35 Unique Virtual Icebreakers for Remote Teams

Over the last past years, remote work has become the ‘new normal’, and this has left many teams feeling disconnected. Everything has changed so much during this time: we haven’t seen our colleagues face to face in a while, some team members have left and other new ones have joined. With many employees working remotely for the foreseeable future, it’s clear that team-building activities are more important than ever. This is why we’ve put together this ultimate list of fun and exciting icebreakers that can inspire remote teammates.

We’re excited to share all of these amazing hosted activities that you can play on Zoom, as well as many other exciting virtual games and icebreakers that you can share with your colleagues.   

What are unique virtual icebreakers?

Unique virtual icebreakers – the digital antidote for the age-old, awkward “getting to know you” phase. In the realm of remote work, they’re the spark that can ignite team chemistry and bring life to otherwise dull virtual meetings. To put it simply, unique virtual icebreakers are the secret weapon of the digital workforce.

But what exactly are these virtual allies? Consider them as team-building games with a twist, ingeniously crafted to engage, entertain, and inform. Like a bespoke work of art or a limited-edition collectible, unique virtual icebreakers are not your average, “What’s your favorite food?” questions. These conversation catalysts pack a mild punch, capable of transforming a quiet conference call into a lively bonding session in no time. From amusing trivia to entertaining personal stories, these digital conversation starters work their magic for remote teams, connecting colleagues from all corners of the globe.

How do virtual icebreakers improve team building?

We all know that a well-oiled machine runs smoothly, and the same goes for remote teams. Just like a good icebreaker can bring a chilly party to a simmer, it can also help build bridges between your digital work family. According to The Balance Careers, icebreakers can improve the relationships between participants during training and team meetings and facilitate communication. Because, let’s face it, when you’re working remotely, it’s easy to feel like you’re stranded on your very own digital island. But fear not, virtual icebreakers are here to rescue you from isolation and help you paddle your way back to the group.

Fun-Filled Virtual Icebreakers for Team Bonding

Who says remote work has to be a snoozefest? We’re here to inject some serious fun into your virtual shenanigans. Kick boredom to the curb and bring on the belly laughs with these side-splitting virtual icebreakers. They’re so entertaining, your teammates might even forget they’re working in their pajamas!

1. Team Quest

There is no better virtual experience to help your teammates bond than the Team Quest! This immersive experience guarantees lots of laughs, fun, and bonding through a series of mini-games such as Trivia, Fact Matching, Buzzin, and Pictionary. A friendly (and enthusiastic) host will guide you through the game, so don’t worry about feeling lost or not knowing what to do next. The best part of the Team Quest is that all participants can interact with each other and no one is left behind since the role of captain switches after each question! It’s a great ice-breaker game as it will allow the veteran team members to meet new colleagues and start interacting as teammates.

• Group Size: 6-400
• Price: From £16/$19 per person
• Session Length: 60 minutes
• Equipment: Reliable Internet connection, headphones, and the latest version of Google Chrome and Zoom

2. The Big Game

The Big Virtual Game Show, an exciting and interactive team-building activity, will bring your team together and help them get past those initial awkward moments! The event offers unique games inspired by the most popular 80s, 90s, and 2000s TV game shows. You and your teammates will play a mixture of mini-games that will test your speed, knowledge, memory, and even artistic skills! We assure you that your team will not be bored, not even for a second, so get ready for interaction, enthusiasm, and fun!

The Big Virtual Game Show is a great icebreaker as it encourages bonding and camaraderie.

• Group Size: 6-60
• Price: From £450/$635
• Session Length: 75 minutes
• Equipment: Reliable Internet connection, headphones, and the latest version of Google Chrome and Zoom

3. Office Party

We’ve all been missing office parties, right? But don’t worry, we have something amazing for you and your team! It’s no secret that people can really connect during office parties, so let’s build some bonds whilst staying safe with Office Party! During this event, you will encounter the most stereotypical characters that are part of every company: the foodie, the sporty one, the globetrotter, etc. who will each present you with a challenge that you will have to solve together with your teammates. To make it more fun, you will have a chance to vote on which member of your team most resembles the character you’ve just met. To conclude this remarkable event, you will participate in an Oscar-style awards ceremony. 

Office Party will allow you to share some unique laughs with your teammates and will be a good starting point for the future as it helps to foster good communication and cooperation within the team.

