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 Ideas and Games (41–50)
Runaway Trolley and Workers
A consensus game themed on a thought experiment proposed in 1967 by British philosopher Philippa Foot.
There are multiple workers on a railway track, and unless something is done, a major accident will occur; if you flip a switch, you sacrifice one person to save many lives.
Should you flip the switch, or leave things as they are? The key is first to consider the dilemma individually, then to reach a single conclusion as a group.
Because differences in positions and values become clear, it’s a compelling topic that sparks lively discussion.
Icebreaker Ideas and Games (51–60)
Invisible Invaders
This content discusses whether, in a situation where a virus is spreading, families should gather and stay at home or go to work to make a living.
The focus is on how to address the contradiction that prioritizing safety reduces income, while attending school or working in offices increases the risk of infection.
Each member has different positions and opinions—such as the desire to protect children and the elderly and the sense of responsibility to support the economy—leading to a clash of values.
Through speaking, participants not only express their own views but also develop the ability to understand others’ thinking.
If the discussion is held in class, it becomes a deeply educational theme that allows students to simulate the challenges faced by society as a whole.
Getting lost in snowy mountains
You all joined a tour to see the aurora.
However, the plane you were on crashed due to a geomagnetic storm.
The crash site is in snowy mountains, and the nearest town is as far as 32 kilometers away.
The pilots have died, and the plane has sunk to the bottom of a lake, so you have no choice but to make your way on your own.
Besides cold-weather clothing, you only have 10 items.
To survive, discuss as a group and rank the items from most to least important.
The time limit is 30 minutes; when time is up, present your ranking.
When giving opinions about the ranking, be sure to explain your reasons, and when making decisions, reach a consensus—an agreement among everyone.
Icebreakers that even elementary school students can enjoy
Both children and adults can feel a bit nervous when playing with someone they’re meeting for the first time.
Here are some recommended games for those moments.
For example, there are games like “Rock-Paper-Scissors Catch & Go,” “Mirror Stretch,” “Become a Stick,” and “Stand Up.” There’s also a game called “Guide the Way,” which has three levels so you can gradually increase the difficulty as you play.
By sharing the same goal of cooperating to reach the finish at the end, you might even deepen your bond.
Hero interview
In just one minute, you get interviewed like a sports star or an inventor in this “Hero Interview”! Maybe you’ve dreamed of being interviewed like a hero too.
It sounds fun to try on different jobs and talk about them, doesn’t it? Imaginary professions work just fine, too! It’s a great idea for when you want to make friends or quickly get closer to someone.
shooting star
Whether you’re great at drawing or not so confident, both can have fun with the icebreaker game “Shooting Star”! You end up with a single picture, but everyone’s ideas go in different directions, making for a hilarious result! If you’re not good at drawing, you might as well go for laughs.
Why not try it with friends, or with coworkers and seniors during a lively break?
In conclusion
We’ve introduced some icebreaker ideas and games—what did you think? When the rules are complicated, people meeting for the first time tend to feel like they “can’t mess up,” so we recommend simple games like the ones we shared that help everyone keep a spirit of fun.
Choose with an eye to whether everyone can participate fully.