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Remote Teams

Jan 10, 2025

15 Easy and Fun Ways to Start Meetings for Remote Teams

Written By

Savannah

Table of contents:

Have you ever joined a virtual meeting and felt the energy sink as soon as it began? You’re not alone. Without the personal connections of in-person gatherings, remote meetings can often feel rigid, awkward, and uninspiring. This lack of engagement can lead to distracted meeting attendees, low participation, and missed opportunities for collaboration.

The good news? Adding a touch of fun at the start can change everything. From breaking the ice to building stronger bonds among team members, fun meeting openers set a positive tone and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing.

In this guide, we’ll explore creative and practical fun ways to start meetings that energize your team and turn virtual gatherings into moments of connection and creativity.

Why It’s Important to Start Meetings in a Fun Way

Virtual meetings are essential for keeping teams aligned, but they can quickly become repetitive and uninspiring. When team members feel disengaged or overwhelmed, it’s harder to stay focused and contribute effectively. This is why starting your meetings with a bit of fun can make a big difference.

Here are some key reasons why incorporating fun activities is beneficial:

  • Boosts team morale - Starting with an engaging activity helps create a positive atmosphere, making meeting attendees feel more relaxed and appreciated.

  • Encourages participation - Fun meeting openers break down barriers and encourage even quieter team members to join the conversation.

  • Sets the tone for productivity - Energizing activities can refocus your team, ensuring everyone is ready to tackle the meeting agenda.

  • Strengthens team connections - Activities that promote interaction build stronger bonds, especially in remote settings where casual interactions are limited.

Fun isn’t just about making meetings enjoyable—it’s about building better communication and collaboration. A little effort at the start can lead to big payoffs throughout the rest of your team meeting.

Easy and Fun Ways to Start Remote Meetings

Starting a virtual meeting with a bit of fun can transform the energy in the (virtual) room and set a positive tone for the rest of the discussion. Here are some creative, easy-to-implement ideas to engage your meeting attendees right from the start:

1. Quick Icebreaker Questions

Icebreaker questions are a simple yet effective way to kick off any meeting. They help reduce tension, encourage participation, and allow team members to connect on a more personal level. These questions are quick to implement and work for both small and large teams.

Here are some fun icebreaker questions to try at your next team meeting:

  • “What’s the last TV show you binge-watched?”

  • “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

  • “What’s your favorite snack during work hours?”

  • “What’s one thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?”

  • “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

  • “What’s your go-to karaoke song?”

You can also level up your icebreaker activity with Braid’s This or That game, where meeting attendees can quickly choose between fun prompts like “Coffee or tea?” or “Mountains or beach?” to spark laughter and conversation.

This or that

2. Virtual Show-and-Tell

Virtual show-and-tell is a fun way to bring personal connection into a remote meeting. It’s simple: ask team members to share an item from their home that’s meaningful or interesting to them. This activity is a great icebreaker that allows your team to showcase their personality while learning something new about their colleagues.

Here are some cool meeting ideas for virtual show-and-tell:

  • A coffee mug they can’t work without or their favorite desk accessory.

  • A pet, a favorite plant, or a DIY project they’re proud of.

  • Something that tells a story, like a souvenir from a memorable trip or a treasured keepsake.

  • A current obsession, such as a book, a binge-worthy show, or a fun game they’re enjoying.

For a twist, try Braid’s Picture Puzzle game, where your team works together to solve a shared visual challenge. It’s a fun and collaborative way to start the meeting on a high note!

Picture puzzle

3. Collaborative Whiteboard Activity

A collaborative whiteboard activity is an engaging way to spark creativity and teamwork at the start of your meeting. Using virtual tools like Miro or MURAL, you can bring team members together to brainstorm, doodle, or interact on a shared canvas. These activities encourage participation and get everyone into a collaborative mindset.

Here are some fun whiteboard ideas to try:

  • Mood doodles - Ask everyone to draw how they’re feeling using shapes, colors, or symbols.

  • Creative brainstorming - Pose a quirky question like “If our team were a band, what would our album name be?” and let the ideas flow.

