Icebreaker Ideas and Games Collection
We’re introducing classic, popular icebreakers and games!
Have you heard the term “icebreaker” before?
Put simply, it refers to activities that ease the tension and awkward silence that often arise among people meeting for the first time.
Whether you’re a student at the start of a new term or a new employee just joining a company—most of us have experienced that feeling when stepping into a new environment.
In this article, we’re sharing topics and games you can enjoy even with people you’ve just met!
If you want to build better relationships in a new group or team, or help nervous newcomers loosen up and have fun, give icebreakers a try!
- A roundup of recommended icebreakers for college students
- [In a Short Time] Icebreakers and Fun Games That Shine at Morning Meetings
- A collection of icebreakers you can enjoy with a small group
- [For University Students] A Roundup of Fun Games and Recreational Activities
- Icebreakers that get people moving (for both small and large groups)
- Games that liven up social and networking gatherings
- Brain-teasing game roundup
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
- [For Adults] Fun recreational games. Perfect for short breaks too!
- Icebreaker ideas for large groups you can use in Zoom meetings
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Collection of gesture game ideas and prompts
Icebreaker Topics and Games Summary (1–10)
Clap-Clap Game
Let’s try a clap-along game that also works as brain training, filling the room with the sound of rhythmic clapping.
The rules are very simple: when the facilitator’s hands come together, participants clap both hands once.
The facilitator can also add fake-out motions, pretending to clap without actually doing it, to make the game more exciting.
Once everyone gets used to it, increase the speed of the claps and keep a steady tempo—this will create a sense of unity among the participants.
Have fun and give it a try!
Foot rock-paper-scissors
The classic “foot rock-paper-scissors” is also great as a quick icebreaker game.
Unlike regular rock-paper-scissors, you make rock, scissors, and paper with your feet.
Because it gets people moving, the energy naturally ramps up more than when using hands, and everyone can get excited together.
You might also give a small prize to the tournament winner.
Sheets soccer
“Sheet Soccer”—yes! Soccer played with a sheet! Split into two teams, sit facing each other, and each side holds an edge of a sheet stretched out between them.
Place a ball on the sheet, and at the start signal, use the sheet to send the ball toward the opposing team.
When the final whistle blows, whichever side has the ball loses.
It’s a game you can enjoy even in a short time.
Icebreaker Ideas and Games (11–20)
Hula hoop relay
Everyone holds hands to form a circle.
A hula hoop is looped into the circle, and while keeping hands linked, each person steps through the hoop and passes it along to the next person.
You repeat this and race to see how long it takes for the hula hoop to return to its starting point.
You can compete by team for the best time, or enjoy discussing strategies for how to shorten the time as you play.
Paper tower building
Cooperative, goal-oriented games are perfect for icebreakers.
In this “Paper Tower” game, participants work together and pool their ideas to achieve a common goal, making it ideal for breaking the ice.
The rules are simple: prepare 20 sheets of A4 paper, and using only those, the team that builds the taller tower wins.
It’s a game that strengthens team bonds, so it’s also recommended for business settings.
front, back, left, and right
This game has everyone holding hands, so it’s perfect for breaking the ice.
The rules are simple: follow the leader’s calls and have everyone move together in one of the four directions—forward, backward, left, or right.
At first, move exactly as called; in the second half, move in the opposite direction of the call.
That twist makes you think and increases the difficulty.
Since you’re holding hands the whole time, you’ll find you’ve grown closer before you know it.
Raise your shoulders.
How much of this facilitator can you handle? This one is similar to the flag-raising game where you lift the red and lower the white—except here it’s “raise your shoulder.” Moments that test your reflexes like this make for a fun kind of panic, don’t they? I think it’s a super lively game.
It even feels like it might help with stiff shoulders (lol).
The facilitator could be a bit mean and keep cranking up the speed!
