Interested in Virtual Team Building Events?
13 mins 
1. What are Virtual Icebreakers?
Virtual icebreakers are interactive activities that help connect attendees during or throughout a meeting. They’re useful in situations where people are unsure of how to start a meeting. Virtual team-building icebreakers can release tension and enable everyone to feel psychologically safe to share their ideas during a meeting. Choosing the best Icebreaker ideas for virtual meetings lightens up the mood, making the team feel equally comfortable. More importantly, breaking the ice allows the rest of the discussion to flow more naturally, thereby helping teams bond
2. Virtual Icebreaker Games for Office
2.1. Icebreaker Games with Hooray Teams
If you are looking for ideas to get to know your coworkers a little better, Hooray Teams Virtual Icebreakers are the way to go. This virtual team-building marketplace has an array of interactive activities, trivia quizzes, and collaborative games to help you and your team break down those barriers in no time.
What's super cool is that you'll have a dedicated host to lead the way and keep the energy high. Before your next town hall meeting or virtual catchup, contact Hooray Teams to organize a 60-minute icebreaker session to foster a stronger sense of camaraderie within your team!
Best Suited for -
- Virtual game nights
- Remote team-building
2.2. Virtual Trivia
Nothing breaks the ice quite like a friendly and good-spirited competition with Hooray Teams Virtual Trivia. You'll enjoy 4-5 rounds of trivia in a quick 60-minute session led by a cool host who turns boring online meetings into exciting experiences. You can even pick topics you like, as Hooray Teams can customize personalized icebreaker questions about your team, company, or industry.
This virtual icebreaker exercise engages all your remote employees and gets a good laugh out of everyone. The best part? No need for extra gadgets—just click the link, turn on your video and mic, and let the host handle the rest.
Best Suited for -
- Virtual game nights
- Corporate team-building events
2.3. Wheel Decide
Break down that hierarchical or cultural barrier at your workplace with the classic ‘Wheeldecide’ virtual icebreakers. All you have to do is invite the meeting members and ask them to spin the wheel one by one. For a fun twist, customize the themes to create different options on the wheel for different games, events, giveaways, raffles, and more. If you cannot strike up a conversation with other team members because you do not know each other well, then this is your chance to break the wall and get to know each other better.
Best Suited for -
- Team bonding activities
- Cross-functional team meetings
2.4. Guess Who
‘Guess Who’ makes for straightforward and fun virtual icebreaker games for team-building events. In this game, members have to identify a person based on specific questions. This is best played with small-sized teams. For larger groups, you’ll need to create multiple breakout rooms and carry the game forward.
The meeting organizer has to send a survey or a poll consisting of questions such as favorite film, food, music, your ideal holiday, or a unique fact about yourself. One participant can randomly select each piece of paper and read out the answers given. Ask the team to guess who is who. This not only allows you to get to know your colleagues at a deeper level but also promises a whole lot of fun.
Best Suited for -
- Team-building events
- Coffee breaks
2.5. Pictionary
Are you looking for an amusing way to cut the first turf during your next team-building session? Look no further than a Pictionary game. In this virtual team icebreakers activity, the organizer will make two teams. One person in a group can draw images on a whiteboard to answer questions about themselves.
You can do this on a digital collaborative platform such as Miro, Mural, or Stormboard. Then, the other team members will guess the word with the help of the picture. Lastly, the team with the most guesses wins. This activity encourages communication, teamwork, and creativity while understanding each other better at the workplace.
Best Suited for -
- Team-building events
- Creativity workshops
- Virtual game nights
2.6. The Emoji Song Game
If you are looking for some fun, no-prep virtual icebreakers for your next remote gathering, try out Emoji Song Game with your team. You can split the members using breakout rooms and ask them to select songs. Following that, a team will try to depict the theme through emojis, and the other team will figure out the song. The team with the most songs correctly identified wins! This activity cultivates a laughter-filled connection and strengthens bonding among team members at the workplace.
Make sure to include well-known songs within the song list.
