It's my bet that you're looking for an icebreaker game for a large or small group. But perhaps you have a favourite icebreaker game that you would like to add to the site, or a funny story about an icebreaker you led or took part in.

I think we can build a great icebreaker resource here, so if you can send in either your best icebreaker, or a story about an icebreaker that gets published on the site, you will win the ‘Penguin’ Icebreaker Ebook, which contains 10 great icebreakers, and 7 brainstorming tips.

So send in your game or story below and remember to include your email address so I can send you your prize!

Looking forward to hearing from you,


Lyndsay Swinton
Owner, Management for the Rest of Us www.mftrou.com

Share it and win the Icebreaker Games book if it is published on the site (which it most probably will be :-)

Click below to see icebreaker contributions from other visitors to this page...

Human Bingo 
Group Size - Large (20+)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - request hobbies, unusual activities or likes/dislikes ...

Kill your ego icebreaker game 
I was conducting a team building course and used this icebreaker game.

Comment from Lyndsay - it strikes me that this icebreaker would work in Pakistan ...

Virtual Volley Ball Icebreaker Game 
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Energiser
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time: 5 to 10 minutes
...

Toilet Paper on a Roll - Getting To Know You Ice Breaker Game 
This getting to know you ice breaker game is quick and the only preparation is to grab a roll of toilet paper and take it to the meeting.

Have each ...

"My Name Is" Adjective Ice-breaker Game 
I use this game generally before starting my training session.

Trainees are asked to introduce themselves by choosing an adjective which starts with ...

Customer Service Ice Breaker - Ha Ha 
I use this icebreaker to get the team in training back into gear after lunch. I use it to demonstrate how a smile makes a difference and how to turn a ...

Hang Yourself Icebreaker Game 
Hang Yourself is one of the best Icebreaker games I have always conducted in my training,

Make two teams and give them a task of coming with the new ...

One thing I have never done  
Distribute coins to each member in the team.

Every member in the group is asked to tell the rest of the group one thing they have never done.
e.g. "I ...

Marshmallow Tower Icebreaker Game 
For this game, you need 1 packet of marshmallows, 1 packet of spaghetti. The idea is to have 2 or more teams in competition to see who builds the highest ...

Funny Titles 
Let each one describe any weather or climate with some colourful adjectives.
eg. sizzling hot
chilling cold so on ....

Tell this to the person ...

First letter of your name 
This ice breaker game involves each group member giving the group leader one word that best describes them, beginning with the first letter of their first ...

Christian ice breaker game 
I host a christian based small group every week, about 6-10 people. One ice breaker game that we have found to be exciting and challenging is to do the ...

Anything, anything, anything icebreaker game 
This icebreaker game works in the same way as rock, paper, scissors but can be anything.

Two participants stand facing each other and do the usual ...

Extremely Together Icebreaker Game 
Group Size - Small 5 to 10 people
Group Abilities - Some physical activity
Icebreaker Purpose - energy Boost
Preparation - none
Materials - 1 blown ...

Newcomer Bingo 
Create a sheet like a bingo card but ask for signatures of people who fill certain requirements instead of an 'X' in the box.

Depending on the group,...

Match the Sticker Icebreaker Game 
Here's how the Match the Sticker Icebreaker Game works.

I placed small stickers of different insects on 3 x 5 cards and pinned them to each lady as ...

Guessing your housing number and age 
Ask students to write their house number and multiply by 2; then the result plus 5; the result multiply by 50; then result plus student age; then result ...

The Machine 
I love playing this game with my sorority and with other organizations on campus. Its fun and really opens everyone up. Playing it is simple.

Get into ...

Glad to know you! 
Overview
Participants get a chance to know each other's personal background at the beginning of the learning.

Goals
1. To let participants introduce ...

A Yes or No Question Game 
Participants will be provided candy or any food for them. They will be asked to find a co-participant and ask each other anything they wanted to. If he/...

Newspaper halved game 
Get your group to pair off.

Give each pair a piece of newspaper.

Ask both of them to step on the newspaper and make sure they are inside the edge....

