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)
Name demon
When it comes to icebreakers, remembering people’s names is the first step, right? This game, called “Name Tag,” is perfect for helping you remember names.
Participants call out each other’s names, and the person who is “it” tries to tag the person whose name was called.
Before getting tagged, that person calls another participant’s name, and the process repeats.
By doing this, everyone naturally learns each other’s names.
The four corners of the room
“Four Corners of the Room” is an icebreaker that helps make everyone’s differences of opinion easier to see.
It’s hard to know what people are really thinking, right? And sometimes it can be tough to speak up.
In those moments, dividing the room into four corners—such as Yes, Sometimes, Hard to Say, and No—creates clear options and makes it easier to ask for and share opinions.
It can be useful to try it with a variety of questions!
cross clap
If you’re looking for an icebreaker to warm up the room, I recommend a game called “Crossed Claps.” The rules are very simple: one person acts as the leader and stands at the front, and everyone only claps when the leader’s hands cross as they move them.
If the leader intentionally throws off the rhythm or avoids crossing their hands, the atmosphere naturally loosens up and everyone relaxes.
Who am I? game
Each person has a name written on their back, but they themselves don’t know what it says.
It’s a game where you ask people around you yes-or-no questions—such as “Am I food?”—based on them looking at your back, and use their answers to figure out what you are.
trompe-l’œil
Optical illusions are great brain teasers.
You know, those images that look like a single painting at first, but actually have lots of hidden animals, or look completely different when viewed from another angle.
We humans tend to see things through the lens of our assumptions, don’t we? Try enjoying these with a shift in perspective that breaks those assumptions.
Prince Shōtoku game
As you know, conversation is key to getting along with someone you’ve just met.
This “Prince Shōtoku Game” is perfect for breaking the ice, because it naturally gets you to look the other person in the eye while talking.
In this game, one respondent listens to two prompts spoken simultaneously by two prompters and then answers what each of the words was.
By the time everyone has had a turn as the respondent, you’ll all be chatting naturally.
NG Shiritori
Icebreaker games should be ones that anyone can do easily, right? “NG Shiritori” is based on the well-known word game Shiritori, so you can start right away.
In this game, you decide on a theme for the words used in Shiritori—like “animals”—as well as NG (forbidden) words.
It’s a game that naturally gets lively, so you can get friendly even with people you’re meeting for the first time.