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Ice breaker games for adults are perfect for getting to know new people or have fun with friends and family.

Whether you're hosting a party or passing the time at work, all you need is a few people to have a blast.

The best thing about ice breaker games is that they're so much more than just a good time.

These games help you to form genuine connections with people. You can learn about each other in a unique way that traditional conversation just doesn't allow.

Contents

Best - #Best

Best

Questions - #Questions

Questions

Fun - #Fun

Fun

Funny - #Funny

Funny

Adult/Teens

Adult/Teens

Small Groups - #Small-Groups

Small Groups

Large Groups - #Large-Groups

Large Groups

Quick Ice Breaker - #Quick-Ice-Breaker

Quick Ice Breaker

How to Pick

How to pick

3 Best Ice Breaker Games for Adults

From dinner parties to post-bar shenanigans, sometimes you just want to get weird. Instead of the usual chit-chat, why not suggest one of these ice breaker games for adults?

1. People Bingo

Very easy to set up — all you need is a pen and some paper. First, have everyone write down some unique characteristics about themselves. For example "has a tattoo" and "has three cats" could be used to describe someone. Now, make classic Bingo cards with an equal amount of characteristics for each person. Be sure to put each characteristic in different positions for the cards.

Now, people mingle around and try to find out information about each other. When they figure out which characteristic represents a person, they cross out that square. First person to achieve a BINGO (a line of matches) wins!

2. 2-Minute Mixer

Have you heard of speed dating? 2-Minute Mixer is kind of like that. Two people talk for two minutes, and then they move to the next person. It's simple and fun.

3. Protect the Egg

This game requires a little preparation, but it's worth it! Your goal is to build a device that protects an egg from breaking when dropped on the ground.

First, get a bunch of supplies such as popsicle sticks, tin foil, paper, cardboard, glue, tape, cotton balls, and anything else that looks interesting. You can each work alone or form teams.

Set a time limit. When the time is done, take turns standing on a chair and dropping the devices. If there are ties, drop the eggs from a higher distance until one uncracked egg remains.

6 Ice Breaker Question Games for Adults

You can learn a lot about a person from how they answer ice breaker questions. These games cut right to the chase — questions and answers. They're perfect for those moments when all you have is some people and a thirst for fun. From car rides to work shifts, these questions to ask games are always convenient and easy. No accessories required.

4. Never Have I Ever Questions

Never Have I Ever questions are so versatile. It's usually a drinking game, but it can be played sober too. Everyone sits in a circle, and then you take turns saying things they have never done. For example, "Never have I ever had a one-night stand." Anyone who has done that thing must drink (or touch their nose if you're keeping it booze-free).

5. Most Likely To Questions

Most Likely To questions are also commonly used as a drinking game, but again, alcohol isn't required. You simply ask who's most likely to do something, and then everyone points at the person most likely to do that action. Whoever has the most fingers pointing at them must drink the number of points.

6. Newlywed Game Questions

Newlywed Game questions are perfect for couples, but the game doesn't have to be romantic. The concept is simple. You have a list of questions about a couple (or any duo). For example, "What is the other person's favorite color?" Both people write down their answers, and then you compare.

7. 21 Questions Game

The 21 Questions game is a classic. It's a great way to pass time on long car trips. Person 1 thinks of something, and the other people are allowed to ask 21 questions to find the answer. If they can't guess the answer after 21 questions, person 1 wins.

8. Truth or Dare Questions

Truth or Dare questions are a rite of passage growing up. A person can choose truth or dare. If they choose truth, they must answer a question honestly. If they choose dare, they must complete a dare. It's simple but it never gets old.

9. Would You Rather Questions

Would You Rather questions are always a hit. All you need is two or more people and your brains. Think up the worst possible two situations, and watch as people agonizingly choose which one they would choose. The best part is listening to people explain their reasoning, so be sure to press them for answers!

4 Fun Ice Breaker Games For Adults

Sometimes you just want to keep it light. These fun icebreaker games will keep everyone smiling. They're goofy, silly, and zany, so make sure everyone is in high spirits. Any bad moods are sure to go right out the window once these games get started.

