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20+ Maths Warm-Up Ideas for Your Classroom

Written by Holly (Teach Starter)

Daily maths warm-ups are intended to be a quick way to loosen up a student’s brain. They are not meant to be something that is going to take a long time to organize or plan, but they’re something that can be used quickly for the whole class! 

Are you looking for simple m aths warm-up ideas for students to practise concepts they’ve learned in previous classes? They may still need to work on such as counting, addition, subtraction, place value, etc., but the members of the Teach Starter teacher team have put our heads together for some simple ideas that can make a real difference in getting students ready to dive deep into developing their maths skills! Read on for a look at why these warm-ups are so important, and some of our teacher team’s favourites!

Need math warm-up activities you can print right now? Skip to our maths warm-up activities collection !

The Importance of Maths Warm-Ups

You wouldn’t ask an athlete to run a race or a singer to go on stage without warming up first! Some might say that warming up your students’ maths brains at the start of a lesson is the most important part of the session. Warm-ups spark student interest before diving into your content by practising known, related information.

Reviewing familiar maths content can help students practice their base knowledge, bringing this understanding to the front of their minds so it’s ready to access when they dive into the newer, trickier stuff you’re about to teach.

Quick Maths Warm-Up Ideas for Primary School

We’ll kick things off with warm-ups you can do right on your whiteboard, then dive into number talks, circle games and a lot more to get their numerical minds working.

Maths Warm-Ups on the Whiteboard

File this under quick and easy: Using your classroom whiteboard and writing quick maths word problems on the board can be a great way to work those little minds, and it doesn’t take much more than your marker and a few ideas. Fortunately, our teacher team has plenty of those for you …

Play Who Am I using numbers

I am a number. I am 4 digits long. 3 and 5 are 2 of my many factors. What number could I be?

Work it out – the answer is… what is the question?

The answer is 3/4. What is the question?

Use numbers to get an answer.

The answer is 345. Use these numbers to work out a number of questions — 10, 3, 4, 5, 2, 1, 100.

Balance an even group of numbers using addition.

Use addition to balance these numbers so both sides are equal — 56, 38, 22, 16, 6, 40, 24, 27, 19, 32.

Make a number using different methods and provided numbers.

Make 126. Use all of the numbers (200, 5, 4, 2, 6) to arrive at an answer of 126. You can use addition , subtraction, multiplication, or division, but each number may only be used once.

Guess the Number 

This is a fun maths warm-up that can be played as a whole class or in groups of three. Students stand up and without looking at the other player’s numbers, write a number between 2 and 9. The third player calls out the sum of the numbers, and the winner is the person who can figure out what number the other player has first. This can be differentiated for students by increasing or decreasing numbers or by having the third player find the product instead of the sum.

Number of the Day

Write a new number on the board each day, and make it a daily practice for students to interact with the number in a number of ways  — you can use equity sticks and call on students one by one to give you a number that is ‘more’ or ‘less’ than the number of the day. You can also ask one student to identify if the number of the day is odd or even, then call on other students to tell you another number that is odd or even!

Number Talk Activities

Number Talks are short, daily activities that allow students to have meaningful and highly engaging conversations about mathematics. Show students the front of the card, and ask the prompts on the back. These exchanges will lead to the development of more accurate, efficient and flexible strategies for students!

Explore our teacher team’s favourite  number talk resources — from volume to measurement and beyond!

Play Around the World

Around the World is a quick and easy maths warm-up idea for your classroom, and it can be changed to suit whatever you may be learning in the classroom. Also, if you feel your students need some outdoor fresh air – you can easily take this activity outside.

Here’s How to Play Around the World:

• Students sit in a circle.
• One student is picked to stand behind the class member next to them (these two students will play first).
• The teacher asks a question such as, what is double 5?
• The student who answers correctly first moves ‘around the world.’
• If the winner is the student standing, they simply move to the next student sitting down.
• If the winner is the student sitting down, they stand and move around the outside of the circle.

Math Warm-Up Poster Activities

Working on multiplication? These multiplication tummy filler posters are a lot of fun and an easy way to get kids thinking about how multiplication helps us expand numbers!

Choose a gorilla, panda or monster poster template to print. The number of copies made will depend on the multiplication number sentence being discussed. For example, if the number sentence was 3 x 4, three copies of the gorilla could be displayed.

Students then attach four concrete objects to each of the gorillas’ tummies. The concrete objects, which could be attached with sticky tack, might include linking cubes, match sticks, counters, etc. These objects represent the number of things eaten by the character. Write the matching repeated addition sentence below each gorilla, e.g., 4 + 4 + 4 — on your whiteboard! 

Large Paddlepop Stick Ladder Activity

This idea is gold! Yes, it takes a little time with the initial making of the activity, however, no time to set up once it has been created.  If you can, make a class set of paddlepop sticks so that each student has their own each time or can work in pairs. 

The basic concept is that students get handed the full set, and they begin with the craft stick that has the word start written on it, working all the way to the finish line. They must find the matching answers to the math questions until all of the craft sticks are in order.

Math Warm-Up PowerPoints

Using a variety of different methods for each day’s math warm-up keeps it interesting for your students. Having a bank of different interactive PowerPoints (or Google slides) is another fantastic way to get those little minds thinking mathematically!

We have a variety of curriculum-aligned  maths interactive PowerPoints , covering a range of topics including;  place value, money, and multiplication and division.

Our Number of the Day Warm-Up PowerPoint is the perfect addition to your maths warm-up collection. All you need is a chosen number, and there are more than 20 different activities included in the PowerPoint. Easily change the level of this math warm-up by changing the number used.

‘I Have, Who Has’ Maths Game

There are so many different variations of this game, and you can keep track of how quickly the class gets through the cards to keep kids wanting more — they kept wanting to beat their record time.

The student that has the sentence ‘I am the starter’ begins the game by standing up and reading their card. Once they have read their clue, the student that has the matching number on their card stands up and reads what is on their card. The game continues until the last person reads out ‘I am the last number!’

The best part about this is that once you have printed and laminated these game cards, you can use them again and again! Perfect!

Use a Deck of Cards

The old faithful deck of cards can be used in a multitude of ways to get students’ brains warmed up for a math lesson. Here’s just one simple way you could use a deck of cards — project our printable place value mat onto your interactive whiteboard, then, randomly pull out four cards from your deck of cards.

Here’s what you can get your students to do with the four cards:

• Students make the largest number they can with the four numbers.
• Make the smallest number they can with the four numbers.
• Get students to add the four numbers together.
• Students pick two numbers to create a fact family tree.

Number Charts for the Win

Utilizing hundreds boards and number charts is another simple way to get your students’ mathematics brains active. Use our Numbers 21-130 charts in a variety of ways. Print the black and white versions, and laminate them so they can be used again and again.

Here are some activity ideas:

• Get students to fill in the gaps on the hundreds board.
• Have students circle all of the even numbers on the first row in green.
• Then ask the students to circle all of the uneven numbers pink on the second row.
• Get students to close their eyes and point to a number – that is their number of the day and they can fill out our Number of the Day worksheet .

The options are endless with a number chart!

Get more inspiration from our collection of Maths Warm-Ups Resource Collection!

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Hi, Just wondering if anyone was able to solve the following problem from above - Use addition to balance these numbers so both sides are equal – 56, 38, 24, 32, 18, 19, 40, 6, 16, 22. Given that they all add up to an odd number, we figure it is impossible to balance them evenly... Have we misunderstood the question? Thanks!

you need to swap the 19 to be a 20 and it works :-)

Hi Paula, can you please specify which resources you may be referring to? That way we can answer your question with all of the correct information. Many thanks!

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8 Fun Math Warm-Ups Activities For Middle Schoolers

Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by Editorial Team

In the world of education, math warm-up activities are like magical potions that can transform a dull and dreary classroom into a lively and dynamic hub of mathematical excitement. They’re like the opening act of a grand performance that sets the stage for a day filled with numerical discoveries and intellectual feats.

Math warm-up activities are not just ordinary exercises, but rather creative and innovative games, puzzles, and challenges that stimulate students’ minds and inspire their curiosity. They involve physical movement, and collaborative problem-solving, and just like math storybooks entail imaginative storytelling to create an immersive and engaging learning experience.

Think of it as a magical incantation that unlocks the hidden potential of your students’ mathematical abilities and unleashes their inner mathematician! So let’s cast the spell and explore some of the most creative and enchanting math warm-up activities for middle school that will transport you and your students to a world of mathematical wonder!

Rev up your students’ mathematical engines with these exciting math warm-up activities

Looking for engaging and creative ways to start your middle school math class? Look no further than these 8 math warm-up activities! From logic puzzles to estimation games, these activities will get your students’ minds working and set the stage for a productive class.

1. Math Trivia

Who doesn’t love a good trivia game? Start your math warm-up with a fun math trivia competition. Prepare a list of math questions related to various topics such as algebra, geometry, fractions, and decimals. 

Divide the class into teams and ask questions one by one. The team with the most correct answers wins. This activity is a great way to review previously taught math concepts, build teamwork, and encourage healthy competition. This game also serves as a math vocabulary game, as the knowledge of math terms increases as kids indulge in this game. 

2. Estimation Jar

How good are you at estimating? Fill a jar with objects and ask students to estimate the number of items in the jar. With the Estimation Jar activity, students can put their estimation skills to the test by filling a jar with a predetermined number of items, such as marbles, candy, or buttons, and challenging their classmates to guess the number of items in the jar. Hence, this activity also acts as a fun estimation activity!

The student with the closest estimate wins a prize! This activity not only encourages students to develop their estimation skills but also helps build their number sense and ability to visualize quantities.

3. Mathematical Geography Animal Challenge

Get ready for the ultimate brain workout with MGAC – the activity that combines math, geography, and creativity! Choose a number, follow some simple math steps, and see if you can come up with an animal name starting with the last letter of a country. Let’s see how many animals you can name with this unique math warm-up activity!”

Choose a number between 1 and 10. Multiply your number by 9 and add the digits of the result together. Subtract 5 from the result and find the letter in the alphabet that corresponds to the number you ended up with (A=1, B=2, C=3, etc.). Think of a country that starts with that letter, then think of an animal that starts with the last letter of the name of the country you chose. For example, if you chose the number 4: 4 x 9 = 36 3 + 6 = 9 9 – 5 = 4

The 4th letter of the alphabet is D, so you might choose Denmark. The last letter of Denmark is K, so you might choose Kangaroo. This activity combines math, geography, and language skills, making it a fun and engaging way to warm up your brain for more challenging math problems.

4. Math Riddles

Are you ready to put your critical thinking skills to the test? With the Math Riddles activity, students can solve a series of challenging math puzzles and riddles individually or in pairs. These riddles require students to use their logical reasoning and problem-solving skills to come up with the correct answer. 

Not only does this activity help students develop these important skills, but it also makes learning math fun and engaging. So get ready to put on your thinking caps and tackle these math riddles!

5. Math Mind Reading

Are you ready to put your mental math skills to the test? With the Math Mind Reading activity, students can practice their mental math skills while also having fun. Ask each student to think of a number between 1 and 100, then have them perform a series of operations, such as multiplying by 3, adding 7, and subtracting 10.

Using their mental math skills, students must try to guess their original number. This activity helps students understand the order of operations and build their mental math skills, allowing them to quickly perform calculations in their heads.

By challenging students to use mental math to solve problems, they become more comfortable with numbers and are better equipped to solve real-world problems. The Math Mind Reading activity also encourages students to work together and share their strategies, allowing them to learn from each other and develop their teamwork skills.

6. Beat the Clock

Do you have what it takes to beat the clock? With the Beat the Clock activity, students can test their math skills under pressure. Set a timer for a short amount of time, such as 60 seconds, and challenge students to complete a set of math problems, such as short division or multiplication, as quickly and accurately as possible.

The student who solves the most problems in the given time wins a prize! This activity helps students build their mental math skills, speed, and accuracy, allowing them to quickly and confidently solve math problems.

In addition to building math skills, the Beat the Clock activity also helps students develop their time management and quick decision-making skills under pressure. The activity can also be adjusted to meet the needs of different students, making it a versatile tool for educators. Overall, the Beat the Clock activity is an engaging and effective way to teach math and build important life skills.

7. Math Bingo

Are you feeling lucky? With the Math Bingo activity, students can practice their math skills while also having fun. Create a bingo card with various math problems or equations and call out the answers. The first student to get bingo wins a prize! This activity helps students review previously taught math concepts and build their problem-solving skills.

Not only is this activity a fun way to learn math, but it also promotes teamwork and collaboration. By working together to solve problems and get bingo, students develop their communication and cooperation skills. Whether you’re reviewing multiplication tables or algebraic equations, Math Bingo is a fun and engaging way to teach math and build important life skills.

8. Math Facts Relay Race 

The Math Facts Relay Race is an excellent activity for middle school students to sharpen their arithmetic skills. It involves challenges that require quick thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

The challenges of this activity involve solving basic math problems quickly and accurately. The teacher can call out a wide range of math facts, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For example, the teacher might call out “8 times 5,” and the student at the front of the line must quickly calculate the answer (which is 40), run to the board, and write the answer before running back to tag the next student in line.

The challenge in this activity is to solve math problems quickly and accurately while under pressure. Students must also work together as a team to ensure that each student has a turn to participate and to communicate effectively to avoid repeating answers.

To make the activity more challenging, the teacher can introduce more difficult math facts or time limits for solving each problem. Additionally, the teacher can provide incentives such as small prizes for the winning team or extra credit points.

Unleash the mathematician in your middle schoolers: 5 reasons why math warm-up activities are the ultimate trick up your sleeve!

Did you know that math warm-up activities are the perfect tool for priming your middle schoolers’ brains? Here are five reasons why:

• When we do math warm-up activities, we’re actually activating specific regions of our brain, like the prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobes. These regions are responsible for problem-solving, decision-making, and spatial reasoning, all of which are essential for math!
• Math warm-up activities help to increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which can enhance cognitive function and memory recall. That means your students are more likely to remember what they learned in class when they’ve done a quick math warm-up beforehand!
• Research [ 1 ] has shown that math warm-up activities can help to reduce anxiety and stress in students, which can make it easier for them to learn and retain new information. A relaxed brain is a happy brain!
• Math warm-up activities are the perfect tool for livening up a boring classroom. They inject some much-needed excitement and energy into the day, and they’re a great way to start class with a bang!
• Math warm-up activities are a fun way to build community in the classroom. Whether you’re doing a group activity or a solo challenge, these activities encourage students to work together, share their ideas, and support each other. Who knows, a student might just learn to crack a math joke!
• Math warm-up activities are a great way to boost confidence. When students feel confident in their math skills, they’re more likely to participate in class and take on more challenging problems.

