Common Ground Challenge: Team Bonding Game (2025)

4.6(637)

Small groups race to find a set number of uncommon things they all share in common.

6+ PlayersHybrid10 minEasy

How to Play This Icebreaker Game

1Form groups of 3–5 and set a target (e.g., 5 commonalities).
2Give 5–8 minutes to discover overlaps beyond the obvious.
3Share highlights with the whole group.

Facilitator Guide

Opening Script:

In trios to quints, find five uncommon things everyone shares. Surface specifics beyond the obvious (company, department).

Closing Script:

Notice the prompts that uncovered deeper overlaps—reuse them in future intros or buddy programs.

Why This Works

Why this icebreaker game works: Hunting for non‑obvious overlaps builds belonging quickly. The race format adds urgency while steering past generic commonalities.

Best For

Ideal icebreaker situations for this game include:

New hire cohorts
Cross‑team mixers
Conference tables

Important Notes

Define ‘uncommon’ upfront to avoid easy answers
Rotate a note‑taker so everyone speaks
Offer skip/replace if a prompt feels uncomfortable

Ideas & Prompts

Travel & Adventure

Visited more than 3 continents

Have lived in another country

Prefer mountains over beaches

Have gone skydiving or bungee jumping

Food & Drink

Love spicy food

Can cook a signature dish from scratch

Drink coffee every morning

Have never eaten sushi

Skills & Hobbies

Play a musical instrument

Speak more than two languages

Have a collection (stamps, coins, etc.)

Practice yoga or meditation