The Rain icebreaker is a simple, zero-prep way to help everyone to be present and engaged at the start of your meeting. By getting everyone in the room participating in the same goal, this icebreaker can quickly help everyone “arrive” in the session. This activity requires patience, awareness, and teamwork, making it a great way to build focus and connection in a fun, low-pressure way. It’s perfect for energizing a group while subtly reinforcing the importance of active listening and collaboration. I’ve found the Weather Check-in game especially useful when working with remote teams, for whom a metaphor can feel like a safe way to share in a group setting.
Icebreakers For Meetings
Another great thing about this icebreaker game is that there are actual winners – so if you have some fun prizes to hand out, this exercise is perfect. There are many icebreaker games in this list that also work well over video calls. They keep remote teams engaged and help everyone feel more connected, even from a distance. Adult learners work best when they know why they’re doing something, especially if it’s not implicitly clear. So you’ve selected an icebreaker game from the list above or checked out our list of icebreaker questions. How do you avoid frustrating or patronizing participants and ensure it feels like a good use of time?
Origami Challenge
- If a player thinks they know they pattern, they begin their turn by whispering to the leader what they think the pattern is.
- By asking participants to engage all their senses and take a breath, you can help bring them back to the present moment and rule over anxiety and stress.
- You can even have this game last throughout an entire party (or conference meeting).
- Teams are given spaghetti sticks, tape, string, and a marshmallow.
Whether you’re meeting new people, leading a class, or kicking off a work meeting, they can help ease tension and get everyone involved. Do you have any favorite fun icebreakers you want to share? Put meeting attendees out of the spotlight and invite an inspirational speaker to break the ice before your meeting. Pick someone with expertise in what your company does or what you’re meeting is about. Ask the presenter to make the talk super quick so there’s plenty of time for Q&A. This activity allows team members to get to know one another on a more personal level and can lead to feelings of welcomeness and friendship.
According to a report by TinyPulse, the vast majority of workers feel detached from their coworkers, with only 24% of people reporting that they feel connected to their peers. Which in turn, leads to employees feeling disengaged, being less productive, and more prone to work-related stress and burnout. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. thelauradate.com/
Give everyone a large piece of paper and some colored markers. Using pictures, symbols, and words, each person will design a billboard to describe themselves. The teams stand in a line (like a train), aiming to fill their train with passengers (the balloons). Once you say “go,” each team tries to collect as many balloons as possible to “fill their train” — set a timer, and whichever team has the most passengers at the end wins. Then pass out a piece of construction paper or other large writing surface.
This humorous icebreaker encourages participants to share funny or frustrating work experiences. It’s a light-hearted way to start a meeting or training session. When it’s meeting time, ask for 2 volunteers to play the characters.