I’m always on the look-out for a fresh icebreaker to add to my toolbox.
This Either/Or Icebreaker game is quick, easy, and great for all sizes of groups.
It’s perfect for a women’s ministry event, Bible study, small group, or Sunday School gathering.
With 5 different ideas for using the questions, you can even use the game more than once!
It’s similar to my Christmas: Pick-a-Side Icebreaker, but with questions that are suitable any time of year.
Everything you need is packaged up neatly in a free, downloadable PDF.
The free PDF contains:
- The Master List of all 7 categories of Either/Or Icebreaker Questions
- Bible-themed questions for groups of believers
- 5 different ways to use Either/Or Icebreaker to build community
- Free printable pages ready for you to print and use
Click the link below for the free PDF file:
Either/Or Icebreaker Game
Group size: 4 or more
Time needed: 5 – 10 Minutes, depending on which version
Supplies need: Copy of the questions
Instructions: Please note suggested group sizes. Divide large groups into multiple small groups as needed.
Version 1- Match Game (Any Size Group):
Divide your group into pairs. Give each participant one of the Match Game Either/Or Cards. There are 8 different cards – you’ll want to make sure each member of the pair does not have the same card before starting. Reader #1 continues reading questions on their list as long as their answers match. When the pair has different answers, Reader #2 begins reading through their list. Play continues alternating back and forth until the questions on both cards have been completed.
Version 2 – Round Robin (Small Groups 8-10):
Print and cut apart the Either/Or Questions and place them inside of a bag. Have the group sit in a circle. Pass the bag around the circle. Have each person draw a question and share their answer.
Version 3 – What would I say? (Small Groups 8 – 10)
Print, cut, and place the Either/Or Questions inside of a bag or bowl. Have each person draw a question and read it aloud. Have the group vote to decide which answer they think they’ll choose and then have them reveal their answer to the group before moving onto the next person.
Version 4 – Why? (Groups 8 – 20)
Choose one Either/Or Question for the entire group to answer. Take turns having each group member share their answer as well as a reason why. NOTE: This could easily take more than 10 minutes if you have a chatty group – either keep it moving or plan accordingly.
Version 5 – Pick a Side (Any Size Group)
Place a long strip of painters tape along the floor (with space for your group to stand on each side). While the group is still seated, explain that you’re going to play a game that forces them to “Pick a Side”. Their personal preference will determine which side of the line they’ll stand on. For example, if they prefer tea, they’ll stand on the right side of the line, and if they prefer coffee, they’ll stand on the left side of the line. Once the directions have been made clear, instruct the group to get up and stand on the line. Read through the choices one at a time, encouraging the group to quickly “Pick a Side” after both options are given. Remind them that they need to pick one – no standing in the middle! Choose no more than 20 Either/Or Questions from the list and stop while the group is still having fun.
Notes:
The Bible-themed Either/Or Questions: I only recommend you use the Bible-related questions with groups of committed believers such as your women’s ministry team. You never want to embarrass a young believer or someone who has no church background. (You may want to read my post: Why I don’t do Bible Games). While applicable for any of the versions of play, asking “Why?” could generate some interesting insight and discussion.
Some of your women will fuss about having to pick one. Encourage them to do so anyway! Gently let them know you won’t hold them to their selection and that you realize some choices may be the lesser of two evils.
Here’s a sample of the Either/Or Questions:
- Cooking or Cleaning
- Dinner or Movie
- Boots or Sandals
- Bracelet or Necklace
- Cinderella or Wonder Woman
- Chocolate or Vanilla
- Fruits or Vegetables
- Cable or Streaming
- Calling or Texting
- Car Windows Up or Down
There are a total of 94 Either/Or Questions to choose from. Use just one or use them all!
May God bless our groups with time to build relationships and have fun together!
You may also want to read:
10 Things Icebreakers Should Not Do
Icebreakers & Games
Why Women’s Ministry Events Need Great Icebreakers
Why I Don’t Do Bible Games
One year ago: 10 Ideas for Ministry Appreciation Month
Two years ago: What will you eat on your retreat?
Three years ago: Attention Grabbing Publicity
Hi Cyndee, thanks so much for these interesting ideas…… only, I am a little confused about the 1st one, the Match Game. Please do clarify some more, so that I can Use it, as well.
Thanks a lot,
Dhanu Rajwani
I’ll try! 🙂 You’re going to pass out one of the either/or list/cards to every person in the room. Then you’ll divide them into pairs, but you want to make sure that each person in the pair is holding a different either/or list/card. They will take turns reading through the list. If they both like the same thing, the person reading keeps going. When they have different answers they stop reading that list and switch to the other list. Does that clarify things for you?
Thanks for all the information on should we cancel if ladies don’t show up , I will use this.
You’re so welcome, Francina!
Reporting back… We used the Either Or game and it went well! We had more ladies than expected with 8 tables of 8 gals each. Ahead of time, I printed sheets of paper in 8 colors and cut them up (the different colors helped me be sure I got the right word pairs in each table’s pile.) Then, I put those in one envelope per table. They were given instructions and about 10 minutes to pass their table’s envelope around, drawing a slip of paper and sharing their preferences. There was much laughter and talking.
I added a twist to it by sticking in a slip of paper in each envelope that said, “Bonus!” If a gal pulled that word, she kept it and drew again. After the game was over, I asked who’d pulled the Bonus slips. The gals each got to take home their table’s centerpiece.
One gal liked the so much, she is adapting it for her classroom with 7th graders at the junior high. Thanks again for the inspiration, Cyndee!
Carrie – I so appreciate the details you’ve shared. The “bonus” slips were a brilliant idea!! I’ll be borrowing that one in the future. 🙂 So glad your group enjoyed it!
Thank you again! I was having trouble finding just the right game, but now we can use this one. PTL! I’ll try to remember to post how it went after our event Oct. 21st.
Thank you Cyndee for the quick reply! That helps. Maybe you said somewhere, but do you recommend picking several of the master sheets and cut them up for variety? Or should we be sticking with one theme?
You could do either – though I think a variety is more fun and interesting. 🙂
Thank you for all your work on this. I’m in charge of finding an icebreaker for our women’s event next week. We’ll have about 6-7 tables with 7 ladies per table. The #2 version of Round Robin sounds best for us.
I’m a little confused. Do I select one of the master lists and cut apart its pairs? Once a gal draws a pair, she asks her table, “I like either apple pie or pumpkin pie, which is it?” They guess and she reveals her answer, then puts the question back in the bag? and the next person pulls a question and does the same?
As you can see, I need some clarifying. Please help! 🙂
Thanks! Carrie
Hi Carrie, great questions! 🙂 When you open up the PDF you’ll see there’s a sheet you can cut apart into strips. I would not have them put their answer back in the bag just so the group will get to here a variety of questions. Yes, once a gal draws a pair she let’s the group guess and reveals her answer and then the next person does the same. I hope that clears things up – if not let me know. 🙂 I hope your women have fun with it!