problem solving icebreaker activities

Best 20 Problem-Solving Activities to Challenge Your Team

Problem-solving activities are a great way to get to know how people in your team work individually and together.

They are also great for team building, as they help people understand the way in which others think and behave, which provides strategies to apply to the workplace.

In this article, we explore 20 problem-solving activities designed to enhance collaboration and creativity, and to challenge your team.

If you want access to 30+ different problem solving games , sign up for the Loumee platform. 

Table of contents

Why problem-solving is important in the workplace, team problem-solving activities, creative problem-solving activities, quick and easy problem-solving activities.

Virtual problem solving activities

Additional resources on problem-solving activities

According to a 2021 report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) , soft skills have become increasingly crucial in today's world, with problem-solving identified as a top skill in high demand (WEF, 2021). The success of a company or team greatly depends on managers' willingness to support employees in developing their problem-solving abilities. Research suggests that team-building activities focused on enhancing communication, collaboration, adaptability, and decision-making techniques are effective in addressing this skill gap (Anderson et al., 2022).

Problem-solving processes typically begin with problem identification, followed by the evaluation of potential courses of action and the selection of the optimal approach to solving the problem (Johnson & Smith, 2020). To facilitate effective problem-solving, a deep understanding of the team and its core strengths is necessary. Engaging in problem-solving exercises or games helps identify these strengths, fosters the development of problem-solving skills and strategies, and promotes an enjoyable team environment (Thomas et al., 2019).

Another vital aspect to consider during problem-solving games and activities is that they are not designed to have winners or losers. While certain games may have a winning team, the primary objective of these exercises is to foster collaboration and teamwork (Williams et al., 2022). At the conclusion of each game, the winning team should share their strategies and thought processes with the entire group, facilitating learning and knowledge-sharing among all participants (Brown et al., 2020).

Here’s a list of fun problem-solving activity examples to try with your team with labels if they are more suitable for virtual, hybrid or in-person. From collaborative and competitive team problem solving games to complex and collaborative lego building, these diverse mix of problem-solving and team-building activities will ensure your team’s problem solving skills stay razor sharp.

The Game of Life (Virtual, hybrid, in-person)

Activity focus areas: Teamwork, Reasoning, Time management, Strategy, Communication.

Why Teamwork is important for Problem-Solving: Teamwork is essential for problem-solving as it brings together diverse perspectives, expertise, and skills, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the problem and the generation of innovative solutions.

What you need:

Digital space (e.g. Teams, Zoom, Meet video call etc) or a physical room with enough space for team discussions

A computer or device per team (or print outs if playing in the office)

Access to the facilitator slides and platform

Instructions:  

Split the teams up into approximately 3-5 per team

Go through the game instructions and rules using the facilitator slide deck provided on the facilitator page- this can be in person or in the main session of the video call

Ask each team to create a team name and let them know they will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete the game

Each team must solve the individual puzzles and the master puzzle as quickly as possible - i.e. to figure out which of the teams in the game won (finished furthest on the board) in the “Game of Life”

2. LEGO Challenge (In-person)

Activity focus areas: Communication, Leadership Dynamics, Conflict, Co-operation, Patience and Strategy.

Why Communication is important for Problem-Solving:   Effective communication is crucial for problem-solving as it facilitates the exchange of ideas, information, and perspectives among team members, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the problem at hand. 

Lego pieces

To print and cut out the tasks below for the participants

Participant tasks (print)

You are only one allowed to build (put bricks together) in the first 3 layers of the building. 

You must make sure that layers 3 and 4 only consist of yellow bricks. You have to make sure that layers 2 and 6 consist of exactly eight bricks.

You are the only one allowed to build (put bricks together) in rows 5 and 6 of the building.

You have to make sure that a maximum of eight bricks are used in the 3rd and 5th layers of the building.

You are the leader of the group.

You have to make sure that the building is no higher than a maximum of eight layers. If people stop building when they have reached the eighth layer, you have to make sure they continue building in the layers below.

You have to make sure that the bricks that are next to each other in layers 1, 6 and 8 do not have the same color.

You have to make sure that there are, together with you, two others and only two others who build in layers 4 and 8.

You have to make sure that only a maximum of 3 participants build (put bricks together) in layers 4 and 7.

You have to make sure that there are only red bricks in the 2nd and 5th layers of the building.

You have to make sure that the first layer (layer 1) of the building consists of exactly 10 bricks.

Instructions:

Put the group into teams of 5-7 people. Each group sits around a table with a box of LEGO. Ask participants not to touch the LEGO until the activity begins.

Give the instructions: Your task, as a group, is to build a structure with these LEGO bricks. In a moment, each of you will get a piece of paper, where your individual assignment is written. You may not show or tell your assignment to the rest of the team. You will have 20 minutes to build your structure. You may not speak during the building process. You must continue building until the time is up.

Hand out the “assignments,” one per participant. Remind participants that they must not show their assignment to anyone else.

Once everyone has an assignment, begin the time and let participants start. 

After 20 minutes, tell participants to stop building. Invite them to guess the “assignments” of the other members of their group. Explain that they may now share their secret assignments with each other.

3. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower (In-person)

Activity focus areas: Collaboration, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.

Why Collaboration is important for Problem-Solving:   Collaboration is important for problem-solving because it brings together diverse perspectives, knowledge, and expertise, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. By working together, individuals can pool their strengths and resources, leading to innovative solutions that may not have been achievable by individuals working in isolation.

What you need (per team):

20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti

1 roll of masking tape

1 yard of string

1 marshmallow

The goal of this team-building game is for each team to construct the tallest freestanding tower using the provided resources: 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, 1 roll of masking tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow. The tower must support the marshmallow on its top.

Divide participants into teams of 3 to 5 members each. Ensure that each team has an equal distribution of skills, knowledge, and experience to encourage effective collaboration.

Provide each team with the designated resources: 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, 1 roll of masking tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow.

a. Teams have a set time limit (e.g., 20 to 30 minutes) to complete the task.

b. Teams can only use the provided materials; no additional items are allowed.

c. The marshmallow must be placed on top of the tower and should remain there until the end of the building phase.

d. The tower must be freestanding, meaning it should not be attached to any other objects or structures for support.

Building Process

Teams can strategize, plan, and discuss their ideas before they start building. Encourage open communication and active collaboration among team members.

Teams should work together to experiment with different designs and constructions that can support the marshmallow on top.

Teams can cut, break, or combine the spaghetti sticks and use tape and string as connectors to build the tower.

Marshmallow Placement: The marshmallow must be placed on top of the tower at the end of the building phase without any additional support or attachment.

Measuring Height: At the end of the time limit, use a measuring tape to determine and record the height of each team's tower, measuring from the base to the highest point of the marshmallow.

Debriefing and Learning

Gather all the teams together and discuss the results, focusing on the strategies that worked well and those that didn't.

Facilitate a debriefing session where participants can share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during the activity.

Highlight the importance of teamwork, communication, creativity, and adaptability in problem-solving.

4. Egg Drop (In-person)

Activity focus areas: Decision-making, Collaboration, Problem Solving Under Pressure.

Why decision-making is important for problem-solving: Decision-making is essential for problem-solving as it determines the course of action to address the issue at hand. Effective decision-making ensures that the chosen solution is well-informed, logical, and aligned with the overall objectives, increasing the likelihood of successful problem resolution.

A carton of eggs

Basic construction materials- e.g. newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, sticks, cloth

An outdoor space - i.e. somewhere to drop the eggs from

The goal of this team-building game is for each team to design and build a protective contraption using the provided materials to prevent an egg from breaking when dropped from a designated height.

Divide the participants into teams, ensuring an even distribution of skills and expertise among each group. Aim for 4 to 6 members per team to encourage effective collaboration and problem-solving.

Resource Allocation: Provide each team with the following resources: - A couple of eggs - Basic construction materials such as newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc. - Tarp or drop cloth to catch the dropped eggs.

Explanation of the Challenge: Each team must design and build a protective contraption for an egg that will prevent it from breaking when dropped from a designated height. Emphasize the importance of creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking in designing the contraption.

Design and Planning Phase: Allow teams a set amount of time (e.g., 15-20 minutes) to brainstorm ideas and plan their egg protection design. Encourage teams to sketch their designs on paper before starting construction.

Building the Egg Protection Contraption: Once the planning phase is over, let the teams start building their contraptions using the provided materials. Remind participants to use their resources wisely and efficiently.

Testing Phase: Set up a designated drop zone, which could be an elevated platform or a staircase. Each team will take turns dropping their egg protection contraption from the same height to ensure fairness. If there is a draw, increase the height of the drop until you find a winner.

Egg Drop: Teams will carefully place their egg inside the protection contraption before the drop. Participants should stand clear of the drop zone during the egg drop.

Inspection and Evaluation: After each drop, inspect the egg to check whether it remains intact or breaks. Record the results for each team's contraption.

Debrief and Team Discussion: Conduct a debriefing session to facilitate discussion on the importance of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in completing the challenge successfully.

Encourage participants to share their experiences and insights gained from the activity.

5. Desert island (in-person)

Activity focus areas: Prioritization, Communication, Decision-making, Leadership, Negotiation.

Why Prioritization is important for Problem-Solving: Prioritization is crucial for problem-solving as it helps individuals and teams focus their efforts on addressing the most critical aspects of a problem first. By identifying and tackling the most impactful issues early on, resources and time can be utilized more efficiently, leading to more effective and timely solutions. 

A physical space

The goal of this team-building game is for each team to collaborate and decide on a list of 5 essential items they would bring to support their survival on a desert island. The team's decisions should be based on effective communication, critical thinking, and consensus-building.

Divide the participants into teams, preferably with 4 to 6 members in each group. Ensure a mix of skills and backgrounds within each team for a diverse range of perspectives.

Explain the scenario: Each team is stranded on a deserted island and must collectively decide on the 5 most crucial items they will bring to ensure their survival. Emphasize that teamwork, negotiation, and rational decision-making are key components of the game.

Resource Constraints: Inform the teams that they have limited resources and can only choose 5 items to take with them to the desert island.

Specify that these items must be practical and directly related to survival needs.

Brainstorming: Give teams a few minutes to brainstorm and individually write down their ideas for the essential items.

Sharing and Discussion: Allow each team member to present their ideas to the group, explaining their reasoning behind each item.

Foster open and respectful discussion, ensuring that everyone's opinions are heard and considered.

Building Consensus: Facilitate the teams in reaching a consensus on the final list of 5 items.

Encourage compromise and negotiation to ensure that each team member feels heard and included in the decision.

Presenting the Final List: Once each team has agreed on their 5 items, have a representative from each group present their final list to the other teams and ask them to explain the rationale behind their choices.

Group Reflection: After all teams have presented their lists, facilitate a group discussion on the decision-making process.

Encourage participants to share their thoughts on how they reached a consensus and any challenges they faced during the activity.

Highlight the importance of effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration in problem-solving scenarios.

Real-Life Applications: Discuss how the skills practiced in this game can be applied in real-life situations, such as decision-making in the workplace or group projects.

6. The Hunt

Activity focus areas: Creativity, Team Decision-Making, Reasoning, Communication.

Why creativity is important for problem-solving: Creativity is crucial for problem-solving because it allows individuals to think beyond conventional solutions and explore innovative approaches to challenges. By fostering creative thinking, problem-solvers can discover unique perspectives and novel ideas that lead to more effective and efficient resolutions.

Objective: The Hunt is a team-building game designed to challenge participants' problem-solving skills and teamwork. The goal is for each team to solve 10 individual puzzles and a final master puzzle question in the fastest time possible.

Divide the participants into teams, with an ideal team size of 4 to 6 members - aim to create diverse teams with a mix of skills and expertise.

Brief the participants on the rules of the game and provide access to the game page via the Loumee platform . 

Explain the importance of effective communication, time management, and teamwork during the game.

Start the Game: When all teams are ready, tell the teams to enter their team name and the platform will automatically track their completion time (the timer will begin once the team starts working on the individual puzzles).

Team Collaboration: Encourage teams to work together, leveraging each member's strengths to solve the puzzles efficiently.Remind participants to communicate openly and respectfully, sharing ideas and insights.If a team is stuck on a puzzle - they can ask you for an answer in exchange for a 10 minute time penalty.

Time Management: Remind teams of the importance of managing their time effectively to complete all puzzles and the master question within the given timeframe.

Solving the Master Puzzle Question: Once a team has completed all 10 individual puzzles (or the majority), they can attempt to answer the master puzzle question. The team must use insights and information gathered from the individual puzzles to answer the master question accurately.

Scoring and Winner Declaration: Check the final scores of all teams and present the answers of the individual puzzles and the master puzzle using the slide deck provided on the platform. Declare the team with the shortest completion time as the winner of The Hunt team-building game.

Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the experience and challenges faced by each team.

Encourage participants to share insights on effective problem-solving strategies and teamwork.

7. Legoman Structure Replication Challenge (in-person)

Activity focus areas: Communication, Creativity, Collaboration.

Objective: The objective is for each team to replicate a randomly built Lego structure, created by an overseer, with limited time and restricted access to the original design.

Lego building blocks (ensure enough blocks for each team to replicate the structure)

Divide all participants into small teams of two or more members.

Appoint the Overseer: Designate one participant who is not a part of any team as the "Overseer." The Overseer's role is to build a unique Lego structure within the given time frame.

Overseer's Structure Building: Provide the Overseer with a set of Lego building blocks. Announce a time limit of ten minutes for the Overseer to create a random structure using the Lego blocks.

Replication Challenge: After ten minutes, present the built structure to all the teams. Explain that the teams' task is to replicate the original structure precisely within 15 minutes.

Restricted Access: Inform the teams that only one member from each group will have direct access to observe the original structure.

This "Observer" is the only team member allowed to look at the original design during the replication process.

Communication and Replication: Instruct the Observers to memorize the size, color, and shape of the original structure thoroughly.

The Observers must then return to their teams and communicate the design details to their teammates without showing them the original structure.

Monitoring and Assistance: As the facilitator, monitor each team's progress and offer guidance or clarifications if needed. Avoid directly assisting the teams, but provide hints or tips to help them overcome any challenges.

Conclusion: After 15 minutes, stop the replication process and gather all teams together. Compare each team's replicated structure with the original design to evaluate accuracy.

Reflective Debrief: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the challenges faced during the game and the strategies used by each team.

Key Takeaways: Highlight the importance of effective communication and teamwork in achieving successful outcomes.

Emphasize how creative thinking and resourcefulness play vital roles in solving challenges and completing tasks.

8. Escape room (in-person, virtual)

Activity focus areas: Reasoning, Collaboration.

Objective: The Escape Room Team-Building Game aims to challenge participants' problem-solving abilities and promote effective teamwork. The goal is for the team to work together to decipher puzzles, find the hidden key, and escape from a locked room within the designated time.

A lockable room

5-10 puzzles or clues (depending on how much time you want to spend on the game)

Preparations: Set up the lockable room, ensuring it is safe and secure, and test the locking mechanism beforehand.

Place the hidden key and a list of clues strategically around the room to challenge participants' problem-solving skills.

Introduction: Gather the team outside the locked room and explain the objective of the game. Emphasize the importance of teamwork, communication, and creative thinking throughout the activity.

Team Allocation:Divide participants into teams of suitable sizes, ideally 4 to 6 members, to encourage effective collaboration.

Start of the Game: Guide each team to their designated room and "lock" the door behind them.

Set a time limit for the game, such as 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the puzzles and the desired level of challenge.

Puzzle Solving: Encourage teams to explore the room thoroughly and work together to uncover hidden clues and solve the puzzles.

Each puzzle should lead them closer to the location of the key, promoting a sense of accomplishment as they progress.

Facilitator Assistance: Assign facilitators to monitor the teams' progress discreetly.

Offer subtle hints or nudges if a team seems stuck or is struggling to make progress.

Limit the number of hints to maintain the challenge and allow teams to develop problem-solving skills.

Escaping the Room: If a team successfully solves all the puzzles and finds the hidden key within the designated time, they can use the key to unlock the door and "escape" the room.

Congratulate the successful team and acknowledge their problem-solving skills and teamwork.

Debriefing and Reflection:

Gather all teams together after the game for a debriefing session.

Discuss the challenges faced during the activity, the strategies employed, and the effectiveness of communication and collaboration.

Learning Outcomes:

Highlight the relevance of reasoning, critical thinking, and creativity in problem-solving scenarios.

Reinforce the importance of effective teamwork and how it contributes to achieving shared goals.

9. Frostbite (in-person)

Activity focus areas: Decision-making, Adaptability

Objective: The Frostbite Room is a team-building game that challenges participants' decision-making and adaptability skills while fostering teamwork and creative problem-solving. The goal is for each team of Arctic explorers to construct a shelter using provided materials before the storm hits, while facing unique challenges with a blindfolded leader and snow-blinded team members.

A blindfold (1 per team)

1 packet of construction materials (such as card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes) for each team

An electric fan

Introduction and Setup:Gather your employees and introduce them to the Arctic adventure in the Frostbite Room.

Form teams of four or five members, ensuring diversity in skills and expertise within each group.

Instruct each team to choose a leader who will guide their exploration and decision-making.

The Arctic Expedition: Explain that each team is an Arctic explorer group embarking on an icy tundra adventure.

Their mission is to build a shelter from the provided materials before the storm hits in 30 minutes.

Emphasize that the shelter should be sturdy enough to withstand the high winds of the impending storm.

Leader's Frostbite Challenge: Inform the teams that both the team leader's hands have frostbite, rendering them unable to physically assist in constructing the shelter.

The leader's role is to provide verbal guidance, instructions, and decision-making direction to the rest of the team.

Team's Snow Blindness Challenge: Explain that the rest of the team members are afflicted with snow blindness, meaning they cannot see during the building process.

The team members must rely solely on the guidance of their blindfolded leader to construct the shelter effectively.

Distributing Construction Materials: Provide each team with a packet of construction materials, including card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes.

Encourage teams to plan their shelter designs during the 30-minute preparation period.

The Storm Test: When the 30 minutes are up, announce the commencement of the storm test.

Turn on the electric fan to simulate the high winds, and observe how well each shelter withstands the challenge.

Assessing Results: After the storm test, evaluate the stability and functionality of each team's shelter.

Recognize teams that demonstrate excellent decision-making, adaptability, and effective use of provided materials.

Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session with all participants to discuss the challenges faced and lessons learned during the Frostbite Room activity.

Encourage teams to share their decision-making processes, strategies for communication, and innovative solutions.

10. Minefield room (in-person)

Activity focus areas: Communication, teamwork

Objective: The Minefield Room Team-Building Game aims to enhance communication skills and teamwork within your group by navigating blindfolded partners through a room filled with strategically placed office items, avoiding "mines."

An empty room or hallway large enough to accommodate your group.

Blindfolds for each participant.

A collection of common office items (boxes, chairs, water bottles, bags, etc.) to create the "minefield."

Set Up the Minefield: Arrange the office items randomly throughout the room, ensuring there is no clear path from one end to the other.

Space the objects out enough to create a challenging and dynamic maze.

Form Teams and Assign Roles: Divide your participants into pairs, ensuring an even distribution of skills and expertise among the teams.

Designate one person in each pair as the "Navigator" and the other as the "Blindfolded Partner."

Blindfold the "Blindfolded Partner":

Provide blindfolds to the "Blindfolded Partners" and ensure they cannot see anything.

Navigate through the Minefield: The objective for each pair is for the "Navigator" to verbally guide the blindfolded partner from one end of the room to the other, avoiding the "mines" (office items).

The "Navigator" must use clear and precise instructions to direct their partner safely through the minefield.

No Physical Contact: Emphasize that the "Navigator" is not allowed to touch or physically guide the blindfolded partner in any way. This rule encourages the "Navigator" to rely solely on effective communication to guide their partner.

Enhancing the Challenge: To make the activity more challenging, have all pairs navigate the minefield simultaneously. This increases the complexity of the game and requires teams to strategize their communication more effectively.

Debrief and Team Reflection: After the game, gather all participants for a debrief session. Encourage teams to reflect on their experiences, communication dynamics, and challenges faced during the activity.

Facilitate a discussion on successful communication strategies observed during the game. Encourage participants to share what worked well and what could be improved upon.

Discuss ways participants can apply the lessons learned from the Minefield Room Team-Building Game in their everyday work environment.

11. Blind Formations (in-person)

Activity focus areas: Teamwork, problem-solving, communication.

Objective: The Blind Formations team-building game aims to enhance communication and collaboration skills within a group. Participants will work together while blindfolded to create specific shapes using a rope, fostering effective teamwork and problem-solving.

