Five Ways to Warm Up Your Team Retreat

Let’s face it, walking into a staff retreat can feel a bit stiff sometimes. You want your team to connect, but where do you even start? Forget the awkward small talk — the real magic happens when you play a little. I’ve seen it myself: a good icebreaker can turn a room of colleagues into a team of real people. Here are five of my favorite ways to break the ice.

First, there’s a classic for a reason: Two Truths and a Lie. Everyone takes a turn sharing three things about themselves—two true, one a complete fib. The fun part is watching everyone guess the lie. You’ll be amazed what you learn, and the laughter just… loosens everything up.

Want to get people moving? Try Human Bingo. You make cards with little statements like “has a hidden talent for baking” or “climbed a mountain once.” Then, everyone mingles, hunting for matches. It’s a gentle push to chat with folks you don’t usually talk to, and that first “Bingo!” shout is always a great moment.

For a dose of creativity and teamwork, drop them on a Desert Island. Split into small groups and imagine you’re stranded. You can only save, say, five items from a sinking ship. The debate about what’s essential—a pocket knife? a notebook?—shows you how everyone thinks and problem-solves together. It’s surprising what it reveals!

If you need some physical energy, Group Juggle is perfect. Stand in a circle, toss a soft ball to someone while saying their name. They do the same. Simple, right? Then you add a second ball… then a third. Before you know it, you’re all laughing, focused, and helping each other not drop the ball—literally. It’s a beautiful metaphor in action.

Lastly, for a more heartfelt connection, do Picture Sharing. Ask everyone to bring one photo that means something to them—a family moment, a travel adventure, a quiet triumph. When people share the story behind it, you see a different side of them. It builds a kind of understanding that everyday office talk just can’t.

The trick is to pick what fits your team’s vibe and the time you have. But trust me, start with something like this, and you’re not just starting a meeting—you’re building a foundation for everything that follows. The work gets better when people feel connected, you know?