250+ Check In Questions for Icebreakers and Group Activities (PDF Available)

“How are you?”

It’s a question teachers often start classes with, but on its own, it rarely tells much. Students may answer with a quick “fine” or “okay,” leaving little insight into how they’re really feeling or what’s on their minds.

Check in questions go beyond small talk. They give students the chance to share more meaningfully, connect with their peers, and get ready for learning.

A 2020 study highlights that reflection activities such as check in questions in the classroom build self-awareness and relationship skills as they are two of the five core areas of social-emotional learning.

This blog gives you a couple of check in questions arranged into different categories:

These check in questions can be used as icebreakers or during group activities, as they help build trust, ease anxiety, and spark participation.

Here’s a free PDF you can download and keep for later use:

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Classroom and Learning-Related Check In Questions

These check in questions focus directly on students’ academic experiences. They help teachers understand learning preferences, highlight challenges, and spark excitement for school subjects.

1. What’s your favorite classroom activity this year?
2. Which project have you enjoyed most?
3. What’s one thing you’d change about homework?
4. Which subject feels the easiest for you?
5. What’s your least favorite type of assignment?
6. Which topic do you want to learn more about?
7. What’s the hardest test you’ve ever taken?
8. If you could skip one subject, what would it be?
9. What’s your favorite science experiment?
10. Which math topic do you find most interesting?
11. Do you like working on computers or on paper more?
12. What’s your favorite memory from a school trip?
13. Which school event do you look forward to the most?
14. If you could invite a guest speaker to class, who would it be?
15. What helps you stay focused during lessons?
16. What’s your favorite kind of classroom game?
17. Do you like answering questions out loud or writing them down?
18. What’s one thing that makes you nervous in class?
19. Which subject do you think will help you most in the future?
20. What’s your favorite type of presentation?
21. Which book should veryone in class read?
22. What’s your favorite way teachers explain things?
23. What’s one question you wish teachers asked more often?
24. Which subject do you wish had fewer tests?
25. Do you prefer sitting with friends or sitting alone?
26. Which class discussion has been most interesting?
27. Do you prefer open-book tests or closed-book tests?
28. Which class would you extend if you had more time?
29. What’s the funniest thing that’s happened in class?
30. What’s your favorite subject to work with friends on?
31. Which subject sparks your creativity?
32. What’s your favorite hands-on project?
33. What’s one skill you wish school taught?
34. What’s the best advice you’ve received from a teacher?
35. What’s one way your teacher makes learning fun?
36. What’s your favorite way to organize your notes?

Use these check in questions as a warm-up activity to ease into the lesson’s topic.

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Teamwork and Collaboration Check In Questions

These prompts encourage students to reflect on how they work with peers. They’re excellent for building group dynamics, improving communication, and celebrating collaboration.

37. What’s your favorite role in group projects?
38. What helps you trust teammates?
39. What’s the best way to include everyone in a group?
40. What’s one challenge your team overcame?
41. What’s the most creative team project you’ve done?
42. How do you feel about peer feedback?
43. What makes a teammate fun to work with?
44. Do you prefer small groups or large ones?
45. How do you handle when someone doesn’t do their part?
46. What’s a way to celebrate group success?
47. Who is your favorite partner to work with?
48. What’s the best idea a teammate has shared?
49. What helps your group stay on track?
50. What’s a time you learned from a teammate?
51. Do you like assigning roles or sharing them equally?
52. What’s your favorite team challenge game?
53. How do you encourage quieter teammates?
54. What’s one teamwork skill you want to improve?
55. Do you like team competitions?
56. What’s a time when your group failed, and what did you learn?
57. What’s one way to resolve conflicts quickly?
58. Which group project was the most fun?
59. What’s a time your group was really creative?
60. Do you like long-term projects or short team tasks?
61. What do you like about team brainstorming?
62. How do you support teammates when they’re stressed?
63. What’s your favorite team memory in class?
64. What makes group work stressful?
65. How do you divide tasks in your group?
66. What’s your dream group activity?
67. What’s the best lesson teamwork has taught you?
68. What’s one way you show appreciation to teammates?
69. What’s your favorite memory of working as a team outside of class?

Use a Word Cloud to gather quick words students associate with “good teamwork,” then discuss common themes.

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Personal Reflection Check In Questions

Reflection questions help students build self-awareness. They give learners a chance to share personal values, goals, and experiences, which fosters a deeper connection with classmates.

