With the development of technologies like the Internet, remote work has become mainstream. It’s not only easy and convenient to work from places where you feel comfortable, but it also offers a great opportunity to collaborate with people worldwide. Remote work involves virtual meetings, team-building activities, seminars, and more. Virtual meetings typically occur on platforms like Zoom, enhanced by noise-cancellation tools such as Krisp. With Krisp’s excellent noise cancellation, you can enjoy Zoom meetings from anywhere. However, tools alone are not enough to fully enjoy meetings—you need to feel at ease to engage truly. Zoom icebreakers and warmups are a perfect way to help you feel confident and relaxed during meetings.
#1. Two Truths and a Lie
This is perhaps the most classic icebreaker. It’s fun and effective if you want to get to know new people. Nowadays, people with remote jobs often don’t know their coworkers outside of work. If they work at international companies with colleagues from different parts of the world, it’s even less likely that they have met in person. Virtual meetings and team-building activities are great opportunities to get to know each other better.
This classic icebreaker is quite simple: each participant shares two truths and one lie about themselves. The other participants then guess which statements are true and which one is a lie.
This activity helps make the gathering more relaxed and allows everyone to feel comfortable, avoiding the awkwardness of formal introductions. It’s best suited for small groups of around 5-10 people.
#2. The Emoji Check-in
As the meetings are virtual, why not use virtual tools? Emojis are fun and easy to understand, even when you’re meeting with international colleagues who may not share the same first language. Emojis are a great way to express your feelings without worrying about words. Starting your Zoom meetings by asking everyone to type an emoji that describes their mood is a great idea.
Participants can introduce their current mood by typing emojis or representing themselves as emojis. For example, they might put on sunglasses for 😎 or hold up a cup of coffee or tea for ☕.
This is one of the more hilarious Zoom icebreakers because it helps everyone feel at ease. They can express their feelings without the awkwardness of talking about them. This icebreaker works well for all kinds of groups.
#3. Would You Rather
Maybe you played this game when you were younger: “Would you rather fly or be invisible?” Not only is it a fun game, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable Zoom icebreakers. It’s a great way to get to know your colleagues outside of work and learn more about their imaginations and creativity.
One participant asks a “Would you rather” question, and the others answer. It’s a perfect opportunity to ask creative and thought-provoking questions.
This icebreaker brings humor to the meeting and helps everyone feel more connected. Here are some ideas for creative questions.
#4. Virtual Background Challenge
Continuing with virtual tools, the next Zoom icebreaker is the Virtual Background Challenge. It’s a great way to see how creative your coworkers are, and it often starts the meeting with some laughter, helping things go smoothly.
Before the meeting, ask participants to choose a virtual background. They can select one from Zoom’s options, download one, or even create their own. During the meeting, each participant explains why they chose their background.
This icebreaker is both fun and insightful, as it showcases each participant’s personality. It’s especially enjoyable in small groups, where everyone has more time to share their background and learn new things about each other.
#5. Guess That Baby
Don’t worry, this icebreaker isn’t about your baby—it’s about you as a baby! This activity allows your colleagues to get to know you as a child, creating a stronger connection, as knowing someone from their younger years can build a unique bond.
Before the meeting, ask participants to send you a childhood photo. During the meeting, show the photos and have everyone guess who each baby is.
This game is especially fun in small or mid-sized groups. You can divide participants into teams, making it a collaborative guessing game.
#6. Zoom Trivia
This is one of the best Zoom icebreakers for boosting teamwork. Teamwork is key in any work environment. Behind every success story is a team that works well together, and this Zoom icebreaker is fun and effective for creating a friendly atmosphere.
Create a trivia game with various questions, either about the team or related to the meeting’s topic. If you’re struggling to answer questions, you can use platforms that offer trivia games. To make it more exciting, offer a prize for the winner to increase motivation.
This icebreaker works well for groups of all sizes and is a great way to foster team spirit.
#7. Show and Tell
You may see your coworkers in virtual meetings or at the office, but to truly get to know them, you need a glimpse of their life outside of work. In the workplace, we can present ourselves however we choose, but our true selves often shine through at home. Try this fun Zoom icebreaker to give your coworkers a better sense of who you are.
Each participant has a few minutes to show an object from their home. It could have an interesting story or simply be something they’re attached to. After showing the object, they explain why it’s important to them.
This icebreaker is less about humor and more about building connections. Participants might share a favorite book, a special cup, or a magnet from a recent trip—anything with personal meaning.
#8. Scavenger Hunt
Virtual meetings can be active, too! Sitting for long periods can leave participants feeling tired or overwhelmed, so this icebreaker is designed to get everyone moving and having fun.
Create a list of items commonly found around the house, such as “something small,” “something green,” or “something that makes you smile.” Give participants a few minutes to find these items in their homes. This activity is both fun and interactive, giving everyone a chance to stretch and engage.
This icebreaker works best with small groups of 5-10 people, as it can become challenging with larger teams.
#9. Where in the World
Many people love traveling, and this icebreaker is a great way to discover where your colleagues have been or where they dream of going. Once again, the trick lies in using virtual backgrounds.
Participants choose a background of a place they’ve visited or hope to visit and share why that destination appeals to them. It could be for the cuisine, the museums, or even their partner lives there.
For a moment, everyone will feel like they’re in another country. It’s a fun way to imagine how your coworkers feel about these places, allowing them to share a bit of their passion for travel.
#10. The Laughing Game
Humor is always a great idea. Fun games make every meeting, seminar, brainstorming session, or lecture more enjoyable. People tend to trust each other more when they’re having fun, and trust is the foundation of every successful deal.
In this icebreaker, one person says “Ha,” the next says “Ha Ha,” and so on, adding another “Ha” each time. As the laughter builds, it makes the process more entertaining. This game is perfect for mid-sized groups of 5-15 people, guaranteed to get everyone laughing and relaxed.
Tips for Using Zoom Icebreakers in Your Meetings
Icebreakers for Zoom meetings are a fantastic way to kick off meetings in a fun and positive way. However, a few things should be considered before organizing icebreakers:
Know Your Audience: It’s important to understand your audience. After working with participants for a while, you’ll get a sense of their behavior and can predict their reactions to different icebreakers. For new teams, start with something simple, like the Emoji Check-in. A more personal game like “Guess That Baby” might work better for teams that have been together longer.
Keep it Short: Icebreakers should be quick and fun. If they drag on too long, participants may feel tired or lose energy before the meeting starts.
Get Everyone Involved: Participants have different personalities—some may be extroverts, others introverts. Your goal is to ensure everyone participates and enjoys the activity.
Icebreakers are an excellent way to help everyone feel comfortable and engaged, setting the tone for a more active and productive meeting. To enhance the experience, don’t forget to utilize other virtual tools that can add fun and clarity. For instance, using Krisp’s Noise Cancellation tool will make your meetings even smoother. With this tool, you won’t need to repeat yourself, as everyone will hear you clearly, without any background noise distractions.
Conclusion
To help participants feel more connected and less tense, always use icebreakers. They don’t have to be complex or long—icebreakers should be easy, simple, and fun. Whether you’re working with a small or large group, there are suitable icebreakers for every situation.
In this article, you’ll find Zoom icebreakers for small, medium-sized, and even larger groups. Remember to keep them short, know your audience, and ensure everyone participates. Also, don’t forget to use tools like Krisp’s Noise Cancellation to ensure your meetings run smoothly with minimal distractions.
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