• Group Size: 5-500
• Price: From £469/$649
• Session Length: 90 minutes
• Equipment: Reliable Internet connection, headphones, and the latest version of Google Chrome and Zoom

4. Yolking from Home

Online family feuds require no previous experience and are a lot of fun. Yolking from Home is perfect for encouraging participation and communication among new and old peers. It includes hosts to lighten the mood and encourage interaction, this activity features six different challenges and is perfect as an icebreaker. 

• Group Size: 8-180
• Pricing: From £520/$725
• Duration: 75 minutes
• What’s included: One host per 15-18 participants, dedicated support, videos, and images

Unforgettable Virtual Happy Hour Icebreakers

Gather ’round, ye merry telecommuters, and raise a glass to the future of remote work revelry! With these virtual happy hour icebreakers, you’ll be toasting to teamwork and clinking virtual glasses in no time. So, loosen that tie, kick off those slippers, and let the free-flowing conversations be the cherry on top of your virtual cocktail hour. Cheers!

5. Cocktails Around the World

Have you ever thought about becoming a mixologist? Well, we may have an activity that will make those dreams come true! We’re offering you a unique chance to immerse yourselves in the bar environments of fantastic locations around the world: Singapore, Ibiza and Puerto Rico! You name it! The energetic hosts will take you deep into the vibe of the four cities and share their secret drink cultures. ‘Travel’ to iconic cities and shake up different cocktails from the comfort of your home. 

If you’re wondering why Cocktails Around The World could be a great ice-breaker activity, we have a quick and easy answer for you: creating and sharing this type of culinary experience is a great way to bond. And when everyone has the chance to share a virtual toast of any of these delicious drinks, they will definitely experience a unique bonding moment.

• Group Size: 5-120
• Price: From £54 per person
• Session Length: 80 minutes
• Equipment: Reliable Internet connection, headphones, and the latest version of Google Chrome and Zoom

6. Seasonal Wine Tasting

With Seasonal Wine Tasting you can kill two birds with one stone: become a sommelier and bond with your colleagues over wine! Choose this online class and have the chance to taste some amazing wines as well as broaden your knowledge of wine. You will be exposed to a selection of lesser-known grapes, styles, and regions – all suitable to the season, of course. The hosts will guide you throughout the whole experience, teaching you how to taste and smell, while sharing interesting facts about the wines you are sipping. Even the biggest beer lovers will find themselves captivated by this intriguing peek into the world of wines. 

Wine tasting is a great ice-breaking activity as everyone comes to the activity a novice, ready to learn and enjoy each other’s company.

• Group Size: 6-100
• Price: From £55 per person
• Session Length: 90 minutes
• Equipment: Reliable Internet connection, headphones, and the latest version of Google Chrome and Zoom

Adventurous Icebreakers to Get Your Heart Racing

Are you tired of the same old boring icebreakers? Well, it’s time to shake things up and inject some adrenaline into your virtual gatherings! These adventurous icebreakers are not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to take risks and embrace the unknown. From virtual escape rooms to online treasure hunts, get ready to break the ice like never before! So, buckle up, hold on tight, and get ready for a wild ride of epic proportions! Let the adventure begin!

7. The Moonbase

Everybody loves playing the hero, even if it’s just for one day! Once again, evil A.I. has come up with some nasty plans to destroy the planet and only your brilliant skills can save the earth from destruction. Team members get to interact over a series of visually stimulating mini-games as they accumulate points to eventually claim victory. Part escape room and part scavenger hunt, Moonbase is an ideal choice for cooperation, communication, and team bonding.

• Group Size: 4-25
• Pricing: £16/$22 per person
• Duration: 60 minutes
• What’s included: AI host, Game Hub

8. Project Avatar

Are you ready to be the boss of your own live-action video game? Project Avatar is a thrilling combination of theatrical suspense and gaming excitement, where your voice commands are the key to victory. You and your team will work together to guide the avatar through a series of challenges, brainstorming ideas and collaborating on solutions in real-time. It’s like being the mastermind of a remote-controlled RPG, with all the freedom and fun you could ask for!

