Icebreaker ideas for large groups you can use in Zoom meetings
Many companies likely make use of icebreakers in a variety of situations.
I’m sure there are also many people who feel more nervous than usual when they’re online.
That said, icebreakers for remote work can be tricky…
For those who feel that way, here are some online icebreakers you can do that are fun even with large groups.
Since we’re talking about large groups, we’ve focused on options that don’t require any materials.
These should help everyone loosen up and relax!
- Recreation activities that large groups can enjoy on Zoom
- [In a Short Time] Icebreakers and Fun Games That Shine at Morning Meetings
- Icebreaker Ideas and Games Collection
- [Online] Recreation Games to Liven Up Your Zoom Sessions
- A roundup of recommended personality tests for icebreakers
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- A collection of icebreakers you can enjoy with a small group
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- A roundup of recommended icebreakers for college students
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [Self-Introduction & Games] Icebreaker Ideas Collection
- [For Elementary School Students] A Collection of Games and Activities You Can Enjoy on Zoom
Large-group icebreaker ideas for use in Zoom meetings (1–10)
Gesture Game
A classic recreation activity: the gesture (charades) game.
It’s a game where you don’t speak and communicate only through gestures, and others guess the answer—how about trying it on an online screen? Even those who feel shy about gesturing might find it easier to participate online.
If you have a large group, splitting into teams and competing could be fun too.
Make sure your gestures fit fully on the screen! (lol)
GOOD & NEW
Let me introduce an icebreaker called “GOOD & NEW” that will lift your spirits and make you feel refreshed.
As the name suggests, this icebreaker involves taking turns, within a set time, to share something good or happy that happened recently, or something new you discovered.
If the time is too long, people might get nervous, so about 30 seconds to 1 minute per person is probably just right.
Listening to others’ happy moments and new insights can make you feel happy too, right?
First Impressions Game
An icebreaker called the “First Impressions Game” that you can use in many situations: when you’re meeting someone for the first time on the spot, when you’ve met a few times but only through a screen, or when you’ve known someone for a long time but never talked because they’re in another department.
For example, person A briefly announces their first impression of person B.
Only A, who wrote it, knows they’re talking about B.
Everyone else guesses whose first impression is being described.
It’s a game that gets lively with unexpected first impressions.
Large-group icebreaker ideas you can use in Zoom meetings (11–20)
Quiz
How about trying an online quiz tournament? Quizzes are a classic recreational game that people of all ages can enjoy.
Let’s gather questions with the participants in mind—considering their ages and the kinds of jobs they do.
You could use a ‘raise your hand and answer quickly’ format, or have everyone prepare paper and pen and reveal their answers at the same time.
It’s fine either way.
Start with questions that feel easy and gradually raise the difficulty level.
You can also allow teams to discuss and decide on their answers.
Muted shiritori
A game that can only be played online: “Muted Shiritori.” It uses the mute function—turning off your microphone—in tools like Zoom.
Players play shiritori while muted.
Since you can’t hear what someone is saying, you watch their lip movements to figure it out, then continue to the next person.
At the end, everyone unmutes to check whether it really formed a proper shiritori chain.
It’s a game that requires team cooperation.
Personality test
Personality tests—many of us often see them on TV, end up answering seriously, and can’t help but wonder about the results.
Plenty of people probably enjoy them, too.
Let’s try using such personality tests as an online icebreaker! You could read from a book of tests and try them out, or search online—there are lots of videos and quizzes you can use.
If you choose questions that tie into work, they can ease tension while also sparking insights and making the session more lively.
Shooting star, moon, tree
This is an icebreaker called “Shooting Star, Moon, Tree.” Prepare paper and pens, and in one minute draw what you think a shooting star looks like.
Next, draw the moon, and finally, a tree.
Regardless of drawing skill, these are simple illustrations that anyone can sketch quickly.
Even with something this simple, everyone interprets it differently and their individuality comes through.
It clearly demonstrates, for work or team collaboration, how something you have in mind may not actually be communicated clearly to others.