Icebreaker Games & Activities

Two Truths and a Lie

Share three statements about yourself - two true, one false

How to Play:

1. Each player shares three statements about themselves
2. Two statements must be true, one must be false
3. Other players guess which statement is the lie
4. Reveal the truth and discuss interesting facts

Tips:

• Encourage fun, surprising statements
• Make it appropriate for the group
• Allow discussion after each round
• Great for getting to know new people

Would You Rather

Choose between two difficult or funny options

How to Play:

1. Present two challenging choices
2. Everyone votes for their preferred option
3. Discuss reasons for choices
4. Continue with more questions
5. Most creative reasoning wins

Tips:

• Prepare questions in advance
• Keep them light-hearted and fun
• Encourage everyone to participate
• Adapt questions for the group's age/interests

Human Knot

Players stand in a circle, grab hands, and work together to untangle

How to Play:

1. Players stand in a circle
2. Each person grabs hands of two different people
3. Work together to untangle without letting go
4. No talking allowed (optional)
5. Success when everyone is in a circle again

Tips:

• Ensure safe hand-holding
• Encourage communication and strategy
• Great for building trust
• Add time limits for urgency

The Name Game

Learn everyone's name with a fun, memorable activity

How to Play:

1. Go around the circle introducing yourself
2. Add a fun fact or adjective with your name
3. Repeat previous people's names and facts
4. Continue until everyone knows everyone
5. Make it silly to keep it engaging

Tips:

• Start slow with smaller groups
• Use name tags if helpful
• Make facts fun and memorable
• Applaud successes

Speed Friending

Quick conversations like speed dating but for making friends

How to Play:

1. Pair up participants
2. Set a timer for 3-5 minutes per conversation
3. Each pair asks prepared questions
4. Rotate to new partners when timer rings
5. Continue for multiple rounds

Tips:

• Prepare conversation starters
• Have name tags ready
• Set clear time limits
• Follow up with group sharing

Marshmallow Challenge

Build the tallest tower using limited materials

How to Play:

1. Divide into teams of 4-8 people
2. Provide spaghetti, tape, string, and marshmallows
3. Build the tallest tower possible
4. Tower must stand on its own for 10 seconds
5. Winner is the tallest stable tower

Tips:

• Emphasize planning and communication
• Time the building phase
• Discuss what worked and what didn't
• Great for learning about prototyping

Story Circle

Create a collaborative story one sentence at a time

How to Play:

1. Sit in a circle
2. Start with a opening sentence
3. Each person adds one sentence to continue the story
4. Keep it going until the story naturally ends
5. Read the complete story aloud

Tips:

• Set a theme or genre in advance
• Encourage creativity and humor
• Keep sentences relatively short
• Applaud the final story

Question Ball

Toss a ball around while answering fun questions

How to Play:

1. Write questions on a soft ball or bean bag
2. Toss the ball to someone
3. The catcher answers the question they touch
4. Toss continues around the group
5. Everyone learns fun facts about each other

Tips:

• Use age-appropriate questions
• Include fun and thoughtful questions
• Allow passes if someone is uncomfortable
• Keep it light and positive