41 Fun Youth Group Icebreakers

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Do you run a youth group? In need of some youth group icebreakers to get meetings off to the right start? Oftentimes, a youth group brings together young people from different parts of the community who don’t know each other. Many church leaders who work with youth choose to start a service with an “icebreaker.”

These can be questions, get-to-know-you activities, or even just silly games. However, youth group icebreakers should always come with a purpose. Even the most absurd of games can lend to the theme of a message of that day. They also have the added benefit of expelling some of the energy that would later lead to distractions during the service. Enjoy these fun activities with your youth group!

Youth Group Icebreaker Name Games

Sometimes when a lot of new kids have begin attending service, it is good to welcome them to the group with a name game. Getting everyone familiar with each other, and starting with the basics of knowing names, is crucial to good teamwork.

Whomp Em

Whomp Em is a fun circle game. Have everyone stand in a circle. One player is chosen to stand in the middle with a pillow. The player in the middle can only get out by hitting someone in the knees with the pillow. Then they say their name and someone else’s name in the circle. This game is great at relieving excess energy and can go on for a while without getting old. Make sure you set the rule that no one can say the same name twice.

Bumpity Bump Bump Bump

Just like Whomp’ Em, in this game, everyone but one stands in a circle. The person in the middle says the name of someone in the circle followed by “Bumpity bump bump bump.” The person whose name has been called must say the names of the people on either side of them. Pick a random word (spaghetti, ribbit, etc.) that either a facilitator or the person in the middle can shout out at any moment forcing everyone to move elsewhere on the circle and learn new names.

Getting to Know Each Other Youth Group Icebreakers

Even the most close-knit of youth groups will face the drama that comes with being a young person. Playing get-to-know-you games can help the kids in your youth group to identify their similarities and differences. This is critical in teaching them how to work together.

Speed Friending

Speed Friending is much like speed dating, but without the extra awkwardness! Set up several small tables with two chairs at each one. Players get a set amount of time to talk to each other before the facilitator blows the whistle and they must move on. The time should vary with the age group. 7 minutes is perfect for high school students. Be sure to provide some topics for discussion on the table. This avoids situations where the pairs feel under pressure about coming up with original topics.

Question Web

Provide a list of questions (like “Where in the world would you most like to travel?” or “What three books would you want to have on a desert island?”) that everyone can see. There should be at least one question for each player. Have players sit on the floor, with one having a ball of twine or yarn. Have that player answer a question from the list. Then have them look at another player, call their name, and throw the ball of yarn at them while holding on to an end of the yarn. By the end, everyone will know a little more about the others in the group. You will have formed a “friendship web” in the meantime, which makes for great social media picture posts to remember good youth group icebreakers.

If

Provide notecards and pens for everyone in the group, then have them write down one or two “If” questions. Examples could include: “If your house was on fire and you could only save one possession, which would it be?” “If you had to save ten animals for Noah’s Ark, which ones would you save?” Shuffle the notecards while scanning for naughty questions to censor, then set them in a pile in the middle of the circle. Have everyone pick a random question from the pile to answer. One way to keep this more engaging is to have one person pull a question and then ask anyone else in the circle that question.

Name that Person

Divide the group into two teams. Have everyone write down five things that few people know about them, in order of difficulty. Gather the cards, keeping them separated by teams. The other team gets to guess who it is, receiving five points if the first guess is right and one point less for each clue after that. The team with the most points at the end wins. This game can be a great youth ice breaker in talking about how no one really knows a person truly besides themselves and God.

Flags

Provide the group with paper, paints, markers, and other craft supplies. Have each person design a flag that represents them. At the end, have everyone share their flags with the group. Each person should take turns discussing why they chose the symbols on their flags. This is one of several youth group icebreakers on this list that’s better for younger aged groups. While children might not be as educated when it comes to symbolism, symbols, and their meaning, they can indeed find their own definition. And it’s interesting to see how they’re capable of expressing it and what things they associated with certain symbols. That way, you might even determine how a child will end up growing when they become an adult.

Line Up

This game is best with a large group. Tell the group that, without speaking, they have to line up in order of height. Once this is done, try lining up alphabetically by first name, last name, or even birthdate. The group will have fun figuring out how to communicate with gestures. To keep the pace up and the laughs flowing, play some music, and put them on a timer. With the right adult guidance, this game can become plenty of fun and it forces the children to get creative so that they can share their message with others without using any words whatsoever.

Sit Down If

This game is great if you need to keep your audience in a seated formation. Have everyone stand up. Then proceed with statements that start with “Sit down if. . . ” The statements can get pretty silly, such as “Sit down if you’ve ever eaten a bug.” The last person standing gets some sort of prize or designation. You can also make up extra rules such as letting kids sit down and lose only after three things that they have done so that the game can last even longer and the kids can learn even more about each other.

Seven Word Biographies

Explain to the group that they must sum up their entire life in seven words. For example, “Born. Boring career. Found God. Changed Forever.” Many ice breakers ask for opinions, but few ask about a person’s entire life. This is great for the group to get to know each other, but also for the leaders to better understand where the members of their group are coming from. This is also a good opportunity for you to quickly identify any major concerns or problems with your kids.

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Shuffle on Over

Have the group stand in a circle, and then place their shoes in front of them. One pair of shoes is removed, making one less spot than there are players. One player stands in the middle and says, “Shuffle on over if. . .”, ending the statement with something that applies to them. Everyone who agrees with the statement must run to a new spot. It’s important that you tell them they’re not allowed to the next spot over from them. Whoever is left without a spot is the next person to say “shuffle on over. . .”. As a group, come up with a funny catchphrase to say to make everyone run around!

Concentric Circles

This game is great for large groups. Form two circles, one within the other, of equal size. Players across from each other are partners. A leader asks a question such as, “which activities are you involved with at school?” The partners give each other the answer to that question. Then the leader says, “Switch!” The outer circle revolves one spot, giving everyone a new partner. A new question is asked, and the game continues until everyone has spoken to each person in the other circle.

Toaster

The group sits on the floor in a circle. A toaster is in the middle, along with a facilitator, bread, and several toppings. Make the toppings as unique as possible. Start with sweets, but also include random things like really spice sauce. Why not add some marmite too to keep things interesting? Everyone takes turns sharing interesting facts about themselves. The goofier, the better! Whoever is talking when the toast pops up must eat the toast with one of the toppings. With each piece of toast, the toppings will get stranger and players will state facts more quickly to avoid them! Be absolutely sure to check for food allergies before playing this game. Your youth group icebreakers should never end in hospitalizations!

Entertaining Youth Group Icebreakers.

Before a more serious service, it can be good to play something lighthearted. More silly youth group icebreakers can help everyone feel more comfortable around each other and keep them coming back each week.