I can't make him laugh 
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - source 10 short funny videos
Materials - something ...

Pass the Chicken 
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Quick Thinking
Preparation - a list of topics on cards
Materials - rubber ...

Creating Team Spirit - Photograph Treasure Hunt Icebreaker  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Getting To Know You
Preparation - Create questionnaire, source photographs,...

Paper Back Writer Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20) to Large (20+)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - none
Materials - sticky tape, 1 paper ...

Alphabets Team Characteristics  Not rated yet
Group Size - Small to Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Team Building
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 10 ...

What's Your Favourite Restaurant?  Not rated yet
Group Size - Small
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 5 minutes

I worked ...

Which State are you from?   Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Energiser
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time: 10 minutes

This ...

It wasn't me, it was my other me....  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - blank stickers, pens
Time:...

Balloon Bursting Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Any size
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Energiser
Preparation - none
Materials - 3-5 balloons per person, pens that ...

You Said Yes  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - cut out small pieces of paper with the word "yes" on ...

Power of the Subconscious Mind  Not rated yet
Group Size - Small
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Teamwork
Preparation - none
Materials - a wooden broom handle or similar
Time ...

Know Your Partner  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20) to Large
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Getting to Know You
Preparation - a list of questions or topics
...

The Movie Title of My Life Ice breaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 10 minutes

Have ...

Body Hide  Not rated yet
Group Size - Small to Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - Some Physical Activity
Icebreaker Purpose - Team work
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time ...

Balloon race  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Energiser
Preparation - none
Materials - chairs, balloons
Time: 10 ...

Zap Out! Name Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Learning Names
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 10 minutes
...

Month on month icebreaker presentation  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - pens and paper for making ...

What's unique about me?  Not rated yet
Group Size - Small to Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 10 ...

Stomp on My Toes  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - Some Physical Activity
Icebreaker Purpose - Energiser
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 5 minutes
...

Blanket Brilliance  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Energiser
Preparation - none
Materials - large quilt or blanket
Time ...

It's a Minefield Out There!  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - Some Physical Activity
Icebreaker Purpose - Teamwork and Communication
Preparation - create a "mine-field"...

Who is My Leader???  Not rated yet
Group Size - Large (20+)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - 8 sets of cards with one colour written on them,...

Hearing Before Seeing  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20) to Large
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Getting to Know You
Preparation - none
Materials - blindfolds ...

Zip, Zap, Zoom Relay Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Energy Boost
Preparation - none
Materials - stop watch
Time - 5 to ...

I used to, but now I.... icebreaker exercise  Not rated yet
Group Size - Large (20+)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - 1 pen and 1 piece of paper ...

Sockey Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Large (20+)
Group Abilities - Very Physical Activity
Icebreaker Purpose - Energy Boost
Preparation - large hall or open space
Materials ...

Ascending-Descending Icebreaker Exercise  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - suitable grouping categories
Materials - none
Time ...

Lowering the Bar Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - Some Physical Activity
Icebreaker Purpose - Energy Boost
Preparation - none
Materials - broomstick
Time ...

What Was I Doing?   Not rated yet
Group Size - Small (5)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - none
Materials - 1 penny per participant in a ...

It's All In A Name Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Introductions
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time - 10 minutes
...

Pop Idol Lip-Sync Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Small (5)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Creativity
Preparation - see icebreaker instructions
Materials - audio ...

Question Matching Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - none
Materials - 1 pen and piece of writing paper ...

Clap on 7 Icebreaker Exercise  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20) to Large (20+)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Fun
Preparation - none
Materials - none
Time: 5 minutes
...

Guess the Participant Ice Breaker Exercise  Not rated yet
Group Size - Medium (5-20)
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Opening Up
Preparation - a list of questions
Materials - 1 pen and ...

Quick Draw Communication Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
Group Size - either Small (5),
Group Abilities - All Abilities
Icebreaker Purpose - Communication Skills
Preparation - draw one simple shape, in one ...

Hula Hoop Race Energetic Icebreaker  Not rated yet
The hula hoop game is an energetic icebreaker which involves the group standing in a circle, holding hands, and working the hula hoop around the circle....

