher appreciation gift are:

A Special Accessory. Observe your teacher’s choice of accessories and pick one they will love. A watch, a piece of fine jewelry, or a brightly colored fashion scarf may be the perfect choice.
Books and Movies. A collection of books or movies makes a good gift and one that lasts. Make sure you inscribe the inside cover of the book with a dedication form your class and the date. Also, be sure you purchase your teacher’s favorites.
Subscription. A subscription to a monthly gift or event, or monthly passes to a movie theater reminds your teacher over a period of time that you appreciate them. Again, make sure you choose something they like.
Desk Set. If your teacher does not already have one, purchase a high-end desk set. This is a particularly appropriate gift for a new teacher just beginning their teaching career.
Plane Tickets. An open round trip ticket your teacher’s hometown or parents’ home provides a traveling opportunity many teachers cannot afford. Alternatively, if a student’s parent has a vacation time-share, the class may wish to reserve a week for a teacher get-a-way.
Electronic Device. Purchase the latest electronic device, either one for personal entertainment or one that can be used or teaching.
Fine Art. A vase, painting, or other special design object makes an excellent collective gift. If possible, find out either your teacher’s favorite color or one that coordinates with their interior design.
A Gift Basket. A basket with food delicacies or a collection of some of your teacher’s favorites
Good Briefcase. Teachers usually carry books and papers home for class preparation and grading. Your teacher may be using cloth bags – some teachers even use grocery bags – consider purchasing a really fine briefcase.

Homemade Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Make something that shows your appreciation. Your teacher is likely to keep something you put effort into creating yourself, especially if it is useful.

A hand-made pencil holder or other desk accessory is nice. You can decorate empty food containers by wrapping wall paper samples, adhesive backed paper, or wrapping paper around the outside
Attractive containers for paper clips and other desk supplies work well. Purchase small baskets and hand paint simple designs in your teacher’s favorite color.
Teachers need bookmarks for their textbook teacher editions to mark where they left off in their teaching. Simply use cardstock cut in a long rectangle and decorate it as you wish.

End of Year Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Note of Thanks. Write a note of thanks to your teacher for all they have done for you during the school year. Be sure to include specific things you have learned both educationally and personally. For example, if they made math understandable or helped you learn to get along better with others, let them know.
Scrapbook. If you have pictures of class activities or group shots with fellow students, create a scrapbook for your teacher. Include newspaper or bulletin articles about activities your class participated in during the school year. If you lack the time and creativity to make your own, consider finding a company online that will produce a digital book and send it to your teacher.
Pampering Basket. Teachers usually do not have the time and money to pamper themselves, so a basket full of special products for beauty and comfort is always appreciated. Consider providing the following:

For your female teacher:

Body mist
Coupon for a haircut and style at a local salon
Lip balm
Mani pedi kit
Scented candle
Special scented body lotion

For your male teacher:

After shave or cologne
Bath salts for muscle tension
Hand sanitizer
Massage roller
Nail brush
Scented soap (in a male-oriented scent)
Unscented lip balm
Summertime Kit

When school is out, teachers have an opportunity to relax and a summertime kit provides a fun and thoughtful end of year gift. Purchase a low-cost beach bag and fill it with some of the following:

A beach towel
Sunscreen
Reusable water bottle or large plastic cup with lid and straw
Insect repellant
A gift card
A book or magazine
Granola bars or small packages of dried fruit or nuts

Our list of gift ideas for teachers includes the practical, personal, and some that are just fun. Remember, the key is knowing what you teacher wants and needs. With some planning and foresight, you can find the perfect gift to tell your teacher how much you appreciate them.

The post 30+ Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Everyone should learn problem solving, as it is important in both our personal and professional lives. Problems occur all around us and many people react with spontaneous emotion. Instead, effective use of problem solving skills can lead to rational thinking, a component of any successful endeavor.

Creative problem involves using one or more of the basic steps of problem solving in exercises designed to challenge the thinking. Problem solving activities work for every age group. In this article, we will present problem-solving activities for adults and kids. We will also provide you with group and team building problem solving ideas.

There are four basic steps in problem solving:

define the problem
generate possible solutions
evaluate and select possible solutions
implement solutions

Problem solving activities use one of more of these steps.

Group Problem Solving Activities

Group activities provide an effective way to learn problem-solving skills. The following list of activities present problem solving skills in the form of games, a non-threatening and fun way.

Wool Webs

Divide your group into teams of equal numbers. Give each team a ball of yarn. Instruct the teams to create a web using only the yarn. Once the teams have finished (you may have to set an amount of time for completion), switch the teams around so that every team has a web other than their own. Each team then blindfolds one team member. The goal is for the blindfolded individual to unwind the web following the verbal instruction of their teammates. In order to be successful, team members must concentrate, and give/follow directions. The first team that has dismantled the web wins this game.

To Do Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt game involves solving a list of problem activities. Begin by dividing your group into teams. Give each group a list of to do activities. The list should begin with some simple tasks, with increasingly more difficult activities. Some suggested activities are:

Write a one hundred word poem on a given theme.
Find an object readily available in the area in which you are playing
Drink a whole can or glass of a liquid
Solve a Sudoku or cross word puzzle
Write out all the lyrics of a song (a Christmas carol works well at holiday time)

The team that completes all the activities first, wins.

Impromptu Skits

Prior to playing this game, write down a few appropriate situations that deal events in the venue in which you are playing. For example, for a group involved in customer service, use dealing with an angry customer on the phone. If you have a large group, divide them into teams of six to eight members. Have each group choose a folded piece of paper on which you have written the subject of a skit they must create. Give a set amount of time to prepare the skit and then have each team present their skit to the group. If you have a small group, have each person create one side of a conversation dealing with the problem for presentation to everyone.

Block Duplicating

Build a model out of building blocks. Provide each group member (or divide into teams for a large group) enough blocks to duplicate the model. Set a specific amount of time for completing the duplicated model. The team that is the first to finish – or gets the furthest on completing their model – wins. The more difficult the original model, the longer this task will take.

Team Building Problem Solving Activities

When choosing team building problem solving activities, make sure the game you use suits the group of people – their ages and interests. The activities we have listed will help with not only problem solving, but also build decision making, collaboration, and listening skills.

Tower Building

Although there are many variations to this game, this one using spaghetti and marsh mellows is our favorite. Divide you group into teams with an equal number of players. Provide each team with an equal amount of spaghetti and marsh mellows. The goal is to see which team can build the highest tower within a set amount of time.

Personalized Crossword

For this game to be effective, you need one or more teams of 8 to 10 people. Have each team list the first and last names of their group members. The goal is to create a crossword puzzle with clues composed of hints about the person, for example, if only one team member has red hair, the two clues for her first and last name could be, “Red hair,” and “Ginger.” It should take each team 20 to 30 minutes to complete their puzzle. When all the teams are finished, trade puzzles so that every team has a different one. Make sure you provide a list of names for the puzzle solvers.

Picture Pieces Puzzle Game

Prepare for this problem solving activity by choosing a well-known picture or cartoon full of detail. Cut the picture into equal sized squares and give one to each member of the group. You will need as many pieces as you have participants. Additionally, give each person a pencil, ruler for help enlarging the picture, colored markers, and a clean sheet of paper. Instruct them to make the puzzle piece five times larger.

Problem Solving Activities for Adults

Move It!

Divide your group into two teams. Line up the two teams front to back. Have the two groups face each other. Using chalk, spray paint, or masking tape (depending on the play surface) mark a square space for each person to stand on with one extra empty space between the two facing rows. You may also use a piece of paper for each person. The goal is for the two facing lines of players to change places.

Place these restrictions on movement:

Only one person may move at a time.
A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.
A person may not move backward.
A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.

Playing Card Mix-up

Divide your group into teams of six to eight participants. Give each team two decks of cards randomly mixed together. Tell the group they must sort them out without talking. As they working at the task, after a few minutes, change the way in which they are doing so using one of the following:

If a team is sorting by suits from ace to king (4 stacks), tell them to collect the suits together by number (13 stacks).
If a team begins by collecting the suits together, i.e. all the ones, twos, threes, etc., tell them to sort the suits from ace to king.

The team(s) that do so successfully by the end of a given time (depending on the size of your group) share what methods they used to accomplish the task.

Blindfolded games are always fun and provide the perfect challenge for adult problem solving. We have provided two for you.

Blind Formations

Have your group of adults put on blindfolds and form a large circle. Tie the ends of a rope together and lay in it a circle in the middle of the group, close enough that each person can reach down and pick up the rope. Tell them they must create a shape – a square, triangle, pentagon, etc. If you have a very large group, divide them into teams and provide a rope for each team. Let them compete to see who forms a particular shape quickest.

Line up Blind

Blindfold everyone and number the group by whispering a number to each individual beginning at one. Tell them to line up in numerical order without talking. Variations are many, with some of the favorites not requiring the whispering step being to line up according to height, birthday, surname, color of hair, etc.

Balloon Tower

Divide you group into teams of three and provide ten balloons and four 3-foot long strips of masking tape for each team. The object of this problem solving activity is to build the tallest freestanding tower in ten minutes. They can break the balloons if they wish. However, they may not use any additional materials and the tower must be built on a table or the floor. If you wish, you may add the following instructions:

No talking.
Each team member may use only one hand.
One team member may not touch the materials and only give directions.

You can use one or more of these limitations in 60-second intervals. The first team to complete their tower wins this challenge.

Problem Solving Activities for Kids

The purpose of problem solving activities for kids is to get kids to think about a problem in a different way and have fun while solving it. Children will develop their creativity as they seek to implement a solution.

Walking the Plank

For this problem solving activity for older kids or teens, you will need four 2×6 boards. Divide your group into two teams with an equal number of children on each team. Place two of the four boards end to end on the ground or floor. Set the other two parallel to the first two about two or three feet apart. The goal is for each team to pass one board forward while standing on the other board in single file. If someone steps off a board, the team must start over. The team that succeeds in passing the boards a set number of times, or reaches a predetermined spot is the winner.

“Laser” Web

Use a large ball of string to create a giant web from one end of a room to the other. The goal is for individuals or teams to move through the web without touching the string. If they do so, they have been “zapped by a laser” and must try again. For greater suspense and for older players, use blindfolds or turn off the lights, allowing players to touch the string, but not pull it down or out of its original shape.

Group Drawing

Divide your group of kids into teams of three. Each person on the team has a one of the following roles:

Drawer. The drawer attempts to recreate a pre-drawn design they cannot see. They take directions from the talker. They stand with their back to the talker and viewer and may not talk.
Talker. The talker describes the design to the drawer, without seeing the design. They may question the viewer. They may not use hand gestures.
Viewer. The viewer sees the design. However, they are not allowed to talk and must communicate nonverbally to the talker. Additionally, they must not draw the design in the air or actually show the design with their gestures.

The activity ends when the viewers say they are satisfied with the drawings. You may wish to award a prize to the best drawing.

Animals

Prior to playing this game, write on individual slips of paper the names of animal pairs, one name on each slip. Distribute the slips of paper to each group, instructing them not to share which animal name they received. The kids then move around performing activities their animal might do. The goal is for the kids to get into pairs successfully in a set amount of time without talking or making any noises. Suggest the following activities:

Cleaning or grooming
Eating and drinking
Fighting
Sleeping
Walking or running

Alphabet Game

Have your players sit or stand in a circle. The goal is to shout out words in alphabetical order. Give the kids one of the following categories (or choose your own):

Animals
Foods
Clothing
Furniture
Flowers

If a player takes longer than five seconds to think of a word, they are out. The last player remaining wins the game.

People achieve more when they solve problems and make decisions together. Our problem solving activities teach participants how to work out a solution, a talent useful in many different environments. Problem solving:

Improves team work
Helps participants address complex situations
Utilizes different thinking styles
Increases creativity
Collectively leads to decision making
Teaches both negotiation and cooperation

After completing a problem solving activity, encourage participants to discuss what process(es) they used in the exercise. Even kids are able to participate in such discussions. Also ask what was learned and if they have any opinions about how they could have solved the problem more efficiently.

Team-building exercises can improve problem solving and decision making in a new or established team. They work with every age group and in many different environments. Use our exercises to help solve problems and have some fun doing so.

