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Best Virtual Icebreaker Games for Remote Teams

Run these remote-friendly activities in Zoom/Teams/Meet to energize your calls and build connection.

Zoom/Teams FriendlyQuick (<=10 min)Hybrid-Ready

Zoom/Teams Friendly

Draw Your Neighbor

#1Draw Your Neighbor

A hilarious challenge where everyone draws their colleague on a video call without looking at their screen.

4+ Players10 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.On a video call, have everyone pin the video of the person to their right.
  2. 2.Without looking down at their paper/drawing tool, everyone tries to draw a portrait of that person in 60 seconds.
  3. 3.At the end, everyone holds up their masterpiece for a good laugh.
Materials:Paper and marker, or a digital drawing tool
Emoji Story

#2Emoji Story

A creative and modern way to tell a story using only emojis.

3+ Players5 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.One person starts by typing a single emoji in the chat.
  2. 2.The next person adds an emoji to continue the 'story'.
  3. 3.Continue this for a set number of rounds or until the story reaches a funny conclusion.
  4. 4.At the end, have someone try to narrate the emoji story that was created.
Guess the Sound Safari

#3Guess the Sound Safari

Players play short mystery sounds; others guess the source—simple, surprising, and great on video calls.

3+ Players10 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.Ask participants to prep a 3–5 second everyday sound (tap, pour, whistle).
  2. 2.Play one sound at a time; group guesses the source.
  3. 3.Reveal and share a quick story behind the sound.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt: 100+ Items List & Rules for Online Teams

#4Virtual Scavenger Hunt: 100+ Items List & Rules for Online Teams

Fast-paced online scavenger hunt game for remote teams. Complete rules, 100+ item ideas by difficulty, scoring system, and Zoom/Teams setup guide. Perfect for virtual meetings and team building.

5+ Players15 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.The host calls out a common household item (e.g., 'your favorite mug', 'something red', 'a book you'd recommend').
  2. 2.Participants have 30 seconds to find the item in their home and show it on camera.
  3. 3.The first person back gets a point. Play for a few rounds!
Virtual Trivia

#5Virtual Trivia

A classic team-based competition that tests knowledge on various topics and encourages collaboration.

8+ Players30 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.Prepare a set of trivia questions across different categories (e.g., pop culture, history, science).
  2. 2.Divide the group into teams and place them in breakout rooms.
  3. 3.Read out the questions or share them on screen, giving teams time to discuss and submit their answers.
  4. 4.The team with the most points at the end wins bragging rights.
Materials:Trivia questions, Breakout rooms

Quick (<=10 min)

Draw Your Neighbor

#1Draw Your Neighbor

A hilarious challenge where everyone draws their colleague on a video call without looking at their screen.

4+ Players10 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.On a video call, have everyone pin the video of the person to their right.
  2. 2.Without looking down at their paper/drawing tool, everyone tries to draw a portrait of that person in 60 seconds.
  3. 3.At the end, everyone holds up their masterpiece for a good laugh.
Materials:Paper and marker, or a digital drawing tool
Emoji Story

#2Emoji Story

A creative and modern way to tell a story using only emojis.

3+ Players5 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.One person starts by typing a single emoji in the chat.
  2. 2.The next person adds an emoji to continue the 'story'.
  3. 3.Continue this for a set number of rounds or until the story reaches a funny conclusion.
  4. 4.At the end, have someone try to narrate the emoji story that was created.
Guess the Sound Safari

#3Guess the Sound Safari

Players play short mystery sounds; others guess the source—simple, surprising, and great on video calls.

3+ Players10 min💻 Virtual

Steps

  1. 1.Ask participants to prep a 3–5 second everyday sound (tap, pour, whistle).
  2. 2.Play one sound at a time; group guesses the source.
  3. 3.Reveal and share a quick story behind the sound.
20 Questions

#420 Questions

Guess the secret person, place, or thing by asking up to 20 yes/no questions.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Facilitator (or a player) thinks of a person, place, or object.
  2. 2.Others take turns asking yes/no questions to narrow it down.
  3. 3.Guess anytime—but you have at most 20 questions as a group.
  4. 4.Reveal the answer and rotate the chooser.
Common Ground Challenge

#5Common Ground Challenge

Small groups race to find a set number of uncommon things they all share in common.

6+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Form groups of 3–5 and set a target (e.g., 5 commonalities).
  2. 2.Give 5–8 minutes to discover overlaps beyond the obvious.
  3. 3.Share highlights with the whole group.
Desert Island

#6Desert Island

Participants share the three essential items they'd bring to a deserted island.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Ask the group: 'If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring and why?'
  2. 2.Go around the circle and have each person share their three items.
  3. 3.Encourage follow-up questions to understand the reasoning behind their choices.
Doodle Duel Derby: Collaborative Drawing Game Rules & Ideas

#7Doodle Duel Derby: Collaborative Drawing Game Rules & Ideas

Fast-paced collaborative drawing game—rotate sketches, build on others' work, and guess contributors. Perfect for creative warm-ups and team building. Virtual and in-person setup included.

