Icebreaker games are a great way to help a new group get comfortable with each other QUICK. The right icebreaker can make group members feel like they have known each other for years.
We’ve created the perfect, not-basic, list of icebreaker games for you to try in any setting. We bet you haven’t heard of most of these before.
Pick one that looks right for your group and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Messy Twist Icebreaker Game
Required: Paper or plastic plates, oatmeal, whip cream, chocolate, vanilla and other flavored puddings, paper, pencil, two small containers and clothes to get dirty in
Players: Small to medium groups
What you need for this game is warm weather, so it can be played outside with no shoes on. It’s a game mainly for those youths that like to get messy and enjoy having fun.
(It is played like the game of Twister but with a BIG twist.) Fill up 6-10 plates with the same items like oatmeal and then 6-10 plates of another item, try to have at least 5 different items that would give you 30 to 50 plates. If you have a large crowd have them play in shifts. On a sheet of paper make tags, which will be pulled out of two separate containers. One set of tags will name the items in the plates, like chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding, whip cream, applesauce, mashed bananas, oatmeal or other items possibly non-staining items. The other set of tags with will go into another container that will be what they will use, right hand, left hand, right or left foot, head or even bottom. Lay out the plates in rows and have one person draw out a tag from each container. Players are to do what the tags state, example is Vanilla Pudding, Right Foot. The players are to put their right foot in the vanilla pudding and then another tag is pulled. If any player falls or fails to get a plate before some else gets it, they’re out of the game. The last standing player is the winner and you can give him rights to hose off other players if necessary. Messy Twist is a great game for the wild Youth Groups, party game or picnic game if you have a lake to wash off in.
Moo Icebreaker Game
Required: Just people
Players: Small to medium groups
Pick three people to stand outside while the rest of the group gets ready. Form a circle large enough for someone to stand inside. Tell the group that they are going to pick someone from outside to come in and stand inside the circle and when you count to three everyone has to “MOO” as loud as they can. Then tell them on the last time, when the third person comes in to fake a “MOO”. Everyone should look like they are going to “MOO” but don’t. Pick someone from outside and tell them that they are to listen for the person who “MOOed” the loudest. Count to three and everyone “MOOs”. The person in the middle will then pick who “MOOed” the loudest and whomever they pick will be correct. Then tell that person that they have to “MOO” as loud as they can on the next round but to not “MOO” at all on the third round. Now the 2nd person comes in and you “MOO” and they pick who was the loudest and they are of course correct. But don’t tell the 2nd person to not “MOO” on the last round. Now the third person comes in and you tell them to pick the loudest “MOO”. You count to three and everyone pretends like they are going to “MOO” except the 2nd person that came in who “MOOs” really loud all by him or herself. It’s really funny. You may have to explain the joke to the third person though.
Puzzle Piece Search Icebreaker Game
Required: Precut puzzle pieces and open table
Players: Small to medium groups
You can do this with a pre-made puzzle or use a large unwanted poster and cut into several pieces depending on the number of players. Hide pieces throughout play area while players are out of the room. Have a card table or work area where the puzzle can be reassembled. When a player finds a piece they are to bring it to the table to fit it together with the other pieces. Once they have found where that piece goes they are off searching for another piece of the puzzle. At the end, have the players think about all those pieces, each one a different shape, size and color but they all come together to become one big picture.
Rumor Icebreaker Game
Required: Blackboard & chalk (paper & pencil will do)
Players: Small to large groups
The first person from each team is to go out and make up a message together. This message will be used by all teams. Once signaled to start, the first person on each team is to whisper the Rumor to the next person on their team. They will whisper the Rumor to the next – and so on. The last person to receive the Rumor will run to the black board and write the message. The team that is the closest to the correct Rumor wins.