The post 17 Fun Problem Solving Activities & Games [for Kids, Adults and Teens] 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:

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

Answers:

Ireland
All Saints (Hallows) Day
Renfield
Bone and Fire
Son of the Devil
Vlad the Impaler
Lon Chaney
Samhainophobia
Turnips
The Great Pumpkin

Set #2

Questions:

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

Answers:

Your future husband or wife
Central America
Mary Shelley
Romania
Samhain
Tim Curry
Fruit
It is thought to be the spirit of a loved one watching over the person who finds the spider.
Mexico
The ability to see and talk to spirits

Set #3

Questions:

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

Answers:

Henry Selick
Lestat (Interview with the Vampire)
First Lady Dolly Madison
19
Blue
One
Five people and a dog
1932
130
Four

Easy Halloween Trivia Questions and Answers

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

Answers:

Saint
On vines
A fruit
Orange stands for harvest and black stands for death
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 (2016 Edition) appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Everyone loves to laugh, especially kids, and jokes are a good way to introduce laughter into any gathering. Our collection of funny jokes for kids includes “Knock, Knock!” jokes, holiday jokes, and those that are clean, corny, and silly. Whether you are a parent sharing these jokes with you own children, a teacher having fun with your students, or just a kid that likes to have fun, our collection of jokes for kids is guaranteed to produce giggles, and, sometimes, uncontrollable laughter.

“Knock, Knock!” Jokes for Kids

Some of the oldest and most loved jokes are the “Knock, knock!” jokes. Most little kids love and understand these jokes, so they continue to be favorites among the younger crowd. Here is our selection of some funny kids “Knock, knock!” jokes to share with family and friends.

Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
NunyNunya who?
Nunya business
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Ben
Ben who?
Ben awhile since I last saw you
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Theodore
Theodore who?
The door got slammed on my finger!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Art
Art who?
Art ya gonna open the door for me?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Kent
Kent who?
Kent you tell? I’m standing right here!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Harry
Harry who?
Harry up and let me in!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you glad I stopped by?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Orange
Orange who?
Orange you going to answer the door?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Atch
Atch who?
Bless you
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Mister
Mister who?
Mister last bus home.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Isabel
Isabel who?
Isabel broken? I had to knock.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Olive
Olive who?
Olive you.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Olive
Olive who?
Olive right next door to you.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?Justin
Justin who?
Justin time to give you a hug.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there
Boo
Boo who?
I didn’t mean to make you cry!It’s just me!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Will
Will who?
Will you let me in? It’s freezing out here!
Knock, knock!
Who’s There?
Barbie
Barbie who?
Barbie Q Chicken!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Figs
Figs who?
Figs the doorbell, it’s broken!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Lettuce
Lettuce who?
Let us in. We’re freezing!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Turnip
Turnip who?
Turnip the volume. I like this song.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Ice cream
Ice cream who?
Ice cream if you don’t let me in!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Who
Who who?
Is there an owl in here?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Cow-go
Cow-go who?
Cow go MOO!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Police
Police who?
Police (please) may I come in?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Water
Water who?
Water you doing knocking on my door.
Who’s there?
Beef
Beef who?
Before I get mad, you’d better let me in!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Leaf
Leaf who?
Leaf Me Alone!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Tank
Tank who?
You’re welcome!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Wooden shoe
Wooden shoe who?
Wooden shoe like to hear another joke?
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Nobel
Nobel who?
No bell, that’s why I knocked!
Knock, knock!
Who’s There?
Anita
Anita who?
Anita to borrow a pencil!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Yukon
Yukon who?
Yukon say that again!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Amarillo
Amarillo who?
Amarillo nice guy!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Tyrone
Tyrone who?
Tyrone shoelaces!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Abby
Abby who?
Abby C D E F G H…
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Amy
Amy who?
Amy fraid I’ve forgotten!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Cash
Cash who?
No thanks, but I’d like some peanuts.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Alpaca
Alpaca who?
Alpaca the trunk, you pack the suitcase!

Holiday Jokes

Holiday get-togethers are perfect times to share jokes as part of having a fun time. Our selection of holiday jokes for kids cover those times when parties with family and friends are common. Liven up the party by sharing one of our holiday jokes for kids.

Christmas Jokes for Kids

What’s white and goes up?
A confused snowflake!
What do you call an old snowman?
Water!
What do you sing at a snowman’s birthday party?
Freeze a jolly good fellow!
What goes: now you see me, now you don’t; now you see me, now you don’t?
A snowman on a zebra crossing!
What goes ho-ho whoosh, ho-ho whoosh?
Santa caught in a revolving door!
What goes “oh, oh, oh”?
Santa walking backwards!
Knock, knock!!
Who’s there?Snow.Snow who?Snow use – I’ve forgotten my name again!
When does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?
In the dictionary!
What’s the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?
The Christmas one has no L (Noel)!
Who hides in the bakery at Christmas?
A mince spy!
Why wasn’t the turkey hungry at Christmas time?
He was stuffed!
What did one snowman say to the other snowman?
Do you smell carrot?
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite!
Where do snowmen go to dance?
A snow ball!
What carol is heard in the dessert?
Camel ye faithful!
What do monkeys sing at Christmas?
Jungle bells, jungle bells!
What is Santa’s dog called?
Santa Paws!
Who delivers presents to baby sharks at Christmas?
Santa Jaws!
What do you get if you cross Santa Claus with a detective?
Santa Clues!
What do you call Santa Claus when he doesn’t move?
Santa Pause!
Why are turkeys wiser than chickens?
Ever heard of Kentucky Fried Turkey?
What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar at Christmas?
He got 12 months!
What do you call an Eskimo cow?
An Eskimoo.
Who is Santa’s most famous elf?
Elfvis!
What do you call someone who is afraid of Santa?
A Clausterphobic

Halloween Jokes for Kids

Why didn’t the skeleton go to the Halloween party?
Because he had no-body to go with!
What does a panda ghost eat?
Bam-BOO!
Why did the Cyclops close his school?
Because he found out he had only one pupil!
What does a ghost keep in its stable?
Nightmares!
What kind of streets do ugly zombies live on?
Dead-ends!
What happens when a ghost haunts a theatre?
The actors get stage fright!
What do skeletons say at the front door?
Crick or creak!
Why don’t you eat ghosts?
They’ll go right through you!
What’s a vampire’s favorite part of the guitar?
The neck!
What do you get if you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite!
Where do famous movie stars go on Halloween?
MaliBOO!
What do you call a skeleton that lies around in its grave all the time?
Lazy bones!
What key opens a Haunted House?
A spooKEY!
What is the problem with two twin witches?
You never know which witch is which!
Who won the zombie war?
Nobody, it was dead even!
What kind of TV do you find inside a haunted house?
A wide scream TV!
Why did the skeleton go scuba diving?
Because he wanted to get some muscles!
Why was the little skeleton crying?
Because he wanted to be wrapped up like his mummy!
Where does a vampire keep his money?
In a blood bank!
Why don’t skeletons play music in a church?
They have no organs!
What do you call a mummy eating her Halloween cookies in bed?
A crummy mummy!
What do you call a fat vampire slayer?
Puffy!
What kind of person does a mummy take on a date?
Any old girl he can dig up!
Why was the big hairy, two-headed monster top of the class in college?
Because two heads are better than one!
What games do bats like to play on Halloween?
Anything with a ball!
What did the little ghost say to his mom?
I’ve to a little boo boo!
How do ghosts like their chicken?
Terror-fried!
How was Frankenstein’s birth?
Shocking!
What is a skeleton’s favorite drink?
Milk, because it is white and good for your bones!
What do you call a vampire 666 miles from a blood bank?
A cab!
What do you get when you cross a ghost and a zombie?
I don’t know, but it doesn’t sound good to me!
Where did the pirate ghost live?
The BOO-hamas!
What did the skeleton order with his drink?
A mop!
What is Dracula’s favorite fruit?
A nectarine!
What happened when the young witch misbehaved?
She was sent to her room with her broom!
Why wasn’t there any food left after the monster Halloween party?
Because all the kids were a goblin!
What did the mummy ghost say to the noisy young ghost who kept interrupting?
Spook when you’re spooken too!
What do you call a witch who likes the beach but is scared of the water?
A chicken sand witch!
How do phantoms travel?
Ghost to ghost!
What do ghosts serve for dessert?
I scream!
What do you get when you cross a mummy with a vampire bat?
A flying Band-Aid!
What did the werewolf eat after he’d had his teeth cleaned?
The dentist!
When do vampires like horseracing?
When it’s neck and neck!
What song do vampires hate?
You are my sunshine!
Why doesn’t a witch wear a flat hat?
Because there’s no point in it!
What do you read on Halloween?
BOO-ks!
How do you make a skeleton laugh?
Tickle its funny bone!
What do you get if you cross a skeleton with a famous detective?
Sherlock Bones!
What is a ghost’s favorite ride?
A roller-ghoster!
Why don’t mummies take vacations?
They’re afraid they’ll relax and unwind!
Why didn’t the skeleton want to go to the dance?
Because he had no body to go with!
What school subject is a witch good at?
Spelling!
Where do baby ghosts go when their mom goes to work?
A scare center!
What kind of mail does a superstar vampire get?
Fang mail!
Why didn’t Dracula have any friends?
He was a pain in the neck!
Why couldn’t Dracula’s wife get to sleep?
Because of his coffin.

Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids

What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient children?
If your father could see you now, he’d turn over in his gravy!
Why did Johnny get such low grades after Thanksgiving?
Because everything is marked down after the holidays
Why was the turkey the drummer in the band?
Because he had the drumsticks
What do you call a dumb gobbler?
A jerky turkey
Why do turkeys always go, “Gobble, gobble?”
Because they never learned good table manners
What has feathers and webbed feet?
A Turkey wearing scuba gear
What key has legs and can’t open doors?
A turkey
What kind of vegetable would you like on thanksgiving?
Beets me!
Why can’t you take a turkey to church?
Because they use such Fowl language
Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?
Yes – a building can’t jump at all.
What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octopus?
Plenty of drumsticks for Thanksgiving
How can you make a turkey float?
You need two scoops of ice cream, some root beer, and a turkey
Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving?
The turkey because he’s already stuffed!
What’s the best dance to do on Thanksgiving?
The turkey trot
What does Dracula call Thanksgiving?
Fangs-giving
Why do pilgrims pants keep falling down?
Because their belt buckles are on their hats!
Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside
What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
Plymouth Rock
How do you keep a turkey in suspense?
I’ll let you know next week
Why did the police arrest the turkey?
They suspected it of fowl play.
What’s the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner?
The turKEY
What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
Boy! I’m stuffed!
Where did the first corn come from?
The stalk brought it
Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off.
What happened when the turkey got into a fight?
He got the stuffing knocked out of him!
Why did the Pilgrims want to sail to America in the spring?
Because April showers bring MayFlowers.

April Fools Jokes for Kids

Color Up
Using face paint or washable marker (not permanent marker!) draw a mustache on your brother while he is sleeping or paint his nails with bright fingernail polish.
A Messy Drink
Take a pin and poke holes around the top of the water bottle. When your friend drinks from it, water will come pouring out of the holes.
Give Me the Money
Glue a coin to the ground and watch the other kids try to pick it up.
A Yucky Tooth Brushing Experience
Sprinkle salt on family toothbrushes.
What’s Happening?
Cover the remote control sensor or a sibling’s computer mouse with a piece of tape and watch your victim’s confusion when the device doesn’t work.
A Quick Wake Up
Put a few drops of food coloring in the bottom of a cereal bowl and cover it with cereal. When milk is poured into the bowl, the milk will be a weird color.
A “Dirty” Trick
Paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish and whoever uses will not get any lather.
“Bless You!”
Cup some water in your hand and pretend to sneeze. You will spray water on anyone close to you.
Turn It Up!
Turn a family member’s alarm clock or computer to maximum volume.
A Writing Problem
Paint the tips of someone’s pen or pencil with clear nail polish so it will not work.
The Warning
Leave little notes warning someone of an impending prank and then do nothing all day.
The Switch
Switch the salt and peppershakers or put sugar in the saltshaker.

Clean Jokes for Kids

If you need a funny joke quickly and want to make sure you or your children do not risk offending anyone, this list is a perfect resource.

Why did the alien want to leave the party?
The atmosphere wasn’t right.
What is an astronaut’s favorite snack?
Space Chips
What’s an alien’s favorite candy?
Martian-mellows
Why did the astronaut bring paint and paper on his trip?
So he could do space crafts
What’s an astronaut’s favorite drink?
Gravi-te
How do you make a baby sleep on a space ship?
You rocket.
What do space cows say?
“Mooooo-n”
What do you call a pan spinning through space?
An unidentified frying object
What is an alien’s favorite sport?
SpaceBall
What did the left hand say to the right hand?
How does it feel to always be right?
What did one eye say to the other?
Between you and me something smells.
Why don’t acrobats work in the winter?
They only do Summer-saults.
Why did the judge send the turtle to jail?
Because he was known as a hard case
What do you comb a rabbit with?
A hare brush
Which rodent won the basketball game?
The porcupine because he had the most points.
How do you catch a squirrel?
Climb a tree and act like a nut.
What’s the difference between a guitar and a fish?
You can’t tuna fish
Where do mermaids see movies?
At the Dive-In
How do you buy cat food?
Purrr can.
What monkey is always exploding?
A ba-boom
Why can’t you play games in the jungle?
Because there’s always gonna be a cheetah.

