Icebreakers for Online and Virtual Training Courses

In today’s digital era, where virtual meetings and training sessions have become the norm, the role of icebreakers has never been more critical. These activities are the cornerstone of any successful online program, serving as the bridge that connects participants from diverse backgrounds and locations. Icebreakers play a pivotal role in warming up the atmosphere, encouraging active participation, and creating a sense of camaraderie right from the outset. While traditional face-to-face sessions benefit from tried-and-tested icebreaker activities (which we have plenty of on our site), the shift to digital platforms presents unique challenges and opportunities for engagement.

The icebreakers curated here are specifically tailored for the online environment. They are crafted not only to thaw the initial frostiness that can accompany virtual gatherings but also to knit participants closer together, facilitating mutual comfort and building lasting connections. In an online setting, where the physical cues and immediacy of face-to-face interactions are absent, these icebreakers are designed to ensure that every participant feels seen, heard, and valued. Through these creative and engaging activities, we aim to recreate the warmth and dynamism of in-person sessions, ensuring a fruitful and enjoyable experience for all involved.

1. Show and Tell

Summary

Modern take on the classic show and tell, focusing on participants sharing a personal or professional item and its significance.

Setup

1. Each participant selects an item of professional significance.
2. In a round-robin fashion, individuals share their item and explain its impact on their career or personal development.
3. Encourage questions and discussions for deeper engagement.

Tools

Video conferencing software, optional: digital photo sharing.

2. Future Headlines

Summary

Participants create and share news headlines that could feature them in the future, sparking imagination and personal aspirations discussions.

Setup

1. Ask participants to imagine a headline about a significant achievement in their future.
2. Participants write or design their headline.
3. Share and discuss the headlines, exploring aspirations and goals.

Tools

Whiteboard, chat platforms.

3. Virtual Time Capsule

Summary

Create a “virtual time capsule” with participants contributing predictions, current trends, and personal goals, to be revisited in the future.

Setup

1. Invite participants to contribute items to the capsule, such as predictions, memes, current trends, or personal goals.
2. Collect contributions in a digital format (text, images, videos).
3. Decide on a future date to “open” the capsule and review the contents.

Tools

Google Drive, Dropbox, or a dedicated webpage.

4. Meme-Your-Mood

Summary

Participants share a meme that reflects their current mood or feeling about the session, fostering a relaxed and humorous atmosphere.

Setup

1. Ask participants to find or create a meme that represents their mood.
2. Share memes in a group chat or on a shared digital board.
3. Have a quick round of reactions or comments to each meme, building camaraderie.

Tools

Online whiteboard, image sharing platforms, chat platforms.

5. Virtual World Tour

Summary

Participants share images or stories from their favourite places, leading to a virtual world tour that highlights diversity and personal interests.

Setup

1. Participants select and prepare a brief presentation on their favourite place in the world.
2. Each participant shares their chosen place and why it’s special to them.
3. Encourage questions and discussion to learn more about each location and person.

Tools

PowerPoint, Google Slides, image sharing platforms, chat platforms.

6. Skill Swap

Summary

Participants share a unique skill or hobby they possess, offering a mini-tutorial or demonstration, fostering learning and exchange of knowledge.

Setup

1. Participants prepare a short demonstration or tutorial of a unique skill or hobby. Ask them to pick unusual hobbies that others are unlikely to know about. This creates curiosity and engagement.

2. In a round-robin format, each participant presents their skill or hobby.

3. Encourage questions and discussion on how to learn or engage with the shared interests.

Tools

Video conferencing software, any specific software or tools related to the skill demonstration.

7. Virtual Bookshelf

Summary

Participants share a book that has influenced them professionally or personally, encouraging discussions on learning and inspiration.

Setup

1. Participants select a book to share and prepare a brief reason for its impact.
2. Each participant presents their book and explains its significance.
3. Facilitate a discussion on themes, insights, and recommendations.

Tools

Video conferencing software, optional: a shared document for book list compilation.

8. The Unsung Hero

Summary

Participants recognise an “unsung hero” in their professional or personal life, sharing stories of inspiration and gratitude.

Setup

1. Ask participants to think of someone who has significantly impacted them but hasn't received widespread recognition. This could be a colleague, family member, friend, or community member.
2. Participants prepare a short tribute or story about their unsung hero, focusing on specific contributions, qualities, or events that illustrate their impact.
3. Each participant shares their tribute with the group, explaining why the person is their unsung hero and the difference they have made in their life or the lives of others.
4. After each story, open the floor for a brief discussion, allowing others to reflect on the story or share similar experiences.
5. Conclude the activity by acknowledging all the unsung heroes mentioned and discussing the importance of recognising the contributions of others in our lives.

Tools

Video conferencing software for sharing stories, online whiteboard or document sharing platform for written tributes (optional).

9. Virtual Gallery Walk

Summary

Participants create and share a digital image collage that represents their interests, goals, or achievements, fostering creativity and personal expression.

Setup

1. Instruct participants to create a digital collage using images, texts, or symbols that represent their interests, goals, or achievements.
2. Share collages in a shared virtual space or during a video call.
3. Each participant explains their collage, followed by a Q&A.

Tools

Digital collage tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark), video conferencing software.

10. Virtual Pet Showcase

Summary

Participants introduce their pets (real or imaginary) to the group, sharing stories or fun facts, enhancing personal connections.

Setup

1. Invite participants to share a photo or drawing of their pet.
2. Each participant shares a story or fun fact about their pet.
3. Engage the group in a light-hearted discussion about the pets.

