Ice Breaker Games for Work: The Top Five
If you been in any new social or professional setting, you've probably played around of “ice breaker" games before. The term refers to an activity or game that helps a group of people get to know each other, and it can be especially useful in a work setting where colleagues may not have much opportunity to socialize. But icebreakers do more than provide fun-- they can also play a crucial role in building team morale and creating a positive company culture.
Why Icebreaker Games are Important for Team Morale
At its core, team morale refers to the attitudes and feelings that employees have towards their work and their colleagues. When morale is high, people are more motivated, productive, and engaged with their jobs. On the other hand, low morale can lead to turnover, absenteeism, and a lack of enthusiasm in the workplace.
Benefits of Icebreaker Games
One way to boost team morale is by incorporating icebreaker games into your workplace culture. These games can help break down barriers between colleagues, foster better communication, and create a more collaborative environment.
Icebreaker games are not only fun and engaging, but they also serve a purpose in the workplace. For example, a game of "Two Truths and a Lie" can help team members get to know each other's backgrounds and interests, while also encouraging them to think creatively and critically. Similarly, a game of "Would You Rather" can help team members to understand each other's preferences and priorities, while also encouraging them to be open-minded and respectful of different perspectives.
Additionally, icebreakers can help to:
Reduce stress and tension among team members
Encourage creativity and problem-solving skills
Increase engagement and participation in team meetings
Help team members to feel valued and appreciated
Icebreaker Game #1: This or That Questions
“This or that” questions are a great icebreaker game great for groups of any size and are an incredibly simple and effective for your group to bond.
How to Play:
Have everyone on your team come up with a few “This or That” questions each. These could be questions like “coffee or tea?” or “Would you rather” questions like “Would you rather have the power of flight or the power of invisibility?” If you need inspiration, check out our list of 115 of the best “This or that” questions.
Once everyone has come up with their options, take turns going around the room and revealing your questions. If you have a small group, feel free to have everyone answer each question. If you have a larger group, it might be best to have one person ask the question and one person answer it each round.
Icebreaker Game #2: Read The Room
Think you know your co-workers? Read The Room allows you put that knowledge to the test as you guess where your whole office stands on every topic under the sun!
How to Play:
We recommend using the Internet Game Platform for an easy, no-friction way to play.
Start the game by having your entire team answer the same 5-10 simple personal belief and preference questions. Some examples include: “Do you believe Sasquatch is real?” “Office or Friends?” “How do you pronounce the word GIF?”
Once everyone has answered, everybody will be presented with a fake statistic involving each question. For example - “40% of this team has eaten something out of the trash at one point in time”
All players will then vote for whether they think the true statistic is Higher or Lower.
Players who guessed right get a point.
Then the process repeats with the next question.
Click here to try it for yourself on Internet Game.
Icebreaker Game #3: Virtual Bingo
Create a custom bingo card with various work-related achievements or characteristics, such as "Has more than three monitors" or "Speaks more than two languages." You’ll get to know your co-workers and engage your teams competitive spirits too!
How to Play
Create a list of various work-related achievements, characteristics, or interesting personal facts.
Have each team create a custom bingo card using whichever suggestions from the list they would like.
Then, have the facilitator read out the suggestions from the list in random order.
As each item on the list is read aloud, players can cross off that item on their bingo card if someone on their team meets the criteria.
The first person to get a line or a full card wins! We recommend a line for smaller teams, and a full card for bigger groups.
Icebreaker Game #4: Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie may be an old classic, but it never fails to bring the fun.
How to Play
Have each participant come up with three statements about themselves-- two of which are true, and one of which is false.
Go around the group, with each person taking turns sharing their statements. The rest of the group must guess which statement is the lie.
Once everyone has shared their statements, tally up the number of correct guesses for each person. The person with the most correct guesses wins!
Ice Breaker Game #5: Question Circle
This one is the most simple, but effective way to break the ice. All you need is a group and some questions!
How to Play
Go around in a circle and have each person ask the next person in line a “get to know you” question.
Continue to do so until everyone has answered at least one question.
Need some questions for inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Click here for the ultimate list of “ice breaker” questions.
Conclusion
Ice Breaker games are more than just a way to have fun! They can reduce stress, foster better communication, and help boost team engagement. Adding one of these to your next team meeting or group gathering is an easy way to enrich your company culture.
Looking for more fun ways to play online? Check out our game library here for endless virtual entertainment!
