Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
There are plenty of times when you meet people for the first time, like at a new workplace or a school you’ve just entered.
Many people wonder how to get along with someone they’ve just met.
In this article, we’ll introduce games that help you become friendly with people you meet for the first time.
We’ve gathered a variety of games, including ones where you form teams and cooperate to clear challenges, and others where you open up about yourselves while having fun.
Try incorporating them at your company, school, or any other gathering where you meet new people!
Fun games to help you hit it off with someone you’ve just met (1–10)
Commonality-Finding Game
It’s a game where you look for common traits among participants.
You set a prompt like “People with blood type ___,” then try to find those who match.
You can also learn about participants’ hobbies and personalities, so it’s great for playing with people you’re meeting for the first time.
It’s perfect for company or school events where you want to build closer relationships, and it can be played in a short time.
You might even discover surprising sides of people—“I didn’t know that about you!” Why not try this icebreaker as a conversation starter?
Birthday line
Birthday Line is a game where all participants line up in order of their birthdays under certain constraints.
It’s simple yet requires communication, because you’re not allowed to say your own birthday out loud.
You must convey information only through gestures—like showing numbers with your fingers.
Once everyone is in line, have each person announce their birthday in order from the front.
It’s exciting whether you got the order right or not.
For groups with a wide age range, it’s also fun to include birth years in the ordering.
Give this game a try to easily break the ice and deepen connections with people you’ve just met.
Marshmallow Challenge
The Marshmallow Challenge is a timed activity where you build a tower using marshmallows and dry pasta.
Teams construct their own towers and compete for height.
Because the tower’s height depends on how the pasta pieces are connected and how the marshmallows are attached, it’s also a test of teamwork.
Another key point is to secure the structure so it doesn’t collapse during the measurement.
As you work to build a taller tower, team communication naturally improves.
It’s a simple yet profound game that’s perfect for team building—give it a try.
Who did what, when, and where game
A game where everyone’s answers combine into one sentence about who did what, when, and where.
You draw lots from a bag and create a sentence that fits the given prompt.
After everyone has written theirs, you read them in order.
Since you answer without knowing what your teammates wrote, the combined result turns into a unique sentence—that’s the fun part.
Plus, the experience of four people working together to build a single sentence becomes a great spark for communication.
Give this delightful game a try; it’s sure to make everyone laugh.
Werewolf game
A werewolf game where you identify the hidden werewolves among the villagers through discussion.
It’s a psychological battle in which you think, “Someone here is lying….” In addition to werewolves who attack villagers, there are roles like Seer, Medium, and Knight.
Each player fulfills their assigned role while trying to uncover who the werewolves are.
At the end of each day, players choose someone to vote for, gradually reducing the number of participants—another key element.
With mystery and deduction aspects to enjoy, it’s a perfect game for team building.
First Impressions GameNEW!
This is a game where you announce a theme like “Someone whose first impression is XX” and then point to the person who fits it.
Like a rhythm game, start with the call, “Starting with XX! First Impressions Game!” before you begin.
After the theme is announced, take a moment to think, then point on the cue “Ready, set!” It’s fun because you’ll learn what kind of impression you give others.
It might get lively if you include a chance to explain yourself in case people had an unexpected impression of you.
When playing in a group with many first-time acquaintances, try to keep the themes as positive as possible.
3-second try!NEW!
This game is perfect for livening up casual get-togethers or welcome parties among friends, rather than official occasions.
It’s extremely simple: you have three seconds to try whatever is written on the card.
For example, “shiritori.” Without a time limit it’s nothing special, but add the constraint of “three seconds” and, for some reason, you get nervous and the words won’t come out.
The prompts are things anyone can do—like turning on the spot or clapping—so it’s suitable for people of all ages.
If you can’t get the product, you can always make your own.