Blindfolds (one for each participant)

A long rope (ensure it is long enough to form the desired shapes)

Optional: Stopwatch or timer for competitive variations

Preparation: Gather all participants and explain the objective and rules of the Blind Formations game.

Ensure each participant receives a blindfold and familiarize them with how to put it on and adjust it comfortably.

Formation of Groups: Form a single large circle with all participants standing close together.

If the group is too large, consider dividing them into smaller teams of manageable sizes for enhanced engagement and interaction.

Positioning the Rope: Tie two ends of the rope together to form a complete circle and place it in the center of the group, within reach of every participant.

If the group is divided into teams, provide a separate rope for each team.

Explanation of the Task: Inform the participants that their task is to communicate and work collaboratively to create specific shapes using the rope while being blindfolded.

Suggest various shapes, such as a square, triangle, rectangle, or any other geometric figure suitable for the group's size and complexity level.

Blindfolding: Instruct all participants to put on their blindfolds before beginning the activity.

Ensure that each blindfold is secure but comfortable to avoid any discomfort during the game.

Commencing the Activity: Once all participants are blindfolded, initiate the game by asking them to start working on forming the designated shape.

Emphasize the importance of clear verbal communication and active listening throughout the task.

Facilitating Competitive Variation (Optional): If there are multiple teams, you can introduce a competitive element by timing each team to see who completes the shape the quickest.

Use a stopwatch or timer to measure the completion time for added excitement.

Shape Completion and Debrief: Once a group or team successfully forms the specified shape, stop the activity and remove the blindfolds.

Gather all participants for a debrief session, discussing the challenges faced, successful communication strategies, and teamwork experiences.

Reflection and Learning: Encourage participants to reflect on the importance of effective communication, trust, and collaboration in problem-solving scenarios.

Highlight the lessons learned from the Blind Formations game and how these skills can be applied in their personal and professional lives.

12. Unpuzzled (in-person, virtual, hybrid)

Activity Focus Areas: Communication, reasoning, collaboration under time pressure.

Objective: Unpuzzled is an engaging team-building game that combines problem-solving and trivia elements. The goal is for each team to work collaboratively to solve a series of puzzles and then unscramble them to uncover a meta answer. The game can be played as a competition between teams and is flexible to be completed virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid setting, with a time limit of 20 minutes. Teams have the option to ask for the answer to a puzzle if needed, but it comes with a time penalty.

Formation of Teams: Divide participants into teams with an ideal size of 4 members per team.

Game setup: Explain the game concept and rules to all teams via the Loumee platform .

Ensure that each team has access to the necessary materials and the puzzles, either in printed form for in-person play or digitally for virtual and hybrid settings.

Puzzle Solving: Provide the teams with their series of puzzles that involve both problem-solving and trivia elements. Instruct teams to work together to solve each puzzle as efficiently as possible. 

Time Limit: Set a timer for 20 minutes to add a sense of urgency and encourage teams to manage their time wisely. Inform participants about the time limit and emphasize the importance of staying on track.

Unscrambling to find the Meta Answer: Once all puzzles are solved, teams must collaborate to unscramble the puzzle answers and derive a meta answer from them. The meta answer should reveal the overarching solution to the game - it might be a quote, a fact, for example.

Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid Play: Facilitate the game in the chosen setting (virtual, in-person, or hybrid) to accommodate participants' preferences and logistical constraints.

Time Penalty for Hints: Teams have the option to ask for the answer to a specific puzzle if they encounter difficulties. Inform teams that seeking hints comes with a time penalty, which may affect their final completion time.

Completion and Winner Declaration: Stop the game after the time is up or when all teams have completed the game, depending on the play setting. Gather all teams together and review their answers to ensure accuracy.

Determine the Winning Team: Declare the team that correctly answers the most puzzles in the shortest time as the winner of the Unpuzzled team-building game.

Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the experience and challenges faced by each team during the game using the LEAD reflection questions . Encourage participants to share insights on effective problem-solving strategies and team dynamics.

13. Same Same But Different

Activity focus areas: Adaptability, communication, teamwork.

Objective: The Same Same But Different team building game is an icebreaker activity that can be played in teams in 5 to 10 minutes. It is a team problem solving activity to challenge your team while also getting them warmed up for a meeting or event.

Divide participants into teams - 3-5 people per team.

Game setup: Explain the game concept and rules to all teams via the instructions on the Loumee platform .

14. Sinking Vessel (In-person)

Activity focus areas: Adaptability, Teamwork.

Objective: The Sinking Vessel team-building game aims to challenge participants' adaptability and collaborative problem-solving skills. The goal is for the entire team to work together and stay within a shrinking boundary created using a rope or string.

Why adaptability is important for problem-solving: Adaptability is crucial for problem-solving as it enables individuals to adjust their approaches and strategies when faced with new or changing circumstances. Being adaptable allows problem-solvers to effectively navigate unforeseen challenges, explore alternative solutions, and optimize their responses to achieve successful outcomes.

A rope or string

Set-Up: Choose a spacious area where participants can move freely and safely.

Lay the rope on the ground to create a large shape that can accommodate all team members standing inside it. The shape could be a circle, square, or any other figure that allows everyone to fit comfortably.

Forming the Initial Boundary: Ask all participants to stand within the shape created by the rope.

Ensure that everyone is positioned entirely inside the boundary.

Shrinking the Space:

Announce that the objective of the game is to keep everyone within the boundary as it shrinks over time.

Gradually and steadily reduce the size of the shape by pulling the rope inward.

Aim to shrink the space progressively over a period of 10-15 minutes.

Collaboration and Adaptability:

As the space shrinks, participants must collaborate to find creative solutions to stay within the boundaries.

Encourage open communication and idea-sharing among team members.

Problem-Solving Strategies: Participants can utilize various problem-solving strategies to adapt to the shrinking space. These may include:

Adjusting their positions within the boundary to optimize space utilization.

Forming smaller sub-groups and coordinating movements to accommodate everyone.

Thinking creatively to find innovative ways to fit within the shrinking area.

Facilitator Guidance: As the facilitator, observe the teams' interactions and provide support or guidance as needed. Avoid directly giving solutions but offer subtle nudges to encourage critical thinking.

Reflecting and Debriefing: After the activity, gather all participants for a debriefing session.

Encourage teams to share their experiences, challenges faced, and the strategies they employed to address the shrinking space.

Discuss how adaptability and teamwork played crucial roles in successfully completing the task.

15. Line Up Blind

Activity Focus Areas: Communication, teamwork.

Objective: The objective of the Line Up Blind team building game is to promote effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills within a group of participants. This game is typically used as an icebreaker or team-building exercise and is often part of corporate training sessions, workshops, or group activities.

Blindfolds: Participants are divided into small teams, and each team member is blindfolded.

Scattered Formation: The participants are initially scattered randomly in a designated area.

Objective: The teams are given a specific objective, such as lining up in order of height, birthday, or any other criterion, without being able to see or communicate directly with each other.

Communication: Team members must rely on verbal communication and teamwork to accomplish the objective. They can guide each other using spoken instructions, but physical contact is often restricted.

Time Limit: There is usually a time limit for completing the task.

Debrief: After the activity is completed or when the time limit is up, participants gather to discuss their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the strategies they used to achieve the objective.

16. Reverse Pyramid (in-person)

Activity Focus Areas: Adaptability, collaboration.

Objective:  To use some reasoning and collaboration to form a pyramid using human bodies.

1. Have everyone stand in a pyramid shape, horizontally.

2. Ask them to flip the base and the apex of the pyramid moving only three people.

3. This quick exercise works best when smaller groups compete to see who can reverse the pyramid the fastest.

17. Move It! (In-person)

Objective: The objective of Move It! is to have two teams face each other in two rows within a marked square space for each player. The goal is to switch the positions of the two lines of players following certain movement restrictions.

Chalk, rope, tape, or paper (something to mark a space)

1. Divide your group into two teams and line them up front to back, facing each other.

2. Using the chalk, tape, rope, or paper (depending on the playing surface), mark a square space for each person to stand on. Leave one extra empty space between the two facing rows.

3. The goal is for the two facing lines of players to switch places.

4. Place these restrictions on movement:

Only one person may move at a time.

A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.

No one may not move backward.

A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.

18. Human Knot (in-person)

Activity Focus Areas: Adaptability, collaboration

Objective: Create a human knot using team members.

1. Have everyone stand in a circle, and ask each person to hold hands with two people who aren’t directly next to them.

2. When everyone is tangled together, ask them to untangle the knot and form a perfect circle — without letting go of anyone's hand.

Virtual Problem Solving Activities

19. the trip (virtual, hybrid, in-person).

Activity Focus Areas: Team Collaboration, Communication, Reasoning, Problem-Solving Under Pressure.

Objective: Solve 10 different individual puzzles and then put them all together to solve the meta puzzle and figure out the destination - played as a game of speed with the fastest team to complete the game being the winner.

Access to the game materials via the platform

A conference call with breakout room functionality- e.g. Teams, Zoom, Meet, etc.

Split the group up into teams of 3-5 people

Present the activity introduction and rules of the game using the slide presentation provided (or you can book a facilitator to do it for you)

Put the teams into their breakout rooms and give them access to the online game page

Start the clock and give all teams a maximum of 40 minutes to complete the game

Check the answers after the time is up and make any corrections and adjustments to the total time score

Present the answers to the game and the winning team(s)

Ask teams to reflect on what worked well and what didn’t work so well in their team play - they can reflect on their individual contribution and behavior in the game

20. What Would X Do (in-person, virtual or hybrid)

Activity Focus Area: Instant problem-solving.

Objective: To try and find a creative solution to a real problem using some out-of-the-box thinking and ideas.

1. Have everyone pretend they're someone famous.

2. Each person must approach the problem as if they were their chosen famous person. What options would they consider? How would they handle it?

3. This allows everyone to consider solutions they might not have thought of originally.

3 types of problem solving models and how to use them

The best books on problem solving

Fun Problem-Solving Activities and Games : Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of interesting and creative problem-solving activities 

How to solve problems: This article provides a framework for problem solving and some tips on how the best teams do it

Looking for more team problem solving games ?

Check out the Loumee platform for 30+ problem-solving activities to challenge your team - there are different themes, lengths and difficulty levels from “lite” to challenging.

How to Improve Team Performance: 15 Best Practices to Boost Productivity in 2023

61 Ice Breaker Games [That Your Team Won’t Find Cheesy]

Whether it's kicking off a meeting or getting to know new team members, an effective ice breaker game can help set the right tone and help build connections. But how do you choose the right one?

In this post, we'll share a collection of tried and tested ice breaker games you can use to engage and energize groups of any size. Whether you just want to have fun, encourage team building or level-up your meetings, there's an activity here for you.

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• 18 Free Facilitation Resources We Think You’ll Love

An in-depth study from TINYpulse , an employee engagement company, studied more than 40,000 workers’ inputs from more than 300 companies globally. They found a correlation of 0.92 between employee fulfillment and their relationships with colleagues. Since you can end up spending more time with coworkers than with your family or partner, it is a topic that deserves much attention.

But how can you break the ice without also frustrating your team or making them roll their eyes? Using facilitator-tested and proven methods like those below are a surefire way to open your meetings more effectively and engage your team.

You’ll find classic conversation starters like Two truths and One Lie , fun games like The Marshmallow Challenge or even a Virtual Scavenger Hunt! You’ll find our collection of 61 of the best ice breaker games for work separated by category and find some useful tips for running them in your workshop or meeting too!

Purpose of ice breaker games

So how do you avoid creating a frustrating, patronizing ice breaker game that won’t make participants feel like they are wasting their time?

The benefits of a good ice breaker far outweigh any negatives. They can take care of introductions in a much more fun way than just simply going around the room and stating what’s on your business card. They can help people remember names , start conversations and create a positive atmosphere in moments.

When done right, ice breakers can quickly build a sense of community , set the tone for the upcoming session & give participants ownership of the learning ahead.

Icebreaker games are also a great way for people to share their expectations and for facilitators to introduce the topic of the day. They help participants to loosen up, understand each other more and enable better collaboration and networking . Last, but not least, it is a surefire way to energize the group and have everyone focused and ready to go.

Ready to design a session around your chosen icebreaker? SessionLab makes it easy to build a complete agenda in minutes . Start by dragging and dropping blocks, add your timings and adjust with ease to create a minute-perfect session. When you’re ready for feedback, invite collaborators and refine your agenda with ease.

Ice Breaker Games to Get to Know Each Other

Whenever you bring a group of people together for a meeting, project, or event, it’s helpful to get to know each other at the outset.

This does not only mean just memorizing names, but also involves getting the facilitator or leader of the session familiar with everyone and getting a read on the energy of the room.

One of the other major benefits of these games is in allowing group members to break free from dry or boring introductions and get to know each other more meaningfully. Let’s dive in!

Just One Lie

Diversity bingo.

• Two truths and One Lie

Unique and Shared

Passions tic tac toe.

• Jenga Questions

Speed Dating Icebreaker

Break the ice with the help of your key.

• Whose Story is it?
• Trading Card Icebreaker
• Find Your Pair
• Toilet Paper Icebreaker
• Show and Tell

This method is an adaptation of the well-known ice breaker ‘Two Truths And A Lie’ to create an activity that can be run throughout a day of a meeting or workshop.

Participants mingle and ask questions from each other while noting the answers on post-its. But everyone includes one lie. The result is that you have a board of interesting facts about all the participants, among them, one lie. Throughout the workshop you can return to these boards for participants to introduce each other and find out what was the lie.

Just One Lie   #icebreaker   #energiser   #team   #get-to-know   This method is adapted from the well-known icebreaker ‘Two Truths And A Lie’  to create an activity that you could return to throughout a meeting.

Diversity Bingo is one of our favorite group ice breaker games. This game help participants to get information on each other in a fun, competitive way.

First, create a bingo card containing a grid of squares with a statement or question in each square that will apply to some members of your group and is in line with the objectives of your class, workshop, or event. After each player gets a bingo card, they mingle around introducing themselves and finding other participants who can sign their cards indicating that a statement applies to him/her.

To avoid having people only talk to one or two people and filling up their card, limit the signatures they can give to 1 or 2 per card. When everyone has reached bingo or is super close, you can share something you’ve learned about each other, yourself and the experience of this ice breaker activity.

Diversity Bingo   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #opening   #teampedia   #action   This game helps participants to get information on each other in a fun, competitive way.

Do you have people who come from many different places to your session? If you’re looking for fun icebreakers for meetings that are active, Group Map is a good bet!

A great way to get to know each other is to have participants place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why that is important for them.

Encourage people to share a short story if they want. Sharing customs and values from your childhood can create more understanding and help form stronger bonds – a hallmark of a good icebreaker.

Icebreaker: The Group Map   #get-to-know   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Ask people to place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why is that important for them. Encourage people to share a short story if they want

​ Two Truths and One Lie

A simple and classic ice breaker game. Each employee shares three statements about themselves – two truths, and one lie. Then, everyone tries to guess which is the lie by asking questions. Try to find out as many details about the statements as possible and watch the speaker’s reactions closely. The whole point is to learn facts about your peers while inserting an element of mystery.

This team icebreaker helps the group learn about each other and gives both introverts and extroverts an equal chance to reveal themselves and discover others’ assumptions. It’s been done before, but if you’re looking for simple ice breaker games for work, this is one everyone is sure to know and requires zero prep from the facilitator.

Everyone is a Liar (Two truths and one lie)   #warm up   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   #online   Starting a meeting or after a break in a group where participants don’t know each other or don’t know much about each other

Create groups of 4-5 people, and let them discover what they have in common, along with interesting characteristics that are unique to a person in the group.

This icebreaker promotes unity as it gets people to realize that they have more common ground with their peers than they first might realize. As people become aware of their own unique characteristics, they can also help people feel empowered to offer the group something unique.

Common and Unique   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   Create groups of 4-5 people, and let them discover what they have in common, along with interesting characteristics that are unique to a person in the group.

The goal of this icebreaker game is to help the participants to get to know each other at the beginning of an event or to help identify their values during the later part of a training session.

Create a 3 x 3 grid for each participant and have them fill in each block with a different personal passion randomly. After the individual work, have everyone walk around the room and compare notes. When they find the same passion listed in both grids, ask them to sign for each other in the appropriate square. The winner is the participant who manages to have other people’s signatures on three lines (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). You can continue the game to have as many winners as you like.

Passions Tic Tac Toe   #get-to-know   #values   #icebreaker   #thiagi   This simple game that explores the concepts from these two quotations: “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you”. —Oprah Winfrey. “Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, who they are.” —Penelope Lively, novelist

​Jenga questions

Jenga is the starting point of many fun gatherings. It’s a super easy ice breaker activity to explain and pick up & anyone can join any time. You can spice up a regular tower-toppling contest by writing intriguing questions on each block (or as many as you can).

When you draw each block, read the question out loud & answer before placing the piece on the top of the tower. This can ignite exciting conversations about everyday topics like favorite downtime activities to more in-depth stuff, like career and self-development goals.

Traditional games with a unique spin can often generate curiosity and engagement in a groups setting. Try having different kinds of icebreaker activities in your toolbox in order to overcome any potential resistance in your group.

This fast-paced icebreaker activity allows participants to get acquainted with while also exploring something thought provoking and inspiring. Prepare a set of inspirational quotes prior to the session and the number of participants on individual slips of paper. Put the pile in the center of the room. Each participant picks up one quote, then picks a partner and begins to discuss what the quote says to them, if it is meaningful, and how.

Then after a minute or so the facilitator gives a signal and participants switch partners, and may switch quotes as well if they’d like. This can continue for 4-5 rounds for around 15 minutes. Choose quotes that relate to your meeting topic or company culture for an even more effective opening to your session!

Quotes   #icebreaker   #energiser   #online   #warm up   #remote-friendly   For participants to get acquainted with each other in a meaningful way

The goal of this game is to have a succession of very rapid conversations in an extremely short amount of time with as many people as possible. Have people sit in pairs, with colleagues that they don’t directly work with on a day-to-day basis. Determine the time limit (say 3 minutes for each conversation) and set a timer. When it starts, each pair has to start speed networking & find out as much professional info about the other as possible.

While it’s natural for group members to want to spend time with people they know, encouraging your team to mix is an important step to improving team cohesion. Team building icebreakers like this one are great for starting that process!

Speed-dating   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   This can be used as a teambuilding activity or a way to introduce participants to each other.

Games and activities that include physical objects can help ensure the session is memorable and specific to those people present. In this ice breaker, ask participants to sit in a circle and bring their keys with them.

Explain that they will get to know each other through their keys. Ask them that one by one present all the keys they have on their keychain and tell a few sentences about the area the key represents – the city or neighborhood they live in, the activity it represents (bike or locker key) or the person they received it from.

Be sure to start the circle yourself so the participants get the feeling of how it should be done. Bonus points if you can demonstrate openness and vulnerability for your group to follow!

Break the ice with the help of your key!   #team   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   The key ice breaker is a team building favorite and a great exercise to get to know each other in a group or team. It is easy to understand and set up, can be modified according to the objects participants have, fast way to get info on each other , and surely makes everyone included!

Whose story is it?

Start this ice breaker game by writing your funniest or weirdest story on a small piece of paper. It has to be a true one, no fiction! Then fold the paper up and drop it into a bowl or other container.

The facilitator or the person leading the program randomly reads every story and group members guess who the writer is. This is a great way to get to know each other and find out new things, even if you’ve worked together for a long time.

​Trading Card Icebreaker

Starting a meeting by defining your personality and being creative is a great way to kick off a more involved team project.

This activity from Gamestorming works great because it lets people self-define and share their personality outside of their day-to-day work. This approach means people get to connect more meaningfully and authentically while also creating fun and memorable cards that serve as conversation pieces as the meeting progresses.

Trading Cards   #gamestorming   #icebreaker   #opening   This meeting starter is great because it lets people self-define,  gives them a “personality” outside the typical work environment. Additionally,it gives participants quick snapshots of multiple players (since they see many cards as they’re being passed around), and it creates memorable visuals that give people conversation pieces as the meeting progresses.

​Find your pair

Prepare word pairs, like salt and pepper, milk and honey, sail and wind, etc on separate pieces of paper. Tape one to each person’s back. People then have to walk around and ask closed questions (with a yes or no answer) to find out what their phrase is. Once they find out, they have to find their pair & by continuing to ask questions (these can be open or closed) they have to learn 3 new things about the other.

​Toilet Paper Icebreaker

This is one of those ice breaker activities that is easily prepared in most live settings – you only need one roll of toilet paper. Pass this around, and have everyone rip off how much they would usually use. Everyone will feel awkward & will not really see the point at the beginning & possibly think you’ve lost it.