  • Team vision board - Have each person add an image, word, or symbol that represents their goals or focus for the week.

Want to mix things up? Introduce Braid’s Word Link game to your team, where they can collaboratively build a chain of words. It’s a perfect blend of creativity and connection that adds a fun twist to your meeting start!

word link

4. Themed Dress-Up Days

Themed dress-up days are a playful way to bring energy and humor to your remote meetings. These themes encourage team members to step out of their routine and show off their creativity, instantly breaking the ice and sparking laughter.

Here are some fun theme ideas to try at your next team meeting:

  • Hats galore - Ask everyone to wear the funniest or most creative hat they can find.

  • Vacation vibes - Encourage participants to dress for their dream vacation, from tropical shirts to hiking gear.

  • Favorite movie characters - Let your team channel their inner superhero or dress as a beloved movie icon.

  • Color challenge - Pick a color and have everyone incorporate it into their outfit.

This lighthearted activity is a great way to start the meeting on a positive note, build connections, and help everyone relax before diving into the meeting agenda.

5. Emoji Check-Ins

Emoji check-ins are a quick and fun way to gauge how your team members are feeling at the start of a meeting. They’re easy to implement and work well for both small and large groups, encouraging participation without putting anyone on the spot.

Here are some fun meeting ideas for emoji check-ins to try:

  • Post an emoji that describes your current mood.

  • Share an emoji that sums up your week so far.

  • Choose an emoji that represents your favorite meal or drink.

This activity helps meeting attendees relax, adds a touch of humor, and provides a quick snapshot of the team’s energy before diving into the meeting agenda.

6. Fun Polls or Surveys

Fun polls or surveys are a great way to engage your team members and ignite conversation at the start of a meeting. They’re interactive, lighthearted, and can give everyone a chance to participate without pressure.

Here are some fun poll ideas to kick off your next team meeting:

  • Food favorites - “What’s the best pizza topping? 🍕”

  • Work preferences - “Are you a morning person or a night owl?”

  • Travel dreams - “If you could visit any country, where would you go first?”

  • Fun matchups - “Coffee vs. Tea: Which wins your heart?”

Use tools like Slido, Mentimeter, or your video conferencing platform’s polling feature to make the process seamless. You can even spark debates over the results for extra laughs and engagement.

This activity not only livens up the meeting but also builds interaction, helping meeting attendees connect before tackling the meeting agenda.

7. GIF Challenges

GIF challenges are a fun and creative way to inject energy into your meetings. They let your team members express themselves visually and often result in lots of laughs, creating a positive atmosphere right from the start.

Here’s how to host a GIF challenge at your next team meeting:

  • Ask participants to drop a GIF in the chat that represents:

    • Their current mood.

    • How they feel about the week ahead.

    • Their favorite way to relax after work.

  • Have everyone vote (via chat reactions or a quick poll) on the funniest, most creative, or most relatable GIF.

This activity is quick, easy to implement, and works for teams of all sizes. It’s perfect for breaking the ice and making meetings more engaging while helping meeting attendees feel connected.

8. Virtual Pet Introductions

Virtual pet introductions are a delightful way to add a personal touch to your meetings. They allow team members to share a bit of their home life while strengthening a sense of connection and camaraderie.

Here’s how to include this activity in your next team meeting:

  • Invite participants to introduce their pets on camera (or share a picture if their pet isn’t nearby).

  • No pet? No problem! Team members can share a favorite plant or even a stuffed animal.

  • Encourage everyone to share a fun fact or story about their furry (or leafy) friend.

This activity helps break the ice, encourages interaction, and gives everyone a chance to relax before diving into the meeting agenda. Plus, who doesn’t love a cute pet moment?

9. Word or Number Puzzles

Starting your meeting with a quick brain teaser is a great way to energize your team and get their problem-solving skills flowing. Word or number puzzles are simple to organize and can spark creativity while fostering teamwork.

Here are some ideas for puzzles to include in your next team meeting:

  • Riddles - Pose a fun or tricky riddle and have everyone share their guesses in the chat.

