Icebreaker Ideas

You exist in a world full of billions of people. It may sometimes be hard to connect with others without being awkward but it’s the only way to really live life. That is why icebreakers were made in the first place!

✍️ November 16, 2020

List of the Best Icebreaker Ideas & Games

Icebreakers help create a positive atmosphere to make people feel relaxed. They break down social barriers by energizing and motivating everyone to get to know each other. Thus, small talk is not just small talk. It’s actually a bridge to something more.

We prepared tons of icebreaker ideas you can use for different social events and even just for your daily life. Try them out and they might save you from a whole deal of boring or awkward situations!

Icebreaker Games

Young, old, boy or girl… we all play games and secretly enjoy them too much! These games are all interactive, easy, and fun. There are a lot of different types of people and events that you can choose from.

Icebreaker Games for Kids

Icebreaker Game - Bring Me

This is a classic icebreaker game that will let you test the kids’ ability to recognize the things around him or her. It’s really simple and easy. Just ask for something and the first person to bring it to you gets a prize!

Here are some great examples of stuff you can ask for:

Bring me a calculator.
Bring me a brown handkerchief.
Bring me a pair of white sneakers.
Bring me a flash drive.
Bring me a hundred dollar bill.
Bring me an actual photo (hard copy) of your Daddy.
Bring me a pair of earrings.
Bring me a purple ball.
Bring me a gold necklace.
Bring me your school ID.

Icebreaker Game - Spin the Bottle Show and Tell

Another favorite icebreaker game that is usually used in the classroom. You just need to ask the kids to bring with them something that they would like to show to the whole class.

You can have them seated in a circle and spin a bottle in the middle of the circle. The person to which the bottleneck points will have his or her turn to show and tell. The game continues until everyone has finished.

This game will encourage kids to speak up and express themselves to others even at a very young age.

👉 Suggested read: Top 8 Icebreaker Games for the Youth

Icebreaker Game - Token for A Thought

You will need some candies or any goodies for this icebreaker game. This game is best for shy kids who will be encouraged to speak up in return for some tokens or candies as prizes.

Here are some great examples of topics you can use for this game:

Favorite subject
Favorite color
Favorite movie
Last Summer Vacation
What makes you happy
What makes you sad
Best day ever
Favorite food
What you want to be someday
Role model in life

The ultimate goal is for every kid to share his or her thoughts on the topic and earn new friends in the process!

Icebreaker Games for Teenagers

Icebreaker Game - The Hot Seat

A game that is only for the bold! The “hot seat” game is the friendly version of an interrogation. Every player will have his or her turn. You may ask one question to the person during his turn on the hot seat. Knowing that person, you’ll need to ask the perfect question that will make him or her squirm and blush!

Here are some sample questions perfect for this game:

🤓 Suggested read: The Best Mood-boosting Icebreaker Activities

Who was your first kiss?
What’s your biggest regret?
Who is the one that got away from you?
What’s the latest gossip you heard?
Who among your friends do you like the least?
Who was your biggest crush in school?
What do you like the most about your bf/gf?
Have you ever really fallen in love?
What is your most embarrassing moment in school?
Have you ever been a teacher’s pet?

Don’t be too harsh, you’re here to have fun. Get a feel of the game and how bold you think your friends are!

Icebreaker Game - Two Truths, One Lie

One of everyone’s favorite icebreakers that creates an air of mystery which will be revealed in a matter of seconds by each player!

All you need to do is to say three things about yourself. Of the three statements, one should be false so don’t be too obvious. Your friends will need to guess which of the three statements is a lie. Make sure that these are some unique stuff that not everyone knows about you.

After everyone gives out their guesses, you should reveal which are the truths and which is the lie. They will be shocked if they guessed it wrong for sure!

Icebreaker Game - Never Have I Ever

This is not only a fun drinking game it’s also a great way to get to know new people. The rules are simple. Someone starts by saying “Never have I ever”…followed by something you’ve never done before. For example: “Never have I ever skipped school.”. If your friends have already done it, they have to say “aye” or raise their hands.

In drinking games, those who have done it should drink!

Here are some random Never Have I Ever statements you can use:

Never have I ever had a pet dog.
Never have I ever seen an ostrich.
Never have I ever fallen in love.
Never have I ever had my own laptop.
Never have I ever gone to a club.
Never have I ever been in a catfight.
Never have I ever been out of the country
Never have I ever lied to my bf/gf.
Never have I ever smoked.
Never have I ever posted a video of me dancing on social media.

With the right questions, this icebreaker game will surely give you a blast with your family and friends! On our website, you can find tons of great “Never have I ever” Questions from different categories. Never Have I Ever

Icebreaker Games for Adults

Icebreaker Game - 18 and Under

This is another getting-to-know-you game that makes you dig in your past to realize that you actually did some great things back then.

All you have to do is ask your friends and peers to think of the greatest achievement they had before they celebrated their 18th birthday. It can range from being Captain of the Volleyball Team to winning the Mathletes or just merely learning how to drive a car!

You can all sit in a circle. Someone starts and you can continue clockwise around the circle.

Start to get to know about your friends’ past!

Icebreaker Game - The Pitch

This challenging icebreaker game will surely ignite your competitiveness and marketing brains. All you need are some paper strips and two boxes.

