Working with large groups can be an exhilarating experience, but breaking the ice can often feel like a challenge.
How DO you introduce an icebreaker to a large group?
If you’re concerned about how to break the ice with a big group, don’t worry!
In this blog post, I’ll share with you 10 of my favourite large group icebreakers along with the step-by-step instructions for running them like a pro.
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When we talk about large groups, it’s all relative.
I’ve worked with small classes where 4 students felt like a crowd, and I’ve facilitated workshops with thousands of people in massive auditoriums.
For this article, let’s define a large group as 25 or more people, typically the size of a classroom and above. Working with larger groups brings a level of energy that is contagious, which is perfect for icebreakers that build momentum quickly.
Before diving into the activities, here are four essential principles that will help you facilitate icebreakers for large groups more effectively:
It’s easy to delay a session while waiting for stragglers, but with large groups, it’s critical to engage those who are already present. Starting early builds energy and momentum in the room. Even an unofficial start will encourage participation and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Large groups can feel intimidating, and it’s easy for people to hide. By using partners, you ensure that everyone is engaged. It’s much harder to avoid interaction when there are only two of you. For better results, use random pairings instead of letting people team up with their best friends.
In large groups, communication is key. Ensure that everyone can hear you, either by using a microphone or making sure you project your voice. If people can’t hear you, they’ll lose interest quickly. Amplify your instructions with visual aids when needed, like whiteboards or slides.
Use random pairings or group splits to encourage people to interact with others outside their comfort zone. There are countless ways to form random pairs to help participants build new connections, fostering warmth and camaraderie.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are 10 fantastic icebreakers for large groups.
You’ll find them easy to implement, fun, and highly engaging. Click the links to access all of the free step-by-step instructions. In some cases, you can view a short video showcasing the activity being played by a real group.
This activity forms random pairs and then invites participants to engage in a series of fun greetings (like high 5s or fist bumps.) After each greeting, they answer a prompt or question and move on to the next pair. By the end, participants will have connected with several different people. It’s chaotic, but energizing!
Typical duration: 15 minutes
Why it’s great:
Imagine you’re in an old train station. Have participants pair up and greet each other from a distance by waving. As they approach each other, just before they meet, they notice someone else behind the first person and move on without saying anything. It’s non-verbal and hilarious, making fun of those awkward moments when you mistake someone for someone else.
Typical duration: 1-2 minutes
Why it’s great:
This vocal-based activity involves grouping people based on the first vowel in their name. Each group makes their vowel sound (e.g., “A” sounds like “Ahhhh”), creating a fun and noisy way to interact with others. The goal is to find others with the same vowel, creating a playful and musical atmosphere.
Typical duration: 1-2 minutes
Why it’s great:
Ask participants to say their names backward and then share where they think this name could come from. For example, “Mark Collard” becomes “Kram Dralloc,” and maybe Kram is a Viking from Denmark! This one invites creativity and laughter, and it works well in both small and large groups.
Typical duration: 5 minutes
Why it’s great:
In this activity, participants are asked to make a choice between two options, such as “Coke or Pepsi.” After sharing their preference with a partner, the room splits into two groups based on their choices. I’ve found five sets of choices work best for groups. It’s a quick and easy way to start conversations and reveal interesting trends in the group.
Typical duration: 20 minutes
Why it’s great:
Similar to Must Choose, this activity asks participants to choose between two challenging scenarios (e.g., “Would you rather lose a finger or a front tooth?”) It encourages deeper conversations and reveals more about participants’ personalities. Again, it works best when you announce up to five rounds of choices.
Typical duration: 20 minutes
Why it’s great:
This is a great name game for large groups. One person stands in the middle of a circle and points at another, asking “Who?” The selected person calls out their name. Then the person in the middle swaps places with them, and the game continues. The goal is for participants to hear and remember others’ names as the game speeds up.
Typical duration: 10 minutes
Why it’s great:
Participants are tasked with completing five different types of handshakes (for example, high fives, fist bumps, etc) in less than a minute. It’s fast, fun, and filled with laughter. You can get creative by having participants invent new handshakes, like a “lumberjack shake” or a “fist bump.”
Typical duration: 2-5 minutes
Why it’s great:
This icebreaker encourages participants to find common ground. You might say, “Find everyone in the room who has the same number of siblings as you.” Participants then cluster into groups based on their answers. This activity is fantastic for identifying commonalities and building relationships.
Typical duration: 10-15 minutes
Why it’s great:
In Clumps, the facilitator calls out a number, and participants must quickly form groups of that size. If the number is “five,” everyone scrambles to find four other people. Once the groups are formed, you can add a quick activity or question for them to answer together before moving on.
Typical duration: 10-15 minutes
Why it’s great:
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Just one more question:
These icebreakers are designed to break down barriers and build energy in large groups. They work equally well for small groups too.
If you’re interested in more icebreakers, team-building activities, or debriefing strategies, click here to access free step-by-step instructions for all the activities mentioned here. Start your free trial today to unlock premium content.
Before you go, I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a favourite icebreaker that works well with large groups?
Share it in the comments below and let’s add to the collective wisdom of our community!
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Original post September 2024, last updated December 2024.