Maths warm-up activities are more than just a routine part of a math class. They have the power to spark a love for math in students and help them build the foundation for future success in the subject. Through creative and engaging warm-up activities and math games , educators can encourage their students to explore the fascinating world of numbers and problem-solving, while fostering critical thinking and teamwork skills.

So let’s embrace the magic of math warm-up activities and make them an integral part of our daily classroom routine. Let’s unleash the mathematicians within our middle school students and inspire them to reach new heights of mathematical achievement. With a little creativity and imagination, anything is possible!

• Minahan, J., & Schultz, J. S. (2014). Interventions can salve unseen anxiety barriers. Phi Delta Kappan , 96 (4), 46–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031721714561446

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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10 Fun Math Warm-Up Activities

Are you looking for fun math warm-up activities that you can use to start your math class each day? Math warm ups are a great way to grab students interest at the beginning of math class and get them thinking about math.

These math warm-up activities only take 5-10 minutes at the beginning of your math class but are packed with a lot of valuable math content. You will love how easy they are to plan and implement, and your students will love how fun and engaging they are.

Math Puzzles

Math picture puzzles are great math warm-up activities that help build algebraic thinking, problem-solving, creative thinking, flexibility with numbers, and concentration. You can find math equation puzzles like the one shown below HERE!

Math puzzles can be done as a whole class by projecting the puzzle on a screen, or they can be done independently by printing copies for each student.

Math puzzles come in many formats like picture equation puzzles, secret number puzzles, math logic puzzles, balance the scale, multiplication grids, color logic, and more!

My math logic puzzle and brainteaser packs include a wide variety of puzzles for different themes, seasons and holidays. You can find math puzzles like the ones shown below HERE .

Solving math puzzles like these grab students’ attention and give them a low risk opportunity to practice applying different math and critical thinking skills, while also motivating them to work on challenging problems until they find a solution.

Grab a FREE set of 10 math puzzles by CLICKING HERE .

Number Talks

Number talks are great for highlighting math strategies, building flexibility with numbers, and communicating about math. They only take 5-10 minutes but can have a huge impact on students’ understanding of different math strategies and concepts.

Number talks can come in many formats like number strings, which one doesn’t belong, what do you notice, word problems, patterns, balance scales, or images to analyze.

With number talks , you can choose to highlight a specific strategy or you can let the students’ discussion lead which strategies you talk about and highlight.

You can grab my FREE set of 20 days of number talks and number strings HERE .

You can read more about number talks and number strings HERE or HERE .

Get the Ultimate Guide to Number Talks HERE.

If you are looking for ready-to-go number talks perfect for upper elementary, CLICK HERE .

Choral Counting or Counting Circles

Using choral counting or counting circles as a math warm-up builds number sense and helps students see patterns in numbers.

All you need is a starting number and a count by number.

For example, you may say “Starting with 7, count up by 5s.” or “Starting with 74, count down by 3s.”.

With choral counting, the whole class counts/says the numbers together. It is great if the teacher can write down the numbers as the class counts them so students can see patterns that emerge in numbers visually.

With counting circles you have students stand in a circle and you go around the circle having students individually continue the counting pattern you have selected.

This math warm-up can be differentiated by using larger numbers, decimals, or fractions.

Problem of the Day

Project an equation or word problem for your students to solve as a math warm-up. I like to choose a problem that relates to the skill we are currently working on or a skill we have recently completed. This is a quick and easy way to get kids thinking about math right away and allows kids to share a variety of strategies and possible solutions.

I love using task cards for this math warm-up. If you have a set of 20-30 task cards, you can pick one of the cards to use each day as your math warm-up.

One set of task cards could provide you with a whole month of problem of the day math warm-up activities!

• Number of the Day

Number of the day is a very versatile math warm-up that is easy to plan, implement and differentiate!

Pick a number you want to work with each day. Then, students apply a bunch of math skills or operations to that number. For example, if your number of the day is 37, you may have students add 10, subtract 10, multiply by 10, and divide by 10. You could have them identify if it is even or odd, and whether it is a prime or composite number.

Number of the day warm-ups can be done as a whole class, projecting a number of the day template and filling it in together, or you can have students complete it individually and go over the answers together. You could even use it as a mini check-in to see how students are doing with certain concepts.

You can easily differentiate this activity by adjusting the numbers to be larger, smaller, decimals, or even fractions.

You can create your own number of the day templates, or you can grab one that is perfect for upper elementary in my FREE math warm-up activity pack by CLICKING HERE .

Mental Math Warm Up Activities

Mental math activities help strengthen math fact recall and the ability to quickly solve simple math problems. It also builds student strategies for efficiently solving computation problems.

I like to do mental math as a math warm-up or as a math time filler when I have an extra 5-10 minutes open during the day.

One of my favorite ways to do this activity is by giving students a starting number and then dictating several math operations to perform on that number.

For example, you might say, “Start with 13. Add 15. Subtract 7. Add 20. What is the result?”.

Students then share what number they ended up with.

Number ladders are similar to oral mental math activities, except they are done on paper.

Students have a starting number and they work their way up the ladder performing the different math operations for each ladder rung until they get to the top of the ladder.

This math warm-up can be differentiated by using different starting numbers.

You can grab some free mental math cards as part of my math warm-up packet HERE .

Students can complete each rung of the ladder mentally or you can give them the option of working out each step on their paper.

Grab this number ladder sheet and a blank template HERE .

Give students a number and challenge them to make an equation that equals that number. For example, you might give them the number 85, and challenge them to come up with as many equations as possible that equal 85.

To increase the difficulty of this warm up, give students one or more parameters that they must include in their equation. For example, you might give them the number 70, and require that their equations include 3 or more numbers, only use division, use two operations, or include at least one odd number.

Creating equations is an easy activity that allows a point of entry for all students to participate while also offering students to challenge themselves.

Target Number Math Warm Up

In the target number math warm-up , students try to use all five pre-selected digits to make an equation that equals the selected target number.

I like to have my students choose a target number for us to work with. You can narrow their options by giving them a range to choose from. (Pick a target number between 30 and 75).

Then, we roll a die five times to generate five numbers to work with to build an equation.

While the goal is to use all 5 numbers to make an equation that equals the target number, I always praise students’ successes in making an equation using less than 5 of the digits. Then, I encourage them to keep playing with the numbers to see if they can find a way to use all 5.

Some combinations are more challenging to solve than others. If we do not find a solution I either post it as an ongoing challenge that kids can keep working on if they finish other activities early or challenge kids to bring it home and see if they can find a solution with the help of their family.

To add more of a challenge, you can use dice with more numbers or larger numbers to generate the digits students can use to make their target number equation.

Number Riddles or Mystery Number

The mystery number math warm-up is great for reinforcing place value concepts with whole numbers and decimals.

You give clues, telling students what place value position a given digit is in and students build the number.

For example, you might say “There is a 3 in the ones place. There is a 4 in the thousands place. There is a 5 in the tens place. There is a 2 in the hundreds place. What is the number?”

Students share their final number after all of the clues have been given. You can increase the difficulty by using larger numbers, decimal numbers, or more challenging clues (ex: the digit in the tens place is double the digit in the ones place).

Grab a free set of mystery number cards HERE.

What’s the Question?

In this math warm-up activity, you give students a solution (ex: 24, 32 square inches, 7 feet, 5 hours) and they have to come up with a problem to match the solution.

You can leave the problem type open-ended or specify that you want them to create a word problem.

I love the creativity of the problems students come up with and the variety of the types of questions they create for each solution. It really helps kids connect math to many different situations.

There you have it! 10 fun math warm-up activities that are easy to use, easy to plan, fun for kids, and full of learning!

If you would like to try some of these activities with your class, I have put together a FREE math warm-up activity pack that includes:

• Target Number
• Mental Math
• Math Ladders
• Mystery Numbers

CLICK HERE to grab your FREE math warm-ups resource!

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Teaching with Jennifer Findley

Upper Elementary Teaching Blog

Using Math Warmup Activities (Free Starter Pack)

Transitions in the classroom are extremely important. This is when so much time can be wasted, and misbehavior can occur easily. One way to help transition into a new subject is to have routines in place that the students know to expect each day. One routine could be using a warmup to start the lesson. Not only do using warmup activities help transition students quickly and calmly, but they also help prepare their minds for the next subject. This post will share tips and strategies for using math warm-ups AND a free starter pack to help you start using math warmups in your math lessons.

What are Math Warm-Ups?

Math warm-ups are activities to help your students transition their minds and prepare for a math lesson. Using warm-ups to kick off your math lesson gets students engaged quickly. Using daily warm-ups can allow some predictability in the routine. Students will know when it’s time for a warm-up, it’s time to get into “the zone” for math.

Here are some other benefits of using math warm-ups:

• Provides review of previously learned skills
• Requires students to discuss and defend their thinking
• Gives students practice with problem solving skills
• Presents students with a different perspective when students share their thinking with one another
• Allows struggling students to find success early-on in the lesson
• Provides challenge for students to think beyond their basic knowledge of concepts and defend their answers.

Procedures and Expectations for Math Warmups

When beginning with math warm-ups, it is important to set procedures and expectations with your students.

Here are some ideas:

1. Give students time (I call this private think-time) to solve the math warmup independently before calling on students to share or solve the problem. This will ensure that all students have a chance to work on the problem and not just the students who raise their hand first.

2. As the students are working independently, walk around and monitor their work. While you are doing this, you can:

• Clear up any misconceptions you see
• Help any students who need a bit more support to access the problem or begin solving it
• Select students’ responses to share that will benefit the class

3. When calling on students to share their responses, have them explain their thinking. A sentence stems that helps for this at beginning of the year is: I think…because…

4. You could also have students share their answers with a partner before sharing with the whole group. This will give every student a chance to explain their thinking to someone.

Differentiation Ideas for Math Warmups

Here are some ideas for differentiating with math warmups:

1. Read the warm-up or task aloud with the students and briefly discuss it before having students work on it independently. This will ensure that all students have an “entry” point to solve the problem.

2. If you are using a digital warm-up, put it in presentation mode and have students solve the problem on whiteboards or a piece of paper with a partner. You can strategically pair students up to support those who may need it.

3. Provide hints if appropriate for the warm-up.

4. If you are having students discuss their answers or writing them, provide sentence stems to support them and get them started. You could even include a word bank of words students can use.

Using Warm-Up Activities in Small Group

Another idea for using math warmups during your math lesson is to use them to start your small group instruction.

You can set your iPad up to post a digital warmup or have printable warmups placed on the table for the students to complete as soon as they get to your table. You can also have one posted on a small group table markerboard for students to complete.

This gives students something to do right when they get to your table. This gives you time to get your materials out for that group’s lesson or check on the other students and make sure that they are actively starting their math centers. And you are not wasting any small group time because your students are engaged in math already at the small group table.

About the Free Math Warm-Up Activities

Whenever I am beginning a new routine, I like to use easier content than grade-level skills. This allows students to focus on learning the warm-up routine and the expectations (and not on complex math skills that they have just started to learn).

The content in the free set of math warm-ups is easier and more accessible for students in grades 4-5.

Skills Include:

• Odd and even numbers
• Place value
• Comparing numbers
• Rounding numbers (numbers less than 100)
• Basic multiplication

The three types of math warm-ups included in the free starter set are perfect to begin a math warm-up routine .  There are 4 task cards per activity (12 task cards in all).

Each warmup comes in printable and digital format so they will fit whatever needs you have in your classroom. The digital version is ready to assign or work on through Google Slides.

For more information on assigning Google Slides activities, click here.

Math Warm-Up Activity #1: Odd One Out

In this warm-up activity, students will select which number in a set of 4 does not belong and defend their thinking. This activity is great for critical thinking and class discussion. It can spark great conversation and debate about why students chose a certain number.

Another bonus of using this activity is the stakes are low for all students. There is not one correct answer, so it allows students who might otherwise struggle in math find some success.

In the digital version of Odd One Out, the students will look at four numbers and decide which one does not belong. They will mark the number they picked with a moveable X. Then they can explain the number they chose in the text box provided.

Math Warm-Up Activity #2: Two Truths and a Lie

In this activity, students will select which statement about a number is false from a list of three statements and defend their thinking. This activity is a great activity for a math warm-up, and an added bonus is that it also gives students some beneficial practice with problem-solving and test-taking strategies as they analyze the number and each statement.

The digital Two Truths and a Lie math warm-up has students reading three statements and then labeling each one as “true” or “false.” For each slide, there will be two true statements and one lie, or false statement. As an extension activity, you could have your students correct the lie to make it true or prove how they knew the true statements were factual.

Math Warm-Up Activity #3: Which One?

In this warm-up, students will select the correct answer to the problem from a multiple choice set and defend their thinking. This activity gives students experience with word-problem types of questions in an engaging and low-pressure way.

Ways to Use the FREE Math Warm-Ups

Each activity in this free set of math warm-ups is formatted like a set of task cards. You could have your students complete one problem per day for a quick intro to a math lesson or they could complete all of the questions within an activity for some extra practice.

These math warm-ups are flexible and can be used in many ways. Here are some ideas:

• Use the digital version for a whole class math warm-up.
• Use the task card version for small group warm-ups.
• Use the digital or task card version as a math center.
• Use the digital or task card version for early finishers.

Get the FREE Starter Pack of Math Warm-Ups!

Looking for MORE Math Warmup Activities?

If you like the free set of math warmup activities and want more that cover grade level skills, check out my 4th and 5th Grade Math Warm-Ups bundle .

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4th & 5th Grade Math Warmups – Digital + Printable

Skills included in the 4th and 5th grade math warmups bundle.

Warm-Ups Set 1: Whole Number Review

The first set of warmup activities contains practice with whole numbers appropriate for 4th graders. Use them to practice new skills after teaching them in your 4th grade classroom or use them as review for your 5th graders.

The list of skills includes:

• Prime and composite numbers
• Representing numbers in different ways
• Addition and subtraction (varies from 2-digit to 4-digit)

To read more or buy this set now, click here.

