Ice Breaker Games Ice Breaker Games
Play with AI
#25 Easy

Find Something in Common

Get a list of classmates to talk to and find one thing you share with each person - but you can't reuse the same commonality. Forces deeper conversations when surface stuff runs out.

classroom teens adults mingling conversation low-prep engaging

Group Size:

10-30 people

Duration:

10-15 minutes

Difficulty:

Easy

How to Play:

Find Something in Common - How to Play
  1. 1

    Give each student a list of 5-8 names of other students in the room

  2. 2

    Students walk around and talk to each person on their list

  3. 3

    Find one thing they have in common with that person and write it down

  4. 4

    The catch: You can't use the same commonality twice. If you both love pizza, you can only use that once

  5. 5

    First person to complete their list wins, or set a 10-minute timer and see who gets the most

Best For:

First day of class, team building, helping students discover unexpected connections, breaking up cliques

Pro Tips

  • Make the lists random so students talk to people they don't usually hang out with

  • Give examples of what counts: hobbies, favorite foods, number of siblings, travel experiences

  • Encourage students to go beyond the obvious. 'We both go to this school' doesn't count

  • Walk around and eavesdrop - you'll learn so much about your students

  • For large groups, give shorter lists of 3-5 names so it doesn't take forever

Variations

  • Speed version: Give everyone 2 minutes per person, then rotate

  • Bingo card: Instead of a list, create a bingo card with commonalities to find

  • Three things: Find three things in common with each person, ranging from obvious to unique

  • Remote version: Use breakout rooms and a shared doc where pairs write their commonalities

FAQ

What if two people can't find anything in common?
Keep digging. Everyone shares something - favorite season, number of siblings, food preferences. The struggle often leads to the best discoveries.
How do I create the name lists?
Randomly assign names to ensure students talk to people outside their usual friend groups. Mix grade levels, backgrounds, and social circles.
Can I use this with adults in the workplace?
Absolutely. This works great for team building and helps break down departmental silos in corporate settings.

Related Games

Story Building

One person starts a story, the next adds a sentence, and you keep going around the circle. Gets creative juices flowing and builds collaboration through shared laughter at absurd plot twists.

Scavenger Hunt

Teams race to find items or complete tasks from a list before time runs out. Gets people moving, working together, and competing in a lighthearted way.

Interview Partner

Interview your partner for a few minutes, then introduce them to the group. Takes pressure off shy people since they're talking about someone else, not themselves.

Conversation Starters

Small groups draw question cards and take turns answering - 'Tell me about a risk you took' or 'What's your hidden talent?' Gives structure to conversations so they naturally go deeper.

Build Stronger Team Connections

Break the ice and foster closer relationships with our curated games.

Games