7 Onboarding icebreakers to build connection

Traditional onboarding often focuses on the what and the how of the job. But it misses the most important parts: the people you'll work with and the reason your work matters. This leads to a big problem: new hires might learn the systems, but they don't feel connected to the team or the company's mission.

The most successful companies know that onboarding isn't just about process; it's about people, context, and community. It's about bringing someone into your community and helping them see how their role makes a difference.

That's why including fun onboarding activities is so important. These icebreakers aren't just silly games; they're effective ways to help people feel comfortable, work together better, and quickly go from being a group of colleagues to a team.

We've put together a list of creative onboarding ideas, inspired by real companies, that are designed to get people talking, laughing, and feeling like part of the group.

[.callout-small]Read more about ‘creativity in your onboarding process’[.callout-small]

1. The onboarding "talk show"

A talk show? Well, yes! It’s an extremely creative way to connect with new hires on a different level, and is done by companies like Radboudumc (who got inspired by a Dutch talk show) and Capgemini. 

Create a format, invite “guests”, like one of the board members, and ask one of the new hires to be the co-host. Don’t forget to set the stage: create a studio-like atmosphere with good lighting, a branded backdrop, and of course, seating for the other employees.

PS You can share the episodes with the company and even on your social media channels (with permission). 

2. The interactive welcome book 

Onboarding book? It might sound a bit old-fashioned, but GGz Breburg's approach is anything but.

This is far more than a standard welcome package; it's a beautifully crafted, coffee table-worthy book designed to answer a fundamental question: why should you feel proud to work here? The content was shaped by a simple yet powerful idea: asking current employees what should be included.

The result is a thoughtfully curated collection that brings the culture to life. Inside you'll find - among other things - a personal welcome from the manager, team profiles written by colleagues themselves, conversation starter cards, a 30-second game, and special envelopes containing gift cards.

However, what truly sets this book apart is its understanding that a career change affects not only the employee but also their family. That's why it includes special content designed for children: fun activities and games that help explain mental health care in an accessible way. This helps new hires share their important work with their families. 

Take a look at the book:

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3. An interactive onboarding app

Transform your onboarding app from a passive information portal into the central, vibrant hub of your company culture.

This is where practical knowledge meets personality, using interactive and gamified elements to foster connection.

Some ideas:

• Lunch & learn map: An interactive map of the local area with pins dropped by colleagues. Each pin marks a recommended spot (e.g., "Best coffee," "Quickest salad bar," "Great for team lunches"). Clicking a pin reveals reviews, tips, and even the colleagues who vouched for it. This turns a basic need (finding lunch) into a social, community-driven activity.
• "Who said that?!" quiz: A fun quiz game that presents new hires with memorable, funny, or insightful quotes from their new colleagues. They have to match the quote to the person. This is a fun and effective way to learn about everyone's unique personality before even meeting them.
• Personal welcome treats: Before day one, use your onboarding app to ask new hires about their favorite lunch or hobby. On their first day, surprise them with that specific meal or a small, thoughtful gift tied to their interest in their welcome kit. It’s a personal touch that makes them feel seen and welcomed right away.
• Team soundtrack: An embedded, collaborative Spotify playlist where every team member can add a few of their favorite songs. New hires can listen to get a feel for the team's vibe and even add their own tunes to introduce themselves musically.
• 3D learning scenarios: Transform dry topics like compliance, security protocols, or mission/vision into engaging, interactive 3D simulations. Tip: Embed We Are Learning into the Appical app.

4. The onboarding bingo card

Who says bingo is just for retirees? We've adopted this fun idea from fintech company New10 to put an exciting twist on the traditional onboarding checklist!

It gamifies the onboarding process, giving new hires agency and a sense of accomplishment.

How to run it:

• Create the card: Fill a bingo card with a mix of practical tasks and social interactions, like: have a coffee with someone outside of your team, have lunch with your manager, share a picture of your workspace.
• Gamify it: Reward every completed bingo card with a small gift or company swag.

Pretty easy, right?

5. Going on Safari

This activity turns a standard office tour into an exciting adventure. Instead of just finding the coffee machine, new hires go on a guided "safari" to explore the most important parts of your organization.

The goal is to introduce key locations and themes relevant to your work area in an engaging, exploratory way. It helps everyone, no matter their role, understand how the company works, who does what, and how their own job fits into the bigger picture.

How to run it:

• Theme your journey: Make the safari fun and relevant.
  
  • Example: The City of The Hague uses its tram lines as a theme for its onboarding tour.
  • Example: Waterschap Hollandse Delta takes new hires on a "water safari" by bus to visit real locations like pumping stations, dikes and purification plants.
• Assign guides: At each stop, have an expert employee ready to explain what happens there and why it matters. For example, at Waterschap, on-sit colleagues explain how certain “objects” work.

This approach helps new hires literally see how the company operates, making their role and the organization's mission much clearer.

6. Create a customized board game

Why not turn onboarding into a playful competition? Take a page out of the playbook of the Province of Drenthe, which created its very own board game for new hires.

A custom board game is incredibly innovative and shows a deep investment in employee experience. It encourages teamwork and ensures everyone learns essential facts about the company in a fun way.

Read more about the onboarding journey of the Province of Drenthe.

Tip: Connect the game to your onboarding app. You can add fun facts and clues about the team right in the app. 

7. Conversation starter cards 

Sometimes, the hardest part of a coffee chat is getting past "So, what do you do?" At Appical, we use conversation starter cards featuring a mix of personal and professional questions to solve this exact problem.

How to run it:

• Provide new hires with a deck of cards (physical or digital) during their first week.
• Encourage them to bring these cards to their introductory coffee dates with colleagues.

Sample questions: 

• "What’s the biggest misconception about your profession that you’d love to clear up?"
• "What’s the one song that never fails to boost your energy?"
• "What’s a skill you learned outside of work that turned out to be unexpectedly useful?"
• "What's the best professional advice you've ever received?" 

It eliminates the awkwardness of small talk and accelerates the process of building genuine, meaningful relationships. 

Fun onboarding activities that reflect your culture

The most powerful onboarding activities are a direct reflection of your company's unique culture and product. Don't just add random games; design experiences that immerse new hires in what your company is truly about. 

Take HelloFresh, for example, a company centered around food. Every onboarding session ends with a collaborative cooking experience. New hires don’t just hear about the product; they use it together.

Or consider Lamb Weston, a global leader in potato products. Their onboarding program deeply immerses new hires in their world through activities like a "Field to Fork", an innovation challenge, and a product tasting.

You can apply this same thinking to any organization:

• ♻️ An environmental nonprofit could kick off with a local park clean-up or tree-planting event.
• 💻 A tech company might host a “mini-hackathon” where new hires prototype a fun, simple app in small groups.
• 🏢 A company with a strong focus on community could organize a volunteer afternoon at a local charity.

This approach moves beyond generic team-building. It provides hands-on experience with your company's mission and values. And it answers the "why" behind the work in a memorable way.

The bottom line

Onboarding doesn't have to be a monotonous checklist of policies and procedures. As these examples show, it can be a creative, engaging, and genuinely fun launchpad for new employees. The goal is to transform the first weeks from a period of uncertainty into an experience of connection and belonging.

And remember: the best onboarding activities are an authentic reflection of your company's unique culture. The "right" activity is the one that feels true to who you are as an organization.