Warm-Ups Set 2: Whole Number Review

The next set of math warmups involves activities with whole numbers up to the millions place, covering more 4th grade math content.

• Addition and subtraction to a million

For more details or to buy this set now, click here.

Warm-Ups Set 3: Decimals

The third set of warm-ups revolves around 5th grade topics with decimals.

• Comparing decimals
• Rounding decimals
• Representing equivalent decimals in different ways
• Adding decimals
• Subtracting decimals

Warm-Ups Set 4: Fractions

The fractions set of warmups covers 4th and 5th grade content.

• Equivalent fractions
• Comparing fractions
• Adding and subtracting mixed numbers with common denominators

Warm-Ups Set 5: Fraction Review

The final set of math warmup activities also involves fractions, but those with unlike denominators. Therefore, the set is most appropriate for use with 5th graders.

• Fractions equivalent to a whole
• Fractions greater than one
• Simplifying fractions
• Comparing mixed numbers
• Converting mixed numbers to fractions greater than one and vice versa
• Adding and subtracting mixed numbers.
• All fractions have unlike denominators.

In addition to the printable and digital versions, each set of math warm-ups has ink-friendly black and white versions included!

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I’m Jennifer Findley: a teacher, mother, and avid reader. I believe that with the right resources, mindset, and strategies, all students can achieve at high levels and learn to love learning. My goal is to provide resources and strategies to inspire you and help make this belief a reality for your students.

Home » Games » 17 Fun Problem Solving Activities & Games [for Kids, Adults and Teens]

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

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.

Table of Contents

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.

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

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.

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
• 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):

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.

Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona State University and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.

Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines, neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and numerous other projects.

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Thanks for your help!!

excellent ideas – thanks !

Excellent ideas.

Thank you. My students have requested we do team-building activities; I thought we would start with problem-solving.

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20+ Maths Warm-Up Ideas for Your Classroom

• Math Education

Mathematics is a subject that often challenges students and can sometimes seem intimidating. However, starting your class with an engaging warm-up can stimulate interest and encourage a positive learning environment. Here are 20+ maths warm-up ideas for your classroom to kickstart students’ brains and prepare them for the lessons ahead:

1.Quick Questions: Start with five rapid-fire questions that cover the previous day’s material to refresh students’ memories.

2.Math Puzzles: Puzzles like Sudoku, KenKen, or logic puzzles get students thinking critically.

3.Estimation Jar: Fill a jar with objects and have students estimate the quantity, promoting number sense.

4.Interactive Whiteboard Challenges: Use an interactive whiteboard to set up collaborative problem-solving activities.

5.Math Bingo: Create bingo cards with answers to math problems you call out.

6.Daily Math Riddle: Offer a math-related riddle or brainteaser and discuss the solution at the end of class.

7.Number of the Day: Pick a number and have students identify various mathematical properties or perform operations related to it.

8.Flashcard Speed Trials: Use flashcards to practice arithmetic operations for speed and accuracy.

9.Graph Interpretation: Present a graph and ask quick, interpretive questions about it.

10.Pattern Recognition: Show a sequence of numbers or shapes and ask students to determine the pattern.

11.‘Find Someone Who’ Activity: Students mingle to find classmates who can solve certain problems or explain concepts.

12.Time Trials: Students work individually or in groups to solve as many problems as they can within a set time frame.

13.Math Crosswords/Word Searches: Introduce terminology related to the current topic via puzzles.

14.Real-Life Problem Solving: Pose a real-world problem that requires math to solve (e.g., budgeting, measuring ingredients).

15.Mental Math Challenges: Encourage quick mental calculations with progressively harder questions.

16.Math-inspired Physical Exercises: Integrate physical activity by translating exercises into math problems (e.g., jumping jacks for multiplication tables).

17.Video Prompt Discussion: Show a short math-related video and discuss the concepts presented.

18.‘I Have, Who Has?’ Game: This game involves cards dealt among students who have to pay attention to calls for certain problems they can solve.

19.Symmetry Drawing Challenge: Students complete symmetrical drawings on grid paper, enhancing spatial understanding.

20.‘What Doesn’t Belong?’ Game: Display several mathematical objects/items and discuss which one doesn’t fit and why.

21.Error Analysis Tasks: Provide worked-out solutions with deliberate errors for students to find and correct.

22.Rotating Stations: Set up different activity stations around the room that students rotate through, each focusing on different skills or concepts.

23.Fraction War Card Game: Adapt the traditional “War” card game using fractions instead of whole numbers to compare size.

24.Decimal Dice Games: Roll dice to create numbers with decimals which are then used in various calculations or comparisons.

25.Algebra Tiles Manipulatives: Use algebra tiles for students to visualize simplifying expressions or solving equations hands-on.

Using these maths warm-up activities can provide variety in your classroom routine, help reinforce key concepts, and make mathematics an engaging subject for your students right from the start of class!

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5 Ways to Warm-Up the Brain Before STEM

Do you dive right into a STEM challenge or activity without brain warm-ups? If you have the time to warm-up, your students could benefit with increased brainstorming abilities, collaboration, and focus! You don’t need to spend a lot of time warming up, so just pick one of these to try before your next STEM challenge!

1. Brain Teasers, Riddles, or Critical Thinking Warm-Ups

Try a brain teaser, a STEM riddle, or critical thinking warm-ups! Why? These warm-up activities encourage out-of-the-box thinking and creative problem solving !

Here’s an example of a brain teaser:

You have a 3-gallon jug, a 5-gallon jug, and a supply of water. Using only these two jugs, how can you measure exactly 1 gallon of water?

This will take a bit of thinking to get to the solution (see the bottom of this section for an answer!). Students can discuss ideas of how to use two different jugs to measure out water, or you can actually supply them with similar cup measures to figure out by trial and error!

Try some fun science riddles or math riddles (be prepared for groans on some of these).

I put together a set of STEM critical thinking warm-ups in this post , where you can download them and try them out!

Possible answer to brain teaser:

• Fill up the 5-gallon jug completely with water.
• Pour water from the 5-gallon jug into the 3-gallon jug until it’s full; this leaves 2 gallons of water in the 5-gallon jug. (2 gallons in 5-gallon jug, 3 gallons in 3-gallon jug)
• Pour out all the water from the 3-gallon jug. (2 gallons in 5-gallon jug, 0 gallons in 3-gallon jug)
• Pour the 2 gallons of water from the 5-gallon jug into the 3-gallon jug. (0 gallons in 5-gallon jug, 2 gallons in 3-gallon jug)
• Fill up the 5-gallon jug completely with water again. (5 gallons in 5-gallon jug, 2 gallons in 3-gallon jug)
• Pour water from the 5-gallon jug into the 3-gallon jug until it’s full. (4 gallons in 5-gallon jug, 3 gallons in 3-gallon jug)
• Empty the 3-gallon jug again. (4 gallons in 5-gallon jug, 0 gallons in 3-gallon jug)
• Fill the 3-gallon jug with 3 gallons from the 5-gallon jug.
• You have 1 gallon of water left in the 5-gallon jug.

2. Discuss a STEM Topic or Issue

I like to use discussion topics that have strong arguments for both sides: Is it more important to spend money on space exploration or improving conditions on Earth? Should the QWERTY keyboard remain the standard or should we adopt a different layout?

Why is this a good warm-up activity? Collaboration in STEM is KEY to success. When you warm-up with a topic that has two or more correct possible answers, it helps students see that there are multiple ways to solve a problem, and to acknowledge and appreciate others’ ideas .

Which topics in STEM affect your students? Grab inspiration from current news or trends in tech, gaming, science, and education!

You can also find a list of editable prompts in the resource below . Not that I created these for upper-grades students but almost all of them can be used with younger students too!

3. Get Moving!

When I coached a robotics team, I always made sure we got MOVING! Try going for a quick walk if you can, a 3 minute dance party, or try to work in a crossing the mid-line session.

Here are some ideas to try:

Crossing the Midline from Dan the OT Man

Cross Lateral Brain Exercises from Von Muller

Crossing Midline Workouts from Pediatric Therapy Essentials

You can keep it simple and try a good old fashioned game of Simon Says!

Why is this an important warm-up activity? Moving the body gets the mind going, too! Read more about brain benefits of exercise at American Psychological Association and Smithsonian Magazine . Crossing the midline is something that happens naturally as a child develops. I didn’t find any specific research articles about the benefits of this type of activity, but if you try some of those linked above, I think you’ll agree they are indeed both brain busting and fun!

4. Try Mindfulness Activities

While mindful breathing is a part of my daily life at this point, I find it’s easiest to practice mindfulness with kids through either simple yoga (yes, you can do chair yoga!) or 5-finger breathing .

You can grab a free set of yoga brain breaks in my TpT shop:

5. Doodle or Draw

It’s important to warm up the hand-brain connection before starting STEM activities! Not only will doodling prime the hands for building and tinkering, it will help get students ready to get their ideas down in sketches, words, etc.

Five fun doodling exercises to try:

• Don’t pick up your pencil ! Start at one point on a piece of paper and don’t pick up your pencil until you’ve completed a sketched scene. What can you come up with?
• Turn on some music! Crank up some music and let students doodle while listening. They can even try doodling without looking at their paper!
• Switch hands! Want to really wake up the brain? Try doodling with your non-dominant hand.
• Animal mania! Have students doodle any animals they can think of, real or imaginary. Sometimes slightly directed doodles are easier to get started with.
• Zentangle doodles! Start by having students draw squares or rectangles on their paper, then fill each one with a pattern, like stripes, dots, or zig zags.

Another great way to do this is with “Complete the drawing” exercises. Try them out with this free download:

Increased Creativity & Focus with Decreased Stress

I hope you try out some of these activities and find that they help your students increase their creativity, collaboration, and focus while decreasing any stress or anxiety they may feel during STEM time. Especially for your perfectionist students who are used to being able to find “one right answer,” STEM can present a new and worrisome situation! There might not be a good solution to a problem, or there might be 10 good solutions to a problem. Hopefully these ideas help set the stage that it’s okay to have fun, work hard, and learn from failures in STEM!

About Meredith

Meredith Anderson is a STEM education enthusiast and former homeschooling parent. A mechanical engineer by training, she enjoys creating STEM educational resources for her two sons, other homeschoolers, and classrooms around the world.

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6 Simple & Fun Math Warm-Up Activities

Try these six simple and fun ideas for math warm-up activities for kids! They will engage students and get them ready for any math lesson.

Math Warm-Up Ideas for K-2

Want to know the secret to hooking students into your math lessons? Start with a math warm-up. These fun math routines are highly engaging and get kids eager to participate.

Math warm-ups are quick activities usually completed as a whole group. They allow you to prepare your students for the math lesson by activating their brains.

Warm-up activities build mathematical reasoning, communication, problem-solving, and further understanding. They also allow students to review and practice math skills.

Start your math lessons with a short 10-minute or so warm-up activity that reinforces a math skill and engages your students in a meaningful way.

Below are quick and effective math warm-ups you can use in your classroom TODAY!

1. Quick Math Warm-Up Activities

Give students a short task to complete before beginning your formal lesson. These can be short, engaging activities that get their brains thinking about math and ready to learn more! Kids can work on them alone, or you can pair them up to work together.

• Task cards –  Use task cards to assign short math warm-ups that students can complete independently or with a partner. Task cards include a short mathematical task students must complete using manipulatives or readily available materials. Select tasks that review a previously taught concept or provide you with a glimpse at a child’s prior knowledge. The Mindful Math Curriculum includes math task cards for each lesson.
• Math Mats – Use Math Mat activities to start a lesson by reviewing previously taught material. They are practical activities because they contain different math skills and standards for students to practice and review on one page. Have students complete one mat a day as your warm-up.
• Journals – Have students solve a word problem in a math journal to begin math time. Print out prompts to paste them into the kids’ notebooks or have one to write down. Math journals provide a valuable, quick check for understanding.
• Mental Math Flashcards – These cards are helpful as math warm-ups as they build a child’s mental math ability and fact fluency. Try playing a game with the cards, use them to quiz students as a class, or have them quiz each other!

2. Number Warm-Up Activities

Use math warm-up time to ensure kids have a solid understanding of numbers. Building number sense and fluency requires daily practice. Using the math warm-up time right before a math lesson is an excellent opportunity to strengthen skills.

• Number Sense – Build number sense through various activities focusing on recognizing, understanding, and becoming fluent with numbers.
• Number Talks – This is when you let students solve math problems in various ways and then have them talk aloud about how they arrived at the answer. Starting your math lesson with a number talk as a class can be fun and effective.
• Number of the Day – A Number of the Day routine allows you to build number skills each day as you dissect new numbers together. Write the number word, draw the number using dice, use tally marks, and more. You can also create a number of the day poster to organize your routine!

3. Calendar Activities

A daily calendar time is an excellent opportunity to review and reinforce math concepts. You can incorporate the calendar into our morning meeting time or use it as a warm-up before your math lesson.

• Count – Count aloud the days of the month together. Point to the numbers as you count to the current day. You could have the student of the day come up and lead the class in counting. The repetition of saying and seeing the numbers is essential, especially in kindergarten.
• Discuss – Ask and talk about how many days are left in the month. You can quickly turn that into a math equation. For example, how many days are left if there are 30 days in the month and today is the 15th?
• Build a calendar routine that serves your students and develops their math skills. Once students have memorized the routine and are no longer engaged in the same way, move on to another math warm-up.

4. Math Games as Warm-Up Activities

Classroom Math Games always make learning fun! They can be played together or in small groups, and students will be engaged and hardly notice that they are practicing their math simultaneously!

• Uno Flip – Turn over Uno cards to create math equations and then solve them or determine which number is bigger. This would be played with a partner. These giant-sized Uno cards would be great for younger students.
• Math Fact Smack – Write math facts on the board for students to solve. Take turns reading a problem and then smack the equation as they call out the answer.
• Human Number Line – Create a large number line with tape on the floor and have students take turns counting and hopping to act out equations.
• Online Math Games – Kids love playing digital math games. Fun Brain online math games kids are sure to enjoy!
• Math Websites – If you are looking for ways for kids to practice math online, these math websites provide plenty of online math games to play.

5. Engage with Books

Children’s books are a fantastic way to warm students and get them thinking about math! Read a book to kick off your math lesson and connect the book and the concepts you will teach that day.

Here are some children’s book titles to get you started.

