For meetings, onboarding, classrooms and video calls
Two Truths and a Lie Icebreaker
The icebreaker people actually enjoy. Use the free Icebreaker Host below on a shared screen: speaker order, a timer for each person, vote counts from your call’s chat, and a list of team fun facts at the end.
A game is in progress.
Who’s playing?
Pick a game
More options
Final scores
Team fun facts
Why it works as an icebreaker
Two Truths and a Lie gives everyone a turn in the spotlight without putting anyone on the spot. People share things they choose, the guessing gets the whole group involved, and the reveal almost always ends with a laugh and a story. After ten minutes, a room of strangers has something to talk about at the coffee machine.
It also scales. A new team of five can play in a few minutes, a class of 30 can play in teams, and a remote meeting can run it on video with no extra tools.
How to run it: the facilitator’s guide
Explain the rules in 30 seconds
“Everyone shares three short statements about themselves: two true, one false. We guess the lie. You can pass, and please keep it work-friendly.”
Give thinking time
Two minutes is enough. Share the work-safe ideas or question prompts for anyone who is stuck.
Set the order
Paste the names into the Icebreaker Host. It keeps the turn order and shows whose turn it is.
Each person shares, the group votes
Give each person about 60 seconds (the host has a timer). Collect votes by show of hands, chat or poll, and enter the counts.
Reveal and save a fun fact
After the reveal, type one surprising truth into “Fun fact to remember”. At the end you get a list to share with the team.
Time plans
| Group size | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 3–6 people | Everyone plays, two turns each | 10–15 min |
| 7–12 people | Everyone plays one turn | 12–20 min |
| 13–30 people | Teams of 4–6: each team writes statements about the team | 15–20 min |
| 30+ or large remote calls | Breakout rooms of 5–6, then each room shares its best “fooled everyone” round | 20 min |
Running it on video calls
- Share your screen with the Icebreaker Host and press F for big-screen mode.
- Collect votes in the chat (“type 1, 2 or 3”) or with the call’s poll feature, then enter the totals with the + and − buttons.
- Keep cameras optional. Reading statements from notes is fine.
- Can’t meet live? Ask everyone to make a challenge link and post it in your team chat.
Team-building variations
Two Truths and a Wish
Replace the lie with a wish, like a place to visit or a skill to learn. Warm and low-pressure. Choose “Two Truths and a Wish” in the host setup, or see the wish version and ideas.
Team version
Small teams write three statements about their team as a whole. Great for cross-team events.
Theme rounds
Everyone’s statements fit a theme: first jobs, travel, food or childhood.
Guess who
Collect truths in advance; read one out and the group guesses who it belongs to.
Keep it comfortable for everyone
- Always offer a pass, and never press someone to explain a statement.
- Ask people to avoid health, money, relationships, religion and politics.
- Keep jokes on yourself, never about coworkers or classmates.
- In classrooms, remind students not to share private details like addresses.
Icebreaker FAQ
Why is Two Truths and a Lie a good icebreaker?
Everyone takes part, it needs no materials, and people learn real, memorable facts about each other. It also gets a group laughing and talking within minutes.
How long does it take?
About 60–90 seconds per person, so 10–15 minutes for a group of ten. For larger groups, use breakout rooms or the team version.
How do I run it on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet?
Share your screen with the Icebreaker Host above in big-screen mode. Each person reads their statements on camera, everyone votes in the chat or a poll, and you enter the totals. Reveal, save a fun fact, and move on.
What if someone doesn’t want to share?
Always allow a pass. You can also switch to Two Truths and a Wish, which feels less personal, or let people write their statements for the host to read.
Is it a good team-building activity?
Yes, especially for new or remote teams. The “Team fun facts” list at the end gives everyone something to follow up on later.