Chomp

Have everyone sitting or standing in a circle. In the middle of the circle, place three articles of clothing, such as a large sweater, a scarf, and a hat. Also add in some delicious but difficult to chew food, such as marshmallows or chocolate. Taffies are also a great choice. One player receives two dice. When he or she rolls doubles, they will pass the die and run to the middle of the circle. Next they quickly throw on the clothes there and attempt to eat as much food as possible. You can make this game even more difficult by making players pick up the food with a fork or chopsticks. The only goal of the game is to eat some of the food before it is all gone!

Ping Pong Ball Messages

Write the letters to a message on ping pong balls, and place them in a bucket. The bucket can be filled with water or slime, depending on how gross you want to make it. Pudding and green food dye is a good way to keep things marginally gross. To make the process go faster, also include blank ping pong balls for the spaces in between words. If you have a larger group, have the same message in several buckets, and have the team that unscrambles the message the fastest win! This is a great way to introduce the verse of the day.

Octopus Tag

Have everyone form a pair that links elbows. One pair is “it” and has to chase after all the other pairs. When they catch another pair, the pairs link elbows, forming a group of four. They must stay together for a tag to count, and only the people on the end can tag. The winners are the pair of people who are still free! This is a fun youth group icebreaker for keeping everyone active while also building teamwork. As you can imagine, this game is ideal when you’re dealing with a very large number of people. We recommend playing it outdoors for the best possible experience. If you’re going to play it inside, you’re going to have a bad time trying to dodge all indoor obstacles and being constrained by walls.

French Charades

This game is a mix of Telephones and Charades. There are two teams, with each person on each team numbered. The first person on each team goes outside of the room to hear a situation that they must act out without words. Biblical stories are, of course, great to incorporate into this game to keep things relevant. The second person on the team goes outside of the room to see the first person act out the situation. Then the third person watches the second person act, and so on. It goes down the line and the team that is closest to guessing the actual story at the end is the winner.

Best Meme Contest

Bring funny pictures of the youth group leaders along with any submissions from your group members. Have the players look at the picture and then write a clever meme for each one. They can work independently, but this is more fun as a team or pair activity. Establish a point system for first, second, and third funniest memes. Bonus points for humorous and appropriate biblical references. The player or team with the most points at the end wins!

Sock Wars

Everyone takes their shoes off and leaves them to the side. Now players must crawl around, trying to pull off other people’s socks. The last person to still have one or both socks on wins! Ideally, you’d best warn people before partaking in this game to avoid embarrassing moments, such as discovering that one of the youths has dirty or torn up socks. For youngsters, such a moment can feel humiliating and it can ruin their entire mood.

Church Scavenger Hunt

A church scavenger hunt requires a lot of advanced planning, but it’s great for having kids who only come to church on Wednesdays get to know the place better. You can also put secret messages related to biblical stories or prizes in different fixed locations.

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Clothespin Mixer

Each player attaches five clothespins to their sleeves. The goal is to get their clothespins off of their sleeves and onto someone else’s by the end of the time. If this game is played at a lock-in or other more laid-back event, it’s a great way to keep an on-going source of competition. Make sure you color code the clothespins so that you can figure out where each one came from.

Encore

Break everyone out into even groups. The facilitator yells out words that are frequently featured in popular songs. Groups win a round by singing a song with that word in unison. This game is sure to be popular with anyone who has watched Pitch Perfect! If your organization does lots of songs, then this is a great youth group icebreaker for new members not comfortable singing yet.

Act & React

Players pick a scenario from a hat and the player must act out the emotions from that event. For example, someone who picked “about to get married” might act fluttery and nervous. Other players guess what is happening. To make the game even harder, make the rule that the actor can’t talk.

Birdie on a Perch

Everyone pairs up and decides who will be a birdie and who will be a perch. Then form concentric circles, with the birdies on the outside and the perches on the inside. Have the birdies walk clockwise and the perches counter-clockwise to music. When the music stops birdies must run to their perch (their partner’s knee). The last pair to find each other is out. The winners are the pair that find each other first in the last round.

Cinderella’s Shoe

In this game, partners sit next to each other in a circle. One partner is blindfolded. The partner who is not blindfolded must throw their shoe in the middle of the circle. The blindfolded partner must go to the middle of the circle to receive the shoe with only their partner’s voice to guide them. This is a great partner activity to get group members familiar with and trusting of each other.

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Mummy

Have out several rolls of toilet paper and a few people who volunteer to be mummified. Form equal teams around each mummy. The first team to completely wrap their mummies with toilet paper wins! Be sure to take some pictures. You can turn this into a game of tag afterwards to increase the scare factor.

Freeze Dance

An oldie but a goodie. Play some funky music and have everyone dance. When the music stops, the players must too. Anyone caught moving with no music playing is out! If you have a lot of new members, add a rule that the person who it out has to share a story or fact about themselves.

Strange Disease Diagnosis

A player who has volunteered to be a doctor leaves the room while the patients decide what cooky disease they have. Explain that it should be fictitious. Something like thinking they are goats or being allergic to air. Bring the doctor back in and let the insanity ensue!

Weird Talent Show

This is a great game to bring people up to the front. Host a talent show for people with weird talents or attributes. This a chance for youth group members with extremely long fingers or an ability to burp the alphabet to finally be in the spotlight.

Zoom-In Game

Here is a short game to bring attention to the front of the room. Project an image of a zoomed-in object. Have everyone guess what it is and throw prizes to whoever guesses right first.

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Barnyard

Everyone is blindfolded and assigned to an animal. They have to make that animal’s sound and group themselves with other people around them who are the same animal. This is a fun game that is sure to bring laughs. Have people take their shoes off first to avoid injuries. Clear any chairs and desks to the sides of the room so everyone has space to move around.

Screamer

Everyone sits in a circle, looking at the ground. On “Heads Up,” they must look up into someone’s eyes. If two people are staring at each other, they must both scream and get out of the circle. Sure, it sounds stupid on paper, but it gets really fun when you’re with a large group of youths. So don’t be pessimistic and try it out. You’ll most likely have the time of your life.

Killer Wink

In this game, one of the players is selected to be the murderer. Do so in such a way that players cannot tell who is chosen, perhaps by handing out slips of paper, one indicating that the player is a murderer. Players can either form a circle or just mingle about. Any player who is winked at by the murderer must wait five seconds and then die a fantastic theatrical death. A Player who thinks they know the murderer can raise their hand and say, “I accuse.” They ask for someone to second them without either naming who they will accuse. Then both accusers count to three and point to who they would like to accuse. If the two point to different people or both accuse an innocent person, both accusers die. Two accusers must point to the killer for the killing spree to end.

Outdoor Youth Group Icebreakers

If your church has an outdoor space, make the most of it! Outdoor games are great for expelling excess energy, and you will notice the improvement in behavior during the service!

