In a world of back-to-back virtual calls, the first five minutes of a meeting can either set the stage for genuine collaboration or reinforce the digital distance between us. Traditional introductions often fall flat, but a well-chosen ice breaker activity can transform a routine meeting into an engaging, productive, and memorable experience. This isn't about forced fun; it's a strategic tool for fostering psychological safety, accelerating team cohesion, and ensuring every voice is heard from the start.
Effective ice breakers create a structured, low-pressure environment where colleagues can share something personal or creative without feeling put on the spot. The essence of a great ice breaker is to simplify the process of learning how to start a conversation with confidence, making it easier for team members, new and old, to find common ground. This builds a foundation of trust that pays dividends throughout the entire meeting and beyond.
This guide moves beyond generic advice to provide a curated roundup of impactful activities, complete with step-by-step instructions, industry-specific examples, and practical tips for seamless execution using powerful platform features like those in AONMeetings. Whether you're onboarding new hires, kicking off a major project, or simply trying to energize your weekly team sync, you'll find an activity here designed to build the authentic connections that drive results. We'll explore everything from quick energy boosters to more in-depth team-building exercises, all designed for both in-person and virtual settings.
1. Two Truths and a Lie
A time-tested classic for a reason, "Two Truths and a Lie" is a fantastic ice breaker activity that encourages creativity and helps team members learn surprising facts about one another. Each person prepares three statements about themselves: two that are true and one that is a lie. They share these statements, and the rest of the group must work together to guess which one is the falsehood.
This activity is exceptionally well-suited for virtual meetings on platforms like AONMeetings because it requires no special equipment, just a bit of imagination. The game fosters a lighthearted atmosphere, making it perfect for new teams or groups that need to build rapport quickly.
How to Implement It Effectively
For a corporate onboarding, a facilitator can kick off a session with new hires by sharing their own three statements. This not only demonstrates the activity but also sets a comfortable tone for personal sharing. For example, a manager might say, "I've visited every continent except Antarctica, I once won a hot-dog-eating contest, and I speak fluent Italian." The team then discusses and guesses the lie.
To keep the game moving and inclusive, it's wise to set a brief time limit for each person, perhaps 60 seconds to share and another minute for group guessing. This structure ensures everyone gets a turn without the meeting running over schedule.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use the Polling Feature: Instead of having people guess one by one, create a quick poll for each person's turn. List the three statements (A, B, C) and have attendees vote for the one they think is the lie. This is an efficient way to gather everyone's input at once.
- Leverage Breakout Rooms: For larger groups, divide participants into smaller breakout rooms. This gives more people a chance to share and fosters more intimate conversations.
- Record the Session: Turn on the recording feature so that team members who couldn't attend can watch later. This simple step helps new or absent employees feel included in the team-building process.
2. Speed Networking (Virtual Breakout Rooms)
This dynamic ice breaker activity replicates the high-energy, connection-building environment of in-person speed networking for a virtual audience. Participants are placed into a series of small, timed breakout rooms, allowing them to have quick, one-on-one conversations. They rotate through several rooms, meeting multiple new colleagues in a short span.
The activity is perfect for large-scale events where it's impossible for everyone to meet, such as an enterprise all-hands meeting or a virtual conference for a legal association. It breaks down the intimidating scale of a large group, fostering more personal and meaningful connections. AONMeetings' automated breakout room functionality makes facilitating this a seamless process.
How to Implement It Effectively
For a startup pitch event, the organizer can set up breakout rooms pairing entrepreneurs with potential investors for focused three-minute conversations. To guide the interaction, a specific prompt can be provided, such as "What is the single biggest challenge your industry is facing right now?" This ensures conversations start quickly and remain productive.
After several rotations, bring everyone back to the main session for a brief debrief. Ask a few volunteers to share one interesting thing they learned about someone new. This step helps solidify the new connections and reinforces a sense of community across the entire group.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Provide Conversation Prompts: Post a clear question or topic in the chat before opening the rooms to prevent awkward silences and guide the discussion.
