9 BREATHTAKING SHORT VIRTUAL ICEBREAKERS

Short virtual icebreakers are a great way to kick off the first few minutes of any class. Instead of asking students to get to know one another or reveal something personal, these icebreakers are interactive and play on the fact that they happen virtually.

The icebreakers can be used as an introduction activity and a way to ease into a new lesson topic or theme. They’ll help your students get acquainted with one another. Also, keep things interesting without being too personal.

Short virtual icebreakers will help you make an excellent first impression on your students. Also, give them something fun to do while they get to know their classmates better.

Here are nine short virtual icebreakers that you can use in the classroom:

Virtual High-Fives

One of the best short virtual icebreakers out there is virtual high-fives. Everyone will be sure to get involved in this activity and feel part of the group.

 This is also an excellent way for students to get comfortable with one another before asking more personal questions.

How to play

• Get all your students to put their hands out, so they are all facing the screen.
• At the same time, invite them to high-five the computer screen.
• This will allow them to high-five each other online.
• You ask your students to count to three before high-fiving the screen.
• Or, you can invite them to do so at random.

This can be an excellent way for shy students to get involved without speaking to their classmates.

Happy/Sad Face Emoji Scramble

Emoji Scramble is a fun way to get to know one another. In this activity, students will use emojis to describe themselves and each other.

Get them to describe each other based on their hobbies, likes, and dislikes. You can also ask them how they feel about a specific topic or lesson.

This is a great way to get your students to open up and share thoughts, opinions, and feelings they might otherwise be too nervous to say.

How to play

• Write out a list of questions on the board.
• Ask your students to describe themselves, their classmates, and topics related to the lesson.
• Using the emoji keyboard, ask them to write their answers using emojis.
• Students can work in pairs or small online groups to develop their answers.
• Then show them on a board on their computer/laptop screens
• They can then post them on the board for others to see.
• This can be an excellent way for shy students to participate without having to speak aloud.

Blindfolded Drawing Activity

This short virtual icebreaker requires a bit more creativity from your students. Ask them to draw what the word “teamwork” looks like. Then show it on a board.

This is a great way to get them thinking about teamwork and its importance in the classroom.

How to play

• Get your students to draw what teamwork looks like to them on boards and show it on their screens.
• Let them do this one at a time.
• Finish and show the results on their board on the screen
• After everyone has presented their boards, allow them to discuss what teamwork means
• Now let them draw it without a blindfold
•  After drawing their pictures, they can compare them with those they drew blindfolded and compare them among their classmates.

When do you use it?

The short virtual icebreaker is best for individuals that do not know each other. They are meeting for the first time.

The short virtual game is perfect for small virtual teams and could take a maximum of 10- 15 minutes.

Leap Frog Game

This short virtual icebreaker can be played with teams or partners. In this game, students take turns answering questions.

The first person to get a wrong answer “leaps” over, say, chairs or a couch to land on the frog (or lily pad). This game is excellent for honing listening skills, too.

How to play the short virtual Icebreakers

• Write out a list of questions on the board.
•  Questions can be about the topic you are teaching or something more general. Have students pair up and take turns answering the questions.
• The first person to get a wrong answer “leaps” over in a room to land on the frog (or lily pad).
• Students can keep track of their points, and at the end of class, the person with the highest score is the winner!
• This short virtual icebreaker is a great way to mix up your group activity and keep your students engaged.

Slime Bowl Bowl-ing Game

In this short virtual icebreaker game, students will answer questions while sitting in a bowl of slime. This virtual icebreaker is a silly way to get to know each other better and have fun.

You can ask general questions, like “What is your favorite movie?” or use the occasion to ask questions related to the topic you are teaching.

How to play

• Get your students to sit in a bowl of slime for this game.
• They can be seated in any bowl of slime you have on hand, or get them to buy a unique bowl of slime from a toy store.
• Once your students are seated, and can comfortably appear on screen, challenge them to answer your questions in the bowl of slime.
• They can do this in groups or pairs.

This game is a silly way to get your students to open up and have fun while answering your questions.

Rock Paper Scissors Game

This classic childhood game is a tremendous short virtual icebreaker for students of all ages.

In this game, students will write a topic on a piece of paper or a Post-It note.

They will then pick a hand gesture from rock, paper, or scissors. The winner of each match then picks a new topic.

This short virtual icebreaker is a great way to get to know your students better and have fun simultaneously.

 How to play

• Get your students to write down a topic on a piece of paper or a Post-It note.
•  They can either do this in pairs or a group setting.
• Next, pick a hand gesture out of rock, paper, or scissors.
• The winner of each match then picks a new topic.

Naming an Emoji Tune

This short virtual icebreaker is known as the “Name That Emoji Tune”

How it Works

• Everyone takes turns sharing their screens
• Set the timer for five minutes
• Use Google Docs, MS Word, and text apps to generate emojis
• The individual then types the name of a favorite song using emojis
• The other members try to guess the name of the song until the time runs out
• If nobody gauzes it right, by the time the timer is off, reveal the song and motivation behind it.
• Do this until it is your round as the meeting host to display the emoji team. At this point, ask the team to work on finding the title.
• The second part of using the host ensures teamwork, and it should be easier as they are allowed to interact.

Virtual Rainbow Slumber Party

This virtual icebreaker is a fun way to get to know your students better. In this activity, students will have a virtual slumber party.

Get them to talk about their favorite childhood toys, TV shows, and foods from when they were younger.

This is a great way to get more personal and learn more about your students.

How to play this short virtual icebreaker

• Get your students to talk about their favorite childhood toys, TV shows, and foods from when they were younger.
• This is a great way to get more personal and learn more about them.
• Do this activity in pairs.

Virtual Mirror Activity

For this short virtual icebreaker, students will pair up and write a question on a piece of paper or a Post-It note.

 They will then hold up the paper so the other person can read it while looking into the mirror.

This is a great way to get to know your students better and have some silly fun.

Conclusion

Short virtual icebreakers are a great way to kick off the first few minutes of any class. Instead of asking students to get to know one another or reveal something personal, these icebreakers are interactive and play on the fact that they happen virtually.

These icebreakers can be used as an introduction activity and a way to ease into a new lesson topic or theme.

They’ll help your students get acquainted with one another and keep things interesting without being too personal.

Virtual icebreakers are great for engaging students and helping them get to know one another better.

They are fun to ease into a new lesson or theme without being too personal. These icebreakers can be used. It is a great way to ensure as a host, the virtual members do not lose attention or concentration when attending a virtual meeting or class.