If I Were... (Animal/Food/Superhero)
Participants share what animal, food, or superhero they'd be if they could choose, explaining why. Creative metaphor icebreaker that reveals personality in playful, non-literal way.
10-20 min
3-40 people
low
None needed
About This Game
If I Were... is a creative icebreaker that uses metaphor and imagination to help people share about themselves. The facilitator poses a hypothetical: "If you were an animal, which would you be and why?" Participants think creatively about what represents them - maybe they're a dolphin because they're social and love water, or an owl because they're night owls who love quiet wisdom. The "why" is where personality shines through. This activity works because it's playful (removes pressure of direct self-description), reveals values and self-perception through chosen metaphors, and creates memorable, often humorous moments. Different categories prompt different insights: animals reveal traits, foods reveal culture/comfort, superheroes reveal aspirations. Perfect for any team stage, works universally across cultures, and scales from intimate to large groups.
Objectives
- Encourage creative self-expression through metaphor and imagination
- Reveal personality traits and values in non-threatening, playful format
- Practice explaining reasoning and making connections between metaphor and self
- Create memorable, often humorous shared moments that stick with the team
- Help introverts share meaningfully without direct self-disclosure pressure
How to Run This Game
Facilitator Script:
"We're doing a round of If I Were... Here's the question: If you were an animal - any animal - which would you be and why? Think about what represents you. I'll start: I'd be a golden retriever because I'm friendly, loyal, and I get excited about pretty much everything!"
Actions:
- Choose your category: animal, food, superhero, season, type of weather, musical instrument, etc.
- Pose the question clearly: "If you were X, what would you be?"
- Emphasize the "why" - that's where the insight comes
- Go first to model the format and set the tone (playful, authentic)
Tips:
- • Popular categories: animal (reveals traits), food (reveals culture/comfort), superhero (reveals aspirations), season (reveals mood/energy)
- • More creative options: type of car, musical genre, element (earth/fire/water/air), time of day, font
- • Match sophistication to your audience - corporate teams may like "leadership style" metaphors
- • Your example sets the tone - be genuine but keep it light
Facilitator Script:
"Who wants to go next? ...Awesome! What animal would you be? ...[Listen]. I love that - that totally fits you! Who's next?"
Actions:
- Invite volunteers or go in order (circle, alphabetical)
- Listen actively to each metaphor and explanation
- React with genuine interest and affirm the connections they make
- Gently prompt the "why" if someone just names without explaining
- Keep energy positive and playful throughout
Tips:
- • Affirm choices even if unexpected: "I can totally see that!" or "That makes so much sense!"
- • If someone struggles, offer examples: "Are you more of a solo animal or pack animal? Fast or slow?"
- • Notice patterns: "We have three cat people! And lots of ocean creatures."
- • For virtual, use reactions/emojis in chat to stay engaged between shares
- • Time: 30-45 seconds per person keeps things moving smoothly
Facilitator Script:
"This is fun! I'm noticing we have a mix of solo creatures and pack animals. Anyone surprised by what they chose? Or by what someone else chose?"
Actions:
- Identify patterns or interesting contrasts in the group
- Invite brief reflection on the activity itself
- Allow 1-2 people to comment on surprising insights
- Connect metaphors to team dynamics if relevant
Tips:
- • This step is optional - skip for quick icebreaker, include for team building
- • Prompts: "What does our mix say about our team?", "Anyone choose something that surprised you?"
- • Avoid over-analyzing - keep it light and observational
- • For work context: "How might these traits show up in how we work together?"
Facilitator Script:
"I love the creativity here! We've got a whole zoo/feast/superhero league in this room. Thanks for playing along and being imaginative. Let's bring that creative energy to our work!"
Actions:
- Thank the group for participating
- Acknowledge the creativity and thoughtfulness of responses
- Reference specific memorable answers if appropriate
- Transition to next activity or meeting content
Tips:
- • Keep closing brief and upbeat
- • Call back to specific shares: "I'll never forget Sam as a honey badger!"
- • Connect to work if relevant: "This creative thinking? Let's use it in our brainstorm."
- • For recurring teams, consider keeping a running list of everyone's metaphors
Facilitator Tips
- Choose categories where everyone can access examples - avoid region-specific or niche references
- Have 2-3 backup categories ready if your first choice doesn't resonate
- Your own example sets the standard - be genuine, brief, and make the connection clear
- For introverts, this can be easier than direct sharing - the metaphor provides safe distance
- Write down memorable answers - they become inside jokes and team identity
- Consider theming to meeting purpose: planning session? "What season are you?" Launching project? "What vehicle?"
- Virtual tip: use polling first with multiple choice options, then have people explain their choice
- Combine with name tags: at conferences, have people write their animal/food on their name tag as conversation starter
Common Challenges & Solutions
Variations & Adaptations
Do 2-3 rounds with different categories: animal, then food, then superhero. Builds richer picture of each person through multiple metaphors. Each round takes 5-7 minutes.
After sharing your own, explain why you think someone else fits a certain category. "I think Sarah would be an eagle because..." Builds on observation and appreciation.
Give people 2 minutes to find an image online of their chosen metaphor and share screen/hold up phone. Visual adds richness and humor to explanations.
Use work-related categories: "If you were a type of meeting...", "If you were a software tool...", "If you were a part of the office..." Ties directly to work context.
teams have used this game