4+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Everyone starts a doodle; after 30–60 seconds, rotate canvases.
  2. 2.Repeat 3–5 rotations, then reveal and guess contributors.
  3. 3.Vote for the funniest or most artistic piece.
Firsts

#8Firsts

Share memorable ‘firsts’ (first concert, job, trip) in quick rounds to learn fun personal history.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Prepare a short list of ‘firsts’ prompts.
  2. 2.Go around quickly; each person answers one prompt.
  3. 3.Do 2–3 rounds depending on time.
Materials:List of "firsts" prompts (concert, job, trip, car, etc.)
Fridge Art Throwbacks

#9Fridge Art Throwbacks

Bring a childhood artwork (or recreate one); share the backstory for a dose of nostalgia.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Ask participants to bring an old drawing or make a quick kid-style doodle.
  2. 2.Each person shares for 30–60 seconds.
  3. 3.Invite light questions and appreciation.
Materials:Childhood artwork (physical or photo), Optional: Paper and crayons for recreation
Geographical Guess

#10Geographical Guess

Pick a place you’ve visited; others ask yes/no questions to pinpoint the location.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Each participant secretly chooses a real place they’ve been.
  2. 2.Others ask yes/no questions (hemisphere, language, climate, etc.).
  3. 3.Keep it moving; reveal after 10 questions or a correct guess.

Hybrid-Ready

20 Questions

#120 Questions

Guess the secret person, place, or thing by asking up to 20 yes/no questions.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Facilitator (or a player) thinks of a person, place, or object.
  2. 2.Others take turns asking yes/no questions to narrow it down.
  3. 3.Guess anytime—but you have at most 20 questions as a group.
  4. 4.Reveal the answer and rotate the chooser.
Common Ground Challenge

#2Common Ground Challenge

Small groups race to find a set number of uncommon things they all share in common.

6+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Form groups of 3–5 and set a target (e.g., 5 commonalities).
  2. 2.Give 5–8 minutes to discover overlaps beyond the obvious.
  3. 3.Share highlights with the whole group.
Desert Island Intelligences

#3Desert Island Intelligences

Eight ‘intelligences’ are on a stranded island—teams debate the order to evacuate based on survival value.

6+ Players20 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Explain eight different strengths (e.g., logical, spatial, interpersonal, etc.).
  2. 2.As a group, debate which to keep longest given scarce resources.
  3. 3.Agree on an order and share the reasoning.
Desert Island

#4Desert Island

Participants share the three essential items they'd bring to a deserted island.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Ask the group: 'If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring and why?'
  2. 2.Go around the circle and have each person share their three items.
  3. 3.Encourage follow-up questions to understand the reasoning behind their choices.
Doodle Duel Derby: Collaborative Drawing Game Rules & Ideas

#5Doodle Duel Derby: Collaborative Drawing Game Rules & Ideas

Fast-paced collaborative drawing game—rotate sketches, build on others' work, and guess contributors. Perfect for creative warm-ups and team building. Virtual and in-person setup included.

4+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Everyone starts a doodle; after 30–60 seconds, rotate canvases.
  2. 2.Repeat 3–5 rotations, then reveal and guess contributors.
  3. 3.Vote for the funniest or most artistic piece.
Firsts

#6Firsts

Share memorable ‘firsts’ (first concert, job, trip) in quick rounds to learn fun personal history.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Prepare a short list of ‘firsts’ prompts.
  2. 2.Go around quickly; each person answers one prompt.
  3. 3.Do 2–3 rounds depending on time.
Materials:List of "firsts" prompts (concert, job, trip, car, etc.)
Freeze Frame Storytime

#7Freeze Frame Storytime

Tell a chain story—but each speaker ends frozen in a dramatic pose for the next person to build from.

4+ Players15 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Player A narrates for 20–30 seconds and strikes a ‘freeze’ pose.
  2. 2.Player B continues the story from that tableau.
  3. 3.Repeat until everyone has contributed; optional finale wrap-up.
Fridge Art Throwbacks

#8Fridge Art Throwbacks

Bring a childhood artwork (or recreate one); share the backstory for a dose of nostalgia.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Ask participants to bring an old drawing or make a quick kid-style doodle.
  2. 2.Each person shares for 30–60 seconds.
  3. 3.Invite light questions and appreciation.
Materials:Childhood artwork (physical or photo), Optional: Paper and crayons for recreation
Geographical Guess

#9Geographical Guess

Pick a place you’ve visited; others ask yes/no questions to pinpoint the location.

3+ Players10 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Each participant secretly chooses a real place they’ve been.
  2. 2.Others ask yes/no questions (hemisphere, language, climate, etc.).
  3. 3.Keep it moving; reveal after 10 questions or a correct guess.
Guess Who (Facts in a Hat)

#10Guess Who (Facts in a Hat)

Players submit a fun fact anonymously; facts are read aloud and the group guesses the author.

5+ Players15 min🔄 Hybrid

Steps

  1. 1.Give each person a slip to write a surprising personal fact.
  2. 2.Collect and read the facts; the group guesses who wrote it.
  3. 3.Author reveals themselves and adds a short story if they’d like.

Virtual Facilitation Tips

  • Share instructions in chat and screen to reduce onboarding time.
  • Use breakout rooms for 4–6 people to maximize participation.
  • Normalize cameras-off participation; avoid requiring personal disclosures.
  • Have a plan B if a tool fails; keep a zero-tool option ready.

FAQs

What tools do I need for virtual icebreakers?

Most games need only your meeting platform. Optional tools include shared whiteboards or polling, but always provide a no-tools alternative.

How big should breakout rooms be?

Groups of 4–6 people balance participation and time; for 5-minute activities, use 3–4.

How do we include cameras-off participants?

Use chat-friendly prompts, reactions/polls, and structured turns. Avoid activities requiring showing physical items.