• Group Size: 6-50
• Pricing: £23/$26 per person
• Duration: 90 minutes
• What’s included: Live actor-controlled avatar and tech support

9. Basement Escape

Although basements are probably the last place you’d want to go on your first day at work, Basement Escape will compel you to work together with your new coworkers to break free! You’re on your way to a charming cottage, but when you arrive, the place appears to be deserted. You look around, enter the basement, hear the door close, and discover that you are trapped! All you have to do now is work together with your squad to solve the riddles and clues to get out alive!

• Group Size: 10-600
• Pricing: £38/$50 per person
• Duration: 60 minutes
• What’s included: Energetic host and team moderator

10. Jury Duty

Your crew has been called to serve as online jurors in a trial. Examine the evidence, follow the leads, and speak with the accused to determine whether he is guilty or not. Discuss the facts and evidence with your team members and work together to determine whether the accused is truly guilty or if there is a conspiracy. Participants are contacted by email and text in an attempt to sway the truth in this highly interactive and realistic experience. Is Jury Duty good for group management and teamwork? We plead guilty!

• Group Size: 8-20
• Pricing: £600/$815
• Duration: 105 minutes
• What’s included: Live actors, event host, interactive pieces of evidence

11. Flight 9032 

Have you heard the news this morning? Mr.X, the popular business tycoon was found dead on Flight 9032. But who committed this terrible crime? Could it be the work of a jealous competitor, an old enemy, or a frustrated employee? Find out with your detective crew while solving enigmas and working through the evidence. Participants get to share their ideas and find solutions to solve the mystery together. What better way to onboard new employees than a fun mystery game?

• Group Size: 50-5,000
• Pricing: From £5/$7 per person
• Duration: 60 minutes
• What’s included: Leaderboard, inbuilt hints and solutions

12. Inquest

It’s time to put your detective abilities to the test and nab the killer…if you can! Sort through the evidence, and witness statements to solve the riddles, and catch the killer so that justice is finally served. The body of Scott Davies was found in a river ten years ago and the mystery has remained unsolved since then. Team up with a coroner and archivist played by real-life actors to reveal the truth of Inquest. 

• Group Size: 8-15
• Pricing: £600/$815
• Duration: 105 minutes
• What’s included: Evidence and police database replicated from the UK Ministry of Justice’s website, actors, and host

Quick Virtual Icebreakers for Small Remote Groups

Leading a small group and need to break the ice fast? Look no further, fearless facilitator! These quick virtual icebreakers will get your team fired up and ready to go in no time. Think of them as a virtual adrenaline shot, injecting fun and energy into your group dynamic. With lightning-fast activities and a witty host to guide you, your small team will be bonding in no time. So, gather your troops and get ready to ignite the spark of camaraderie that will propel you to success!

13. The Ultimate Icebreaker

Four small games, an interactive photo booth, and a hilarious emcee are included in this activity. The Ultimate Icebreaker, similar to our best-selling icebreaker, The Team Quest, can be conducted before conferences, for onboarding new employees, and other activities. Participants compete in a variety of tasks, including Karaoke and Face Mashups. Plus, they get to snap a few pictures for their home office!

• Group Size: 6-20
• Pricing: £249/$349
• Duration: 30 minutes
• What’s included: 4 mini-games, photo booth, host, web platform

14. Desert Island

Desert Island is an excellent activity as an icebreaker as it is both immersive and relaxing. Players team up to bring down the evil A.I. to win the game. Solve riddles and hunt for clues together. The game promotes friendly competition and focuses largely on creating the feeling of being physically together! 

• Group Size: 8-25
• Pricing: £16/$22 per person
• Duration: 20-60 minutes
• What’s included: AI host, Game Hub

Short Virtual Icebreakers for Remote Teams

In the digital age, attention spans are shorter than a goldfish’s memory, so we need icebreakers that pack a punch in record time. These bite-sized virtual icebreakers are the digital equivalent of speed dating for remote teams. Prepare to forge bonds faster than you can say “world wide web” with these rapid-fire connection catalysts!

15. Where Are You Joining Us From?

Let’s take advantage of remote working and make a game out of it. Since so many employees come from different corners of the world, you can learn plenty of interesting facts about all those different places. So why not prepare a couple of interesting (and perhaps not so obvious) facts about the place of your current residency and make your colleagues guess where on Earth you are right now? It’s a great way to test your knowledge (but also learn some) and bond with your teammates while debating over the answers. 

