5 Ice Breakers To Spice Up Your Virtual Meetings

We’ve all been there. Another virtual meeting, another round of awkward silences and muted mics. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Injecting a bit of fun and energy into your remote team gatherings can make a world of difference. Here are five fantastic icebreakers and energisers to get your virtual meetings off to a lively start.

1. Speed Networking

Ever felt like you don’t really know your colleagues despite meeting with them regularly? Speed networking is the perfect remedy. This activity is like a rapid-fire interview session that helps team members connect on a personal level.

How it works:

• Split your team into pairs using breakout rooms.
• Give each pair a set of fun questions to discuss within a short time frame (e.g., 3 minutes).
• Some question ideas: “What’s your favorite book and why?”, “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?”, or “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this year?”

After a few rounds, everyone will have had a chance to chat with multiple team members. It's a quick and enjoyable way to break the ice and build rapport.

2. Desert Island Scenario

This classic icebreaker never gets old and is perfect for sparking creativity and revealing interesting facets about your team members.

How it works:

• Pose this scenario to your team: “If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three items, what would they be?”
• Give everyone a few minutes to think and then share their choices.

The fun part is hearing the reasons behind their selections. This exercise can lead to hilarious, insightful, and often surprising conversations, making it a fantastic way to start any meeting.

3. Virtual Show and Tell

Remember show and tell from school? It’s just as fun with adults! This activity allows team members to share a little piece of their world.

How it works:

• Ask participants to find an object in their home that has personal significance to them.
• Each person takes a turn showing their item on camera and sharing its story.

This simple activity fosters connection and empathy, as team members get a glimpse into each other’s lives outside of work.

4. Picture Perfect

In this visual twist on show and tell, team members share a recent photo from their phone, which often leads to fascinating discussions and deeper connections.

How it works:

• Ask everyone to choose a recent photo from their phone to share with the group.
• It could be anything: a vacation snapshot, a picture of their pet, a delicious meal, or a funny moment.

Each person then shares their photo on screen and tells the story behind it. This not only brightens up the meeting but also helps team members connect over shared interests and experiences.

5. Quick Draw

Ready to see who’s the next Picasso in your team? Quick Draw is a fun, interactive activity that gets everyone’s creative juices flowing.

How it works:

• Use an online whiteboard tool.
• Give participants a theme to draw (e.g., a hobby, a favorite movie, or how they’re feeling today).
• Set a timer for 1-2 minutes and let everyone draw simultaneously.

Once the time is up, each person shares their drawing while the rest of the team guesses what it is. This lighthearted game encourages laughter and creativity, setting a positive tone for the rest of the meeting.

So there you have it, folks! A few fun and easy virtual icebreakers to help liven up those virtual meetings and keep everyone engaged. Give them a try and watch as your coworkers go from zoned out to fully energised and ready to take on the day. Who knows, you might even discover some hidden talents or shared interests along the way!