Learning patterns/Icebreaker

Learning Pattern Library

Icebreaker

problemYou want to make the people attending your event relaxed, excited, and ready to work together.

solutionOrganize an icebreaker game at the beginning of your event that encourages people to move around, meet each other, and (if possible) laugh

creator• Jtmorgan

created on21 October, 2013

Having fun in a group exercise at Wikimania 2013 Grantmaking Learning Day

What problem does this solve?

People who find themselves in a room full of strangers sometimes don't want to introduce themselves. But most Wikimedia events are supposed to be interactive and collaborative, which doesn't work as well if people don't want to talk to each other.

What is the solution?

Have an icebreaker game at the beginning of your event. A good icebreaker can help people relax and start having fun, while they get to know each other.

Examples

• Wikimedia Italy organized an icebreaker at their 2013 Wikimedia conference where attendees were divided in groups of 4-5 people each and they had to find a way to throw an egg out of a window and make sure it didn't break; building some kind of "device" to protect the egg using only straws and tape (provided by the facilitators).

• Once people know some editing, you can ask participants to leave a message on the talk page of the person to their left.

Endorsements

• Jmorgan (WMF)
• SarahStierch
• can i join. Renie Balbin (talk) 08:44, 22 September 2015 (UTC)
• It's vital and lovely!! Javier José Moreno Tovar18 (talk) 00:07, 10 April 2016 (UTC)
• its a great way to make everyone open up Algood2 (talk) 14:18, 12 February 2019 (UTC)
• beacuse i like the concept . Vikku01 (talk) 07:27, 23 February 2019 (UTC)
• Felix.Grobe. Et. al. InquisitionstrainerfürFrauenzimmer.etal.Felix.Grobe.etal (talk) 06:10, 9 October 2019 (UTC)
• It makes people to feel safe and relaxed which makes it convenient to create new connection and business partners Solidbiggy (talk) 20:44, 13 July 2021 (UTC)
• Убить Лизу 2A00:1FA0:C214:A727:173C:7C74:3154:7BA2 14:07, 23 January 2023 (UTC)

See also