16 Best Icebreaker Questions for Dating Chats

Anyone on dating apps knows how exciting it can be to get a date. But first, you need to understand if you’re having fun with the person you like. Which, of course, means having a nice conversation with them in the chat. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be complicated. And ice breaker questions for dating chats can help with this quite a bit.

You could try to think of some yourself, but then you probably wouldn’t be here, right? If coming up with good convo starters sounds like a big hassle, great news! You don’t have to do it alone. Let’s dive into some of the more notable and helpful icebreakers for you.

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What Are Ice Breaker Questions for Dating Chats?

You might ask: why should you use icebreaker questions at all? You could even wonder what they are in the first place. Well, it’s in the name! They’re questions made to break the ice, warm you up to each other, and get an interesting conversation going.

No matter what your communications skills are like, they’ll help you develop the first record of what the other person likes.

Benefits of Ice Breaker Questions

There’s a lot of great reasons to have some convo starters handy.

Maybe you’ve heard that when it comes to chatting on apps, you should just wing it. After all, you aren’t considering spending the rest of your life with your crush. Well… not just yet, anyway. It’s better to improvise, right?

Well, going in unprepared is just about the worst advice you can get for talking to that new person.

Still, it’s great to be yourself. The best advice is to see where the conversation goes while also having a few icebreaker questions handy. This way, no matter if you’re looking for a new friend or a new love, you’ll have tons of fun.

Obvious Examples

Maybe you’ve thought of a few icebreaker questions already.

These are simple, so why not ask them. But, it’s always worth having a few more ice breaker questions for dating ready to make sure there aren’t any awkward silences in your chat.

There’s a practically unlimited supply of conversation starters out there. But if you really want to have a great conversation, it’s worth focusing on some of the best ones.

Related reading: 6 Tips to Rock Conversation Starters on Dating Apps

16 Best Icebreaker Questions for Your Chat: Picks to Keep the Conversation Flowing

1. What’s Your Dream Job?

This is one of the good date questions. It’s simple, but it helps you understand what drives your crush and what excites them. It doesn’t even matter what their dream job actually is. It’s more about finding out what they’re like as a person, and what their goals are. Their answer can say more about them than you’d think.

2. What’s Your Ideal First Date?

This is a great question, especially in the chat, before you’ve had any actual dates. Whether they like a cozy coffee shop chat or a hike with a scenic view, the answer can inspire ideas for future outings. Plus, it’s a clever way to gauge compatibility in date styles.

3. What’s Your Favorite Season?

Talking about seasons leads to talking about seasonal activities. A winter lover might enjoy snowboarding or warm drinks by the fire. A spring enthusiast may love gardens and outdoor picnics. It’s a lighthearted way to explore your shared interests and daydream about ideal weather.

4. What Would You Do On Your Own Talk Show?

This playful question lets them show off their personality and creativity. Maybe they imagine interviewing celebrities, or hosting cooking segments, or maybe they’d be into doing comedy skits. It’ll help you figure out if you have some of the same interests. And, you might have a few laughs about it!

5. What’s Your Strangest Family Tradition?

Quirky family traditions often bring out funny and heartwarming stories. Share your unique customs, and you will see how family and culture might have shaped your crush. You could bond over the delightfully weird ways your families celebrate together. When you know how they were brought up, you’ll definitely understand them better.

6. Which Historical Figure Would You Like to Meet?

This question can spark great conversation about admiration and values. Would they choose a groundbreaking scientist, a fearless leader, or an iconic artist? Find out what they find inspiring and dive into meaningful conversations about history and human impact. Asking a few more icebreaker questions following up helps you find out even more about them.

7. What’s One Food You Can’t Live Without?

Food preferences are a great icebreaker for anyone. Find out about their go-to comfort food or favorite cuisine, then jump to fun exchanges about cooking, dining out, or exploring new dishes. It’s a delicious way to connect. Who knows, maybe you’ll plan a foodie adventure together! If you vibe, you could work this into future dates, especially if you end up cooking for them.

8. Who Was Your Childhood Actor Crush?

Nostalgia is a great way to break the ice, and this question is bound to bring smiles. Maybe they were into a heartthrob from the big screen or a TV sitcom star. Maybe it was someone totally unexpected! Their answer can bring back so many funny memories.

9. Who’s Your Biggest Celebrity Crush?

Talking about celebrity crushes keeps the mood light and playful. Do they admire a charismatic actor? Or maybe they love an iconic musician? You could figure out if they have a specific type. Maybe you have something in common with the people they’ve had crushes on!

10. Have You Ever Had a Celebrity Encounter?

Celebrity stories are always interesting, whether they’re awkward, funny, or memorable. You can get a hilarious story, or you can learn something unexpected about people everyone idolizes. If your crush hasn’t met any stars, you can still share laughs imagining what it might be like. It’ll be interesting no matter what.

