Special Snowflakes - Ice Breaker Game
🎯 Quick Summary
Participants collect compliments on paper snowflakes throughout an event, creating a keepsake filled with positive affirmations from peers.
✅ Why This Ice Breaker Game Works
- •This ice breaker has been used by 1,335 teams worldwide
- •Rated 4.5/5.0 by 240 facilitators who used this icebreaker game
- •Perfect ice breaker for: Team Building, Fun
📝 How to Play Special Snowflakes Ice Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Setup
5 min💬 Say This:
"Welcome! As you enter, please take one of these snowflakes and write your name at the top. Throughout our time together, I encourage you to write compliments, appreciations, or positive observations on each other's snowflakes. Be genuine and specific—these will become meaningful keepsakes!"
📋 What to Do:
- 1.Prepare paper snowflakes in advance (cut from white paper or use templates)
- 2.Set up a station at the entrance with snowflakes and markers
- 3.As participants arrive, hand them a snowflake and ask them to write their name prominently at the top
- 4.Provide clips, lanyards, or tape so people can wear/display their snowflakes
- 5.Explain that throughout the event, people should write kind messages on each other's snowflakes
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Make snowflakes large enough for multiple messages (8x8 inches or larger)
- •Use different colored markers to make it visually appealing
- •For virtual events, create digital snowflakes in Canva or Google Slides that can be shared
- •Model the behavior by being the first to write compliments on several snowflakes
Step 2: Main Activity
50 min💬 Say This:
"[Throughout the event] Remember to take moments to write on each other's snowflakes! Be specific—mention things you've noticed, appreciated, or admired about that person today."
📋 What to Do:
- 1.This activity runs in the background throughout your main event (meeting, party, workshop)
- 2.Encourage participants to write on 5-10 different snowflakes
- 3.Remind people periodically: 'Take a moment to write on someone's snowflake!'
- 4.Messages should be genuine compliments, not inside jokes or generic praise
- 5.Examples: 'Your question earlier really made me think,' 'I love your positive energy,' 'Thank you for always listening'
- 6.For virtual: Share a collaborative doc where people add messages under each person's name
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Set 2-3 reminder announcements throughout the event to keep people engaged
- •During natural breaks (coffee, transitions), specifically prompt: 'This is a great time for snowflake writing!'
- •Walk around and check if anyone's snowflake is empty—gently encourage others to write on it
- •Lead by example—make sure you write on many snowflakes yourself
Step 3: Closing
5 min💬 Say This:
"Before we wrap up, take a moment to read the beautiful messages on your snowflake. Each one is unique, just like you! These are yours to keep. When you're having a tough day, pull out your snowflake and remember how valued you are. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community today!"
📋 What to Do:
- 1.Give participants 2-3 minutes of quiet time to read their snowflakes
- 2.Invite 1-2 volunteers to share their favorite message (without naming who wrote it)
- 3.Remind everyone to take their snowflakes home
- 4.Optional: Take a group photo with everyone holding their snowflakes
- 5.For virtual: Email everyone their completed digital snowflakes
💡 Pro Tips:
- •Have tissues ready—this activity can be emotional in a positive way
- •If someone's snowflake has fewer messages, discreetly add a few yourself
- •Suggest people photograph their snowflakes as a backup
- •This activity works especially well at team offsites, farewell parties, or appreciation events
⚠️ Common Questions (Avoid Problems)
Q: What if someone's snowflake doesn't get many messages?
A: As the facilitator, keep an eye on all snowflakes. If you notice one with fewer messages, subtly encourage others to write on it, or write several thoughtful messages yourself. You can also structure a moment where everyone must write on the snowflake of the person to their left.
Q: How do I make this work virtually?
A: Create a digital snowflake for each participant in Canva (shareable template) or use a Google Doc with each person's name as a heading. Throughout the virtual meeting, people can add comments or messages under each person's section. At the end, send everyone a screenshot or PDF of their completed snowflake.
Q: What if people write generic messages like 'You're great!'?
A: At the start, model specific, meaningful messages. Say, 'Instead of generic praise, try noticing specific things: what someone said that impacted you, a quality you admire, or a contribution they made today.' The more specific, the more meaningful the keepsake becomes.
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