A great activity for everyone

the Sticker Ninja

Unleash your inner ninja and stealthily stick your way to victory in this hilarious icebreaker game!

the Sticker Ninja
By Jon Zajac

What is the Sticker Ninja?

As the host of an event, I know how challenging it can be to encourage guests who are unfamiliar with each other to mingle and get to know one another. That’s where the Sticker Ninja icebreaker game comes in. The purpose of this game is to promote interaction and stealthiness among players while they try to stick their stickers on others without being caught. This fun and active game can be played with any group size, making it a versatile option for events of all kinds.

The aim of Sticker Ninja is to be the last player left with stickers, having successfully stuck them on other players without being noticed. The game requires running, so it’s a great way to get guests moving and active during the event. Players must use their stealth skills to approach others and place their stickers without being caught, promoting interaction and engagement among participants.

To play Sticker Ninja, simply provide each player with a pack of stickers and let them know that they must try to stick their stickers on other players without being noticed. If someone catches another player trying to stick a sticker on them, the first player can return the sticker. The game ends when one player has successfully stuck all of their stickers on others.

Sticker Ninja is an ideal icebreaker game for mingling events where guests are expected to move around and interact with each other. It’s easy to prepare, requires minimal materials, and can be adapted for any group size. By promoting interaction and stealthiness, Sticker Ninja is a fun and engaging way to encourage guests to get to know one another during your event.

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Rules for the Sticker Ninja

  1. Provide each player with a sticker pack.
  2. Players must try to stick a sticker on another player without being caught.
  3. If one player catches the other trying to stick a sticker, they can return the sticker.
  4. If players don’t notice the sticker is stuck on them, they must leave it on until the end of the game.
  5. The game ends when a player finishes the stickers they have on hand.
  6. The host can walk around to find who the stickers have gone to and where they were stuck.

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Materials needed for the Sticker Ninja

  • Sticker packs: Provide each player with a sticker pack. The more stickers they have, the longer the game will last. Every player must try to stick a sticker on another player around the room without being caught.
  • Coloring materials (optional): If you’re in a pinch for money, you can also buy plain stickers and color them in. This way, you’ll be able to have as many colors as you like to cater to as many players as possible.

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Setting up for the Sticker Ninja

To set up for the Sticker Ninja icebreaker activity, follow these steps:

  1. Determine the number of guests participating in the game. This will help you decide how many sticker packs to prepare.
  2. Prepare a sticker pack for each guest. Ideally, each pack should contain unique stickers that differ from one another to create variety and excitement during the game.
  3. Ensure that there are enough stickers in each pack to last throughout the game. The more stickers each player has, the longer the game will last.
  4. There is no need to gather all guests in one place to start the game. Instead, Sticker Ninja can be played as an ongoing activity during a mingling party, allowing players to move around and interact with one another freely.

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How to play the Sticker Ninja

  1. Provide each player with a sticker pack: I make sure that every participant receives a pack of stickers before the game starts. Each player should have enough stickers to last the duration of the game, and it’s best if everyone has a different color or design to avoid confusion.
  2. Instruct players to stealthily stick their stickers on other players: I encourage participants to try sticking their stickers on another player without being noticed. They can place the sticker anywhere on the other person’s body or clothing, and it’s more fun if they get creative with their placement.
  3. Inform players of what to do when they catch someone trying to stick a sticker on them: I let participants know that if they catch someone attempting to stick a sticker on them, they can return the sticker to the would-be sticker ninja. They should also understand that they can only remove the sticker at this time and must leave it on until the end of the game if they don’t notice it being placed there.
  4. Announce the end of the game when a player has used up all their stickers: I monitor the progress of the game and declare the sticker ninja champion when one participant has successfully stuck all their stickers on others without being caught. To add to the excitement, I may walk around the room at the end of the game to find the various sticker placements, which often leads to laughter and shared stories among the participants.

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Benefits of the Sticker Ninja

  • Encourages Mingling: Sticker Ninja encourages your guests to walk around the room and approach one another in order to stick a sticker on them, which can help break the ice and get people talking.
  • Promotes Stealth and Strategy: The game requires players to be stealthy and strategic in their attempts to stick stickers on other players without being caught, adding an element of excitement and challenge to the game.
  • Suitable for Any Age and Group Size: Sticker Ninja is a versatile icebreaker that can be played with any age group (6+) and group size, making it a great option for events with a wide range of attendees.
  • Easy to Prepare and Play: The game requires minimal preparation and materials (just stickers), and can be easily incorporated into any event or gathering.
  • Can Be Played Throughout the Event: Unlike some icebreaker games, Sticker Ninja doesn’t require all players to gather in one place at a specific time, making it a flexible option that can be played throughout the event as people mingle and move around the room.