Corny Jokes for Kids

Some jokes are just plain corny, which adds to the fun of telling the joke. The following cornyjokes may made adults grown, but kids will love them.

Why did the cookie go to the hospital?
Because he felt crummy
Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?
Because he wanted to see time fly!
Why was the baby strawberry crying?
Because his mom and dad were in a jam
What did one toilet say to the other toilet?
You look flushed
Why is there a gate around cemeteries?
Because people are dying to get in!
Why wouldn’t the shrimp share his treasure?
Because he was a little shellfish
Why did the man put his money in the freezer?
He wanted cold hard cash!
What do call cheese that isn’t yours?
Nacho Cheese
What do you call four bullfighters standing in quicksand?
Quattro Sinko
What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches?
A nervous wreck
What do you call a belt with a watch on it?
A waist of time
What is the best day to go to the beach?
Sunday, of course!
What bow can’t be tied?
A rainbow!
Why did the birdie go to the hospital?
To get a tweetment
What has one head, one foot and four legs?
A bed
Where did the computer go to dance?
To a disc-o
What season is it when you are on a trampoline?
Spring time
Why do fish live in salt water?
Because pepper makes them sneeze!
Why is England the wettest country?
Because the queen has reigned there for years!
Why did the banana go to the Doctor?
Because it was not peeling well
Why did the computer go to the doctor?
Because it had a virus!
What happened to the dog that swallowed a firefly?
It barked with de-light!
How do you shoot a killer bee?
With a bee-bee gun
Who earns a living driving their customers away?
A taxi driver
What do you call the security guards who work at the Samsung store?
Guardians of the Galaxy
Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself?
It was two-tired!
Why did the barber win the race?
Because he took a short cut
Where do boats go when they get sick?
The dock
What dog keeps the best time?
A watch dog
What kind of crackers does firefighters like in their soup?
Firecrackers!
What did the digital clock say to the grandfather clock?
Look grandpa, no hands!
What is an astronaut’s favorite place on a computer?
The Space bar!
Which month do soldiers hate most?
The month of March!
What runs but doesn’t get anywhere?
A refrigerator
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was out-standing in his field
What did the worker at the rubber band factory say when he lost his job?
Oh Snap!
What did one hat say to another?
You stay here; I’ll go on a head
What did the elder chimney say to the younger chimney?
You’re too young to smoke!
Why does a Moon-rock taste better than an Earth-rock?
Because it’s a little meteor
Why is Peter Pan always flying?
He neverlands!
Why did the picture go to jail?
Because it was framed!
What stays in the corner and travels all over the world?
A stamp
What happens when the smog lifts over Los Angeles?
UCLA
Which U.S. State has the smallest soft drinks?
Mini-soda
Why did the stadium get hot after the game?
All of the fans left
What did the duck say to the bartender?
Put it on my bill
What did the Time Traveler do when he was still hungry after his last bite?
He went back four seconds.
How do you impress a baker when you’re taking his daughter on a date?
Bring her flours
Why did the can crusher quit his job?
Because it was soda pressing.
What do bees do if they want to use public transport?
Wait at a buzz stop!
What is the difference between a dressmaker and a farmer?
A dressmaker sews what she gathers; a farmer gathers what he sows.
Why did the poor man sell yeast?
To raise some dough
How do snails fight?
They slug it out.
Where do hamburgers go to dance?
They go to the meat-ball
What kind of shoes do all spies wear?
Sneakers
Why did the boy tiptoe past the medicine cabinet?
He didn’t want to wake the sleeping pills!
What do you get when you put your radio in the fridge?
Cool Music.
What can you serve but never eat?
A volleyball
Why did the hipster burn his tongue with his pizza?
He ate it before it was cool!
Why do abcdefghijklmopqrstuvwxy & z hate hanging out with the letter n?
Because n always has to be the center of attention
What did the time traveler do when he was still hungry after dinner?
He went back four seconds.

Silly Jokes for Kids

Some jokes are funny because they are silly. Younger kids especially enjoy a silly joke told well. Many in this list are perfect for the youngest joke lover in your family or group of friends.

What sound do porcupines make when they kiss?
Ouch!
What do you call a sleeping bull?
A bulldozer!
What did the penny say to the other penny?
We make perfect cents.
Why did the boy sprinkle sugar on his pillow before he went to sleep?
So he could have sweet dreams
Why did the robber take a bath?
Because he wanted to make a clean getaway.
Why do bananas wear suntan lotion?
Because they peel
What did the red light say to the green light?
Don’t look; I’m changing!
What’s the most musical part of a chicken?
The drumstick
What do you give to a sick lemon?
Lemon aid!
What did the buffalo say to his son when he left for college?
Bison
Why did the frog take the bus to work?
His car got toad.
Where do cows hang their paintings?
In the mooo-seum
Why did the tomato turn red?
Because it saw the salad dressing!
What goes up when the rain comes down?
An umbrella
What did the tree say to the wind?
Leaf me alone!
What lights up a soccer stadium?
A soccer match
Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil?
Because it’s pointless

Math Jokes for Kids

Math jokes for kids are fun, but must be easily understood if they are going to produce laughter. Most children who know their numbers and basic math functions and terminology can understand our collection of math jokes for kids

Why didn’t the quarter roll down the hill with the nickel?
Because it had more cents
Why was the math book sad?
Because it had too many problems
What kind of meals do math teachers eat?
Square meals!
Teacher: Now class, whatever I ask, I want you to all answer at once. How much is six plus four?
Class: At once!
Why didn’t the two 4’s want any dinner?
Because they already 8!
What is a math teacher’s favorite sum?
Summer!
What is a butterfly’s favorite subject at school?
Mothematics
What do you get when you divide the circumference of a Jack-o-lantern by its diameter?
Pumpkin Pi!
What did zero say to the number eight?
Nice belt.
Teacher: Why are you doing your multiplication on the floor?
Student: You told me not to use tables.
Why did the boy eat his math homework?
Because the teacher told him it was a piece of cake.
What do mathematicians eat on Halloween?
Pumpkin Pi.
How can you make time fly?
Throw a clock out the window!
Math Teacher: Think of a number.
Student: Okay, I’ve got one.Teacher: Good. That’s not it.

Elephant Jokes for Kids

For some reason, kids love elephant jokes. Therefore, there are a great number of them. Our selection of elephant jokes includes only those appropriate for children.

What’s grey, stands in a river when it rains and doesn’t get wet?
An elephant with an umbrella!
Why does an elephant wear sneakers?
So that he can sneak up on mice!
What’s grey and moves at a hundred miles an hour?
A jet-propelled elephant!
I suppose when you’ve seen one lion catch an elephant, you’ve seen a maul.
What do you call an elephant at the North Pole?
Lost!
What do you get when you cross a potato with an elephant?
Mashed potatoes!
What do elephants and trees have in common?
They both have big trunks!
Why were the elephants thrown out of the swimming pool?
Because they couldn’t hold their trunks up!
What’s grey, has a wand, huge wings, and gives money to elephants?
The tusk fairy!
What’s grey, but turns red?
An embarrassed elephant!
Where does an elephant pack his luggage?
In his trunk!
What’s grey, beautiful, and wears glass slippers?
Cinderelephant!
What is an elephant’s favorite sport?
Squash
When should you feed milk to a baby elephant?
When it’s a baby elephant!
What do you call an elephant in a phone booth?
Stuck!
What time is it when an elephant sits on your bed?
Time to get a new bed!
How do you stop an elephant from charging?
Take away his credit card!
Why did the elephant leave the circus?
He was tired of working for peanuts.
What did the grape say when the elephant stood on it?
Nothing, it just let out a little wine!
What did the elephant say when the man grabbed him by the tail?
This is the end of me!
Why do the elephants have short tails?
Because they can’t remember long stories!
Why don’t elephants like playing cards in the jungle?
Because of all the cheetahs!
What do you call an elephant that never washes?
A smellyphant!
Teacher: “Where would you find an elephant?”
Pupil: “You don’t have to find them; they’re too big to lose!”
What do you call an elephant with a carrot in each ear?
Anything you want, as he can’t hear you!
What do you call the rabbit up the elephant’s sweater?
Terrified!
What do you call someone with an elephant on his or her head?
Squashed!
Who lost a herd of elephants?
Big bo peep!
What do you get when you cross an elephant with a fish?
Swimming Trunks
What is as big as an elephant but weighs nothing?
Its shadow!
What do you do with old cannon balls?
Give them to elephants to use as marbles!
What animals were last to leave the ark?
The elephants as they had to pack their trunks!

“Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?” Jokes

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road Jokes

For some reason, these old favorites still are fun for kids. Adults will know many of the answers, but pretend to pause a bit before responding so your kid has more fun telling the joke.Try playing a “Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?” game by challenging a friend to see which of you can come up with the most answers.

Why did the chicken cross the road?
It was trying out a new pair of roller blades.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
All the other chickens were doing it.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
It was part of a chicken dance line.
Why did the chickens cross the road?
They thought it was an egg-cellent idea!
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because she was tired of living next to KFC!
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Burrrrp. What chicken?
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because the light turned green.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
He was stapled to an armadillo.
Why did the chicken cross the road halfway?
She wanted to lay it on the line.
Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?
She wanted to stretch her legs.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To prove to the possum it could actually be done!
Why did the chicken cross the road twice?
Because it was a double-crosser
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Don’t ask me, ask the chicken!

A “Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?” joke is always fun and so are those jokes that build on the same type of question, as do the following jokes:

Why did the turtle cross the road?
To get to the Shell station.
Why did the rooster cross the road?
To prove he wasn’t a chicken
Why did the dog cross the road?
To get to the barking lot
Why did the chicken stop crossing the road?
It got tired of everyone making so many jokes!
Why did the rubber chicken cross the road?
She wanted to stretch her legs.
Why did the chicken cross the playground ?
To get to the other slide.
Why did the cow cross the road?
To get to the udder side!
Why did the chicken run across the road?
There was a car coming.
Why did the fish cross the road?
To get to its school.
Why did the fish cross the ocean?
To get to the other tide!
Why did the frog cross the road?
He was following the chicken!
Why didn’t the chicken cross the road?
The butcher was on the other side.
Why did the gum cross the road?
It was stuck to the chicken’s foot.
Why did the chicken cross the basketball court?
Because the referee called foul!
Why did the cactus cross the road?
Because he was stuck to the chicken’s back.

Tips for Telling a Joke

Choose a joke you like. Your presentation will be better if you honestly like the joke you are telling.
Listen to how others tell jokes and see what works well for them.
Pick your audience. Make sure the people you are sharing the joke with will get it.
Pick a good place to tell your joke. For example, tell your joke at a party or share it with just to one or two friends you know will appreciate it.
Pick a good time to tell your joke. For example, avoid telling a joke during learning time at school. Doing so could get you into trouble.

Good jokes for kids can be difficult to find. Unfortunately, many joke lists include inappropriate language or subjects. Additionally, some jokes have references or idioms most kids cannot understand. If a kid cannot understand the joke, it will not be funny to him. Our list of jokes for kids has been reviewed and edited thoroughly to provide the best possible content and keep kids out of trouble when they share them. Pick one, tell it, and have fun!

The post 300+ Funny Jokes for Kids – Amazing Collection! appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Communicating involves more than simply exchanging information. To be an effective communicator, you must understand your audience, measure your tone and volume, watch your body language, and apply some other communication skills. This article explains not only what constitutes effective communication, but also presents the skills required to be an effective communicator.

Some interpersonal communication skills apply in all situations. Others only apply to your career or in your personal life. If you are experiencing one of the following problems at work, you probably need to improve your communication skills.

Hurting the feelings of others
Frequently being misunderstood
Problems when teamwork is required
Lack of career advancement

Poor communication skills often cause marital problems. You may want to have better conversations in your social life or improve your ability to communicate at work. Whatever your effective communication needs, the following information will help you determine if you have effective communication skills and improve those you determine are ineffective.

Basic Effective Communication Skills

Whether you are communicating one-on-one or presenting a message to a group, there are certain basic effective communication skills that are applicable in every speaking situation. See which of the following effective communication skills you already possess and add those you are lacking.

Plan and Prepare What You Are Going to Say

Plan group presentations and personal conversations ahead of time. Although a presentation that seems spontaneous is desirable, until you develop this skill there is nothing wrong in relying on a script. If on-the-spot communication is necessary, pause and take a moment to think before you speak. When you engage in communication, always speak plainly and honestly, as you will earn the respect of whoever is listening to you.

Think about what you can share in personal conversations. Funny stories always work well, especially if they are about something that has happened to you recently. Stay away from controversial topics – politics, religion, etc. – and make sure you give the other person a chance to speak. Questions work well, just keep them light and relatively non-personal.