70. What’s one personal strength you’re proud of?
71. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
72. How do you usually spend your weekends?
73. What’s one thing you want to try before the year ends?
74. Who is someone that always makes you smile?
75. What do you wish you had more time for?
76. What’s a small act of kindness you did recently?
77. What’s a personal motto you live by?
78. What’s a favorite memory from childhood?
79. What motivates you the most during hard times?
80. What’s something you want to get better at this semester?
81. What’s your biggest dream for the future?
82. Who has influenced your life the most?
83. What’s a mistake you learned from?
84. What’s your favorite way to spend alone time?
85. How do you usually celebrate your achievements?
86. What’s one tradition that’s important to you?
87. What’s something you wish people knew about you?
88. If you could change one habit, what would it be?
89. What’s a value that’s important to you?
90. What’s your proudest school project so far?
91. What’s something you’ve taught yourself?
92. What helps you stay positive?
93. What’s one memory that always makes you laugh?
94. What’s your favorite way to express yourself?
95. What’s one thing you’re saving for or working toward?
96. What’s a lesson you learned from a friend?
97. What’s one fear you’ve overcome?
98. What’s something you’re curious about right now?
99. What’s your favorite way to celebrate small wins?
100. If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
101. What’s one habit you’re building right now?
102. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

Encourage participation by awarding stars in for thoughtful responses, no matter how big or small.

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Creative and Imaginative Check In Questions

These “what if” style questions spark creativity and imagination. They’re perfect for energizing a class discussion or encouraging divergent thinking.

103. If you could build your own city, what would it look like?
104. If you invented a robot, what would it do?
105. If your class had a mascot, what would it be?
106. If you could create a new sport, what would it involve?
107. What would your dream school schedule look like?
108. If you could redesign the school uniform, what would it be?
109. If you could create a new playground game, what would it be?
110. If you could combine two animals, what would it be?
111. What kind of holiday would you invent?
112. If you could invent a new app, what would it do?
113. What would your dream video game be about?
114. If you could create a new festival, what would it celebrate?
115. What’s a gadget you wish you owned?
116. If you could change gravity for one day, what would you do?
117. If you could make your own theme park ride, what would it be?
118. If your classroom was a movie, what genre would it be?
119. If you could paint a giant mural at school, what would it show?
120. If you could design your dream backpack, what would it include?
121. If you could write a children’s book, what would it be about?
122. If you could be in any fantasy story, which would it be?
123. If you could design your own currency, what would it look like?
124. What’s your favorite imaginary place from books or movies?
125. If you could invent a new flavor of chips, what would it be?
126. What’s your dream invention for school?
127. If your class had its own holiday, what would it celebrate?
128. If you could design the perfect classroom, what would it have?
129. What would be the best magic spell to use in real life?
130. If you could create a class time machine, where would you go?
131. If you could swap places with a historical figure, who would it be?
132. If you could add one magical item to school, what would it be?
133. If you could design a video game about your class, what would it be like?
134. What’s the weirdest invention you can think of?

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Well-Being and Mindfulness Check In Questions

These questions focus on students’ emotions and mental health. They encourage mindfulness, gratitude, and self-care as they are important aspects of creating safe classroom environments.

135. What’s one word to describe your energy today?
136. What helps you calm down during stressful times?
137. Who’s someone that always listens to you?
138. What’s your favorite mindful activity?
139. What’s your go-to self-care routine?
140. What’s your favorite healthy snack?
141. What makes you laugh when you’re upset?
142. What’s your favorite bedtime routine?
143. How do you usually handle disappointment?
144. What’s something that instantly cheers you up?
145. What helps you feel safe at school?
146. What’s your favorite morning ritual?
147. Who makes you feel most supported?
148. How do you usually celebrate small victories?
149. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
150. What’s one positive affirmation you like?
151. How do you deal with feeling nervous?
152. What’s your favorite sound that relaxes you?
153. What’s a stress-relief tip that works for you?
154. How do you usually thank others for kindness?
155. What’s a comfort item you keep around?
156. What’s a memory that makes you feel calm?
157. How do you show kindness to yourself?
158. What helps you stay motivated?
159. What’s your favorite way to rest your brain?
160. Who do you turn to when you need advice?
161. What’s a place that always makes you feel relaxed?
162. What’s your favorite slow activity?
163. What’s your favorite smell that makes you happy?
164. What’s one way you show gratitude?
165. What helps you start the day on the right foot?
166. What’s one thing you look forward to every morning?

Keep answers to check in questions optional and allow anonymous answers so students feel safe sharing feelings.

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Pop Culture and Trend-Based Check In Questions

Pop culture questions help teachers connect classroom discussions to students’ daily lives. They add fun while tapping into the trends students already care about.

