10 Ice-Breakers for English Class
Fun and engaging warm-up activities for Kids, Tweens, and Teens – adaptable for different
themes and levels (A1 to B1).
1. Color & Object Relay
How it works: Call out a color and an object category. Students must find something around
them that matches both.
Example prompts:
- "Bring me something BLUE and ROUND."
- "Show me something RED you can EAT."
Adaptation: For online classes, they can just show the object on camera without moving.
2. My Mystery Object
How it works: Think of an object visible in the classroom or on the student’s screen. Students
ask yes/no questions to guess what it is.
Example prompts:
- "Is it big?"
- "Is it green?"
- "Can I eat it?"
Adaptation: For younger students, give 3 clues instead of yes/no questions.
3. Quick Charades
How it works: One student acts out an action or object without speaking. Others guess the word
or phrase in English.
Example prompts:
- "Play soccer"
- "Fly a kite"
- "Cook dinner"
Adaptation: For beginners, teacher shows flashcards first to limit vocabulary options.
4. Emoji Story
How it works: Show 3 emojis and ask students to create a short sentence or mini story using
them all.
Example prompts:
- ■■■■■■ → "I went to the beach with my dad and we ate ice cream."
Adaptation: For younger students, teacher builds the sentence together with the class.
5. Quick Match
How it works: Show two columns (words and pictures) shuffled. Students match them as fast as
possible.
Example prompts:
- Create your own sets in Canva or PowerPoint.
Adaptation: Can be done in breakout rooms or with printed handouts.
6. Vacation Mime Challenge
How it works: Students mime 3 actions they enjoyed the most during their vacation. Classmates
guess what they were.
Example prompts:
- "Swimming"
- "Eating pizza"
- "Playing with friends"
Adaptation: Can be adapted for any theme, e.g., Father’s Day activities.
7. Speed Questions
How it works: Students answer as many quick questions as possible in 1 minute.
Example prompts:
- "What’s your favorite color?"
- "What did you eat yesterday?"
- "Can you swim?"
Adaptation: For higher levels, add follow-up questions for each answer.
8. Guess the Sound
How it works: Teacher or a student makes a sound (without showing the source). Others guess
what it is.
Example prompts:
- clapping
- pages turning
- pencil dropping
Adaptation: For online, play sound effects from YouTube or a soundboard.
9. Memory Tray
How it works: Show a tray with 8–10 objects for 20 seconds. Remove one and ask, “What’s
missing?”
Example prompts:
- "What’s missing?"
- "The red pen!"
Adaptation: For online, use a Canva slide with pictures instead of real objects.
10. Two Truths and a Lie
How it works: Students say 3 sentences about themselves (2 true, 1 false). Others guess the
lie.
Example prompts:
- "I have a cat."
- "I went to Spain last year."
- "I hate chocolate."
Adaptation: For younger kids, teacher helps create the sentences in English.