Simple Virtual Icebreakers for Seamless Interaction

Navigating the virtual world can be like herding cats—messy and chaotic. That’s why we’ve curated these easy-breezy icebreakers to help you sidestep technological tantrums and glide straight into effortless team bonding. Cut the virtual Gordian Knot and embrace the smooth sailing of team harmony with these foolproof conversation starters.

20. Virtual Coffee Break with your colleagues

Who said you can’t enjoy a short coffee break when working remotely? Set aside a few minutes in your busy calendar and chat about anything non-work related over a cup of coffee with your coworkers. What would usually take place in the office kitchen or common area is now moved online, but we promise you it’s still as much fun as it used to be in the office. A lot of people say that one thing they miss the most about working in the office is those impromptu coffee dates with their coworkers, so let’s bring them back. 

21. Random question of the week

We all have those moments when we want to take our minds off things and talk about random things, right? With this game, you will have a perfect opportunity to do exactly that! Ask away and surprise your coworkers with some thought- and laugh-provoking questions: If you were a vegetable, which one would you be and why? If you were featured in the news, what would be the reason? Who would you like to play in a biographical film about your life? Which popular song drives you crazy? If you could choose only one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would that be?

27. Virtual Karaoke on Zoom

Get loose and share some laughs with your team over a crazy karaoke night! First, ask your colleagues for good song recommendations and make a playlist with the most frequent suggestions. You can use Watch2Gether to assemble your list. Once that is sorted, set up a meeting, get some drinks, and blast out those tunes! To make sure that everything runs smoothly, have your coworkers stay mute unless it’s their turn. And if you really need to talk to each other use the chat option.

28. Create a team song

This is a perfect activity for any music lover. By creating a team song you get to tell your company’s story in a cool way! It will allow you to share funny or remarkable moments from office life as well as your company values. It will also test your abilities to work as a team since there will be a lot of decisions to be made. First of all, you have to decide on a beat! It could be either ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ or Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’, whatever works best for you. Okay, once the beat is sorted out, you can start the writing process. Make everyone share one idea with the rest of the team, put them down, and let the magic happen. Once you’re done, ask everyone to contribute and sing one line from the song. Have one person record the masterpiece performance so that you can laugh at it for many more years.

29. Virtual book club

A great thing about a virtual book club is that it can be anything you want. Decide collectively what genres you would like to read, come up with a list of books worth having a look at, and get to reading. However, it doesn’t have to be just one genre. You can start with a book that will be beneficial to everyone at the company and once you’re done with it, you can move on to a crime story or a novel to take a break from work stuff. When planning a book club you should also take into consideration the time in which you will read the chosen book. Once the time has passed, get your teammates together to discuss and compare their perspectives and feelings.

30. Share your favorites with your colleagues

The desire to share things they find cool is quite natural for people. This is why we thought it would be a good idea for you to share with your teammates any recommendations you may have. Set up a monthly meeting during which you will all exchange one (or more) things you really loved the past month. It could be a new band discovery and you want to share it with your indie-loving friends. Or maybe you were aimlessly scrolling through Netflix, stumbled upon a nice-sounding title, clicked on it and fell in love with it? You could also discover a new ground-breaking brownie recipe and you feel like your colleagues are missing out by not knowing it. It can be anything but if you only wish to share your favorites, go for it and put the meeting into your calendars straight away.

31. Wellness Challenge

We all know how important health (both mental and physical) is which is why we couldn’t miss this activity idea on our list. To take care of your employees’ health, create a challenge and keep updating each other on how you’re all doing on a daily basis. As for the challenge itself, it could be 30 days of walks or any other movement. A good idea is to provide a place for your team members to share their accomplishments and progress. Plus, everyone loves a good challenge, so perhaps think of a cool reward for those who will successfully complete the challenge without missing a beat.

32. Speed Networking (Coworker Speed Dating)

Speed dating at work may sound weird but don’t knock it til you’ve tried it! It can be an amazing way to get to know your coworkers on a personal level and find your work wife or husband. ‘Speed Networking’ doesn’t mean anything romantic, it’s simply a quick and easy way to create a meaningful connection with your coworker. By spending time together and having a quick conversation, you will be able to find common ground and similar interests, as well as learn more about each other. Even the most uncomfortable attendee will be able to have a short conversation with another person – if nothing else they could exchange work experiences.

