We provide many good ice breaker ideas on this site but any time ice breakers are used, the facilitator should be following some general guidelines or rules. Here are the basic guidelines that should apply to each group using icebreakers to get started:

1.  Pay attention to each individual.  Icebreaker activities are meant to bring people together not repel them.  If you see an individual working hard to break away and not participate, a red flag should go up.  They are uncomfortable about something and if you are the facilitator, it will be your responsibility to understand what’s going on.  Everyone has issues they bring to group interactions.  We suggest approaching the individual – privately – to initiate a very caring conversation telling them you have observed they are uncomfortable.  Often they will reveal to you why they are holding up the group.

2.  Don’t select icebreaker games that may be too physical for any of your group members.  Often you won’t know about physical limitations of everyone in your group yet keep this guideline in mind when you choose the activity.

3.  Just like item #2 above, we have seen icebreakers selected that are too mentally taxing for some folks.  If they don’t get it, they will be embarrassed and your group may fall apart.

4.  When you select an icebreaker to use, don’t stop there.  Pick an additional one to have ready in case your first selection blows up – for any reason.

5.  Match your icebreaker game with the appropriate mood of your group activity.  For instance, if your group is meeting to discuss something that is very serious, don’t have an icebreaker that gets them all in a silly and light weight mood.  There are activities that help people get to know each other better without infusing an element of silliness.  On the other hand, if your group purpose is one that is silly and fun, be sure to get them on the right path with a silly and fun ice breaker.  Think of the mood you want to create all throughout your meeting.

6.  We know that timing is everything so time your ice breakers to complement the mission of your group meeting.  If you need the group to begin bonding early on, start off with one or two or even three icebreakers.  You may also have an icebreaker activity after an intense part of the meeting or after lunch or at the end of the meeting.  Sprinkle them throughout your agenda to get the most of the bonding that will take place after your icebreaker activities.

If you follow these basic guidelines for using icebreakers for groups, you will be a great success.