As the name suggests, an ice breaker is a brief game designed to energize guests and expedite mingling. Implementing an ice breaker is an excellent way to start an organizational meeting, whether individuals already know each other or not. In addition to "breaking the ice," it helps guests relax, creates fun memories and can be used to encourage team building. Below are five easy ice breakers to try at your next event.

Aluminum Foil Sculptures

Allot one minute for this game. Give each individual a small sheet of aluminum foil. Instruct the guests that when the clock starts, they will have one minute to create an aluminum sculpture. When the guests are finished, display the "art" on a table in the front and have the group vote on the winner. If your group is large, act as judge and choose the top three sculptures. Decide the winner by a show of hands.

Paper Plate Heads

A great game to put names with faces, this ice breaker is especially suited for groups of 15 or less. Give each individual a paper plate and a marker. Allot one minute and instruct every individual to draw a self-portrait of her head onto the paper plate. Once the minute is up, collect the paper plates, collate into random order, and have everyone guess who is the focus of each self-portrait.

What's in Your Purse

Before the event, write out a list of items commonly found in purses, wallets and pockets. Stand in front of the group and ask for one of these items. For example, you would say, "I am looking for a ticket stub." The first person to hand you a ticket stub wins a point. Play the game until the list is finished, and give the first place award to the person with the most points. For a team-building variation, place individuals into small groups and appoint a runner in each group who will bring the requested item to the front.

That Rhymes

Arrange the group into rows, either horizontally or vertically. Give each leader a piece of paper with an easily-rhymed word written on the top, such as bat or bee. Upon hearing the word go, the first person needs to come up with a word that rhymes with the top word. Once he finds a word, he passes the paper onto the next person, who needs to do the same. This continues to the end of the line. The first group to successfully complete the task wins.

Who Said That

This game requires work on the part of the host, but it is worth the initial effort. Gather up a collection of 10 famous quotes keeping to a specific category--for example, presidents, co-workers or poets. Give each person a piece of paper and ask the group to number the paper from one through 10. Then read the quotes and allow each individual to guess who the quote is attributed to. The winner is the person or persons who guess the most right.