Scavenger Hunt Icebreaker Game
Required: Just a pencil and paper
Players: Small to large groups
Make a list of things for teams to look for through their wallets, purses, and possibly What’s on their bodies. Divide into teams by tables, pairs, individuals or what seems best. Here is a list of ideas of what they can look for but modify the list to your liking. Do not list where they might find these items.
1975 Penny, $2 bill, $100 bill, red ribbon (found in a bible), hologram (usually found on a credit card, don’t tell them this!!!), a bird (usually found on a credit card), pick a few states from the new quarters (Delaware, Michigan, Florida), pearl (earring or ring), black sock, roman numeral (found on a watch), Susan B Anthony dollar, picture of a tree, tic tac, paper clip, measuring tape, ruler, peppermint candy, toothpick, the word Moses (if they have a bible), M&M, Tums, children’s Tylenol, thermometer, white button, pink nail polish, screw driver, nose ring, tweezers, mirror, ankle bracelet, red hair, raisin, triangle, charge slip over $200 and so on.
Make a list and copy off the list for each team. Have them check off which items they have, the team with the most checked off, wins!!!! At the end, tell them where they could have found some of the items.
String Toss Icebreaker Game
Required: Ball of string or yarn
Players: Small to medium groups
Set up small groups of 8–12 players and have them sit in a circle for this icebreaker. One person is given the ball of yarn and finds the end of it. They will toss the ball of yarn to anyone within the circle while they are still holding the end of the ball of yarn. Now ask the person that caught it one or two questions. If this is a new group that doesn’t know everyone they are to introduce themselves first before answering the questions at the beginning of the game. Here are some ideas as to what questions to ask; What is your favorite color, music group, the person that has influenced you the most, what are you afraid of, your favorite food, time of the year, or any other question to might pertain to this event. That person then holds part of the yarn and then tosses the ball of yarn to anyone that hasn’t received the ball yet. You repeat this until everyone has had the ball of yarn and you will notice that you have created a unique web that has connected all the players together in one way. You can pass the ball again to ask one – two more questions from each player.
Talking Behind Your Back Icebreaker Game
Required: Piece of paper, washable markers, tape, pencils
Players: Small to large groups
Each person writes his/her name on a piece of paper lightly in pencil; then help one another tape the piece of paper on each persons back (NAME NOT SHOWING). Using (washable) markers, each person must go around the room and write something about that person on their back. (Children need to be instructed that the comment must be positive – funny is OK, too) Leader removes all the papers and lays them out for everyone to view. How well do you think you know yourself or what others think about you? What would they say behind YOUR back? After reading them, participants may predict which one they think may have been on their back. Then, everyone can turn them over and find their own, and hopefully keep it, feeling great about what others had to say about them “behind their back”.
Submitted by Charla Lindsey, TX
Un-cola Pop Off Icebreaker Game
Required: 8-10 clear types of sodas, small paper cups (bathroom size), paper & pencil and large cups
Players: Small to medium groups
Purchase several different brands for clear sodas and here’s a list of ideas. 7-UP, Sprite, Squirt, Slice, Lemon Lime, Mountain Dew, Club Soda, Ginger Ale, Surge, Fresca, and others that you might find. One can of each type soda should be enough for a group of 8-15 players. Pour each soda into separate large cups, number the cups and make a master list with the number and corresponding name of the soda. You do this before participants arrive or in another room out of view of everyone. Players will be given one sheet of paper and they will number that sheet with the number of selections that they will be tasting. They will also be given one small paper bathroom cup. One at a time, introduce one of the large numbered cups of soda to the participants and pour ½ to one ounce of soda into their cups. You would start out with soda #1 and everyone will list down on their sheet what they think that soda is, without telling anyone else. You will repeat with other sodas until all have been tasted. The person with the most correct answers is the winner and you could give them a 2 litter of soda. You can display on a table the empty cans of the sodas that they are tasting, to help them guess which one they might have, but for a very smart group it wouldn’t be advised.
Created by Mariah (age 8), Fun-Attic, Inc.
