25 Virtual Icebreakers for Remote Teams in 2023

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 calm nerves and enable everyone to feel psychologically safe to share their ideas during a meeting. It lightens up the mood, making the team feel equally comfortable.

Breaking the ice with casual conversations and good virtual meeting icebreakers can help the meeting attendees loosen up. More importantly, it enables the rest of the discussion to flow more naturally, thereby helping teams bond. The best Icebreaker ideas for virtual meetings make your online interactions more enjoyable and productive.

2. Virtual Icebreaker Games

2.1 Icebreaker Games with Hooray Teams

Hooray Teams is a virtual team-building marketplace where people can choose whichever facilitated icebreaker activities they would like. If you're looking to bring some buzz and camaraderie to your virtual workspace, Hooray Teams Virtual Icebreaker Games are the way to go.

With interactive challenges, trivia quizzes, and collaborative activities, you'll be breaking down those virtual 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. They're like your virtual party guide, making sure you have an awesome time.

Best Suited for -

Virtual game nights
Remote team-building

2.2 Virtual Trivia

Boost your team's spirit with Hooray Teams Virtual Trivia—a super fun and friendly competition that turns boring online meetings into exciting experiences. You'll enjoy 4-5 rounds of trivia in a quick 60-minute session, led by a cool host who keeps the energy up.

You can even pick topics you like and throw in some personalized questions about your team. 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. It's not just another online hangout; it's a special activity your team will be talking about for a while!

Best Suited for -

Virtual game nights
Educational settings

2.3 Wheel Decide

The ‘Wheeldecide’ is a spin on the classic spin-the-wheel virtual icebreakers. You can either use the wheel provided or modify your wheel. 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. These kinds of virtual icebreakers for meetings get the crowd talking and are a whole lot of fun.

Best Suited for -

Watercooler activities
Team bonding activities

2.4 Guess Who

‘Guess Who’ makes for fun and straightforward virtual team building icebreakers. In this game, members have to identify a person based on specific questions. These questions can be about one’s attributes, likes, dislikes, etc. This is best played with small-sized teams. For larger groups, you’ll need to create multiple breakout teams and carry the game forward.

The meeting organizer has to send a survey or a poll consisting of questions such as:

What is your favorite music genre?
Where have you traveled to in the last 5 years?
What was the last movie you saw?

During the meeting, you can post the questions alongside the answers provided in the survey. Based on that, members can guess who has responded to what.

Best Suited for -

Team-building events
Coffee breaks
Inclusive events

2.5 Word of the Day

This game tests the listening skills of your team members. In this game, the organizer will announce that they will use an unusual word in the conversation at the start of a meeting. Then, the members have to guess that word and where the host used it. The word can be anything, for instance, “radish,” or “bug spray,” or anything silly that comes to your mind.

To ease the process, you can give them a hint. Then, the person who guesses it right has to exclaim: 'word of the day!'.

Best Suited for -

Educational settings
Inclusive events

2.6 Pictionary

Last but not least- 'Pictionary.' We have all played Pictionary at some stage, either with friends or family. For the uninitiated, Pictionary always makes an appearance on any compilation of virtual team icebreakers. The organizer will make two teams. One person will be given a word, and they have to draw it on a whiteboard.

Since the team is virtual, you can do this on a digital collaborative platform such as Miro, Mural, or Stormboard. Then, the team members will guess the word with the help of the picture. The other team will do the same. Lastly, the team with the most guesses wins.

Best Suited for -

Team-building events
Creativity workshops
Virtual game nights

2.7 The Emoji Song Game

In this virtual icebreaker game, you can split the members into two teams 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! 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
Celebrations and parties

2.8 The JAM Storytime

‘JAM or Just-A-Minute’ 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. Announce prizes and gifts for the best performers.

Do what it takes to ensure that everyone takes part in these kinds of virtual team icebreakers. If there are too many members participating in the game, you can reduce the recitation time to make sure everyone gets a go.

Best Suited for -

Celebrations and parties
Inclusive events

2.9 Choose Your Favorite

Everyone has cravings. For me, it's a pizza with extra cheese. I am sure for most topics, all of you have something that is your absolute favorite. Well, this game is based on what you like.

All you have to do is ask questions such as:

Which skill would you love to have?
What is the best pizza according to you?
What music do you love?

