Ice breaker games for training

Icebreaker games are a great way to set a positive tone for a training session, encourage team building, and help participants get to know each other. Here are some fun and engaging icebreaker games you can use for training:

  1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each participant shares 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 (e.g., "has traveled to another country," "speaks more than one language," etc.). Participants need to find someone who fits each of the characteristics and get them to sign the corresponding square.
  3. The Name Game: Have each participant introduce themselves and share a unique fact about themselves that starts with the same letter as their name (e.g., "I'm John, and I love jogging").
  4. Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items or challenges that participants need 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. Word Association Game: Have each participant write down a word on a piece of paper, fold it up, and pass it to the person on their right. Then, each person takes a turn saying the word they received and explaining why they think the person who wrote it chose that word.
  6. Would You Rather: Present participants with two difficult choices and ask them which one they would prefer (e.g., "would you rather be able to fly or be able to breathe underwater?").
  7. The Human Knot: Have participants 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 need to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands.
  8. Show and Tell: Ask each participant to bring an object that represents something about themselves (e.g., a favorite hobby, a memento from a trip, etc.). They need to explain the significance of the object to the group.
  9. Mission Impossible: Divide the group into small teams and give them a seemingly impossible task to complete (e.g., "build a bridge with only straws and tape," "create a song using only sounds from nature," etc.).
  10. Speed Friending: Inspired by speed dating, have participants sit in pairs and talk for a set amount of time (e.g., 2-3 minutes). Then, ring a bell and have them switch to a new partner. This continues until everyone has had a chance to talk to each other.
  11. The One-Word Game: Ask each participant to come up with a word that describes themselves (e.g., "adventurous," "creative," etc.). Then, have them explain why they chose that word.
  12. Group Mural: Provide a large piece of paper or whiteboard and ask participants to work together to create a mural that represents the group's values, goals, or a specific theme.

Remember to keep the icebreaker games short, fun, and relevant to the training topic. The goal is to create a relaxed and engaging atmosphere that encourages participants to interact with each other and build connections.