Meeting new people can be exciting, but for many young people it can also feel a little daunting. Whether your group is welcoming brand-new members or you’re stepping into a fresh leadership role, those first few sessions can feel full of unknowns. This is where icebreakers really come into their own.
A simple, well-chosen activity helps everyone ease into the session, fill any awkward silences, and start forming connections long before the “proper” activities begin. The best icebreakers help break up that awkward tension, but they also create shared laughter, help leaders understand group dynamics, and build the kind of early trust that makes a huge difference later on, especially during a residential.
Below are five tried-and-tested icebreakers, along with expanded insights, tips and variations to help you choose the best fit for your group.
Why icebreakers help your group bond
Although just seen as a bit of fun, icebreakers support the emotional and social side of your group, especially when new members join or you’re heading off on a residential. Here’s why they work so well:
- They ease first-meeting nerves by shifting attention onto something structured – Instead of feeling pressured to jump straight into conversation, young people can focus on a clear task, which helps them relax.
- They create early moments of success – Completing an activity together, even a simple one, gives the whole group a quick “win”, which boosts confidence and helps everyone feel included.
- They encourage communication in a low-pressure way – Learning someone’s favourite colour or guessing their fun fact is much easier than trying to start a full conversation from scratch.
- They help leaders understand personalities and group dynamics – You’ll quickly spot who’s chatty, who hangs back, who naturally takes the lead, and who might need a bit of extra support.
- They act as a bridge between home and residential environments – During that first evening away, a gentle activity helps settle nerves, reduces homesickness and sets a positive tone for the rest of the trip.
- They support mixed-age and mixed-personality groups – Whether your group includes very shy young people, natural extroverts or a wide age range, icebreakers give everyone a way to be part of the moment.
These benefits might seem small individually, but together they lay the foundations for a more united, confident group.
Top Youth Group Icebreakers to try
When you’re bringing a group together for the first time, a few well-chosen icebreakers can make a world of difference. The best ones help young people relax, spark natural conversation and build confidence without feeling forced. Whether you’re running a weekly session or kicking off a residential, these activities are easy to set up, low on resources and designed to build trust and connection right from the start.
They also give leaders a chance to observe group dynamics early on, who takes the lead, who hangs back, and which personalities naturally gravitate towards each other. That insight can be incredibly helpful for shaping the rest of your programme.
Three things in common
A brilliant starter activity, especially for mixed groups or when you’ve got lots of new faces.
This activity works well because it involves small, low-pressure conversations. No one has to perform in front of the whole group straight away, and the questions are easy and familiar. It’s also a lovely way to show young people that they already share interests with others, which can reduce any feelings of “being the odd one out”.
How it works
Split everyone into groups of three to five. Their challenge is to chat and find three things they all have in common. These could be favourites, habits, hobbies, pets — anything at all. After a few minutes, each group shares what they discovered.
It encourages natural conversation without forcing anything too deep too soon. It also builds confidence by showing young people that they do fit into the group.
Some other variations to try:
- Ask groups to find unusual or surprising similarities – this often gets them laughing and thinking more creatively.
- Take it outdoors and get groups walking while they chat – movement often helps shy members open up.
- Ask groups to present their results in a fun way, such as a drawing, a short mime, or a themed sentence – brilliant for encouraging creativity.
Two truths and a lie
A classic that works across all age groups, especially when you want to spark curiosity and laughter.
This activity is brilliant for gently encouraging young people to share something about themselves without feeling vulnerable. Because the “lie” adds a playful twist, it removes the pressure of being too serious and helps everyone loosen up.
How it works
Each person prepares three statements: two true and one untrue. The group must guess which is the lie.
It encourages storytelling, listening skills and a bit of friendly discussion. It’s also wonderful for helping new members feel seen and heard without having to reveal anything too personal.
Top tips for this icebreaker:
- Give young people a minute to think – it leads to funnier and more interesting statements.
- Encourage positive reactions and supportive guessing so no one feels singled out.
- This works particularly well in a circle indoors or as a relaxed evening activity on residentials
Sensory trail
Ideal for groups who enjoy active challenges or when you want to build trust right from the start.
Trust-building activities are powerful during those early sessions, especially on residentials, because they give young people a chance to rely on one another in a safe, controlled way. A sensory trail does exactly that.
How it works
Line everyone up in single file. Everyone except the leader at the front wears a blindfold, placing their hands on the shoulders of the person ahead. The leader then guides the group along a simple route, giving clear verbal instructions to help them navigate the trail.
It strengthens communication and listening, encourages reliance on others, and helps groups understand the importance of working together. It’s also brilliant for building trust between young people who haven’t met before.