Make sure you use only words you are familiar with. If you are writing out a presentation, grammar and spell check it before you present it. Your goal is to be easily understood by your audience.

Know Your Audience

What you say and how you say it is more effective if it is designed for the audience to whom you are speaking. You should use a different tone and style of communication with your family, your boss, and your coworkers. Conversations are different with friends and those we do not know. Effective communicators know how to keep the listeners attention and respect their perspective when speaking.

Use Body Language Effectively

Even when you are not speaking, you constantly communicate with your body language. If you learn to use body language effectively and read the body language of others, you will be able to communicate. For example:

Lack of eye contact shows distraction or disinterest.
Sighing and yawning are usually signs of mental or physical fatigue or boredom.
Crossed arms or tapping feet or fingers indicate you or your listener is uninvolved in the conversation or angry.

These non-verbal signals indicate you or your listener are not open to productive communication.

Use your body language such as facial expressions, posture, and body movement to add to the content of your message and reinforce what you are saying. Simply nodding or shaking your head can add meaning to content. Additionally, consider the age, emotional state, and cultural background of your listener(s).

Set a Good Tone and Speaking Pace

Use appropriate volume and tone for effective communication. Speak loud enough when you are addressing a group to be heard, but tone the volume down in a private conversation. Your tone of voice should also reflect emotion; never speak in a monotone. Your tone should be different for different ages, group sizes, and communication topics.

Effective communicators know how to pace their speech. Speak clearly, enunciating each word. If you need to do so, pause to collect your thoughts. Remember that silence is not necessarily a bad thing; you want to be in control of what you say.

Practice

The best way to improve your communication skills is to practice. Choose low risk situations to practice the skills you are learning until you feel comfortable with a larger group. Social situations where you do not know many participants are a good place to start. Watch the reactions of your listeners to determine how well you are using effective communication. The next sections will discuss the importance of good listening skills for effective communication and share how to develop those skills.

Listening Skills for Effective Communication

Effective communicators realize conversation involves both effective speaking and listening. Learn to be engaged in what the speaker is saying by developing the following skills

Completely focus on the speaker.
Understand the emotions being communicated.
Look for non-verbal cues – tone and volume of voice, body language, etc.
Take advantage of your physical abilities:
Listen with your right ear to activate the left side of your brain, which processes emotional and speech comprehension.
Stand straight with your chin down to pick up on higher frequencies of speech.
Lean or tilt your head towards the speaker.
Do not interrupt, but wait until the person speaking is finished with their thought.
Respond to what is being said with nods, smiles, and short comments, such as, “Really?” “I see,” etc.

You do not have to agree with everything a person is saying. You do, however, need to show respect for others’ opinions. Active listening not only involves paying attention to what is being said, but setting aside judgements and objectively responding to the communication of others. We will now look at how an effective communicator responds and bonds with others.

Becoming a Great Effective Communicator

Greatly successful communicators know how to effectively respond to the communication of others. Doing so helps one form a bond, if not with the communicator, with the content of their message. The truly effective communicator goes the extra mile, not only getting the most from every conversation in which they engage, but also providing their listeners with a memorable experience. The following tips will help one become not just an effective communicator, but a great one!

Express Appreciation and Praise

Whenever you are speaking to a group or becoming involved in a lengthy conversation, express your appreciation for the time your listener(s) is giving you. In addition, recognize, comment on, or compliment any input your listener(s) contributes. Doing so helps build rapport, an important characteristic of effective communication.

Connect to Your Listener(s)

This concept takes getting to know your audience to a new and greater level. The venue of the conversation or speech, the topic, and even your listeners’ appearance can provide clues making it possible for you to connect on a personal level. Just make sure you avoid controversial topics such as politics and religion.

Remain Positive

Effective communicators know the importance of remaining positive. To do so:

Avoid negativism or complaining.
Watch language to make sure critical and attacking words or phrases are not used.
If you must express displeasure or concern, do so with kind and encouraging words – a challenge, but possible.

Focus on the Desired Outcome

An effective communicator knows what result they want to achieve before they begin communicating. Doing so helps you remain on the subject and change the direction of the conversation, if necessary. Define what you wish to accomplish before you begin speaking. For example, are you:

Conveying facts
Needing to resolve a conflict
Seeking advice
Socially bonding

The outcome you wish to achieve determines the flow and content of the conversation.

Give and Request Feedback

Asking for input and feedback helps confirm successful communication, by letting you know that you have been heard and understood. Use questions and phrases such as:

So, you have agreed to . . .
It sounds like you are saying . . .
What do you mean . . .?
Am I understanding you correctly?

Clarifying the listener is connecting to what you are saying is imperative for effective communication. You can also repeat the other person’s last few words to stay engaged and confirm that you are listening.

Assume Best Intentions

Sometimes it is difficult to determine the intended tone of someone’s communication. Assuming the speakers and listeners have good intentions avoids anger and animosity. This is especially important with written communication, since you cannot assess non-verbal cues. If you do think the communication is designed to anger or upset you, it is best to respond with understanding and kindness. If you wish, you can ask for clarification of the speaker’s motive and intent of the communication.

Follow-up after Your Communication

A great communicator knows the importance of follow-up after a presentation or conversation. At the end of any communication, clarify future actions and accountability. This includes:

Assessing responses
Confirming deadlines
Clarifying responsibilities
Setting expectations

End your conversation expressing appreciation, with a smile and a word of kindness, if relevant and appropriate. Doing so opens the door for effective communication with you listener(s) in the future.

Effective Written Communication

Keep Accurate Notes

Effective communicators know the dangers of not writing things down. No matter how great you think your memory is, there is the potential to forget salient points after speaking or listening to others. If the thought of using pen and paper makes you cringe, text yourself or keep electronic notes. Remember to add the date of the conversation and who it was with.

Schedule Your Responses

Respond as soon as possible to text, e-mails, and phone and written messages. Many people find it convenient to set aside a specific time of day for responding to all communications at one time. Others may do so every two to three hours. Choose a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Doing so makes it easier for those you communicate with regularly to know when to expect your response.

Read and Respond to the Entire Communication

Avoid reading or listening to only part of the communication, as misinterpretations and misunderstood responses result. Additionally, extra time is required to clear up problems created by insufficient reading of written communication. Your responses should be clear, concise, and consist of numbered lists and bullet points as appropriate. A clear understanding derived from a complete read, along with a quick, clear, concise response avoids misunderstanding and appearing unprofessional.

Check Responses for Correct Spelling and Grammar

When you create a written message or response, read carefully what you have written, checking for spelling and grammar mistakes. In addition, make sure your message clearly communicates what you want to say accurately. A poorly written document will not achieve your goal of being an effective communicator.

Barriers to Effective Communication

There are some barriers to effective interpersonal communication one must be aware of and avoid. Consider the following:

Distractions. Put away your cell phone. If necessary, move to somewhere quieter.
Unnecessary conversation fillers. Saying “um,” “you know,” or “oh,” repeatedly throughout the conversation destroys the interest of your listener.
Lack of empathy. Listeners can determine if you lack empathy and your words lose their importance for them.
Loss of self-control. If part of a conversation makes you angry, and you cannot maintain your self-control, take a break if necessary to calm down.
Stress. Feelings of stress inhibit effective communication. Stress may be the result of nervousness when presenting in front of a large group or talking to a person you do not know. Breathe deeply, collect your thoughts, and continue when you are relaxed.

Good communication skills help one in both their personal and professional lives. Effective communication skills improve your abilities to interact more professionally with others. Both verbal and written communication skills can be learned and improved. Following the information and tips in this article will improve your written and speaking personal communication skills in both business and social situations. It is possible to learn how to communicate effectively.

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You may be wondering what is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence (EI) is one’s ability to identify, understand, use, and manage emotions in positive ways. Emotional intelligence relieves stress, helps one communicate effectively and empathize with others, overcome challenges, and prevent and defuse conflict. Additionally, emotional intelligence allows the recognition and understanding of what others are experiencing emotionally, providing a connection to others.

Emotional intelligence is commonly defined by four attributes:

Social awareness. Understanding the emotions, concerns, and needs of other people by:
- Feeling comfortable socially
- Picking up on emotional cues
- Recognizing the power dynamics in groups
Relationship management. Developing and maintaining good relationships by:
- Communicating clearly
- Influencing and inspiring
- Managing conflict
- Working well in a team
Personal competence. Focuses on your emotions and your interactions with other people and consists of self-awareness and self-management.
1. Self-awareness. Your ability to use your emotional awareness to:
  - Have self-confidence
  - Know how your emotions affect your behavior and thoughts
  - Know your strengths and weaknesses
  - Perceive your emotions accurately
2. Self-management. Your ability to use emotional awareness to:
  - Adapt to change
  - Control impulsive behaviors and feelings
  - Direct your behavior in a positive manner
  - Follow through on commitments
  - Take the initiative
Social competence. Social competence is your ability to use emotional intelligence in your relationships with others and consists of:
- social awareness – the ability to understand the moods and behavior of others
- relationship management skills – the ability to improve the quality of your relationships with others

The Differences between Emotional Intelligence, Intelligence, and Personality

Emotional intelligence involves your behavior, whereas your IQ is your level of intelligence. There is no known connection between your IQ and your emotional intelligence (EI). Your IQ is our ability to learn and remains the same throughout your life. However, your EI is a flexible set of personal and social skills one can acquire and improve upon with practice. One may naturally have emotional intelligence, but if they do not, they can develop high emotional intelligence.

Personality is our hard-wired preferences, such as an inclination towards extroversion or introversion. This final piece of our being is the style that defines you. Personality cannot predict one’s emotional intelligence and remains relatively stable over a lifetime. Together, IQ, emotional intelligence, and personality explain what a person is like and how they will react.

People assumed IQ was the sole source of personal success. However, people with average IQs outperformed those with high IQs 70% of the time. In 1995, it was disclosed that the high performers had high levels of emotional intelligence. Now, after decades of research, experts recognize that emotional intelligence is the critical factor that characterizes star performers.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

The previous section explained why the smartest people are not always the most successful or the most fulfilled people in life. We all know someone who is brilliant but socially inept. Such individuals are unsuccessful at work and/or in their personal relationships. Emotional intelligence affects almost every area of one’s life. Consider the following:

School and Work Performance. Emotional intelligence is considered so important that some companies test a candidate’s emotional intelligence as part of the hiring process. Emotional intelligence helps students and employees:
- Excel in their performance
- Motivate and lead others
- Navigate social complexities
Physical Health. Poor emotional intelligence can lead to stress – a leading factor contributing to poor health and problems such as:
- Increased blood pressure
- Suppression of the immune system
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- Infertility
- Accelerated aging
Mental health. Stress and uncontrolled emotions impacts mental health.
- Causes the inability to form strong relationships
- Contributes to anxiety and depression
- Creates feelings of loneliness and isolating
Relationships. Emotional intelligence makes it possible for your to not only express how you feel, but also understand the feelings of others. This helps you:
- Communicate effectively with others
- Create strong relationships in your personal and professional life

Emotional Intelligence Test

Now that we have defined what emotional intelligence is and how important it is, we need to find out how emotionally intelligent you are. Our emotional intelligence quiz is composed of twenty questions covering your emotional reactions and responses. Additionally, you are given situations you may encounter in your personal and professional life and choices of ways to handle them. Make sure you answer completely and honestly. When you add up your score, you will find out how emotionally intelligent you are. Then you will be able to decide if you need to work on increasing your emotional intelligence and follow our guidelines for doing so.

Reactions

The following two questions determine your emotional reactions.

When criticized, I:
1. Ignore the criticism
2. Listen and learn
3. Become defensive
4. Get angry

Give yourself 3 points for A, 4 for B, 2 for C, and 1 for D.

In a difficult situation, I:
1. Get scared
2. Retreat if possible
3. Maintain a positive attitude
4. Let others take the lead

Give yourself 1 point for A, 2 for B, 4 for C, and 3 for D.

Your score for this section: __________

Responses

When faced with situations, we react emotionally.

When pursuing a goal, I am able to manage anxiety, anger, fear, and stress.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree
I am able to utilize feedback and criticism to grow personally and professionally.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree
I maintain a sense of humor at appropriate times and in appropriate places, without using sarcasm or hurting the feelings of others.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree
I am able to see things from another person’s perspective.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree
I recognize how my behavior affects others emotionally.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree
When I have a complaint, I am capable of expressing it properly.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree
I listen to others with patience and understanding.
1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither Agree nor Disagree
4. Agree

Give yourself 1 points for each A, 2 point for each B, and 3 points for each C, and 4 points for each D.

Your score for this section: __________

When presented with a situation, we can describe our emotional reaction. The following questions help you do so.

