A roundup of recommended icebreakers for college students
An icebreaker refers to simple activities or games designed to ease tension among participants, shorten the emotional distance between them, and facilitate smooth communication.
They’re especially effective in situations where people are meeting for the first time.
If you’re a university student, you’ve probably encountered them in first classes, group work, club activities, or even during job hunting.
In this article, we’ll introduce a range of easy icebreakers that help people get closer to one another.
We’ve focused on activities based on self-introductions and fun games that progress through mutual communication, so pick the ones that fit the situation where you want to use an icebreaker.
- [For University Students] A Roundup of Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- [Self-Introduction & Games] Icebreaker Ideas Collection
- Icebreaker Ideas and Games Collection
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Indoor games and recreational activities recommended for college students
- Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
- Break the ice with intros and team battles! Party games to spice up your welcome event
- A roundup of recommended personality tests for icebreakers
- Games to Liven Up the Freshers’ Welcome Party
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [In a Short Time] Icebreakers and Fun Games That Shine at Morning Meetings
Summary of recommended icebreakers for university students (1–10)
Marshmallow Challenge
In the Marshmallow Challenge, the team with the marshmallow at the highest point when time runs out wins.
The rules are very simple: you can use marshmallows, pasta, string, and tape.
Within the time limit, use the pasta and string to stick a marshmallow on top; as long as the tower doesn’t fall over, it’s valid.
The team whose marshmallow is at the highest position wins.
Building a tall tower while discussing as a team also helps people warm up to each other, even if they’re meeting for the first time.
It also fosters a sense of unity!
Only One Game
Even when you introduce yourselves formally, it can be hard to break the ice.
That’s where the “Only One Game” is perfect.
In this game, participants say things that are likely true only for themselves.
For example, striking profile points like “I know a celebrity” or “I once won the lottery.” Because distinctive stories tend to come out, it also makes it easier to remember each person.
On the flip side, even if you say something that applies to someone else, you end up discovering common ground and getting closer anyway—so it’s a win-win!
Finger Catch Game
Let’s break the ice and build camaraderie with “Finger Catch,” a game fun for kids and adults alike! Participants form a circle.
Make your left hand into a loose fist shaped like a tube, and extend only the index finger of your right hand, placing it into the tube of the person to your right.
At the cue “Catch,” use your left hand to catch the finger of the person on your left, while using your right hand to pull your own finger away so it doesn’t get caught by the person on your right.
Can you succeed with both hands at once? It’s also fun to delay the cue instead of saying it right away, or to fake people out with words that start with the same sound as “Catch.”
Recommended Icebreakers for College Students (11–20)
paper tower
Paper Tower is an icebreaker where, as the name suggests, you build a tower using paper.
However, you may only use paper—no glue or scissors.
You fold or roll the paper to construct the tower.
Set a time limit for building and hold a strategy meeting for each team beforehand.
Have everyone actually handle a sheet of paper, folding or bundling it to think through ideas.
After a proper strategy session, teams build their towers.
When time is up, stop touching the towers and let them stand on their own.
The team with the tallest free-standing tower wins.
Helium ring
Let me introduce an icebreaker called “Helium Ring,” which can be played with about five people or more! Form a team and stand in a circle, then each person places a hula hoop on the first joint of their index finger.
Set the height of the hoop around chest level.
It’s a team game where you’re challenged to lower the hoop all the way to the ground without letting it come off anyone’s index finger.
It may look simple at first glance, but it can be tricky if you can’t control the hoop as you expect or if everyone’s timing isn’t in sync.
Who am I? game
Are you familiar with the game “Who Am I?” In this game, everyone except one person is a guesser, and the goal is to figure out who that one person is.
That “someone” could be a food, a building, an animal, and so on.
You ask various questions to narrow it down and arrive at the answer.
From yes/no questions to more probing ones, everyone takes turns asking questions, and once the whole team has figured it out, you give the answer—this format seems like a great way to boost teamwork.
Delusional Self-Introduction
When people hear “delusional self-introduction,” they might be surprised and think, “What on earth are we doing!?” But it’s actually a lighthearted and fun icebreaker.
In addition to a regular self-introduction, talk while imagining “What if ___?”—things that probably wouldn’t happen.
For example, “If a time machine existed,” or “If I could become Prime Minister”—the prompts are endless! You can share big dreams, give down-to-earth answers, or make everyone laugh with a humorous response.
Because each person’s personality comes through, it’s an easy, relaxed way to open up and have fun together.
