The “Peel the Onion” icebreaker game is a great way to progressively learn more about others, starting with lighter questions and gradually moving into deeper ones as layers of the “onion” are peeled back. The idea is to begin with surface-level questions and move towards questions that reveal more personal insights.
Here are is a list of 10 sample questions you can ask:
1. What’s your name and where are you from?
- Start with something easy and comfortable, helping students introduce themselves and share basic details.
2. What’s your favorite hobby or activity outside of class?
- This question gives a glimpse into what they enjoy in their personal time, providing insight into their interests.
3. What’s one fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
- Light and fun, this starts to peel back a layer and reveals something unique about each student.
4. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
- This invites students to share a deeper interest, whether it’s a role model or someone they admire, and hints at their values.
5. What’s one skill or talent you’re proud of?
- A chance for students to share something they’re good at, which can foster confidence and connection with peers.
6. What’s a goal you’re currently working towards?
- This moves the conversation to more personal development and future ambitions, helping you understand their motivations.
7. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- This reveals more about their aspirations, sense of adventure, or dream destinations, helping to connect on a deeper level.
8. What’s a challenge you’ve overcome recently?
- Encourages students to reflect on personal resilience and share a more vulnerable aspect of their lives.
9. What’s something you hope to learn or improve on in this class?
- A question focused on academic or personal growth, giving insight into their goals related to your class.
10. What’s one core value or belief that guides your decisions?
- This final question gets to the heart of who they are and what drives them, completing the process of “peeling the onion” by revealing deeper insights into their character.
Structure of the Game:
- You can structure this game by asking each question in a round-robin fashion. As each “layer” of the onion is peeled back, students will feel more comfortable sharing as they see others do the same.
- For each round, give students a few moments to think before answering, and keep the atmosphere light to encourage openness.
- Another way to play is to write each question on a piece of paper. The final or core question is balled up and will make the core of the onion. Each other question is individually wrapped around the previous question until all questions are wrapped forming the onion. Take turns passing the onion around and players will take of each later and read out the questions and players take turns answering. For extra fun, toss the onion to random players until all questions have been asked and answered.
This method allows students to build trust and connection while getting to know each other in a progressively deeper way.