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee is a great outdoor game, even for kids somewhat intimidated by sports. It’s non-contact sport with pretty simple and straightforward rules. To start, a team is chosen to pass the frisbee to the other side. The holder of the frisbee cannot take a step, although they can pivot. Points are only scored when a player passes a frisbee to a teammate in the end zone. Vary how many points are needed to win by how much time you have.

Big Bad Wolf

Have one player volunteer to be the wolf. The wolf stands apart from the other players (“the sheep”). On go, the wolf runs and tags as many players as possible before they cross an established safe line. Players who are tagged help the wolf tag more sheep in the next round. The winner is the last sheep left whom the wolves haven’t tagged.

Constant Contact

This game is great for smaller groups or for large groups broken up into teams. Have everyone on a team in a line with their feet touching. The goal is to cross a finish line. The catch is they can’t move forward unless everyone’s feet are connected to the group. A third party watches and blows a whistle when anyone has broken contact. At this point, the entire group must go back to the starting line and start over again.

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Ostrich Tag

Choose 1-2 hunters (depending on the size of the group) to try to tag the rest of the group (the ostriches). When an ostrich senses a hunter nearby, he must stick his head into the snow and thus avoid getting captured (or maybe just the top of his snow cap, depending on the weather). Make sure that it is a warmer day and the snow is soft.

Lawn Twister

Play a giant game of twister! All you need are stencils, spray paint, and a lawn. This is a great summer game—just make sure everyone is dressed modestly.

Frozen T-shirt Game

Play this game on a hot summer day! Soak a t-shirt for each contestant in water and freeze it overnight. Each contestant receives a bag with a frozen t-shirt. Whoever can get the shirt on the fastest is the winner. We recommend taking precautions, however, so that the kids don’t get a cold or pneumonia from such a game. Have heaters handy if necessary and ask beforehand if any of the kids are especially sensitive towards cold.

Giants, Wizards, Elves

Essentially a giant game of Rock Paper Scissors, this game is a riot to play. Divide the group into two equal teams. Instead of rock, paper, or scissors, a team can choose to be giants, wizards, or elves. Giants stand on the toes and roar, wizards cast a spell and say “shazam,” and elves cup their hands over their ears and say “EEE!” Giants beat elves by crushing them, elves beat wizards by outsmarting them, and wizards beat giants by casting a spell on them. Before a round, teams huddle and choose a creature. Then the troops gather across from each other. The team that chooses the winning creature runs and tags as many of the other team as they can. Tagged people join the other team. The team that captures everyone is the winner!

Everybody’s It

In this version of Tag, everyone tries to tag everyone else. Everyone who is tagged must sit down, and the last person standing is the winner. It can go by fast, so it can be fun to hold several rounds.

There you have it, 41 Youth Group Icebreakers that are sure to keep everyone moving and having fun. Check out our extensive list of icebreaker questions for more tips on keeping things upbeat. Remember, safety first, but fun in close second. Amend any one of these games to include biblical and other learning references as you wish.

What is your favorite game from this list? Have you had fun with other youth group icebreakers? Please let us know in the comments section!

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17 Great Indoor Team Building Games

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There is nothing more important than a group of people having the ability to work together as a team. That’s why every office should have some fun indoor team building games to get everyone active and working together. It’s not always easy to get people working in a collaborative mindset.

Furthermore, most offices don’t have a ton of outdoor green space readily available. That’s why indoor team building games are an essential part of your working environment. And it’s not too late to get started!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3X7twbmCBs

Outdoor and indoor team building games really help to promote and foster relationships. This is especially crucial where individuals need to trust one another and work together in a positive and productive manner. There are fun team building games for kids and team building games for adults. The common goal of both is to have fun and promote teamwork.

Indoor team building games help ease tension and promote a good relationship between employees or children. They can also help develop problem-solving skills, foster creative thinking, and build better communication between team members. There are many options for great indoor team building games and exercises. Below, we have compiled 17 of the best indoor team building games out there.

You can see the step-by-step instructions for these fun games and group activities below. We’re sure you’ll have a good time playing these team building games. Are any great indoor team building games missing from this list? Please add your ideas to the comments at the bottom. You can always adapt games from our ultimate activities list into indoor fun.

 

1.) 3 Truths and a Lie

In this fun, getting-to-know-you team building activity, each person gets a chance to present themselves to the rest of the group. They will offer four personal statements to everyone, three of which are true and one which is false. The truths may be as fun and creative as you would like, or as simple as you may choose.

The lie must not be so far-fetched that it is completely unbelievable (i.e., “I swam the English Channel with my arms tied behind my back and a shark chasing me.”). Everyone should discuss what they believe are the truths and which is the lie. After they come to a united decision, the speaker will reveal if they are correct or not. 

This is a great team building game to help everyone become acquainted with one another. It also helps the quieter people of the group who may more easily remain silent, if allowed, to break out and get to be known by others. In addition, it allows the participants to learn a bit about themselves as well as others based on the lies they believed to be true.

To make this indoor team building game challenging, 3 truths and a lie is a great opportunity to present one’s most outlandish truths. This will make guessing the lie all that harder. If you’ve ever eaten a bizarre food or traveled to a remote location no one else in the office knows about, now is your time to share!

Just one thing: try to analyze the people you’re playing with. Know what their limits are. Some people might be disgusted with certain activities that you might’ve partaken in in the past, so be careful what you are willing to confess and what you are willing to make up for your story.

2.) Scavenger Hunt

An oldie but a goodie in the world of indoor team building games, scavenger hunts are gold for creativity and fun. You likely remember doing some sort of scavenger hunt game during your childhood. Small groups should be made to create teams that work together with the common goal of finding the objects or answers needed from their scavenger hunt list.

The answers or items being sought out should all be work or event-related, or at least serve to educate in some way. A time limit should be given for the groups to find as many objects and answers as they possibly can. Some will be quite easy, but others will really require them to work together as they will be a bit more difficult.

This indoor team building game promotes united teamwork. When the game is done, everyone will have been reminded of different work/event procedures and policies. Those policies will have been incorporated in their lists for answers or items to find. If it’s a nice day and you have outdoor space, by all means venture outside.

But, a scavenger hunt can also be a great way for new employees to get to know the office that they’ll be working in. To organize a successful scavenger hunt, you needn’t use any space beyond the working environment on hand. Good treats or prizes for the winning team are certainly encouraged. Check out more ideas for how to make the perfect scavenger hunt here.

 

3.) Hello My Name Is

Write adjectives describing someone’s mood or personality (i.e., happy, grouchy, negative, prankster) on name tag stickers. Be sure there are enough so that each person can have one. Then randomly hand them out or let each person draw one from a hat. Each person must then put the sticker with their assigned adjective on to their shirt and wear it. Then they need to behave as their assigned adjective during all interactions for a certain amount of time.