Members will answer “what it is that they desire” ( referring to Lucifer, one of my favorite shows!) and even interact with other members about their choices.

Best Suited for -

Creativity workshops
Educational settings
Remote team-building

2.10 Would you rather?

'Would you rather?' is probably one of the most classic virtual icebreakers. It helps members get to know each other better before starting your meeting. 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?

You can split the team into two groups to let them explain their responses. For instance, if there are ten members in the meeting, you can group them according to their responses and reshuffle each time there’s a majority of responses.

Best Suited for -

Quick team building activities
Large group activities

2.11 Jungle Jumble

Good virtual team building icebreakers let you understand how observant the other members are. 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.

Best Suited for -

Team-building events
Virtual game nights
Educational settings

2.12 GENSMAK

GENSMAK! Digital trivia is a fun and engaging way for remote teams to come together on screen and bond over shared knowledge and experiences. Players can 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 on the screen. You will also get some hints to answer the questions.

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

2.13 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

2.14 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 themselves. 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

2.15 100 Point Puzzle

The SorryonMute team had the chance to try out Dan Paech’s 100 Point Challenge, which features a Master puzzle that you can get to only after solving a series of riddles. Dan was our facilitator, and he sent the two teams into breakout rooms to come up with team names and discuss strategy. We then clicked on the game link and worked out the riddles. Although we didn’t crack the master puzzle, we used the old divide-and-conquer strategy to work out the individual riddles.

The entire experience lasted 40 minutes. It was quite enjoyable, which is why the team and I recommend trying it before getting into any longer-form meetings, such as strategic planning days! This is a game that will encourage your teams to work together and challenge their deductive reasoning and quick-thinking skills!

Best Suited for -

Brainstorming sessions
Educational meetings

2.16 Personality Tests

We all like personality tests. They are great virtual icebreakers for meetings. After all, most of us are guilty of taking the ‘Which bagel am I’ quiz, right? But, jokes aside, personality tests are a great way to improve collaboration and interaction.

All you have to do is send personality tests to the members and ask them to take the tests. Then, they can share their experience in the meeting, and everyone can share a laugh or two. This also makes for great online icebreaker games for hybrid meetings. Try to choose more lighthearted personality tests rather than anything more serious that might be a reflection of work styles (they are better suited for team-building activities).

Best Suited for -

Team-building events
Inclusive events
Educational settings

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. Here are some examples of questions that one may ask:

What was the last song you searched for?
What's your favorite international dish?
What is your biggest pet peeve?
What's your favorite way to relax and unwind after a long day?
If you could switch careers for a day, what job would you want to try?
What's a recent accomplishment or achievement you're proud of?
Describe a place that holds special meaning for you and why it's significant.
If you had to eat only one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Share a fun or unusual talent or skill that not many people know about.
What's a bucket list item you hope to cross off in the next year?

Best Suited for -

Inclusive events
Celebrations and parties

3.2 Two Truths and a Lie

This is a popular mainstay on the list of best virtual icebreakers and a fun icebreaker, especially for those members who are not as acquainted with one another. It helps in improving collaboration and engagement among team members.

We have experience with this game as well. We played it after we had hired two content writers for our team. Let me share what we did.

I explained the game to everyone and told them that everyone has to tell two truths and one lie about themselves. The others have to guess the lie. I went first and had the others guess the lie, and only one of them got it right! We went on until everyone had a go. Lastly, we declared the winner who guessed the most lies (that was me!).

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
Inclusive events

3.3 Quick Questions

This game is a great warm-up exercise before any meeting and makes a welcome addition to virtual icebreakers for virtual meetings. Additionally, it is one of the best virtual icebreakers for colleagues to interact casually by asking fun, personal questions.

All you have to do is prepare some funny questions and ask each member before the start of the meeting. Some of these may be:

What is a secret skill you have?
How do you generally spend your weekends?
What was the last meal that you had?

These virtual icebreakers help lighten the mood and help energize and motivate employees. You can change the questions for each session.

Best Suited for -

Virtual meetings
Team building events

3.4 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
Inclusive events

3.5 Say it With an Emoji

In this entry to our list of virtual icebreakers, you are required to express what you are feeling with an emoji. It acts as one of the best icebreakers for hybrid meetings, as it is simple to play. All the participants need to do is answer a question with the help of an emoji. It is a simple, inclusive game.

