15 Icebreaker Virtual Team Building Activities To Boost Remote Team Engagement
If you’ve ever kicked off a Zoom or Teams call with a half-hearted question like, “How is everybody?” you missed a critical moment to energize your team. In the virtual realm, you can’t rely on the familiar buzz of the office or spontaneous conversations to promote team cohesion. Icebreaker virtual team building activities can be just the thing to help your remote team hit it off. These games are like quick and easy warm-up exercises for your team; they effortlessly break the ice, melt away pre-existing tensions, and shatter the monotony of the daily grind.
In this article, we’ll look at 15 Icebreaker virtual team building activities that will get your remote workers chatting in no time.
Kick off your virtual meetings with a dash of humor with our funny virtual team building activities to keep everyone laughing and engaged at a personal level. If you’re looking to explore a wide range of options, then check out our virtual team building activities that cover everything from online escape rooms to team trivia challenges to boost team bonding.
For more intimate teams, consider our virtual team building activities for small groups that can help foster meaningful connections and collaboration. Our article on virtual team building activities for large groups on the other hand, is a nifty guide on how to effectively manage larger teams and boost team engagement. If you’re working on a shoe-string budget, we got you covered with our article on free virtual team building activities, too.
1. What Is A Virtual Icebreaker?
Virtual icebreaker, also known as ’remote icebreaker’ and ‘online icebreaker,’ is an engaging and fun activity that infuses energy and connection into your team interactions instead of boring chit-chat or the usual weather talk. It has two main objectives – To help participants get to know each other and to make participants feel comfortable. In a virtual setting, icebreakers keep the conversation flowing. When you feel comfortable with your colleagues, it becomes effortless to work on projects or figure out ways to solve problems.
2. 15 Best Icebreaker Virtual Team Building Activities To Promote Engagement
2.1 1-Minute Icebreakers
2.1.1 Hooray Teams
Hooray Teams is a fun team building platform that offers a range of team building activities to help remote teams bond and have fun together, no matter where they are located. The icebreaker virtual team building activities by Hooray Teams are not your run-of-the-mill get-to-know-each-other games; they are dynamic experiences designed to make teams feel like a tight-knit community.
You’ll engage in various interactive challenges, trivia quizzes, and collaborative tasks. All you need to do is click on the link, and Hooray Teams will handle the rest.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 1 to 60 mins
- Price per Session: Varies based on team size
2.1.2 Emoji Check-In
Instead of the usual “How’s everyone doing?” how about starting your meeting with a fun twist? Emoji Check-in gives you the opportunity to express your current mood or state of mind using emojis, adding a dash of creativity and a personal touch.
All you need to do is ask your team to pick those little icons that resonate with their current mood and let others know how they feel. It could be a happy face for those who are having a great day or a sad face for someone who needs some encouragement. It’s a quick and charming way to kickstart a virtual meeting.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 1 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.1.3 Word Association
Ready for a brain-teasing, laughter-inducing challenge? Buckle up for Word Association, one of the ultimate icebreaker virtual team building activities that’ll put your critical thinking and creativity to the test.
You’ll be given a word, and your mission is to respond with the first word that springs to mind spontaneously. But hold on to your thinking caps because it’s like a mental challenge where your thoughts process at the speed of light, leaving no room for second-guessing.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 1 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.1.4 Virtual High Five
Virtual high five is a fantastic way to start your meeting on a high note, get everyone involved, and create a positive atmosphere. Everyone takes turns sharing something positive or exciting that’s happened to them recently. It could be a work achievement, a personal milestone, or even a small win like finishing a good book or trying a new recipe.
When someone shares their good news, everyone else in the virtual room gives them a virtual high five by clapping or using emojis. It’s an excellent chance to learn more about your colleagues and celebrate their successes, no matter how big or small.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 1 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.1.5 Speed Networking
Want to start a quick conversation in just one minute? Speed networking is a fantastic virtual icebreaker activity that allows team members to connect and learn more about each other in a fast-paced, fun environment in a limited amount of time (usually 2-3 minutes). During these short interactions, team members can ask questions about hobbies, interests, or work-related topics.