This is a great activity that shows each person that when we define them by a feeling – “Boy, you’re really grumpy today!” – it can actually lead us to take on that persona, whether we were feeling that way or not. This, of course, can be a good thing or a bad thing. Acting happy can, in fact, make you feel happy! This shows how behavior and actions can actually define our feelings, not the other way around. This is also one of those fun indoor team building games that lets employees showcase their acting and improv skills.

It can be really fun especially if you’re in a theater group. Or, if you think about it, it can be fun with just about anyone who’s willing to get creative for a bit. In any case, be nice to your colleagues and try to get them to act as a positive feeling instead of a negative one. That way you’ll all have fun and no one will be left feeling miserable after a few rounds.

 

4.) Big Foot

This is a fun, albeit tricky game in which everyone must stand up in a single file line. All the players are then blindfolded so that they cannot see. They are then instructed to put themselves in line in order of smallest foot to biggest foot. Caveat: they cannot ask or state anyone’s shoe size.

This is a great team building game that demands teamwork to communicate efficiently in order to get into line properly without the use of sight or verbalizing the most basic and obvious of information: shoe size. As far as the danger level of indoor team building games, Big Foot carries some risk of injury. To reduce shin kicks, consider having everyone play in socks.

You can also rent Big Foot Racing Feet and other accessories that can make the game even more challenging and enjoyable at the same time. As long as you’re careful, you should have loads of fun with this game.

5.) See What I Mean?

In this challenging indoor team building game, one person draws a picture using only basic shapes. A volunteer then describes the picture drawn to everyone else. Without seeing the picture, each person must try to reproduce the picture based solely on what the volunteer is relaying to them. The ultimate goal is for them to be able to create the same picture.

In this game, it is unlikely that anyone in the group will reproduce a carbon copy. Some pictures will be more similar than others. This activity emphasizes how very important verbal communication is, and also how it can be vastly interpreted by different people. To really drive the point home you could do a few rounds of this game. This would exhibit how some people interpret directions and communication differently from others. It also shows how certain methods are more easily understood than others.

It’s a great game to get to know people and start to understand how they think. Humans are very different and knowing how they make connections between things, how they interpret certain sayings, or even their tone of voice when talking about some subject matters can significantly improve your relationship with them. How so? Because once you start understanding your colleague’s thought pattern, you’ll inevitably be able to better communicate your ideas and thus collaborate more efficiently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmQQEAkBJz4&t=5s/

6.) Zombie Escape

In this thrilling indoor team building game, everyone will be “locked” in a room with a “zombie.” One person will be the zombie, complete with outstretched arms and zombie noises, and they will be tied to a rope in the corner. Every five minutes, the zombie will be given an extra foot of leeway on the rope, eventually being close enough to “eat” the other players.

Before the zombie gets that far, however, the group will have a series of puzzles, riddles, or clues they must complete in order to find the key and escape the room intact. This game can be made to be very similar to the “Escape the Room” puzzle houses.

This activity fosters collaborative teamwork and creative problem-solving skills under pressure.  Everyone must work together to figure out the clues in a high-stress situation in order to get out. This also helps to show which individuals have a more difficult time in stressful situations, useful for considering future assignments. By contrast, this game will reveal which people rise to the occasion under pressure and helps to bring out real team leaders.

7.) What’s My Name?

Write the name of a famous present or past figures on a name tag. You could also include types of people or jobs such as a nurse, geek, blind, homeless person, etc. Place the name tags on the backs of each person in the room so that they cannot see the name tag, but everyone else in the room can.

The group then may socialize with one another for a set amount of time. Throughout the game, they should be asking questions in order to try and figure out who they are. Others will treat them in stereotypical ways based on who their label says they are. Each person can use the answers to their questions, as well as their treatment, to ascertain who they are. Once they have correctly identified their label, they may leave the game until everyone has finished.

This is a really great ice-breaker amongst our list of indoor team building games. “What’s My Name” allows each person to confront stereotypes in the questions used and the answers are given. Additionally, it raises awareness as to how they treat others and others treat them based solely on their label. It permits each person to get a better idea of how we erroneously perceive people. The game also gives us insights into how it feels to be so narrowly characterized by a simple label.

8.) Get to Know Me!

In this activity, request everyone to pair off into twos with people they were not sitting near and/or do not know well. The pairs will then ask one another three questions: 1.) Name something that you are very proud of in your work and/or personal life. 2.) Tell something about yourself that very few people know about. 3.) The interviewer’s choice: any question can be asked. Afterward, each person will share with the large group what they learned about their partner.

This is a fun and effective way to get to better know your colleagues, especially those with whom you may not interact often. For a more active indoor team building game variety, have the pairs throw a basketball back and forth throughout questions. Or even a tennis ball works if your teammates and “rivals” are good at catching smaller objects in the air. Just be careful not to hit stuff, especially if your team building activity takes place inside a hotel room. Those things can get quite expensive and your boss won’t be happy about it.

9.) Kid’s Stuff

For this creative challenge, you will all work together to create a board game based on the work of your business or event conducts. Use basic and limited supplies, such as poster boards and markers. Have everyone work together using their imaginations to create a fun and interactive game.

The game may include questions focused on the business that must be answered at certain game spots. Also, incorporate rules that show the ways to earn/lose points or move forward/ backward. Perhaps a dice will move you forward? The sky’s truly the limit with this indoor team building game.

This exercise will force each person to work collaboratively and give their input in order to create a board game that is fun for everyone. And just like any product testing in the office, be sure to play the board game afterward!

10.) Spider Web

In Spider Web, have the group form a large circle. The group may be standing or sitting, it doesn’t necessarily matter. However, if it is a very large group, you may prefer to sit. One person will hold a large ball of twine and then tell the group an embarrassing story about themselves. Afterward, they will then hold onto the end of the twine and throw it to someone else in the circle, extending the twine from themselves to the next person.

That person will then also tell an embarrassing story about himself or herself and throw the twine onward. All the while, each successive thrower has to keep a hold of it as well. This will continue until the twine has been passed to each person. Throughout the game, every person should have the opportunity to humor the group with an embarrassing personal story. The end result will produce a “spider web” out of the twine, connecting everyone to each other.

This indoor team building game shows how each person, no matter how different, is connected to one another. It also allows each person to see how everyone may have vastly different experiences. However, they all experience the same emotions and feelings, particularly embarrassment. Though you may be very different people, you are also more alike and connected than you realize.

11.) Group Timeline

Create a large timeline on a whiteboard, bulletin board, or whatever other means you may prefer. Mark the very beginning of the timeline back to when the oldest participant in the group was born. Alternatively, you could start with when the business or event was first founded, whichever occurred first. Then mark off any major milestones for the business or event. For example, you could include “Name Changed”, “Merged”, “Celebrated 50 years,” etc.

