53 icebreakers to bring your team together

The first few hours leave a lasting mark. These activities help the new person put faces to names and feel expected, not merely tolerated.

• 1The photo that resonatesAsk your new employee to choose a photo during the first team meeting and to explain how it resonates with them. Did you know that visual images can release connection hormones in our brain?Serotonin, which evokes a sense of belonging and connection, and oxytocin, which strengthens trust and safety, are two powerful hormones that act quickly to make people feel connected.
• 2The reverse conferenceSet up a reverse conference where the new employee can present to their team a topic they're an expert in. This helps build their confidence and gives them a sense of recognition for their skills and knowledge.It can be expertise developed professionally as much as personally… such as being an expert in UX design, in data analysis, or even in positive psychology or in edible-garden design.
• 3The newcomers' coffeeBy creating regular gatherings of this kind with new employees, you create a space for dialogue and shared experience that contributes to a smooth integration. This approach lets your new employees better understand the common challenges newcomers face and feel more comfortable in their new work environment.
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• 4The observation dayPicture an observation day (shadowing) for your new employee, a unique chance to follow an experienced colleague throughout their workday. This total immersion in your company's daily reality will help your new employee better understand the inner workings of the organization, grasp their colleague's responsibilities and weave a mentoring relationship essential to their professional development.
• 5The introductionsTo help the new employee integrate faster, organize a friendly introduction session where all the members of the department or company can introduce themselves. Encourage each person to briefly share their role and responsibilities, along with a few personal details.This initiative will help the new employee become familiar with their colleagues' faces and names, creating a warmer work environment that's conducive to collaboration.
• 6Role-playingSetting up role-playing exercises for your new employees is a clever approach to help them absorb the key aspects of their role and responsibilities.Your new employees can then build their confidence and acquire practical skills to interact effectively with clients and co-workers. In short, a valuable opportunity to smooth their harmonious integration into their new professional environment.
• 7 · The team favouriteTwo truths and a lieTo encourage exchange and conviviality, ask the new employee to share two truths and one false claim about themselves. Then invite the team members to guess which one is inaccurate.This playful activity breaks down barriers and encourages communication, helping the new employee settle into the team quickly and comfortably.
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• 8The guided tourOffer the new employee a guided tour of the company so they can discover the organization's various departments and facilities. This tour can include: meeting the key members of the team, visiting the different departments and common areas, presenting the facilities and discussing ongoing projects.By becoming familiar with the premises and better understanding how the company works, your new employee will grasp their place in the team and feel more comfortable in their new professional environment.
• 9The mentorship meetingCreate a mentorship program to give the new employee a source of advice and guidance in their new role. By pairing the new employee with a more experienced colleague, you create an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, which will ease the transition and strengthen team spirit within the company.

For those with a little more time or budget, onboarding can also happen through shared action.

• 10The chatbotThe chatbot can be a valuable resource to help new employees feel at home in their new company.By offering automated, personalized assistance, the chatbot helps the employee better understand their work environment, quickly solve their problems and work more effectively in collaboration with their team. In short, a smart approach to ease their integration into their new professional environment.
• 11The outdoor adventureAn outdoor activity, such as climbing or hiking, offers new employees a valuable chance to connect with their team and feel more integrated. By creating an environment conducive to learning, communication and collaboration, this type of activity helps build a culture of inclusion and mutual trust, allowing team members to work together more effectively and productively.
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• 12The cooking workshopA cooking activity is a simple yet powerful way to help your team members get to know one another better, strengthen their team spirit and improve their communication and collaboration. It can take the form of a group cooking class, a potluck, a culinary challenge, a celebration meal or a recipe swap.In short, this type of activity contributes to a more successful integration for a new employee, by creating a more harmonious work environment and fostering relationships of trust and cooperation within the team.
• 13The team lunchAn informal lunch to celebrate the new employee's arrival within the team is an ideal chance for all the members to gather around a meal and chat in a convivial atmosphere.This initiative will not only help the new employee become familiar with their colleagues, but also build deeper bonds with them. A company quiz, a sharing of each employee's unique talents, or a question-and-answer or member-introduction game can help liven up this team meal.
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• 14The volunteer activityA volunteer activity helps an employee integrate better into their new team by creating a shared experience outside the professional setting. Fundraising for a charitable organization, cleaning up a park or a beach, planting trees, serving meals at a homeless shelter and supporting seniors are good examples of this kind of rewarding activity.By working together to help others, team members can better understand their colleagues' values and interests, strengthen their mutual trust and respect, and improve their collaboration.
• 15Client visitsBy coordinating client visits for your new employees, you offer them an immersive experience that will help them better understand the company's work.It will give them a better perspective on customer satisfaction, strengthen their commitment to it and let them meet clients in person. In short, a valuable opportunity to improve the company's culture and strengthen employee loyalty.
• 16Sports and leisureOrganizing leisure and team sports activities can turn out to be a smart trick to foster the integration of new employees within your team. On the menu: a day of climbing, an afternoon of paintball, a ping-pong tournament, a game of bowling, a movie outing or a volleyball match.By organizing this type of activity, you can foster a strong, tight-knit company culture. What's more, these moments of downtime can also help improve their health and well-being, making them more fulfilled and more productive collaborators.
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• 17Virtual realityVirtual reality (VR) can be used to organize virtual Team Building activities, such as games or competitions, that let employees work together in a fun and stimulating environment.This approach helps new employees get to know their colleagues better and strengthen their cohesion with the team. VR can also be used to deliver remote training, letting new employees train at their own pace and in a flexible way, all while enjoying an immersive, interactive experience.