I have a great deal of discipline and I am self-motivated.
1. Never
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
In stressful situations, I do not get irritated easily and I am able to contain my emotions.
1. Never
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always
Even if I believe I am right about something, I make an effort to listen to other people’s viewpoints.
1. Never
2. Sometimes
3. Often
4. Always

Give yourself 1 point for each A, 2 points for each B, 3 points for each C, and 4 points for each D.

Your score for this section: __________

Situations

Now we are going to look at some situations and determine how you would react.

Two of your friends are having an argument. Your response is to . . .
1. Try to help each one understand the other’s one’s point of view
2. Avoid both of your friends until they quit fighting
3. Choose a side and bad-mouth the other person
4. Let both of them vent their emotions to you

Give yourself 4 points for A, 2 points for B, 1 point for C, and 3 points for D.

Your friend tells you her mother has died. Your response is to . . .
1. Allow your friend to express her emotions and offer your support
2. Convince your friend to go out somewhere with some friends to get her mind off of her loss
3. Give your friend some time alone
4. Spend time with her, but avoid talking about her loss

Give yourself 4 points for A, 1 point for B, 2 points for C, and 3 points for D.

You are faced with an unpleasant task. Your response is to . . .
1. Make a plan and work on the task a bit each day
2. Put completion of the task off until the last minute
3. Get the task over with as soon as possible
4. Not do the task at all

Give yourself 4 points for A, 2 points for B, 3 points for C, and 1 point for D.

You find yourself involved in a heated discussion. Your response is to . . .
1. Ask for a short break before resuming the discussion
2. Give in and apologize because you want to end the argument
3. Insult the other person
4. Get quiet and stop responding to the other person

Give yourself 4 points for A, 3 points for B, 1 point for C, and 2 points for D.

Although you work hard on an assignment, you get a bad grade. Your response is to . . .
1. Think about ways you could have improved your work and received a better grade
2. Confront the teacher, asking for a better grade
3. Feel disappointed and criticize your own work
4. Decide the class is stupid and stop putting working hard on assignments

Give yourself 4 points for A, 3 points for B, 2 points for C, and 1 point for D.

Your friend at work has an annoying habit. Every day it seems more annoying and worse. Your response is to . . .
1. Tell your friend about her annoying habit and why it bothers you
2. Make a complaint to her supervisor
3. Talk about your coworker’s annoying habit to others
4. Suffer silently

Give yourself 4 points for A, 3 points for B, 1 point for C, and 2 points for D.

You are already involved in many tasks and projects and feel overworked when your boss assigns you big new project. You feel . . .
1. Worried that you will never get all the work done
2. Completely overwhelmed by the task before you
3. Angry at your boss because he has not noticed how overworked you are
4. Deeply depressed and sure you will never finish it all

Give yourself 4 points for A, 3 points for B, 2 points for C, and 1 point for D.

You work hard on a project and the person with whom you are working publically takes credit for work you did. Your response is to . . .
1. Immediately and publicly confront the person about the ownership of the work
2. Take the person aside and tell them you want them to credit you when talking about your work
3. Do nothing
4. After the person finishes speaking, thank her immediately for sharing your work and then give the group more details

Give yourself 2 points for A, 3 points for B, 1 point for C, and 4 points for D.

Your score for this section: _________

Now add up all of your points to see how high your emotional intelligence is. Put your score here _____.

If your score is between 68 and 80:

You have extremely high emotional intelligence. You are skilled at understanding, interpreting, and acting appropriately upon your emotions and those of others. You deal effectively with emotional and social situations and conflicts, and express your feelings without hurting the feeling of others.

If your score is between 60 and 68:

Although you score relatively high, you do have room for improvement. Watch the reactions of others to determine when you are using your emotional intelligence effectively and when you are not. Objectively looking at social and personal situations where emotions run high and analyzing your success will help you improve your already high emotional intelligence even more.

If your score is between 48 and 60:

You fall in the middle range when it comes to your emotional intelligence. Although you are responding appropriately in most situations, your still find yourself losing it sometimes. You also get impatient with others and are sometimes uncomfortable in emotional situations. Don’t worry. Our section on developing your emotional intelligence will help you reach a high level.

If your score is between 40 and 48:

Your emotional intelligence is a bit low. You probably struggle to manage your emotions in high pressure situations or when you get angry. You have some work to do to improve. Begin by trying to express your emotions after you are calm. Our section on developing your emotional intelligence will help you a great deal.

If your score is below 40:

Your emotional intelligence is extremely low. You are probably experiencing anxiety and stress on a daily basis. Additionally, you are probably having difficulty in school or at work, not making the progress you wish to. Read carefully through our section on developing your emotional intelligence and follow our advice to improve your EI and have a happier, more meaningful and successful life.

No matter how high or low your score, you can increase your emotional intelligence by learning more about how you respond in various situations. Additionally, an increase in emotional intelligence can help you do better in your job or in school.

Building Emotional Intelligence

Even if you understand what emotional intelligence is, you may find it difficult to apply that knowledge to your life. In order to permanently change and improve one’s emotional intelligence, one must not only build their emotional and social awareness, but also learn to manage their relationships, and develop personal and social competence. Consider the following ways of doing so.

Building Social Awareness

As mentioned previously, social awareness is the ability to pick up on nonverbal emotional cues others send. When you are able to do so, you can read and understand your own and other’s emotional signals. You can build your social awareness by:

Suspending your thoughts in order to experience nonverbal cues of others as they change from one moment to the next.
Not thinking about your own goals and objectives when you are with other people, but having concern for theirs.

Developing Relationship Management

Become Aware of How to Effectively Use Nonverbal Communication. Nonverbal communication is sending emotional signals through the muscles in your face and the posture of your body. It is important to recognize the kind of non-verbal message we send to others in order to improve our emotional relationships.
Use Humor and Laughter. When you are stressed, you have trouble keeping things in perspective. Humor, play, and laughter bring your nervous system back into balance, which means you can sharpen your mind and calm down. You are then able to be more empathetic.
View Conflict as an Opportunity. Conflict helps us build relationships when we see conflict as an opportunity to grow closer to others. Learn to view conflict positively, as a method to build feelings of freedom, creativity, and safety in your relationships.

Building Personal Competence with Self-awareness and Self-management

Self-awareness can be improved by paying attention to what you experience emotionally as you listen to others. This also illuminates your own beliefs and values. Self-management improves when you are able to connect to your emotions and understand how emotions influence your thoughts and actions. Both self-awareness and self-management are essential for improving emotional intelligence.

Developing Social Competence

Social competence, your ability to use emotional intelligence in your relationships with others, can be developed by learning social awareness, which is the ability to understand the moods and behaviors of others. To do so, learn:

To look for ways to determine how other people are feeling
Empathy
That feelings have causes

Additionally, you need to improve your relationship management skills. Do so by:

Developing open, honest, trusting relationships
Having self-respect and showing respect to others
Having good communication skills – listening, assertiveness, and conflict management
Being a good team member and encouraging collaboration

If you are having trouble with your emotions, they may be turned down or turned off. Emotional health comes from reconnecting to your core emotions, accepting them, and becoming comfortable with them. Once you develop emotional intelligence, you will be able to make choices that allow you to:

manage your emotions in healthy ways
control impulsive feelings and behaviors
take the initiative
follow through on commitments
adapt to changing circumstances

People have emotional reactions to events before their rational mind is able to engage. The brain grows new connections when you learn new skills. When you train your brain by repeatedly using new emotional intelligence strategies, emotionally intelligent behavior becomes a habit.

When you work to increase your emotional intelligence, you see results in both your personal and professional life. It is a fact that those with high emotional intelligence not only have more career success, but also make more money. When emotional intelligence was tested alongside 33 other important workplace skills, it was found that emotional intelligence is the strongest predictor of performance, explaining 58% of success in all types of jobs. Additionally, 90% of top performers are also high in emotional intelligence. These high performers also make more money than lower performers.

Your life is driven by your emotions. If you understand your emotions, you can effectively relate to others and are able to keep your emotions under control. Understanding the power of emotional intelligence allows you to use it to your advantage. Emotional intelligence allows you to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to change. With emotional intelligence, you can achieve success and fulfillment in both your personal and professional life. Start today to build better emotional intelligence.

It is important to remember that there is a difference, however, between learning about emotional intelligence and applying that knowledge to your life. Just because you know you should do something doesn’t mean you will—especially when you become overwhelmed by stress, which can override your best intentions. In order to permanently change behavior in ways that stand up under pressure, you need to learn how to overcome stress in the moment, and in your relationships in order to remain emotionally aware.

What is social intelligence and why does it matter?

Social intelligence is closely related to emotional intelligence. Our emotions evolved to serve a social purpose that enables us, as humans, to survive. The ability to recognize friend from foe, to reduce stress, and return our nervous system to a state of balanced equilibrium and to feel loved and happy is essential. These essential abilities all depend on successful emotional communication that is nonverbal and connects you to other people and their emotions.

Social emotional communication can instantly convey: The friendliness or unfriendliness of another person

Another person’s interest in us

Another person’s caring for or about us

Personal and social attributes play off one another. The world is a social place and we are social beings.

Building emotional intelligence with self-awareness

Attachment and adult relationships

The science of attachment teaches that present day emotional experience is a reflection of early life emotional experience. Your ability to experience core feelings like anger, sadness, fear, and joy most likely depends on the quality and consistency of your early life emotional experiences. If your emotions were understood and valued, your emotions became valuable assets later in life. But, if your emotional experiences were confusing, threatening or painful, you most likely did your best to distance yourself from them.

Being able to connect to your emotions—having a moment-to-moment connection with your changing emotional experience—is the key to understanding how emotion influences your thoughts and actions.

If any of these experiences are unfamiliar, your emotions may be turned down or turned off. In order to be emotionally healthy and emotionally intelligent, you must reconnect to your core emotions, accept them, and become comfortable with them.

Mindfulness practice builds self-awareness as it reduces stress

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment—and without judgment. The cultivation of mindfulness has roots in Buddhism, but most religions include some type of similar prayer or meditation technique. Mindfulness helps shift your preoccupation with thought toward an appreciation of the moment, physical and emotional sensations, and brings a larger perspective on life. Mindfulness calms and focuses you, making you more self-aware in the process.

Developing emotional awareness

If you haven’t learned how to manage stress, it’s important to do so first. When you can manage stress, you’ll feel more comfortable reconnecting to strong or unpleasant emotions and changing the way you experience and respond to your feelings.

Building emotional intelligence using self-management

Being emotionally aware is just the first step to emotional management. In order for you to engage your emotional intelligence, you must also be able use your emotions to make constructive decisions about your behavior. When you become overly stressed, you can lose control of your emotions and the ability to act thoughtfully and appropriately.

Think about a time when you have been overwhelmed by stress. Was it easy to think clearly or make a rational decision? Probably not. This is because while your brain can manage feeling and thinking at the same time, when we become overly stressed, our ability to both think clearly and accurately assess emotions—our own and other people’s—becomes compromised.

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Procrastination is delaying an activity or task with excuses rather than a real reason. Procrastination not only causes problems for individuals, but also creates a ripple effect that hurts their families and those with whom they work, play, and study. Procrastination wastes time, energy, and money.

Procrastinators continually put off tasks until “tomorrow,” frequently never arriving at a time when tasks are actually completed. They often end up in a vicious cycle that affects them physically, psychologically, and professionally.

In this article, we will look the reasons why procrastination is actually dangerous for you. Next, we will look at the signs to look for to determine if you, or someone you love, are actually a procrastinator. Finally, we will discuss ways to break the procrastination habit.

The Dangers of Procrastination

Procrastination influences one’s life. Adult procrastinators often lose the respect of coworkers, friends, and family. You may lose your ambition in your personal and professional life, setting yourself up for failure. Younger procrastinators struggle in school and their social lives. There have been cases where extreme procrastination has led to divorce, bankruptcy, and even suicide.

Procrastination Can Affect Your Physical Health

Putting off health related tasks, such as an annual physical exam, eating a healthier diet, or starting an exercise program threatens your physical health.
Procrastination causes stress, which compromises your immune system.
Studies show that those who procrastinate have poor diets and trouble sleeping.

Procrastination Can Affect Your Mental Health

The distress and stress of procrastinating often leads to unhappiness, thus affecting your emotional health. Additionally, procrastinators may avoid social interaction and the resulting isolation further causes mental distress.

Signs You Are a Procrastinator

Often, procrastinators do not recognize they have a problem. You are probably reading this article because you believe you, or someone you know, is a procrastinator. However, how can one identify a procrastinator? The following list of personality traits and avoidance tactics will help you decide if procrastination is the culprit causing task-completing problems and lack of success for you, or someone else.

Personality Traits of Procrastinators

Procrastinators frequently display certain personality traits. To assess whether you are a procrastinator, see if the following personality traits apply to you.