What’s in Your Bag? Icebreaker Game
Required: Felt to make 2 1/2″ bags, safety pins, white permanent marker, items to fill bags
Players: Small to large groups
This game will take a little bit of work but it’s fun for all ages, a great icebreaker.
Ideas for filling bags: (** note for extra points)
Make a bag for each item that you have collected. Put each item in it’s own bag and number them with corresponding list for correct answers. Example: Felt bag with 1998 penny is marked #1 and a list is started with #1 as 1998 penny. All bags must be sewn completely closed so don’t put anything in that you don’t want to loose. Make a lot of bags so that you can use this again for your next icebreaker idea. If you have 15 players use #1 bag to #15, just pull out the rest. Have each player go around feeling each other’s bag, trying to guess What’s in it and listing their guess on paper. The one who guessed the most correct is the winner, for tie, use extra point ** method.
For those to be engaged, place engagement ring in one of the bags and make plans to have recipient be pinned to bag. At end of contest inform all players that one bag was not correctly identified. Have giver open bag for recipient. Inform me if you use my idea-the hopeless romantic.
Who Am I? Icebreaker Game
Required: Name tags
Players: Small to large groups
Pre-make tags with each tag having a famous person on it. These tags will be placed on the back of each guest as they arrive. This is done without them knowing who they are. They are to go around the room asking questions as to who they might be. Questions like, “Am I a singer?” They can only ask one question and make only one guess as to Who they are with each person that they talk to, then they have to move on to another person. They can come visit previous players once they’ve visited another player.
Cheeky-Cheeky Icebreaker Game
Required: Lipstick, small washable grease pencil or markers
Players: Small to large groups
Depending on the number of participants, you may want to pick a few helpers for thisicebreaker game. The helpers will all have a small tube of lipstick in their pocket or hidden in their hands before the game starts. They can pretend at the last minute that they decide to join in the game; this helps them to find the person that they would like to stand next to. Have all participants line up in a straight line, side by side, instruct them that they have to look forward and they can’t turn their heads. Tell them that you’re playing the Cheeky-Cheeky game and everyone is to repeat what you do but must not move. Give them an example by lightly pinching the persons cheek on the right of you and say “Cheeky-Cheeky”. You should be at the beginning of the line. Note to them that that person is to do the same and then the next person all the way down the line until it reaches the end. Once demonstrated start out with Cheeky-Cheeky but this time behind your back you have lipstick that you put on your fingertips. After you’ve done Cheeky-Cheeky and the movement has gone down the line then do nosey, nosey. After that do chiny-chiny, eary-eary, heady-heady and right eary-eary. Each time add more lipstick to your finger tips without them noticing. In the process the person next to you should end up with lipstick all over their face. Pick a person that is a good sport to stand next to. If you’ve planted helpers in the line, a few other people should end up with lipstick on their faces also.
Submitted by Amy Sandison, GoTel Ministries
Dress the Mummy Icebreaker Game
Required: Rolls of toilet paper
Players: Small to large groups
Set up teams with 2-4 players on each team. One person on each team will be the mummy and each team will be given 2 rolls of toilet paper. They will have 5 minutes to complete the game. The team players are to circle around the mummy and pass the toilet paper to each other while wrapping the mummy in it. The leader of the group will be the judge and decide which team has created the best mummy design.
Frozen T’s Icebreaker Game
Required: Plastic storage bag, freezer and large size T- shirts
Players: Small to large groups
For each team you’ll need one T- shirt and one plastic storage bag. T-ShirtPlace one nicely folded T-shirt in each bag then pour in about 2 cups of water and freeze all of them overnight. If this wasn’t done where the event is taking place bring the T-shirt in >a cooler filled with ice to keep them frozen. Instruct the teams that they’ll be playing anIce Breaker game. Then hand out the bagged T-shirts to each team. On “Go” the teams will have to get their T-shirts thawed out so that one person from their team can put the T-shirt on. Teams will get creative in their attempts to win. They could run the shirts underwater, put them in the microwave and even pounded the ice out of them. The first team to come back with one person in the T-shirt is the winner.
