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Break the ice with intros and team battles! Party games to spice up your welcome event

It’s about time for welcome parties, isn’t it?

With new students and fresh graduates coming in, many of you are probably planning welcome events.

In this article, we’ll introduce party games and fun activities that will liven up your welcome party.

If you’re thinking, “I want games that are fun even with people meeting for the first time,” or “I want to plan simple, easy-to-run games,” this will be a great reference.

In particular, games that help you learn about each other through self-introductions, and team-based cooperative games, are recommended because they make it easier to get to know one another and create a friendly atmosphere.

Now, let’s take a look at our recommended games!

Break the ice with self-intros and team battles! Party games to spice up your welcome party (61–70)

Yamanote Line game

[Showdown] We tried the Yamanote Line Game! A YouTuber sets the topic and Mr./Ms. ___...!?
Yamanote Line game

This is the classic, all-time favorite—the well-known Yamanote Line Game! You simply go around saying things that match the prompt in time with the rhythm, and the simple rules make it super exciting.

It gets even more lively if you tailor the theme to your group—like a company theme at work or a school theme in class!

Pop balloons to get treasure

[Banquet/Party Game] Pop Balloons to Win Treasure!
Pop balloons to get treasure

Place winning slips of paper inside balloons and inflate them.

Participants then do nothing but stomp, crush, and use their hands and feet to pop the balloons and search for a winning slip.

Whoever finds a winning slip gets the prize.

Give it a try when you have prizes prepared!

Team Battle Tic-Tac-Toe

https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7399617996366286098

Here’s a game where you line up circles and crosses.

Split into two teams and give it a try.

There’s a 3×3 grid of empty squares.

One person from each team takes turns placing a circle or a cross card in a square.

The team that lines up three in a row—diagonally, vertically, or horizontally—wins.

Try to outwit each other so your opponent can’t make a line of three.

The real charm of this game is the battle of wits as offense and defense unfold.

It’s a simple game, but completing a line of three brings a special kind of joy.

Name demon

Icebreaker: “Name Tag” (Name Oni)
Name demon

Name Tag Demon helps everyone learn each other’s names! Stand in a circle facing inward with your hands held out, and one person (the “demon”) stands in the middle.

The demon calls someone’s name, and the person called must immediately call someone else’s name.

If you get tagged by the demon before you call a name—or if you dodge the demon’s hand—you’re out! You then become the demon, stand in the middle, call someone’s name, and the game continues.

Reacting instantly and calling another person’s name is surprisingly hard, even among friends.

If you play this at a newcomer welcome party, using large, easy-to-read name tags might help.

One-Leg Rope Sumo

What you need isn’t strength, it’s technique! One-Leg Rope Sumo [Party Game]
One-Leg Rope Sumo

Two people face each other standing on one leg and play sumo by pulling and pushing with a short rope held in both hands.

The person who lets their raised foot touch the ground loses.

It could be exciting as a tournament, too.

You need a sense of balance, but push-and-pull technique is important as well!