With the current state of the world, it's clear that virtual meetings, online events, and digital conferences will be our go-to modes of communication, participation, sharing, and learning in the near future. However, with these new forms of events come fresh challenges for event planners. So if you're looking to build connections in a remote meeting or conference, what are some fun activities and games that can help people get to know each other?

In this article, we'll explore the five best activities and games for virtual meetings and conferences that are sure to add a touch of excitement to your next virtual get-together. Here are a few options, from simple icebreakers to more complex problem-solving with creativity in between. Let's get started!!

Tips to Choose Games for Virtual Meetings and Conferences

Type of Audience

It's essential to consider the audience (employees) you are catering to based on age, interests, and background when choosing games for virtual meetings and conferences. Levels of employee engagement can differ for some who may prefer fast-paced, interactive games while others may enjoy traditional games.

Technology Requirements

When choosing games for virtual meetings and conferences, it's crucial to take the technological needs of each game into account to ensure smooth sailing. Technology serves as the platform for communication, collaboration, and engagement between participants, and any issues or limitations can cause disruptions, delays, or even derail the meeting altogether.

Time Constraints

Consider the duration of your virtual meeting or conference when choosing games to ensure they fit in the bigger scheme of team members’ work schedules and other work commitments. If you have limited time to use, select games that can be completed quickly or played in short rounds.

Collaborative vs Competitive Games

Decide whether you want to promote collaboration or competition among your attendees. Collaborative games can encourage teamwork and communication, while competitive games can create a more exciting and engaging atmosphere.

Icebreaker Games

Icebreaker games are an excellent way to help virtual meeting participants become more comfortable and engaged with one another. Choose games that are easy to learn and quick to play, and encourage attendees to share personal information or stories.

5 Games for Virtual Meetings To Keep you Engaged

1. 5-Minute Games

5-Minute Games for virtual meetings are quick and simple games that are the perfect way to break up the monotony of virtual meetings. These games are easy to understand, require minimal preparation, and allow everyone to join in, regardless of their skill level or experience.

1.1. Have you Heard?

"Have You Heard?" is a fun and engaging 5-minute team-building activity that can boost morale and improve communication within your team. The game involves sharing exciting news stories, facts, or trivia to start a conversation and build connections.

To play the game -

Assign one team member to share a news story, fact, or trivia they've heard recently. The topic can be anything, from current events to sports to pop culture.
Once the person has shared their story, the other team members can comment, ask questions or share their own stories.

The goal is to create an engaging and fun conversation that brings the team together.

What makes this game stand out?

"Have You Heard?" is a great way to start a meeting, break the ice, or even inject some energy into the workday. It's a simple yet effective way to build team spirit and strengthen relationships between team members. In just 5 minutes, your team can come away with a deeper understanding of each other's interests, values, and personalities.

1.2. Guess What?

"Guess What?" is a fun, engaging 5-minute team-building activity to get your team talking and working together. The game involves one team member describing an object, place, or person without mentioning its name while the others have to guess what it is.

To play the game -

Select one person to be the describer and the others to be the guessers.
The describer can use gestures, body language, and descriptive words to give clues but cannot mention the name of the object, place, or person.
The guessers can ask questions to gather more information and make their guesses.

The game can be played in various ways, such as using a theme or specific topic, depending on the team's interests. For example, you could focus on objects related to your industry or describe famous landmarks from around the world.

What makes this game stand out?

"Guess What?" is a great way to encourage communication, teamwork, and creativity. It helps to develop problem-solving skills and encourages everyone to work together towards a common goal. In just 5 minutes, your team can feel more connected, energised, and engaged.

2. Ice Breaker Games

2.1. GIF Breaker Online Game

This GIF-based icebreaker activity is like a contemporary version of 'show and tell', which can serve as a quick and fun way for people to introduce themselves and add a fun element to monotonous or formal sessions. Given the multitude of GIFs available via GIPHY, participants find it fun and easy to engage.

To play the game -

Each team member presents 3-5 GIFs that express their personality and interests.
Players can notch the level up and create themes, try guesswork, and tailor it for more fun.

What makes this game stand out?

The activity doesn't require much effort from people, which can appeal to those who want to engage in a social activity without having to invest a lot of time or energy. Participants can search for a GIF representing something about themselves or their interests and share it with the group.

