online presentation icebreakers

35 Icebreakers Perfect for Virtual and Hybrid Meetings

We’ve all been there – the start of a virtual or hybrid meeting where there’s an awkward silence. But this can be a thing of the past when you introduce the humble icebreaker to get people talking and loosen them up.

Our list of  35 different virtual icebreakers and team-building activities for 2023 have all been tried, tested, and enjoyed by team Slido – even by the introverts among us.

We’ll enlighten you first on what exactly a virtual icebreaker is, and why it’s good to have one on hand for your next meeting. Breaking the ice has never been this easy!

What are virtual icebreakers?

Virtual icebreakers are small interactive activities that are used to lighten the mood, typically at the start of a meeting.

They are great conversation starters – they help energize people, drive lively discussions, and encourage the participants to be more active throughout the meeting.

With online and hybrid meetings , virtual icebreakers can help make your video conference call more personal and allow your colleagues to get to know each other better and enjoy some social time.

From quick icebreaker questions to longer ice-breaking games – pick your favorite ones!

• Quick icebreaker questions
• Short virtual icebreaker activities
• Icebreaker games & Team building activities

1. Quick virtual icebreaker questions

These are great rapid-fire questions to energize your participants and kick-start a conversation.

Read also: List of 200 Icebreaker Questions For Meetings and Tips On How to Use Them

#1. Mood barometer: How are you feeling today?

The classic “So, how are you folks doing?” usually gets you only a couple of reluctant answers. Ask your team how they are in a different way this time – try it with a poll .

For example, check the overall energy in the room by running a rating poll such as: “On a scale of 1-7, how are you feeling today?” Or, “What’s your energy level today?”

Everyone can contribute and so you’ll take an instant pulse check on how everyone is feeling before the meeting.

Use the poll results as a discussion starter: “I can see that not everyone is feeling at their best. Does anyone want to share their thoughts?”

Create your own poll in Slido and engage your audience. Sign up below and try it for yourself.

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#2. Would you rather…?

A would you rather virtual icebreaker question is guaranteed to spark a lively discussion at the start of your meeting and help with breaking the ice.

Simply ask your participants a thought-provoking ‘this or that’ poll question with two options to choose from. Then, drive a discussion around how people voted and why.

Here are some of our favorite would you rather questions:

• Would you live in the Arctic or in the Sahara Desert?
• Would you rather be always overdressed or underdressed?
• Have 2 meter long legs or 2 meter long arms?
• Time travel back to the past or to the future?

Read also: 101 Would You Rather Questions to Cheer Up Your Meetings

#3. Quiz question of the day

Or, why don’t you start with a little guessing game? Everyone loves quizzes as ice breakers and so a little brain teaser at the beginning of your meeting will perk your colleagues up.

This is an ideal virtual icebreaker for recurring meetings. If you and your team meet regularly, you can turn this into a tradition and run one quiz question at the start of every one of your meetings.

How to pull this off?

Simply create a quiz poll question in Slido and mark one option as correct. You can use our integrations with Google Slides and PowerPoint to insert the poll directly into your slides.

What’s more, you don’t even have to think up quiz questions. Our ‘magic cube’ random question generator will do that for you.

#4. Where are you joining from?

If your teammates are scattered around the world, kick off your meeting by sending a virtual hi to each one of them.

At the beginning of your conference call, run a word cloud with the question: “Where are you joining from?”

This is one of the best virtual icebreakers for large meetings or virtual events – the more locations, the better the word cloud will look.

As your colleagues post their locations, give them a special shout-out.

You’ll even be able to see if participants are still typing or not with Slido’s typing indicator feature when you’re in present mode – so that everyone gets their chance to participate before you move on.

Read also: 35+ Word Cloud Examples for Your Meetings and Events

#5. In one word, how would you describe…?

You can also use word clouds to pick up your team’s thoughts and feelings. Open your meeting with a question such as: “In one word, how would you describe the past week/month?”

This is one of the virtual ice breakers that will help you take a pulse check of the overall atmosphere in the team and detect possible downturns – especially handy in a virtual setup.

Or, you can even try something different like: “If you were to describe our company in one word, what would it be?”

#6. Good old times

If you need a guaranteed conversation starter, try a question that brings back childhood or teenage years memories – they provide an inexhaustible source of amusement.

You can use word clouds here as well.

• Which was your favorite candy you were hoping to get when trick-or-treating? (A perfect icebreaker to use before Halloween.)
• Which music band was your favorite growing up?

After people submit their answers, ask volunteers to share how they voted and why.

There will be a lot to talk about, maybe even some arguments about which candy or which movie is the best. You’ll start a meeting with some laughs and get your colleagues in a good mood before a meeting.

Read also: The Best 110 Trivia Questions for Team Bonding Quizzes

#7. Rank your favorites

Similar to the previous virtual icebreaker, you can engage people in ranking their favorite things, whether from their childhood or not – the possibilities are endless.

Use a ranking poll question, add as many options as you wish, and let your participants rank them.

Here are some ideas:

• Rank these 90s movies from your most favorite to your least favorite.
• Rank these Christmas movies from a must-watch to the most passable one.
• Rank these Harry Potter movies from the best to your least favorite.

After your participants are done voting, display the chart with the winners and the runner-ups. Expect a lively discussion – people tend to passionately root for their darlings!

#8. Say it with an emoji

Here’s another way to get a sense of how your team members are feeling – let them express it with emojis. For example, at the start of your meeting, ask your colleagues:

“Which emoji best describes your current state of mind?”

You can use a Slido word cloud for that, but instead of words, your participants will submit an emoji. This works best with larger meetings and events when a large number of emojis gets submitted.

Here are some other ideas for emoji icebreakers:

• Describe our team with an emoji.
• Use an emoji to describe your ideal vacation.
• Which emoji do you use most frequently?

This is an ideal virtual icebreaker if you’re looking for a simple activity that anyone can participate in, for example, as you’re waiting for others to join the meeting.

Read also: 80+ Best Poll Questions To Ask Your Online Audience

2. Short virtual icebreaker activities

These are great if you want to surprise your participants with a fun little activity and enjoy some bonding time.

#9. Draw your mood

Instead of verbally asking your colleagues how they are at the start of your meeting (which often results in a half-baked ‘fine’, or ‘okay’ here and there), ask them to draw how they are. It’s much more fun and you’ll spark creativity among your colleagues.

During our recent Brand Team meeting, our colleague, Sabine, shared a Zoom Whiteboard with us and asked us to draw our current mood on it. So we channeled our inner Basquiat and came up with something that remotely resembles art. But it was so much fun, we swear!

Note: Are you running your meetings in a hybrid setup ? Then make sure that each of your on-site team members joins the video conferencing call from their own device so they can participate in the activity.

#10. Highlight of the month

Here’s a great way to lift people’s spirits. Crowdsource your colleagues’ personal or professional highlights from the last week or month.

Thanks to this virtual icebreaker, you can see what other people have been up to and have experienced, and you can celebrate some of your top moments.

As you kick off your meeting, ask your teammates to post their highlights in an open text poll . Then, display the highlights on the screen, and give a shout-out to each one.

It’s good to remind people of all the remarkable work that they’ve done. For example, in our Slido marketing team, we share highlights as part of our monthly all-marketing meeting.

#11. Unsung heroes

This is not only an icebreaker but a morale booster as well. And we all need that now and then, especially when working in isolation.

Give kudos to the heroes in your team. Kick off your meeting with a word cloud poll such as: “Who was your silent hero this month?”

Acknowledging people for the effort they’re putting in is a wonderful way to start a meeting. Expect lots of hearty “awws”.

💡 Tip Combine the word cloud with an open text poll , so that people can also leave a heart-warming message for their nominated silent hero.

#12. What are you thankful for?

This ice-breaking activity is ideal, for instance, before Thanksgiving or as a morale booster during special team meetings.

Ask people to submit what they are grateful for or who from the team they would like to thank.

You may open your meeting with this question, either via word cloud or an open text poll , and wait for your team members’ submissions.

Then, display people’s submissions on the screen and ask your colleagues to share what they put in and why.

It’s a nice bonding moment and helps you start the meeting on a positive note.

#13. Team photo

A list of virtual icebreakers wouldn’t be complete without a group photo! This one’s as much fun through a video chat as much as it is in real life. And you can repeat it time and time again by taking a different picture each time — make funny faces, bring in your pets, do a crazy gesture, be creative.

Take inspiration from our Customer Care Team!

💡 Tip These photos also make nice content for your social media, internal newsletters, or Slack channels!

#14. Guess whose desk?

Get to know your colleagues a little better, and take a sneak-peek into their home work stations. This virtual icebreaker is a mixture of ‘Guess who?’ and a house tour.

Collect pictures from your colleagues of their desks at home and add them into Slido multiple choice polls with a question: “Can you guess whose desk this is?” and give several options.

Then, once at a meeting, let your colleagues guess away!

#15. Weekend photo contest

A slow start after the weekend? Run a quick weekend photo contest to get your teammates talking. Tell them to share a cool photo from their weekend – for example in a Slack channel.

You can then put people’s names in a Slido multiple choice poll and have your colleagues vote for the best shot!

#16. What’s the last picture that you took?

Similar to the previous virtual icebreaker, this one is probably even more fun: Ask your colleagues to go to their phones, and dig out the last photo that they took. Ask them to either post it to your Slack channel or simply show it to the camera. Then, ask them to share a story behind the picture (if it’s not a secret!).

It’s a sweet little activity to make people talk and get to know one another better.

#17. Random question of the week

Here’s another one from the ‘Get to know your colleagues better’ virtual icebreakers. Set up a new tradition and ask your team one random question each week or month.

For example:

• What’s the most useless thing you have in your home?
• What would your superpower be if you had one?
• What one thing should everybody stop doing right now?
• What’s one song or artist that you’re embarrassed to admit you like?

We actually started doing this as a weekly activity in our #random Slack channel. We’ve since learned so many cool new things about one another!

3. Virtual icebreaker games & Team building activities

These are great get-to-know-you games and longer team-building activities that will both entertain and bring the team closer together.

#18. Home scavenger hunt

Begin this team building activity by getting your colleagues out of their chairs. This virtual icebreaker is fun and you’ll all get a chance to move around a little. Give your teammates a little task such as: “You have 25 seconds to fetch something yellow,” or “Get the weirdest thing in your apartment, then bring it back to show us”.

You can even take it a little further and play a full-scale virtual scavenger hunt. We recently played it in our Brand team and it was so much fun. Our colleague, Nadia, gave us 5 minutes to fulfill 20 tasks such as:

• Take a picture of a view from your window and post it to Slack
• Find something smaller than your fingernail
• Bring the softest thing you own
• Change your background to your favorite movie set
• Bring an item that’s older than you are

And on a hunt we went.

When the time was up, we got back together on the call and shared funny stories behind the objects that we brought. We shared some good laughs together!

#19. Team trivia quiz

Using virtual icebreakers during your meetings also helps you get to know your colleagues better.

Try a fun trivia quiz with questions about your team. Collect interesting facts about each team member, then let other colleagues guess away. We’re sure you’ll dig out plenty of fun stuff!

We run this type of quiz when we introduce a new team member, or as a holiday fun activity.

Read also: 7 Awesome Quizzes for Your Virtual and Hybrid Meetings

#20. Background challenge

Share some laughs with your teammates on the call. Before your next all-hands or town hall meeting, set a theme and ask your colleagues to pick a virtual background image that, for them, represents it best.

Get creative. Favorite movie scenes, 80’s disco, memes, dream vacation places – the possibilities are endless.

Seeing each other’s backgrounds will break the ice and give you something to talk about during the first minutes of the call.

But virtual backgrounds do more than just entertain . They’re also great for hiding a messy kitchen behind you, or a trespassing family member!

If you need inspiration, visit this huge library of virtual backgrounds by Canva, or get more quirky ones here .

💡 Tip You can also let your colleagues vote for the best background through a Slido poll .

#21. Two truths & one lie

This fun game is great for introducing new colleagues or getting to know each other better. Collect three statements about each of your colleagues – two of them should be true facts and one should be a lie. Tell your colleagues to provide a lie that’s not so obvious so as to make it harder for others to guess.

Next, put all of the collected statements into Slido multiple choice polls , or you can make it a live quiz .

💡 Tip Don’t forget to ask the person who the poll is about to share at least one story behind the statements.

#22. Struggle sharing

Sharing is caring – and that should apply to both the good and the bad. Similar to sharing highlights (see point #10), it’s important to also give our attention to things that didn’t go so well; things that we can learn from, and move forward together.

It makes for a great team bonding experience.

Depending on the setup you’re in, divide your colleagues into smaller groups (if you’re in an online setup, use breakout rooms) and ask them to discuss their struggles. It can be both professional and personal.

Using an open text poll , encourage your team to share their failure or struggle in Slido as well so that people can see that they’re not alone in being imperfect. You can then regroup and open a discussion about lessons that people learned from their failures.

As a leader, don’t forget to contribute as well. Showing vulnerability is also a form of strength.

Read also: How Talking About Wins and Struggles Helped Our Team Bond

#23. Show & Tell

Inspired by the classic kindergarten exercise where kids bring an object to school and describe it to their fellow pupils, show and tell is a great activity for getting to know the team better.

Tell your colleagues to bring an object that has special meaning to them or that is tied to an exciting story. Give each group member 3-5 minutes to tell the rest of the group about it.

This virtual icebreaker is ideal for small teams (or done in groups) because people might not be willing to talk in front of larger crowds of people.

💡 Tip Don’t forget to give people enough time to think about their story and prepare for the short presentation. Not everybody is happy with improvising.

#24. Guess who?

This is another great get-to-know-each-other-better game, inspired by our Head of User Research, Neil Sharman.

In one of the meetings, he asked everyone to anonymously submit into Slido three brands they know they ‘love a bit more than is logical’.

Then, he displayed people’s submissions on the screen and the team guessed who is who just from the three brands. It’s fun to identify people, plus everyone gets to share something about themselves. You’ll definitely learn a lot of interesting stuff about each other.

💡 Tip It doesn’t necessarily have to be about brands. It can be music, hobbies, movies, etc.

#25. Coffee time

Have you heard of Fika ? It’s a Swedish word often interpreted as ‘a coffee and cake break’.

For Swedes, however, it is much more than that. It’s about taking a break from everything for a while and enjoying quality time with friends or colleagues over a cup of coffee or tea.

Take Fika to an online environment. You can call it whatever you like – virtual watercooler talks, virtual happy hour – it’s your choice.

But be sure to schedule an informal team catch-up from time to time just to chat with your teammates about something other than work. In remote times, it will help you feel less isolated.

#26. Visual brainstorming

Good productive idea exchanges make for great virtual icebreakers too. Instead of just shouting ideas at each other, try visual brainstorming.

Take advantage of one of the visual collaboration tools such as Mural . We tried it recently during our Brand team meeting and it was an hour well spent – productive, creative, and fun.

We set up a virtual whiteboard, and each of us was supposed to write our ideas on little stickers that we then posted on the board. It nicely simulated a real-life brainstorming session .

#27. Meet up in a virtual bar

If remote work or distributed team setup doesn’t allow you to enjoy an after-work beer with your colleagues, why don’t you go for a virtual alternative?

In our Brand team, we recently tried Kumospace – an immersive video chat that allows you to ‘meet’ your colleagues in a virtual bar (or other space), move around, or create smaller chat groups.

Oh, and don’t forget to get a drink. The app will even remind you when it’s time for a refill!

There are other apps that provide immersive team experiences, for example, Topia . With this one, you can even design your own virtual world. It’s good to have a change of scenery, isn’t it?

#28. Never Have I Ever

While you’re all hanging out together in this virtual bar (see point above), why don’t you play a game? If you’re familiar with Never Have I Ever, you surely know how much fun it is – especially with more juicy questions. It’s simple: Each of you will hold out your hand so everyone can see your fingers.

One of you will read questions such as: “Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.” Whenever one of you has done it, he or she will put one finger down.

This icebreaker activity is awesome for getting to know your colleagues better and have a good laugh together while sharing funny stories behind each finger down!

If you need inspiration for Never Have I Ever questions, find 250 of them here .

#29. Donut friends

When was the last time you randomly bumped into someone in a hallway in your office and shared a good chat with them? Or, had a deep conversation about life, the universe, and everything with a bunch of colleagues in a kitchenette or by the watercooler? Before we can enjoy this again, try Donut.

Donut is an app for Slack that randomly pairs two or three colleagues together for a scheduled video call. You can make use of that time however you like: Have a virtual coffee, a peer learning session, or a chat about a book that you recently read.

The best thing is that it gets you together with teammates with whom you wouldn’t normally talk or interact on a daily basis. Sounds like a nice way to foster new friendships in the workplace, doesn’t it?

#30. Online escape room

Need a full-scale team-building activity? Try a virtual escape room. If you’ve ever experienced the real thing, you surely know that it’s as much fun as it is nerve-wracking! It involves dealing with various challenges, finding codes, and completing puzzles in order to “get out of the room”.

It’s the ultimate team bonding experience – if your teammates love a good game, they’re going to be fans. There are plenty of escape room platforms out there, for example, Escape Live . You can choose from various different session types or themes.

#31. Virtual wine tasting

Even if you’re remote, you don’t have to give up the good old wine or beer-tasting sessions. Sure, it’s a bit harder to pull off in a virtual setting, but not impossible. Just agree on a brand or type – or buy a different wine each, so you can tell each other about the subtle tones you’re getting!

Our People team has recently done a wine-tasting call and it was a great team bonding experience.

It lets you enjoy some informal time with your colleagues, which, amid all the meetings is a nice change. Plus, you get to indulge in some fine beverages, what a treat!

#32. Pair & Share

This is a great virtual icebreaker that allows for more intimate conversations among your teammates. If you’re familiar with breakout rooms , you’ll appreciate this one.

Give your colleagues a thought-provoking question to ponder, then pair them randomly using breakout rooms (check whether your video conferencing tool allows for it).

Next, allow all groups a couple of minutes to discuss the topic before coming back to the main room to share what each pair talked about.

This is a great alternative to the ‘turn to your neighbor’ kind of exercise – it’s interactive, and allows for more in-depth discussion between people. Introverts will appreciate this, as it feels more comfortable to share something in a pair, compared to the whole team.

#33. Online games

Online team-building games are fun and social – they encourage interaction among coworkers and help bring back the camaraderie of a physical office.

The depths of the internet is full of options, but to inspire you, we recently discovered Bored – a suite of Slack games for remote teams. You simply add the tool to your company Slack and play fun games with your colleagues right in the Slack channel.

Apart from the ever-popular game of trivia, Bored has games in which you roast your colleagues, or play a game of accusations and deception. Recently, they launched ‘Icebreakers’ to help teammates get to know each other better by answering questions that are unconventional and fun.

#34. Name that sound

Looking for a more sophisticated guessing game? How about guessing the sounds? This is one of the most challenging virtual icebreakers, but it’s ultimately very satisfying!

It’s simple. You turn your cameras off, leaving only audio on, and then you make some sort of a sound close to the mic so that your colleagues are able to hear it, and guess where it comes from.

Here are the instructions:

#35. Group storytelling

Put your improvisation skills to the test. This virtual icebreaker is inspired by my colleague Sabine, who decided that since our team-building trip couldn’t happen this year, at least we’ll make up a cool story of how it went.

She created a slideshow of random travel pictures, started a story, and then called on one of our teammates to follow up on what she had said, based on what picture was currently up.

We took turns in telling crazy things we did during our imaginary trip and let me tell you, it was some ride!

Ready to break the ice at your meetings?

We hope you’ll try one of these virtual icebreakers at your next online meeting. Let Slido help you connect with your teammates, wherever they are.

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50+ Fun Icebreakers For Your Next Presentation

If you’re looking for the perfect icebreaker to open your presentation and connect with your audience from the get-go, look no further! With the help of our presentation experts here at 24Slides, we have compiled the ultimate list of icebreakers you can use in your next presentation, meeting, or conference. 

We’ll also go through some quick icebreakers 101, solving questions like:

What is an icebreaker?

• Why should I start my presentation with an icebreaker?
• What makes a good icebreaker for presentations?

And, of course, you’ll get our compilation of over 50 icebreaker examples for your next presentation. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all, we’ve divided our presentation ice breakers into categories depending on the context of your presentation, so you can go straight to the ones that will work the best for you!

In this article, you’ll find:

Icebreakers for one-on-one presentations

Icebreakers for small group presentations (2-10 people), icebreakers for medium group presentations (11-30 people), icebreakers for large groups (31+ people), icebreakers for business and sales presentations, icebreaker ideas for training sessions and workshops.

• Virtual presentations icebreakers
• Fun icebreaker examples for playful presentations
• Great simple icebreaker questions  

So, are you ready to become an expert in using icebreakers in your presentations?

Imagine you’re in a room with a bunch of people where you know only a few of them or even none at all. You’d probably start feeling awkward and self-conscious, uncertain to interact with those around you. When you’re uncomfortable, your attention will probably be divided between wanting to listen to the speaker and making sure your elbows don’t touch your unknown neighbor. 

And, if you’re the speaker, you might feel pretty awkward too. Speaking in front of an audience is never easy, and you might wonder how to approach your presentation’s topic, especially if it’s dense or very important. 

An icebreaker is precisely what its name suggests: it breaks the ‘ice’ of uncomfortableness between you and everyone else around you. Icebreakers are usually short activities meant to help your audience to connect first as people before approaching your presentation’s topic - making your audience more relaxed and likely to hear out your ideas. 

Icebreakers can take many forms and shapes, from simple questions to engaging games. They can require people to talk with each other, answer a poll, or even move around the room. Anything that will make your attendees open up could be an icebreaker as long as it makes people feel more at ease! 

Benefits of icebreakers

The main objective of using an icebreaker in a presentation is to help people get more comfortable and avoid the common awkwardness when first speaking to a new audience. 

Icebreakers can accomplish many things - presenting yourself, getting people more at ease, and even as an introduction to your presentation’s topic. But they also offer a wide array of side benefits, like getting people more involved with your presentation and making it more memorable. 

If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Why should I add an icebreaker to my presentation? I’m just fine without one!’ here are 6 of the top benefits of using an icebreaker in your next meeting. 

• It breaks down the awkwardness

For people who aren’t 100% an extrovert, presentations and meetings are likely to create a certain degree of awkwardness. And having a room full of people who feel uncomfortable around each other can be detrimental to your presentation. Icebreakers help lessen this feeling in your presentation – making people relax and be more at ease so they can put all their energy into listening.

• Icebreakers help people relax and have fun

When people relax, they’re more likely to entertain new ideas. An icebreaker may be the turning point to make them feel more receptive to what you’re going to say. It also opens up more possibilities for inviting your audience to participate and ask questions. Icebreakers are a great way to make them feel welcomed and more likely to volunteer or join whatever activity you’ve prepared for them onstage.

• Help you connect with your audience

A presentation where the speaker starts right away can feel a little jarring. Icebreakers are the perfect way to introduce yourself and your topic without throwing your audience headfirst into the presentation. A good icebreaker can help you connect better with your audience – making them, in turn, more likely to hear you out!

• Gives your audience an energy boost

Some presentations can feel like they take forever. When you’ve been sitting down for what seems like hours, you might feel yourself starting to nod off. An icebreaker doesn’t necessarily happen just at the start of the presentation. It can be a great way to wake up your audience after a quick break and bring them back to the topic at hand. 

• Gives a chance to network with others

The right icebreaker can get your audience talking and help them find things in common. After all, your audience is all in the same meeting for a reason! By giving them the opportunity to interact with one another, you are also giving them the extra value of finding people who can work with them in the future. 

And, of course, icebreakers are great ways to get the ball rolling, so by giving your audience a chance to talk with one another, you might also get more interesting and unique takes on questions and ideas later on. 

• Creates a positive atmosphere

A positive atmosphere is created when people lower their barriers and defense mechanisms, making it more conducive to learning. A negative atmosphere, on the other hand, is felt when people don’t feel at ease and give their neighbors the cold shoulder. ‘Breaking the ice’ needs to get done as soon as possible!

5 Practical Tips for a Good Icebreaker 

What makes a good icebreaker? This is a tricky question to ask. Many icebreakers that work in certain situations will not work in others, as their use depends on context. 

Here are key factors to consider when planning your next presentation’s icebreaker: 

• Know your audience

Take the time to research your audience. The most important thing when planning your presentation’s icebreaker is to remind that you want your audience to feel less awkward  — not more.

Taking your time to learn about the people in front of you is the easiest way to avoid doing or saying something that could potentially offend your audience. Even if you do it unintentionally, the damage will still be done. 

• Identify your presentation objective

The right icebreaker will help you achieve your presentation objective, so take some extra time to think about it. For example, if you’re giving a presentation on cooperation and teamwork, you can do a game where your audience needs to rely on one another. Or conduct a poll to ask your audience how confident they are in their teamwork skills. 

Making your icebreaker closely relate to your presentation’s topic will not only open up your audience but also allow you to transition smoothly to the rest of your presentation. 

• Involve everyone

The icebreaker should be inclusive, meaning it shouldn’t exclude anyone from joining. For instance, if you have a disabled person in the crowd, then you wouldn’t want him or her to feel awkward for not being able to join. 

Have a backup icebreaker just in case the first one excludes someone. The point is that fun icebreakers should make everyone feel more at ease  — and not at the expense of the outliers of the crowd.

• Make sure you understand the context

To pick the right icebreaker for your presentation, you must know the overall setting in which it will take place. A presentation to the board of directors where you need to explain where the sales have been going down is probably not the best place to use a joke as an icebreaker. Or, if you’re giving a quick 15-minute presentation, you might not want to begin with a game that will take at least 10 of them. 

Taking into consideration general setting cues like time frame, space and resources availability, and presentation tone, will help you pick the perfect icebreaker. 

The Ultimate Presentation Icebreakers List

Here you’ll find the perfect icebreaker for your presentation. Since not every icebreaker will work on every situation, here you’ll find them divided into several categories: 

• Icebreakers depending on your audience size
• Icebreakers depending on your presentation’s tone and context
• Quick and easy questions to break the ice

Do feel free to browse through the entire list: most icebreakers will be easy to adapt to fit your specific needs and your presentation!  

Presentation Icebreakers for Every Audience Size

While in a small crowd, you might be able to ask person by person their input, this will most likely not be the case in large groups. On the flip side, a game that needs the audience to divide into teams might be a good pick for a medium-sized crowd, but not a one-on-one presentation. 

Among the many options of icebreaker options all over the web, we’ve compiled and edited a list of which ones will work the best for each audience size: 

• Introduce yourself. Unless you already know each other, introducing yourself is the easiest way to look proactive and get your presentation going. After all, it’s in your best interest for your prospect to warm up to you before your pitch or presentation!
• Have a conversation . Don’t go straight to your topic. Always warm up your prospects and engage them in conversation first. Try to ask open-ended (instead of just ‘yes’ or ‘no’) questions. You can tackle topics like current events, or even just the weather! Just talking in a more casual way will make the person feel more at ease and more likely to give you their undivided attention. 
• Ask them about their personal life. If it’s someone you already know, build rapport by showing you care about them. You can ask about their kids, vacations, or even their favorite sports team. Remembering what they care about can be a huge plus when building a better atmosphere! 
• Let them tell you what they expect from your presentation. It’s the easiest way to make sure you live up to your expectations! It also allows you to introduce the topics of your presentation seamlessly. Even better, you’ll feel and look more confident and under control by taking charge of the presentation’s rhythm and agenda. 
• Ask something related to your presentation topic. Ask them if they know anything about your company, product, competitors, or something to that effect. It’s not only a great way to start your presentation without spending too much time on what they already know, but it’ll also help you gauge their knowledge so you can decide how in-depth you need to get in your presentation.
• Give them a small present just for showing up. Especially if the meeting is not an obligation for them, being appreciative if they show up can go a long way. After all, they’re investing their time and energy into you!
• Compliment them. It’s always nice to get compliments. But don’t overdo it, and always, always be genuine. If your prospect feels like you’re using flattery to get the sale, then it can seriously backfire on you later on. You’ll lose face and credibility.
• Introductions but with a twist. Ask everyone to introduce themselves and state something unusual or a fun fact about them. Towards the end of the presentation, ask them if they remember anything other people said during the introduction. If they get something right, reward them.
• Ask people to line up alphabetically . You can do this with their first names or last names. Or even their nicknames. This gets people talking and getting to know each other’s names.
• Charades . This is one of the best fun icebreakers on this list. It’s a party favorite but can also be used in presentations, meetings, and conferences. You probably already know how this works, but if not, here’s a funny charades video on Jimmy Fallon’s show.

• String a story together . Storytelling is a powerful element in presentations. But for this icebreaker, you’ll need everyone’s help to create a story. Start the first sentence yourself and then ask the first person in front of you to continue the story. Each person gets to decide the direction the story takes, one sentence at a time.
• Play word games . There are many different kinds of word games. But this is something you may find useful. Identify the subject or category the words should belong to, like animals or food. If the first person chooses ‘DOG,’ the next person must identify an animal that starts with the last letter of the previous word. In this case, it would be something that starts with the letter G, like GOAT.
• One word to describe him or herself . Give your audience one minute to think about the perfect word that describes them. And let the others assess if they agree with that word or not.
• Social media icebreaker . Let people open up their favorite social media accounts and then share a photo they’re most proud of. Ask them to share a line or two about why they love that photo.
• Switcheroo. Ask everyone to stand up and switch seats with the people in front of them. Do this when you notice people are starting to get drowsy and need some stimulation.
• Human bingo. This is a fun way to get to know people. Prepare the cards and the pen/pencil. The cards should already be filled out with various traits, characteristics, hobbies, etc. Then, your participants will need to go around and interview each person and check off a box that applies to them. The person who completes their card first gets a prize.
• Friendly debate. Group your participants into two. One should be the ‘pro’ group and the other is the ‘anti’ group. For instance, you can choose pizza lovers and pizza haters. Give them a few minutes to present their arguments and let the great debate begin!
• Two truths, one lie. Just like the title says, make your participants come up with 3 things about themselves, in which one of them is false. Then, in groups or pairs, the others would have to try and guess which one is the lie. It’s a great icebreaker to make your audience interact more with one another.
• Guess game. Just like the last one, it’s easier to make participants interact with one another through a game. Make everyone write on a piece of paper something fun, like an unlikely hobby or the oddest job they ever had. Your audience must try to guess who wrote which one. It’s not only a fun icebreaker, but it also helps people find out the things they have in common.
• Going to the beach. It’s an easy game, but a fun one! Each person will start by saying ‘I went to the beach and I took…’ plus an object, like a beachball, a towel, or a surfboard. Then, the next person must repeat the same sentence and add a new object to the list. The more people, the more the list will grow, and the first person who forgets an item loses! It’s also a good icebreaker for making attendees learn each other’s names by adding who brought what to part of the list they need to repeat. 
• Paper planes.  Make your audience write something about themselves on a piece of paper, and then instruct them to make a paper plane out of it and throw it! When they pick up a new paper plane, their goal will be to find the correct person. It’s the perfect icebreaker to get people moving and getting to know each other!
• Stretch. This one’s easy and straight to the point, but it does help break the boredom. Ask people to stand up and stretch for a few minutes. You can lead the exercise or play a short video on stage. After this short exercise, you can expect to see a bunch of awake and attentive faces.
• Treasure hunting. Hide a few prized items throughout the venue and send your participants on a treasure hunt. It’s always exciting to look out for a prize! Even better, by making them solve clues, you’d encourage your audience to work on their teamwork skills. 
• Stress buster. Hand small slips of paper to everyone and ask them to write down the things that are causing them stress lately. Then, during or after the presentation, ask them to rip it to shreds.
• Snowball fight. Divide your group into two sides, and give each person 3 pieces of paper to crumple. Give them 1 or 2 minutes to try to get as many ‘snowballs’ into the other team’s side. A healthy amount of competitiveness will help you break the ice in no time!
• This or that.  Another great icebreaker to highlight the things in common! Ask your audience to stand in the middle of the room, and ask them questions that will make them pick a side of the room. Things like ‘Dogs or cats?’ or ‘Night Owl or Early Bird?’ will have them jumping from one side to the other. 

Icebreakers depending on your presentation’s tone

When planning your next icebreaker, you must always take into account the context of your presentation. After all, giving a sales report to your boss is not the same as giving a fun workshop on teamwork.  

If you’re looking for the perfect icebreaker for a specific situation, here you might find the one you’re looking for!

If you’re looking for a more professional way to warm up your audience for your work presentations, these icebreakers are the one for you. Most business presentations are more serious and straight to the point, just like these icebreaker ideas!

• Storytelling. This one is the king of icebreakers for business presentations and for a good reason! Storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool to add to your presentations, as it helps to both exemplify your point and connect emotionally with your audience. And of course, this makes it the perfect option to break the ice and get their entire attention from the get-go. 
• The highlight of the week. This icebreaker is great for getting your audience into a positive mood. When planning your next business presentation, take some extra time to find something good that happened that week or that month. Maybe you record sales for that month, or you got an exceptionally good review from a customer.  
• Would you rather?  When planning your sales presentation icebreaker, this one will help to get your potential customer right where you want it. Highlight the value they’ll get from your product, and how they are missing out on it. From our experience, asking, ‘What do you prefer, struggling 5 hours per week on PowerPoint, or getting your presentations done by a professional team of designers in 24 hours or less ?’ really puts things into perspective!  
• Give kudos. The best way to put people in a good mood is to spread out some positivity!  Giving the spotlight to someone who has done outstanding work recently can be a great way to break the ice. 
• Brainstorming session. Group brainstorming is another great way to get people to exchange ideas. You hit two birds with one stone – an icebreaker and an idea generator rolled into one!

The best icebreakers for training presentations and workshops are those that incentivize teamwork and learning skills. These icebreakers will help your team get to know each other better and work together in tandem. 

• Live polls. There are many apps that allow your audience to make live polls and display the results immediately. This is a great icebreaker, as it can be as serious or lighthearted as you want. You can use it to ask the audience’s mood, their favorite food, and how much they know about the topic at hand.  
• Word cloud.  Just like a poll, a word cloud can be a great option to explore what your audience thinks about a prompt or concept you give them and to get the ball rolling. You can make them write down in groups, have them add their ideas to a board, or even make one through an app ! 
• Problem-solution icebreaker. Present a real or hypothetical problem, and ask people to pitch in their solutions. You can ask them for their input individually, or you can divide them into pairs. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.
• Finish a puzzle together. This is great for group work as everyone can contribute. For example, you can give them a few pieces each, and they’ll then work as a team to complete the puzzle.
• Pop quiz. This icebreaker is the best to keep your audience on their toes and on a learning mood. You can add it at the end of your presentation, before or after a coffee break, or even at the beginning to see how much previous knowledge your audience has. 

Virtual presentation icebreakers

Not sharing a physical space can make breaking the ice even more of a challenge, especially since many icebreaker ideas would not fit an online presentation. So here you’ll find some icebreaker options that are specifically designed for virtual meetings!

• Drawing battle. You don’t have to be a professional artist to enjoy this one! There are many apps and websites that allow you to add this game to your virtual meetings. Just propose a topic and let people try to guess what one of them is drawing! You can even divide them into teams to make it more interesting. 
• Try a virtual escape room. If you have time, try giving your audience this challenge to build cooperation and teamwork. It’s not only great for learning to work together but also to have fun and loosen up. 
• Count till 20. Your team must try to count to 20 by shouting one number each… but without agreeing in which order they’ll go. This icebreaker will definitely make people wake up, and probably also laugh as they try to avoid talking at the same time. 
• Emoji movies. Just like charades, your audience must try to guess the movie or book. But instead of someone acting, they must guess it from the emojis. It’s a great adaptation of a classic game for virtual meetings!   

Fun icebreaker ideas for playful presentations

Icebreakers can also help your presentation be more playful and fun! If you like your icebreakers a little silly to make sure people loosen up their inhibitions, then take a look at these ideas. 

• The no smiles challenge. If you’re making a fun, playful presentation, a great way to make it even funnier is to tell people smiling and laughing aren’t allowed in your presentation. This will most likely have the opposite effect, making people even more ready to laugh at your jokes! 
• Human rock paper scissors. This is a fun, high-energy game, but may not be feasible for older participants. Check this video to see if this is something you can use in your presentation.

• GIFs mood barometer. If you want your audience to be a little bit playful, having them share their mood as a GIF is the perfect way. If you want to keep some control of what they share, you can also use a live poll to give them options to choose from. It’s the perfect lightweight activity that still gives you valuable insights into your audience and their energy levels. 
• Bad jokes contest.  The only thing funnier than a good joke is an extremely bad one. Have your audience try to use their best dad jokes on each other while avoiding laughing at the jokes of the rest.  

10 Great Icebreaker Questions for Any Presentation 

Sometimes simpler is better, and the easiest way to get people talking is to ask them to do so! These icebreaker questions will help your audience open up without taking much time or extra preparation. 

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and what would be your superhero name?
• What's the most random piece of trivia you know and why?
• What is the oddest job you ever had, and how did you end up working there?
• If you could make a reality show, what would it be about?
• What cartoon character would you like to hang out with?
• Where is the most embarrassing place you ever fell asleep?
• If they made a sitcom about your life, what would the theme song be?
• What were the best and worst workshops/meetings/conferences you ever attended?
• If the zombie apocalypse began, what three people in this meeting would you want on your team?
•  If you had to teach a class right now, what would the subject be?

As a speaker or presenter, it’s important that you prepare fun icebreakers for your audience. You want people to be comfortable not just with you, but with their neighbors and groupmates as well. The icebreakers in this list are just the tip of the iceberg concerning the wide array of possibilities you can choose from. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative with your icebreakers!

Need more time to prepare for your presentation? 24Slides has you covered!

Now that you’ve begun thinking about your presentation, and the best way to break the ice with your audience, you might wish to have more time to prepare for it. Luckily, 24Slides can help with that !

You can focus on your presentation’s content and how to make your audience as comfortable as possible, and 24Slides professional designers will tackle the visual aspects of it all. In less than 24 hours , you can get a custom-made, fully editable presentation that will wow your audience and make it even more memorable. 

You might also find these articles interesting:

• 7 Essential Storytelling Techniques for Your Business Presentation
• How to Deliver the Perfect Online Presentation
• Improve Your Presentations' Body Language!

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25 fun icebreakers for virtual meetings

Icebreakers can help teams get to know each other, increase creativity, and improve team cohesion. Use these icebreakers to enhance your next virtual meeting.

• Icebreaker questions for virtual meetings
• Icebreaker activities for virtual meetings
• Icebreaker games for virtual meetings

Across many industries, working from home and an evolving environment of hybrid, distributed, or remote teams has become the norm. 

With these changes come many advantages for individuals as they navigate life and work — people spend fewer hours commuting, and can focus on being effective first and foremost, instead of just physically present. As a result, individual productivity has gone up, but it has come at a cost: Team productivity has gone down. 

How do we facilitate better teamwork in a virtual environment?

The key element to better teamwork, whether in person or remote, is connection. The more connected your teammates, coworkers, or employees feel, the more effective and productive the group becomes. 

So, how can we build better connections in a remote workforce?

Just having more meetings isn’t the answer (in fact, it can even make the problem worse). The key is to build intentional and meaningful collaborative experiences into your work. These experiences can take many forms, but one effective approach is to use icebreakers to kick off a meeting.  

What is an icebreaker?

An icebreaker is a team-building activity that helps group members get to know each other and feel more comfortable. Often used in team meetings or to introduce new students in a class, icebreakers foster a sense of community and help build rapport between colleagues, students, or team members.

Icebreaker activities can vary widely, but there are three main types of icebreakers: 

• Questions : Icebreaker questions are often simple conversation starters that provide an opportunity for team members or participants to find common ground or share something about themselves. 
• Activities : Icebreaker activities are a bit more interactive and may involve an aspect of problem-solving. ‍
• Games : Icebreaker games allow people to relax and have fun while communicating and collaborating. While these are the most engaging, they also take the most time to run.

