Breaking the Ice

Joining a new company can be an anxious and overwhelming time. Not only is there pressure to prove your worth but in addition, you will be working with a new team and getting to know new people. However, it is important for your company to encourage and support you in becoming part of the team, through shared time together such as activities and collaborative work.

Using icebreaker activities to introduce and engage your team will allow them to get to know one another in a low-key, low pressure, and more relaxed environment. Ice breakers can also be used on a regular basis such as before meetings to encourage more open discussion as well as encouraging connection and communication. These skills will allow your team to communicate and mesh well as a team.

Benefits of organising activities to break the ice include:

  1. Great activity for introducing new team members as well as an informal way of getting to know your team
  2. Jumpstart virtual meetings to mix up your agenda
  3. Relax your team and help them get to know one another
  4. Create common ground, and build trust and rapport within your team
  5. Energise, motivate, and engage your team

Icebreakers can be awkward, half-hearted attempts to get to know your colleagues, however, we’re giving you some fun and engaging options that are sure to be a hit with your team!

Who Am I?

The rules are simple; have everyone write the names of well-known celebrities on a post-it and stick them to someone else’s forehead (or back). They then must go around the room and ask questions about who they are, such as: am I popular in the music industry? Answers should only be yes or no. The first person to guess the name written on their post-it is the winner.

Team Quizzes

We might all be over the Zoom quizzes after lockdown however short, sharp quizzes are an exciting and low-key way to offer employees a bit of a break. Used correctly, they can be an effective way to bring teams together. For an engaging experience, why not try our virtual live music quiz?

Virtual Escape Room

Depending on the virtual escape room you choose, team members must pass through different rooms or levels and solve the puzzles they encounter. This activity is collaborative, builds communication, and is perfect as an alternative icebreaker.

Treasure Hunt

Break out into teams and have a scavenger hunt around the city. You can organise one yourself or try a fully-managed and professionally organised event such as our range of team building treasure hunts. These can be an excellent way for employees to demonstrate leadership and communication skills, as well as a fun way to leave the office for a while. Delegates will come back to work motivated and refreshed.

Themed Happy Hour

Give your happy hour a personality! Themes will give your happy hour a focus, tying all activities, drinks, conversation, snacks, and perhaps even your dress code together to create an engaging, fun, and memorable event. Example themes could include colours, countries, or eras.

Scribbl

Scribbl and Pictionary are excellent tools for activating non-verbal communication. Splitting delegates into teams offers a competitive aspect, whilst remaining light-hearted fun. Scribbl is an excellent virtual solution, and Pictionary is easy to set up in the office to provide some low-key weekly fun for employees to let off steam.

Haka Workshop

An inspiring display of strength and pride, the ancient haka war dance has been used for centuries to unite tribes and challenge opponents; making it a highly effective team activity used to boost energy and ignite enthusiasm.

Two Truths and A Lie

This is a classic fun activity, but it’s also an excellent icebreaker activity when bringing together colleagues who do not yet know one another. This is also an engaging way to introduce a new employee to the business. The rules are easy; organise the group and allow everyone to introduce themselves. In addition to providing their name, they must also say three things about themselves, one of which is a lie. The group then must deduce which of the three ‘facts’ is the lie.

Lunchtime / Mental Health Walks

Another low-key option for team building could be to encourage delegates to participate in a lunchtime walk once a week. Not only does this encourage your team to improve their fitness, but it also allows them to form organic relationships with colleagues in a more relaxed setting.

Samba Beats

For a more interactive and musical icebreaker full of exhilarating beats, everyone will enjoy taking part in this drumming activity that encourages interaction for a highly motivating meeting or event. A truly memorable way to break the ice, the Samba Beats team activity will have guests smiling ear-to-ear as they are eased into learning basic musical skills on an array of different instruments.

Idea Workshops

Hear us out. Forbes reports that 74% of employees report they are more effective at their job when they feel heard. Encouraging delegates to come together and brainstorm together can be just as important as the more ‘fun’ teambuilding activities. Ideas workshops can encourage great collaboration, active participation, and some really great ideas for the company or department to work on. This can also become a great tool for opening communication in the company, particularly for new employees or those lacking in confidence.

We hope that there is something here to inspire your next event, contact Eventurous for your team building event today.