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!
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Liven up even first meetings! A collection of fun games perfect for welcome parties
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Get closer in no time, even with first-time meetings! Games that liven up welcome parties
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- Fun activities that liven up the office: recreation games
- A collection of simple indoor recreational games
- Games and activities everyone can enjoy together. A collection of fun play ideas.
- [For University Students] A Roundup of Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- A collection of hilarious questions that will liven up the conversation and might help you learn more about the other person
- [For Adults] Fun recreational games. Perfect for short breaks too!
Fun games to help you hit it off with someone you’ve just met (1–10)
Don’t copy me, okay? / No copying, okay?NEW!
Let’s play a game called “Don’t Overlap!” where players must not give the same answer to a prompt.
Prepare several prompts, and each participant writes down exactly one answer that fits the prompt.
If none of the participants’ answers overlap, the challenge is a success; if even one overlaps, the challenge fails.
Prepare prompts that are easy for anyone to answer, such as “What’s a fruit?” or “What’s a spring flower?” If there are many participants, divide into teams and compete to see how many times each team can succeed.
1-minute timer
One-Minute Timer is a game where the person who counts exactly one minute with their eyes closed wins.
It’s a simple time-counting game, perfect for socializing at work or school.
When the host gives the start signal, players close their eyes and begin counting.
When you think a minute has passed, raise your hand to report it.
You can also change the target duration or play with a large group.
It’s an activity that not only measures a minute accurately but also sparks conversation within the team.
paper tower
Paper Tower is a game where teams compete to build the tallest stack using the paper provided.
Its simple rule—make the tower as high as possible—makes teamwork essential.
Before the game starts, take some strategy time.
Discuss how to stack the paper high, and assign roles such as stackers, cutters, and folders.
The key is to divide tasks in advance.
To prevent your assembled tower from collapsing, the whole team must coordinate and work in sync.
Try this highly competitive game where calm, precise actions determine victory.
Fun, recommended games to break the ice with people you’ve just met (11–20)
Samurai sword-fighting (chambara) battleNEW!
Chanbara Battle is a game where players use soft swords to knock off balls attached to each other’s arms.
Because it’s played in teams, you’ll naturally develop a sense of camaraderie even with people you’ve just met.
As you plan your strategy, conversation will arise naturally too.
Have fun getting active together and work as a team to lead your side to victory.
If time allows, switch up team members and leaders to create more opportunities to talk with new people.
You can purchase chanbara equipment from online shops.
Tissue Catch ChallengeNEW!
In this game played in pairs, one person stands on a platform or the like and drops a tissue, while the other catches it with chopsticks.
Because a tissue is light and falls in an unpredictable path, it’s surprisingly difficult to grab it with chopsticks—even if it wouldn’t be so hard with your hands.
That’s why the dropper needs to say something like “Here it comes!” and make eye contact.
Even people meeting for the first time naturally start talking, and the act of tackling a single task together as a duo fosters a sense of camaraderie.
I’m Sato. My favorite onigiri filling is ume (pickled plum).NEW!
Break the ice with new people! It’s a self-introduction quiz game.
In this game, you’ll first take turns introducing yourselves using question cards.
For example, if the question card says “What’s your favorite sushi topping?”, each player says their favorite sushi topping in turn.
Then, everyone should remember each person’s favorite topping.
After all introductions are done, draw question cards again one by one.
If the card drawn is “What’s your favorite sushi topping?”, the player who drew the card must answer with their own favorite sushi topping.
Repeat this, and the person who answers correctly the most times wins.
Chanbara Battle – War IKUSA –
Chanbara Battle – IKUSA – is a game inspired by traditional sword-fighting chanbara.
Players wield foam swords and try to knock off the balls attached to opponents’ shoulders.
It’s highly competitive and enjoyable as a sport, making it perfect for deepening connections with new colleagues or classmates.
You can enjoy individual matches or switch to team battles by assigning different colors to each team.
As the heated clashes unfold, teammates naturally grow closer.
Give this sport a try to experience a taste of traditional Japanese culture.