- Automate Rotations: Use AONMeetings' ability to automatically and randomly assign participants to new rooms after a set time. Two to three minutes per round works best. Explore how to use breakout rooms for more productive online meetings to master this feature.
- Set Clear Time Warnings: Configure the breakout rooms to give a 30- or 60-second warning before closing. This allows participants to wrap up their conversations smoothly.
- Use Custom Branding: Reinforce your organization's identity by applying custom branding to the meeting interface, which is especially useful for external-facing events like nonprofit virtual galas.
3. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
A Virtual Scavenger Hunt is a high-energy ice breaker activity that gets remote participants moving and sharing a piece of their personal environment. Participants are given a list of items or categories and a short time limit to find them in their home or office. Once the time is up, everyone returns to the screen to show off their discoveries, creating a fun, dynamic, and interactive experience.
This activity is particularly effective for distributed teams meeting on platforms like AONMeetings because it breaks the monotony of sitting in front of a screen. It encourages spontaneity and provides a natural way for colleagues to learn about each other's lives outside of work through the objects they choose to share.
How to Implement It Effectively
For a corporate team-building event, a manager can create a list of clues related to company values or recent projects. For instance, clues could include "find something that represents our value of 'innovation'," or "bring back an object that is the same color as our company logo." This approach adds a layer of relevance to the fun.
To ensure the activity runs smoothly, set a clear time limit, such as five minutes for hunting and ten minutes for sharing. Asking each person to briefly explain the significance of one of their found items adds a storytelling element, fostering deeper connections among team members. This ice breaker activity works well to kick off a long webinar or training session.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use the Screen Share Feature: Display the scavenger hunt list on a shared screen so everyone can easily reference the clues without having to remember them or write them down.
- Incorporate Themed Lists: Tie the scavenger hunt to a specific meeting theme or holiday. For a volunteer orientation, the list might include items related to community service or giving back.
- Record the Sharing Session: Capture the fun reveals and stories by using the recording feature. Sharing these highlights later helps include team members who were absent and serves as a great reminder of the team's shared experience.
4. Would You Rather
A simple yet highly effective ice breaker activity, "Would You Rather" sparks instant engagement by presenting participants with a choice between two amusing or thought-provoking scenarios. Facilitators pose a series of questions, and attendees respond, revealing personality traits, preferences, and how they think in a low-pressure, entertaining format. The ensuing lighthearted debates are excellent for building connections.
This activity is a fantastic opener for any meeting because it requires no advance preparation from participants and immediately gets everyone involved. It works just as well in large corporate all-hands meetings to gauge team sentiment as it does in small team huddles to boost morale. The simplicity of the game makes it a reliable choice for warming up a group.
How to Implement It Effectively
In a nonprofit board meeting, a facilitator can kick things off to encourage participation from quieter members. They might ask, "Would you rather have the ability to speak to animals or speak every human language?" or a more mission-focused question like, "Would you rather secure one major grant or double your individual donors?" The group can answer, and the facilitator can ask a few people to briefly explain their choice.
To ensure the activity remains a quick warm-up, prepare 8-10 questions in advance. Start with lighter, more whimsical questions (e.g., "Would you rather have a personal chef or a personal driver?") before moving to slightly deeper, work-related ones. This progression helps ease participants into the discussion comfortably.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use the Polling Feature: This is the best way to execute this ice breaker activity virtually. Create a live poll for each question. Sharing the real-time results on screen creates a shared, visual experience and a great starting point for discussion.
- Invite Elaboration: After a poll closes, ask for volunteers to explain their reasoning. A simple follow-up like, "Why did you choose that option?" can turn a simple question into a meaningful conversation.
- Use Chat for More Ideas: Ask participants to submit their own "Would You Rather" questions in the chat. The facilitator can then use the best ones for future polls, making the activity more interactive and participant-driven.
