Icebreaker bingo

Ever wondered how to break the ice in a room full of somewhat familiar faces or complete strangers? Enter icebreaker bingo, a twist on the traditional game that turns meeting new people into a fun, interactive activity. Originating as a playful method to ease social awkwardness, it’s now a hit at corporate events, school orientations, and even casual get-togethers.

💡 Top tip

Icebreaker bingo, also known as ‘get to know you bingo’, ‘human bingo’, ‘networking bingo’, or ‘mingle bingo’, is not just about winning; it’s about connecting with others in a light-hearted way.

Setting up icebreaker bingo

To get started, you’ll need bingo cards filled with interesting prompts. But fear not, creating these isn’t a Herculean task!

1. Create custom questions: Think of traits, experiences, or fun facts. For instance, “loves hiking” or “can play the guitar”. Alternatively, start from one of the templates provided above.
2. Design your cards: Use an online tool like Bingo Card Creator to add your questions. You can even jazz up the cards with colors and themes relevant to your event.
3. Printing or sharing: Print your cards for in-person events, or share them digitally for virtual gatherings. With Bingo Card Creator, we make this easy with unlimited printing and online play via a shareable link.

Playing icebreaker bingo in 6 steps

Step 1: Distribute the bingo cards

Hand out your custom-made bingo cards to each participant. If you’re playing virtually, share the digital versions. Remember, each card should be unique to ensure a diverse gameplay experience.

Top tip

Make the distribution of cards a fun activity itself. Maybe toss them like a deck of cards or play a mini-game like ‘Find the bingo card’ to decide who gets which card.

Step 2: Explain the rules

Gather everyone and explain the rules. The objective is to find people who match the descriptions on their card. When they do, they should write down the person’s name in the corresponding square. The goal is to complete a row, column, or diagonal first.

In some variations, players can’t use the same person’s name more than once, adding a layer of strategy to the game.

Step 3: Let the mingling begin

Set a time limit – 30 minutes is usually sufficient. During this time, players mingle, start conversations, and find their matches. Encourage participants to go beyond just ticking off boxes and really engage with each other.

Step 4: Monitor the progress

As the host, keep an eye on how players are doing. Are they interacting? Are some too shy to approach others? Step in with a nudge or a joke to ease any awkwardness and keep the energy high.

Step 5: Declare the winners

The first person to complete a line and shout “Bingo!” wins. But why stop there? Have multiple rounds with different winning criteria, like a full card or specific bingo patterns like an ‘X’ or a diamond.

Engagement boost:

Consider having small prizes for the winners to spice up the competition. It could be anything from a quirky badge to an extra coffee break voucher.

Step 6: Facilitate post-game interaction

After the game, encourage players to share fun facts they discovered about others. This can turn into an enjoyable group conversation, further breaking the ice and building connections.

Making the most of icebreaker bingo

Here’s how you can ensure everyone has a blast:

• Encourage participation: Remind everyone it’s not just about winning. The real prize is the interesting conversations and connections.
• Facilitate interactions: As a host, introduce people to each other and share your own stories to set the tone.
• Creative bingo prizes: Offer small incentives like a special snack or a humorous trophy to keep the mood light and fun.

When to play icebreaker bingo

Icebreaker Bingo’s beauty lies in its adaptability. It can be molded to fit a variety of contexts, making it an ideal activity for numerous scenarios:

• Corporate team-building: Perfect for meetings, conferences, or retreats. It helps colleagues from different departments interact and find common ground, fostering better teamwork and collaboration.
• Educational settings: Great for classrooms, especially on the first day of school or during student orientations. It encourages students to learn about each other in a non-intimidating way, promoting a sense of community.
• Remote teams: In the era of remote work, it’s a fantastic way to connect team members who may never meet in person. It bridges the virtual gap and creates a sense of belonging.
• Networking events: Ideal for industry meetups or professional conferences. It’s an innovative approach to networking, allowing attendees to connect in a relaxed, fun environment.
• Family reunions and social gatherings: A delightful way to bring family members or friends closer, especially if they don’t meet often. It can reveal amusing family anecdotes and create lasting memories.
• Community events: Useful in community centers or local group meet-ups. It’s an inclusive activity that can bring diverse community members together, fostering a sense of unity.

Playing icebreaker bingo on Zoom

With the rise of remote working and virtual meetings, adapting icebreaker bingo for platforms like Zoom has become increasingly popular. Here’s how you can host a successful game in a virtual setting:

Preparation is key

• Send digital bingo cards: Before the meeting, email the bingo cards to participants or share them in the Zoom chat at the beginning of the session. Tools like ours make it easy to design and distribute unique cards.
• Technical check: Ensure everyone is familiar with Zoom, especially features like breakout rooms and screen sharing.

During the game

• Breakout rooms for smaller groups: Utilize Zoom’s breakout room feature to split participants into smaller groups. This makes it easier for everyone to interact without feeling overwhelmed by too many people.
• Clear instructions: Start with a brief explanation of the rules and how to play in a virtual setting. Encourage participants to use the chat feature for questions or comments.
• Time management: Keep track of time and give periodic reminders, as virtual settings can make it harder to gauge how long people have been interacting.

Engaging participants

• Interactive features: Use Zoom’s interactive features like polls or reactions to keep participants engaged. For instance, ask them to give a thumbs up when they find a match.
• Camera on: Encourage participants to keep their cameras on if possible, as it fosters a more personal connection and makes the game more engaging.

Winning the game

• First to Complete: The first person to complete a line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) and select “Bingo!” in our tool wins. You can also play for a full house or other patterns.
• Show and tell: Have the winner share their screen to show their completed bingo card. This adds an element of verification and fun to the game.