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Skills built with the Sticker Ninja

  • Stealth: Sticker Ninja is a game that requires players to be stealthy as they try to stick their stickers on other players without being caught. This helps build the skill of sneaking around undetected.
  • Trust: In order to successfully stick a sticker on someone, players must have trust in their ability to do so without being noticed. This can help build trust between players as they learn to have confidence in one another.
  • Running: Since Sticker Ninja is an active game, it requires players to be able to move quickly and quietly as they try to stick their stickers on other players. This helps build the skill of running and moving swiftly.
  • Observation: Players must be observant in order to catch others trying to stick stickers on them. This can help build the skill of being aware of one’s surroundings and paying attention to detail.
  • Courage: For players who are unfamiliar with each other, approaching someone and attempting to stick a sticker on them can be a daunting task. Sticker Ninja helps build the skill of having the courage to walk up to someone and initiate interaction.

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Why I like the Sticker Ninja

I like the Sticker Ninja icebreaker because it’s a simple yet effective way to encourage guests to interact with one another. The game’s objective, which is to stealthily stick stickers on other players without getting caught, adds an element of fun and excitement that helps break the ice.

What I appreciate about Sticker Ninja is that it can be played in any group size, making it a versatile icebreaker for events with varying numbers of attendees. Additionally, the game is suitable for all ages, making it inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

I also like that Sticker Ninja requires minimal preparation and materials. As a host, I only need to prepare sticker packs for my guests, which can be customized according to the number of attendees. This low barrier to entry makes it easy for me to incorporate the game into my event without worrying about complicated setup or logistics.

Furthermore, Sticker Ninja is an active icebreaker that encourages movement and exploration. Players are required to move around the room and approach other guests to stick their stickers, which helps create opportunities for conversation and connection. This aspect of the game makes it an excellent choice for events where mingling and networking are essential.

Overall, I like Sticker Ninja because it’s a stress-free, engaging, and inclusive icebreaker that can help make my event more enjoyable and memorable for my guests.

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Tips for making the Sticker Ninja more inclusive

  • Provide Stickers in Different Languages: To make the game more inclusive for non-native speakers, consider providing stickers with text in multiple languages. This way, everyone can participate regardless of their language proficiency.
  • Offer Various Sticker Designs: Offer a variety of sticker designs that appeal to different interests and demographics. This ensures that all guests feel included and can find a sticker they identify with or enjoy.
  • Create Clear Instructions in Multiple Languages: To ensure everyone understands the game rules, provide clear instructions in multiple languages. Use simple language and visuals for better comprehension.
  • Distribute Stickers Fairly: When distributing stickers, be mindful of group dynamics to avoid any perceived favoritism or bias. Give equal numbers of stickers to each player at the beginning of the game.
  • Encourage Participation: As a host, encourage everyone to participate in the game by emphasizing its fun and inclusive nature. Make it clear that no one will be left out and that all guests are welcome to join.
  • Facilitate Interaction: To help introverted or shy players engage with others, consider assigning partners or teams for sticker hunting. This can make the experience less intimidating and promote interaction among participants.
  • Accommodate Physical Limitations: If any guests have mobility issues or other physical limitations, adapt the game to ensure they can participate comfortably. For example, you could modify the rules to allow stickers to be placed within arm’s reach instead of requiring players to chase each other around the room.
  • Acknowledge Cultural Differences: Be sensitive to cultural differences and potential misunderstandings that might arise during the game. Intervene if necessary to ensure a positive experience for all participants.
  • Promote Acceptance and Respect: Encourage players to respect each other’s personal space and belongings throughout the game. Emphasize the importance of accepting diverse perspectives and treating everyone with kindness and consideration.

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Reflection questions for the Sticker Ninja

  1. What was your experience playing Sticker Ninja like? This question can help participants reflect on their overall experience with the game and how it made them feel.
  2. How did you approach trying to “stick” your stickers on other players without being caught? This question can help participants share their strategies and thought processes during the game.
  3. Did you find yourself interacting with people you didn’t know before the game? If so, how? This question can help participants reflect on the social connections they made during the game.
  4. What challenges did you face while playing Sticker Ninja and how did you overcome them? This question can help participants reflect on any obstacles they encountered during the game and how they dealt with them.
  5. Did you feel more comfortable approaching and interacting with other players as the game went on? Why or why not? This question can help participants reflect on how their comfort levels may have changed throughout the game.
  6. How do you think playing Sticker Ninja impacted the overall atmosphere of the event? This question can help participants consider the role that icebreaker games like Sticker Ninja can play in creating a positive and engaging social environment.

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About the author

Jon Zajac

Jon Zajac

Founder & Chief Icebreaker

I started Icebreaker Spot because I truly believe that strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. I wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for people to find and share icebreakers and team building activities, empowering them to build trust, foster collaboration, and ultimately, achieve greatness together.

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