  • Anagram challenge - Provide a word or phrase related to your meeting agenda and ask participants to create as many new words as possible.

  • Math puzzle - Share a quick math problem or logic puzzle and see who solves it first.

You can also take the fun a step further with Braid’s Wordsmith game, where team members race to unscramble letters and form words. 

For a more fast-paced challenge, try Braid’s Typing Test to see who can type the fastest under pressure. These interactive games are a perfect way to engage your team and create a lively start to the meeting.

Wordsmith

10. Virtual Meditation or Stretching

Starting a meeting with a brief meditation or light stretching session can help everyone relax, refocus, and feel more present. It’s particularly effective for remote teams juggling busy schedules or sitting through long meetings.

Here’s how to incorporate this into your routine:

  • Guided breathing exercise - Lead a simple 2-minute breathing session or use a mindfulness app to help your team unwind.

  • Desk stretches - Encourage simple movements like neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, or wrist stretches to ease physical tension.

  • Mindfulness moment - Ask participants to close their eyes and reflect on something positive before diving into the meeting.

These activities require no special tools, take only a few minutes, and can set a calm, focused tone for the rest of the discussion. Prioritizing well-being in small ways like this can also improve engagement and create a supportive environment for your team.

11. “Guess the Workspace” Game

Bring some curiosity and fun to your meeting by turning your team’s home setups into a guessing game. This activity not only adds an element of surprise but also fosters conversations about personal workspaces and creative setups.

Here’s how it works:

  • Ask a few team members to share a photo of their workspace before the meeting.

  • Display each photo one at a time and have the team guess whose workspace it is.

  • Encourage participants to share a fun fact or story about their setup after the guesses are made.

This game is a lighthearted way to start your meeting while helping your team connect on a more personal level. Plus, it’s a fun way to see everyone’s unique approach to working from home!

12. Music or Playlist Sharing

Music has the power to connect people, even in remote settings. Sharing favorite songs or creating a collaborative playlist is a great way to start a meeting with positive energy and camaraderie.

Here’s how you can incorporate music into your next meeting:

  • Personal favorites - Ask each participant to share a favorite song or an artist they’ve been enjoying lately.

  • Collaborative playlist - Create a team playlist ahead of time where everyone adds a track. Play a short clip from a few songs at the start of the meeting.

  • Theme-based sharing - Pick a theme (e.g., “motivational songs” or “chill beats”) and have everyone share a track that fits.

This activity not only lightens the mood but also creates an opportunity to learn more about your colleagues’ tastes and personalities. It’s an easy and fun way to kick off any meeting on a harmonious note.

13. Virtual “Spin the Wheel” Challenges

Add some unpredictability and fun to your meeting with a virtual spinning wheel. Tools like Wheel of Names or online randomizers can help create a sense of excitement and get everyone engaged.

Here’s how to use it in your next team meeting:

  • Set up the wheel - Before the meeting, create a wheel with fun prompts or challenges. Examples include:

    • Share a fun fact about yourself.

    • Show the weirdest thing on your desk.

    • Do a quick impression of your favorite TV character.

  • Spin during the meeting - Share your screen to spin the wheel and let the selected participant take on the challenge.

  • Rotate turns - If time allows, spin the wheel multiple times to include more participants.

This activity is lighthearted and interactive and adds an element of surprise to your meeting. It’s perfect for breaking the ice and setting a playful tone for the rest of the discussion.

14. Picture or Meme Sharing

Start your meeting with humor or creativity by asking participants to share a picture or meme that resonates with them. This activity is quick, easy, and always good for a laugh or thoughtful discussion.

Here’s how to incorporate it into your next team meeting:

  • Mood check-in - Ask everyone to post a picture or meme that represents their current mood.

  • Weekly highlight - Encourage participants to share a picture of something meaningful or fun they experienced recently.

  • Meme wars - Have team members drop their funniest meme in the chat and vote on the best one with reactions.

This activity is a fantastic way to break the ice, spark laughter, and let team members express themselves creatively. It works well for teams of all sizes and can be adapted to match your meeting’s tone.