5. Show and Tell (Professional Edition)
A nostalgic favorite from childhood, "Show and Tell" gets a professional upgrade as a powerful ice breaker activity. Participants are asked to briefly present an object that holds personal significance, representing a hobby, an achievement, an inspiration, or even an aspect of their role. This activity creates genuine personal connections and offers a window into what motivates and matters to each team member.
This exercise is particularly effective for remote and hybrid teams using platforms like AONMeetings. It turns the virtual space into a gallery of personal stories, building a strong and inclusive team culture across any distance. The activity is low-pressure but high-impact, fostering empathy and understanding among colleagues.
How to Implement It Effectively
For a nonprofit's annual staff retreat, the facilitator could ask everyone to bring an object that represents why they joined the organization. This frames the activity around a shared mission, reinforcing collective purpose while celebrating individual motivations. One person might share a family photo, another a book that inspired them, each story adding a layer to the team's identity.
To maintain momentum, it's crucial to announce the activity ahead of time and set a clear time limit, such as 2-3 minutes per person. This gives participants time to choose a meaningful object and keeps the session on schedule. The facilitator should go first to model the desired tone and level of sharing.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use Screen Sharing for Detail: If an object is small or has intricate details, encourage participants to use the screen sharing feature to show a high-resolution photo of it. This ensures everyone gets a clear view.
- Provide Prompts: To help those who might be unsure what to share, provide a few optional prompts in the meeting chat. Suggestions could include "Share something that makes you laugh," or "Show us an object related to a skill you've learned."
- Record the Session: With permission, record the show-and-tell portion of the meeting. These clips can be a wonderful resource for onboarding new hires, helping them quickly connect with their new colleagues' personalities and values.
6. Icebreaker Question Rounds (Progressive Depth)
This ice breaker activity offers a structured way to build connections by easing participants into more meaningful conversations. It begins with light, fun questions and gradually moves toward topics related to personal growth and professional values. This progressive approach establishes psychological safety, making it an excellent choice for newly formed or merged teams needing to build trust.
The format is highly adaptable for virtual meetings on platforms like AONMeetings, as it guides the conversation naturally without requiring complex tools. By controlling the depth of the questions, a facilitator can ensure the activity remains appropriate and productive for any professional setting, from a law firm's mentorship kickoff to a nonprofit board development session.
How to Implement It Effectively
A facilitator can guide the group through four distinct rounds, allocating a few minutes for each. The key is to start with low-stakes questions before advancing. For instance, in an onboarding for a newly merged medical practice, the first round might be, "What's your go-to coffee order?" followed by a more personal second round like, "What's something you've learned about yourself this year?"
Subsequent rounds can delve deeper, such as "What matters most to you in your work?" and finally, an aspirational question like, "What's one thing you'd like to accomplish in the next year?" This layered structure respects personal boundaries while still encouraging genuine connection and uncovering shared values within the team.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use the Chat Feature: Encourage participants, especially introverts, to share their answers in the chat. The facilitator can then read a few responses aloud to validate participation and spark further conversation.
- Leverage the Whiteboard: After each round, a facilitator can type a few key responses onto the AONMeetings virtual whiteboard. This creates a visual summary of the team's shared thoughts and values.
- Set Clear Time Limits: Use a timer to keep the activity on track. Announce that each person has 60 seconds to answer, which ensures everyone gets a chance to speak and the meeting stays on schedule. For more ways to keep your virtual sessions dynamic, check out these 10 interactive meeting ideas.
7. Virtual Background Challenge
This engaging and visually creative ice breaker activity turns standard introductions into a show-and-tell of personality. The Virtual Background Challenge asks participants to choose a unique, funny, or meaningful virtual background for their video feed. As they introduce themselves, they can share the story behind their chosen image, sparking conversation and revealing personal interests in a low-pressure way.
The activity is especially effective for virtual teams, as it directly uses a common feature of platforms like AONMeetings to foster connection and self-expression. It works well in casual corporate cultures, creative departments, or any group looking to add a splash of fun to their online interactions.
