10+ Low-Prep Icebreaker Games & Activities for a Stress-Free Back-to-School Start: Essential Tips for Ontario Elementary Teachers
As the new school year approaches, the excitement is often mixed with a little bit of anxiety—for both teachers and students. Icebreakers and engaging activities can be a fantastic way to ease into the new year, build classroom community, and get to know your students better. However, the last thing you want is to spend hours preparing these activities. To help, we’ve compiled a list of low-prep icebreaker games and activities that are perfect for Ontario elementary teachers looking to start the year stress-free.
1. Four Corners
Objective: Get students moving and sharing their opinions.
How It Works: Label each corner of the room with a different option, such as colors, animals, or even subject areas. Ask a question like, "I love math!" and have students move to the corner that represents their choice. Once they’re in their corner, they can discuss why they chose it with others who picked the same option.
Why It’s Great: This game encourages movement and gives students a chance to express their preferences without the pressure of speaking in front of the entire class.
Here is a printable template for your classroom.
2. Would You Rather?
Objective: Spark conversation and laughter among students.
How It Works: Prepare a series of "Would you rather?" questions, like "Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?" Ask the questions and have students choose their answers by raising hands or moving to designated areas of the room.
Why It’s Great: This game is simple, requires no materials, and quickly helps students learn fun facts about each other.
Template link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGNS3RXAxM/UH19mWR9Yip0yJF0nKrlAA/view?utm_content=DAGNS3RXAxM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview
3. Simon Says
Objective: Warm-up and build listening skills.
How It Works: The classic "Simon Says" game is easy to set up. As "Simon," you give commands, but students should only follow them if you first say, "Simon says." If they follow a command without the magic words, they’re out!
Why It’s Great: This familiar game is a great way to focus students’ attention and reinforce the importance of listening carefully.
4. Charades
Objective: Foster teamwork and creative expression.
How It Works: Write down a series of actions, movies, or books on slips of paper. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team acts out the word or phrase without speaking, while their team tries to guess what it is.
Why It’s Great: Charades is excellent for encouraging students to think creatively and collaborate with their peers.
5. Human Bingo
Objective: Encourage mingling and getting to know one another.
How It Works: Create Bingo cards with different characteristics in each square, such as "Has a pet," "Likes to read," or "Has visited another country." Students must find classmates who match the characteristics and fill in their Bingo cards.
Why It’s Great: This activity is perfect for helping students break the ice and learn interesting facts about each other.
Template link:https://www.canva.com/design/DAGNS8uTYaY/x0qSyjNxvxebTcnAYhwGXg/view?utm_content=DAGNS8uTYaY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview
6. Card Games
Objective: Promote strategic thinking and cooperation.
How It Works: Simple card games like "Go Fish" or "Memory" can be great icebreakers. Pair students up or form small groups and let them play.
Why It’s Great: Card games are not only fun but also help students practice taking turns, following rules, and working together.
7. All About Me Google Slideshow
Objective: Let students express themselves and share their interests.
How It Works: Ask students to create a simple Google Slideshow with a few slides about themselves—favorite hobbies, family, pets, etc. These can be presented in class or shared with you privately. I always create my own to share with my students first. Check it out here https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-x74THjqw-RK0ZRBzLLPEPVW0414N9mCg5YeajaZIUw/edit
and then create your own! I also have a free template that I share with them to customize. Grab it here.https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WyoOT7XyVo6uUSGn4mfAwDLDTPUJtg8kHgnSQDE-rl0/edit
Why It’s Great: This tech-savvy activity allows students to reflect on their identity while also practicing their digital skills.
8. Vision Board
Objective: Set goals and inspire creativity.
How It Works:Provide students with paper, magazines, scissors, and glue. Have them create a vision board that represents their goals, dreams, and what they hope to achieve this school year.
Why It’s Great: Vision boards are a powerful way to get students thinking about the future while allowing them to be creative and expressive.
9. Brainstorming About Learning Skills
Objective:Introduce students to key learning skills and work habits and get them to think about how they use those skills at school.
How It Works:Start a class discussion or small group brainstorming session about important learning skills like responsibility, organization, collaboration, and self-regulation. Ask students what these skills mean to them and how they can practice them throughout the year. I always put up anchor charts around my classroom with the following titles and get students to brainstorm suggestions.
I show Responsibility at school by…
I can Independently work at school by…
I show Initiative at school by…
I am Organized at school by…
I am Collaborative at school by…
I can Self Regulate at school by…
Why It’s Great: This activity is a great way to align expectations for the year and set the tone for a productive classroom environment.
To Learn more, check out https://www.amyebowker.com/blog/6%20steps%20to%20Learning%20skills
10. Photo Booth
Objective: Capture fun moments and create memories.
How It Works: Set up a simple photo booth in your classroom with a backdrop and some props. You can use a camera or even just a phone. Let students take photos individually or with friends. These photos can be used to create a bulletin board display or as part of a classroom scrapbook.
Why It’s Great: A photo booth adds an element of fun to the first week of school and provides a keepsake for students to look back on.
11. Name Tents
Objective: Help everyone learn names quickly.
How It Works: Provide students with a folded piece of cardstock or heavy paper to create a name tent. They can decorate their name tent with their name, a drawing, and a few fun facts about themselves.
Why It’s Great: Name tents are a simple yet effective way for both you and the students to learn names, and they also serve as a conversation starter.
12. Student Portfolios
Objective: Give students responsibility and time to reflect on what they have learned this year and how they have improved.
How it Works: give students a template of this portfolio. Get students to personalize it and give them time every week to record their learning.
Why it’s great: it gives students concrete examples of how they are improving and they can show you and their parents how they are improving throughout the year.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AJzlLGOQM6be3aYCPwbO9h2-R8rGy8yh5YWXeN24Di0/edit
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Conclusion
The beginning of the school year doesn’t have to be stressful. These low-prep icebreaker games and activities are perfect for creating a positive and welcoming classroom environment right from day one. By fostering a sense of community and encouraging students to express themselves, you’ll set the stage for a successful year ahead. Happy teaching!