Write products and matching prices on two separate strips of paper. Place all strips with product names in one box and all strips with prices in the other box.

You will be asked to pick a paper from each container. After being given a few minutes to think of a pitch to sell the product with the price you picked, present your pitch to your friends! Let’s find out how great of a salesman you are!

Icebreaker Game - The Toilet Paper Game

This fun icebreaker game lets you know more about your friends and peers. You just need a tissue paper roll.

All you need to do is pass the toilet paper roll around and let each player take some as they usually do. You will then take turns to share stuff about yourself. Take note that the number of toilet paper sheets you took should be the same number of stuff you share!

Icebreaker Games for Small Groups

Icebreaker Game - Word Chain

This icebreaker game can be played anywhere, anytime since it’s so simple and easy! You just start by saying a word and your friends can say the next word which should start with the last letter of the previous word you said. You can all sit in a circle and wait for your turn to say the next word.

The catch is that all the words you each say should be in the same category as the previous word (Up to you what category that is). If your friends try to argue your next word, defend why it belongs to the same category as the previous one! Remember, no repetition of words.

You may turn this into a drinking game. Those who fail to give the next word in five seconds or repeat a word, drink!

Icebreaker Game - Going on a Picnic

In the ice breaker game “Going on a picnic” you not only get to earn new friends but also train your memory. You start the round by saying your name and choosing an object to take to the picnic.

Example: “Hey, my name is Aimee. I am going on a picnic and I am taking my cat.”

The next person repeats the name and item that the person mentioned before them and then says their name and item.

Example: “Aimee takes her cat on a picnic. My name is Taylor and I am taking my laptop.”

🤓 Suggested read: Funny Icebreaker Questions

Each player has to repeat everyone’s names and their objects in the right order before adding theirs to the list. The game ends when one person can’t remember all the names and objects.

Icebreaker Game - Jenga Question Game

This awesome combination of Jenga and the classic Truth or Dare game is also a great icebreaker game! The same rules of Jenga apply. All that’s changed is that each block has a question for you to answer so that everyone will know you better!

Here are some great questions you can put on each block:

What is your biggest dream in life?
Who is your biggest crush of all time?
What song has changed your life?
Where do you usually go when you’re sad?
What is your favorite food?

Icebreaker Games for Large Groups

Charades

A classic favorite that always makes everyone hyped and excited. You can play this at home with your family, in school with your friends or anywhere!

Play this game by team. Each round, each team chooses a volunteer. The volunteer should guess the word that the other team has chosen. Your teammates should act out without talking or using words/sounds in order for you to guess.

With teamwork and camaraderie, the team with the most correct guesses wins!

Follow this link to know more about Charades! Charades Game Rules

Group Juggle

This is another great getting-to-know-you game for you and the people you just met. Sit in a circle and throw a ball around to know whose turn it is.

Everyone must introduce themselves. You need to be able to memorize all their names. You name another player and throw the ball to him/her. The next player says your name and the name of the next person he’s throwing the ball to. You can’t throw it back to the person who threw the ball to you.

This game will test your memory and earn you new friends!

Animal Sounds

This is a great icebreaker game that will let you mingle with each other!

All you need for this game is a box full of strips of papers with animal names written on it. You need to pick a strip from the box and think about the sound of that animal. When a signal is given for you to start, imitate the sound or noise of the animal you picked.

Using your animal sound, find other animals you belong with! The game ends when everyone has found their animals group.

Icebreaker Questions

Games are effective but you’ll find that initiating small talks is a lot simpler and easier! You talk every day and sometimes, you just run out of things to talk about. Worry no more, these icebreaker questions will rescue you!

Icebreaker Questions for Kids

What’s the first-ever memory that you can still remember?
Who do you love more? Mommy or Daddy?
What’s your most recent scar?
What movie can you watch every day for a week and not get bored?
What is your ultimate favorite game to play?

Icebreaker Questions for Teens

What do you like most about your best friend?
What you hate about your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend?
Do you have a crush on someone ten years older than you?
How will you react when you find out that people talk behind your back?
What usually puts you in a bad mood?

Icebreaker Questions for Adults

When was the last time you almost ran out of money?
What are you most thankful for?
Do you have a favorite chore or errand to do?
What’s the worst thing about being an adult?
What’s the best thing about being an adult?

Icebreaker Questions about Hobbies

What’s your favorite thing to do every weekend?
What’s a hobby of other people you don’t really understand?
Do you have a hobby that you can earn from?
What is the best book you’ve ever read?
Which movie have you watched the most number of times?

Icebreaker Questions about Relationships

What was the longest relationship you’ve ever had?
Which relationship of yours do you regret getting yourself into?
Have you ever been in a traumatic relationship?
What is the secret to a healthy relationship?
Is sex vital to a lasting relationship?

Icebreaker Questions about Work

Who do you like the least in the office?
Do you hate your boss?
What’s the best thing that happened to you in the office?
What’s your favorite outfit to wear at work?
What’s your favorite task to do in the office?

These icebreakers will go a long way for your friendship, your relationship, and even for the activities you’re participating in! To some, they may just be meaningless games and small talks. But they are actually channels of communication for everyone to get to know one another!

Hungry for more? Follow these links for unlimited icebreaker games and questions: