Are you in search of some team building icebreakers for small groups?
It’s not easy for employees to get along with others especially when they are new to your workplace. They need to build connections with their colleagues and also get familiar with your company culture. Icebreakers help employees get to know each other better and connect with others on a more personal level.
In this article, let’s discuss 10 team building icebreakers for small groups. They help create a fun and comfortable atmosphere for employees to interact with one another.
How Do You Choose the Right Icebreaker for Small Groups?
When choosing the right icebreaker for your small group, consider the following factors:
Group Size: The size of your group will determine the type of icebreaker you choose. Some may work better for larger groups, while others are more suitable for smaller groups. Make sure to choose an icebreaker that will work well for the number of people in your team.
Objectives: Consider the purpose of your icebreaker. Are you trying to introduce group members, build trust, or simply create a relaxed environment? Align your icebreaker activities with the goals you want to achieve for the group.
Time Constraints: Be mindful of the time available for the icebreaker. Short activities are ideal for quick energizers, while longer sessions may allow for more in-depth interaction and group bonding.
Team Dynamics: Think about the personalities and comfort levels within your group. Some people may prefer low-pressure, creative activities, while others might enjoy competitive or interactive games. Choose an icebreaker that suits the dynamics of your group.
By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be better equipped to select an icebreaker that is engaging, effective, and enjoyable for your small group.
10 Team Building Icebreakers for Small Groups
Before You Start
If you want to know how you can conduct team building activities, you can read this article for inspiration: How to Facilitate Team Building Activities in Your Workplace?
Alright, let’s go!
Here are some icebreaker games for small groups in your workplace.
#1. Questions & Answers Session
The goal of this activity is to know more about the personality as well as the views of a person. Here a person is chosen as an “interviewee” who should answer the questions of their teammates.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Split the participants into small teams. In each team, nominate a person as an interviewee.
- Ask the interviewee to sit opposite to their teammates.
- Now, the remaining team members should ask different questions to the interviewee. The questions must be creative as well as objective. Avoid generic/repetitive questions.
Here are some of the questions you can try.
“When you get a vacation, where would you go and why?”
“If you win a $100,000 lottery or jackpot, how would you spend the money?”
“What is your primary consideration when choosing a friend?”
“Which age do you think is the best for marriage?”
- Then, the interviewee should answer each question. Once this is done, choose another person as an interviewee and repeat the activity.
Debrief
Focus on identifying meaningful insights from the interview responses and how they reflect individual perspectives. Additionally, evaluate the variety of answers to understand common themes or unique viewpoints.
#2. My Name is?
In this activity, the participants should tell their names along with a prefix that describes their main characteristics.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-10 individuals per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into small teams.
- Ask each person to state his name by adding a prefix that describes his main characteristic. For example: Intelligent Tom, Humble Jane etc.
- Now, each person should introduce themself by saying “My name is [Prefix] [Name].”
Debrief
Observe the different prefixes people choose for themselves. Discuss how the prefixes reflect their self-perceptions and what they value about themselves.
#3. Your First Job
This icebreaker activity helps employees get to know each other better and is ideal before a team meeting.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Group the participants into small groups.
- Ask your group members to tell a brief story about their first job or even worst job.
- Now, each member should tell a brief story about their first/worst job.
- To save time, you can also instruct them in one day advance to come up with their story.
Debrief
Observe the similarities and differences in each person’s story. Discuss how previous job experiences have shaped their current perspectives and goals.
#4. Goal Sharing
This icebreaker exercise helps employees understand and respect the goals of their colleagues. Therefore, employees can help one another to achieve each individual goal.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 3-10 people per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into small teams. Now, instruct each team member to write down a goal they need to achieve in a year and the reason behind it.
- Once this is done, ask each person to share his/her goal with the whole team members.
- Then, put all the goals in a bowl and ask each person to pick out one of their partner’s goals.
- The person who picks their partner’s goal is accountable for that goal and they need to help their partner achieve it.
Debrief
Discuss how understanding and supporting each other’s goals can create a more cohesive and supportive team dynamic. Encourage employees to take action towards helping their colleagues achieve their goals.
#5. Two Truths and a Lie
This is a fun icebreaker game that helps team members get to know each other’s personalities in a light-hearted way. The goal of this activity is to identify the lie from three different statements.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-6 individuals in a group
Instructions
- Each team member should come up with two true statements about themselves and one false statement.
- They will then share these three statements with the rest of the group, without revealing which is the lie.