Ten minutes to wake up the group before getting down to business. These icebreakers slip in at the start of a meeting without derailing it.

• 18Who did that?Each person in the group takes a small slip of paper or a card and writes down an incredible personal experience. It can be a thrilling adventure like skydiving, or something more ordinary, like a trip taken through Europe. Then all the slips are mixed together and placed in a hat.That's when this exciting game begins! The slips are drawn one by one, and the other group members have to guess who lived that experience. It's the perfect moment for employees to get to know their colleagues and discover their fascinating stories.
• 19The embarrassing photoWe all have a compromising photo we'd rather keep secret, hidden in our phone or buried at the bottom of a drawer at home. But why not bring that photo out of the shadows and turn it into a hilarious moment with colleagues? Start by asking all your team members to find that famous photo and scan it.Then ask them to prepare a short explanation of why this embarrassing photo exists. That's where the magic happens! You'll discover the wildest and funniest stories behind these awkward images. Get ready for guaranteed bursts of laughter and memories that will last a very long time.
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• 20The creativity challengeDevelop a creativity challenge where your team members can submit their creative ideas on a given topic. For this, Amélio's CoLab module lets you collect your employees' innovative ideas, refine them and roll them out afterwards.It can also take the form of brainstorming, writing a poem, an artistic activity, a building activity, writing fiction or theatrical improv.
• 21The desert islandThe goal of the game is to ask each team member to choose three things they'd like to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island. The team members then have to justify their choices.The game can also be played with variations, such as adding extra constraints, like being able to choose only one type of survival object. This game is a fun and engaging activity: it lets employees think creatively and discuss their choices, while offering a chance to get to know one another better.
• 22The question bankThis isn't an activity but rather a tool that will prove very valuable for running your team gatherings: a bank of icebreaker questions. Always having a stash of icebreaker questions on hand is like owning a toolbox to defuse tense situations, spark ideas and breathe life back into otherwise monotonous meetings.And you don't need to search at all, because we've put together a list of 98 icebreaker questions to ensure stimulating, enriching meetings, ripe for the blossoming of creativity and innovation.
• 23In one wordHere, the idea is to gather your team members into small, intimate groups of three or six people. Pose them a question worth exploring, such as: "How would you describe our customer service in a single word?"Give them ten precious minutes to exchange their brightest and boldest ideas, then let each team reveal its findings. What follows is a collective conversation where the pros and cons of each proposal are discussed with passion and insight.
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• 24The exquisite corpseAsk each employee to choose a word and write it on a piece of paper. Put all the words in a hat or a box. Pick a first word at random and start building a story using that word. Then pick another word at random and continue the story by weaving it in creatively.Keep going until all the words have been used and the story is complete. The goal of this game is to create a coherent, entertaining story out of seemingly unrelated words. Employees can have fun imagining different directions for the story using their creativity and imagination.
• 25 · Keep this one handyPass it onAsk each team member to take a sheet of paper and fold it in half. Then ask them to write their name at the top of the sheet and pass it to the person on their left. Each person must then write something positive about the person whose name is written at the top of the sheet, then fold the sheet to hide what they wrote and pass it to the next person.Continue this process until everyone has written something positive on every sheet. Then each person can open their sheet and read the positive comments written about them. This activity is an excellent way to strengthen confidence and self-esteem, while creating a sense of connection and mutual appreciation within the team.

When the team is running on autopilot, these slightly more prepared activities reshuffle the deck and rekindle curiosity between colleagues.

