30 Icebreaker Games for Work That Don't Feel Like Work

1. "Wins of the Week"

Start every meeting by having each person share one win—personal or professional. It primes the brain for positivity and builds a culture of celebration.

2. "The 1-10 Energy Check"

Go around and have everyone rate their energy level from 1-10. No explanation needed. This helps the facilitator gauge the room and adjust accordingly.

3. "Shoutouts"

Give each person 30 seconds to shout out a colleague who helped them this week. Public recognition releases dopamine and strengthens team bonds.

4. "This or That" (Work Edition)

Quick binary choices reveal personality and preferences:

• Email or Slack?
• Morning meetings or afternoon meetings?
• Work from home or office?
• Spreadsheets or presentations?

5. "The Origin Story"

Have the new hire share their career journey in 2 minutes. Then, existing team members share theirs. It humanizes everyone and shows that career paths are rarely linear.

6. "Ask Me Anything"

Give the new employee 15 minutes to ask the team anything—about culture, unwritten rules, where to get lunch, etc. It accelerates the "insider knowledge" transfer.

7. "The Welcome Video"

Before the new hire's first day, have each team member record a 15-second welcome video. Compile them into a montage. It's personal and memorable.

8. "Failure Résumé"

Each person shares one professional failure and what they learned. This normalizes mistakes and creates psychological safety.

9. "The 5-Whys (Personal Edition)"

Pair up. One person asks "Why?" five times in a row about the other's career choice or passion. It gets surprisingly deep, surprisingly fast.

10. "Fear in a Hat"

Everyone anonymously writes a work-related fear on paper and puts it in a hat. Read them aloud and discuss as a group. You'll realize everyone shares similar anxieties.

11. "Virtual Background Challenge"

Give a theme ("Where you'd rather be right now" or "Your dream vacation") and have everyone find a virtual background. Vote on the best one.

12. "Show Your Workspace"

Each person gives a 60-second tour of their home office setup. It's a glimpse into their world and often sparks productivity tips.

13. "Zoom Scavenger Hunt"

Call out items ("Find something blue!" or "Show me your favorite mug!") and have people race to grab them and show them on camera.

1. It's Time-Boxed

Respect people's time. Set a timer and stick to it. 5-10 minutes is the sweet spot for most meetings.

2. It's Inclusive

Avoid activities that require physical ability, cultural knowledge, or put introverts at a disadvantage. Make participation optional.

3. It Has a Purpose

Don't do icebreakers just to check a box. Choose activities that align with your team's goals (e.g., building trust, sparking creativity, reducing stress).