M&Ms Game

The M&M Game is a fun and engaging icebreaker activity that I like to use to help people get to know each other. The purpose of this game is to encourage participants to share facts about themselves in a relaxed and enjoyable way. It involves distributing a bowl of multicolored candy, such as M&Ms or Skittles, among the group members. Each color corresponds to a specific question or topic, such as favorite hobbies, foods, movies, travel destinations, memorable moments, or wild cards. When called upon, participants share their answers based on the number of candies they have taken, and then they get to eat their candy. This activity is flexible, adaptable, and can be tailored to any group size or age range, making it an excellent choice for various settings.

1. Pour M&M’s or multicolor candy into a bowl.
2. Have everyone grab candy from the bowl, making sure they don’t eat it yet.
3. Assign a topic to each color (e.g., red for favorite hobbies, green for favorite foods).
4. Facilitator calls out a color topic.
5. Individuals share one answer per M&M of that color.
6. After sharing, the individual may eat their candy.
7. Go around the room until each color topic has been shared.

• Large bag of M&Ms or any candy with multiple colors: This icebreaker game requires a bowl of colorful candy, such as M&Ms or Skittles. The different colors will correspond to different questions that participants must answer about themselves.

To set up for the M&M Game icebreaker activity, follow these steps:

1. Pour M&M’s or any other multicolor candy into a bowl.
2. Have everyone in the group grab as much or as little candy as they like from the bowl, making sure that no one eats their candy right away.
3. Prepare and designate questions or topics for each color of the candy. For example, red candy can represent favorite hobbies, green candy can represent favorite foods, yellow candy can represent favorite movies, orange candy can represent favorite places to travel, brown candy can represent most memorable or embarrassing moments, and blue candy can represent wild cards (where they can share anything they choose).
4. Be ready to call out the color topic and have everyone go around the room sharing one answer per M&M. Once an individual has shared that color with the group, he/she may then eat their candy. Continue going around the room until each color topic has been shared.

1. Pour M&M’s into a bowl: I start by pouring a bag of M&M’s into a large bowl. Make sure there are enough candies for everyone in the group to take some.
2. Have participants grab candy from the bowl: I ask each person to grab as much or as little candy as they like from the bowl, ensuring no one eats their candy right away.
3. Designate a color-question pairing: For each color of M&M, I come up with a corresponding question that participants will answer when they draw that color. Some examples include:
   • Red: Favorite hobbies
   • Green: Favorite foods
   • Yellow: Favorite movies
   • Orange: Favorite places to travel
   • Brown: Most memorable or embarrassing moments
   • Blue: Wild cards (participants can share anything they choose)
4. Call out color topics: I initiate the game by calling out a color and asking participants to share their answers based on the designated question for that color. Each participant shares one answer per M&M of that color, and may eat their candy after sharing.
5. Continue until all colors have been shared: I continue going around the room, calling out different colors and allowing participants to share their answers until every color topic has been covered. This concludes the M&M Game icebreaker.

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• Encourages self-disclosure: By sharing personal information such as favorite hobbies, foods, movies, and memories, participants can build a sense of trust and rapport with each other.
• Promotes active listening: Since everyone in the group will be taking turns to share their answers, it encourages others to pay attention and listen actively to what their peers have to say.
• Fosters creativity: The game allows for flexibility in choosing color topics and questions, which can encourage participants to think outside the box and come up with creative answers.
• Facilitates communication: By providing a structure for sharing personal information, the M&M’s Game helps participants practice their communication skills and get to know each other better.
• Adds a fun element: The game involves candy, which can make it more enjoyable and engaging for participants. It can also be a great way to break up a monotonous agenda or meeting.
• Adaptable for different groups: The game can be easily adapted for different ages, group sizes, and settings, making it a versatile icebreaker activity.
• Enhances team building: By sharing personal information and practicing active listening, participants can build stronger relationships with each other, which can lead to better collaboration and teamwork in the future.

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• Interpersonal communication: Playing the M&M’s Game encourages participants to share personal information and experiences with each other, which can help build trust and strengthen relationships.
• Active listening: As participants take turns sharing about themselves, others are required to listen attentively and engage in meaningful conversations, leading to better understanding and empathy between group members.
• Creativity: The game allows for customization by choosing different questions based on the color of the candy. This aspect encourages players to think creatively and come up with interesting facts or anecdotes to share with the group.
• Self-awareness: By reflecting on their preferences, experiences, and memories, participants can gain a deeper insight into themselves and develop a stronger sense of self-identity.
• Patience and turn-taking: The game requires players to wait for their turn before sharing, promoting patience and teaching the importance of waiting one’s turn in group settings.
• Adaptability: The M&M’s Game can be easily adapted for various age groups and settings, making it a versatile icebreaker that caters to different needs and preferences.

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I like the M&M’s Game icebreaker because it’s a fun and engaging way to help people get to know each other. The use of candy as a prompt adds a playful element that can put people at ease, making it easier for them to share information about themselves.

The game is also highly adaptable, allowing the facilitator to customize the questions based on the group’s needs or interests. This flexibility ensures that the game remains relevant and interesting, regardless of the age or composition of the group.

Additionally, I appreciate that the M&M’s Game can be easily scaled up or down depending on the size of the group. Whether you have a small group of 3 people or a larger group of 12, the game can be adjusted to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate and share.

Overall, I find the M&M’s Game to be a simple yet effective icebreaker that can help create a positive and inclusive environment for all participants.

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• Tip: Use a variety of questions. Make sure to include questions that cover a wide range of topics, so that everyone has the opportunity to share something about themselves. This could include favorite books, music, TV shows, or childhood memories.
• Tip: Allow for flexibility in sharing. Encourage participants to interpret the questions in their own way, and to share as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. This can help create a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
• Tip: Avoid assumptions about gender, culture, or ability. For example, instead of asking “what is your favorite sport?”, you could ask “what is an activity you enjoy doing?” This helps to ensure that everyone feels included and respected.
• Tip: Consider using different types of candy. If someone has a food allergy or preference, make sure to have alternative options available. For example, you could use Skittles instead of M&M’s, or even use small objects like buttons or beads.
• Tip: Provide additional prompts if needed. If someone is having trouble thinking of something to share, provide them with a few additional prompt ideas. This can help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and feel included.

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1. What was your favorite color/topic combination to share about? Why? Understanding what topics people enjoyed discussing can help facilitate future conversations and activities that cater to their interests.
2. How did you feel about sharing personal information with a group of strangers or acquaintances? This question can help participants reflect on their comfort level with vulnerability, which is crucial for building trust in any group setting.
3. Did you learn anything new or surprising about someone else in the group? If so, what was it? Encouraging reflection on others’ experiences and perspectives promotes empathy and a stronger sense of community.
4. How did you feel when you had to share an embarrassing moment (brown M&M)? Was it as bad as you thought it would be? This question can help participants challenge their fears and self-perceptions, building resilience and confidence.
5. Did the M&M Game make you more comfortable with the group? If so, how? Facilitators can use this information to gauge the effectiveness of icebreakers and adapt future activities accordingly.
6. Were there any topics or questions you wished were included in the game? How would you modify the game for future sessions? Encouraging participants to think critically about their experiences and suggest improvements fosters a sense of ownership and investment in group dynamics.

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