Tools

Video conferencing software, online whiteboard.

11. The Art Collection

Summary

Participants collect a series of images of works of art that they admire, cherish or aspire to be able to create. This could be fine art, photography, images of sculptures or even architectural features and buildings. You could choose a specific theme to narrow it down, based on your participants and the topic of the course.

Setup

1. Participants choose a series of images to share based on their tastes.
2. In a round-robin fashion, each participant share their images with the group.
3. Participants enthusiastically explain what they like about each work and what is their significance.

Tools

Image sharing platforms, chat platforms, PowerPoint, slides, shared documents.

12. Virtual Coffee Breaks

Summary

Randomly pair participants for brief one-on-one video chats, mimicking coffee breaks in physical settings, to foster informal bonding. Optionally, give them a topic to talk about in case you think they might find this awkward and not know what to say to each other.

Setup

1. Use a random pairing tool to assign partners. You can use our free Clock Buddies Tool to randomly and systematically assign participants for exercises.
2. Allocate a set time for each pair to chat informally.
3. Rotate pairs if time allows for multiple rounds.

Tools

Breakout room features in video conferencing platforms.

13. Dream Holiday Destination

Summary

Participants share their dream holiday destinations through images and stories, exploring personal interests and aspirations.

Setup

1. Participants prepare a short presentation on their dream holiday spot.
2. Share and discuss each destination, exploring reasons and attractions.
3. Facilitate a group discussion on travel dreams and experiences.

Tools

Image sharing platforms, PowerPoint, Google Slides, video conferencing software.

14. The Quote Reflection

Summary

Share impactful quotes and have participants choose one that resonates with them, sharing personal reflections or experiences related to the quote. You can customise and limit the scope of quotes based on the topic of the course.

Setup

1. Compile a diverse selection of quotes related to motivation, success, teamwork, etc.
2. Participants select a quote and share their reflections or how it applies to their life.
3. Facilitate a discussion on the different interpretations and insights.

Tools

Shared document, online whiteboard, video conferencing for discussion.

15. Personal News Headline

Summary

Participants create a news headline about a recent personal achievement or event, encouraging sharing of positive news and peer support.

Setup

1. Participants think of a personal achievement or event and format it as a catchy news headline.
2. Share headlines in a group chat or virtual board, then let the group to select a few for participants to elaborate on.
3. Discuss the stories behind the headlines, celebrating successes and milestones.

Tools

Online whiteboard, chat platforms.

16. Unusual Object Demo

Summary

A light-hearted invitation for participants to share a brief virtual demo of an unusual object that can be found in their home, fostering personal connections and breaking down virtual barriers.

Setup

1. Participants prepare a short description, images or video of an object that they have at home. They like this object, are proud of it, is their own creation, think it is interesting or think it is unlikely that others have seen it.
2. Share these descriptions, images or videos in a group setting, explaining why they have it.
3. Encourage comments and questions to learn more about each other’s personal tastes and experiences.

Tools

Video conferencing software, image sharing platforms, smartphone cameras, video editing software.

17. “If I Were” Imaginary Bios

Summary

Participants creatively describe themselves as an animal, plant, or inanimate object that best represents their personality, sparking imaginative and insightful discussions.

Setup

1. Ask participants to think of an animal, plant, or object that best represents their personality or life philosophy.
2. Participants share their choice and explain the reasoning behind it.
3. Facilitate a group discussion on the unique perspectives and insights gained.

Tools

Video conferencing, online whiteboard for illustrations or photos.

18. “This or That?” Game

Summary

A quick-paced, engaging game where participants choose between two options, revealing preferences and sparking conversations on various topics.

Setup

1. Prepare a list of “this or that” questions (e.g., coffee or tea, morning or night).
2. Participants quickly choose their preference for each pair.
3. Use breakout rooms for small group discussions on some of the more interesting or divisive choices.

Tools

Video conferencing software, online polling tools.

19. The Unseen Picture

Summary

Participants describe a picture significant to them without showing it, letting others guess the content or significance, enhancing listening skills and fostering imagination.

Setup

1. Invite participants to select a picture that holds personal significance or tells an interesting story but instruct them not to reveal it yet.
2. Each participant takes a turn to describe their picture in detail without showing it, focusing on why it’s meaningful to them.
3. After each description, allow the group to ask questions and guess the picture’s content or the story behind it.
4. Once the guessing round is over, the participant reveals the actual picture and shares any additional context based on the guesses and questions.
5. Encourage reflections on the experience of imagining the picture based on description versus seeing the real image.

Tools

Video conferencing software for verbal descriptions, optional reveal through screen share or upload to a shared online album.

20. Story Chain

Summary

A collaborative storytelling game where each participant adds to a story one sentence at a time, promoting creativity and teamwork. Since this is done digitally, everyone

Setup

• Start a story with a single opening sentence. Get participants to write this in a chat area of some kind so others can add more sentences to the same space. This way everyone can see the entirety of what has been contributed, all in one place. This helps them to decide where to go with the story.
• Each participant adds one sentence to continue the story.
• Continue until everyone has contributed one or more times depending on the number of participants and allocated time. You can also ask them to finish the story in X remaining steps so there is a final ending to the story.

Tools

Video conferencing software, online collaborative documents, chat platforms.

As we wrap up this list, we would love to know which ones you like? Are there any you have tried before or plan to use in your next online meeting? Let us know in the comments how they go. If you have got some great ideas for icebreakers of your own or any variations of what was listed here, please share them below. Wishing you lively and interactive online sessions.

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