Submitted by Lindsay Scheel, Fun-Attic, Inc.
Gum Art Icebreaker Game
Required: Bubble gum, toothpick and index card
Players: Small to large groups
Give each participant a piece of bubble gum to chew, toothpick and index card. Allow them 10 minutes to chew the gum, place gum on index card and then design something on index card using only the toothpick as a tool (No Hands). The person with the best and most creative design is the winner. If you have quite a few players you can have several categories of winners, like “most ingenious”, “most creative” and of course the “What is that?” award. Please send in your ideas of award names and even pictures of your groups playing thesegames.
Submitted by Amy Sandison, GoTel Ministries
Gum Icebreaker Game
Required: Clean garden gloves, packs of gum
Players: Small to large groups
Set up teams of five. Each team will receive one pair of new garden gloves and one pack of gum (5 pieces per pack). On go, the first person in each team is to put on the garden gloves, open the package of gum, pull out a piece, unwrap it, chew it, and then pass the gloves to the next person. The first team to complete the task wins. You can choose to have two packs of gum per team so that they would have to go around twice.
Ha Ha Icebreaker Game
Required: Small to large groups
Players: Small to large groups
Teams competing lay down side by side on floor or ground. The first person lays back of hand on next persons stomach and that person lays back of hand on the stomach of the next to him and so on. The first person in line is to laugh one HA. The next person in line is to laugh HA HA (two times). The third person is HA HA HA. And so on. Any person that breaks out into a giggle is out of the game and must get up and the hole is filled in. The last one to giggle, wins.
Ice Cube Hunt Icebreaker Game
Required: Ice cubes, food coloring and winter weather
Players: Small to large groups
Make up several ice cube trays with food coloring in water. Once you have made ice cubes, distribute into search area. The person to find the most colored ice cubes is the winner.
Memory Icebreaker Game
Required: Subjects for memory, tray, paper and pencil
Players: Small groups
Pick a subject like foods you would eat or crave. Lay them all in a tray for viewers to see and have participants pass tray around. Remove tray from sight and have participant’s list what was on tray. The person that lists the most objects is the winner. You can give extra points or break ties by asking specific questions like what flavor sucker and so on.
Vaseline Toe Icebreaker Game
Required: Vaseline or mayonnaise (or anything mushy), chair, stool and blindfolds
Players: Small to medium groups
From the group select a number of persons that you would like to play this game. Send them outside.
Have some one (preferably a man) that has a very ugly toe, sit on the chair with his foot on the stool. Put some mayonnaise or Vaseline on his thumb. Let him bend the thumb and you put it on the jointed area. You also put some on the big toe that is on the stool.
You then invite one of the persons that have already been blindfolded to come in with his/her hands behind him. It must stay behind him as long as he/she is approaching the king. They are asked to bow before the king in respect (keeping hands behind). Take them very close to the king where they can actually kneel right in front of the toe that has the mayonnaise or Vaseline on it. They bow as to kiss the king ring and the king puts his finger out so that the person kisses the finger instead of the toe. The king then puts his hand behind him leaving the toe as the visible object that has been kissed.
The blindfold is now taken off and the person sees the toe and thinks that he/she has kissed this ugly toe. (Make sure that you keep adding more Vaseline to the finger as it will be kissed off, also make sure that enough is on the toe) Continue with the next person until all have come in. Do not tell the person what has happened but encourage the person to watch and see what has happened. He/she will laugh at himself.
The other players must be locked away so that they have no clue as to what is happening, they will hear the laughs and will be curious and anxious to come in. No one in the room is to tell them anything. The last person usually does not know what is happening. You may tell him or her if you choose to.
Submitted by Pat Henry
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