Story Starters

Story Starters is an engaging icebreaker that I use to help people share interesting stories about themselves in groups of any size. The goal is to encourage participants to open up and connect with each other by telling personal anecdotes sparked by a set of prompt cards. Each card features a sentence stem, such as “Once upon a time, I…” or “My ideal vacation is…”, that group members use as the starting point for their story.

The activity helps create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their experiences. By fostering open communication, Story Starters encourages empathy and trust among participants. This icebreaker has proven to be an effective way for me to build stronger connections within teams and communities, making it an essential tool in my facilitation arsenal.

1. Story Starters can be played in groups of any size, but for larger groups, participants should split into smaller groups of 4-6 people.
2. The facilitator will need Oxford 5”x8” notecards and plenty of ballpoint pens.
3. The facilitator can prepare cards in advance or write the following sentences on a chalkboard/whiteboard/Powerpoint slide:
   • “Once upon a time, I…”
   • “My favorite place I ever went to is…”
   • “The silliest thing I ever did was…”
   • “My ideal vacation is…”
   • “The craziest thing I ever did (that I’ll admit to) is…”
   • “If my life were a book, I would title it…”
4. Distribute these cards to each group or show these on a chalkboard/whiteboard/Powerpoint on the front of the room.
5. Within each small group, each group member must choose one Story Starter and begin a story using one of these sentences as a starting point.
6. Each group can vote on which story is the most interesting. The most interesting stories can be shared with the larger group.

• Oxford 5”x8” notecards: These cards will be used to write the story starters on. They are a great size for this activity as they provide enough space for writing while also being small enough to easily pass around.
• Plenty of ballpoint pens: Ballpoint pens are recommended for this activity as they are easy to write with and don’t require much pressure, which can help prevent hand cramping during the icebreaker. It’s a good idea to have plenty on hand in case some run out of ink or go missing.
• A chalkboard/whiteboard/Powerpoint slide (optional): The facilitator can choose to write the story starters on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or Powerpoint slide instead of using notecards. This can be helpful if the group is large and there aren’t enough notecards for everyone.
• Voting materials (optional): If the group wants to vote on the most interesting stories, they will need some way to do so. This could be as simple as having each group member raise their hand for their favorite story, or using stickers or stars to cast votes.

To set up for the Story Starters icebreaker activity, the facilitator needs to prepare cards with different story starter sentences. These can be prepared in advance or written on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or Powerpoint slide. Each card should have a unique sentence that will serve as the starting point for a story.

The facilitator should distribute these cards to each small group, ensuring that there is one card per group member. Within each group, each person will choose one Story Starter and use it to begin telling a story. The group can then vote on the most interesting story, and the winner can share their story with the larger group.

It’s essential to emphasize that only the setup of the activity should be discussed, not the materials required. Therefore, the facilitator needs to focus on how to distribute the cards, set up the groups, and conduct the voting process without mentioning any specific materials needed for the activity.

1. Prepare the Story Starter cards: You can prepare the cards in advance by writing the following sentences on individual notecards: “Once upon a time, I…”, “My favorite place I ever went to is…”, “The silliest thing I ever did was…”, “My ideal vacation is…”, “The craziest thing I ever did (that I’ll admit to) is…”, and “If my life were a book, I would title it…”. Alternatively, write these sentences on a chalkboard/whiteboard/Powerpoint slide.
2. Divide into groups: For very large groups, have everyone split into smaller groups of 4-6 people.
3. Distribute the Story Starter cards: Within each small group, distribute the Story Starter cards (or show these on a chalkboard/whiteboard/Powerpoint on the front of the room). Each group member must choose one Story Starter and begin a story using that sentence as a starting point.
4. Choose the most interesting story: Within each small group, have the members vote on which story is the most interesting.
5. Share the most interesting stories: The most interesting stories from each group can be shared with the larger group.
6. Buy materials (optional): If you want to buy the materials for this icebreaker, you can visit our online store powered by Amazon.

I hope these instructions help you facilitate the Story Starters icebreaker effectively!

