Best ice breaker activities

Icebreaker activities are a great way to help people get to know each other, build connections, and create a positive atmosphere in a group setting. Here are some of the best icebreaker activities:

  1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each person tells two true statements about themselves and one false statement. The others have to guess which one is the lie.
  2. Human Bingo: Create bingo cards with different traits, characteristics, or interests in each square (e.g. "has traveled to another country," "speaks more than one language," etc.). Each person has to find someone who fits each of the characteristics and get them to sign the corresponding square.
  3. The Name Game: Have each person introduce themselves and share a unique fact about themselves that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g. "I'm Sarah and I love sailing").
  4. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items or challenges that people have to complete in small groups (e.g. "find someone wearing the same color shirt as you," "take a photo with someone who has the same birthday as you," etc.).
  5. Would You Rather: Present two difficult choices and ask each person which one they would prefer (e.g. "would you rather be able to fly or be able to breathe underwater?").
  6. Show and Tell: Ask each person to bring an object that represents something about themselves (e.g. a favorite book, a memento from a trip, etc.) and share its significance with the group.
  7. Word Association Game: Have each person write down a word on a piece of paper, fold it up, and pass it to the person on their right. Then, each person has to say a word that is associated with the word they received.
  8. The Human Knot: Have each person stand in a circle and put their hands in the center. Each person should grab the hand of someone across from them, not next to them. Then, they have to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands.
  9. One-Word Introductions: Ask each person to come up with a word that describes themselves (e.g. "adventurous," "creative," etc.) and explain why they chose that word.
  10. Speed Friending: Inspired by speed dating, have each person talk to someone for a set amount of time (e.g. 2-3 minutes), then ring a bell and have them move on to talk to someone else.
  11. Group Mural: Divide the group into small teams and give them a large piece of paper or whiteboard. Ask them to create a mural that represents their team's values, goals, or interests.
  12. The Question Game: Prepare a set of questions in advance (e.g. "what's the best advice you've ever received?", "what's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?", etc.) and have each person answer one question at a time.
  13. Icebreaker Charades: Write down different words, phrases, or quotes on slips of paper (e.g. "I love to travel," "I'm a foodie," etc.) and have each person act out the phrase without speaking.
  14. The Human Web: Have each person stand in a circle and put their hands in the center. Then, have them pass a small object (e.g. a beanbag, a small ball, etc.) around the circle while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the object has to introduce themselves and share something interesting about themselves.
  15. Group Storytelling: Start telling a story, then pass it on to the next person, who continues the story, and so on. This can be a fun way to get people laughing and engaged.

Remember to choose icebreaker activities that are relevant to your group's interests and demographics, and that are respectful and inclusive of all participants.