Icebreaker games for work meetings that people actually like
Updated: 2026-10-20
A good icebreaker for a work meeting takes 5 to 10 minutes, needs no material and never makes one person perform in front of everyone. It also needs a reason: helping new people talk, waking up a long workshop or getting a call started on time.
These 12 games are sorted by setting. All of them work with 4 to 40 people, and most of them work online too.
In the meeting room
- This or that: read two options (‘coffee or tea’, ‘mountains or sea’), people move to one side of the room. 5 minutes, any group size.
- Two truths and a lie: each person says three short facts about work or hobbies, the others guess the invented one. 10 minutes, up to 10 people.
- Silent line-up: the group sorts itself without talking, by birthday month or by years at the company. 5 minutes, 8 to 30 people.
- Common ground: pairs get 2 minutes to find three things they share that are not about work, then switch partners. 10 minutes.
In online calls
- One-word check-in: everyone describes their week in one word and posts it in the chat at the same time. 2 minutes, any size.
- 30-second show and tell: each person holds one object from their desk into the camera and says why it is there. 10 minutes, up to 12 people.
- Emoji puzzle: the host posts a film title as emojis, the first correct answer in the chat wins. 5 minutes.
- Would you rather poll: use the poll function of your call tool with two options. Answers are anonymous, so everyone joins in.
Workshops and new teams
- People bingo: a card with prompts like ‘has worked in another country’. People walk around and find matches. 15 minutes, 10 to 60 people.
- Question cards in pairs: pairs answer one card each for 2 minutes, then rotate. 15 minutes.
- Mini team quiz: five questions about the company or general knowledge, teams of 4. 10 minutes.
- Hopes and worries wall: everyone writes one hope and one worry for the workshop on sticky notes. A quiet start that also helps the host.
Host tips
- Say in one sentence why you start with an icebreaker. People join in when it has a purpose.
- Go first yourself and keep your answer short.
- Always allow a pass, and say so before you start.
- Stop while it is still fun. In a normal meeting 10 minutes is plenty.
FAQ
What is a good icebreaker for a work meeting?
One that takes under 10 minutes, needs no material and does not ask for private information, for example This or that, a one-word check-in or Two truths and a lie.
How long should an icebreaker take?
5 to 10 minutes in a normal meeting, up to 20 minutes at the start of a full-day workshop or with a brand-new team.
Which icebreakers work online?
One-word check-ins in the chat, quick polls, a 30-second show and tell and emoji puzzles work well in Zoom, Teams or Meet.