How to Play This Icebreaker Game
- 1Everyone holds up ten fingers.
- 2Taking turns, each person says something they have never done, starting with 'Never have I ever...'.
- 3If someone in the group *has* done that thing, they must put one finger down.
- 4The game continues until only one person has fingers left up, or for a set number of rounds.
Variations
Reverse Mode: 'Always Have I...' to share common experiences instead of rare ones.
Category Rounds: Stick to themes like 'travel', 'food', or 'work' to keep it focused.
Points Twist: Last person with fingers up wins a small prize or gets to pick the next game.
Facilitator Guide
Opening Script:
We’ll play a workplace-friendly version of Never Have I Ever. Keep prompts light and inclusive—no politics, no pry. You can always say 'pass'.
Closing Script:
Great round! Notice how small personal stories help us spot surprising overlaps without oversharing.
Why This Works
Why this icebreaker game works: The simple mechanic exposes shared experiences in a low-pressure way. Boundaries and a clear 'SFW' frame maintain psychological safety.
Best For
Ideal icebreaker situations for this game include:
- New teams learning about each other
- Casual socials
- Hybrid meetings
Important Notes
- Ban sensitive or potentially shaming topics (e.g., health, finances).
- Offer 'pass' and model it as acceptable.
- Timebox turns to keep energy up.
Ideas & Prompts
Workplace Fun
Pretended to listen in a meeting while spacing out
Wore pajama bottoms to a video call
Forgot to mute and said something awkward
Ate a colleague's snack from the fridge by accident
Taken a nap during work hours
Sent an email without the attachment
Made up an excuse to leave early
Faked being sick to get a day off
Scrolled social media during work hours
Used the office printer for personal documents
Wore business top and sweatpants on Zoom
Sent a message to the wrong person (especially the boss)
Left early on a Friday afternoon
Nodded along in a meeting without understanding a word
Exaggerated slightly on a resume
Life & Food
Eaten food off the floor (5 second rule)
Eaten a whole family-sized pizza by myself
Killed a houseplant by overwatering
Cut my own hair to save money
Sang loudly in public
Walked into a pole or person while looking at my phone
Worn a shirt inside out in public
Farted in an elevator and pretended it wasn't me
Drank expired milk
Ordered food I didn't like just for a photo
Eaten instant noodles late at night
Pretended to be on the phone to avoid talking to someone
Travel & Adventure
Missed a flight or train
Traveled to another country alone
Slept in an airport overnight
Lost luggage while traveling
Gone to the movies alone
Ridden a rollercoaster
Gone skydiving or bungee jumping more than once
Been lost in a foreign city for over an hour
Stayed in a youth hostel
Visited Disneyland/Disney World
Peed in the ocean
Maxed out a credit card for a trip
School Days
Cheated on a test
Kept a secret from parents until now
Pretended not to see a teacher in public
Eaten in class when not allowed
Skipped school to go to an internet cafe or play
Been sent to the principal's office
Been kicked out of the library for being loud
Stayed up all night to finish homework
Overslept and missed an exam
Had a crush on a teacher
Tech & Social
Googled a new colleague or friend before meeting
Liked my own post with a burner account
Regretted posting something and deleted it immediately
Blocked a relative on social media
Had an embarrassing notification pop up while screen sharing
Forgot a password and had to reset it
Texted an ex
Stayed up all night reading fanfic or gaming
Gone to a cafe just for the free Wi-Fi
Game FAQ
How do we keep it work-appropriate?
Set clear ground rules upfront: no health, finances, relationships, or politics. Model safe examples first.
How do we keep it work-appropriate?
Set clear ground rules upfront: no health, finances, relationships, or politics. Model safe examples first.
What if someone feels left out?
Rotate who goes first and encourage inclusive prompts that many can relate to.
What if someone feels left out?
Rotate who goes first and encourage inclusive prompts that many can relate to.