2.2. MIME Popcorn Team Game

This one needs creative expression, so it may not be for everyone, depending on the context and personality types you are dealing with in your online meeting, conference or event. It can be played as one big group or in breakout rooms and requires people to have their video on (privacy warning…).

To play the game -

One person needs to mime an action, and the others need to guess what they are doing by putting their answers in the chat.
Whoever gets the correct answer first becomes the person to do the following mime action.
This game works better when people know each other a little bit, but it can also be used to break the ice if you have an outgoing group of people.

What makes this game stand out?

The activity allows participants to express their creativity and individuality, which can appeal to some. Participants can share various items or props, leading to a more diverse and exciting conversation.

3. Brain Teasers

Virtual meetings can sometimes feel monotonous and uninspiring, but incorporating brain teasers can be a great way to keep attendees engaged and energised. These puzzles and riddles are designed to challenge the mind and encourage creative thinking, making them perfect for virtual meetings. In addition to providing a fun and engaging break from the meeting agenda, brain teasers can also help to build teamwork and promote collaboration.

3.1. The Puzzle

If you are looking for an activity that is fun and engaging, The Puzzle could work for you. It's a perfect way for people to work on something fun together and can quickly form part of your event or meeting program. The game requires some lateral thinking and collaboration, so it works well as an icebreaker to encourage more meaningful connections, a way to re-energise a group during a long meeting, or as a fun way to blow off some steam together during a virtual after-work. The game is accessible on Loumee and easy to play, providing a fun and interactive experience for problem solving enthusiasts.

To play this game -

Teams work through a series of logic, riddles, or other problem-based tasks to crack a master puzzle for that ultimate 'ah ha!' moment.

The game takes around 60 minutes and is simple to deliver, with the DIY version coming with pre-made slides, simple instructions and tips for facilitators, and a link to the online portal where the game takes place.

What makes this game stand out?

The Puzzle can be a great way to get attendees working together to solve a challenging puzzle, building and fostering teamwork.

3.2. Skribbl

Skribbl is an online multiplayer game perfect for virtual meetings and team-building activities. The game combines Pictionary and charades, where players take turns drawing a picture while others try to guess what it is. Skribbl is easy to play and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.

To start a game -

Create a private room and invite your team members or friends to join. Once everyone has joined, the game will begin.
A player is chosen randomly to draw a picture from a list of words, and the other players must guess what the drawing is before time runs out.

Skribbl is a great way to liven up virtual meetings and unite people. It's easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for team-building activities or a casual game with friends.

What makes this game stand out?

The drawing tools in Skribbl are simple to use, and there are plenty of colours and brush sizes to choose from. There's also a chat feature that allows players to communicate with each other while the game is in progress. This makes Skribbl perfect for remote teams who want to bond and have fun together.

4. Coffee Break Games

When virtual meetings end up being long and taxing, a pitstop at the coffee machine aka, virtual coffee break games, can give that much-needed breather. These short and simple fun games for virtual meetings can be easily adapted to an online format, with options ranging from quick trivia quizzes to mini scavenger hunts and even virtual board games. Loumee is one such platform where you can find a variety of coffee break games for that much-needed refresher.

4.1. Would You Rather

“Would You Rather” is a popular game that can turn a bland coffee break into a lively and engaging experience. The game is played by asking participants to reflect on a hypothetical scenario and choose between two equally challenging or amusing options. You can tailor it to suit the interests of your team or company.

To play this game -

You could ask questions related to your industry or ask questions related to your company's values and goals.
Also, the questions can range from severe to silly, and the more creative the questions, the more fun the game becomes. For example, you could ask questions like "Would you rather live in a world without music or movies?" or "Would you rather be the funniest person in the room or the most intelligent?"

The game is a great way to encourage open communication and build stronger relationships among team members. It can also be an excellent icebreaker for new team members or those who may not know each other well.

What makes this game stand out?

"Would You Rather" is a fun and engaging game that can help to break the ice, spark conversation, and create a more cohesive team. So, the next time you need to liven up a coffee break or team meeting, try this game and watch the conversations and laughs flow.

