Here are some fun icebreaker games for parties:
Red Light/Green Light
A quick and easy game to help people get to know one another is Red Light, Green Light. This wholesome, grown up game is based on the children's activity of the same name. While the kids' game rewarded the players' correct answers by allowing them to advance one step closer to the finish line, the adult version rewards all the players with some clever comments and a plethora of conversation starters to be used for the duration of the event.
Usage
Red Light, Green Light is best utilized in an environment where all the guests arrive at the same time. This activity would be too confusing to use in an Open House format, so save it for events with set starting times. Each round of the game can be played for up to five minutes. If you are so inclined, you could play as many rounds as you desire, with each round being based on a separate subject matter. Realistically, one or two rounds of the games should be a sufficient ice breaker for most events.
The ideal size of the playing group should be no more than ten players with an eleventh person being the announcer. If your party is particularly large, it is recommended to play three or more rounds, requiring that the playing groups reshuffle after each round. This will enable each of your guests to interact with the greatest number of people.
Rules of the Game
Each round of the game lasts for as long as it takes for the announcer to ask the group a series of questions. You, as the host, will prepare the list of questions ahead of time, and these questions should include interesting conversation starting thoughts, topical questions and several humorous questions. The announcer will ask pose the questions to the group, and each member will hold up a piece of red paper (to signify a “no” response to the question) or a green paper (to signify a “yes” response). This visual response will help the group to quickly assess similarities and unusual experiences amongst the other guests.
Suggested Red Light, Green Light Questions
Travel Theme
- Have you ever been on a cruise?
- Have you ever traveled in an RV?
- How many National Parks have you visited – 10? 5? 3?
- Have you ever missed your plane?
- Have you ever had a bad experience in Mexico?
- Have you gambled in Las Vegas?
- Did you win?
- How much?
Other themes that you can use for the Red Light, Green Light questions could be family and children themes, TV or film, music or foods.
Janice Benoit - I'm Janice Benoit and I live in suburban Chicago. I have worked in most facets of the hospitality industry -- from hotel front desk to ...
