50 Icebreaker Questions for the First Day of School

Each year, the first day of school brings jitters and a mixture of students and personalities. Icebreaker questions offer an excellent opportunity to create a welcoming atmosphere while simultaneously building connections. 

Preschool 

1. If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
2. Why do you think we sleep?
3. If you could, what two animals would you combine?
4. What is your favorite game to play?
5. If you could play with just one toy this year, what would it be?
6. If you could invent anything, what would you invent?
7. What is your favorite thing to do with your family during the summer?
8. Why do you like being a kid?
9. What is your favorite snack and when do you usually eat it?
10. What is one thing you would like to learn how to do and why?

Coordinate a teacher wish list with a sign up. SAMPLE

Elementary School 

11. If you could choose another name for yourself, what would it be?
12. If you could win an Olympic gold medal in any sport, what would you choose?
13. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
14. If you could grow up to be most like one family member, who would it be?
15. If you could have any animal as a pet, which one would you pick?
16. Would you rather be invisible or super strong?
17. Would you rather be banned from all computer use for a year or not be allowed to eat any desserts for a year?
18. Would you rather go on an African safari or an ocean cruise?
19. Would you rather be able to talk to animals or control the weather?
20. Would you rather spend all day in a math or reading class?
21. If you could give one gift to every single child in the world, what would you give them?
22. What is the strangest thing you've ever eaten?
23. If you could only eat one food for a whole month, what would it be?
24. What is the longest word you know?
25. What is your favorite jellybean flavor?
26. What is your favorite holiday food?
27. Would you rather spend all day studying one thing you love or do really easy homework for a subject you don't like?
28. If you could be any flavor of ice cream, what would it be?
29. What is your favorite pizza topping?
30. Would you rather get three wishes granted over five years or just one right now?

Recruit parent classroom volunteers with a sign up. SAMPLE

Middle and High School 

31. If you had one extra hour of free time every day, how would you spend it?
32. If you could see into the future, would you? Why or why not?
33. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
34. Where would you like to be in 10 years?
35. What is one thing on your "bucket list" you want to do before you finish high school?
36. If you could be a character in any movie, which one would you choose?
37. What is your hidden talent?
38. What is your favorite quote?
39. What movie makes you cry?
40. What was your favorite childhood toy?

41. If you could trade lives for a day with anyone, who would it be and why?
42. If you were stranded on a deserted island, who would you want to be with you?
43. If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?
44. If you could choose any car to drive for a year, what would it be?
45. If someone handed you $10 million, what is the first thing you would buy?
46. If you were given the choice to go to your dream college or get paid to go to a different college, which would you choose?
47. If you could solve one of the world's greatest problems, which one would you choose?
48. If you could go on vacation with one with a famous person who is no longer living, who would it be and why?
49. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
50. If you could have 15 minutes of fame, what would you do with it?

Regardless of the age or size of your group, icebreaker questions become excellent starting points to foster creative and friendly collaboration and communication. 

Laura Jackson is a freelance writer based in Hilton Head, S.C., with her husband and two teenagers.

Additional Resources

50 Icebreaker Questions for School Clubs
30 Icebreaker Activities for Middle and High School Students
25 Minute to Win It Class Party Games
50 Funny Get to Know You Questions

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