What I'd grab from the burning plane - thought provoking icebreaker  Not rated yet
This is a thought provoking icebreaker which may take 20 minutes or so to work through.

If you were on a regular airplane going to visit a friend on ...

Superquick Introductions Icebreaker Exercise  Not rated yet
When teaching a class that has very little time for introductions, I use this superquick icebreaker exercise.

I ask everyone to tell me their names,...

Sick, Sack , Saw Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
For this icebreaker game, you need a group of at least 6 people and get them to stand in a circle.

They have to repeat the following movements after ...

Vacation Match Icebreaker  Not rated yet
Simple, Easy, and Fun Icebreaker! See how well everyone knows each other (or can guess and match up people they don't).

Hand out 2 half sheets of ...

Clap at 3 Icebreaker Energiser  Not rated yet
This is a good icebreaker to energize a large group.

1)Have people stand in a circle.

2)Instruct them to start counting in a round robin manner....

Zoom Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
This icebreaker game requires the use of a book called Zoom by Istvan Banyai. In this book, you get an extreme close up look at the feathers of a rooster,...

Yes and No Communication Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
This communication icebreaker game challenges our language skills by making you think hard about what you say and break out of ingrained replies to questions....

Alphabet Story Ice Breaker Exercise  Not rated yet
This ice breaker exercise is a great way to restart the brain after a lunch break or energy slump.

Break into groups of 3 people. Pick a topic for each ...

Tattoo Tales - An Unexpected Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
This ice breaker game is a little unexpected, so choose your audience wisely.

Ask each participant to design a tattoo that describes their personality....

Tell Me About Your Shoes Icebreaker Exercise  Not rated yet
I have, very successfully, used an icebreaker exercise wherein each attendee in a small to medium-sized group take turns telling a story about the shoes ...

Trash Your Ego Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
I was conducting a team building course and used this icebreaker game.

I asked the participants to write a big capital "I" on a plain paper. Even decoration ...

Water Bottle Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
This icebreaker is game good for a support group or group that is meeting to solve a common problem, etc.

Give each person a bottle of water - 16.9 ...

Photo Freeze Frames Ice-breaker Game  Not rated yet
Ice-breaker Game Objective: Students will learn to be comfortable being themselves and not yearn to become someone else or be like someone else.

Materials:...

Warning - how not to do an icebreaker  Not rated yet
It was the AGM of an umbrella organization a couple of years ago and many diverse people who represented all the organizations that were members of the ...

The Handbag (& Manbag) Game  Not rated yet
Give all your guests a pen and paper and ask them to give themselves points for everything they have in their bag (that you read from the list).

The ...

Stump the Trainer - Jargon Busting Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
I have them write all the JARGON terms they use in each of their departments or units they work in.

I then try to figure the JARGON terms out (there ...

Secret Leader - Leadership Skills Icebreaker  Not rated yet
This is a nice icebreaker game that introduces energy & fun to the training group.

One of the group (X) leaves the room while the remaining people choose ...

Personal Numbers - Quick Icebreaker Exercise  Not rated yet
This quick icebreaker excercise is exceptionally easy and good fun.

The trainer writes up 5 personal numbers such as age, height, year of birth, shoe ...

Out of the Box Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
Energizer
Time: 5 minutes

Props: 2 bowls or baskets, paper

Write an activity on a small piece of paper, fold it up and put into 1 of the baskets ...

I "Quote" You Introductions Icebreaker Exercise  Not rated yet
Preparation and Materials: none
Duration: 3 minutes plus 1 minute per participant.

Pair off people and have each interview each other for 3 minutes ...

Paper Tear (Communication)  Not rated yet
To demonstrate how each of us receives information differently, ask 3-5 individuals (depending on the size of your group) to volunteer to stand in front ...

Family Information - Teambuilding Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
I've done this teambuilding icebreaker game several ways and always successfully.

Have each attendee write down the first name of their parents (or ...

Truth, truth, lie  Not rated yet
Have each person write down two truths and one lie about themselves. Then go around the room and get people to vote for which is the lie. The person ...