How to Implement It Effectively
For a corporate onboarding with a creative team, a facilitator can introduce the activity by setting a theme, such as "Your Dream Workspace" or "Favorite Movie Scene." Participants are given five minutes to find and apply a background before introductions begin. Each person then briefly explains their choice, offering a glimpse into their aspirations or tastes.
To inspire unique choices, participants could explore distinct themes like the cyberpunk aesthetic for their virtual backgrounds. This ice breaker activity is also highly adaptable; for a quick energy boost, skip the theme and simply ask everyone to pick a background that represents their current mood.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Prepare Themed Backgrounds: Use AONMeetings’ custom branding feature to upload a few pre-made, company-themed backgrounds. This ensures everyone can participate, even if they don't have a personal image ready.
- Use the Spotlight Feature: As each person shares, use the "Spotlight" or "Pin" feature to make their video larger for everyone in the meeting. This focuses attention on the speaker and their creative background.
- Capture the Moment: Take a screenshot of the group with all their unique backgrounds displayed. Sharing this image in a company Slack channel or newsletter is a great way to commemorate the team-building moment.
8. Three-Word Storytelling
A highly interactive and creative game, "Three-Word Storytelling" challenges participants to build a narrative together, one small piece at a time. Each person contributes exactly three words to a growing story, forcing active listening and quick thinking. This ice breaker activity is excellent for sparking energy and encouraging spontaneous collaboration.
This activity is particularly effective for virtual sessions on platforms like AONMeetings because it relies solely on verbal contribution and requires no physical materials. The fast-paced nature of the game keeps everyone engaged and often results in hilarious and unpredictable stories, making it a perfect choice for creative teams or any group needing an energy boost.
How to Implement It Effectively
In a corporate creative team-building session, a facilitator can kick things off by establishing a simple order (e.g., clockwise on screen) and providing the first three words. For example, the facilitator might start with "The purple elephant…" The next person adds their three words, such as "…ate the tacos," and so on around the group.
To ensure the activity runs smoothly, it is important to set clear rules from the start: each person must contribute exactly three words, and the story must continue from the previous person's contribution. The goal is collaborative creation, not individual punchlines, which builds a sense of shared accomplishment.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use the Chat as a Scribe: Designate one person to type the story into the AONMeetings chat as it unfolds. This creates a live transcript that everyone can follow and allows the group to read and enjoy the final, often nonsensical, masterpiece at the end.
- Manage Turns with Hand-Raise: In larger groups, use the "hand-raise" feature to manage the speaking order. The host can call on people one by one, ensuring a smooth and organized flow without interruptions.
- Leverage Breakout Rooms: For company-wide meetings or events with more than 20 people, split participants into smaller breakout rooms of 5-8 individuals. This gives everyone more opportunities to contribute and fosters a more personal and dynamic storytelling experience.
- Record the Session: Turn on the recording feature to capture the audio of the story creation. Sharing this funny, co-created artifact later can serve as a great inside joke and a positive reminder of the team's collaborative spirit.
9. Desert Island Scenario
The "Desert Island Scenario" is a classic ice breaker activity that uncovers participants' priorities, values, and problem-solving skills through a fun, hypothetical question. Each person is asked what few items they would bring to a deserted island, prompting them to explain their choices. The ensuing discussion reveals much about individual personalities and decision-making styles.
This discussion-based game is perfect for virtual settings on platforms like AONMeetings as it requires no materials, only imagination. It generates meaningful conversations while remaining lighthearted, making it an excellent choice for team-building sessions, leadership development workshops, or even strategy meetings to gauge different perspectives.
How to Implement It Effectively
In a corporate leadership development session, a facilitator can frame the question to explore decision-making. For example: "If you were stranded on a desert island with your team, what one business tool would you bring and why?" This adaptation not only reveals what leaders value but also how they approach challenges and resource management.
