The first week of school is an exciting time for elementary students, but it can also be challenging. New faces, new rules, and new routines can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to create a welcoming and open atmosphere where every child feels included.
Icebreaker games are the perfect way to start: they combine movement, fun, and language, enhancing social interaction and verbal participation, especially for children with limited language skills.
💡 Tip: Use Teaching Boards or presentations with clear instructions, icons, and images. This makes the game rules understandable for everyone, regardless of their language level.
How it works: Children stand in a circle. One child says their name (“My name is…”) and throws a soft ball to another child. That child then says their name and passes the ball on. It’s a simple, dynamic start with lots of movement, laughter, and repetition.
Language support: Display the sentence “My name is…” on the Teaching Board, ideally with a matching symbol. This helps children with limited German skills to easily repeat and internalize the phrase.
What you need:
How it works: Each child receives a Bingo sheet with statements such as “Likes pizza,” “Has a pet,” or “Can ride a bike.” The task is to walk around the class and ask other children questions—only one question per child! If the statement is true, the child’s name is written in the corresponding box. The goal is to fill a complete row.
Suggestions for the 1st Grade or Kindergarden:
Digital Tip: You can find a Bingo template on the Teaching Board. With our partner, you can also create custom Bingo cards with your own ideas.
How it works: In this interactive activity, students answer “Would You Rather?” questions by moving to a corner of the room that represents their choice. Each question has four options—one for each corner—so students get to think, choose, move, and chat with classmates who made the same decision.
It’s a great mix of movement, imagination, and social interaction—exactly what young learners need to feel more comfortable in a new classroom.
Why it works: This game gets kids moving, laughing, and talking—three key ingredients for breaking the ice in a primary/elementary school classroom. It helps students find common ground in a fun, low-pressure way, and it gives even shy students a chance to participate just by making a simple choice. Plus, the movement and silliness make it perfect for younger students who may not be ready for deeper conversations but still want to feel seen and included.
With these three tried-and-tested icebreaker games, you can start the new school year in a playful, interactive, and inclusive way. They are flexible, offer many non-verbal elements, and are ideal for linguistically diverse classes when using Teaching Boards.
Access the Game Collection: You can download, remix, and adapt all three games, including digital templates, directly for your class.
We wish you a fantastic start to the school year!
Building Trust in Secondary Education/Middle School – Easing the Start with...