Considering how you will react when you hear the familiar ‘Macarena chords at a wedding if you are responsible for organizing icebreakers is helpful. You could hear a variety of responses from guests, including ‘Yay! ‘, ‘Ugh!’and ‘Meh. This is how they will likely react when it’s an icebreaker.

Read on for some essential tips on choosing icebreakers that your attendees will enjoy. Next, look at these fun, useful, entertaining ideas for networking and meeting icebreakers.

How to match the right event icebreaker with the attendees

You can find a lot of ideas for icebreakers on the internet. However, not all activities are created equal, and some may be unwise. Whatever the event, the icebreaker should be:

Non-threatening:

Please don’t make people uncomfortable or ask them to discuss failures or problems in the group. Keep the groups small. Asking people for interaction before larger groups transforms the event into public speaking rather than just networking or team building.

Simple to understand:

Pick something that has SUPER-simple rules and explain them clearly.

Interactive:

People should be able to communicate with one another and not just focus on what theyaEUR(TM); re going to say when it is their turn.

Following the social norms of this group:

If you are certain it is within the groupaEUR(TM), don’t ask people to talk about their personal lives. Using icebreakers in a workplace is acceptable to help people assume new roles or level the playing fields, but it shouldn’t subvert established hierarchy norms.

Relevant for the event:

Participants have one thing in common: they are there. Use that to get them focused on the task ahead.

Following logistics:

What is the time allowed? The icebreaker should be used as a warm-up for the event so that time is not lost. Is there enough space to allow people to move? You can use icebreakers that allow for movement in this case. Consider polling if the event layout has fixed lecture-style seating. Or, people can vote by having them stand. 

How to choose the best icebreaker? A specific purpose:

The icebreaker can be used to ensure that attendees enjoy the event to the fullest extent.

Team Building

Is it possible for people to work together to solve problems? They will need to establish and connect with their team members. You want everyone to hear you in the first fifteen minutes before the group can establish their roles.

Networking:

Do you want to grow your professional network? It’s possible to help them start small conversations by giving them a form that they can fill out with their top picks from books, movies, and food. Next, have them share their list with small groups.

Q&A:

Attendees will listen to presentations, then ask questions of the panel. They may appreciate the chance to arrange their thoughts in groups or trios before the question-and-answer period.

Fun.

Are you primarily hosting a social event or icebreaker? If so, the purpose of an icebreaker is to make people feel comfortable, relaxed, and even laugh with each other.