What Are Some Good Icebreaker Networking Games?

Finding a good icebreaker networking game isn’t as simple as picking one from a list.

That said, if you’re just looking for the list of games, scroll to the bottom of this page.

We’re going to break each icebreaker networking game into different categories based on the type of event you’re hosting, how long you’re looking to run the icebreaker, and the outcome you’re hoping to achieve at your event.

• Type of event you’re hosting.
• How long you’re looking to run the icebreaker for.
• And the outcome you’re hoping to achieve.

Basically, “What is your objective?” means-

What are you trying to achieve by having an networking icebreaker game?

Two common objectives:

• Help people talk & get to know each other.
• Or, a fun activity to pass the time.

It goes even deeper than this. If your goal is to “help people talk and get to know each other,” you need to consider three things:

• For “how long”: 10–15 minutes to kick off the main program, or longer if you want it to last 60+ minutes.
• Type of networking: sit-down, mix-and-mingle, or aimed at getting people to talk with specific individuals in the room (e.g., sponsors or exhibitors).

The best icebreaker networking game depends on the type of event. Knowing your objective will help you choose the right game to encourage interaction and achieve the outcome you want.

At a networking event, the goal is for everyone to meet and interact with as many people as possible. This helps maximize connections and ensures that no one is stuck talking to just the same few people.

Like I said - “This is the goal”

Icebreaker games like JamBingo are great for getting people to mix, mingle, and talk to as many others as possible. JamBingo stands out because it’s one of the easiest ways to spark conversation, with minimal setup and prep required from the host.

In this type of networking, people move around and start conversations with each other.

Adding stickers to nametags creates a simple, engaging icebreaker.

The way it works is simple: create variations of sticker shapes and or colors. As guests arrive, they grab a name tag and a sticker. From there, their goal is to find others in the room who have the same sticker shape or color as they do.

An icebreaker for a party is usually meant to pass the time and keep people engaged. It often includes a bit of friendly competition, like trivia, an imposter-style game, or other classic party games that get everyone involved and having fun.

However, if you’re hosting a party where you’re inviting people you’re connected to, but they don’t know each other, JamBingo can be a fun way to break the ice.

For example, at a birthday party with friends from church, work, school, and different parts of your life, it helps guests step outside their usual circles. Instead of sticking with who they already know, JamBingo encourages everyone to interact, start conversations, and build new connections naturally.

A dinner-style event should focus on giving guests easy talking points to help them get to know the people at their table. Conversation starters for a dinner party are a simple, effective way to spark meaningful discussions and keep everyone engaged.

Here are quick kick-off icebreakers:

• Jam Bingo by JamSocial: The easiest way to get people who do not know each other talking & mingling.
• Heardle: A music guessing game inspired by the popular game Wordle.
• Position Swap: This is a fun game where people have a position/title (“Boss”, “Employee”, "Entrepreneur", etc). The goal for this game is for everyone to meet and mingle and they have to guess and identify who is who in the room. Whoever can guess everyone correctly wins.
• Speed Pair Introductions: Two-minute rotations where attendees answer one guided question before switching partners.
• Two Truths and a Lie: Small groups guess which statement is false. Quick, fun, and low pressure.

Here are icebreakers for networking session:

• Jam Bingo by JamSocial: The easiest way to get people who do not know each other talking & mingling.
• Themed Networking Rounds: Break the session into 3 rounds of 8 to 10 minutes with different prompts like “Biggest Challenge,” “Current Project,” and “Unexpected Skill.”
• Collaboration Challenge: Small teams brainstorm solutions to a shared prompt, then rotate members midway to mix ideas.

Here are full networking session icebreakers:

• Jam Bingo by JamSocial: The easiest way to get people who do not know each other talking & mingling.

There's a difference between a game where people play something together, like Heardle, and one where they actually talk and get to know each other, like JamBingo.

The main difference between is:

• Getting people to play together brings out camaraderie and/or competition.
• Getting people to know each other fosters belonging, leaving everyone feeling seen and heard.

When choosing an icebreaker, clarity matters.

Are you trying to create a shared experience? Or are you trying to create shared understanding?

Those are two very different outcomes.

Some icebreakers revolve around a central activity. Everyone participates in the same challenge at the same time. The focus is external. There is something to solve, guess, build, or win.

A music guessing game like Heardle is a good example. The room rallies around the task. People react together. They celebrate the right answers.

What this type of format tends to spark:

This works well when you want to:

Other icebreakers shift attention inward, from the activity to the individuals in the room. A format like JamBingo pushes participants to approach each other, ask questions, and exchange stories. The prompts are simply catalysts. The real experience is the conversation itself.

This type of experience encourages:

The impact is different. Instead of walking away remembering the game, people walk away remembering who they met.

This works best when:

When people gather around a game, you often get camaraderie and competition. When people gather around conversation, you get belonging. One creates momentum. The other creates meaning. Before you choose the format, decide which result your event truly needs.

A great icebreaker is not just about the game you choose. It is about how you introduce it, structure it, and guide the room through it. Here are some practical tips to make sure it actually works.

Confusion kills momentum. Explain the rules in under two minutes. Use plain language. If possible, show a quick example so people understand what success looks like. If the game requires multiple steps, break them down: What do they do first? What counts as completion? How does it end? Clarity reduces hesitation and gets people moving faster.

If people stay seated with who they arrived with, the icebreaker defeats its purpose. Design the room for movement: Assign random tables, shuffle teams, encourage participants to speak with someone new, add rules that prevent repeat pairings. A little structure helps break up cliques and encourages broader interaction across the room.

Most people make participation optional so no one feels forced. The problem with making participation optional is that people will opt out. But most people are shy and don't want to feel like they stand out. To solve this, make participation mandatory. Don't mention that it's optional. Some people naturally won't want to play, but don't give them an easy way out.

When people start connecting and talking because of your icebreaker game, you'll need a clear signal to bring them back.

Getting everyone's attention can be difficult, especially with groups of 50+.

How do you get their attention back?

A whistle (Yes, a whistle)!

Unless you have a naturally authoritative voice, attempts to regain the group's attention will likely be drowned out by excited chatter.