29 Icebreakers To Make Your Zoom Happy Hours Less Awkward

Because everyone is managing anxieties and stresses of their own, it can be a good idea to start off a virtual happy hour with a check-in. Gauge how everyone is doing. See how everyone may be handling life after over a year of social distancing and even ask for or offer advice on how to keep busy and stay calm while this plays out.

It can be super stressful to be remote working with a partner. It can even make you realize you have some pet peeves you never thought about before. Can you not stand it when people chew loudly? Talk about it to break the ice.

While my home-attire-of-choice is an old, oversized t-shirt and any pajamas I can find around the house, you might be someone who has specific outfits you're wearing everyday. Are you dressing up at home to get in a busy mindset? Or are you kicking it in boy shorts? See what everyone wears to work from home.

Some people in my family have been sleeping in as late as 5 p.m. and waking up way past noon. Is your sleep schedule all over the place? This is a topic of conversation that can serve as a great icebreaker because you'll get different answers across the board.

I Spy is not just for children. Because you can use Gallery View on Zoom that allows you to see everyone's video window at once, a game of I Spy can be really entertaining for everyone involved. If someone has a blue hat in the background or a huge, colorful tapestry, you can try and get others to guess at it. This'll get everyone playing and let you take a good look around everyone's backdrop.

Admit it, we’re probably all marathoning a Netflix series right now. (I'm on my fifth rewatch of The Queen’s Gambit.) A really interesting yet simple icebreaker could be to ask everyone in the video call to say which series they're watching. You'll get to connect with other people based off of mutual taste in shows, and you'll probably get a few great suggestions for your next show to watch.

Speaking of Netflix, Bridgerton is a great way to break the ice at a happy hour. Ask each person who their favorite character is and why, and watch your virtual chat room erupt into debate and intrigue. You'll get to discuss one of the best shows to come out over the last year, all while learning about everyone's points of view ahead of season two.

A great icebreaker that can get everyone in a slightly happier mood is asking everyone where they are planning on travelling to when it’s possible. Has someone been itching to go to Italy? Mexico? Maybe Dubai? Discuss your future travel plans and learn a little more about the people you're virtually drinking with.

Can you touch your tongue to your nose? Wiggle your ears without touching them? Showing off your totally weird but still very impressive hidden talents can be a wonderful icebreaker that'll not only make your coworkers laugh, but inspire them to show off theirs. Just remember to keep it office-friendly.

It's super important to take care of yourself, especially during these unpredictable times. If you have any special practices or routines you use to pamper yourself, or just make yourself feel good, now's the time to share that. You might even get some more inspiration from your coworkers.

If you're like me, you have a huge family you're living with, and this could be a really fun fact to share with coworkers during a Zoom happy hour. Share who you're living with right now, what you get up to in your downtime, and how you're handling collective remote working.

Aside from marathoning new shows, you've probably burned through a couple of really good books. Sharing what you like to read is a great icebreaker for people you work with. You can understand people's favorite genres, which authors they like, and what topics they're most interested in.

Did you pick up a fun, quirky, or even educational habit in the last year? I've started listening to podcasts in the morning again. If you've added something to your daily routine, share it with people in your Zoom call. You can see what people are doing at home to spend the time.

Start a friendly wager or just poll the room on a hot topic you know people have opinions on. Would Harry Potter have been better in Slytherin after all? Should Rachel have taken the job in Paris rather than coming back for Ross? Get your opinions and go, go, go!

Many people took up baking over the last year. If this includes you, it could be a fun icebreaker to talk about what you've been baking and maybe even award each design points like The Great British Baking Show. Plus, if something sounds good, you can even ask for a recipe.

Two Truths and a Lie is like the go-to for a lot of icebreakers, and talking through Zoom doesn't change that. This simple yet entertaining game will not only help you and everyone else to learn more about each other, but it'll also let you assess each other's ability to tell a lie. Plus, you'll be debating together in no time, making it an easy environment to relax in.

You've probably come across some new music recently. Talk about any music or artists you've discovered. Is there an album you're stuck on? Share it! You might get some awesome new music suggestions from others, as well.

The cool thing about having virtual happy hours is that everyone is probably in their own respective bedrooms or living areas. This can be a great opportunity for an icebreaker. Give a virtual tour of the room you're calling from or at least point out something fascinating or unique you might have in your room. Whether it's a poster behind you, a souvenir from another country, or that stuffed teddy bear you've had since you were 2 years old, it can put you at ease to share something about your space with others.

If you've seen the Instagram social distancing Bingo going around, you can set yourself up for another great icebreaker. No, you don't have to break out a Bingo board, but you can assess who did what in 2020 by having people raise their hands. Has anyone else slept in past noon? Baked for fun? Binged an entire season in a day? Bingo!

Is there a snack that you've been munching on everyday during remote work? If there is, poll the video chat to see who else may have one. You might as well get some inspiration for snacks.

A lot of people downloaded TikTok or took on some of the challenges over the last year. If this is something you'e done and think others have done as well, bring it up as an icebreaker. Maybe there are TikToks that your coworkers haven't done yet but totally want to try.

You may be sick of planning another virtual happy hour, but when the world opens up, chances are, you may miss celebrating the end of the day with your drink of choice in pajama bottoms. So, while you’re celebrating this one, plan your next!

Chances are, after over a year in self isolation and hundreds of Zoom calls later, you and your coworker have probably had a “Zoom Fail.” Did your dog pop up on the screen? Did your hubby say something kind of hilarious while you were on-camera? This one will get your coworkers and you laughing.

Ahhhh — nothing sounds better than being served at a restaurant and absolutely not cooking at home. Chat about your own personal favorites, your coworker's favorites, and maybe you can get a bucket list going.

They’ve barked and meowed on camera at probably some of the worst times, but they’re your little fur babies, so you still love ‘em! Have everyone on Zoom with a pet show their animals off on camera for a great Zoom icebreaker. Warning: this may be too adorable for some of the people on Zoom.

OK sure, the situation for many has been less than ideal. But this past year has made everyone adapt. Chances are, there may actually be one thing that you Zoom friends liked about the lockdown. Challenge them: they’re not allowed to say “sweatpants!”

If your happy hours are running a little stale, how about you pick a day of the week where everyone has to adhere to a theme? Make a schedule and set some rules. My suggestion? Pop-culture references are always a winner.

Have you long wondered what Harry Potter house Sally from accounting is in? Or maybe you want to know your bosses Love Language so you can work out how to earn your way to a top review. Ask people to take the quiz while on Zoom, or take it in advance and share the results together. It can be very revealing.

The greatest gift you can give? The gift of a Zoom-free hour when you’re not expecting it. In fact, it might be the happiest hour of all.