Ping Pong Balls as Icebreakers?!!!



I'm always looking for an interesting way to begin my groups, and I always start with some type of icebreaker questions. I have been collecting ping pong balls whenever I find ones that do not have any writing on them. It has taken me a few months, but finally my collection is complete.

I also have been trying to collect icebreaker questions that I have not asked before, so it was a challenge to find something new. Luckily, I have the creative brains of many school counselors as I am part of the Caught In The Middle School Counselors Facebook group. Currently we have 3,747 counselor members. I just asked the question, "what is your favorite icebreaker question?" and the answers started pouring in. There were many favorite that I already use, but below is a listing of the questions I wrote on the ping pong balls.

Conversation Starters


What would you do with a million dollars? What time do you wake up on a Saturday? What school rule do you like and why? What makes you mad? I dream that one day. . . If you could be somebody else for 24 hours who would you be? What’s your favorite TV show? What’s your favorite kind of pizza? Who has it easier, kids or parents? Why? What does “family” mean to you? I think it is unfair when. . . Love is. . . What is your favorite cereal? The best way to feel good about yourself is. . . What would you do if you were invisible? If you could be in any Disney movie, what would it be? Would you rather play in the snow or play in the sand? What is the theme song for your life? If money wasn’t an issue, what would you be doing now? If you could paint your room, what color would it be? What chore do you like the least? If you could have any superhero power, what would it be? What kind of candy makes you smile? If you could bring only 3 things with you to a deserted island, what would you bring? Something that stresses me is. . . What is your favorite holiday? Do you feel more bored or busy in your life? What makes you feel special? If you had one day to live over again, what day would it be? Would you rather have blue hair or blue teeth? What’s the best advice someone gave you? What do you think is exciting? If you could start a charity, what would it be? What do you do when people stare at you? What is your favorite smell? What do bears dream about when they hibernate? What brings a tear to your eye? What is one thing you forget regularly to do? Would you rather go to a pool or go to a beach? What is the silliest face you can make? What is the best surprise you ever had? If you were item in your refrigerator, what would you be? What’s your favorite month? Without telling what it is, describe your favorite animal. What is your favorite restaurant? Should we have school uniforms? Why or why not? What is the best dream you ever had? I am most proud of. . . What would you like to accomplish tomorrow? If you could make a movie, what would it be about? What is something you want to buy? What would be your perfect day? If you could buy a car right now, what would you buy?

For my smaller groups, I picked out a ball and bounced it to the student who then had to answer it. That person then got to bounce a ball to the next person to answer and so on. They thought that was the best.

For my larger groups, we just passed the container around and they pulled a ball from the bin.

The plastic bin is just a recycled salad container.

What other fun ways do you use for questions? I'd love to know. Join in the conversation by one of the groups below. You'll be glad you did!



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