Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Class Icebreaker Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Year 6
- ForYear 6
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Class Icebreaker Cards is a free printable card set for Year 6 (ages 10 to 11). Children cut out the cards, sit in a circle and answer friendly questions about themselves, such as a favourite book, a best memory or what makes them laugh. It takes about 15 minutes, needs three or more players, and is a gentle way to start a new term or a new group.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Page 1 is the activity and page 2 is for the grown-up, with notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, and a stretch idea. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet is a set of cards to cut out. Each card holds a question about the child, such as a favourite food, a favourite game or something they are good at. Some ask children to imagine, like having a superpower or visiting anywhere in the world. Children sit in a circle, take turns to answer and listen to each other. The aim is to learn something new about everyone and find things in common.
- What is your favourite food?
- What would you do with a day off?
- What is your favourite game?
- If you could visit anywhere, where?
- What is your favourite animal?
- What is something you are good at?
- What is your favourite book?
- If you had a superpower, what?
- What makes you laugh?
- What do you like doing at weekends?
- What is your best memory this year?
- Who is someone you look up to?
How to run the circle
Prepare the cards
Print page 1 on plain A4 paper and cut along the card edges. Adults should do the cutting if the group is young or scissors are not available. Shuffle the cards and place them face down in the middle.
Set the circle
Sit so that everyone can see each other. Three or more players are needed. A larger group can split into smaller circles so that every child gets a turn.
Take turns
One child picks a card, reads it aloud and answers. The group listens. Then the next child picks a card. Go round the circle as many times as time allows.
Agree the rules
Before starting, agree that everyone listens, nobody laughs at an answer, and anyone may pass. Passing keeps the activity safe and relaxed for shy children.
Why icebreakers matter
An icebreaker is a short activity that helps people who do not know each other well to start talking. At the start of a school year, children may be in a new class, with a new teacher and some new faces. Easy questions about food, games and weekends give everyone something simple to say, and they remove the pressure of having to think of a topic.
Year 6 children are often getting ready for the move to secondary school. Being able to talk to people they do not know is a useful skill for that change. Learning that others like the same things, or different things, builds respect and friendship. It also shows that everyone has something interesting to share.
Skills and curriculum link
- Speaking
- Listening
- Friendship
- Taking turns
- Finding things in common
What children will be able to do
- I can answer a question about myself.
- I can listen to what others say.
- I can find something I have in common with someone.
Ideas for the grown-up leading the circle
- Go firstAnswer a card yourself before the children start. A short, honest answer shows how it is done and makes it feel safe to join in.
- Make passing easySay at the start that anyone may pass. Offer to come back to that child at the end of the round. Many pass once, then join in.
- Praise listeningNotice children who look at the speaker and wait their turn. Say what you saw. Good listening matters as much as a good answer.
- Keep it lightThere are no right or wrong answers. If a conversation grows, let it run a little. If an answer is unkind, calmly remind the group of the rules.
Key words
- IcebreakerA short activity that helps people get to know each other.
- In commonSomething two or more people share, such as liking the same game.
- Follow up questionA second question that asks for more detail about an answer.
- PassTo choose not to answer this time. It is always allowed.
- ListeningPaying attention to the speaker with your eyes, ears and thinking.
- ConfidenceFeeling able to speak or try something, even if it is new.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Cut out the cards from page 1. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- Sit in a circle with three or more players. Shuffle the cards and place them face down in the middle.
- Take turns to pick a card, read it aloud and answer. Work through the first round together and talk about each choice.
- Use the notes on page 2 to help anyone who finds it hard, or to stretch confident children. Allow a pass and give thinking time.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence, and new answers will come up.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Allow a pass and give thinking time. Let a child hear a few answers before their turn. Offer to read the card aloud for them. A one word answer is fine to begin with. Come back to any passed card at the end of the round.
To stretch confident children
Ask one follow up question after each answer, such as why, when or how. Listeners can take turns to ask it. Then try to remember one thing each person said and share it back to the group.
Make it a game
Find one thing you all have in common. After each answer, anyone who would give the same answer says "me too". Keep going until the whole group shares one answer. Then see if you can find a second thing.
Talk about it
- What did you learn about someone new today?
- What do you and your partner have in common?
- Which question was the easiest to answer, and why?
- Which question made you think the longest?
- What helps you feel brave when you talk to new people?
- What question would you add to the set?
Take it off the page
Make your own cards
Write three new questions on scrap paper and cut them out. Add them to the pile and use them in another round. Keep the questions kind and friendly.
Two minute interview
Pair up. One child asks questions and the other answers for two minutes. Swap roles. Then each child tells the group one thing they learned about their partner.
Common ground walk
Go for a walk or sit outside with a friend or family member. Try to find three things you both like. Say them aloud and see if the list grows.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit in the circle with your child, and with brothers, sisters or friends if you can. Answer some cards yourself. Listen without correcting. Keep it relaxed, and stop when the fun fades.
Teachers
Use the cards as a starter, a plenary or a table activity at the start of the year or after a break. They need no preparation beyond printing and cutting. Mix the groups so that children meet new partners.
Home educators
Use the cards with a small group, a co-op or a tutoring session as part of a wider PSHE plan. They pair well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Print again for brothers and sisters.
Where this fits in
Before this, children practise taking turns, speaking in front of a small group and listening to a partner. Younger children usually start with simple questions about themselves, and learn that everyone has different likes and dislikes.
After this, children can move on to longer group talk, such as sharing views, giving reasons and respecting disagreement. These skills support work in PSHE on relationships and friendships, and they help when children join new groups, including at secondary school.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What did you learn about someone new?
- What do you and your partner have in common?
- What helps you feel brave when you talk to new people?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Class Icebreaker Cards for?
It is written for Year 6 (ages 10 to 11), in Key Stage 2. The questions are friendly and open, so older or younger groups can use it too, with a little adjustment from the grown-up.
- How many players do I need?
You need three or more players. A circle works best. For a large class, split into smaller circles so that every child gets a turn and nobody has to wait too long.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. You can stop earlier or play more rounds. The grown-up can make it shorter by limiting turns, or longer by asking follow up questions.
- What if a child does not want to answer?
That is fine. Allow a pass and give thinking time. Offer to come back to that child at the end of the round. Many children join in once they have heard a few others.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another class, and use it as often as you like.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out the cards.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Print both pages. Page 1 is the activity and page 2 is for the grown-up.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.