Invisible Friend. An icebreaker for familiarizing participants with each other

I was the kid next door‘s imaginary friend.
Emo Philips (*1956)
American comedian

In the begin of a workshop or seminar participants don’t know each other. Depending on their nature, they even might be too shy to talk to each other. So, time to break the ice!

Invisible Friend is a starter game: Participants have to find a certain members of the group, interview and present him or her. By trying to discover their “invisible friend”, they automatically talk to a good part of the group and familiarize each other.

*Checking out who is who before interviewing the right person.*

Objective of Invisible Friend

Participants get to know each other and to present each other. As workshop leader you can observe who is shy and needs more encouragement as well as how they present, deal with cards etc.

*Interviewing you invisible friend before presenting him or her.*

Resources

Big cardboard circle/clouds.

Time

20—45 mins (depending on the number of participants) plus 5 mins preparation.

Task

Write the name of each participant on the back of the cards and let each participant pick one. Now, they have to find their ‘invisible friend’, i.e. ask around which person belongs to the name of the card. Interview them and write their findings on the card. After all the interviews are conducted, the participants present their friend to the group.

You glue the cards on the wall or hang them on a clothesline for later reference.

Phase

A great starter game (Forming).

Flashlight

You freeze a current moment of the workshop by doing a quick round of all the participant to know the current emotion or opinion.

Newspaper Interview

Newspaper Interview is an ice-breaker activity to familiarize your participants with each other. Create teams of two participants who interview each other. It’s advisable to mix gender, organisation, and age groups.

Wanted Poster

This is an ice-breaker activity to familiarize participants with each other. The form of the wanted poster reduces information to the relevant and the time needed.Make teams of two who interview each other and draw a Wanted Poster. It’s recommended to mix gender, organisation, and age groups.

Facts of My Life

Often so-called facts are presented to us, which we accept without further questioning. This excellent game teaches people to question further.

Animal

Participants will learn and remember the other participants’ name. It’s also very energising and great fun.Present yourself with name plus animal name, e.g. I am Anita and I am a cat because I love the independence and self-reliance of cats.

Icon – I can

Icons are visual symbols, which are very important in our everyday lives. We are all familiar with symbols for toilets, exits, or restaurant logos etc. But have you ever thought of symbolising yourself in a single sign? Icon - I can!

Remember my name

There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth...

Alliteration

Alliteration means using the same starting letter of words as a rhetorical tool. Here, we use alliterative epithets together with participants’ names, e.g. Ali the Attractive, Laila the Lunatic, or Jim the Jealous.

Treasure Hunt

There is a treasure in each workshop participant. Find it and let find the participants in each other. This game sets a positive atmosphere when everybody is new - and perhaps a little insecure - in the workshop. It builds confidence and relationships.