🌞🌊🎵 (Hint: A song about summertime and the beach)
Answer: "Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey
🍋🎵 (Hint: A song about making lemonade out of life's lemons)
Answer: "Lemonade" by Beyoncé
🎤🎵 (Hint: A song about expressing yourself)
Answer: "Sing" by Ed Sheeran
💃🔥🎵 (Hint: A song that makes you want to dance)
Answer: "Hotline Bling" by Drake
Best Suited for -
- Virtual game nights
- Holiday celebrations
- Team building parties
2.7. The JAM Storytime
Do you want to identify like-minded people, learn about their values or quickly get to know each other, ‘JAM or Just-A-Minute’ virtual icebreakers fit the description well. This is a recitation game where a person has to talk about a given topic for one minute. First, you’ll have to divide the members into two teams. Following that, provide some topics to each group, or have them run suggestions by you. If there are too many members participating in the game, you can reduce the recitation time to make sure everyone gets a go. This activity is a great way to initiate a meeting and learn more about your colleagues.
Best Suited for -
- Remote team-building events
- Corporate events
2.8. Would You Rather?
'Would you Rather?' questions are classic yet creative virtual icebreakers to spark a lively conversation. In this interactive game, you need to develop 5 to 10 questions for them to answer. Example questions include:
- Would you rather have a car or a bike?
- Would you rather have a pet dog or a pet cat?
- Would you rather eat bitter gourd or drink vinegar?
You can split the team into two groups to let them explain their responses. No matter the type, Would You Rather questions help you learn about preferences, likes, and dislikes, and you may even discover about their culture as well.
Best Suited for -
- Quick team-building activities
- Large group activities
2.9. Jungle Jumble
This icebreaker activity lets you find out that keen-eyed individual in your team. First, all the members have to switch on their cameras. After that, everyone will get thirty seconds to take in each other's room or workstation visually. Next, switch off the cameras and move any one item around the room to another location. After about two minutes, everyone has to switch their cameras back on.
The first person who finds the most items moved will win. The game involves participants sharing something interesting or unique about themselves, which is an effective way to break the ice and ease any initial tension in a group meeting.
Best Suited for -
- Team-building events
- Virtual game nights
2.10. GENSMAK
GENSMAK! Digital trivia lets teammates test their trivia skills on a wide range of topics, from popular trends and music to historical events and cultural phenomena. The host shares the questions along with some hints on the screen. The hints written by comedians add an extra layer of humor to the game.
This game is easy, and the free online gameplay allows the participation of up to 12 players, which makes it a great option for remote teams looking to build rapport and have fun together. You will enjoy nostalgia, stories, laughter, and surprise on every level.
Best Suited for -
- Creativity workshops
- Brainstorming sessions
2.11. Virtual Dance Off
There's no better way to start a meeting than with a dance-off! The organizer should let invitees know to bring their "dancing shoes." This works as fun icebreakers for hybrid meetings and remote workspaces. You can create killer playlists and let everyone showcase their favorite moves.
A dance party as an icebreaker can help boost energy before a long company meeting. Not just that, an impromptu jig works well to loosen up and blow off some steam on those hectic days, so it's a winner not just on our list of fun icebreakers for meetings but for Fun Fridays too!
Best Suited for -
- Celebrations and parties
- Anniversary events
2.12. Where in the World?
If your company has members coming in from different locations globally, then this is one of those must-try virtual icebreakers for remote teams. You can start the meeting by asking everyone where they are from and the best thing about their place.
Take it up a notch and have the rest guess the place using clue-based questions rather than just having the person say it. This helps in connecting the employees better. It’ll feel like you’ve been transported to that place!
Best Suited for -
- Large team-building events
- Virtual game nights
2.13. Personality Tests
Personality tests are entertaining virtual icebreakers to engage your participants during a start or break or as fillers in a meeting. All you have to do is send personality tests to the members and ask them to take the tests. Try to choose more lighthearted personality tests rather than anything more serious to get your colleagues in a good mood throughout the meeting. Discussing personality traits helps team members to find the similarities, understand the differences, and appreciate individual strengths and working styles.
Best Suited for -
- Team-building activities
- Virtual team gatherings
Have a look at our articles on fun Icebreaker Questions, Riddle Icebreakers for Virtual Meetings, and Virtual Icebreakers for Large Groups
3. Quick Virtual Icebreaker Games
3.1. Table Topics
You may think you know your team, but chances are that you only know the tip of the iceberg. For instance, you wouldn't know who has a great singing voice or can name all the 50 states of America in under 5 minutes! ‘Table topics’ is an easy pick for us from the list of fun virtual icebreakers where members can ask one another personal questions that will help improve team bonding and connection.
