1.1 Icebreaker Activities

Two Truths and a Lie:

Ask each participant to come up with two true statements and one false statement about themselves. Then, have them share their three statements with the group. The rest of the group will try to guess which statement is the lie.

Human Bingo:

Create a bingo card with various statements related to personal experiences, hobbies, or interests (e.g., "has traveled to more than 5 countries," "speaks more than two languages," "plays a musical instrument"). Participants should walk around the room, asking each other questions to find someone who matches a statement on their card. The goal is to fill the card or get a "bingo" (a row or column filled) by meeting and interacting with different people.

The Marshmallow Challenge:

Divide participants into small groups and provide each group with a bag of marshmallows, a box of spaghetti, a roll of tape, and a string. The goal is to build the tallest free-standing structure using only these materials within a given time limit (e.g., 15 minutes). This activity encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The Paper Airplane Challenge:

Ask each participant to create a paper airplane and write their name and an interesting fact about themselves on it. Then, have everyone throw their airplanes into the center of the room. Participants should pick up an airplane that's not their own, read the interesting fact, and try to find the person who created it. This is a fun way to encourage movement and interaction among the participants.

The "Common Ground" Game:

Divide participants into small groups of 3 or 4 people. Instruct them to find five things they all have in common (apart from obvious traits, such as being human or attending the course). Encourage participants to go beyond basic interests or experiences and find unique commonalities. This activity promotes communication and helps participants discover shared interests or experiences that can help them bond during the course.

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