ICE BREAKERS The Art of Thawing Groups Suzanne

ICE BREAKERS The Art of Thawing Groups Suzanne Vander Wekken HSCI: Advocacy & Health Communication January 24, 2013

AT A GLANCE Ice Breaker Activity WHY ice breakers? WHAT ice breakers should be Types & Examples Ice Breakers 101: Preparation & Delivery Things to Avoid Resources & Videos Q&A Image source: http: //tinyurl. com/bfu 2 med 2 ICEBREAKERS 101

ICE BREAKER ACTIVITY Find someone else in the room who … then make the awkward moose Image source: http: //tinyurl. com/9 wdf 8 ux Is wearing the same coloured socks as you Who’s name starts with the same first letter as yours Was born in the same month as you 3 ICEBREAKERS 101

WHY Ice Breakers? Mixer and introduction Relieve nerves or tension (group and speaker) Sets the stage/tone Increases energy and attention Image source: http: //tinyurl. com/aw 7 mr 54 4 ICEBREAKERS 101

WHAT Ice breakers should be … Non-threatening Simple and easy Success-oriented Interactive Fun! ICEBREAKERS 101 5

ICE BREAKER TYPES & EXAMPLES Type Example Getting to Know Others v Me too yarn game v Get to know the people BINGO Move Around v Numbers Team & Trust Building v “Alphabet game” v Build the tallest newspaper tower Race or Competition v Pockets & purses Imagination & Props v “This is not a water bottle…it’s a…” v What you would bring to a desert island Thinkers v “Would you rather …” ICEBREAKERS 101 6

ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY: “Would you rather …” Be able to turn invisible OR Be able to fly ICEBREAKERS 101 7

ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY: “Would you rather …” Lose your sense of hearing OR Lose your sense of taste ICEBREAKERS 101 8

ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY: “Would you rather …” Win the lottery OR Become famous ICEBREAKERS 101 9

ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY: “Would you rather …” That mermaids be real OR Unicorns be real ICEBREAKERS 101 10

ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY: “Would you rather …” Drink a glass of wine OR Drink a glass of beer ICEBREAKERS 101 11

ICE BREAKERS 101 PREPARATION WHO? Size, nature, demographics WHEN? Image Source: http: //tinyurl. com/a 6 z 6 tnf meetings, trainings, parties… First thing, and/or in the middle, how much time? WHERE? What is the nature of the space? WHAT? Is your goal? Introduction , blood moving, engaging a topic … Materials or props Have a Plan B … and maybe C and D … Practice 12 ICEBREAKERS 101

ICE BREAKERS 101 DELIVERY HOW? Be excited and optimistic (and funny if possible) Give clear instructions “Set the scene” Ask for volunteers and give examples Participate Gauge time, interest and energy End at the peak ICEBREAKERS 101 13

Things to Avoid Unclear or disjointed instructions Overly complicated or competitive activities Getting too personal “Choose a partner” Letting the activity go on too long Feeling upset if it falls flat ICEBREAKERS 101 14

Resources http: //xa. yimg. com/kq/gr oups/4749922/97365488 4/name/Icebreakers. pdf http: //www. inspireyourgr oup. com/media/surefire 3. pdf 100 s by type and goal http: //www. playmeo. com/ activities/search/category: i ce-breakers Youth http: //insight. typepad. co. uk/4 0_icebreakers_for_small_grou ps. pdf Meetings http: //www. squidoo. com /ice-breakers-fun-groupgames Children http: //www. ultimatecampreso urce. com/site/campactivities/ice-breakers. html

A few other worthwhile links … Free Ice breakers at “Trainer Bubble”: http: //www. trainerbubble. com/Products. aspx? Category_ID=35 Top 10 Meeting Ice breakers: http: //www. deskdemon. com/pages/uk/venues/icebreakers Community Building Ice Breakers: http: //www 1. villanova. edu/content/villanova/artsci/undergrad/se rvicelearning/community/instructors_facilitators/resources/_jcr_ content/pagecontent/download_4/file. res/Ice%20 Breakers. pdf ICEBREAKERS 101 16

You Tube Video Resources “The Potato” http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Pr. WVq. Lz. Nyw. A “Clumps” by Mark Collard: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Ciooq. Yo. YJtw “The Mintie” Game http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=uih. LH 1 dg. Ko. Y “Draw a 6” http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=KVM 2 i 1 e. NQp. U Alphabet Game: http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=JS 1 J-2 QYB-Q “Me too” Yarn Activity : http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=pnn. V 38 PXZ-U ICEBREAKERS 101 17

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QUESTIONS? THANKS! ICEBREAKERS 101 19