20 Conversation Starter Activities for Groups
There are thousands of lists of conversation starter questions. But a good question only helps once two people are already standing together.
Conversation starter activities solve the step before: they give people a reason to come together — and something to do while the conversation warms up.
Here are 20, grouped by the kind of group you have.
Activities for Small Groups (Under 20)
1. Object Stories
Everyone brings or picks an object from their bag and shares the story behind it.
- Group size: 4–15
- Time: 10–20 minutes
- You need: nothing
2. Photo Share
Each person shows one photo from their phone that says something about them.
- Group size: pairs or small groups
- Time: 10 minutes
- You need: phones
3. Question Dice
Roll a die; each number matches a question category (childhood, travel, food, work, dreams, wildcard).
- Group size: 3–8 per die
- Time: 15 minutes
- You need: dice and a printed key
4. Question Jenga
Write a question on each Jenga block. Pull a block, answer the question.
- Group size: 3–6
- Time: 20+ minutes
- You need: a block tower and a marker
5. Mystery Question Envelopes
Sealed envelopes on the table, each with a deeper question. Open one whenever the conversation slows.
- Group size: tables of 4–8
- Time: throughout a meal
- You need: envelopes and printed questions
6. Emoji Check-In
Everyone picks the emoji that sums up their week and explains it in one sentence.
- Group size: teams
- Time: 5 minutes
- You need: nothing (or a chat)
Activities for Medium Groups (20–60)
7. Conversation Roulette
Two concentric circles face each other. Ask a question, talk for three minutes, then the outer circle rotates.
- Group size: 20–60
- Time: 15–20 minutes
- You need: space and a timer
8. Question Swap
Everyone gets a question card. Ask, answer, swap cards, and find someone new.
- Group size: any
- Time: 10–15 minutes
- You need: printed cards
9. This or That Walk
Call out 'coffee or tea?' — people walk to one side of the room, then chat with someone who chose the same.
- Group size: 20–100
- Time: 10 minutes
- You need: space
10. Common Ground Trios
Groups of three have two minutes to find three things they all have in common.
- Group size: any
- Time: 5–10 minutes
- You need: nothing
11. Map Pins
A big map where everyone pins where they grew up — a conversation piece that runs all event.
- Group size: any
- Time: all event
- You need: a map and pins
12. Gratitude Wall
Sticky notes answering 'What are you grateful for this week?' People read them and talk about what they see.
- Group size: any
- Time: all event
- You need: sticky notes and a wall
13. Conversation Card Tables
Decks of conversation cards on high-top tables. People gather, draw a card, and talk.
- Group size: any
- Time: all event
- You need: card decks
Activities for Large Groups (60+)
14. Find Someone Who
A list of prompts with follow-up questions: 'Find someone who has lived in another country and ask what they miss most.'
- Group size: 20–150
- Time: 15–30 minutes
- You need: printed lists or phones
15. 'Ask Me About' Name Tags
Everyone writes a conversation topic on their name tag.
- Group size: any
- Time: all event
- You need: name tags
16. Birds of a Feather
Signs around the room with topics or interests. People gather under the one that fits and start talking.
- Group size: 50+
- Time: 15–20 minutes
- You need: signs
17. Human Bingo
A card of 'find someone who' squares. Collect a name in each.
- Group size: 20–100
- Time: 20–30 minutes
- You need: printed cards and pens
18. Question of the Hour
A new question on the main screen every hour of a long event — a shared prompt everyone can use.
- Group size: any
- Time: all day
- You need: a screen
19. Conversation Passport
A passport with stations or people to visit, and a question to ask at each.
- Group size: 50+
- Time: 30–60 minutes
- You need: printed passports or phones
20. Jam Bingo
Jam Bingo is a phone-based conversation starter activity. Everyone scans a QR code, gets a prompt, finds someone who fits it, and scans their QR code to unlock the next prompt.
- Group size: any — built for 100+
- Time: 20–45 minutes
- You need: phones and a QR code on screen
How to Choose the Right Activity
- Group size: under 20, take turns; over 60, pick activities where everyone talks in pairs at once
- Energy: seated and relaxed? Use cards or envelopes. Standing and social? Use movement
- Depth: light activities for first meetings, deeper ones for teams who know each other a little
- Time: 5–10 minutes for a warm-up; 20–45 minutes for real conversations
Need questions to use with any of these? The free Icebreaker Question Generator has hundreds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a conversation starter activity?
An activity that gives people something to do together — draw a card, share a photo, find a match — that naturally leads to conversation. It removes the pressure of thinking up something to say.
What's the difference between a conversation starter and a conversation starter activity?
A conversation starter is a question. A conversation starter activity wraps questions in something people do — a game, a movement, an object — which makes starting feel easier and more natural.
What are good conversation activities for adults?
Object Stories, Photo Share, Question Dice, Conversation Roulette, Common Ground, and phone-based prompts like Jam Bingo all work well for adults at work events and social gatherings.
What conversation activities work for large groups?
Choose activities where everyone talks in pairs at the same time: Conversation Roulette, Question Swap, Find Someone Who, and Jam Bingo all scale to 100+ people.