About icebreakers
An icebreaker is a short activity that helps people who don't know each other start talking. The name comes from icebreaker ships, which crack frozen seas open so other ships can follow, and the idea is the same: once the first conversation happens, the rest flows more easily.
Human bingo is one of the most popular icebreakers because it gives everyone a reason to approach someone new, with a ready-made question to ask. Below, each prompt is explained with a note on what counts, so players don't get stuck debating the rules.
Did you know?
The phrase "break the ice" appears in Shakespeare's play The Taming of the Shrew, written in the 1590s.
Icebreaker ships have strong, rounded hulls that ride up onto the ice and crack it with their weight.
Around 10% of people are left-handed.
Tongue rolling is not controlled by a single gene: some identical twins can roll their tongues while their twin can't.
The word "mingle" comes from an Old English word meaning "to mix".
What each prompt means 40
Every prompt finishes the sentence "Find someone who…". The notes say what counts, to settle arguments quickly.
Find someone who… 40 words
- can do a cartwheel
- They can do a cartwheel (no need to prove it indoors).
- can juggle
- They can keep at least three objects in the air.
- can touch their toes
- They can bend down and touch their toes without bending their knees.
- can whistle
- They can whistle a tune or a note, right now, to prove it.
- does volunteer work
- They give, or have given, their time to help a group or cause without being paid.
- drinks tea
- They drink tea, hot or iced.
- enjoys puzzles
- They like solving puzzles, from crosswords to jigsaws.
- grows a plant
- They look after a plant, indoors or in a garden.
- has a brother
- They have at least one brother, including step- and half-brothers.
- has a collection
- They collect something, like stamps, rocks, cards or shells.
- has a hidden talent
- They can do something surprising that most people don't know about.
- has a middle name
- They have at least one middle name. Bonus points if they tell you what it is.
- has a pet
- Any animal they look after at home counts, from a dog to a goldfish.
- has a sister
- They have at least one sister, including step- and half-sisters.
- has been on a plane
- They have flown in an aeroplane at least once.
- has been on stage
- They have performed in front of an audience: a play, a concert or a speech.
- has been to another country
- They have visited a country other than the one they live in.
- has broken a bone
- They have broken or cracked a bone at some point.
- has climbed a mountain
- They have hiked or climbed to the top of a mountain or a very big hill.
- has moved house
- They have moved to a new home at least once.
- has never seen snow
- They have never seen snow falling or on the ground in person.
- has seen the ocean
- They have seen the sea or ocean in person.
- is a morning person
- They feel most awake and cheerful early in the day.
- is an only child
- They have no brothers or sisters.
- knows a magic trick
- They can perform a magic trick, and might show you.
- likes broccoli
- They are genuinely happy to eat broccoli.
- likes camping
- They enjoy sleeping outdoors in a tent or camper.
- likes scary movies
- They enjoy films that are spooky or suspenseful.
- loves spicy food
- They enjoy food with plenty of chilli heat.
- loves to cook
- Cooking is something they enjoy, not just a chore.
- loves to draw
- They enjoy drawing, sketching or doodling.
- plays a team sport
- They play in a team, such as football, netball or basketball.
- plays an instrument
- They can play any musical instrument, even a little.
- read a book this month
- They finished, or are partway through, a book this month.
- shares your birth month
- Their birthday is in the same month as yours.
- speaks two languages
- They can hold a simple conversation in at least two languages.
- walked or biked here
- They arrived today on foot, by bike or by scooter.
- was born in winter
- Their birthday falls in the winter months where they were born.
- wears glasses
- They wear glasses, for reading or all the time.
- writes with their left hand
- They are left-handed: they write with their left hand.
Bingo where the prizes are conversations
Human bingo (also called people bingo or "find someone who" bingo) has no caller. Each square describes a person, like *has a pet* or *speaks two languages*. Players walk around the room, ask each other questions, and write a matching person's name in the square. The usual rule is one square per person, so everyone has to talk to lots of different people to complete a line.
It's a favourite first-day activity in classrooms, a reliable opener for training days and new teams, and a gentle way to mix guests at a party who don't know each other. The 40 prompts here are friendly and everyday, about pets, hobbies, food and travel, so nobody is put on the spot.
How to run it
- Hand out cards and pens. Explain: find a person who matches a square, ask them, and write their name in it.
- Set the rule: one square per person (or two in a small group).
- Give a time limit, about 10 minutes. The first full line shouts bingo; play on for a full card if time allows.
- Finish by asking a few winners to introduce someone they met. That's where the real icebreaking happens.
Make the prompts fit your group
Paste in your own prompts for a team ("has worked here less than a year") or a class unit ("can name a planet"). Keep prompts things people are happy to share. The free square says YOU: players write their own name. Unique cards mean neighbours can't simply copy each other's answers.
Questions people ask
How do you play human bingo?
Players move around the room and find a person who matches each square, like "has a pet". They ask, and if the answer is yes, write that person's name in the square. The first player with a full line wins.
Can the same person sign more than one square?
The usual rule is one square per person, which makes players talk to more people. In a small group (under 12 or so), allow two squares each.
What does the YOU square mean?
It's the free square: players write their own name there. You can change the label to anything up to 14 characters.
Are the prompts suitable for school?
Yes. They're everyday, friendly questions about pets, hobbies, food and travel. Nothing personal or sensitive. Edit any that don't suit your group.
What is in the Medium and Hard PDFs?
Each has 20 unique 5×5 cards and a checklist of every prompt. Medium has a free YOU square in the middle; Hard has none, so players must collect five names in a row.