- The other team members must guess which statement is the lie.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity promotes trust-building within the team and encourages team members to share personal information in a fun way. Highlight the importance of honesty and vulnerability in team dynamics.
#6. Wear Your Attitude
This activity will help people to see others’ moods and the way they may react on that day. It’s a great way to start the day and get people talking about their feelings.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-10 individuals per group
Instructions
- Ask each team member to choose an accessory or clothing item that represents their current mood or attitude.
- Each person should share their item with the rest of the group and explain why they chose it.
- Encourage everyone to be creative and have fun with their choices.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity encourages self-awareness and promotes open communication about individual emotions within the team. Reinforce the importance of empathy and understanding in building strong relationships within a team
#7. Life Highlights
This icebreaker activity helps employees to know more about the lifestyles, passions, and personalities of their colleagues. It is ideal before a team meeting or presentation.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-6 members per group
Instructions
- Ask the participants to close their eyes for one minute and think about their best life moments like moments with family or friends, personal/professional achievements, etc.
- After reviewing their life highlights, each person should discuss which life moment they want to relive if there are only 30 seconds left in their life and the reason for that.
Debrief
Reflect on the responses and discuss how these moments have shaped each individual’s life and values. Encourage team members to share similar experiences and connect on a personal level.
#8. Motivational Factor
The main goal of this exercise is to know what motivates and what demotivates the teammates. As a result, this will help the team to work better together.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: Any number of people in a group
Instructions
- Ask each person to think about what motivates them and write it down on a piece of paper.
- They should also write down what demotivates them.
- Once everyone has finished writing, have each person share their answers with the group.
Debrief
Discuss how understanding each other’s motivations and demotivations can lead to better communication and collaboration within the team. Encourage team members to support each other in staying motivated and avoiding demotivating factors.
#9. Coin Logo
In this activity, the participants are required to create a logo using coins and explain it. This icebreaker activity helps team members to think creatively and speak confidently.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A variety of coins (enough for each participant to have a few)
Participants: 3-6 people per group
Instructions
- Give each person a few coins.
- Each person must arrange the coins in any way they want to create a logo.
- Once everyone has created their logo, ask them to explain the meaning behind it.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity encourages creativity and how different interpretations can be made from the same materials. Emphasize the importance of open-mindedness and respecting differences within a team.
#10. Secret Identity
This activity is great for teams who are not familiar with each other or for new employees joining your workplace.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper, and Pen
Participants: 3-6 individuals in a group
Instructions
- Write down a common object on a piece of paper (e.g. apple, laptop, car).
- Tell one team member to pick up the paper that has the name of an object written on it without showing it to anyone else. They should then stick the paper on their forehead without looking at it.
- Now, everyone else on the team should give clues to this person about what is written on their forehead. The person has to guess their secret identity based on these clues.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity promotes teamwork and communication skills as well as how different people approach problem-solving. Highlight the importance of listening and clear communication.
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Final Words
As a leader, you should ensure that your employees feel comfortable and connected within the team. These icebreaker activities are a great way to break the ice and foster strong relationships within your small group. Use them in team meetings, workshops, or even during lunch breaks to promote a positive and collaborative work environment. Remember, building a strong team starts with creating a culture of trust, open communication, and respect for individual differences. Have fun with these activities and watch your team grow stronger together!
FAQ: Team Building Icebreakers for Small Groups
You might have these questions in mind.
What are icebreakers?
Icebreakers are activities or games designed to help people get to know each other and feel more comfortable in a group setting. They can be used in various settings, such as team meetings, workshops, or social events, to promote open communication and build stronger relationships within a team.
Why are icebreaker games important?
Icebreaker games are important because they can help people feel more comfortable in a group setting, break down barriers, and promote open communication. They also allow group members to get to know each other on a personal level, which can lead to stronger relationships and better collaboration within the team.
Can these activities be used for virtual teams?
Yes, most of these activities can be easily adapted for virtual teams by using online tools such as video conferencing platforms or virtual whiteboards. You can also modify the instructions to fit the virtual setting.
How often should icebreaker activities be used?
There is no set rule for how often icebreaker activities should be used. It ultimately depends on your team’s needs and preferences. Some teams may benefit from frequent icebreakers to boost morale and improve communication, while others may prefer a more occasional use. Observe your team’s reactions and adapt accordingly. Remember to mix up the activities to keep things interesting and engaging for everyone.
Are there any other benefits of icebreaker activities besides building relationships?
Yes, icebreaker activities can also help to improve group dynamics, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. They can also serve as a fun and engaging way to introduce new team members or break the monotony of routine meetings.