Each approach can be as elaborate or as simple as you like — if you’re short on time or have a large group, just having a question in mind can do the trick. If you have a larger team, activities or games are sometimes the best options since they will allow for natural opportunities to break out into smaller teams or subgroups.

Below are 25 examples of icebreakers you can use to kick off a more impactful virtual meeting:

15 Icebreaker questions for virtual meetings

Icebreaker questions are an easy way to build connection over a video call. Other than Zoom or Microsoft Teams, you don’t need any extra tools or support. Simply ask the question, give your participants time to think about an answer, and let the team bonding begin!

1. Where in the world are you?

If you’re kicking off a virtual meeting with a new team, chances are you’re not all located in the same city or region (or even country). Have participants describe the city or town where they live, and name something they find iconic about that place.

2. What is your favorite film, TV series, or book?

Have everyone introduce themselves and give a 30-second pitch for their favorite film, show, or book. Did you know that your new Product Manager was super into Film Noir because of the underlying structure that mysteries provide both the narrative and the viewer? No? Well, now you do — and you’ve learned a little bit about how she thinks as well.

Related: team bookshelf template

3. What are your favorite foods?

For this exercise, have your team introduce themselves and then describe one dish that they love, and what it means to them. This is an easy way to get people talking, and again offers insight into people’s personal history, likes and dislikes, and even ways of working. Also, a shared digital space can help make this even more engaging — and even educational (new recipes, anyone?).

‍ Related: team feast template

4. If you could choose to have any superpower, which would you choose?

Ask your team to choose one or more superpowers (typically one, for the sake of keeping it short) that they might wish they had as a way to help them understand one another’s values and approaches to work. You could also tie this to an existing superhero, or even a feature film (since most of them seem to be about superheroes these days).

5. What was your very first job?

Ask each of your team members to share what they did in their first job, and (of course) bonus points for any funny stories that went with it. (Did you know that the ‘E’ in Chuck E. Cheese stands for ‘Entertainment?’ You’re welcome.)

6. What’s your nickname?

When establishing relationships, it can be good to learn familiar ways to refer to one another (pending comfort zones, of course), and the backstory angle adds a twist that can be fun and unexpected. Have everyone introduce themselves, and then share their nicknames and the backstories that go with them.

7. What animal are you?

Go around the meeting participants and hear what animal they think represents them the best. What animal each participant relates to the most may say a lot about them! Give a little bit of time before starting to let participants think about animals and what their favorite says about them.

8. What’s your cure for hiccups?

People sometimes have some pretty original ideas about how to do this! Also, it’s a lighthearted and unobtrusive way to kick things off with some potentially funny outcomes. Ask everyone to introduce themselves, and then encourage them to share a unique method of escaping the hiccups — you never quite know whom you’ll be helping along the way!

9. What’s the weirdest way you’ve met someone and become friends?

This offers teammates a way to share a personal (and probably funny) story without much risk, and gives everyone a chance to talk about not only themselves but their friends. Have everyone introduce themselves, and then share a short (1-2 minute) origin story behind one of their friendships.

10. What video game have you spent hours playing?

Just about everyone has played video games at some point in their lives (guilty), so it’s a pretty safe bet. Bonus points if you are familiar with the classics (and by that of course I mean NBA Jam and Crash Bandicoot).

11. What was cool when you were younger but isn’t cool now?

Does anyone remember parachute pants? The only risk involved in this one is that some folks are more sensitive than others about revealing their (approximate) age, but outside of that, the results are often hilarious. Use your discretion.

12. What's the first album you ever bought?

Again, there is the slight risk here of people feeling uncomfortable about age, but in our experience, many people love the opportunity to reminisce — a good follow-up question is what format. (Vinyl is back! But then, my first album was on a cassette tape — not back, yet…)

13. Who is your celebrity lookalike?

Ask your teammates to share the celebrity that people say resembles them most, and include an image reference if possible. With a visual platform, you could also gamify the experience by having everyone vote anonymously for the most convincing doppelgänger.

14. What's your go-to karaoke song?

This can be a fun way to introduce favorite kinds of music, with potentially hilarious outcomes. Also, singing has been shown to mediate fast social bonding . Bonus points if people have good stories about why they selected their songs — or particularly memorable performances.

15. What are the last 3 emojis you typed in your phone?

It’s hard to predict, but this one could get interesting, so our advice is to use only with established teams. Given that there are so many ways to interpret emojis (and, in fact, those interpretations often change across demographics), this exercise can also be useful in terms of clearing up any potential miscommunications across your team in platforms like Slack, or other tools where emoji reactions have become ubiquitous.

[Bonus] Virtual icebreaker question generator

Look, sometimes you just want to click a button and get a great icebreaker for your next virtual meeting. That’s why we created this simple icebreaker generator — so you can get a quick icebreaker idea and focus on running better team meetings.

{{icebreaker-generator="/cta-components"}}

These questions can help people open up, get to know one another, and spark further discussion (and even friendships) down the road.

Want more questions to break the ice? Check out these 100 icebreaker questions to get the conversation started .

5 Icebreaker activities for virtual meetings

One thing that can make for a good icebreaker is building strategies for working together in an open and informal way. Activities offer opportunities for team members to work together in a format that is lighthearted, but still impactful.

If you’re running a larger meeting with more than 10 people, you may want to create teams and have them run the icebreaker in a breakout room. Once 5-10 minutes have passed, bring everyone back together and share the funniest moments from the activity.

16. One-minute introductions

Short introductions are a good way to take the pressure off people when getting to know one another and set expectations. For brevity’s sake, it’s best to break it down into simple categories such as first name, last name, and one fact about each person.

17. Define ways of working together

Working together to build a team charter is a great way to learn about teammates as well as establish ground rules for engagement. Define things like: What’s the best way to get in touch? Do you prefer asynchronous work or would you rather set a meeting? How are you accustomed to collaborating with teammates? How have you handled this in your previous experiences?

We’d recommend using a visual medium for this, like the hybrid team charter template , so teammates can get a better understanding of their virtual and physical workplaces, as well as more information about time zones for synchronous and asynchronous communication.

18. Share your workspace

This activity is centered on sharing the space around you. Have everyone introduce themselves and then pick out one aspect of their workspace that is important to them.

Note: Using a visual platform where still images can be provided instead of live video can mitigate any potential discomfort during a team meeting. It can also inform colleagues about ways of working together and work styles that can build empathy and spark conversation.

19. Most embarrassing stories

It’s a fine line (so having some guidelines like ‘work appropriate’ for stories up front is the way to go), but when people share personal stories, it offers diverse groups an immediate window into their colleagues’ experiences, and fosters empathy and understanding that has measurable, positive effects on team creativity. As people introduce themselves, ask them to pick a 1-2 minute anecdote that was embarrassing for them in the past, and what they learned from the experience.

20. Show and tell

This one is a throwback to elementary school — but it’s still fun! Have everyone pick an item they want to share with the group, and allot 1-2 minutes per person to keep things moving. Questions and back stories encouraged! 

Pro-tip: If you want to add more visual interest to this activity, you can use the (free) Mural show and tell template and have all your meeting attendees submit photos before the meeting starts.

5 Icebreaker games for virtual meetings

Sometimes a little (unserious) competition can be a great way to build camaraderie — here are a few of our favorite icebreaker games for virtual meetings.

21. Company trivia

See how well your team members know the organization with a simple trivia game, and reward the winners with kudos (or maybe even a little swag?). This can be as quick as 5 company-related questions, or more involved, like a traditional game show. Just make sure the emphasis is heavy on family and light on feud (jokes!).

Related: try the Mural trivia game template

22. Throwback photos

This one is both a walk down memory lane, as well as a nice opportunity for some good natured humor. To run this game, have all your attendees send the facilitator an image of themselves as a child prior to the meeting so that you can get started right away, and then take turns guessing who’s who. 

23. Name that tune

Play a snippet of a song (or better yet, sing a few lyrics, strum a couple chords — anything you can do to make music) and see who can be first to guess the name. If you want to make it more difficult, ask your attendees to guess the artist and the year as well!

24. Two truths and a lie 

This is a classic icebreaker that can easily be played virtually. To play, each person will share three things about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. Everyone else in the group then has to try to guess which of the three things is the lie.

25. Virtual scavenger hunt 

This is a great icebreaker for larger groups as it encourages people to work together in teams. To play, divide the group into teams and give each team a list of items or tasks that they need to find or complete within a certain time limit. The team that finds or completes the most items on the list wins.

Alternatively, you can apply this same approach to smaller groups, with the Mural obstacle course template — whoever accomplishes all the tasks first gets a (virtual) gold medal!

Why should you use icebreakers?

Whichever approach you choose, icebreakers are meant to be a fun opportunity to get to know your team, while at the same time having a measurable, positive impact on team performance.

When people are more comfortable, they are more likely to participate and engage in your meeting, leading to stronger connections and better group outcomes. But how can you make people feel comfortable in a new, virtual setting?

Icebreakers contribute to are an important part of an environment of great stepping stone to psychological safety — that is, an atmosphere of respect that promotes confidence among team members that they can share their thoughts, feedback, and concerns without fear of retribution. This approach leads to a greater diversity of ideas, and ultimately more productive meetings.

Note: These benefits are why icebreakers get used in classroom settings , too

By allowing people to relax, find ways to relate to one another, and connect with each other on more informal terms, icebreakers can help set the baseline of mutual trust and respect that can grow into healthy and productive working relationships in the future, and even reinforce existing friendships.

More ways to break the ice

Yes, icebreakers can sometimes feel cheesy, but it's a fun way to learn more about your coworkers, build trust among team members, and make online meetings more engaging.

These are some of our favorites, but we love new ideas and ways of working together. We’re constantly adding to (and improving) our template library. Also, if you’re looking for warm-ups and energizers , icebreaker questions , or icebreakers for small groups , we have you covered. 

What is Mural?

Mural is the visual work platform that allows all kinds of teams to do better work together — from anywhere. Team members get aligned faster with templates, prompts, and proven methods that guide them to quickly solve any problem. They can gather their ideas and feedback in one spot, allowing them to see the big picture of any project and act decisively. 

That’s what happens when you change not just where, but how you work.

Get started with the free plan with Mural to start collaborating with your team. Don’t forget to break the ice first!

{{mural-teamwork-assessment="/cta-components"}}

About the authors

Bryan Kitch

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40 Fun Ice Breakers for Virtual Meetings

Want to inject some energy into your meetings? Your solution is right here! Spice things up with these 40 creative ice breakers for virtual meetings!

In today’s world of virtual and hybrid meetings, it can be challenging to connect with everyone and keep things engaging for every team member.

Without being in the same room, it is easy for people to feel disconnected or distracted. This is where effective virtual icebreakers come in!

We have assembled 40 fun ice breakers that are not just about breaking the ice ; they are designed to create authentic connections and build deeper bonds between team members, creating synergy and benefitting your organization as a whole.

Let us not delay! More details await.

What are Virtual Icebreakers?

Virtual icebreakers are introductory activities designed to ease interaction and build rapport among participants in online activities and settings, such as meetings, webinars, and training sessions.

These activities aim to set a positive tone by breaking down initial barriers between team members who may never see each other face to face. They also foster a sense of connection and create an engaging atmosphere conducive to collaboration.

Virtual icebreakers come in various forms, from quick and easy activities prompting participants to share thoughts to more involved games demanding teamwork and cooperation.

Quick Virtual Icebreaker Questions

Get ready to spice up your virtual meetings with these quick virtual icebreaker questions!

1. Would You Rather…?

“Would You Rather…?” questions ignite lively discussions and add fun to any gathering by presenting participants with two hypothetical scenarios to choose between.

This engaging icebreaker encourages people to share their preferences . It also sparks conversations and healthy discussions and reveals unique insights about each participant.

Here are a few intriguing examples to get the conversation flowing.

• Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?
• Would you rather journey back in time to meet your ancestors or forward to see your descendants?
• Would you rather be able to speak all languages fluently or play every musical instrument perfectly?
• Would you rather live in a world where it is always daytime or nighttime?
• Would you rather have the power to control the elements or have the power to teleport anywhere instantly?

2. Quiz Question of the Day

Why not kick things off with a fun quiz question of the day? Quizzes make great icebreakers , so starting your meeting with a brain teaser will surely excite your colleagues.

Participants can take turns answering the question, sharing their knowledge, and even competing for the correct answer.

This game not only adds an element of fun to meetings but also promotes learning, team bonding, and ongoing engagement among participants.

3. Mood Barometer

Instead of the usual “ How is everyone doing? ” which often gets just a few responses, try a different approach this time – like using a poll.

A “Mood Barometer” involves presenting a captivating trivia question at the start of each meeting. This activity encourages active participation and stimulates the collective intellect of the group.

After answering the question, participants can rate their energy levels using a quick poll. The poll allows facilitators to gauge the group’s enthusiasm and adjust the meeting dynamics accordingly.

Here are some example questions and discussion prompts to kickstart the session.

• What is the capital city of Australia? (Have you ever visited the capital city of Australia?)
• In which year did the Titanic sink? (What do you find fascinating about the story of the Titanic?)
• Who painted the Mona Lisa? (Do you have a favorite painting by Leonardo da Vinci?)
• What is the tallest mountain in the world? (Have you ever climbed a mountain or dreamed of doing so?)

4. In One Word, How Would You Describe…?

“In One Word, How Would You Describe…?” prompts participants to condense their thoughts into one word.

This icebreaker fosters concise communication and meaningful discussions. It also encourages creativity and provides valuable insights into individuals’ perceptions and emotions.

The facilitators can use word clouds to represent participants’ responses to enhance engagement visually. This creates a collective reflection of the group’s thoughts and feelings.

Here are some examples of questions tailored for pulse checks and team reflections.

• In one word, how would you describe your mood today?
• How would you summarize your energy level right now?
• What word comes to mind when you think about our current project status?
• Describe your expectations for today’s meeting in one word.
• What word best captures your overall well-being at the moment?
• In one word, how would you describe our team’s communication style?
• What word comes to mind about our team’s collaboration efforts?
• Describe the culture of our team in one word.
• How would you summarize our team’s recent achievements in a single word?
• What word best represents the atmosphere of our team meetings?

5. Where Are You Joining From?

If your teammates are spread across the globe, why not start your meeting by sending each of them a virtual greeting?

Kick things off with a word cloud, asking, “Where are you joining from?” This works wonders for large meetings or virtual events – the more locations, the more colorful the word cloud will be.

As your colleagues eagerly share their locations during the virtual icebreaker, acknowledge each contribution with a personalized shout-out.

By asking this question, facilitators acknowledge the diverse backgrounds of participants and create an opportunity for individuals to share a bit about themselves and their geographic location.

6. Rank Your Favorites

You can get people involved by having them rank their favorite things , whether from their childhood or otherwise – the options are limitless.

Use a ranking poll question, include as many options as you would like, and allow your participants to prioritize them. Here are some examples of ranking poll questions tailored for team bonding.

• Rank your favorite types of cuisine from 1 to 5 (1 being the most favorite and 5 being the least favorite): Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Japanese.
• Please rank the following outdoor activities in order of preference (1 being the most desired and 5 being the least preferred): hiking, cycling, camping, kayaking, and rock climbing.
• Rank your top three favorite movies of all time (1 being the most favorite and 3 being the least favorite).
• Please rank the following genres of music according to your preference (1 being the most preferred and five being the least preferred): pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, classical.
• Rank your preferred relaxation methods from 1 to 4 (1 for the most preferred and 4 being the least preferred): reading, watching movies, exercising, meditating.

7. Good Old Times

Tap into nostalgia by asking about childhood or teenage memories for an easy conversation starter. This conversation always sparks laughter and fond recollections.

Here are some conversation starters for the “Good Old Times” activity.

• What was your favorite childhood TV show or cartoon?
• Did you have a favorite toy or game growing up?
• What was your most memorable family vacation or trip?
• Can you remember a funny or embarrassing moment from your childhood?
• Who did you admire or look up to during your childhood?

After everyone shares their answers, invite volunteers to explain their choices. This activity will ignite lively discussions and even spark debates over the best candy or movie.

8. Emoji Introduction

Here is another engaging activity to gauge the mood of your team members – invite them to express their emotions using emojis .

Whether representing their name, role, or current mood , each person selects a series of emojis that best encapsulate their identity or how they feel in the moment.

This is an excellent virtual icebreaker for a quick and inclusive activity. It is also perfect while waiting for others to join the meeting.

Short Virtual Icebreaker Activities

Say goodbye to dull meetings and hello to instant engagement with these short icebreaker activities!

9. Unsung Heroes

“Unsung Heroes” is a heartwarming short virtual icebreaker activity aimed at recognizing and appreciating the contributions of colleagues .

This activity breaks the ice and lifts everyone’s spirits, which is much needed, especially when working remotely.

Show appreciation to the unsung heroes in your team. Start your meeting with a word cloud poll asking, “Who was your silent hero this month?”

Recognizing people for their hard work is a fantastic way to kick off a meeting. Prepare for plenty of heartwarming reactions and a smooth, morale-boosting start to any meeting!

10. Highlight of the Month

Here is a wonderful way to uplift everyone’s mood. Invite your colleagues to share their personal or professional highlights from the past week or month.

With this virtual icebreaker, you can discover what others have been up to and celebrate their achievements together.

As you begin your meeting, encourage your teammates to share their highlights using an open text poll. Then, showcase these highlights on the screen and give each one a well-deserved shout-out.

Recognizing and appreciating the actions of your team members is essential for fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

11. What Are You Thankful For?

Here is a heartwarming activity perfect for occasions like Thanksgiving or boosting team spirit during special meetings.

Encouraging team members to express gratitude and appreciation for each other fosters a positive and supportive team culture .

Kickstart your meeting with this question using either a word cloud or an open text poll, and await your team’s responses.

Display these heartfelt submissions on screen and encourage your colleagues to share the reasons behind their choices.

Creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere at the beginning of a meeting sets the tone for productive collaboration and open communication.

12. Guess Whose Desk?

Let us dive into a fun way to bond with your colleagues by getting a glimpse into their home workspaces. This virtual icebreaker combines “Guess Who?” elements with a virtual house tour akin to “MTV Cribs.”

“Guess Whose Desk?” is an engaging, short, virtual icebreaker activity that invites participants to explore their colleagues’ home workstations through an interactive guessing game.

In this activity, facilitators collect photos of each participant’s workspace and share them anonymously with the group.

Based on the visual clues in the photos, participants then took turns guessing whose desk belonged to whom.

13. Travel Bucket List

“Travel Bucket List” is a delightful short virtual icebreaker activity that ignites wanderlust and fosters engaging conversations among team members.

In this activity, each team member is invited to share one destination they would love to visit and briefly explain why it is on their bucket list.

This simple yet effective exercise reveals participants’ interests and aspirations and opens the door to meaningful conversations about travel experiences, cultural interests, and adventurous pursuits.

14. Digital Show and Tell

“Digital Show and Tell” is an engaging short virtual icebreaker activity inspired by the traditional show and tell format.

In this activity, participants are requested to share an interesting item from their digital space , such as a favorite app, website, or gadget.

The participants take turns presenting their chosen item. They will explain why they find it intriguing or valuable.

15. Time Capsule

“Time Capsule” is a captivating, short, virtual icebreaker activity that prompts participants to reflect on the present moment and curate items for a virtual time capsule.

Each team member is invited to share an item they would contribute to represent the current period, whether related to work, a personal memento, or even a screenshot of their current screen.

Participants offer glimpses into their daily lives, interests, and perspectives by selecting and presenting these items. This activity fosters deeper connections and understanding within the group.

16. Team Photo

No virtual icebreaker collection is truly complete without a group photo! It is always a blast, whether in a video chat or in person.

Participants are encouraged to engage in a virtual photo session where they can strike creative poses, use virtual backgrounds, or incorporate props to add humor and personality to the snapshot.

You can do it repeatedly by snapping a new picture each time—try funny faces, bring in your pets, or do something wild.

17. Memory Lane

“Memory Lane” offers a touching virtual icebreaker to strengthen team connections and foster empathy.

Each participant shares a childhood memory or significant life experience during this activity, sparking personal connections and a deeper understanding among team members.

This activity encourages open communication and vulnerability, paving the way for more meaningful interactions and collaborative relationships.

18. What’s the Last Picture That You Took?

Here is another virtual icebreaker that will be a hit: Have your colleagues grab their phones and find the last photo they took.

Invite your colleagues to share the photos in your Slack channel or hold it up to the camera. Finally, ask them to share the story behind the picture ( if it is not too personal! )

This icebreaker is a simple yet delightful activity that encourages conversation and helps everyone get to know each other and their interests better.

19. Weekend Photo Contest

Are you feeling a bit sluggish after the weekend? Get the team chatting with a speedy weekend photo contest.

Sharing snapshots from the weekend can be a delightful way to kick off a meeting and bring a personal touch to the team dynamic.

Whether a snapshot of a scenic hike, a delicious homemade meal, or a fun outing with friends, each photo offers a glimpse into participants’ lives outside work.

20. Five Favorites

“Five Favorites” is a lively virtual icebreaker to uncover shared interests and build connections among team members.

During this activity, participants share five beloved items from categories like movies, books, foods, or hobbies .

Through this sharing, individuals showcase their unique preferences, fostering camaraderie and encouraging meaningful discussions.

This icebreaker promotes attentive listening and sparks engaging conversations as teammates explore mutual interests and exchange recommendations.

21. Random Question of the Week

Here is another excellent icebreaker to help you bond with your colleagues: Start a new tradition by asking your team a random question each week or month.

In this activity, facilitators or team members pose a thought-provoking or fun question to the group at the beginning of each week.

These random questions can cover various topics, from favorite childhood memories to dream travel destinations or even hypothetical scenarios.

Virtual Icebreaker Games & Team Building Activities

Check out this selection of icebreaker games and team-building activities for your virtual team-building .

22. Team Trivia Quiz

Give a trivia quiz a shot with questions about your team members. Gather intriguing facts about each person, then let your teammates guess who is being described. You are bound to uncover loads of interesting tidbits!

In this activity, team members take part in a trivia quiz featuring questions about their teammates. The trivia quiz covers personal interests, hobbies, achievements, and fun facts .

Making virtual trivia quizzes a recurring activity adds an element of fun and excitement to virtual meetings while providing opportunities for ongoing learning and connection among team members.

23. Two Truths and a Lie

“Two Truths and a Lie” is an interesting activity that promotes better understanding and connection among team members.

Gather three statements about each person: two facts and one cleverly crafted lie . Encourage your colleagues to make their lies not too obvious to keep everyone guessing.

This activity encourages active listening, observation, and critical thinking as participants share personal anecdotes and attempt to discern fact from fiction.

24. Show and Tell

Drawing inspiration from the cherished childhood tradition of “show and tell,” this activity offers a delightful opportunity to deepen team connections.

Inviting colleagues to select an object with personal significance or an exciting story can foster a deeper connection and understanding among team members.

Allocate each team member 3-5 minutes to share their chosen item with the group, encouraging lively storytelling and engagement.

25. Struggle Sharing

Sharing successes and setbacks within a team fosters transparency, trust, and collaboration . Openly discussing achievements boosts morale and motivation.

“Struggle Sharing” is designed to foster openness and connection. It also promotes stronger bonds among team members and creates a sense of unity in facing obstacles together.

Consider dividing your team into smaller groups, utilizing breakout rooms in virtual settings to encourage candid discussions about professional and personal struggles.

Afterward, reconvene to reflect on the lessons learned from these experiences, turning setbacks into opportunities for collective growth.

26. Background Challenge

Have some fun with your team during your next virtual meeting! Pick a theme and ask everyone to choose a virtual background that best fits it.

Let your imagination run wild! The options are endless, whether it is your favorite movie scene, 80s disco vibes, hilarious memes, or dream vacation spots.

Sharing these backgrounds will break the ice and give you something fun to chat about as the call begins.

27. Guess Who?

Let us dive into “Guess Who?” —an interactive game that brings a guessing game to life, centered on each team member’s tastes and choices.

During this activity, participants drop hints about themselves while their peers attempt to match the clues to the right person. The hints can range from favorite foods to hobbies or dream travel spots.

Successfully guessing reveals intriguing insights about colleagues, enriching mutual understanding and team spirit.

This game thrives on active involvement, offering a playful platform for team members to showcase their unique personalities.

“Guess Who?” is about embracing individuality and strengthening team bonds through shared experiences and connections.

28. Never Have I Ever

While you are all gathered in the virtual bar, why not spice things up with a game? If you are familiar with “Never Have I Ever,” you know how much fun it can be— especially with some juicy questions it poses.

Here is how it works: You will hold your hand so everyone can see your fingers. Then, one person will read out questions like: “Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.” If you have done it, you will put one finger down.

This icebreaker is perfect for getting to know your colleagues better and sharing laughs while swapping funny stories behind each finger that goes down!

29. Visual Brainstorming

Let us talk about another engaging virtual icebreaker: visual brainstorming. Instead of simply tossing ideas around, why not try a more visual approach?

Participants use virtual whiteboards or other interactive platforms in this activity to collectively generate and share ideas, solutions, and strategies.

This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and engagement, making it an invaluable tool for enhancing team collaboration and communication.

30. Coffee Time

“Coffee Time” is a relaxed and informal activity promoting virtual water cooler moments and fostering casual conversations among team members.

In this activity, participants are encouraged to join a virtual meeting or chat room at designated times, similar to gathering around the office coffee machine.

Make it a point to schedule occasional team catch-ups, allowing you to chat with colleagues about topics beyond work. These moments can help alleviate feelings of isolation, especially in remote work setups .

31. Meet Up in a Virtual Bar

If remote work setups prevent you from enjoying an after-work drink with your colleagues in person, why not try a virtual alternative?

“Meet Up in a Virtual Bar” allows team members to explore immersive video chat platforms or virtual environments designed to simulate the ambiance of a cozy bar setting.

Participants can engage in relaxed conversations, share anecdotes, and unwind after a busy day, all from their homes.

32. Donut Friends

Remember those spontaneous hallway conversations or deep chats by the water cooler with your colleagues? While we wait for those moments to return, consider giving Donut a try.

Donut, a Slack app, randomly pairs two or three colleagues for a scheduled video call. You can use this time for virtual coffee chats, peer learning sessions, or discussions about recent books.

What makes it great is that it connects you with teammates you might not interact with regularly , fostering new connections and friendships in the workplace.

33. Pair and Share

“Pair and Share” is a fantastic virtual icebreaker that encourages deeper conversations among team members, perfect for those familiar with breakout rooms.

Pose a thought-provoking question to your colleagues and then randomly pair them up using breakout rooms if your video conferencing tool supports it.

Give each pair a few minutes to discuss the topic before reconvening in the main room to share their insights with the team.

This activity helps team members connect on a deeper level by sharing personal stories and experiences. It goes beyond typical icebreakers , fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration.

“Pair and Share” promotes meaningful talks and gives a comfortable space for introverts to share their thoughts in pairs rather than in front of the entire team.

34. Name That Sound

Are you seeking a more intriguing guessing game? Why not try your hand at identifying sounds? This activity stands out as a more challenging yet immensely gratifying virtual icebreaker!

Here is how it works: Turn off your cameras, leaving only audio on, and then produce a sound near your microphone. Your colleagues will listen in and attempt to guess its source.

Through audio-only interactions, this activity offers a unique and engaging experience that promotes teamwork, communication, and fun among team members.

35. Group Storytelling

“Group Storytelling” is designed to test improvisation skills and foster collaboration among team members. Challenge your creativity with this engaging icebreaker.

In this activity, participants collaboratively build a fictional narrative by taking turns adding to the story. Each addition enhances the story, fostering teamwork and creativity among participants.

Each member contributes a sentence or paragraph, building upon the ideas introduced by others to develop the plot and characters.

36. Online Games

Engaging in online team-building games adds a touch of fun and camaraderie to remote work, fostering interaction among coworkers just like in a physical office.

Participants can engage in various games, including trivia challenges, roasting sessions, and interactive icebreakers to promote camaraderie and teamwork.

Online games allow team members to relax and enjoy themselves together. They provide a welcome respite from work, fostering friendly competition and socializing among colleagues.

37. Virtual Pictionary

“Virtual Pictionary” is a lively game where participants take turns drawing on a virtual whiteboard or using online drawing tools while others guess the representation.

In this activity, participants take turns drawing on a virtual whiteboard or using online drawing tools while others attempt to guess what the drawing represents.

Teams race against the clock to correctly identify the drawings as the timer counts down, fostering creativity, teamwork, and quick thinking.

“Virtual Pictionary” provides a fun and interactive way for team members to connect, collaborate, and showcase their artistic skills in a virtual setting.

38. Virtual Wine Tasting

Even working remotely, you can still enjoy classic wine sessions. While it may seem challenging in a virtual setup, it is entirely doable.

Simply agree on a specific brand or type of drink, or each person can choose a different one to share their unique tasting experience.

This activity brings back the joy of social gatherings and creates a shared experience that fosters camaraderie and teamwork among team members.

“Virtual Wine Tasting” is an excellent addition to virtual happy hour ideas , providing a unique and enjoyable way for colleagues to bond and unwind.

39. Home Scavenger Hunt

Let us kick off this team-building activity by getting everyone up and moving. This virtual icebreaker is enjoyable and creates an opportunity for everyone to stretch their legs a bit.

Assign your teammates a simple task, like “You have 25 seconds to find something yellow,” or “Grab the quirkiest item in your apartment and show it to us.”

“Home Scavenger Hunt” injects energy into teams through a lively virtual scavenger hunt. This activity sparks enthusiasm and competition and encourages creativity and problem-solving skills.

40. Virtual Escape Room

Are you looking for an immersive team-building adventure? Consider a virtual escape room .

Just like the real deal, it is thrilling and challenging. Your team will collaborate to solve puzzles and crack codes to “escape” the room.

Organizers select themes and platforms that offer interactive and immersive experiences, transporting participants into captivating scenarios where collaboration and communication are vital for success.

This activity promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork , enabling collaboration and camaraderie among team members as they work together to achieve a common goal.

Key Takeaways on Ice Breakers for Virtual Meetings

As you navigate the world of virtual and hybrid meetings, remember the power of connection and camaraderie.

Do not hesitate to try out different icebreakers to keep your team energized and connected .

With our curated list of 40 Fun Ice Breakers for Virtual Meetings , the possibilities for fostering engagement and strengthening bonds are endless.

Whether through quirky questions, creative challenges, or heartfelt conversations, each icebreaker offers a unique opportunity to promote team bonding and elevate the virtual meeting experience.

Embrace these opportunities to spark meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging in your team, ensuring every virtual or hybrid meeting is filled with laughter, collaboration, and shared experiences.

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Virtual Ice Breakers: Games & Ideas for Meetings

By: Grace He | Updated: April 18, 2024

Here is our list of fun icebreakers for virtual meetings .

Virtual ice breakers are games, ideas and activities that help participants have fun and build social connections. You can use these ideas at the start of virtual meetings, and for welcoming new participants. Example games include charades, ice breaker questions, and two truths, one lie. The purpose of these activities is to create a warm and pleasant environment and do team building remotely. These activities are also known as “remote icebreakers” and “online icebreakers.”

These exercises are virtual versions of icebreaker games for large teams and icebreaker activities for small teams . These activities are also examples of virtual team building exercises , Zoom icebreaker ideas , and team building ideas for conference calls .

This list includes:

• virtual icebreaker games
• virtual ice breakers for work
• virtual team ice breaker ideas
• virtual meeting icebreakers
• short virtual icebreakers
• quick virtual icebreakers
• virtual team building icebreakers
• virtual icebreakers for large groups

Here we go!

List of virtual icebreaker games & ideas

Here is a list of virtual team ice breaker ideas to help remote teammates socialize.

1. 30-Minute Virtual Icebreakers (Top Choice)

30-Minute Virtual Icebreakers is one of the top short virtual icebreakers that will seamlessly break the ice! This hosted virtual experience will captivate teams through thoughtful games that spark conversations.

Here is what is in store:

• a 30-minute session guided by a skilled facilitator
• high-energy icebreaker activities and engaging games
• thought-provoking questions that start meaningful interactions

These exercises kickstart in-depth conversations that will last throughout the entire day. So check out 30-Minute Virtual Icebreakers to foster a stronger sense of community within your team!

Learn more about 30-Minute Virtual Icebreakers .

2. Virtual Icebreaker Bingo

Bingo is one of the most popular virtual meeting icebreakers where participants use Bingo card questions as conversation prompts.

The facilitator will first split the group into pairs or manageable numbers of not more than five. Next, the leader will generate the bingos. In each breakout room, participants will use the Bingo cards to ask each other questions. Every time a description matches a member of the team, players can mark the square. The game continues until a team gets five squares in a row or blacks out the entire card. Teams can try to get Bingo as many times as possible within the allotted time. For a successful bingo activity, it is best to use simple prompts. For example,

Here is an Icebreaker Bingo card you can use for your game: Bingo is a great choice for new teams as it encourages conversation.

For more ideas on icebreaker Bingos, try this icebreaker Bingo generator .

Get our free team building toolbox

• icebreaker games
• bingo cards

3. Virtual icebreaker questions

Using icebreaker questions at the beginning of virtual calls is one of the best ways to create a relaxed environment for your team.

Good icebreaker questions are open-ended and nudge participants to converse. You should ensure that the questions are interesting enough to engage your team. As a best practice, avoid one-worded or short answers questions. For example, instead of asking someone, “Which town do you come from?” you may ask, “What do you like most about your hometown?”

Other examples of icebreaker questions include:

• What’s an easy thing on your bucket list that you have not done?
• What is your favorite food?
• Which celebrity do people say you look like?

Icebreaker questions allow your team to interact better and are particularly helpful to new and shy members. These questions provide your team members an opportunity to get to know one another better.

For more icebreaker questions ideas, check our full list of icebreaker questions for work , these virtual icebreaker questions , these Zoom icebreaker questions , and these team building questions to ask .

4. Virtual Charades

Charades is among the best quick virtual team building icebreakers to brighten participants’ moods.

To play this game, participants will remain silent as they act out a word or sentence. Simply put the performer on spotlight and let the rest of the team members will figure out the message from the performers’ gestures. The goal of the game is to communicate the prompt without using words.

For large teams, you can split participants into smaller groups of about five members. These smaller teams may use a charades generator for prompts, and work together to figure out the charade phrases.

Here are some tips to make your charade session fun.

• Brief the participants on the game basics to ensure that every player understands how to play.
• Set clear rules and expectations for the activity.
• Allow participants to set predetermined gestures for the game.
• Mix simple and hard charade clues. It is a good idea to include short phrases and compound sentences.
• Make the charade look like competition by awarding points to correct guesses and possibly prizes.

Charades are appropriate for teams of all ages, thus, a handy icebreaker activity for employees and students.

Here is a link to a charades prompt generator .

5. Two Truths One Lie

Two Truths and One Lie is among the best virtual team icebreakers for teams.

To play this game, each participant shares three sentences about themselves. However, one statement must be a lie. The lead player may twist or omit a detail of a true story to make that one sentence untrue or can completely fabricate a fact. The rest of the participants guess which of the statements is a lie. Once all the participants have made their guesses, the lead player will reveal the untrue statement. Finally, the lead player will pass a turn to one member who guessed correctly.

If you wish to play two truths and one lie for a new team, then it would be best to let participants interact first. For instance, you can group the participants in fours or five into breakout rooms. These participants will introduce themselves and later play the game amongst themselves.

Check out more question games .

6. Association Introduction

Association Introduction is one of the best online team icebreaker activities for small groups. In this introduction game, members associate participants with a conspicuous physical attribute, which facilitates memorizing team members’ names.

To play, the facilitator will assign each member a number as they join the meeting. The team member assigned number one will be the first to introduce themself. The next, team member number two, will introduce participant number one then themself.

For example,

Member no.1: My name is Jenny, and I live in Oslo

Member no.2: The blonde is Jenny from Oslo, and I am Rashid from Cairo.

Member no.3: The blonde is Jenny from Oslo. The man with a mustache is Rashid from Cairo, and I am Joel from Rio.

As other members introduce you, you will wave your hand. The association introduction goes on until the first member becomes the last. At that point, member number one will introduce all the rest.

This activity is a perfect icebreaker for recalling folks’ names as it involves multiple introductions of the players.

Pro tip: When describing your predecessor, only use neutral opinions like eye color and choice of cloth. Avoid describing participants with offensive adjectives like fat, ugly, and arrogant.

7. Ladies and Gentlemen

Ladies and Gentlemen is one of the top virtual ice breakers for work that tests attentiveness.

The aim of this game is to pay attention to words that start with the same letter as your gender. For instance, you will play ladies and gentlemen in the first round. In this case, the ladies stand up, and men sit whenever the leader mentions a word that starts with the letter L. When the leader mentions a word that starts with G, gents will stand, and ladies will sit. For example, “Lisa and George got married last month and now live in Mali.”

In the subsequent rounds, the leader may choose male or female, he or she, man or woman, and similar variations to determine the choice of words to use. If the leader chooses to go by ‘male or female’, ladies will stand up to the word that starts with F, and men to those words starting with M. For example, “Fiona will make us fish and macaroni, but I miss having mangoes and figs.”

The icebreaker starts with all members standing. However, at no other time during the game should both groups do the same action.

You can also divide the group in other ways beyond gender, for instance by hair color, departments, or east coast vs west coast.

8. Would You Rather

Would You Rather is among the most intriguing virtual icebreakers for remote teams. In this activity, the players present weird questions and take turns to answer.

To play, the facilitator will first generate several would you rather questions,  write the questions on different cards, and finally, label each card with a number. Next, each player will choose a number, and the facilitator will read the question on the card bearing the mentioned number. The players will take turns answering the selected question.

Alternatively, participants may make up their own questions or use a generator to create prompts.

Here are good examples of Would You Rather questions.

• Would you rather take your child to work or your pet?
• Would you rather have four hands or four legs?
• Would you rather spend a month without Instagram or Facebook?

Would You Rather is a creative way to discover team members’ interests and values. The game is suitable for students and teams in all professions.

For similar ideas, check our full list of Would You Rather Questions .

9. Ice Breaker Songs

Using songs as icebreakers for remote teams is one of the simplest ways to liven up a virtual meeting. Songs can warm up vocal cords and make participants feel more comfortable chatting with each other.

You can use songs in a variety of ways. Here are interesting examples:

• Guess the tune. The leader will play a part of the song for three to five seconds. The players listen and guess the song’s details. For instance, the artist, the name of the song and the year the song was released. Players can shout out the answer or type responses in the chat.
• Sing along. The leader plays an instrumental track and encourages participants to sing the words karaoke-style. The leader may share the lyrics on a split-screen so that all members participate.
• Continue the song. The leader will put the music on for five seconds and then mute the song. The members will pick up and continue the song. Occasionally, the leader may unmute the song to keep the participants on key and on track.

Here are handy tips for choosing an effective icebreaker song

• Choose songs with chants and refrains
• Select popular tunes
• Choose songs that are simple to learn
• Mix fast and slow tempos
• Pick a song that teammates can dance to

Check out this list of team building songs for inspiration.

Me Too is on the top list of virtual icebreaker ideas for meetings. This exercise pairs team members with similar experiences.

Before the game starts, ask the participants to display all the ten fingers. Alternatively, they can hold ten pens, straws, toothpicks, or other similar objects. Throughout the game, the participants must make the fingers or the objects visible on the Zoom screen.

The leader will choose one player to kickstart the game. That player will mention something they have ever done. For example, swimming in a freezing pool during winter. Next, every other team member who has ever done the same thing will shout, “Me too!” as they bend a finger or reduce one pen by removing it from their hand and placing it on the table. The next player will share an experience, and the same response goes on until the team gets a winner. In this case, the winner is the first person to bend all their fingers or run out of objects.

The idea of the Me Too game is to identify common ground like hobbies and character and further facilitate friendship.

11. Marooned

Marooned is one of the most effective quick virtual icebreakers. This exercise is also useful for enhancing communication and problem-solving skills.

Participants can compete individually or in teams.

