15 Great Icebreakers for Virtual Meetings

In the era of remote work, virtual meetings have become the new norm.

Yet, starting these meetings can often feel awkward or stiff, especially if the team isn’t well-acquainted.

To alleviate this, using icebreakers can be a game-changer, setting a more relaxed and open atmosphere right from the start.

Why Use Icebreakers in Virtual Meetings?

Promoting Team-Building

Icebreakers can play a crucial role in fostering relationships among team members who may not have the opportunity to interact in person. These activities provide an avenue for team members to get to know each other beyond the work they do, helping to build personal connections.

Trust is another key aspect that can be nurtured through icebreakers. By facilitating open and relaxed conversations, icebreakers can contribute to building trust among team members. Lastly, icebreakers can enhance team cohesion by promoting a sense of camaraderie.

A good example of a platform that promotes such interaction is Slack, where various channels can be created for different topics of interest. Team collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams can further facilitate these interactions.

Encouraging Participation

Icebreakers can help break down communication barriers that may exist in a virtual setup, making everyone feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. They can also encourage participation from introverted team members who may feel less comfortable speaking up in a group setting.

Lastly, icebreakers set the tone for an inclusive atmosphere where everyone’s input is valued. Platforms like Zoom, Trello, Asana, and Basecamp all promote open and inclusive communication in their own unique ways.

Easing into a Meeting

Icebreakers can help reduce meeting anxiety by starting the meeting on a light note, particularly for those who may feel overwhelmed by direct plunges into business matters. They can also aid in transitioning from the solitary ‘work mode’ to a collaborative setting, helping team members switch their mindset and prepare for the meeting.

Finally, starting the meeting with an icebreaker sets a positive and engaging tone for the rest of the meeting. Websites offering mindfulness practices, like Headspace, can also contribute to managing meeting-related anxiety.

Digital workspaces like Google Workspace and productivity apps like Todoist offer tools that facilitate this transition and maintain positive momentum throughout the workday.

Adapting Icebreakers to a Virtual Setting

Virtual meetings present unique challenges and opportunities compared to in-person meetings, and it’s important to keep these factors in mind when planning and facilitating icebreakers.

Understanding the Virtual Environment

Technological Challenges: Remote participants may face technological challenges, such as slow internet connection, background noise, or issues with their microphone or camera. As the facilitator, you can help mitigate these issues by choosing icebreakers that don’t heavily rely on video, or by being prepared to patiently troubleshoot any technical issues that arise.

Physical Isolation: In a virtual meeting, participants don’t have the same opportunities for informal social interaction as they do in an in-person meeting. Icebreakers like “Picture Sharing” or “Show and Tell” can help overcome this barrier by giving participants a chance to share something personal about themselves.

Cultural Differences: If your team includes members from different cultural backgrounds, make sure to choose icebreakers that are inclusive and respectful of all cultures. For example, trivia questions should not be based on knowledge that is specific to a particular culture.

Maximizing Engagement

Encourage Participation: Since participants in a virtual meeting can easily mute themselves or turn off their camera, it’s especially important to encourage active participation during the icebreaker. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, directly inviting quieter team members to share, or using breakout rooms for smaller group discussions.

Use Visuals: Visual elements can help make virtual icebreakers more engaging. This could be as simple as asking everyone to use a specific emoji in response to a question, or it could involve more complex activities like a virtual background challenge.

Provide Feedback: Finally, let your team know that you value their participation in the icebreaker. This can be as simple as thanking everyone for their contributions, or you could provide more specific feedback, such as highlighting a particularly creative or thoughtful response.

15 Great Icebreakers for Virtual Meetings

“Two Truths and a Lie”

How It Works: Each participant shares two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The rest of the team then tries to guess which statement is the lie.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker encourages creativity and gives team members a chance to learn interesting and unexpected facts about each other.

Tips for Use: Ensure everyone has a chance to share and guess. Also, remind participants to keep their statements work-appropriate.

“Desert Island”

How It Works: Each participant shares what three items they would bring if they were stuck on a desert island.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker can reveal a lot about a person’s priorities and creative problem-solving skills.

Tips for Use: You can add categories for the items to make it more challenging. For example, one item for survival, one for entertainment, and one for comfort.

“Show and Tell”

How It Works: Each participant brings an item of personal significance and shares a short story about it.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker allows team members to share more about their personal lives and can create deeper connections.

Tips for Use: Set a time limit for each person’s sharing to keep the activity within a reasonable time frame.

“Virtual Background Challenge”

How It Works: Each participant changes their virtual background to something interesting, and then shares why they chose that image.

Why It’s Great: This activity adds a visual element to the icebreaker and can result in some surprising and entertaining stories.

Tips for Use: This works best on platforms like Zoom that allow users to customize their virtual backgrounds.

“Picture Sharing”

How It Works: Each participant shares a photo from their phone or computer and explains its significance.

Why It’s Great: Like the “Show and Tell” activity, this icebreaker allows team members to share a slice of their personal lives.

Tips for Use: Remind participants to choose photos that are appropriate for work.