167. Who’s your favorite new music artist?
168. What’s the funniest TikTok you’ve seen recently?
169. What’s your favorite fashion trend?
170. Which movie would you watch again and again?
171. Who’s your favorite influencer?
172. Which video game character is your favorite?
173. What’s your current favorite meme?
174. What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen?
175. What’s your favorite online challenge?
176. Which show do you binge-watch?
177. What’s the best dance trend you’ve tried?
178. Who’s your favorite athlete?
179. What’s the funniest podcast episode you’ve heard?
180. Which movie from this year did you enjoy most?
181. What’s the last viral video you laughed at?
182. What’s your favorite streaming service?
183. Which pop star do you admire most?
184. Which online trend should stop?
185. Who’s the most inspiring celebrity to you?
186. Which game show would you join if you could?
187. Which character from a show is most like you?
188. What’s the last book-to-movie adaptation you saw?
189. Which video game world would you live in?
190. Who’s your favorite comedian?
191. What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen online this week?
192. What’s your favorite fandom?
193. Which YouTuber would you love to meet?
194. What’s the most entertaining ad you’ve seen?
195. What’s your favorite viral dance?
196. Which movie character has the best style?
197. Which celebrity would you want as a classmate?
198. Which song lyric do you relate to right now?

Allow students to bring in examples (songs, memes, shows) and connect them to learning.

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Fun and Lighthearted Check In Questions

Sometimes all you need is laughter to start class off on the right note. These fun, silly prompts bring energy and joy into the room.

199. If you could have any superpower for one hour, what would it be?
200. What’s the funniest prank you’ve seen?
201. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
202. Would you rather eat only pizza or only ice cream for a week?
203. What’s the most random talent you have?
204. Which board game do you like most?
205. If you could only bring 3 things to a desert island, what would they be?
206. Would you rather talk to plants or animals?
207. What’s the weirdest dream you’ve had?
208. If you had to wear one color for a month, which would it be?
209. Which toy from childhood do you wish you still had?
210. What’s your favorite silly dance move?
211. Would you rather live in a treehouse or on a boat?
212. If you could swap voices with anyone, who would it be?
213. What’s the funniest word you know?
214. Would you rather be really tall or really tiny for a day?
215. What’s your favorite type of weather?
216. If you could rename yourself, what name would you pick?
217. What’s your current favorite snack combo?
218. If you had to eat one food for life, what would it be?
219. What’s the funniest face you can make?
220. Which emoji do you wish existed?
221. Do you prefer being barefoot or wearing socks?
222. What’s the funniest video you’ve watched this week?
223. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
224. Dogs or cats — which team are you on?
225. What color best matches your mood today?
226. If you could live in a cartoon world, which one?
227. Would you rather go to space or under the ocean?
228. What’s your favorite holiday treat?
229. If you could create your own emoji, what would it be?
230. What’s your favorite silly sound effect to make?

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Seasonal and Holiday-Themed Check In Questions

These are great for celebrating special times of year. They bring variety and keep check ins fresh by tying them to seasons, holidays, or traditions.

231. What’s the best thing about winter?
232. What’s your favorite holiday decoration?
233. What’s the best Halloween candy?
234. Which holiday tradition do you enjoy most?
235. What’s your favorite summer memory?
236. Do you like fireworks or sparklers more?
237. What’s your favorite New Year tradition?
238. What’s your favorite holiday song?
239. What’s your favorite winter activity?
240. Do you like spring rain or summer sun more?
241. What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
242. Which holiday food do you look forward to?
243. Do you prefer trick-or-treating or costume parties?
244. What’s one tradition you’d like to start?
245. What’s your favorite fall activity?
246. What’s the best birthday cake flavor?
247. Would you rather celebrate indoors or outdoors?
248. Which holiday would you add an extra day to?
249. What’s your favorite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
250. What’s one holiday that makes you happiest?
251. What’s your favorite seasonal drink?
252. What’s the funniest New Year’s resolution you’ve heard?
253. What’s the best April Fool’s prank you’ve seen?
254. What’s your favorite seasonal food?
255. What’s your favorite part of autumn?
256. What’s your favorite part of spring?
257. What’s your favorite summer activity?

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Make Your Check In Questions Come Alive with ClassPoint

As powerful as check in questions are, they can lose impact if they stay confined to notebooks or quick verbal responses. The real magic happens when they’re woven into your presentation slides and turned into live, interactive activities with ClassPoint.

Since most teachers already use PowerPoint, ClassPoint makes it effortless to bring these questions straight into class.

Bring Variety with Interactive Question Types

• Use Quick Polls for lighthearted or seasonal questions to get instant feedback the whole class can see.
• Switch to Word Cloud for teamwork and pop culture prompts where collective patterns matter.
• Lean on Short Answer for personal reflections and classroom-related check ins, letting every voice be heard, even the quiet ones.

Motivate with Gamification

• Reward creativity by giving Stars for thoughtful or funny answers.
• Build anticipation with the Leaderboard, turning check ins into playful competitions that boost energy right at the start of class.

Keep It Dynamic with Presentation Tools

• Use the Name Picker to draw out random students, ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute.
• Drop in a Whiteboard or annotations to highlight key words, group similar responses, or map out student ideas.

With ClassPoint, check in questions become active, engaging moments that set the tone for the lesson ahead. Every student gets a voice, every teacher gets instant insight, and the classroom feels more connected from the very first slide.