For example, you might be asked to share how you feel about a certain project deadline, your thoughts on the latest team achievement, or even your mood for the day. Instead of giving a traditional verbal response, participants simply choose an emoji that best represents their feelings.

Best Suited for -

Team-building activities
Celebrations and parties

3.6 Draw Your Mood

Another great addition to the list of icebreakers for hybrid meetings is to draw your mood. Instead of the usual stoic answers of “I’m good”, you can let people creatively express themselves through drawings. You can use basic drawing tools, such as paper and markers or digital drawing apps, depending on the setting of the meeting.

Once everyone has created their mood drawings, they take turns sharing their artwork and explaining why they chose those particular images or symbols to represent their mood.

Best Suited for -

Creativity workshops
Inclusive events

3.7 Name that Song

If you are looking for more guesswork-based virtual team icebreakers, then name the song is a great option. All you need to do is compile a list of karaoke tracks from popular tunes. The person who guesses them the fastest wins.

You can play this game in-person or virtually, and customize it to suit the preferences and familiarity of the participants with different genres of music. It's a perfect choice for music enthusiasts and those looking for an enjoyable and light-hearted activity to get everyone engaged.

Best Suited for -

Virtual game nights
Celebrations and parties

3.8 Video Background Challenge

The video background challenge is an engaging and visually creative icebreaker activity that's popular in virtual meetings or video conferences. In this activity, you can ask the participants to change their video backgrounds to something unique, funny, or related to a specific theme or topic. These virtual backgrounds can be images, GIFs, or even videos.

The challenge is to pick backgrounds based on the theme. For example, if the theme is 'dream vacation', participants should set their backgrounds to images of their ideal travel destinations.

Best Suited for -

Virtual game nights
Team-building events

4. Tips to Select the Best Virtual Icebreaker

Here are the tips to select the best virtual icebreaker activities -

Know Your Audience: Consider the preferences, interests, and dynamics of your virtual group to choose an icebreaker that resonates with them.
Purpose of the Icebreaker: Determine the goal of the icebreaker—whether it's team building, energizing the group, or fostering connections—and select an activity that aligns with that purpose.
Time Constraints: Be mindful of time constraints. Choose icebreakers that fit within the allocated time for the virtual session to ensure a smooth flow of activities.
Tech-Friendly Options: Opt for icebreakers that are easily adaptable to virtual platforms, considering factors like internet connectivity, accessibility, and simplicity of execution.
Engagement Level: Gauge the energy level and engagement preferences of your group. Some may prefer interactive games, while others may enjoy more reflective or discussion-based activities.
Relevance to the Theme or Topic: If your virtual meeting has a specific theme or agenda, choose icebreakers that align with the overall purpose of the gathering for a cohesive experience.
Consider Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural diversity within your team and choose icebreakers that are inclusive and respectful of various backgrounds and perspectives.

5. FAQs

5.1 How do icebreakers actually work?

Icebreakers help attendees catch up, relax or introduce themselves before a meeting begins. They help improve the efficiency of meetings by strengthening bonds between participants. In a nutshell, icebreakers help in improving team collaboration, team engagement, and employee communications.

5.2 How to liven every remote meeting?

A virtual team icebreaker or a fun activity will help liven the meeting. It makes the members more engaged and more interactive. An icebreaker at the beginning of a digital meeting freshens up the mood of the participants, thus, making them more active.

5.3 How to define good virtual icebreakers?

Good virtual icebreakers are the ones that make meetings 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).

5.4 Are there any free icebreakers?

Yes, there are plenty of free icebreakers. Some of the notable ones from this list are:

Two truths and a lie
Table Topics
Take a picture
Where in the world

5.5 What are some hybrid meeting icebreakers?

Some hybrid meeting icebreakers are;

Coffee Time
Say it with an emoji
Draw your mood
Guess the song

5.6 What are some virtual getting to know you activities for work?

Here are some virtual getting-to-know-you games for work;

Two Truths and a Lie
Never Have I Ever
Most Likely To...
This or That

5.7 What are the best icebreaker questions for virtual meetings?

Before you start with your meeting, you can help lighten the mood through icebreaker questions. Some of our favorite ones include;

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?
What's your favorite book/movie/TV show 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.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
What's your favorite way to relax and unwind after a busy day?
Share a memorable childhood story or experience.
If you could only eat one type of cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What's a skill you'd like to master in the next year?