Icebreakers are a simple and fun way to help people get to know each other! They can be used with a small group that has been together for a while or with a new group that needs to get to know one another better. Someone new to your small group may feel uncomfortable walking into the new environment with new people. This person might assume that everyone in the group already knows one another, whether or not that is true. An icebreaker helps level the playing field! Everyone gets to learn new things about others in the group. Simple icebreakers and get-to-know-you games bring energy to the group. As the individuals get to know one another, they bond over common experiences and the laughter that icebreakers bring to the environment.
Here are six ideas you can use to help get to know each other better.
1. Hot Takes
Everyone submits their “hot take,” or unpopular opinion, to the leader ahead of time. You’ll want to have some rules in place: no politics, for example. The leader reads the hot takes one at a time while everyone guesses who said it.
Examples of hot takes:
- The live action Disney remakes are terrible.
- Americans love their dogs too much.
- Tea and coffee are essentially dirty water.
2. Just ask a fun question!
- When you were 5 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? Does your current job relate to that in any way?
- If you only had 10 minutes to prepare a TED Talk, what topic would you speak on?
- What’s a random skill/thing you have that you’d be willing to use to serve the group? (Making bread, assembling furniture, moving friends, doing taxes, planning trips, and so forth.)
- If you could move to any city in the world tomorrow (taking your job, your family, and so forth), where would you go?
- What hobby did you discover in quarantine that you plan to continue? (Alternative: What show did you watch? What podcast did you binge?)
- Which three fictional characters best describe your personality?
3. Complete the lyrics.
Play the first part of an oldie-but-goodie song to see who can complete the lyrics. You could play as teams or individuals. You’re out if you can’t complete them.
4. Hometowns
If your group is made up of people from different states or towns, find everyone’s hometown on a big map. Everyone can go around and play tour guide to her town: What’s the biggest attraction? Why did she love (or not love) growing up there? Where can you find the best meal?
5. Show and Tell
Have everyone bring an item to the meeting that’s important to them. You could do this based on a theme (a favorite ornament at Christmas, a childhood photo, something green, a souvenir, and so forth). Go around the group and everyone can share why they brought that item.
6. Top 10 Lists
The group leader finds a top 10 list online (such as the top 10 grossing movies of the year, the top 10 wealthiest male actors, the top 10 largest companies in the world, and so forth). Everyone in the class numbers off and gathers in their groups. The leader will announce the top 10 topic and put three minutes on the clock. Each group will designate one person to write their 10 guesses and circle their number one choice.
As time is called, the group leader will read off the list and the groups will tally up their points. They are given one point for every right answer and a bonus two points if they can guess the number one spot.
Check out Lifeway Adults’ post, “The Best Icebreakers to Start the New Year,” for more fun ideas like these.