Icebreaker bingo questions

 

While we have many templates from you from above to help those who want to DIY your bingo cards, we’ve also created various lists of icebreaker questions below! If you want to see a more comprehensive list, view our complete list of icebreaker questions here.

Team building

1. Has worked at the company for over 5 years.
2. Knows two or more programming languages.
3. Has lived in more than two countries.
4. Enjoys mountain biking on weekends.
5. Has run a marathon.
6. Is a coffee connoisseur.
7. Can play a musical instrument.
8. Speaks three languages fluently.
9. Has a pet.
10. Volunteers for a charity.
11. Is a vegetarian or vegan.
12. Has a hidden talent.
13. Loves sci-fi movies.
14. Can cook a dish from another country.
15. Reads more than one book a month.
16. Has worked in a different industry before.
17. Is an early bird.
18. Has a certification in a non-work-related field.
19. Enjoys photography.
20. Practices yoga or meditation.
21. Has children.
22. Likes to write poetry or stories.
23. Enjoys hiking or outdoor activities.
24. Is a fan of a specific sports team.
25. Has been with the company less than a year.

Family reunion

1. Knows the family tree well.
2. Can name all cousins in order.
3. Has traveled to the most countries.
4. Is the best cook in the family.
5. Knows how to play a traditional family game.
6. Has the most pets.
7. Was born in a different country.
8. Knows a family secret.
9. Can tell the funniest family story.
10. Is the youngest family member.
11. Is the oldest family member.
12. Shares a birthday with another family member.
13. Has lived in the most states or cities.
14. Has the most unusual hobby.
15. Can recite a family recipe from memory.
16. Has won a family competition before.
17. Was the first to graduate college in the family.
18. Plays a musical instrument.
19. Is known for a specific family tradition.
20. Has the most children.
21. Can name all family members’ birthdays.
22. Is the family historian.
23. Has the oldest family photograph.
24. Knows the most family anecdotes.
25. Has attended the most family reunions.

Just for fun

1. Has visited more than 10 countries.
2. Can do a magic trick.
3. Is a trivia champion.
4. Can juggle.
5. Has met a celebrity.
6. Can sing a song in another language.
7. Has been on TV or in a movie.
8. Can play chess.
9. Has a unique party trick.
10. Knows how to salsa dance.
11. Has a collection of something unusual.
12. Can tell a joke that makes everyone laugh.
13. Loves to do karaoke.
14. Has a funny travel story.
15. Knows how to surf.
16. Has tried an extreme sport.
17. Can do a stand-up comedy routine.
18. Knows a lot about wine or beer.
19. Is a great storyteller.
20. Has a blog or vlog.
21. Can do a perfect movie impersonation.
22. Has lived in the most unusual place.
23. Can make an origami animal.
24. Knows the most about pop culture.
25. Has a unique talent or skill.

Classroom

1. Has read the most books this year.
2. Plays a school sport.
3. Is part of a club or organization.
4. Can solve a Rubik’s Cube.
5. Has traveled to another country for a school trip.
6. Is a science fair winner.
7. Speaks more than one language.
8. Plays a musical instrument.
9. Has a pet they’re passionate about.
10. Has volunteered for a community service project.
11. Loves to paint or draw.
12. Is a math whiz.
13. Enjoys writing stories or poems.
14. Can recite a famous speech or poem.
15. Loves astronomy or stargazing.
16. Is a history buff.
17. Has an unusual hobby.
18. Is a great debater.
19. Has built something impressive.
20. Is passionate about environmental issues.
21. Loves to cook or bake.
22. Is a technology enthusiast.
23. Enjoys gardening or growing plants.
24. Has won an academic award.
25. Has an interesting summer vacation story.

The office

1. Has worked in the most departments.
2. Can name all company products or services.
3. Has the cleanest desk.
4. Knows the most company history.
5. Has won an employee award.
6. Organizes the best team events.
7. Is a mentor to others.
8. Has the most creative solutions.
9. Is always punctual.
10. Has the best coffee-making skills.
11. Has the most organized email inbox.
12. Is the go-to person for tech issues.
13. Has the best office snacks.
14. Is the office plant caretaker.
15. Has the most interesting commute story.
16. Has the funniest office anecdote.
17. Is known for motivational quotes.
18. Has participated in the most company volunteer events.
19. Is a master of office pranks.
20. Has the quirkiest office supplies.
21. Has a hidden talent useful at work.
22. Knows the most about the industry.
23. Is the best at time management.
24. Has attended the most conferences.
25. Is the office trivia master.

Networking

1. Has worked in more than three industries.
2. Can speak about a recent industry trend.
3. Has attended an international conference.
4. Knows a second language useful in business.
5. Has started their own business.
6. Has experience in a unique niche market.
7. Has been with their company for less than a year.
8. Can share a successful networking tip.
9. Knows how to code or develop software.
10. Has lived and worked in multiple cities.
11. Is a member of a professional organization.
12. Has a compelling elevator pitch.
13. Can name a book that influenced their career.
14. Has a mentorship experience to share.
15. Has changed careers at least once.
16. Can discuss a recent industry innovation.
17. Has a unique approach to problem-solving.
18. Participates in community service related to their profession.
19. Knows about international business practices.
20. Has an interesting remote working experience.
21. Enjoys a hobby that complements their career.
22. Has expertise in an emerging technology.
23. Has a story about overcoming a professional challenge.
24. Enjoys podcasts related to their field.
25. Has an inspirational figure in their industry.

So, the next time you need a fun and effective way to bring people together, remember that ice breaker bingo cards are your go-to solution. Start creating your cards today, and watch as your event transforms from stiff and formal to relaxed and enjoyable. Let’s get the conversation rolling!