The Best Icebreaker Activities for Teams New to In-Person Meetings (2026)

As teams transition from remote work back to in-person meetings, icebreaker activities become a crucial tool to foster connection and ease anxieties. A surprising 70% of employees feel awkward in face-to-face settings after long periods of virtual interaction. So, how do you break the ice? Here’s a practical guide to effective icebreaker activities that will set the tone for productive teamwork.

1. Two Truths and a Lie

• Time Needed: 15-30 minutes
• Group Size: 5-30 people
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Low to Moderate
• Logistics: None required
• Skip If: You have a shy group or time is tight.

This classic game is simple yet effective. Each person shares two truths and one lie about themselves. The team then guesses which statement is the lie. This activity encourages storytelling and helps team members learn fun facts about one another.

2. Human Bingo

• Time Needed: 30-45 minutes
• Group Size: 10-50 people
• Cost: Free (printable bingo cards)
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Logistics: Prepare bingo cards with fun facts.
• Skip If: Your team is very large, as it may become chaotic.

Create bingo cards filled with characteristics or experiences (e.g., "has traveled to Asia," "is a dog owner"). Participants mingle to find team members who match the squares, checking off their cards as they go. This not only breaks the ice but also encourages mingling.

3. Speed Networking

• Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
• Group Size: 10-50 people
• Cost: Free (space required)
• Energy Level: High
• Logistics: Arrange seating in pairs.
• Skip If: You have a very small team.

Similar to speed dating, participants pair off for quick conversations (3-5 minutes), rotating partners after each round. This fast-paced activity promotes quick introductions and connections, allowing team members to meet many colleagues in a short time.

4. Collaborative Art Project

• Time Needed: 1-2 hours
• Group Size: 10-30 people
• Cost: $15-50 per person for supplies
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Logistics: Provide art supplies like canvases, paints, and brushes.
• Skip If: Your team isn’t interested in creative activities.

Set up a large canvas or multiple smaller ones and encourage team members to paint or draw together. This activity fosters collaboration and allows for creative expression, resulting in a unique piece of art that can be displayed in the workplace.

5. The Marshmallow Challenge

• Time Needed: 30-45 minutes
• Group Size: 5-20 people
• Cost: $10-20 per team
• Energy Level: High
• Logistics: Provide spaghetti, tape, string, and marshmallows.
• Skip If: Your team dislikes hands-on activities.

Teams are given 20 sticks of spaghetti, a marshmallow, a yard of tape, and a yard of string. The goal is to build the tallest freestanding structure with the marshmallow on top. This fun challenge promotes teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

6. Team Trivia

• Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
• Group Size: 5-50 people
• Cost: Free (or a small fee for trivia apps)
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Logistics: Prepare trivia questions or use an app.
• Skip If: Team members are unfamiliar with each other.

Create trivia questions about team members, the company, or general knowledge. Teams compete to answer the most questions correctly. This not only serves as an icebreaker but also builds camaraderie through shared knowledge.

7. Icebreaker Questions Jar

• Time Needed: 15-30 minutes
• Group Size: 5-30 people
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Low
• Logistics: Prepare a jar filled with questions.
• Skip If: You have a very large group.

Fill a jar with fun, thought-provoking questions (e.g., "If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?"). Participants take turns drawing questions and sharing their answers with the group.

Icebreaker Activities Comparison Table

| Activity | Time Needed | Group Size | Cost | Energy Level | Logistics | |---------------------------|-------------------|--------------------|------------------|-------------------|------------------| | Two Truths and a Lie | 15-30 minutes | 5-30 people | Free | Low to Moderate | None required | | Human Bingo | 30-45 minutes | 10-50 people | Free | Moderate | Bingo cards | | Speed Networking | 30-60 minutes | 10-50 people | Free | High | Seating | | Collaborative Art Project | 1-2 hours | 10-30 people | $15-50/person | Moderate | Art supplies | | The Marshmallow Challenge | 30-45 minutes | 5-20 people | $10-20/team | High | Supplies | | Team Trivia | 30-60 minutes | 5-50 people | Free (or app fee)| Moderate | Trivia questions | | Icebreaker Questions Jar | 15-30 minutes | 5-30 people | Free | Low | Jar of questions |

Our Top Picks

• Best for Creative Teams: Collaborative Art Project
• Best for Large Groups: Human Bingo
• Best for Quick Connections: Speed Networking

Conclusion

Transitioning back to in-person meetings can be challenging, but incorporating these icebreaker activities will help ease your team into the new dynamic. Whether you choose a simple game of Two Truths and a Lie or a more interactive Marshmallow Challenge, the key is to encourage participation and foster connections.

Action Items:

1. Choose 2-3 icebreaker activities that suit your team size and energy.
2. Gather the necessary materials and prepare logistics ahead of time.
3. Schedule the activities at the beginning of your meeting for maximum impact.