• I Spy Numbers by Jean Marzollo
• 1, 2, 3 Peas by Keith Baker
• Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3 by Bill Martin, Jr.
• Numbers Everywhere by Elliott Kaufman
• 10 Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle

Select books from the lists in this Math Books for Kids guide for each math topic you teach!

6. Using Math Manipulatives

Math manipulatives support students’ development in math skills. They provide us with tools to teach math concepts more efficiently in a “hands-on” way. Giving kids time with math manipulatives as a warm-up to a math lesson can be effective.

Provide tubs of math manipulatives for students to work with independently or with a partner. They can contain snap cubes, pattern blocks, shape counters, magnetic numbers, and more. A great warm-up is to give students an open-ended question and ask them to solve it using their choice of math tool.

Make sure every student has access to a laminated number line and hundreds chart to use during math. These can be used to practice counting in different ways.

Using Mindful Math for Your Math Warm-Up

If you are looking for a comprehensive math program that is differentiated and provides supportive lessons and activities to support your Math block, Mindful Math is for you!

The Mindful Math curriculum by Proud to be Primary includes detailed lessons that can be broken down into whole-group mini-lessons and small-group instruction. It also has various math practice options, such as journals, warm-up task cards, practice sheets, centers and games, and assessments.

You can read more about the Mindful Math program available for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade HERE .

See the Mindful Math program in action here .

Hopefully, you feel inspired to make your math lessons more FUN with math warm-up activities!

Math Warm-Up Task Cards

Try the Mindful Math task cards as fun and quick math warm-up activities.

Click the image below to grab a copy.

Proud to be Primary has math task card packs for Kindergarten , First Grade , and Second Grade available separately.

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Simple Daily Math Warm-Ups to Build Number Sense

Looking for a way to start math each day to get kids’ brains working and also build number sense and problem solving skills? Here are simple, daily math warm-ups you can implement in 10-15 minutes.

When I was in school, most of my middle and high school classes had a daily ‘math warm up’ time to get us going. The drill was simple: come to class, get out a blank piece of paper and answer the 5 math problems on the chalkboard. Was this helpful? Maybe to an extent-we got a bit of spiral skills review and got our brains thinking about math instead of science or history or lunch. But for the most part, it felt like busywork to me. So today I want to share some alternatives to the typical ‘math warm-ups’ that will wake up kids’ brains and get them thinking about math, but also deepen their number sense and problem solving skills . Plus, most kids think these math routines are super FUN!

Math Warm-Ups to Build Number Sense: Getting Started

There are literally books upon books of number sense routines that you can use and implement in your classroom. But I wanted to keep things super simple for you. I don’t want you to have to spend hours scouring the internet looking for ideas or spend hours prepping complex games or activities with lots of materials and parts.

So although this list is not exhaustive in terms of ways you can start math class each day, I hope it gives you enough ideas that you have a simple daily warm-up with about 10-15 minutes of prep (or less).

I also chose number sense routines that won’t take a lot of time to complete with your students. This is simply meant to be a 10-15 minute exercise to challenge students’ thinking and develop number sense. They’re not intended to be the bulk of your lesson for the day.

Ok, let’s dig in! Below you will find 7 daily math warm up ideas , as well as why I think they are beneficial for students ( i.e. not busywork or time wasters! )

1. Daily Number Talks

I talk about number talks quite often, because I think this is a wonderful way to start your math time. Number talks focus on mental math and computation strategies , so if your students need more meaningful math fact practice or struggle to use efficient strategies, number talks is the way to go.

>> Read more : 5 Reasons Number Talks Should be a Regular Part of Your Math Routine

>> Get Started : Grab FREE Number Talk Planning Pages HERE

2. Mental Math Challenges

This set of mental math challenges is like a single number talk on steroids . These pages give a starting number and then a series of computation challenges for kids to solve mentally until they reach the end.

These are beneficial because you get to choose the starting number, meaning you can easily differentiate for different ability levels.

In addition, these can provide some quiet, independent practice, which is sometimes a good break from group number talks.

>> Get Started : Learn more and grab this FREE set of challenges HERE

3. Esti-Mysteries

Challenging kids with an esti-mystery is a unique kind of number talk. These were created by Steve Wyborney, and he has lots of additional sets available on his site here .

This allows you to weave in a variety of different skills practice and vocabulary review, along with estimation practice, an often neglected skill. Plus, kids LOVE these! It’s such a fun challenge.

>> Read More : Benefits of Esti-Mystery Challenges | FREE Esti-Mystery Recording Pages

>> Get Started : Grab a FREE set of Esti-mystery Challenges HERE

4. What’s the Question? Prompts

Again, this type of math prompt is sure to get your kids thinking, since it’s not what they’re used to. Way too often, kids see math as nothing but computation problems to solve. One problem that has one solution with one correct method to arrive at that solution.

So open ended challenges that force kids to think flexibly and consider math as  more than a closed, single solution are a win in my book!

A ‘what’s the question?’ prompt flips a typical math problem on its head . Instead of giving kids a math problem or word problem and asking for the solution, you give them a ‘solution’ and ask, “What’s the question?” In other words, what might someone be looking for to arrive at this solution? What is a context that might provide this solution?

Sample Solutions:

• The solution is 42 square inches. What’s the question?
• The solution is 1 hour and 30 minutes. What’s the question?
• The solution is 67.7 meters. What’s the question?

Another way to use this type of prompt is to provide the beginning of a story problem and omit the given question .

For example, say your textbook includes this problem as practice:

Sarah and Ben each had $100. Sarah spent $57 on clothes and Ben spent $44 on a video game. How much more did Sarah spend than Ben?

Instead of presenting the entire problem to students, just give them the information to form a context. Leave out the “How much more did Sarah spend than Ben?” and instead ask, “What’s the question?”

You could even provide a numberless word problem and leave off the question . This adds an additional layer of things you can discuss as a group as students make sense of the situation and also think about what the question could be. For example,

Sarah and Ben each had some money. Sarah spent some on clothes and Ben spent some on a video game. What’s the question?

This opens it up more, because we don’t know who spent more, we don’t know how much they had at first, we don’t know if there’s money leftover, etc. This will force kids to think about different scenarios and the math implications .

5. Number or Fraction of the Day Challenges

These simple daily prompts will help kids to think about numbers multiple ways , a key to developing a strong number sense.

How exactly you implement this will depend on your grade level.

In the early grades, it might include writing the number in expanded form, showing with base ten blocks, +/- 1 and +/1 10, etc. Older students might focus on larger numbers and some place value addition and subtraction (daily number +500, -200, etc.).

Upper elementary students can build fraction sense by using fraction of the day prompts. This can include things like ‘find 2 equivalent fractions’ or ‘fraction + ___ = 1’. You can also have students place the faction on a number line or write a story problem equal to the given fraction.

This will help students think flexibly about whole numbers, fractions or even decimals.

>> Get Started : Grab a FREE set of number of the day prompts HERE

6. Target Number Challenge

Again, this is a super simple challenge that takes virtually no prep from you. There are so many benefits for students though. This math warm up will challenge kids to think about numbers in multiple ways, see patterns and learn to decompose numbers.

In this routine, you simply provide students a ‘target’ number. This can be anything at all, depending on the age and ability of your students.

Then set a timer for 5 minutes (or 10 minutes if your students are older and working with more complex numbers) and have kids record equations that are equal to the target number.

For example, if the target number is 10, students might write:

• 2 + 4 + 4 = 10
• 20 – 10 = 10
• 30 – 20 = 10

For older students, you can use larger numbers, or fraction and decimal values.

You can also add restraints or requirements such as, each equation must include 2 operations. Or each equation must include 4 different terms (20 – 12 + 6 – 4 = 10). Or each equation must use an exponent, etc.

7. Logic Puzzles as Math Warm-Ups

Lastly, I want to mention simple logic puzzles as a way to get your kids ‘warmed up’ and ready to learn math. Although logic puzzles won’t necessarily build fluency and computation skills, they are a fun way to ‘warm up’ the brain. They will also strengthen logical and critical thinking skills, which in turn better prepare and equip kids to make sense of word problems and other math challenges.

In addition, they can be a great way for kids to develop perseverance in problem solving , as the desire to solve the puzzle pushes them on in a way that a typical math problem may not.

> Read More : How to Raise Logical Thinkers and Why it Matters

>> Get Started : Try any of the FREE sets of logic puzzles I have available at the links below, or purchase a complete set of puzzles, depending on the ages you’re looking for:

• Hands On Logic Puzzles with Pattern Blocks | ages 4-9
• A Year of Logic Puzzles ( sudoku and grid puzzles with monthly themes ) | ages 9+

FREE logic puzzles to try out:

• Set of 3 Pattern Block Puzzles
• Valentine’s Day Logic Puzzles
• Pi Day Logic Puzzles
• 4th of July Logic Puzzles
• Thanksgiving Logic Puzzles
• Christmas Logic Puzzles

Well, I hope this has given you some meaningful, easy to implement ideas for daily math warm ups and I hope you are encouraged to look for ways to strengthen number sense and build problem solving skills with the routines you use in your classroom!

Have another easy math warm-ups routine to add to this list? Feel free to share it with me via email here: mathgeekmama(at)gmail.com.

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10 Quick, Fun Math Warm-Up Activities

ALI Staff | Published  July 24, 2024

Creating an environment that allows students to engage with fun math activities, versus rote memorization, helps students learn better and encourages more participation and confidence.  Math warm-ups are short activities that start each math class. They are a powerful tool for engaging students, making math fun, and setting a positive tone for the lesson. These activities can enhance learning by catering to different learning styles and creating connections to the real world.

The Importance of Math Warm-Ups

Math warm-ups are short activities that start each math class. They have many benefits for students.

• Hands-on : These activities are often hands-on, letting students use their hands to learn math. This makes math more interesting and helps students remember what they learn. Hands-on activities also cater to different learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
• Creates Connections to Real World : Math warm-ups can show how math is used in the real world. For example, students might solve problems about shopping or cooking. This helps them see why math is important.
• Engage Students : Warm-ups get students involved right away. They make students pay attention and get ready to learn. When students start with a fun activity, they are more excited about the rest of the lesson. These activities also support social-emotional learning by building a positive classroom environment where students feel confident and ready to participate.
• Primes Students for Lesson : These activities prepare students for the main lesson. They review what students already know and get their brains ready to learn new things. Warm-ups also allow teachers to find out what students already know about a topic so they can be more effective in their teaching.
• Get Students Thinking About Math : Math warm-ups help students start thinking about math as soon as class begins. This makes it easier for them to focus and do well in math.

Using math warm-ups is a simple and effective way to improve math learning. They make math fun, show its real-world use, and get students ready to learn.

Fun Math Warm-Up Activities for All Grade Levels

Incorporating a variety of warm-up activities across all grade levels can create a consistent and engaging start to any math lesson. Here are some versatile strategies that can be adapted for students of any age:

Math/Number Talks

Short discussions where students share their thought processes for solving a particular math problem. For example, a teacher might ask, "What strategies can we use to solve 27 + 38?" and students take turns explaining their methods. These talks encourage students to explain their reasoning, listen to different strategies, and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts. This activity promotes critical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to see multiple solutions to a single problem.

Problem of the Day

Giving students a challenging math problem to solve individually or in groups. For instance, presenting a real-world problem like, "If a car travels at 60 miles per hour, how long will it take to travel 150 miles?" This daily practice helps students develop their problem-solving skills, encourages perseverance, and provides an opportunity for collaborative learning. It can be tailored to the current topic of study or used to review previously learned material.

Daily Math Journals

Students write about their math thinking, solutions, and reflections. For example, they might write about the importance of checking their work or how solving problems in different ways can lead to a better understanding. This activity helps track their progress over time and deepens their understanding of mathematical concepts by encouraging them to articulate their thought processes. Journals can also be used for self-assessment and goal setting, fostering a growth mindset.

Math Puzzles and Games

Versatile activities that make learning math fun and interactive. For example, using Sudoku puzzles to practice logical thinking or math bingo to reinforce number recognition and arithmetic skills. These activities help reinforce concepts in an enjoyable way, promoting a positive attitude towards math.

Math Warm-Up Ideas for Specific Grade Levels

While general warm-up activities work well across all grades, here are some specific ideas tailored to meet the developmental needs and interests of elementary, middle, and high school students. These targeted activities ensure students are engaged and ready for the lessons ahead.

Elementary School Math Warm-Ups

Math Stories: Create short stories that involve math problems. For example, "Jack has 5 apples, and he buys 3 more. How many apples does he have now?" This activity helps students apply math concepts in a narrative context, making learning more relatable and engaging. Math stories also improve reading comprehension and problem-solving skills.

Estimation Jars: Fill a jar with small objects like beans or marbles and have students estimate the quantity. After making their guesses, count the objects together to see how close their estimates were. This activity helps develop number sense and estimation skills, encouraging students to make educated guesses and refine their strategies over time.

Number of the Day: Choose a number and explore it in various ways. For example, if the number is 12, students can write it in different forms (e.g., tally marks, addition facts like 6+6, and subtraction facts like 15-3). This activity reinforces number recognition, arithmetic skills, and understanding of number properties.

Middle School Math Warm-Ups

Quick Fluency Games: Engage students in games that build fluency in multiplication, division, estimation, or algebra. For example, a game where students race to solve multiplication problems on flashcards or a challenge where they estimate the result of a large division problem. These games promote speed and accuracy in basic math skills, essential for tackling more complex topics.

Fraction Bingo: Create bingo cards with fractions in different forms (e.g., 1/2, 0.5, 50%). Call out fractions or decimal equivalents, and students mark the corresponding spaces on their cards. The first student to complete a row wins. This game helps reinforce the understanding of fractions, decimals, and their equivalence in a fun, competitive way.

Daily Data: Present a graph, chart, or data set each day and ask students to interpret it. For instance, show a bar graph of students' favorite fruits and ask questions like, "Which fruit is the most popular?" or "How many more students like apples than bananas?" This activity improves data literacy and helps students practice interpreting and analyzing information.

High School Math Warm-Ups

Math Debates: Present a math-related statement or problem and have students debate the best solution or approach. For example, "Is it better to use the quadratic formula or factoring to solve this equation?" This activity encourages critical thinking, deepens understanding of mathematical concepts, and develops communication skills.

Complex Problem Solving: Give students a challenging problem that requires higher-order thinking skills. For example, "If a parabola has its vertex at (2, 3) and passes through the point (4, 7), what is its equation?" This activity helps students apply their knowledge to solve complex problems and prepares them for advanced math topics.

