You’ve booked the game. The team is here. The tension is palpable.
That moment right before your group steps into the Floor is Lava challenge at INMERS in Singapore—home of hyper-realistic horror escape rooms with 5D effects and storylines that pull you in—is electric. But also? Slightly weird. Especially if your teammates are part colleagues, part acquaintances, and part “who’s that again?”
And that’s exactly why you should start with an icebreaker.
Even the most adrenaline-fueled game falls flat if the group isn’t clicking. People need to loosen up, laugh a little, and feel like they’re part of something. A 10-minute warm-up game? It’s the social lubricant your experience needs. It breaks tension, builds momentum, and sets the tone for what’s about to come.
So before you leap from puzzle to panic and scream your way across fake lava pits, try one (or more) of these nine simple, effective, and sometimes ridiculous icebreakers.
1. The Name and Gesture Game
This one’s gold when not everyone knows each other. Form a circle. One by one, each person says their name and performs a quick movement—dab, squat, finger twirl, anything really. The rest of the group repeats both the name and the move.
It’s silly, it’s quick, and it works.
Why it works: Memory + motion = strong connections
Best for: 5–10 players
Time: 5 minutes
2. “Who’s Most Likely To…” (Floor is Lava Edition)
Each player takes turns reading or making up “Who’s most likely to…” prompts, and the group points to or calls out who fits best.
Examples:
- “Who’s most likely to panic when the door locks?”
- “Who’s most likely to be the first one out?”
Why it works: It gets people laughing, builds friendly teasing, and starts team bonding fast.
Best for: Any group size
Time: 5–10 minutes
Tip: Let each person come up with one prompt for maximum participation.
3. The Human Knot
Form a circle and grab two different people’s hands. The goal: untangle yourselves into a circle again without letting go.
Warning: chaos will erupt. Laughter is guaranteed.
Why it works: Forces collaboration, quick thinking, and some mild contortion.
Best for: 6–10 players
Caution: Skip this if you’re in formal attire or heels.
4. Would You Rather: Escape Room Edition
Instead of the usual beach-vs-mountain debate, keep it themed:
- “Would you rather crawl through a pitch-black tunnel or decode a haunted message in a mirror?”
- “Would you rather get stuck in a room with a crying ghost or a malfunctioning puzzle timer?”
You can test them for real at your next stop—INMERS’s escape rooms.
Why it works: Creative questions + themed banter = people open up fast.
Best for: 3–12 players
Tip: Make up your own questions on the spot for maximum chaos.
5. Silent Line-Up
Challenge the group to line up by birthdate, shoe size, or height—but no talking. Just gestures and body language.
Why it works: Highlights nonverbal communication, a key skill in escape rooms.
Best for: 5+ players
Time: 5–7 minutes
Note: Funny misunderstandings make this game unexpectedly hilarious.
6. One-Minute Stories
Pick three random words (e.g. “tentacle,” “cereal,” “elevator”) and have each player craft a 60-second fictional tale using all three.
Why it works: Unlocks imagination, humor, and pressure-handling skills.
Best for: 3–8 players
Time: 10–15 minutes
7. Hot Potato Questions
Grab any tossable item. Play music or use a timer. Whoever ends up holding the item answers a quirky question:
- “What’s one skill you have that will unexpectedly help you survive an actual lava floor?”
- “What’s your escape plan in a zombie apocalypse?”
- “What’s your weirdest fear?”
Why it works: Fast-paced, fun, and flexible.
Best for: 4–12 players
Optional: Let the group vote on the funniest or weirdest answer.
8. Escape Room Charades
Players act out common escape room scenarios, like searching for a hidden key, arguing over a puzzle, and crawling through a tunnel, without speaking.
The others must guess the scenario.
Why it works: Rehearses the actual types of thinking and reacting needed inside INMERS.
Best for: Any group
Bonus: Gets introverts involved without needing them to talk.
9. The Lava Map
This one’s tailor-made for your upcoming game.
Set up an imaginary room with “lava” zones and safe spaces. Use paper, tape, or even furniture to create obstacles. Then challenge your team to cross the room with rules: hopping on one leg, using only chairs, or working in pairs.
Why it works: It’s themed, active, and collaborative—everything you need pre-game.
Best for: 4–8 players
Setup: 3 minutes tops
Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Icebreaker
Not sure which game fits your group best? Consider:
- Time: Got only 5 minutes? Stick with verbal games like “Would You Rather” or “Two Truths and a Lie.”
- Energy Level: If folks just arrived, go easy. If they’re already buzzing? Go physical.
- Space: No room to move? Skip The Human Knot.
- Group Vibe: New team? Choose games that help learn names. Longtime friends? Go chaotic and physical.
Mix and match as needed. The point isn’t perfection, but momentum.
Why Icebreakers Make INMERS Better
Here’s the deal: INMERS is not just about unlocking doors and finding clues. It’s about team synergy. You’re not just solving a room—you’re navigating scares, puzzles, and high-stakes moments together.
And whether you’re in the Floor is Lava room or one of the more intense horror experiences, your success depends on trust, reaction speed, and communication.
Starting off with icebreakers gives your team:
- A shared laugh
- A sense of playfulness
- The confidence to communicate under pressure
- A faster transition from strangers to squad
The difference is night and day. Cold start vs. fired-up team.
Let’s Turn Up the Heat
Think of these icebreakers as your team’s mental and emotional stretch. They’re the warm-up act before the spotlight. Once the game begins and the lava starts flowing, you’ll be glad you broke the ice.
Because once you’re inside INMERS, you won’t have time to ask names.
Book your Floor is Lava experience now at INMERS in Singapore, where the only thing more intense than the puzzles is the fire under your feet.