Change 3 Things - Observation and Recall  Not rated yet
I know many seasoned trainers have done the "Change 3 Things" about yourself activity. If you haven't, a quick synopsis: pair up students give them 30 ...

Get Them Laughing Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
I was new to training and teaching a topic that was overwhelming to me (I didn’t have a lot of prep time). My audience was mainly male technicians, another ...

A Penny for Your Thoughts  Not rated yet
(This is wonderful for small groups)

Set Up: Provide enough shiny pennies for all the participants (one shiny penny per person), and a small magnifying ...

Introduction - Drawing Yourself Out Icebreaker   Not rated yet
I usually start my training sessions with an icebreaker just by writing my name with a picture that describes me.

I ask the participants to guess what ...

Perpetual Motion?!? Ice-breaker Discussion Starter  Not rated yet
This might not qualify as an ice-breaker as such but never fails to raise a smile and opens abstract debate whenever I introduce it into conversation....

Assuming ...

Communication Ice Breaker - Spread The Word  Not rated yet
Spread the Word is an easy communication ice breaker, which is quick to play and needs no set up.

One person should start with a word by passing it ...

Guess who wrote it?  Not rated yet
Have each person write down on a piece of paper a random fact about themselves. Then one person reads all the facts. As the facts are being read, everyone ...

Pop the Balloon - Noisy Ice-breaker Game  Not rated yet
Give everyone a balloon upon arrival and then to start your session/ party/ training etc get them to have a race to see who can blow it up the quickest,...

Drawing with one pen - A Challenging Ice Breaker Exercise  Not rated yet
Suitable for 2 teams or more (less than 10 people in each team)

Duration: 20-30 minutes

Materials: Drawing paper e.g. flip chart and pen, one set ...

Christmas Carols Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
This was used at a Christmas party as an icebreaker game and also to form groups for the games we were going to play after dinner.

Upon check-in, everyone ...

Sponge Fun  Not rated yet
Game:
Items Needed: Many sponges
Divide into teams, Hand out the same amount of sponges to each team. If you have a screen that you can project on ...

Hurry Up Mate!  Not rated yet
The group is divided into 2 to 3 subgroups and it is a contest between these groups.

The MC (facilitator) stands equidistant from each group. Suddenly ...

Let me tell you something about me... learning names ice-breaker exercise  Not rated yet
This ice-breaker exercise is a quick and easy way to get people to learn each other's names.

Have each person introduce themselves by saying their first ...

'a senseable friend' cards activities   Not rated yet
Ice breaking is activity / games intended to help members of a group begin to identify themselves as a team. It facilitate exercise to help a group to ...

Do you want to come to my party?  Not rated yet
Materials needed: Whiteboard and markers

Participants are asked if they would like to "Come to my party". The only catch is they have to bring something ...

Wish you Were Here...Ice-breaker Game  Not rated yet
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Group Size: 4-8
Materials: Paper and tape, or post-it notes, pen

Tape a "vacation" activity to each persons back (or stick ...

Learning Names Easy Ice Breaker Game  Not rated yet
This ice breaker game is good for a group of 10 people and they don't know the name of each other.

Form a circle, and one person will say his name,...

Find Your Singing Partner - a Musical Icebreaker  Not rated yet
Preparation: appropriate number of song lyric sheets to hand out.

Divide the participants into two groups having equal number of participants

A)Write ...

Easy Icebreaker - I Love Myself Because...  Not rated yet
Need an icebreaker to get people talking? Ask them to talk about themself!

One of the things we love is ourselves and yet we often don't tell anyone....

Have you ever...?  Not rated yet
First you put chairs for one less than is playing (eg. if there is 10 people playing, then you use 9 chairs). Then you choose who will start in the middle....

Paper Snow Balls Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
This icebreaker game is for a group small, medium or even large.

Let all participants write a truth about themselves on an A4 size paper, no names.

Scramble ...

Tension Buster Ice-breaker Exercise  Not rated yet
I came across a group of people who were in a workshop together. I wasn't sure if the participants knew one another but the icebreaker sure looked like ...

The Barking (Mad) Icebreaker Game  Not rated yet
At a Team meeting we were heading out to lunch afterwards and the boss wanted people to mingle and asked me to find a game that would split people by table....

