What Is the M&M Get to Know You Game?
The M&M get to know you game is a candy-based icebreaker where each color of M&M is linked to a different question category. Players grab a handful of candy, then take turns answering one question for each color they picked. It is one of the easiest icebreakers to set up because you only need a bag of candy and a color chart.
The game works so well because it removes the pressure of forced introductions. Instead of staring at a circle of strangers, everyone focuses on their candy while sharing small, manageable pieces about themselves. Teachers, camp counselors, youth leaders, and corporate facilitators all use it because it scales from 4 people to 30+ with zero extra prep.
What You Need
Before you start, gather these materials:
- M&Ms — one fun-size bag per 3-4 players (about 5-10 candies per person)
- Color chart — printed copies for each table, or projected on a screen (see our chart below)
- A bowl or plate for distributing candy
- Optional: paper and pens if you want players to write answers first
That is it. No cards to cut, no apps to download, no equipment to buy. Total prep time is under 2 minutes.
How to Play the M&M Game (Step by Step)
-
Distribute candy. Pour M&Ms into a bowl and have each player grab a small handful (5-10 pieces). Tell them not to eat the candy yet.
-
Display the color chart. Print our color chart below or project it on screen so everyone can see which color matches which question category.
-
Pick a starting player. The person with the most red M&Ms goes first (or just go clockwise).
-
Answer one question per candy. The first player picks one M&M from their handful, checks the color chart, and answers the matching prompt. Then they eat that candy.
-
Continue around the circle. Each player takes a turn answering one candy at a time. Go around the circle until everyone has answered all their candies.
-
Wrap up. After the last round, invite the group to share something surprising they learned about someone else. This reinforces the connections made during the game.
Free Printable M&M Color Chart
Use this chart as-is or customize the prompts to match your group. You can print it, project it, or copy it onto a whiteboard.
| Color | Question Category | Example Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Hobbies & Interests | What is a hobby you could talk about for hours? |
| Orange | Dreams & Goals | What is one thing on your bucket list? |
| Yellow | Favorites | What is your all-time favorite movie or TV show? |
| Green | Travel & Adventure | What is a place you have always wanted to visit? |
| Blue | Funny & Light | What is something that never fails to make you laugh? |
| Brown | Food & Daily Life | What is a meal you could eat every single day? |
Tip: Print one chart per table of 4-6 players so nobody has to squint at a distant screen.
30+ M&M Game Questions by Color
Want more variety? Here are 5+ questions for each color so you can mix and match across multiple rounds.
Red — Hobbies & Interests
- What is a hobby you started recently?
- What do you like to do on a rainy day?
- What sport or activity do you enjoy watching?
- If you could learn any new skill overnight, what would it be?
- What is something you are surprisingly good at?
- What is a hobby you tried but gave up on?
Orange — Dreams & Goals
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What is a goal you accomplished that you are proud of?
- If money were no object, what would you do with your time?
- What is one thing you want to try before the end of this year?
- Who is someone you admire and why?
Yellow — Favorites
- What is your favorite song right now?
- What is the best book you have ever read?
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?
- What is a movie you can watch over and over?
Green — Travel & Adventure
- What is the coolest place you have visited?
- Where would you go if you could teleport right now?
- Do you prefer mountains, beaches, or cities?
- What is the best road trip you have been on?
- What country’s food would you most like to try?
Blue — Funny & Light
- What is the funniest thing that happened to you this week?
- What is a silly fear you have?
- What is the weirdest food combination you enjoy?
- If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?
- What is the most embarrassing song on your playlist?
Brown — Food & Daily Life
- What did you eat for breakfast today?
- Coffee, tea, or something else?
- Are you a morning person or a night owl?
- What is your go-to comfort food?
- What is one thing you cannot leave the house without?
- What is your daily routine’s most unusual habit?
Use these with our question bank for even more inspiration.
6 Fun Variations
Once you have run the classic version, try these twists to keep the game fresh:
1. Skittles Version
Swap M&Ms for Skittles — same colors, same rules, different candy. The Skittles version works identically and is a great alternative for groups that prefer fruity candy.
2. Candy Hearts Version
Perfect for Valentine’s Day. Use conversation hearts and assign question categories to each color (pink, purple, white, yellow, orange, green). The printed messages on the hearts can serve as bonus prompts.
3. Virtual / Online Version
No physical candy needed. Use a random color generator or virtual spinner. Each player “spins” for a color, answers the question, then the next person spins. Works great for Zoom meetings, remote classrooms, and virtual team-building sessions.
4. Classroom Version
Ideal for the first day of school. Give each student exactly 3 M&Ms to keep the round short. After answering, students write one thing they learned about a classmate on a sticky note for a “getting to know you” wall display.
5. Team Building Version
For work and corporate settings, replace casual prompts with professional ones: “a skill you bring to the team” (red), “a project you are proud of” (orange), “something most colleagues do not know about you” (blue). Keep it light but relevant.
6. Timer Challenge
Set a 15-second timer for each answer. If the timer runs out, the player either passes or answers a bonus question. This adds energy and keeps the game moving fast with larger groups.
Tips for Running the M&M Game
-
Go first yourself. As the facilitator, answer one prompt to model the tone and length. This shows the group what “good” looks like and breaks the initial awkwardness.
-
Keep groups small. If you have more than 12 players, split into circles of 5-6. Each small circle runs the game simultaneously. This ensures everyone finishes in 15 minutes instead of 40.
-
Offer an opt-out. Let players swap a color they do not like for a different one. Nobody should feel forced to answer a question they are uncomfortable with.
-
Watch for allergies. Always ask about nut and food allergies before distributing candy. Have a non-candy backup like colored cards or a dice-based game ready.
-
Rotate prompts. If you play the game multiple times (start of each week, each class meeting), swap in new questions from our list above. The structure stays familiar while the content stays fresh.
Looking for more icebreakers? Browse our games for teens, or explore the full games collection. You can also check out the questions bank for 200+ conversation starters to use with any icebreaker format.