When everyone has taken off a few squares, they should count them. The amount they have is how many fun facts they should reveal about themselves. A warning though: this is an activity that is best suited for more lighthearted occasions and you’ll want to know your audience a bit before trying this!

​Show and tell

Group icebreakers are important, even in teams that know each other well. For more established groups, where people are more familiar with each other, it’s always good to dedicate a day, or an afternoon for “show and tell”. Each team member gets the chance (not all at once of course) to showcase something – an object or a topic that they are interested in.

Try making this activity part of a group routine at the start of every team meeting for bonus points. Creating this habit gives less exhibitionist characters a chance to share and it is also a great practice to hone presentation skills and handle the attention & tricky questions.

Show and Tell   #gamestorming   #action   #opening   #meeting facilitation   Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

Quick ice breaker games

When you have a tightly packed agenda, it’s useful to have some quick icebreakers you can use to warm up the group in a pinch. These activities are simple to explain, fast to run, and work great in large or small groups . They also can double as after-lunch energizers to encourage team members to engage in what’s next!

Here are some of our favorite games you can use to break the ice in a group in ten minutes or less! Prefer something that requires even less set-up? Check out our collection of icebreaker questions for a set of effective conversation starters.

One Word at a Time

Apple, orange and banana, conversation questions, diversity welcome, stress balls, object meditation.

• Have you ever? (Stand up if)

Ice breaker ideas can come from anywhere, and so can great ideas. Create a surprise sentence by saying one word at a time. Give a general topic. The first person in the group says one word to a topic. The next person continues with another word.

Eventually, the group creates a whole sentence by each member contributing only one word at a time. The outcome is always unexpected & almost always funny. Make sure people don’t say two words when using articles or pronouns.

One Word Method   #product development   #idea generation   #creativity   #icebreaker   #online   #warm up   Creating a sentence relating to a specific topic or problem with each person contributing one word at a time.

Some of the best quick icebreakers promote team bonding by simply encouraging the group to be silly and have fun. This game is designed to do just that!

Start by asking your group to stand in a circle with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front. Explain that when you shout either apple, orange or banana they must perform the associated action: moving forward, backward or spinning around. When the group is comfortable, mix it up by saying two or even three words in sequence!

This great icebreaker game gets everyone moving, generates lots of laughter, and is a wonderful activity to use after breaks too.

Apple, Orange and Banana!   #energiser   #icebreaker   #fun   #teambuilding   Fun energiser to create energy and fun. Great to use after breaks such as lunch or coffee breaks.

Sometimes the best and fastest icebreakers are also the simplest! Use this collection of 25 icebreaker questions as the basis for letting to group get to know each other, or have participants answer in rapid-fire!

Small groups might wish to mingle and ask questions one on one, while you might invite larger groups to answer questions by raising their hand to answer. Whatever way you go, these icebreaker questions are a great starting point for team bonding and helping participants get to know other group members.

Conversation Questions   #connection   #icebreaker   #trust   #meeting facilitation   #opening  

Quick icebreakers also have the potential to set the right tone for your meeting or workshop. The focus of his activity is to promote diversity and help create an inclusive environment for your session. Start by naming a possible trait of someone who may be present and saying they are welcome. For example, “If you love dogs, you are welcome here! If you prefer cats, you are welcome here!”

Slowly move into deeper territory by naming traits and concepts that resonate with your audience. With established groups, invite participants to share their own welcome, focusing on helping everyone in the room feel safe and welcome.

Diversity welcome   #diversity   #inclusion   #opening   #remote-friendly   #hybrid-friendly   The intention of the diversity welcome is inclusion. It can be long or short. The common element is to inclusively name a range of possibilities with a genuine “Welcome!”

We love games that not only function as a fun introduction but also offer a way to improve company culture. Stress Balls is a fast-paced icebreaker that helps highlight the importance of communication and teamwork while also encouraging lots of fun.

Begin by simply asking participants to stand in a circle and pass a ball to their left. Debrief and ask how the task went before asking participants to try again while moving the ball faster. Introduce further complexity until the game becomes a mess! While the result is chaotic fun, it also offers a very teachable lesson about how teams can communicate in order to achieve great results.

Stress Balls   #energiser   #communication   #teamwork   #team   #thiagi   #action   #icebreaker   Understanding the importance of communication and teamwork is an important requirement for high performance teams of knowledge workers. This exercise is an effective energizer that requires communication and teamwork. Ask participants to form a circle and throw a ball around to simulate the movement of a message. Change different variables such as speed, quantity, and complexity to create a mess.

Just because an icebreaker can be done quickly doesn’t mean it can’t also be mindful! This focused meditation activity is a wonderful way to open a meeting and encourage everyone to be present.

First, have everyone choose an object that is close to them and invite them to close their eyes. Next, ask the group to notice how they feel and to consider any feelings that aren’t serving them right now. Invite them to transfer these feelings into the object they are holding for the duration of the meeting and then come back to the room.

Combined with a quick debrief, this method is a great way to gently break the ice with your group. Check out the full method below for a script you can follow too!

Object Meditation   #icebreaker   #meditation   #emotional intelligence   #managing emotions   #check-in   #self-awareness   A focused meditation to become present and aware. We accept our feelings, leaving behind what we doesn’t serve us right now. A ideal way to open a workshop or team meeting.

Use this ice breaker activity at, or very near, the start of a course, workshop or meeting where people don’t know each other to help get to know everyone’s names. Have the group sit in a circle where everyone can see the others. The first person says their name. The next person continues, but after saying their own name, they repeat the first person’s name. This continues with each person repeating one more name. Reassure people towards the end that it’s ok if they get stuck & encourage the others to jump in to help if anyone is lost.

Name Game   #opening   #icebreaker   #energiser   Use the exercise at, or very near, the start of a course, workshop or meeting where people don’t know each other as it helps to learn names of each other

​Have you ever? (Stand up if)

Prior to the workshop the facilitator prepares a list of questions which can only be answered with yes or no. These questions should begin with “Have you ever…?” or “Stand up if…”. The facilitator reads out the questions or statements one by one. For each statement the participants stand up if they could answer the statement with yes.

The questions should be designed to not be discriminatory, intimidating or insulting. Possible topics can be countries visited, dishes, games or sports tried, movies seen etc. This should be quite familiar to people before they attend the meeting or workshop and is quick and easy to understand – ice breaker ideas don’t need to be brand new to be effective!

Stand up if   #icebreaker   #sharing   #opening   #energiser   #online   #remote-friendly   short, fun, energizing team activity

This is a quick ice breaker game where players have to form an orderly line without any discussion, or any verbal cues or help at all. The line is formed by predetermined criteria (like height, or color of each person’s eyes etc.). and gently asks people to start working together to get themselves into order.

With a more familiar group, try adding more complication to encourage your team to think more deeply. This icebreaker helps develop team collaboration and non-verbal communication, and it’s great when kicking of a training session with lots of talking later!

Line-Up   #hyperisland   #energiser   In the short group challenge, participants must organize themselves in a line according to a certain criteria (like height) without speaking. The activity promotes non-verbal communication and teamwork. Simpler versions of the activity can be used in early stages of group development while more complex versions can be used to challenge more established groups.

Ice Breaker Games for Meetings

Using an ice breaker at the start of a meeting is a great way to encourage group members to be present and get things started on the right foot. Effective opening activities energize everyone, helping them ‘arrive’ mentally and leave behind whatever task or thought they were previously working on.

They can also help clarify the objectives of the meeting and position the group for what’s coming next. While many of the ice breakers in this collection work well for work, we’ve found these ones especially effective. Here are some ice breakers for meetings to help ensure your next team meeting is a success!

Coat of Arms

One word exercise, the real reason why you are here, lego metaphors, weather check-in.

• Rain Icebreaker

Celebrate the wins in your team

Mindfulness icebreaker, purpose mingle.

This game is a great way for players to introduce themselves and their colleagues. It’s especially fun for people who think they already know each other very well – almost every time there are at least a few surprises!

Sometimes these new nuggets of wisdom can have an immediate effect on the employees’ relationships, current projects or challenges. Since you have to draw, rather than explain, it serves double duty for topics like problem-solving, creative thinking and innovation. Fun icebreakers for meetings don’t get much better than this!

Coat of Arms   #teambuilding   #opening   #icebreaker   #team   #get-to-know   #thiagi   Coat of Arms exercise provides a way for participants to introduce themselves and their colleagues, particularly for groups who think they already know each other very well. Almost invariably participants discover something about their colleagues of which they previously had no idea. Occasionally this revelation has an immediate and direct application to another participant’s current project or challenge.Because this activity forces people to use drawings rather than words, it is particularly useful as a dual-purpose introductory exercise in training sessions that deal with such topics as innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.

Pick a phrase that is central to the reason you’ve gathered and have everyone write down or say a word that comes to their mind in relation to it. If you’re leading a meeting about planning an upcoming project, ask participants to share one word that they think describes the goal or the processes that are needed.

Once everyone has shared their phrases, discuss the results. This ice breaker helps explore different viewpoints about a common challenge, before starting the meeting.

When we first arrive in a meeting, we’re often carrying other things with us. The stress of unfinished work, thinking about the evening or just what we’re having for lunch. Encourage your team to be present and think about why they are in your meeting or workshop with this simple ice breaker that helps spark conversation.

Begin by asking the group to state the concious reason for being in the meeting, and then invite them to consider the deeper reasons for being in the session. The surfacing of these deeper reasons for being present can be surprising, but are often useful for the group to discuss while breaking the ice!

The real reason why you are in this workshop   #constellations   #objectives   #icebreaker   #warm up   A deep-dive method to reveal the subconscious reason why you are in a workshop. Facilitator goes first and by doing so invites the other participants to incorporate the

For some meetings, time can be short. Quick but fun icebreaker activities like this one can be an effective way of getting a read of how everyone is doing while still being time efficient.

Begin this ice breaker by asking each member of the group to share how they are feeling & what’s going on for them right now in the language of weather. For example, I’m feeling like it’s mostly sunny skies with a bit of a rain cloud looming or I feel like I’m in the eye of a tornado! I’ve found this game especially useful when working with remote teams, for whom a metaphor can feel like a safe way to share in a group setting.

Weather check in   #opening   #listening and awareness   #self-awareness   #teambuilding   #em   Each person describes how they are feeling as they are weather

Each participant gets a set of few LEGO bricks (identical sets to everyone – a few items, around 5-10 bricks per person will suffice). Everyone builds something that relates to the topic of the meeting.

Afterwards, everyone gets 30 seconds to explain what their building means (e.g ‘My Home’, ‘Interesting Experiment’, ‘The coolest computer ever’) and how it relates to the topic of the meeting. (Optional: the figures/buildings and the metaphors may be used later on to help discussions around the table.) Remember that icebreaker games for work don’t need to sacrifice fun, and some of the best team building icebreakers are creative and allow people to get in touch with their inner child!

LEGO Challenge   #hyperisland   #team   A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

Rain icebreaker

Encouraging everyone to be present and engaged at the start of your meeting doesn’t need to be complicated. By simply getting everyone in the room participating in the same goal, this icebreaker can quickly help everyone “arrive” in the session.

Start by having everyone in the front of the room rub their hands together vigorously. Row by row, get more people to join in until you reach the back of the room. Next, have the first row switch to clicking their fingers and proceed through the room in the same way. Go back and forth between clicking and rubbing in order to replicate the sound of rain and then invite the group to stop and enjoy a break in the shower.

Rain icebreaker   #icebreaker   #energizer   #collective intelligence   #warm up   This meeting icebreaker is a great energizer to do right before a break or coming back from a break, especially if you have stragglers

An easy icebreaker that will have everyone feeling good before a meeting. Go around a circle and highlight a story – an action, decision or result – that can and should be praised from each team member. Something where they reached beyond their typical responsibilities and excelled.

Have everyone acknowledge and thank each other for surpassing expectations. This is a great mood booster – by lifting each other up, the energy just starts to vibrate in the room. Everyone likes to be recognized. Ice breakers for meetings that give people the chance to celebrate success can be key in setting a great tone for the meeting to come.

The best ice breaker games often have a very clear goal. You can use this method at the beginning of any meeting to set the stage and get people thinking about what they can contribute. It’s a simple way to get started and always gets results!

At the beginning of your session, have people walk around & share with others what they will contribute to that particular session. It’s a great way to enhance engagement & help people set goals and hold themselves accountable. It also makes others aware of everyone’s intent and can help prevent misunderstandings.

Meetings can sometimes become difficult because attendees come in stressing about the topic or are distracted by things outside of the meeting.

In this mindful ice breaker, ask people to take a few moments to “check-in” with themselves and write down their worries, energy levels, and what else is on their mind. After everyone is done, they should rip up their answers and discard them. This helps them identify their state, let go of their worries and have better focus & more empathy towards others.

What are you bringing to the meeting   #teampedia   #opening   #team   #check-in   A good way  to start a meeting/workshop/training to see how participants are feeling, what might be distractions that they are carrying with themselves into the room and how low/high their energy level is.

Fun Ice Breaker Games to Support Team Building

Ice breaker games are not only useful at the beginning of meetings or getting to know new people. They are also a great way to support team building, by creating a positive atmosphere, helping people relax and break down barriers.

Team building icebreakers can also reveal new information about colleagues that otherwise you wouldn’t discover during your everyday routine. Remember that successful teams are often those who’ve gotten to know each other better on a personal level too!

Team icebreakers such as those below are great for enhancing team bonding and empowering everyone in the group to move forward together. Let’s take a look!

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity

Team jigsaw puzzle game, back to back drawing, scavenger hunt, electric fence icebreaker, low tech social networking.

The Four Quadrants is a fun and creative team icebreaker than can be adapted for any situation. It is super easy to prep for and set up – you only need large sheets of paper (flipcharts or similar) and markers. Have people draw up a 2×2 grid and ask them four questions. They should draw the answers in each quadrant.

Questions can cover topics like current challenges, stressors, defining moments, moments of pride, fears, desired outcome for the current gathering etc. Afterwards they can show each other their drawings and discuss their creations. The exercise is fun, colorful and visual and can be modified to work with any group and/or topic just by changing the questions.

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   The Four Quadrants is a tried and true team building activity to break the ice with a group or team. It is EASY to prep for and set up. It can be MODIFIED to work with any group and/or topic (just change the questions). It is FUN, COLORFUL and works every time!

Separate people into teams. Give each a very different jigsaw puzzle (with equal difficulty & number of pieces). Each group has the same amount of time to complete the puzzle.

The secret twist is to switch up a few pieces with the other groups beforehand! Fun icebreakers can help keep a team on their toes and encourage creative thinking – try ice breakers for meetings that include an edge of competitiveness and fun to really liven things up.

The goal is to finish before the others – so they must figure out collectively how to convince other teams to give up pieces they need. This can be through barter, merging or changing teams, donating minutes, etc.

This is a longer game, but one that is worth doing, since it encourages teamwork on several levels – internally and externally too.

Jigsaw Puzzle   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teampedia   This game is useful as a side-activity during breaks, as it encourages starting conversations between random people.

Two people should sit facing away from each other. One receives a picture of an object or phrase. Without saying directly what they see, they should describe it to their pair without using words that clearly give it away. Their pair has to draw a specific picture.

The game requires two people to sit facing away from each other, where one team member is given a picture of an object or word. Without specifying directly what it is, the other person must describe the image without using words that clearly give away the image. This is a great team building game to develop verbal communication and is a fun alternative to more traditional icebreaker games.

Back-2-Back Drawing   #communication   #collaboration   #trust   #icebreaker   #teampedia   #action   This is a communication exercise when participants in pairs have to use only verbal communication to help their pair to draw a specific picture. There are several variations of the exercise detailed in the instructions.

Many people have great memories from a childhood scavenger hunt. Recreating this experience to let our the inner child and work as a team is one of our favourite icebreaker games for adults too! Start by creating a list of items that need to be gathered and then split your group into small teams to try and find them all to kick off your scavenger hunt.

Working with a remote or hybrid team? Try the virtual scavenger hunt below! Be sure to put in items that require a wide range of skills and thinking and diverse personalities to be completed successfully. A scavenger hunt is also a great opportunity to mix people into teams who don’t typically work together and bring them together with ice breaker games.

Virtual scavenger hunt   #energiser   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   A fun team-building energiser that encourages groups to recreate the scavenger hunt experience in a fully remote environment! 

This is a great energiser that requires players to move about as they build an imaginary electric fence. They have to try and cross it without touching it and getting “electrocuted”. The fence can be represented by a rope or a shoe string tied between two objects. It should be about waist high. Players can’t go under it, this is not limbo dancing!

They must also be touching a teammate with at least one hand at all times. This ice breaker activity requires quick brainstorming, problem-solving and negotiating other ideas. Make sure that people who are uncomfortable with physical contact have an option to not participate but still feel involved in the brainstorming part. Inclusive games make for some of the best ice breakers: be sure to bare this in mind when deciding on icebreaker games for work or your next meeting.

The object of this ice breaker game is to introduce event participants to each other by co-creating a mural-sized, visual network of their connections. – great for medium size events where participants come from different organisations. All participants will need a 5×8 index card and access to markers or something similar to draw their avatar. They will also need a substantial wall covered in butcher paper to create the actual network.

Once their avatar is ready, they “upload” themselves by sticking their card to the wall. Then they find the people they know and draw lines to make the connections. This is one of our favourite ice breakers when working with large, multi-discipline groups where connections might not be immediately obvious.

Low-tech Social Network   #gamestorming   #icebreaker   #opening   The object of this game is to introduce event participants to each other by co-creating a mural-sized, visual network of their connections.

Ice Breaker Games for Small Groups

While many of the icebreaker games above can be adapted for any group size, these activities are especially effective when working with groups of less than 15 people.

These small group icebreakers are great at using the extra space to create opportunities for team bonding and deeper sharing between team members. They’re also designed so you’re not left with awkward silences just because you don’t have a massive team taking part!

Interview icebreaker

• Paper telephone

One of the major benefits of small group icebreaker games is space for participants to talk and get to know each other a little more than they would in a group of 20+ people. Interview is a playful way to get team members talking at the start of a session while also introducing the topic of the workshop or meeting.

Start by getting people into pairs. One person begins by being a reporter and then other will be the interviewee. For three minutes, the reporter will interview the other person on a chosen subject and attempt to get as much information as they can before switching roles. Encourage the group to really get into their roles and provide some example questions to guide the group toward the topic of the day.

Interview   #warm up   #icebreaker   #energiser   The interview is a good warm up for every training or workshop session. Playful start in which the participants will start to communicate with and come to know each other, directing the thinking toward the topic of the day. It is usually a very cheerful activity. Az interjú egy jó bemelegítés, jégtörő minden tréninghez vagy workshophoz. Játékos kezdés, amelyben a résztvevők elkezdenek megismerkedni és kommunikálni egymással, miközben a gondolataikat már a nap témája felé irányítjuk.

Spending time in a small group is a great opportunity to get to know people a little more deeply. This game encourages players to share more about themselves than an average icebreaker, and it’s a fun way to kickstart creative thinking too!

Start by assembling a box of interesting objects (photos will do in a pinch!). Next, invite participants to choose an object without overthinking it and then explain who they are, why they chose the object and what they think the connection between the object and the workshop is.

Magic Box   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   Ice breaking at the beginning of the workshop/meeting

Paper Telephone

Paper telephone is a fun icebreaker that encourages creativity and laughter by combining two classic games: telephone and pictionary. Start by handing out a stack of small papers and pens, and invite each team member to write a sentence on the first piece of paper. Players then pass their stack to the next person who must read the sentence and then create a visual representation of that sentence on the next piece of paper in the stack.

Play proceeds around the circle, with players needing to transform back and forth between words and images. Often, by the time you get your original stack back, the sentence has gone on a weird and wonderful transformation!

While you can play paper telephone with larger groups, the more people you add, the longer it takes. Doing this icebreaker in a small group means you have more time to share what people came up with and the journey you all went on together.

Paper Telephone   #teampedia   #icebreaker   #creativity   #team   #action   Paper Telephone is a mix of two methods, “Telephone” and “Pictionary”. It is a creative game aiming to fasten the get-to-know each other phase of the team while having a good time.

The human knot is a fun, physical icebreaker that is best played in groups of 7-16 people. It’s a great way to break the ice while also creating energy and a sense of fun.

Start by getting the group to stand in a circle and ask them to close their eyes. Next, everyone reaches out and links one hand with someone across the circle. Then they link the other hand with another person in the circle. Then, ask everyone to open their eyes and try to untangle the knot they’ve made without breaking the chain!