To ensure the activity remains engaging, allocate about one to two minutes per person to explain their choice. Follow-up questions like, "Why did you choose that item over another?" can spark deeper conversation and even some healthy debate among team members. The goal is to understand the reasoning behind each choice.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Customize the Scenario: Tailor the question to your industry to make it more relevant. A healthcare team could discuss "one medical supply," while a legal firm might choose "one legal resource." This makes the ice breaker activity more pointed and insightful.
- Use the Polling Feature: After everyone shares, create a quick poll asking participants to vote on which items are the most practical or creative. This adds an interactive element and summarizes the group's collective thinking.
- Encourage Debate with Reactions: Ask participants to use the "raise hand" or emoji reaction features to show agreement or signal that they have a counterpoint. A facilitator can then call on them to introduce a friendly debate.
- Breakout Rooms for Large Groups: For sessions with over 50 people, split attendees into smaller breakout rooms to discuss their choices first. A representative from each room can then report the most popular or interesting items back to the main group.
10. Common Ground Search
"Common Ground Search" is an effective ice breaker activity designed to build connections by helping participants discover shared interests, experiences, or backgrounds. The premise is simple: attendees are given a set time, typically 5-10 minutes, to find something they have in common with others in the group. This search for similarities fosters immediate rapport and helps break down barriers between people who may not know each other.
This activity is especially powerful for large-scale virtual events on platforms like AONMeetings, where it can bridge gaps between different departments or offices. It transforms a potentially anonymous audience into a network of individuals with tangible connections, setting a collaborative tone for the rest of the meeting.
How to Implement It Effectively
For a multi-office corporate merger, a facilitator can kick off an all-hands meeting by announcing the "Common Ground Search." They might display prompts on the screen, such as "Find someone who shares your favorite type of music" or "Discover someone who has traveled to the same country." Participants are then moved into small, randomized groups to discuss for a few minutes.
After the time is up, the facilitator can ask a few groups to share the most surprising or unique commonality they discovered. This not only highlights the connections made but also encourages a sense of shared experience across the entire organization. This structured approach makes it one of the most reliable virtual team building activities for large groups.
Tips for AONMeetings Users
- Use Breakout Rooms: For large groups, use the breakout room feature to automatically pair or group participants. Set a timer for 3-5 minutes per round and then bring everyone back to the main session or shuffle the rooms for another round.
- Leverage the Chat: Post a list of conversation starter questions in the chat to guide the discovery process. Prompts like "What was your first concert?" or "Do you have any pets?" can get the conversation flowing quickly.
- Utilize a Shared Whiteboard: After the breakout sessions, invite participants to write the commonalities they found on the shared whiteboard. This creates a visual representation of the group's collective connections.
10-Item Icebreaker Activity Comparison
| Activity | Implementation complexity | Resource requirements | Expected outcomes | Ideal use cases | Key advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Truths and a Lie | Low — minimal facilitation | None required; chat/poll optional; 5–15 min | Light rapport; fun personal insights | Onboarding, webinar openers, distributed teams | Low-pressure, easy to run |
| Speed Networking (Virtual Breakout Rooms) | Medium–High — set up rotations & timers | Breakout rooms, timers, multiple facilitators for large groups | Many brief, diverse connections | Conferences, large all-hands, investor events | Scalable; ensures broad meetups |
| Virtual Scavenger Hunt | Medium — clue prep and timing | Participants' physical space; screen sharing; recording | Energized, memorable interactions | Team bonding, social events, webinars | Movement-driven, creative engagement |
| Would You Rather | Low — quick to run | Prepared questions; live polls or chat | Fast engagement; reveals preferences | All-hands, morale boosters, classes | Universal appeal; visually engaging via polls |
| Show and Tell (Professional Edition) | Medium — scheduling and time control | Participant prep; HD video/screen share; recording | Deeper personal connection; empathy | Onboarding, leadership teams, culture building | Authentic storytelling; rich content for archives |
