I’ve selected 2 very simple circle ice breakers you can play with your class, youth group, or team today. Simply watch our short demonstration videos below and read the game rules.
I personally like these two games, as they encourage people to step out of their comfort zones.
These are great games to help people in your group to get to know one another, or use these games as powerful energizers to break up lessons. Perfect for youth group camps!
Circle Ice Breakers Game Introductions
Name Name
This game is very easy to run. It is a fun game that can be played indoors or outdoors. Suitable for all ages with group sizes from six to twenty.
Players require focus and quick reflexes.
I Am Here
A brilliant circle game that promotes self-confidence. Students push their comfort zone by being ‘loud and proud’.
This game really works well with large groups. People of all ages can play with everyone being involved all at the same time. Beware though, the game does get a little crazy!
‘Name Name’ Circle Ice Breakers Demonstration Video
‘Name Name’ Game Rules
Aim: to tag a player before the player can call their own name and the Tagger’s name.
- Form a circle with a player as ‘It’ in the middle.
- ‘It’ calls a name and races to tag that player before he/she can say their own name and the Tagger’s name.
- If ‘It’ gets to the player before they can say the names, he/she becomes the new ‘It’.
3 Ways To Amp It Up:
- ‘It’ calls a player’s name and a times table question (eg Tom 3X6). The player must give the answer to 3X6 before ‘It’ tags them.
- Use full names instead of just first names.
- ‘It’ passes a ball to the player. Player must catch the ball and then say his/her name and the name if the player who is ‘It’.
‘I Am Here’ Circle Ice Breakers Demonstration Video
‘I Am Here’ Game Rules
Aim: Players to engage in the game and step out of their comfort zones. There are no winners or losers, just participation.
- Players form a circle around a chair (or mat).
- One player is chosen. He/she strides out to the chair or mat and stands on it.
- This player calls out loudly, “I am here”.
- Then he/she calls another player’s name, pointing at them.
- This new player walks out and repeats.
- The game continues until everyone has had a turn.
Take the game to the next level
Encourage players to be creative with the way they announce their name. They can use weird voices, sing their name, use actions or do a little jig.
The final step with the game is to play ‘all in’.
Rather than each individual taking a turn in the circle, everyone becomes involved.
- A player begins, but rather than just calling another person, they are to call two new people.
- These two new people enter the circle (first player returns to the outer circle).
- Both these players announce, “I am here!”.
- Then both these players call two players each (then they return to the outer circle again).
- The game goes on until everyone is shouting out their name in the circle and no one is left in the outer circle.
Note: the game needn’t be loud. Players could whisper names!
Final Thoughts
Circle Ice Breakers are often used as energizers. Energizers are games or activities used in group situations to raise the energy of the group. They help participants to be more alert and get to know one another, and they build confidence. There are many different energizers of varying complexity, exertion and length.
Please leave us a comment to tell us how you go with playing these games with your youth group.
For many more circle games download Wacki.
