Engaging virtual games for Zoom meetings that boost team morale, break the ice, and make remote collaboration more fun
The best virtual games for Zoom include Bingo, Two Truths and a Lie, Virtual Scavenger Hunt, Online Pictionary, and Breakout Room Trivia. These games work for 5-50+ participants and take 5-30 minutes to complete.
Quick Icebreaker Games (5-10 Minutes)
1. Two Truths and a Lie
- Time: 5-10 minutes
- Players: 3-20 people
- Materials: None
How to play: Each person shares three statements about themselves - two true, one false. Others guess which is the lie. Great for learning surprising facts about teammates.
2. Virtual Background Show & Tell
- Time: 10-15 minutes
- Players: Any size
- Materials: Zoom backgrounds
How to play: Everyone changes their background to something meaningful and explains the story behind it. Perfect for personal connection.
3. Quick Draw Challenge
- Time: 5-8 minutes
- Players: 5-30 people
- Materials: Paper and pen
How to play: Call out simple objects to draw in 30 seconds. Everyone shows their drawings simultaneously. Vote on most creative or accurate.
Medium Games (15-25 Minutes)
4. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
- Time: 15-20 minutes
- Players: 5-50 people
- Materials: Item list
How to play: Call out items for people to find in their homes. First person to show the item gets a point. Items: something blue, a book, a snack, etc.
5. Online Pictionary
- Time: 20-25 minutes
- Players: 6-30 people
- Materials: Digital whiteboard
How to play: Use Zoom whiteboard or external tools like Skribbl.io. Teams take turns drawing and guessing. Great for creativity and laughter.
6. Breakout Room Trivia
- Time: 15-25 minutes
- Players: 8-40 people
- Materials: Trivia questions
How to play: Split into breakout rooms as teams. Ask questions to all rooms, teams discuss and submit answers. Reconvene to reveal results.
Long Games (30+ Minutes)
7. Virtual Escape Room
- Time: 30-60 minutes
- Players: 4-12 people
- Materials: Online escape room platform
How to play: Teams solve puzzles and riddles to 'escape' within time limit. Use platforms like Breakout Games or create custom challenges.
8. Virtual Murder Mystery
- Time: 45-90 minutes
- Players: 6-15 people
- Materials: Character assignments, clues
How to play: Assign characters before meeting. Present crime scenario and let people interrogate each other to solve the mystery.
Team Building Games
9. Virtual Bingo
- Time: 15-30 minutes
- Players: Any size
- Materials: Custom bingo cards
How to play: Create bingo cards with work-related items, meeting behaviors, or personal facts. Mark off squares as they occur during meeting.
10. Show and Tell Plus
- Time: 10-20 minutes
- Players: 5-20 people
- Materials: Personal items
How to play: Themed show and tell - favorite book, childhood photo, pet, hobby project. Builds personal connections and understanding.
Creative Games
11. Story Building
- Time: 10-15 minutes
- Players: 5-15 people
- Materials: None
How to play: Start with 'Once upon a time...' Each person adds one sentence to build a collaborative story. Results are usually hilarious.
12. Virtual Charades
- Time: 15-25 minutes
- Players: 6-25 people
- Materials: Word/phrase list
How to play: Classic charades adapted for video. Use work-related terms, movies, books. Person acts out while others guess in chat.
Tips for Success
Technical Tips
- Test games beforehand with a small group
- Have backup activities ready
- Use breakout rooms for smaller group interactions
- Share screen for visual games
Engagement Tips
- Keep energy high with enthusiasm
- Include quiet participants
- Celebrate all attempts, not just winners
- Keep games optional - some prefer to watch
Timing Tips
- Start meetings with 5-minute games
- Use longer games for dedicated team building
- End serious meetings with fun activities
- Watch time zones for global teams