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• Helps people open up: Story Starters is a great way for individuals to share interesting stories about themselves, helping them to open up and build connections with others.
• Encourages active listening: By requiring each group member to listen to the stories of their peers, Story Starters promotes active listening and engagement in conversations.
• Develops storytelling skills: This icebreaker provides an opportunity for individuals to practice their storytelling skills, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional settings.
• Fosters a positive group dynamic: By encouraging individuals to share positive experiences and funny moments, Story Starters helps to create a positive and enjoyable atmosphere within the group.
• Can be easily adapted: The flexible setup of Story Starters allows it to be easily adapted for groups of different sizes and ages, making it a versatile icebreaker option.
• Promotes creativity: With a wide range of story starter sentences to choose from, Story Starters encourages individuals to think creatively and come up with unique and engaging stories.

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• Communication skills: Story Starters encourages participants to practice active listening and clear communication as they share personal stories and respond to the stories of others.
• Empathy and understanding: By sharing personal stories, participants can develop a better understanding of their peers and foster empathy within the group.
• Creativity and imagination: The icebreaker encourages participants to think creatively and use their imagination as they come up with interesting and engaging stories.
• Public speaking and confidence: Story Starters provides an opportunity for participants to practice public speaking and build confidence in sharing their thoughts and ideas with a group.
• Team building and collaboration: The icebreaker promotes teamwork and collaboration as participants work together in small groups to create and share stories.

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As someone who enjoys bringing people together and facilitating meaningful conversations, I have found the Story Starters icebreaker to be incredibly effective. Here are a few reasons why I like it:

1. Flexibility: The setup for this icebreaker is flexible, making it suitable for groups of all sizes and settings. It can be used in classrooms, team meetings, workshops, or social gatherings.
2. Engaging: Story Starters encourages participants to share interesting stories about themselves, which helps them connect on a deeper level. I have seen firsthand how this icebreaker creates a positive atmosphere and breaks down barriers between people who may not know each other well.
3. Customizable: The list of story starters provided can be easily customized or expanded to fit the needs of any group. This means that you can tailor the questions to suit specific themes, topics, or objectives.
4. Promotes active listening: By requiring participants to listen to each other’s stories and vote on the most interesting one, Story Starters promotes active listening and engagement in the conversation. This makes it a valuable tool for building communication skills and fostering empathy.
5. Easy to facilitate: With minimal materials required (notecards and pens), Story Starters is an easy icebreaker to facilitate. The instructions are straightforward, which means that you can focus on creating a welcoming and supportive environment for participants to share their stories.

Overall, Story Starters is a versatile and engaging icebreaker that encourages active listening, storytelling, and connection-building among participants. Its flexibility and ease of use make it an excellent choice for facilitators looking to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere in any setting.

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• Tip: When creating the Story Starter cards, include a diverse range of prompts that can be relatable to people with different backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. For example, “An experience that has shaped me is…” or “A place that feels like home to me is…”
• Tip: Encourage participants to listen actively and respectfully to each other’s stories, avoiding interrupting or making judgments. This can help create a safe and inclusive space where everyone feels valued and heard.
• Tip: If some participants may have difficulty speaking or communicating verbally, provide alternative ways for them to participate. For example, they could write their story on a piece of paper or use communication boards or assistive technology.
• Tip: Be mindful of the language used in the activity, avoiding ableist, racist, sexist, or other harmful words or phrases. Instead, promote positive and inclusive language that respects and affirms all participants’ identities and experiences.
• Tip: Consider providing some cultural context or background information for the prompts, if relevant, to help participants understand and connect with them better. This can also help avoid misunderstandings or unintentional offense.

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1. What did you enjoy most about this activity? This will help participants reflect on what they found engaging and valuable in the icebreaker.
2. Which Story Starter sentence did you choose, and why? This question can help participants think more deeply about their choice and how it reflects their personality or experiences.
3. How did hearing other people’s stories make you feel? This can help participants reflect on the value of sharing and listening to personal stories in building connections with others.
4. What surprised you most during this activity? This question can encourage participants to think about what they learned or discovered through the icebreaker.
5. How did sharing your story impact you? This question can help participants reflect on the experience of telling their own story and how it affected them emotionally or mentally.
6. What did you learn about someone else in your group through their story? This question can help participants appreciate the diversity of experiences and perspectives within their group.
7. How might you apply what you learned from this activity to other situations or relationships? This question can help participants think about how they might use storytelling as a tool for building connections and understanding in other contexts.

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