10. Knock-Knock

There are no complicated rules for this one. Everyone just takes turns telling their favorite knock-knock joke — it's that easy! Feel free to consult your phone if you can't think of one off the top of your head.

11. Movie Pitch

Get everyone into small groups. Choose one person to be the director. Now, you have ten minutes to come up with a movie idea and a pitch. Each team takes turns pitching their movie to the director. The director chooses the best pitch/movie and the corresponding winning team.

12. No Smiling

It doesn't get easier than this. The rules are simple. If you laugh, you're out. Five minutes is a good amount of time, but you can adjust that time as desired. You'll be amazed by how hard it is to stay serious when you have to!

13. Stacking Cups

This game may require high ceilings. The concept is simple. Every time someone enters the room, they must add one plastic cup to the stack. It gets harder throughout the night as the stack turns into a tower and reaching the top becomes a serious challenge.

3 Funny Ice Breaker Games for Adults

Laughter is good for you, and these funny ice breakers will have the whole gang roaring. The key to a successful funny game session is to be willing to come out of your shell. You may feel a little embarrassed at first, but that's what makes these games such powerful ice breakers. Create memories you can look back and giggle about.

14. Act and React

This game is perfect if you want to flex your acting chops. First, everyone thinks up a bunch of zany situations and writes them down. Being chased by a dog. Flying an airplane. Winning a scratch ticket. You get it. Now, put all of those suggestions in a hat. Take turns selecting a situation, and then acting it out in one minute or less — no talking allowed! Whoever guesses it right gets a point. Whoever reaches the designated score first wins.

15. Ha Ha

This game is deceptively simple. Everyone sits in a circle. The first person says "Ha." The next person says "Ha." The third person says "Ha." You see where this is going. The first person to laugh is out and then you start again. Laughter is contagious, and this game proves it. Don't be afraid to get real weird with facial expressions, movements, and of course how you say your "Ha."

16. Telephone

Everyone sits in a circle. The first person whispers a phrase into the ear of the person next to them, and that person continues passing the message along. When the message reaches the first person, you compare the original message with the new garbled one. As adults, you can definitely get, um, creative with this one.

3 Ice Breaker Games for Adults that Teens Can Also Use

These ice breaker games for teens are perfect when the party includes a wide range of age groups. They're not ideal for kids, but they're not geared specifically towards adults either.

17. Social Media Confessions

Teens always have their phones on them, right? This game is simple but it can be oh so hilarious. Everyone takes out their phone and you choose a social media platform. Everyone takes turn reading their most recent post. This game can be funny, but it can also help everyone to catch up on each other's lives.

18. Social Media Confessions (Insta Variation)

This game works the same way as Social Media Confessions, only instead of reading your thoughts, you show your most recent Instagram picture and talk about why you took the photo, where you were, and so on.

19. Desert Island

What five movies would you bring if you knew you were going to be stranded on a desert island? Books? Albums? Foods? This questions game is fun for all ages, and it's a fantastic way to pass the time.

3 Ice Breaker Games for Small Groups of Adults

Only have a few players? We've got you covered. These icebreakers for small groups are perfect for finishing a night out with new friends or for couples returning from group dates. You don't need a big group to have a massive amount of fun.

20. Collaborative Drawing

Take one piece of paper, and start a drawing. Now pass that drawing to the next person who will add their own artwork. Keep passing it until you're left with a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. Be sure to save each piece so you can look back at them fondly in the future.

21. Collaborative Story-Telling

This game is kind of like collaborative drawing, but instead of creating a picture, you're telling a story. One person starts the story, and then passes it to the next person, and so on.

22. Who Am I?

All you need is a small group and some post-it notes. Write a famous person or character's name on a post-it note, and then attach it to the player's forehead. Now, the player may ask 21 questions to figure out who they are.

3 Ice Breaker Games for Large Groups of Adults

If you're hanging with a herd of adults, you're going to want some ice breakers for large groups. These games can be a fantastic way to pass the time at events like concerts or sports games. They're also perfect for parties.

23. Animal Sounds

This game is so goofy and that's what makes it so fun. Write down the name of various animals on slips of paper. Make sure there are exactly two slips for each animal so each person has a partner. After everyone has selected their animal, the goal is for everyone to find their partners communicating only as that animal. Your neighbors are going to think a zoo moved in.

