At Stream7, we often get asked by clients how to make their virtual events more engaging and exciting. Whether you’re hosting a virtual conference, workshop, or team meeting, getting people involved from the start is essential. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top 20 icebreakers for virtual events to break the ice, get participants talking, and energize your attendees. Here’s how you can keep the virtual energy high and bring your event to life!
1. Would You Rather
A simple and fun way to start a session. Pose a few light-hearted “Would you rather” questions to your participants. It’s quick, easy, and gets people thinking and chatting right away.
2. Two Truths and a Lie
A classic icebreaker! Ask each participant to share three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie. The group guesses which is the lie. It’s a fantastic way to get to know each other better in a relaxed and fun setting.
3. Emoji Check-in
Ask your attendees to sum up how they’re feeling using just emojis in the chat. It’s a quick way to gauge the room’s mood and adds a playful twist to the check-in process.
4. Virtual Background Challenge
Encourage attendees to show off a creative or funny virtual background. Whether it’s a beach scene or an outlandish location, it gets everyone smiling and provides a perfect conversation starter.
5. Poll of the Day
Use live polling to ask a fun question—like, “What’s your favorite pizza topping?” or “Who would win in a battle: pirates or ninjas?”—and show the results instantly. It’s a great way to get a sense of the group’s personality while adding a touch of competition.
6. Show and Tell
Remember this from school? Ask attendees to grab something from their desk or home and share a quick story about it. It’s an easy way to make people feel more connected on a personal level, even in a virtual setting.
7. Zoom Bingo
Create a bingo card with common virtual meeting behaviors (e.g., “Someone’s pet appears,” “Accidentally muted,” or “Wearing a hoodie”). As the event goes on, participants tick off boxes and shout “Bingo!” when they complete a row.
8. Desert Island Scenario
Pose this question: “If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring?” This classic thought experiment is a great conversation starter and helps participants think creatively.
9. Rapid Fire Questions
Quickly ask everyone a few fun, unexpected questions (e.g., “Tea or coffee?” or “Cats or dogs?”) to get instant responses. It’s a fast-paced icebreaker that energizes the group and adds a dash of humor.
10. Pictionary
Host a quick round of virtual Pictionary using a whiteboard tool or drawing app. This game gets everyone involved and laughing as they try to guess each other’s sketches in real time.
11. Themed Dress Code
Add some fun to the event by setting a themed dress code for your attendees—whether it’s “crazy hats” or “formal on top, casual on the bottom.” This icebreaker adds a bit of visual fun and makes everyone feel a bit more relaxed.
12. Word Cloud
Using a word cloud generator, ask participants to share one word that describes their mood or how they’re feeling about the event. It’s a visual way to bring the group together and show the collective sentiment in the room.
13. Guess the Sound
Play a sound clip (like a roaring lion, a crackling fire, or a city street) and have participants guess what it is. It’s a quirky way to get people talking and laughing while also waking up their brains.
14. Fun Fact
Ask each attendee to share one fun fact about themselves. You can even turn it into a guessing game by revealing the facts one at a time and having the group guess who it belongs to!
15. Where in the World?
Show an image or a landmark, and ask your attendees to guess where it is. This can be particularly fun if your audience is global, allowing everyone to share local knowledge and trivia.
16. Pet Parade
If your attendees are working from home, invite them to show off their pets for a quick “pet parade.” This light-hearted icebreaker can create a sense of connection and inject a bit of warmth into the virtual room.
17. Caption This
Show a funny or intriguing image and ask participants to submit their best captions. It’s a simple, creative icebreaker that will have everyone laughing and sharing.
18. Story Time Chain
Start a story with a single sentence, and then ask each participant to add one sentence to continue the story. By the end, you’ll have a wild and often hilarious tale that everyone had a hand in creating.
19. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Give your attendees a list of common household items (e.g., “Find something blue,” “Find something older than 10 years,” or “Find something that makes you smile”). Participants must grab these items and show them on camera. It’s fast-paced and encourages people to move around, breaking up the monotony of sitting.
20. Memory Lane
Share a series of nostalgic images (like toys or movies from childhood) and have participants guess or share their memories about them. It’s a great way to spark conversations and bond over shared experiences.
These 20 virtual icebreakers are perfect for kicking off your event with energy and engagement. At Stream7, we believe in creating an immersive, interactive virtual experience that connects and engages your attendees from the get-go. Whether you’re looking to build camaraderie, encourage participation, or simply break the ice, these tried-and-tested ideas will ensure your virtual event is anything but boring.