| Icebreaker Question Rounds (Progressive Depth) | Medium — needs skilled facilitation | Prepared question progression; breakout rooms for large groups | Gradual trust-building; richer sharing | Merged teams, mentorship kickoffs, cohorts | Safe progression; inclusive for introverts |
| Virtual Background Challenge | Low — simple but tech-dependent | Virtual background feature; theme prompts; screenshots | Immediate visual engagement; fun intros | Startups, creative teams, casual meetings | Creative expression; protects home privacy |
| Three-Word Storytelling | Low–Medium — requires clear rules | Chat/scribe; possible breakout rooms for large groups | High energy; group cohesion and laughter | Creative teams, classes, informal meetings | Fast, playful engagement; low prep |
| Desert Island Scenario | Low–Medium — scenario design & facilitation | Custom scenarios; polls or breakout discussion | Insights into priorities and problem-solving | Leadership development, strategy sessions | Reveals decision-making and values |
| Common Ground Search | Medium — needs structure and time | Breakout rooms, shared doc/chat, prompts | Cross-functional connections; reduced silos | Mergers, multi-office integrations, onboarding | Uncovers unexpected shared interests |
Turn Your Meetings Into Moments of Connection
The journey through this extensive list of icebreaker activities reveals a fundamental truth about modern collaboration: connection is the currency of effective teamwork. We've moved beyond the era of viewing these exercises as mere filler. Instead, the right ice breaker activity is a strategic tool, a deliberate first step in creating a meeting environment where people feel seen, heard, and psychologically safe enough to contribute their best ideas.
From the simple, revealing nature of Two Truths and a Lie to the collaborative chaos of a Virtual Scavenger Hunt, each activity serves a distinct purpose. The key is no longer just what you do, but why you do it. Are you trying to energize a team before a heavy brainstorming session? A quick round of Would You Rather might be perfect. Are you onboarding new members and need to build familiarity quickly? Speed Networking in breakout rooms is an excellent choice. The intentional selection of an icebreaker is the first signal you send to your team that their presence and participation matter.
From Good to Great: Key Takeaways for Implementation
Mastering the art of the icebreaker isn't about having a massive list memorized. It's about understanding the core principles that make them successful. As you move forward, keep these critical takeaways at the forefront of your planning:
- Context is King: The most creative ice breaker activity will fall flat if it doesn’t match the group's dynamic or the meeting's objective. A serious quarterly review requires a different opener than a casual weekly check-in. Always ask: "What tone do I want to set?"
- Embrace Your Tools: The activities we've detailed are supercharged by the features within your meeting platform. Using AONMeetings' interactive whiteboard for a Three-Word Storytelling game or its polling feature for a rapid-fire Desert Island Scenario vote turns a simple idea into a memorable, engaging experience. These tools are not just for presentations; they are for participation.
- Inclusivity is Non-Negotiable: A successful icebreaker ensures everyone can participate comfortably. Provide clear instructions, use features like live captions to support all attendees, and be mindful of activities that might put individuals on the spot in an uncomfortable way. The goal is to lower barriers, not build new ones.
The Lasting Impact of a Strong Start
Ultimately, the five or ten minutes you invest in a well-chosen ice breaker activity pays dividends throughout the entire meeting and beyond. It dismantles the invisible walls that often exist in virtual settings, replacing awkward silence with shared laughter and hesitant participation with confident engagement. When people start a meeting by sharing a small, personal detail or solving a fun, low-stakes problem together, they build a foundation of rapport.
This rapport translates directly into better business outcomes. Teams that feel connected are more likely to communicate openly, challenge ideas constructively, and collaborate more effectively on complex problems. By intentionally planning these moments of connection, you are not just making meetings more enjoyable; you are building a more resilient, creative, and unified team culture, one meeting at a time. The next time you open your calendar to schedule a call, don't just think about the agenda. Think about the opening. That initial interaction is your opportunity to turn a routine meeting into a genuine moment of connection.
Ready to transform your virtual meetings with features designed for engagement? AONMeetings provides the high-quality video, interactive tools like polls and whiteboards, and reliable breakout rooms you need to run any ice breaker activity flawlessly. See how you can build a more connected team by visiting AONMeetings today.