You are used to waiting until the last minute to complete a task, explaining, “I work best under pressure.”
You take care of unnecessary and unimportant tasks to avoid taking care of bigger ones.
You wait to start a task, telling yourself later would be better – you need to research, prepare, and plan before beginning. However, you never actually reach the point where you are ready to begin.
You mentally – and sometimes actually – create scenarios where it is impossible to complete a task. For example, you want to find a better job, but think about how you have put so much into your current job, and, after all, maybe things will get better.
You are caught looking at your past. You dwell on past failures, or keep analyzing what you have done in your past life and never get as far as completing a current task.

Avoidance Techniques

Procrastinators do have certain personality traits, but they also have techniques they use to help them avoid doing necessary tasks.

Making Tasks Complicated

Procrastinators often make an undesirable task so complicated, it becomes almost impossible to complete. For example, a person decides the house needs painting, but wants to do the entire area all at once, which involves moving furniture and taping above all the baseboards. Additionally, they decide they want the best, most expensive paint, which is prohibitively expensive. Thus, they reach the conclusion the task is too difficult and costly to complete.

Reluctance to Make a Decision

Procrastinators are often second guessers, constantly weighing options, and never reaching a decision. They are convinced whatever decision they make will be the wrong one. The result is an inability to move forward and complete tasks.

Seeking Perfection

Perfectionists are some of the worst procrastinators. The time is wrong, more research must be done, or they need to perfect the first portion of a multi-step task. Additionally, a list does not work for a perfectionist because they are convinced the tasks listed will take much more time than they have available for doing a good job.

Self-Doubt

Procrastinators frequently doubt their own abilities. Although they may want to finish a task, they convince themselves they lack the ability to do so. They compare themselves to others and decide they do not have enough experience or education to complete the task. Additionally, instead of doing the task they should do, they find a task considered easier – one that frequently is less relevant or has a low priority.

Creating Roadblocks

Procrastinators often set themselves up for failure by setting up roadblocks that prevent success. They create reasons for not being able to complete the task. They do not have the right materials, enough room, adequate help, etc. Once one problem is resolved, they find another one that prevents action.

How to Stop Procrastinating

There are not only many reasons and ways people procrastinate, but also many methods for stopping. It is not enough to make a decision to stop procrastinating; you need some practical ways to do so. Not all of the suggestions we provide will work for everyone. We have included those deemed most successful by those who have managed to stop procrastinating. Additionally, some of our suggestions come from mental health experts who have worked with procrastinators whose problem was so debilitating they sought professional help.

You may find your own unique solution. The key is to find what works best for you. If you try something and it does not work, do not give up, but try another method.

Prepare to Break the Procrastination Cycle

You have probably been procrastinating for a long time, and stopping is going to take some effort. Procrastination actually becomes a “personality trait.” Some preparatory steps are a necessity if you plan to experience success. Begin with the following:

Let Others Know You Plan to Complete a Task

Telling others your plans to complete a task adds accountability. Family, friends, and others will ask how the completion of your task is going whenever they see you. The possibility of embarrassment when you must confess you have not yet begun your task can be a powerful motivator.

Decide on the Process You Will Use to Stop Procrastinating

Read our list of ways to stop procrastinating and choose whichever you believe will work for you. If you are not successful, try a different one. Sometimes it works to combine more than one method.

Write Down the Reasons You Procrastinate

Review the section on the personality traits of procrastinators and decide which of those mentioned apply to you. Doing so will help when you map out a personal process for change. You cannot change your behavior unless you understand the reasons behind it. Here are some possible reasons for your procrastination. You may have one, a few, or, if you have been procrastinating for a long time, all of them:

Poor physical or mental health
Fear of failure
Comparing yourself to others
Insufficient ability to complete a chosen task
Unrealistic expectations

Methods for Breaking the Procrastination Cycle

Again, not all of these methods work for every individual. You may that one even contributes to your procrastination, for example, making a list is as far as you ever get as you perceive the job as completed once it is listed.

Prioritize Tasks

Make sure you are concentrating on getting the right things done. Yes, there is always more to do, but do not think about that, instead decide what you really need to do. Make a list and then number the items in order of importance. Work through your list in numerical order.

Create a Timeline for Large Tasks

Large tasks often seem impossible to complete, especially for a procrastinator. Break your large task into shorter chunks and then set up a timeline for completion. Set specific dates for completing each chunk of the task.

Make a To Do List

Design your to do list to meet your individual needs. Some people do well only listing items usually avoided, and excluding tasks done every day. Others list everything, as they get a feeling of accomplishment by crossing off items. You may like dividing tasks into groups using time, similarity of tasks, or days of the week.

Eliminate Opportunities to Procrastinate

Get rid of distractions. Turn off the TV, do not answer the phone, and if you are tempted by Facebook or email updates, turn off the automatic notification options. Some people set up a special place for working on tasks – a designated room, computer, or location – in which they only work on tasks needing completion.

Break the Task into Manageable Segments

Procrastination frequently occurs when a task seems just too overwhelming to begin. For example, writing a book seems daunting. However, breaking the task down into steps, such as creating an outline, writing the rough draft one chapter at a time, and revision (after the book is completed!), makes the task more manageable.

Create Rewards and Punishments

Reward yourself at milestones on a long task. Take a break and allow yourself to solve a puzzle or read a chapter of a book after an hour of uninterrupted work. Use larger rewards at the end of completing a large task or at the end of a week of productive work, such as a night out with friends. Establish some consequences if you avoid a task. For example, if you do not exercise three times a week, you cannot shop for new clothing.

Delegate Some Tasks

Determine if there are parts of a task that you can delegate. Family members are capable of completing many routine tasks, freeing you to complete a larger, more complicated task. See if someone else may be able to accomplish part of the task, i.e. having what you write proofread by someone else instead of doing it yourself.

Choose a Productive Environment or Workspace for Completing a Task

Examine your work area. Make sure you have the necessary tools to complete your task. Your work area should be well lit, with comfortable seating. However, make sure you are not so comfortable you find yourself relaxing instead of working. It may also be necessary to change the arrangement of your workspace if it becomes less conducive to work after some time.

Begin the Task

This may seem like a given, however procrastinators often just cannot get started. Set a timer and tell yourself you will work on a task for a short period, such as five or ten minutes. Often you will find that once you start, you will keep going.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are many negative aspects to procrastination. However, it is possible to stop procrastinating and become more productive. In addition to the suggestions already made, we suggest you try the following:

Be around productive people and pattern your life after the things they do to achieve success, especially in those areas in which you tend to procrastinate.
Continually clarify your goals. You will never get there if you do not know where you want to go.
Do not compare yourself or your ability to others. You can always find someone more creative, faster, smarter, or better able to complete whatever task you set for yourself.
Take action. If you cannot tackle the big task, go for the small ones. Get something done each day – something you can feel good about accomplishing.
Quit making excuses. You may think you have valid reasons for delaying a task, but learn to be honest with yourself when you procrastinate.
If necessary, go to the doctor to remove any physical or psychological reason for your procrastination. Poor health can impede the best efforts.

Do not give up. With time and effort, you can overcome the habit of procrastination and lead a happier, healthier, more productive life.

The post 12 Ideas How to Overcome Procrastination appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Playdough dates back to the USA in the 1950s when it was originally a compound used to clean wallpaper. Its popularity is reflected in its sales. More than two billion cans of Play-Doh were sold between 1955 and 2005. In 2005, Play-Doh was being sold in 75 countries – 95 million cans a year.

Every child loves playdough and there is no reason to buy it when it is so easy to make. We have included four recipes for you to choose from. The amount of playdough each recipe makes varies. Also, some require cooking or hot ingredients, and others are no-cook, which means you can involve your kids in making the playdough – a fun project in itself.

Stove-top Play Dough

Materials You Will Need:

Mixing bowl
Saucepan
Spoon
Surface suitable for kneading

Ingredients:

1 cup of plain flour
1/4 cup of water
1/3 cup salt
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Food coloring, glitter, etc. (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Mix the dry ingredients.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir until the mixture is blended evenly.

Step 2 – Mix the wet ingredients.

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil, and then add the food coloring and vegetable oil. Stir until mixed.

Step 3 – Combine wet and dry ingredients.

Stir the boiling liquid constantly, and slowly pour the dry ingredients into the saucepan.

Step 4 – Continue to stir.

Stir until the mixture is the consistency of stiff but smooth mashed potatoes. If you need to, add flour if it is too wet and water if it is too dry.

Step 5 – Cool

Take the pan off the stove and allow the playdough to cool enough it can be touched.

Step 6 – Remove your playdough mixture from the pan and knead until it is blended and smooth.

Additions:

Add a tablespoon of alum to the dry mixture to make the play dough less palatable to a child, reducing the likelihood that a child will eat it. Alum also works as a preservative to help slow down the growth of bacteria. It is non-toxic, but large amounts can cause stomachaches.
Add two tablespoons of cream of tartar to increase elasticity.
Add a few drops of glycerin to add shine.

Making Play Dough without Heat

To make playdough without using heat, follow the directions above, but do not heat.

Step 1 – Combine dry ingredients.

Step 2 – Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.

Step 3 – Stir and adjust ingredients if necessary.

Step 4 – Mix in added ingredients such as food coloring, glitter, or texture-related ingredients

Step 5 – Keep mixing until mixture ingredients are evenly distributed through all the dough.

Step 6 – Knead the dough on a flat surface until it feels smooth and even.

Quick Playdough to Make with Your Kids – No Cooking Required

A quick recipe, this one lets you have fun with the kids, because hot water and a stove are not part of the process of making this playdough.

Materials You Will Need

Large mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Wooden spoon

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons of white flour
2 tablespoons of salt
1 dropper-full of vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of water
Food coloring

Instructions:

Step 1 – Have the kids mix all the dry ingredients the large mixing bowl.

Step 2 – Mix water and food coloring in the small mixing bowl.

Step 3 – Slowly add the colored water to the dry mix while mixing with a wooden spoon until all of the water is absorbed.

Step 4 – Have the kids mix the playdough with their hands until it is smooth and elastic.

A playdough that only lasts a few days, store it in an airtight container in the fridge between uses.

Making a Large Batch of Playdough

A large batch of playdough is fun when you want more than one color or have more than two kids who will be using it. Since this recipe calls for boiling water, you may not want younger kids involved in the process of making it.

Ingredients:

2 cups plain all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1.5 cups boiling water
Food coloring (optional)
Glycerin – a few drops (optional – adds shine)

Instructions:

Step 1 – Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2 – Add food coloring to the boiling water

Step 3 – Add colored water to the dry mix in increments until the dough feels the right consistency.

Step 4 – Stir until combined.

Step 5 – Add glycerin.

Step 6 – Cool dough.

Step 7 – Knead until all the stickiness is gone and the playdough is a perfect consistency.

Note: Add flour if too sticky and a bit more water if too stiff.

Storage:

When not being used, store the playdough in an airtight container – a sealable plastic bag or plastic lidded container. If you store the dough in the refrigerator, mold and bacteria will not grow as quickly. Throw out dough after ten days.

Tips for Making and Using Playdough

Different recipes call for different ingredient ratios. You may need to try a few variations to find out what recipe and ratios work for you.
Divide you playdough into different batches before adding color is you want more than one color.
Let the kids help with whatever they can as making playdough teaches them to follow directions. Additionally, it is a fun project!

Safety Tips

Try not to let your playdough be out for an extended amount of time because mold will grow on it.
Make sure hands are clean when making and using playdough to avoid bacteria buildup.
Keep playdough away from pets as the salt content can be harmful to them.
Although playdough will not harm your kids tremendously, supervise their play to make sure they do not eat it – it can upset the stomach.

Making playdough is fun and easy and makes a great family project. Homemade playdough is much more inexpensive than the store bought kind. Whether you choose our recipe for a small, quick batch, or decide to make a large batch with several colors, your kids will love this activity and the items they create from their homemade playdough.

The post How to make Playdough – Playdough Recipe appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Positive affirmations are positive statements describing what you want in life as far as situations and goals. One strives to make a positive statement come true using repetition, which forces the subconscious mind to work to attain what is desired. Using positive affirmations can bring success and improve your life.

Our list of positive affirmations are divided into groups by purpose and topic. They can help you get rid of your negative habits, experience love, earn more money, and improve your physical and mental health. But before we start with the actual positive affirmations, we need to understand how they work.

Repeated positive affirmation statements focus your mind on an aim or desire, creating a mental image in the conscious mind. This image, in turn, affects your subconscious mind, transforming your behavior, reactions, habits, and attitude, reshaping your life. The time necessary for this process to take place depends on the size of your goal and how well you can focus. With faith, desire, and disciplined repetition of affirmative statements, you may see results in a few hours. However, it may take days, weeks, or even longer. Remember, it is important to refuse any negative thoughts in order for the positive affirmations to take effect.

