Thomas Sendgraff
Updated :
Name
Icebreaker Bingo
Who
In-person meetings & classes (preferably with more than 15-20 people)
Duration
10-15 Minutes
Directions
Print out an Icebreaker Bingo sheet for each person who will be playing. The Bingo sheet has multiple boxes, each with a statement. The objective is to mingle among the other students and find someone who fits each statement. When you find a person who fits a particular statement, have them write their name or initials in the corresponding box. For example, if there is a box on your Icebreaker Bingo sheet that says “is left-handed”, you would mingle among your participants to find a left-handed person who could then sign their name in that box.
Adaptations/Tips
- Though you can adjust the length of this activity based on the size of your group, 10-15 minutes seems to be the optimal length.
- If you have enough people, consider setting a rule where a given participant can only sign one box per sheet. This will encourage everyone to mingle and meet more people.
- Try playing upbeat music in the background. This sets the tone for a positive and fun experience!
- We don’t encourage handing out prizes to the person who gets their sheet filled out the fastest. This does not promote meaningful interactions, which is counterproductive to the activity. You could give a small reward to everyone who fills their sheet or you can collect all of the completed sheets and randomly draw a couple for prizes. Remember, the real prize is the opportunity to make new connections!
Additional Support
For additional support or questions, feel free to email Steinhardt Digital Innovation & Learning at steinhardtDIL@nyu.edu.