Ever looked at your calendar, spotted a meeting you’re supposed to lead, and thought, “How on earth do I make this fun and memorable?” Maybe you’ve tried the classics: asking everyone to share something they’re grateful for, or revealing a little-known fact about themselves.
You might have even horrified your group by making them show off their high school yearbook photos (we’ve all been there). While these icebreakers seem like they’ll help your team bond, sometimes they backfire… big time.
Here’s the kicker — research shows that these kinds of activities can actually turn people off. Cue the awkward silence!
As a trained drama therapist and large-group facilitator, I learned early on that true team bonding takes time, and those “share something” exercises can spike anxiety in the room. The best icebreakers? The ones that get everyone moving and connecting one-on-one, rather than feeling like they’re on stage in front of the group.
Read on to discover a solution that will transform your meetings and engage your team in a fun new way.
Quick Links to The Sections Below
Enter Visual Thinking Strategies 💡
You might be thinking, “But I can’t draw!” No worries—this isn’t about creating masterpieces. When you grab a marker and head to the whiteboard, or better yet, get your team to sketch their ideas instead of just talking about them, magic happens. Research shows engagement skyrockets when people use visual thinking, and so does brainpower!
Even a simple visual agenda with little doodles about what’s coming up can spark curiosity, laughter, and higher participation. It’s not about how good the drawing is; it’s about the intrigue and creativity it sparks. And if someone on your team steps up to help visualize the meeting, even better!
My Secret Weapon: Drawing in Meetings
This year, I’m releasing a new book packed with ideas on how to use drawing to brainstorm, explain, and sell anything. Every month, I’ll be sharing my favorite games and strategies you can use in your meetings to boost creativity and get those lightbulbs flashing over everyone’s heads!
Since It’s Almost Halloween… 🎃
To get your team in the spooky spirit, I’ve created a Halloween Bingo Drawing Game. It’s a super fun way to get your crew sketching and competing—no artistic skills required!
How to Play:
- Download & Print: Grab your bingo cards, and you’re ready to roll.
- Pick a Caller: The caller announces spooky items, and the fun begins—who can draw the best ghost or pumpkin?
- Get Drawing: Each time an item is called, draw it in the matching square (you’ve got 20 seconds!).
- First to Bingo Wins!: Will you be the first to shout “Bingo!” and claim victory?
For bigger events, mix it up! Have participants exchange cards as they meet new people, filling in each other’s “pumpkin” squares. It’s a great way to get people mingling and laughing together.
Zoom Play Version (Because Meetings Never Die) 👻
Playing remotely? No problem!
- Email each team member a unique card.
- Choose a caller who picks an item for the group to draw.
- Give everyone 25 seconds to locate the item on their card and sketch it out.
- The first person to fill a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!”
Bonus!
Get everyone to show off their spooky sketches on screen! Snap some screenshots and throw them up on Instagram with the hashtag #UYCGSpookyBingo to share the fun.
Download and Make Your Meetings More Memorable!
Whatever version of bingo you play, the key is to have fun and let your team’s creativity shine. And don’t forget to take pics—because what’s a fun meeting without proof? 😉