The team leader will give participants a survival scenario. The players will brainstorm the solutions for about five minutes. Finally, each team will share their answers.

Here are two examples of Marooned prompts:

• You and your co-workers are going on a one-week camping trip in a forest with zero cell phone signal and no electricity. What five objects will you pack?
• You and your friend are stranded on a foreign island. Neither of you have phones. The island has food, but you do not understand the natives’ language. How will you get back home?

Note: When playing as a team, one of the rules is that the number of items required in a marooned prompt remains constant. Therefore, the game will need teams to agree on the best answers.

12. Zoo Line-up

Zoo Line-up is one of the most creative icebreaker ideas for Zoom meetings.

To begin this zoo line-up game, the leader will ask the participants to think of a zoo animal they like the most. The leader will then ask the participants to pretend to be the chosen animal by imitating the chosen animal’s sound. The participants must not speak during the entire exercise. If the players are unfamiliar with the animal’s sounds, then they may use gestures to describe the animals. For example, holding hands high to signify horns.

To make this activity orderly, members will mute their device and only unmute to produce the animal sound when the leader prompts. The rest of the members may jot down the animal they think members represent.

The next task is for participants to line up the animal in order, from the tiniest to the largest. Team members can do this by commenting on the chat section. Finally, the leader will ask the players to reveal the name of the chosen animal to confirm whether the guesses and the order is correct.

This Zoo Line-up icebreaker is best combined with introductions. This game enhances memorization by associating participants’ names with the zoo animal they represented.

13. Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are fun icebreakers that promote quick thinking and build lasting memories.

The goal of the scavenger hunt is to engage team members to  locate or photograph particular objects within a specified time limit.

The leader will ask the participants to find certain items. The participant who locates the most required items within the timeframe or shows each item on screen first wins the round.

Here is a guide to doing scavenger hunts virtually .

14. Daily Trivia

Trivia is a great way to get workers warmed up for the day. Trivia questions cover a variety of topics, from geography to food to television. To include this activity in your virtual meeting, pick out a question ahead of time. You can either create a poll for a multiple-choice style question, or you can have participants message you their answers privately. Whoever answers the question correctly wins!

Check out team trivia questions .

15. Drawphone

Telephone is a childhood classic, and now, you can play it digitally! To start, have a host start a party. Then, the host will send a code to the team so they can join in.

The game will begin by giving players a prompt, and players draw it to the best of their ability. Once all participants submit their drawings, the game will “pass” you a picture from another artist. You must guess what is in that photo. Your guess is then sent to the next artist, who draws it as best as they can. The cycle continues until you end up with your original drawing, then the group can share their creations!

Drawphone is a fun way to get the whole team laughing.

Play Drawphone .

16. Poem-a-Day

Listening to poetry is a great cultural experience, and it can spark interesting conversations between colleagues. Poets.org regularly posts previously unpublished poetry by contemporary poets. You can even listen to recordings of authors reading their poems. Afterward, you can ask your employees discussion questions, such as:

• Who is the speaker of the poem?
• How does this poem make you feel?
• What is your favorite metaphor?

Thinking about poetry gets gears turning and unlocks creativity.

Read a Poem-a-Day .

17. Online Tour Guide

In this icebreaker, have each employee prepare a quick description of their favorite tourist attraction in their city. This description can include fun facts, history, and photos. For a fun bonus, have presenters include a photo of themselves at the location. Each employee will give a short presentation of the attraction, then the meeting attendees will all guess which city the presenter lives in. This is a great way for the team to get to know one another, and maybe these destinations will inspire a road trip!

18. One-Word Story

This game is perfect for groups of any size. To play, have one employee start by saying a word, like “once.” The next speaker adds another word, like “upon.” Each team member gets the chance to say one word, and when they finish, the story is over, even if it does not make sense! This game can produce unexpected and hilarious results. We recommend asking one teammate to write down each new word so they can read the final results to the whole group!

19. Team Venn Diagram

Creating a Venn diagram can connect coworkers with similar tastes.

To try this icebreaker, choose a topic ahead of time, like, “Are you a cat person or a dog person?” Then, go to Text Magic to create a free Venn diagram. You can customize each setting, like the background color, font color, and text size. Next, add titles to each side. You can ask teammates to share whether they are a cat or dog person, then write their names down in the respective circle. Employees who like both can go in the middle of the diagram. At the end, the whole team can see who has the same preferences!

This activity works with a wide variety of topics, and you can add as many circles as you would like.

Make your own diagram with Text Magic .

20. Favorite Affordable Belonging

This quick show-and-tell activity shares a bit of the team’s personality, and as an added bonus, they might find fun new items to buy! Before your meeting, ask your colleagues to pick out their favorite possession that costs less than $20. Employees will take turns showing off their items and talking about why they like them. These objects could be kitchen gadgets, books, video games, or even spa essentials. If possible, ask the team to provide a link to purchase their object. Then, you can compile all the belongings into one big shopping list!

21. Shark Tank

In this game, your team will take a page from the popular TV show’s book and pitch ideas to each other. Before your call, ask the team to come up with something they can sell to the group. Pitches can be about objects, services, or activities. Employees will take turns proposing their ideas, and the group can vote on whether or not they would invest. At the end, the team can vote on their favorite presentation. For an added challenge, you can set a time limit for each speaker.

22. Concentration 64

This schoolyard game is a fun way to test workers’ memory skills. To play this virtually, the host will recite the following introduction:

Concentration 64, no repeats or hesitations. I start, you finish. Category is…

The speaker then chooses whichever category they would like, such as animals, plants, or TV shows. Players take turns answering the prompt. However, if any contender repeats an answer or hesitates for too long, then they are out of the game. The chain continues until only one employee is left standing!

To make this game more challenging, choose specific topics, like ’80s action movies.

23. Writing Prompt Generator

To help get creative juices flowing, consider trying out a writing prompt generator. WritingExercises has a variety of prompt styles, from first lines to character traits to town names. You can have employees all write from the same prompt, or they could generate their own from the same category. Once participants have their prompts, give them a set amount of time to write. At the end of the time, go around and have each team member read their stories aloud.

Check out WritingExercises .

Virtual icebreakers are a crucial part of conducting remote meetings. These games and activities are useful in introducing coworkers, warming up the meeting environment, and enabling participants to enjoy the virtual meeting. For remote team members, who interact less often than in-office workers, virtual icebreaker exercises also help them overcome jitters and be more comfortable interacting.

Next, check out these collections of virtual icebreakers for large groups , icebreaker jokes and get to know you questions .

We also have a list of the best Zoom team building exercises , a list of the best virtual team energizers , and a list of fun remote team event ideas.

Book wildly fun team building events with expert hosts

FAQ: Virtual icebreakers

Here are answers to questions about virtual icebreakers.

What are virtual icebreakers?

Virtual icebreakers are activities remote teams use to feel at ease and set the right mood for the virtual calls. These online icebreakers include brainteasers, conversation starters, songs and introductions. These exercises are also known as “ice breakers for virtual meetings” and “virtual icebreaker games.”

What are some good virtual icebreaker ideas for remote teams?

Some good virtual ice breakers for remote teams include association introductions, me too, hot seat, and word tree. These icebreaker activities spur conversation and help members remember each other’s names.

How do you do virtual icebreaker activities?

The following are useful tips for conducting a successful virtual icebreaker activity.

• Prepare a list with a variety of icebreaker activities
• Brief the participants on the rules and the basics of the game
• Choose interesting activities based on the composition of the team. For example, team members’ age, background, and familiarity level with each other.
• Schedule icebreakers activities in the morning or at the beginning of the meeting.

Generally, virtual icebreakers should be simple to conduct so that participants can fully enjoy and benefit from the ice breakers. These ideas will enhance icebreaking for virtual teams.

Author: Grace He

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com. Grace is the Director of People & Culture at teambuilding.com. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.

Grace is the Director of People & Culture at teambuilding.com. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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Try one of these 75 virtual icebreakers in your next call to spark better attendee engagement and kickstart your meeting on the right note!

The feeling of disconnection in the workplace is startlingly common and is a leading cause of frequent employee turnover. Additionally, higher turnover can cost businesses up to $1,200 per employee —just from a lack of engagement in the workplace! You can help prevent and mitigate this risk by encouraging your employees to get to know one another, participate in meetings, and be confident about sharing new ideas with their team. A simple way to do this is by integrating virtual icebreakers into the start of your meetings when your team is already gathered to collaborate. 

What are virtual icebreakers?

75 icebreakers for virtual meetings.

• How to create the best virtual icebreaker questions using AI

Virtual icebreakers are a helpful way to connect and engage your meeting attendees at the start of each call. They can be short games or questions that encourage meeting participants to speak up and be comfortable engaging with the other team members in the meeting. To help prepare your attendees, you should include virtual icebreakers in the meeting agenda so that they can see and think about their answers ahead of time. With Fellow , you can build and collaborate on the agenda with multiple people, which makes it easy to brainstorm or document icebreakers remotely.

Great virtual meetings are just the start

Level up your meeting habits to boost engagement and productivity with a collaborative meeting agenda. Try a tool like Fellow!

Quick virtual icebreaker questions

Large group virtual icebreakers, virtual icebreaker games, virtual team-building activities, fun virtual icebreakers.

• What was one thing you did recently that was fun?
• What was the last book you read and what would you rate it out of five? 
• Where is your dream holiday destination?
• Who in this meeting have you known the longest, and how did you meet?
• What is the next place that you are traveling to?
• What was one thing that surprised you when you started this job?
• What is the hardest part about your job and what helps make it easier?
• Which ice cream flavor is the most underrated?
• At the moment, what is one thing you’re looking forward to?
• Do you prefer writing with pencils or pens?
• Are you a morning person or a night owl?
• Who here is the most likely to survive the apocalypse and why?
• What is your go-to drink while you’re working?
• If you could meet any celebrity, who would it be?
• When was the last time you listened to a podcast?
• Ask all attendees to find something red (or any other color) and show it to the camera. Get a few people to unmute themselves and share what they’ve found.
• Do a poll to see what attendees think about pineapple on pizza!
• Ask team members a question about one thing they’re most excited about in the meeting and ask them to put their answers into the meeting chat.
• Give meeting participants five minutes to find and add a video background that fits a specific theme—like outer space, a cozy winter igloo, or their dream holiday destination.
• Use reactions to measure how team members are feeling this week.
• Take a short survey to see which departments or industries attendees work in.
• Encourage a few participants to unmute themselves and share a shout-out about another team member. 
• Create a meeting chat for everyone to write one piece of recent good news in.
• Do a quiz about the company’s products to test the team’s knowledge!
• Break the large group into smaller breakout rooms and ask each group to return when they’ve found at least two things in common amongst all participants in their room.
• Ask what qualities are most appreciated in a great roommate.
• Play guess that city.
• Submit a “hot take” or unpopular opinion (you can use an anonymous survey form if you’d like).
• Play music or movie trivia. 
• Get attendees to comment on one out-of-the-box idea for the company, even if it doesn’t relate to their role or expertise.
• Within two minutes, create a new version of the company logo and then vote to see which is the best.
• Do a short Kahoot! quiz about something in common between all meeting attendees. 
• Enter participants who engage during the meeting into a draw. “Spin the wheel” at the end for a prize!
• Play a race in Mario Kart. 
• Do an online drawing competition.
• Engage in a murder mystery! You can organize it yourself or through a third party. 
• Try a digital card game. 
• Start a virtual mad libs where you take turns adding an extra word to eventually form a funny sentence. 
• Host a mini employee awards ceremony to honour various superlatives—like “Most likely to bake the best cookies”!
• Play bingo!
• Play Heads Up !
• Create smaller groups and start a game of Scattergories.
• Add captions to a set of photos—the funniest or most creative wins!
• Try a virtual escape room.
• Attempt the Count to 20 game where participants need to shout out numbers 1 through 20, in order, without two people saying something at the same time.
• Ask team members to introduce another person on the call based on what they know, to see how well your team knows each other.
• Play a quick game of “most likely to” by asking questions and getting attendees to put answers in a chat or poll.
• Ask a few members to host lunch-and-learns about a new skill they’ve learned recently.
• Host a simulated virtual office for team members to hang out in throughout the day.
• As a team, collectively agree on which superpower matches each person on your team.
• Learn about the holidays that your team members celebrate.
• Get each person to draw their own coat of armor and explain the significance.
• Talk about your Myers-Briggs personality type.
• Have each participant list a rose (something good), a bud (something they’re looking forward to), and a thorn (something that didn’t go as well as planned) about their day or week.
• Have everyone share one goal with the team and have the other members contribute ideas to achieve the goal successfully. 
•  Try the Donut meetings tool on Slack. 
• Do online yoga together. 
• Try a cooking class with an online instructor where everyone cooks from home. 
• Do a fitness challenge where team members can track progress on a shared app like Strava or MoveSpring . 
• Have all employees bring something of meaning to the call and do a short show-and-tell.
• Play two truths and a lie. 
• Play a creative “if you could” game. For example, “If you could live on any planet, which would it be and why?”
• Ask everyone to draw a picture of themselves as a superhero.
• Take a random BuzzFeed quiz together.
• For cross-departmental teams, get one department to try a task that another team would find easy or do regularly. 
• Swap recipes with another attendee.
• Share a favourite meme that you’ve seen recently.
• Tell a dad joke.
• Have each person play a theme song that suits their life or personality.
• Ask what someone would do if they had access to a time machine.
• See who can get the highest score on a typing test.
• Try to solve a sudoku or crossword puzzle together.
• Find a photo of an animal that you think represents you.
• Do a virtual tour of a museum.
• Play Among Us .

How to create the best virtual icebreaker questions using AI 

It can be hard to think of engaging virtual icebreaker questions for meetings. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create your icebreaker questions is an easy way to generate a ton of new ideas without taking up a lot of time or brainpower!  Fellow’s new AI meeting assistant  will create fun ways to engage your team and automatically add them to the meeting agenda. Since these icebreaker questions are added as part of the collaborative meeting agenda , attendees can quickly view the questions and think of their answers ahead of time.

If you’re using your icebreaker time for brainstorming, make sure to document the answers to use them later. Another perk of Fellow’s AI meeting assistant are the meeting summaries that automatically record the meeting and key points for efficient knowledge sharing. This is also a great way to relay the meeting to any team member who wasn’t able to attend.

Parting advice

As a manager, it’s important to think of new ways to keep your team interested and motivated. An additional benefit of having icebreaker questions at the beginning of each meeting is that teams get to know each other better, which makes it easier to collaborate, align on goals, and feel happy at work. When building and adding new virtual icebreakers to your routine, remember to be considerate of how games and questions may be perceived by participants. If you’re ever unsure how a team member may feel about a specific icebreaker, it’s a good idea to check in with them beforehand to ensure everyone on the call will be comfortable. After all, the main goal of the exercise is to keep teams happy, engaged, and confident about working with their colleagues! 

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30 Ice Breakers for Virtual Meetings That Work Like a Charm

Astley Cervania

Content Contributor, HeySummit

No one likes awkward silences. 

An awkward silence is, well, not a very pleasant atmosphere. Some people might feel more uncomfortable than others and it can affect how they decide to participate throughout the rest of the meeting. 

And that’s what ice breakers are for: they prevent tension from arising in the first place.  

Good ice breakers for virtual meetings get people wanting to open up and get involved. It’s also essential for setting up the tone of your meeting. 

Then again, you and your audience will have different preferences. In this guide, we’ll look at 30 virtual ice breakers from 5 different categories.

5 Different Types of Ice Breakers for Virtual Meetings 

Make your attendees feel more comfortable by winning their trust and you’ll immediately improve the attendee experience. 

That said, there are 5 different types of virtual ice breakers that we’ll be going through:

Introductions

Casual questions

Hypothetical questions

Fun activities

Group tasks

Ice Breaker Category 1: Introductions

Yourself as well as attendees simply introduce themselves to the group. Though this is mostly applicable to small meetings, there are ways to do this for large conferences. 

Introduce yourself with a fun fact

Introduce yourself by sharing your name and a bit about your own professional background. Then, share a fun fact about yourself such as:

What you like, e.g. a basketball team that you support

What you dislike, e.g. spicy food

Sharing something personal outside of the meeting agenda helps put attendees at ease by making yourself relatable. 

Go around the room

Not literally. I mean going around each attendee and having them introduce themselves. But ideally, they shouldn’t have to think too hard about their introduction, so here’s a few ways to make this easier:

Set an agenda

Share relevant information beforehand

Tell attendees how you’d like them to introduce themselves

This works well for small online gatherings. 

Make a joke

Have a few jokes prepared for both the start and the middle of the meeting to create a more friendly atmosphere. These should be appropriate and non-controversial. Cracking a joke every now and then relieves the tension. It also helps keep attendees engaged. 

Gratitude prompts

Showing gratitude yourself or giving gratitude prompts helps you create a positive and welcoming environment. This can be a great way to start getting people to open up without being intrusive.

Give compliments

Everyone likes compliments. Why not give compliments as you’re going through the meeting? 

And this doesn’t always have to be work-related. It could even be about something casual like something you noticed about their Zoom background. However, keep it appropriate by not commenting on personal factors such as religious and political beliefs. 

Emoji intros

An emoji introduction is basically getting attendees to make their presence clear by entering an emoji into the chat. This is effective when holding large virtual meetings with hundreds of attendees . 

Ice Breaker Category 2: Casual Questions

“How are you?”

Well, that’s one example of a casual question. Except, this isn’t the best thing to ask since it’s pretty generic and doesn’t show any real sign of interest to the other person. 

There are other friendly ways to start getting to know someone. The best virtual ice breaker questions, however, are those that are a tad more personalized – take this concept into account especially when planning your event marketing strategy. 

Where are you joining us from?

Ask where they’re joining the meeting from. This is a good way to start building a connection as you’re getting to know the other person without prying into their personal lives. Plus, it’s effective for finding mutual interest which could help you earn their trust. 

Have any of you watched <movie name>?

Refer to pop culture either to help attendees understand the point you’re trying to make. For example, share your favorite movie. You could also bring this up during your introduction to plant the seed and start connecting with attendees on a slightly more personal level. 

How was your weekend?

This question works best on a Monday because this is when it makes the most sense to ask about someone’s weekend. Or let’s say you’re hosting the meeting on a Tuesday – another alternative is to ask how the start of their week is going. Although this won’t immediately break the ice, it cracks by starting a conversation. 

Do you have any travel plans this year?

It’s the type of light-hearted question you’d ask a friend. Not only is it super casual and friendly but it also allows other attendees to find a mutual interest with one another. Some sample follow-up questions could be:

Any particular reason why you want to go there?

What do you like most about that place?

Have you been there before? 

Where is one place in the world you would like to go?

This is another version of the previous question. Then again, who doesn’t love traveling and exploring new places? This gives you insight into a person’s interests and opens up the door for conversation.

Do you have any passion projects you’re working on?

Passion projects say a lot about a person. It reveals their interests, values, and how they like to spend their time. It’s effective for both speakers and attendees to break the ice since you may have common interests which can spark a conversation. This is also effective for networking sessions. 

However, keep the topics related to the meeting’s purpose for more formal events. Use discretion and consider the context before asking about passion projects.

Ice Breaker Category 3: Hypothetical Questions 

A hypothetical question puts you in an imagined scenario. These can be unrealistic, funny, and even pretty weird or absurd depending on what you ask. 

Now, why ask hypothetical questions? Simple – it’s a friendly way to get to know the preferences and interests of others without being intrusive. Asking these types of questions (however, it must be appropriate to the context of your meeting) helps attendees see you in a more positive light as a fellow human being. 

Would you rather X or Y?

Would you rather go to McDonalds or KFC? 

Would you rather accidentally reply "Love you" instead of "Best regards" in a work email or accidentally call your manager "mom" during a Zoom meeting?

Would you rather work with a typewriter or a rotary phone?

If you could…

If you could have a conversation with any fictional character, who would you pick and why?

If you could work from anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

If you could swap jobs with any celebrity for a day, who would it be?

If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?

What would you do if…

What would you do if you became the richest person alive?

What would you do if you caught your boss doing TikTok dances in the office?

What would you do if you were invisible?

What would you do if you were tasked with creating a marketing campaign for a wand that existed in the world of Harry Potter?

Never have I ever…

Never have I ever sent an email wearing PJs in bed

Never have I ever pretended to be busy at work to avoid doing something I didn't want to do

Never have I ever made an embarrassing typo

Never have I ever fallen asleep during editing or filming

Never have I ever had a video go viral for the wrong reasons

Ice Breaker Category 4: Fun Activities

Fun activities… like games! Or even a simple activity that energizes your audience through interactions. Not only are these enjoyable but it also creates a more relaxed atmosphere. 

As a kid, you might’ve managed to get along with others and connect on a deeper level purely by spending time playing video games together. Well, it’s a strategy that still works. The activities listed below can be great solutions for remote teams as well as leadership and executive meetings. 

These virtual icebreakers work for both hybrid and online events . Alternatively, use these ice breaker activities to boost employee engagement at a company.

Virtual escape rooms

Escape rooms are a classic. This is a game where you have to solve riddles and puzzles to escape the room you’re put in. Although it’s an activity that usually takes place in a physical setting, it can also be played virtually. 

Ask a series of general knowledge questions to participants. This often played in teams and for good reason: it’s an interactive activity that encourages attendees to work together. 

Polls give attendees a way to share feedback or input by entering their answers into a provided space. 

You might be similar to me. Sometimes, you don’t know when to have your say in the conversation (which often happens naturally in social settings). This makes polls a good solution for people like us. 

Bingo is a fun game that’s played with randomly drawn numbers or symbols arranged in a grid pattern. Players mark off the numbers on their bingo cards as they’re called out. The first player to complete a designated pattern such as a straight or diagonal line says “Bingo”, meaning they’ve won. 

Easy enough, right?

Bingo is often used as an interactive way to engage attendees and break up the monotony of long meetings. Virtual bingo cards are easy to create and the game can be played either as a side activity or as a planned part of the meeting agenda.

Scavenger hunts

A scavenger hunt is where you’re given a list of items to find. You’re also given clues to help you find those items. 

This is a game that normally takes place in-person like how you’d celebrate Easter by doing Easter Egg hunts. However, this can still be placed online except you’d host the game through an online platform. 

Bucket Lists

A bucket list is a list of experiences or life goals you want to accomplish. This usually involves things like traveling to certain places or trying new foods. Sharing bucket lists is a fun way to begin a conversation and start getting to know one another by getting a glimpse into each other’s aspirations. 

Two truths and a lie

Two truths and a lie is a classic icebreaker game where each person tells the group three statements about themselves: two of them are true, and one of them is false. 

This is an easy game to play and doesn’t require a separate platform like some of the other games listed. It’s a fun way to get to know each other too. Either make this game the agenda for introductions or use it as a side activity to break apart long meetings so that you can retain your attendees’ focus. 

“Let’s be honest, how many of you actually use Facebook? Give me a raise of hands.”

That’s a classic example of getting attendees to put their hands up. 

This shows people that there are others similar to them. Even if many people don’t raise their hands for whatever question you asked, they can at least be reassured that they’re similar to another person (or yourself). 

Ice Breaker Category 5: Group Tasks

Group tasks create an opportunity for team bonding as well as getting people to tap into their creative juices. It can also lighten up the mood and it certainly helps with creating a more inclusive remote meeting.

Topic Discussions 

Ask a topic question and then put people into groups via breakout rooms . Have them discuss the topic so that they can share their answer with everyone else. To make things easier, assign people their roles and make it clear what needs to be done so that no one’s just sitting around and waiting in silence. 

Brainstorming Sessions

Brainstorming sessions are where you share ideas together. The only difference here compared to the previous strategy is that everyone participates in one room as opposed to putting people into smaller groups and sending them off into different breakout rooms. 

Stretch Breaks

Our backs might start to ache after sitting down for a while in an online meeting. So, doing a quick stretch can be a good way to take a short break. Plus, it’s a good way to break the tension.

Take the lead by starting with yourself. Here’s how this might go:

“Alright, almost there! Before we move onto the next section, we’ll do a 2-minute stretch since we’ve got a few ways left to go...”

Feedback Sessions

Group feedback sessions can make other attendees feel more comfortable participating and sharing their own work.

Rather than choosing a guinea pig though, you could start with your own or a pre-selected piece of work to critique together. This helps ensure that no one feels uncomfortable with sharing their own work to the rest of the group. 

Mini Reflections

Ask attendees what they’ve found the most useful or intriguing about the meeting. See if there’s anything that they find interesting that they’d like to share. 

One-Word Description

Put an image on the screen and have everyone describe it with one word. This can either be a work-related activity or a side task that’s relevant to the meeting. Or another option is to ask fun questions using this framework.

Here’s a few examples:

How would you describe your career in one word? 

How would you describe company X with one word?

Tips to Help You Break the Ice in Virtual Meetings

One of the most effective ways to win your attendees’ participation is to give them clear openings. Try not to make them have to work for it and put lots of effort in otherwise they’re less likely to engage. 

Webcams On 

Have everyone turn their webcams on to humanize the experience. Seeing each other’s faces makes the virtual meeting feel more like an in-person gathering, which can encourage engagement and overall participation. 

It also allows you to read the room better by looking at facial expressions and body language.

Use the Right Ice Breaker Techniques

Ask the right questions and select the right ice breaker strategies based on your audience and the nature of your online meeting. 

For instance, you probably wouldn’t do a virtual scavenger hunt in a meeting full of strangers as opposed to a meeting with your team. When you’re hosting a meeting with complete strangers where people don’t know each other, you might use a different fun ice breaker activity like two truths and a lie. 

Pay Close Attention to Attendees

Being a good listener allows you to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. People who feel heard and understood are more likely to engage in the meeting. Not only does this lead to a more productive session, it also leads to a positive attendee experience. Moreover, it helps you pick up on subtle cues on how an attendee is doing. 

Interactive Features

Interactive features are king, e.g. polls and DM chat. This makes it super easy for your audience to get involved. No matter what their personality types are (including introverts), the right features will give each attendee a clear opportunity to participate. 

Either look for dedicated software or use a virtual event platform to manage your online meetings.

Pre-Registration Pages

Setting up a pre-registration page allows you to establish the meeting agenda so attendees know what to expect. Another bonus is that you can collect information on each attendee so that you’re more prepared for the meeting. 

Experienced Speakers

Speakers have a crucial role to play as they have a significant impact on the attendee experience. 

Delivering content in a way that’s informative yet entertaining usually requires experience unless you’re a natural. But if you’re still not quite there, it can be worth looking into speaker directories to find a passionate expert in your industry to lead your meeting or event. 

Use These Virtual Ice Breakers to Make Your Next Online Meetings More Engaging

The ideal social environment is one that feels natural and welcoming – you don’t feel forced nor do you feel like you’re the odd one out. This type of atmosphere is important if you want to win the active participation of attendees or team members for whatever online event it is that you’re hosting. 

And these ice breakers for virtual meetings that we’ve discussed will help you do just that.

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17 Virtual Icebreakers for Hybrid and Remote Meetings

Working from home is now the norm for most knowledge workers, resulting in more virtual teams and meetings. 

And while there are many benefits of remote work , like increased engagement and commitment, a stronger sense of purpose, and higher empowerment. So far, so good.

On the other hand, the lack of face-to-face interactions remote work brings can make employees feel less connected to their coworkers unless we take action: according to our research , 23% of hybrid and remote workers say their manager is not doing enough to help them connect with coworkers.

Icebreaker questions for work and other getting to know you activities are fun and engaging ways to overcome this challenge. They create a relaxed and comfortable environment that encourages team members to interact with each other.

As People Operations Lead, I love organizing these activities for our FlexOS team.

In this article, I’ll explore some of my favorite virtual icebreakers for your next meetings, including creative and impactful ideas and games to help your team connect and communicate better.

What are virtual icebreakers?

Virtual icebreakers are activities or questions designed to build connections and facilitate interactions among team members in virtual meeting and remote work settings. 

Virtual icebreakers take traditional 'getting to know each other (better)' to the online realm. 

They serve several important purposes, including:

• Building Team Bonds: Virtual icebreakers create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that encourages team members to interact and get to know each other beyond work-related discussions.
• Enhancing Engagement: These activities increase engagement and commitment among team members, fostering a stronger sense of purpose and empowerment.
• Alleviating Isolation: In remote work, work from home loneliness can creep in. Icebreakers help mitigate this by promoting connections beyond work tasks.
• Boosting Remote Collaboration : Building relationships through icebreakers forms the foundation for better collaboration, increased employee productivity , and overall team cohesion.

Engaging Virtual Workspaces for Remote Teams

Enhancing your remote team's engagement by setting up a tailored virtual workspace is a must. Explore our 5 picks.

JLL's Ben Hemley said it well : 

"The 'more hybrid' someone's work pattern is, the more they reported feeling overwhelmed. Both by a huge mental burden and isolated, lacking strong connections with colleagues." – Ben Hemley, JLL

Icebreakers can help solve these challenges by allowing team members to connect beyond the work they have to do on a video call. 

This is key for companies to drive employee engagement , the level at which people feel committed to their jobs.

1. Quick virtual icebreaker questions

If you have little time, a quick virtual icebreaker question will do the job. 

But take it from me: just because they're simple doesn't mean they need to be boring. Let's dive into a few activities that can go way beyond just icebreaker questions.

Virtual Meeting Platforms To Make Remote Work Effective & Engaging

Online meetings don't have to be dull or annoying. Explore the best virtual meeting platforms to boost your collaboration with fun.

There are many ways to do icebreakers for a virtual meeting at work. 

The simplest way is to ask icebreaker questions at the start of your meeting . As a manager or team leader, you want to start the session with something fun before diving into the work.

These icebreaker questions get everyone to pay attention right when the meeting starts. It also primes people to be empathetic as they hear others reply as human beings, not just as coworkers.

#1. Icebreaker Questions

You may experience awkward silence on Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms ; team members turn off the camera, waiting until the right time to take turns and speak up. 

Icebreaker questions are the simplest way to break the quiet, shake things up, and kick off engaging conversations before your meetings.

Forget boring and stale icebreaker questions – enter the AI Icebreaker Questions Generator.

Simply type in who's participating, how long the icebreaker should last, and what the purpose of your session is (if any.) 

The tool will deliver a set of personalized questions to spark your team's enjoyable conversations.

How to use the AI Icebreaker Questions Generator: ‍

• Click on the image above
• Click on AI Mode
• Share your icebreaker session topic or purpose. Example: Fun Christmas.
• Select the length of your session - 5, 15, or 30 minutes.
• Input your team member names and enjoy the icebreaker question session with the team.

#2. Mood Check-in  

It's hard to capture your team's mood by asking classic questions like "How are you?"  Those simple questions often just get an "I'm good" answer. 

The mood check-in is a great way to understand how your team authentically feels through an upgraded and fun version: mood polls or emojis. 

This creates space for deeper sharing and connecting.

How to play Mood Check-in:

1. Create an account , choose a rating poll template.

2. Send links or share a QR code with your team through screenshare.

3. Have your team respond and share.

1. Create a copy of the Favourite Emojis Icebreaker template.

2. Share an editable link with your team and wait 5 minutes for their input.

3. Open the discussion by asking your team: “Why did they pick that emoji?”

#3. Would You Rather Questions

Imagine you're at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and you can only load up your plate with one delicious food between two options: Pizza or Tacos; which one would you go for?

" Would You Rather Questions " or "This or That" are your one choice between two.

This game can ignite a discussion and be a lighthearted way to bond with your team. Ask intriguing and fun question pairs like:

• Read minds or see the future?
• Unlimited money or unlimited free time?
• Fancy dinner or a cozy picnic?
• Face your biggest fear or spend a week with the person you dislike the most.

Make it easy to play, check out, or create your own with our Would You Rather questions AI Generator.

How to play Would You Rather:

1. Select your fun level.

2. Share your Would You Rather session topic or purpose, for example, Hobby and Interest.

3. Select your difficulty level from Icebreaker, Mix-it-up, to Secrets.

4. Screenshare Would You Rather with your team and enjoy the game.

2. Short virtual icebreaker activities

#4. two truths and a lie.

Want to discover surprising facts about each member? Get your detective hats on and guess one lie in three statements from chosen members.

As its name suggests, Two Truths One Lie is a bonding game to get to know your people (works best for newbies joining your team).

The game can reveal many interesting things about teammates you may not otherwise hear, like hobbies, favorite foods, childhood or travel experiences, etc.

How to play Two Truths and a Lie:

1. Each person shares two factual statements and one lie about themselves.

2. Your team guesses which statement is the false one.

3. Continue until everyone has had a turn.

#5. Favorite movie or TV show

Each person has different fashion tastes, similar to movie genres. 

Learning about the movie tastes of each person in your group is also a way to understand your coworker's personalities and interests and find common ground. 

Try your Favorite Movie or TV Show; it may spark a friendly debate or discussion about different movies and fun shows. 

How to play Favorite movie and TV show:

1. Before your virtual meeting, start the game with a simple question: “What is your favorite movie recently?”

2. Let your team type on the chat, or each member take turns sharing their all-time favorite movie.

3. After each person shares, let your team discuss and engage in a fun and interactive way about different movies and shows.

#6. Scattergories

Are you looking for a brain-hacking game that challenges your team's memory and quick-thinking skills? Scattergories is the name.

For example: Listing popular pop songs in the 1990s or capitals worldwide.

In this game, each member has a short time limit, say within 10 seconds, to name something that fits the category. If someone can't name something in time, they’re out. 

The game goes on until only one person remains standing as the winner. We found an online version of Scattergories you can try with your team.

How to play Scattergories:

1. Select a category topic and determine the turn order.

2. Set a short time limit for answers, typically 10 seconds.

3. Start the game and have fun. 

4. Continue rounds with new categories until there is a winner.

#7. Favorite foods

Food is something that connects us all. Allow each team member to open their unique culinary door for others to enter. 

It can lead to mouthwatering conversations and discovering shared food interests within your team. 

Not only sharing about the dish but maybe even the thrilling stories behind them. 

How to play Favorite foods:

1. Begin with a warm-up question: “What is your all-time favorite food?”

2. Go around your virtual room with each person, describing their favorite food and why they love it.

3. Encourage your team to show a picture of their favorite food to liven it up!

4. After each share, discuss shared experiences and food interests together.

#8. Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever is one of the best games to reveal unexpected facts about each other.

Usually, it is a drinking game, but you don’t have to wait until you can meet in person with your distributed team to play. 

This game can be adapted creatively to online settings using hands (without needing beers or whiskey unless you want to and have some lying around.)

The game will bring a new level of fun and laughter to your next meeting. (You may have some changes in how you perceive someone after this game.)

How to play Never Have I Ever:

1. Explain the basic rules.

2. Start the game: each team member shares a statement starting with, "Never have I ever..."  about something they haven't done. Example Statements: Never have I ever been skydiving.

3. Other members put a finger down if they have done it.

4. Continue until one person remains – the winner.

#9. OneThing

Eric Partaker inspired this idea by writing on LinkedIn: “Start team meetings with each person sharing one thing that made them smile from the prior week.”

Starting meetings off positively will set the tone for productive collaboration. 

The "OneThing That Made Me Smile" sounds simple, but it’s an effective way to kick off your team meetings with positive vibes. 

How to play OneThing:

1. Begin by asking your team: "What was the one thing that made you smile last week?"

2. Go around your virtual room, inviting everyone to share their bright moment or experience. This could be an event, a gesture, a personal achievement, or anything positive from their past week. Please be mindful that not everyone may want to contribute or that some people have had tough weeks prior, and invite only, not tell people to share.

3. React and comment warmly on each others' stories.

3. Icebreaker Games & Team Building Activities

Sometimes, you want to do more than ask questions and hear people's replies on the fly. That's when icebreaker games come into play. 

icebreaker games have the same purpose as icebreaker questions: to connect coworkers as people beyond the work. 

But they have a bit more production value.

icebreaker games vary; the best ones take little preparation and can be done on the fly. 

Besides Virtual Scavenger Hunt, Two Truths and a Lie, and Guilty Pleasure, here are some icebreaker Games we love:

#10. Photo Collage

A picture can contain many unforgettable moments. 

Sharing a personal photo and its story is a great way to bond with your team and learn more about each other's lives and memories.

The idea is that each team member uploads a memorable photo of themselves to a shared collage. 

This could be a childhood photo, wedding photo, vacation photo - anything that holds meaning for them.

Find a free Photo Collage template here .

How to play Photo Collage ‍

1. Copy our collage template and share the link with your team.

2. Have everyone add their photo to the template before your meeting.

3. Run the activity and share the stories behind the photos.

4. After the meeting, share the collage to the Team’s channel/Slack/Email as a recap.

#11. Kudo Wall

It's easy to overlook recognition when your team is in an intense period and grinding away at work. 

However, showing appreciation energizes individuals and fosters a culture of appreciation and recognition in the team.

If you sense that your hardworking crew needs more gratitude, consider a Kudo Wall for your next meeting. Each card symbolizes a thank-you note your team members can write to appreciate each other.

How to play Kudo Wall

1. Simply copy our Kudo Wall template and share the link with your team.

2. Ask everyone to think of someone recently done something they’re grateful for.

3. Then, run the activity and have everyone share their kudos.

4. After the meeting, share the Kudos Wall in your Teams or Slack channel or send it via email to keep the memories.

#12. Body Scan

Picking up on the cues that signal how your teammates feel can be challenging. That's where the Body Scan comes in.

Body Scan offers a creative way for people to connect with their emotions and reflect on their physical sensations.

It reminds your team that they each have feelings that impact their work lives, and they owe it to each other to listen, understand, and support one another.

Add it to the beginning of your team meetings and establish a constructive and empathetic work atmosphere.

How to play Body Scan:

1. Copy our Body Scan template and share the link with your team.

2. Ask everyone to combine and make their body figures by combining colored body parts.

3. Then, run the activity and have everyone share.

4. After the meeting, share the Body Scan in your Teams or Slack channel or send it via email.

#13. Butter

Butter is one of the most interesting virtual meeting platforms . But unlike traditional video call tools, butter is tailored for engaging and interactive collaborative sessions.

With an extensive library of templates for icebreakers and games, it offers captivating templates to elevate your virtual meetings and keep your team enthusiastic, fun, and connected.

Our recommended icebreakers to take advantage of are Simon Says, Fun Fact, Stories, and Guess a Story. 

How to play on Butter:

1. Create your account on Butter.

2. Start the session by clicking on the template bar on the right side. 

3. Choose one among one hundred public template gallery.

4. Enjoy the game with your team!

#14. Monster Workshop on Miro

If your team is filled with creative individuals looking for a fun and interactive icebreaker game, look no further than "Monster Workshop" on Miro. 

This game is perfect for those who want to let their imagination run wild and collaborate effortlessly.

With on-the-page instructions and no need for prior preparation, your team can dive right into the excitement of creating their unique monsters using various monster parts.

How to play Monster Workshop

1. Duplicate the template and share the link with your team.

2. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes.

3. Instruct your team to add their name and name their monster in the designed areas.

4. Start making monsters, then move these monsters to the collaboration station.

5. Share your screen while you vote for the most creative one.

#15. Build-It (with art) Icebreaker on Miro

Communication through emojis has become an integral part of modern digital interactions. 

Build your stories through emojis with a fun activity on Miro; this interactive game is designed to engage your team creatively and expressively.

Each member will select a question from a provided list and use emojis and shapes to answer it. 

From there, your team can learn more about how each other uses emojis and tell their stories through visual representations.

How to play Build-It

2. Set a timer.

3. Let your team members choose a question and answer by building a story with the emojis and shapes given.

4. Sharing time! Your team takes a turn to share their artwork. (The above is our team’s!)

Explore even more icebreaker activities and templates on Miro

#16. Skribbl

Skribbl is an online multiplayer drawing and guessing game that brings your team together dynamically and engagingly. 

Whether in the same room or scattered across different locations, Skribbl allows everyone to participate and showcase their artistic talents.

Even if drawing isn't your forte, enjoy some laughs, friendly rivalry, and a fantastic opportunity for team bonding as you try to decipher each other's doodles.

