Why Get-to-Know-You Games Work for Families
Even people who live together do not always know each other’s favorite memories, fears or dreams. Get-to-know-you games turn those topics into something fun. They also help when two families meet, when a new stepparent or partner joins, or at gatherings where relatives rarely see one another.
Most of the games below need nothing but a few people and some imagination. Choose one or two that fit your group rather than trying to play them all.
Quick Question Games
20 Questions (family version)
One person thinks of a person, animal or object. The others ask up to twenty yes-or-no questions to figure it out. For a get-to-know-you twist, choose something personal, such as “my favorite childhood toy” or “a place I have visited.” Younger kids can use the “animal, vegetable or mineral” format.
This or That
Call out two options, such as “beach or mountains” or “pizza or tacos,” and have players move to one side of the room. Ask a few people why they chose what they did.
Would You Rather
Offer silly or thoughtful choices and have everyone answer. Keep them age-appropriate and mix funny questions with ones that reveal values, such as “Would you rather have more time or more money?”
Question jar or deck
Fill a jar with slips of paper, or print a list from our free printable family games. Take turns drawing a question. A few starters:
- What is your favorite family memory?
- If you could visit anywhere, where would you go?
- What is something you are learning right now?
- What is your favorite meal and who makes it best?
- What did you want to be when you were little?
Guessing and Trivia Games
Two Truths and a Lie
Each player states two true things and one false thing about themselves, and the rest guess the lie. Encourage players to share surprising but true facts, such as an unusual job, hobby or trip.
How well do you know me?
One person answers a short quiz about themselves in secret (favorite color, favorite food, a fear). Others try to predict the answers. Tally who knows the person best. Rotate so each family member is the focus.
Family trivia
Write questions about the family: “Where did Grandma grow up?” or “Which of us broke an arm?” Confirm answers with the right people ahead of time. It works especially well at larger gatherings, like those in our family reunion games guide.
Guess who
Everyone writes a fun fact on a slip of paper. Read them aloud and guess who wrote each.
Storytelling Games
Story circle
Pick a theme, such as “a time I was scared” or “my first job,” and go around the circle. Set a time limit of one or two minutes so everyone has a turn.
Family history interview
Kids interview a grandparent or older relative using a few prepared questions, and record or write down the answers. This is a meaningful project for older relatives, as in games for senior citizens that encourage sharing stories.
Photo stories
Bring out old photos and ask each person to pick one and tell the story behind it.
Pass the story
Begin a made-up story with one sentence and pass it around. The result is usually funny and reveals how everyone thinks.
Active Get-to-Know-You Games
Line-up
Without talking, family members line up by birthday, height, or number of siblings. Then compare notes. See the silent line up game for prompts.
Common ground
In small teams, find three things everyone on the team has in common that are not obvious, such as a shared favorite food. Share with the group. For deeper versions, try identity icebreaker games.
Scavenger hunt for facts
Give each person a list (“find someone who plays an instrument,” “find someone born in another state”) and let them hunt for matching relatives. It works as a bingo-style mixer for larger groups.
Toss and tell
Pass or toss a soft ball. Whoever has it answers a quick question, such as “What was the best part of your week?” The ice breaker ball game has a long list of questions for this.
Games for Specific Situations
| Situation | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Dinner table | Question jar, high-low, favorite things |
| Car or bus ride | 20 Questions, would you rather (see bus trip games) |
| Blended family | Common ground, how well do you know me, favorite things |
| Large gathering | Family bingo, family trivia, line-up |
| Kids only | This or that, guess who, picture questions |
If you want deeper conversation after the warm-up, see family communication games. For mealtime-specific ideas, see family games at the dinner table.
Tips for Success
- Let people pass. Pressure makes people clam up.
- Model it. Go first and share something honest but not too heavy.
- Mix funny and serious. Humor makes it easier to share.
- Adapt to age. Young children prefer movement and pictures, teens like humor and choice, and older relatives often enjoy storytelling.
- Keep it short. A fifteen-minute game that ends while people still want more beats a long one that drags.
- Listen without judgment. Responses like “tell me more” keep the mood positive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 20 questions game for families? One person picks a secret item and others ask up to twenty yes-or-no questions to guess it. Using personal topics turns it into a get-to-know-you game.
What is the best game for getting to know each other? It depends on the group. Question jars and two truths and a lie are easy starting points, since they need no supplies.
What are some fun family games to play together? Charades, trivia, scavenger hunts and the games on this page work for many ages.
What games help kids get to know each other? Simple, short and active games such as this or that, line-up and guess who tend to work best.