How to Repeat Affirmations

The goal when you repeat affirmations is to transform your attitude, reactions, behavior, and dispel negative thoughts. The following 8 steps will help you:

#1 Relax your mind and body.

#2 Choose an affirmation that applies to you or one that meets a need.

#3 Your affirmation should not be too long and relatively easy to remember.

#4 Repeat the affirmation in one of the following ways:

Repeat them throughout the day whenever your mind is not engaged. (Do not repeat them while driving, crossing the street, or doing physical tasks.)
Set aside a special time of day and spend 5 to 10 minutes repeating the affirmation.

#5 Use only positive words with no negative meanings. Additionally, use the present tense – now, today, etc. Doing so builds positive images of current reality in your mind.

#6 Pay full attention to the words you are repeating.

#7 For additional power, write your affirmation down as you speak it the first time.

#8 Say your affirmation out loud in a confident voice several times a day. Try saying it first thing in the morning and before you go to bed at night.

Positive Affirmations for Success

Positive Affirmations for Educational Success

I always turn in my work complete and on time.
I comprehend what I read quickly.
I enjoy participating in extracurricular activities.
I love learning new things and using them in my life.
I love my classes and my teachers.
I make excellent grades on quizzes and tests.
I study comprehensively for my classes.

Positive Affirmations for Career Success

I am an excellent employee, always productive and giving my best effort.
I am experiencing success in my career.
I enjoy working toward future career success.
I have a satisfying job.
I know exactly what I need to do to achieve success in my career.
My work environment is calm and productive.
The job I have is perfect for me.

Positive Affirmations for Personal Success

Every day I become more successful.
I am successful in my daily life.
I feel powerful and full of energy, capable and confident.
I know my success is real.
I learn from my mistakes and they become stepping stones to my success.
I love challenges, easily find solutions to problems, and move past roadblocks quickly.

Positive Affirmations for Financial Success

I am experiencing wealth every day.
I am financially successful in all my endeavors.
I am getting wealthier each day.
I am living the life of my dreams.
I have enough wealth to fulfill my desires.

Positive Affirmations Concerning Relationships

Positive Affirmations Concerning Married Love

I admire and respect my partner.
I communicate openly with my spouse and resolve conflicts with respect.
I enjoy the time I spend with my spouse and we have fun together.
I have loving relationship with my spouse.
I love my partner exactly as they are, enjoying their unique qualities.
I share emotional intimacy with my partner.
I want the best for my spouse and go out of my way to support them in their personal and professional life.

Positive Affirmations Concerning Friendship

Even though I disagree with some of my friends’ activities and choices, I still care about them.
I am the best friend anyone can have because I am loyal, loving, and understanding.
I choose friends who love me the way I am and approve of me.
I enjoy being with my friends.
I take time to show my friends that I care about them and their interests.
My friends do not judge me and I do not judge them.

Positive Affirmations Dealing with Love for Family

I am happy I am part of this family.
I enjoy activities and celebrations with my family.
I love my family even though they sometimes do not understand me.
I love my parents, my siblings, and my extended family unconditionally.
I show my family how much I love them in every way possible – both verbal and non-verbal.
My family provides the love and care I need.

Positive Affirmations for Personal Growth

Positive Affirmations for Self-Confidence

I am confident of my future.
I am confident, enthusiastic, and energetic.
and my personality shows I am confident.
I attract confident people.
I breath in and out, exhaling hesitancy and inhaling confidence.
I love change, easily adjusting to new people and situation.
I love meeting strangers and approach them with boldness and enthusiasm.
I thrive on self-confidence, knowing that nothing is impossible.
I am outgoing and make friends easily.

Positive Affirmations That Build Self-Esteem

I am a unique individual, with many special talents and abilities.
I am attractive, healthy, and confident.
I am happy with myself the way I am.
I am proud of myself and the things I have accomplished.
I am worthy of great things in my life.
I like myself just the way I am.
My self-esteem and confidence increases each day.

Positive Affirmations for Physical Health

All my body systems function perfectly.
Every part of my body is healthy and full of energy.
I can stay healthy because my immune system is very strong.
I enjoy strengthening my body with exercise. exercise regularly, breathe deeply, and feed my body only nutritious food.
I feel better and better every day as my body heals.
I pay attention and listen to what my body tells me it needs to be healthy and vital.
I sleep soundly each night, awaking rested and full of energy.
I surround myself with people who encourage me to make healthy choices.
My body is full of energy and pain free.
My body stays nourished with healthy food.

Positive Affirmations for Mental Health

All of my thoughts and feelings are under control.
I awake each day with excitement, awaiting the good things coming to me.
I breathe in and out, releasing all stress from my body.
I forgive myself for mistakes and bad decisions I have made.
I observe my emotions without overreacting.
I meditate with joy and without resistance or anxiety.
I reject the idea that I am a prisoner of my emotions and past actions.

Positive Affirmations for Mindfulness

Everything is good right now.
I accept and embrace all of life’s experiences, even the unpleasant ones.
I am completely in control of my thoughts.
I am participating in the experiences of the moment.
I easily return to the present moment and what is happening to me.
I find joy in the moment.
I remain engaged and focused on the present moment.

Positive Affirmations for Decision Making

I know my wisdom and experiences guide me to the right decision.
I look my options objectively and then make the best decision for me.
I make the right decision always.
I receive all advice and feedback with grateful kindness, but I make the final decision myself.
I trust myself to make the best decisions.

Positive Love Affirmations

I am loved by others as much as I love them.
I am overwhelmed by feeling of for my life and everyone in it.
I am surrounded by love.
I great each moment of each day with love.
I radiate love and happiness.

Positive Affirmations for Problem Solving

Positive Affirmations to Defeat Feelings of Loneliness

I always attract the best and most interesting people.
I am a good friend.
I am a unique person that has a lot to offer a friendship.
I am confident and friendly.
I ask others to spend time with me.
I reach out to others realizing I can meet their needs.
I will be myself in my relationships and relax, knowing I am likable.
I will respond to those who come into my life today with understanding and joy.
It is alright to feel lonely sometimes.

Positive Affirmations to Defeat Sadness

As I look at the world around me, I feel joy and smile.
I am happy as I pursue my daily tasks.
I am happy.
I embrace happiness as my way of looking at the world.
I feel happy and content in this moment right now.
I have inner happiness that I can tap into anytime I want to.
I love to laugh and find humor in everyday situations.
I wake up in the morning feeling happy about my life.
My happiness inspires those around me to be happy,
Things are getting better every day.

Positive Affirmations to Defeat Anxiety

Each day I am more at ease and happier.
Even when chaos is around me, I remain calm and at peace.
Everything is well in my world; I am calm, relaxed, content, and happy.
I am free of anxiety, and inner calm controls my body and mind.
I breathe out stress and breathe in relaxation.
I release past experiences and live completely in the present moment.
I rest completely when I sleep, knowing everything is well.
I slowly breathe in and out, relaxing and grounding myself.
This situation is working out for my greatest good.

Positive Affirmations for Dealing with Anger

I accept full responsibility for any angry words or actions that have hurt anyone.
I apologize to those I have hurt with my anger.
I let go of my anger as quickly as possible so I can see clearly and understand others.
I release my anger with laughter and deep breathing.
I replace my anger with compassion and understanding.

Positive Affirmations to Defeat Sadness or Loneliness

I am important to others – my family and my friends.
I feel the love of both those who are close to me and those not physically around me.
I love, like, and approve of myself.
I release past anger, hurts, and loneliness, filling myself joy.
I take pleasure in being alone.

Positive Affirmations for Women

I am a loving daughter and sister, seeing to the needs of those I love.
I am a loving wife and mother, successfully creating a loving home environment.
I am a wonderful mother and my children love and respect me.
I am beautiful, happy, and healthy.
I am capable and kind, constantly learning new things and developing my personality.
I am happy to be a woman.
I am loving, giving and receiving love unconditionally.
I am successful in my chosen career.
I see to the needs of my household with pride and capability.

Affirmations are almost always stated in the present tense, because they work better that way. Say your positive affirmation out loud if you can. Using our list of over 100 positive affirmations can help your brain change and structure more positive attitudes about the situations and problems you are facing. Also, do not hesitate to change the wording to make the affirmation personal and most applicable to you. You can change and grow with positive affirmations.

The post List of 141 Positive Affirmations (by Category) appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

Leonard Stern and Roger Price invented the Mad Libs game in 1953. They created their own publishing company and the books were such a success that over 100 million copies have sold. Mad Libs are fill-in-the-blank stories. Players choose words – nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives – to fill in blanks in a story. The result is a strange, funny, and definitely original story!

Why Play Mad Libs?

Mad Libs provide a number of benefits for those playing.

Mad Libs are educational.
They teach parts of speech.
They reinforce reading skills
Mad Libs develop the imagination.
Mad Libs promote creativity.
Mad Libs are fun!

How to Make Your Own Mad Libs Game

Although you can purchase Mad Libs books and there are on-line Mad Libs generators, it is fun and simple to create your own. Doing so allows you to tailor the game to the age, interest, and ability level of your players. Mad Libs can be created for any subject, occasion, or age group. You can use the Web to search for any of the following:

Birthday Mad Libs
Mad Libs for Teens
Christmas Mad Libs (or any other holiday)
Star Wars Mad Libs
Mad Libs for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Wedding Mad Libs
Anniversary Mad Libs

Additionally, you can use any newspaper or magazine article, greeting card, book, or product description for your Mad Lib game. The reading you choose should fit the age and topic, as well as the interest level of your players. For example, your chosen reading will be vastly different for an adult group and a group of fourth graders.

How to play Mad Libs game

Method #1

Write nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs on notecards. Each player draws one of each type of word and must make a sentence using the words chosen. Players receive four points for each sentence created. However, if they can use their words to add on to the previous player’s sentence, they receive eight. The first person to exceed fifty points wins the game.

Method #2

Find a used children’s book at a thrift store or use one of your kid’s books. Short stories or poems both work well for Mad Libs games. Go through the story, highlighting nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Make four lists, one each of commonly used nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs on a chalkboard, large piece of paper, or poster board to replace those in the story. Have the players choose from the number of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that will be replaced. Read the story aloud replacing the highlighted words.

Method #3

Choose any type of writing – poem, short paragraph, or excerpt from a popular novel or classic literature – and type it up with blank spaces. Under each blank, indicate which part of speech should be used. Provide lists of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs (see our lists below) to fill in the blanks. Create one Mad Lib for each of the players and pass them out randomly. When the blanks have been filled in, have each player read their story.

Word Lists for Mad Libs

Fit your Mad Libs game to the age level of your players when you choose the words for filling in the blanks. You want plenty of adjectives and adverbs because they are the words that add punch and humor to your Mad Libs, so we have given you an extensive list of both. The words we have listed here should work for any group of players.

