75 Icebreakers to Build Classroom Community (Little to No Prep Required)

Need ideas for building a welcoming classroom community this school year – without adding extra prep work? As a teacher, you’re juggling organizing your classroom, setting the tone for students, and getting them ready for the year ahead – all while trying to remember everyone’s names. That's a tall order! But don’t worry; creating an engaging and inclusive environment from day one doesn’t have to add to your stress. That’s where Brisk Teaching comes in.

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Brisk’s AI-powered Chrome extension makes it easy to create anything you need in a matter of seconds. To get you started, we used Brisk to put together a collection of icebreakers designed for every grade level, from elementary through university. We also share the exact prompts we used to generate these ideas, so you can recreate them!

Icebreakers to Build Classroom Community

Get your students engaged with these easy-to-use icebreaker activities, all generated with Brisk Teaching. Feel free to use these ideas as-is or use Brisk to customize and make them your own. Whether you’re looking to get students talking, problem-solving, or expressing themselves, this list has you covered – no prep needed.

K-5: Quick and Easy Icebreakers for Elementary School Students

Want to create a welcoming environment for your elementary school students without spending hours on preparation? Here are 15 free icebreakers designed specifically for younger students. These activities will help you create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable and excited to learn.

Here’s a sneak peek of some ideas from the list:

Friendship Bingo

Create a bingo card with fun facts like “Has a pet” or “Loves pizza.” Students mingle to find classmates who match the facts.

Teacher instructions: Hand out bingo cards and explain that students should find others who match the descriptions to fill out their card.

Class Quilt

Students each decorate a paper square with drawings or words that represent themselves. Combine the squares to make a class quilt.

Teacher instructions: Provide paper squares and art supplies. Let students create their squares, then assemble them into a quilt display.

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Middle School: Icebreakers to Engage Tweens and Teens

Engaging middle schoolers right from the start can make a huge difference in how they participate and interact throughout the year. Here are 15 tailored icebreaker ideas that are perfect for this age group, helping to build connections and encourage active participation.

Here are a couple of ideas from the list:

Favorite Things Speed Round

Students quickly share their favorite color, food, movie, book, and hobby in 30 seconds.

Teacher instructions: Use a timer and have students take turns sharing. Encourage active listening from classmates.

This or That

Students move to different sides of the room based on their preferences between two choices.

Teacher instructions: Prepare a list of "This or That" questions (e.g., "Dogs or Cats?"). Have students physically move to show their choice.

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High School: Icebreakers to Build a Strong Class Culture

It can be difficult to come up with get-to-know-you activities that high schoolers will actually enjoy participating in. That’s why these 15 creative icebreaker ideas for high school classrooms are designed to be fun for teenagers, helping to create a strong class culture where everyone feels included.

Here are some of our favorites:

Speed Friending

Students have 2 minutes to chat with the person across from them before rotating to the next person.

Teacher instructions: Arrange desks in two rows facing each other. Students have 2 minutes to chat with the person across from them before rotating to the next person. Provide conversation starters or questions if needed to help students get to know each other.

Commonalities

Groups have 5 minutes to find as many things they all have in common as possible.

Teacher instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Groups have 5 minutes to find as many things they all have in common as possible. Afterward, have each group share their commonalities with the class, and discuss any surprising or unique findings.

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College & University: Icebreakers to Help Students Connect Beyond the Syllabus

In college settings, students often come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Icebreakers can help create a sense of community right from the first class. Here are 15 university icebreaker ideas for encouraging collaboration and sparking discussions all semester long.

Here are a couple of ideas from the list:

Six-Word Memoirs

Students write a six-word memoir that captures a significant aspect of their life or philosophy.

Instructor instructions: Give students time to reflect and create their memoirs. Have them share and explain the significance of their six words.

Academic Bucket List

Students list three academic goals or experiences they hope to achieve before graduating and explain why they’re important.

Instructor instructions: Provide time for students to create their lists. Have them share in small groups or with the class.

15 University Icebreaker Ideas

Bonus: More Icebreakers for All Grade Levels

Looking for more get-to-know-you activities for students of all ages? Here are 15 more icebreaker ideas that you can adapt for any grade level.

Peek at some ideas from the list:

Debate It! Mini-Debates

Students pick a side on a light-hearted debate topic (e.g., "Cats vs. Dogs") and have a quick discussion with a partner or the class to defend their choice.

Teacher instructions: Present a few fun debate topics. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and allow time for each side to present their arguments before discussing it as a class.

Class Playlist

Students suggest one song each for a class playlist, explaining why they chose it.

Teacher instructions: Create a collaborative playlist where each student adds a song. Discuss their choices and what the songs mean to them.

15 More Icebreaker Ideas for All Students

How to Use Brisk to Customize Your Icebreaker Activities

We got you started with ready-to-go activities made with Brisk, but we also want to empower you to make them your own! Here’s how you can use Brisk to further customize these icebreaker ideas for your unique classroom needs:

• Quickly Create Slides: Highlight any text from the icebreaker ideas document and click on Brisk to turn it into a slide presentation.
• Personalize Content: Prompt Brisk to add personal touches like student interests or relevant class themes to make the icebreakers even more engaging.
• Expand to Full Lesson Plans: Want to go beyond a simple icebreaker? Use Brisk to build a full lesson plan that integrates these activities seamlessly into what you’re teaching.

Stress Less this School Year with Brisk

We’ve created resources to save you time and get you started with Brisk in these Brisk Starter Packs, including icebreakers for every grade level and setting. Whether you’re teaching kindergarten or university, these activities are designed to make your life easier this school year.

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Access All Brisk Starter Packs Here

Building a strong classroom community doesn’t have to be another thing on your full plate. With Brisk, you can easily create and customize anything you need to save time this school year. We hope these activities are a hit with your students!

Ready to save 10+ hours per week? Add Brisk to Chrome today!

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