44 icebreakers to connect teams in virtual meetings

Starting virtual meetings with an engaging icebreaker can help build a sense of connection and foster a positive team culture. Here are 44 ideas for non-cheesy icebreakers to help your team feel connected at the start of your next virtual meeting.

1. Share your favorite book

Ask each participant to share a favorite book and why it resonates with them. This helps reveal personal interests.

2. Two truths + a lie

Have everyone share two truths and one lie about themselves. The group then guesses which statement is the lie.

3. Virtual background tour

Encourage participants to use a virtual background representing a place they love. Ask them to share why they chose it.

4. Show + tell

Ask participants to bring an item from their workspace and share its significance. This can be a great way to learn more about each other.

5. Rapid-fire questions

Prepare a list of quick, fun questions (e.g., favorite book, dream vacation, go-to karaoke song) and ask each person to answer as many as possible in a minute.

6. Desert island scenario

Ask each person to name three items they would take with them if they were stranded on a desert island and why. This can spark creative thinking and conversation.

7. Photo of the week

Have team members share a photo they took in the past week and explain its story. This can be a great way to share personal moments and experiences.

8. Favorite app or tool

Ask everyone to share their favorite app or tool that makes their life easier. This can lead to valuable recommendations and insights.

9. Name that tune

Play a few seconds of a popular song and see who can guess the title and artist first. This can be a fun way to energize the team.

10. Hobby spotlight

Each week, highlight a different team member’s hobby. Have them share a bit about their hobby and show any related items or achievements.

11. Virtual tour

Invite team members to give a quick virtual tour of their home office or a favorite spot in their home. This helps humanize the remote work environment.

12. Pet introductions

Ask those with pets to introduce their furry (or not-so-furry) friends to the team. Pets often bring smiles and lighten the mood.

13. Bucket lists

Have each person share one item from their bucket list and why it’s important to them. This can spark interesting conversations and connections.

14. Would you rather

Pose fun "would you rather" questions (e.g., would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?) and see how everyone answers. This can lead to some surprising and amusing discussions.

15. Movie + book recommendations

Ask team members to recommend a movie or book they recently enjoyed and explain why. This can provide great entertainment suggestions and insights into personal tastes.

16. Office superlatives

Create fun, work-related superlatives (e.g., most likely to respond to emails at 2am) and let the team vote. This can be a playful way to recognize team members.

17. Historical trivia

Share an exciting piece of historical trivia and discuss it briefly. This can be both educational and entertaining.

18. Personal fact match

Ask team members to submit a unique fact about themselves beforehand. Read the facts aloud during the meeting and have the team guess who each point belongs to.

19. Coffee or tea?

Have each person share their favorite coffee or tea (or other) beverage and why they love it. This simple question can reveal a lot about preferences and routines.

20. Guess the desk item

Ask participants to describe an item on their desk without showing it. The rest of the team tries to guess what it is based on the description.

21. Gratitude share

Encourage team members to share something they are grateful for that happened recently. This can foster a positive and supportive atmosphere.

22. One-word check-in

Start the meeting by having each person share one word that describes their current mood or state of mind. This can give insight into how everyone is feeling.

23. Dream vacation

Have each participant describe their dream vacation destination and why they chose it. This can be a fun escape and a way to share personal preferences.

24. Highs + lows

Invite team members to share recent highs and lows. This can build empathy and understanding within the group.

25. Fun fact

Ask each person to share a fun or unusual fact about themselves. This often leads to surprising and entertaining discoveries.

26. What’s in your fridge

Encourage participants to share the most exciting item currently in their fridge. This can lead to funny and unexpected revelations.

27. Dream dinner guests

Pose a hypothetical scenario: if you could have any 3 people over for dinner – dead or alive, who would you invite and why?

28. If I were an animal

Have participants choose an animal that represents their personality and explain why. This can lead to amusing and insightful discussions.

29. Personal motto

Invite each team member to share their motto or a quote they live by. This can be inspiring and revealing.

30. Speed networking

Pair participants up for short, timed conversations where they can get to know each other better. Rotate pairs to maximize interaction.

31. Themed dress code

For a fun twist, assign a theme (e.g., favorite color, sports team) and ask everyone to dress accordingly. This can add a playful element to the meeting.

32. Creative introduction

Instead of a standard introduction, ask each participant to introduce themselves creatively, such as using a rhyme or a metaphor. This encourages creativity and sets a positive tone.

33. First job

Ask team members to share their first job and one thing they learned from it. This can provide insights into their early career paths and work experiences.

34. The last thing AI helped me with

Ask team members to share the most recent task they completed or problem they solved using AI. This can lead to exciting discussions about how AI is utilized in daily life and work.

35. Sports I used to play

Invite participants to talk about any sports they used to play, how long they played and what they enjoyed most. This can reveal shared interests and hobbies.

36. What I did last night

Ask team members to share what they did the previous evening. This can be a casual way to learn more about daily routines and personal lives.

37. Wish for tomorrow

Encourage everyone to express their wish for the next day, whether personal or work-related. This can foster a sense of optimism and support.

38. How I take notes

Have each person describe their note-taking method, whether digital, handwritten or something else. This can lead to valuable tips and productivity insights.

39. Favorite day of the year

Ask team members to share their favorite day of the year and why it’s unique to them. This can reveal personal traditions and significant dates.

40. Longest drive

Invite participants to talk about the longest drive or road trip they’ve ever taken. This can lead to stories about travel adventures and memorable experiences.

41. How many piercings

Ask team members to share their many piercings, if any, and the stories behind them. This can be a fun and revealing icebreaker.

42. Any tattoos?

Encourage those with tattoos to share the story behind one of their tattoos. This can lead to meaningful conversations about personal expression and experiences.

43. What I wanted to be when I grew up

Have everyone share what they wanted to be as a child and whether they are still interested in that field. This can provide insights into early aspirations and current passions.

44. Favorite toy as a kid

Ask team members to describe their favorite childhood toy and why it was unique to them. This can be a nostalgic and heartwarming icebreaker.

The importance of human connections

Icebreakers help build rapport and foster a positive atmosphere, setting the stage for effective collaboration. Using these icebreakers can transform the start of your meetings into a more engaging and connected experience.

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