How to play Skribbl

1. Choose your fun character and create a private room.

2. Set the number of players, drawing time, and number of rounds before sending the link over to your team.

3. Start drawing and guessing.

#17. Gartic Telephone

Your team can play a virtual version of the traditional telephone game with your team on Gartic Phone. 

Simply set it up and start drawing and describing scenes based on the given prompts.

There are many modes in the game, but the Basic Mode is the most simple and hilarious one. See the unpredictable twists and turns that unfold when the messages pass.

How to play Gartic Telephone

1. Go to https://garticphone.com/ , enter your name, and click start.

2. Copy the invite link and send it to your team.

3. In the meantime, choose a mode and custom settings before the game starts.

4. When the game starts, everyone fills in the fun prompt.

5. Enjoy the drawing adventure; super-fun results are waiting ahead.

How to choose the right icebreaker games?

When it comes to connecting and playing games with your team, any game can be great. Just like icebreaker questions , choosing the right one can be challenging, but don't overthink it. Anything that lets people share about themselves during video conferencing is a win for both you and your team. 

To ensure that your icebreaker question works, you must consider the context of the meeting, who is attending, and what you've already tried. Try to build on what worked before. Here are some tips to help you choose the right icebreaker question:

1. Consider the group: Think about the age range, cultural backgrounds, and personalities of the group. Choose a question that is appropriate, relevant, and inclusive.

2. Consider the purpose: Think about the goal of the meeting. Are you trying to break the ice and get people to know each other? Or are you focusing on a specific topic or issue?

3. Consider familiarity: Think about how well the participants know each other. If they are strangers, choose an icebreaker game that is easy and non-threatening. If they know each other well, choose something that will challenge them to think more deeply or creatively.

4. Keep it simple: Choose an icebreaker game that is easy to understand and doesn't require a lot of explanation or setup.

5. Keep it fun: Choose a question that is light-hearted and enjoyable. The goal is to make people feel comfortable participating fully in the game.

This should lead you to just the right virtual icebreaker. 

Let me close with a picture of our team:

Tips for Facilitating Icebreakers in Virtual Meeting Platforms

Running any activity can be challenging. 

How do you capture people's attention? How do you keep them engaged throughout? How do you wrap up the session well? Below are a few tips for successfully running exercises and being a pro at meeting facilitation .

On the day of the icebreaker, properly introduce the activity and establish some ground rules. 

Sometimes, with the meeting starting in a few minutes, everyone might be preoccupied with their work or chatting. 

I found that in those situations, it's important to capture their attention without feeling awkward. 

You can achieve this by simply suggesting that instead of looking at emails and spreadsheets, the team takes a break and spends the next 10 minutes connecting with each other. 

Before starting the activity, it's essential to set some ground rules to ensure that the session is productive. You can remind everyone to respect each other's ideas and opinions, avoid interrupting or dominating the conversation, and adhere to the time limit. 

Additionally, it's important to encourage active listening, ask clarifying questions, and keep an open mind. Once the ground rules are established, you can dive into the session and enjoy the activity.

Setting the tone this way ensures that people know what to expect, providing clear instructions and encouraging participation.

Towards the end of the activity, you can recap and remind people that it was great. You can also summarize any specific learnings you may have gained from the session. ‍

Virtual icebreakers are fun activities that can help virtual teams connect and communicate better. 

This is especially important since 2022 Microsoft research shows that only half of remote employees have strong relationships with their teams.

Icebreakers can drive employee engagement, making it easier for team members to connect beyond work. 

One easy way to do icebreakers for your virtual meeting is to ask a question during the morning meeting. Icebreaker games are also effective but should take a short time to prepare.

As a manager or team leader, starting a virtual team meeting with an icebreaker question or game can create a relaxed and comfortable environment that encourages interaction. 

Anything that allows team members to share about themselves is beneficial. Try these icebreakers in your next virtual team meeting to help your team connect and engage. ‍

A final note

As we work more distributed than ever, you may wonder about employee engagement and how to managing remote teams.

I suggest employing employee engagement strategies to keep your team working well together regardless of location. Practices employee engagement best practices and use employee engagement tools to excel. For the best results, consider working with employee engagement survey providers .

You can also deploy various employee engagement activities, like asking Would You Rather Questions , Icebreaker Questions , 5-Minute Team Building Activities , and Virtual Team Building Activities . (For big teams, split them with this Random Group Generator .)

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Top 10 Icebreakers For Your Next Presentation

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

If you are here, this is your sign to elevate your presentations from mundane to memorable with our guide on icebreakers for your next presentation. Are you tired of the same old routine when it comes to presentations? Are you looking for ways to captivate your audience, foster connections, and ensure your message doesn’t fall flat? Well, look no further because we’ve got the secret ingredient to transform your next presentation from mundane to memorable: Icebreakers!

In this blog, we’ll explore a treasure trove of icebreaking techniques to transform even the iciest of atmospheres into a vibrant and engaged audience. So, whether you’re a seasoned presenter or stepping onto the stage for the first time, get ready to discover the magic of icebreakers and watch your presentations come to life!

Why Icebreakers are Important?

Did You Know “ Icebreakers have an ancient history dating back to ancient Greece, where they employed “paradoxography,” a storytelling form, to engage and entertain participants during gatherings?”

Breaking the ice is like warming up a room full of strangers, it’s the catalyst for transforming uncomfortable moments into meaningful connections!” 

Picture this scenario: you are in a professional setting, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and it feels as if you are in uncharted territory. That is when someone proposes an icebreaker activity. Suddenly, you are engaged in a thought-provoking exercise, sharing insights, and gradually forming strong professional bonds.

Icebreakers are an essential tool in any social or professional setting, as they help to break down barriers, encourage interaction, and create a positive and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are hosting a meeting, a workshop, a team-building event, or a conference, incorporating icebreakers can greatly enhance the overall experience for participants. In this blog post, we will explore the key points highlighting the importance of icebreakers and their numerous benefits.

Breaking the Ice

The primary purpose of an icebreaker is to break the ice between participants who may not know each other or who may feel hesitant to engage in conversation. By facilitating an initial interaction, icebreakers help to create a sense of familiarity, ease, and connection among attendees. They provide an opportunity for individuals to share a bit about themselves, their interests, and their backgrounds, which can lead to finding common ground and sparking conversation.

Building Trust and Relationships

Icebreakers play a crucial role in building trust and relationships within a group. When participants engage in icebreaker activities, they become more comfortable with each other, which encourages open communication and collaboration. Icebreakers foster a sense of trust and create a safe space for individuals to express themselves and share their thoughts and ideas. This improved trust and rapport can greatly enhance teamwork and collaboration throughout an event or project.

Energizing Participants

Icebreakers are an excellent tool for energizing participants and increasing their engagement. They help to shift the atmosphere from one of formality or initial awkwardness to one of energy and excitement. Icebreakers inject fun and enthusiasm into the event or meeting, making it more enjoyable and memorable for all involved. They also help to boost participants’ energy levels and attention span, ensuring that they are fully engaged and present throughout the entire duration of the activity.

Encouraging Creativity and Innovation

Icebreakers often involve out-of-the-box thinking, creative problem-solving, and innovative approaches. By engaging in activities that challenge participants to think differently or explore new perspectives, icebreakers stimulate creativity and innovation. They inspire individuals to break free from rigid thinking patterns and embrace fresh ideas. This creative environment can lead to more innovative solutions, insights, and outcomes further into the event or project.

Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity

Icebreakers are inclusive by nature, allowing individuals from various backgrounds and with different perspectives to come together and participate equally. They create a space where everyone’s voice can be heard, regardless of their role, hierarchy, or experience. Icebreakers can also be adapted to accommodate cultural differences and ensure that all participants feel comfortable and respected. By promoting inclusivity and diversity, icebreakers help to create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment for all.

Enhancing Learning and Retention

Here’s an interesting tidbit: People tend to remember information better when it’s associated with a positive or enjoyable experience. Icebreakers create a positive atmosphere, making your key points more likely to stick in your audience’s minds.

When participants are actively engaged and emotionally connected, they are more likely to absorb and retain information. Icebreakers help to create an optimal learning environment by providing an opportunity for participants to become actively involved in the experience. By warming up the mind and priming it for learning, icebreakers can significantly enhance knowledge retention and application.

How to Choose the Right Icebreaker?

Icebreakers are a crucial aspect of any event or gathering, as they help break down barriers, encourage interaction, and create a positive atmosphere among participants. However, choosing the right icebreaker can be a challenging task, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some practical tips and examples to help you make the best choice for your audience.

1. Consider the Audience

The first step in choosing the right icebreaker is to consider the size and diversity of your audience. Different icebreakers work better for different group sizes and compositions. For example, an icebreaker suitable for a small team might not be as effective for a large conference. Take into account factors such as age, occupation, and cultural background to ensure that your icebreaker resonates with everyone present.

2. Align with the Event Theme and Objective

Next, consider the theme and objective of your event. An icebreaker that complements the purpose of the gathering or relates to its theme can set the right tone and create a sense of relevance among participants. For instance, if you are hosting a professional networking event, a suitable icebreaker could be asking attendees to share something about themselves that is not typically found on their professional profiles, as commonly done on LinkedIn.

3. Time and Space Constraints

The available time and space for your icebreaker activity will also impact your choice. Consider the duration of the event, whether it is a short meeting, a full-day workshop, or a multi-day conference. Tailor your icebreaker accordingly, ensuring that it is engaging but not time-consuming. Additionally, consider the physical space and ensure that the icebreaker can be executed comfortably within the given environment.

4. Familiarity and Comfort Levels

The level of familiarity and comfort among your attendees is an essential factor to consider. Icebreakers work best when they encourage participants to step slightly out of their comfort zones. However, it’s crucial to strike the right balance to avoid any discomfort or resistance. If your audience is particularly introverted or unfamiliar with each other, opt for icebreakers that are low-pressure, quick, and personal. Asking attendees to share a community or cause that holds personal meaning, as often done in Facebook Groups, can create a sense of connection without being overwhelming.

5. Be Prepared to Adapt

Lastly, be prepared to adapt and adjust the icebreaker if necessary. Sometimes, despite careful planning, an icebreaker may not work as expected or may require modifications while in progress. Stay flexible and open to making changes on the spot if needed. Being attentive to the participants’ engagement and reactions will help you gauge the effectiveness of the icebreaker and make any necessary tweaks.

6. Asking the Right Questions

• To choose the most suitable icebreaker for your event, ask yourself and your team relevant questions:
• What do my audience members like and dislike?
• What icebreakers have worked well in the past for similar groups?
• What icebreakers have they already experienced or seen before?
• What specific goal do I want to achieve through the icebreaker?

By asking these questions and conducting proper research, you can gather ideas and options that align with your audience’s preferences and the goals of your event. Combine your findings with your own experiences and observations to choose the icebreaker that is most likely to create a positive and engaging experience for everyone involved.

What is a Good Icebreaker for a presentation?

A good Icebreaker sets the pace for an effective and memorable presentation. It isn’t boring nor is it routine. It excites and energizes as you start with a bang. Here are 10 examples of the best Icebreakers in the field:

• The 5 great icebreaker questions?
• One-Word Icebreaker Game
• What’s in the Bag Icebreaker
• Two Truths and a Lie:
• Speed Networking:
• Would You Rather
• Human Bingo
• Scavenger Hunts
• Non-cringeworthy icebreaker- “Two Truths and a Dream”

1. The 5 great icebreaker questions

  What is one thing you hope to accomplish in today’s meeting?

This question sets the stage for a productive discussion by encouraging participants to clarify their goals. It also helps the meeting facilitator tailor the agenda to address these expectations. For example, someone might say, “I hope to gain clarity on the project timeline,” which signals to the group that timeline discussions are a priority.

What is one word that describes how you feel about the upcoming project?

This question allows participants to express their emotional stance regarding the project, fostering transparency and empathy within the team. Responses can vary widely, from “excited” and “optimistic” to “apprehensive” or “curious.” Understanding each other’s emotions can aid in gauging the team’s overall morale.

Share one personal or professional success you’ve had since our last meeting.

This question promotes a culture of celebration and acknowledgment within the team. Participants can share accomplishments, whether big or small, that have occurred since the previous meeting. It encourages positivity and recognition of individual and collective achievements.

What is one challenge you anticipate facing in the upcoming weeks?

Anticipating challenges is crucial for proactive problem-solving. By discussing potential obstacles beforehand, teams can strategize and support each other more effectively. For instance, someone might mention, “I foresee difficulties in aligning our schedules for the project kickoff.”

What’s a book, podcast, or article you’ve found inspiring lately?

This is a powerful icebreaker that not only promotes knowledge sharing but also opens the door to meaningful discussions and interesting recommendations. This question sets a positive and engaging tone for meetings, promoting empathy, and providing valuable resources beyond the session. It’s a simple yet effective way to tap into the collective wisdom of the group while nurturing a culture of curiosity and inspiration.

2. One-Word Icebreaker Game:

Choose one word to describe your weekend.

• This prompt encourages participants to reflect briefly on their personal experiences. Responses could range from “relaxing” and “productive” to “adventurous” or “restful.” It provides insight into individual weekend experiences and sets a friendly, informal tone for the meeting.

Pick one word that captures your goals for the coming year.

• Participants can express their aspirations succinctly, like “growth,” “innovation,” “balance,” or “learning.” This exercise promotes goal sharing and may uncover common objectives or themes among team members.

Select one word that best represents your work style.

• This prompt encourages participants to self-reflect on their work approach. Words like “collaborative,” “methodical,” “adaptive,” or “focused” can offer insights into team dynamics and help in understanding each other’s strengths.

Fun One-Word to Describe Yourself Icebreaker:

• Choose one word to describe your personality.
• Share one word that sums up your morning so far.
• Pick one word that represents your favorite hobby or activity.
• This icebreaker is versatile and can be adapted to various contexts, allowing participants to share something about themselves in a concise, engaging manner. It’s a fun way to get to know each other better.

3. What’s in the Bag Icebreaker:

In this icebreaker, a bag contains various objects that participants can draw from. Each object represents a different aspect of the meeting or project. For example:

• A stress ball to represent managing project pressures.
• A puzzle piece to symbolize problem-solving.
• A pen to represent communication and collaboration.

When someone draws an object, they must relate it to their perspective on the meeting or project. This activity encourages creative thinking and adds an element of surprise and engagement.

These icebreakers help create an inclusive and interactive atmosphere, enabling participants to connect on both a personal and professional level. Feel free to customize these questions and activities to fit your specific meeting or event goals.

4. Two Truths and a Lie:

“Two Truths and a Lie” is a classic icebreaker that encourages participants to share interesting facts about themselves while adding a bit of mystery. Here’s how it works:

• Each participant takes turns sharing two true statements about themselves and one false statement.
• The other participants then try to guess which statement is the lie.
• The reveal follows, where the person reveals the false statement and shares the actual truth behind it.

Example: Participant A says:

• “I once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.”
• “I’m fluent in three languages.”
• “I have a pet elephant.”

Participants B and C might guess that statement 3 (“I have a pet elephant”) is a lie. After the reveal, Participant A explains that they’ve never had a pet elephant, but they did climb Mount Kilimanjaro and are indeed fluent in three languages.

5. Speed Networking:

Speed networking is a structured, fast-paced activity designed to help participants make meaningful professional connections within a short time frame. Here’s how it typically works:

• Participants are paired up for a set amount of time (e.g., 3-5 minutes).
• During this time, they introduce themselves, discuss their professions, and exchange contact information.
• After the allotted time, participants switch partners until everyone has interacted with multiple people.

Example: In a speed networking event for entrepreneurs, participants A and B have a 3-minute conversation. They discuss their business ideas, challenges they’ve faced, and potential areas of collaboration. Once the timer goes off, they exchange business cards and move on to meet new people.

6. Would You Rather:

“Would You Rather” is a fun icebreaker that encourages participants to make choices and share their reasoning. Here’s how it works:

• Each participant receives a card with two options (e.g., “Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?”).
• They must choose one option and explain why they made that choice.
• This icebreaker can lead to interesting discussions and insights into participants’ preferences.

Example: Participant A receives a card with the question, “Would you rather travel back in time or visit the future?” They choose to travel to the future because they’re excited to see technological advancements. Participant A then shares their reasoning with the group.

7. Human Bingo:

Human Bingo is a great icebreaker for large groups. Each participant receives a bingo card with different characteristics or experiences, such as “Has traveled to five countries” or “Speaks more than two languages.” Participants mingle and try to find people who match the descriptions on their cards. When they find a match, they write that person’s name in the corresponding bingo square.

Example: Participant A’s bingo card includes the statement, “Has run a marathon.” They approach Participant B, who has indeed run a marathon. Participant A writes Participant B’s name in that square. The goal is to fill in as many squares as possible and shout “Bingo!” when they do.

8. Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt is an interactive icebreaker that involves participants searching for specific items or completing tasks within a set time frame. It can be done indoors or outdoors, and participants can work individually or in teams. The organizer provides a list of items or tasks, and participants race to find them.

Example: In an office-based scavenger hunt, participants might receive a list that includes tasks like “Find a red stapler” or “Take a selfie with a colleague from a different department.” The first person or team to complete all the tasks wins.

These icebreakers serve various purposes, from fostering connections and networking to sparking creativity and promoting engagement. They can be adapted to suit the specific goals and preferences of your event or meeting, making them versatile tools for building rapport and enhancing interactions among participants.

9. What are some fun facts for Icebreakers?

Facts make for fantastic icebreakers because they’re like little windows into each person’s unique world. Sharing a fact about oneself or a fascinating tidbit of knowledge not only sparks conversation but also fosters a sense of curiosity and connection. Facts are the bridges that allow individuals to relate to one another, creating a dynamic and engaging ice-breaking experience that goes beyond small talk.

– The first recorded speeding ticket in 1896 clocked in at just over 8 miles per hour, a far cry from today’s traffic violations.

– In the English language, “E” takes the crown as the most common letter, appearing in 11% of all words. Meanwhile, “A” follows closely behind at 8.5%, while the letter “Q” is a rarity, showing up in only 0.2% of words.

– While many are familiar with animals like dogs and horses in police service worldwide, some regions in China employ geese for their noisy and disruptive qualities to help maintain street order and deter criminals.

– Hailstorms are a natural occurrence, but on planets like Saturn and Jupiter, lightning strikes carbon soot, transforming it into graphite. Under immense pressure during storms, this graphite converts into diamond hail, creating extraordinary diamond storms.

– Philanthropist Bill Gates, a part of the Giving Pledge initiative, has donated approximately $30 billion to non-profits and has saved over six million lives through healthcare and vaccination initiatives. This inspiring effort has garnered the support of 231 philanthropists.

– Scotland has adopted the unicorn, despite never having seen one in person, as its national animal. This mythical creature holds a special place in Scottish history, surpassing even the famous Loch Ness Monster in cultural significance.

Professional fun facts about yourself 

Another way you can use fun facts as an icebreaker is by introducing yourself with a fun fact. It can be a great ice-breaking activity as everyone introduces themselves with an interesting fact. These examples can help you develop your fun fact answers that provide others with a clearer background of your professional goals, accomplishments, or experience:

• The bravest thing I’ve ever done was give a product demonstration to a live audience of over one thousand people.
• My role model is my dad because he immigrated to Canada when he was only 18, got a job right away, and worked hard to provide for our family.
• I have worked in marketing for over half my life.
• I have traveled to over 30 countries for business. My favorite one was Japan because they have a lot of delicious food.
• The first time I ever moved away from home was participating in a job internship 500 miles away from my hometown.
• I’m reading a book about financial technology to familiarize myself with the industry and its ongoing trends.
• I speak four languages: English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
• I was 17 when I got my first job at a fast-food restaurant, which helped me develop leadership, communication, and listening skills.
• My favorite subject in school was English, so I decided to become a writer.
• I once set the record for most products sold in one day during my previous sales job.

What is an Icebreaker that is not cringe?

A non-cringeworthy icebreaker fosters a positive and comfortable atmosphere, encourages interaction, and is relevant to the context. Here’s an example of a simple and effective icebreaker: An advanced and superior substitute of the Two Truths and a Lie icebreaker- which is called:

10. “Two Truths and a Dream”

In this icebreaker, participants share two facts about themselves and one aspirational dream or goal. This not only helps break the ice but also allows people to get to know each other on a more personal level and can lead to meaningful conversations.

Here’s how it works:

Each participant thinks of two true statements about themselves. These can be related to their personal life, hobbies, or professional background. They also think of one aspirational dream or goal they have for the future. It could be related to their career, personal growth, or a lifelong dream. Participants take turns sharing their two truths and one dream with the group. The challenge for the others is to guess which statement is the dream.

For example, someone might say:

• “I’ve traveled to five different countries.”
• “I’m learning to play the guitar.”
• “My dream is to start my non-profit organization.”

This icebreaker is effective because it allows people to share something personal and positive while also sparking curiosity and conversation. It’s not cringe-inducing and can lead to genuine connections among participants.

When to use Icebreakers?

Icebreakers are powerful tools to infuse fun and interaction into various situations. Here’s a quick guide on when to deploy them:

• Meeting Kick-Off : Start your meetings with icebreakers to get everyone engaged and set a positive tone. For example, “Two Truths and a Lie” can break the ice effectively.
• Team-building Events: During team-building activities, icebreakers help foster connections and boost team spirit. “Human Bingo” is a fun choice.
• Workshops and Training: In training sessions or workshops, icebreakers inject energy and creativity. “Would You Rather” questions can spark interesting discussions.
• Conferences and Networking: At conferences or networking events, icebreakers like “Speed Networking” facilitate connections and break the ice among attendees.
• Remote Meetings : In virtual settings, icebreakers bridge gaps and build camaraderie. Use questions like “Share your most unique quarantine hobby.”
• Post-Lunch Slump Buster: Combat post-lunch drowsiness by using icebreakers like “One-Word Icebreaker” to re-energize participants.

Icebreakers are not just for breaking awkward silences; they’re valuable tools to enhance engagement and connections across various scenarios.

How to Facilitate Icebreakers?

As the host or facilitator of the event, you have an important role in making the icebreakers successful. You’re the captain of the icebreaking ship, steering it towards success. Your role is pivotal in ensuring everyone has a great time. Start by preparing meticulously; you’re the conductor, and your baton must be in perfect sync with the icebreaker’s rhythm. When you step into the spotlight, introduce yourself with enthusiasm and clarity, setting the stage for what’s to come. Like a wise guide, explain the rules and what’s expected, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.

Equip participants with the necessary tools and materials, just as a host provides guests with all they need. Throughout the activity, be the energy monitor, adjusting the tempo to keep the vibe lively. Like an appreciative audience, provide feedback and recognition, highlighting the stars of the show. Finally, when the icebreakers conclude, be the storyteller who weaves it all together, connecting the dots between the icebreakers and the event’s purpose. Your role is to ensure that icebreakers are not just activities but memorable experiences.

Imagine the host/facilitator/MC as the thermostat in the room. While a thermometer simply measures the temperature, you, as the thermostat, have the power to set it. Your role is to bring clarity, engage the audience, and infuse energy into the atmosphere – all without crossing into cheesy territory. You’re the one who shapes the environment, making it inviting and exciting for everyone involved. 

Be clear – Be engaging – Be energizing

In wrapping up our exploration of top icebreakers for your next presentation, remember this: icebreakers are the secret spices that turn the bland into the brilliant. They’re not just warm-up acts; they’re the opening chords of a captivating symphony.

From classics like “Two Truths and a Lie” to the creativity of “What’s in the Bag” and the lightning-fast networking of “Speed Networking,” these icebreakers are your allies in engagement, your partners in connection, and your ticket to presentations that won’t be forgotten.

So, as you plan your next presentation, embrace the icebreaker magic. They’re not the side dish; they’re the star of the show. Your audience will thank you for it, and your presentations will sparkle with a charm that’s impossible to resist.

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Virtual Icebreakers Your Team Will Love

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How to play these icebreakers, pick or build an icebreaker deck.

Grab a great, ready-to-play game, and start a presentation like you would for any typical slide deck. Your team can join in on their phones with a simple QR code or link (no downloads or logins required).

Play and interact seamlessly

It's easy for your group to join in from their phones or laptops and actively participate with these interactive icebreaker questions, trivia games, live photo show & tell, word clouds, and more.

See real engagement & enjoyment

Elevate your icebreaker into something engaging and fun, without any extra work. Your remote team, hybrid workers, audience, students, (or any group) will love interacting and having their voice heard.

Ready-to-play Icebreaker Decks

Try out our pre-made icebreaker games — just launch and play! Or you can customize with personal touches to make any deck your own.

Make icebreaking easy and interactive

A great, engaging icebreaker is one where you're hearing from everyone, and enabling everyone to actively participate. SlidesWith lets your team join in without needing to download or learn any new systems, and interact easily and enjoyably as a group.

Know how it went

It's just as important to know the results! Get automatic ratings & feedback, so you have real insight into your team's experience. You can even review your event stats and export post-event data. It's not "just playing games" — SlidesWith gives you tangible results you can show your boss or board.

Remote & hybrid friendly

From a conference hall to a Zoom call, you can use these interactive slides to give everyone a voice. Hear from everyone in your group, not just the loudest, fastest ones in the room. You can use SlidesWith anywhere you can share your screen, from Microsoft Teams to Webex to Google Meet.

Bring everyone together

It can be easy to feel disconnected if your team is hybrid or remote. This just means that we need to put more energy into bringing our group together. Fortunately there are great, easy ways to do this! Here are some tested and loved interactive slide deck icebreaker games that you can use to create team alignment, engagement, and enjoyment.

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My team absolutely loved SlidesWith. The interactions were so fun and it was easy to create a custom “around the world quiz” just for our group. SlidesWith has quickly become one of my favorite tools for online team experiences.

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Slides with Friends is a great tool for anyone wanting to connect with and engage a live audience, whether online or in person. The user interface is easy and intuitive, and the outcome is fun, interactive, and involving. (Oh and the soundboard, my teenagers loved it... a little too much!)

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Questions? We've got some answers.

Go to your account, select a deck, and open it! You'll see a big pink "Launch an event" button on the top right corner. When you click this, it will start a live, full-screen event (just like a powerpoint or google slides presentation). Display this live event page to your group (eg. "share your screen" on Zoom), and have them join in! Then advance through the slides by clicking the next arrow or pressing the arrow keys.

On the first slide of your launched event, you'll see an auto-generated QR code and a URL link. Tell your players to get their smartphone and open their camera. They just need to hold their camera up to the QR code, and they'll be taken to a join page. If they don't have a phone or are having trouble with the QR code, they can use the link displayed on that page, which goes to the same page. On this page, they'll be able to select an avatar, enter their name, and click "Join Event"! You'll see each person appear on your main screen, as they join. From there they can send in responses, photos, and fun sound reactions.

With a Pro account you can have up to 200 players join, and with a Starter account you can have up to 50 players. Our forever-free account lets small groups of up to 10 people play your event, no charge :)

Yes! Our forever free account is fully-featured. We believe in building strong connections and community, and for that reason SlidesWith will always be no-cost for smaller groups — you can create a deck and play with up to 10 people for free. The only time payment is required is if you want to run events with larger groups.

No, this is a slide deck presentation tool that you can use in any video call or in person. We recommend using SlidesWith wherever you can show your screen to your audience. So whether that's on a video call platform like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex, (or any other video conferencing software), or live at an in-person or hybrid conference or meeting, as long as you can share your screen, you can use SlidesWith. Think of it like using a powerpoint presentation, but with superpowers ;)

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Presentation Icebreakers that Really Work

• Audience Response Tools , Event Planning , Leadership Techniques

Meetings and presentations in the workplace can be pretty rigid, right? Not only do you have the responsibility to make sure the meeting is engaging, but you also need to effectively convey the required information to everyone in the room with a certain degree of professionalism. Striking a balance between these two goals can seem tough.

The more conversations and interactions a presentation initiates, the more fun and informative it can be. In order to make that happen, icebreakers are key. They can work absolute wonders by helping everyone there feel more comfortable and connect with one another.

Icebreakers remove the awkwardness, allow people to relax, boost audience energy, develop a friendly atmosphere, and encourage networking. Let’s take a look at some fun icebreakers that can be utilized in different situations.

What’s An Icebreaker And What Can it Do?

An icebreaker means to breaks the “ice” or coldness around your attendees . In a room (physical or virtual) full of people who may or may not know one another, the atmosphere can be cold. If you plunge into your presentation in that environment, it won’t go over as well as it could. Attendees who feel out of place won’t interact or engage. Take the time to “warm-up” the room.

There are several advantages to beginning with an icebreaker:

• They help people to relax and have fun. Relaxation allows people to learn and entertain new ideas. An icebreaker is especially useful if you plan to get audience participation at some point in your presentation.
• Icebreakers are energizers . It’s great to start the meeting with one, but also throughout the session, if you notice your audience is looking tired, restless, or down at their phones more often than necessary – pull out a lively icebreaker.
• Icebreakers provide networking opportunities . Your audience can discover what they have in common.
• Finally, icebreakers create a positive atmosphere. If you want your presentation to be remembered for all the right reasons, begin with a happy, comfortable audience.

Here are a few tips that will make your icebreakers work

• Know your audience . Not every icebreaker suits every audience. Be careful not to offend or embarrass anyone.
• Try to include everyone , but again, don’t offend or embarrass your audience.
• Keep your objective in mind . The icebreakers you choose should help you reach your objectives, not just make your audience laugh.
• Make sure everyone is having fun . It’s not an icebreaker if it results in people feeling uncomfortable.
• Finally, avoid calling it an icebreaker. Unfortunately, the term has become associated with an unpleasant experience. So if you announce that you’re doing an icebreaker, you’re likely to be met with groans and resistance. Instead, say, “I have an idea; let’s try something new!”

Icebreakers for One-On-One Sessions

Try these for one-on-one presentations:

Introduce yourself

This is obvious, but introduce yourself unless you already know one another. If you know one another, maybe you can share a fact about yourself that the other person might not know.

Have a conversation

Have a quick chat about current affairs, the weather, or family. Whatever interests both of you and creates a warm environment.

Ask open-ended questions

While you chat, use open-ended questions . These will allow you to know your prospect better.

Ask what they expect from the presentation

As you talk with your prospect, figure out what they expect to gain from the presentation . If their expectations are incorrect, you can correct them. And you can adjust your presentation, if necessary.

Give them a present

Present them with a small token of appreciation , just for showing up to your presentation. No doubt you’ve been stood-up before, so a thank you gift is appropriate.

Compliment them

There’s a lot of power in a genuine compliment . Be kind to your prospect and notice something to compliment-worthy. Now let’s take a look at some fun icebreakers that can be utilized in different situations.

‍ Related : 35 Funny Poll Questions to Engage Your Audience and Brighten Someone’s Day

Icebreakers for Small Groups

If you’re looking for some fun icebreaking ideas among small groups, here’s a place to start: ‍

Two Truths and a Lie

‍ Two Truths and a Lie can be an extremely fun game. The idea is that each and every member makes three statements about themselves. Two are true and the other is a lie. Players will then guess which ones are the truths and which one is the lie. The statements could be as simple as “I’ve gone skydiving in Spain,” “I owned a turtle as a kid,” and “I have never had sushi.”

Most Unique

‍ Most Unique, too, helps everyone in a small group loosen up before a meeting or a presentation. It takes less time than the previous game, but similarly aims to help coworkers learn fun facts about each other.

The idea is simple: every person in the room gets to state something about themselves that’s unique and makes them different from the rest. For example, “I have ten siblings‚” “I can speak five languages‚” “I have lived in six different countries till date‚” and so on.

‍ Get-to-Know-You Questions

‍ This is one of the simplest ice breakers. Each group member can ask the other some questions that will help them get to know each other better. Examples of great questions to ask include:

• What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?
• Do you own any pets?
• What is your favorite holiday destination?
• What are your pet peeves?
• What are your future goals?

‍ Would You Rather

‍ Would You Rather is a game that initiates discussions on perspectives and individual personalities. It helps your team members learn a little more about each other. Every person is given a choice between two scenarios, and they have to pick one. After making a choice, they also have to explain why they picked that option.

The choices could be something like:

• Would you rather have summer or winter your whole life?
• Would you rather prepare your meal yourself and have different options each day or have your meal prepared for you without getting to choose the dish?
• Would you rather watch a new movie every day or re-watch your favorites without getting to watch anything new again?

And so on. The questions might seem silly, but you’d be surprised about what you can learn about your colleagues’ unique perspectives.

Going on a Picnic

‍ If you’re giving a presentation to people who don’t know each other that well, this is a great way to get group members to learn each other’s names in a fun way.

For example, if your name is Pauline, you will state your name, say you’re going on a picnic, and then say you’re bringing an item that starts with the first letter of your name. So, the sentence will be, “My name is Pauline, I am going on a picnic, and I’m bringing popcorn.”

The next person has to state not only what they’re bringing, but what the person before them is bringing as well. It’s basically a memory game and a name game combined.

‍ Related : 20 Interactive Presentation Games

Icebreakers for Large Groups

If your group is slightly bigger and has more members, there are even more options for icebreakers. Here are some interesting ones to opt for.

‍ Scavenger Hunt

‍ Remember the scavenger hunts your school made you participate in? Remember how it helped bring out your positively competitive side while you and your team members came together to win the game? The idea is the same here, with office members engaging in developing their problem-solving skills and working together towards a common goal.

You can divide the members in about 4-5 groups, and have the clues take them from one place to another. Try keeping fun prizes as well for the team or teams that perform the best.

Marshmallow Challenge

‍ Dividing everyone into groups of about four to five members, give every group a long piece of string, 20 sticks of dry spaghetti, some tape, and a marshmallow. The aim is to see which group can use the given elements to build the strongest structure with the marshmallow on top. This allows everyone to collaborate and pitch in ideas to execute the plan.

‍ Celebrity Heads

‍ For this game, there are about six members in every group. Two players are required for every round, where one member will have the picture of a celebrity stuck on their forehead. They will ask “yes or no” questions about the celebrity until they can guess who it is.

‍ M&M’s Exchange

‍ Give every member the same amount of M&Ms. Have everyone say one thing that they haven’t done that they think the others might have. Anyone who has done that thing needs to give the speaker an M&M, and if there’s someone who hasn’t done it, the person who made the statement gives that person an M&M. The game goes on till someone runs out of M&Ms.

‍ True or False Running

‍ Yet another fun icebreaker for large groups is the True or False Running game. Draw a line in the middle of the room, with the right side being the true side and the left side being the false side. Make statements related to general knowledge, and have members hop on either side depending on whether the statement is true or false. The one who gets the most correct answers wins.

‍ Related: How to Get People to Take a Survey

Ice Breakers for Training Seminars

Those attending training seminars are often nervous about the whole process. In order to make the attendees more comfortable, these are some great icebreaker sessions to choose from.

Blind Drawing

‍ This game requires two members to pair up. They need to be made to sit back-to-back, with one person having a picture, and the other person having a pen and a paper. The person holding the picture needs to describe it to the other individual, and the latter needs to draw it. The duo with the best picture can be given a small prize as a token of appreciation. Image source: https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik

‍ Five of Anything

‍ Divide the members of the training seminar into groups of four or five. Each group gets a topic, such as a book or a movie or so, and every member needs to list their five favorite things under that topic. After that, everyone gets to discuss their answers and learn a little more about the people around them.

‍ 10 Things in Common

‍ This game can help members find common traits with one another. Pair up two people and let them list 10 things that they have in common. It could be something as simple as them both having three siblings or owning a dog, and so on.

‍ For One Word, divide the members into groups and give each of them a discussion topic. Using this topic, they all have to come up with a word that they think will best describe the subject. For example, if it’s about company culture, ask them the one word they think best describes it. This facilitates interesting discussions among everyone.

‍ Related: How to Moderate Panel Discussion

Icebreakers for Team Building

The main aim of most icebreakers is to create a spirit of team effort and team bonding. If that’s what you’re looking to build before a meeting or in any other situation, the following icebreakers can help:

‍ Whodunit works well with both small and big groups. Have every member write something they have done on a piece of paper, be it scuba diving or going for a solo trip, and put all the notes in a basket. Every member picks a random note, and depending on which one they’ve picked up, they have to guess who it belongs to or which person had that particular experience.

The Egg Drop

‍ This team building icebreaker gets everyone engaged and is super-fun to both witness and perform. Divide the members into groups of about five people, and give each group an uncooked egg.

Have a few office supplies ready in a pile, and using those supplies, each team has to build a contraption around the egg that prevents it from breaking when it’s dropped. Image source: https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik

‍ The Barter Puzzle

‍ In this icebreaker game, groups are made and each team is given a puzzle to solve. However, some pieces of every puzzle are mixed with the other groups. Every group then has to decide how to acquire the piece from the other group in order to complete their puzzle.

‍ Human Rock-Paper-Scissors

‍ Who knew this classic game could be turned into an icebreaker method? Well, turns out it can. Break the members into different teams, and have each team come up with unique body signals for rock-paper-scissors. Each team can have a face-off in a best-of-five series, and the team that performs the best wins the game.

A Final Note

Keeping your audience engaged with icebreakers can help set the tone for the rest of the meeting. For more advice on how to make your presentations engaging, and for unique meeting tools visit Meeting Pulse !

You can use our live polling features to make question-and-answer games easier and visually pleasing, and gauge audience engagement with upvotes, downvotes, and emojis. With a slew of great icebreakers and simple, yet innovative tools, you can kick off your meetings right.

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Kahoot! stands with Ukraine

Kahoot! is committed to supporting Ukrainian educators and learners affected by the current crisis. To protect the integrity of our platform and our users, we will suspend offering Kahoot!’s services in Russia, with the exception of self-study.

Ukrainian educators and learners need our support

We are deeply troubled and concerned by the violence and loss of life resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We stand with the people of Ukraine and we hope for the swiftest and most peaceful possible end to the current crisis. 

Kahoot! has received a number of requests from schools and educators in Ukraine requesting the help of our services to continue teaching despite the disruption of the war. We have supported each of these and we are now offering Kahoot! EDU solutions for free for both K-12 and higher education institutions for one year to Ukrainian schools in need. In addition, we are fast-tracking translation and localization of the Kahoot! platform into Ukrainian. 

Suspending commercial services and sales in Russia

Our commercial footprint in the Russian market is very limited. We do not have offices or representation in the country, nor do we have any physical operations or data services there. The overwhelming majority of our users in Russia are teachers and students using our free service.

Kahoot! is abiding by the international sanctions regime, and does not allow sales to sanctioned individuals or entities in Russia. Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kahoot! initiated a process to suspend offering of all commercial services in Russia. This includes but is not limited to online sales, assisted sales, app store sales and prohibiting sales to Russian corporations and organizations.

Prioritizing safe and secure use of the Kahoot! platform

As part of our mission to make learning awesome, and as education remains a fundamental human right, we offer teachers, students and personal users free access to our platform. We do this in more than 200 countries and regions in a spirit similar to public commons services, such as Wikipedia. 

Similarly, inclusivity is one of Kahoot!’s overarching values. As such, our aim is to, whenever and wherever possible, offer children, schools and others the opportunity to use digital tools for impactful education and learning, irrespective of their background or location. This has been our guiding principle also for offering our service in Russia.

Among our first responses to the crisis was to swiftly expand our global moderation team’s monitoring on all Russia-related content to safeguard the integrity of the platform. 

However, as the situation continues to escalate, it is vital that we are able to ensure that our platform is used according to our own guidelines and standards. Therefore, in addition to suspending sales, we will be taking all possible and necessary steps to suspend access to Kahoot! services in Russia, with the eventual exception of self-study mode which will feature only content verified by Kahoot!.

This will enable students, school children and other individual users to continue their learning journeys both safely and responsibly. We will continue to assess ways in which our services can be offered safely and responsibly to support all learners and educators, also those based in Russia. 

Supporting our employees 

At Kahoot!, we are not just a team in name, we are a team in practice. As such, we are committed to the well-being of our employees, especially those with ties to Ukraine, or those that in other ways are particularly affected by the war. We are providing these colleagues with any support we can. 

