Ice Breaker Games Human Bingo
Walk around finding people who match descriptions on your bingo card - 'traveled to Asia', 'plays an instrument', 'has a pet cat'. Turns awkward mingling into a game with a clear goal.
Group Size:
10-50 people
Duration:
10-15 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
How to Play:
- 1
Create bingo cards with 25 squares, each containing a trait like 'Has traveled to 3+ countries' or 'Speaks two languages'
- 2
Give each participant a bingo card and a pen at the door
- 3
Participants walk around and find people who match each description
- 4
When they find a match, that person signs the corresponding square
- 5
Each person can only sign one square per card to encourage broad networking
- 6
First person to complete a row, column, diagonal, or full card wins
Human Bingo transforms the dreaded “mingle and network” into a mission everyone actually wants to complete. Hand someone a card that says “find a person who has run a marathon” and watch them sprint across the room to interview strangers. The game gives introverts permission to approach anyone and extroverts a reason to listen.
In 10 minutes, your conference attendees will have met more people than they would in two hours of awkward coffee breaks. The accountant who summited Kilimanjaro? The intern who speaks four languages?
These stories surface when people have a reason to ask. No more standing by the snack table pretending to check emails.
Best For:
Large networking events, conferences, company kickoffs, and new team formation. The best ice breaker game for groups of 20+ where everyone needs to meet quickly.
Pro Tips
-
Mix easy traits ('Has a pet') with unique ones ('Has been skydiving') for balanced difficulty
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Customize descriptions to your industry or event theme for relevant conversations
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Offer small prizes to motivate participation and create excitement
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Set a clear time limit of 10-15 minutes to maintain energy
Variations
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Speed Human Bingo: Only 5 minutes, creates urgency and excitement
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Photo Bingo: Take selfies with matches instead of collecting signatures
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Themed Bingo: Focus on professional skills, hobbies, or company-specific achievements
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Blackout Bingo: Must fill every square to win for extended networking
FAQ
- How many squares should a Human Bingo card have?
- A standard 5x5 grid with 25 squares works best. Use a free center square to make completion easier for large groups.
- What makes a good Human Bingo trait?
- Choose traits that 10-30% of attendees might have. Too common makes it boring, too rare makes it frustrating. Mix personal, professional, and fun categories.
- Can one person sign multiple squares on my Human Bingo card?
- No, limit one signature per person per card. This rule is what makes Human Bingo such an effective ice breaker game for networking.
- Does Human Bingo work online?
- Not well—the physical movement is essential. For virtual events, try different ice breaker games designed for video calls instead.
- Where can I get Human Bingo templates?
- Search 'Human Bingo template generator' online, or create custom cards in any spreadsheet application with a 5x5 grid.
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