open · Icebreaker, Team Building · 10–20 min · 3-15 people · medium energy
Nostalgia Trip
This icebreaker sparks laughter and connection by prompting participants to share a 'struggle' from their childhood that kids today wouldn't understand. It fosters a sense of shared experience and reveals glimpses into teammates' pasts.
When to use Nostalgia Trip
Use this activity at the beginning of a meeting or team-building session to lighten the mood and encourage informal conversation.
What it solves
Lack of engagement at the start of a meeting, superficial team interactions.
How to run Nostalgia Trip, step by step
- Facilitator introduces the question: 'Kids today will never understand the struggle of what?' (2 minutes)
- Each participant shares their answer, elaborating briefly on their experience. (1-2 minutes per person)
- Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging participants to relate to each other's stories. (5 minutes)
Facilitator tips
- Encourage participants to be lighthearted and humorous in their responses.
- Share your own example first to set the tone.
Common pitfalls
- Participants struggling to think of an answer. Provide a few examples to get them started.
- Answers becoming too long or dominating the conversation. Gently redirect back to the group.
Variations
- Change the prompt to focus on a specific decade or type of technology.
- Have participants guess the age of the person based on their answer.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a virtual whiteboard or chat for sharing responses. Encourage participants to elaborate on their answers verbally.
What it produces
Shared stories and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Origin
Adapted from Range.co — source
Build a session around Nostalgia Trip
METODIC places Nostalgia Trip inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.