Virtual Icebreakers that Make Your Hybrid Meetings More Fun

Hybrid meetings can be awkward, especially if you're not used to them. But with the right virtual icebreakers, you can make the experience a lot more fun and productive.

Here are some virtual icebreakers that work for meetings that include both virtual and in-person attendees.

Let's get your hybrid meeting off to a great start.

What are virtual icebreakers?

Virtual icebreakers are conversation starters that can be used in a virtual meeting setting. These can be games or a set of questions.

If you are using them in a hybrid meeting, make sure that the activity is suitable for both your virtual and in-person attendees. Don't use icebreakers that can make either feel left out.

Now, let's explore some virtual icebreakers that are suitable for hybrid meetings.

The "two truths and a lie" virtual icebreaker

One of our favorite virtual icebreakers for hybrid meetings is the "two truths and a lie" game. Everybody takes a turn sharing three facts about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie.

The best part is that it's a great way to get to know people on a personal level. It's also a fun way to break the ice and help people feel more comfortable in the room.

The "fun fact" virtual icebreaker

Another favorite is the "fun fact" icebreaker. This is where everyone takes a moment to share a quirky or interesting fact about themselves. It will help get people loosened up and start chatting.

Some people might be hesitant to share something personal, but that's the whole point of this exercise—to get to know each other better. So, don't be shy! Share something fun and interesting about yourself and see where the conversation goes from there.

The "dinner party" virtual icebreaker

Imagine you're at a dinner party. You're seated next to someone you don't know very well. How do you break the ice?

Well, one way to do it is by asking them about their job. But that can be a little bit of a heavy topic to start with, don't you think? A better way to go is by asking them about their hobbies or their interests. That way, you'll get to know them better and you'll have something to talk about.

So, to make the most out of this icebreaker, send your virtual attendees free vouchers to order their favorite drinks and serve your in-person attendees their favorite drinks as well. Assign to each virtual attendee an in-person attendee and have them imagine they’re seated next to each other at the dinner party and sipping their drinks. And let the conversation flow!

The "guess the object" virtual icebreaker

How the "guess the object" icebreaker works is simple: each person takes a turn describing an object in detail, and the rest of the group have to try to guess what it is. It's a great way to get people talking and learn more about them.

And who knows? You might even learn something new about your coworkers!

The "back-to-back" virtual icebreaker

The "back-to-back" icebreaker is a fantastic way to help people feel comfortable in a new setting. Here's how it works: two people start standing back to back. They then take two steps forward, turn around, and shake hands. It's an effortless way to break the ice and get people talking.

This icebreaker is even more fun when done with one virtual attendee and another in-person attendee. It will just put the awkwardness that accompanies hybrid meetings under the spotlight, and you can show that location doesn’t matter! You can still pretend to do a handshake and have delightful conversations.

The "one word" virtual icebreaker

In this icebreaker, each person takes a turn saying one word that describes them. It's a great way to get to know each other and break the ice.

Add more fun to the conversation by using our chat feature in adam.ai and ask the attendees to use emojis instead of one word. People will try to guess the word. This will spark the conversation and let people discover the fun side of their colleagues.

The "pass it on" virtual icebreaker

This icebreaker is perfect for getting people warmed up and loosened up. The basic idea is that you pass a small object (like a ball) around the room, and each person has to say something about themselves when they have the object. It can be anything—their favorite TV show, their hometown, their favorite food.

The wonderful thing about this icebreaker is that it's super versatile. You can use it in any setting, with any group of people, and it always gets the conversation started. In a hybrid setting, start with the virtual attendees. Ask them to tag the person they want to pass a "ball" emoji to them using the chat feature in adam.ai.

So, go ahead and give it a try the next time you're in a hybrid meeting!

The "association" virtual icebreaker

Here's an icebreaker to help get things started. It's called "association."

The idea is to name an item, and then the next person has to name something that's associated with that item. And so on and so forth.

For example, if the first person says "apple," the next person might say "the Beatles" or "Red Delicious." You get the idea.

This is a fun way to get to know people, and it can help break the ice in a hybrid meeting setting. Make sure to start with your virtual attendees to establish a feeling of inclusion.

The "finish the sentence" virtual icebreaker

The "finish the sentence" icebreaker is super simple. All you have to do is take turns completing each other's sentences. This helps break the ice and get everyone talking. Plus, it's a terrific way to learn more about each other.

Bottom line

Meetings, whatever their type, can be a drag, but, with the right icebreakers, they can also be a lot of fun. These virtual icebreakers will help get everyone warmed up and ready to get down to business.

Besides using virtual icebreakers, to run a successful hybrid meeting, you need the right room setup and the right tools. 

The perfect formula for running a hybrid meeting is combining hybrid meeting technology with an all-in-one meeting management platform that automates your meeting workflow and allows you to focus on both your virtual and in-person attendees.

And while there may be multiple meeting management solutions available, here is why adam.ai is the all-in-one meeting management platform you can trust:

• adam.ai is one of Atlassian Ventures' portfolio companies.
• In the meeting management software category on G2, adam.ai has been ranked a leader and a high performer for successive quarters in the past years.
• adam.ai has been included in the Forrester Report in the AI-enabled meeting technology landscape.
• adam.ai is trusted and used by powerful teams and organizations worldwide for all types of critical meetings, like board, committee, project management, and business development meetings.
• And most importantly, adam.ai integrates with your existing workflow, is SOC2 compliant, provides dedicated support and success, and has a free trial option.