Icebreaker acts for welcome parties that rapidly bring people closer: surefire, easy crowd-pleasers
Entertainment and performances are essential for welcome parties.
Sometimes the hosts perform, and sometimes the newcomers do—both patterns exist.
Either way, it’s nerve-wracking, and choosing what to do can be tough.
In this article, we’ll introduce performances recommended for people in any position.
We’ve picked a wide range: activities that help everyone open up, ideas that let others get to know you, and funny bits.
However, be sure to avoid acts that are too long and bore participants, or anything vulgar!
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Entertainment ideas for welcome parties that instantly bring everyone closer: Surefire crowd-pleasers that are easy to hype up (71–80)
Slipper relay
The slipper relay is a simple yet exciting game where you pass a slipper to the next person using only your toes—no hands allowed.
It’s easy to join, but there’s surprising depth: deciding exactly when to pass the slipper and at what angle to receive it with your foot takes real thought.
That delicate tension instantly energizes the whole venue.
Another plus is how easy it is to prepare—you only need a single slipper.
It’s perfect for large groups, and you can freely adjust the difficulty by tweaking the rules.
Definitely consider adding it as one of your program’s activities!
pantomime
It’s the kind of pantomime you see on TV variety shows.
Those distinctive movements look difficult, don’t they? Pantomime includes a range of techniques, from simple to challenging.
It would also be fun to perform it with a few people and give it a comedic feel!
plate spinning
How about trying plate-spinning, like you see on New Year’s TV programs? You spin a plate smoothly and in balance on the tip of a long stick.
These days, sticks and plates for plate-spinning seem to be sold at variety shops.
Performing it in a flashy costume might make it feel festive and auspicious!
One-minute exactly self-introduction
A steady, no-frills round of introductions: the one-minute-on-the-dot self-introduction.
Intros can vary a lot—people who aren’t comfortable might finish in a flash, while chatterboxes can go on forever.
With the one-minute-on-the-dot intro, everyone keeps their introduction to one minute.
Use a stopwatch and cut it off right at the one-minute mark.
Setting a time limit keeps things moving smoothly, so it’s especially recommended for large welcome events!
Scoop Shamisen
This is scoop shamisen, where you play by striking a large shovel with a plectrum instead of using a shamisen.
The shamisen is quite difficult, but with scoop shamisen, wouldn’t it be easier? How about livening things up with J-pop instead of folk songs?
Karate
In the video, I’m demonstrating karate forms, but the downside is that only people who understand them can appreciate how impressive they are.
It might be better to showcase something simpler and easier to grasp, like breaking roof tiles or snapping a bat, or having someone hold mitts to receive strikes.
Coin magic
How about magic tricks—the classic choice for a welcome party performance? With a little practice, you can entertain everyone.
This coin-vanishing trick isn’t suited to large gatherings, but it should be a hit at welcome parties with ten people or fewer.
The secret is also explained, so you can pick it up right away.