Next, allow each person in the group to mark four important moments for them on the timeline. It may be personal, business/event-related, or both. It is completely up to them how much or how little they share. As the team manager or CEO, it is largely up to you or the activity leader to set the standard.

When the timeline is completed, it will show a visual representation of your whole team and their generational experiences. This allows for dialogue on generational and cultural differences and how they affect work and communication. This indoor team building game provides an opportunity for discussion about general differences and similarities. Ideally, this activity will build empathy in your team and make everyone see each other without judgment.

12.) Plane Crash

In this team building activity, you will imagine that your group was in a plane crash and are now stranded on a deserted island. This can be done as one large group or you can break off into smaller groups. The group must then choose 12 items that can be found in the building that they believe to be the most useful for their survival on their deserted island, and rank them in order of most importance to least.

This focuses on teamwork and collaboration, as well as creative problem solving and thinking outside of the box. They may very likely have to make do with items they would not pick if not so limited, so creativity is rewarded.

13.) Watch Where You Step

Make a polygonal shape on the floor using masking tape that is at least 12 feet by 6 feet. Make the outline of the shape a tad complicated. For example, select a shape that is stretched out as people will be making their way from one end to the other. Be sure there are starting and stopping points marked. Put a handful of squeaky dog toys inside of the taped shape, and at least double the number of sheets of paper, each with a huge X on them, inside of the shape. The papers are mines.

In groups of two, each person will be blindfolded and must make it from start to finish through the minefield. The only direction is from the verbal instructions coming from those who are outside of the shape and not blindfolded.

The blindfolded participants may not step outside of the shape enclosure, nor may they step on a mine. If they do, they are frozen until someone else steps on a squeaky toy in order to unfreeze them. This occurs until the entire group has had a turn to make it successfully through the minefield.

This team building exercise works on communication and teamwork. It also builds up clear diction and the ability to be vigilant with numerous actions at once.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er92AWG3Ho4/

14.) Use What You Have

In this fun game, split your group into two equal groups. Or if needed, several equal groups. Give them clear instructions for a goal in which they must create something. As to what that something is, that’s completely up to you. It may be that they must create a way to move a marble from point A to point B without the use of electricity or rubber bands. It can really be anything. Each group has the same goal and the same restrictions.

The teams are then given a specific amount of time to work and complete the mission with a particular set of supplies. They are not allowed to use any other materials, but how they use the supplies available is entirely up to them. The big reveal at the end is an exciting event and allows for friendly competition.

This activity requires teamwork in creative problem solving with limited options. It allows for the groups to see how each person thinks and works abstractly and in a time-crunch.

 

15.) Find the Common Thread

Divide everyone into groups of three or more. They will talk and get to know one another long enough to find a common thread amongst them. For example, they might all love zombie movies or they’re huge football fans. They will then write a list of common stereotypes attributed to people who tend to enjoy those sorts of things.

The groups will then come together and proclaim who they are as a group. For the rest of the day, each group will behave as their stereotype. Perhaps the zombie lovers will be overheard making zombie apocalyptic plans or acting like zombies. Football aficionados may randomly cheer for their team. At the end of the day, discuss stereotypes and how they often limit how we view people and their abilities. Also, discuss how each group came about discovering their common thread.

The purpose of this indoor team building game is to help everyone see how silly and limiting stereotypes are. It also shows how if people truly behaved the way we often write them off to act, things would be vastly different. It also shows how a group of seemingly very different people can have great commonalities that bring them together.

16.) Someone You Admire

This indoor team building game is as straightforward as the name. Each person will take a turn stating someone whom they admire. It may be a current person or someone from history. You could also spice it up a bit and make it someone within the group. Each person must also talk about why they admire that person. Specifically, what traits, attributes, and/or accomplishments make that person worthy of admiration should be discussed. 

This exercise really helps everyone get to know one another better and have a stronger sense of each other’s values and what attributes they find to be important. It also can help bring people closer together as they realize they respect and admire the same people.

17.) Classify This

Collect at least 20 different items and set them on a table. The broader the category, the better (i.e., jewelry, office supplies, etc.). You want for these items, at first glimpse, to have no obvious connection to each other.

Then break everyone into equal teams, armed with a pen and paper. They must then classify the objects into four groups. They may do this, however, they choose, working together, not allowing other groups to hear. Once all the groups are finished they will each get a turn explaining how they opted to group the items.

Each group may have vastly different conclusions, grouping by size, material, color, etc.This activity encourages teamwork and creative thinking. It forces them to think outside the box and rethink everyday objects and problems and find connections to things that they would typically view as entirely unrelated.

And there you have it, 17 indoor team building games! Make sure you check out our other icebreaker games as well.

20 Christian Icebreakers for Small and Big Groups of All Ages

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Pastors, Christian youth groups, and women’s and men’s fellowship leaders at one time or another need quick ideas or activities to provide a little relaxation, inspiration, and stimulation for their members or group participants. For this reason, Christian icebreakers prove useful, no matter you want to accommodate small or large groups of teens or adults.

We have talked about icebreaker games many times before, mostly because they make an excellent method to spark up conversations and build interpersonal relationships. Before we begin, we recommend you check out our guide on the best youth group icebreakers for examples and inspiration. You can adapt many of them into Christian youth icebreakers and turn any meeting into a success.

As we all know, icebreakers are one way to get the talks flowing no matter the makeup of the group or the topics to be studied or covered. There are a number of Christian-oriented icebreakers for you to use at church, workshops, or meetings that you can use with almost any age group. See below our collection of 15 Christian icebreakers suggested today.

15 Christian Icebreakers for Small or Big Groups of Any Age

1. What Makes Me Blessed?

In order to put group participants at ease and to help them get acquainted with others in the group, particularly with those who may only know one another casually, good Christian icebreakers initially involve getting to know others and creating a level of comfort for whatever the group is going to be discussing or the time allotted.

One of several ways way to do that is to ask everyone in the group what makes them blessed? Ask them to write out the first letters of their name on a colorful piece of paper or on a white erase board. If need be, let each person pair off with another in the group so they can strategize for words with their names that equate with being blessed, such as the name Joan = joyful, Fred = fortunate, Aaron = anointed.

You can use and adapt the same idea focusing on how the letters of a given name describe the person personally. Tom = Talkative, Objective, and Motivated. Provide dictionaries and thesauruses for extra word help.

One more twist on this icebreaker is asking group members whether their first or middle names have major significance in any way such as whether their first or middle name was taken from another family name or a family tradition of assigning and carrying on names. We also recommend you to check out our guide on icebreaker games for high school students. For instance, you can start with the Crossword Names game and spin it so that it works great for the “What Makes Me Blessed” game as well.

