The Best Get to Know You Games for Preschoolers

One of my favorite things about teaching young children is having an up close seat to watch them form friendships and truly become part of our classroom family. I have had all three of my children in my classroom, and there have been several times when I think about how special it is that I can see them interacting with other younger students. Today I’m sharing ideas for fun icebreaker games and name games that you can use with preschoolers, kindergarten students, first graders, or any grade level. I hope you love this roundup of the best get to know you games for preschoolers!

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The start of the year is an exciting time in any preschool classroom. New faces, new routines, and new friendships create endless possibilities. However, for many young learners, meeting new classmates can feel overwhelming. That’s why having a collection of engaging get to know you games for preschool students can make all the difference.

These activities help children feel comfortable, encourage participation, and establish a positive classroom community from day one. Whether you have students attending school for the first time, children transitioning from summer camp, or new kids joining throughout the year, these games provide opportunities for connection and fun.

The best part? Most of these activities require very little preparation and use simple materials you probably already have on hand. Take note of your favorite get to know you games for preschoolers to add to your back to school lesson plans this year!

Why Get-to-Know-You Games Matter

Preschool students are still learning how to communicate, cooperate, and make friends. Icebreaker activities create opportunities for children to:

• Learn classmates’ names
• Practice listening skills
• Develop social confidence
• Improve fine motor skills
• Strengthen hand-eye coordination
• Discover common ground with peers
• Build a strong classroom community

While many people think icebreakers are only for older kids, middle school students, or even high school students, preschoolers benefit just as much from these relationship-building experiences. I hope you enjoy this roundup of the best icebreaker games for elementary students!

Quick Ice Breaker get to know you Games for Preschoolers

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My Top Favorite Get to know you games for preschoolers

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1. Scavenger Hunt

I almost always set up a scavenger hunt on the first day of school. You can set up an easy scavenger hunt to help your students get to know your classroom areas. They must search for pencils, whiteboards, cubbies, etc together. This is an easy way to get them up and moving while building friendships.

2. Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar

I’m always on the hunt for a fun icebreaker activity use with young kids. I often find myself thinking of different ways to play each game depending on if I want to play it with the entire class all at once if I want to use it with small groups. Do you remember this song from your childhood? The kids’ faces light up whenever I start to sing it. I always use a silly accusatory voice as if I’m just shocked that someone actually stole Mrs. Statum’s cookie. They giggle and eventually realize this is just a fun way to sing a new song. They catch on to the rhythm quickly and the repetition is wonderful for younger children. 

3. Name Game

Here is a twist on this fun game! I write every students’ name on index cards. Then I flip them upside-down on the carpet and let students choose one. We clip this to a headband I make out of sentence strips. You’ll want to make sure that every child has a different name. Some kids might recognize their names and they will start to giggle. The goal is to encourage social interaction as they find the REAL name owner as music plays softly in the background. When they find the correct child, they can switch cards. Most students will be left with a new name card and will have to go on another hunt. This is such a great game to play with a younger age group. I’ve even tried it with teachers when we were practicing games. No one knew each other so it was such a good thing for them to work their way around the room and meet everyone!

4. Name Ball Toss

I am always looking for beach balls when they are in the summer clearance section because we use them to practice essential math and reading facts. Even if you can’t find them discounted, they are a simple and inexpensive item that will add a ton of fun to your classroom. Sometimes we sit on the floor and roll the ball to each other. When the child gets the ball, you can ask them to share interesting facts or ask simple questions to get to know them better. Alternatively, you can have children try to repeat the names said before them, roll the ball to the next child, and add their name to the list. This becomes a memory and gross motor activity. Of course, you can try tossing the ball underhandedly to the next child too. Remember, the steps are simple. Just gather the whole class in a circle. Roll a beach or another soft ball to a child and have them say their name before rolling it to someone else. This simple game helps students learn names quickly while encouraging participation.

5. Tallest Tower

For this activity, you’ll want to divide your class into small teams. Each group should receive the same amount of blocks to build a tower. Give them a challenge to see which of these smaller groups can build the tallest tower. The team members really have to work together for this one. Depending on your schedule, you can set a reasonable time limit in which they have to work. My students and I really enjoy this low-prep, high-reward game. Children naturally have interesting conversations and a common goal. 

6. Telephone

Have you ever tried to play telephone with elementary students? This can be difficult unless you are working with older students. The trick is to make sure that the sentence is very basic or that you are asking about a favorite item. I like to use a very basic sentence, such as “Mrs. Statum’s favorite food is pizza.” After they have mastered the concept of whispering the sentence to the next person, you can ask a child to share their favorite animal, favorite color, or even their favorite tv show. This is a great way for new students to learn about others and it really helps them feel like they are part of the rest of the group.

7. Musical Chairs

Of course, you remember this classic game. In fact, you probably remember playing this when you were little! I love to use this one with a larger group. If you’re brave enough, this is a great opportunity for you to have fun too. It can also really help for you to model social skills for your students. I remember reading a quote that the more a mother enjoys motherhood, the more a child enjoys childhood. The same is true for teachers! The more teachers enjoy teaching, the more students enjoy learning.

8. Funny Face Circle

Invite each child to make a funny face while introducing themselves. The group copies the expression before the next player takes a turn. Children love the silliness, and it helps reduce first-day jitters. You never know what kind of face they will make at their new best friend!

9. Mirror Mirror

In this favorite activity, one child becomes the leader while another copies every movement. “Mirror, Mirror” encourages observation skills, social interaction, and laughter while helping students connect with different people.