Warm-Up Questions for High School Students: Pose questions that require students to review previous lessons or apply their knowledge in new ways. For instance, "Explain how the Pythagorean theorem can be used in real-life scenarios." These questions encourage students to think critically and make connections between different areas of math.

By incorporating these warm-up activities into their lessons, teachers can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that primes students for success in math.

Math Activity Implementation Tips for Teachers

Implementing math warm-ups effectively requires careful planning and consistency. Here are some tips to help teachers integrate these activities into their daily routines:

Consistency is Key: Make math warm-ups a regular part of your daily routine. Consistency helps students know what to expect and prepares them to start thinking about math as soon as class begins.

Keep It Short and Focused: Math warm-ups should be brief, lasting about 5-10 minutes. This ensures that they effectively engage students without taking too much time away from the main lesson.

Vary the Activities: Use a mix of different warm-up activities to keep things interesting. Rotate between math talks, problem of the day, journals, puzzles, and games to maintain student interest and address different learning styles.

Connect to the Lesson: Whenever possible, align warm-up activities with the day's lesson. This helps prime students for new content and makes the transition into the main lesson smoother.

Encourage Participation: Foster a classroom environment where all students feel comfortable participating. Encourage students to share their thought processes and solutions during warm-ups, promoting a collaborative learning atmosphere.

Using Math Warm-ups to Engage Students

Math warm-ups are a valuable tool for enhancing student engagement and learning. By incorporating activities that cater to different learning styles and grade levels, teachers can create a dynamic and effective start to their math lessons.

These activities not only make math fun and relatable but also help build a strong foundation for future learning. Implementing math warm-ups consistently can lead to improved student outcomes and a more positive attitude toward math.

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Educationise

11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class

Ignite your child’s curiosity with our exclusive “Learning Adventures Activity Workbook for Kids” a perfect blend of education and adventure!

Critical thinking activities encourage individuals to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to develop informed opinions and make reasoned decisions. Engaging in such exercises cultivates intellectual agility, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and honing problem-solving skills for navigating an increasingly intricate world.

Through critical thinking, individuals empower themselves to challenge assumptions, uncover biases, and constructively contribute to discourse, thereby enriching both personal growth and societal progress.

Critical thinking serves as the cornerstone of effective problem-solving, enabling individuals to dissect challenges, explore diverse perspectives, and devise innovative solutions grounded in logic and evidence. For engaging problem solving activities, read our article problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest.

52 Critical Thinking Flashcards for Problem Solving

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is a 21st-century skill that enables a person to think rationally and logically in order to reach a plausible conclusion. A critical thinker assesses facts and figures and data objectively and determines what to believe and what not to believe. Critical thinking skills empower a person to decipher complex problems and make impartial and better decisions based on effective information.

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• 8 Free Math Problem Solving Websites and Applications

Importance of Acquiring Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills cultivate habits of mind such as strategic thinking, skepticism, discerning fallacy from the facts, asking good questions and probing deep into the issues to find the truth. Acquiring critical thinking skills was never as valuable as it is today because of the prevalence of the modern knowledge economy.

Today, information and technology are the driving forces behind the global economy. To keep pace with ever-changing technology and new inventions, one has to be flexible enough to embrace changes swiftly.

Today critical thinking skills are one of the most sought-after skills by the companies. In fact, critical thinking skills are paramount not only for active learning and academic achievement but also for the professional career of the students.

The lack of critical thinking skills catalyzes memorization of the topics without a deeper insight, egocentrism, closed-mindedness, reduced student interest in the classroom and not being able to make timely and better decisions.

Incorporating critical thinking lessons into the curriculum equips students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world, fostering a mindset that is adaptable, inquisitive, and capable of discerning truth from misinformation.

Benefits of Critical Thinking for Students

Certain strategies are more eloquent than others in teaching students how to think critically. Encouraging critical thinking in the classroom is indispensable for the learning and growth of the students. In this way, we can raise a generation of innovators and thinkers rather than followers. Some of the benefits offered by thinking critically in the classroom are given below:

• It allows a student to decipher problems and think through the situations in a disciplined and systematic manner
• Through a critical thinking ability, a student can comprehend the logical correlation between distinct ideas
• The student is able to rethink and re-justify his beliefs and ideas based on facts and figures
• Critical thinking skills make the students curious about things around them
• A student who is a critical thinker is creative and always strives to come up with out of the box solutions to intricate problems

Read our article: How to Foster Critical Thinking Skills in Students? Creative Strategies and Real-World Examples

• Critical thinking skills assist in the enhanced student learning experience in the classroom and prepares the students for lifelong learning and success
• The critical thinking process is the foundation of new discoveries and inventions in the world of science and technology
• The ability to think critically allows the students to think intellectually and enhances their presentation skills, hence they can convey their ideas and thoughts in a logical and convincing manner
• Critical thinking skills make students a terrific communicator because they have logical reasons behind their ideas

Critical Thinking Lessons and Activities

11 Activities that Promote Critical Thinking in the Class

We have compiled a list of 11 critical thinking activities for students that will facilitate you to promote critical thinking abilities in the students. By incorporating these activities, educators can introduce real-world examples of critical thinking in the classroom, empowering students to apply these skills in everyday situations.

We have also covered problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest in our another article. Click here to read it.

1. Worst Case Scenario

Divide students into teams and introduce each team with a hypothetical challenging scenario. Allocate minimum resources and time to each team and ask them to reach a viable conclusion using those resources.

The scenarios can include situations like stranded on an island or stuck in a forest. Students will come up with creative solutions to come out from the imaginary problematic situation they are encountering. Besides encouraging students to think critically, this activity will enhance teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills of the students.

This critical thinking activity not only pushes students to devise innovative solutions in challenging scenarios but also strengthens their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities, making it an engaging and educational experience.

Read our article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

2. If You Build It

It is a very flexible game that allows students to think creatively. To start this activity, divide students into groups. Give each group a limited amount of resources such as pipe cleaners, blocks, and marshmallows etc.

Every group is supposed to use these resources and construct a certain item such as building, tower or a bridge in a limited time. You can use a variety of materials in the classroom to challenge the students. This activity is helpful in promoting teamwork and creative skills among the students.

Incorporating critical thinking games like this into your classroom not only promotes teamwork and creativity but also challenges students to think outside the box as they work together to build their structures.

It is also one of the classics which can be used in the classroom to encourage critical thinking. Print pictures of objects, animals or concepts and start by telling a unique story about the printed picture. The next student is supposed to continue the story and pass the picture to the other student and so on.

This engaging exercise is one of the most effective critical thinking activities for kids, as it encourages them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills while working together to construct innovative structures with limited resources.

4. Keeping it Real

In this activity, you can ask students to identify a real-world problem in their schools, community or city. After the problem is recognized, students should work in teams to come up with the best possible outcome of that problem.

5. Save the Egg

Make groups of three or four in the class. Ask them to drop an egg from a certain height and think of creative ideas to save the egg from breaking. Students can come up with diverse ideas to conserve the egg like a soft-landing material or any other device. Remember that this activity can get chaotic, so select the area in the school that can be cleaned easily afterward and where there are no chances of damaging the school property.

6. Start a Debate

In this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science. Encourage students to participate in the debate by expressing their views and ideas on the topic. Conclude the debate with a viable solution or fresh ideas generated during the activity through brainstorming.

7. Create and Invent

This project-based learning activity is best for teaching in the engineering class. Divide students into groups. Present a problem to the students and ask them to build a model or simulate a product using computer animations or graphics that will solve the problem. After students are done with building models, each group is supposed to explain their proposed product to the rest of the class. The primary objective of this activity is to promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills among the students.

8. Select from Alternatives

This activity can be used in computer science, engineering or any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) classes. Introduce a variety of alternatives such as different formulas for solving the same problem, different computer codes, product designs or distinct explanations of the same topic.

Form groups in the class and ask them to select the best alternative. Each group will then explain its chosen alternative to the rest of the class with reasonable justification of its preference. During the process, the rest of the class can participate by asking questions from the group. This activity is very helpful in nurturing logical thinking and analytical skills among the students.

9. Reading and Critiquing

Present an article from a journal related to any topic that you are teaching. Ask the students to read the article critically and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the article. Students can write about what they think about the article, any misleading statement or biases of the author and critique it by using their own judgments.

In this way, students can challenge the fallacies and rationality of judgments in the article. Hence, they can use their own thinking to come up with novel ideas pertaining to the topic.

10. Think Pair Share

In this activity, students will come up with their own questions. Make pairs or groups in the class and ask the students to discuss the questions together. The activity will be useful if the teacher gives students a topic on which the question should be based.

For example, if the teacher is teaching biology, the questions of the students can be based on reverse osmosis, human heart, respiratory system and so on. This activity drives student engagement and supports higher-order thinking skills among students.

11. Big Paper – Silent Conversation

Silence is a great way to slow down thinking and promote deep reflection on any subject. Present a driving question to the students and divide them into groups. The students will discuss the question with their teammates and brainstorm their ideas on a big paper.

After reflection and discussion, students can write their findings in silence. This is a great learning activity for students who are introverts and love to ruminate silently rather than thinking aloud.

Incorporating critical thinking activities for high school students, like silent reflection and group brainstorming, encourages deep thought and collaboration, making it an effective strategy for engaging both introverted and extroverted learners.

Finally, for students with critical thinking, you can go to GS-JJ.co m to customize exclusive rewards, which not only enlivens the classroom, but also promotes the development and training of students for critical thinking.

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4 thoughts on “ 11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class ”

• Pingback: What is Growth Mindset? 50+ Motivational Quotes on Growth Mindset - Educationise
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Thanks for the great article! Especially with the post-pandemic learning gap, these critical thinking skills are essential! It’s also important to teach them a growth mindset. If you are interested in that, please check out The Teachers’ Blog!

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61 Ice Breaker Games [That Your Team Won’t Find Cheesy]

Whether it's kicking off a meeting or getting to know new team members, an effective ice breaker game can help set the right tone and help build connections. But how do you choose the right one?

In this post, we'll share a collection of tried and tested ice breaker games you can use to engage and energize groups of any size. Whether you just want to have fun, encourage team building or level-up your meetings, there's an activity here for you.

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An in-depth study from TINYpulse , an employee engagement company, studied more than 40,000 workers’ inputs from more than 300 companies globally. They found a correlation of 0.92 between employee fulfillment and their relationships with colleagues. Since you can end up spending more time with coworkers than with your family or partner, it is a topic that deserves much attention.

But how can you break the ice without also frustrating your team or making them roll their eyes? Using facilitator-tested and proven methods like those below are a surefire way to open your meetings more effectively and engage your team.

You’ll find classic conversation starters like Two truths and One Lie , fun games like The Marshmallow Challenge or even a Virtual Scavenger Hunt! You’ll find our collection of 61 of the best ice breaker games for work separated by category and find some useful tips for running them in your workshop or meeting too!

Purpose of ice breaker games

So how do you avoid creating a frustrating, patronizing ice breaker game that won’t make participants feel like they are wasting their time?

The benefits of a good ice breaker far outweigh any negatives. They can take care of introductions in a much more fun way than just simply going around the room and stating what’s on your business card. They can help people remember names , start conversations and create a positive atmosphere in moments.

When done right, ice breakers can quickly build a sense of community , set the tone for the upcoming session & give participants ownership of the learning ahead.

Icebreaker games are also a great way for people to share their expectations and for facilitators to introduce the topic of the day. They help participants to loosen up, understand each other more and enable better collaboration and networking . Last, but not least, it is a surefire way to energize the group and have everyone focused and ready to go.

Ready to design a session around your chosen icebreaker? SessionLab makes it easy to build a complete agenda in minutes . Start by dragging and dropping blocks, add your timings and adjust with ease to create a minute-perfect session. When you’re ready for feedback, invite collaborators and refine your agenda with ease.

Ice Breaker Games to Get to Know Each Other

Whenever you bring a group of people together for a meeting, project, or event, it’s helpful to get to know each other at the outset.

This does not only mean just memorizing names, but also involves getting the facilitator or leader of the session familiar with everyone and getting a read on the energy of the room.

One of the other major benefits of these games is in allowing group members to break free from dry or boring introductions and get to know each other more meaningfully. Let’s dive in!

Just One Lie

Diversity bingo.

• Two truths and One Lie

Unique and Shared

Passions tic tac toe.

• Jenga Questions

Speed Dating Icebreaker

Break the ice with the help of your key.

• Whose Story is it?
• Trading Card Icebreaker
• Find Your Pair
• Toilet Paper Icebreaker
• Show and Tell

This method is an adaptation of the well-known ice breaker ‘Two Truths And A Lie’ to create an activity that can be run throughout a day of a meeting or workshop.

Participants mingle and ask questions from each other while noting the answers on post-its. But everyone includes one lie. The result is that you have a board of interesting facts about all the participants, among them, one lie. Throughout the workshop you can return to these boards for participants to introduce each other and find out what was the lie.

Just One Lie   #icebreaker   #energiser   #team   #get-to-know   This method is adapted from the well-known icebreaker ‘Two Truths And A Lie’  to create an activity that you could return to throughout a meeting.

Diversity Bingo is one of our favorite group ice breaker games. This game help participants to get information on each other in a fun, competitive way.

First, create a bingo card containing a grid of squares with a statement or question in each square that will apply to some members of your group and is in line with the objectives of your class, workshop, or event. After each player gets a bingo card, they mingle around introducing themselves and finding other participants who can sign their cards indicating that a statement applies to him/her.

To avoid having people only talk to one or two people and filling up their card, limit the signatures they can give to 1 or 2 per card. When everyone has reached bingo or is super close, you can share something you’ve learned about each other, yourself and the experience of this ice breaker activity.

Diversity Bingo   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #opening   #teampedia   #action   This game helps participants to get information on each other in a fun, competitive way.

Do you have people who come from many different places to your session? If you’re looking for fun icebreakers for meetings that are active, Group Map is a good bet!

A great way to get to know each other is to have participants place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why that is important for them.

Encourage people to share a short story if they want. Sharing customs and values from your childhood can create more understanding and help form stronger bonds – a hallmark of a good icebreaker.

