Ice Breaker Games 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.
Group Size:
6-30 people
Duration:
10-15 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
How to Play:
- 1
Divide everyone into pairs. Try to pair people who don't know each other well
- 2
Give them a list of 3-5 interview questions, or let them come up with their own
- 3
Partners interview each other for 3-5 minutes per person. They take notes if needed
- 4
Bring everyone back together. Each person introduces their partner to the whole group in 30-60 seconds
- 5
The twist: They can't just read facts. They have to tell a mini-story about what makes their partner interesting
Interview Partner
A classic icebreaker that works every single time. There’s something about introducing someone else that takes the pressure off - suddenly students who hate talking about themselves become great storytellers about their partner.
The secret is in the questions. Skip the boring stuff like ‘What’s your major?’ and ask things that reveal personality. You’ll be amazed at the connections that form when people actually listen to each other.
Best For:
First day of class, new team formation, building empathy and listening skills, learning names, creating personal connections
Pro Tips
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Provide specific questions rather than 'tell me about yourself' - you'll get better stories
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Good questions: What's something you're proud of? What's a skill you want to learn? Tell me about a time you took a risk
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Encourage active listening. Partners should maintain eye contact and ask follow-up questions
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Model a good introduction first so students know what you're looking for
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For shy students, let them write bullet points before presenting
Variations
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Speed dating version: 2 minutes per interview, rotate partners multiple times, introduce just one partner at the end
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Three truths format: Partner shares three interesting facts, all true, then others guess which sounds most surprising
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Video introduction: Partners record a 30-second phone video introducing each other
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Question cards: Write questions on cards, partners draw 3 cards randomly to answer
FAQ
- What questions work best for interviews?
- Ask about proud moments, skills they want to learn, or interesting experiences. Avoid boring demographic questions.
- How do I help shy students feel comfortable?
- Let them write notes during the interview and use them during introduction. Model vulnerability by going first.
- Can this work for large groups?
- Yes, but limit introductions to 30 seconds each or have partners introduce each other in smaller groups.
- Should partners take notes during interviews?
- Yes, recommend taking brief notes so they remember details for the introduction. This also shows active engagement.
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