Welcome to Seventh Grade: Older Students Run the Icebreaker Games

Ninth or tenth graders host a seventh-grade class and run icebreaker game stations they planned in an earlier lesson. It builds leadership, a welcoming climate, and real event-planning skills.

How to play

1. Welcome: the older teams greet the seventh graders and split them into five mixed groups, each with an older buddy who stays with them the whole time (5 min).
2. Rotation through five 6-minute stations with name games, trust games, and cooperative games run by the older teams (30 min).
3. Final whole-group game led by a team the class picked, like cooperative tag or a big name-passing circle (6 min).
4. Goodbye: each buddy gives their group one useful tip about the school, and the seventh graders vote for their favorite game (4 min).

Rules

• No elimination and no forfeits or dares.
• Nobody has to speak in front of the group or share personal information.
• Older students play too; nobody stands around with arms crossed.
• Gentle contact, and the younger kids' safety comes first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Seventh graders with disabilities: the station team knows in advance and every game has its adaptation ready.
• Newcomers still learning the language: the buddy uses gestures and, if possible, someone who shares their language.
• Older students with social anxiety: work as timekeeper or helper instead of presenting the game.

Learning goals

• Lead a game for younger students.
• Create a welcoming, inclusive climate.
• Run a real event with roles and a schedule.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 6
• scarves: 20
• cones: 30
• pinnies: 30
• hula hoops: 10
• whistles: 5

Teacher tip

This needs a planning lesson beforehand and coordination with the seventh-grade homeroom and PE teachers; with about 50 students, have two adults present. Common mistake: older students end up playing among themselves; remind them the seventh graders are the stars.

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