By participating in speed networking icebreaker sessions regularly, team members get to know each other better on both personal and professional levels. This increased familiarity fosters stronger relationships and boosts overall engagement within the remote team.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 1 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.2. 5-Minute Icebreakers
2.2.1 Two Truths and a Lie
If you want to play a virtual game that’ll reveal the quirkiest, most fascinating sides of your personality, Two Truths and a Lie is perfect. You take turns sharing two true things about your life and one wild, daredevil stunt (lie) you’d be up for (virtually, of course). It’s all about bringing out the adventurer in you while keeping the laughter meter on high.
But here’s the twist: your team has to play detective and figure out which of the three statements is the crazy dare (lie). Will they guess that your virtual bungee jumping escapade is wild, or will your tales of mountain climbing fool them? Check out to see!
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 5 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.2.2. 5-Minute Story
The 5-Minute Story icebreaker is a fun way to get everyone in a group to share a short story about themselves. Each person has only five minutes to tell their story (interesting and thrilling), which keeps things interesting and not too long.
This activity is great for virtual meetings because it makes sure everyone gets a chance to join in, no matter if they are shy or outgoing. By sharing these little stories, people can get to know each other better and feel more connected as a group, which is helpful for teamwork and building friendships.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 5 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.2.3 Memory Test
So, if you’re up for a fun and brain-boosting challenge, the Memory Test game is your next activity for an unforgettable virtual icebreaker experience. You’ll be shown a rapid-fire series of images, facts, or items, but here’s the catch – they’ll only be on screen for a fleeting moment. Your challenge? Remember as many as you can.
It’s a fun contest where you and your coworkers compete to become the memory champion. But it’s not just about remembering things; it also gets everyone talking and sharing their tricks to improve memory.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 5 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.2.4 Would You Rather
“Would you rather…” game is like a fun choice-making game where someone asks you a question, and you have to decide which option you like more. For example, they might ask, “Would you rather eat pizza for the rest of your life or only eat burgers?” You say which one you prefer, and it’s a cool way to talk and learn about each other’s likes and dislikes.
What makes the game entertaining is not just the choices but also the discussions that follow. After making their choice, participants often explain their decision, share their reasoning, and even recount amusing anecdotes related to their choice.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 5 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.2.5 Quick Poll
Want to put your opinions to the test in one of the exciting icebreaker virtual team building activities? Get ready for a fast-paced adventure of views with the Quick Poll icebreaker games for work. Amid your virtual meeting, you become the pollster, firing off rapid-fire questions that cover a wide range of topics.
It’s all about quick, on-the-spot decisions, whether you’re choosing your favorite pizza toppings or dream travel destinations. But the real magic happens when you uncover unexpected commonalities – perhaps your coworker shares your love for Hawaiian pizza or dreams of exploring the same exotic locale.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 5 to 10 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.3. 30-Minute Icebreakers
2.3.1 Virtual Scavenger Hunt
A virtual scavenger hunt is a game where participants use their computers or smartphones to find specific items or complete tasks while connected online. The host (any team member) provides participants with a list of items, clues, or riddles related to a specific theme or category. You then search for these items or solve the clues and share as many items as you can.
The primary goal is team engagement and enjoyment, making virtual scavenger hunts a fantastic way to break the ice and strengthen connections among remote team members during virtual meetings.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 30 to 60 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.3.2 Virtual Pictionary
Virtual Pictionary is an online game where players take turns drawing pictures of specific words or phrases while the others guess what’s being drawn. In each round, one person becomes the ‘drawer’ and receives a secret word or phrase to illustrate, either using digital drawing tools or on paper, displayed through a video call or screen sharing.
The teammates try to guess the drawing by typing their guesses or saying them aloud. If someone guesses correctly, they earn a point, and it’s the next person’s turn to draw. What makes this activity a blast is the unexpected twists and turns your drawings can take. Sometimes, the results are spot on, and other times, they’re hilariously off the mark.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 30 to 60 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.3.3 Group Storytelling
Have you ever dreamt of crafting a story with your teammates? In a group storytelling icebreaker activity, participants take turns contributing to a story. The first person starts with an opening sentence or paragraph, setting the scene or introducing characters. Then, each participant adds a sentence or segment, building on the story.