Acknowledging the current situation, the Kahoot! Group made an emergency aid donation to Save the Children and the Norwegian Refugee Council. This is a contribution to support life-saving assistance and protection for innocent Ukrainian children, families and refugees. 

As the situation in Ukraine continues to develop our teams across the company are actively monitoring the crisis so that we can respond in the most responsible and supportive way possible. 

Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, their loved ones, and anyone affected by this crisis. 

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61 Ice Breaker Games [That Your Team Won’t Find Cheesy]

Whether it's kicking off a meeting or getting to know new team members, an effective ice breaker game can help set the right tone and help build connections. But how do you choose the right one?

In this post, we'll share a collection of tried and tested ice breaker games you can use to engage and energize groups of any size. Whether you just want to have fun, encourage team building or level-up your meetings, there's an activity here for you.

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An in-depth study from TINYpulse , an employee engagement company, studied more than 40,000 workers’ inputs from more than 300 companies globally. They found a correlation of 0.92 between employee fulfillment and their relationships with colleagues. Since you can end up spending more time with coworkers than with your family or partner, it is a topic that deserves much attention.

But how can you break the ice without also frustrating your team or making them roll their eyes? Using facilitator-tested and proven methods like those below are a surefire way to open your meetings more effectively and engage your team.

You’ll find classic conversation starters like Two truths and One Lie , fun games like The Marshmallow Challenge or even a Virtual Scavenger Hunt! You’ll find our collection of 61 of the best ice breaker games for work separated by category and find some useful tips for running them in your workshop or meeting too!

Purpose of ice breaker games

So how do you avoid creating a frustrating, patronizing ice breaker game that won’t make participants feel like they are wasting their time?

The benefits of a good ice breaker far outweigh any negatives. They can take care of introductions in a much more fun way than just simply going around the room and stating what’s on your business card. They can help people remember names , start conversations and create a positive atmosphere in moments.

When done right, ice breakers can quickly build a sense of community , set the tone for the upcoming session & give participants ownership of the learning ahead.

Icebreaker games are also a great way for people to share their expectations and for facilitators to introduce the topic of the day. They help participants to loosen up, understand each other more and enable better collaboration and networking . Last, but not least, it is a surefire way to energize the group and have everyone focused and ready to go.

Ready to design a session around your chosen icebreaker? SessionLab makes it easy to build a complete agenda in minutes . Start by dragging and dropping blocks, add your timings and adjust with ease to create a minute-perfect session. When you’re ready for feedback, invite collaborators and refine your agenda with ease.

Ice Breaker Games to Get to Know Each Other

Whenever you bring a group of people together for a meeting, project, or event, it’s helpful to get to know each other at the outset.

This does not only mean just memorizing names, but also involves getting the facilitator or leader of the session familiar with everyone and getting a read on the energy of the room.

One of the other major benefits of these games is in allowing group members to break free from dry or boring introductions and get to know each other more meaningfully. Let’s dive in!

Just One Lie

Diversity bingo.

• Two truths and One Lie

Unique and Shared

Passions tic tac toe.

• Jenga Questions

Speed Dating Icebreaker

Break the ice with the help of your key.

• Whose Story is it?
• Trading Card Icebreaker
• Find Your Pair
• Toilet Paper Icebreaker
• Show and Tell

This method is an adaptation of the well-known ice breaker ‘Two Truths And A Lie’ to create an activity that can be run throughout a day of a meeting or workshop.

Participants mingle and ask questions from each other while noting the answers on post-its. But everyone includes one lie. The result is that you have a board of interesting facts about all the participants, among them, one lie. Throughout the workshop you can return to these boards for participants to introduce each other and find out what was the lie.

Just One Lie   #icebreaker   #energiser   #team   #get-to-know   This method is adapted from the well-known icebreaker ‘Two Truths And A Lie’  to create an activity that you could return to throughout a meeting.

Diversity Bingo is one of our favorite group ice breaker games. This game help participants to get information on each other in a fun, competitive way.

First, create a bingo card containing a grid of squares with a statement or question in each square that will apply to some members of your group and is in line with the objectives of your class, workshop, or event. After each player gets a bingo card, they mingle around introducing themselves and finding other participants who can sign their cards indicating that a statement applies to him/her.

To avoid having people only talk to one or two people and filling up their card, limit the signatures they can give to 1 or 2 per card. When everyone has reached bingo or is super close, you can share something you’ve learned about each other, yourself and the experience of this ice breaker activity.

Diversity Bingo   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #opening   #teampedia   #action   This game helps participants to get information on each other in a fun, competitive way.

Do you have people who come from many different places to your session? If you’re looking for fun icebreakers for meetings that are active, Group Map is a good bet!

A great way to get to know each other is to have participants place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why that is important for them.

Encourage people to share a short story if they want. Sharing customs and values from your childhood can create more understanding and help form stronger bonds – a hallmark of a good icebreaker.

Icebreaker: The Group Map   #get-to-know   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Ask people to place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why is that important for them. Encourage people to share a short story if they want

​ Two Truths and One Lie

A simple and classic ice breaker game. Each employee shares three statements about themselves – two truths, and one lie. Then, everyone tries to guess which is the lie by asking questions. Try to find out as many details about the statements as possible and watch the speaker’s reactions closely. The whole point is to learn facts about your peers while inserting an element of mystery.

This team icebreaker helps the group learn about each other and gives both introverts and extroverts an equal chance to reveal themselves and discover others’ assumptions. It’s been done before, but if you’re looking for simple ice breaker games for work, this is one everyone is sure to know and requires zero prep from the facilitator.

Everyone is a Liar (Two truths and one lie)   #warm up   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   #online   Starting a meeting or after a break in a group where participants don’t know each other or don’t know much about each other

Create groups of 4-5 people, and let them discover what they have in common, along with interesting characteristics that are unique to a person in the group.

This icebreaker promotes unity as it gets people to realize that they have more common ground with their peers than they first might realize. As people become aware of their own unique characteristics, they can also help people feel empowered to offer the group something unique.

Common and Unique   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   Create groups of 4-5 people, and let them discover what they have in common, along with interesting characteristics that are unique to a person in the group.

The goal of this icebreaker game is to help the participants to get to know each other at the beginning of an event or to help identify their values during the later part of a training session.

Create a 3 x 3 grid for each participant and have them fill in each block with a different personal passion randomly. After the individual work, have everyone walk around the room and compare notes. When they find the same passion listed in both grids, ask them to sign for each other in the appropriate square. The winner is the participant who manages to have other people’s signatures on three lines (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal). You can continue the game to have as many winners as you like.

Passions Tic Tac Toe   #get-to-know   #values   #icebreaker   #thiagi   This simple game that explores the concepts from these two quotations: “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you”. —Oprah Winfrey. “Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, who they are.” —Penelope Lively, novelist

​Jenga questions

Jenga is the starting point of many fun gatherings. It’s a super easy ice breaker activity to explain and pick up & anyone can join any time. You can spice up a regular tower-toppling contest by writing intriguing questions on each block (or as many as you can).

When you draw each block, read the question out loud & answer before placing the piece on the top of the tower. This can ignite exciting conversations about everyday topics like favorite downtime activities to more in-depth stuff, like career and self-development goals.

Traditional games with a unique spin can often generate curiosity and engagement in a groups setting. Try having different kinds of icebreaker activities in your toolbox in order to overcome any potential resistance in your group.

This fast-paced icebreaker activity allows participants to get acquainted with while also exploring something thought provoking and inspiring. Prepare a set of inspirational quotes prior to the session and the number of participants on individual slips of paper. Put the pile in the center of the room. Each participant picks up one quote, then picks a partner and begins to discuss what the quote says to them, if it is meaningful, and how.

Then after a minute or so the facilitator gives a signal and participants switch partners, and may switch quotes as well if they’d like. This can continue for 4-5 rounds for around 15 minutes. Choose quotes that relate to your meeting topic or company culture for an even more effective opening to your session!

Quotes   #icebreaker   #energiser   #online   #warm up   #remote-friendly   For participants to get acquainted with each other in a meaningful way

The goal of this game is to have a succession of very rapid conversations in an extremely short amount of time with as many people as possible. Have people sit in pairs, with colleagues that they don’t directly work with on a day-to-day basis. Determine the time limit (say 3 minutes for each conversation) and set a timer. When it starts, each pair has to start speed networking & find out as much professional info about the other as possible.

While it’s natural for group members to want to spend time with people they know, encouraging your team to mix is an important step to improving team cohesion. Team building icebreakers like this one are great for starting that process!

Speed-dating   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   This can be used as a teambuilding activity or a way to introduce participants to each other.

Games and activities that include physical objects can help ensure the session is memorable and specific to those people present. In this ice breaker, ask participants to sit in a circle and bring their keys with them.

Explain that they will get to know each other through their keys. Ask them that one by one present all the keys they have on their keychain and tell a few sentences about the area the key represents – the city or neighborhood they live in, the activity it represents (bike or locker key) or the person they received it from.

Be sure to start the circle yourself so the participants get the feeling of how it should be done. Bonus points if you can demonstrate openness and vulnerability for your group to follow!

Break the ice with the help of your key!   #team   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   The key ice breaker is a team building favorite and a great exercise to get to know each other in a group or team. It is easy to understand and set up, can be modified according to the objects participants have, fast way to get info on each other , and surely makes everyone included!

Whose story is it?

Start this ice breaker game by writing your funniest or weirdest story on a small piece of paper. It has to be a true one, no fiction! Then fold the paper up and drop it into a bowl or other container.

The facilitator or the person leading the program randomly reads every story and group members guess who the writer is. This is a great way to get to know each other and find out new things, even if you’ve worked together for a long time.

​Trading Card Icebreaker

Starting a meeting by defining your personality and being creative is a great way to kick off a more involved team project.

This activity from Gamestorming works great because it lets people self-define and share their personality outside of their day-to-day work. This approach means people get to connect more meaningfully and authentically while also creating fun and memorable cards that serve as conversation pieces as the meeting progresses.

Trading Cards   #gamestorming   #icebreaker   #opening   This meeting starter is great because it lets people self-define,  gives them a “personality” outside the typical work environment. Additionally,it gives participants quick snapshots of multiple players (since they see many cards as they’re being passed around), and it creates memorable visuals that give people conversation pieces as the meeting progresses.

​Find your pair

Prepare word pairs, like salt and pepper, milk and honey, sail and wind, etc on separate pieces of paper. Tape one to each person’s back. People then have to walk around and ask closed questions (with a yes or no answer) to find out what their phrase is. Once they find out, they have to find their pair & by continuing to ask questions (these can be open or closed) they have to learn 3 new things about the other.

​Toilet Paper Icebreaker

This is one of those ice breaker activities that is easily prepared in most live settings – you only need one roll of toilet paper. Pass this around, and have everyone rip off how much they would usually use. Everyone will feel awkward & will not really see the point at the beginning & possibly think you’ve lost it.

When everyone has taken off a few squares, they should count them. The amount they have is how many fun facts they should reveal about themselves. A warning though: this is an activity that is best suited for more lighthearted occasions and you’ll want to know your audience a bit before trying this!

​Show and tell

Group icebreakers are important, even in teams that know each other well. For more established groups, where people are more familiar with each other, it’s always good to dedicate a day, or an afternoon for “show and tell”. Each team member gets the chance (not all at once of course) to showcase something – an object or a topic that they are interested in.

Try making this activity part of a group routine at the start of every team meeting for bonus points. Creating this habit gives less exhibitionist characters a chance to share and it is also a great practice to hone presentation skills and handle the attention & tricky questions.

Show and Tell   #gamestorming   #action   #opening   #meeting facilitation   Show and Tell taps into the power of metaphors to reveal players’ underlying assumptions and associations around a topic The aim of the game is to get a deeper understanding of stakeholders’ perspectives on anything—a new project, an organizational restructuring, a shift in the company’s vision or team dynamic.

Quick ice breaker games

When you have a tightly packed agenda, it’s useful to have some quick icebreakers you can use to warm up the group in a pinch. These activities are simple to explain, fast to run, and work great in large or small groups . They also can double as after-lunch energizers to encourage team members to engage in what’s next!

Here are some of our favorite games you can use to break the ice in a group in ten minutes or less! Prefer something that requires even less set-up? Check out our collection of icebreaker questions for a set of effective conversation starters.

One Word at a Time

Apple, orange and banana, conversation questions, diversity welcome, stress balls, object meditation.

• Have you ever? (Stand up if)

Ice breaker ideas can come from anywhere, and so can great ideas. Create a surprise sentence by saying one word at a time. Give a general topic. The first person in the group says one word to a topic. The next person continues with another word.

Eventually, the group creates a whole sentence by each member contributing only one word at a time. The outcome is always unexpected & almost always funny. Make sure people don’t say two words when using articles or pronouns.

One Word Method   #product development   #idea generation   #creativity   #icebreaker   #online   #warm up   Creating a sentence relating to a specific topic or problem with each person contributing one word at a time.

Some of the best quick icebreakers promote team bonding by simply encouraging the group to be silly and have fun. This game is designed to do just that!

Start by asking your group to stand in a circle with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front. Explain that when you shout either apple, orange or banana they must perform the associated action: moving forward, backward or spinning around. When the group is comfortable, mix it up by saying two or even three words in sequence!

This great icebreaker game gets everyone moving, generates lots of laughter, and is a wonderful activity to use after breaks too.

Apple, Orange and Banana!   #energiser   #icebreaker   #fun   #teambuilding   Fun energiser to create energy and fun. Great to use after breaks such as lunch or coffee breaks.

Sometimes the best and fastest icebreakers are also the simplest! Use this collection of 25 icebreaker questions as the basis for letting to group get to know each other, or have participants answer in rapid-fire!

Small groups might wish to mingle and ask questions one on one, while you might invite larger groups to answer questions by raising their hand to answer. Whatever way you go, these icebreaker questions are a great starting point for team bonding and helping participants get to know other group members.

Conversation Questions   #connection   #icebreaker   #trust   #meeting facilitation   #opening  

Quick icebreakers also have the potential to set the right tone for your meeting or workshop. The focus of his activity is to promote diversity and help create an inclusive environment for your session. Start by naming a possible trait of someone who may be present and saying they are welcome. For example, “If you love dogs, you are welcome here! If you prefer cats, you are welcome here!”

Slowly move into deeper territory by naming traits and concepts that resonate with your audience. With established groups, invite participants to share their own welcome, focusing on helping everyone in the room feel safe and welcome.

Diversity welcome   #diversity   #inclusion   #opening   #remote-friendly   #hybrid-friendly   The intention of the diversity welcome is inclusion. It can be long or short. The common element is to inclusively name a range of possibilities with a genuine “Welcome!”

We love games that not only function as a fun introduction but also offer a way to improve company culture. Stress Balls is a fast-paced icebreaker that helps highlight the importance of communication and teamwork while also encouraging lots of fun.

Begin by simply asking participants to stand in a circle and pass a ball to their left. Debrief and ask how the task went before asking participants to try again while moving the ball faster. Introduce further complexity until the game becomes a mess! While the result is chaotic fun, it also offers a very teachable lesson about how teams can communicate in order to achieve great results.

Stress Balls   #energiser   #communication   #teamwork   #team   #thiagi   #action   #icebreaker   Understanding the importance of communication and teamwork is an important requirement for high performance teams of knowledge workers. This exercise is an effective energizer that requires communication and teamwork. Ask participants to form a circle and throw a ball around to simulate the movement of a message. Change different variables such as speed, quantity, and complexity to create a mess.

Just because an icebreaker can be done quickly doesn’t mean it can’t also be mindful! This focused meditation activity is a wonderful way to open a meeting and encourage everyone to be present.

First, have everyone choose an object that is close to them and invite them to close their eyes. Next, ask the group to notice how they feel and to consider any feelings that aren’t serving them right now. Invite them to transfer these feelings into the object they are holding for the duration of the meeting and then come back to the room.

Combined with a quick debrief, this method is a great way to gently break the ice with your group. Check out the full method below for a script you can follow too!

Object Meditation   #icebreaker   #meditation   #emotional intelligence   #managing emotions   #check-in   #self-awareness   A focused meditation to become present and aware. We accept our feelings, leaving behind what we doesn’t serve us right now. A ideal way to open a workshop or team meeting.

Use this ice breaker activity at, or very near, the start of a course, workshop or meeting where people don’t know each other to help get to know everyone’s names. Have the group sit in a circle where everyone can see the others. The first person says their name. The next person continues, but after saying their own name, they repeat the first person’s name. This continues with each person repeating one more name. Reassure people towards the end that it’s ok if they get stuck & encourage the others to jump in to help if anyone is lost.

Name Game   #opening   #icebreaker   #energiser   Use the exercise at, or very near, the start of a course, workshop or meeting where people don’t know each other as it helps to learn names of each other

​Have you ever? (Stand up if)

Prior to the workshop the facilitator prepares a list of questions which can only be answered with yes or no. These questions should begin with “Have you ever…?” or “Stand up if…”. The facilitator reads out the questions or statements one by one. For each statement the participants stand up if they could answer the statement with yes.

The questions should be designed to not be discriminatory, intimidating or insulting. Possible topics can be countries visited, dishes, games or sports tried, movies seen etc. This should be quite familiar to people before they attend the meeting or workshop and is quick and easy to understand – ice breaker ideas don’t need to be brand new to be effective!

Stand up if   #icebreaker   #sharing   #opening   #energiser   #online   #remote-friendly   short, fun, energizing team activity

This is a quick ice breaker game where players have to form an orderly line without any discussion, or any verbal cues or help at all. The line is formed by predetermined criteria (like height, or color of each person’s eyes etc.). and gently asks people to start working together to get themselves into order.

With a more familiar group, try adding more complication to encourage your team to think more deeply. This icebreaker helps develop team collaboration and non-verbal communication, and it’s great when kicking of a training session with lots of talking later!

Line-Up   #hyperisland   #energiser   In the short group challenge, participants must organize themselves in a line according to a certain criteria (like height) without speaking. The activity promotes non-verbal communication and teamwork. Simpler versions of the activity can be used in early stages of group development while more complex versions can be used to challenge more established groups.

Ice Breaker Games for Meetings

Using an ice breaker at the start of a meeting is a great way to encourage group members to be present and get things started on the right foot. Effective opening activities energize everyone, helping them ‘arrive’ mentally and leave behind whatever task or thought they were previously working on.

They can also help clarify the objectives of the meeting and position the group for what’s coming next. While many of the ice breakers in this collection work well for work, we’ve found these ones especially effective. Here are some ice breakers for meetings to help ensure your next team meeting is a success!

Coat of Arms

One word exercise, the real reason why you are here, lego metaphors, weather check-in.

• Rain Icebreaker

Celebrate the wins in your team

Mindfulness icebreaker, purpose mingle.

This game is a great way for players to introduce themselves and their colleagues. It’s especially fun for people who think they already know each other very well – almost every time there are at least a few surprises!

Sometimes these new nuggets of wisdom can have an immediate effect on the employees’ relationships, current projects or challenges. Since you have to draw, rather than explain, it serves double duty for topics like problem-solving, creative thinking and innovation. Fun icebreakers for meetings don’t get much better than this!

Coat of Arms   #teambuilding   #opening   #icebreaker   #team   #get-to-know   #thiagi   Coat of Arms exercise provides a way for participants to introduce themselves and their colleagues, particularly for groups who think they already know each other very well. Almost invariably participants discover something about their colleagues of which they previously had no idea. Occasionally this revelation has an immediate and direct application to another participant’s current project or challenge.Because this activity forces people to use drawings rather than words, it is particularly useful as a dual-purpose introductory exercise in training sessions that deal with such topics as innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.

Pick a phrase that is central to the reason you’ve gathered and have everyone write down or say a word that comes to their mind in relation to it. If you’re leading a meeting about planning an upcoming project, ask participants to share one word that they think describes the goal or the processes that are needed.

Once everyone has shared their phrases, discuss the results. This ice breaker helps explore different viewpoints about a common challenge, before starting the meeting.

When we first arrive in a meeting, we’re often carrying other things with us. The stress of unfinished work, thinking about the evening or just what we’re having for lunch. Encourage your team to be present and think about why they are in your meeting or workshop with this simple ice breaker that helps spark conversation.

Begin by asking the group to state the concious reason for being in the meeting, and then invite them to consider the deeper reasons for being in the session. The surfacing of these deeper reasons for being present can be surprising, but are often useful for the group to discuss while breaking the ice!

The real reason why you are in this workshop   #constellations   #objectives   #icebreaker   #warm up   A deep-dive method to reveal the subconscious reason why you are in a workshop. Facilitator goes first and by doing so invites the other participants to incorporate the

For some meetings, time can be short. Quick but fun icebreaker activities like this one can be an effective way of getting a read of how everyone is doing while still being time efficient.

Begin this ice breaker by asking each member of the group to share how they are feeling & what’s going on for them right now in the language of weather. For example, I’m feeling like it’s mostly sunny skies with a bit of a rain cloud looming or I feel like I’m in the eye of a tornado! I’ve found this game especially useful when working with remote teams, for whom a metaphor can feel like a safe way to share in a group setting.

Weather check in   #opening   #listening and awareness   #self-awareness   #teambuilding   #em   Each person describes how they are feeling as they are weather

Each participant gets a set of few LEGO bricks (identical sets to everyone – a few items, around 5-10 bricks per person will suffice). Everyone builds something that relates to the topic of the meeting.

Afterwards, everyone gets 30 seconds to explain what their building means (e.g ‘My Home’, ‘Interesting Experiment’, ‘The coolest computer ever’) and how it relates to the topic of the meeting. (Optional: the figures/buildings and the metaphors may be used later on to help discussions around the table.) Remember that icebreaker games for work don’t need to sacrifice fun, and some of the best team building icebreakers are creative and allow people to get in touch with their inner child!

LEGO Challenge   #hyperisland   #team   A team-building activity in which groups must work together to build a structure out of LEGO, but each individual has a secret “assignment” which makes the collaborative process more challenging. It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy.

Rain icebreaker

Encouraging everyone to be present and engaged at the start of your meeting doesn’t need to be complicated. By simply getting everyone in the room participating in the same goal, this icebreaker can quickly help everyone “arrive” in the session.

Start by having everyone in the front of the room rub their hands together vigorously. Row by row, get more people to join in until you reach the back of the room. Next, have the first row switch to clicking their fingers and proceed through the room in the same way. Go back and forth between clicking and rubbing in order to replicate the sound of rain and then invite the group to stop and enjoy a break in the shower.

Rain icebreaker   #icebreaker   #energizer   #collective intelligence   #warm up   This meeting icebreaker is a great energizer to do right before a break or coming back from a break, especially if you have stragglers

An easy icebreaker that will have everyone feeling good before a meeting. Go around a circle and highlight a story – an action, decision or result – that can and should be praised from each team member. Something where they reached beyond their typical responsibilities and excelled.

Have everyone acknowledge and thank each other for surpassing expectations. This is a great mood booster – by lifting each other up, the energy just starts to vibrate in the room. Everyone likes to be recognized. Ice breakers for meetings that give people the chance to celebrate success can be key in setting a great tone for the meeting to come.

The best ice breaker games often have a very clear goal. You can use this method at the beginning of any meeting to set the stage and get people thinking about what they can contribute. It’s a simple way to get started and always gets results!

At the beginning of your session, have people walk around & share with others what they will contribute to that particular session. It’s a great way to enhance engagement & help people set goals and hold themselves accountable. It also makes others aware of everyone’s intent and can help prevent misunderstandings.

Meetings can sometimes become difficult because attendees come in stressing about the topic or are distracted by things outside of the meeting.

In this mindful ice breaker, ask people to take a few moments to “check-in” with themselves and write down their worries, energy levels, and what else is on their mind. After everyone is done, they should rip up their answers and discard them. This helps them identify their state, let go of their worries and have better focus & more empathy towards others.

What are you bringing to the meeting   #teampedia   #opening   #team   #check-in   A good way  to start a meeting/workshop/training to see how participants are feeling, what might be distractions that they are carrying with themselves into the room and how low/high their energy level is.

Fun Ice Breaker Games to Support Team Building

Ice breaker games are not only useful at the beginning of meetings or getting to know new people. They are also a great way to support team building, by creating a positive atmosphere, helping people relax and break down barriers.

Team building icebreakers can also reveal new information about colleagues that otherwise you wouldn’t discover during your everyday routine. Remember that successful teams are often those who’ve gotten to know each other better on a personal level too!

Team icebreakers such as those below are great for enhancing team bonding and empowering everyone in the group to move forward together. Let’s take a look!

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity

Team jigsaw puzzle game, back to back drawing, scavenger hunt, electric fence icebreaker, low tech social networking.

The Four Quadrants is a fun and creative team icebreaker than can be adapted for any situation. It is super easy to prep for and set up – you only need large sheets of paper (flipcharts or similar) and markers. Have people draw up a 2×2 grid and ask them four questions. They should draw the answers in each quadrant.

Questions can cover topics like current challenges, stressors, defining moments, moments of pride, fears, desired outcome for the current gathering etc. Afterwards they can show each other their drawings and discuss their creations. The exercise is fun, colorful and visual and can be modified to work with any group and/or topic just by changing the questions.

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   The Four Quadrants is a tried and true team building activity to break the ice with a group or team. It is EASY to prep for and set up. It can be MODIFIED to work with any group and/or topic (just change the questions). It is FUN, COLORFUL and works every time!

Separate people into teams. Give each a very different jigsaw puzzle (with equal difficulty & number of pieces). Each group has the same amount of time to complete the puzzle.

The secret twist is to switch up a few pieces with the other groups beforehand! Fun icebreakers can help keep a team on their toes and encourage creative thinking – try ice breakers for meetings that include an edge of competitiveness and fun to really liven things up.

The goal is to finish before the others – so they must figure out collectively how to convince other teams to give up pieces they need. This can be through barter, merging or changing teams, donating minutes, etc.

This is a longer game, but one that is worth doing, since it encourages teamwork on several levels – internally and externally too.

Jigsaw Puzzle   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teampedia   This game is useful as a side-activity during breaks, as it encourages starting conversations between random people.

Two people should sit facing away from each other. One receives a picture of an object or phrase. Without saying directly what they see, they should describe it to their pair without using words that clearly give it away. Their pair has to draw a specific picture.

The game requires two people to sit facing away from each other, where one team member is given a picture of an object or word. Without specifying directly what it is, the other person must describe the image without using words that clearly give away the image. This is a great team building game to develop verbal communication and is a fun alternative to more traditional icebreaker games.

Back-2-Back Drawing   #communication   #collaboration   #trust   #icebreaker   #teampedia   #action   This is a communication exercise when participants in pairs have to use only verbal communication to help their pair to draw a specific picture. There are several variations of the exercise detailed in the instructions.

Many people have great memories from a childhood scavenger hunt. Recreating this experience to let our the inner child and work as a team is one of our favourite icebreaker games for adults too! Start by creating a list of items that need to be gathered and then split your group into small teams to try and find them all to kick off your scavenger hunt.

Working with a remote or hybrid team? Try the virtual scavenger hunt below! Be sure to put in items that require a wide range of skills and thinking and diverse personalities to be completed successfully. A scavenger hunt is also a great opportunity to mix people into teams who don’t typically work together and bring them together with ice breaker games.

Virtual scavenger hunt   #energiser   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   A fun team-building energiser that encourages groups to recreate the scavenger hunt experience in a fully remote environment! 

This is a great energiser that requires players to move about as they build an imaginary electric fence. They have to try and cross it without touching it and getting “electrocuted”. The fence can be represented by a rope or a shoe string tied between two objects. It should be about waist high. Players can’t go under it, this is not limbo dancing!

They must also be touching a teammate with at least one hand at all times. This ice breaker activity requires quick brainstorming, problem-solving and negotiating other ideas. Make sure that people who are uncomfortable with physical contact have an option to not participate but still feel involved in the brainstorming part. Inclusive games make for some of the best ice breakers: be sure to bare this in mind when deciding on icebreaker games for work or your next meeting.

The object of this ice breaker game is to introduce event participants to each other by co-creating a mural-sized, visual network of their connections. – great for medium size events where participants come from different organisations. All participants will need a 5×8 index card and access to markers or something similar to draw their avatar. They will also need a substantial wall covered in butcher paper to create the actual network.

Once their avatar is ready, they “upload” themselves by sticking their card to the wall. Then they find the people they know and draw lines to make the connections. This is one of our favourite ice breakers when working with large, multi-discipline groups where connections might not be immediately obvious.

Low-tech Social Network   #gamestorming   #icebreaker   #opening   The object of this game is to introduce event participants to each other by co-creating a mural-sized, visual network of their connections.

Ice Breaker Games for Small Groups

While many of the icebreaker games above can be adapted for any group size, these activities are especially effective when working with groups of less than 15 people.

These small group icebreakers are great at using the extra space to create opportunities for team bonding and deeper sharing between team members. They’re also designed so you’re not left with awkward silences just because you don’t have a massive team taking part!

Interview icebreaker

• Paper telephone

One of the major benefits of small group icebreaker games is space for participants to talk and get to know each other a little more than they would in a group of 20+ people. Interview is a playful way to get team members talking at the start of a session while also introducing the topic of the workshop or meeting.

Start by getting people into pairs. One person begins by being a reporter and then other will be the interviewee. For three minutes, the reporter will interview the other person on a chosen subject and attempt to get as much information as they can before switching roles. Encourage the group to really get into their roles and provide some example questions to guide the group toward the topic of the day.

Interview   #warm up   #icebreaker   #energiser   The interview is a good warm up for every training or workshop session. Playful start in which the participants will start to communicate with and come to know each other, directing the thinking toward the topic of the day. It is usually a very cheerful activity. Az interjú egy jó bemelegítés, jégtörő minden tréninghez vagy workshophoz. Játékos kezdés, amelyben a résztvevők elkezdenek megismerkedni és kommunikálni egymással, miközben a gondolataikat már a nap témája felé irányítjuk.

Spending time in a small group is a great opportunity to get to know people a little more deeply. This game encourages players to share more about themselves than an average icebreaker, and it’s a fun way to kickstart creative thinking too!

Start by assembling a box of interesting objects (photos will do in a pinch!). Next, invite participants to choose an object without overthinking it and then explain who they are, why they chose the object and what they think the connection between the object and the workshop is.

Magic Box   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   Ice breaking at the beginning of the workshop/meeting

Paper Telephone

Paper telephone is a fun icebreaker that encourages creativity and laughter by combining two classic games: telephone and pictionary. Start by handing out a stack of small papers and pens, and invite each team member to write a sentence on the first piece of paper. Players then pass their stack to the next person who must read the sentence and then create a visual representation of that sentence on the next piece of paper in the stack.

Play proceeds around the circle, with players needing to transform back and forth between words and images. Often, by the time you get your original stack back, the sentence has gone on a weird and wonderful transformation!

While you can play paper telephone with larger groups, the more people you add, the longer it takes. Doing this icebreaker in a small group means you have more time to share what people came up with and the journey you all went on together.

Paper Telephone   #teampedia   #icebreaker   #creativity   #team   #action   Paper Telephone is a mix of two methods, “Telephone” and “Pictionary”. It is a creative game aiming to fasten the get-to-know each other phase of the team while having a good time.

The human knot is a fun, physical icebreaker that is best played in groups of 7-16 people. It’s a great way to break the ice while also creating energy and a sense of fun.

Start by getting the group to stand in a circle and ask them to close their eyes. Next, everyone reaches out and links one hand with someone across the circle. Then they link the other hand with another person in the circle. Then, ask everyone to open their eyes and try to untangle the knot they’ve made without breaking the chain!

Human Knot   A physical-participation disentanglement puzzle that helps a group learn how to work together (self-organize) and can be used to illustrate the difference between self-organization and command-control management or simply as a get-to-know-you icebreaker. Standing in a circle, group members reach across to connect hands with different people. The group then tries to unravel the “human knot” by unthreading their bodies without letting go of each other people’s hands. As a management-awareness game to illustrate required change in behavior and leadership on a management level (e.g., illustrate the change from ‘task-oriented’ management towards ‘goal/value-oriented’ management).

Working with small groups creates an opportunity for greater depth. In this icebreaker game, invite team members to draw their life as a map, using common symbols and signs you might find on a map. Stop signs, deer crossings, mountainous areas…the choice of how to illustrate your life story is yours!

Give time after drawing for everyone to share and for others to ask questions. The connections, conversations and shared understandings that come out of this reflective icebreaker can set a wonderful right tone for the work ahead.

Life map   #team   #teampedia   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   With this activity the participants get to know each other on a deeper level.

Ice Breaker Games to Improve Teamwork and Collaboration

Good ice breaker games usually all have a strong aspect of teamwork and collaboration as people work together in groups to accomplish a challenge or solve a puzzle. Therefore these team icebreakers can also be used as part of team building events and team development workshops. They are meant to fast-track group familiarity and increase the socialization process in a new or existing environment.

With increased social interaction, people naturally learn how to work together more productively – the mood can warm up between colleagues who are normally highly formal with each other. The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

Here, we’ve collected ice breaker activities to help improve teamwork and collaboration in a more involved manner.

The Marshmallow Challenge

Helium stick, blind square – the perfect square, desert island.

In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. To complete the marshmallow challenge, the marshmallow needs to be on top and hopefully, not fall off! This icebreaker game emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, collaboration, innovation and problem solving strategy.

Genuinely fun icebreakers for meetings can be hard to find – The Marshmallow Challenge is one of those icebreaker games for work that feels almost like play. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Definitely give it a try.

Marshmallow challenge with debriefing   #teamwork   #team   #leadership   #collaboration   In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Visit the Marshmallow Challenge website for more information. This version has an extra debriefing question added with sample questions focusing on roles within the team.

This fun activity could be used as an icebreaker both for people who have just met and for already existing teams. Breaking people up into groups, each one needs a fresh egg, some straws, masking tape and other items for creating a package to protect the egg.

Using the raw materials provided, the team goal is to build a structure that will support a free-falling egg dropped from a predetermined height (e.g. 7 feet) without the egg breaking. Get to know you games with an element of danger are always fun ice breakers for meetings. This is a method that fosters team communication, collaboration and strategic thinking as well.

Egg drop   #teampedia   #collaboration   #teamwork   #icebreaker   #team   This fun activity could be used as an icebreaker for people who have just met but it can be framed as a method that shows and fosters team communication, collaboration and strategic thinking as well.

Solving seemingly simple problems as a group to get everyone working together at the start of a workshop. This game requires one long, thin, light rod (e.g. a broom handle) and a bunch of curious participants!

First, line up people in two rows facing each other. Introduce the Helium Stick and ask participants to hold their index fingers out. Lay the Stick on their fingers & before letting go, have everyone adjust their position so the Stick is horizontal and everyone is touching it. The goal is to lower the Stick to the ground in a way that no one lets go of it at any time.

Pinching, grabbing, or holding on properly to the Stick is not allowed. If the group makes a mistake, they start from the beginning. Helium Stick is a fun icebreaker that asks participants to really engage with one another and we’d recommend it for any team building workshop!

Helium Stick   #teampedia   #team   #teamwork   #icebreaker   #energiser   A great and simple activity for fostering teamwork and problem solving with no setup beforehand.

Blindfold your seated participants. Take a long string or rope with the ends tied together & place it in everyone’s hands. Leave the circle and ask them to form a perfect square from the rope without looking.

When people think they are finished, they can remove their blindfolds to see the result. Ice breakers for meetings don’t always include props or blindfolds, but deploying them effectively can make for a memorable ice breaker.

Blind Square is one of the icebreaker games you can use to highlight leadership and communication – some people will want to take charge, while others are more comfortable following direction. Also, it can be repeated after the first try to see if they can improve their collaboration.

Blind Square – Rope game   #teamwork   #communication   #teambuilding   #team   #energiser   #thiagi   #outdoor   This is an activity that I use in almost every teambuilding session I run–because it delivers results every time. I can take no credit for its invention since it has existed from long before my time, in various forms and with a variety of names (such as Blind Polygon). The activity can be frontloaded to focus on particular issues by changing a few parameters or altering the instructions.

Many of us will have played some variation of this ice breaker game before. This game asks you team: if you were trapped on a desert island, what would you use to survive?

Introduce participants to a list of possible items and have them choose the three they find most essential. Then, they’ll share the items they chose with the rest of the group. This activity works well with a remote team and with larger groups, you may want to separate people into smaller teams where they collaboratively strategize on which items to pick.

The Desert Island   #relationships   #icebreaker   #teamwork   #remote-friendly   Many of us have played a game similar to this before – if you were stranded on a desert island, what essential items would you choose to survive? Participants are given a list of items to choose from and must work together to decide which items will help them stay alive. A great, remote-friendly exercise for a team to work together and share opinions.

Fun Ice Breaker Games

The best ice breakers have the power to strengthen coworker bonds, stimulate better brainstorming sessions, and create an atmosphere of inclusivity.

They’re also incredibly fun to play, making them a welcomed break from regular work activities. They break down barriers that might exist between employees & make it easier for people to communicate with one another.

Ice breakers should also encourage lighthearted interactions that wouldn’t usually take place in the context of a normal workday. When the correct game is chosen, everyone benefits from the energy they bring to any meeting or event. Remember that even some business-critical meetings can benefit from a bit of levity and fun!

Here are some ice breaker ideas for when you just want to have fun with your team.

Portrait Gallery

• What is my name

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Crazy handshake, the movie pitch icebreaker, share a joke, the no smiling icebreaker, hello kitty.

This ice breaker activity is a fun one that requires some creativity. It enhances a sense of community because people have to draw the others as a group – not just between the drawers, but the recipients of the portraits too. The outcome is very visual and colorful and the result images can be put up in the meeting room afterward! Meeting ice breakers that produce physical results that can be shared can really help ensure the good vibes of the meeting continue afterward!

Portrait Gallery   #hyperisland   #team   #icebreaker   The Portrait Gallery is an energetic and fun icebreaker game that gets participants interacting by having the group collaboratively draw portraits of each member. The activity builds a sense of group because it results with each participant having a portrait drawn of him/herself by the other members of the group together. It also has a very colourful visual outcome: the set of portraits which can be posted in the space.

​What is my name

Stick the name of a well-known celebrity or public figure on people’s backs. Have players mingle and ask each other questions to find out who they are. This is a light game that initiates easy conversations without forced & awkward small talk. Make sure the figures are generally well recognizable. What is my name is one of those icebreaker games for work that is easy to set up and get going and is fun for all involved.

This is a warm-up to really get a group energized. It is a game based on the traditional Rock Paper Scissors game but with a twist. The people who lost become fans and have to cheer for the players still in the game. The final is cheered on by a large crowd & the excitement is through the roof! If there are a larger number of people, you can have multiple tournaments. Fun icebreakers don’t need to be complicated. Keep your ice breaker simple and ensure everyone can get involved easily.

Rock, Paper, Scissors (Tournament)   #energiser   #warm up   #remote-friendly   This is a fun and loud energiser based on the well-known “Rock, Paper, Scissor” game – with a twist: the losing players become the fan of the winners as the winner advances to the next round. This goes on until a final showdown with two large cheering crowds! It can be played with adults of all levels as well as kids and it always works! 

Set up harmless obstacles in the room you’re meeting in. Use squeaky toys, whoopie cushions, bubble wrap and the like. Everyone takes turns going around the course while blindfolded, guided by their teammates. The goal is: help each to navigate through the minefield.

While this game often results in lots of laughter, it also helps teach the importance of clear communication and trusting your team.

Minefield   #teampedia   #teamwork   #action   #team   #icebreaker   A fun activity that helps participants working together as a team while teaching the importance of communication, strategy and trust.

This ice breaker helps people ease into a group and brings out their creativity without a lot of effort. Splitting the group into pairs, each pair develops a creative handshake. Once done, the pair splits and each individual partners with another group member. The newly formed pair then teaches each other the original handshakes and together creates a new one. You can break up and pair off people as many times as you want.

Crazy Handshake   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #opening   #teampedia   #team   This activity helps people ease in a group and brings out their creativity without a lot of effort.

