26 icebreakers for teams with managers and new hires

Explain it to a ten-year-old: Pick one word from your work and explain it as you would to a ten-year-old.

6 minutes, 4 to 20 Directions: Go round; the group guesses the word from the explanation before you say it. Facilitator note: Everyday words work as well as technical ones.

First-day fresh eyes: What is one thing a visitor would find surprising about how this group works?

7 minutes, 5 to 25 Directions: Each person writes one line; read them out without names. Facilitator note: Kind surprises only; nobody is blamed.

Two-minute expert: What is something you could teach anyone here in two minutes, from juggling to spreadsheets?

8 minutes, 6 to 24 Directions: Pairs teach each other for two minutes each, mixing people from different roles. Facilitator note: Hobbies count; work skills are optional.

Pick a lens: If you could see every decision through one lens for a day, would it be the customer's, the newest person's, a future team's or a child's?

7 minutes, 8 to 32 Directions: Everyone picks one, then groups with the same lens share one question it would ask. Facilitator note: Every lens is useful.

Perfect workday ladder: Rank these for a perfect workday: quiet focus time, good coffee, a quick win, a good laugh.

6 minutes, 5 to 50 Directions: Arrange the four in silence on a card, then compare with two neighbors. Facilitator note: There is no right order.

Three-frame comic: Draw a three-frame comic of a Monday morning going perfectly.

8 minutes, 6 to 30 Directions: Stick figures only; swap comics with a neighbor and give each a title. Facilitator note: Drawing skill does not matter.

Swap a day: If you could swap jobs with anyone in this room for one day, whose job would you try, and why?

6 minutes, 4 to 40 Directions: In groups of five or six, go round; anyone may name a role rather than a person. Facilitator note: Choose roles, not people, if anyone feels awkward.

Unsung hero: Which everyday object deserves more thanks for keeping this place running?

7 minutes, 5 to 30 Directions: Each person names an object, and the group builds a thank-you chain from one to the next. Facilitator note: Objects only, so nobody is singled out.

Word we overuse: Which word or phrase does this group use too much?

6 minutes, 4 to 28 Directions: Write it on a card; the host reads them out and the room votes for the most overused. Facilitator note: Keep it affectionate.

If I ran this place for a day: If you ran this place for one day, what is the first small thing you would change?

8 minutes, 6 to 30 Directions: Go round; keep each answer to one sentence. Facilitator note: Small and fun changes, such as better biscuits, are welcome.

Explain the picture: The host shows a simple drawing. Describe it so a partner can copy it without seeing it.

6 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Pairs sit back to back; one describes, one draws, then swap. Facilitator note: Simple shapes make it fair for everyone.

Prove it with a fact: Share one surprising fact you know is true, and the group guesses where you learned it.

7 minutes, 4 to 32 Directions: In groups of four, go round; the others guess the source before you reveal it. Facilitator note: Any harmless fact works.

Where to start: Given a jigsaw puzzle, do you start with the edges, the colors or the picture on the box?

6 minutes, 4 to 40 Directions: Show of hands for each, then each group gives one reason. Facilitator note: All three are real strategies.

Worst advice: What is the worst advice you could give a new starter, said with a straight face?

7 minutes, 4 to 24 Directions: Go round, then turn each into the good advice it hides. Facilitator note: Keep it playful; nobody's real advice is mocked.

Missing step: How do you make the perfect cup of tea or coffee? The group fills in any step you skip.

7 minutes, 5 to 35 Directions: One person lists the steps; others add what is missing. Facilitator note: Any drink works.

Five words, then ten: Describe what this group does in five words, then in ten.

7 minutes, 6 to 24 Directions: Write both versions, then read the best five-word one aloud. Facilitator note: Funny versions are welcome. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

A day in the life: Which job outside this building would you like to shadow for a day?

7 minutes, 8 to 32 Directions: Go round; each person names the job and one thing they would want to see. Facilitator note: Any job, real or dream. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Time machine: If you could go back and give this team one tip on its first day, what would it be?

6 minutes, 4 to 18 Directions: Each person writes one tip; read them out without names. Facilitator note: Tips can be practical or silly. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Newcomer's question: What question do you wish someone had answered on your first day anywhere?

5 minutes, 4 to 30 Directions: Write questions on cards; answer three as a group. Facilitator note: The question can be from any job or school. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Equal start: Everyone gets the same small imaginary budget to improve the break room. What do you buy?

6 minutes, 6 to 27 Directions: Pairs agree one purchase and pitch it in a sentence. Facilitator note: The same budget for everyone keeps it fair. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Pass the question: Answer the question you are handed, then write a new one for the next person.

7 minutes, 6 to 36 Directions: Start with: what would you name a boat? Each person answers, then passes a new question on. Facilitator note: Keep the questions light. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Good day, great day: What turns a good day at work into a great one?

7 minutes, 5 to 25 Directions: Pairs from different roles compare answers and share one they agree on. Facilitator note: Small things count, such as finishing early. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Who decides the snacks: Who should decide the office snacks: a vote, a rota, the newest person or a random draw?

8 minutes, 6 to 30 Directions: Show of hands for each, then the winning method picks one snack. Facilitator note: Keep it about snacks. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Sort the essentials: For a team trip, sort these into must-have, nice-to-have and leave behind: umbrella, snacks, charger, board game, map.

7 minutes, 4 to 28 Directions: Small groups sort the cards and explain one disagreement. Facilitator note: Every list is reasonable. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Rotating host: Take one minute as host and ask the group any light question you like.

6 minutes, 5 to 20 Directions: The chair rotates every minute; each host asks one question and picks who answers. Facilitator note: Hosts may borrow a question from the host's list. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.

Three kinds of thanks: Thank the group for something in three ways: one word, one sentence, one gesture.

7 minutes, 6 to 33 Directions: Go round; each person chooses one of the three to use. Facilitator note: Everyone may choose the gesture. No factual claim is made. This is an original facilitation prompt.