Top 20 Online Icebreaker Games That Are Actually Fun to Play

1. ID Numbers 

If I’ve run this exercise once, I’ve run it a thousand times. Perhaps it’s one of my favourite ice breaker games simply because it works. every. time.

The ID Numbers game invites creativity and interaction. Each participant write their name and some coded facts about themselves on a card. For example, “1964 – 14Y—1K” might mean born in 1964, married for 14 years, and has one child. This game inspires curiosity and conversation as people decode each other’s cards. A classic icebreaker!

• Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
• Typical duration: 10 – 15 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Promotes creativity
  • Highly interactive
  • Inspires curiosity
  • Fun

2. Are You More Like…

This game is an absolute gem for exploring differences. It’s all about pairing up and sharing.

Are You More Like… is an engaging icebreaker game that uses a series of interactive questions to explore differences among participants. Each person receives a card with a statement and mingles to find their matching pair. For example, “UP” pairs with “DOWN,” leading to a discussion about whether they are more like a cat or a dog. This fosters communication and critical thinking.

• Recommended group size: 8 – 15 people
• Typical duration: 10 – 15 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • No right or wrong answer
  • Fosters communication
  • Develops critical thinking
  • Simple and complex options

3. Dicebreakers

Dicebreakers is an excellent icebreaker for both in-person and virtual gatherings. It’s structured yet simple, making it non-threatening and perfect for getting people to open up. Each participant rolls a dice and answers the corresponding icebreaker question. This game is quick to set up, and its versatility means it works well with any group size. Whether you’re looking to ease into conversations or add a bit of fun to your meetings, Dicebreakers is a go-to choice.

• Recommended group size: 8 – 15 people
• Typical duration: 5 – 10 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple set-up
  • Non-threatening
  • Multiple variations
  • Suits all group sizes

4. Year of the Coin

Year of the Coin is a revealing get-to-know-you exercise using a simple prop. Each participant receives a random coin and shares a story about something they experienced in the year on the coin.

If the year is before their birth, they can share a historical fact or something they know about that year. This exercise invites reflection and helps people connect over shared memories and stories.

• Recommended group size: 8 – 15 people
• Typical duration: 10 – 15 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple
  • Quick
  • Many variations
  • Invites reflection

5. Must Choose

Must Choose is a conversation starter that explores personal choices. It’s one of those ice breaker games that’s perfect for sparking discussions and getting to know your team better. In pairs, participants answer a question where they must choose between two distinct options, like Coke or Pepsi.

They then predict the group’s majority preference and see if their guess is correct. This game promotes communication and critical thinking while being fun and engaging.

• Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
• Typical duration: 15 – 20 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple set-up
  • Fun get-to-know-you game
  • Promotes communication
  • Fosters critical thinking

6. Kram Dralloc

Kram Dralloc is a zany name game designed to break the ice and generate laughter.

Each participant says their name as if it were spelled backward. For example, Mark Collard becomes Kram Dralloc. The group then speculates where someone with that name might live if it were real. It’s a playful, laugh out loud activity that inspires creativity and is perfect for familiar groups.

• Recommended group size: 3 – 8 people
• Typical duration: 2 – 5 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Hilarious
  • Extremely fun and playful
  • Inspires creativity
  • Ideal for familiar groups
  • No props needed

7. Blind Name-Tag

Blind Name-Tag is a fun and quirky name-game ideal for virtual audiences. Participants try to write their name on a card placed on their forehead without being able to see what they are doing. This playful game often has very amusing outcomes, making it perfect for breaking the ice and adding some light-hearted fun to your meeting. The start of many funny stories, this is one of those great icebreakers that can be played virtually, perfect for remote teams.

This activity encourages concentration and is easy to set up, making it a great choice for any setting.

• Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
• Typical duration: 1 – 2 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Very playful and fun
  • Simple set-up
  • Mindful exercise
  • Ideal for all settings

8. Air Names

Air Names is one of those simple ice breaker games that you can’t get wrong. Participants use different parts of their bodies to “write” their names in the air. And it’s just so much fun!

This activity is very playful and fun, easy to execute, and generates energy and laughter, making it perfect for a large group in both in-person and virtual settings. Everyone starts by using their finger, then switches to other body parts like elbows, adding a hilarious twist to the team building exercise.

It’s a fantastic way to boost energy and engage everyone in a short amount of time.

