Icebreakers are fantastic for kindergarteners, especially as they transition into the new school year. I love using icebreakers with my students because they help create a welcoming environment. Icebreakers in nature are engaging so they offer a nice opportunity for social skills practice.

Kindergarten icebreaker games are great for back to school activities to help students learn each other's names, get acquainted to the classroom routine, and share personal experiences. They help students feel confident as they develop a sense of belonging. Here are some of my favorites!

Name BINGO

Create bingo cards with your student's names. Pass out the bingo cards to the children and have them walk around the room asking their classmates for their names. Once a child finds someone whose name matches a square on their card, they can check it off. The goal is to get a row or column marked off.

Name Circle

Sit with your students in a circle. One child starts by saying their name and doing a simple action (clapping hands, snapping fingers, etc) The next child repeats the first child's name as well as the action and then adds their own name and action. Continue around the circle until everyone gets a chance to add their own.

Name Tag Match-Up

Give each child a name tag with a sticker on it (an animal, a shape, a color). Place a matching sticker on the back of their hands. Place the name tags on the floor with the names facing up. Children take turns picking up a name tag, saying the name out loud, and then finding the child who has the matching sticker.

Name Song and Dance

Have the children stand in a circle. Make up a class song. For example: "We're the cool crew, and our names are true, I'm [Mary] and I like to [dance]." Each student gets a turn to insert their name and action into the song. You can model for students how to go inside the circle to perform the action while saying your name.

 

Grab These Additional Fun Ice Breaker Games and Templates

Happy Teaching!

TP @Sparking Creativity Now

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