Divide players into several groups and have each team come up with an idea for a movie they want to make. They should prepare a pitch within 10 minutes. Once everyone had a chance to tell their idea, all players vote on which idea deserves ‘funding’.

The winners won’t start to make their film, but they should get awarded with either a funny object or some treats. We love using creative icebreakers like to ease people in and get used to collaborating and giving feedback ahead of the main discussion.

For this game, you have to have quick reactions or you’ll be eliminated. Have everyone stand in a circle with one person in the middle as the ‘sheriff’. They must surprise other players by pointing to them. These people must quickly crouch and those on either side of them have to quickly ‘draw’ their weapons. If you are too slow, you switch places & become the sheriff.

This icebreaker is a wonderful way to increase group energy before starting a meeting in earnest, and it also helps people learn names too! If you’re working with an especially large group, note that it’s better to play in parallel before finishing with a final showdown!

Bang   #hyperisland   #energiser   Bang is a group game, played in a circle, where participants must react quickly or face elimination. One person stands in the middle of the circle as “the sheriff”, pointing at other players who must quickly crouch while those on either side of them quickly “draw”. A good activity to generate laughter in a group. It can also help with name-learning for groups getting to know each other.

Have new teammates tell a joke at their first all-hands meeting. This is a great way to encourage people to be vulnerable and also ensures the meetings start on a cheery note. Remember that opening activities needn’t be complicated to be effective and when looking for ice breaker ideas, don’t discount the simple joy of making others laugh!

This is a simple icebreaker activity that energizes participants, and it’s also suitable for highlighting spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace. When throwing the first ball, the person starting should make a special sound that has to be repeated by the catcher upon receiving the ball.

Once the ball is being thrown around at a fairly brisk pace, you can introduce another imaginary ball and start throwing it. When the group gets proficient at it, you can have three or four balls in play!

Sound Ball   #energiser   #icebreaker   #thiagi   #team   #outdoor   This a simple icebreaker activity energising participants, also suitable for debriefing learning points towards spontaneity and teamwork. The activity involves participants standing in a circle and throwing imaginary ball(s) to each other in increasing pace.

This is a seemingly contradictory ice breaker that actually results in lots of smiles. Instruct everyone to keep a straight face and do not smile under ANY circumstance in the first five minutes of the meeting. People turn into children with an instruction like this, and immediately start looking at others, seeing how they are coping. The anticipation makes everyone giggly, so after a while they cannot suppress their laughter anymore. This activity takes zero prep and so is a great one to pull out at the last minute!

Starting a meeting with smiles and laughter is a great way to set the tone for the session. In this fun icebreaker, separate your group into teams of kittens and puppiess. Puppies try to make the kittens laugh or crack a smile by simply saying, “Hello Kitty” in an amusing manner. Any kittens who smile or laugh join the puppies until their is only one kitten left standing!

Encourage the group to be creative and be sure to give kudos to the funniest participants or those who manage to keep a straight face!

Hello Kitty   #hyperisland   #energiser   #remote-friendly   A simple and short group game all about trying to make each other crack a smile. Participants take turns being ‘kitties’ and ‘puppies’. The puppies try to make the kitties crack a smile or laugh. The last kitty standing is the winner! An original from The Northern Quarter Agency.

From icebreaker to completed agenda

Now you’ve discovered the perfect icebreaker, it’s time to create the rest of your meeting!

With SessionLab, you drag, drop and reorder blocks to create your agenda in a snap. Your session timing adjusts automatically as you make changes and when you’re done, you can share a beautiful printout with your colleagues and participants.

Explore how facilitators use SessionLab to build effective workshops and meetings or watch this five minute video to get started!

Now over to you!

Your meetings and workshops don’t have to be boring. We hope you have found some useful tips for practical and fun ice breaker games you can use in your next session!

What are your favorite ice breaker activities? Have you tried any of the methods above? How did you find them? Let us know about your experiences in the comments. Want to see even more great icebreaker ideas? Our collection of icebreaker questions contains heaps of conversation starters you can bring to your next session.

Want to go further? Check out our guide to planning an effective workshop to start building more engaging sessions with better outcomes!

20 Comments

tHIS was a life saver. I forgot that I had to present a game (or what-ever) for a Red Hat meeting tomorrow. You SAVED THE DAY, so to speak….so many, many thanks. frankanz

That’s fantastic to hear, I’m so happy we could help you – thanks for sharing your story :-)

Thanks for this list! some great finds in here (I LOVE the portrait gallery!) – have saved 10 faves and will definitely us the passions tic-tac-toe and rock paper scissors tournament at next workshop :D

That’s awesome to hear, I’m happy you got some useful ideas! (The portrait gallery is one of my favourite tools, too :-)

Great list! Here are some of the icebreakers I use: 1- Batikha (Watermelon in Arabic) The group sits or stands in a circular form. One person starts by placing their palms on their mouth as if they are holding a ball (watermolon) and passing it to the person on their side (if they pass it to the person on their right, they must use their left hand pointing to the right direction), the next person carries on with this rhythm. At any point anyone could decide to reverse the path of the ball by changing their hand and the pointing to the other person. This is when it gets tricky because if anyone else -other than the person pointed to) takes an action by raising their hands they get out of the circle. Additional if someone points the ball upwards, it means the next person will be skipped and the following person should complete the cycle. I don’t know if it makes sense in writing, it’s very simple through :) 2- Say what? This games involves a person (usually the trainer) asking each one individually a series of questions. The person who answers must answer truthfully without saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or make any gestures or sounds that means yes or no. They also can’t think for more than three seconds and they cannot repeat what the trainer asked. The trainer must get tricky by asking follow-up questions like: What’s your favorite book? answer… But isn’t out of publish? The participant will probably say no and lose.

Thank you, Nahla, great to see your favourite ice breaker activities, too – thanks for sharing!

This is an Awesome with great fun usable ideas!!

You’re welcome, Joshua – great to see that you’ve found the post useful!

Board/card games teach important social skills, such as communicating verbally, sharing, waiting, and taking turns. It can also foster the ability to focus and lengthen one’s attention span by encouraging the completion of an exciting, enjoyable game. Check this newly found card gamehttps://lagimcardgame.com/ and see how interesting and creative it is.

These are some amazing ideas! Thank you

These are all so good! You usually can’t find so many good ideas in one place. Thanks so much!

Excellent list and love the card format of the activity. Thanks. For Icebreaker questions I use icebreakrs.io.

Thank you very much! Very useful!

thank you very much very useful

This will help each other in the team professionally and personally , we can share ideas and solve problems .Awesome!!

Thank you for this great collection of wonderful and fun icebreakers and activities. Here’s a favorite icebreaker called Paris, Rome, or New York.

Objectives: To get participants to share their opinions, encourage listening, and promote better discussion in the group.

Method: This is a very simple exercise that participants can also have some fun with.

Ask participants of the training event to imagine themselves in each of the cities above. And, what they would like to do there? What would they work at? Would their life be different? If so, in what ways?

Once each person has described who they would like to get the group in a circle to discuss the exercise.

This exercise also encourages questioning and listening skills within the group and individuals’ perceptions of different things.

Discussion Questions: Did anyone feel uncomfortable doing this exercise? If so, why? How can this exercise help us during today’s training event? Of all the places presented does anyone want to change? If so why or why not?

Great ideas and will use this week at our yearly NHS Nurse away day. Thank You

These are some great ideas. I do both online and face-to-face education, so the variations are really nice. I also do an exercise called, “How did I get here?” Everyone takes a sheet of chart paper and some markers and writes or draws (or both) how they got to where they are and what led them to the course. I give them 10 minutes and then we share as a group. If too many to share in a large group, create several smaller groups and they share to that group. You can get some really interesting responses.

Dear Robert Cserti, My gratitude to you….Thank you so much .Iam using these games as ice breakers ,related to many topics and also in out bound training. Sharing the knowledge ..that’s amazing and tells that u lead by example. Great work!!!! with regards Anu Shakthi :-)

Many times link with ice breakers are disappointing. This was packed full of easy to use, possible to tweak. And amazing ideas!

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21 Free Fun IceBreakers for Online Teaching, Students & Virtual and Remote Teams

Last updated June 2, 2024

Here are 21 free-to-use icebreakers for online teaching that you can use. Icebreakers are an important part of any training, as they encourage people to participate from the start of a session, to get to know each other and feel comfortable working with others.

There are many icebreakers you can do in face-to-face training sessions and some of them are classics that corporate trainers worldwide have been using for quite a while.

In this guide, we have put together some icebreakers specifically designed to be done online and others that are normally done in traditional classrooms and we explain how to adapt them for the online environment.

So whether you are looking for online icebreakers for Zoom meetings, or icebreakers for online classes, here are 21 activities for you.

Page Contents

Icebreakers for Online Teaching

1. ‘two truths and a lie’ icebreaker.

This is a classic icebreaker, which can be adapted to an online class.

Instructions

• Ask one participant to write three statements about themselves: 2 true and 1 false.
• Ask the other participants to vote on which statements are true and which is false.
• After the first person has shared their statement and the group has decided which statement is false, the first person will reveal which statements were true and which one was false.
• Move on until each person in the group has shared their statements.
• The person who manages to correctly guess the most lies wins. Alternatively, you can play this game in a non-competitive way just for participants to get to know each other.

This is intended as a fun icebreaker so it’s a nice activity for very early in any training or teaching.

Online tools you can use

• Poll Everywhere
• Google Forms
• Survey Monkey

2. Table Topics

Table topics are a set of cards, which you can find for sale online, on sites such as Amazon. Each card has a question on it to start a conversation and every pack of cards contains just over one hundred questions.

They are a great way to start a conversation for participants to get to know each other or to start a discussion on a specific topic. You can choose questions pertinent to the topic of your workshop

You can type some of the questions from the card on a chat board and ask participants to write down their thoughts.

Alternatively, you could separate the participants into breakout rooms and assign each group one or two questions so that each person in the group can answer.

Some examples of questions include:

• Is there such a thing as perfect?
• Where would you most like to go and why?
• Who’s the funniest person you know?
• Would you rather live for a week in the past or the future?
• What is the meaning of ‘peace’ to you?
• Who do you trust and why?
• How would you describe your future in three words?
• If you could go back in time to your 15-year-old self, what advice would you give your 15-year-old self?
• What is your definition of being wealthy and why?
• What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?

For this activity, you can use the following tools:

• Breakout rooms (which are available in many web conferencing platforms, such as Zoom ).
• Online whiteboards and chats.

If you are providing training or teaching online, make sure also to check these guides:

• Digital wellness & Well-being training materials
• Managing Virtual Teams course materials
• Working from Home Mental Wellbeing training materials 🙂

3. ‘Three Words’ Ice Breaker

This is a good warm-up activity and it can also be useful to discuss the importance of adapting to changing situations and thinking on one’s feet.

• Ask participants to agree on a random topic. It can be anything from food to dogs, to rugby.
• Explain that each person should contribute with three words to the story (and three words only at a time) and they will take turns to contribute.
• Encourage the participants to say the first three words that come to their mind. It does not matter if they make sense or not.
• Try to move from one person to the other quickly.
• Online whiteboard, chat board, and other collaboration tools such as Padlet or Lino .

4. ‘Same and Different’ Team Building Game

The aim is to learn information about other people.

This is one of my favourite icebreakers for online classes. This activity can be either a great icebreaker or a way for people within an established team to know each other better and communicate.

• Split your participants into groups of 3 or more and allocate them to breakout rooms.
• Ask each group to write down as a list on an online whiteboard or virtual sticky note all the interesting things that they all have in common (ask them to avoid obvious things, such as all being men or women) and something unique to each participant. They will have 5 minutes for this task.
• At the end of the 5 minutes, ask each group to share their list to the rest of the class via an online whiteboard.

Handy Tools for this activity

• Breakout rooms
• Online whiteboard, chat board, and other collaboration tools such as Padlet or Lino.

5. ‘Big Lottery Win’ Warm-Up Activity

This game is good as a warm-up, for participants to familiarize themselves with each other and also to think creatively.

Participants can discuss together or be separated into breakout rooms, depending on the number of participants.

• Explain to the participants to imagine that they have just won the lottery. They have won 25 million Euros, GBP, dollars, or any big amount in the local currency of the country they are in.
• Give participants 5 minutes to list all the things they would do with the money. There is no limit to the number of things they can put down, as long as they can write them within 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes are up, ask everyone to talk about their list and discuss.
• Material items
• Friends and family
• Travel and luxury
• Some other categories may also emerge
• Allow 5 minutes for the group to discuss the list. This normally will occur very easily.

For this activity consider using an online whiteboard, chat board, and other collaboration tools such as Padlet or Lino.

6. ‘Storytelling’ Icebreaker | Team-Building Activity

Because of the creative and cooperative nature of this game, it is a good activity to use either as an icebreaker or as a team-building activity. It can also be useful for a training session on creativity.

• In advance of the training session, prepare some documents or boards (you can use MS Word or create boards with an image manipulation program) with a set of 4 pictures on each.
• On the training day, separate the participants into groups of 4 people in breakout rooms and assign each group one of the files with the photos.
• Give the groups 10 minutes to look at the photos and to create their narrative that creates a story that connects the four images.
• When the 10 minutes are up, ask each group to share their story onto a virtual board and to spend up to three minutes telling the story of their images. Allow other groups to then suggest how they might have developed the story and if they would have used the images differently.

Useful Tools

• Online whiteboard, chat board, other collaboration tools such as Padlet or Lino.

7. ‘Introducing Each Other’ – Ice Breaker

This is a good activity to get participants to get to know each other so that they find themselves in a familiar environment.

Participants can do this activity either before the session, in their own time, or during the session.

• Pair up participants in twos.
• Give them a list of questions to ask each other.
• Ask each pair to interview each other, either via email or in breakout rooms.
• When all the participants convene together in the same virtual room, each participant will introduce the participant they interviewed.

8. ‘Hope and Fears’ Icebreaker

This is a classic icebreaker, which is good as a reflection tool or to assess what the participants’ expectations are from the training.

• Ask participants to write down their greatest hope (for example, for the session, for the current year or for a specific project) and then their greatest fear.
• In a face-to-face class, the participants differentiate the answers by, for example, writing each answer on a sticky note of a different color. Online, you need to find another way to differentiate them. For example, you could use Padlet or Lino, which allow you to create virtual sticky notes of various colors.
• Read all the hopes first and then the fears and discuss.

In this activity use :

• Online whiteboards, chatboard, and other collaboration tools like Padlet or Lino.

9. ‘Childhood Dream’ Ice-breaker

This icebreaker is useful to start a discussion on how priorities and goals can change throughout a person’s life.

• Ask participants to post on a virtual board what their childhood dream was and to relate it to their present aspirations.
• You can either have participants discuss this as a whole class or have groups of participants in breakout rooms.
• End with a summary of all the contributions from all participants and a whole-class discussion.

Tool to Use

10. ‘Take a Picture of Something’ Class Activity

This is a fun activity, which is good to get people to know each other using visuals and creativity.

• Ask participants to take a picture of something. Typically, you choose a specific theme. For example, ask participants to take a picture of their shoes or a picture of something that is on their workstation or the view outside their window. Remember to ask participants to take a picture and upload it before the training session starts, as otherwise, it might take too much time out of the training session if they were to do it in real time.
• Ask participants to share the picture on a virtual board.
• Start a discussion. For example, you could ask why they chose that particular item on their desk, or what they like the most about the view they can see from the window, etc.

How do you run icebreakers for online sessions though? We have written a separate post on ‘ How to run group activities in virtual classrooms for your students here . 🙂

• Online whiteboard, chat board, and other collaboration tools such as Padlet, Evernote, or Lino.

11. ‘Asking Questions’ Icebreaker

This is a good way for participants to get to know each other in a relaxed manner.

Remember to ask questions that are light-hearted though, as you want to start on a positive note.

• Ask your participants a list of questions. For example, what is your favourite meal, your favourite place to travel, where were you born etc.?
• They could just write an answer on the chat board or post a picture or a link.
• Share the answers with all the participants and get them to guess who gave each answer.

Tools to do this activity:

• Online whiteboard, chat board, other collaboration tools such as Padlet, Evernote, or Lino.
• Tools that allow you to create a survey, such as Survey Monkey or Google Forms or a wiki, such as Slimiwiki.

12. ‘Show a Map’ Fun Teaching Activity

This is a good activity if your participants are located in many different geographical locations.

• Show a map on the screen (it can be a map of the world, if participants are located all over the world, or the map of a country, if they are all in the same country but in different parts of it).
• Ask participants where they are.
• Ask your participants questions, such as how long they have been living there or other light-hearted questions.

Activity tools you’ll need

13. ‘Lost in Space’ Online Training Activity

This is a good activity to get to know participants in a way other than just asking the usual questions. This is one of the first online icebreakers for Zoom that I used and still use for giving online training.

• Ask the participants to imagine that they are living in a space station. All of a sudden, the space station malfunctions and they have to evacuate. They are only allowed to take 5 items with them. Which items would they choose?
• Ask participants to share their answers in the chatbox, explaining why they chose those five items.

14. One Word (or One Image) Activity

This is another activity suitable for participants to share information about themselves creatively.

• Ask participants to choose one word that best describes them or their life and to explain why. Alternatively, you can ask them to choose an image (they can download it from the Internet or take a picture with their smartphone, for example).
• Ask them to share their answers via the chat feature or on a virtual whiteboard.

15. ‘One Random Object’ Virtual Training Activity

This icebreaker is a fun game, aimed at making participants feel relaxed and creating a sense of community. You could also use it as an energizer, if needed, when you sense that your participants are losing focus.

• Ask a participant to pick one random object that is in their room and not tell anyone what it is.
• Explain that the other participants will have to guess what it is, by asking questions that require a yes or no answer.
• You could use a chat board for this, but it is not necessary. You could just run the activity by speaking and maybe use a virtual board to record the scores. You can also, if you wish to, make it a competition, whereby the participant who correctly guesses the most objects wins.

16. ‘Accomplished Goals’ Online Group Activity

This is a good activity to focus on positive things (i.e. people’s achievements). It is also a networking tool, as participants could be interested in achieving the same goal that another person in the group has achieved and whom they might ask for advice from.

Instructions:

• Ask participants to say what goal they have achieved in the last year (it does not matter how small)
• Discuss. You could facilitate the discussion by asking a question such as how they felt when they achieved the goal or what skills do they think were important in achieving the goal.
• You could post a list of achievements on a chat or virtual board.

Online tools you can use:

• You could use a chat board for this, but it is not necessary. You could just run the activity by speaking and maybe use a virtual board to summarize the discussion at the end and highlight what can be learnt from each person’s experience.

17. ‘Describe Yourself in a Tweet’ Activity

This activity is different from the traditional introduce yourself type activities, in that it has an additional challenge.

That is, participants have to manage to communicate as effectively as they can using a very limited number of characters.

There is a limitation to this activity though, as participants will need to have a Twitter account and not worry about their tweets being seen by everyone as tweets are public (direct messages used to be limited to 140 characters but, in 2015, the limit was extended to 10,000 characters).

• Ask participants to describe themselves in a tweet.
• You could do this activity before the training session and then take screenshots of the Tweets to show during the online class.
• Twitter social media account for you and the participants.

In terms of icebreakers for online classes, this is not the quickest to run but participants can find it very engaging.

18. ‘Bingo’ Icebreaker

This is a classic icebreaker that can be adapted for online teaching.

In a traditional face-to-face session, you would prepare a table with a series of interesting facts and then give each participant a copy of the sheet so they can move around the room trying to find somebody to whom that fact applies.

1. Getting started

To run the activity online, create a 5 by 5 table with interesting facts, one for each box of the table.

For example, you could write things such as: speaks more than two languages, has been to Argentina, etc. Or, it would be a good idea to tie the facts with the topic of the class.

2. Sharing the File

Share the file with the table with your participants, either in advance or during the session.

You can share by email, through the file-sharing feature of the web conferencing system, or with an online sharing tool such as Google Docs, Dropbox, or Evernote.

Alternatively, you could do the activity in real-time using a tool such as Padlet or Lino.

• Ask participants to write their name under each of the statements that apply to them.
• Ask participants to share the answers and discuss.

19. ‘Interests and Hobbies’ Activity Online

This activity helps participants to get to know each other but with an element of fun that gets participants easily engaged. Furthermore, it’s one of the easiest icebreakers for online classes to run.

• Ask participants to post three links that reflect their hobbies.
• The other participants have to guess what their hobbies are.

O nline tools you can use

20. ‘Time Machine’ Virtual Training Activity

This activity is suitable for those who like history and as a trainer, it can help you to introduce a bit of imagination to your icebreaker.

• Ask your participants: ‘If you could go back or forward in time, where would you go?’ ‘Why?’ You can then follow up with questions such as ‘Is there a person you would like to meet?’
• Ask participants to share their answers.

21. ‘Where in the World’ Icebreaker for Online Training

This is another game that allows participants to know each other in a fun way.

• Ask participants to pick a place in the world where they would like to go or that suits their personality.
• Ask them to post three clues for that place.
• Explain that the other participants have to guess which place the other participants have chosen.
• Online whiteboard, chat board, other collaboration tools such as Padlet, or Lino.

Other Icebreakers for Online Classes

We also provide a range of other online icebreakers for Zoom, MS Teams, and other online teaching platforms, with activities included in every one of the training course materials packages you can buy

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60 Comments

There are some great ideas here that I will definitely be incorporating this into my classroom this August!

Hi Jess. Great to hear that you will use the classroom training activities. All the best :). Let us know how it goes.

Thank you so much for superb ideas

You’re welcome Pratibha.

Very interesting activities. They are innovative too. I’ll use these with the children. I think they’ll enjoy them. I expect that many activities will be in demand repeatedly. Thanks a lot for sharing these wonderful ideas.

Participants know each other already. What would be another activity that can be done to get them tuned to the session

If the participants already know each other then there are several options for ice breakers. I have got lots more on the ice breakers main page .

Wonderful ideas. Keep it up. Looking forward for more online teaching ideas. I’ve already taken up new ideas from here for my next class. I would love to know, for example, how to keep students engaged throughout the 30-minute session and they remain active throughout and not disappear halfway through the session.

Hi Shalini, I am glad to know that you find these ideas useful. I know, it is harder to keep students engaged online! A way to keep their attention is to keep asking them questions and to engage them throughout the training session with activities and discussions, even more so than you would do for a face-to-face training session.

Some great ideas here. Will definitely keep these bookmarked for my next virtual session!

Thank you so much! Wonderful ideas and I will surely incorporate these in my virtual new session.

Hi Gagan. Yes, those activities are great for making virtual lessons more interactive. Thank you for visiting our site. All the best with your online teaching.

The new academic year starts on Monday. We are still going to go on with virtual lessons. I’m here because I am looking for ice breakers for my new classes. Thank you so much because I have found some!

I’m really looking forward to getting up and running and using virtual icebreakers. Great post.

Thanks Brittany

Thanks for all these suggestions! Hi, I’m going to use your storytelling idea and tweak it a bit. I’m going to use the same story for each group and let them see how stories change with each telling. We are studying myths and trickster stories to gain background knowledge in anticipation of reading “The Lightening Thief”.

Thank you so much…such fun ideas! I was worried about bonding with my students on the online platform. Not anymore!

Great ideas! I’m going to use these with my university students (teaching credential students at the elementary school level). It will help with keeping them engaged in my class as well as give them some ideas to use when they start their own teaching.

Hi Whitney, That’s great to hear. Yes, these icebreakers can be good for teaching at all levels and ages.

I am going back to a blended in-person/ virtual classroom. Students have the option to come to school or log in from home. Do you have some suggestions on how to incorporate groups in this way? I’m thinking with 15- 20 students in the same room, although socially distanced, it will be difficult to facilitate breakout groups due to the volume of the students and everyone talking at once in the same room.

Any thoughts?

I’m not sure if you’re classroom-based students will be logged-in individually however I suggest everyone is so everyone is equal and it’s easier for you to manage.

Zoom Break Out rooms allow you to split your meeting into up to 50 separate sessions. You can choose to split your students into these separate sessions automatically or manually.

If you need to visit each room to monitor progress, you may wish to put more students in each room so you have fewer rooms to visit.

Hope that helps, Jon.

These are beautiful activities. Will surely be helpful in making training fun. In the First activity, any specific reason why the participant with the most incorrect wins is the winner. Thank you so much.

Hi Sabahat. With the first activity, the more votes you get the more successful you were at tricking the others. I will add a sentence or two to explain this to update it as I can see I can make this clearer. Thanks for pointing this out. Thanks Sabahat.

I agree so grateful you share these activities with us. I am looking forward to trying them next week with my students especially the storytelling icebreaker. I can’t wait to hear the stories the students create. Thank you!

Hi Lisa. Yes, I’d love to know how it goes with your students. Please let us know 🙂 all the best.

Very use full activity.. this will help trainers very well..

Amazing ideas and very helpful for new teachers as well.

Thanks for sharing! I will do the same and share with my team at work. I also love how you have transformed some of the classic icebreakers,into online icebreakers.

Excellent collection room of ice-breakers for Virtual sessions. Thank you.

I am super thankful for this post. Great ideas, and I like that many are tried and true and will be familiar. The number of these is really setting me up for my 1st two weeks!

Great post!

Having attended a few online icebreakers recently and not being inspired by them, I decided to go away and create my own 🙂 Hopefully it will be helpful to some.

This list is awesome! I will definitely use a few of these thank you!

I so appreciate these creative and fun ideas. They are not only interactive, but they promote a fun and relaxed environment as the students get to know each other online. Thank you for sharing these games…they will be a life saver for me as a teacher who is very new at using the computer 🙂 and teaching online!

I totally loved every suggested activity, thanks so much!

Brilliant ideas! Thank you so much for sharing!

This was so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to share these!

I made notes for icebreakers that are appropriate for second graders. I especially like “Two truths and one lie”.

Love these! Just got idea to put in my modules online. Thank you!

Thank you, This is very helpful.

Thank you for these awesome online activities. I can use some of these in the homeroom guidance period.

Thank you very much for sharing these ideas. They are indeed very helpful. With your permission, will be using some for my online teaching. Thank you very much. God bless!

I am delighted that I came across this post. It is so comprehensive. Activities are simple and will help to promote the community. Great job!

Thank you so much for compiling these activities; it saved me from reinventing the wheel.

Thank you for sharing . I will use these ice breakers.

Great. I will be introducing some of these great icebreakers right this week in my training. Thank you

A nice set of ice breakers. School education is not easy to handle in the online mode. There is a big gap, and students do miss the kind of interaction that takes place in a real classroom environment within a conducive space and customised furniture. The teachers are eager to get back to the normal classroom teaching model.

Dear Ms Valeria Lo Iacono, Thank you for valuable icebreakers . I will use one of them with students of medicine school in my online class tomorrow. Thanks for your efforts.

Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing these activities… They would be very useful in my teaching.

Thank you for these really fun Icebreakers ! They were extremely helpful!

Thanks! This list is very helpful and fun! I’m excited to try these soon.

All the ideas are great. More than using it as an icebreaker i used it as an activity in between my classes, since its an hour class students find it difficult ti sit in a stagnant place and listen to the class. These ideas helped a lot for the students to keep them active and alert. Thank you.

These activities are really interesting. Your creative ideas help us to inspire the students. Thank you so much.

Excellent ideas! Loved the activities

Very good ideas for engaging the participants. I found these quite thought provoking as well. Thank you for sharing.

Super ideas for ice-breaking! Thanks for sharing, very inspired.

Icebreakers are really good, they create friendship, teamwork, and easy completion of work as a team. It is the best method,it inspires students and there is sharing of ideas.

Loved the ideas, particularly ‘One Random Object’, ‘Childhood Dream’ and (modified) ‘Bingo’. Will definitely use them in my upcoming session. Thank you.

Thank you ,very helpful activity.

These are amazing ideas for my online training sessions. Thank you so much.

I really like the ‘Where in the World’ icebreaker. Thank you for sharing!

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100 Fun Icebreakers to Start Meetings and Conquer Awkward Silence

Tired of small talk and awkward introductions? This ultimate guide to 100 icebreakers guarantees to kickstart any conversation and turn you into a social pro. Whether you're networking at a conference, hosting a dinner party, or simply breaking the ice in a new group, we've got the perfect conversation starters for every situation.

Introduction

‍ Ever walk into a room feeling like a lone penguin in a flamingo flock? Yeah, we've all been there. Small talk feels like deciphering hieroglyphics while simultaneously performing brain surgery on a mime. And before you know it, you're stuck in the awkward shuffle, desperately searching for something, anything, to break the ice.

But fear not, fellow social chameleons! This blog is your secret weapon, your portable charisma coach, your icebreaker arsenal. We're here to equip you with 100 surefire conversation starters that'll melt away the awkwardness faster than a blowtorch on a snowman.

Think of icebreakers as social jetpacks. They propel you from the dreaded silence into the stratosphere of engaging conversation. No more awkward glances at your shoes or pretending to be super interested in the intricate patterns on the ceiling. With these icebreakers, you'll be making friends and captivating crowds like a professional social butterfly (even if your insides are still doing the nervous fandango).

So, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive into a world of witty questions, hilarious games, and thought-provoking prompts that'll turn you from a wallflower to a conversation ninja. Get ready to conquer meetings, dominate dinner parties, and leave everyone wondering, "Who is this brilliant, charming, and effortlessly social person?"

Let's smash the awkward silence and embrace the joy of connection!

Stay tuned for the next section, where we'll unleash our arsenal of 100 icebreakers, categorized for your social-butterfly-in-training needs!

Icebreaker Bonanza: 100 Conversation Lifesavers (Categorized for Your Awkward-Slaying Pleasure)!

1. Get-to-Know-You: Unmasking the Mystery:

• Movie Magic: "What's your all-time favorite movie quote, and why does it resonate with you?"
• Superhero Hangout: "If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it to improve the world?"
• Hidden Talents: "What's the most useless talent you possess, but are secretly proud of?" (Bonus points for hilarious demonstrations!)
• Travel Time Machine: "If you could travel anywhere in time, when and where would you go, and who would you meet?"
• Passion Powerhouse: "What's one thing you're truly passionate about, and how does it fuel your fire?"

2. Quick & Quirky: Breaking the Ice with Laughter:

• Chicken Run or Duck Dynasty: "Would you rather fight a hundred chickens or one giant duck, and why?"
• Would You Rather? Edition: "Would you rather have the ability to teleport or control the weather?" (Get creative with the scenarios!)
• Random Rhyme Time: "Come up with a funny rhyming couplet about your worst date or funniest workplace mishap."
• Celebrity Charades: Act out your assigned celebrity for everyone to guess, using only gestures and no words.
• The Name Game: Each person says their name and a random object that starts with the same letter. Next person repeats all previous names and objects, then adds their own. Bonus points for tongue twisters!

3. Thought-Provoking: Deep Dives and Meaningful Connections:

• One Wish Granted: "If you could make one wish for the world right now, what would it be?"
• Life Soundtrack: "If your life had a theme song, what would it be, and why?"
• Unsung Heroes: "Who is a real-life hero you admire, and why does their story inspire you?"
• Gratitude Grapple: "Take a moment to share something you're truly grateful for in your life right now."
• Future Vision Quest: "Imagine your ideal future five years from now. What does it look like, and what steps are you taking to get there?"

4. Group Games: Unleashing the Teamwork Titans:

• Two Truths and a Lie: Each person shares three statements, two true and one false. The others guess the lie.
• MASH: Write down your dream home, spouse, number of kids, and career on a folded paper. Pass it around, and let fate (and a few folds) decide your future!
• Human Scavenger Hunt: Divide into teams and complete silly tasks based on clues hidden around the room or office.
• Story Chain: One person starts a story with a sentence, then each person adds a sentence to build a collaborative narrative.
• Blindfolded Drawing Frenzy: One person is blindfolded and tries to draw a picture based on verbal instructions from the others. Hilarious results guaranteed!

Remember: This is just a taste of the 100 icebreakers at your disposal! Feel free to mix and match categories, tailor questions to your specific group, and most importantly, have fun! With these conversation life rafts, you'll be navigating the social seas like a seasoned captain, leaving boredom and awkwardness stranded on the shore.

The 100 Icebreaker Showcases

Get-to-know-you: unmasking the mystery.

Curious about what makes people tick? These 25 Icebreakers, conversation starters are your ticket to delving into the motivations, dreams, and fears that shape our lives.

• Movie Magic: Go beyond the usual "favorite movie" question. Ask, "What's a movie quote that always sticks with you, and why does it resonate with you?" This encourages deeper reflection and reveals personal values.
• Potential conversation starters: Share your own relatable quote, discuss the film's message, explore thematic connections to life experiences.
• Soundtrack of You: Instead of asking about current music preferences, delve into personal history with this: "If your life had a theme song, what would it be, and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the song's mood and lyrics, reminisce about shared musical memories, discover hidden passions and life aspirations.
• Bucket List Blitz: Spark travel dreams and unveil hidden desires with: "If you could visit any three places in the world, where would you go and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss cultural interests, swap travel tips, plan future dream adventures together, share personal connections to chosen destinations.
• Random Revelation: Encourage spontaneous self-discovery with: "Think of the most random fact about yourself that most people wouldn't guess. Share it and see if anyone can relate!"
• Potential conversation starters: Uncover surprising talents, hidden hobbies, unique experiences, build on unexpected commonalities, laugh at the absurdity of human existence.
• Future Focus: Peer into the crystal ball with: "Imagine your ideal future five years from now. What does it look like, and what steps are you taking to get there?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal goals and aspirations, offer encouragement and support, share advice or resources, celebrate individual ambitions.
• Unsung Heroes: Celebrate everyday inspiration with: "Who is a real-life hero you admire, and why does their story inspire you?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss the qualities you value in heroes, share personal stories of inspiration, explore ways to emulate heroic actions in daily life.
• Time Capsule Tidbits: Imagine a future discovery with: "If you were creating a time capsule for future generations, what three things would you put inside and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss hopes for the future, share cultural artifacts or personal keepsakes, reflect on societal values and priorities.
• Dream Job Delve: Explore hidden career aspirations with: "If money and practicality weren't an issue, what would your dream job be, and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss hidden talents and passions, brainstorm creative career paths, offer support and encouragement for pursuing dreams.
• Random Skill Showcase: Put hidden talents on display with: "Teach everyone a random skill you know, no matter how silly or obscure."
• Potential conversation starters: Learn unique new skills, laugh at unexpected talents, bond over shared interests and abilities, discover hidden potential in others.
• First Impressions Flip: Challenge preconceptions with: "Share your first impression of the person next to you, then swap roles and see how close you were!"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss the power of first impressions, laugh at humorous misinterpretations, build new connections based on unexpected insights.
• Bookworm Bonanza: Dive into literary worlds with: "If you could be a character from any book, who would you choose and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss favorite books and genres, analyze character motivations, explore how literary preferences reflect personalities.
• Guilty Pleasure Confession: Embrace the unexpected with: "What's your guiltiest pleasure that you wouldn't admit to just anyone?" (Keep it light and fun!)
• Potential conversation starters: Bond over shared secret loves, laugh at hilarious quirks, discover surprising hidden sides of each other.
• Childhood Charades: Act out a pivotal moment from your childhood for others to guess, using only gestures and no words.
• Potential conversation starters: Share funny childhood memories, reminisce about shared experiences, build connections through relatable stories.
• Spirit Animal Safari: Uncover inner selves with: "If you had a spirit animal, what would it be and why does it represent you?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal qualities and values, explore animal symbolism and mythology, bond over shared connections to the natural world.
• Random Rendezvous: Spark spontaneous adventure with: "Close your eyes, pick a random direction, and walk for five minutes. Describe what you find when you open your eyes!"
• Potential conversation starters: Share the unexpected discoveries, discuss the importance of stepping outside comfort zones, create shared memories through this unique icebreaker.
• Future Forecast: Play fortune teller with: "If you had a crystal ball, what would you see happening in your life a year from now?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss hopes and dreams for the future, offer encouragement and support, laugh at silly predictions, bond over shared aspirations.
• Random Recipe Revelation: Share culinary creativity with: "If you could invent a dish with only three ingredients, what would it be and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss food preferences and cooking styles, get creative with ingredient combinations, discover hidden culinary talents, bond over shared love of food.
• Random Act of Kindness Recall: Spread warmth with: "Share a time you witnessed or performed a random act of kindness that brightened your day."
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss the importance of kindness, inspire others to do good, bond over shared values and empathy.
• Unsung Skill Showcase: Put hidden talents on display with: "Show everyone a cool skill you've mastered, no matter how simple or surprising."
• Potential conversation starters: Learn unique new skills, be amazed by unexpected talents, discover hidden potential in others, build connections based on shared interests.
• Future Headline Frenzy: Imagine the spotlight with: "Create a funny or inspiring headline about yourself that you'd love to see in the future."
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal goals and aspirations, laugh at silly predictions, celebrate individual ambitions, bond over shared dreams.
• First Impressions Flip: Challenge preconceptions with: "Share your first impression of the person across from you, then swap roles and see how close you were!"
• Movie Magic Marathon: Go beyond the usual "favorite movie" question. Ask, "What's a movie scene that always makes you laugh/cry/think, and why?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss the emotional impact of film, analyze specific scenes and acting choices, share personal connections to the chosen movie.
• Soundtrack of Souls: Instead of asking about current music preferences, delve into personal history with: "If your life had a background score, what kind of music would play during different chapters?"
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the mood and tone of the chosen music, share personal stories and life experiences, reveal emotional depths through musical metaphors.
• Time Capsule Tidbits: Imagine a future discovery with: "If you were creating a time capsule for generations to come, what three things would you put inside, each representing a different aspect of your life (e.g., passion, achievement, humor)?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss hopes and fears for the future, share personal artifacts or keepsakes, reflect on societal values and priorities.
• Random Revelation Roulette: Add a bit of thrill with: "Write down three random facts about yourself on slips of paper, fold them, and draw one from a bowl for everyone to guess. The most outlandish guess wins a prize!"
• Potential conversation starters: Uncover surprising talents, hidden hobbies, unique experiences, laugh at creative interpretations, bond over shared laughter and the absurdity of human existence.

Quick & Quirky: Breaking the Ice with Laughter

Laughter is the shortest distance between strangers, so get ready to tickle some funny bones with these 25 icebreakers guaranteed to break the ice and leave everyone in stitches!

       1. "Would you rather... with a twist."

• Instructions: Ask a playful "Would you rather..." question with a silly or unexpected twist, like "Would you rather be able to talk to squirrels, but only in limericks, or be able to fly, but only backwards?"
• Conversation starters: "Oh, that's a tough one! I think I'd be too embarrassed to fly backwards, but imagine the gossip I could get from the squirrels!" or "I'm definitely a squirrel whisperer in this scenario. Can you imagine the hilarious limericks about acorn hoarders?"

       2. "My spirit animal is..." (with a funny explanation)

• Instructions: Share your "spirit animal" but add a quirky, unexpected explanation. For example, "My spirit animal is a narwhal, because I'm always accidentally stabbing things with my enthusiasm."
• Conversation starters: "Narwhal? That's amazing! Is it the tusk or the unicorn vibes that resonate with you?" or "I totally get the enthusiasm-stabbing thing! Maybe I'm a platypus for my weird mix of skills."

       3. "Three truths and a lie..." (with a ridiculous lie)

• Instructions: Play "Three truths and a lie" but include one ridiculously outlandish lie. For example, "I once won a pie-eating contest with a robotic arm, I can speak fluent dolphin, and I'm allergic to sunshine."
• Conversation starters: "Robotic pie-eating arm?! You're either a cyborg or a champion baker! Which one is the lie?" or "Dolphin speak? That's incredible! Are they good conversationalists?"

       4. "What's your superpower... if it had a hilarious drawback?"

• Instructions: Imagine having a superpower, but with a hilariously inconvenient drawback. For example, "I can fly, but only while wearing a tutu and singing opera."
• Conversation starters: "Tutu-opera flying? That's a mental image I can't unsee! But hey, at least you'd be the most stylish superhero ever." or "What's your signature aria for taking down bad guys?"