Human Knot   A physical-participation disentanglement puzzle that helps a group learn how to work together (self-organize) and can be used to illustrate the difference between self-organization and command-control management or simply as a get-to-know-you icebreaker. Standing in a circle, group members reach across to connect hands with different people. The group then tries to unravel the “human knot” by unthreading their bodies without letting go of each other people’s hands. As a management-awareness game to illustrate required change in behavior and leadership on a management level (e.g., illustrate the change from ‘task-oriented’ management towards ‘goal/value-oriented’ management).

Working with small groups creates an opportunity for greater depth. In this icebreaker game, invite team members to draw their life as a map, using common symbols and signs you might find on a map. Stop signs, deer crossings, mountainous areas…the choice of how to illustrate your life story is yours!

Give time after drawing for everyone to share and for others to ask questions. The connections, conversations and shared understandings that come out of this reflective icebreaker can set a wonderful right tone for the work ahead.

Life map   #team   #teampedia   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   With this activity the participants get to know each other on a deeper level.

Ice Breaker Games to Improve Teamwork and Collaboration

Good ice breaker games usually all have a strong aspect of teamwork and collaboration as people work together in groups to accomplish a challenge or solve a puzzle. Therefore these team icebreakers can also be used as part of team building events and team development workshops. They are meant to fast-track group familiarity and increase the socialization process in a new or existing environment.

With increased social interaction, people naturally learn how to work together more productively – the mood can warm up between colleagues who are normally highly formal with each other. The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

Here, we’ve collected ice breaker activities to help improve teamwork and collaboration in a more involved manner.

The Marshmallow Challenge

Helium stick, blind square – the perfect square, desert island.

In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. To complete the marshmallow challenge, the marshmallow needs to be on top and hopefully, not fall off! This icebreaker game emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, collaboration, innovation and problem solving strategy.

Genuinely fun icebreakers for meetings can be hard to find – The Marshmallow Challenge is one of those icebreaker games for work that feels almost like play. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Definitely give it a try.

Marshmallow challenge with debriefing   #teamwork   #team   #leadership   #collaboration   In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Visit the Marshmallow Challenge website for more information. This version has an extra debriefing question added with sample questions focusing on roles within the team.

This fun activity could be used as an icebreaker both for people who have just met and for already existing teams. Breaking people up into groups, each one needs a fresh egg, some straws, masking tape and other items for creating a package to protect the egg.

Using the raw materials provided, the team goal is to build a structure that will support a free-falling egg dropped from a predetermined height (e.g. 7 feet) without the egg breaking. Get to know you games with an element of danger are always fun ice breakers for meetings. This is a method that fosters team communication, collaboration and strategic thinking as well.

Egg drop   #teampedia   #collaboration   #teamwork   #icebreaker   #team   This fun activity could be used as an icebreaker for people who have just met but it can be framed as a method that shows and fosters team communication, collaboration and strategic thinking as well.

Solving seemingly simple problems as a group to get everyone working together at the start of a workshop. This game requires one long, thin, light rod (e.g. a broom handle) and a bunch of curious participants!

First, line up people in two rows facing each other. Introduce the Helium Stick and ask participants to hold their index fingers out. Lay the Stick on their fingers & before letting go, have everyone adjust their position so the Stick is horizontal and everyone is touching it. The goal is to lower the Stick to the ground in a way that no one lets go of it at any time.

Pinching, grabbing, or holding on properly to the Stick is not allowed. If the group makes a mistake, they start from the beginning. Helium Stick is a fun icebreaker that asks participants to really engage with one another and we’d recommend it for any team building workshop!

Helium Stick   #teampedia   #team   #teamwork   #icebreaker   #energiser   A great and simple activity for fostering teamwork and problem solving with no setup beforehand.

Blindfold your seated participants. Take a long string or rope with the ends tied together & place it in everyone’s hands. Leave the circle and ask them to form a perfect square from the rope without looking.

When people think they are finished, they can remove their blindfolds to see the result. Ice breakers for meetings don’t always include props or blindfolds, but deploying them effectively can make for a memorable ice breaker.

Blind Square is one of the icebreaker games you can use to highlight leadership and communication – some people will want to take charge, while others are more comfortable following direction. Also, it can be repeated after the first try to see if they can improve their collaboration.

Blind Square – Rope game   #teamwork   #communication   #teambuilding   #team   #energiser   #thiagi   #outdoor   This is an activity that I use in almost every teambuilding session I run–because it delivers results every time. I can take no credit for its invention since it has existed from long before my time, in various forms and with a variety of names (such as Blind Polygon). The activity can be frontloaded to focus on particular issues by changing a few parameters or altering the instructions.

Many of us will have played some variation of this ice breaker game before. This game asks you team: if you were trapped on a desert island, what would you use to survive?

Introduce participants to a list of possible items and have them choose the three they find most essential. Then, they’ll share the items they chose with the rest of the group. This activity works well with a remote team and with larger groups, you may want to separate people into smaller teams where they collaboratively strategize on which items to pick.

The Desert Island   #relationships   #icebreaker   #teamwork   #remote-friendly   Many of us have played a game similar to this before – if you were stranded on a desert island, what essential items would you choose to survive? Participants are given a list of items to choose from and must work together to decide which items will help them stay alive. A great, remote-friendly exercise for a team to work together and share opinions.

Fun Ice Breaker Games

The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

They’re also incredibly fun to play, making them a welcomed break from regular work activities. They break down barriers that might exist between employees & make it easier for people to communicate with one another.

Ice breakers should also encourage lighthearted interactions that wouldn’t usually take place in the context of a normal workday. When the correct game is chosen, everyone benefits from the energy they bring to any meeting or event. Remember that even some business-critical meetings can benefit from a bit of levity and fun!

Here are some ice breaker ideas for when you just want to have fun with your team.

Portrait Gallery

• What is my name

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Crazy handshake, the movie pitch icebreaker, share a joke, the no smiling icebreaker, hello kitty.

This ice breaker activity is a fun one that requires some creativity. It enhances a sense of community because people have to draw the others as a group – not just between the drawers, but the recipients of the portraits too. The outcome is very visual and colorful and the result images can be put up in the meeting room afterward! Meeting ice breakers that produce physical results that can be shared can really help ensure the good vibes of the meeting continue afterward!

Portrait Gallery   #hyperisland   #team   #icebreaker   The Portrait Gallery is an energetic and fun icebreaker game that gets participants interacting by having the group collaboratively draw portraits of each member. The activity builds a sense of group because it results with each participant having a portrait drawn of him/herself by the other members of the group together. It also has a very colourful visual outcome: the set of portraits which can be posted in the space.

​What is my name

Stick the name of a well-known celebrity or public figure on people’s backs. Have players mingle and ask each other questions to find out who they are. This is a light game that initiates easy conversations without forced & awkward small talk. Make sure the figures are generally well recognizable. What is my name is one of those icebreaker games for work that is easy to set up and get going and is fun for all involved.

This is a warm-up to really get a group energized. It is a game based on the traditional Rock Paper Scissors game but with a twist. The people who lost become fans and have to cheer for the players still in the game. The final is cheered on by a large crowd & the excitement is through the roof! If there are a larger number of people, you can have multiple tournaments. Fun icebreakers don’t need to be complicated. Keep your ice breaker simple and ensure everyone can get involved easily.

Rock, Paper, Scissors (Tournament)   #energiser   #warm up   #remote-friendly   This is a fun and loud energiser based on the well-known “Rock, Paper, Scissor” game – with a twist: the losing players become the fan of the winners as the winner advances to the next round. This goes on until a final showdown with two large cheering crowds! It can be played with adults of all levels as well as kids and it always works! 

Set up harmless obstacles in the room you’re meeting in. Use squeaky toys, whoopie cushions, bubble wrap and the like. Everyone takes turns going around the course while blindfolded, guided by their teammates. The goal is: help each to navigate through the minefield.

While this game often results in lots of laughter, it also helps teach the importance of clear communication and trusting your team.

Minefield   #teampedia   #teamwork   #action   #team   #icebreaker   A fun activity that helps participants working together as a team while teaching the importance of communication, strategy and trust.

This ice breaker helps people ease into a group and brings out their creativity without a lot of effort. Splitting the group into pairs, each pair develops a creative handshake. Once done, the pair splits and each individual partners with another group member. The newly formed pair then teaches each other the original handshakes and together creates a new one. You can break up and pair off people as many times as you want.

Crazy Handshake   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #opening   #teampedia   #team   This activity helps people ease in a group and brings out their creativity without a lot of effort.

Divide players into several groups and have each team come up with an idea for a movie they want to make. They should prepare a pitch within 10 minutes. Once everyone had a chance to tell their idea, all players vote on which idea deserves ‘funding’.

The winners won’t start to make their film, but they should get awarded with either a funny object or some treats. We love using creative icebreakers like to ease people in and get used to collaborating and giving feedback ahead of the main discussion.

For this game, you have to have quick reactions or you’ll be eliminated. Have everyone stand in a circle with one person in the middle as the ‘sheriff’. They must surprise other players by pointing to them. These people must quickly crouch and those on either side of them have to quickly ‘draw’ their weapons. If you are too slow, you switch places & become the sheriff.

This icebreaker is a wonderful way to increase group energy before starting a meeting in earnest, and it also helps people learn names too! If you’re working with an especially large group, note that it’s better to play in parallel before finishing with a final showdown!

Bang   #hyperisland   #energiser   Bang is a group game, played in a circle, where participants must react quickly or face elimination. One person stands in the middle of the circle as “the sheriff”, pointing at other players who must quickly crouch while those on either side of them quickly “draw”. A good activity to generate laughter in a group. It can also help with name-learning for groups getting to know each other.

Have new teammates tell a joke at their first all-hands meeting. This is a great way to encourage people to be vulnerable and also ensures the meetings start on a cheery note. Remember that opening activities needn’t be complicated to be effective and when looking for ice breaker ideas, don’t discount the simple joy of making others laugh!

This is a simple icebreaker activity that energizes participants, and it’s also suitable for highlighting spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace. When throwing the first ball, the person starting should make a special sound that has to be repeated by the catcher upon receiving the ball.

Once the ball is being thrown around at a fairly brisk pace, you can introduce another imaginary ball and start throwing it. When the group gets proficient at it, you can have three or four balls in play!

Sound Ball   #energiser   #icebreaker   #thiagi   #team   #outdoor   This a simple icebreaker activity energising participants, also suitable for debriefing learning points towards spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace.

This is a seemingly contradictory ice breaker that actually results in lots of smiles. Instruct everyone to keep a straight face and do not smile under ANY circumstance in the first five minutes of the meeting. People turn into children with an instruction like this, and immediately start looking at others, seeing how they are coping. The anticipation makes everyone giggly, so after a while they cannot suppress their laughter anymore. This activity takes zero prep and so is a great one to pull out at the last minute!

Starting a meeting with smiles and laughter is a great way to set the tone for the session. In this fun icebreaker, separate your group into teams of kittens and puppiess. Puppies try to make the kittens laugh or crack a smile by simply saying, “Hello Kitty” in an amusing manner. Any kittens who smile or laugh join the puppies until their is only one kitten left standing!

Encourage the group to be creative and be sure to give kudos to the funniest participants or those who manage to keep a straight face!

Hello Kitty   #hyperisland   #energiser   #remote-friendly   A simple and short group game all about trying to make each other crack a smile. Participants take turns being ‘kitties’ and ‘puppies’. The puppies try to make the kitties crack a smile or laugh. The last kitty standing is the winner! An original from The Northern Quarter Agency.

From icebreaker to completed agenda

Now you’ve discovered the perfect icebreaker, it’s time to create the rest of your meeting!

With SessionLab, you drag, drop and reorder blocks to create your agenda in a snap. Your session timing adjusts automatically as you make changes and when you’re done, you can share a beautiful printout with your colleagues and participants.

Explore how facilitators use SessionLab to build effective workshops and meetings or watch this five minute video to get started!

Now over to you!

Your meetings and workshops don’t have to be boring. We hope you have found some useful tips for practical and fun ice breaker games you can use in your next session!

What are your favorite ice breaker activities? Have you tried any of the methods above? How did you find them? Let us know about your experiences in the comments. Want to see even more great icebreaker ideas? Our collection of icebreaker questions contains heaps of conversation starters you can bring to your next session.

Want to go further? Check out our guide to planning an effective workshop to start building more engaging sessions with better outcomes!

Robert took his first facilitation training in 2009, and since then immersed himself in designing and delivering experiential learning experiences, group workshop, and train-the-trainer/facilitator programs. His passion for facilitation led him to co-found SessionLab, the online platform that helps people design and facilitate better workshops.

20 Comments

tHIS was a life saver. I forgot that I had to present a game (or what-ever) for a Red Hat meeting tomorrow. You SAVED THE DAY, so to speak….so many, many thanks. frankanz

That’s fantastic to hear, I’m so happy we could help you – thanks for sharing your story :-)

Thanks for this list! some great finds in here (I LOVE the portrait gallery!) – have saved 10 faves and will definitely us the passions tic-tac-toe and rock paper scissors tournament at next workshop :D

That’s awesome to hear, I’m happy you got some useful ideas! (The portrait gallery is one of my favourite tools, too :-)

Great list! Here are some of the icebreakers I use: 1- Batikha (Watermelon in Arabic) The group sits or stands in a circular form. One person starts by placing their palms on their mouth as if they are holding a ball (watermolon) and passing it to the person on their side (if they pass it to the person on their right, they must use their left hand pointing to the right direction), the next person carries on with this rhythm. At any point anyone could decide to reverse the path of the ball by changing their hand and the pointing to the other person. This is when it gets tricky because if anyone else -other than the person pointed to) takes an action by raising their hands they get out of the circle. Additional if someone points the ball upwards, it means the next person will be skipped and the following person should complete the cycle. I don’t know if it makes sense in writing, it’s very simple through :) 2- Say what? This games involves a person (usually the trainer) asking each one individually a series of questions. The person who answers must answer truthfully without saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or make any gestures or sounds that means yes or no. They also can’t think for more than three seconds and they cannot repeat what the trainer asked. The trainer must get tricky by asking follow-up questions like: What’s your favorite book? answer… But isn’t out of publish? The participant will probably say no and lose.

Thank you, Nahla, great to see your favourite ice breaker activities, too – thanks for sharing!

This is an Awesome with great fun usable ideas!!

You’re welcome, Joshua – great to see that you’ve found the post useful!

Board/card games teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, and taking turns. It can also foster the ability to focus and lengthen one’s attention span by encouraging the completion of an exciting, enjoyable game. Check this newly found card gamehttps://lagimcardgame.com/ and see how interesting and creative it is.

These are some amazing ideas! Thank you

These are all so good! You usually can’t find so many good ideas in one place. Thanks so much!

Excellent list and love the card format of the activity. Thanks. For Icebreaker questions I use icebreakrs.io.

Thank you very much! Very useful!

thank you very much very useful

This will help each other in the team professionally and personally , we can share ideas and solve problems .Awesome!!

Thank you for this great collection of wonderful and fun icebreakers and activities. Here’s a favorite icebreaker called Paris, Rome, or New York.

Objectives: To get participants to share their opinions, encourage listening, and promote better discussion in the group.

Method: This is a very simple exercise that participants can also have some fun with.

Ask participants of the training event to imagine themselves in each of the cities above. And, what they would like to do there? What would they work at? Would their life be different? If so, in what ways?

Once each person has described who they would like to get the group in a circle to discuss the exercise.

This exercise also encourages questioning and listening skills within the group and individuals’ perceptions of different things.

Discussion Questions: Did anyone feel uncomfortable doing this exercise? If so, why? How can this exercise help us during today’s training event? Of all the places presented does anyone want to change? If so why or why not?

Great ideas and will use this week at our yearly NHS Nurse away day. Thank You

These are some great ideas. I do both online and face-to-face education, so the variations are really nice. I also do an exercise called, “How did I get here?” Everyone takes a sheet of chart paper and some markers and writes or draws (or both) how they got to where they are and what led them to the course. I give them 10 minutes and then we share as a group. If too many to share in a large group, create several smaller groups and they share to that group. You can get some really interesting responses.

Dear Robert Cserti, My gratitude to you….Thank you so much .Iam using these games as ice breakers ,related to many topics and also in out bound training. Sharing the knowledge ..that’s amazing and tells that u lead by example. Great work!!!! with regards Anu Shakthi :-)

Many times link with ice breakers are disappointing. This was packed full of easy to use, possible to tweak. And amazing ideas!

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5-second summary

• Strong team cohesion – how bonded people feel to one another – is a key element for success in distributed teams.
• Icebreakers can be an effective way to help teams get to know each other and feel more comfortable collaborating.

“Icebreakers.” The very name elicits a frosty reception in many workplaces. The concept – short, simple games to prime our brains for planning and problem-solving – is often discounted or completely overlooked by managers. But there’s evidence that the benefits of icebreakers make them more than worth the time.

“Icebreakers, particularly within the remote workspace, are an incredibly good idea,” says Eugene Chung, an Atlassian team coach and advisor on Team Playbook . “Any time you’re collaborating with colleagues, a few short minutes spent on carefully chosen activities beforehand can seriously help you. Not just in terms of feeling more connected by learning new things about each other, but also in terms of getting comfortable with speaking up and actively contributing to the group.”  

That last point is crucial, particularly when the activity precedes a problem-solving or brainstorming meeting. Icebreakers foster what workplace experts call psychological safety In other words, they create an atmosphere in which colleagues feel free to speak up, question, contribute, and criticize – without fear of censure. 

The trick – as any hungry polar bear would tell you – is to break the ice in the correct fashion. 

How to choose the right icebreakers for virtual or in-person teams

One common mistake is assuming that every icebreaker serves the same purpose. On the contrary, there are many types and styles of icebreaker, each geared towards particular groups and outcomes. It’s smarter to think of them like a set of golf clubs, with each designed for certain scenarios.

To tee off, there are “introductory icebreakers,” where the participants are strangers at the start of the session, and the “ice” is simply the fact that they don’t know each other yet. In a remote working environment, these have become increasingly valuable tools. 

There are plenty of other picks to choose from too, ranging from “team-building icebreakers” for more established groups to “topic exploration icebreakers,” which help lay the groundwork for more targeted meetings. The common denominator is that all types of icebreakers can help build stronger team connections.

7 fun icebreaker games for meetings

1. exorcise the demons (10 mins) .

Best for: Topic exploration

How: Best for groups of three or more, this is one of the most popular icebreakers from Team Playbook. First you introduce the idea you’ll be brainstorming around in the main meeting. Then, using a shared space in Confluence or Trello, you all note down the worst ideas you can possibly think of. After a few minutes, step back – asking each person to share their favorite worst idea. 

Why: This juices up everyone’s neuropathways before brainstorming – and helps people to resist any temptation to self-censor when the real problem solving begins. This one also boosts psychological safety because, hey, every idea is automatically going to be better than whatever’s already on the page. 

2. True or False (10 mins) 

Best for: Team-building

How: Each person is asked to make three statements about themselves, one of which has to be false. The rest of the group then votes on which “fact” is actually falsehood.   

Why: Not only does this help the group get to know each other better and swiftly reduce stress levels, but it also sparks immediate interaction – as the group comes together to root out the red herrings. 

3. Three Things (5-10 mins)

Best for: Introductions

How: A quick-fire, fast-paced activity. Person A kicks things off by naming a category (for example, “types of dessert”). Person B rattles off three things that fit that theme, as quickly as they can. No judgment and no self-censoring. When they’ve finished, the entire group applauds, and then Person B names the next category. Continue until everyone has had a chance to name the category and the three things.  

Why: This is all about triggering fast, unfiltered thinking before a brainstorming session. It’s not about right or wrong answers, it’s about celebrating the weirdest, funniest contributions and letting your brains relax into a comfortable, accepting, and creative gear.  

4. Team Timeline (15 mins)

Best for: Team building

How: Each team member takes four slips of paper, jotting down an important moment from their life on each. When they’re done, people take turns showing the camera what they have written, and each is added to a shared timeline on a Confluence page or whiteboard.  

Why: This exercise helps show, in a visual way, the different experiences, priorities, and generations within your team. It leads well into talking about shared experiences, breaks down barriers and creates a mindset of authentic communication. 

5. One-word Icebreaker (15 mins)

How: Split participants into small teams (using breakout rooms if you’re on Zoom) and ask them to come up with one word to describe, say, your company culture, or a project you’re working on. Give them a few minutes to discuss amongst themselves, then let each team present their word, and the reasoning behind it. 

