28 icebreakers for adults

Conversation menu: Pick a topic from the menu: a place worth visiting, a skill worth learning or a small thing that makes a day better.

5 minutes, 4 to 40 Directions: In pairs, each person picks one and talks for a minute, then swap. Facilitator note: Passing or picking again is fine.

Postcard from a perfect place: Describe a public place you would love to have nearby, as a postcard: a picture and four words.

7 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Each person writes the four words; the group guesses the picture. Facilitator note: Places can be imaginary.

Then and now: Pick an everyday object, such as a phone or a kettle. How has it changed, and what will it look like next?

7 minutes, 6 to 30 Directions: In groups of three, each person covers before, now and next; each group then shares its favorite. Facilitator note: Guesses about the future are welcome.

Both sides: Paper books or e-readers: give one point for each side in sixty seconds.

6 minutes, 4 to 30 Directions: Pairs take turns; the group votes on the best point. Facilitator note: Everyone argues both sides.

Useful places chain: Name a place that helps a community, then link it to the last answer.

6 minutes, 4 to 12 Directions: Go round; each place must connect to the one before. Facilitator note: Library to park to cafe, and so on.

Three landmarks: Give directions across an imaginary town using exactly three landmarks.

7 minutes, 4 to 20 Directions: Each person invents a route; a partner repeats it back. Facilitator note: Imaginary towns keep it fair.

Silent months: Without speaking, put the month cards in order.

5 minutes, 4 to 14 Directions: Hand out month cards; the group arranges them in silence. Facilitator note: Seated versions work by passing cards.

Invent a chair: Invent a waiting-room chair; each person adds one feature.

7 minutes, 3 to 10 Directions: Go round adding features, then name the invention. Facilitator note: Any feature counts.

Outside the frame: A picture shows a wet umbrella by a dry doorway. What is happening just outside the frame?

5 minutes, 3 to 30 Directions: Each person suggests a scene; the group picks the most likely and the funniest. Facilitator note: Have the picture ready, or describe it.

Fix the proverb: Rewrite always plan ahead so it allows one sensible exception.

6 minutes, 4 to 30 Directions: Each person writes a version; read the best aloud. Facilitator note: Humor is welcome.

Paper clip jar: How many paper clips are in the jar? Your first three turns can only be questions.

7 minutes, 4 to 16 Directions: The group asks questions, then everyone writes a guess. Facilitator note: Reveal the answer at the end.

Notice board wish: Which notice would you love to see on a community board this month?

7 minutes, 4 to 28 Directions: Each person writes one notice; pin them up and read a few aloud. Facilitator note: Imaginary notices are welcome.

Hold, join or measure: Sort these objects: tape, jug, ruler, clip, bucket, string. Which hold, join or measure?

7 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Groups sort the cards and explain one tricky item. Facilitator note: Some objects fit two groups.

Two ways to start: Would you rather start a new hobby with a book or with a class?

8 minutes, 4 to 30 Directions: Each person answers and gives one reason. Facilitator note: Both are good starts.

Question tokens: Each person has one token to ask a question about the host's mystery object.

6 minutes, 3 to 24 Directions: Spend tokens one at a time until someone guesses it. Facilitator note: Pick an everyday object.

Design a bench: Design a public bench using one comfort idea, one access idea and one weather idea.

8 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Groups sketch or describe their bench. Facilitator note: Any bench is welcome. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Sign order: Put these signs in the order a visitor needs them: entrance, information desk, room, exit.

6 minutes, 3 to 18 Directions: Groups arrange the cards and add one missing sign. Facilitator note: Several orders can work. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Lending shelf: Stock a lending shelf with one tool for measuring, one for joining and one for carrying. What do you choose?

7 minutes, 4 to 28 Directions: Each person names three tools; the group builds one shelf. Facilitator note: Everyday tools count. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Street tool share: Which one tool should every street share?

6 minutes, 4 to 20 Directions: Go round; the group picks the three most useful tools. Facilitator note: Any tool counts, from ladders to cake tins. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

One new free service: If your town could add one new free service, what should it be?

7 minutes, 5 to 30 Directions: Each person names one; the group votes for the winner. Facilitator note: Dream big or keep it small. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Borrow it: What is the most useful thing to be able to borrow for a day?

6 minutes, 4 to 16 Directions: Go round; each person gives one example and why. Facilitator note: Things, not people's time. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Shared kitchen rule: What is the one rule every shared kitchen needs?

7 minutes, 6 to 30 Directions: Each person suggests a rule; the group agrees its top three. Facilitator note: Keep it kind. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Sixty seconds on the radio: If you had sixty seconds on local radio, what would you tell everyone?

7 minutes, 4 to 26 Directions: Go round; each person gives the headline of their minute. Facilitator note: Keep it light and kind. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

What it helps you do: Describe an ordinary object only by what it helps someone do. Can the group guess it?

6 minutes, 3 to 15 Directions: Go round; the group guesses each object. Facilitator note: No naming the object. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Queue survival: What makes waiting in a queue bearable?

6 minutes, 4 to 22 Directions: Go round; each person gives one idea. Facilitator note: Practical and silly ideas both count. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Activity menu: Group these activities under make, solve, discuss and observe: knitting, a quiz, a book chat, birdwatching.

7 minutes, 5 to 25 Directions: Groups sort the cards and add one activity they would enjoy. Facilitator note: Any activity counts. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Park sign: If you could add one sign to a local park, what would it say?

6 minutes, 4 to 32 Directions: Each person writes the sign; read the best aloud. Facilitator note: Funny signs welcome. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Quiet room, busy room: Plan one activity for a quiet room and one for a busy room with the same four cards.

8 minutes, 6 to 27 Directions: Groups make two plans and compare. Facilitator note: Both plans count. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.