Colorful Beginnings

A fun icebreaker activity for a team offsite

A hidden gift for each team member.

The Palette of Engagement

A few months ago, we planned our team-wide offsite to close the year. Instead of focusing just on work, we sought to create an environment to foster collaboration, share stories, and create connections. With this aim, we started the day with an icebreaker activity that transformed standard introductions into a surprise, fun, and memorable activity. This was not just about kicking off an event; it was about creating a unique experience that would resonate with each team member long after the week ended.

A Colorful Icebreaker Game

We chose unique, colorful water bottles as the centerpiece of our activity, but you can use any gift that fits your budget. Wrapped to conceal their colors, these bottles became mysterious gifts, each one holding the promise of a delightful reveal. Paired with each bottle was an icebreaker question, a key to unlock the rich stories and insights every team member held. The setup was simple; we put all the gifts in the middle and started a white elephant round where each member had the option to unwrap a gift and answer its question or steal a previously opened one.

Once everyone had an open gift, it was clear that our colorful icebreaker was more than just an activity; it was an opportunity for deeper connections, laughter, and team spirit. Each bottle, now a personal keepsake, serves as a reminder of the stories shared and the connections formed. This experience underscored the idea that the most robust teams are built on a foundation of shared experiences and the willingness to open up and connect. So, when planning your next team event, remember that the key to a memorable start isn’t just about the activities you choose but about creating moments that allow each unique color and story within your team to shine through.

Recipe

Ingredients

1. One water bottle per participant in various colors: We bought Owala, but you can use any brand that fits your budget. Don’t worry if you end up having a few duplicate colors; the activity will still work.
2. Wrapping paper or bags: To add an element of surprise and anticipation to each gift.
3. Icebreaker Questions: Write one for each wrapped gift and keep them work-friendly. We are attaching the questions we used a the bottom of this article.

Step by Step

Before the Activity

1. Wrap: Carefully wrap the colorful water bottles individually, ensuring the colors are completely concealed, transforming them into identical-looking parcels of potential and anticipation.
2. Attach questions: Attach one question to each wrapped gift, turning them into catalysts for conversation and connection.
3. Set the stage: Arrange the wrapped bottles in a central location, creating a visual focal point that piques curiosity and excitement. Prepare the space for the activity, ensuring everyone will have the opportunity to engage and participate fully.

During the Activity

1. Kick-off with explanation: Begin the activity by explaining the rules and the intent behind them. The activity should take around 30 minutes for 20 participants (more or less).
2. First choice: Invite the newest team member to select a wrapped gift. They’ll read the attached question aloud, answer it in front of the group, and then reveal the water bottle and its color. This moment marks the start of the journey from individual to collective sharing.
3. Continuing the chain to the right: As each participant takes their turn, they face a choice: pick a new wrapped bottle or ‘steal’ an already opened one. If they choose to steal, they must also answer the bottle’s question. If someone’s bottle gets stolen, they will get a chance to go again immediately (white elephant style).
4. Encourage openness and sharing: Foster an environment where each answer and story is welcomed with enthusiasm and interest. Encourage participants to listen actively and respond, turning the activity into a dialogue rather than a series of monologues.
5. Concluding reflections: Once all bottles have been chosen and all questions answered, take a moment to reflect on the experience. Discuss the revelations, the shared moments, and how the activity helped everyone see their teammates in a new, more colorful light.

Icebreaker questions

These are the questions we used, but you can create your own. Feel free to use these by printing, cutting, and attaching one to each gift.

1. What is the most interesting place you have ever traveled to?
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
3. What hobby or activity do you enjoy outside of work?
4. If you could learn a new skill or talent instantly, what would it be?
5. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want to have with you?
6. What is your favorite way to relax and unwind after a long day?
7. What is your favorite thing about the city or town you live in?
8. What is the most unusual or interesting job you have ever had?
9. If you could have any job for a day, what would you choose and why?
10. If you could live in any fictional world, which one would you choose?
11. What is one interesting fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
12. What is the weirdest food combination you’ve ever tried and surprisingly enjoyed?
13. If you could have a personal song that played every time you entered a room, what would it be?
14. If you could swap jobs with any colleague for a day, who would it be and why?
15. What’s the most hilarious thing that has happened to you at work?
16. What’s the silliest nickname you’ve ever had, and how did you get it?
17. If you could be any cartoon character for a day, who would you choose, and what would you do?
18. What’s your go-to dance move when nobody’s watching?
19. If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
20. What’s the most embarrassing fashion trend you’ve ever followed?
21. If you could be a contestant on any game show, which one would you pick?
22. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
23. If you could be a professional in any sport, which one would you choose and why?
24. What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve ever eaten for breakfast?
25. If you could time travel to any decade for a day, which one would you pick, and what would you do?
26. What’s your favorite pizza topping?
27. Do you prefer reading physical books or e-books?
28. What’s your favorite outdoor activity?
29. What’s your favorite board game?
30. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Thanks for reading our recipe. Our goal is to share our experiences working together using a short-read format with instructions that you can try on your own — just like a cookbook. We hope you found it useful!

Katie Le & Nicolas Backal