A collection of icebreakers you can enjoy with a small group
Icebreakers to ease the nerves when meeting someone for the first time.
Many are designed for new employees and first-time meetings, but even when it’s not your first time, many companies use them before meetings to reduce tension and help everyone relax.
Here are some icebreakers that are enjoyable and can be done even with small groups.
We’ve included plenty of ideas—from ones that use items you can prepare quickly to ones that require no materials at all.
May these help melt away everyone’s nerves and get you ready to focus on work!
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- [In a Short Time] Icebreakers and Fun Games That Shine at Morning Meetings
- Icebreakers that get people moving (for both small and large groups)
- Perfect for killing time! A roundup of games for three people to enjoy
- [Self-Introduction & Games] Icebreaker Ideas Collection
- Icebreaker Ideas and Games Collection
- Fun games recommended for making friends with people you’ve just met
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- [For 2 Players] Easy Pen-and-Paper Time-Killing Game
- A roundup of recommended personality tests for icebreakers
- Brain-teasing game roundup
- A roundup of recommended icebreakers for college students
- Kill time while waiting or stuck in traffic! A roundup of games four people can play
Icebreakers for Small Groups (1–10)
If you were to bring something to a deserted island
In a setting where people aren’t yet familiar with each other, it’s hard to have a conversation—let alone a discussion.
This “What would you take to a deserted island?” activity is an icebreaker that naturally gets people talking and exchanging opinions.
Participants choose one of four options in response to the question of what they’d bring to a deserted island: “food,” “music player,” “a change of clothes,” or “a handheld game.” After explaining why they chose it, they share what that choice represents.
It lets you hear others’ opinions and express your own, so why not try it as a warm-up before a meeting?
paper tower
This is an icebreaker where you build a tower using paper.
You can fold or roll the paper and use it however you like, but you must not use glue, tape, scissors, or the like.
Set a time limit to build the tower; if it stands without anyone holding it afterward, it counts.
The person who builds the tallest tower wins.
This icebreaker works well for team play, small groups, or one-on-one, making it easy to use.
Since all you need is paper, it’s a highly recommended icebreaker.
Dice Calculation
Everyone, are you good at mental arithmetic? Let me introduce an icebreaker called “Dice Calculation,” where you add numbers instantly in your head.
Roll two dice where participants can see them, and have everyone instantly add the numbers.
The first person to call out the correct answer wins that round.
At the end, applaud the person with the most correct answers! You can raise the difficulty—and the excitement—by increasing the number of dice to two, three, or four.
Since small dice can be hard to see even with a small group, try using slightly larger dice.
Icebreaker Ideas for Small Groups (11–20)
Hula Hoop Removal
This is an icebreaker using a hula hoop called “Hula Hoop Removal.” Place a hula hoop on the floor, have one person stand inside it, and have everyone else hold hands to form a circle.
Lift the hula hoop and, by stepping through it or passing it over bodies, work together to move the hula hoop out of the circle—i.e., remove it.
The person who started inside the hula hoop must not move from their spot.
Letting go of linked hands is also not allowed.
It works with small groups, but aim for four or more people.
It feels like you’ve turned yourselves into a living disentanglement puzzle.
Catch
“Catch” is an icebreaker you can play with either a large or small group.
Participants stand in a circle facing inward.
Make your right hand into a tube, and point your left index finger and place it inside the tubular right hand of the person on your left.
At the cue “Catch!”, everyone tries to pull their left finger away so it doesn’t get caught, while closing their right hand tightly to catch the finger inside.
Since you never know exactly when someone will call “Catch!”, there’s a little suspense in the air… You can also raise the excitement by faking people out with other words that start with the same “ka” sound in Japanese.
Rock, paper (game of choosing ‘rock’ or ‘paper’)
This is a simple icebreaker that requires no tools—just making a fist and an open hand.
First, hold one hand open (palm) in front of your chest.
Place your other hand, made into a fist, on your chest.
At the cue “Ready, go!” you switch the fist and the open hand, and while switching, say “Yoisho!” Try speeding up, reversing which hand is the fist and which is the open hand, or adding actions like clapping when you switch.
Doing this first thing in the morning might help clear your head.
Hula hoop down
Let me introduce an icebreaker called “Hula Hoop Down.” Participants form a circle around a hula hoop and extend only one index finger on one hand.
While standing, they place the hula hoop on top of everyone’s index fingers, then slowly lower their fingers and arms, crouching down to set the hula hoop on the floor.
If the hula hoop drops or even one person’s finger comes off the hoop at any point, you have to start over.
It sounds very simple, but because everyone’s balance is different, it’s surprisingly tricky—and you might find yourself getting competitive until you succeed (lol).