Nouns

Nouns are names of person, places, or things.

apple	fifth	scale
arithmetic	finger	seashore
badge	flock	sidewalk
basket	frame	sleet
basketball	furniture	smoke
battle	geese	bathtub
beast	ghost	nose
beetle	giraffe	sidewalk
beggar	governor	son (boy)
brain	honey	stage
bubble	hope	station
bucket	income	throat
cactus	island	throne
cannon	jeans	title
cattle (cow)	judge	toothbrush
celery	lamp	turkey
cellar	lettuce	umbrella
cloth	marble	underwear
coach	month	vacation
coast	north (south, east, west)	vegetable
crate	ocean	poison
cream	patch	riddle
daughter (girl)	plane	scale
donkey	playground	visitor
earthquake	poison	voyage
feast	riddle	year

Verbs

Verbs are action words. You may need to change the verb you use another tense by adding –ed or –ing.

question	add	itch
reach	allow	jog
rinse	bake	jump
run	bang	jump
scatter	call	kick
stay	chase	knit
swim	damage	land
talk	drop	lock
turn	end	march
untie	escape	mix
use	fasten	name
vanish	fix	notice
visit	gather	obey
walk	grab	open
work	hang	pass
yawn	hug	pitch
yell	imagine	promise

Adjectives

Adjectives are descriptive words. They modify or tell about nouns.

abundant	delightful	high	nutritious	square
adorable	dirty	hollow	obedient	steep
agreeable	drab	hot	obnoxious	sticky
alive	dry	hot	odd	straight
angry	dusty	huge	old-fashioned	strong
beautiful	eager	icy	orange	substantial
better	early	immense	panicky	sweet
bewildered	easy	important	petite	swift
big	elegant	inexpensive	plain	tall
bitter	embarrassed	itchy	powerful	tart
black	empty	jealous	prickly	tasteless
blue	faint	jolly	proud	teeny
boiling	faithful	juicy	puny	teeny-tiny
brave	famous	kind	purple	tender
breeze	fancy	large	purring	thankful
broad	fast	late	quaint	thoughtless
broken	fat	lazy	quick	tiny
bumpy	few	light	quiet	ugliest
calm	fierce	little	rainy	ugly
careful	filthy	lively	rapid	uneven
chilly	flaky	long	red	uninterested
chubby	flat	loose	relieved	unsightly
clean	fluffy	loud	repulsive	uptight
clever	freezing	low	rich	vast
clumsy	fresh	lumpy	rotten	victorious
cold	full	magnificent	round	warm
colossal	gentle	mammoth	salty	weak
cool	gifted	many	scary	wet
creepy	gigantic	massive	scrawny	west
crooked	glamorous	melted	screeching	whispering
cuddly	gray	messy	shallow	white
curly	greasy	miniature	short	wide
curved	great	modern	shy	wide-eyed
damaged	green	mushy	silly	witty
damp	grumpy	mysterious	skinny	wooden
dead	handsome	narrow	slow	worried
deafening	happy	nervous	small	wrong
deep	heavy	nice	soft	yellow
defeated	helpful	noisy	sparkling	young
delicious	helpless	numerous	sparse	yummy

Adverbs

Adverbs tell how something is done. They modify (tell about) a verb, adjective, or another adjective. They frequently end in –ly.

actually	famously	jaggedly	perfectly	smoothly
almost	far	jealously	playfully	softly
always	fast	joyfully	politely	solidly
angrily	fatally	justly	poorly	sometimes
annually	ferociously	keenly	positively	soon
anxiously	foolishly	kindly	powerfully	speedily
arrogantly	fortunately	knowingly	promptly	sternly
awkwardly	frankly	lazily	properly	strictly
badly	frantically	less	quicker	successfully
bashfully	freely	lightly	quickly	suddenly
beautifully	fully	likely	quietly	surprisingly
blindly	furiously	limply	rapidly	suspiciously
boldly	generally	lively	rarely	sweetly
bravely	generously	loosely	readily	swiftly
briefly	gently	loudly	really	sympathetically
brightly	gladly	lovingly	reassuringly	tenderly
briskly	gleefully	madly	recklessly	terribly
busily	gracefully	merrily	regularly	thankfully
calmly	gratefully	miserably	reluctantly	thoughtfully
carefully	greatly	mockingly	repeatedly	tightly
carelessly	greedily	monthly	rigidly	tomorrow
certainly	happily	more	roughly	too
cheerfully	hastily	mortally	rudely	truly
clearly	healthily	mostly	sadly	truthfully
cleverly	heavily	naturally	safely	upbeat
closely	helpfully	nearly	searchingly	upward
coolly	helplessly	neatly	sedately	urgently
courageously	highly	nervously	seemingly	vainly
cruelly	honestly	never	seldom	vastly
curiously	hopelessly	nicely	selfishly	very
daintily	hourly	noisily	separately	viciously
deeply	hungrily	normally	seriously	violently
delightfully	immediately	not	shakily	warmly
dimly	innocently	oddly	sharply	weakly
dreamily	instantly	often	sheepishly	well
easily	intensely	only	shrilly	wetly
excitedly	intently	openly	shyly	wildly
extremely	interestingly	painfully	silently	wisely
fairly	inwardly	partially	sleepily	worriedly
faithfully	irritably	patiently	slowly	wrongly

Mad Libs are fun at a party, useful at school for teaching parts of speech, and serve as an excellent icebreaker at any function. Our article provides all the information necessary for endless, entertaining Mad Libs. Play on!

The post Mad Libs Game [+ Word Lists for Mad Libs] appeared first on Icebreaker Ideas.

It’s all the rage – fun ways to reveal the gender of a new baby, whether you are having one baby or multiples, a girl, or a boy. Part of the fun of bringing a new baby into the world is disclosing the gender of your baby.

This article shares ideas for gender reveal parties, some extremely fun and exciting. Additionally, we have a checklist of the steps to take when planning your gender reveal ideas. Of course, you may come up with your own clever idea for revealing the gender of your baby. Ways of doing so are multiple and only limited by your imagination.

Gender Reveal Party Ideas

A Gender-Reveal Surprise Party

Invite your friends and family to a dinner party without telling them the purpose is to reveal the gender of the baby. This is even more fun if your guests do not know you are expecting a baby. Provide all kinds of hints – on the menu, around the house, etc. For example, if you are having a boy, use blue plates and napkins, serve blueberry cobbler for dessert, have blue guest soaps in the bathroom, and play music by male vocalists. Keep the secret as long as possible. At the end of the night, confirm that you are having a baby and reveal the gender.

If you wish, you can tell your guests ahead of time that it is a gender reveal party. You can even have your guests guess the gender of the baby. Have a playlist of songs related to the sex of the baby, for example, the Beatles, “Another Girl.” Then use one of our gender-reveal ideas to confirm the gender of your expected baby.

The “Surprise” Baby Shower

Surprise those attending the baby shower with the gender of your baby. You can either announce the gender of you baby yourself or give the friend or family member a sealed envelope from your doctor with either an ultra-sound revealing the gender of the baby, or a note doing so. Alternatively, wait until the mother-to-be begins opening the gifts, at which time she will discover either clothes for a boy or for a girl.

Gender Reveal Party Games

Games always make a party more fun for guests, and this is true at your gender reveal party. Have your guests guess or discover the gender in one of several ways:

Balloon Pop

Before the party, fill up one balloon with colored confetti to reveal the gender of your baby and several other balloons with air. Release the balloons in the middle of the floor, putting the confetti filled balloon in the middle somewhere. Have guests pop the balloons until the gender is revealed.

Vote on It

When guests arrive at the party, have them “vote,” guessing either girl or boy. See who is right when the gender is revealed. You can have small fun prizes for those who guess correctly.

Gender Guess

Pass around the ultra-sound and have guests decide which you are having, a boy or a girl. This is not always as easy as it sounds!

Pre-Party Guessing

This is a fun game to play before your gender reveal party. When you invite your guests, have them guess the gender. You can also use social media for guesses. Keep track of who guesses which gender. Then have a small prize for those who guess correctly when you reveal the gender at you party.

Unique Gender Reveal Ideas

If you want to do something different, try one of these unique gender reveal ideas to really surprise your friends and family members.

Reveal Your Baby’s Gender on Social Media

Some mothers have a rough pregnancy and a gender reveal party is not an option. Another reason for using social media is that the expectant mother might live far away from family and close friends. Revealing your baby’s gender with Facebook or Twitter might be the best option for you. Consider a unique picture for doing so. Take a photo with the baby’s father standing behind you, arms circling you, and hands resting on the sides of your belly, covering either pink or blue markers. Then take another picture with the markings revealed. Post both pictures on social media. If you wish to increase the suspense, wait a few days between pictures.

Keep Then Guessing

If you really want to do something unique, surprise them by not telling! Get everyone excited and then use yellow and green items, instead of pink or blue. At the end of the party, tell your guests you have decided not to know and not to tell anyone until the baby is born.

Baby Gender Reveal Ideas

Baby’s First Outfit

Go shopping and find two outfits for your newborn, one for a boy and one for a girl. Hand a sealed envelope with your baby’s gender inside to a store clerk, give the clerk both outfits, and ask her to secretly wrap the outfit matching the baby’s gender. Don’t peek at the sales slip! Unwrap the gift at your gender reveal party or with your family.

Balloon Gender Reveal Ideas

Balloon Release

Buy both pink and blue balloons filled with helium and plan to release the color denoting the gender of your child. The balloon release can be done in several different ways. Have your partner hold one color and you hold the other. On the count of three, the person holding the correct color releases their balloons. Alternatively, put the balloons in a large box or plastic bag and release them.

Balloon Pop

You can either pop the balloon yourself or have the baby’s father or a family member do so. The balloon is filled with confetti. Although some suggest glitter, avoid it as it is almost impossible to clean up. The confetti should be either pink or blue. Pop the balloon with a pin. You can also hang balloons from the ceiling, one for each guest, and let them pop the balloons on the count of three, revealing the gender.

Toy Gender Reveal

Toys work well to reveal gender. Wrap a box with a stuffed animal, a teddy bear works well, with either a blue or pink ribbon around the neck. You can also dress a doll in either pink or blue clothes. Unwrap the “present” to reveal the gender. This works very well if you are revealing the gender at a shower. Simply put the wrapped gender reveal package in with the other presents.

Silly String

You can purchase inexpensive cans of pink or blue silly string. This is an especially fun method if young guests and siblings are present. Cover the label with brown paper to conceal the color. You can even have a silly string fight.

Sibling Gender Reveal

For a simple and fun gender reveal, enlist your other children. You can have them perform one of the gender reveals we have already mentioned, such as releasing balloons, or at a specific time, have them enter the room wearing either pink or blue. You can also have a special t-shirt made (or look on-line for one) with either “Boy!” or “Girl!” on it.

Baked Gender Reveals

You can take an envelope to the bakery and have them bake a gender reveal treat without you knowing the answer, or order one in either pink or blue to tell your friends and family.

Colored Cake. A gender reveal cake can be simple or complex. If you wish to bake your own, simply add either pink or blue to a white cake mix, and then frost to hide the color. Sheet cakes and square cakes work best, because you only need to cut off one corner to announce your baby’s sex. Bakeries can put colored candies inside the cake for an added surprise. The color is not disclosed until the cake is cut.
Cupcakes. Biting into a cupcake to discover the gender of your baby is fun for everyone involved. You can either color the cake or fill the cupcakes with pink or blue buttercream. If you wish, you can simply sprinkle the cupcakes with pink or blue mini sugar hearts or frost them with pink or blue icing.
Cookies. You can purchase gender reveal cookies or make your own. Inside of layered sugar cookies is colored icing denoting the gender of the baby. If you are making your own, simple take two baked sugar cookies, put pink or blue icing between them, and frost with plan white frosting.

Sweet treats are always popular. If you wish, instead of cakes or cupcakes, use cake pops. Another idea is to fill a piñata with candies wrapped in either pink or blue paper, and small pink or blue toys.

Gender Reveal for Multiple Babies

If you’re having multiples, you will need to prepare more than one item for your gender reveal. You can have two cakes, one for each baby, or a layered cake with layers for each. Another idea is to have a large sheet cake baked that is half pink and half blue if you are having both a girl and a boy. If you are using cupcakes, have both pink and blue, which can cause a great deal of confusion and fun at first!

Steps to follow for a Having a Gender Reveal Party

Step #1 Find out the Gender of Your Baby

Schedule an ultrasound at around eighteen or twenty weeks of your gestation period. Hopefully the ultrasound will reveal if your baby is a boy or a girl. You need to decide if you want to know the gender now, or wait. You can have the sonographer either write down the gender of the baby or put the ultrasound in an envelope to be opened later, perhaps at your gender reveal party. If the ultrasound does not reveal the gender of the baby, you may need to have another one at a later date.

Step #2 Choose a Theme

When it comes to choosing a theme, the key is to choose one that fits with your personality. Consider the following:

A Nearby Holiday. If your baby is due near a holiday or you are planning your party close to a holiday time, consider using the holiday as a theme. At Easter, consider giving each guest a plastic egg with a pink or blue candy inside. For Christmas, wrap small packages with tiny gender revealing objects inside.
A Color. You can reveal the gender of you baby by using pink or blue, but do not limit your color choice. Use your favorite color if you wish – purple, green, or yellow – and build your theme around it.
An Animal or Insect. Teddy bears are traditionally associated with babies. A pink or blue ribbon around the neck will tell guests the baby’s gender. Butterflies, perhaps emerging from cocoons is another idea.

Step #3 Send Invitations

Plan to have your gender reveal about two weeks after you have the ultrasound. You can use mailed invitations to match your chosen theme or social media. Most people know the reason for a gender reveal party, but you may want to let them know some details, such as: if the gender is secret; any special directions, such as type of party; any other details that explain your plans.

Step #4 Gather Materials

Choose your supplies – foods, candles, plates, cups, and napkins – to fit with your theme. You do not need to spend a great deal of money as discount and dollar stores have most of what you need. Order any special foods, such as a gender reveal cake or cupcakes, a deli tray, or catered meal.

Step #5 Relax and Enjoy

If you need to do so, enlist some help to make sure everything for your gender reveal party goes smoothly. You do not want to exhaust yourself getting ready for your gender reveal party. Once you have followed these steps, you should be able to relax and enjoy yourself.

Whatever you decide to do for your gender reveal party, make sure to take plenty of pictures. You want to remember how you revealed your baby’s gender. Also, you can share pictures of your gender reveal party not only with your family and friends, but also with your child when they get older. Have fun and enjoy your gender reveal!

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