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
- Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.