2. The God Question

Asking God questions is another good approach to easing awkwardness in a group setting as everyone wants answers to questions that remain unanswered, particularly in the most blatant of circumstances and situations. This activity could be done individually, with a partner, or as a group with everyone providing an answer and an appointed person writing out the questions on a white erase or chalkboard with discussions that follow.

This icebreaker works excellently with teens – as young peoples’ innocent yet profound questions might surprise even the most seasoned of pastors or facilitators. On the other hand, it works especially well with adults, whose questions could spark not only the conversation per se but also constructive debates.

When it comes to getting your inspiration to build interesting Christian icebreakers for adults, we recommend you to take a look at our guide on icebreaker games for adults. For instance, as a facilitator, you could start with a spin on the game “All My Neighbors” and give it a Christian connotation. The game helps the group understand better the values and world views of the other participants in a fun, relaxed way.

3. The Lottery

Winning the lottery and what a person would do with the winnings seems to be a universal kind of icebreaker. The question could be administered individually or done on a group basis with everyone providing answers as to what a person would, should, or could do with a major win. A second part of the question could include whether a winner should tithe (10%) of the winnings to a Christian organization?

4. Bible Character and Scripture Matching

Christian icebreakers usually involve activities affiliated with the Bible and scriptures, and one idea that is always enjoyable to use with members of younger groups is identifying bible characters through specific scriptures and actual character cutouts. It is also one of the best Christian icebreakers for kids, as the little ones are familiar since the earliest ages with iconic Biblical figures.

Biblical characters, such as Moses holding the Ten Commandments, can be placed on a magnetic board and a scripture attributed to them matched with the character. Ask group members to identify the character and put the right figure with the quoted scripture. Mix and match a number of characters and scriptures to make the activity varied and fun. For example, take the scripture from Exodus 9:1 “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” In this case, the character being instructed is Moses.

Another take off on scripture matching is to provide more prominent scripture passages with a significant word or words left out one within the scripture. Ask group members to fill in and provide the missing word. This activity can be accomplished more quickly in pairs using a white erase board and access to scriptures with a matching word list for access with the appropriate fill in words.

The main takeaway here is that you can adjust the difficulty of this Christian icebreaker to the age group that you work with, its size, and its Biblical studies levels of knowledge.

5. Miraculous Happenings

If you could be part of any miraculous or other happening recorded in Christian history, what would it be and why? For example, how would you feel if you were in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus, or in the midst of the parting of the Red Sea or amongst those who were miraculously healed at the Grotto in Lourdes, France in the 19th Century and beyond? As Christian icebreakers for kids, teens, or adults go, this game is a fantastic way to verify your group’s knowledge, boost their imagination, and allow each member to express their deepest thoughts and feelings towards some of the most crucial Biblical events.

6. God Thoughts

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of God? This could be another activity where everyone participates on both an individual and group basis with either writing out the answer on a separate sheet of paper or on a white erase or chalkboard with answers being given in a spontaneous fashion. A twist with this activity would be what was your first thought of God as a child?

7. Greatest Christians (Past and Present)

Who do you think were some of the greatest Christians alive today or from the past? With this question, the answers can span from the time of the New Testament to the 21st Century. Examples could include great pastors, prophets, theologians, saints, etc. For example, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, and Norman Vincent Peale. Try to come up with at least ten (10) individuals from the past and present that have had major influences on Christianity and all of its branches. You could research some well-known Christian personalities from other lesser-known countries, such as the ones from Eastern Europe. There are many regions on this globe where Christianity is taken seriously and where you can find a lot of inspirational figures.

8. Me, Myself and I

In looking at yourself in general, what are three things you really like about yourself? Another twist on this same topic could include what would you change about yourself that would help you become a better Christian? This isn’t just a fun icebreaker, but also a great exercise in strengthening your faith, solidifying your beliefs, and turning yourself into a better person. You could also try to do it alone at home when you feel like it so that you can try and be more sincere with yourself than you would normally tend to be surrounded by many people (and especially by people you barely even know).

9. Testimony

What event, occurrence, or circumstance in your life led you to become a Christian? Was there a major turning point that led to acceptance? This could be either an individual or group activity that would help to put others at ease and to compare answers that might be similar in nature. Not only that, but you can make the game about anything that might have to do with your faith one way or another. Try, for example, thinking about a job that was described in the Bible, such as carpentry. How did working as a carpenter lead you to Christianity? See what we mean? You can ask yourself multiple such questions if you’re feeling creative enough.

10. What’s My Line

The old television program from the 50’s and late ’60s provides interesting input for Christian icebreakers. Everyone in the group should jot down three different things about themselves and their line of work or vocation that is unknown to the others in the group. At least two of the items are true and one is not. Each group member presents their facts to the group and then everyone takes a vote as to which item about the person is not true. This activity can have surprising turnarounds as well as help others to get to know one another. It can be done with an erase board approach or with individual note cards or colored paper.

This activity is a variation of the game “Tow Truths and a Lie” and works very well with small and medium groups of adults. As Christian icebreakers go, you can adapt it so that people say two true things about their beliefs or spiritual life and one lie. While it is a fun game, it can also open the door for more profound discussions about shared life experiences, concerns, and ideas.

11. Christian Books & Movies

What Christian book or movie that you read or viewed recently, or in the past, would you recommend to others in the group that best represents Christian life today and true biblical history? Let the whole group brainstorm and come up with the top five books and movies that have had a major impact on Christians and others. Then, discuss those works, debate, and compare notes. It is a great way to encourage people to share opinions and different, maybe divergent points of view. Moreover, finding other people who share common interests is great for each group member. Who knows, maybe some people in the group start a book or movie club, strengthen friendships, and make new acquaintances.

12. Biblical Person Encounter

If you were able to visit heaven, what biblical person would you talk to besides Jesus? For example, the Apostle Paul would be someone from the New Testament era that would provide hours of dialogue and inspiration. Challenge a group of teens or adults to answer such questions and offer their own take on things. The conversation really gets interesting once people start mentioning Judas or other “negative” characters. How so? Well, there are a lot of things you can learn about human nature by theoretically speaking to, let’s say, Doubtful Thomas or Pontius Pilate.

13. Christian Influence

What Christian person that you have met and known has had the most influence in your life and why? That person could be a pastor, close friend, stranger, or mentor. Think about whether that individual caused a turning point in your Christian walk. Starting from here, the group can learn plenty about its members, share similar or divergent opinions, start a constructive debate, and bond through shared emotions and experiences. It’s fun and you might be able to discover things that you’ve never even thought about before.

14. Christian Church Dilemmas

Today’s Christian church faces many problems. If you were able to have influence over just one of those problems, what would that problem be and how would you try to change it? Many would probably want to talk about the persecution that Christians face around the world today, the banishment of prayer, or the tearing down of Christian monuments. As a facilitator, make sure this icebreaker does not turn into an intense political debate that splits the group, angers people, or deters the shy ones from speaking out. It’s better to be safe than sorry. And while venting out anger is often beneficial, it can also stir a lot of trouble if left unchecked. We can’t stress this enough, but you’ll have to be very careful with how you question the people in your group and how you interpret their answers so that you can all avoid meaningless fights.

