The first few minutes of a meeting or a party set the tone for everything after. A good icebreaker gets each person talking about themselves for a few seconds without putting them on the spot, and gives everyone else a hook to keep the conversation going.
The wheel steers clear of overly personal questions and of tired classics such as “describe yourself in three words”. Each result shows the full question and a tip for running it: timing, a follow-up, or how to do it on a video call. The Work variant is for opening a meeting or welcoming a new team member; the Party variant helps you get talking with strangers without falling back on “so, what do you do?”.
How to use it
- Choose the variant that fits: a work team or a group meeting for the first time.
- Spin the wheel and read the question aloud, then answer first yourself to show how long an answer should be.
- Hand over in a clear order (round the table, or each person picks the next) and aim for 30 seconds each.
- Anyone can pass without giving a reason; offer them another chance at the end if they want it.
All the options
- How do you know the host?
- How do you know the person throwing the party? The simplest possible opener, and often the richest in stories.
- Latest discovery
- What is the last thing that genuinely surprised you? Listen to the answer and ask one follow-up before telling your own story.
- Favourite place
- Which city or corner of the countryside has stayed with you most, and why? An open question that avoids work and money from the start.
- Childhood dish
- Which dish takes you straight back to childhood? Ask who used to make it: the conversation soon turns to family memories.
- One recommendation
- What book, film or series would you recommend to someone you have just met? Write the titles down; they are often what people remember from the evening.
- Useless talent
- What completely useless talent do you have? Whistling with your fingers, reciting the alphabet backwards: answers usually end in a demonstration.
- Current passion
- What keeps you busy outside work at the moment? More open than “what do you do?”, it puts nobody on the spot.
- Leaving tomorrow
- If you could leave tomorrow with no limits on time or money, where would you go? Follow up by asking what they would do on the first day, to get past stock answers.
- Best memory of summer
- What is your best memory from last summer? A concrete question, far easier to answer than “tell me about yourself”.
- Feel-good song
- Which song always puts you in a good mood? If the setting allows, play it straight afterwards.
- Small joy of the day
- What small thing made you happy today? A gentle opener that sets a warm tone for the rest of the conversation.
- Skill to learn
- What skill would you learn if you had plenty of free time? Someone in the group may already have it.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a good icebreaker question?
One that everyone can answer in under thirty seconds without revealing anything awkward. Memories, tastes and habits work better than salary, family life or opinions.
How long should an icebreaker last in a meeting?
Five minutes at most for an hour-long meeting, which is about 30 seconds each for ten people. With more than fifteen, answer in small groups or in the chat.
What is a good icebreaker for a video call?
A question that calls for a short or visual answer (showing an object or a photo), with people invited to speak by name to avoid awkward silences. The chat also lets everyone answer at the same time.
How do you start a conversation with strangers at a party?
Skip “what do you do?” and ask about something the person enjoys or has done recently. Listen to the answer and ask a genuine follow-up before talking about yourself.