Team icebreakers
Feeling that remote is making the team spirit disappear? You can try some icebreakers to get to know each other a little.
You can do what?
How does it work?
- Ask each participant to send you a message sharing a crazy skill or fact about themselves that no-one knows about.
- When the meeting starts, read each fact and let everyone guess who they think the fact belongs to.
When to use it?
If you want to get beyond the small talk. This is a simple way to get people talking, and to quickly learn surprising things about people you thought you knew.
How long does it take?
5 minutes per round
<18y
How does it work?
- Simply go around the room, and ask each person to share one accomplishment they had before they turned 18.
- Undoubtedly you’ll get some of lesser importance, like “I bought a skateboard,” but you never know what hidden skills you might discover in your colleagues.
When to use it?
Before a meeting <18y is an engaging and unique way to encourage team members to share fun or interesting stories with one another.
How long does it take?
2m per round
Too Many Cooks
How does it work?
- Create a anonymous access Miro or Jamboard (it’s really important to go in anonymous).
- Upload a photo of your favourite meal there
- Once everyone is done, go round trying to guess who added each
When to use it?
This is a fun icebreaker for people who don’t know each other and have just been introduced.
How long does it take?
Two minutes per round.
What’s the origin of your name?
How does it work?
- Ask each participant to tell the history of why they were named that way.
When to use it?
This is a fun icebreaker for people who don’t know each other and have just been introduced.
How long does it take?
Two minutes each.
Two Truths and a Lie
How does it work?
- Ask each participant to write down three statements about themselves on three sticky notes. Two should be true, and one of them is a lie.
- Ask everyone to add a dot vote next to which statement they think is the lie.
- Once everyone has voted, reveal the correct answer and give team members the chance to ask any follow-up questions!
When to use it?
This is a fun icebreaker for people who don’t know each other and have just been introduced. It’s a great way for individuals to showcase their fun, non-work related side!
How long does it take?
Allow five minutes for one round, with a bit of time for story telling!
Grab and Share / Show and Tell
How does it work?
- When on a video call, have everyone grab something that is within arm’s reach.
- Take turns telling a story about that item: Where/when did you get it? Is it meaningful?
- If you’re on multiple calls with similar people and choose this activity, make sure to grab something new to share each time.
When to use it?
It’s a great way for individuals to showcase their fun, non-work related side!
How long does it take?
2 minutes each
What, where, when?
How does it work?
- Pop culture is always a good conversation starter. Simply ask everyone to share their answers to questions such as “What was the last TV show you binge watched?” or “Where is your dream holiday destination?
- You’ll quickly find teammates with similar guilty pleasures to debrief with.
When to use it?
This is an extension of the trivia game only shorter. This can be used when sitting around a virtual water cooler!
How long does it take?
This one should only take five minutes for three questions.
Quiz Breaker
How does it work?
- Pop culture is always a good conversation starter. Simply ask everyone to share their answers to questions such as “What was the last TV show you binge watched?” or “Where is your dream holiday destination?
- You’ll quickly find teammates with similar guilty pleasures to debrief with.
When to use it?
It’s great for bringing remote teams closer together so they can learn more about each other whilst having fun.
How long does it take?
Its schedules automatically
Play some games
- https://garticphone.com/
- https://www.letsroam.com/team_building_activities/virtual_team_building
- https://tabletopia.com/games/survive-escape-from-atlantis
- https://yumtum.co/teams/the-great-race/
- https://try.outbackteambuilding.com/ap-virtual-clue-murder-mystery
- https://try.outbackteambuilding.com/virtual-escape-room-game/
- https://try.outbackteambuilding.com/ap-virtual-trivia-time-machine/
Company Icebreakers
If the idea is for the team to get to know your/their own company better:
Aliens have landed
How does it work?
- Tell the group to imagine aliens have landed on Earth and want to learn about your company. But since they don’t speak English or understand what you do, it needs to be explained with five symbols or pictures.
- Ask each participant to draw five simple images that best describe and communicate your company’s products and culture to a shared Jamboard
- Take a few minutes and look at all the images and talk through common themes. This is a great trivia game that really lights a fire to the group chat during a virtual meeting.
When to use it?
This game can help teams with language and cultural differences strengthen the company culture
How long does it take?
5 minutes per round
Tell a great company story
How does it work?
- Ask each participant (or pick one a day) to share a great company experience with the group.
- Maybe it was a brainstorming session with peers that led to a breakthrough product idea, an amazing customer service experience or a time when a team member chipped in to help get a project done under a deadline.
When to use it?
If you want to stay focused on company-talk. These stories can help people feel more engaged with their teams and give employees a chance to celebrate themselves and their peers.
How long does it take?
5 minutes per round
Tell a great company story. If you want to stay focused on company-talk, instead of family stories, ask each participant (or pick one a day) to share a great company experience with the group. Maybe it was a brainstorming session with peers that led to a breakthrough product idea, an amazing customer service experience or a time when a team member chipped in to help get a project done under a deadline. These stories can help people feel more engaged with their teams and give employees a chance to celebrate themselves and their peers.