24. Fabulous Flags

This game really helps you to understand what's important to people. For supplies, you'll need a bunch of paper and markers. Now, everyone designs their own personal flag. That's the only rule. After, you can take turns showing off your flags and explaining the reasons behind their design choices.

25. What's My Name?

This one simple, quick activity turns the entire gathering into a game. It's easy, each person chooses an adjective for themselves. Now, everyone takes turns introducing themselves. For example, you could have Radical Ryan, Kingly Kyle, Jazzy Jen, and Crazy Cody. Now, try to remember each other's names, and be sure to ask why people chose their preferred title.

6 Quick ice breaker games for adults

If you're hoping to create meaningful friendships or useful business relationships with members of a group, quick icebreakers games are super useful. Play just a couple of these games and you'll soon feel like you know the members of the group really well, even if you've only just met them.

26. Four Corners

This is a very fun icebreaker game for active adults and it has simple rules so it's easy for everyone to play.

27. Sweet Stories

There aren't many games that will help you learn about the other members of the group like this one.

28. Human Map

If the adults in the group are good at geography, this is an interesting icebreaker game which is quick to play.

29. Shared Storytelling

This game takes a bit of time but it's great for getting cogs whirring inside the brain.

30. Tattoo

The Tattoo icebreaker is a wonderful way to get to know others in the group, while each person will also learn about themself too.

31. A Day in the Life

Getting a glimpse into a day in the life of someone else can be an interesting way to find out differences and similarities between people in the group.

How to Pick the Best Ice Breaker Games for Adults

Choosing the best possible ice breaker games for adults is often easier said than done. After all, there are a whole lot of games out there, and everyone has their own different preferences. Follow these simple steps to make every game session one for the books.

1. Present Options

Remember that these games are group activities. While you may have a few that you prefer, you're going to have better luck getting people involved if you give them a few games to choose from.

Instead of saying, "Let's play some Two Truths and a Lie!" try saying "Let's play a game!" From there, you can suggest a few of the best ones, or the group can simply reference this handy guide for ideas.

2. Think About the Setting

Not all games work for all scenarios. Some games require a small or large group of people. Some games need a lot of space. Before you dive into a game, you want to be sure you have all the requirements met. You don't want to start a game only to realize it's not going to work out.

3. Gauge the Mood

Are people being loud and laughing? Or maybe they're winding down for the night? If you're thinking of suggesting games, you need to be able to read the room. For example, a simple questions game can be the perfect choice if everyone's lazily hanging out on the couch. If people are active, you could suggest charades.

Try to follow the general mood of the room and enhance it. You want people to be excited about the game. If your crew isn't in the right mood, even the best ice breaker games for adults can backfire.

4. Lead by Example

Not everyone is comfortable diving head-first into a game, especially with people they don't know well. If you jump in and show them that the water's fine, they're going to be much more likely to participate.

Of course, you may need a partner who's willing to help you out. Find someone you know is willing to get involved, and then lead the others by example. Once they see you two having a good time, they'll be joining the party in no time.

Downloadable and Printable List of Ice Breaker Games for Adults

Here's a downloadable and printable list of ice breaker games for adults (right click the image and select Save Image As):

More Awesome Ice Breakers

Why crack the ice when you can shatter it? We've got plenty more fun get-to-know-you activities that will help you form lasting connections with new folks in your life.

  1. These funny dares are a blast for those brave enough to complete them.
  2. If you really want to get to know someone, you can't go wrong with truth questions.
  3. These would you rather funny questions will have you in tears.

In Conclusion

These ice breaker games for adults will get you started, but the possibilities are endless. You can use these ice breaker games to learn the basics, but don't be afraid to add your own unique twists to them. The only rule is that there are no rules!

Make sure that you don't push people out of their comfort zone too much. If people don't seem to be feeling it, just move along. Games are only fun when everyone genuinely wants to participate. Encourage games to happen naturally, but try to remember that you're a friend, not a coach.

Finally, let yourself go! Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you have to act like one all the time. Happiness is contagious. If you're having a good time, other people will too. Life is all about good times with good people, so cherish those moments.