Doodle Duel Derby - Ice Breaker Game
π― Quick Summary
Participants start doodles and rotate every few minutes to continue others' drawings, creating collaborative art masterpieces.
β Why This Ice Breaker Game Works
- β’This ice breaker has been used by 1,553 teams worldwide
- β’Rated 4.7/5.0 by 83 facilitators who used this icebreaker game
- β’Perfect ice breaker for: Creative, Fun
π How to Play Doodle Duel Derby Ice Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Setup & First Doodle
5 min㪠Say This:
"Welcome to Doodle Duel Derby! Here's how it works: you'll start a doodle - anything you want - and after 3 minutes, you'll rotate to the next station and continue someone else's doodle. No one knows where their original doodle will end up! Ready? Grab your marker and start drawing. Go!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Set up drawing stations in a circle or line (one per participant)
- 2.Give each participant paper and markers at their station
- 3.Explain the rotation: every 2-3 minutes, move clockwise to continue the next doodle
- 4.Start round 1: participants begin their own doodles (3 minutes)
- 5.Emphasize: there's no theme - draw whatever comes to mind!
- 6.Set a visible timer
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’Encourage abstract, imaginative starting points - not just stick figures
- β’For virtual teams, use a collaborative whiteboard tool like Miro or Jamboard
- β’Play upbeat music to keep energy high
- β’Remind folks: 'Art skills don't matter - creativity does!'
- β’Suggest starting with simple shapes that others can build on: circles, squiggles, landscapes
Step 2: Rotate & Build
15 min㪠Say This:
"Time! Everyone rotate clockwise to the next station. Now, look at the doodle in front of you - what do you see? What could it become? You have 3 minutes to add your creativity to this drawing. Ready? Go!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Call time and have everyone rotate clockwise
- 2.Participants study the new doodle for 10 seconds, then add to it
- 3.Repeat rotations every 2-3 minutes (aim for 4-5 total rotations)
- 4.Each person should touch each doodle at least once if possible
- 5.Encourage building on what's there, not erasing or covering up
- 6.Give countdown warnings: '1 minute left!' '30 seconds!'
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’The shorter the rotation time, the more frantic and fun it gets!
- β’Encourage people to interpret creatively: 'That squiggle could be a dragon or a river!'
- β’Remind them: 'You don't have to finish it - just add your contribution'
- β’If someone's stuck, suggest: 'Add a character, a background element, or patterns'
- β’Watch for 'hogs' who dominate a doodle - encourage restraint: 'Leave room for others!'
Step 3: Reveal & Guess
5 min㪠Say This:
"Final rotation! Let's see what masterpieces we've created. Hold up your doodles so everyone can see. Now, the fun part: can you guess who contributed which parts? Point out a section and let's guess which team member added it!"
π What to Do:
- 1.After final rotation, have everyone hold up or display their final doodles
- 2.Go around and admire each collaborative artwork
- 3.Play the guessing game: point to a section and ask 'Who added this part?'
- 4.Artists reveal themselves and explain their creative choices
- 5.Optional: vote on awards - 'Most Unexpected Transformation', 'Funniest', 'Most Cohesive'
- 6.Take photos of all completed doodles
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’The reveal is hilarious - original artists often don't recognize their own starting doodles!
- β’Ask: 'How did this evolve from your original idea?' 'What surprised you most?'
- β’Some doodles will be chaotic masterpieces, others surprisingly cohesive - celebrate both!
- β’Display the doodles in the office or create a digital gallery
- β’Reflection: 'What did this teach us about building on each other's ideas?'
β οΈ Common Questions (Avoid Problems)
Q: What if someone can't draw or feels intimidated?
A: Emphasize from the start: 'This isn't about artistic skill - it's about creativity and fun! Stick figures, scribbles, and abstract shapes are perfect.' Make it clear that 'bad' drawings often make the activity more hilarious. You can also allow participants to add words, patterns, or abstract elements instead of realistic drawings.
Q: How do we play this virtually with remote teams?
A: Use a collaborative digital whiteboard like Miro, Mural, or Jamboard. Set up individual frames for each participant. At each rotation, share the link to the next frame in the sequence. It works well but loses some of the tactile, spontaneous energy of in-person. Consider using breakout rooms where small groups (3-4 people) rotate within their room for more intimacy.
Q: What if someone 'ruins' another person's doodle by taking it in a weird direction?
A: That's part of the fun! Frame it as: 'Part of collaboration is letting go of control and seeing where others take your ideas.' The 'ruined' doodles are often the funniest and most memorable. If someone seems upset, remind the group: 'We're all building on each other's chaos - embrace the unexpected!' The goal is creative flexibility, not protecting your original vision.
π Free Tools for This Game
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PDF Handout
Print-ready participant guide + host notes
β Professional layout
β Branded (optional)
β Instant download
PPT Deck
Editable slides with rules & examples
β Fully customizable
β Add your branding
β Save as template
Smart Timer
Auto-paced with sound alerts
β Step-by-step timing
β Visual countdown
β Share screen ready
Adapt this game to your team culture, industry, or goals
Export clean files without FreeIceBreaker branding
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