Why: This can reveal some surprising answers, with enlightening discussion to follow, which can easily segue into the meeting proper. Plus, starting out with small groups allows everyone the chance to participate in a meaningful way, which can boost their confidence about speaking up in the full session.

5 science-backed team activities that will actually improve performance

6. guess who (5-15 mins).

Best for : Team building

How: Beforehand, everyone emails the facilitator three light-hearted answers from a list of questions. These could be anything from “what was your first job” to “what’s your craziest-ever hair style?” During the icebreaker, the facilitator shares an answer, asking the group to guess who the response belongs to.   

Why: This is a classic team-building exercise for groups of three to 10 employees who have met or interacted before. It’s a fun way for teams to get closer and bond more. 

7. 10 Things in Common (20 mins)

How: Break everyone into small groups in separate rooms over Zoom, being sure to mix departments if possible. Task the groups with finding 10 things that all of them share in common (for example: places they have visited, movies they love, items of clothing they own).   

Why: This is an extremely effective way of encouraging cohesion and building solid inter-departmental relationships, leading to a happier, more committed and engaged workforce. 

Before you start…

While the many benefits of icebreakers are well documented, there are also a number of pitfalls to avoid, too. It’s always a good idea, for example, to start with more simple icebreakers in newly established teams and work your way up. You also want to avoid anything that is too personal or hot-button topics that will foster division instead of cohesion. And always be sure to state the objectives of the task at the start of the exercise, so participants understand what they’re doing and why. 

“One of the key elements of an effective team is cohesion ,” says Dr. Mahreen Khan, an organizational psychologist and emotional intelligence specialist, who’s also a senior qualitative researcher at Atlassian. “In other words, how bonded do you feel with each other? To maximize that cohesion, you need to get to know people on a personal level, and icebreakers can really help with that. People are feeling more disconnected now than ever before, so it’s even more important to use activities like this.”

Want even more icebreakers?

Grab a list of 20+ icebreakers questions in the Atlassian Team Playbook – a free online resource of simple, science-backed workshops that helps teams build on their strengths, troubleshoot difficulties, and encourage positive team dynamics. 

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23 Problem-solving games for busy work teams

Problem solving is a skill that can serve almost anyone, in any role, in any industry. The ability to think critically, and resolve issues is a welcome talent that is helpful for every organization. How can you encourage such thinking in your team? In this article, we are talking about our favorite problem-solving games, activities, and exercises for work. Use these activities to sharpen the reasoning and decision-making skills of your department or your entire company. Without further ado, let’s dive into the best problem solving games for getting the most of your next work event. 

In-person problem solving games

If you have the opportunity to get your team together in person, that’s a gift! Perhaps you are planning a company retreat or a department-wide in-person meeting. Whatever the circumstances, in today’s more digital workspace, it’s not always easy to have everyone in the same room. When you actually do, make the most of it! These activities are set up for in-person groups. They are part team-building activity, part icebreaker, and all fun! All of these activities are guaranteed to get people thinking, communicating, and having fun. If you have a particularly big group, you may want to browse our article on large group games too. 

1. Treasure hunt

Similar to a scavenger hunt, a treasure hunt is a lot of fun but with a bit more intention. Rather than collecting a random list of items, participants use clues to find more prompts and hints, until the group solves a mystery (or finds a treasure). You can also create a treasure map if you want to play into the “pirate” fantasy a little more. The important thing is that only clues point toward the next stop - areas of the map should not be spelled out, but involve some problem solving and critical thinking to figure out what the clue means. 

2. Story challenge

For the language lovers on your team, try this version of an ongoing story icebreaker. To play, each person receives a number of words (a word bank) that they can use to create a story. Then, everyone reads their piece out loud or presents it to the group. To come up with the words available for each person, you can use a random word generator online, or get creative. For example, consider instructing participants that they can only use words from the company website, or from the emails they received in their inbox yesterday. 

3. Moral dilemma

Similar to a “ would you rather ” game, this activity centers on ethical dilemmas. Players should try to flex their moral problem-solving muscles by tackling a social issue. For example, Scruples is a popular board game that can be played. Or, you can look online for versions of games like Dilemma or Quandary. This is a great way to learn more about your colleagues while getting a peek at the way they think. 

4. Build a shelter

How would you survive if you were stranded in an isolated place with a blizzard coming? Use this activity to find out! As an added complication, you can pretend that everyone is blinded by frostbite (by using blindfolds). The team leader must give the group instructions for building a shelter that can withstand the arctic winds. To play, you need a large space and some supplies. Then, select a leader (who can see) and blindfold everyone else. You’ll also need a large fan. The leader guides everyone in putting together their shelter (remember, while blindfolded). When everyone feels confident that their shelter is up to the test, turn on the fan and see if the structure can withstand the wind! This game is sure to lead to a lot of laughs and you’ll be surprised at some of the clever ideas that people come up with. This is also a powerful exercise for effective leadership - it’s not easy to reach a goal with a group that is blindfolded! Check out our article on team activities especially for leadership as well.

5. Improv games

You may think of improv games as more of an icebreaker activity, but the truth is there is a lot of brain power that goes into well-done improv. Look for ways to add both logic and entertainment to your next improv effort. Consider scenarios like banned words, where people cannot use a certain list of words, or “miracle cure”, where one person shares a problem they’re having and the other person must come up with the solution on the spot. Both are fun and easy ideas that don’t require anything but willing participants! If you need some other quick and easy team building activities , make sure to follow our blog. 

6. Spaghetti tower

In this classic team building game, users try to build a tower using uncooked pasta noodles and marshmallows. The instructions are simple: use the tools at your disposal to design and build the tallest tower in order to win the challenge. You can judge on height alone, or weigh other factors like innovation, number of towers, or stability. For more simple team building activities , make sure to follow our blog. 

7. What would you do?

Another classic icebreaker, this game involves coming up with some scenarios that require brain power to address. Here are some prompts you can use with your group: 

• What would you do if you were at the zoo and all the animals escaped? 
• What would you do if you were the first person to find out about an upcoming zombie apocalypse? 
• What would you do if you were in line for a really important item, and a person cut in front of you, getting the last item? 
• What would you do if you were invited for dinner at the home of someone you really needed to impress, and the food was terrible? 
• What would you do if an imposter that looks and acts just like you infiltrated your organization? How can you convince everyone that you’re the “real” you?

8. “MacGyver” challenge

MacGyver is an older television program where the hero escaped sticky situations by improvising tools made of unlikely materials. You can recreate this set-up in your event space or office. To play, challenge participants to use 3-5 items to reach a desired end result. For example, something like “a way to pick the door lock” or “escape vehicle” are fun options. You can either set out some various equipment, or have people collect their own based on what they can find around the office. Note: if you are doing this in a conference room or other rented space, it makes sense to have a table set up with random odds and ends for people to pick from. 

9. Egg drop challenge

This one will take you back to high school physics class! Break a larger group into smaller teams and challenge them to come up with a container that will protect an egg even when it’s dropped from up high. You can either let people know far enough in advance that they can discuss, design, and collect materials; or you can have supplies ready and have everyone build their creation on the spot. If you go that route, you’ll want to provide a variety of boxes, packing supplies, rubber bands, fabric, etc. Then set up a ladder and have each team drop their container and see if their egg remained intact. 

10. Shrinking circle

Adaptability and flexibility are huge in the business world. One way to focus on both of those items is by playing this simple and silly game. Start out by using a rope to create a large circle that everyone can fit in. Then, every few minutes, make the circle a bit smaller. Depending on how large the circle is in the first place, you can take away an inch or a foot each round. The challenge is for everyone present to stay inside the circle. This will require some serious innovation once the circle gets small, and lots of laughs almost always ensue. Note: People are likely to end up touching each other in this exercise. It’s difficult not to once the space gets small, like a game of Twister. You know your colleagues best - if that level of closeness would make anyone uncomfortable, it’s probably best to try a different exercise. 

Out-of-the-office problem-solving activities

Everyone once in a while, it can be really valuable to get out of your usual work environment and into a new mental space. If your team is planning a multi-day retreat, don’t be afraid to include an organized activity that will help everyone to think more critically. Most towns have at least one option for getting your group together and learning some new ways to problem solve. Do some research on what you have available locally, or work with an organization like Surf Office who can plan your next retreat - including the fun elements that your employees will be talking about for months to come! If you know that you can’t get out of the office right now, stick to this list of indoor team building activities . 

11. Escape room

The goal of an escape room is to follow a series of clues and take on some challenges in order to unlock the space that everyone is locked in. There are usually 5 - 10 puzzles that teams will work together to figure out. Typically finishing one leads to another clue, so that participants can move onto the next phase. Only when they’ve successfully completed all of the tasks can they find the key and escape. While you can definitely set up an escape room on your own, we think it’s worth finding a local version in your town (or wherever your retreat is taking place). These are professionally set up and usually in really cool spaces like an underground bunker or a historic building. An escape room is a good excuse to get out of the office and spend time with coworkers in a new environment. 

12. Murder mystery

These story-based games have people take on a role in a pretend scenario. They may take on a role like detective, dinner guest, or even killer in their dinner. Most of the time the games involve reading lines from a script, searching for clues, or even solving some simple challenges to move onto the next phase. Participants have to pay attention to conversations and context clues in order to get an understanding of who the killer might be. Observation and logic are key to catching the killer. Some murder mysteries involve getting dressed up and having a nice dinner, so if you’re looking for an idea for a big night out capping off your next retreat, this is perfect. 

13. Ax throwing

What do axes have to do with problem solving? You might be surprised. This is definitely an activity you’ll want to go to a professional venue for. Ax throwing outfits have everything you need, plus the right safety precautions. They have everything set up with the proper distances, buffers between throwing stations, safe ax materials, etc. Plus, many of them offer food and drinks! Ax throwing can help with problem solving because most people don’t excel at it their first time. It takes some practice and careful consideration to figure out where to stand, the best stance, the force of the throw, etc. As you take turns, you’ll make adjustments and also consider new methods based on observing your teammates. The more you watch and the more you try, the better you’ll get. In fact, instead of having people compete against each other, we suggest having the team compete against themselves, aiming for a higher total score in their second or third consecutive game. This activity allows you to observe others and then optimize - essentially learning from each other. 

14. Paper boat race

If you are able to visit a location by water, you can try this really fun activity. In this fun and creative exercise, participants build a small boat with paper (and other supplies) and then race them in a small body of water like a pond or stream. The boats are usually made by folding paper into a boat shape, but you can also try offering cardboard, balloons, popsicle sticks, or other crafty materials. You’ll also want to supply materials for decorating so that everyone can really have their creation stand out. Obviously the person who reaches the finish line first is the winner, but you can offer a few other prizes just for fun, like most beautiful boat or best effort. Make sure to check out our article on other creativity and innovation games , too. 

Problem-solving puzzles

When it’s just not possible to get everyone together, you can still encourage your team to put on their thinking caps and hone their skills. There are tons of critical thinking games, puzzles , and even apps that people can use to practice problem solving. You can encourage your team members to play these games in their spare time, or even set up a competition where people log minutes playing such games or using the apps. If you’re feeling really generous, give everyone a small stiped to be used on a problem solving app of their choice. This special touch makes a nice addition to a holiday gift, too!

Sudoku has become one of the most popular problem solving games for adults. There are dozens of free app options, as well as paperback books that you can pick up. The goal of this game is to fill each box on a 9×9 grid so that every row, column, and letter contains each number from one to nine. It sounds tricky - and it is - but players tend to find it addicting and the game has grown a huge following in recent years. Encourage people to play on their own by downloading an app or purchasing a puzzle book, or as a team by having the puzzles available in your office or at your next event. 

16. Crossword puzzles

These classic word games have players fill out words based on clues. Words interconnect, and people must think critically about the context clues of what they’ve filled out so far. These puzzles are super versatile and one of the best things about them is that you can make them yourself so they are themed. You can use an online crossword puzzle maker to create a custom puzzle with clues about your business or other relevant subjects. For your next event, it might be fun to have a custom crossword puzzle about your company history or trivia! 

17. Tic-tac-toe tournament

It sounds a little silly, but tic-tac-toe requires more brain power than one might think. Set up an ongoing tic-tac-toe board in your office and encourage people to use it on their breaks or when they have a few minutes to kill. You can set up a scoreboard and keep track of the leader; it’s a lot of fun to see the rankings change and to challenge the top performers. If you need an even simpler version of the same concept, simply set up the Connect Four game board in your break room and let people have at it! 

Problem-solving for virtual teams 

If your team is a bit scattered, it doesn’t mean that you can’t practice solving challenges together. In our digital world, there are plenty of options for online activities that teams can work on either independently or as a group. In the section above, we shared some ideas for independent work. These ideas are designed to bring your team together, no matter where they are. Set a time and have everyone hop onto your preferred communication tool, and then work together tackling these challenges. 

18. Virtual hackathon

A hackathon normally refers to an event where participants have a set amount of time to design and pitch a new product or solution. It’s normally used in the tech space for pitching things like new apps, but you can apply the concept in lots of other ways too. In this online version, teams work with each other using virtual meeting software and pitch ideas to a panel of judges. This type of event requires some advance notice for the participants, as they’ll want to collect a team and come up with some designs. If you want to raise the stakes, offer a prize for first place.

19. Online escape room

Just like an in-person escape room, in an online version people must solve a variety of puzzles in order to make it “out”. Digital escape rooms normally come in one of two ways: in a Zoom “room” led by a host, or in a choose-your-own-adventure style via Google Forms or other websites. To play virtually, staff will enter the meeting and follow the prompts they get, and it might involve screen sharing some Google tools to work on puzzles together. Because of the platforms and tools that may be involved, this activity is better for teams who are a bit more tech-savvy and comfortable with online meetings, apps, etc. 

20. Survival plans

Prioritizing is an important mental exercise. You can work on this with a game about survival. Have everyone imagine they are stranded on a desert island, and they must decide the correct order to perform life-saving steps in. Have this list handy, and ask everyone to pair off or get in small groups and number the list according to the best likelihood of survival: 

• Set up shelter
• Look around the island
• Signal for help
• Create weapons for self-defense
• Build a raft for water
• Start a fire
• Select a group leader
• Find other survivors
• Anything else you think of! 

The catch is that everyone must agree on the order of events!  That will typically involve discussion and coming to some sort of consensus. Once everyone is done with the exercise, have them present to the larger group and explain their reasoning. This exercise is good for team-building, communication, and problem resolution. Plus, you will be better prepared if you ever get stuck on a deserted island! 

21. Online role-playing games (like Dungeons and Dragons)

Seeing how people react in real-world situations is a really interesting way to get to know them better. Find an online game that has real-world actions and consequences, like Dungeons and Dragons. Or, you can make things even simpler by hopping on a Zoom together and reading a Choose Your Own Adventure book aloud, with the reader getting group consensus before making a decision. The important part is the discussion that will occur before choosing the next action. This is helpful for bonding and also helps you to see how your colleagues tick. These activities can be difficult to organize for big groups, so if you have a substantial team, try some of these team building activities for large groups instead. 

22. Google Docs story

Similar to an ongoing story icebreaker, this game is easy to do online as people have time. You start by creating a Google Doc that everyone on the team has access to. Then, have people go into the Doc and add to the story that’s developing. If you want, you can pick a prompt to kick things off - or you can just let the first person get creative and go for it! The more specific or bizarre the scenario, the more creative and clever people will have to get to add their portion. 

23. Model UN

Chances are you might be familiar with this concept from high school. Fortunately, adults can have a lot of fun with it too. You can play this virtually as long as everyone is a strong communicator. Each participant should take on the role of an international diplomat, and work together to form alliances and solve crises. Come up with a potential scenario that the UN must work through. Consider things like a global food shortage, natural disaster, or cyber-security threats. If your group is particularly large, you can have multiple people assigned to a country and they will have separate roles. If politics is a sensitive topic on your team, you might want to tweak this exercise to be focused on a business and treat participants like board members - or even a musical group! 

Set the tone of your next company retreat

These problem solving games and activities are great virtually any time - there is something for everyone, whether you’re remote or in person, on a large team or a small one. One of the best ways to implement a problem solving exercise is at the beginning of a team retreat. If you have organized a large meeting or team building event, consider getting things started with such an activity. Many of these problem solving games will get everyone thinking and make people more comfortable, plus a lot of them also serve as a form of icebreaker.

The next time you plan a work retreat , consider including a few of these on the agenda to set the tone for a fun, energizing event. Need help ensuring that your retreat is, in fact, fun and energizing?

Let Surf Office help ! We can help with organizing your next team retreat or all-company meeting so that you can focus on the fun.

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• Human Resources

20 icebreaker games and activities for every team

• 31 Aug 2021

As your team’s de facto spirit guide, icebreaker games are definitely your friend. But please, promise us one thing: don’t bring down the mood with boring icebreakers. Don’t go around the circle asking people to awkwardly introduce themselves. That’s stressful for everyone and doesn’t do much to actually bond your team.

Push the envelope and try bolder activities instead.

We’re talking meaningful get-to-know-you games that actually help create a sense of belonging and positive team culture. Or out-of-the-box ideas that work well in a remote setting, like  making videos  that take your icebreakers up a notch. (Don’t worry. We’ll give you plenty of tips for that!)

These 19 icebreaker games are tailor-made to help your people think deeper, connect, and maybe even look forward to team meetings. Win, win, win.

Fun online icebreakers

These icebreaker activities are a perfect fit for remote teams and teams working from home.

1. Scavenger hunt

Break the ice with a game that doesn’t require too much brainpower. List off a few items and send your team on a quest around their house or office to find something that matches.

Ask your team to hunt for something specific like “a broken phone charger” or leave a little room for creativity with items such as “something that represents your favorite hobby”.

A scavenger hunt is a great way to get a little insight into what your people like to do outside of work. Your team just might find shared hobbies and interests to bond over.

Who it works for:  Remote teams or people working from a home office.

Level up with video:  Turn your scavenger list into a video or build the hype for your upcoming scavenger hunt with a video that covers all the must-know details.

2. Two truths and a lie

Two truths and a lie is a great way to get to know new people. The premise is simple: everyone gets a chance to share three things about themselves — two that are true and one that’s a lie.

It’s the perfect balance of getting-to-know-you material and ice-breaking creativity. After each person states their facts, have the group try to discern the truths from the lie.

Who it works for:  Teams (either remote or in-person) who don’t know each other well.

3. Kahoot quizzes

University lecturers know what’s up when it comes to hyping up a room full of people — it’s all about  Kahoot . Kahoot quizzes are easy-to-access live quizzes that anyone can take part in from their own internet-connected device.

As the host, you’ll create the quiz content yourself, so the sky is the limit. If your team just finished an important training, use this as an opportunity to reinforce the material in a fun way.

Create a sense of camaraderie with your staff by grouping people together, or pit them against each other and see who can rise up the leaderboard.

Who it works for:  Particularly effective for teams who need specialist know-how to work well. Shore up their industry knowledge in a fun way.

Level up with video:  Take team quizzes to a whole new level with a personalized quiz video.

4. Jackbox.tv games

Jackbox.tv  games are similar to Kahoot quizzes but a lot less serious. You can buy a suite of games on your laptop or gaming console. To play, your team just needs access to a device and the password to get into the team game. All games can be played remotely or in person.

The most popular Jackbox.tv game has to be  Drawful  (with a player limit of 8), where each person draws a different obscure phrase and racks up points if their competitors guess it right. No prep is needed to play Jackbox.tv games.

Who it works for:  Teams who need to improve their communication.

Level up with video:  Create a  video montage  of everyone’s Drawful sketches and guesses (they’re usually quite funny) and play it at your next meeting.

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Really makes you think…

These getting-to-know-you games are a great way to level up your team’s critical thinking. Hype up your team in advance with a video invite full of the need-to-know details.

5. Team trivia

Trivia ignites the competitor in everyone, and it’s the perfect way to pull people out of their shells. If your people are a little shy about creative activities, trivia is the perfect team-building game that doesn’t require them to put themselves out there too much.

There are plenty of sets of trivia questions you can borrow from the internet. Or, you can custom-make trivia questions that help your team get to know each other (like “When did Ellen join the team?” or “What type of coffee does Dan drink?”).

Who it works for:  New teams who need to get acquainted; remote teams looking to build camaraderie from afar.

Level up with video:  Do your trivia sesh right by turning your questions into a video quiz. You can even include snippets of video or images for multimedia questions.

6. Problem/solution

For a problem/solution game, break people into small teams and assign each team a different problem. Be ambitious with the problems you assign. Make it big enough to be complicated, with many possible solutions.