Quick and Easy Ice Breaker - Animal Concoction  Not rated yet
This easy ice breaker is suitable for small groups, and is for all ages. It's a simple creativity exercise, which can be used as a "warm up" to further ...

Book Personality  Not rated yet
This works with a group of people who have worked together before or will be working together.
Set-up: notecard with members name, books from different ...

introducing trainees to each other  Not rated yet
This game can enable the trainees to get to know each other so that they are comfortable while getting the training.

Partcipants can be asked to sit ...

Guess Who?  Not rated yet
Everyone in the room made a list of 3 things that no one would know about them. Keep in mind some of us knew one another and some didn't. We passed all ...

Two Truths and a Lie  Not rated yet
Each member of the group introduces themselves with three facts. Two of these are true but one is not. The rest of the group have to vote for which fact ...

This Is Me  Not rated yet
Each person has to draw 3 pictures which best desribe their personality.The other members of the group have to figure out what these pictures stand for....

Box of Junk  Not rated yet
This is a great team meeting ice breaker or any leadership course opener. Take a small box (12inx12in) and fill it with various objects. Objects meaning ...

How smart is your right foot?  Not rated yet
Have all participants seated, then to lift their right foot off the ground and rotate it clockwise. Then get them to draw an imaginary number 6 in the ...

Find the object  Not rated yet
This requires a large container, plenty of cooked spaghetti, cooking oil and objects to search for. You put the cooked spaghetti in the large container....

Pass the banana on!!  Not rated yet
Get a group of people. 8-10 people. Get them to lie down head to toe in a line! The Banana should be passed along only using their feet.

Nothing ...

Paper Fold  Not rated yet
For small or large group, you can do this ice breaker. First you need to form your group in a circle then give each person a piece of paper and a pen.

Each ...

Identifying group problems  Not rated yet
Start the class/ meeting by asking one person to leave the room. Tell the other ones that they are all gonna have the same problem.

They can act out ...

Minefield Ice-breaker Game  Not rated yet
Minefield is a trust ice-breaker game where participants are put into pairs with one person wearing a blindfold.

Objects are placed strategically across ...

Cross-over  Not rated yet
With masking tape mark out 2 lots of 30 adjoining squares(6 rows of 5 squares) Copy same on piece of paper and on each vertical row cross one square out....

BBQ Ice Breaker Name Game  Not rated yet
In this BBQ ice breaker name game, ask participants to introduce themselves as
their name and what they will be bringing to the BBQ, that starts with ...

Liar Liar  Not rated yet
This game was so much fun. I've been training for about 5 years and had never come across it but a memeber of my team brought it to one of team building ...

Life is like a box of Chocolates  Not rated yet
Send around a box of chocolates for delegates to choose one. The instruction to them is that they should choose once that closely resembles their personality....

The 'really' get to know you game  Not rated yet
Really simple; Get the group (big or small) think of something they've done but believe nobody else has done in the group. Get each person to share their ...

Office Superstore shoppping spree!  Not rated yet
If you were given a shopping spree to a local office supply store, what items would I find in your cart and why?

I have luck with this as I am a classroom ...

Untangle  Not rated yet
Everyone stands in a circle and holds one hand of one person opposite and one hand of one different person, so that everyone is linked to each other in ...

Who is who - who are we?  Not rated yet
This icebreaker is suitable for a relatively small group that needs to work on a certain topic but group members do not know each other by names. (that ...

Do you like your neighbors?  Not rated yet
This is a very fun and exciting game that I don't even remember who taught me but it works perfectly all the time. I like this game because it's not only ...

Introduce a Partner  Not rated yet
Each person in the meeting is assigned a partner. The two interview each other to determine background, education, interests, hobbies, pet peeves, etc....

Musical chairs for Grown Ups  Not rated yet
Have the group sit in a circle with one person in the middle.

The number of chairs in the circle should be one less than the number of people in the ...

I Have Never  Not rated yet
Another good game for finding things out about others....

Have everyone sit in a circle except one person. The person in the middle says something that ...