15. Team Trivia Games

Trivia games are a fun and interactive way to bring your team together while encouraging a little friendly competition. They work well for any group size and can be customized to suit your team’s interests or work environment.

Here’s how to incorporate trivia into your next team meeting:

  • Choose your categories - Create trivia questions based on pop culture, company history, or general knowledge.

  • Use tools for easy play - Platforms like Braid make it simple to organize trivia games directly in Slack.

  • Offer small prizes - Add an incentive, like bragging rights, a digital badge, or a coffee gift card for the winner.

Trivia not only adds excitement but also supports engagement and teamwork. It’s a great way to energize the meeting and leave your team members looking forward to the next one.

How to Get Started with Braid

Looking to make your meetings more engaging and interactive? Braid is the ultimate Slack app for teams looking to connect, collaborate, and have fun during meetings. 

With a variety of games designed for remote and hybrid work environments, Braid helps turn virtual gatherings into moments of energy and creativity—all within Slack.

Ready to Play Braid Games? Here’s How to Get Started:

  1. Add Braid to Slack - Visit trybraid.io and click “Add to Slack.” Follow the prompts to integrate Braid with your Slack workspace and grant the required permissions.

  2. Pick a game - Type /braid in any Slack channel or access Braid's game library directly. Select a game, customize it if wanted, and invite your team to join the fun in seconds.

Braid Games to Try

  • Trivia - Test your team’s knowledge with multiple-choice questions across various topics. Perfect for breaking the ice or friendly competition.

  • Wordsmith - Race to unscramble words and see who has the sharpest vocabulary skills.

  • Picture Puzzle - Solve jumbled images for a visually engaging activity.

  • Word Link - Build a chain of related words, boosting creativity and teamwork.

  • Typing Test - Find out who’s the fastest typist on your team in this fun, fast-paced challenge.

  • This or That - Encourage lighthearted conversations with prompts like “TikTok or Instagram?” or “Camping or Diving?”

Make Meetings More Memorable and Engaging With Braid!

Braid

Starting your meetings with fun and engaging activities doesn’t just break the monotony—it transforms how your team connects and collaborates. Whether it’s a quick icebreaker, a creative team-building game, or a lighthearted challenge, these ideas can set the tone for a productive and positive meeting.

Incorporating activities like Braid’s Trivia or Word Link makes remote meetings interactive and enjoyable, helping your team feel more connected even across virtual spaces. By taking just a few minutes at the start of each meeting to engage your team, you’ll secure stronger relationships, boost morale, and encourage creativity.

Ready to energize your meetings and build stronger team connections? Schedule a demo with Braid today!

FAQs About Fun Ways to Start Meetings

How do you start a fun team meeting?

Start with interactive activities like icebreakers, trivia games, or a team-building exercise. Options like Braid’s Wordsmith game or a quick GIF challenge can boost energy and set a positive tone for your meeting topic.

How do you make an introduction fun for a meeting?

Use creative virtual team meeting ideas like a Virtual Show-and-Tell, collaborative whiteboard exercises, or fun polls. These activities engage team members, break the ice, and encourage participation in your next meeting.

How do you make a meeting interactive?

Incorporate tools like Slido for live polls, or try Braid’s games for collaboration. Activities such as brainstorming sessions or “Guess the Workspace” help build productive meetings and keep attendees engaged.

What are some positive staff meeting ideas?

Positive staff meetings can start with engaging icebreakers or a quick round of team trivia to ignite energy. In a conference room, acknowledging team successes or hosting collaborative brainstorming sessions can keep the tone upbeat and productive.

How can team leaders make meetings engaging in an office building?

Team leaders can energize meetings in an office building by mixing structured discussions with interactive activities like whiteboard brainstorming or fun challenges. Adding moments for team input and creativity ensures participation and engagement.

Fun games built for hybrid and remote teams, right in Slack

Make team building fun, engaging, effortless, and affordable with Braid. Schedule a demo or start playing right away for free!

Connect and play virtual games with your team on Slack!

Schedule a demo to learn how Braid can help your team building.

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Fun games, built for hybrid and remote teams, embedded right in Slack.