Virtual Icebreakers that really work for an Online Jam
If you’re looking for a complete set of ice breakers that are truly engaging for people from diverse backgrounds, this post is for you.
Icebreakers are meant to be fun activities that help participants warm up and get to know each other. But why are some icebreaker experiences simply terrible and make you want to avoid them? I’ve learnt that we make the mistake of blaming the activities themselves, or the people participating. Different icebreakers serve different purposes and identifying your requirements is what will make them work, and make them fun.
Why conduct an icebreaker?
Online events require icebreakers for:
- Introductions & getting to know each other
- Team building
- Entertaining time fillers
When we organised the Creator’s Jam– an online creative jam, we tried and tested a bunch of activities and put together a complete set of ice breakers that are truly engaging for people from diverse backgrounds.
So let’s jump to them:
Introductions & getting to know each other
- Draw a self portrait
An exercise where your self perception meets your drawing skills? Nah, it’s not that complex. It is actually a very simple exercise to start your event on a light note and get everyone comfortable with sharing a little bit about themselves.
Participants take a felt pen and are given 10 seconds to draw a portrait that best represents them. Everyone holds up their finished artwork and you can discuss the interesting looking ones. This always generates some good laughs, appreciations and fun questions. And you get a nice screenshot photo for your participants to share and remember your event by.
This is a great activity for a large group of people to participate in simultaneously, and it works best when it’s done first thing in the morning or at the start of your event.
2. Desert island
Participants answer this simple question- “What one thing would you take with you if you were to be stranded on a desert island?” Everyone can simply say it out loud, or you can note down names and answers on a whiteboard collaboration tool.
The idea is to quickly get to know each other, identify like minded people, learn about what they value, or just what’s currently on their mind. All answers are accepted here, and interesting answers create good rapport among you and your team.
Remember to contribute to these introduction activities yourself, since you are a part of the team as well.
This icebreaker works best within smaller teams, and at the start of the day.
Team building
- Lost at Sea
Lost at Sea is an energising activity, where you play the moderator to eventually gauge your team’s strength (i.e. by predicting if you will survive a shipwreck.)
The scenario is that you are shipwrecked in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and your team has escaped on a lifeboat that has a number of supplies in the survival kit. Your aim is to prioritise as a team, which items are most important to your survival. This is cross checked against the US Coast Guard list, so don’t worry, you won’t be held accountable for answers.
(Find the complete guide to the activity here- www.mindtools.com/pages/article/team-building-problem-solving.htm)
This activity is done in 3 parts-
1. Individual (5 min)- in their own lists each participant writes a number against each item (1 highest priority, 15 lowest priority) without any discussion.
2. Team (10 min)- the team discusses their answers and submits one fresh list with an order that everyone agrees upon.
3. Share the correct answers and declare your team’s chances of survival. (You can follow the score guide here)
Your role as a facilitator is important in a team building activity like Lost at Sea. It’s not only an engaging activity for your participants, but also insightful for you to identify leadership qualities and different personalities in your team, so you can interact with them with more understanding.
There’s nothing like a disagreement to get people talking, and hear out the opinions of the more shy participants. So it’s good to nudge them once in a while, reminding them of the clock.
Lost at Sea should be done once new teams have been made and participants are excited to dive into the challenge of the day.
Entertaining time fillers
1. Stone paper scissor (one on one)
This game needs no introduction. It’s such a classic across the globe!
You can have 2 people play 3 rounds, and the winner of each game can challenge a new player. Make it competitive and see how fun it gets. All you have to do is get the timing right and beat any internet lag.
And it’s great to play when you are waiting for people to join, or during breaks. Speakers and guests really enjoy this game as well, when it’s their first point of interaction with the participants. Just keep in mind not to drag this on for too long because the activity can’t offer much variation.
2. Guess that Song & Pictionary
These two games are really entertaining ways to engage your participants during a break or a filler. If you have sponsors it could also help you to pick winners for a surprise gift!
In Guess that Song, the host plays the first 3–5 seconds of a song, and the first one to guess it correctly wins the round. You could also play the instrumental version of the song instead. Pictionary is played the same way, except that participants have to guess what you draw. Keep the themes interesting and you’re in for some fun.
Here’s a bonus activity for you:
At the end of the day/ event have some of the participants grab their guitar and play a tune or sing a song. When you want something that doesn’t require too much effort, your participants’ talents are a good thing to rely on!
If you have tried any of these activities out, let me know. I would love to hear what you think of our icebreakers! And I’m happy to guide you further.
