Virtual Icebreaker Ideas
Virtual Icebreaker Ideas
The part of group dynamics everyone loves to hate, icebreakers are a necessary evil for people getting to know each other. If you have required small groups as part of your Wisr experience, we recommend first-time meetings include some virtual icebreakers. Our experience shows that having virtual, more traditional face to face getting to know you activities breaks down barriers to using the discussion and chat functions in Wisr. While people can’t move to the corners of the room, line up in birthday order without talking, or play get to know you bingo, there are still several options for virtual icebreakers. Many of these can also be replicated in Communities via Discussion threads as well. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Create a one-word recap using a word cloud functionality that is available through platforms like Kahoot! or Mentimeter. In one word, how would you describe: how you are feeling about starting college, what you are most excited about, etc. Discuss!
- Two truths and a lie
- Emoji check-in
- Sketch or drawing to respond to a prompt – create your own emoji, draw your superpower, draw your spirit animal, etc.
- Just like Candy Love when people have to answer questions corresponding to the color M&M they pick out of a bowl, try using an old-fashioned spinner from a board game (who doesn’t have one of those laying around, and if you don’t, the magic of the internet prevails. For example, take a look at WordWall!) and create questions that correspond to the color or number spun for each participant
- Share an embarrassing photo and tell the story (participants would need to be prewarned to have a photo ready).
- Find something in your house that is . . . The facilitator calls out what the person needs to find and everyone would come back and explain what it is. Some options for what time find: a red (or any color) item, something alive (pet, sibling, or plant), their favorite book, something that represents them, etc.
- If you were a _____, what would you be and why? Some options are a cupcake, a kitchen appliance, an animal. Another alternative, if you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and why.
- Be your own tour guide – literally, where are you sitting right now? Show the group
- Ten things in common – as a group come up a with a list of 10 things you all have in common