When students gather in a new classroom setting, it’s essential to break the ice and create an atmosphere that fosters interaction and learning. The following is a list of 21 meet and greet activities to help students get acquainted with each other and develop friendships.
1. Two Truths and One Lie: Each student shares two true statements about themselves and one lie. The class must guess which statement is false.
2. Human Bingo: Students fill out a bingo card with various statements like “loves pizza” or “has two siblings.” They then mingle and find peers who fit those descriptions to complete their bingo card.
3. Name Chain: Students introduce themselves and mention one unique fact about them. The next student must remember their name and fact before sharing their own.
4. Speed Meeting: Like speed dating, students have a limited time to talk to each other before rotating to meet another classmate.
5. Classmate Interviews: Each student is paired up and interviews their partner, then presents their partner’s information to the class.
6. Color-Coded Questions: Students answer questions based on the color of an object they choose from a bag (like M&M’s or colored cards).
7. Classroom Scavenger Hunt: Students search for items in the classroom that are related to the course material or to get to know the teacher better.
8. Skittles Share Game: Each student picks a Skittle candy, with each color representing a different category of questions, such as hobbies or family interests.
9. Student Autographs: Each student gets a sheet with spaces for all classmates’ names, then collects autographs while asking questions about each other.
10. Circle of Friends: Students form concentric circles facing each other and engage in timed conversations before rotating partners.
11. Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces: Hand out puzzle pieces with matching words or symbols on them, then have students find their matching partner by asking questions.
12. Snowball Fight: Students write an interesting fact about themselves on a piece of paper and crumple it to resemble a snowball. They then throw their “snowballs” before reading and guessing who the fact belongs to.
13. The Spaghetti Game: Students work together to build a tower using uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows, promoting teamwork and communication.
14. Class Agreement: Students collaboratively create classroom rules, expectations, or goals for the year, fostering unity and encouraging open discussion.
15. Friendship Web: Using a ball of yarn, students throw it to one another, holding their part of the yarn as they share a fact or memory.
16. Ball Toss Introductions: With a beach ball or soft play ball marked with questions, students take turns tossing the ball to each other and answering the question their thumb is touching.
17. Emoji Stories: Students receive cards with various emojis printed on them, then create stories about themselves using the chosen emojis.
18. People Bingo: This variation of Human Bingo features questions about personalities and traits, helping learners understand each other’s perspectives.
19. Common Ground Challenge: Assemble small groups that must find 10 things they all have in common and share with the class.
20. The Superlative Game: Provide categories like “most likely to,” “best,” or “worst,” and have students vote anonymously for their classmates.
21. Classroom Quilt: Each student decorates a piece of paper describing their background, values, or interests. Combine all pieces to create a collaborative classroom quilt representing diversity and unity.
These meet-and-greet activities will help create an environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and interacting with one another, ultimately contributing to a positive educational experience for all involved.