Icebreaker: The Group Map   #get-to-know   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Ask people to place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why is that important for them. Encourage people to share a short story if they want

​ Two Truths and One Lie

A simple and classic ice breaker game. Each employee shares three statements about themselves – two truths, and one lie. Then, everyone tries to guess which is the lie by asking questions. Try to find out as many details about the statements as possible and watch the speaker’s reactions closely. The whole point is to learn facts about your peers while inserting an element of mystery.

This team icebreaker helps the group learn about each other and gives both introverts and extroverts an equal chance to reveal themselves and discover others’ assumptions. It’s been done before, but if you’re looking for simple ice breaker games for work, this is one everyone is sure to know and requires zero prep from the facilitator.

Everyone is a Liar (Two truths and one lie)   #warm up   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   #online   Starting a meeting or after a break in a group where participants don’t know each other or don’t know much about each other

Create groups of 4-5 people, and let them discover what they have in common, along with interesting characteristics that are unique to a person in the group.

This icebreaker promotes unity as it gets people to realize that they have more common ground with their peers than they first might realize. As people become aware of their own unique characteristics, they can also help people feel empowered to offer the group something unique.

Common and Unique   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   Create groups of 4-5 people, and let them discover what they have in common, along with interesting characteristics that are unique to a person in the group.

The goal of this icebreaker game is to help the participants to get to know each other at the beginning of an event or to help identify their values during the later part of a training session.

Create a 3 x 3 grid for each participant and have them fill in each block with a different personal passion randomly. After the individual work, have everyone walk around the room and compare notes. When they find the same passion listed in both grids, ask them to sign for each other in the appropriate square. The winner is the participant who manages to have other people’s signatures on three lines (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). You can continue the game to have as many winners as you like.

Passions Tic Tac Toe   #get-to-know   #values   #icebreaker   #thiagi   This simple game that explores the concepts from these two quotations: “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you”. —Oprah Winfrey. “Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, who they are.” —Penelope Lively, novelist

​Jenga questions

Jenga is the starting point of many fun gatherings. It’s a super easy ice breaker activity to explain and pick up & anyone can join any time. You can spice up a regular tower-toppling contest by writing intriguing questions on each block (or as many as you can).

When you draw each block, read the question out loud & answer before placing the piece on the top of the tower. This can ignite exciting conversations about everyday topics like favorite downtime activities to more in-depth stuff, like career and self-development goals.

Traditional games with a unique spin can often generate curiosity and engagement in a groups setting. Try having different kinds of icebreaker activities in your toolbox in order to overcome any potential resistance in your group.

This fast-paced icebreaker activity allows participants to get acquainted with while also exploring something thought provoking and inspiring. Prepare a set of inspirational quotes prior to the session and the number of participants on individual slips of paper. Put the pile in the center of the room. Each participant picks up one quote, then picks a partner and begins to discuss what the quote says to them, if it is meaningful, and how.

Then after a minute or so the facilitator gives a signal and participants switch partners, and may switch quotes as well if they’d like. This can continue for 4-5 rounds for around 15 minutes. Choose quotes that relate to your meeting topic or company culture for an even more effective opening to your session!

Quotes   #icebreaker   #energiser   #online   #warm up   #remote-friendly   For participants to get acquainted with each other in a meaningful way

The goal of this game is to have a succession of very rapid conversations in an extremely short amount of time with as many people as possible. Have people sit in pairs, with colleagues that they don’t directly work with on a day-to-day basis. Determine the time limit (say 3 minutes for each conversation) and set a timer. When it starts, each pair has to start speed networking & find out as much professional info about the other as possible.

While it’s natural for group members to want to spend time with people they know, encouraging your team to mix is an important step to improving team cohesion. Team building icebreakers like this one are great for starting that process!

Speed-dating   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   This can be used as a teambuilding activity or a way to introduce participants to each other.

Games and activities that include physical objects can help ensure the session is memorable and specific to those people present. In this ice breaker, ask participants to sit in a circle and bring their keys with them.

Explain that they will get to know each other through their keys. Ask them that one by one present all the keys they have on their keychain and tell a few sentences about the area the key represents – the city or neighborhood they live in, the activity it represents (bike or locker key) or the person they received it from.

Be sure to start the circle yourself so the participants get the feeling of how it should be done. Bonus points if you can demonstrate openness and vulnerability for your group to follow!

Break the ice with the help of your key!   #team   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   The key ice breaker is a team building favorite and a great exercise to get to know each other in a group or team. It is easy to understand and set up, can be modified according to the objects participants have, fast way to get info on each other , and surely makes everyone included!

Whose story is it?

Start this ice breaker game by writing your funniest or weirdest story on a small piece of paper. It has to be a true one, no fiction! Then fold the paper up and drop it into a bowl or other container.

The facilitator or the person leading the program randomly reads every story and group members guess who the writer is. This is a great way to get to know each other and find out new things, even if you’ve worked together for a long time.

​Trading Card Icebreaker

Starting a meeting by defining your personality and being creative is a great way to kick off a more involved team project.

This activity from Gamestorming works great because it lets people self-define and share their personality outside of their day-to-day work. This approach means people get to connect more meaningfully and authentically while also creating fun and memorable cards that serve as conversation pieces as the meeting progresses.

Trading Cards   #gamestorming   #icebreaker   #opening   This meeting starter is great because it lets people self-define,  gives them a “personality” outside the typical work environment. Additionally,it gives participants quick snapshots of multiple players (since they see many cards as they’re being passed around), and it creates memorable visuals that give people conversation pieces as the meeting progresses.

​Find your pair

Prepare word pairs, like salt and pepper, milk and honey, sail and wind, etc on separate pieces of paper. Tape one to each person’s back. People then have to walk around and ask closed questions (with a yes or no answer) to find out what their phrase is. Once they find out, they have to find their pair & by continuing to ask questions (these can be open or closed) they have to learn 3 new things about the other.

​Toilet Paper Icebreaker

This is one of those ice breaker activities that is easily prepared in most live settings – you only need one roll of toilet paper. Pass this around, and have everyone rip off how much they would usually use. Everyone will feel awkward & will not really see the point at the beginning & possibly think you’ve lost it.

When everyone has taken off a few squares, they should count them. The amount they have is how many fun facts they should reveal about themselves. A warning though: this is an activity that is best suited for more lighthearted occasions and you’ll want to know your audience a bit before trying this!

​Show and tell

Group icebreakers are important, even in teams that know each other well. For more established groups, where people are more familiar with each other, it’s always good to dedicate a day, or an afternoon for “show and tell”. Each team member gets the chance (not all at once of course) to showcase something – an object or a topic that they are interested in.

Try making this activity part of a group routine at the start of every team meeting for bonus points. Creating this habit gives less exhibitionist characters a chance to share and it is also a great practice to hone presentation skills and handle the attention & tricky questions.

Show and Tell   #gamestorming   #action   #opening   #meeting facilitation   Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

Quick ice breaker games

When you have a tightly packed agenda, it’s useful to have some quick icebreakers you can use to warm up the group in a pinch. These activities are simple to explain, fast to run, and work great in large or small groups . They also can double as after-lunch energizers to encourage team members to engage in what’s next!

Here are some of our favorite games you can use to break the ice in a group in ten minutes or less! Prefer something that requires even less set-up? Check out our collection of icebreaker questions for a set of effective conversation starters.

One Word at a Time

Apple, orange and banana, conversation questions, diversity welcome, stress balls, object meditation.

• Have you ever? (Stand up if)

Ice breaker ideas can come from anywhere, and so can great ideas. Create a surprise sentence by saying one word at a time. Give a general topic. The first person in the group says one word to a topic. The next person continues with another word.

Eventually, the group creates a whole sentence by each member contributing only one word at a time. The outcome is always unexpected & almost always funny. Make sure people don’t say two words when using articles or pronouns.

One Word Method   #product development   #idea generation   #creativity   #icebreaker   #online   #warm up   Creating a sentence relating to a specific topic or problem with each person contributing one word at a time.

Some of the best quick icebreakers promote team bonding by simply encouraging the group to be silly and have fun. This game is designed to do just that!

Start by asking your group to stand in a circle with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front. Explain that when you shout either apple, orange or banana they must perform the associated action: moving forward, backward or spinning around. When the group is comfortable, mix it up by saying two or even three words in sequence!

This great icebreaker game gets everyone moving, generates lots of laughter, and is a wonderful activity to use after breaks too.

Apple, Orange and Banana!   #energiser   #icebreaker   #fun   #teambuilding   Fun energiser to create energy and fun. Great to use after breaks such as lunch or coffee breaks.

Sometimes the best and fastest icebreakers are also the simplest! Use this collection of 25 icebreaker questions as the basis for letting to group get to know each other, or have participants answer in rapid-fire!

Small groups might wish to mingle and ask questions one on one, while you might invite larger groups to answer questions by raising their hand to answer. Whatever way you go, these icebreaker questions are a great starting point for team bonding and helping participants get to know other group members.

Conversation Questions   #connection   #icebreaker   #trust   #meeting facilitation   #opening  

Quick icebreakers also have the potential to set the right tone for your meeting or workshop. The focus of his activity is to promote diversity and help create an inclusive environment for your session. Start by naming a possible trait of someone who may be present and saying they are welcome. For example, “If you love dogs, you are welcome here! If you prefer cats, you are welcome here!”

Slowly move into deeper territory by naming traits and concepts that resonate with your audience. With established groups, invite participants to share their own welcome, focusing on helping everyone in the room feel safe and welcome.

Diversity welcome   #diversity   #inclusion   #opening   #remote-friendly   #hybrid-friendly   The intention of the diversity welcome is inclusion. It can be long or short. The common element is to inclusively name a range of possibilities with a genuine “Welcome!”

We love games that not only function as a fun introduction but also offer a way to improve company culture. Stress Balls is a fast-paced icebreaker that helps highlight the importance of communication and teamwork while also encouraging lots of fun.

Begin by simply asking participants to stand in a circle and pass a ball to their left. Debrief and ask how the task went before asking participants to try again while moving the ball faster. Introduce further complexity until the game becomes a mess! While the result is chaotic fun, it also offers a very teachable lesson about how teams can communicate in order to achieve great results.

Stress Balls   #energiser   #communication   #teamwork   #team   #thiagi   #action   #icebreaker   Understanding the importance of communication and teamwork is an important requirement for high performance teams of knowledge workers. This exercise is an effective energizer that requires communication and teamwork. Ask participants to form a circle and throw a ball around to simulate the movement of a message. Change different variables such as speed, quantity, and complexity to create a mess.

Just because an icebreaker can be done quickly doesn’t mean it can’t also be mindful! This focused meditation activity is a wonderful way to open a meeting and encourage everyone to be present.

First, have everyone choose an object that is close to them and invite them to close their eyes. Next, ask the group to notice how they feel and to consider any feelings that aren’t serving them right now. Invite them to transfer these feelings into the object they are holding for the duration of the meeting and then come back to the room.

Combined with a quick debrief, this method is a great way to gently break the ice with your group. Check out the full method below for a script you can follow too!

Object Meditation   #icebreaker   #meditation   #emotional intelligence   #managing emotions   #check-in   #self-awareness   A focused meditation to become present and aware. We accept our feelings, leaving behind what we doesn’t serve us right now. A ideal way to open a workshop or team meeting.

Use this ice breaker activity at, or very near, the start of a course, workshop or meeting where people don’t know each other to help get to know everyone’s names. Have the group sit in a circle where everyone can see the others. The first person says their name. The next person continues, but after saying their own name, they repeat the first person’s name. This continues with each person repeating one more name. Reassure people towards the end that it’s ok if they get stuck & encourage the others to jump in to help if anyone is lost.

Name Game   #opening   #icebreaker   #energiser   Use the exercise at, or very near, the start of a course, workshop or meeting where people don’t know each other as it helps to learn names of each other

​Have you ever? (Stand up if)

Prior to the workshop the facilitator prepares a list of questions which can only be answered with yes or no. These questions should begin with “Have you ever…?” or “Stand up if…”. The facilitator reads out the questions or statements one by one. For each statement the participants stand up if they could answer the statement with yes.

The questions should be designed to not be discriminatory, intimidating or insulting. Possible topics can be countries visited, dishes, games or sports tried, movies seen etc. This should be quite familiar to people before they attend the meeting or workshop and is quick and easy to understand – ice breaker ideas don’t need to be brand new to be effective!

Stand up if   #icebreaker   #sharing   #opening   #energiser   #online   #remote-friendly   short, fun, energizing team activity

This is a quick ice breaker game where players have to form an orderly line without any discussion, or any verbal cues or help at all. The line is formed by predetermined criteria (like height, or color of each person’s eyes etc.). and gently asks people to start working together to get themselves into order.

With a more familiar group, try adding more complication to encourage your team to think more deeply. This icebreaker helps develop team collaboration and non-verbal communication, and it’s great when kicking of a training session with lots of talking later!

Line-Up   #hyperisland   #energiser   In the short group challenge, participants must organize themselves in a line according to a certain criteria (like height) without speaking. The activity promotes non-verbal communication and teamwork. Simpler versions of the activity can be used in early stages of group development while more complex versions can be used to challenge more established groups.

Ice Breaker Games for Meetings

Using an ice breaker at the start of a meeting is a great way to encourage group members to be present and get things started on the right foot. Effective opening activities energize everyone, helping them ‘arrive’ mentally and leave behind whatever task or thought they were previously working on.

They can also help clarify the objectives of the meeting and position the group for what’s coming next. While many of the ice breakers in this collection work well for work, we’ve found these ones especially effective. Here are some ice breakers for meetings to help ensure your next team meeting is a success!

Coat of Arms

One word exercise, the real reason why you are here, lego metaphors, weather check-in.

• Rain Icebreaker

Celebrate the wins in your team

Mindfulness icebreaker, purpose mingle.

This game is a great way for players to introduce themselves and their colleagues. It’s especially fun for people who think they already know each other very well – almost every time there are at least a few surprises!

Sometimes these new nuggets of wisdom can have an immediate effect on the employees’ relationships, current projects or challenges. Since you have to draw, rather than explain, it serves double duty for topics like problem-solving, creative thinking and innovation. Fun icebreakers for meetings don’t get much better than this!

Coat of Arms   #teambuilding   #opening   #icebreaker   #team   #get-to-know   #thiagi   Coat of Arms exercise provides a way for participants to introduce themselves and their colleagues, particularly for groups who think they already know each other very well. Almost invariably participants discover something about their colleagues of which they previously had no idea. Occasionally this revelation has an immediate and direct application to another participant’s current project or challenge.Because this activity forces people to use drawings rather than words, it is particularly useful as a dual-purpose introductory exercise in training sessions that deal with such topics as innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.

