Ice Breaker Games Timeline Teleportation
Scroll to an old photo on your phone and share the story behind it. Gives people an easy way to open up about meaningful moments without feeling forced.
Group Size:
4-50 people
Duration:
5-20 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
How to Play:
- 1
Tell everyone to open their phone's photo gallery
- 2
Give a timeframe like 'scroll to 2020 or earlier' or 'find a photo from 5+ years ago'
- 3
Allow 2-3 minutes for people to browse and select their photo
- 4
Break into pairs or groups of 3-4 people
- 5
Each person shares their photo and tells the story behind it
- 6
End with a brief debrief: 'What struck you about these conversations?'
Timeline Teleportation turns everyone’s phone into a conversation starter. Ask someone to find a photo from 2019 and watch them teleport back to that moment. Suddenly they’re not explaining a picture; they’re reliving a memory.
The photo does the heavy lifting so people don’t have to force vulnerability. The reserved engineer shows a summit photo and reveals he’s climbed twelve mountains. The new hire shares a graduation picture and you learn she changed careers at 40.
These stories would take months to surface naturally, but a scroll through old photos unlocks them in minutes. No prep, no props, just memories people already carry in their pocket.
Best For:
Team meetings, training sessions, virtual gatherings, and new team formation. The perfect ice breaker game for creating genuine connections without forced vulnerability.
Pro Tips
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Give people enough time to find their photo—rushing ruins the magic
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Push for stories, not descriptions. 'What was happening then?' beats 'This is me at a beach'
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Screen sharing makes this seamless for remote teams
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For groups over 12, use breakout rooms so everyone gets airtime
Variations
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Decade Challenge: Specify a particular decade ('80s, '90s, early 2000s)
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Travel Edition: Share photos from memorable places you've visited
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Milestone Moments: Photos of personal achievements or proud moments
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Pandemic Pivot: Share a photo from before vs during major life changes
FAQ
- What if someone doesn't have old photos on their phone for Timeline Teleportation?
- Let them share a recent meaningful photo instead. The story matters more than the age. Some people's important moments happened yesterday.
- How far back should Timeline Teleportation photos be?
- 3-5 years works best. Too recent feels mundane, too old and people struggle to find them. Give a range rather than an exact date.
- Is Timeline Teleportation appropriate for new teams?
- Absolutely—it's one of the best ice breaker games for new teams. The photo gives people a comfortable entry point to share something personal.
- What if someone shares something very personal during Timeline Teleportation?
- Create psychological safety first by emphasizing choice. Say 'Share whatever feels right—funny, nostalgic, or meaningful.' Let people self-select their depth.
- Does Timeline Teleportation work for virtual meetings?
- Perfectly. Screen sharing makes this ice breaker game even easier online than in person. Everyone can see the photo clearly while hearing the story.
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