15. Weekly High-point

Looking back on your week (or the past few days), what was the most enlightening event or encounter that struck you as memorable and lasting? Perhaps a smile, handshake, or a few encouraging words brought a feeling of well-being and confidence to your week. Maybe interfacing with a less fortunate person in a positive way or helping someone facing difficulty would be a reminder of what a Christian outlook can do for others outside of your inner circle. Positive thoughts deserve to be shared with others, as they can have a powerful influence on the individual.

Other Adapted Christian Icebreakers You Can Try

There are hundreds of ideas and variations of ideas and activities that you can use as icebreakers for almost any Christian gathering. They usually take up a small amount of time at the beginning of a get-together. Their purpose is to put those in attendance at ease and make them more comfortable with the subject matter that is going to be discussed or studied later on in the meeting. Evidently, you can adapt many other games and group activities to become Christian icebreakers as well. Here are some more ideas and examples:

  • The Christian adaptation of the Icebreaker Bingo game;
  • The “Ask a Question” game, inspired by team-building icebreakers; it is a simple exercise you could try with a group of teens who are generally shy;
  • The “Would You Rather” game, inspired by team icebreakers, where the members of the group should answer questions along the lines of “would you rather be there when Jesus performed miracles or when Noah built the Ark?” Discussing why would people choose one against the other option is an excellent conversation and debate starter;
  • A “Never Have I Ever” game with Christian, church, or spiritual themes that brings people together, allows them to share experiences, have some fun, and begin more serious constructive debates on how to be a better Christian in everyday life.
  • The classic game of 20 Questions, one of the most popular “Get to Know You” games and activities that you can use as a facilitator to break the ice and allow people to become more comfortable with each other, especially if this is their first group meeting.

Christian Icebreakers: Bottom Line

One way to help people to intermingle with one another and know more about each other is with the use of short and interactive activities, and some of those listed here can help get a group gets off to a good start. Religion and beliefs can spark heated conversations, so as a facilitator, make sure you have all things under control. Keep your group open to communication and sharing, emphasizing and praising the things that brought them together while respecting and even celebrating the things that set them apart.

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17 Get to Know You Games to Try this Year

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When it comes to some fun get to know you games for breaking the ice and enjoying each other’s company, there are 17 classic get to know you games you can try as ice breakers for team buildings or for making new friends.

In fact, there is a view that today’s electronic society has hindered such things as face-to-face human communication and the ability to relate to people in real life. Thus, there is a real need for these special-purpose “icebreaker” games for large groups or for team building activities to help facilitate communications and good times.

The common criteria for icebreaker games are linked to a view that all sharing should be fun, non-threatening, very interactive, simple, and easy to play and results-oriented. At the same time, the location for such activities should always be in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere with members wearing comfortable clothing and someone chosen to lead the group. Meanwhile, the facilitator or leader should always be concise and clear when sharing details of these 17 get to know you games with easy to follow directions.

Best Get to Know You Games to Play Right Now

At the end of the day, the view about games to help break the ice and get to know another person is they are great “facilitation exercises.” This is the view of longtime counselors and life coaches who commonly present these games to warm a group up to the idea of socialization and simply getting to know each other. It is all about “collaborative” communication, said a counselor sharing ideas on a social networking website. For this reason, such communication games and activities are suitable for many age categories and many interests. Adapted to specific situations, these games can help people overcome shyness, learn more about the others, and even build self-confidence. Here are some examples!

  • Most youth group icebreakers – in the form of questions, get to know your games, activities, etc. have the purpose of bringing the young ones together, develop a sense of belonging to a group, and help them become more open to making new friends.
  • There is also a great variety of similar games adapted to young children and meant to take kids out of their shells and unify the group.
  • Those who feel shy and dread the very idea of putting their hearts or minds on the table for other people to see can always get their inspiration from online dating icebreakers and get to know you games. Alternatively, put your gears in motion by reading these 75+ questions to ask a girl when you want to get to know her better.

17 Get to Know You Games for Everybody to Try

The common focus for each of the following 17 icebreaker facilitation game includes sharing such things as hobbies, interests, personal data and even one’s dreams.

Introduction Icebreakers

This is one of the most common ways and means for people wanting to know one another. The game is often used by human resources when helping new employees get accumulated about their co-workers and supervisors. The game begins when people are gathered in a room or around a table. A moderator kicks things off by introducing themselves and then asking others in the group to do likewise. The flow can go to the right or left; while the idea is to simply go around the room and share something personal after an introduction that includes one’s name, job title, family history, and personal interests. Now with the social isolation and distancing issues, one can only ask how can we all get to know each other since we have to keep our distance. Nothing easier, in fact, as virtual meeting icebreakers are a common thing, especially in multinational companies. You just have to adapt them to your own working environment.

Team Building

There is a longstanding point of view in the US military that an organization is only as strong as the members of its team. Thus, there is a lot of emphasis on military basic training for team building exercises that also serve as dandy icebreakers for new members of a team or group. A typical team-building exercise first involves members of a group being divided up into teams. The teams are then given tasks to build trust, aid group dynamics, and communication while also developing ways and means to work best together.

20 Questions

There is a fun party game called “20 Questions” that literally involves asking members of a group this long list of questions as a way and means for others to get to know you. For example, a member of a group is asked a series of questions that focus on the who, what, when, where, how, and why? The response to each question results in more personal data shared for greater group sharing and understanding, says counseling professionals commenting online. If you want to take a step further, you can always go for a “Never have I ever” game. Still, limit yourself to the fun and laidback questions without getting too personal with people you don’t know!

Party Icebreaker Fun

This popular party game has often been used by counselors as a sort of “fun” icebreaker. The idea is to create questions that get people to laugh and then converse freely. The party questions are always somewhat personal but not too personal. For instance, a party member is asked about their favorite or not so favorite blind date experience. The questions should enlist a somewhat humorous response; while also being opened ended so the person can elaborate on the subject. If you want inspiration for this, take a look at the “Never have I ever” game questions. Alternatively, get some inspiration from some classic “Truth or Dare” questions. With the amendment that you should never get intrusive or personal with people you barely know.

Tasks Presented as Icebreaker Games

This tasks focused icebreaker technique is often used in elementary and middle/ high school to help new students get into the flow of the classroom or subject being studied and discussed. The student or individual is asked to perform some tasks so as to not only talk about something but to “show” it as well. It is one of those “don’t tell me, show me” sort of challenges that involve questions being asked and tasks being performed to satisfy the challenge. For example, a member of a group is asked to tell a story about their recent summer vacation using images drawn on a blackboard or even a piece of paper. The idea is to get the individual involved in some activity that helps communicate something personal about themselves. This is a great challenge for teens you can try this summer, as there is no improper time to boost communication skills, self-confidence, and mutual trust for the young generation.