Try questions like “How would you prevent animals from ending up at the pound?” or “If the government implemented a healthy eating initiative, what would be most effective?”.

Teams have 15 minutes to come up with a plan that’s as comprehensive as possible and present their ideas to the larger group. The aim isn’t to solve the problem entirely, it’s to think around different approaches and the possible outcomes that arise from each.

Who it works for:  Remote or in-office teams that need to practice working and problem-solving together closely.

Level up with video:  Introduce the problem with a video perfect for online teams. Press play to explain the rules and what the solution should look like, then send teams off into their breakout rooms to come up with an answer.

Debating the different sides of an argument is a skill that doesn’t have to end after high school.

Teaching your team how to form an argument and debate each other respectfully is an investment that’ll pay off ten-fold. Creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to raise (and resolve) a disagreement is a bonus.

Set up two teams of three and assign a moderator. To ease any possible friction, don’t declare a winner. Instead, make your debates simply about having a well-formed argument. It can work well to create debate topics relevant to your industry so everyone already has the expertise to argue either side.

Who it works for:  Both in-person and remote teams.

Better in person

These activities are best saved for when you can gather in the same room. Use the office or turn these ideas into a team outing — either way, use a video to share the who, what, when, wheres.

8. Structure

This is a seemingly easy challenge that might test your team once they get started.

Break everyone into small groups (three per group work well here). The aim is simple: use whatever materials you can find to build the tallest structure. The way people interpret the rules and treat their competitors without a strict etiquette guideline is always revealing.

This icebreaker is also a great way to flex a different part of the brain. For employees who work on laptops all day, using your hands is a refreshing change of pace.

Who it works for:  Big teams with space to stretch out.

Level up with video:  While everyone is running around trying to build their structure, play an infographic video in the background that gives out valuable hints and tricks.

9. Electric fence

Warning: neither a fence nor electricity is needed for this one. Just grab a piece of string or yarn and suspend it across a walkway. The string represents an electric fence, and the goal is to get everyone in the team over without touching it.

To succeed requires a bit of team organization and a lot of practical sense. It’s interesting to see the roles people naturally fall into when faced with a new challenge.

Who it works for:  In-person teams who need a little more cohesion.

10. Silent line up

No, not that kind of lineup (we hope). This one is exactly as advertised. No one is allowed to talk but the group needs to find a way to wordlessly communicate and get into a line in the right order.

The easiest version of this challenge is to have everyone line up according to height. But you can kick it up a notch by asking them to line up according to date of birth or when they started working at your company.

Who it works for:  In-person teams.

Icebreakers for team bonding

These icebreakers are perfect for teams who’ve known each other for a while but need to connect on a deeper level.

11. Unique and shared

Unique and shared is an easy way of building links between your team members. For the first round, divide everyone into randomly assigned groups of two or three. During each subsequent round, increase the group sizes.

The goal for each round is to find a commonality between all people in that group. It can be something as easy as “We all work on the same floor of the office” or as obscure as “We all saw Shrek 2 in the cinema on opening weekend”.

The trick is, no one can use the same shared trait twice. As the groups grow in size, they’ll need to share more and more information to find a common link. Assign points on a sliding scale based on how quickly groups find their shared trait.

Who it works for:  In-person teams. This icebreaker game also works for remote teams if you can put them in smaller breakout rooms.

12. Critical conversations

Facilitating deep and critical conversation is a great way to help your team align on a deeper level. But it ain’t easy!

For this getting-to-know-you activity to succeed, spend time researching critical (and work-appropriate) questions beforehand. During the activity, pitch a few of the best questions to your team.

Questions like “What’s more important in the long run, kindness or ambition?” or “What advice would you give your younger self?” can pull thoughts out of the team and help them get to know one another’s values.

As the moderator, your job is to ensure everyone has a chance to speak equally. Otherwise, this icebreaker can easily become a contest for the spotlight.

Who it works for:  Established teams who work together in-person. It’s always better to have these types of conversations face-to-face.

Level up with video:  Create a quick  animated text video  displaying the rules of engagement (asking people to be respectful and open-minded, for example), followed by a 10-minute countdown timer to keep the meeting on track. (Discussions like this can go all day if you don’t put boundaries around them.)

13. Describing blind

In the lead up to this getting-to-know-you game, collect a few weird items that would be difficult to identify just from touch (mind puzzles, strange toys, or obscure tools are always a winner).

Divide everyone into teams of two. Give one person on each team a piece of paper and a pen, and sit them where they can hear — but not see — their partner. Ask the second teammate to close her eyes, then place an object in her hands. She must describe the object while their partner attempts to draw it.

This is such a hard challenge, but a great way to highlight potential communication problems between people. Once your team gets the hang of it, they’ll want to do it over and over until they improve, so make sure you have enough items on hand.

Who it works for:  In-person teams who need to improve their communication.

Getting-to-know-you games

Brand new teams usually need a bit of help getting comfortable with each other. Use these getting-to-know you games to loosen things up and begin building a sense of camaraderie.

14. Teammate introduction

As a new hire, it can be stressful getting up in front of the whole team to introduce yourself. Take the pressure off your new team member and make a video about them instead.

Film an interview where you ask them a bit about themselves, their new role, and their work history. And don’t forget to clearly display their name for everyone to absorb — most of us are bad at remembering new names.

Who it works for:  Any team with a new addition

15. Name game

No one remembers names the first time they hear them, especially in a high-pressure situation. If you have a new team or a workshop with new people, do them all a favor and start with a name game.

The game starts with one person saying their name. The person to the right of them in the circle (or the Zoom grid) says the first person’s name and adds their own. The next person continues the chain, saying the first two names and adding their own. And so on.

If someone forgets a name in the chain, start again (but start with another person so everyone gets a turn). The game finishes when you make it around to everyone and end with a full list of names.

Who it works for: New teams or groups, remote or in-person.

16. Speed dating

Speed dating is the quickest and easiest way to help big groups of people get to know each other.

Set up a long table with pairs of chairs facing each other all the way down. The group on one side of the table should be stationary, the group on the other side should move one chair to the right at the sound of the buzzer.

Give each round a minute and start them off with a few easy questions. Cat or dog person? Favorite dessert? Best travel experience? It’s amazing how much these quick interactions help build connection and create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Who it works for:  New in-person teams who’ve never met before.

17. Getting-to-know-you bingo

This icebreaker is so much fun but does require a fair bit of prep work from the moderator. To prepare, find an online template for bingo and populate it with facts you know about individual team members.

Include things like “Someone who orders chai lattes” or “Someone with a birthday in October”. It’s best if you make a few variations of the bingo sheet and distribute them randomly to slow the game down.

If people start racing to get through, you can add extra rules to make it trickier. Try things like not allowing them to ask the question directly. For example, you can’t say “When’s your birthday?” but you can say “What would the weather normally be like at your birthday party?” to hone in on a bingo square.

Who it works for:  In-person teams who are new to each other but not to you.

Creative play icebreakers

Sometimes it pays to have fun, especially at work. Use these icebreaker ideas to shake things up and let your team enjoy themselves.

18. Murder mystery

There are two versions of murder mystery — one that’s more low-key and one that’s more elaborate. Both versions take some time, so it’s best to save this game for a longer workshop or a company retreat.

In the easy version, you can play with no props and no required reading. Set up a  game of Werewolf  and see how your team interacts to uncertain alliances.

If you really want to put on a show, find a more elaborate murder mystery structure. (There are plenty of free versions online.) As the host, you’ll have to do a lot of legwork to progress the story and resolve the mystery, but it’s a lot of fun.

Who it works for:  In-person teams who need to loosen up.

Level up with video:  Create a video that guides your team through the mystery or sets the mood with atmospheric music and backgrounds. (Try searching “creepy” in Biteable’s  stock video footage library …if you’re brave enough.)

19. Draw your coat of arms

This icebreaker activity is perfect for helping staff get to know each other’s values. It also helps managers understand how staff perceive themselves and their role in the office.

It’s pretty simple. Provide drawing tools and print off a  coat of arms template  for people to fill in. Coats of arms were created for important families in medieval England and worn by knights so they, and their heroic deeds, could be distinguished on the battlefield. As such, they contain a lot of symbolism.

You can ask your staff to think about the animal that represents them, the colors they like, even the saying that resonates with them the most as a motto. After they’ve finished drawing, have them explain their choices to the group.

Who it works for:  Remote or in-person teams who need to get to know each other.

20. Movie pitch

Movie pitch is pretty much what it sounds like. In movie pitch, each person has to pitch a movie based on prompts. It’s a creative exercise to make your group laugh, loosen up, and get to know each other.

Here’s how it works: choose a motif — A block of cheese? A plot twist involving a pair of twins? — that must be included in the story. Give everyone a few minutes to prepare their pitch. (Keep it short.) If you want, the moderator can award an Oscar for best pitch after everyone’s had their say.

Who it works for:  Teams who already know each other a little; teams working in a creative field.

Level up with video:  Task your team with making their pitch into a movie trailer. (You can give them the video template below as a starting point.) Then, crack open the popcorn machine and set up a viewing of all the movie trailers (they are, after all, the best part of the movie).

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Icebreaker Games Blog

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Let's face it: whether you're starting a new project, breaking the ice at a team-building retreat, or just looking to inject some fun into those Monday morning meetings, a good icebreaker can make all the difference. These games aren't just about breaking down barriers; they're about forging connections, fostering creativity, and turning a group of individuals into a powerhouse team.

In this article, we're diving headfirst into the world of icebreaker games, serving up a load of activities guaranteed to get your team laughing, talking, and working together like a well-oiled machine. From classics like Two Truths and a Lie to quirky newcomers like Human Knot, we've got something for every team, no matter their size or vibe. So grab a cup of coffee, gather your colleagues, and let's find the perfect game for you.

Why Icebreaker Games

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Icebreaker games often get a bad rap for being cheesy or awkward, but let's give credit where it's due: they're absolute game-changers when it comes to fostering connections and breaking down barriers. Building rapport among team members is not just a feel-good exercise; it's a strategic move that can boost productivity and innovation.

Moreover, icebreakers serve as invaluable tools for fostering inclusivity and diversity within teams. In a world where remote work and virtual meetings are increasingly becoming the norm, it's more important than ever to find ways to bridge geographical and cultural divides. So, the next time you find yourself rolling your eyes at the mention of an icebreaker activity, consider the bigger picture: they're not just about breaking the ice; they're about building bridges.

Question Game

Use for: team bonding, how to play.

The simplest game you can play is to ask an icebreaker question, then go around the room asking all participants to answer the same question. If you're stuck on how to think of a question, consider any of the following!

• What's one hobby you would love to get into?
• What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled to?
• What’s your favorite season, and why?
• If you could learn one new skill, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite book or movie, and why did it speak to you?
• What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
• If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
• What’s a fun or interesting fact about your hometown?
• What are you currently watching on Netflix (or another platform)?
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
• If you could have dinner with one famous person, living or dead, who would it be?
• What’s your favorite thing to do on weekends?
• What are your top three favorite songs?
• What was your favorite age growing up?
• What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?
• If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite family tradition?
• If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• What’s something you’ve done that you’re really proud of?
• Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
• What’s your favorite app on your phone?
• What was the last thing you read?
• What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
• What’s the most useful thing you own?
• What’s your favorite board game or card game?

When it comes to kicking off a meeting, nothing beats starting with a fun icebreaker to get everyone relaxed and engaged. Icebreakers can quickly transform the usual stiff atmosphere of a meeting into a more comfortable and dynamic environment. Whether it’s a quick game or a thought-provoking question, these activities are great tools to encourage participation and foster better team dynamics right from the start.

Two Truths and a Lie

Two Truths and a Lie is a simple and engaging game that can be played with any number of people. Each player takes a turn to state three things about themselves: two of these statements must be true, and one must be a lie. The objective is for the other players to guess which statement is the lie.

During each player’s turn, the other participants should listen carefully to the three statements and observe the speaker for any hints of dishonesty. After the statements are made, the other players discuss among themselves and each person votes on which statement they believe is the lie. The player then reveals which statement was false, and the game continues to the next person.

Desert Island

Desert Island is a fun icebreaker game that encourages participants to share their preferences and interests. To start, each player is asked to imagine being stranded on a deserted island and must choose three items they would take with them. These items can be anything from practical survival tools to personal or sentimental objects.

Players take turns sharing their chosen items and the reasons behind their choices. This sharing process sparks conversation and helps group members learn more about each other's values, priorities, and creativity. The game can lead to interesting debates about the usefulness of different items in a survival scenario and allows for deeper connections to be formed as players explain their choices.

Speed Networking

Use for: getting to know each other.

Speed Networking is a fast-paced icebreaker game designed to facilitate introductions and conversations among participants in a short amount of time. Each participant has a limited amount of time, typically 2-5 minutes, to introduce themselves and talk to another participant about their professional background, interests, or business goals. When the time is up, a signal is given, and each participant moves on to another person to repeat the process.

This game is often used in professional or business settings, such as conferences, workshops, or corporate events, to enhance networking opportunities and help attendees meet a large number of people quickly. It's important for participants to have their key information ready to share efficiently within the time constraints. To facilitate the process, organizers can provide questions or topics to discuss, ensuring that conversations are fruitful and engaging.

Office Bingo

Use for: social fun.

Office Bingo is a fun icebreaker game designed to encourage interaction among coworkers in a light-hearted manner. To set up the game, create bingo cards with various traits, hobbies, or experiences that might apply to people in the office, such as "has traveled to more than 5 countries" or "owns a pet snake." Each player receives a bingo card and the goal is to find different coworkers who can sign off on the squares that apply to them.

Players must mingle and talk to each other to complete their bingo card, asking questions to find out who fits the description in each square. The first person to complete a line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally shouts "Bingo!" and wins the game. This game not only serves as a great icebreaker but also helps colleagues learn interesting facts about each other, fostering a more connected workplace environment.

Would You Rather

Would You Rather is a popular icebreaker game that encourages conversation and laughter among participants. To start, players gather in a circle or around a table, and one player poses a question that begins with "Would you rather" followed by two contrasting scenarios. Each player must choose one of the options and can explain their choice if they wish, which often leads to amusing or insightful discussions.

As the game progresses, each participant takes turns asking a new "Would you rather" question, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute. The questions can range from silly and light-hearted to more serious and thought-provoking, depending on the group's preference. The key to the game is to create scenarios that are tough to choose between, which encourages players to think creatively and share more about their preferences and values.

Job Swap is a game designed to help participants learn more about each other’s roles in a fun and interactive way. To start, each player writes down a brief description of their job on a piece of paper, making sure to include specific tasks they perform. These papers are then folded and placed into a bowl or hat.

During the game, each participant draws a paper from the bowl and reads the job description silently. They must then act out or describe the job without using any direct words that would give it away, while the other players try to guess the job being described. The game continues until all participants have had a turn and the correct guesses are revealed, fostering a better understanding of each other’s duties and responsibilities.

Find 10 Things in Common

Find 10 Things in Common is a game designed to help participants discover shared interests and experiences, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie. To start, divide the group into pairs or small teams, ensuring that people who are less familiar with each other are grouped together. Each pair or team is then tasked with finding ten things they all have in common within a set time limit, typically about 10-15 minutes.

Commonalities can range from simple facts like having the same favorite color or birth month, to more unique shared experiences or preferences. It's important to encourage participants to go beyond the obvious, such as working at the same place or attending the event, to uncover more personal and interesting connections. Once the time is up, each pair or team shares their list with the larger group, which can spark further conversation and deepen relationships.

The Marshmallow Challenge

The Marshmallow Challenge is a team-building activity designed to encourage collaboration and innovation. Participants are divided into small groups and given a kit containing 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The objective is for each team to build the tallest free-standing structure that can support the marshmallow on top using only the materials provided.

The challenge lasts for 18 minutes, during which teams plan, build, and test their structures. It is crucial for teams to use this time wisely, balancing between brainstorming and construction. At the end of the session, the height of each structure is measured from the base to the top of the marshmallow; the team with the tallest structure that hasn't collapsed wins the challenge.

Silent Line-Up

Silent Line-Up is a game that requires participants to arrange themselves in a specific order without speaking. The objective is to line up according to a predetermined criterion, such as age, height, or birthday month, using only non-verbal cues. Players must pay close attention to each other’s gestures and movements to figure out their correct positions in the line.

During the game, communication is limited to gestures, facial expressions, and other non-verbal methods, which adds a layer of challenge and encourages creative ways of conveying information. The game starts when the facilitator announces the sorting criterion and ends once everyone believes they are in the correct order. To confirm the order, players can speak once they think they are correctly aligned, and adjustments can be made if necessary.

If you're looking to spice up your next Zoom meeting, consider adding a fun icebreaker to get everyone engaged right from the start. Icebreakers are not just a way to warm up the conversation, but they also help build team cohesion and make virtual meetings more lively and interactive. From quick trivia questions to "Two Truths and a Lie," there's no shortage of simple games that can transform your usual call into an enjoyable team-building session.

The Human Knot is a fun and engaging icebreaker game that is perfect for promoting teamwork and problem-solving skills. To start, participants stand in a circle and reach across to take the hands of two different people who are not directly next to them. This action forms a "human knot," which the group must then work to untangle.

The objective is for the group to untangle themselves without releasing each other’s hands, which may involve stepping over or under arms. Communication and patience are key, as players must carefully listen and cooperate to maneuver themselves into untangled positions. The game ends when the circle is reformed without any hands being disconnected, or the group may adjust the difficulty by not talking during the untangling process.

Pictionary is a drawing game where players try to guess words from pictures drawn by their teammates. Each team takes turns drawing a word silently on paper while their team tries to guess the word within a set time limit. The words to be drawn are typically chosen from categories such as "Object," "Action," "Person," or "Difficult."

The game begins with a roll of a die to determine which team goes first, and the chosen drawer from the team picks a card with a word to draw. The drawer cannot use verbal clues or gestures; only drawings are allowed. Teams score points each time they correctly guess the word before the timer runs out, and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

20 Questions

In the game of 20 Questions , one player thinks of an object, and the other players have the opportunity to ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to try to guess what it is. The object can be anything, often categorized into animal, vegetable, or mineral. Players take turns asking questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no," strategically narrowing down the possibilities based on the responses.

As the game progresses, the guessers should focus their questions to hone in on more specific characteristics of the object, such as "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" or "Can it be found indoors?" If a player correctly guesses the object within 20 questions, they win and may choose the next object for guessing. If no one guesses correctly after 20 questions, the answerer reveals the object and may choose to continue as the answerer or select another player to take on that role.

Charades is a classic party game that involves acting out a word or phrase without speaking, while other players guess what it is. Players are divided into teams, and each team takes turns having one member act out a prompt given to them silently. The prompts can be anything from movies, books, and songs to more abstract concepts or actions.

The actor cannot use verbal cues or sounds but can use gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey the meaning. The team has a limited amount of time, typically one to three minutes, to guess the word or phrase correctly. If the team guesses correctly within the time limit, they earn a point; if not, no points are awarded, and the next team takes a turn.

Show and Tell

Use for: team bonding.

Show & Tell is a classic icebreaker game that encourages participants to share something about themselves through an object. Each player brings an item that holds personal significance or tells a story about who they are. During their turn, the player presents their object to the group and explains why it's meaningful to them, detailing any interesting stories or facts related to it.

This game helps group members get to know each other on a deeper level and creates a sense of community and understanding. It's important for each participant to listen attentively while others are sharing, as this fosters respect and inclusivity. After everyone has had a turn, the group can discuss common themes or surprising discoveries, further enhancing the social bond.

The Name Game

The Name Game is a fun and engaging icebreaker that helps participants learn each other's names and a bit about each other. To start, everyone forms a circle, and the first player introduces themselves with their name and an adjective that starts with the same letter as their name, such as "Jolly Jessica." The adjective should somehow describe the person, making it both fun and memorable.

The game continues with the next person in the circle repeating the first person's name and adjective, then adding their own name and adjective. This process repeats with each person in the circle, each time reciting the names and adjectives of all who preceded them before adding their own. The challenge increases as the list grows longer, helping to reinforce memory and attentiveness among the group.

Trivia Quiz

Trivia Quiz is a game where participants answer questions on various topics to score points. The game can be played individually or in teams, depending on the number of participants and the desired level of interaction. Each round, the host asks a question from categories such as history, science, pop culture, or sports, and players write down their answers.

Players or teams reveal their answers at the end of each round, and correct answers earn points; the amount can vary depending on the difficulty of the question. The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds, or until all questions are exhausted. At the end, the player or team with the highest score is declared the winner, fostering a fun and competitive atmosphere.

