Ice Breaker Games Hot Seat
One player sits facing away from the screen while their team describes the word shown without using forbidden terms. Combines competition with teamwork to get everyone energized and focused.
Group Size:
10-30 people
Duration:
15-20 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
How to Play:
- 1
Split into two teams. One person from each team sits in the 'hot seat' facing away from the screen
- 2
Display a word on the screen. The team describes it without using forbidden words
- 3
Set a timer (usually 30-60 seconds per word). Team scores a point when their player guesses correctly
- 4
Rotate who's in the hot seat. Keep score. First team to X points wins
- 5
Teacher tip: Keep a pre-made hot seat slide deck ready for emergency activities
Hot Seat
Pure energy. Two teams compete to describe words while one teammate sits with their back to the screen guessing. The timer adds pressure, the competition brings focus, and you barely have to do anything except keep score.
Works great for vocabulary review or just burning off energy. Digital slides required.
Best For:
High-energy icebreakers, vocabulary practice, review games, building team collaboration, filling unexpected free time
Pro Tips
-
Competition + teamwork = instant engagement. This one never fails
-
Use it for fun (random words) or learning (vocabulary, historical figures, science terms)
-
Have a pre-made deck ready. This is your emergency 'class just ended early' activity
-
Encourage creative descriptions - no acting out unless you allow it
-
Adjust time based on difficulty: easy words get 30 seconds, hard ones get 60
Variations
-
Literature mode: Characters, plot points, themes from your current book
-
History mode: Historical figures, events, time periods
-
Science mode: Elements, processes, scientific terms
-
Pop culture mode: Movies, songs, celebrities for connection building
-
No words allowed: Teams can only use sounds and gestures
FAQ
- How many words should each round include?
- Start with 5-10 words per round to keep energy high. Adjust based on time and difficulty.
- What if teams argue about forbidden words?
- Decide forbidden words in advance and display them with each word. Be the neutral judge of violations.
- Can this work virtually?
- Yes, use screen share for the word display and breakout rooms for teams. Works great on Zoom or similar platforms.
- How do I make a Hot Seat word deck?
- Create slides in PowerPoint or Google Slides with one word per slide plus 2-3 forbidden words listed below.
Related Games
Line Up Game
Line up by height, birthday, or name without talking at all. Shows who naturally leads and forces creative nonverbal communication.
What's Different
One team studies the other, turns around, and the other team makes small changes like rolling up sleeves or swapping positions. Tests how observant people really are.
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.
Mingle Game
Play music while students walk around, then call out a number and they scramble to form groups of that size. Gets energy up and randomly mixes people who wouldn't normally interact.
Build Stronger Team Connections
Break the ice and foster closer relationships with our curated games.
Games