Fun Icebreaker Games For Substitute Teachers (Ice Breaker Questions with Worksheets)

These fun icebreaker games and worksheets for substitute teachers will help you control the tempo of your school day while getting to know the students.

When you enter a new classroom you don’t know the students and you’re coming in cold. As the substitute teacher, you should quickly set the tone for the day before the students do. These icebreaker games and back-to-school ice breakers for subs will give the students the feeling that they are safe, that you are interested in getting to know them, and it’s a short time investment to achieve these goals.

If you haven’t been taking the time to use icebreaker activities, give any of these a try and see how much it helps create an environment of positivity. Children want to be recognized, heard, and most importantly, understood. Let's break the ice!

What are some fun icebreaker games for substitute teachers?

1. Two Truths and a Fib

2. Find Someone Who?

3. Which One Doesn't Belong?

4. "So Do I"

5. Would You Rather

6. Back-to-School Icebreakers that Work

Icebreaker Game: Two Truths and a Fib

Directions: Write two statements that are TRUE about yourself and one fictional (FALSE) statement about yourself. Write them in any order. We will see how well your classmates know you! You will collect the papers and read them to the class and keep a tally of how many students guess the correct one.

Hint#1: Don’t always say the fib last or the class will know. Practice saying the fib with confidence in your head so you classmates won’t be able to guess.

Hint #2: Hide your paper while writing… you don’t want any spies seeing your answers!

Download the following PDF icebreaker worksheet for students to complete this activity:

Icebreaker Game: Find Someone Who?

Directions: Students will mingle around the room with a clipboard, the “Find

Someone Who? Sheet, and a pencil or pen. They will go up to their classmates trying to find a clue that fits the person. If it fits, the classmate will sign their initials.

That is the only time that person can sign their paper. They will try to find as many people that fit the clues in a certain time frame. (Ten to fifteen minutes depending on how much time you have.)

Download the following PDF icebreaker worksheet for students to complete this activity:

Icebreaker Game: Which One Doesn’t Belong?

Directions: Project the slide presentation (download below) on the screen one at a time. Give students a minute or two to look at the slides to see what they think.

When you begin to call on them, remember there are multiple ways to look at these pictures.

Allow them to answer, and then tell you their rationale. Do not judge their answers. Students love this activity! See how many different answers you get per slide!

Download the icebreaker slide presentation here:

Icebreaker Game: "So Do I"

Directions: The class is in a circle wherever there is space in the classroom. The guest teacher will say: “I have blonde hair. “ The students who have blonde hair will go into the middle of the circle and say, “So do I.” After they step in the middle, they will go back to their places and wait for the next one.

*** Make sure to include all students before you end the game.

Here are some suggestions:

I have Glasses, I like to play soccer, go to the beach, travel, eat pizza, do science experiments, read books, eat chocolate, love dogs, cats, scared of spiders, read non-fiction, watch TV, play video games , etc.

Icebreaker Game: Would You Rather

Directions: Show one at a time and ask students to justify their answers.

You can say hold up one finger for the first choice or two fingers for the second choice or stand up for the first choice and stay seated for the second choice. Call on several students for each choice before moving to the next slide.

Download the following PDF icebreaker worksheet for students to complete this activity:

Back-to-School Icebreakers That Actually Work

Getting your class up and running on day one doesn’t have to be awkward. Here are five tried-and-true activities to help students—and you—warm up, feel connected, and start the year on a high note.

1. Speed-Chat Mixers

Time: 10–12 minutes

Materials: None

1. Arrange students in two concentric circles (inner facing outer).

2. Give them a prompt (e.g., “Your favorite summer memory,” “One thing you’re excited to learn this year”).

3. On your signal, each inner-circle student has 30 seconds to share, then rotates to the next partner.

4. After the circle, invite volunteers to highlight surprising or common themes they heard.

   
   

2. Digital Scavenger Hunt

Time: 15–20 minutes

Materials: Classroom devices & scavenger list (PDF or slide)

1. Share a Google Form or slideshow with 8–10 prompts (e.g., “Find a picture of your favorite hobby,” “Share a GIF that represents your summer”).

2. Students work individually or in pairs to locate images/GIFs and drop them into the form.

3. Project live responses; have students guess who submitted each before revealing.

3. “Find-a-Friend” Bingo

Time: 10 minutes

Materials: Bingo cards with traits (e.g., “Has a pet turtle,” “Speaks two languages,” “Loves pizza”)

1. Hand out unique cards; students mingle to find classmates matching each square.

2. When they find a match, they write that person’s name in the box.

3. First to complete a row shouts “Bingo!” and shares one fun fact they learned.

4. Common-Ground Corners

Time: 8–10 minutes

Materials: Signs in four room corners (e.g., “Team Sports,” “Video Games,” “Reading Books,” “Art & Music”)

1. Read a series of “Would you rather…” statements or preferences aloud.

2. Students move to the corner that matches their choice.

3. In each group, students introduce themselves and pick one question to discuss (e.g., “What’s one book you’d recommend?”).

5. Flash Portraits

Time: 12–15 minutes

Materials: Blank index cards & markers

1. Pair students; each has one minute to sketch their partner’s portrait and write one “Interesting Fact” below.

2. Swap cards; partners introduce each other to the class using the portrait and fun fact.

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