       5. "If [insert random object] could talk, what would it say?"

• Instructions: Pick a random object in the room and imagine it could talk. What would it say? Be creative and funny! For example, "This stapler would probably complain about paper cuts and existential dread."
• Conversation starters: "Oh man, the stapler's existential crisis would be a real downer! Maybe we should give it a hug." or "I bet the coffee machine would have some strong opinions about early mornings and bad jokes."

       6. " Time Machine Mishap":

• Instructions: Share a hypothetical time travel mishap, but with a comedic twist. "If I could go back in time, I'd definitely invest in fidget spinners instead of Bitcoin. Who knew everyone would just carry phones that vibrate now?"
• Conversation starters: "Fidget spinner tycoon of the past, huh? Maybe you could invent holographic hula hoops next!" or "Investing in technology always comes with risks, but at least you'd have some epic fidget battles."

       7. "My life motto, according to..." :

• Instructions: Choose a ridiculous source (like a fictional character, a historical figure, or even a household object) and share your "life motto" as if they inspired it. "My life motto, according to a talking avocado, is 'Always spread your optimism, even if you have a pit-a-ful day.'"
• Conversation starters: "Talking avocado?! That's oddly wise. What other nuggets of wisdom has it bestowed upon you?" or "I love how you embrace the pit-a-ful days! Maybe your motto should be 'Guac and roll with the punches.'"

       8. "If emotions had mascots..." :

• Instructions: Assign imaginary mascots to different emotions. "Excitement would definitely be a hyperactive puppy, bouncing off the walls with wagging enthusiasm."
• Conversation starters: "Puppy-excitement sounds adorable! But what about boredom? Is it a sloth hanging upside down from a cloud of apathy?" or "I can picture fear as a jittery hummingbird, buzzing with nervousness. What would you imagine for contentment?"

       9. "Celebrity Swap Shop":

• Instructions: Imagine switching bodies with a celebrity for a day, but with a hilarious twist. "If I could be Beyonce... for a day at the gym only! I need her workout secrets, not the red carpets."
• Conversation starters: "Beyonce in the gym, sweating it out? I can't decide if that's intimidating or inspiring!" or "Who would you swap with for a day on their off day? Imagine being a couch potato as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson!"

     10. "My superpower is... (but only when...)":

• Instructions: Give yourself a quirky superpower with a specific, unexpected trigger. "I can teleport... but only when wearing mismatched socks."
• Conversation starters: "Mismatched sock teleportation? That's oddly convenient and chaotic! Where would you teleport to with your rainbow feet?" or "Maybe you should start a mismatched sock business - teleporting delivery service, anyone?"

     11. "If this [insert random object] had a dating profile, what would it say?"

• Instructions: Pick a nearby object and imagine it writing a hilarious dating profile. Get creative and playful with its personality and desires.
• Conversation starters: "This lamp's dating profile is hilarious! 'Seeking someone who appreciates my warm glow, but doesn't mind the occasional flickering tantrum.'" or "Maybe the fire extinguisher is looking for someone who's always hot for them, but knows how to handle their fiery passion."

      12. "My spirit animal... mid-transformation":

• Instructions: Describe your spirit animal, but add a twist by catching them in the middle of a hilarious transformation. "My spirit animal is a butterfly... just as it's shedding its cocoon with a comically loud sneeze."
• Conversation starters: "Butterfly sneeze?! I can't imagine the glitter explosion! Have you ever been caught in a similar spirit animal moment?" or "Maybe your spirit animal is actually a sneeze-powered superhero, launching into action with pollen-fueled blasts."

      13. "My biggest claim to fame... (but nobody believes me)":

• Instructions: Share a ridiculous, unbelievable achievement you claim to have, and watch the laughter ensue. "My biggest claim to fame? Once won a staring contest with a llama... and it blinked first!"
• Conversation starters: "Llama staring champion? That's impressive, even if it's hard to swallow! Any other outlandish feats you're hiding?" or "Maybe next time you challenge a llama, use mind control. I hear they're susceptible to telepathic tickle attacks."

       14. "My hidden talent is... (but only under very specific circumstances)":

• Instructions: Reveal a bizarre, useless talent with a hilariously specific trigger. "My hidden talent? I can fold origami frogs one-handed... but only while underwater and humming the national anthem backwards."
• Conversation starters: "Underwater origami while singing? You're like a secret agent with the most peculiar skillset! What other talents do you unleash under unexpected conditions?" or "Maybe you should market your talent as a personalized torture technique for villains. 'Prepare to face the wrath of the amphibious frog folder!'"

      15. "If [famous historical event] had a theme song, what would it be?"

• Instructions: Pick a major historical event and imagine a ridiculously inappropriate theme song for it. "The French Revolution? Definitely a disco anthem with lyrics about breaking free from royal shackles."
• Conversation starters: "French Revolution disco? That's... historically inaccurate, but surprisingly catchy! What about the invention of the wheel? Maybe a power ballad about the triumph of rolling?"

      16. "My superpower is contagious, but..."

• Instructions: Imagine a quirky superpower with a hilarious and inconvenient side effect. "I can make everyone around me laugh uncontrollably, but only by telling terrible puns."
• Conversation starters: "Pun-powered laughter? That sounds like a chaotic, but potentially hilarious, way to brighten someone's day! What's your worst pun-derful joke?" or "Maybe you should market your superpower as a stress relief technique. 'Tired of work? Get pun-bombed by the Punisher!'"

      17. "My spirit animal is a [insert unusual object], because..."

• Instructions: Choose an unexpected object and explain why it reflects your spirit in a funny way. "My spirit animal is a traffic cone, because I'm always lost, but somehow manage to stand tall and guide the way."
• Conversation starters: "Traffic cone spirit? That's oddly relatable! Do you ever have existential crises about being stuck in one place?" or "Maybe you're not lost, just orange and pointing towards new adventures. What other inanimate objects resonate with your soul?"

      18. "If everyday objects could gossip, what would they say about each other?"

• Instructions: Eavesdrop on the imaginary gossip of two nearby objects, creating a hilarious dialogue based on their personalities and uses. "The fridge and the oven are definitely feuding. The fridge is all, 'Ugh, you're just a heat monster, ruining my perfectly chilled veggies!'"
• Conversation starters: "Fridge vs. oven gossip? That's a kitchen soap opera I wouldn't miss! What about the pens and pencils? Are they constantly bickering about who's sharper?" or "Maybe you should write a book about the secret lives of objects. 'The Chronicles of Couch Potato: A Memoir of Unending Netflix Marathons.'"

      19. "My biggest fear is... (but it's totally ridiculous)":

• Instructions: Share a hilariously irrational fear that will have everyone chuckling. "My biggest fear? Running out of puns... then being forced to resort to regular, boring words. The horror!"
• Conversation starters: "Puns are precious! We'll have to form a pun preservation society to protect you from such a tragic fate!" or "Maybe your fear is actually a superpower in disguise. Imagine the pressure you could put on villains with your silence!"

      20. "If I had a theme song, it would be..." (with a surprising twist)

• Instructions: Describe your personal theme song, but add a funny, unexpected genre or lyric. "My theme song is definitely heavy metal... but the lyrics are all about baking cookies and cuddling kittens."
• Conversation starters: "Metal cookie cuddles? That's a genre I never knew I needed! What other unexpected musical combinations define your inner soundtrack?" or "Maybe you're a secret rockstar with a sweet tooth. Imagine the crowd going wild for your 'Chocolate Chip Mosh Pit' anthem!"

      21. "My life motto is..." (but with a nonsensical twist)

• Instructions: Share a seemingly profound life motto, but add a goofy, unexpected punchline. "My life motto: Always wear mismatched socks, because conformity is for boring squares who can't find matching pairs."
• Conversation starters: "Mismatched socks as a rebellion against conformity? I love it! What other sartorial statements do you make against the beige tyranny of boring fashion?" or "Maybe your motto is actually a metaphor for embracing individuality. You're unique, just like your socks!"

      22. "I'm convinced that..." (with a hilariously outlandish conspiracy theory)

• Instructions: Share a ridiculous conspiracy theory you secretly believe in, with a wink and a smile. "I'm convinced squirrels are actually tiny spies for a secret nut cartel, collecting data on our snacking habits."
• Conversation starters: "Squirrel spies? That's nutty! Do you think they have code names like Agent Hazelnut or Captain Cashew?" or "Maybe you're onto something! Have you noticed any suspicious squirrel meetings happening around town?"

      23. "If emotions had superpowers, what would they be?"

• Instructions: Imagine different emotions possessing unique superpowers. "Excitement would definitely have super speed, zipping around like a human hummingbird."
• Conversation starters: "Super-speedy excitement sounds exhausting! But what about sadness? Does it have the power to make flowers wilt with a single tear?" or "Maybe fear has the superpower of invisibility, constantly lurking just out of sight, keeping us on edge."

      24. "My spirit animal is a [insert fictional character], because..."

• Instructions: Choose a quirky fictional character and explain why they embody your spirit in a funny way. "My spirit animal is Groot, because I mostly communicate in grunts and love dancing to cheesy music."
• Conversation starters: "Groot as your spirit guide? That's adorable! Do you ever sprout little saplings of wisdom during conversations?" or "Maybe you're actually a secret superhero in disguise, like Groot's cousin, 'The Groovy Dancer' with moves that can break free from any vine-y situation."

      25. "If this room could talk, what would be its biggest complaint?"

• Instructions: Lend the room a voice and share its hilarious perspective on the people and activities within. "This room would definitely complain about all the crumbs and spilled coffee. It just wants to be a pristine oasis, not a snack graveyard."
• Conversation starters: "Crumb-infested coffee zone? Maybe we should offer the room a lint roller and a cup of tea as an apology!" or "What about the other rooms? Do they have their own gossip circles and secret desires? Imagine the kitchen bragging about its culinary prowess."

Remember, the key is to embrace silliness, play with unexpected ideas, and most importantly, have fun! These are just starting points, so let your imagination run wild and create your own signature icebreakers to break the ice and spread laughter wherever you go. Happy connecting!

Thought-Provoking: Deep Dives and Meaningful Connections

Ready to go beyond small talk and forge genuine connections? Explore the depths of human experience with these 25 icebreakers designed to spark meaningful conversations and uncover hidden gems of perspective.

    1. Time Machine Muse: "If you could travel to any point in history, when and where would you go, and why?"

• Potential conversation starters: Discuss historical fascinations, explore motivations for time travel, ponder the impact of witnessing key moments in history.

     2. Unsung Hero Hotspot: "Who is a real-life hero you admire, and why does their story inspire you?"

• Potential conversation starters: Share personal values and what defines heroism, discuss challenges and triumphs of unsung heroes, analyze inspirational qualities and their impact.

    3. Future Focus Forecast: "Imagine your ideal future five years from now. What does it look like, and what steps are you taking to get there?"

• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal goals and aspirations, offer encouragement and support, share perspectives on prioritizing dreams and taking action.

     4. Soundtrack of Your Soul: "If your life had a theme song, what would it be, and why does it resonate with you?"

• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the mood and lyrics of chosen songs, share personal stories and life experiences, discover emotional depths and commonalities through music.

     5. Random Revelation Rendezvous: "Think of the most random fact about yourself that most people wouldn't guess. Share it and see if anyone can relate!"

• Potential conversation starters: Uncover surprising talents, hidden hobbies, unique experiences, build connections through unexpected shared experiences.

    6. Life Lessons Lottery: "If you could win a lottery of life lessons, what would be the one piece of wisdom you'd choose to receive?"

• Potential conversation starters: Discuss past experiences and learned wisdom, share values and perspectives on life's valuable lessons, offer support and encouragement for ongoing growth.

    7. Dream Job Delve: "If money and practicality weren't an issue, what would your dream job be, and why?"

    8. Random Rendezvous Roulette: "Close your eyes, roll a die, and pick the direction that corresponds to the number (north, south, east, west). Walk for five minutes in        that direction and describe what you find! This could be a person, a hidden corner, or anything intriguing."

• Potential conversation starters: Share the discoveries and observations, discuss the importance of stepping outside comfort zones, bond over the unexpected beauty of everyday spaces.

    9. Random Recipe Revelation: "If you could invent a dish with only three ingredients, what would it be and why?"

• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal culinary preferences and cultural influences, explore the symbolic meaning of chosen ingredients, get creative with unique flavor combinations.

    10. Future Headline Frenzy: "Create a funny or inspiring headline about yourself that you'd love to see in the future."

• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal goals and aspirations, laugh at silly predictions, celebrate individual ambitions, bond over shared dreams and humor.
• Gratitude Grapple: "Take a moment to share something you're truly grateful for in your life right now. It can be big or small, but make it something from the heart."
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss personal values and sources of happiness, connect on shared experiences of gratitude, inspire appreciation for the simple joys in life.
• One Wish Granted: "If you could make one wish for the world right now, what would it be, and why does it matter to you?"
• Potential conversation starters: Explore shared hopes and visions for a better world, discuss personal values and motivations behind the chosen wish, spark dialogue about social responsibility and individual action.
• Unsung Skill Showcase (Meaningful Edition): "Teach everyone a skill that has helped you overcome a personal challenge or improve your life in a meaningful way."
• Potential conversation starters: Share stories of resilience and personal growth, learn helpful techniques for navigating life's difficulties, build connections through vulnerability and mutual support.
• Random Revelation Relay: "Write down a personal truth or question you've never shared before. Fold it and pass it around the group. Everyone reads the note and offers a supportive response or shares a related experience."
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate vulnerability and open communication, offer encouragement and advice based on personal stories, build trust and intimacy within the group.
• Spirit Animal Safari (Expanded Edition): "Choose three spirit animals that represent different aspects of your personality (e.g., strength, creativity, adaptability). Share the stories you associate with each animal and why they resonate with you."
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze deeper layers of personality through animal metaphors, delve into personal narratives and life experiences, discover unexpected connections and shared traits.
• Random Rendezvous Revelation: "Roll a die and pick a random action based on the number (sing a line from your favorite song, draw a self-portrait with your eyes closed, tell a joke you invented). Share the meaning or inspiration behind your choice."
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the creative choices and their connection to personal stories, encourage self-expression and vulnerability, laugh at unexpected reveals and shared experiences.
• Dream Date Destination: "Imagine your ideal date for a meaningful connection. Where would you go and what would you do? What kind of conversations or experiences would deepen your bond with another person?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss values and priorities in relationships, brainstorm creative and intimate date ideas, explore personal visions for love and connection.
• Future Forecast Fiction: "Write a short story about your ideal future world, focusing on a specific aspect like technology, environment, or human interaction. Read it aloud and discuss the hopes and fears it reflects."
• Potential conversation starters: Expand imaginations and explore possibilities, engage in critical thinking about future trends and challenges, build connections through shared visions and anxieties.
• Unsung Book Bonanza: "Share a book that has deeply impacted you but few people know about. Describe its message and why it resonated with you on a personal level."
• Potential conversation starters: Discover hidden literary gems and shared reading experiences, discuss the power of books to shape perspectives and identities, connect through vulnerability and the transformative power of storytelling.
• Random Recipe Revelation (Metaphor Edition): "Imagine your life story as a recipe. Choose three ingredients that symbolize key experiences or defining moments, and explain their role in shaping your journey."
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the chosen ingredients and their metaphorical significance, share personal stories and turning points in life, connect through vulnerability and shared experiences.
• Time Capsule Tapestry: "Imagine you're creating a time capsule for future generations. What three artifacts would you include and why? Each should represent a different value or aspect of humanity you want to preserve."
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss hopes and fears for the future, analyze chosen artifacts and their symbolic meaning, spark debates about what defines humanity and its legacy.
• Unsung Skill Showcase (Wisdom Edition): "Share a piece of personal wisdom or advice you've learned through a challenging experience. It can be practical or philosophical, but make it something you truly believe in."
• Potential conversation starters: Offer support and gratitude for shared insights, analyze life lessons and their impact on personal growth, connect through vulnerability and mutual wisdom.
• Random Rendezvous Reflection: "Close your eyes and focus on your breath for a minute. When you open your eyes, share a word or image that pops into your head and what it evokes for you."
• Potential conversation starters: Explore intuition and subconscious thoughts, analyze individual interpretations and connections, build understanding through introspection and vulnerability.
• Dream Job Delve (Impact Edition): "If you could choose a career solely based on its positive impact on the world, what would it be, and why does it matter to you?"
• Potential conversation starters: Discuss values and motivations behind career choices, explore solutions to global challenges and social issues, connect through shared desire for positive change.
• Random Recipe Revelation (Sensory Edition): "Describe a specific taste, smell, or sound that instantly transports you to a cherished memory. Share the story behind it and why it holds such significance for you."
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the power of sensory experiences to trigger memories and emotions, share personal stories and emotional vulnerabilities, connect through common threads of human experience.

Group Games: Unleashing the Teamwork Titans

Ready to ditch the awkward silence and activate your inner collaboration champions? These 25 group games are designed to unleash the teamwork titans within, fostering laughter, creativity, and problem-solving prowess. Let's build bridges, solve riddles, and celebrate the joys of shared success!

      1. Blindfolded Builders:

• Divide into teams and blindfold one player per team. The rest provide verbal instructions (no hands!) to build a pre-defined structure with limited materials (e.g., blocks, cups).
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate hilarious misinterpretations and innovative solutions, discuss communication strategies and leadership under pressure.

       2. Backwards Storytellers:

• Start a story as a group, each person adding a sentence in reverse order, starting with the ending. Continue until the story reaches its beginning.
• Potential conversation starters: Laugh at unexpected plot twists and creative connections, analyze the power of collective imagination and spontaneous collaboration.

       3. Human Knot Untangle:

• Stand in a circle, hold hands randomly, and try to untangle yourselves without letting go. No talking allowed!
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate teamwork and problem-solving successes, discuss nonverbal communication strategies and the importance of trust.

       4. Collaborative Canvas Chaos:

• Provide a large canvas and blindfolds for half the group. Blindfolded players paint based on verbal instructions from their sighted teammates.
• Potential conversation starters: Embrace the artistic chaos and unexpected creations, discuss artistic interpretation and the interplay of trust and guidance.

       5. Mystery Box MacGyver:

• Give each team a box with random objects and a seemingly impossible task (e.g., build a bridge to hold a book). Creativity and collaboration are key!
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate resourcefulness and out-of-the-box thinking, discuss team dynamics and the importance of diverse perspectives.

       6. Balloon Relay Race (with a Twist):

• Teams race to blow up balloons and pass them across the line, but each person can only use a specific body part (e.g., elbows, knees, forehead).
• Potential conversation starters: Laugh at wobbly balloons and unexpected challenges, discuss adaptability and strategic problem-solving under pressure.

       7. Silent Movie Charades:

• Act out movies or phrases in teams, but only through silent gestures and expressions. No talking allowed!
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate mime masters and hilarious interpretations, discuss nonverbal communication and the power of imagination.

       8. Reverse Pictionary:

• One person draws a picture based on a word, but their team can only give "no" guesses. Describe what the picture isn't until someone guesses the word correctly.
• Potential conversation starters: Laugh at creative misinterpretations and unexpected clues, discuss the challenges and rewards of reverse-engineering solutions.

       9. Human Jenga with Twists:

• Play Jenga, but add challenges like telling jokes before pulling blocks, completing tasks with your non-dominant hand, or balancing objects on your head.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate dexterity and mental agility, discuss strategic decision-making and managing risk under pressure.

      10. Escape Room Challenge:

• Create a mini escape room experience with puzzles, riddles, and hidden clues. Teams work together to solve the mysteries and escape within a time limit.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate collaborative problem-solving and mental agility, discuss communication strategies and leadership skills under pressure.

       11. Reverse Minute-to-Win-It:

• Each team takes turns completing classic "Minute-to-Win-It" challenges in reverse. Start with the final task and work backward, adding time for each completed challenge.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate quick thinking and adaptability, discuss strategic planning and resource allocation under a shrinking time limit.

       12. Collaborative Storytelling Relay:

• Start a story as a group, passing it around like a relay race. Each person adds a sentence or phrase, building the story together until a satisfying conclusion.
• Potential conversation starters: Embrace unexpected turns and creative additions, discuss collaborative storytelling techniques and the power of shared imagination.

       13. Human Scavenger Hunt:

• Hide clues around the venue or online, leading teams on a collaborative treasure hunt. They must solve puzzles and work together to find the final prize.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate teamwork and problem-solving in a physical or virtual space, discuss communication and leadership skills during an interactive adventure.

       14. Blindfolded Build-a-Buddy:

• Divide into teams and blindfold one player per team. The rest provide verbal instructions to create a funny, wacky, or impressive sculpture using provided materials (e.g., balloons, pipe cleaners, play dough).
• Potential conversation starters: Laugh at the unexpected creations and hilarious misinterpretations, discuss the challenges and rewards of working without sight, celebrate the power of collaboration and trust.

       15. One-Word Wonders:

• Teams take turns sending a single word to a central location (e.g., online chat). Based on that word, everyone builds a collaborative story, starting with their own sentence.
• Potential conversation starters: Analyze the unexpected connections and creative narratives, discuss the power of a single word to spark collective imagination.

       16. Chain Reaction Challenge:

• Set up a domino chain or similar chain reaction with unpredictable elements (e.g., water balloons, wacky contraptions). Teams work together to design and execute the chain reaction, adapting based on unexpected outcomes.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate creative problem-solving and resilience in the face of chaos, discuss the importance of flexibility and collaboration in navigating unforeseen challenges.

        17. The Collaborative Escape Room:

• Each team member is trapped in a virtual or physical "room" with different clues and challenges. They must communicate and collaborate to solve their individual tasks and ultimately free everyone.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate teamwork and problem-solving across physical or virtual barriers, discuss effective communication strategies and the importance of trust in overcoming obstacles.

       18. Reverse Pictionary (Musical Edition):

• One person hums a song while their team can only offer "no" guesses. Describe the song's genre, mood, or lyrics until someone guesses correctly.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate musical knowledge and creative descriptions, discuss the challenges and rewards of communicating through sound, laugh at unexpected interpretations.

        19. Collaborative Memory Maze:

• Create a human maze with blindfolded teammates guided by verbal instructions from their sighted partners. Teams work together to navigate the maze without bumping into each other.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate successful navigations and hilarious bumps, discuss communication clarity and the importance of trust in unfamiliar situations.

       20. Build a Tower (Blindfolded & Backward):

• Teams build a tower using blocks or other materials, but one player per team is blindfolded and their teammates can only give instructions in reverse order (e.g., "two steps down, one block to the right").
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate wobbly towers and unexpected successes, discuss the challenges and rewards of working with limited information and backwards instructions.

       21. Improv Olympics:

• Divide into teams and face off in hilarious improv challenges like acting out nonsensical scenes, answering audience questions in character, or creating spontaneous songs.
• Potential conversation starters: Laugh at outrageous performances and unexpected scenarios, celebrate creativity and quick thinking, build confidence and public speaking skills in a supportive environment.

       22. Reverse Charades with Props:

• Act out phrases or words using only pre-assigned props. No talking allowed! The team guesses based on the creative pantomime and prop combinations.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate theatrical performances and hilarious prop interpretations, discuss communication through unconventional means, analyze the power of creativity and collaboration in overcoming limitations.

       23. Blindfolded Trust Walk:

• One player per team is blindfolded and guided through an obstacle course by their teammates' verbal instructions. No physical contact allowed!
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate successful navigations and moments of trust, discuss clear communication and active listening, build trust and reliance on your fellow team members.

       24. Human Jenga with Twists (Themed Edition):

• Adapt the classic Jenga game to a specific theme (e.g., space exploration, pirate adventure, movie making). Add themed challenges like answering trivia questions or performing tasks with props before pulling blocks.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate themed fun and unexpected challenges, discuss collaborative problem-solving and strategic decision-making, connect shared interests through an interactive experience.

      25. Collaborative Masterpiece:

• Provide each team with a large canvas and different art supplies. Blindfold one player per team and guide them to contribute to the canvas based on verbal instructions. Reveal the final collaborative artwork and analyze the unique creations.
• Potential conversation starters: Celebrate the beauty of unexpected artistry and collaboration, discuss artistic interpretation and the interplay of trust and guidance, appreciate the power of teamwork in creating something greater than the sum of its parts.

You've got the perfect icebreakers in your arsenal, but how do you ensure they land like social grenades, not damp squibs? Don't worry, fellow social explorers; here are some bonus tips to turn those frosty introductions into a fiesta of fun!

Body Language Bonanza:

• Stand tall and smile: Confidence is contagious! Open posture and a welcoming expression invite others to join the conversation.
• Make eye contact: Show genuine interest by looking people in the eye. It fosters connection and encourages reciprocal engagement.
• Active listening: Don't just stand there like a museum statue! Lean in, nod, and use verbal cues like "uh-huh" to show you're actively listening.

Confidence Cues:

• Own your awkward: We've all been there! Embrace the initial silence as a normal part of the social dance. A self-deprecating joke or honest "this is always a bit weird, right?" can break the tension.
• Be prepared: Knowing your icebreakers well gives you confidence and avoids fumbling for the right words. Practice beforehand if needed!
• Be enthusiastic: Your energy is contagious. Show genuine interest in the conversation and the people around you, and others will be drawn in.

Conversation Follow-Up Strategies:

• Ask open-ended questions: Don't settle for "yes" or "no" answers. Spark deeper engagement with questions that invite stories and opinions.
• Build on responses: Actively listen and use what others say to guide the conversation further. Show you're interested in their experiences and perspectives.
• Embrace the unexpected: Don't get stuck on your icebreaker script. Be flexible and let the conversation flow organically. The best connections often happen through spontaneous turns.

Call to Action: Unleash Your Inner Social Butterfly!

Equipped with your icebreaker arsenal and these bonus tips, you're ready to conquer the awkward silence and forge meaningful connections. So, step out of your comfort zone, unleash your inner social butterfly, and remember: laughter, vulnerability, and a genuine desire to connect are the ultimate icebreakers. Now go forth and make those introductions sizzle!

Remember, the most important ingredient is YOU! Be yourself, have fun, and embrace the joy of human connection. The world awaits your unique spark of social brilliance!

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80 Fun Meeting Icebreakers Your Team Will Love in 2024

When people hear “meeting icebreaker,” they think of ”bonding exercises.” In this post I share 15 meeting icebreakers that are anti-boring and easy.

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When most people hear the word “icebreaker,” they think of boring, silly, or awkward. In this post, I want to share 80 meeting icebreakers that are:

• quick-bonding

If you are a meeting planner, team leader , or event organizer (or simply want to make your meetings a little better), you MUST watch this video for my personal favorites:

And if you want better meetings, you MUST send this article to your meeting planner. I’m going to convince you to upgrade the age-old icebreaker.

What is an Icebreaker?

An icebreaker is an activity, event, or game that is designed to break down social barriers, make others feel more comfortable, and facilitate social interaction. Icebreakers are usually performed at the beginning of a meeting or team session and involve a group of people. 

After hosting hundreds of meetings every year, from conferences to sales team retreats , one thing I’ve learned is that an icebreaker truly can make or break an event. Here’s the crazy science on this:

• Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton gathered 221 participants and had them form groups of two to four people. 
• Then, he asked them to do a campus scavenger hunt where they had to run around taking selfies in front of specific locations. 
• *There was a catch. Half of the teams were asked to do a pre-scavenger hunt icebreaker together, and the other half were simply asked to read an article together. 

The results were clear. The teams that did the icebreaker reported liking each other more . This is incredible! Icebreakers improved performance, time, AND likability . 

Here’s a list of my favorite icebreakers to avoid having those awkward meetings.

Virtual Meeting Icebreakers

Not all meetings nowadays are in-person. Some are virtual. These fun icebreakers can be performed anytime, anywhere, no matter the distance!

Icebreaker #1: Show and Tell

Best For: Turning coworkers into show-and-tell-loving third graders again!

This is one of my favorite virtual icebreakers. Why? Because it reveals what your teammates really value! Here’s how to perform this icebreaker:

• Ask your remote team members to grab a nearby item (or even send a personal picture through group chat!). This item should be unique to them.
• Share! Take turns sharing your item and the story or personal meeting behind it.

For example, I recently shared in my weekly team meeting a small personal item: a llama doll I received from one of my friends! It was a great way to show to my remote team how I value small gifts from friends, and an easy icebreaker, too. Win-win!

Icebreaker #2: Teach Something New

Best For: Learning new things, boosting confidence in presentation skills, and promoting engagement and fun in team meetings.

If you like having mini TED Talks sprinkled into your meetings, this one’s for you! “Teach Something New” is one of my favorite icebreakers—each team member will have, say, 5 minutes to teach everyone one little thing. It could be how to draw a giraffe, how to juggle, or a magic trick.

Here’s how you can introduce this activity:

• Encourage team members to think about a skill or knowledge snippet they can share within a 5-minute time slot.
• At the start of the meeting, ask for a volunteer to go first. They will have 5 minutes to teach their chosen topic.
• Other participants should engage by asking questions or offering thoughts on the subject. Remember, the goal is to promote a light, fun learning environment.

Icebreaker #3: Creative Selfie

Best For: Showcasing workspace creativity, bonding, and inspiring décor discussions.

Zoom backgrounds make meetings fun, but they don’t help people get to know each other very well. Location-specific photo challenges could start more personalized conversations because they’ll reveal new things about each coworker.

• Explain the Activity: Let everyone know they need to take a creative selfie at their workspace.
• Take Selfies: Team members take their workspace selfies—could be in their home office, a coffee shop, or an outdoor setup.
• Share the Pictures: Each participant shares their selfie in the group chat or designated platform.
• Decide the Winner: The picture that is deemed the most creative (based on your established criteria) wins.

People don’t need to share their location or name their city if they feel uncomfortable. The point is to showcase everyone’s workplace setting because it speaks to their personalities.

After the scavenger hunt, team members could also swap decor ideas to elevate their remote workstations. It may open doors to conversations about their hobbies, pets, and other interests based on what showed up in everyone’s selfies.

Icebreaker #4: Guess The Words (Codenames Online)

Best For: Strategic minds seeking to decode enigmatic clues and outsmart opponents in a witty word game.

If you’ve ever played one of my favorite board games , Codenames, this one packs all the fun—but now, it’s online! In this word game, each Spymaster tries to get the other team to guess a combination of words on the table by giving a one-word clue. For example, in the above picture, if you needed to have your teammates guess the words “Bowl” and “Knife,” you might give the clue “Kitchen.”

If you’ve never played Codenames, this one’s a great starter icebreaker that’s super helpful if you want to boost creativity.

• Head on over to https://www.codenames.game/ .
• Click on the CREATE ROOM button.
• Select the preferred game settings and start the game.
• Connect with your friends using your favorite audio or video chat.
• Share the room URL with your friends.
• Enjoy the game!

Icebreaker #5: Draw Anything Your Teammates Imagine

Best For: People who love drawing (even if they are terrible at it!)

Even if you’re not artistic, this game is absolutely funny and fun. Gartic Phone gives you a short time frame to sketch photos based on other players’ prompts—and can result in some hilarious artwork.

Imagine trying to draw your teammate’s prompt of “Harry Potter riding a unicorn in space.”

The weirder the prompt, the crazier the doodles! Here’s how to play this game that combines the classic games “Pictionary” with “Telephone.”

• Go over to https://garticphone.com .
• Whip up a nickname and select an avatar that screams “you.”
• Hit “Start.”
• Click the “Invite” button and broadcast the link to your team.
• Once the game starts up, everyone is invited to write down a hilarious sentence.
• Wait for a sentence from your colleague, and then give it your artistic spin.
• Next, it’s your turn to interpret someone else’s doodle by guessing the original sentence.
• Have fun and unleash your inner Van Gogh!

Icebreaker #6: Meet the Pet (or child, or partner, or plant)

Best For: Animal lovers, whether furry, leafy, or miniature human ones!

This icebreaker idea is super simple , and who doesn’t like pets? It’s best performed for remote teams that are newer and/or as a first-day icebreaker. Here’s how:

• Have your remote team grab their pets or show a picture of them.
• Start the introductions! You can start off with the basics (name, age, where you got him/her), but make sure to throw in one personal/fun story you had with your pet.

Pro tip: If your teammate does not have a pet, ask them to describe their ideal pet. Or meet each other’s kids. Or meet each other’s plants. Feeling funky? Ask them what their spirit animal is!

Icebreaker #7: Draw and Guess

Best For: Tapping into your team’s inner Picasso while testing their quick-thinking skills in a vibrant guessing game.

If you’re a big fan of draw-and-guess games, then this one’s for you! Drawasaurus is Pictionary with a twist where everyone gets a shot at the scoreboard—the artist and the guessers alike. The game slips a secret word to the doodler, who then creates a visual puzzle for others to solve. The speed of your guesses matters—quicker guesses mean more points.

If every participant manages to decode the drawing, the artist also hits a points jackpot. This sure adds an extra dose of fun to the classic game, doesn’t it?

• Head on over to https://www.drawasaurus.org .
• Choose a nickname (no stress, this won’t kick off the game).
• Tap + Create a Room.
• Make your room Private, give it a name, set a password, and select the number of players you want.
• Copy the link from the URL bar and send it over to your team.
• When everyone’s geared up and clicks Ready to Play, the game begins.
• Take turns picking a word to sketch, while others try to guess it.
• Rack up points by being the quickest to guess correctly.

Icebreaker #8: Explore The World

Best For: Best For: Armchair explorers and globetrotters looking to test their geography and deduction skills in a thrilling virtual quest.

I absolutely love GeoGuessr—it’s especially fun if your team is located across the globe or loves to travel.

GeoGuessr is a captivating global exploration game that virtually parachutes you into a random corner of the world, using a street view panorama. Your objective? To scour the surroundings for clues that might help pinpoint your exact location on the world map.

For example, GeoGuessr might drop you in a random spot on a canal, and you might use building signs or other clues to help you guess where in the world you are.

Here’s how to play:

• Head to https://www.geoguessr.com/ .
• Sign up for an account.
• Click on “Party” to create your own room.
• Invite your friends by sending them your unique room code.
• Start playing!

*GeoGuessr does cost a small monthly fee for team play, although it is still recommended.

Icebreaker #9: Phone Photo

Best For: Revealing hidden layers of team members through snapshots of their most memorable (or embarrassing) moments!

Do you want to get to know your team on a more personal note? This icebreaker activity is a great way to break the ice by putting your most embarrassing/awkward/awesome/proud moments up front for the world to see.

• Before the video call starts, send out a team message to find an embarrassing/awkward/proud/awesome/proud photo on their phone and post it in the group chat. 
• When the call begins, share the details about your photo! The more ridiculous the photo, the more laughs you’ll get out of this icebreaker.

Everyone has an interesting photo on their phone, so this is a great activity for everyone! Here’s mine…

Icebreaker #10: Partner Lunch

Best For: Cultivating deeper connections over shared meals and intimate one-on-one discussions.

Want a fun way to make a meeting more… dare I say… delicious? Enter: the Partner Lunch. This icebreaker requires a bit of prep work with your team, and it’ll be better if you’re in similar time zones.

• Schedule a time where you and your team can video call and eat a meal together.
• Find a partner. Randomly assign partners in your team to talk one-on-one for 10-20 minutes before your group call.
• Talk! Now’s a great time for the partners to get to know each other over lunch. You can even have a list of deep questions to help facilitate discussion.

Icebreaker #11: Personal Logo

Best For: Encouraging creativity, self-expression, and understanding team members on a personal level.

The Personal Logo icebreaker is a fantastic way to get your team’s creative juices flowing. It’s not just about doodling a pretty image—it’s a window into each person’s world, reflecting their personality, interests, or passions. Here’s how to get this activity buzzing:

• Give guidelines on what the logo should include—it could be a combination of symbols, initials, colors, or abstract shapes. Stress that artistic skills are not being judged; it’s the thought and creativity that count!
• Set a timer for the creation process. 5-10 minutes should suffice for a quick sketch. If doing this in a meeting, consider having a quick discussion while everyone works on their logos.
• Each participant shares their logo on screen (either by holding up their drawing or sharing it digitally) and explains the concept behind it.
• Encourage team members to give positive feedback and ask questions about each logo.
• If your team enjoyed this, you could even consider having these personal logos professionally made or used in some team swag !

Icebreaker #12: Scattegories

Best For: Engaging quick-witted competitors who enjoy a playful battle of words and ideas.

Flexing your rapid-fire brainstorming muscle becomes a thrilling challenge in Scattergories. The person steering the game can select categories as general as fashion and wildlife or as quirky as “famous comic book catchphrases.”

In every round, the game highlights a random letter from the alphabet, asking players to think on their feet and come up with any word or phrase from the chosen category starting with that letter. This game serves as a fantastic icebreaker, especially for those in your crew who can’t resist a competitive streak.

• Go over to https://scattergoriesonline.net/new-game.xhtml .
• Select your game categories, maybe you like “Team names,” “Thiings You Shouldn’t Touch,” or “Superpowers.”
• Hit the Create new game button.
• Set up the game’s variables—the starting letters (a majority will be preset), player count, and round numbers.
• In the “Who can join” section, opt for Invited friends.
• Click again on Create new game.
• Grab the link and send it to your teammates.
• Everyone will be racing against the clock to fill multiple categories with words starting with a designated letter.
• Get through all the rounds and discover which teammate boasts the most impressive word arsenal!

Icebreaker #13: Virtual Background Contest

Best For: Adding a fun twist to virtual meetings, sparking creativity, and enhancing team members’ storytelling skills.

This fun-filled activity not only adds a splash of color and joy to your meetings but it also nudges team members to showcase their creative sides and storytelling skills. Let’s see how you can get this show on the road:

• Challenge your team members to pick a virtual background that is uniquely creative or amusingly original.
• During the meeting, set aside time for each participant to present their background choice, along with the story or concept behind it.
• After all presentations, host a vote to select the “Virtual Background Champion”. This could be a quick poll or even a show of hands.
• Celebrate the winner and offer them a chance to lead off the next meeting or decide the theme for the forthcoming contest.

Pro Tip: Having a hard time picking a Zoom background? Check out our guide: 101 Best Zoom Backgrounds to Rock Your Next Meeting

Icebreaker #14: One Word at a Time

Best For: Storytelling enthusiasts ready to weave a quirky narrative, one unpredictable word at a time.

This game is commonly known as “One Word at a Time.” It’s a simple and fun icebreaker or warm-up activity for groups, and it’s also super popular if you’ve ever done improv as well.

Here’s how to get started:

• Start the Game: The first person begins the story by saying a single word. It’s often easiest to start with “Once,” but any word that can start a story is fine.
• Continue the Story: The next person in line adds another word to the story, and this continues with each participant adding a single word in turn. This can follow a designated order, like going in a circle or following the order of participants listed in a video call.
• Listen Carefully: Participants need to listen to each word carefully to make sure their word makes sense in the context of the story.
• End the Story: Eventually, the story will reach a natural conclusion. Typically, the facilitator or someone who senses a good ending coming might say “And” and the next person can say “The” and then “End” to wrap it up.

Icebreaker #15: Change My Mind

Best For: Encouraging communication skills, team bonding through friendly debates, and a creative way to learn about diverse viewpoints.

This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill icebreaker—it’s a fun-packed mini-debate club that can spice up your meeting. Best part? While your team enjoys this engaging banter , they’ll also polish their communication skills, flex their persuasive abilities, and experience the art of friendly debate. I love this icebreaker for flexing your creativity!

Here’s how to pull it off:

• Introduce the game and ask a teammate to share a non-controversial opinion.
• Set a timer for two minutes. During this time, the rest of the team attempts to sway the opinion-holder’s view.
• After the timer ends, the teammate shares if they’ve been persuaded and why.
• Repeat with the next person.

Icebreaker #16: Rotating Questions

Best For: Diving into your teammates’ minds through a volley of thoughtful and unexpected queries.

In small groups, you can use great questions to get people to open up. 