33. Common Ground

Brainstorm and find something that you and your coworkers have in common that is NON-WORK related! This virtual activity will encourage everyone to find out more about others and also share things about themselves (that perhaps they wouldn’t share otherwise). You can begin by throwing out random facts about yourself or asking others questions to find any connections. After sharing ideas, you can eventually find a shared hobby or a place that you’ve all been to at some point.

34. Birthday Lineup

In the Birthday Lineup, your knowledge will be tested like never before! You and your teammates will have to put yourselves in order by your birthday – day and month (no year needed, we don’t want anyone to feel insecure). Whilst doing so, you can’t talk or text your colleagues – you have to decide on your own. Come up with a list of names in birthday order and let’s find out how well you listen to your coworkers! Once the time’s up, share your answer and pick the winner!

35. Passion presentation

Why not share your passions with your coworkers? Each week one person can talk about something they are really passionate about or they can’t live without. It could be anything, from yoga to baking to playing the drums. Remember that a good passion presentation is not about a colorful PowerPoint presentation or a number of vibrant pictures. Your feelings towards your passion are what matters the most! Don’t be shy and share your passion with others!

Icebreaker Questions for Virtual Meetings

If you feel like none of the above activities will work for your team, how about some basic Icebreaker Questions? Here are some you might use or modify to make them more interesting and creative:

Icebreaker Practices

To ensure that your ice breaker is a success, here are some of the best practices you should always have in mind:

• Follow the ‘max 15 people’ rule: When it comes to icebreakers, you don’t want it to be too crowded. This rule is simply that if there are over 15 people in the call, divide them into smaller groups and send them to breakout rooms. No matter the format of your activity, you don’t want it to be too long and boring. 
• Don’t break the 30-minute rule: This rule is very similar to the previous one: to avoid individuals getting bored, keep it short. You don’t want to waste your and your employees’ time, so make sure that you set a time limit for your activity – we suggest it is no longer than 30 minutes. 
• Choose a meeting leader: When there are many people participating in a meeting, things can get messy. The participants may be extremely excited about seeing each other and their conversations may get off-topic. Designating one person as the meeting leader will help with any chaos, keep the meeting productive and on schedule.
• Be a little bit silly: Humour is a great way to loosen people up and break any ice. Boring activities or icebreaker questions will not engage employees and get their interest. On the contrary: they could make the atmosphere slightly weird. That is why you shouldn’t be afraid to crack a joke and pick an activity that seems the most fun! 
• Break the ice often: We recommend doing some kind of icebreaker as often as possible! You could have a short game at the beginning of every meeting or dedicate some time each week to bond. The icebreakers don’t have to be long – even 5 minutes could make a huge difference for your team. Remember that building a bond and breaking the ice takes time, so it’s better to chip away at it one step at a time instead of melting everything at once.

FAQs

Here are some answers to your most asked questions about the Virtual Icebreakers.

What is a virtual icebreaker?

Virtual icebreakers are small team-building activities that help remote or hybrid teams get to know each other better and strengthen the relationships between individuals. They also allow them to spend some social time together and have fun. A good icebreaker can loosen people up and create a more pleasant atmosphere in a team. 

What is a virtual team?

A virtual team is a group of people who do not meet and work together in a physical place but work remotely. It means that instead of meeting each other at the office every day, they communicate via video calls, emails and instant messaging. 

Why are virtual icebreakers important?

Virtual icebreakers are a great way to create trust among coworkers and strengthen their relationships. During virtual team-building activities team members get to know each other better and improve the quality of communication between them. When teammates spend time together, it helps them build stronger bonds and positively affects the team’s overall success.

How do you build a strong work culture with a remote team?

Let’s get something straight: work culture is not decided by how many bean bags there are in the common area in the office. It is much more, which is why it is easier than you think to work on your work culture – even remotely. Ask some basic questions to have a better understanding of how the work culture in your company looks and whether it is strong: How does your team work together? How do employees communicate with one another? How do they solve problems?

How do you bond with a remote team?

Building a strong relationship in a team is very important and affects the work itself. You can bond with your team by asking about their feelings at the beginning of each meeting – remember to make sure they feel that the workspace is a safe space and nobody will be judged. Virtual team building activities are also quite helpful to bond with your team in a different environment. The ideas of virtual icebreakers presented above could work in your favour and bring your team even closer.