Interviews

This game is linked to what reporters do for a living when they interview someone for news or feature story data. The aim is to get someone to open up about themselves by simply asking them a series of questions: when did you move here? What is your favorite color and why? What are your life dreams? Just make sure no question sounds like a third-degree police interrogation. And don’t tap into personal issues people are not ready to talk about yet!

Truth or Lie

There is always a very “human” need to keep certain details from family and friends. This is especially true, say most mental health experts, when people are placed in a group of strangers. The result is something that is trending online called “Truth or Lie.” The goal is to share a “truth” and a “lie” with a group so as to inform and entertain. The participants can also make several statements and then ask the group what they think is true or untrue? In turn, the true and false answers are later revealed during a fun and casual sharing meeting. If you want to get some inspiration for truth and secrets’ sharing, some “Truth or Dare” classic questions may help you start on the right foot.

My Little Known Fact

This game is popular with young people and seniors who have some “fun” or little known fact that they share in a group setting. For children, it is all about some “awesome” experience or something they discovered that is just too fun to keep to oneself. At the same time, this fun fact is a great tool when it comes to opening up a group to also share other fun stuff. There are many Baby Boomer and senior groups that often use “My Little Known Fact” as a way and means of bonding about an aging or health issue, or some data about retirement that might benefit the group.

Bounce the Ball

This game features a facilitator who gathers people in a circle where a ball is bounced from one person to another; while the game is to share something personal when the ball bounces your way. This bounce the ball game is also a great team-building exercise because it challenges each member to be creative while discussing something that will personalize each member to the group. A ball is bounced to a member of a group who is asked to share his or her views on why such and such will win during the next bowling or basketball tournament. The fun and icebreaking perks of this game are all about group involvement because each person is tasked with either bouncing the ball or receiving the ball with some question or response. The overall goal is to simply get people to share stuff when prompted to do so.

The Spider Web Challenge

The game features a leader or facilitator who uses a ball of yarn as a way and means to create a physical “spider web,” while the game is to toss the ball of yarn from one group member to another. The game gets interesting when there is this massive spider web of yarn string that has “connected” each member of a group as ONE; while the sharing is the aim. As the ball of yarn is passed, each person must share some detail of their life. The result, after playing for about an hour, is a huge connected string of yarn that is now linked to lots and lots of personal tidbits that otherwise might not have been shared. This is one of the best icebreaking games for adults, as it is both a physical fun challenge and a way to communicate information in a lighthearted manner.

The Relationship Game

This game, as the name implies, is all about one’s personal relationships. It can be about one’s brother or sister, or longtime partner or best friend. The aim is to learn something about an individual based on their personal family or friendship relationships. Meanwhile, there is a longstanding point of view that relationships between two people or a group have the makings for lots and lots in very human and interesting details that can go a long way in making people happy or more open about themselves. For more inspiration, take a look at the best Newlywed Game questions to get the conversation going!

The Guessing Game

The best icebreaker games involve a question and an answer; while the classic “guessing game” has long been used by parents, educators and employers to help build group dynamics. In fact, the act of guessing something about another person is one fun way to literally “break the ice” because one is placed in a position to reveal their own values or ideas when posing a question about something. For instance, a good guess would be “are you married?” The response will be either yes or no; while it is the details of the answer that help the group when it comes to really get to know another individual.

What My Eyes Can See

This is a classic technique and a very human “game” that we all play when viewing something about another person. While it may prove embarrassing to say, “I see you are wearing that old red jacket,” the plus of “what my eye can see” as a fun icebreaker game is to simply acknowledge that someone is doing or wearing something that you question for whatever reasons. Meanwhile, it is the act of asking a question during this game that results in needed community group sharing.

What My Ears Can Hear

This is another aspect of a classic get-to-know-you technique that addresses what an individual says or shares with a group; while the aim is to offer feedback questions about what was heard. The act of listening is in play during this game that allows members of a group to really focus on what someone is saying and why.

The Story Game

This is another relationship game that is designed to enlist stories about one’s personal history, life goals or just to tell a very human story. A story is how ancient people communicated; while children and adults always enjoy a good story as the best way and means to get to know someone or something.

He Said/She Said

This game is played with males and females because there are very clear differences in the sexes when sharing details about one’s life experiences. The goal is to have a male tell a story about some event happening today, and then asking a female in the group to add to that story or tell a related tale. The idea is to share how men and women, boys and girls, may have a different take on things; while the results are always fun and helpful when it comes to knowing what others think and feel.

The Game of Life

This is a simple group relationship game or exercise where members each share their life stories as an effort to help build group dynamics through common life experiences.

Get to Know You Question Ideas

  • Which would you rather do: wash dishes, mow the lawn, clean the bathroom, or vacuum the house?
  • What two radio stations do you listen to in the car the most?
  • What did you want to be when you were a kid?
  • Which is your child’s proudest accomplishment?
  • How and where did you meet your best friend?
  • If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
  • In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
  • How old were you when you learned Santa wasn’t real? How did you find out?
  • What was your favorite toy when you were in kindergarten?
  • Which superhero did you like the most from DC or Marvel when you were in middle school?
  • How did you choose your current career path and what do you like most about it right now?
  • Did you have a VHS player when growing up or were you born too late and only grew up with a DVD player?
  • Would you rather go to the beach or to a snowy mountain for your ideal vacation trip?
  • If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce?
  • Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
  • If your hometown was a food, what food would it be?
  • What fictional television family is your real-life family most similar to?
  • What one story about your childhood best explains the person you are today?
  • If you could change the ending of any famous movie, which movie would it be? What would your new ending be?
  • What’s the weirdest thing in your parents’ or your grandparents’ home?
  • Have you ever been to another continent? If not, which continent would you like to visit and why?

Final Thoughts on Get to Know You Games

Overall, there has never been a better time to help others hooked into a machine to “unplug” for a bit to enjoy sharing personal information with others in games that help people get to know each other. Make sure you check out our big list of icebreaker games, questions, and activities to help you with your next group facilitation.

Remember that get to know you games – played as a company team-building activity – boost productivity, encourage communication, and build trust among team members. They are also amazing instruments to get kids and teens to open up, especially if they are shy. Some other excellent true-and-tested get to know you games are the “Movie Pitch,” the “Foodie,” or the “Logo Love.” You can play them during the social isolation and stay-at-home period this year or you can adapt them for a fun day in the backyard with your kids and their friends. Needless to say, if you pick the right ones, you can get to know better a new date or a potential love interest! Have fun!