The goal is to create an imaginative and collaborative narrative, with each person adding a new twist or element to the plot. This activity encourages creativity, spontaneity, and teamwork while providing an enjoyable way for participants to get to know each other better.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 30 to 60 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.3.4 Online Trivia Game
Online trivia is an easy way to bring people together with some light-hearted fun. These trivia games are easy to play. The questions may cover a wide range of subjects, including general knowledge, pop culture, history, and more. Examples of online trivia games include “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”, “Huge Movie Trivia,” “Name that Tune,” and “Heads Up!”.
In this activity, you can compete individually or in teams, trying to answer questions correctly to earn points. The best way to set up your game is to prepare a list of 20-50 questions on various topics. The host starts the game with rapid-fire-style questions, and the players will have one minute to answer them. It’s a great way to make the icebreaker virtual team building activities fun and interactive.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration:30 to 60 min
- Price per Session: Free
2.3.5 Guess Who?
Guess Who? is a lively and interactive game similar to dumb charades but with a unique twist involving impersonations of coworkers or famous personalities. It’s a fantastic team-building activity that enhances participants’ reasoning and interpersonal skills. To play, individuals write down names on slips of paper and then act them out for their teammates to guess.
This game builds social interaction among employees, breaking down barriers and encouraging better understanding among colleagues. It’s important to keep the impersonations light-hearted and respectful, ensuring a positive environment for all participants.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration:30 to 60 min
- Price per Session: Free
3. Tips to Run Successful Icebreaker Activities
- Keep It Simple & Silly
You should stick with simple icebreakers that even your tech-challenged coworker can grasp. Virtual icebreaker questions, classics like “Never Have I Ever” or “Would You Rather” are golden. Moreover, short virtual icebreakers are more likely to keep participants engaged and focused, while long-duration activities may lead to reduced enthusiasm.
- Tech is Your BFF
Technology can be your best friend in making team interactions fun and easy, no matter where your team is. Use video calls and apps for virtual meetings and online games to bond. But don’t limit your icebreakers to just Zoom or Teams. If not possible on video conferencing platforms, you can also send icebreaker questions by email, create challenges on social media, or share a playlist everyone likes.
- Use Inclusive Language
When introducing the icebreaker activity, you must use language that includes everyone. You should avoid phrases like “Who wants to go first?” and instead say, “Who would like to start?” which can make a big difference.
4. FAQs
4.1 What are the best icebreakers for Microsoft Teams meetings?
For Microsoft Teams meetings, consider icebreakers like “Two Truths and a Dare,” where participants share two facts about themselves and one daring challenge they’d take on. Virtual scavenger hunts are also great, where team members find specific items in their environment and share them on camera.
4.2 What are the benefits of Icebreaker virtual team building activities?
Icebreaker virtual team building activities foster connection, boost morale, and improve communication among remote teams. They break down barriers, create a positive atmosphere, and help team members get to know each other better, enhancing collaboration.
4.3 How to do a Zoom icebreaker?
To do a Zoom icebreaker –
- Introduce the activity and explain the rules.
- Make sure all participants understand the objective.
- Utilize Zoom’s features like breakout rooms, polls, and screen sharing as needed for the icebreaker.
- Encourage active participation and ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage.
4.4 How do you start an icebreaker activity?
To start an icebreaker activity, begin by welcoming participants and setting a positive tone. Clearly explain the rules and objectives of the icebreaker. Encourage everyone to participate and create an inclusive, comfortable sharing environment.
4.5 What are some excellent icebreaker questions?
Here are some icebreaker questions –
- If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
- What’s your all-time favorite movie or book, and why?
- Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world right now?
- What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever visited?
- What’s a hobby or skill you’ve always wanted to learn?
4.6 What is an excellent icebreaker to start a meeting?
Quick trivia is an excellent icebreaker to start a meeting. Be it a random fact, a riddle, or a themed trivia related to the meeting topic, a little dose of trivia can go a long way in making meetings more engaging and enjoyable.
