As many businesses have transitioned to remote working, online meetings have become the new norm. In this setting, we may find ourselves interacting with colleagues we’ve never met in person.
While it’s important to dive into the agenda, starting a meeting directly with a business can feel stiff and impersonal. A productive online meeting requires more than just an agenda; it also needs a sense of connection among the team members.
One of the key responsibilities of an online meeting organizer or manager is to make sure that employees feel comfortable and relaxed. Without this social foundation, it’s hard for people to fully engage, share ideas, and voice feedback. So, how do you break the ice in a virtual setting?
Icebreakers are fun games, activities, or questions that can ease participants into the online meeting, help them feel more at ease, and establish a sense of camaraderie. In this article, we’ll discuss a variety of online meeting icebreakers that will make your online meetings more engaging and comfortable for everyone involved.
Fun Virtual Icebreaker Activities
Here are a few engaging icebreaker activities you can incorporate into your online meetings to set the tone for a friendly and fun atmosphere.
1. Funny Backgrounds
A simple yet effective icebreaker is to ask your employees to choose a fun or quirky virtual background before joining the meeting.
Whether it’s a favorite vacation spot, a funny scene, or something abstract, funny virtual backgrounds can make the first few minutes of your online meeting lighthearted and enjoyable.
Employees can spend time commenting on each other’s backgrounds, and even people who don’t know each other will start to engage in lighthearted conversation. This small but impactful activity breaks the ice quickly and encourages interaction.
At OctaMeet, we offer many creative background options that can enhance your online meetings. These backgrounds not only add a playful element but also help boost motivation and creativity among team members.
2. Breakout Rooms
Sometimes, small groups allow people to feel more comfortable and open up more easily. A great icebreaker activity is to utilize breakout rooms.
This feature divides your larger group into smaller virtual rooms, allowing team members to discuss a topic or just get to know each other in a more intimate setting.
This activity can increase the engagement of everyone, as the smaller group feels less intimidating. After a set time, you can visit the rooms to check in and join in on their discussions. This helps build connections and makes the team feel more cohesive.
3. Guess Whose Desk It Is?
Here’s a fun and engaging game for your next online meeting: Ask one of your team members to send a photo of their work desk or workspace. Then, during the meeting, share the photo and have the rest of the group guess whose desk it is.
This game is guaranteed to bring lots of laughs, as people make playful guesses based on desk decorations, organization, or other personal items.
Not only does this spark team bonding, but it also lets everyone learn a little more about their colleagues’ personalities.
4. The Last Photo on Your Phone
A simple yet effective icebreaker is to ask your employees to share the last photo they took on their phone. It could be a picture of their pets, a beautiful landscape, or a funny moment captured during the day.
Taking turns sharing photos brings a fun, lighthearted element to the online meeting and opens up the conversation.
However, be mindful that not everyone may feel comfortable sharing personal photos, so it’s essential to let participants know that they can skip if they don’t want to share.
5. Two Truths and One Lie
This classic icebreaker game is perfect for virtual teams. Ask each participant to share three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie. The rest of the group will then try to guess which statement is false.
This game encourages team members to interact in a fun and playful way, while also allowing them to learn more about one another. It’s a great way to inject humor into your online meeting and get people talking.
Engaging Virtual Icebreaker Questions
If you want to move quickly into the online meeting but still want to break the ice, use these quick and engaging questions to get your team talking. These questions serve as excellent conversation starters, helping employees relax and bond before the serious work begins.
1. What Are You Thankful For Nowadays?
This question encourages positivity and gratitude. It helps to set a good tone for the meeting by focusing on the things people are grateful for in their personal or professional lives. This also allows team members to connect on a deeper level by sharing their thoughts on life outside of work.
2. What Is Your Favorite Movie?
A quick and simple question like this allows people to share their interests and can spark lively discussions about films, directors, and genres. This also serves as an easy way for team members to bond over common tastes.
3. Have You Ever Met Any Famous Person?
This question invites fun stories. Whether it’s a brief encounter with a celebrity or a more memorable meeting, hearing about unique experiences can bring humor and excitement into the online meeting.
It also provides an opportunity to learn something surprising about your colleagues.
4. What Are You Excited About Today?
Asking about something positive that someone is looking forward to can energize the team and set a motivated tone for the rest of the meeting. It’s an excellent way to get people talking about what inspires or excites them in both work and personal life.
5. State Interesting Facts You’ve Learned Recently
This question encourages your team members to share knowledge and information, which can be fun and educational. You never know when someone might share something fascinating that sparks further conversation and insights.
6. React with an Emoji Describing Your Mood Today
For a quick and lighthearted icebreaker, ask participants to choose an emoji that describes how they’re feeling. This is a fun and simple way to gauge the mood of the team before diving into the meeting.
Starting online meetings with engaging icebreakers not only makes the experience more enjoyable but also helps build a sense of connection and trust among team members.
By using activities like funny backgrounds, breakout rooms, and interactive games or asking thought-provoking questions, you can create a more relaxed and collaborative atmosphere for your virtual team.
If you’re looking to elevate your online meetings even further, consider using OctaMeet by OCTAPULL.
With advanced features like virtual backgrounds, breakout rooms, and easy-to-use meeting tools, OctaMeet is the perfect platform for hosting dynamic online meetings that engage and connect your team.
Sign up for free and start making your online meetings more interactive and enjoyable today with OctaMeet by OCTAPULL! To get more detailed information, you can book a demo meeting with our product team!
