10 Icebreaker Games to Kick Off Your Summer Workshop Series

Fun, Low-Pressure Ways to Help Girls Connect, Laugh & Feel at Home

The first few minutes of any workshop set the tone for everything that follows. That’s why starting your summer girls’ group with a great icebreaker is more than just fun—it’s foundational. It builds trust, eases nerves, and helps girls feel like, yes, I belong here.

The key to a great icebreaker? Keep it light, low-pressure, and inclusive. These ten ideas are perfect for tween and teen girls, and they’re designed to spark laughter, connection, and confidence from the very beginning of your series.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Icebreakers should feel fun, not forced—give girls the option to participate in their own way

• The goal isn’t perfection or performance—it’s presence and play

• Connection happens quickly when girls feel seen, accepted, and safe to be themselves

• Starting with laughter and kindness builds a foundation of trust for deeper work later

1. Would You Rather: Brave Girl Edition

Ask silly-but-empowering “Would you rather” questions like:
Would you rather dance in front of a crowd or speak on stage?
Would you rather try a new sport or start a new school?
Would you rather lead a group project or perform a solo?
It’s playful and gently introduces the idea of stepping outside your comfort zone.

2. Compliment Catch

Grab a soft ball or beanbag. Girls toss it around the circle. When someone catches it, they give a compliment to themselves (“I’m a good listener”) or someone else (“You have a great laugh”). This game builds kindness from the start.

3. Superpower Introductions

Each girl introduces herself with her name and a made-up superpower that reflects something real about her personality:
“I’m Zoe, and my superpower is lifting others up with my words.”
This adds a boost of confidence and creativity to the standard intro circle.

4. Line Up Challenge

Ask girls to line up in order of something—like birthday month, height, favorite color—without speaking. It gets everyone moving, giggling, and practicing nonverbal communication. Add a debrief: How did you work together without talking?

5. Human Bingo

Create bingo cards with fun facts like:

• Has a sibling

• Loves animals

• Has traveled to another country

• Tried something brave this year
  Girls walk around finding people who match each square. It’s the ultimate connection game—and always a hit.

6. Mirror Me Movement

In pairs, one girl leads a series of movements while the other mirrors them. Then they switch. It’s a quick, energizing way to build trust, awareness, and laughter through body language.

7. Two Truths and a Dream

A twist on the classic—each girl shares two true things about herself and one “dream” (something she hopes for or wants to try someday). The group guesses which is the dream. It’s a gentle way to get girls sharing meaningful pieces of themselves.

8. “This or That” Circle Stand-Up

Read a series of “this or that” questions: Beach or mountains? Sweet or salty? Quiet time or party vibes? Girls stand on one side of the room to show their pick. It’s fast, lighthearted, and gets everyone moving.

9. Kindness Web

Sit in a circle with a ball of yarn. One girl holds the yarn, says something kind about another, then tosses the ball to her. Continue until everyone has received and given kindness. The result? A literal web of connection you can admire together.

10. Emoji Check-In

Ask each girl to choose an emoji that matches how she’s feeling about being there today—and explain why. It’s a simple but powerful way to validate emotions and show girls that all feelings are welcome.

Looking for even more ways to create connection and confidence this summer? The Summer Workshop Kit: 4 Confidence-Boosting Workshops to Help Girls Shine All Summer Long is packed with done-for-you lesson plans, journaling prompts, creative activities, and group games—so you can focus on showing up, having fun, and making a real impact.

You don’t need to plan every detail on your own. You just need to lead with love—and let the fun (and growth) begin. Let me know which icebreaker your girls loved most!

-Kate