• Gather a list of icebreaker questions, or check out my favorite 57 conversation starters you can use.
• Have everyone take turns answering questions. If they don’t like a question, they can choose another one to answer!

Icebreaker #17: Culture Exchange

Best For: Promoting cultural awareness, fostering deeper connections, broadening perspectives, and keeping meetings engaging.

This simple, yet incredibly powerful activity, invites participants to share a tradition or custom from their culture. But here’s where we crank up the heat: don’t just stop at explaining the custom. Bring it to life! Share a personal anecdote, cook up a traditional recipe live, showcase an artifact, or even perform a quick traditional dance if you’re up for it.

It’s not just about sharing, it’s about experiencing. This allows for deeper connections, broader perspectives, and hey, it makes for an incredibly fascinating meeting. Just remember to keep the shares short and sweet to keep the momentum going.

Icebreaker #18: Quiz Time

Best For: Uncovering hidden team traits and testing trivia prowess with a friendly dose of competition.

One of the most fun icebreaker activities is to take quizzes and compare the results with your team! Here at Science of People, we absolutely LOVE quizzes. We’ve got a ton of quizzes backed with science to help you and your team understand each other:

• How open are you to new experiences? Are you extroverted or more introverted? Are you agreeable? See your traits in our Personality Test !
• Are you good at figuring out nonverbal communication? See if you can spot these cues with the Body Language Quiz .
• Have you ever noticed you date the same kind of person over and over again? That’s because we have specific attachment styles—find out yours in our Attachment Styles Quiz ! 
• Do you love trivia? You can check out a list of other quizzes on Sporcle .

Icebreakers You Can Do In Person

If you can’t take advantage of icebreakers for virtual meetings, don’t sweat it! Here are some icebreaker ideas you can do in person. 

And if you want to increase your charisma while you’re at it, check this out:

Unlock the Secrets of Charisma

Control and leverage the tiny signals you’re sending – from your stance and facial expressions to your word choice and vocal tone – to improve your personal and professional relationships.

Succeed with People

Master the laws of human behavior. Get along with anyone, increasing your influence, impact, and income.

Let’s dive in!

Icebreaker #19: The Candy Game

Best For: Sweet-toothed conversationalists ready to trade colorful candy for flavorful personal insights.

This is my favorite icebreaker because you combine easy bonding with the best possible ingredient: sugar! To coordinate this icebreaker:

• Pick your favorite kind of multi-colored candy–a bowl of M&Ms, Starbursts, Skittles, or whatever tickles your fancy.
• Next, pass around the bowl and ask people to take as many candy pieces as they like, but NOT to eat them.
• Once the bowl of candy has been passed around, each person has to answer a question for each color they take. For example, you can assign questions such as:

Red: What’s your favorite book?

Orange: What’s the best vacation spot you have ever been to?

Blue: What’s your favorite kind of food?

Green: What TV show are you addicted to?

Brown: If you could have any superhero quality, what would it be? 

Yellow: What’s the best part of your work week?

Icebreaker #20: The Marshmallow Game

Best For: Creative builders looking to showcase teamwork and engineering skills with a side of sweet victory.

Another icebreaker based on food? Of course! This icebreaker’s end goal is to build the tallest freestanding structure… out of spaghetti, string, tape, and a marshmallow. And if that wasn’t enough? The marshmallow has to be on top! Here’s how to play:

• Divide your group into teams of four.
• Hand each group these four things: 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow.
• Set a timer for 18 minutes. After 18 minutes, the team with the tallest standing structure wins!

This is a great team-building exercise and also forces your teammates to cooperate with each other. I also recommend giving out a prize to the winning team—stacking uncooked spaghetti is definitely not an easy task! This icebreaker was originally introduced by Tom Wujec, who made a TED talk about it, which you can check out here:

Icebreaker #21: I-Spy Riddle Scavenger Hunt

Best For: Injecting fun into mundane schedules, sparking adventurous spirits, and stirring up the team’s inner explorers.

If you want people to get out of the office, you also can have your icebreaker be a mini scavenger hunt. It can be around town, around the office, or around the building. 

For example, hunting for bugs is a great way to create an outdoor scavenger hunt for kids or adults. They can take a picture of the first bug they come across, which might not take long. Being outside will refresh everyone so they’re more energetic for whatever’s next on their daily calendar.

Want more ideas? Check out our list: 40+ Scavenger Hunt Games You Can Try Virtually or in Person

Icebreaker #22: Two Truths and One Lie

Best For: Laughter and bonding through uncovering truths and hilarious fibs!

I love the game “Two Truths and One Lie,” because it allows you to get a little more creative with your teams and to have some fun. 

• Start by asking each person to come up with two facts about themselves and one believable fib. 
• I have a pet turtle.
• Growing up, my family called me “Sasa” as a nickname.
• I speak Mandarin.

Can you guess which is the lie?

I do not have a pet turtle! Yes, my family called me Sasa because my little sisters couldn’t say “Vanessa.” And I lived in China during college. Fun facts, right? This icebreaker is a great way to get to know each other, and to have some laughs along the way.

Special Note: If you have introverts in the group, it’s nice to let the group know ahead of time that they should think of two truths and one lie for the meeting. This is helpful for not putting people on the spot.

Icebreaker #23: Desert Island Scenario

Best For: Adventure seekers ready to share their survival instincts and imaginative flair in a hypothetical scenario.

Spice up your virtual meetings with the Desert Island Scenario. It’s fun, it’s simple, and it’s your ticket to knowing your colleagues in an intriguing new way. 

Here’s how:

• Set the Scene: Tell your team to imagine they’re about to be stranded on a desert island.
• Pick Three: Ask each person to come up with three items they’d take with them. Real or imaginary, practical or bizarre, it’s their call.
• Share and Explain: During the meeting, everyone shares their chosen items and explains why they picked them.
• Have Fun: Enjoy the hilarious, touching, or surprising revelations!

Pro Tip: Give your teammates a heads-up to come prepared with their three items. Nobody likes being put on the spot, and it gives them a chance to think about their answers and let their imaginations run wild. Plus, it builds anticipation for the big reveal.

Icebreaker #24: Paper Airplane Game

Best For: Unleashing creativity and learning fascinating facts through airborne paper revelations!

I love this icebreaker because it is more hands-on. 

• Pass out different-colored sheets of paper to each person attending the meeting. 
• Then, ask everyone to write an interesting fact about themselves on the piece of paper and fold it into a paper airplane. 
• Then, everyone launches their paper airplane around the room. 
• Finally, everyone retrieves one of the paper airplanes, reads the fact, and guesses whose paper airplane they got. 

It’s fun to guess, and you learn new things about each other!

Icebreaker #25: Guess The Item

Best For: Sparking curiosity, igniting laughter, and providing a unique, tactile team-building experience.

Want to challenge your team’s senses and create some laughs along the way? “Guess the Item” is the perfect in-person icebreaker to mix things up. I love this game because it tests your team’s sense of touch and sparks curiosity.

Here’s how you can introduce this tactile teaser to your next gathering:

• Prior to the meeting, gather various objects of different textures, shapes, and sizes. Place each object in a separate paper bag.
• During the meeting, invite each participant to reach into a bag without peeking and try to identify the object inside only by touch.
• Allow each participant to share their guesses. The group can have fun discussing and debating what the mysterious object might be.
• Reveal the object to the group once all the guesses are in.
• Rotate until everyone has had a turn.

Icebreaker #26: Year of the Coin

Best For: Unearthing memories and forging connections as you journey back in time with coins as your guide.

Have a bowl of coins sitting at home? Perfect! They are great for icebreakers. 

• Sort through the bowl to make sure you don’t have any coins that are too old
• Then have everyone pick a coin out of the bowl. 
• Go around and ask each person to share something they were doing the year the coin was minted. 

This is great for getting to know someone’s past—and to test people’s memories.

Icebreaker #27: One Common Thing

Best For: Discovering unique similarities among your teammates.

This is a great icebreaker if you want to get people moving around the room. 

• Give everyone a list with each person’s name on it. 
• Set a timer and have people go around and find one commonality with each person in the room. 

The key is, you cannot share the same commonality with anyone else. If everyone in the room works at the same company, that commonality wouldn’t count. This is a way to get people exploring beyond what they already know about each other.

Icebreaker #28: Lego Tower Challenge

Best For: Encouraging teamwork, creative problem-solving, and healthy competition within a fun, hands-on environment.

Looking to unlock the hidden architects within your team and promote a bit of friendly competition? The “Lego Tower Challenge” is the perfect way to engage your team. This hands-on activity encourages teamwork, creativity, and quick thinking under time constraints. 

Here are the steps:

• Divide your team into smaller groups, preferably of equal size. Provide each team with the same number of Lego bricks.
• Set a timer for the challenge. This could range from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, depending on the complexity you wish to add.
• The objective is simple yet challenging: each team has to build the tallest Lego tower possible within the given time.
• Once the timer goes off, it’s time to measure the towers. The team with the tallest standing tower wins!
• Debrief and discuss. Ask each team to share their strategies and thought processes. This can lead to interesting insights about teamwork and problem-solving.

Icebreaker #29: Speed Networking

Best For: Rapid connections, exchanging thoughts and laughs in a lively speed networking setup.

A speed networking session doesn’t just have to be for networking or new people. It also can be for groups that want to get to know each other. You can even do this with a large group of people, as long as you have a big open space. 

• Ask everyone in the room to find a partner.
• Give everyone a conversation starter to answer and set a timer for two minutes. Each person has one minute to answer.
• After both people have answered and the two-minute timer is up, have them find a new partner and assign them a new conversation starter.

You can do as many rounds as time allows. If you have a small group, you can make sure everyone in the room gets at least one turn with each other.

Icebreaker #30: Pictionary

Best For: Harnessing creativity, boosting team spirit and light-hearted competition through drawing and guessing.

Here’s the last icebreaker and also a fun one: Pictionary! You can do it online, as mentioned before, but it’s also an amazing game to play at home —you can even bring it to your meetings as a cool icebreaker activity.

If you’ve never played before, Pictionary is basically a word-guessing game where one player chooses a randomly selected word and draws it while the other players guess what the word is. Normal Pictionary is played using a physical board and pencils/pens.

You can also print out a Pictionary board here and a word list here , and use candy pieces as playing pieces!

What Are Good Icebreaker Questions?

Icebreaker questions are a fun, easy way to get to know people and lighten the mood. They are similar to icebreaker activities but usually do not require much or any preparation at all.

Here are some great icebreaker questions you can ask!

Icebreaker Questions to Get to Know Your Teammates

• What is your proudest accomplishment?
• If you could write a book, what would it be about?
• What is the happiest moment in your life? What made it so special?
• What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done for fun?
• What is the best gift you’ve ever given/received?
• What is your dream job?
• What is something you were known for in college/high school?
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
• Where is one place you’d love to travel to?
• What does your ideal day look like?

Fun Icebreaker Questions

• What is your spirit animal?
• Who would win in a fight: a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?
• If you were a color, what would it be? 
• What superpower would you choose to have? Why?
• What was your favorite television show as a kid?
• If you had a time machine, what time period would you travel to?
• If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
• If you were stranded on an island, what 3 things would you bring with you?
• What song best describes you?

Personal Development Icebreaker Questions

• What’s one skill you’d like to improve this year, and why?
• Can you share a book that significantly influenced your life or career?
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
• Can you name a person who has had a significant impact on your professional development? How so?
• If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?
• What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of from the past year?
• If you had unlimited resources, what kind of project or business would you start?
• What’s a goal you’ve set for yourself recently, and what steps are you taking to achieve it?
• How do you handle stress and maintain a work-life balance?
• If you could learn about any new topic or skill, without any constraints of time or money, what would it be?

Travel and Leisure Icebreaker Questions

• What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?
• If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
• What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken?
• Do you prefer nature trips or city trips? Why?
• What’s your most essential travel item?
• Have you ever traveled alone? What was that like?
• What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten while traveling?
• Have you ever visited a place just because you saw it in a book or a movie?
• What’s one travel experience you’ll never forget?
• If you could live in any city in the world, where would you choose and why?

Work Preference Icebreaker Questions

• Do you prefer working in teams or independently? Why?
• How do you typically organize your workday for maximum productivity?
• What motivates you most at work?
• What kind of work environment helps you to be most productive?
• Do you prefer to have clear guidelines or do you like having the freedom to figure things out yourself?
• What part of your work process do you find most fulfilling?
• How do you handle feedback and criticism at work?
• What is your preferred method of communication in a professional setting (email, phone call, in-person, etc.)?
• How do you usually handle tight deadlines or high-pressure situations?
• How do you ensure a good work-life balance?

How Long Should an Icebreaker Last?

An icebreaker should not be too long, or it will take time away from the actual meeting. Icebreakers typically last anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. It should last enough time for people to feel comfortable and relaxed enough to easily discuss more important topics later on in the meeting.

These are my favorite icebreakers, and they work for different-sized groups. When thinking about having a successful meeting or retreat, we often think about the basics, such as a strong agenda, a yummy lunch, and planning. These are all good strategies, but don’t forget about the professional warm-up. A good icebreaker can break the tension, break the awkwardness and, of course, break the ice.

To your success,

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27 thoughts on “80 fun meeting icebreakers your team will love in 2024”.

Hello Mam, I Abhisek from India I really like your concept for developing people skill in new and innovative way it’s really appreciate.. Thanks for giving new way of thinking..

Great ideas, thank you.

I really love your videos especially the 8 icebreakers to warm up meetings, I,d liked to hack 😊them in our virtual meeting, I’m also an aspiring writer and wanted to publish my own book that have part of games and add some icebreakers whoo , your book is interesting, I hope I could grab one sooner or later, thanks Miss Vanessa

Miriam Reyes from Philippines Teacher,Facilitator Aspiring Life Coach,writer and Motivational speaker

So helpful and fun. Thanks for the good job!

I’ve been working my way through these with my team over the course of the pandemic, and these ideas have been great. However, I was surprised to see the inclusion of the term ‘spirit animal’ which is now considered by many to be an appropriation of traditional Indigenous spirituality. Would you consider changing that to something like patronus, role model, doppleganger, inner avatar, animal twin? There are lots of other options!

Hi Bizhiki, thank you so much for going through our meeting icebreakers! You have a very valid point, and we have changed the wording to a more appropriate question. Hope this helps! Rob | Science of People Team

Hi, I echo Bizhiki’s objection to using the phrase “spirit animal” – and it is still on the page, despite Rob’s performative comment about changing it.

Hello! Thank you so much for helping call attention to this issue. We have insured that this reference and any others have been removed from our site.

All the best, Bekah | Science of People Team

We are having a little workplace drama in my office currently. I have decided to introduce some teambuilding warm-ups to our weekly team meeting. I appreciate all of the creative ideas here on your website. I will let you know how it goes!

Comments are closed.

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10 Essential Icebreaker Activities for Any Online Course [+ Free List of 50 Icebreakers]

Reduce student anxiety and uncertainty with these virtual icebreaker activities

Harleen Dhami

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, freshmen faced a new challenge: forming a sense of belonging with their peers, entirely online. Faculty alike were tasked with helping their students warm up to one another only through video conferencing platforms. Sophomore to senior students may have encountered an equally difficult challenge, deprived of the close friends and familiar on-campus support systems they relied on.

Classroom icebreakers —activities designed to facilitate initial conversation and help students warm up to one another—are much needed in an educational environment that now favors digital delivery. Effective educational icebreaker games will help start discussions and allow students to feel welcomed in your virtual meetings. Good online icebreakers can even strengthen team bonding amongst students for the duration of the semester and beyond.

There are plenty of Zoom icebreakers for students, while other virtual icebreaker activities can be facilitated asynchronously via collaboration tools in your learning management system (LMS) or in Top Hat, where you have the flexibility to do both real-time or self-paced exercises.

If you’re looking to move past icebreakers like ‘two truths and a lie,’ ‘would you rather,’ or the standard scavenger hunt, download The Ultimate List of Icebreakers for College Courses and create a vibrant online learning environment (get the free list here ).

To help you incorporate virtual ‘water cooler’ moments in your course, consider these Top Hat and Zoom icebreakers for students below, which work in any modality.

Table of Contents

Team-building activities, online icebreakers for large classes, good online icebreakers to help students open up to their peers, 1. story time in three words.

Icebreaker concept : This icebreaker is perfect for smaller groups and is a fun way to gauge non-academic interests. It’s ideal for classes of 20–30 or as an activity that TAs can run at the start of online meetings. Ask students to agree on a random topic such as sports, films or university life. Have each person contribute only three words to the story. Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate while no one is aware of what the person before will contribute. The goal is to move as quickly as possible from one student to another to get participants to think creatively on the spot.

The required setup : Group students in a particular order, such as alphabetically, or have students choose their own groups in the tutorial. This virtual icebreaker works best and creates the most fun in a synchronous environment.

2. Collaborative resumé

Icebreaker concept : This is the ultimate team-building icebreaker for getting a snapshot of students’ education, work backgrounds, hobbies and more. It’s also a great icebreaker to use during the first week of class, where students are meeting one another for the first time. Students work together to create a group resumé that captures what they want to get out of the course, their current knowledge of course content, previous related work experiences and high school endeavors and any notable accomplishments. A framework is here to get you started in thinking about what areas you might request students to list.

The required setup : This exercise—designed to develop students’ teamwork skills—works best in groups of four to six and may benefit from being administered in tutorials. A synchronous approach is recommended in order to encourage equal participation among students. After splitting students into small groups, separate team members into breakout rooms in Zoom. Ask students to engage in a brainstorming session for ten to 15 minutes, filling in their assignment sheet. Ensure one person per group is designated as a team captain to submit the assignment at the end of the exercise, either via Top Hat, your LMS or an active learning platform of your choice. If run in breakout rooms in Zoom, this small group exercise can also provide an intimate, interactive learning experience for students to get to know each other better.

3. Movie pitch

Icebreaker concept : This fun icebreaker allows students to develop their research, collaboration and communication skills. Put students into groups of five and ask them to come up with an idea (and pitch) for a new movie they would like to hypothetically produce. After ten minutes of preparation, ask one or two students per group to share their pitch with the rest of the class. Once all groups have presented their pitches, the remaining classmates will vote on which idea they think deserves funding. Award the winners a small reward of your choice, such as a bonus point on an upcoming assignment or a gift card.

The required setup : This Zoom icebreaker works best in small groups in breakout rooms. You may hop from room to room to offer advice, research techniques or to check in on students’ progress. Have students pick one or two students per group to pitch their idea to the larger group. After ten to 15 minutes of preparation, move all students back to the larger room and have students begin pitching.

4. What’s in front of you?

Icebreaker concept : Regardless of class size, this icebreaker question provides students and faculty with a humanizing behind-the-scenes look into the reality of remote learning. Have students take a picture of something salient that’s in front of their workspace. Perhaps it’s a wall of photos with their closest friends or their pet that keeps them company during online courses. In order to keep this icebreaker equitable and ensure all students are comfortable participating regardless of their living arrangements, an alternative is to ask students to share a photo of their choice and describe the significance behind it.

The required setup : This virtual icebreaker works well in either synchronous or asynchronous learning environments. If you run asynchronous classes, consider opening a new discussion forum dedicated to this exercise in your LMS .

Students may be split up in smaller groups to ensure everyone feels comfortable participating. From here, students can upload imagery at their leisure to their assigned group in the LMS if they feel inclined to do so. Viewing all media at a glance can help strengthen peer-to-peer interactions should students choose to start threads and comment on their peers’ media.

→ Download Now: 50 Free Icebreaker Activities

5. Around the world

Icebreaker concept : Though the above icebreaker may provide insight as to what a student’s reality looks like beyond academia, it’s hard to tell where students are in the country—or the world. Providing students with an opportunity to discuss their geographic background lends to a more humanizing educational experience. It can also provide a way for students to learn who’s in close proximity to them, making this an ideal icebreaker for international students. Download our free list of college icebreakers for 50 humanizing online activities.

The required setup : This icebreaker works well in both tutorial sizes of 20–30 and in large lectures. Top Hat’s click on target question type helps to facilitate this virtual icebreaker. Create a click-on-target question and upload an image of a map of the world. Next, have students select where they are currently situated. Once you present this question in a live lecture—and once your students provide their answers—everyone can see a holistic picture of who is located where, based on what areas are denser in color.

If this activity is run in large lectures, consider having 30 students complete this exercise week over week, while the rest of the class can watch for fun. An asynchronous route for this icebreaker involves using either a social media platform or course discussion board where students can describe a) where they currently are and b) one fun fact about the area that they live in. This ensures international students are given an adequate opportunity to share their backgrounds with the larger class.

6. Then versus now

Icebreaker concept : The path that students have chosen for themselves now may not have been their desired journey when they were young. In this virtual icebreaker, students share what they envisioned themselves being when they grew up and whether that is still the answer in university. Some interesting patterns may arise should students say they wanted to follow a STEM-related profession when they are now in the humanities—or vice versa. This exercise allows students to reflect upon their academic and career trajectories thus far and helps students compare and contrast their aspirations with that of their classmates.

The required setup : This activity works well in either large or small remote teams. In Top Hat, set up two word answer questions in advance of your synchronous class. Your first icebreaker question may be as simple as “what did you want to be when you grew up?” Have students respond and show the results as a word cloud. Your second question may read “what career do you picture yourself having now?” Again, show the results as a word cloud. The larger the word, the more students responded in that particular way.

Next, open the floor up for discussion where students can ‘raise their hands’ to discuss their previous hopes versus their current ambitions. As an asynchronous alternative, consider embedding the above questions in a homework assignment that students complete before class begins. You can then compare answers at the start of your next class or post an image of the word cloud in your LMS or active learning platform if you’re teaching solely asynchronously. This helps strengthen a sense of community among your students who may be on a completely different path than they thought they would take.

7. Eight nouns

Icebreaker concept : This icebreaker activity works well in medium-sized groups of no more than 30. Students are asked to generate eight nouns that best describe them on a personal level. These could include personal interests, personality traits and more. After five minutes, encourage students to share why their set of nouns are representative of their personalities and backgrounds.

The required setup : This is a great Zoom icebreaker. Using your video conferencing software in a synchronous class, allow students to reflect individually before sharing their ideas with the group. Consider asking students to give you a ‘thumbs up’ emoji to indicate whether they’d like to share in front of the larger group. In an asynchronous learning environment, this class icebreaker can be facilitated through a discussion board or a Google Doc.

8. Rather than

Icebreaker concept : This educational icebreaker allows students to learn about their peers’ preferences and personalities, all while testing their memory. This activity works well in small classes and can be facilitated in live online classes. Have one student share something they’d like to do, such as skydive. The next student restates what was shared plus adds something that they would rather do (i.e., “skydive, go snorkelling.”) The activity continues until every student has had a chance to contribute.

The required setup : This virtual team icebreaker works best in synchronous courses. If you’re using Zoom, consider taking a screenshot of your Zoom tile view and sharing it with the class so students know what order to proceed in. Since this is both a communication and memory game, if students can’t remember what their peers shared before them, think about making a note of the items contributed throughout to help students should they get stumped.

9. Get that coin

Icebreaker concept : Ask students to make sure they have some loose change on them when logging on to class. Run this activity in small groups—with no more than ten per group. Have students introduce themselves, select a coin and share one interesting fact or event that occurred in their lives the year the coin was minted. If the coin was minted in a year before they were born, ask students to share a notable global event and explain the significance behind it. This icebreaker lets students share their personal histories and backgrounds with their peers in a controlled way. For more activities to help students feel comfortable in front of their peers, download our Ultimate List of Icebreakers for College Courses here .

The required setup : In a synchronous class, have students emoji-react should they have a coin or note on them and want to share with the group. Refer to your tile view in Zoom to see who would like to share. In an asynchronous class, consider facilitating this activity in an anonymous discussion forum in Top Hat. Students can note the year their coin was minted along with their fun fact about themselves from that year.

10. Hopes and fears

Icebreaker concept : Have students partner up and ask them to spend five minutes capturing their biggest hopes and fears for your course. After time’s up, consider reading some of the answers anonymously to help students realize who else feels the same as they do.

The required setup : In a synchronous online class, have students partner up and place them into a breakout room in Zoom. Give pairs a set amount of time to generate a list of their hopes and fears. You may also wish to embed an asynchronous element into this exercise: consider running an anonymous discussion question in Top Hat to let students capture their thoughts throughout. Should you run this exercise entirely asynchronously, students can reflect individually in an anonymous discussion forum in Top Hat.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Organization > Seven ways to make meetings more fun

Seven ways to make meetings more fun

While office meetings are essential, they can often feel tedious. But you can get to know your colleagues and coworkers better with icebreakers and activities, whether your meeting is in person or online. Here are seven ways to make meetings more fun, engaging, and productive.

Open the meeting with a fun icebreaker

Starting with a fun icebreaker can set a positive tone for the rest of the meeting and facilitate discussions among your team. Try these ideas:

• Two truths and a lie: Each teammate shares two truths and one lie about themselves. The rest of the team guesses which statement is a lie.
• Would you rather: Try asking funny or thought-provoking “Would you rather?” questions to the group.
• Checking in with an emoji: Ask everyone to share how they’re feeling using an emoji, GIF, or popular meme.

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Use virtual activities during online meetings

Virtual meetings can feel even more draining than in-person ones. However, these fun activities can keep things engaging:

• Virtual coffee breaks: Make time for casual conversation with your coworkers like you would in the office.
• Online Pictionary: Use a digital whiteboard tool to play a quick round of Pictionary, where you guess what another colleague or team is drawing.
• Virtual background contest: Encourage your team to use creative virtual backgrounds and vote on the silliest or most original one.
• Mood music: Play upbeat music as people join the meeting room to create a lively atmosphere.

Pair work meetings with fun games

Games can break the monotony and build camaraderie. Try one of these popular options:

• Trivia: Host a quick trivia game related to your industry or pop culture.
• Charades: Lighten the mood with a brief round of charades.
• Scavenger hunt: Give participants a list of items to find in their immediate surroundings.
• Meeting bingo: Create bingo cards with common meeting occurrences (for example: “someone mentions a deadline,” or “someone’s pet appears on screen”). Give out prizes to the first people to get bingo.

Host themed meetings

Mix up your regular meeting agenda with these fun ideas:

• Theme days: Host meetings with themes like “Hawaiian Shirt Day” or “Crazy Hat Day.”
• Show and tell: Invite team members to share their expertise or present a new technology.
• Guest speakers: Bring in guest speakers to provide a fresh or thought-provoking perspective.
• Prop challenge: Ask everyone to bring a specific prop to the meeting and find creative ways to use it.

Get your team moving

Make time for physical activity to support energy levels and focus:

• Stretch breaks: Schedule a short break so your team can stand up and stretch.
• Chair yoga: Take a break between long presentations to invite coworkers to participate in some light chair yoga.

Use interactive tools

Make meetings more engaging with the following technology:

• Polls and surveys: Use polling tools and apps to collect feedback and facilitate participation in group discussions or presentations .
• Collaborative documents: Work together on shared documents or whiteboards like Microsoft OneNote during the meeting.
• Breakout rooms: For larger groups, use breakout rooms for small group discussions.

End your meeting by calling out achievements

End on a positive note by recognizing the office’s accomplishments:

• Milestone celebrations: Celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, and finished projects.
• Shout-outs: Allow time for team members to give shout-outs to their colleagues.

These strategies can transform your meetings into engaging and fun sessions. Implement these meeting icebreakers and activities and watch as team morale improves.

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10 Engaging Icebreaker Activities using Clickable Images

Do you also roll your eyes when hearing “Let’s do icebreakers!”? We all dread the inevitable “Tell me your name and one fun fact about yourself.” We’ve been there, we’ve done that. 

There are better ways to get to know your audience than a simple fun fact. You start a debate by asking a controversial opinion question or discover the psyche of your audience by learning about their Myers-Briggs personality. A person’s answer to an engaging icebreaker question may reveal more about them than a fun fact. Additionally, framing icebreakers in this way can create new connections among your audience members as they discover similarities. 

One of the most engaging ways to level up your icebreakers is with a Poll Everywhere Clickable Image Activity . Versatile, dynamic, and fun, the Clickable Image Activity is easily one of our most popular Activity types. 

What is a Poll Everywhere Clickable Image Activity?

The Clickable Image Activity is a simple pin-drop-style question. The presenter projects an image on the screen and the audience can drop a pin anywhere on the image to indicate an answer. Presenters can upload any image of their choice and choose to set regions to turn the Clickable Image into a Multiple-Choice style question. Correctness is also available for regions set, which is perfect for “Where’s Waldo” type questions. Presenters can set as many regions as the image can fit. 

How to use a Poll Everywhere Clickable Image Activity

Follow these steps to create a Clickable Image Activity : 

• Head to the Poll Everywhere Activities Dashboard . Don’t have a Poll Everywhere account? Create a free account and get started today! 
• Open the Activity Creator Tool and choose “Clickable Image”. 
• Select “Upload your own image” or choose from one of the images provided for you. 

Note: We recommend a minimum size of 800px. That size is big enough that it will look good on a retina display with 2x pixel density while ensuring that the image is big enough for the average phone/tablet. Better yet, go larger. If you want to make sure it's going to look good on a 1080 display, go for something >1800px to match the real estate the poll will use when displayed in fullscreen mode. But, of course, you have to balance an image that large with the upload file limitation of 5MB.

• Add your instructions or questions to the Activity Title and click anywhere on the image to mark regions (if needed). 
• Hit “Create” and start presenting your Clickable Image icebreaker activity! 

10 Fun and Interactive Icebreaker Activities 

Now that you know how to create a Clickable Image, let’s dive into some of our favorite ways to incorporate it into our icebreaker activities : 

Quick Check-ins

As one of our default images, the world map is a simple but effective way to better understand your audience. For online events like webinars, we like to ask our audience where they are joining us from. For in-person events, we like to ask where people’s hometowns are. The world map is a timeless favorite. 

Emotion Scale 

The emotion scale is our second default image and another crowd favorite. You can ask your audience how they are feeling and adjust your presentation accordingly. The emotion scale is great to include throughout your presentation to check in with your audience. 

Get to know each other 

Myers Brigg 

“What’s your MBTI / Myers Brigg?” is a super popular conversation starter. This personality test categorizes a person into one of two values in four categories: introversion or extraversion, sensing or intuition, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. Each category explains the way a person acts, feels, and reacts to any given situation. This is a great way to learn more about the personalities of your audience. 

Astrology Sign

Another popular conversation starter, horoscopes are a fun way to bond with your audience. Based on astrology, horoscopes assign personality traits to astrological signs based on your birthday.  

Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac assigns an animal to your birth year. The Chinese believe that you will hold traits similar to your assigned zodiac animal, such as being hard-working like an Ox or adventurous like a Dragon. 

Alignment Charts

This blog post is a neutral good. Alignment charts are a fun (and often silly) way to see how other people like to identify themselves. There are 9 moral alignments: Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Neutral, True Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, and Chaotic Evil. People often like to assign fictional characters, actions, or interests within these 9 alignments. Here are a few of our favorite alignment charts:

• How do you close your bread bag alignment chart
• Harry Potter character alignment chart
• What does your favorite french fry say about you alignment chart 

The Matrix (2x2) 

The matrix is another silly way for people to identify themselves. The Matrix often has four quadrants separated by 4 opposing traits. People can categorize themselves within these four quadrants to share how much (or how less) of a specific trait they are. Here are a few 2x2 matrix examples:

• Food Flavors (Salty-Sweet X Bitter-Sour) 
• Socialization (Confrontational-Avoidant X Extrovert-Introvert)

Spot the Difference

Challenge your audience to a fun game by asking them to spot the difference between two pictures. Keep the responses hidden, and at the end, hold a grand reveal to see who got the answers correct. 

Where’s Waldo

Get your audiences’ minds rolling by challenging them to find Waldo. We recommend setting Waldo as a region and assigning it as correct, so that those that get the answer correct can get points. 

Quiz your audience with a fun trivia question. Place different images on the screen and have them choose the correct answer. Similar to the Waldo question, set the regions and correct answers. 

Create an icebreaker activity using a Clickable Image

Now that we’ve shared our 10 favorite ways to use Clickable Images, we hope that you will feel inspired to create your own fun and unique icebreaker questions. In addition to the Clickable Image Activity, Poll Everywhere offers 7 other Activity Types, such as Word Clouds, Ranking, Competitions, and more. Create an account today and explore the world of audience engagement. 

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When is the 2024 presidential debate? Date, time and how to watch Biden, Trump

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to face off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election Thursday, June 27.

The matchup is breaking tradition: Instead of being organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and presented across different networks, the candidates decided to bypass the commission and instead participate in two network-produced debates. First up is the "CNN Presidential Debate" hosted by CNN in its Atlanta studios.

This first debate will also have no live audience, unlike previous years.

Here's everything you need to know about where and when to watch the candidates' first showdown of the 2024 cycle.

When is the presidential debate?

The "CNN Presidential Debate" takes place Thursday, June 27.

What time does the presidential debate start?

The debate starts at 9 p.m. E.T.

How to watch, stream the debate

The debate will broadcast on CNN and stream on CNN.com and Max, formerly known as HBO Max.

A live stream of the "CNN Presidential Debate" will also be available on USA TODAY via YouTube .

Various other networks are offering their own coverage of the debate, including:

• Fox News announced it would present “ extensive live coverage ” of the CNN presidential debate across all its platforms, including the “FOX News Democracy 2024: CNN Presidential Debate” from 9–11 p.m. E.T.
• ABC News will show “The Race for the White House" and coverage of the debate on ABC, ABC News Live and Hulu on Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Other networks, such as  NewsNation , will show the debate with pre and post-debate analysis. 

Who is moderating the debate?

CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the in-studio debate.

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ACIP Presentation Slides: June 26-28, 2024 Meeting

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Slides will be added as they become available.

June 26, 2024

Welcome & introductions.

• Introduction Dr. K Talbot, Dr. M Wharton

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines – Adult

• Introduction [10 pages] Dr. C Kotton
• Abrysvo (Pfizer) safety and immunogenicity in non-pregnant adults aged 18-59 years [23 pages] Dr. I Munjal
• Arexvy (GSK) immunogenicity with a 24-month revaccination interval [18 pages] Dr. S Gerber
• mRNA-1345 (Moderna) Update on vaccine safety, efficacy and revaccination data [24 pages] Dr. R Das
• Postmarketing safety updates: Vaccine Safety Datalink [28 pages] Dr. J Donahue
• Evaluation of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) following RSV vaccination among adults 65 years and older [19 pages] Dr. P Lloyd
• Observational RSV vaccine effectiveness [43 pages] Dr. D Surie
• Economic analysis of adult RSV vaccination [40 pages] Dr. D Hutton
• Update to benefits and risks discussion [29 pages] Dr. D Hutton
• Comparison of economic analyses of adult RSV vaccination [20 pages] Dr. I Ortega-Sanchez
• Evidence to Recommendations [102 pages] Dr. M Melgar, L Roper, Dr. A Britton
• Clinical Considerations [13 pages] Dr. M Melgar

Combined Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae Type B Conjugate, and Hepatitis B vaccine (Vaxelis®)

• Introduction [6 pages] Dr. J Loehr
• EtR and proposed recommendations: Use of Vaxelis among American Indian and Alaska Native Infants [53 pages] Dr. J Collins

Chikungunya Vaccine

• Introduction [7 pages] Dr. W Chen
• Update on chikungunya vaccines [3 pages] Dr. S Hills
• Epidemiology of chikungunya in U.S. territories and states [31 pages] Dr. S Hills
• Cost-effectiveness of use of live attenuated chikungunya vaccine among adults living in U.S. territories [32 pages] Dr. K Kilburn, Dr. E Staples
• Next steps for Work Group [4 pages] Dr. S Hills

Dengue Vaccines

• Dengvaxia discontinuation [4 pages] Dr. N Bergren
• Dengue vaccine updates [22 pages] Dr. J Wong

June 27, 2024

Covid-19 vaccine.

• Introduction [10 pages] Dr. M Daley
• COVID-19-associated hospitalizations [24 pages] Dr. F Havers
• COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness update [30 pages] Dr. R Link-Gelles
• Vaccine safety update for 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine [41 pages] Dr. J Duffy
• Economic analysis of COVID-19 vaccination [38 pages] Dr. L Prosser
• EtR for use of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine [131 pages] Dr. L Panagiotakopoulos
• COVID-19 vaccine implementation [28 pages] Dr. S Stokley

Influenza Vaccines

• Influenza A (H5N1) Update [16 pages] Dr. V Dugan
• WG Considerations and Proposed Recommendations [50 pages] Dr. L Grohskopf

Pneumococcal Vaccines

• Introduction [14 pages] Dr. J Loehr
• Economic analysis and public health impact of PCV21 use in adults [45 pages] Mr. C Stoecker
• Comparison of economic analysis on PCV21 use in adults [21 pages] Dr. A Leidner
• Summary of WG Interpretation of EtR and policy options on PCV21 use in adults and clinical guidance for implementation [55 pages] Dr. M Kobayashi

June 28, 2024

Meningococcal vaccines.

• Epidemiology Updates [51 pages] Ms. A Rubis
• GSK Pentavalent Vaccine Immunogenicity and Safety [23 pages] Dr. W Sohn
• WG Considerations Regarding MenABCWY Vaccine and Discussion of Potential Risk Groups for MenB Vaccination [32 pages] Dr. S Schillie

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines – Maternal/Pediatric

• Introduction [9 pages] Dr. S Long
• Implementation and uptake of nirsevimab and maternal RSV vaccine [18 pages] Dr. S Stokley
• Maternal RSV vaccine safety surveillance [28 pages] Dr. P Moro
• Summary of effectiveness of nirsevimab in infants [32 pages] Dr. A Payne
• Work Group considerations [20 pages] Dr. J Jones, Dr. K Fleming-Dutra

Human papillomavirus Vaccines

• Announcement of formation of an ACIP HPV vaccines work group [10 pages] Dr. O Brooks

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More From Forbes

College football 25: massive info dump coming for dynasty mode.

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Wisconsin Rivalry

Rankings Week has been fun, but it's time to get to the nucleus of features in College Football 25. If you loved Dynasty Mode in NCAA Football and have been waiting for information on the feature in College Football 25, circle July 2 on your calendars.

Per EA's Scott O'Gallagher , a massive 16,000-word, 80-page deep dive will be released on July 1 to answer all of the lingering questions about arguably the most-missed mode from the series' lineage.

The primary questions fans still have are as follows. How Limited Will the Player Editing Be in College Football 25?

Because of the addition of NIL players in this year's game, users won't have as much freedom to edit players as in the NCAA Football series. I uncovered this during a preview of the game.

When I asked EA's developers for details in May, they could only share some information. We hope to gain clarity on what we can and can't change with every player in every school.

Best Nintendo Switch Games: It’s Mario’s World, We’re Just Visiting

What will team builder look like in college football 25.

The most exciting detail attached to the return of EA's College Football brand is resurfacing the web-based Team Builder option. The website EA provided over a decade ago is still better than some games offer today.

Considering we were told this feature's current level of complexity and customization is beyond what we saw before, there is reason for excitement. Team Builder could cover some ground lost by the understandable customization limitations created by including NIL players.

What Will In-Season Presentation Look and Sound Like In College Football 25?

We saw College Football 25's impressive Sights and Sounds deep-dive trailer earlier this week, but there was little reference to the Dynasty-specific presentation.

One of the most important elements to capture in any franchise mode is the presentation that adds to the Immersion. Will we see special halftime shows that offer highlights from other games around the Top 25?

Will there be some sort of weekly wrap-up show during a Dynasty mode? Are we going to hear commentators refer to situations directly connected to the college football world you've created?

I'd be surprised if that level of presentation were in this first year's version of the reboot. Those enhancements seem significant enough to have been put out front at some point, and I don't recall hearing that during the preview presentation.

As it is, it will still be good to learn about what makes Dynasty Mode gameplay different from the experience in every other part of the game.

College Football 25 releases on July 19 for PlayStation 5 and X Box Series X/S.

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