“Coffee or Tea?”

How It Works: This is a simple activity where participants vote on their preference: coffee or tea. You can add more rounds with different options.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker is quick, easy, and can ignite fun debates among team members.

Tips for Use: Try to choose universally understood options to ensure everyone can participate.

“Movie Pitch”

How It Works: Each participant pitches a movie plot in under a minute. The team then votes on their favorite.

Why It’s Great: This activity promotes creativity and can lead to lots of laughs.

Tips for Use: Encourage participants to be creative, but set a time limit to keep the activity moving.

“Personal Trivia Quiz”

How It Works: Prior to the meeting, each participant submits a fact about themselves. During the meeting, these facts are shared and the team tries to match each fact to the correct person.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker is interactive and allows team members to learn new things about each other.

Tips for Use: Use a platform like Kahoot! to create an interactive quiz.

“Commonality Quest”

How It Works: Participants are divided into breakout rooms and tasked with finding something they all have in common, apart from work-related topics.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker encourages team members to identify shared experiences or interests, which can foster a sense of connection.

Tips for Use: This activity works best with smaller groups.

“Bucket List Sharing”

How It Works: Each participant shares something from their bucket list.

Why It’s Great: This activity allows team members to share their personal goals and dreams, fostering a sense of connection.

Tips for Use: Remind participants that they should only share something they are comfortable discussing in a group setting.

“Quickfire Questions”

How It Works: The facilitator asks rapid-fire questions and each participant has a short time to answer.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker keeps energy high and can lead to some unexpected and entertaining answers.

Tips for Use: Prepare a list of fun and engaging questions ahead of time.

“Virtual Scavenger Hunt”

How It Works: The facilitator calls out an item and the participants have to find that item in their house and show it on camera.

Why It’s Great: This activity is interactive and adds an element of competition to the meeting.

Tips for Use: Choose items that are common enough that most people would have them in their homes.

“Book Club”

How It Works: Each participant shares about a book they are currently reading or one they would recommend.

Why It’s Great: This activity allows team members to share their interests and could lead to further discussions outside of the meeting.

Tips for Use: Encourage participants to share a bit about why they chose the book and what they like about it.

“Icebreaker Pictionary”

How It Works: Use an online drawing tool and have each participant draw something related to a given topic. The rest of the team then guesses what it is.

Why It’s Great: This icebreaker promotes creativity and can result in a lot of laughs.

Tips for Use: Use an online tool like Skribbl.io for easy setup and play.

“Would You Rather?”

How It Works: The facilitator poses a “Would You Rather?” question and each participant shares their answer and explains why.

Why It’s Great: This activity promotes critical thinking and can lead to interesting discussions.

Tips for Use: Prepare a list of questions that are fun but not too controversial to avoid discomfort.

Tips for Effective Virtual Icebreakers

Choosing the Right Icebreaker

Understanding Your Team: To choose the right icebreaker, it’s important to understand your team’s dynamics and preferences. For example, a team that enjoys humor might appreciate icebreakers like “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Movie Pitch,” while a team that values personal connection might prefer “Show and Tell” or “Bucket List Sharing.”

Consider the Meeting’s Purpose: The icebreaker should also align with the purpose of the meeting. If the meeting is about creative brainstorming, an icebreaker like “Would You Rather?” or “Icebreaker Pictionary” that gets people thinking creatively could be a good fit.

Time Limitations: Keep in mind how much time you have for the icebreaker. Some icebreakers, like “Virtual Scavenger Hunt” or “Personal Trivia Quiz,” can take more time than others.

Facilitating the Icebreaker

Clear Instructions: When facilitating the icebreaker, make sure to give clear instructions. This can help prevent confusion and ensure that everyone is able to participate effectively.

Encourage Participation: Encourage everyone to participate, but don’t force anyone who seems uncomfortable. It’s important to create a safe and inclusive environment.

Be Enthusiastic: As the facilitator, your enthusiasm can set the tone for the meeting. If you’re excited and engaged, it’s more likely that your team members will be as well.

Time Management: Keep an eye on the time to ensure that the icebreaker doesn’t overrun the meeting. If necessary, gently steer the conversation back on track.

Leveraging Technology

Choosing the Right Platform: Certain icebreakers may require specific features, like breakout rooms or the ability to customize virtual backgrounds. Ensure the platform you’re using, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, supports these features.

Using Interactive Tools: Tools like Kahoot! for trivia quizzes or Skribbl.io for pictionary can add an interactive element to your icebreakers.

Troubleshooting: Be prepared for potential technical issues, like connectivity problems or difficulties with features. Having a backup plan in case of technical difficulties can help keep your meeting on track.

Conclusion

With these fun and engaging icebreakers, you’re well-equipped to transform your virtual meetings into dynamic, inclusive spaces where everyone feels comfortable to participate.

Remember, the key to successful remote teamwork is ensuring everyone feels connected and valued.

By kicking off your meetings with these activities, you’re not just breaking the ice—you’re building a more cohesive and productive remote team.

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