Icebreaker Games for Teens
Teenagers. We love them, but let’s be honest, getting them to break the ice at a party or gathering can sometimes feel like trying to crack open a coconut with a plastic spoon. They’re too cool for the standard “Hi, what’s your favorite color?” but deep down, they want to connect and have fun just like everyone else.
As a Mom who’s been through my fair share of teen hangouts, I know how tricky it can be to come up with icebreakers that don’t make them roll their eyes or pull out their phones. But fear not, let me share some unique and fun icebreaker games that will get even the most introverted teens laughing and talking.
Icebreaker Games for Teens: Fun and Fresh Ideas They’ll Actually Love!
Here are some fresh, new ideas that will make your teen party or event unforgettable!
1. Emoji Charades
Teens are glued to their phones, so why not speak their language? Emoji charades is a hilarious twist on the classic charades game, but instead of acting out words or phrases, teens will act out a sequence of emojis.
Here’s how it works:
- Write down common emojis (like the crying-laughing face, fire, pizza, etc.) on slips of paper.
- One person draws a slip and has to act out the emoji without speaking.
- The rest of the group has to guess which emoji it is.
- You can make it even funnier by combining two or three emojis, like a pizza + dancing girl = pizza party!
It’s fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly harder than it sounds! Plus, teens will get a kick out of seeing each other pretend to be a crying face or a dancing lady.
2. Speed “Friend-ing”
We’ve all heard of speed dating, but this is the friendlier version! Teens sit in two rows, facing each other. They have 1-2 minutes to chat with the person across from them before they have to switch seats and meet someone new. It’s a fast way to get everyone talking and helps them connect without the awkwardness of long, drawn-out conversations.
To keep it fun and light, you can throw in some quirky, out-of-the-box questions like:
- “If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be?”
- “What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever Googled?”
- “If you could live inside any movie, which one would you choose?”
Teens love quick interactions, and before they know it, they’ll have chatted with everyone in the room.
3. Reverse Hide-and-Seek (Sardines)
This one is great for teens who love a bit of mystery and adventure. Instead of the usual hide-and-seek, this version has a fun twist. One person hides, and everyone else tries to find them. But here’s the catch, when someone finds the hidden person, they hide with them! As more and more teens find the hiding spot, they squeeze in together (like sardines in a can). The last person to find the group loses, or wins, depending on how you want to spin it!
Sardines works especially well if your space is large or has some nooks and crannies. It’s the perfect game to play in the dark or with a few rooms closed off to make it more challenging!
4. Human Knot (With a Twist!)
You might be thinking, “Oh, I’ve heard of this one.” But hang tight, this version is different! In the classic Human Knot, everyone stands in a circle, grabs a couple of hands across from them, and then tries to untangle themselves. It’s great for teamwork, but teens can sometimes lose patience.
For this twist, after 3-5 minutes of trying to untangle the knot, add challenges that everyone must complete while still in the knot! For example:
- Everyone has to hop on one foot for 10 seconds.
- Someone has to tell a joke before anyone can move.
- Each person has to sing the chorus of their favorite song without letting go of hands.
Adding challenges keeps it interesting and will definitely make everyone laugh while they struggle to complete them.
5. Two Truths and a Lie (With a Props Twist)
Yes, “Two Truths and a Lie” has been done a million times, but trust me, the prop version takes it to a whole new level!
Here’s how it works:
- Each teen grabs three random items from around the house (or party space), their pocket or bag and brings them back.
- They have to make up two believable stories about the item and tell one made-up story.
- The group has to guess which one is the lie.
Imagine a teen holding a spatula and saying, “This spatula was once used by my grandmother to flip pancakes for a famous celebrity,” or holding a shoe and claiming it’s been to a famous concert! The props add an element of surprise and make the game even funnier.
6. “Would You Rather” Debate Style
Teens love debating, even if it’s about ridiculous things. “Would You Rather” questions are great conversation starters, but to make it even more interactive, have them debate the options!
- Split the group into two teams. One side must argue for one option, while the other team argues for the other.
- Keep the questions light, like:
- “Would you rather have to wear a clown wig for a year or wear scuba gear to school every day for a month?”
- “Would you rather eat pizza for every meal for the rest of your life or never eat pizza again?”
You’ll be amazed at how passionately teens will argue the pros and cons of these bizarre choices.
7. Sock Wars
This game is an instant hit and gets everyone moving! You’ll need an open space for this one, and it works best with small groups of 8-10 people. Here’s how you play:
- Each player wears socks but no shoes.
- The goal is to pull other people’s socks off while keeping yours on.
- Once both socks are off, you’re out.
- The last person with one or both socks still on wins.
It’s fast, it’s physical (but not too rough), and it’s the perfect game to break the ice while having a little fun competition. Make sure there are no fragile items nearby, this one can get wild!
8. Snapchat Story Game
This one’s a hit with social media-savvy teens. Split everyone into teams, and give each team a random set of objects (like a rubber chicken, a stuffed animal, or a random household item). Their task is to create a funny or dramatic “Snapchat Story” using those objects, as if they’re making a real-life story with captions and emojis.
After they act it out, they can present it to the group like a mini performance! You’ll be surprised how creative and hilarious the teens can get when they’re given random objects to work with.
9. Pass the Present with a Twist
Remember playing “Pass the Parcel” at kids’ parties? Well, this is the cooler, teen-approved version. Wrap a small prize in several layers of wrapping paper. In each layer, hide a challenge, question, or dare written on a slip of paper.
As the music plays, teens pass the present around. When the music stops, the person holding it must unwrap a layer and complete the challenge or answer the question. Challenges can be silly, like:
- “Show us your best dance move.”
- “Do an impression of your favorite teacher.”
- “Sing the chorus of a song chosen by the group.”
Keep it light and fun, nothing too embarrassing! The last person to unwrap the final layer wins the prize.
So there you have it! Icebreaker games that are unique, fun, and sure to get your teens laughing and chatting in no time. The key to a successful icebreaker is to keep it lighthearted and low-pressure, teens want to have fun, but they also want to feel comfortable. These games strike the perfect balance between goofy fun and getting to know each other, all while keeping the dreaded awkward silence at bay.
And hey, if they start off rolling their eyes, I promise they’ll be laughing and fully engaged before you know it!
