One of the first steps in forming a group is having the participants find commonality, and you can do this with fun icebreakers for teens. Teenagers often find icebreakers a fun way to introduce themselves, especially if they are self-conscious about speaking in front of a group.
Top Ten Icebreaker Games and Activities for Teens
You can use the following icebreaker activities for teens as written, or you can alter them to fit the number of participants you have or the theme of the group.
#1 Human Bingo
- Take a pile of note cards and write a teen's name and a question on it.
- You need at least five different questions, and make five note cards for each teen.
- Have the teens take cards, find the person whose name is on them, and ask the question.
- When a teen finds the person on the card, that person has to sign his name. The person who gets five cards done first wins the game.
#2 Teen Interviews
- Divide the teenagers into pairs.
- Each teen takes turn interviewing the other.
- After everyone has finished, each teen has to introduce the person he interviewed to the group.
#3 Two Truths One Lie
Have each teen tell the group two truths and one lie. The group has to decide which statement is a lie.
#4 What Am I?
Write an item on a note card for as many teens as you have. Tape a note card to each person's back. Each teen has to figure out the item is on their note card by asking yes or no questions.
#5 Create a Story
Start to tell a story, but don't finish it. The next person has to add more to the story and so forth. By the end of the game, you'll have an awkward but funny tale.
#6 Common Personality Game
Make up some personality questions and either pass out a sheet of paper with them on there or write them down on a dry erase board, paper easel or chalkboard. Each teen answers the questions first on a piece of paper and then shares their answers with the group.
#7 Most Prized Possessions
This game helps teens learn what they all value the most. To play, ask them if they were going to be deserted on an island, what three things would they want to bring with them and why.
#8 What Would You Buy?
Tell the teenagers that they just won a certain amount of money. Each person has to tell the group what they would buy with it.
#9 Balloon Truth or Dare
- On pieces of paper, write either a truth or a dare.
- Place one piece of paper into a balloon and blow it up.
- Tell each teen to pick a balloon, pop it and do whatever is on the piece of paper.
#10 Guess the Celebrity
Give the group hints about a celebrity. The first person to guess whom it is wins. If you have pieces of candy, you can give that out as prizes.
When to Use Teenage Icebreakers
You can use icebreakers for teens when the group first meets, or you can use one at the beginning of each session. Just as it can help a group learn more about each other the first time they meet, it can also bring a group back together again after being away from each other for a certain amount time, which has caused some disconnection between members. You might also try some teenage mad libs or a list of good yes or no questions to break the ice and get everyone talking.