• Recommended group size: 30+ people
• Typical duration: 1 – 2 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Very playful and fun
  • Easy to execute
  • Generates energy and laughter
  • No props needed
  • Ideal for in-person and virtual settings

9. Story of Your Name 

Story of Your Name is a fascinating name game designed to break the ice and build trust.

You will need to be able to break out in virtually rooms in pairs, where participants share the story behind their full names, including the origin of their first, middle, and last names. This simple yet powerful activity is endlessly interesting and helps create a real connection between partners.

Hearing the background of each person’s name often leads to heartfelt conversations, making it an excellent choice for fostering deeper bonds within a team.

• Recommended group size: Pairs (2 people)
• Typical duration: 2 – 5 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple
  • Powerful name-game
  • Endlessly fascinating
  • Ideal for partners
  • No props needed

10. This or That

This or That is a conversation starter that explores difficult propositions.

Again, participants break out in pairs to virtual rooms, and then must choose between two challenging hypothetical scenarios, such as preferring to be poor in a job they love or rich in a job they hate. This game promotes deeper communication and critical thinking as participants share their choices and predict the preferences of the group.

It’s a great way to encourage thoughtful discussions and understand different perspectives.

• Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
• Typical duration: 15 – 20 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple set-up
  • Deeper get-to-know-you game
  • Promotes communication
  • Fosters critical thinking

11. Categories Twist

Categories Twist is an entertaining variation of the classic Two Truths & a Lie game. This playful and fun activity is designed to inspire creativity, strengthen relationships, and serve as an intriguing get-to-know-you game.

In virtual settings, form small groups of two, three, or four people in breakout rooms. Each group spends 5 to 10 minutes discussing what they all have in common. They then identify two things that all group members have in common and one thing that is true for at least one member but not the whole group. Once ready, gather all groups back together in the main virtual room. Each group takes turns announcing their three ‘common attributes’ as deadpan as possible. The rest of the groups try to identify which one of the three attributes is the lie. Seek consensus, but settle for a majority if necessary. The nominated group then reveals the correct answer. Repeat this process until all groups have revealed their lie.

• Recommended group size: Medium (15-30 people)
• Typical duration: 20 – 30 minutes
• Why it’s great:
• Playful & fun
• Intriguing get-to-know-you game
• Inspires creativity
• Strengthens relationships
• No props needed

12. If Then

If Then is a playful partner game designed to inspire creativity and promote interaction. This activity is perfect for sparking fun and imaginative conversations between participants.

You will need to be able to break out in virtual rooms in pairs, where one person starts by saying a sentence that begins with “IF…,” such as “If you lost your car keys…”. Their partner responds with a sentence that begins with “THEN…,” completing the initial sentence, such as “…then I would have to walk to work.” This exchange is repeated two or more times before swapping roles. The game can be varied to elevate creativity and interaction, making it a versatile and engaging icebreaker.

• Recommended group size: Pairs (2 people)
• Typical duration: 2 – 5 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Very fun & playful
  • Inspires creativity
  • Promotes interaction
  • Partner activity
  • No props needed

13. We Connect Cards

We Connect Cards is a set of question cards designed to inspire meaningful conversations and foster interaction. This activity is ideal for making connections in a medium-sized group and can be adapted for physical activity options. 

Happily, the folks at We & Me have produced a free deck of We Connect Cards for virtual programs. Click here to view them. Otherwise, you have several options to engage your virtual audience with these wonderful icebreaker question cards. For example, ask your group to respond to a series of questions you present via webcam, either in the chatroom or turning on their microphone. Or, present a series of question cards on the screen before inviting small groups of your audience to visit a breakout room and share their responses. This game can continue for up to 10 minutes, with options for variations to keep the activity engaging.

• Recommended group size: Medium (15-30 people)
• Typical duration: 10 – 15 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Ready-made
  • Fosters interaction
  • Ideal for making connections
  • Physical activity options

14. QOTD (Question of the Day)

QOTD is a simple opening and/or closing exercise for gatherings, designed to promote reflection and interaction. This activity serves as a powerful framing device and can be used as a ritual in small group settings.

You will need to prepare one or more questions in advance that will encourage interaction, sharing, and potentially frame your group’s experience. If possible, craft a question related to the purpose of your gathering. Once your group has gathered in a virtual meeting, pose your question to the participants. Invite sharing in small breakout rooms or with the larger group. This exercise can be used to open or close your program and can be repeated each time your group meets.

