Why are fun icebreaker questions important? 

According to Chad Littlefield, a renowned expert on engagement for organizations and universities, icebreaker questions are a key component of starting an event on the right foot. Additionally, he shares that years of research have shown that knowing personal information about others creates stronger communication channels. No matter the size of your organization or institution, creating such “communication shortcuts” makes people more engaged, happier, and more productive. 

Another tip he shares is to focus on connection before content. That means choosing “connecting” questions instead of “hypothetical” questions. In this way participants can not only better connect with each other, but to the purpose that you are all there for. Connecting questions are better for aligning with your organization’s values and the purpose of your meeting.

Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the best connecting questions that can be used for your next meeting. We’ve broken them down into a few different categories based on your group and your goals. 

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Sentence completion questions

Completing sentences is a versatile way to “break the ice” no matter the size of your group. Importantly, these questions provide direction while also limiting the length of answers. We’ve probably all been at a work event where some people share a lot more than others. If you’re in a time crunch or just want to make sure everyone gets a chance to engage, try coming up with some sentences that people simply need to finish. 

1. Right now I’m feeling ___
2. By the end of this meeting I hope to feel ___
3. During our time today I would like to share___
4. Something most people don’t know about me is___
5. People who really know me, know ___
6. I have been looking forward to today because___
7. Something I can teach others is ___
8. My favorite thing about my job is ____
9. My favorite thing about my team is ___
10. My favorite thing to do in my spare time is ___
11. Something I admire about this company is ___
12. The coolest thing about this venue so far is ___
13. The best vacation I’ve ever been on was ___
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Non-threatening questions that create trust

Intimate conversations are more important in small groups. Traditionally, icebreaker exercises are geared toward people who are more extroverted and outspoken. It’s important to have a few team-building questions reserved for people who might be less ready to open up.  You can use these questions by going around the room with a smaller group, or breaking up larger groups into pods of 3 or 4 where everyone shares and a dialogue is created. For more ideas, check out our past post on the best icebreaker questions for introverts. 

14. What is something you’ve always wanted to learn? 
15. What is something you know that many people don’t? 
16. What is something that people are usually surprised to find out about you? 
17. If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be? 
18. If you could live in any historical period, which would it be and why? 
19. What’s a common phrase that you use that you rarely hear? 
20. Where is somewhere in the world you want to go? 
21. If you could go anywhere following this meeting, where would it be and why? 
22. When you die, what would you like to be remembered for? 
23. What is one thing you always thought you would do but haven’t done? 
24. If you could talk to yourself as a child what would you say? 
25. When is the last time you’ve felt like everything was going your way? 
26. Is there a phrase that you live by? What is it? 
27. What’s the last thing you did that you are really proud of? 
28. Is there a time when you said “no” to something and now you wish you would have said “yes”?
29. Who do you look up to the most? 
30. What’s the last really nice thing someone did for you? 
31. What is one thing that you could never live without? 
32. If you could rid the world of one thing what would it be? 
33. Have you ever experienced a small act of kindness that you’ve never forgotten? 
34. What one activity do you do to escape real life or work? 
35. What’s your most commonly given piece of advice? 
36. What is one commonly shared piece of advice that you really disagree with (and why)?
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Work related icebreaker questions

It’s always helpful to get to know co-workers better, but sometimes it's a good idea to stay hyper-focused on the work at hand. Here are some questions you can use whether in small groups or virtual team meetings to learn more about each other while keeping work at the forefront. 

37. What is your favorite productivity tool? 
38. What’s the most important thing on your desk right now? 
39. When is your most productive time of day? 
40. Do you have any routines that help improve your focus? 
41. Do you have a go-to drink or snack while working? 
42. Which websites do you use the most? 
43. What are you most likely to be doing if you procrastinate? 
44. What motivates you for really difficult tasks? 
45. What is your favorite strategy for completing your most recent work? 
46. Do you listen to music while working and what is your favorite style? 
47. What goals are you focusing on at work right now? 
48. Be honest: do you ever work from your bed? Note: this one only works for teams where that would be viewed as humorous instead of problematic
49. Who on your team is most likely to get coffee for everyone else? 
50. Who on your team brings baked goods into the office? 
51. Who on your team is the most likely to write a book someday? 
52. What is your favorite thing about your job? 
53. What’s the most important thing about your role in the company/team? 
54. What has influenced you the most when it comes to your work ethic? 
55. Who was your favorite work mentor? 
56. What is the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it? 
57. Is there a professional skill that you’re currently working on? 
58. What surprised you the most when you started working with the company? 
59. Name one improvement you hope to see soon as this company. 
60. What is one small thing you do at work every day that many people don’t know about or notice? 
61. If you could be team leader for one day what would you do? 
62. What is your favorite way to unwind after a stressful day? 
63. In what environment are you most productive? 
64. How did you learn about how to be your most productive? 
65. Who do you go to first if you need some help with work-related challenges? 
66. Do you have a favorite Ted Talk? 
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Fun and light-hearted icebreaker questions for small groups

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to use more silly or energizing questions as your icebreaker. A light-hearted question is a good way to start a conversation and ease any tension that team-members may have. Fun questions that require some “out of the box” answers are especially helpful for sessions that may require brainstorming or innovation later. Research has shown that energizing team warm-ups are great for work groups. You might even make a game of questions (check out this post on question games to play with co-workers). Here are some of our favorite questions for encouraging amusing conversations.  

67. Do you have a claim to fame? 
68. Do you have a fun party trick? 
69. What’s the weirdest trivia fact that you know? 
70. Who is your favorite actor? 
71. What’s your favorite movie? 
72. What’s your favorite book? 
73. What’s your favorite song? 
74. What is the last concert you went to? 
75. Do you have a favorite season (and why)?
76. Do you have a favorite holiday? 
77. Do you play a musical instrument? 
78. Do you have any hidden talents? 
79. What’s your favorite food? 
80. What’s your biggest phobia? 
81. Have you been on a cruise and would you go again? 
82. Do you remember your favorite school teacher and who were they? 
83. Do you like the city or the country? 
84. Are you a beach or pool person? 
85. Have you ever sung karaoke? Which song? 
86. Do you like rollercoasters? 
87. Do you have any “old person” habits? 
88. When was the moment you officially realized you were an adult? 
89. Does your family have any strange traditions? 
90. Can you share your most embarrassing moment? 
91. What is the naughtiest thing you did as a child? 
92. What slang phrase did you say a lot when you were younger? 
93. If you could only watch one TV show for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
94. If you could be the main character in any movie, what would you choose? 
95. Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life? 
96. If you could only use one condiment for the rest of your life what would it be? 
97. What is your favorite movie quote? 
98. What’s the best clean joke you know? 
99. What’s your favorite thing about your family? 
100. For holidays: What is your favorite holiday activity? (For more inspiration, review this article on 100 Christmas icebreaker questions). 
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Improving team offsites with icebreaker questions

Deciding how you’ll break the ice at your next team meeting or company retreat is important. These activities can set the tone for your event, either creating comfort and productivity, or putting people on edge. It’s critical that if you will be working in small groups, you come up with some icebreaker questions or activities that facilitate conversation and idea generation.

If you need any help planning activities for your next company event, reach out to the experts at Surf Office. We can not only advise you on tactics for making the most of the time you have together, but plan logistics and other administrative elements that can be quite time-consuming and complex. Let Surf Office organize your next meeting or event, whether it's for the entire office, a meetup with your remote team, or a unique combination of work and play that’s perfect for a team-building retreat.