Icebreaker Activities

Whether for a small group or a large team, the Icebreaker Activities Play can help you make personal connections and spark the kind of creative thinking that moves work forward.

Prep time

15m

Run time

30m

Persons

3-100

Prep time

15m

Run time

30m

Persons

3-100

Summary

Choose the appropriate icebreaker.
Create breakout groups.
Break the ice with questions and/or games.

What you will need

Video conferencing with screen sharing or meeting space.
Digital collaboration tool.
Optional: physical whiteboard, markers, and index cards.

Play resources

Dicebreakers cutout

Whiteboard template

148 icebreaker questions to try

How to run an icebreaker at work

Make personal connections and spark the kind of creative thinking that moves work forward.

What are icebreaker activities?

Icebreaker activities are fun and interactive exercises designed to help people get to know each other in social or professional settings. They are commonly used at the start of meetings, workshops, or group events to foster communication, establish rapport, and cultivate a relaxed atmosphere. These activities can vary from simple introductions to more engaging games that encourage teamwork and interaction.

Why run the Icebreaker Activities Play?

Research shows that teams that make the effort to talk to each other—about anything other than work—are more effective and satisfied.

Atlassian’s Teamwork Lab ran a similar experiment for connecting teams and also found that it sparked joy (97%) and connection (87%).

When should you try icebreaker activities?

Icebreakers aren't just for unfamiliar groups. They also help familiar teams feel more comfortable speaking up and contributing. In Quiet, Susan Cain argues if people don't speak in the first few minutes, they're less likely to speak at all.

Using icebreakers in the first five minutes can encourage participation later in the meeting. Here are a few examples where Atlassians use icebreaker activities:

Informal virtual and in-person meetings
Department offsites
Onboarding workshops
Training sessions

5 benefits of icebreaker activities

Psychological safety: Icebreaker activities help create a non-judgmental environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and expressing themselves without fear of criticism or rejection.
Team cohesion: By encouraging collaboration and personal interaction, icebreakers strengthen bonds between team members, promoting trust and a sense of unity.
Employee satisfaction: Engaging in fun and interactive icebreakers can boost morale and make the workplace more enjoyable, contributing to higher levels of employee satisfaction.
Team effectiveness: Icebreakers enhance communication, trust, and collaboration, which leads to more productive teamwork and improved problem-solving capabilities.
Creative thinking: These activities stimulate the brain and encourage out-of-the-box thinking, helping team members approach problems with fresh, innovative ideas.