Chances are we have all used an icebreaker in our classroom at one time or another.  Icebreakers are used as a tool to get students to know each other when they first start school or move from one level of training to the next.  It allows students to find what they have in common with other students and understand each other better.  Icebreakers can be useful for other purposes as well.  You can use them to re-engage students when coming back from lunch or as an energizer when you need a break from the subject matter.  You might even adapt an icebreaker to introduce a new topic to the class.

Coming up with ideas for icebreakers is where we often get stuck. However, there is now an app to help us out with that.  The app is called Icebreakers.  It provides quick and fun icebreakers or energizers that you can use in your classroom.  It is free to download, but to access all of the app games and remove the ads, you can opt to pay $1.99 for the Pro version.

The app allows you to search games by situation, type and group size.  Different situations include classroom, team building, fun and more.  The types of games are divided into categories like active, getting to know you and team building.  There are different options for any group size you have in your school.

In addition, there are Rebus Puzzles.  These are picture puzzles or brain teasers that will help stimulate critical thinking skills.  You can email a PDF of the puzzles to yourself and then use it as an energizer in your classroom.  Print them out and if you need a change of pace in class, have students work in pairs or groups to see if they can uncover the hidden message in the picture.

Happy Icebreaking!