• 26Art-therapy workshopsOrganize art-therapy workshops for your team, an opportunity to express creativity and cultivate sensitivity. This freeing practice can have a magical effect in creating a more relaxed work environment and letting your members connect on an emotional level.Here are examples of this type of activity: team collages, self-portraits, clay sculptures, two-handed drawings or collective paintings. And, on top of encouraging everyone to explore their artistic potential, you can turn your workplace into a space of inspiration and collaboration where ideas can spring up from all sides.
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• 27The virtual treasure huntTurn your work environment into a captivating game by organizing a virtual treasure hunt. Give your team the chance to solve online riddles and challenges, and let collaboration happen with ease. With this playful experience, your team members can enjoy a fun, interactive work environment.For this activity, there are many online platforms you can use, such as GooseChase, Eventzee, Scavify or Loquiz. It's important to choose a platform that matches your needs and your budget.
• 28The marshmallow challengeThe Marshmallow Challenge is a group activity where participants must work together to build the tallest free-standing structure possible using 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, a metre of tape, a metre of string and a marshmallow. The rules are simple: each team has 18 minutes to build the structure, and the marshmallow must be placed on top.This activity was popularized by Tom Wujec, a speaker and design consultant, who used it to explore the concepts of collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and group decision-making (see his TED talk). The Marshmallow Challenge has been used in schools, companies and organizations around the world as a way to foster innovation and experiential learning.
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• 29The Jenga questionThis is a variation on the traditional Jenga game in which players must remove blocks from the tower without making it fall.In this variation, each Jenga block is marked with a question, and players must answer it after removing a block and before placing it back on top of the tower. This game is an excellent way to spark thinking, communication and learning.
• 30The team world mapHere's a simple, playful idea that could spark the interest of your whole team: put up a large world map on a wall in your office and ask your employees to pin their hometown on it, along with a photo of themselves.Then invite each person to share their memories, anecdotes and unique experiences about their city of origin. You might be surprised by the connections and shared interests you have with your colleagues, as well as by the cultural wonders, traditions and quirks of each city.
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• 31The Myers-Briggs testThe Myers-Briggs test is based on a personality theory proposed by Carl Jung, which describes four fundamental dimensions: the direction of energy (introversion or extraversion), the way of perceiving the world (sensing or intuition), the way of making decisions (thinking or feeling) and lifestyle (judging or perceiving).By answering a series of questions, your employees can discover their personality type, represented by a combination of these four dimensions. These sessions can help your employees better understand their strengths and weaknesses, discover their working and communication style, and improve their collaboration with others.
• 32Would you rather?This game consists of asking your employees questions about hypothetical choices, and they have to choose between two options. The questions can be serious, funny or absurd, depending on your team members' preferences.For example, you could ask: "Would you rather travel through time or have the ability to read minds?" or "Would you rather live on a desert island or in a big, bustling city?" The choices are often hard to make, because there's no right or wrong answer. This game is an excellent way to break the ice and encourage players to share their preferences and personal tastes.
• 33Who am I?In this game, your employees have to try to guess the name of a famous person, a fictional character or an object by asking questions of the other colleagues. The employee who guesses correctly wins the game. The game begins by choosing one employee to be the mystery person or object.The other members then ask closed (yes or no) questions to get clues about the identity of the person or object. Employees have to be creative with their questions to get relevant clues and manage to guess the right answer. This is an excellent way to spark your employees' imagination and strategic thinking while livening up your meetings.
• 34What if…Picture a game, a brainstorming workshop, where limits are pushed back and the playing field is infinite. In this world, employees explore hypothetical scenarios by asking questions that start with "What if…" These questions open the door to a world of humour, improbability and endless possibilities. For example: "What if humans could fly without equipment or wings?"This game is a tremendous catalyst for imagination and creativity. It can be used to stimulate employees' minds, get them thinking differently and bring them closer to one another. This endless game of hypothetical scenarios fosters cohesion and helps reveal hidden talents, all while offering a moment of relaxation and fun.

• 35The telephone gameThis activity is a fascinating experience, a true demonstration of the human capacity to communicate. Picture a chain made up of employees, each one linked to the next. An initial message is whispered, passing from one ear to another, making its way through this network of human connections.The game isn't simply about passing the message along, but rather about watching how it mutates, transforms and evolves at each step of the journey. Sometimes these mutations are unexpected, and other times they trigger uncontrollable laughter.
• 36Meet my petTo break the ice during a remote meeting, why not ask everyone to introduce their pet? In a few minutes, colleagues can share funny anecdotes about their dogs, cats or hamsters, helping to create a more relaxed and convivial atmosphere for the meeting ahead.
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• 37 · With a bit of budgetThe company tripIf your budget allows, this opportunity lets your employees discover another city or country in the company of their colleagues, fostering lasting bonds between the members of your company. In short, an idea to encourage collaboration and innovation, while offering your employees an enriching experience on both the professional and personal levels.

People from different departments cross paths without ever really meeting. These icebreakers build the first bridge between worlds that ignore each other.

