Desert Island: 3 Items Survival Icebreaker (2025)
Participants share the three essential items they'd bring to a deserted island.
How to Play This Icebreaker Game
- 1Ask the group: 'If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring and why?'
- 2Go around the circle and have each person share their three items.
- 3Encourage follow-up questions to understand the reasoning behind their choices.
Variations
- **Zombie Apocalypse**: Change the scenario to 'three items during a zombie apocalypse'.
- **Time Travel**: 'If you could travel back in time, what three items would you bring?'
- **Mars Mission**: 'What three items for a one-year mission to Mars?'
- **Pairs**: Form pairs and have them agree on three shared items.
- **Books Only**: Limit answers to three books.
- **With Reasoning**: Ask everyone to justify each choice practically and emotionally.
Facilitator Guide
Opening Script:
Imagine you're stranded on a deserted island. You can bring three items with you - anything you want! Take a minute to think about what you'd bring and why. Consider what would be most important for survival, comfort, or entertainment.
Closing Script:
Thank you for sharing! It's fascinating how our choices reflect our values and priorities. Some of us prioritized survival, others comfort, and some chose items with emotional significance.
Why This Works
Why this icebreaker game works: The make-believe setup lowers pressure and gets people talking about what they value. It’s open enough to show personality but focused enough to stay on track, and it naturally sparks follow‑up questions.
Best For
Ideal icebreaker situations for this game include:
- Getting to know someone's values and priorities
- Teams that have met before but want to go deeper
- Virtual and in-person settings
- Groups of any size (use breakout rooms for large groups)
Important Notes
- Some people may overthink the 'rules' - clarify whether magical/unrealistic items are allowed
- Be prepared for creative interpretations (e.g., 'a boat' or 'a satellite phone')
- Keep discussions moving if someone goes too deep into survival logistics
Game FAQ
What if someone says something obvious like 'a phone'?
That's totally fine! You can gently clarify: 'Assume there's no service – what else would you choose?' or accept their choice and ask why that specific device is important to them.
Should answers be limited to realistic items?
Not necessarily. While practical choices are great, creative or humorous answers add personality. The key is the 'why' behind each choice – that reveals more about the person.
How long should each person speak?
About 1-2 minutes per person is ideal. For large groups or short time slots, limit it to 30 seconds or ask for just one item.