Safety notes: Keep the trail simple, safe, and free from hazards. Make sure everyone knows the importance of staying together.
Many PGL centres offer similar trust-based challenges, giving groups structured support and a safe environment to develop these skills outdoors.
Spot the difference
A light-hearted, low-prep activity perfect for energising the group or breaking up a quieter session.
This activity works because observation games feel playful and interactive, and young people often find it funny to make tiny, silly changes to their appearance. It’s a great way to add movement and laughter without needing any equipment.
How it works
Pair everyone up and let them study their partner’s appearance for a moment. Then pairs turn around and change three small things — a rolled-up sleeve, a swapped hat, a different shoelace. When they turn back, they must spot the changes.
It encourages attention to detail, teamwork and light-hearted fun. It’s also a good way to help shy young people relax because the activity isn’t focused on talking.
Some other variations of spot the difference to try!
- Increase the number of changes for older or more confident groups.
- Turn it into a team challenge where groups earn points for every correct guess.
- Use it as part of a warm-up rotation for large groups to keep everyone moving and engaged.
Guess Who
Perfect for helping new groups get conversations flowing.
This is a lovely activity for groups where not everyone knows each other well. It encourages curiosity without putting anyone on the spot, and it helps young people learn small details about each other in a way that feels natural and social.
How it works
Split your group into two teams. Everyone writes three to five facts about themselves on slips of paper. The teams swap papers and try to match each fact to the right person.
It encourages communication, helps build early familiarity, and gets teams discussing possibilities together. It’s especially useful if you’ve got a big group or lots of new starters.
Our top guess who tips
- Encourage a mix of obvious and tricky facts to keep it fun.
- This works exceptionally well during a quieter evening session or as a low-energy indoor activity.
Tips for running successful icebreakers
A thoughtful approach makes all the difference. These tips help you create a positive, supportive atmosphere from the start:
- Keep the instructions short and clear – Young people engage better when they know exactly what to do. Simple guidance also helps avoid confusion and keeps the energy flowing, especially if your group has a broad age range.
- Avoid activities that might embarrass anyone – Keeping things comfortable ensures everyone feels able to join in. Gentle, inclusive activities help young people feel safe, respected and ready to participate.
- Encourage teamwork rather than competition – Collaboration builds unity faster, especially in new groups. Too much competition early on can leave quieter members feeling left behind.
- Give quieter members gentle ways to take part – Activities that don’t require performing or speaking loudly can help them settle in without pressure.
- Balance active and calm activities – A mix keeps the session engaging and helps you maintain a comfortable energy level, especially if you’re leading a long meeting or the first evening of a residential.
Quick ideas for low-prep icebreakers
These are brilliant for moments when you don’t have much time or need something you can pick up and run instantly:
- Would you rather… – A simple question-based activity that gets everyone talking without needing to share personal details. It works across all age groups and can be themed to suit your session.
- Human bingo – Create quick bingo sheets with prompts like “has a pet”, “can whistle”, “likes camping”. Young people mingle to find matches. It’s ideal for energetic first sessions.
- Name and action game – Each person introduces themselves with an action or movement, and the group repeats it. Great for memory-building and boosting confidence early on.
- The floor is lava (indoor version) – A playful, movement-based activity to boost energy. Young people must find “safe spots” around the room when you call out “lava”. It’s silly, fun and gets the group laughing quickly.
These low-prep options work so well because they’re inclusive, quick to explain, and don’t rely on materials, ideal for busy leaders or that tricky moment before everyone has arrived.
Making the most of icebreakers on residentials
Residentials bring a different kind of energy. New surroundings, shared rooms and unfamiliar routines can feel exciting but also a bit overwhelming. Icebreakers help set the tone and make that transition much smoother.
- The first evening is key: A gentle activity helps young people settle into their accommodation, shake off the long journey and start bonding straight away.
- Outdoor spaces open up new possibilities: Wide-open areas are brilliant for movement-based icebreakers or activities that rely on trust and teamwork.
- They help reduce homesickness: Shared laughter and early wins help young people feel part of something, even if they’re feeling a bit unsure.
- They prepare groups for bigger challenges: If your residential includes instructor-led activities (like those at PGL), early icebreakers help groups feel more united before they take on the bigger outdoor challenges together.
Book your group residential with PGL!
We hope these youth group icebreakers come in handy! If you’re not already heading on a Youth Club & Trust residential with PGL, then take a look at what we have to offer. We have a range of group residential trips to choose from, including Girlguiding residentials, Scout residentials, Other Uniform residentials and many more!
If you have any questions, get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today. They’ll be more than happy to help!