• Recommended group size: Small (8-15 people)
• Typical duration: 5 – 10 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple to execute
  • Powerful framing device
  • Promotes reflection
  • Ideal as a ritual

15. Nonsense Numbers

Nonsense Numbers is a get-to-know-you exercise that is more profound than most and is suitable for groups of all sizes.

Participants are divided into small groups and move into virtual breakout rooms. They are then asked to calculate the numerical value for a set of questions by sharing relevant information about themselves.

This simple yet powerful exercise promotes communication, strengthens relationships, and values diversity, making it a great choice for fostering deeper connections between team members.

• Recommended group size: 30+ people
• Typical duration: 20 – 30 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Simple, yet powerful
  • Structured exercise
  • Promotes communication
  • Strengthens relationships
  • Values diversity

16. Care About

Care About is a powerful sharing exercise designed for online settings. This activity promotes self-expression and is easy to set up, making it ideal for small groups.

You will need to host an online session or meeting with your group, ensuring participants have their webcams switched on. Pose a question to your group, such as “Identify one object within reach of your computer that you care about.” Allow 20 seconds for each person to grab an item. Once ready, invite a volunteer to show the object they chose in front of their webcam and share the story connected to it, allowing up to one minute for each story. Continue this ‘show and tell’ invitation until everyone has shared or your time has elapsed. Optionally, conclude by reflecting on the exercise’s results.

• Recommended group size: Small (8-15 people)
• Typical duration: 15 – 20 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Quick
  • Easy set-up
  • Promotes self-expression
  • Multiple variations

17. Clapping Game

Clapping Game is an entertaining audience-participation clapping exercise, perfect for large groups. This activity generates energy and laughter, attracts immediate focus, and is a favourite among participants.

You will need to be able to engage the group online by standing in front of your webcam to get their attention. Explain that every time your hands cross in front of you, you want the group to clap loudly once. Test the group’s reaction by crossing your hands in front of you once and expect a loud clap. Continue to cross your hands several times, slowly at first, then gradually faster. Trick the group by making it look like your hands are about to cross, but stop just short. Continue with a varied series of arm-crossing moves for up to a minute, reach a crescendo, and move on.

• Recommended group size: Large (30+ people)
• Typical duration: 1 – 2 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Ideal for large groups
  • Generates energy & laughter
  • Attracts immediate focus
  • Audience favourite
  • No props needed

18. That Ain’t Me Babe

That Ain’t Me Babe is a fun and creative action-oriented name-game designed for small groups. This playful activity promotes creativity, sharpens observation skills, and is perfect for engaging participants in an active and entertaining manner.

You will need to break out in virtual rooms, forming pairs or small groups of three or four. Each person will mime three ‘things’ about themselves to their partner(s), such as what they do for a living, where they live, and a hobby. No one is allowed to talk, ask questions, or repeat any part of their mime. After everyone has mimed their story, gather the group back together in the main virtual meeting room. Invite each person to introduce their partner to the rest of the group, highlighting their observations. Continue until everyone has introduced their partner.

• Recommended group size: Small (8-15 people)
• Typical duration: 5 – 10 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Very playful & fun
  • Promotes creativity
  • Sharpens observation skills
  • Action-oriented
  • No props needed

19. Paired Shares

Paired Shares is a non-threatening method to invite sharing in a group, perfect for generating energy and encouraging participation in a simple and effective manner.

You will need to break out in virtual rooms in pairs. Pose a question to the group and invite each person to share their responses with their partners. After everyone has shared, you can continue asking new questions or swap partners to keep the activity dynamic and engaging.

• Recommended group size: Pairs (2 people)
• Typical duration: 1 – 2 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Non-threatening
  • Very simple
  • Generates energy
  • Partner activity
  • No props needed

20. Curiosity Ping Pong

Curiosity Ping Pong is an engaging strategy that promotes random interaction and sharing.

Participants respond to a question in a chatroom but wait to hit enter until everyone is ready. Once all responses are visible, participants choose responses they are curious about and invite the authors to share more. This process continues, fostering engagement and inviting sharing in a fun and interactive way, making it ideal for online settings.

The game honours individual choice and generates lively discussions as participants explore each other’s stories.

• Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
• Typical duration: 5 – 10 minutes
• Why it’s great:
  • Very simple
  • Honours choice
  • Fosters engagement
  • Invites sharing
  • Ideal for online settings