Top Corporate Event Icebreakers to Boost Engagement

Corporate events offer the perfect opportunity to strengthen team bonds, encourage networking, and create an enjoyable experience for employees. However, without the right start, it can be tough for people to break out of their usual work roles and engage with each other. Here are some top corporate event icebreakers to make your event a memorable success.

Two Truths and a Lie

This classic game allows everyone to reveal a little about themselves in a fun, lighthearted way. Each person takes turns sharing two true facts and one false fact about themselves, while the rest of the group guesses which one is the lie. This activity encourages laughter and conversation, and it’s a great way for employees to discover things they didn’t know about each other.

Pro Tip: Encourage participants to share quirky or unexpected truths for added fun!

Human Bingo

Create bingo cards with various prompts related to interests or experiences, such as “has traveled to more than three countries” or “plays a musical instrument.” Each participant has to find someone who fits each category and write their name on the card. The first person to complete a row or a full card wins a prize.

Why It Works: Human Bingo pushes attendees to talk to as many people as possible, making it ideal for larger events or networking.

Speed Networking

Speed networking is like speed dating, but for professionals. Set up a timed rotation where each person has two to three minutes to chat with another attendee before moving to the next person. Provide some icebreaker questions to keep the conversation flowing.

Pro Tip: Give participants name tags and encourage them to write down a memorable fact about themselves to get the conversation started.

Team Trivia

Divide everyone into small teams and hold a trivia session with questions related to the company, pop culture, or fun facts about the industry. Team trivia is a fantastic way to encourage teamwork and spark friendly competition.

Why It Works: Not only does this break the ice, but it also gets participants collaborating, brainstorming, and having fun as a team.

Two-Minute Talent Show

Encourage attendees to showcase a unique skill or talent, such as singing, dancing, or telling a joke, within two minutes. The idea isn’t to put anyone on the spot but to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing something unique.

Benefits: This is a fun way for employees to showcase their personalities outside of their professional roles and adds a relaxed atmosphere to the event.

Office Superlatives

Before the event, create a list of lighthearted superlative awards, such as “Best Desk Décor,” “Coffee Enthusiast,” or “Most Likely to Brighten Your Day.” Hand out these awards during the event to kickstart conversations and build rapport.

Why It Works: People love to see what others think of them, especially when it’s in a positive light. This encourages mingling and can even lead to team members finding new connections based on shared interests.

Guess the Baby Photo

Ask participants to submit a baby or childhood photo before the event, then create a slideshow where everyone guesses which photo belongs to whom. It’s a sweet, nostalgic game that gives everyone a glimpse into each other’s childhoods.

Pro Tip: Announce a prize for the person with the most correct guesses to add a competitive element.

Would You Rather?

“Would You Rather?” questions are a great way to get people thinking and talking. Create questions that are a mix of fun and work-related scenarios, like “Would you rather work from the beach or the mountains?” or “Would you rather give up coffee or email for a month?”

Why It Works: This simple game sparks conversation and reveals shared preferences among employees, helping to build connections based on mutual interests.

Find Someone Who…

This activity is a great option for larger groups. Each participant receives a list of statements, such as “Find someone who has visited more than 10 countries,” or “Find someone who is an early riser.” Participants must circulate, asking questions until they find someone who fits each category.

Benefits: This game encourages networking and gives people an easy way to start conversations with multiple attendees.

Company Scavenger Hunt

If your venue allows it, create a scavenger hunt where participants have to find certain items, take photos with teammates, or complete tasks together. This is an exciting way to encourage teamwork and exploration.

Why It Works: This activity gets people moving, working together, and having fun while creating memorable moments.

The best icebreakers are those that make participants feel relaxed, engaged, and ready to have fun. They should be designed to encourage conversation, reveal common interests, and promote teamwork without putting anyone on the spot. By incorporating these icebreakers into your corporate event, you can help foster a warm and inclusive environment that will set a positive tone for the rest of the day.