Icebreaker bingo for adults
A bingo icebreaker gets a new team, a workshop or an all-hands talking in ten minutes, without anyone standing up to give a speech. These 48 prompts are written for adults at work: easy to ask, and nothing anyone would rather not share with colleagues. See the other icebreaker bingo sets for classes and parties.
Download 30 cards (PDF) Paper and print options
30 different numbered cards, two to a page. Free, no sign-up. The same link prints the same cards next time.
Card 1 - every card is different
Icebreaker Bingo
The 48 words on these cards
- Has worked here under a year
- Has worked in another country
- Speaks three languages
- Started their career in retail
- Can code in any language
- Has given a talk at a conference
- Walks or bikes to work
- Has worked a night shift
- Has a hobby with a club
- Has run a half marathon
- Plays in a band
- Has a standing desk
- Has changed careers
- Grew up in a small town
- Has volunteered this year
- Has learned a skill online
- Reads on paper, not a screen
- Prefers calls to emails
- Has a houseplant at their desk
- Has a pet in their video calls
- Has visited 10+ countries
- Can solve a Rubik's cube
- Makes their own coffee
- Has written a blog post
- Uses a paper notebook
- Has mentored someone
- Has worked from a cafe
- Has met a hero of theirs
- Has been in a TV audience
- Bakes on weekends
- Is a morning person
- Is a night owl
- Has taught a class
- Has tried a new sport this year
- Grew up near the ocean
- Has the same first job as you
- Has lived in three cities
- Listens to podcasts at work
- Has a funny email story
- Was born in the same month as you
- Has worked in a restaurant
- Has organized a big event
- Knows sign language
- Has been on a boat this year
- Has a favorite spreadsheet trick
- Has won a trophy
- Can play chess
- Has a hidden talent
How to run it at work
Hand out a card and a pen as people arrive, or at the start of the session. Explain in one breath: find a colleague who fits a square, ask them to write their name, one square per person, a full line wins. Give it 10 to 15 minutes with a visible timer. Mingling works best standing, with coffee in hand; for a seated workshop, allow players to ask across tables.
Inclusive prompts
At work, people should be able to answer any square without feeling exposed. These prompts stay away from salary and money, religion, health and disability, weight and looks, age, and family status like marriage or children: someone who cannot answer yes to those can feel singled out. Experiences, skills, hobbies and work history are safe ground. Before printing, read the list once as the newest and quietest person in the room would.
Variations for longer sessions
For a half-day workshop, hand out cards in the morning and play blackout: players fill squares during breaks and the first full card wins at the end of the day. For a short meeting, play for four corners only. For mixed departments, add a rule that each line needs names from at least two teams.
Virtual meetings
Send the PDF before the call and give each person a card number, or share one card on screen and let everyone work from it. Players ask in the chat or in breakout rooms of three or four for five minutes each, then come back to compare. Ask people to type a name next to a square in the chat when they find one, so the host can follow along.
The debrief
Ask the winner to read their line, and give each named person ten seconds to tell the story behind it: the conference talk, the night shift, the trophy. Then ask the room which square surprised them most. For a new team, it is worth noting a few answers: they make good conversation starters for the weeks after.
Questions
What is a bingo icebreaker?
A mingling game where each square on the card describes a person, like Has worked in another country. Colleagues find someone who fits each square and collect their names, and the first full line wins.
Is it suitable for a work meeting?
Yes. The prompts on this page are about work history, skills and hobbies, and avoid personal topics such as money, health, religion or family status.
How do I play it on a video call?
Send the PDF before the meeting with a card number for each person, or share one card on screen. Players ask in the chat or small breakout rooms and type names next to squares as they find them.
How many people can play?
From about 10 up to a few hundred. In a group under 15, play for one line or let each person sign two squares. For a large conference, split the room into sections.
Can I add my company's own prompts?
Yes. Edit the list in the form on this page, for example with your tools, offices or past projects, then download new cards. Each prompt can be up to 40 characters.