Hometown Map - Ice Breaker Game
π― Quick Summary
Team members pin their birthplaces or hometowns on a large world map, creating an ongoing visual conversation starter.
β Why This Ice Breaker Game Works
- β’This ice breaker has been used by 1,427 teams worldwide
- β’Rated 4.7/5.0 by 157 facilitators who used this icebreaker game
- β’Perfect ice breaker for: Fun, Team Building
π How to Play Hometown Map Ice Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Map Setup & Launch
5 min㪠Say This:
"[In team meeting or email] Hey team, we've put up a world map in the [location]. Over the next week, please stop by and add a pin for your birthplace or hometown! Write your name on a Post-it and stick it next to your pin. Let's see how far and wide our team origins span. Can't wait to see the map fill up!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Purchase or print a large world map (at least 24x36 inches, larger is better)
- 2.Pin the map to a wall in a high-traffic common area (break room, hallway, near entrance)
- 3.Set up a small table or shelf nearby with: push pins (multiple colors), Post-it notes, markers
- 4.Add a sign: 'Mark Your Hometown! Add a pin and your name to show where you're from'
- 5.Optional: the facilitator can add the first pin as an example
- 6.Send a team-wide email or announce in a meeting to let everyone know about the map
- 7.Give people several days or a week to add their pins (no pressure to do it all at once)
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’Choose a highly visible location - the map only works if people see it daily
- β’Use colorful push pins to make the map visually appealing
- β’Consider using different colored pins for different categories: birthplace vs. hometown, or years at the company
- β’For remote teams, create a digital version using Google Maps or a collaborative online map tool
- β’Don't force participation - let it be voluntary and organic
- β’If people forget, send a gentle reminder a week later: 'Loving the map! If you haven't added your pin yet, stop by this week!'
Step 2: Organic Conversations (Ongoing)
0 min㪠Say This:
"[Not a formal step - happens naturally over time as people pass the map and notice patterns, clusters, or surprising locations]"
π What to Do:
- 1.This step requires no facilitation - it happens organically
- 2.As people walk past the map, they'll naturally stop to look
- 3.Colleagues will notice: 'Oh, you're from Brazil? I didn't know that!' or 'Three of us grew up in Texas!'
- 4.These observations lead to spontaneous conversations about hometowns, cultures, childhood experiences
- 5.Team members may ask each other: 'What was it like growing up there?' 'Do you miss it?' 'Do you still visit?'
- 6.The map becomes a permanent conversation starter and connection point
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’The magic of Hometown Map is that it's PASSIVE - it works in the background without requiring a meeting
- β’Watch for clusters: if many people are from the same region, they may bond over shared experiences
- β’Notice outliers: someone from a faraway or unique place becomes a point of interest and conversation
- β’The map will evolve as new team members join - ask them to add their pins during onboarding
- β’Take a photo of the completed map for your team's digital archives or website
- β’For global teams, the map might show incredible diversity - celebrate that!
Step 3: Optional: Formal Sharing Session
15 min㪠Say This:
"Our hometown map is looking great! Let's take 15 minutes to share some stories. Who's from the farthest away? Who grew up closest to our office? Anyone have an interesting hometown story? Let's go around and each share one thing about where we're from that most people don't know."
π What to Do:
- 1.Optional step: hold a dedicated 15-minute meeting or team lunch focused on the map
- 2.Gather the team near the map (in person) or share a photo of it (virtual)
- 3.Ask prompts: 'Who traveled the farthest to be here?' 'Who has the most unique hometown?' 'Any clusters of people from the same region?'
- 4.Invite quick stories: 'Share one thing about your hometown that surprises people'
- 5.Go around the group, giving each person 1 minute to share
- 6.Celebrate the geographic diversity (or surprising homogeneity) of the team
- 7.Thank everyone for participating
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’This formal session is optional - the map works great without it
- β’But if you DO host a session, it deepens the connections that the map started
- β’Great prompts: 'What do you miss most about your hometown?' 'Would you move back?' 'What's a food from your hometown that we should all try?'
- β’Look for patterns: lots of small-town folks? Big city natives? International team?
- β’If your team is all from the same region, shift focus: 'What neighborhood or part of [city] are you from?'
- β’Follow-up idea: create a 'hometown food potluck' where everyone brings a dish from their region
β οΈ Common Questions (Avoid Problems)
Q: What if most of our team is from the same city or region?
A: Zoom in! Use a regional map instead of a world map, or a detailed city map if everyone's local. People can mark their specific neighborhoods, high schools, or childhood homes. Even within one city, there's diversity in experiences: urban vs. suburban, different cultural neighborhoods, etc. The conversations are still valuable: 'I grew up 5 miles from you and never knew!' Or shift to: 'Pin where you WANT to travel' instead.
Q: What if someone is sensitive about their birthplace (moved due to conflict, doesn't want to share, etc.)?
A: Make participation optional and clarify: 'You can pin birthplace, hometown, or the place you most identify as 'home' - your choice!' Some people may prefer not to participate, and that's totally fine. The map is about connection, not forced disclosure. For those with complex backgrounds, let them choose what feels comfortable to share.
Q: How do we do this for remote teams?
A: Use a digital map! Create a Google My Maps project or use tools like Padlet with a map template. Ask team members to drop a pin with their name and optionally a photo or memory. Display the digital map during team meetings or share a link that everyone can explore. Virtual maps have a bonus: you can add photos, stories, and links to each pin, making it richer than a physical map.
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