Here are some examples of questions that one may ask:
- What was the last song you searched for?
- What's a recent accomplishment or achievement you're proud of?
- What's your favorite international dish?
- Describe a place that holds special meaning for you and why it's significant.
- What is your biggest pet peeve?
- Share a fun or unusual talent or skill that not many people know about.
Best Suited for -
- Remote Team Building
- New Employee Onboarding
- Team Retreats
3.2. Two Truths and a Lie
This is a popular mainstay on the list of best virtual icebreakers, especially for those members who are not as acquainted with one another. We played this game during the last weekly meeting to discover some intriguing facts about our team members. The host told everyone to tell two truths and one lie about themselves. The others have to guess the lie. We went on until everyone had a go. This game helps in improving collaboration and engagement among team members.
Option 1:
I've traveled to five different countries. I can play the piano.I once won a surfing competition. (Lie: "I once won a surfing competition.")
Option 2:
I speak three languages fluently. I've skydived from 10,000 feet. I've hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. (Lie: "I've hiked the entire Appalachian Trail.")
Option 3:
I'm a vegetarian. I've bungee jumped off a bridge. I've run a marathon. (Lie: "I've bungee jumped off a bridge.")
Best Suited for -
- Team building activities
- Holiday Celebrations
3.3. Dream Destination
This is a game where members have to write about their dream destinations, the reasons why they chose that destination, and how they want to travel there. We played the game last week on a Friday catch-up and found it fun. The meeting organizer shared with the team some travel books and holiday brochures.
Following that, we selected the best destination and wrote a few lines about it. We also provided details about the traveling accommodations. These kinds of virtual icebreakers spark discussions and help everyone get reacquainted with those they hadn’t spoken to in a while.
Best Suited for -
- Virtual game nights
- Team milestone celebrations
- Remote employee appreciation days
3.4. Draw Your Mood
Another great addition to the list of icebreakers for hybrid meetings is to draw your mood. Instead of the usual stoic reply “I’m good”, you can let people creatively express themselves through drawings via Zoom whiteboard. You can use basic drawing tools, such as paper and markers or digital drawing apps, depending on the setting of the meeting. It is a fantastic virtual icebreaker game for getting everyone to interact with each other, even if you’ve got a small business or a large corporation. Plus, it’s fun and relaxing!
Best Suited for -
- Creativity workshops
- Inclusive events
3.5. Name that Tune
If you are looking for more guesswork-based virtual team icebreakers, then Name the Tune is a good option. All you need to do is compile a list of instrumental tracks from popular tunes. These could be latest pop songs, retro-themed numbers, movie soundtracks, classics, and more. The person who guesses them the fastest wins.
You can customize this game to suit the participants' preferences and familiarity with different music genres. It's a perfect choice for music enthusiasts and those looking for enjoyable and light-hearted virtual icebreakers to get everyone engaged.
Best Suited for -
- Virtual game nights
- Celebrations and parties
4. FAQs
4.1. How to define good virtual icebreakers?
Good virtual icebreakers are the ones that make meetings engaging something that participants look forward to attending. An icebreaker draws out attendees and engages them. It gives everyone equal opportunities to participate. They can even provide suggestions for icebreaker virtual team-building activities and games to try at the next meeting, which deepens the interest. If undertaking a meeting with a specific purpose, a great icebreaker activity will be related to the purpose of that meeting (e.g., one that fosters creativity before a strategy-setting meeting).
4.2. Are there any free icebreakers?
Yes, there are plenty of free icebreakers like:
- Two truths and a lie
- Table Topics
- Take a picture
- Where in the world
4.3. What are some hybrid meeting icebreakers?
- Coffee Time
- Say it with an emoji
- Draw your mood
- Guess the song
4.4. How do you select the best virtual icebreaker activities?
- Know your audience preferences.
- Determine the goal of virtual icebreakers
- Be mindful of time constraints.
- Choose virtual-friendly icebreakers
- Consider cultural sensitivity
4.5. What are 3 fun ice breaker questions?
- If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
- If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you want with you?
- Share a fun fact about yourself that most people wouldn't know.