4.2. Guess the Song

"Guess the Song" is a fun and engaging game that can make any virtual meeting or coffee break more entertaining. The game involves playing a short clip of a popular song, and participants have to guess the title and artist of the song.

To play the game -

Play a short clip of a popular song and have participants guess the title and artist.
You can use a music streaming service like Spotify or YouTube to make it easy.
You can also share your screen with the participants so that everyone can see the song information and the clip.
The game can be tailored to suit the interests of your team or company.

For example, you could choose songs from a specific genre, decade, or theme. You could also create a playlist of songs that relate to your company's values or culture. Guess the Song is a great way to break the ice and create a fun and relaxed atmosphere. It's also a great way to exercise your memory and knowledge of popular music. It can be a great way to bond with colleagues and get to know each other's musical tastes.

What makes this game stand out?

Guess the Song is a fun and easy game that requires minimal preparation and can add a lot of fun to your virtual meeting or coffee break. So, the next time you're looking for a way to spice up your virtual summit, try this game and see how much fun you can have.

5. Virtual Challenges

With all your meeting or event participants stuck at home in front of their computers, it can be nice for them to do an activity where they can get up and move around, even if just within their apartment, house, or local area. A virtual challenge or scavenger hunt works well for larger groups, as you can split them into teams so they can work together. Give them a list of things to find and do and allocate points to each activity based on the difficulty level.

5.1. Scavenger Hunt

If you want to connect with the team during virtual meetings, a virtual scavenger hunt might be the answer. If you're playing with a group, it's a good idea to assign teams to encourage collaboration and team bonding. You can use a video conferencing platform to keep everyone connected and share progress updates. You can add bonus challenges or clues to keep things interesting as the game progresses.

To play this game -

First, you must decide on a theme for your scavenger hunt.
This could be anything from household items to pictures of certain things to specific food or drinks.
Once you've settled on a theme, you'll need to create a list of items or clues that participants need to find.
Participants can search their cabin, office, or surrounding areas for the items on the list, taking pictures or videos to prove their findings.

What makes this game stand out?

A virtual scavenger hunt is a great way to have fun, connect with others, and get your brain working.

5.2. Virtual Charades

Virtual Charades is a fun and exciting game perfect for virtual meetings or any remote gathering. The game is easy to play and requires only a little creativity and imagination. One of the great things about virtual charades is that they can be customised to fit any theme or occasion. You can choose from a wide range of categories, including movies, TV shows, animals, and more. You can also create your custom word list tailored to your group's interests.

To play virtual charades -

One person acts out a word or phrase without speaking while the others try to guess what it is.
The actor can use gestures, body language, and facial expressions to convey the word or phrase, while the other participants use the chat feature to type in their guesses.

What makes this game stand out?

"Virtual Charades" is a great way to break the ice and engage people remotely. It's perfect for team-building activities, remote parties, or a fun way to pass the time. Plus, it's a great way to exercise your creativity and imagination.

FAQs

What are the games we can play in a virtual meeting?

There are several games that can be played in virtual meetings, such as trivia games, charades, Pictionary, online board games, and scavenger hunts. These games for virtual meetings can be easily adapted to suit various group sizes and preferences and can help to create a fun and engaging virtual meeting experience.

How can I make an online meeting fun?

You can make an online meeting fun by incorporating interactive elements such as games, icebreakers, polls, and quizzes. You can also encourage active participation by allowing time for group discussions and providing opportunities for participants to share their thoughts and ideas.

What virtual games can you play on teams?

There are various games for virtual meetings that can be played on Microsoft Teams, such as virtual trivia, Pictionary, online scavenger hunts, charades, and icebreaker games. These games help team members connect, collaborate, and have fun while working remotely.

5 activities and games for online meetings and virtual conferences

Tips to Choose Games for Virtual Meetings and Conferences

5 Games for Virtual Meetings To Keep you Engaged

1. 5-Minute Games

1.1. Have you Heard?

1.2. Guess What?

2. Ice Breaker Games

2.1. GIF Breaker Online Game

2.2. MIME Popcorn Team Game

3. Brain Teasers

3.1. The Puzzle

3.2. Skribbl

4. Coffee Break Games

4.1. Would You Rather

4.2. Guess the Song

5. Virtual Challenges

5.1. Scavenger Hunt

5.2. Virtual Charades

FAQs

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