Who Done It?

The Who Done It? icebreaker is a fun and engaging game that helps individuals get to know each other better. Its primary purpose is to reveal interesting and sometimes surprising facts about participants, creating opportunities for connection and shared laughter. Players are asked to write down an intriguing fact about themselves, which can range from humorous anecdotes to unique accomplishments or experiences. The cards are then shuffled and redistributed, with each player taking turns reading aloud a card and guessing who the author might be. This game is suitable for groups of various sizes and ages, making it a versatile icebreaker option for both social and corporate settings. With its simple yet effective format, Who Done It? encourages participants to share personal stories, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding in the process.

1. Who Done It? can be played individually or with two teams. For larger groups, choose ten volunteers and split them into two teams of five.
2. Pass out an index card and pen for each participant.
3. Ask each person to write down something interesting they have done, instructing them to write a fact that most people don’t already know.
4. Collect all the cards and shuffle them.
5. Pass the cards back out, with each person (or team) taking turns reading aloud their card.
6. The reader must guess whose fact they read after reading it aloud.
7. If the person guesses correctly, the guessed person can briefly explain what they wrote (if desired).
8. The guessing continues until all cards are exhausted.
9. Everyone reveals who wrote which card at the end.

• Notecards: Small pieces of paper or cardstock used to write down interesting facts about oneself.
• Pens: Writing utensils used to write on the notecards. It’s important to have enough pens for all participants so that everyone can write down their fact at the same time.

To set up for the Who Done It? icebreaker activity, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Decide if the game will be played individually or with two teams. If it’s for a large group, choose ten volunteers and split them into two teams of five.
2. Provide an index card and a pen for each participant.
3. Ask each person to write down something interesting they have done, making sure to instruct people to write a fact that most people don’t already know – the sillier or more unbelievable, the better.
4. Collect all the cards and separate them into two piles if two teams are playing.
5. Shuffle the cards and then pass them back out.
6. Each person (or team) should take turns reading aloud their card and then guessing whose fact they read. After guessing, the guessed person simply says “yes” or “no”. If the person guesses correctly, the guessed person can briefly explain what they wrote if desired. The guessing continues until all cards are exhausted.
7. Everyone reveals who wrote which card at the end.

1. Prepare the materials: Gather several notecards and pens for each participant.
2. Instruct participants to write a fact: Ask each person to write down something interesting they have done on an index card, ensuring that it is a fact most people don’t already know. Encourage them to write silly or unbelievable facts.
3. Collect and shuffle the cards: Once everyone has written their fact, collect all the cards and separate them into two piles if two teams are playing. Shuffle the cards thoroughly.
4. Distribute the cards: Pass out the shuffled cards to each participant (or team) and have them take turns reading aloud their card.
5. Guess the fact’s author: After reading a card, the reader must guess whose fact they read. The guessed person simply says “yes” or “no”. If the person guesses correctly, the guessed person can briefly explain what they wrote if desired.
6. Continue until all cards are exhausted: The guessing continues until all cards have been read and guessed.
7. Reveal the authors: At the end of the game, have everyone reveal who wrote each card to solidify the newfound knowledge about one another.

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• Encourages Sharing: By asking participants to write down something interesting they have done, this icebreaker encourages people to share personal experiences and facts about themselves. This can help participants get to know each other better and build a stronger sense of community.
• Improves Communication Skills: Reading aloud the cards and guessing whose fact was read can improve communication skills among participants. It also encourages active listening, as participants must pay attention to what is being read in order to make an educated guess.
• Fosters a Positive Group Dynamic: Who Done It? can help create a positive group dynamic by encouraging laughter and lightheartedness. The game’s focus on sharing fun or unbelievable experiences can create a sense of camaraderie among participants, making them more comfortable with each other.
• Adaptable to Various Group Sizes: Whether played individually or with teams, Who Done It? is an adaptable icebreaker that can accommodate groups of various sizes. This makes it a versatile option for different settings and occasions.
• Easy to Set Up and Play: With minimal materials required (just index cards and pens), this game is easy to set up and play. The straightforward instructions make it simple for anyone to facilitate, allowing participants to jump right into the fun.