Pick a phrase that is central to the reason you’ve gathered and have everyone write down or say a word that comes to their mind in relation to it. If you’re leading a meeting about planning an upcoming project, ask participants to share one word that they think describes the goal or the processes that are needed.

Once everyone has shared their phrases, discuss the results. This ice breaker helps explore different viewpoints about a common challenge, before starting the meeting.

When we first arrive in a meeting, we’re often carrying other things with us. The stress of unfinished work, thinking about the evening or just what we’re having for lunch. Encourage your team to be present and think about why they are in your meeting or workshop with this simple ice breaker that helps spark conversation.

Begin by asking the group to state the concious reason for being in the meeting, and then invite them to consider the deeper reasons for being in the session. The surfacing of these deeper reasons for being present can be surprising, but are often useful for the group to discuss while breaking the ice!

The real reason why you are in this workshop   #constellations   #objectives   #icebreaker   #warm up   A deep-dive method to reveal the subconscious reason why you are in a workshop. Facilitator goes first and by doing so invites the other participants to incorporate the

For some meetings, time can be short. Quick but fun icebreaker activities like this one can be an effective way of getting a read of how everyone is doing while still being time efficient.

Begin this ice breaker by asking each member of the group to share how they are feeling & what’s going on for them right now in the language of weather. For example, I’m feeling like it’s mostly sunny skies with a bit of a rain cloud looming or I feel like I’m in the eye of a tornado! I’ve found this game especially useful when working with remote teams, for whom a metaphor can feel like a safe way to share in a group setting.

Weather check in   #opening   #listening and awareness   #self-awareness   #teambuilding   #em   Each person describes how they are feeling as they are weather

Each participant gets a set of few LEGO bricks (identical sets to everyone – a few items, around 5-10 bricks per person will suffice). Everyone builds something that relates to the topic of the meeting.

Afterwards, everyone gets 30 seconds to explain what their building means (e.g ‘My Home’, ‘Interesting Experiment’, ‘The coolest computer ever’) and how it relates to the topic of the meeting. (Optional: the figures/buildings and the metaphors may be used later on to help discussions around the table.) Remember that icebreaker games for work don’t need to sacrifice fun, and some of the best team building icebreakers are creative and allow people to get in touch with their inner child!

LEGO Challenge   #hyperisland   #team   A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

Rain icebreaker

Encouraging everyone to be present and engaged at the start of your meeting doesn’t need to be complicated. By simply getting everyone in the room participating in the same goal, this icebreaker can quickly help everyone “arrive” in the session.

Start by having everyone in the front of the room rub their hands together vigorously. Row by row, get more people to join in until you reach the back of the room. Next, have the first row switch to clicking their fingers and proceed through the room in the same way. Go back and forth between clicking and rubbing in order to replicate the sound of rain and then invite the group to stop and enjoy a break in the shower.

Rain icebreaker   #icebreaker   #energizer   #collective intelligence   #warm up   This meeting icebreaker is a great energizer to do right before a break or coming back from a break, especially if you have stragglers

An easy icebreaker that will have everyone feeling good before a meeting. Go around a circle and highlight a story – an action, decision or result – that can and should be praised from each team member. Something where they reached beyond their typical responsibilities and excelled.

Have everyone acknowledge and thank each other for surpassing expectations. This is a great mood booster – by lifting each other up, the energy just starts to vibrate in the room. Everyone likes to be recognized. Ice breakers for meetings that give people the chance to celebrate success can be key in setting a great tone for the meeting to come.

The best ice breaker games often have a very clear goal. You can use this method at the beginning of any meeting to set the stage and get people thinking about what they can contribute. It’s a simple way to get started and always gets results!

At the beginning of your session, have people walk around & share with others what they will contribute to that particular session. It’s a great way to enhance engagement & help people set goals and hold themselves accountable. It also makes others aware of everyone’s intent and can help prevent misunderstandings.

Meetings can sometimes become difficult because attendees come in stressing about the topic or are distracted by things outside of the meeting.

In this mindful ice breaker, ask people to take a few moments to “check-in” with themselves and write down their worries, energy levels, and what else is on their mind. After everyone is done, they should rip up their answers and discard them. This helps them identify their state, let go of their worries and have better focus & more empathy towards others.

What are you bringing to the meeting   #teampedia   #opening   #team   #check-in   A good way  to start a meeting/workshop/training to see how participants are feeling, what might be distractions that they are carrying with themselves into the room and how low/high their energy level is.

Fun Ice Breaker Games to Support Team Building

Ice breaker games are not only useful at the beginning of meetings or getting to know new people. They are also a great way to support team building, by creating a positive atmosphere, helping people relax and break down barriers.

Team building icebreakers can also reveal new information about colleagues that otherwise you wouldn’t discover during your everyday routine. Remember that successful teams are often those who’ve gotten to know each other better on a personal level too!

Team icebreakers such as those below are great for enhancing team bonding and empowering everyone in the group to move forward together. Let’s take a look!

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity

Team jigsaw puzzle game, back to back drawing, scavenger hunt, electric fence icebreaker, low tech social networking.

The Four Quadrants is a fun and creative team icebreaker than can be adapted for any situation. It is super easy to prep for and set up – you only need large sheets of paper (flipcharts or similar) and markers. Have people draw up a 2×2 grid and ask them four questions. They should draw the answers in each quadrant.

Questions can cover topics like current challenges, stressors, defining moments, moments of pride, fears, desired outcome for the current gathering etc. Afterwards they can show each other their drawings and discuss their creations. The exercise is fun, colorful and visual and can be modified to work with any group and/or topic just by changing the questions.

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   The Four Quadrants is a tried and true team building activity to break the ice with a group or team. It is EASY to prep for and set up. It can be MODIFIED to work with any group and/or topic (just change the questions). It is FUN, COLORFUL and works every time!

Separate people into teams. Give each a very different jigsaw puzzle (with equal difficulty & number of pieces). Each group has the same amount of time to complete the puzzle.

The secret twist is to switch up a few pieces with the other groups beforehand! Fun icebreakers can help keep a team on their toes and encourage creative thinking – try ice breakers for meetings that include an edge of competitiveness and fun to really liven things up.

The goal is to finish before the others – so they must figure out collectively how to convince other teams to give up pieces they need. This can be through barter, merging or changing teams, donating minutes, etc.

This is a longer game, but one that is worth doing, since it encourages teamwork on several levels – internally and externally too.

Jigsaw Puzzle   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teampedia   This game is useful as a side-activity during breaks, as it encourages starting conversations between random people.

Two people should sit facing away from each other. One receives a picture of an object or phrase. Without saying directly what they see, they should describe it to their pair without using words that clearly give it away. Their pair has to draw a specific picture.

The game requires two people to sit facing away from each other, where one team member is given a picture of an object or word. Without specifying directly what it is, the other person must describe the image without using words that clearly give away the image. This is a great team building game to develop verbal communication and is a fun alternative to more traditional icebreaker games.

Back-2-Back Drawing   #communication   #collaboration   #trust   #icebreaker   #teampedia   #action   This is a communication exercise when participants in pairs have to use only verbal communication to help their pair to draw a specific picture. There are several variations of the exercise detailed in the instructions.

Many people have great memories from a childhood scavenger hunt. Recreating this experience to let our the inner child and work as a team is one of our favourite icebreaker games for adults too! Start by creating a list of items that need to be gathered and then split your group into small teams to try and find them all to kick off your scavenger hunt.

Working with a remote or hybrid team? Try the virtual scavenger hunt below! Be sure to put in items that require a wide range of skills and thinking and diverse personalities to be completed successfully. A scavenger hunt is also a great opportunity to mix people into teams who don’t typically work together and bring them together with ice breaker games.

Virtual scavenger hunt   #energiser   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   A fun team-building energiser that encourages groups to recreate the scavenger hunt experience in a fully remote environment! 

This is a great energiser that requires players to move about as they build an imaginary electric fence. They have to try and cross it without touching it and getting “electrocuted”. The fence can be represented by a rope or a shoe string tied between two objects. It should be about waist high. Players can’t go under it, this is not limbo dancing!

They must also be touching a teammate with at least one hand at all times. This ice breaker activity requires quick brainstorming, problem-solving and negotiating other ideas. Make sure that people who are uncomfortable with physical contact have an option to not participate but still feel involved in the brainstorming part. Inclusive games make for some of the best ice breakers: be sure to bare this in mind when deciding on icebreaker games for work or your next meeting.

The object of this ice breaker game is to introduce event participants to each other by co-creating a mural-sized, visual network of their connections. – great for medium size events where participants come from different organisations. All participants will need a 5×8 index card and access to markers or something similar to draw their avatar. They will also need a substantial wall covered in butcher paper to create the actual network.

Once their avatar is ready, they “upload” themselves by sticking their card to the wall. Then they find the people they know and draw lines to make the connections. This is one of our favourite ice breakers when working with large, multi-discipline groups where connections might not be immediately obvious.

Low-tech Social Network   #gamestorming   #icebreaker   #opening   The object of this game is to introduce event participants to each other by co-creating a mural-sized, visual network of their connections.

Ice Breaker Games for Small Groups

While many of the icebreaker games above can be adapted for any group size, these activities are especially effective when working with groups of less than 15 people.

These small group icebreakers are great at using the extra space to create opportunities for team bonding and deeper sharing between team members. They’re also designed so you’re not left with awkward silences just because you don’t have a massive team taking part!

Interview icebreaker

• Paper telephone

One of the major benefits of small group icebreaker games is space for participants to talk and get to know each other a little more than they would in a group of 20+ people. Interview is a playful way to get team members talking at the start of a session while also introducing the topic of the workshop or meeting.

Start by getting people into pairs. One person begins by being a reporter and then other will be the interviewee. For three minutes, the reporter will interview the other person on a chosen subject and attempt to get as much information as they can before switching roles. Encourage the group to really get into their roles and provide some example questions to guide the group toward the topic of the day.

Interview   #warm up   #icebreaker   #energiser   The interview is a good warm up for every training or workshop session. Playful start in which the participants will start to communicate with and come to know each other, directing the thinking toward the topic of the day. It is usually a very cheerful activity. Az interjú egy jó bemelegítés, jégtörő minden tréninghez vagy workshophoz. Játékos kezdés, amelyben a résztvevők elkezdenek megismerkedni és kommunikálni egymással, miközben a gondolataikat már a nap témája felé irányítjuk.

Spending time in a small group is a great opportunity to get to know people a little more deeply. This game encourages players to share more about themselves than an average icebreaker, and it’s a fun way to kickstart creative thinking too!

Start by assembling a box of interesting objects (photos will do in a pinch!). Next, invite participants to choose an object without overthinking it and then explain who they are, why they chose the object and what they think the connection between the object and the workshop is.

Magic Box   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   Ice breaking at the beginning of the workshop/meeting

Paper Telephone

Paper telephone is a fun icebreaker that encourages creativity and laughter by combining two classic games: telephone and pictionary. Start by handing out a stack of small papers and pens, and invite each team member to write a sentence on the first piece of paper. Players then pass their stack to the next person who must read the sentence and then create a visual representation of that sentence on the next piece of paper in the stack.

Play proceeds around the circle, with players needing to transform back and forth between words and images. Often, by the time you get your original stack back, the sentence has gone on a weird and wonderful transformation!

While you can play paper telephone with larger groups, the more people you add, the longer it takes. Doing this icebreaker in a small group means you have more time to share what people came up with and the journey you all went on together.

Paper Telephone   #teampedia   #icebreaker   #creativity   #team   #action   Paper Telephone is a mix of two methods, “Telephone” and “Pictionary”. It is a creative game aiming to fasten the get-to-know each other phase of the team while having a good time.

The human knot is a fun, physical icebreaker that is best played in groups of 7-16 people. It’s a great way to break the ice while also creating energy and a sense of fun.

Start by getting the group to stand in a circle and ask them to close their eyes. Next, everyone reaches out and links one hand with someone across the circle. Then they link the other hand with another person in the circle. Then, ask everyone to open their eyes and try to untangle the knot they’ve made without breaking the chain!

Human Knot   A physical-participation disentanglement puzzle that helps a group learn how to work together (self-organize) and can be used to illustrate the difference between self-organization and command-control management or simply as a get-to-know-you icebreaker. Standing in a circle, group members reach across to connect hands with different people. The group then tries to unravel the “human knot” by unthreading their bodies without letting go of each other people’s hands. As a management-awareness game to illustrate required change in behavior and leadership on a management level (e.g., illustrate the change from ‘task-oriented’ management towards ‘goal/value-oriented’ management).

Working with small groups creates an opportunity for greater depth. In this icebreaker game, invite team members to draw their life as a map, using common symbols and signs you might find on a map. Stop signs, deer crossings, mountainous areas…the choice of how to illustrate your life story is yours!

Give time after drawing for everyone to share and for others to ask questions. The connections, conversations and shared understandings that come out of this reflective icebreaker can set a wonderful right tone for the work ahead.

Life map   #team   #teampedia   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   With this activity the participants get to know each other on a deeper level.

Ice Breaker Games to Improve Teamwork and Collaboration

Good ice breaker games usually all have a strong aspect of teamwork and collaboration as people work together in groups to accomplish a challenge or solve a puzzle. Therefore these team icebreakers can also be used as part of team building events and team development workshops. They are meant to fast-track group familiarity and increase the socialization process in a new or existing environment.

With increased social interaction, people naturally learn how to work together more productively – the mood can warm up between colleagues who are normally highly formal with each other. The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

Here, we’ve collected ice breaker activities to help improve teamwork and collaboration in a more involved manner.

The Marshmallow Challenge

Helium stick, blind square – the perfect square, desert island.

In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. To complete the marshmallow challenge, the marshmallow needs to be on top and hopefully, not fall off! This icebreaker game emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, collaboration, innovation and problem solving strategy.

Genuinely fun icebreakers for meetings can be hard to find – The Marshmallow Challenge is one of those icebreaker games for work that feels almost like play. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Definitely give it a try.

Marshmallow challenge with debriefing   #teamwork   #team   #leadership   #collaboration   In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Visit the Marshmallow Challenge website for more information. This version has an extra debriefing question added with sample questions focusing on roles within the team.

