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
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- [Online] Recreation Games to Liven Up Your Zoom Sessions
- A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
- 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 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 you can use in Zoom meetings (11–20)
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.
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.
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.
Bamboo Shoot Gnocchi
How about using “Takenoko Nyokki” as an icebreaker—a game kids love and adults get fired up about too? It became popular from a TV show, and chances are you’ve played it at least once.
Players call out “number + nyokki,” and anyone who calls successfully is out, but if your call overlaps with someone else’s or you’re left until the end, you lose.
People often overlap because they’re too eager to get out quickly, but if you hesitate, you end up being the last one left—that’s the game.