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How to Break the Ice and Get the Creative Juices Flowing

16th January 2026
Conference Ice breaker ideas

Defrost your conference, one word at a time


At Thaba Eco Hotel, we believe a successful conference is about far more than venues, seating plans, and catering schedules. It’s about creating the conditions where people feel comfortable enough to connect, contribute, and collaborate.

Our conferencing and banqueting teams bring years of experience, a genuine love for what they do, and an unwavering focus on detail — ensuring that every aspect of your event runs smoothly. From dietary requirements to technical setups, we take care of the logistics so that nothing stands between you and a productive gathering.

Which leaves you with one important task: getting people talking.

And yes, that’s often easier said than done.

Why icebreakers still matter


As work continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: businesses thrive on real, human connection. While digital tools and virtual meetings have made collaboration more efficient, trust, creativity, and momentum are still built face to face.

Industries flourish when people are able to network meaningfully, exchange ideas openly, and feel comfortable sharing perspectives. But place a group of professionals in an unfamiliar setting and it’s perfectly natural for things to feel a little… frozen at first.

That’s where the humble icebreaker comes in.

Think of it less as a forced activity and more as a gentle warm-up, an invitation to shift from “meeting mode” into meaningful engagement.

A cheat sheet for warming up your room


The following ideas are designed to be simple, adaptable, and low-pressure. They rely on narrative rather than performance, encouraging people to speak, listen, and relate.

All you’ll need are a few notepads, pens, sticky notes — and a willingness to let people be themselves. After all, people do love talking about their own stories.

Ten questions that actually work


(Choose 5–10 depending on your group size)
  • Who was your favourite cartoon or children’s show character growing up?
  • If money were no object, how would you spend your time?
  • What was your biggest childhood fear — and do you still fear it?
  • Who was (or is) your celebrity crush?
  • What food have you always wanted to try?
  • Where do you see yourself at 70?
  • Who would you love to meet, past or present, and why?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
  • Describe your mood this past week using weather terms./li>
  • What would the title of your autobiography be?


These questions are light enough to feel safe, but meaningful enough to spark real conversation.

Who Am I? (the PG version)


You’ll need sticky notes for this one.

Ask each participant to write down the name of a well-known person (famous or widely recognised within the group). Shuffle the notes and hand them out so everyone receives a name that isn’t their own. Each person sticks their note to their forehead.

Participants then move around the room, asking one person at a time yes/no questions only to figure out who they are. This game works best for smaller groups with some level of familiarity and always delivers laughter.

Love, Like, Loathe


Give participants three options within a category and ask them to decide which one they love, like, or loathe.

Examples:
  • Fizzy drinks, beer, espresso
  • Seafood platter, steak tartare, veggie burger
  • Working with friends, staying home with your partner, visiting your in-laws

Choose options that are deliberately different, and don’t be afraid to include a few “marmite” topics — the things people either can’t live without or can’t stand.

Would You Rather? (with a twist)


Present participants with two or three impossible scenarios and ask them to choose.

For example:
  • Braai in wind and rain
  • Search for your car in a packed parking lot in scorching sun
  • Spend the day in underwear that’s just a bit too small

Once everyone has chosen, split the group according to their answers. Give each group a maximum of three minutes to prepare a short debate convincing the others that their choice was the best one.

This works particularly well for medium to large groups and naturally encourages teamwork and communication.

Me in Five Words


Simple, powerful, and surprisingly revealing.

Give each person the opportunity to describe themselves in five words. If the group dynamic allows, invite questions or reflections afterwards. If you’d like to make it more structured, ask participants to choose one from each of the following categories:
  • Colour
  • Animal
  • Drink
  • Vehicle
  • Dessert

Two Truths and a Lie


Ideal for small groups or for breaking larger groups into sub-teams.

Each person (or group) presents three statements: two true, one false. The rest of the group guesses which is the lie.

It’s a classic for a reason and still works beautifully.

Advice for your teenage self


For very large groups, consider a quieter but deeply meaningful exercise.

Ask each participant to write a short paragraph of advice or encouragement they would have loved to hear as a teenager. They can share it with the person next to them, or for the brave, read it aloud to the group.

You may be surprised by how powerful this moment can be. It often helps people reflect on how far they’ve come and opens the door to deeper, more authentic engagement.

And isn’t that the true point of gathering people together?

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