This fun activity could be used as an icebreaker both for people who have just met and for already existing teams. Breaking people up into groups, each one needs a fresh egg, some straws, masking tape and other items for creating a package to protect the egg.

Using the raw materials provided, the team goal is to build a structure that will support a free-falling egg dropped from a predetermined height (e.g. 7 feet) without the egg breaking. Get to know you games with an element of danger are always fun ice breakers for meetings. This is a method that fosters team communication, collaboration and strategic thinking as well.

Egg drop   #teampedia   #collaboration   #teamwork   #icebreaker   #team   This fun activity could be used as an icebreaker for people who have just met but it can be framed as a method that shows and fosters team communication, collaboration and strategic thinking as well.

Solving seemingly simple problems as a group to get everyone working together at the start of a workshop. This game requires one long, thin, light rod (e.g. a broom handle) and a bunch of curious participants!

First, line up people in two rows facing each other. Introduce the Helium Stick and ask participants to hold their index fingers out. Lay the Stick on their fingers & before letting go, have everyone adjust their position so the Stick is horizontal and everyone is touching it. The goal is to lower the Stick to the ground in a way that no one lets go of it at any time.

Pinching, grabbing, or holding on properly to the Stick is not allowed. If the group makes a mistake, they start from the beginning. Helium Stick is a fun icebreaker that asks participants to really engage with one another and we’d recommend it for any team building workshop!

Helium Stick   #teampedia   #team   #teamwork   #icebreaker   #energiser   A great and simple activity for fostering teamwork and problem solving with no setup beforehand.

Blindfold your seated participants. Take a long string or rope with the ends tied together & place it in everyone’s hands. Leave the circle and ask them to form a perfect square from the rope without looking.

When people think they are finished, they can remove their blindfolds to see the result. Ice breakers for meetings don’t always include props or blindfolds, but deploying them effectively can make for a memorable ice breaker.

Blind Square is one of the icebreaker games you can use to highlight leadership and communication – some people will want to take charge, while others are more comfortable following direction. Also, it can be repeated after the first try to see if they can improve their collaboration.

Blind Square – Rope game   #teamwork   #communication   #teambuilding   #team   #energiser   #thiagi   #outdoor   This is an activity that I use in almost every teambuilding session I run–because it delivers results every time. I can take no credit for its invention since it has existed from long before my time, in various forms and with a variety of names (such as Blind Polygon). The activity can be frontloaded to focus on particular issues by changing a few parameters or altering the instructions.

Many of us will have played some variation of this ice breaker game before. This game asks you team: if you were trapped on a desert island, what would you use to survive?

Introduce participants to a list of possible items and have them choose the three they find most essential. Then, they’ll share the items they chose with the rest of the group. This activity works well with a remote team and with larger groups, you may want to separate people into smaller teams where they collaboratively strategize on which items to pick.

The Desert Island   #relationships   #icebreaker   #teamwork   #remote-friendly   Many of us have played a game similar to this before – if you were stranded on a desert island, what essential items would you choose to survive? Participants are given a list of items to choose from and must work together to decide which items will help them stay alive. A great, remote-friendly exercise for a team to work together and share opinions.

Fun Ice Breaker Games

The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

They’re also incredibly fun to play, making them a welcomed break from regular work activities. They break down barriers that might exist between employees & make it easier for people to communicate with one another.

Ice breakers should also encourage lighthearted interactions that wouldn’t usually take place in the context of a normal workday. When the correct game is chosen, everyone benefits from the energy they bring to any meeting or event. Remember that even some business-critical meetings can benefit from a bit of levity and fun!

Here are some ice breaker ideas for when you just want to have fun with your team.

Portrait Gallery

• What is my name

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Crazy handshake, the movie pitch icebreaker, share a joke, the no smiling icebreaker, hello kitty.

This ice breaker activity is a fun one that requires some creativity. It enhances a sense of community because people have to draw the others as a group – not just between the drawers, but the recipients of the portraits too. The outcome is very visual and colorful and the result images can be put up in the meeting room afterward! Meeting ice breakers that produce physical results that can be shared can really help ensure the good vibes of the meeting continue afterward!

Portrait Gallery   #hyperisland   #team   #icebreaker   The Portrait Gallery is an energetic and fun icebreaker game that gets participants interacting by having the group collaboratively draw portraits of each member. The activity builds a sense of group because it results with each participant having a portrait drawn of him/herself by the other members of the group together. It also has a very colourful visual outcome: the set of portraits which can be posted in the space.

​What is my name

Stick the name of a well-known celebrity or public figure on people’s backs. Have players mingle and ask each other questions to find out who they are. This is a light game that initiates easy conversations without forced & awkward small talk. Make sure the figures are generally well recognizable. What is my name is one of those icebreaker games for work that is easy to set up and get going and is fun for all involved.

This is a warm-up to really get a group energized. It is a game based on the traditional Rock Paper Scissors game but with a twist. The people who lost become fans and have to cheer for the players still in the game. The final is cheered on by a large crowd & the excitement is through the roof! If there are a larger number of people, you can have multiple tournaments. Fun icebreakers don’t need to be complicated. Keep your ice breaker simple and ensure everyone can get involved easily.

Rock, Paper, Scissors (Tournament)   #energiser   #warm up   #remote-friendly   This is a fun and loud energiser based on the well-known “Rock, Paper, Scissor” game – with a twist: the losing players become the fan of the winners as the winner advances to the next round. This goes on until a final showdown with two large cheering crowds! It can be played with adults of all levels as well as kids and it always works! 

Set up harmless obstacles in the room you’re meeting in. Use squeaky toys, whoopie cushions, bubble wrap and the like. Everyone takes turns going around the course while blindfolded, guided by their teammates. The goal is: help each to navigate through the minefield.

While this game often results in lots of laughter, it also helps teach the importance of clear communication and trusting your team.

Minefield   #teampedia   #teamwork   #action   #team   #icebreaker   A fun activity that helps participants working together as a team while teaching the importance of communication, strategy and trust.

This ice breaker helps people ease into a group and brings out their creativity without a lot of effort. Splitting the group into pairs, each pair develops a creative handshake. Once done, the pair splits and each individual partners with another group member. The newly formed pair then teaches each other the original handshakes and together creates a new one. You can break up and pair off people as many times as you want.

Crazy Handshake   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #opening   #teampedia   #team   This activity helps people ease in a group and brings out their creativity without a lot of effort.

Divide players into several groups and have each team come up with an idea for a movie they want to make. They should prepare a pitch within 10 minutes. Once everyone had a chance to tell their idea, all players vote on which idea deserves ‘funding’.

The winners won’t start to make their film, but they should get awarded with either a funny object or some treats. We love using creative icebreakers like to ease people in and get used to collaborating and giving feedback ahead of the main discussion.

For this game, you have to have quick reactions or you’ll be eliminated. Have everyone stand in a circle with one person in the middle as the ‘sheriff’. They must surprise other players by pointing to them. These people must quickly crouch and those on either side of them have to quickly ‘draw’ their weapons. If you are too slow, you switch places & become the sheriff.

This icebreaker is a wonderful way to increase group energy before starting a meeting in earnest, and it also helps people learn names too! If you’re working with an especially large group, note that it’s better to play in parallel before finishing with a final showdown!

Bang   #hyperisland   #energiser   Bang is a group game, played in a circle, where participants must react quickly or face elimination. One person stands in the middle of the circle as “the sheriff”, pointing at other players who must quickly crouch while those on either side of them quickly “draw”. A good activity to generate laughter in a group. It can also help with name-learning for groups getting to know each other.

Have new teammates tell a joke at their first all-hands meeting. This is a great way to encourage people to be vulnerable and also ensures the meetings start on a cheery note. Remember that opening activities needn’t be complicated to be effective and when looking for ice breaker ideas, don’t discount the simple joy of making others laugh!

This is a simple icebreaker activity that energizes participants, and it’s also suitable for highlighting spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace. When throwing the first ball, the person starting should make a special sound that has to be repeated by the catcher upon receiving the ball.

Once the ball is being thrown around at a fairly brisk pace, you can introduce another imaginary ball and start throwing it. When the group gets proficient at it, you can have three or four balls in play!

Sound Ball   #energiser   #icebreaker   #thiagi   #team   #outdoor   This a simple icebreaker activity energising participants, also suitable for debriefing learning points towards spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace.

This is a seemingly contradictory ice breaker that actually results in lots of smiles. Instruct everyone to keep a straight face and do not smile under ANY circumstance in the first five minutes of the meeting. People turn into children with an instruction like this, and immediately start looking at others, seeing how they are coping. The anticipation makes everyone giggly, so after a while they cannot suppress their laughter anymore. This activity takes zero prep and so is a great one to pull out at the last minute!

Starting a meeting with smiles and laughter is a great way to set the tone for the session. In this fun icebreaker, separate your group into teams of kittens and puppiess. Puppies try to make the kittens laugh or crack a smile by simply saying, “Hello Kitty” in an amusing manner. Any kittens who smile or laugh join the puppies until their is only one kitten left standing!

Encourage the group to be creative and be sure to give kudos to the funniest participants or those who manage to keep a straight face!

Hello Kitty   #hyperisland   #energiser   #remote-friendly   A simple and short group game all about trying to make each other crack a smile. Participants take turns being ‘kitties’ and ‘puppies’. The puppies try to make the kitties crack a smile or laugh. The last kitty standing is the winner! An original from The Northern Quarter Agency.

From icebreaker to completed agenda

Now you’ve discovered the perfect icebreaker, it’s time to create the rest of your meeting!

With SessionLab, you drag, drop and reorder blocks to create your agenda in a snap. Your session timing adjusts automatically as you make changes and when you’re done, you can share a beautiful printout with your colleagues and participants.

Explore how facilitators use SessionLab to build effective workshops and meetings or watch this five minute video to get started!

Now over to you!

Your meetings and workshops don’t have to be boring. We hope you have found some useful tips for practical and fun ice breaker games you can use in your next session!

What are your favorite ice breaker activities? Have you tried any of the methods above? How did you find them? Let us know about your experiences in the comments. Want to see even more great icebreaker ideas? Our collection of icebreaker questions contains heaps of conversation starters you can bring to your next session.

Want to go further? Check out our guide to planning an effective workshop to start building more engaging sessions with better outcomes!

Robert took his first facilitation training in 2009, and since then immersed himself in designing and delivering experiential learning experiences, group workshop, and train-the-trainer/facilitator programs. His passion for facilitation led him to co-found SessionLab, the online platform that helps people design and facilitate better workshops.

20 Comments

tHIS was a life saver. I forgot that I had to present a game (or what-ever) for a Red Hat meeting tomorrow. You SAVED THE DAY, so to speak….so many, many thanks. frankanz

That’s fantastic to hear, I’m so happy we could help you – thanks for sharing your story :-)

Thanks for this list! some great finds in here (I LOVE the portrait gallery!) – have saved 10 faves and will definitely us the passions tic-tac-toe and rock paper scissors tournament at next workshop :D

That’s awesome to hear, I’m happy you got some useful ideas! (The portrait gallery is one of my favourite tools, too :-)

Great list! Here are some of the icebreakers I use: 1- Batikha (Watermelon in Arabic) The group sits or stands in a circular form. One person starts by placing their palms on their mouth as if they are holding a ball (watermolon) and passing it to the person on their side (if they pass it to the person on their right, they must use their left hand pointing to the right direction), the next person carries on with this rhythm. At any point anyone could decide to reverse the path of the ball by changing their hand and the pointing to the other person. This is when it gets tricky because if anyone else -other than the person pointed to) takes an action by raising their hands they get out of the circle. Additional if someone points the ball upwards, it means the next person will be skipped and the following person should complete the cycle. I don’t know if it makes sense in writing, it’s very simple through :) 2- Say what? This games involves a person (usually the trainer) asking each one individually a series of questions. The person who answers must answer truthfully without saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or make any gestures or sounds that means yes or no. They also can’t think for more than three seconds and they cannot repeat what the trainer asked. The trainer must get tricky by asking follow-up questions like: What’s your favorite book? answer… But isn’t out of publish? The participant will probably say no and lose.

Thank you, Nahla, great to see your favourite ice breaker activities, too – thanks for sharing!

This is an Awesome with great fun usable ideas!!

You’re welcome, Joshua – great to see that you’ve found the post useful!

Board/card games teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, and taking turns. It can also foster the ability to focus and lengthen one’s attention span by encouraging the completion of an exciting, enjoyable game. Check this newly found card gamehttps://lagimcardgame.com/ and see how interesting and creative it is.

These are some amazing ideas! Thank you

These are all so good! You usually can’t find so many good ideas in one place. Thanks so much!

Excellent list and love the card format of the activity. Thanks. For Icebreaker questions I use icebreakrs.io.

Thank you very much! Very useful!

thank you very much very useful

This will help each other in the team professionally and personally , we can share ideas and solve problems .Awesome!!

Thank you for this great collection of wonderful and fun icebreakers and activities. Here’s a favorite icebreaker called Paris, Rome, or New York.

Objectives: To get participants to share their opinions, encourage listening, and promote better discussion in the group.

Method: This is a very simple exercise that participants can also have some fun with.

Ask participants of the training event to imagine themselves in each of the cities above. And, what they would like to do there? What would they work at? Would their life be different? If so, in what ways?

Once each person has described who they would like to get the group in a circle to discuss the exercise.

This exercise also encourages questioning and listening skills within the group and individuals’ perceptions of different things.

Discussion Questions: Did anyone feel uncomfortable doing this exercise? If so, why? How can this exercise help us during today’s training event? Of all the places presented does anyone want to change? If so why or why not?

Great ideas and will use this week at our yearly NHS Nurse away day. Thank You

These are some great ideas. I do both online and face-to-face education, so the variations are really nice. I also do an exercise called, “How did I get here?” Everyone takes a sheet of chart paper and some markers and writes or draws (or both) how they got to where they are and what led them to the course. I give them 10 minutes and then we share as a group. If too many to share in a large group, create several smaller groups and they share to that group. You can get some really interesting responses.

Dear Robert Cserti, My gratitude to you….Thank you so much .Iam using these games as ice breakers ,related to many topics and also in out bound training. Sharing the knowledge ..that’s amazing and tells that u lead by example. Great work!!!! with regards Anu Shakthi :-)

Many times link with ice breakers are disappointing. This was packed full of easy to use, possible to tweak. And amazing ideas!

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