Getting-to-know-you night: games for new groups
When a group doesn’t know each other yet, the first few minutes are the hardest: nobody wants to embarrass themselves, and names are still shaky. Good icebreakers start with something everyone plays alone and build up slowly to games where people talk to each other.
- for 5–10 people
In Gather, everyone picks a name and an animal avatar – the name appears on the game table with every answer and every leaderboard. After an hour, everyone knows everyone’s name without a round of introductions.
Games that fit
Quiz Night
1–10 players5–10 minQuiz Night is the gentlest start: everyone taps on their own and nobody has to say a word. The names on the leaderboard appear big on screen after every question.
Letter Hunt
2–10 players10–25 minLetter Hunt gets the first conversations going, because any answer can be challenged during scoring. A “Does that count as a job?” is an easier way in than small talk.
Fib Finder
3–10 players12–20 minFib Finder reveals a lot about people without anyone having to talk about themselves. Who writes which fake answer shows their humour and how they think.
Say It Different
4–12 players10–20 minSay It Different is the first step into teams: two mixed teams, and someone who was a stranger a moment ago is now cheering with you over a guessed word.
Village at Night
5–12 players15–30 minVillage at Night only belongs at the end, once the group knows each other a little. Then mutual suspicion becomes fun rather than a burden.
How it can go
A low-pressure start
Quiz Night and Letter Hunt, both played individually. The names on the screen do the introductions for you.
Learning more about each other
Fib Finder, as soon as the mood loosens up. Over seven rounds you find out who loves to exaggerate and who lies with a straight face.
Coming together
Say It Different in teams, then – if the group is up for it – Village at Night. Anyone who tires early can leave beforehand without abandoning a team.
Tips
- Ask everyone to use their real first name in their profile rather than a nickname; it helps people remember.
- Mix the teams in Say It Different so that people who arrived together play against each other.
- Skip Village at Night if the group is still very reserved – a second Quiz Night is the better choice then.
More occasions
- Game night with friends
- Birthday games for grown-ups
- Kids’ birthday party: games with little reading
- Games for Christmas
- New Year’s Eve with games
- Family gatherings: games for young and old
- Office parties and team events with games
- Game night for two
- Bachelor and bachelorette party games
- Flatshare night with games
- Rainy day: what to play when you’re stuck inside
- Holiday rental evenings: games without a TV
- School trips and youth camps: evening games
- Seniors’ club: familiar games on a new table
- Pre-party: quick games before you head out
- Halloween: games for a dark night
- Easter: games for the long weekend
- Family game night: playing with your kids
- Grandparents and grandkids: games for two to four
- Match night: games before kick-off and at half-time
- Cabin weekend: games for several evenings
- An evening on your own: games against the computer