11. What’s Your Guilty Pleasure?

Cheesy pop songs? Late-night snacks? Guilty pleasures are relatable and fun to discuss. And it’s all about being yourself and dating as you are. If you like the person and want to know them well, there’s no need to be embarrassed. Whether or not your little quirks are similar doesn’t matter. It’s more about showing off your true self and finding someone who will like you for you.

12. What’s Your Funniest Talent?

Hidden talents are often hilarious and unexpected—and great subject to ask about in your ice breaker questions for dating chats. Whether it’s mimicking accents or balancing spoons on their face, this question brings out their playful side. It’s an invitation to share a laugh and show creativity. While not everyone has a talent, never mind a funny one, it can still be worth asking. And if you have a funny talent, too, that’s a great chance show it off!

13. What Would You Do During a Zombie Apocalypse? 

This is obviously hypothetical, but it’s so interesting to think about. Would they barricade themselves indoors or join a fearless survival team? This question could lead to a hilarious chat. But you might also get a glimpse into how your crush solves problems. Hopefully you’ll never end up in such a situation, but you could still have fun planning what the both of you would do.

14. What’s the Weirdest Food You’ve Eaten?

Sharing food adventures can spark laughter and curiosity. Their stories may reveal their adventurous side. It’s also a fun way to explore culinary interests and cultural experiences. Not everyone has an answer to this, especially when it comes to really weird food. It can still say a lot about them, though. It’ll show how adventurous they are, and maybe not just with their food.

15. Who’s Your Favorite Cartoon Character?

Cartoon characters often reflect personality traits or cherished childhood memories. Discussing their favorite—whether it’s a clever trickster or a lovable optimist—can lead to nostalgic and lighthearted exchanges. Maybe you watched the same cartoons when you were kids? That might be great thing to bond over. The answer will say quite a bit about both of you.

16. What Three Things Would You Want on a Deserted Island?

This is another question that gets your crush thinking. The answer can tell you more of your date than you would’ve thought. It shows you how resourceful they are, how their brain works, and what their focus would be if they’re stranded. You could learn how they solve real-life problems.

Related reading: Questions to Ask on a Dating App

2 Tips for Asking Fun Icebreaker Questions

Asking great icebreaker questions isn’t just about knowing what to ask. To get that first date, you’ll need to keep the great chat going.

Follow these tips, to spark meaningful conversations and help you and the other person break the ice.

More than a few of these can help you have a great chat that won’t fizzle out easily. It’s natural to be a bit nervous talking to your crush for the first time. So here’s some advice to feel more confident and let your true self shine.

1. Ask Follow-Up Questions & Adapt as Needed

Follow up questions are always vital, whether it’s an app chat or a date conversation. With them, you’ll avoid an awkward silence after your crush’s answer. Online dating icebreakers are supposed to be conversation starters, after all. Have a few follow up questions coupled with the icebreaker questions themselves.

The follow up questions will depend on your date’s responses, of course. But it’s great to think a little in advance. Having a few of your own questions related to the above can be great to focus on.

There are plenty others, but the best advice is: be genuinely curious about your crush! The ice breakers can lead you to deeper questions and a deeper connection going forward. With interesting conversation, you’ll be more likely to get a date, and then maybe a second date, and many more, if you hit it off.

Related reading: Top First Date Tips to Get a Second Date

2. Keep It Light

You probably want to build a deeper connection with your crush. That’s natural. But it doesn’t mean you should go for deeper questions straight away.

Going too deep too fast can just worsen that initial awkwardness. You’re much better off sticking to topics that are relatively light hearted.

They’re supposed to be fun questions. You wouldn’t want to hear their life story before the first date (or even on the first date), right? You’re looking for a fun fact to chat about and show a genuine interest in what they’re saying.

Ice breaker questions for dating chats are supposed to help you find out what they like, whether they’re a night owl or early bird, what their favorite thing is, what their favorite song is, and if you like the same things.

The more light hearted you keep it, the more of a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere you’ll create. But be firm with boundaries and sticking to comfortable topics.

“Set some policies for yourself in advance that help you decide what you feel comfortable with, such as not inviting the person home or only meeting in a public place.”

Amy Morin, Psychotherapist and Mental Strength Coach at Mentally Stronger

Tips like this are great for planning the first date, and they’re just as good for chatting.

Keep it casual with funny icebreaker questions. You can leave the deeper stuff to the actual date onwards.

Related reading: 50 Excellent Icebreaker Questions for Dating

Summing It Up

Ice breaker questions for dating chats can be a great way to get the conversation going in your dating app chat. They’re there to prevent any awkwardness. Don’t just go for the easiest and most obvious ones, though. These might not help the conversation as much as you’d want.

You’re better off going for ones that are a little more creative and that actually help start a conversation and build connection. Having a few go-to options could be more than enough to get the conversation going.