Run these remote-friendly activities in Zoom/Teams/Meet to energize your calls and build connection.
Remote silence is the worst. When you can't read body language, you need structured activities to cut through the awkwardness and get people talking.
Forget about complex tools or requiring everyone to have their camera on. These games are optimized for Zoom, Teams, and Meet, ensuring everyone can participate regardless of their tech setup.
A hilarious challenge where everyone draws their colleague on a video call without looking at their screen.
Tell stories using only emojis in this creative icebreaker. Perfect for remote teams and 5-minute warm-ups. Visual symbols lower language barriers instantly.
Play short mystery sounds (like pouring water or typing) and let the group guess the source. A simple, surprising game perfect for video calls.
High-energy remote icebreaker: Find and show household items in 30 seconds. Includes 100+ difficulty-rated items. The best way to beat Zoom fatigue and energize your virtual meetings.
A classic team-based quiz competition testing knowledge on various topics. Encourages collaboration and friendly competition in virtual meetings.
A hilarious challenge where everyone draws their colleague on a video call without looking at their screen.
Tell stories using only emojis in this creative icebreaker. Perfect for remote teams and 5-minute warm-ups. Visual symbols lower language barriers instantly.
Play short mystery sounds (like pouring water or typing) and let the group guess the source. A simple, surprising game perfect for video calls.
A classic logic icebreaker for any team size. Guess a secret person, place, or object using yes/no questions. No props needed; improves communication skills.
Small groups race to find a set number of uncommon things they all share in common.
Participants share the three essential items they'd bring to a deserted island.
A fast-paced collaborative drawing game. Rotate sketches, build on others' work, and guess contributors. Perfect for creative warm-ups and team building.
Share memorable ‘firsts’ (first concert, job, trip) in quick rounds to learn fun personal history.
Share a childhood artwork or recreate one! A nostalgic activity to share personal stories and build emotional connections.
Pick a place you’ve visited and let others guess it with yes/no questions. A fun way to share travel stories and test geography knowledge.
A classic logic icebreaker for any team size. Guess a secret person, place, or object using yes/no questions. No props needed; improves communication skills.
Small groups race to find a set number of uncommon things they all share in common.
Stranded on an island with 8 types of intelligences. Teams must debate and rank them by survival value. A deep dive into team roles and values.
Participants share the three essential items they'd bring to a deserted island.
A fast-paced collaborative drawing game. Rotate sketches, build on others' work, and guess contributors. Perfect for creative warm-ups and team building.
Share memorable ‘firsts’ (first concert, job, trip) in quick rounds to learn fun personal history.
Tell a chain story where each speaker ends frozen in a dramatic pose. A fun improv game to boost creativity and energy.
Share a childhood artwork or recreate one! A nostalgic activity to share personal stories and build emotional connections.
Pick a place you’ve visited and let others guess it with yes/no questions. A fun way to share travel stories and test geography knowledge.
Players submit a surprising personal fact anonymously. The group guesses who wrote each fact. A great way to discover hidden sides of teammates.
The best virtual icebreaker games work seamlessly on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet without extra tools. Top picks include Quick Questions (lightning-fast responses), Virtual Scavenger Hunt (camera-friendly), and Two Truths and a Lie (chat-adaptable). Look for games tagged 'Virtual' or 'Hybrid' that include clear video conferencing instructions.
Most online icebreaker games require only your video meeting platform—no special apps or downloads. Optional tools like shared whiteboards (Miro, Jamboard), polls, or reaction features can enhance activities, but we always provide no-tech alternatives. If using breakout rooms, test them beforehand to avoid tech issues during the activity.
Keep virtual icebreakers short (5-10 minutes), use breakout rooms for smaller conversations (4-6 people), and leverage chat for simultaneous participation. Set clear time limits, demonstrate the activity first, and make participation optional. High-energy games like Would You Rather or Show & Tell work better than complex activities requiring extensive setup.
For breakout rooms, aim for 4-6 people per room to balance participation and time. Provide clear instructions before splitting up—share them in chat too. Set a timer and give a 1-minute warning. For 5-minute icebreakers, use rooms of 3-4 people. Always have a backup plan if breakout room tech fails.
Make virtual icebreakers accessible by using chat responses, emoji reactions, and polls alongside verbal participation. Choose games that don't require showing physical items or seeing faces. Explicitly welcome cameras-off participation and avoid activities that pressure personal disclosure. Games like 'This or That' or text-based prompts work perfectly for hybrid visibility.
Yes! Hybrid meetings need extra care to include remote participants equally. Use activities that work both ways—like chat-based responses everyone can see, or shared screens for simultaneous participation. Avoid games requiring physical movement or in-room interaction only. Our 'Hybrid-Ready' tag identifies games tested for mixed formats.