Ice Breakers

 

Best For: Team Bonding

A classic game played at summer camps everywhere, "Would You Rather" is an excellent, quick ice breaker for the workplace. Next time you're settling into a meeting or team bonding outing, take turns going around the table and asking each person a "Would You Rather" question.

Here are a few "Would You Rather" questions to get you started:

• Would you rather only have summer or winter for the rest of your life?
• Would you rather go on a hike or see a movie?
• Would you rather never use social media sites and apps again or never watch another movie or TV show?
• Would you rather have a horrible short-term memory or a horrible long-term memory?

Instructions

• Designate a team member ahead of time to share their “Would You Rather” question.
• Have everyone chime in one-by-one with their answer.
• Every team member should popcorn their turn, or you can proceed alphabetically.
• Enjoy!

23. Accomplishments Before 18

Best For: Team Bonding

Accomplishments Before 18 is an engaging and unique way to encourage team members to share fun or interesting stories with one another. Before a meeting, simply go around the room, and ask each person to share one accomplishment they had before they turned 18.

Undoubtedly you'll get some of lesser importance, like "I bought a skateboard," but you never know what hidden skills you might discover in your colleagues.

Instructions

• Start with a random team member or yourself.
• Have everyone chime in one-by-one with their answer.
• Every team member should popcorn their turn, or you can proceed alphabetically.
• Enjoy!

24. Two Truths and a Lie

Best For: Team Bonding

One of the more classic ice breakers in the list, Two Truths and a Lie can be used anywhere from family parties to company events.

For instance, I might say, "I once auditioned for the TV show Zoom. I have three brothers. I ziplined in Switzerland once." Coworkers can take turns guessing which is the lie. (FYI, I have two brothers, not three, so that's the lie. Unfortunately, I auditioned for Zoom.)

Two Truths and a Lie is a fun and engaging game, and more importantly, it can help your team learn facts about one another, so they can begin forming deeper bonds.

Instructions

• Ask each person to brainstorm three "facts" about themselves — two of the facts will be true, and one will be a lie.
• Have team members guess which is the lie.
• Whoever guesses correctly gets bragging rights.
• Enjoy!

25. The Handshake

Best For: In-Person Fun

One of the first ways you get to greet somebody in the workplace is with a handshake.

This ice breaker lets individuals ease up and have a little fun without a hassle. It’s simple — everyone will create a fun, creative handshake.

If you have more time on your hands, have the pairs split up after showing off their super cool shake and make even more creative ones with new partners. It’s hard to play these games without sharing a laugh, which is something we all could use in the workday.

Instructions

• Divide the group into pairs of two.
• Have them make the most creative handshake they can in a couple of minutes.
• If desired, have everyone rotate partners.
• Have fun!