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• Communication skills: Players improve their ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly as they read their notecards aloud and describe the interesting things they have done.
• Listening skills: By paying close attention to what others have written on their notecards, players practice active listening and demonstrate understanding by guessing who wrote each fact.
• Critical thinking skills: Players use deductive reasoning and critical thinking as they make educated guesses about which person corresponds to each item on the notecards.
• Interpersonal skills: As they play the game, participants build connections with others, learn more about their peers, and create a stronger group dynamic.
• Self-disclosure skills: By sharing personal experiences or facts, players develop self-disclosure skills, which can lead to increased trust and understanding within the group.
• Adaptability skills: Players learn to adapt as they adjust their guesses based on others’ responses, and they discover how to pivot their communication style depending on the information revealed during gameplay.

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I appreciate the Who Done It? icebreaker for its effectiveness in revealing interesting facts about participants, which in turn helps build connections among the group. I enjoy how this game encourages people to share unique experiences and talents, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared understanding. The simplicity of the gameplay ensures that it is accessible and engaging for all ages, making it an excellent choice for diverse groups.

The flexibility in setting up the game with either individual play or team competition adds variety and keeps players engaged. I also like that participants can tailor their responses to be as outrageous or subtle as they desire, creating a perfect balance of intrigue and humor throughout the activity.

Moreover, I find Who Done It? an effective icebreaker because it helps break down barriers and initiate conversations among group members. By fostering an environment where people feel comfortable sharing surprising personal experiences, this game contributes to building stronger relationships and enhances overall team dynamics.

Lastly, as a fan of engaging and interactive icebreakers, I enjoy that Who Done It? offers opportunities for participants to actively guess and reveal information about their peers in a fun and entertaining manner. This level of interaction not only keeps players interested but also contributes to an enjoyable atmosphere that sets the tone for successful group interactions.

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• Tip: Provide a range of activity options. When asking participants to write down something interesting they have done, make sure to suggest a variety of activities that cater to different interests and abilities. This way, everyone can find something they feel comfortable sharing.
• Tip: Encourage unique experiences over achievements. Instead of focusing solely on accomplishments or personal bests (e.g., “I ran a marathon”), ask participants to share less conventional experiences that have shaped them as individuals (e.g., “I traveled to a foreign country where I didn’t know the language”).
• Tip: Create a safe and supportive environment. As the facilitator, emphasize that all sharing should be respectful and non-judgmental. Encourage active listening from the group during each person’s turn, promoting empathy and understanding among participants.
• Tip: Offer alternative ways to participate. For those who may feel uncomfortable speaking in front of a group, provide options such as writing their experiences down or sharing them with a partner first before presenting to the larger group. This can help accommodate introverted individuals or those with anxiety.
• Tip: Be mindful of potential triggers. Avoid suggesting activities that could be distressing or offensive to some participants (e.g., “I went hunting”). Instead, focus on positive experiences that foster connections and camaraderie.
• Tip: Provide additional guidance for ambiguous statements. If a participant reads an activity card that is unclear or vague, offer suggestions to help clarify the statement so that everyone can understand and engage with it.
• Tip: Adapt the game for diverse age ranges. When playing with children or older adults, tailor your suggested activities accordingly to ensure they are appropriate and relatable for all ages.

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1. Question: What was the most surprising fact you read during the game? This question can help participants reflect on the interesting experiences and achievements of their peers.
2. Question: Did anyone guess a fact about you correctly? If so, which one? This question encourages self-reflection and allows participants to share more about themselves.
3. Question: Was there any fact that made you want to know more about the person who wrote it? This question can help participants identify commonalities or areas of interest with others in the group, fostering connections.
4. Question: How did it feel to share a personal fact about yourself? This question can provide insight into participants’ comfort levels with self-disclosure and vulnerability.
5. Question: What was your favorite part of playing this icebreaker game? This question allows participants to reflect on their experience and express gratitude for the opportunity to learn more about each other.
6. Question: Is there anything you would change about the game if we were to play it again in the future? This question encourages constructive feedback, helping facilitators improve the icebreaker experience for future sessions.

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