• 38One thing in commonThis activity lets your employees from different teams find one thing they have in common with one another. The goal is to find a shared trait or experience that's unique to the employees taking part in the game.For example, if all the members have pets, that could be a thing in common. The game can be an excellent way to break the ice and create a fun, relaxed atmosphere during your team meetings.
• 39A childhood achievementThis game is simple but highly interesting. Go around the table and ask each of your employees to describe something they accomplished before coming of age. In doing so, you encourage your team members to share personal experiences, which can help build stronger bonds and strengthen team cohesion.Furthermore, this activity can also help your employees better understand and appreciate everyone's different perspectives and experiences. And it can be particularly useful in work settings where social interaction matters, such as during team projects or meetings.
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• 40My life in 6 wordsThis Six Word Memoirs activity is inspired by Ernest Hemingway. Invite your employees to sum up their life in only six words, no more. They then reveal their choice, sharing with their colleagues the reason behind their selection.Make room for curiosity, encourage questions to explore the hidden treasures behind these stories. Dive into this captivating world and get ready to be amazed by the tales that emerge from it.
• 41Team-building activitiesConsider group activities such as Team Building games or challenges. These playful experiences foster team spirit, encourage cooperation and improve personal relationships between team members.A photo rally, an escape game, tower building, a business simulation and orienteering are all examples. And discover our group activities on this theme.
• 42Speed networkingProfessional Speed Dating is a common practice used at networking events to let professionals meet and quickly exchange information about their company, their role and their skills. It can also be organized internally within a company to help employees get to know one another better.Employees are then placed face to face for a short period, usually five to ten minutes, to chat before moving on to the next colleague. This method lets your members quickly meet a large number of colleagues and identify the people with whom they'd like to pursue a deeper conversation.
• 43Draw for meThis activity can be used to foster communication, creativity and collaboration, while being an excellent icebreaker for your meetings of colleagues from different teams.In this game, one employee has to describe an object or a situation to another colleague, who must then draw it without having seen the object or situation in question. Ideally, pair up the participants in twos, back to back, for this activity. You'll be quite amazed by the little masterpieces, or not, that get created.
• 44Cultural outingsWhy not organize cultural outings for your employees from different teams and offer them a unique experience discovering the local customs and traditions of your region? Think of a tasting of local dishes, a cultural show, or a visit to a museum or a historic monument.This immersion in the surrounding culture will not only strengthen the understanding of cultural differences, but also encourage appreciation of the richness and diversity of the community in which your company operates.
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The way you let someone go says a lot to those who stay. Each departure represents roughly $18,000 in costs for the organization: all the more reason to give the goodbye some care. These gestures turn a farewell into a moment of collective recognition.

• 45A memorable feastGather around a convivial potluck where everyone contributes their favourite dish. Celebrate this special occasion together, in a warm and engaging atmosphere, while savouring the culinary delights brought by each person.
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• 46The memory boxInvite everyone to bring a precious little object, a symbol of a moment shared with the person about to leave the group. Gather these tokens of affection in a box, then take the time to discover them together, one by one.Let each person reveal the moving story hidden behind their object, weaving an even stronger bond between everyone. Share laughter, tears and memories, and give the person leaving an unforgettable gift that will stay etched in their heart.
• 47 · The gesture that stays with themWords from the heartEncourage each colleague to dive into kindness and gratitude and to put on paper their sincere, touching thanks to honour the colleague about to set off on a new path. Give free rein to emotion and authenticity to express all the appreciation for this person who has left a mark on your professional lives.Then gather these precious letters into an album, a true treasure chest of memories and affection, which you'll give as a farewell gift. That way, this person will carry away with them not only your warm words, but also the certainty of having made a difference in your lives and of having left an indelible imprint on your hearts.
• 48The unforgettable memories videoGather the photos and videos shared with this departing colleague, and create a video of warm memories. At the send-off event, screen this moving work that bears witness to your adventures and the bonds you've formed.Give this precious gift to accompany your colleague on their new adventure, an indelible reminder of the unforgettable moments spent together.
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• 49Warm riddlesCook up riddles and puzzles about the career and life of the departing colleague, and gather them in the mystery box of memories. During a convivial moment, invite each colleague to draw and solve a riddle, creating a warm atmosphere full of surprises.
• 50The photo booth cornerSet up a photo booth corner where colleagues can take fun photos with the departing colleague. Add props for a touch of playfulness, creating unforgettable memories for everyone.
• 51KaraokeOrganize a convivial karaoke to belt out the favourite songs of the departing colleague. Take the chance to share funny or touching anecdotes, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.
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• 52The surprise celebrationGive the departing colleague a memorable surprise celebration. Prepare a delicious cake, balloons and decorations to create a dazzling mood.Add a unique touch by gathering a choir of colleagues to perform a personalized song, a testament to your affection and your commitment to celebrating this departure together.
• 53The spa sessionTreat the departing colleague to a relaxing spa session, letting them unwind and be pampered before beginning their new adventure.Invite other colleagues to share this moment of well-being, creating an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and to strengthening the bonds between you all. Enjoy together this enchanted pause before saying goodbye.
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