Who Am I? is a classic icebreaker game that involves guessing the identity of a person or character. At the start of the game, each player receives a sticky note or a card with the name of a person or character that is then attached to their forehead or back, ensuring they can't see it but others can. The objective is for each player to figure out the identity written on their note by asking only yes or no questions to the other participants.

During their turn, each player asks a question that can be answered with a "yes" or "no," such as "Am I a real person?" or "Am I fictional?" Based on the answers, players must deduce who they are. The game continues with players taking turns asking questions, and it ends when everyone has successfully guessed their assigned identities, or when the game reaches a predetermined time limit.

Find the Guest

Find the Guest is a game designed to help people learn more about each other in a fun and interactive way. At the start of the event, each participant receives a list of facts that correspond to different guests. The goal is to mingle and ask questions to determine which fact matches which guest.

Participants must approach others, initiate conversation, and ask questions that can help them figure out which facts belong to whom without directly asking if the fact is about them. For example, if a fact is "Has visited over 10 countries," they might ask, "What's your favorite country to visit?" Once a participant matches all facts with the correct guests, they can submit their completed list to the host.

Icebreakers are a fantastic way to kick off any meeting or event, setting a relaxed and engaging tone right from the start. Whether it's a quick game or a creative question, these activities are designed to boost energy and improve team dynamics. Here are some especially fun icebreakers that are sure to get everyone smiling and ready to interact.

Scavenger Hunt

In the icebreaker game Scavenger Hunt , participants are divided into teams and given a list of items to find within a specified area or time limit. The items on the list can range from physical objects to solving riddles that lead to specific locations or things. Each team must work together to locate all the items, taking a picture or retrieving the item to prove they found it.

The game begins with the organizer explaining the rules, boundaries, and time limits. Teams strategize to find the most efficient route to collect all items. The first team to complete the list and return to the starting point wins the game, or if the time expires, the team with the most items found is declared the winner.

Memory Wall

Memory Wall is a game that encourages participants to share memories and learn more about each other. To start, each player writes down a few memorable events from their life on separate pieces of paper and sticks them onto a designated "memory wall" area. The events can range from funny, serious, to life-changing milestones.

Once all memories are posted on the wall, each participant takes turns picking a memory from the wall and reading it aloud. The group then has to guess who the memory belongs to. This game not only breaks the ice but also fosters a sense of community and connection among players as they share and discover common experiences or unique stories.

Story Time is a game that encourages creativity and teamwork. To start, gather all participants in a circle and choose one person to begin the story. This person will open with a single sentence to set the scene or introduce a character.

As the game progresses, each subsequent player adds another sentence to continue the story. The challenge is to build on what the previous person said, keeping the story coherent and interesting. The game continues until every participant has contributed at least once, or until the story reaches a natural conclusion.

The Barter Puzzle

The Barter Puzzle is a game designed to encourage teamwork and problem-solving skills among participants. To set up the game, divide players into small groups and provide each group with a different jigsaw puzzle of equal difficulty and a similar number of pieces. The twist is that some pieces of each puzzle are mixed up with pieces from the other groups' puzzles.

The objective for each group is to complete their puzzle before the other teams. However, since they start with some pieces belonging to other puzzles, they must negotiate and barter with other teams to obtain their missing pieces. The game promotes communication and strategy, as teams must decide which pieces they are willing to trade and how to best approach other teams for effective exchanges.

Blind Drawing

Blind Drawing is a fun and engaging icebreaker game that requires minimal materials and setup. In this game, participants are paired up and one person is given a picture or object to describe without naming it, while the other person, who cannot see the picture, attempts to draw it based on the description given. The key is for the describer to give clear and precise instructions without revealing the name of the object.

The game is typically played in rounds, allowing each participant to play both the role of the describer and the drawer. After each round, the drawings can be revealed to the group, often leading to laughter and surprise at how the interpretations differ from the actual image. This activity not only serves as a great icebreaker but also enhances communication skills and teamwork.

Bucket List Sharing

Bucket List Sharing is a game ideal for groups of people who are meeting for the first time or looking to deepen their connections. To start, each participant is given a piece of paper and a pen. They are then asked to write down three to five items from their personal bucket list—things they hope to achieve or experience in their lifetime.

Once everyone has compiled their list, participants take turns sharing one item from their list with the group. As each person shares, others in the group can ask questions or discuss similar interests, which helps to foster a deeper understanding and connection among the group members. The game continues until all participants have shared their lists, ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute and learn about the others.

Dream Vacation

Dream Vacation is a game that encourages participants to share their ideal vacation spot, fostering a relaxed and conversational atmosphere. To start, each player writes down their dream vacation destination on a piece of paper, including a few reasons why they chose that particular place. These papers are then folded and placed in a bowl or hat.

During the game, each participant takes turns drawing a paper from the bowl and reads the vacation description aloud without revealing the name of the person who wrote it. The rest of the group then guesses who they think wrote each dream vacation based on what they know about their peers. The game continues until everyone's dream vacation has been guessed, allowing players to learn about each other's interests and preferences in a fun and interactive way.

Company Coat of Arms

Company Coat of Arms involves team members creating a visual representation of their team’s identity using symbols and images. Each team is provided with a large sheet of paper and drawing materials such as markers, colored pencils, and stickers. The team collaborates to design a coat of arms that reflects their collective values, strengths, and the unique traits of their members.

The activity starts with a brainstorming session where team members discuss what symbols or images best represent their team’s characteristics and aspirations. They then sketch these ideas onto their coat of arms, dividing the shield into sections to represent different ideas or values. Once completed, each team presents their coat of arms to the group, explaining the symbolism behind their design choices and how it represents their team.

Office Debate

Office Debate is a game designed to help colleagues learn more about each other in a fun, interactive way. To start, each participant writes down a list of three facts about themselves, one of which is a lie. The lists are then collected and shuffled by the facilitator.

During the game, each participant draws a list from the pile and reads the facts aloud to the group, without revealing whose list they have. The group then discusses and tries to guess which fact is the lie and whose list it is. This game not only breaks the ice but also fosters teamwork and helps colleagues understand each other better.

Guess the Baby

Guess the Baby is a fun and engaging icebreaker game often played at gatherings or parties to help people get to know each other better. Before the event, the host asks all participants to submit a baby photo of themselves, which are then collected and displayed anonymously during the game. Each participant takes turns guessing which baby photo belongs to which guest, often leading to amusing revelations and stories.

As each photo is guessed, the person who it belongs to can share a brief story or a fun fact about their childhood, enhancing the social interaction among the group. This game not only breaks the ice but also sparks conversations and laughter, making it easier for people to connect on a personal level. It's suitable for all ages and can be adapted for virtual meetings by sharing digital photos over video calls.

When it comes to building a cohesive team, trust is the foundation. Icebreakers are a fantastic tool for breaking down barriers and setting the stage for open communication. Here are some engaging activities designed to foster trust and strengthen relationships within your team.

Sketch the Solution

Sketch the Solution is an icebreaker game that encourages creativity and teamwork. In this game, participants are divided into small groups and given a problem to solve, which can range from a real-world issue to a more abstract challenge. Each group discusses the problem and then uses a whiteboard or large paper to sketch out their proposed solution.

After the sketching phase, each group presents their solution to the other participants, explaining the rationale behind their design and how it addresses the problem. This presentation phase not only fosters public speaking skills but also opens the floor for feedback and discussion from other groups. The game concludes with a vote to determine which solution is the most creative, practical, or innovative, depending on the criteria set at the beginning of the activity.

The Great Egg Drop

The Great Egg Drop is an engaging team-building activity that challenges groups to design a device using limited materials to protect an egg from a high fall. Each team is given supplies such as straws, tape, balloons, and paper to construct their protective mechanism within a set time limit, typically around 30 minutes. The goal is to build a structure that will prevent the egg from breaking when dropped from a predetermined height, such as from a ladder or a second-story window.

After the building phase, each team presents their device and explains their design strategy before testing it by dropping the egg. This phase not only tests the engineering skills of the participants but also their ability to work under pressure and innovate with limited resources. The game concludes with a discussion on the designs, highlighting creative solutions and teamwork, and often awards are given for the most successful (unbroken egg) and most innovative design.

Office Fashion Show

Office Fashion Show is a game designed to add fun and encourage team bonding. Participants are divided into teams, and each team selects one member to be the model. The rest of the team is tasked with creating a unique outfit for the model using only office supplies like paper, tape, and markers.

The game is timed, with teams given 15 to 20 minutes to complete their fashion masterpiece. Once the time is up, each model walks a makeshift runway while another team member explains the inspiration and materials used in the outfit. A panel of judges, which can consist of other colleagues or supervisors, scores each team based on creativity, humor, and use of materials, and the team with the highest score wins.

Lip Sync Battle

Lip Sync Battle is a fun and engaging game where participants perform a song of their choice without singing, instead lip-syncing to the music. Each player or team selects a song and prepares a short performance, which can include dance moves, costumes, and props to enhance the entertainment value. The objective is to deliver the most convincing and entertaining lip-sync performance to impress the audience or a panel of judges.

During the game, performances are typically judged on accuracy of lip-syncing, creativity of the performance, and audience response. Players take turns on stage, and after everyone has performed, votes are cast to determine the winner. This game is great for parties and team-building events, as it encourages creativity and provides a lot of laughs.

Karaoke is a fun and engaging icebreaker game ideal for parties or team-building events. Participants choose a song to sing in front of the group, either solo or in pairs. The key is not to aim for perfect vocal performance but to enjoy sharing a fun and often humorous moment with others.

Each participant or team selects a song from a list provided by the host, who also manages the music and lyrics display. As each person takes their turn, the rest of the group is encouraged to cheer and sing along, creating a supportive and lively atmosphere. This game helps break the ice by allowing participants to showcase their personalities and build camaraderie through shared entertainment.

Mystery Dinner

Mystery Dinner is a game that involves a bit of suspense and surprise in the dining experience. Participants choose their meals by selecting from a menu where the items are listed under cryptic or humorous names without revealing the actual dishes. Each guest makes their selections based on these names, not knowing what they will be served.

During the dinner, each course is served according to the choices made from the mysterious menu. The fun begins as each participant discovers what they have actually ordered when the food arrives, leading to laughter and conversation. This game is perfect for encouraging interaction and breaking the ice among guests who may not know each other well.

Escape Room

Escape Room is an icebreaker game where participants are locked in a room and must solve a series of puzzles to escape within a set time limit, usually one hour. The game begins with a brief introduction by the game master who explains the rules and scenario. Players then explore their surroundings, finding clues and solving puzzles that are integrated into the room's theme.

The puzzles can range from simple locks and keys to more complex riddles and electronic mechanisms. Communication and teamwork are crucial as players must work together to piece together the clues. As time ticks down, the pressure mounts, making collaboration and quick thinking essential for escaping the room before time runs out.

Office Olympics

Office Olympics is a fun icebreaker game that involves various office-themed challenges to encourage team building and lighten the atmosphere. To start, divide participants into teams, ensuring a mix of departments or roles to promote cross-functional collaboration. Each team competes in a series of events such as chair races, paperclip chains, or speed typing contests, aiming to score the highest points.

The game organizer should prepare a list of events and the necessary materials beforehand, and set clear rules for each activity to ensure fairness. Scoring can be creative, awarding points not just for speed or accuracy, but also for teamwork, creativity, or humor. At the end of the game, tally the scores and celebrate with a small ceremony where the winning team receives a fun prize, like a golden stapler or extra break time.

Pet Peeves is a game that encourages participants to share their minor annoyances in a fun and interactive way. To start, each player writes down one or more of their personal pet peeves on a piece of paper. These papers are then folded and placed into a common pool, such as a hat or a bowl.

During the game, each player takes turns drawing a piece of paper from the pool and reads the pet peeve written on it aloud to the group. The player must then guess who in the group wrote it, fostering conversation and laughter as players discuss why they think the pet peeve matches a particular person. This continues until all the pet peeves have been read and guessed, helping participants get to know each other better and often leading to humorous revelations and bonding.

Paper Plane Contest

Paper Plane Contest is a simple and engaging icebreaker game that begins with each participant receiving a sheet of paper. The first task for everyone is to construct a paper airplane to the best of their ability within a set time limit, typically around 5 minutes. Once everyone has their airplanes ready, they gather at a designated starting line.

The game proceeds with each participant taking turns to throw their paper plane from the starting line, aiming to get it as far as possible. The distance each plane travels is measured, and the person whose plane flies the farthest is declared the winner. This game not only serves as a fun competition but also encourages creativity and provides a relaxed way for participants to engage with each other.

Icebreakers are a fantastic tool for any team looking to boost camaraderie and ease the nerves in a room. These simple, engaging activities not only help team members get to know each other better but also enhance communication and foster a sense of unity. Whether you're kicking off a meeting or integrating new members, incorporating a well-chosen icebreaker can set a positive tone for collaboration and productivity.

Balloon Questions

Balloon Questions is a game ideal for groups to get to know each other better. To start, each participant writes a question on a piece of paper, which can range from light-hearted to personal, depending on the context of the meeting or gathering. These questions are then inserted into balloons before being inflated.

During the game, each person selects a balloon and pops it to retrieve the question inside. They must then answer the question in front of the group, which can lead to amusing or insightful revelations. This activity not only breaks the ice but also fosters a sense of openness and community among participants.

Recipe Roundup

Recipe Roundup is a game that encourages creativity and teamwork among participants. To start, divide the group into small teams, each receiving a set of random ingredients commonly found in kitchens. The objective for each team is to come up with an imaginative recipe using only the ingredients provided, within a set time limit.

Each team presents their recipe to the group, explaining the preparation steps and potential taste of the dish. The rest of the participants vote on the recipes based on creativity, feasibility, and how appetizing they sound. The team with the most votes wins the game, fostering a fun and collaborative environment while sparking culinary inspiration.

Coffee Break

Coffee Break is a game designed to energize participants and facilitate introductions in a fun, informal setting. To start, gather all participants in a circle and give each person a coffee-related name tag, such as Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino, or Americano. The facilitator then explains that each person will take turns to introduce themselves by their coffee name and share their favorite coffee beverage and a brief reason why.

As the game progresses, each participant must recall and repeat the coffee names and favorite beverages of the people who introduced themselves before them, adding their own afterward. This repetition helps reinforce memory and encourages attentiveness among the group. The game continues until all participants have introduced themselves and the circle is complete, ending with participants sharing a laugh over the fun and quirky coffee names and preferences.

Cultural Celebration

Cultural Celebration is an icebreaker game designed to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures among participants. To start, each player writes down several aspects of their own culture or a culture they admire on a piece of paper; these can include traditions, foods, holidays, or customs. The papers are then folded and placed into a bowl.

During the game, each participant draws a paper from the bowl and reads the cultural elements listed. The player must then guess which culture the elements are associated with and share a personal experience or interest related to one of the items, if possible. This continues until all papers are drawn, facilitating a group discussion and deeper cultural exchange among the players.

Favorite Film

Future Film is a game that encourages creativity and laughter among participants. To start, each player writes down the name of a random object on a piece of paper and folds it to keep it secret. These papers are then collected in a bowl or hat.

In the next phase, players take turns drawing a paper from the bowl and must improvise a movie pitch based on the object written on the paper. The pitch should include the genre of the movie, its basic plot, and a dramatic twist or climax. The rest of the group rates each pitch on a scale of 1 to 10 based on creativity, humor, and feasibility, and the player with the highest total score at the end wins the game.

Book Club is an icebreaker game designed to help participants share their interests in books and get to know each other better. To start, each participant needs to think of a book they have read recently or one that made a significant impact on their life. They should be prepared to briefly describe the book and explain why it was memorable or influential to them.

During the game, each person takes a turn to share their book with the group, providing a summary and their personal reflections. The rest of the group listens and then engages by asking questions or discussing similar books they have experienced. This exchange not only sparks conversation but also reveals common interests and preferences among the participants, fostering a sense of connection.

Walking Club

Walking Club is an icebreaker game designed to get participants moving and talking. To start, each participant is given a topic or question to discuss. The organizer then plays music, and everyone walks around the room.

When the music stops, each person pairs up with the nearest person and shares their thoughts on the topic. After a few minutes of discussion, the music starts again, prompting participants to walk around once more. The game continues with new topics and pairings each time the music stops, allowing everyone to interact with different people.

DIY Art is an icebreaker game that encourages creativity and teamwork among participants. To start, divide players into small groups and provide each group with a variety of art supplies, such as paper, markers, paint, and collage materials. The objective is for each group to create a piece of artwork that represents a theme or idea assigned by the facilitator.

Each team is given a set time limit, typically around 15-30 minutes, to discuss and create their artwork. During the creation process, team members must collaborate, sharing ideas and negotiating the use of materials and space. Once the time is up, each group presents their artwork to the other participants, explaining the concept behind their creation and how it relates to the assigned theme.

Origami Challenge

Origami Challenge is an icebreaker game that involves creativity and teamwork, suitable for groups of any size. Participants are divided into small teams, each provided with equal sets of origami paper. The objective is for each team to create as many origami figures as possible within a set time limit, typically 10-15 minutes.

At the end of the time limit, each team presents their origami creations to the rest of the group. A judge or a panel of judges evaluates the origami based on creativity, complexity, and the number of items created. The team with the highest score, determined by the combination of these factors, wins the challenge.

Mind Maps is a game that encourages creativity and team bonding. To start, each participant is given a piece of paper and asked to draw a symbol or image in the center that represents them. Around this central image, they then draw branches that represent different aspects of their life such as hobbies, dreams, favorite foods, or memorable trips.

Participants take turns sharing their Mind Maps with the group, explaining the significance of each branch. This allows everyone to learn more about each other in a visual and interactive way. The game fosters a deeper understanding among participants and can highlight common interests and experiences, making it a great activity for both new and existing teams.

Icebreaker games are a fantastic way to foster a sense of camaraderie and familiarity among team members. These activities are designed to break down barriers and encourage open communication, making them ideal for new teams or groups that need to strengthen their interpersonal connections. In this section, we will explore a variety of icebreaker games that are both fun and effective in helping teammates get to know each other better.

Role Reversal

Role Reversal is a game that encourages participants to step into someone else's shoes, promoting empathy and understanding. To start, each player writes their name on a piece of paper along with a brief description of their role or job. These papers are then folded and placed in a bowl, from which each player draws one, ensuring they do not pick their own.

Players spend the next few minutes preparing to act out the role they've drawn. They should consider how this person might behave, what their typical day might involve, and any specific mannerisms or phrases they might use. The game proceeds with each player taking turns to embody the role they've drawn, while others guess whose role they are playing. The game not only serves as a fun introduction but also helps participants appreciate diverse perspectives and roles within a group.

Desk Decorating Contest

In the Desk Decorating Contest , each participant is given a theme and a set time frame to decorate their desk or workspace accordingly. Participants can use items like photos, figurines, lights, and other decorative elements that align with the theme. The goal is to creatively express the theme while also adding a personal touch to the workspace.

Once the decorating phase is complete, a panel of judges or all colleagues will vote on the desks based on criteria such as creativity, adherence to the theme, and overall aesthetic appeal. Participants can present their desks to the group, explaining the elements they chose and the inspiration behind their design. The winner is then chosen based on the voting results and can be awarded a small prize or recognition within the office.

Health and Wellness Tips

In the game Health and Wellness Tips , each participant is asked to write down one personal health or wellness tip on a piece of paper. These tips can range from nutrition and exercise to mental health and relaxation techniques. Once everyone has written their tip, the papers are collected and shuffled in a bowl or hat.

The facilitator then randomly selects and reads each tip aloud to the group. After each tip is read, the group discusses how it could be beneficial and whether anyone has tried a similar approach in their own lives. This not only helps participants learn about health and wellness but also encourages sharing personal experiences and advice, fostering a supportive community atmosphere.

Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction is a creative icebreaker game that involves participants crafting short stories based on a few given prompts. At the start of the game, each player receives a prompt that could include a character, a setting, an object, or a specific situation. The challenge is to weave these elements into a coherent and interesting story that is typically under 100 words.

Players are given a set time limit, usually around 5 to 10 minutes, to write their stories. After the writing phase, each participant reads their story aloud to the group. The group can discuss the stories, focusing on creativity, how well each story incorporated the prompts, or simply enjoy the variety of tales produced.

Photo Contest

Photo Contest is a game that encourages creativity and interaction among participants. To start, each player needs a smartphone or a camera to capture photos based on specific themes or prompts given by the game leader. The themes can range from simple concepts like 'happiness' or 'nature' to more abstract ideas like 'the color blue' or 'friendship'.

