Icebreakers

The Name Game

Each student says their name plus an alliterative word ("Jumping Jada"), and the next student repeats all the names before theirs. Helps everyone learn names fast.

  • πŸŽ“ Grades K–12
  • ⏱ 10–15 min
  • πŸ‘₯ Whole class in a circle
  • πŸ“¦ No prep
🎲 Another game

How to play The Name Game

  1. Students sit or stand in a circle.
  2. The first student says an adjective that starts with the same sound as their name, then their name ("Happy Hector").
  3. The next student repeats the first name, then adds their own.
  4. Continue around the circle, each student repeating all previous names.
  5. The teacher goes last and tries to say every name.

Variations

  • Add a gesture with each name for younger students.

πŸ’‘ Teacher tips

  • In a large class, split into two circles so the last students are not overwhelmed.

Keep playing

Similar classroom games

Brain breaks

Mingle (Find Your Group)

Students walk around the room saying "mingle, mingle" until the teacher calls a number, then quickly form groups of exactly that size.

  • ⏱ 5–10 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–12
  • ✏️ No prep
Icebreakers

This or That

A fast two-choice warm-up: pizza or tacos, summer or winter.

  • ⏱ 3–10 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–12
  • ✏️ No prep
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Desert Island

Students choose three items they would bring to a desert island and justify their picks.

  • ⏱ 10–20 min
  • πŸŽ“ 3–12
  • ✏️ No prep
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Human Knot

Students hold hands across a circle to make a tangle, then work together to untangle without letting go.

  • ⏱ 10–15 min
  • πŸŽ“ 3–12
  • ✏️ No prep
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Silent Line-Up

Students line up in order by birthday, height or name without talking.

  • ⏱ 5–10 min
  • πŸŽ“ 3–12
  • ✏️ No prep
No prep

Thankful Alphabet

The class works through the alphabet naming one thing they are thankful for per letter.

  • ⏱ 10–15 min
  • πŸŽ“ K–8
  • ✏️ No prep