Breakout Bonanza

Name and Purpose

• Breakout Bonanza is a virtual warm-up for groups meeting online.
• Participants practise listening and introduce their partner to the larger group, building connection across the screen.

a.k.a.

• None. This is a virtual-specific activity and no common alternate names apply.

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Young Adults and Adults (18+) | 4-30 players | 15-20 minutes | Virtual platform with breakout room functionality

Materials

• Device with camera and microphone for each participant
• Virtual meeting platform with breakout room feature (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, etc.)

Quick-Run Card

1. Divide participants into pairs and assign each to a breakout room.
2. Partners ask 2-3 get-to-know-you questions in their breakout room.
3. Host calls everyone back to the main room.
4. Each person introduces their partner to the full group.
5. Applaud each introduction.

Setup and Boundaries

• Prepare breakout rooms in advance so they open quickly.
• Signal: host’s ‘return to main room’ message is the cue to wrap up.
• Keep breakout time to 5-7 minutes so energy stays high.

How to Play

1. Host divides participants into pairs and opens breakout rooms (or assigns them in advance).
2. Each pair has 5-7 minutes in their breakout room to ask each other questions. Suggested prompts: ‘What is your name and one thing you love?’ or ‘What brought you here today?’
3. Host sends a 1-minute warning before closing rooms.
4. Everyone returns to the main room.
5. Going around the group, each person introduces their partner: name, one thing they learned, and one thing they have in common if they found one.
6. Host or facilitator celebrates each introduction with applause or a reaction emoji prompt.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Ask your partner follow-up questions and give a full, enthusiastic introduction.
• S (Support): Focus on making your partner feel heard. Ask mostly about them.
• Q (Quiet): Share a shorter introduction or ask the host to introduce you instead.
• O (Observer): Join the main room, listen to introductions, and add yourself to the rotation when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Participants who have difficulty with video can use audio only and the chat for their introduction.
• Provide optional question prompts in the chat for pairs who are not sure where to start.

Stewardship Moment

• This activity uses no physical materials. No cleanup needed.
• Reflection: ‘What do we notice about connection when we slow down and really listen to one person?’

Consent

• Pre-brief: ‘You will be paired with one other person in a private room for a few minutes. For those not comfortable on camera, audio-only or chat is another option.’
• Mid-game check: When groups return, ask for a thumbs up or chat emoji to see how everyone is feeling.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any participant can skip their introduction turn and pass to the next person. They can share when ready.

Risks and Mitigation

• Technical issues with breakout rooms: have a backup plan (pairs use private chat instead).
• Odd number of participants: create one group of three.
• Participant feels put on the spot during introduction: remind the group that short introductions are just as good.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Quick emoji check-in: ask everyone to drop one emoji in the chat to show how they are feeling.
• 30-second gallery walk: everyone waves and says their name before pairing up.

Debrief Questions

• What? ‘What is one thing you learned about your partner that surprised you?’
• So What? ‘What does it feel like to be truly listened to, even for just a few minutes?’
• Now What? ‘How might this kind of listening change how you show up in meetings or conversations this week?’

Cleanup and Reset

• Close breakout rooms.
• Thank participants and note 2-3 connections that emerged.