Once the themes are announced, players have a set amount of time, typically 10-15 minutes, to take photos that best represent the theme. After the photography session, everyone gathers and each participant presents their best photo to the group. The group can then discuss the photos or vote to choose the best one for each theme, making it a fun and interactive way to learn about each other’s perspectives and creativity.

Caption This

Caption This is a fun and engaging icebreaker game that involves creativity and humor. To start, the facilitator displays a random, amusing, or unusual image to the group without any context. Each participant then has to come up with a funny or clever caption for the image within a set time limit.

After the time is up, each player shares their caption with the rest of the group. The group can vote on which caption they think is the best, or the facilitator can decide. The winner can be awarded a small prize or simply enjoy the glory of being the funniest or most creative in the round.

Map Your Roots

Map Your Roots is a game designed to help participants learn about each other's backgrounds in a fun and interactive way. To start, provide each participant with a large map and a set of colored pins or stickers. Each person marks the map at locations that are significant to them, such as where they were born, where they grew up, or places they have lived.

As participants place their pins, they share stories about why each location is meaningful to them. This can include anecdotes about their childhood, important life events, or how they ended up in their current location. The activity not only fosters a sense of community and understanding among the group but also sparks conversations that might not occur in regular introductions.

Vision Board Workshop

Vision Board Workshop is a game that encourages creativity and self-expression. Participants start by gathering magazines, scissors, glue, markers, and a large piece of poster board or paper. Each person then thinks about their goals, dreams, or what inspires them, and begins to cut out images and words from the magazines that represent these visions.

As they work, participants are encouraged to share stories or explain their choices, fostering communication and connection among the group. Once everyone has created their vision boards, they take turns presenting them to the group, discussing what each element on their board represents. This activity not only breaks the ice but also provides insight into each participant's aspirations and motivations, helping everyone get to know each other on a deeper level.

Hobby Showoff

Hobby Showoff is a game that encourages participants to share and learn about each other's hobbies. To start, each player writes down one of their hobbies on a piece of paper and places it into a common pool. The facilitator then mixes up the submissions and redistributes them randomly among the players.

Each player takes turns reading the hobby they received aloud and tries to guess whose hobby it is. After the guess, the actual owner of the hobby reveals themselves and gives a brief explanation or demonstration if possible. This continues until all participants have had a turn, fostering a fun and interactive way to get to know each other better.

Guess the Desk

Guess the Desk is a fun icebreaker game that encourages participants to learn more about their colleagues in a playful manner. Before the game starts, each player takes a photo of their desk and submits it anonymously to the game organizer. The photos are then displayed one at a time to the group, either on a screen or as printed copies.

Players take turns guessing whose desk is shown in each photo, discussing clues like unique items, arrangement style, or even the type of stationery used. Points are awarded for correct guesses, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins. This game not only breaks the ice but also sparks conversations about personal tastes and work habits, fostering a more connected team environment.

25 Team Building Problem Solving Activities

25 problem solving team building activities.

While we are in lockdown (transition to or from) and acclimating to virtual life, these activities will engender trust, create strong bonds, and improve the problem solving abilities of everyone that plays them!

Benefits of Team Building Problem Solving Activities

Problem solving skills are one of the most essential components of a competent workplace. When we attempt to solve problems within a group, we need strong communication skills, adaptability, and collaborative clarity. The team building activities in this list house a smattering of interactive and creative approaches that can help foster these skills in any healthy team. 

Scavenger Hunt

Embarking on a cityHUNT Scavenger Hunt is a thrilling team-building activity designed to enhance problem-solving skills, creativity, and communication. The goal is for each team to navigate a list of items and bring them all back within a set time frame, with the first team to return winning. The experience begins with a Discovery Call to tailor the event to your needs, followed by detailed planning and preparation. On the event day, teams use our state-of-the-art mobile app or receive full support from our Adventure Guides to explore the city, solve riddles, and complete tasks, all while earning points and fostering collaboration.

This cityHUNT Scavenger Hunt not only breaks up the workday with outdoor fun but also promotes critical thinking and effective teamwork. The activity’s customizable nature ensures it fits your team’s unique dynamics and objectives. Post-event, participants can relive the excitement through photos and videos shared in a thank-you email. Book your Discovery Call today and discover why cityHUNT is a top choice for enhancing team dynamics and creating lasting memories.

This cityHunt Scavenger Hunt is a fantastic way to get your group problem solving together!

Making decisions isn’t always easy, but the inability to make decisions can stagnate a team and lead to thought paralysis. Decision-making team-building activities, like the Egg Drop, help your staff make quick and effective choices, often relying on their gut instinct, which is usually spot on.

For the Egg Drop challenge, gather a carton of eggs and various construction materials such as newspaper, tape, and rubber bands. Head to the parking lot or any outdoor space with a safe ledge or platform. Divide your team into smaller groups and give each team an egg and the same set of materials. Set a timer for twenty minutes and let each team design and build their egg carrier. Once the time is up, take turns dropping the eggs from the ledge to see whose design can protect the egg from breaking. Continue this process until only one egg remains unbroken. Afterward, discuss the decision-making strategies and thought processes behind each team’s design, highlighting what worked and what didn’t. This activity not only encourages creativity and quick thinking but also fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills.

A Shrinking Vessel

Adaptability is a crucial aspect of effective problem-solving, enabling teams to navigate shifting needs and unexpected challenges with agility. Teams that excel in adapting on the fly can solve problems more efficiently and innovate even in the midst of a crisis. The “Shrinking Vessel” activity is designed to enhance these skills by putting your team’s adaptability to the test.

To set up the activity, lay a piece of rope or string on the floor to form a large shape that your team can comfortably fit within, such as a circle or rectangle. Over a period of fifteen minutes, gradually reduce the size of the shape by moving the rope or string inward. The challenge for the team is to work together to adjust and stay within the ever-decreasing boundaries. This requires continuous real-time communication and collaboration as team members must strategize and reposition themselves to ensure everyone remains within the shrinking space. The exercise emphasizes the importance of adaptability and quick decision-making, helping teams develop the flexibility needed to thrive under pressure and respond effectively to changing circumstances.

Virtual Team Building 

Remote work can present unique challenges, especially for teams that are accustomed to in-person interactions. Adapting to this new way of working can be daunting, but virtual team building offers a wealth of opportunities to foster connection and collaboration. The virtual world is brimming with engaging activities designed to bring teams together, even when they’re miles apart.

There’s no shortage of virtual team-building options that can be seamlessly integrated into your remote work routine. Virtual scavenger hunts, game shows, trivia competitions, and various team-based challenges can all be conducted via popular virtual conferencing platforms. These activities are not only fun but also serve as effective tools for problem-solving and strengthening team dynamics. For instance, virtual scavenger hunts can be tailored to include items or tasks that are relevant to your team’s interests or current projects, encouraging collaboration and creativity. By leveraging these virtual tools, teams can enjoy interactive and rewarding experiences that help bridge the gap created by physical distance, making remote work both productive and enjoyable.

Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower

The Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower challenge might sound like a recipe for chaos, but it’s actually a fantastic exercise in collaboration and creative problem-solving. The goal isn’t to cook anything—just to use dry spaghetti noodles, marshmallows, and a few optional extras like tape and string to build the tallest and most stable tower possible.

This activity underscores the importance of teamwork and innovation. To start, divide your group into teams and provide each with a set of materials: dry spaghetti noodles, marshmallows, and, if you choose, tape and string. Set a specific timeframe for the challenge—typically 20 to 30 minutes is ideal. The teams must strategize and work together to design and construct their towers using only the materials provided. The catch is that the tower must be free-standing and able to support itself without collapsing.

As the teams work, they’ll need to communicate effectively, make quick decisions, and adapt their strategies based on what’s working and what isn’t. This process of trial and error fosters collaboration and encourages creative thinking. At the end of the allotted time, measure the height of each tower to determine the winner.

The Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower exercise not only brings out the competitive spirit but also demonstrates how effective teamwork can lead to innovative solutions and impressive results. It’s a fun and engaging way to build trust and cooperation among team members, proving that with the right mix of creativity and collaboration, even the simplest materials can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Dumbest Idea First

What’s more fun than a dumb idea? For this game, encourage your team to unify and quickly think of the dumbest ideas they can to solve a specific problem. Once accomplished, consult the list and flesh out the ideas that aren’t actually dumb so you can serve up a good solution to your problem. You might find that these so-called “dumb” ideas are actually fairly creative and host some original solutions!

This game helps everyone build strong communication standards and enhances the foundations of decision-making among your employees. It’s imperative that your teams learn proper communication strategies, especially when it comes to problem solving. In our remote-work world, communication skills are extremely important to mitigate frustrations and smooth the channels that lead to impactful problem solving.

To play Stranded:

• Your team is stranded in the office!
• The doors and windows are locked and cannot be opened.
• Give your team half an hour so they can choose up to ten items necessary to survive.
• Rank their ten items in order of necessity.
• The goal of this game is that at the end, each team member of each team will agree on the ten items needed and their ranked order, coming to a conclusion that will rescue them from being stranded.

End in Mind

The “End in Mind” activity is a dynamic problem-solving exercise designed to help your team approach projects from a unique perspective. By starting with the end result and working backward, this activity encourages strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.

Here’s how it works: Begin by defining the final goal or outcome of a project. Present this end result to your team first, then provide a series of milestones, deadlines, and steps in reverse order. The challenge is for the team to piece together these elements to construct a coherent plan that leads from the final goal back to the initial starting point.

The reverse order of the milestones forces team members to consider how each step contributes to achieving the end result. This method encourages them to think critically about each component’s role in the project, identify potential obstacles, and develop innovative solutions to ensure all pieces fit together seamlessly. By analyzing the project in reverse, teams gain a deeper understanding of the dependencies and sequences needed for successful completion.

The “End in Mind” activity not only sharpens problem-solving skills but also enhances strategic planning and foresight. It’s a valuable exercise for developing a comprehensive view of how complex projects come together and for honing the ability to anticipate and address challenges before they arise.

Legoman is an engaging team-building activity that leverages the nostalgia of childhood toys to improve communication and collaboration within your team. This exercise challenges participants to work together, translate verbal instructions into action, and build a shared understanding.

To start, divide your team into small groups of two to three people each. Select a person who is not part of any team to create a random Lego structure within a set time limit of ten minutes. This person will build the model out of sight from the other participants.

Once the structure is complete, each team is given the same ten-minute timeframe to replicate the model. However, there’s a twist: only one member of each team can view the original Lego construct. This person must describe the model to their team without directly showing it, relying solely on their ability to communicate details clearly and accurately. The rest of the team listens and interprets the description to assemble the structure as closely as possible to the original.

This activity highlights the importance of effective communication and listening skills, as well as the need for clear and concise instructions. It challenges team members to collaborate and problem-solve in real-time, fostering a deeper understanding of how well they work together and how they can improve their communication strategies. By using a familiar and playful medium like Legos, the exercise makes learning these essential skills enjoyable and memorable.

This fun game enhances collaboration amongst your staff. Utilizing clues and tools, they will attempt to unlock a room within a given time frame. You will need a room that you can (safely) lock, a key for that room, rope, and a set of puzzles and/or clues.

The basic idea of this game is to solve all the clues presented and find the key so that they can unlock the room. Hide the key somewhere in the room, and make sure that the list of clues and puzzles that lead to the key are solvable and not too obtuse. Once your team is ready to go, you can give your team a time limit to complete the activity.

This game truly shows why team building is important!

Let’s take a break from the communication problem solving activities and play a game that requires decision making and adaptability. To play Frostbite, you will need an electric fan, some card stock/sticky notes/rubber bands, and a blindfold.

Your team is out on an exploration of the arctic. Separate them into groups of about four or five people, and have them choose a leader for the adventure. Your teams need to construct shelters that will protect them from an oncoming storm front that will ruin them in thirty minutes. Like the name of the game, your team leaders are suffering from frostbite, and the rest of the team is blinded because of the snow. Using the provided materials, team leaders and team members must rely on one another to build shelters that can endure the “high winds” when the storm hits (the electric fan). When the time comes, turn on the fan and see whose shelter can weather the storm!

This is another fun adaptability game that encourages collaboration and communication among your staff. To play this game you will need at least one item that can “mark” a space, such as tape, paper, chalk, etc.

• Divide the group into two teams, and align these teams so that they’re facing one another. 
• Using your space marking item, label an area for each person to stand in.
• Make sure you leave some space between the rows of people facing each other.
• To solve the objective, have the two lines of facing team members swap places.

Caveats: Only one person can move at once, moving backward isn’t allowed, a person can only move around the people from the other team one at a time, and a person can’t move around anyone if they’re both facing the same direction.

It’s tough! 

What Would X Do

Is your team stagnating on new ideas? This problem solving activity might stimulate your staff toward innovation.

In order to play What Would X Do, allow your teams to pretend to be someone famous. As a famous person, address an issue at hand. Have them ask themselves, what might they do in this particular situation? What might they consider? What choices would they make? This helps your team consider things in a new light.

Bonding Belt 

For this game, divide your groups into five participants, binding them together with tape or rope in order to limit their movements. You want the teams to go from designated Point A to Point B, and make sure you record the time. Each team will work together in order to beat their previous scores. 

To play Minefield, we are going to place items around the room in a randomized fashion so that the path from one side to the other is properly occluded and confusing. Divide up your team. Blindfold one team and have the other team serve as the guides.

The guide team then navigates the blindfolded team through the minefield, being certain that players don’t touch (any players that touch are out!). This is a team building activity of trust and survival, one that requires concise communication and collaborative problem solving.

Reverse Pyramid

Direct your team to stand together in the shape of a pyramid. What you want to do here is “flip” the base and apex of the pyramid, limiting who can move to only two or three people. Your team will want to work together in order to flip the pyramid successfully, and this game works as a great communicative device that will need a lot of proper decision making. 

The Human Knot is a dynamic and engaging team-building activity that focuses on enhancing group coordination, communication, and problem-solving skills. This classic game is not only fun but also a powerful tool for fostering teamwork and developing collaborative strategies.

To begin, gather your team and instruct them to form a circle. Each participant should reach across the circle to grab the hand of someone who is not directly next to them, ensuring that everyone is connected. Once all members are linked, the challenge is to untangle the knot without releasing anyone’s hands. The group must work together to maneuver and twist their bodies to gradually unravel the knot and restore the circle.

The Human Knot exercise encourages participants to communicate clearly and strategize collectively. As they work through the physical and spatial challenges of untangling themselves, team members must discuss and agree on the best approach to achieve the goal. This requires a high level of cooperation and flexibility, as well as the ability to listen to and incorporate ideas from all team members.

Throughout the activity, team members will learn about the importance of coordination and the value of each person’s input in solving complex problems. The exercise also highlights how diverse perspectives and teamwork can lead to successful outcomes, even in seemingly difficult situations.

Dog, Rice, and Chicken

This is a fun, silly problem solving activity that might help your adult staff cut loose. Direct one team member to play the role of the farmer, and the other team members are the villagers that advise them. The farmer will get three items: a dog, some rice, and a chicken, which they take across a river via boat.

You may have played this game before, or maybe you’re aware of the narrative device: only one item can be taken across at a time, and there are limits. The dog will eat the chicken. The chicken will eat the rice. Your team will have to work together to figure out how to properly bring everything across the river.

Crack The Case

Have you ever played a classic murder mystery group game? These virtual “Whodunnits” force employees to work collectively to crack a case or solve a murder. Remote games are super fun, and everyone from commuters to remote workers to in-house staff can play together.

Virtual Clue Murder Mystery Games use video conferencing platforms and apps to let coworkers solve cases together. They can study case files, look over clues, and work together to parse out motive, method, and everything else behind classic mysteries. It’s a great time.

What Would You Do

This hypothetical question game will favor communication and brainstorming efforts by gathering your team together for a problem solving activity that is intriguing and silly. This game works by asking absurd questions and getting thoughtful answers. 

For example, you could ask someone “If you didn’t have to breathe, what would you do?” or “If you never had to eat, what would you accomplish?” Your hypothetical questions should be fairly optional and open, and they need to get your team talking. Try to come up with an inventive, fun list that garnishes thoughtful responses.

Can You Tell What I Changed?

This great communication-based problem solving activity doesn’t take too long and is fun for everybody. To play it, divvy up your team into groups and have them face each other in a line. Observe the individuals standing across from one another, giving them a minute or so to look. Then have them close their eyes.

Instruct the other line of people to make a bunch of quick changes to their appearances. They can put their hair up or down, take off their jackets, turn out their ties, and whatever else they might come up with in that short period of time. Have the other group open their eyes and identify each change as quickly as they can. Play this game as many times as you want, making it more and more complicated.

This is a fun problem solving activity that makes a great team icebreaker or just a quick break from office work.

Organizational Jenga

Organizational Jenga is a thought-provoking team-building activity designed to illustrate the importance of various departments within a company and how each role contributes to the overall stability of the organization. This game uses the familiar mechanics of Jenga to highlight the interdependence of different teams and the impact of removing key elements from the structure.

To set up the game, you’ll need a Jenga set or some similar blocks, each labeled to represent different departments or roles within your organization, such as HR, management, IT, support staff, and so on. Ensure the number of blocks for each department corresponds to the actual composition of your office.

Divide your team into small groups, giving each group an equal number of labeled blocks. Provide guidelines for the structure they must build, such as specific dimensions or shapes, and set a time limit for the construction phase. Once the structures are built, begin removing blocks in a manner similar to traditional Jenga, challenging the teams to maintain their structure’s stability as pieces are taken away.

This activity is more than just a physical challenge; it serves as a powerful metaphor for organizational dynamics. As blocks are removed, teams will see firsthand how the absence of certain roles or departments can destabilize the entire structure. This emphasizes the critical importance of each role within the company and the potential consequences of losing any individual team member.

Web of Wools

For this game, divide your team up into equal parts. Have your team form up a “web of wools,” one that should be as intricate as they can manage. Using yarn or string, your teams should entangle themselves together. Then switch the teams up so that everyone has a different web. Have one team member on each side be blindfolded and attempt to untangle each web only by the provided instruction of the other team members. Whoever does it first is the winner! 

This is a fairly difficult game that can come with its own unique frustrations. The blindfolded person will have to balance their own preferences and instincts with the instructions of their teammates. This is a great team building activity that balances communication with problem solving.

The Barter Puzzle

The Barter Puzzle is an insightful team-building exercise that challenges your groups to perform under pressure while honing their negotiation and communication skills. This activity is designed to highlight how well teams can collaborate, negotiate, and delegate tasks to achieve a common goal.

To begin, divide your participants into teams of about five people each. Provide each team with a jigsaw puzzle of varying complexity, but with a twist: the puzzle pieces are mixed among all the teams, meaning no single team has all the pieces needed to complete their puzzle. The objective is for one team to be the first to complete their puzzle, but this can only be achieved through negotiation and bartering with the other teams to acquire the missing pieces.

Teams must strategize and communicate effectively to determine which pieces they have and which ones they need. They’ll need to negotiate with other teams to trade puzzle pieces, assign roles within their team, and make decisions about how to best use their resources. It’s crucial that teams work together and avoid having individuals work independently, as the collaborative nature of the task is key to solving the puzzle efficiently.

This activity is a practical way to observe and assess several important skills: negotiation tactics, communication effectiveness, and the ability to function under pressure. It reveals which teams excel at strategizing and working cooperatively, and which may need to improve their communication and negotiation strategies. The Barter Puzzle is not only a fun and engaging challenge but also a valuable exercise in understanding and enhancing team dynamics.

Create your own

This is a unique version of the above games. The point of this game is for the team to brainstorm and come up with their own problem solving activity that is unique to your business and supports your values, ideals, and needs. By conquering this team building game, your team will build creativity and decision making skills.

Give them an hour to craft a team building exercise that is based on problem solving. Divide your staff into teams where they will be encouraged to develop new exercises that fit into your organization. The exercises should be unique, fun, and engaging. Then, have each team show off their created activities to everyone else. Have the others show the pros and cons of the created activities, and discuss how they came to the idea and what the benefits are.

No matter what you decide to play, we are certain that there are enough ideas on this list to get your group up and problem solving together! These team building activities are such a great way to get your team to communicate and negotiate, and best of all these games will bring your staff together during this tumultuous time. Problem solving is one of the backbones of any successful, growing business, and these games are sure to be celebrated by your staff for years.

If you’re looking for ways to bond beyond the rigors of the office, consider these virtual happy hour ideas that will bring your staff together in a relaxing way.

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