Icebreaker Questions for Teens

Icebreaker questions for teens that are not babyish and not awkward. Quick picks to get a room laughing, everyday questions about music, food and weekends, and big ideas for when the group is ready to talk.

How to play Icebreaker Questions for Teens

• Choose the decks you want with the chips above the card: Quick Picks, Everyday Life and Big Ideas.
• Show the card on a shared screen or hold up a phone and read the question out loud, in class, at youth group or at a sleepover.
• Add names with Players and the card shows whose turn it is to answer first. Everyone else can answer too, or move straight on.
• Set the timer (10 to 60 seconds) to keep answers short in a big group.
• Press Next question, swipe the card or press Space. Nothing repeats until every question has been shown.

Controls

• Space, Enter or →: next question
• ←: previous question
• Swipe the card on a phone

Tips

• Start with Quick Picks: two-option questions feel safe for shy teens.
• Let people pass without explaining why.
• In a big class, split into groups of four with one phone each.

Icebreaker questions for teens

A sample of the 66 questions on this page.

Quick Picks:

• Pizza or tacos?
• Beach or mountains?
• Text or call?
• Books or movies?
• Sweet or salty snacks?
• Dogs or cats?
• Headphones or speakers?
• Sneakers or sandals?
• Comedy or action?
• Hoodie or jacket?
• Plan ahead or go with the flow?
• Video games or board games?

Everyday Life:

• What song have you had on repeat lately?
• What kind of show do you binge the fastest?
• What is your go-to after-school snack?
• What is a hobby you could talk about for an hour?
• What does your perfect Saturday look like?
• What is an app you think everyone should try?
• What is a food you can make without a recipe?
• What is a skill you taught yourself from videos online?
• What kind of music do you play when you need energy?
• What is your go-to order at a diner or food truck?
• What is the best way to spend a rainy weekend?
• Which video game world would you most like to explore in real life?

Big Ideas:

• If you ruled the school for a day, what is the first rule you would change?
• What job do you think will exist in twenty years that does not exist today?
• If you could time travel, would you visit the past or the future?
• What is a problem in the world you would like to help solve?
• What would you invent to make school mornings easier?
• If you could start a club, what would it be about?
• What dream job would you try for one year?
• If you could live on another planet, what three things would you bring?
• What is a skill everyone should learn before finishing school?
• If you designed your own school schedule, what would it look like?
• What would be on your ideal school lunch menu?
• Which invention from the past do you wish you had seen being made?

FAQ

What are good icebreakers for teenagers?

Fast either-or picks, questions about music, food and hobbies, and imaginative what-ifs. Avoid questions about dating, looks or popularity, which put teens on the spot.

Do these work for middle school?

Yes. All three decks suit roughly ages 11 to 18. For ages 11 to 12, start with Quick Picks and Everyday Life.

Can I use these at youth group?

Yes. For a faith angle, the Christian icebreaker page has a Youth Group & Camp deck too.