20 Wildly Fun Back to School Games That Break the Ice in Minutes

These back-to-school games are the perfect way to break the ice, build friendships, and get kids excited for the year ahead. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or homeschooler, these playful activities bring the giggles and the good vibes!

Before diving into homework and routines, why not make the transition a little more fun?!

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20 Most Engaging Back to School Games to Play

1. Back to School Bingo

*Great for younger kids!

This Back to School Bingo Game is the perfect way to bring a group together for friendly competition. It’s also great for helping younger students familiarize themselves with school supplies.

2. Easy Back-to-School Minute to Win It

For minute to win it, players compete in 60-second challenges using simple items. The tasks are simple but require speed, precision, and creativity.

Straw & Marshmallow Move: Gather straws, marshmallows, and plates for this entertaining game. Players aim to transfer marshmallows from one plate to another using only suction from the straw!

3. Back to School This or That

If you’re a teacher looking for a fun first-day activity or a parent planning a back-to-school bash, this Back to School This or That is packed with school-themed fun. Get ready for giggles, debates, and surprising answers.

Who knew choosing between pencils and pens could be this intense?

4. Two Truths & a Lie

This kids icebreaker game is a winner in many school and youth group settings. It’s memorable and helps kids talk about how unique they are. Kids write down two true things and one lie about themselves. Then, they see if the group can pick out which one is the lie.

Find the best tricky two truths and a lie examples >>

5. Play the 5 Second Game: Back to School Edition

Next, turn the traditional 5 Second Game into a back-to-school variation.

In this hilarious game, players must name 3 things within 5 seconds. Categories you could use for the game:

Name 3 things you see at school
Name 3 weird things you could eat in the cafeteria
Name 3 sounds you hear at school
Name 3 excuses for not doing your homework.
Name 3 things you’d do if you were a teacher for a day

6. Back to School Scavenger Hunt

Hide classroom-related clues or items around the room (like pencils, glue sticks, books). Then, kids can work in teams to find everything on the list. It helps kids get familiar with the classroom while encouraging teamwork.

7. All About Me Worksheet

In this All About Me Worksheet printable, you’ll find a spot for a picture/drawing, sharing about favorites, strengths, and even what the child wants to do when they grow up. It’s a great way to make introductions fun, and less intimidating.

8. Find the Person Bingo Game

For this game, you’ll need paper and pencil. Make a chart with 9 squares on the paper and either you or the entire class fills in each square with descriptions.

Things like…

owns a dog
likes to play Minecraft
plays soccer, etc.
loves pizza
can whistle

Then, have kids walk around the room until they find someone with that characteristic to sign the square with their name.

9. The Telephone Game

This ice breaker game is a silly way for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten students to have fun with new friends.

First, have the kids sit in a line. Then, whisper a silly phrase to the first person in line and have him/her tell the next person until everyone has been told. The last person says the phrase they think it is.

10. Would You Rather: School Edition

Play a few rounds of fun, school-themed “Would You Rather” questions.

Example: “Would you rather have pizza for lunch every day or never eat pizza again?”

Don’t miss these funny would you rather questions for kids or would you rather for teens to get started!

11. Deserted Island Game

This game will have everyone thinking on their feet!

1. Choose your rule. Come up with a rule that will dictate what items students are and are not allowed to bring if they want to come with you to the desert island.

2. Decide on your first statement. You’ll tell the group:

“I’m stuck on an island and I can bring ________ (something that fits the rule) but not ___________ (something that doesn’t fit the rule).”

3. Let players call out a word to see if they can figure out the rule.

For example, if the rule is “round”. The first player might say, “I’m stuck on an island, and I can bring a tire but not a window. From there, the other players might guess “chair” (no) or “clock” (yes).

Continue playing until everyone gets a turn or someone figures out the rule.

4. Identify the rule. Once everyone has had a turn, discuss what the rule is and why the items fit or didn’t.

5. Play more rounds. Depending on how much time you have, take turns having other players come up with a rule.

See more: Desert Island Game Rules

12. Most Fun Taboo Game

Can you describe “pizza” without saying “pepperoni” or “cheese”?

How about “birthday” without saying “cake” or “candles”?

This family-friendly Taboo game promises to bring laughter and challenging fun for everyone!

13. Riddle Me This

Check out these “what am I” riddles to get kids and students thinking together! The brain teasers range from easy to hard, so everyone can join in on the fun.

14. Beach Ball Get to Know You

Kids form a circle and toss a ball around, saying the name of the person they’re throwing it to. It’s fast-paced and great for learning names.

Another variation: Buy a large inflatable beach ball and write get-to-know-you questions on it. Then, toss it around and have teens answer the question that their hand lands on.

15. Tongue Twisters

Try this list of tongue twisters and get kids talking! This activity works well for shy kids that don’t want to talk about themselves, and gets everyone acting silly. It’s a great way to loosen up the room.

16. Scattergories (Back to School Games)

Ready to put your quick thinking to the test?

Scattergories is the ultimate fast-paced word game where creativity wins! Come up with unique answers that fit the category and start with the chosen letter—just don’t match anyone else’s! It’s fun, challenging, and guaranteed to get everyone laughing.

17. What’s Your Pirate Name?

Salty Sharkbait

Crabby Sealegs McGee

What’s your pirate name?

Find out with this arr-mazing and FREE pirate name generator! It’s perfect anytime you want to add a splash of fun, silliness, or swashbuckling flair to an event or activity!

18. Colorful Facts

Buy a big bowl of candy (or something else colorful) and give each person an array of colors. For each color, kids have to tell a different type of fact about themselves.

Use the ideas in the image above, or create your own things to share per color. For Starbursts, you could try….

Pink – favorite animal

Red – what they ate for breakfast

Orange – favorite place to go, etc…

19. High and Low

I’ve seen this work extremely well in a high school classroom to build fellowship amongst small/ medium groups of students. Kids go around the group telling something good about their day (high) and something not so good (low).