#Icebreakers #CompanyOrientation #TeamBuilding
Are you tired of boring icebreaker activities that no one looks forward to during company orientations or team-building events? Do you cringe at the thought of another round of awkward introductions and forced small talk? You’re not alone! Finding the right icebreaker that people actually enjoy can be a challenge, but fear not – we’ve got you covered with some fresh ideas that will spice up your next orientation session!
## **The Problem: Breaking the Ice Without Breaking Spirits**
As someone responsible for running new hire orientation sessions, you understand the importance of creating a welcoming and engaging environment for your participants. However, traditional icebreakers often fall flat, leaving attendees feeling uninspired and disconnected. How can you foster a sense of community and camaraderie while keeping things light-hearted and fun?
## **The Solution: Icebreakers That Actually Spark Joy**
### **1. Fun Facts Roulette**
– Have each participant write down a random fun fact about themselves on a slip of paper.
– Put all the slips in a hat or bowl and take turns drawing and reading them out loud.
– Participants have to guess who the fun fact belongs to, sparking laughter and surprising connections.
### **2. Would You Rather: Work Edition**
– Prepare a list of work-related “Would You Rather” scenarios that are humorous and relatable.
– Encourage participants to choose between two quirky options and explain their choice.
– This activity not only breaks the ice but also reveals interesting insights about team members.
### **3. Emoji Introductions**
– Ask participants to introduce themselves using only emojis.
– This creative icebreaker encourages individuals to think outside the box and showcases their unique personalities.
– It’s a visual and interactive way to kick off your orientation session with a touch of fun.
## **Conclusion: From Awkward to Awesome**
With these creative icebreaker ideas, you can transform your next orientation session from dull and dreary to engaging and energizing. By incorporating elements of humor, creativity, and personal expression, you can ensure that everyone participates with enthusiasm and leaves feeling connected to their fellow team members. Say goodbye to boring icebreakers and hello to a new era of camaraderie and collaboration!
Don’t let icebreakers be a pain point in your orientation sessions – try these ideas and watch as your participants light up with excitement and laughter! #Icebreakers #TeamBonding #EmployeeEngagement
The only ones I don’t hate are the ones where you are not put on the spot to speak about yourself or speak about something stupid.
There’s one with do which you can use as an example for diversity or working as a group to it where you have to name all animals that start with the letter F and you have one minute.
The person with the most animals written down has to read them off and then everyone else contributes ones that they didn’t have.
Extreme rock, paper, scissors
Name one boring thing about yourself is a good one that I have seen.
From military and corporate experience here’s my suggestions:
– Fun fact about your self
– Famous celebrity met
– Would you rather questions (can Google for list)
– Most memorable or favorite vacation
– if time travel were capable, Which historical figure would you want to meet and why
– favorite superhero
– which movie universe would you want to be part of
– what superpower would you like to have
– two truths and a lie
Talent or hobby if no talent
Current book/audiobook, podcast etc
Song you like but hate to admit
Make your opener: psychologically safe, relevant to the topic, something that breaks preoccupation, and something that allows for networking. Here is one of my favorites:
https://thiagi.net/archive/www/game-hello.html
2 truths and 1 lie
Ice breakers are just the worst. “You will have FUN!”
Easier ones are ones that call people to engage, harder ones ask people to come up with something (2 truths and a lie, etc) or forced participation.
Our HR has two intro sections: initial welcome during kick off for onboarding, and HR benefits last session intro.
Welcome: via zoom (use stickers to vote) indicate this or that. Morning/night. Beach/mountains. Book/movie/audio book. Exercise at home/workout class. 2 pillows on bed/3+ pillows on bed. Eat in/eat out. those type of questions! then, as people are “voting” either using mouse/stickers on screen via zoom, or voting in person… most groups have some chatty folks and some quiet folks. Participation = voting. But Sharing stories is optional!
Benefits: name, location/state, and indicate if you are a 1, 2, or 3 (on screen, expectations for the presentation… need the basics, need to take info and review with others after HR sessions, or I always want the details)
Name & fun fact about yourself. If its a group of new hires ask them what brought then to the company.
I ask people:
“If you had to ask an ice breaker question, what would it be?”
My favorite response was “What’s your favorite cheese?”
More gen Z oriented: What’s your Roman Empire? What’s your favorite meme?
What is your favorite way to prepare/eat potatoes?
It is not too personal, most people eat potatoes regardless of cultural background, and they likely haven’t heard it before, but won’t have to think too hard about the answer.
– Rock, paper, scissors competition
– If you were invited to sing one song at a concert venue, what would it be?
^ those are the two I’ve done where everyone seems to enjoy it.
The best ice breakers are ones that are functionally relevant to the topic being discussed. Don’t just throw in dumb “games” to make it “fun”; most people are turned off by that approach in my experience.
I once participated in an icebreaker where we were all given instructions on how to draw something, the fun being seeing the different interpretations of the instructions and people’s drawing (or lack thereof) skills.
“Draw a square in the middle of your paper”
“Draw a triangle on top of the square”
“Draw a rectangle inside the square”
“Draw two more small squares inside the square”
“Inside your two small squares, draw a ‘t’ shape”
“Draw a tree outside the large square”, etc.
End result was supposed to be a house with a tree in the yard.
I also participated in a group icebreaker where we were lined up in rows of a several people each, with papers placed on our backs.
Last person in the row drew a simple picture, one item at a time, on the paper that was on the back of the person in front of them. Second person used the feeling of that drawing on their back to mimic it on the back of the person in front of them, and so on. First person in the row was facing a whiteboard and would draw what they felt on their back there.
It was fun to see the original drawing versus the final whiteboard drawing a few people later.
This one can be weird bc it involves being close to someone and touching. It takes the right team.
I tend to like favorite song right now to jam out to, or favorite binge worthy tv show. People tend to really gravitate towards pop culture
I was in a meeting once where they passed around a roll of toilet paper and we were told to take as much as we think we need without telling the reason. Once everyone had taken some we had to tell one fact about ourselves for every square we took.
Would you rather be a ninja or a pirate?
Depends on your industry and the group dynamic but “what crime would you commit if you know you could get away with it” can be fun.
We also did favorite ice cream flavor, that worked too
When I did NHO, I asked things like their favorite ice cream flavor or dessert, favorite vacation spot, favorite show, things like that.
Its better to tell them something than to ask them, even it is a funny – ice – breaker question.
People react differently, it could give them more pressure.