10. Monkey See, Monkey Do

Similar to mirror, mirror, children take turns performing simple actions while classmates imitate them. This good game works especially well with preschoolers because it combines movement and fun.

Hands-On Activities Children Love

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12. All About Me Puzzle Pieces

Give each child one of several puzzle pieces cut from cardstock. Students decorate their piece with drawings of favorite things. When completed, combine all puzzle pieces to create a classroom display showing how everyone belongs together.

13. Family Portrait Drawing

Provide a sheet of paper and crayons for students to create a family portrait. As each child share their drawing, classmates learn more about one another’s lives.

14. My Family Tree

Create a simplified family tree activity where children draw or glue pictures representing a family member. This activity helps students develop communication skills while celebrating diverse family structures.

15. Decorate Your Own Card

Give each student an own card to personalize with drawings, stickers, and their name. Display the cards on a bulletin board for an easy classroom introduction display.

Movement-Based Get-to-Know-You Games for preschoolers

16. Hula Hoop Pass

Have students stand in a circle holding hands. Place a hula hoop over one child’s arm and challenge the group to pass it around the circle without letting go. The hula hoop pass promotes teamwork and cooperation.

17. Right Foot Relay

Create a simple obstacle course and encourage children to start with their right foot. The first team to complete the course wins. This physical activity helps children burn energy while working together.

18. Find a Friend Race

Call out prompts such as:

• Find someone with the same favorite color.
• Find someone who likes the same favorite book.
• Find someone who has a pet.

Children quickly discover common ground with classmates.

19. Finish Line Friendship Walk

Pair children together and have them walk hand-in-hand to a finish line while chatting about favorite things.

Creative Classroom Community Builders

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20. Favorite Things Show and Tell

Invite students to bring a small object from home. Each child explains why it is special. This activity often reveals interesting similarities among group members.

21. Dream Vacation Discussion

Ask students where they would go on a dream vacation. Even preschoolers have imaginative answers that spark conversation.

22. Favorite Book Share

Have each child talk about a favorite book from home or the classroom library. Students often discover shared interests through books.

23. Fun Fact Circle

Help children think of one fun fact about themselves.

Examples might include:

• I have a dog.
• I like dinosaurs.
• I can ride a bike.

Interactive Group get to know you Games for preschoolers

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24. Mystery Bag Match

Fill a bag with various objects. Children pull one item and find another student who chooses the same type of object. This creates natural opportunities for conversation.

25. Find the Specific Items Hunt

Hide specific items around the room. Students work together to locate them while learning cooperation skills.

26. First Player Name Chain

The first player says their name. The next player repeats the first name and adds their own. Continue around the circle until the last person attempts the entire chain.

27. Alphabetical Order Line-Up

With teacher support, help students arrange themselves in alphabetical order based on first names. This activity works especially well later in the year after students know each other better.

Art-Based Icebreakers and get to know you games for preschoolers

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28. Classroom Friendship Bulletin Board

Provide a piece of paper for each student to decorate with their interests. Combine them into a colorful bulletin board display.

29. Friendship Handprints

Children create handprints and share something they enjoy doing. This becomes a keepsake display that highlights the uniqueness of every child.

30. Child Share Drawing Time

Invite the first child to share a drawing and explain it to classmates. Continue until every student has had a chance.

Simple Partner Activities

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31. Find Your Match

Prepare cards with matching pictures. Children find the classmate holding the matching card and introduce themselves. This great idea encourages interaction with different people.

32. Friendship Fortune Teller

Create a simple paper fortune teller using a sheet of paper.

Inside, include prompts such as:

• What is your favorite animal?
• What is your favorite snack?
• What do you like to play?

Children practice conversation while having fun.

Activities to Save for Later in the Year

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Some activities are easier once students know one another better.

For example:

• Creating a class survey
• Comparing family member traditions
• Discussing a false statement and guessing the truth
• Cooperative scavenger hunts
• Team-building games

These activities can deepen relationships that began during the first weeks of school.

Choosing the Right Icebreaker or get to know you games for preschoolers

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Not every activity works for every group. Consider:

• Class size
• Student personalities
• Available time
• Attention spans
• Classroom space

Some children prefer quiet art projects while others thrive during movement-based games. Offering different activities ensures every child feels successful.

How Icebreakers Support Development

Get-to-know-you games for preschoolers do much more than just entertain children.

Many activities support:

• Social-emotional learning
• Communication skills
• Fine motor skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Listening skills
• Problem-solving
• Cooperation

These foundational skills help students succeed throughout the school year.

Get to know you games for preschoolers Conclusion

Building relationships is one of the most important goals during the start of the year. The right get to know you games for preschool students help create a welcoming environment where every child feels valued and included. Older children will love the games on this list too! 

Whether you’re using puzzle pieces to create a class display, organizing a hula hoop pass challenge, sharing a favorite book, or decorating an own card for the bulletin board, these activities help transform a room full of strangers into a supportive classroom community.

Start with a few simple games, watch friendships blossom, and enjoy seeing your students become confident, connected learners from day one.

Which ones will you try? I’d love to hear in the comments if you plan to try a scavenger hunt, beach ball toss, or another fun idea!

Are you prepped for back to school yet? My friend Deedee and I created this resource with everything you need!

Looking for more fun ideas? Try this list of the top 50 circle time games for primary grades or the best cooperative games to use with young children!

Happy Teaching and Parenting this week, friends!