How to Make Virtual Meetings Fun: 7 Easy Tips to Beat the Zoom Doom
Let’s be honest: no one really loves video meetings. They’re often awkward, sometimes draining, and rarely the highlight of anyone’s day. In fact, if you think you enjoy them, you may want to sit with that thought for a moment.
Yet, in the age of remote work, video meetings have become unavoidable. Some discussions are just better in real-time, face-to-face—even if it’s through a screen. The good news? With a bit of creativity, you can transform these virtual encounters from boring blocks on a calendar into genuinely enjoyable, engaging experiences.
Here are seven tried-and-tested tips to help make your virtual meetings not just tolerable, but something your team might actually look forward to.
1. Pick a Theme and Fully Commit
Themed meetings may sound silly, but they can be incredibly effective—especially when you’re trying to communicate something complex or potentially dry, like a process change or technical update. When presenters rally around a unifying theme, it adds coherence and makes the content more memorable.
For example, a team delivering a presentation about software migration once framed their entire discussion using the structure of a storybook. Each speaker was assigned a classic story—Alice in Wonderland, James and the Giant Peach, and so on—to metaphorically explain each part of the process. This not only created continuity between different speakers but also helped attendees relate to the content more easily. The result? A meeting that felt more like a well-scripted journey than a routine status update.
The key here is to be creative but relevant. A theme shouldn’t be random; it should enhance the story you’re trying to tell.
2. Bring in a Surprise Guest (Sort of)
There’s something magical about unexpected moments in meetings. One way to create that magic is by bringing in a “celebrity guest”—virtually, of course. You can use platforms like Cameo to hire public figures, voice actors, or even beloved fictional characters to record short video clips relevant to your topic.
For instance, imagine a fictional newscaster announcing a product launch or a retired sports legend delivering motivational words at the start of a quarterly planning session. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it can deliver an outsized boost in engagement and morale. The unexpected nature of it breaks the monotony and adds a shared moment of delight to the team experience.
3. Fill the Pre-Meeting Silence with Casual Banter
Let’s talk about the dreaded silence that looms before meetings officially start. People log in at different times, cameras are off, and there’s an awkward few minutes where everyone avoids eye contact—or the webcam equivalent.
Instead of letting that discomfort settle, take initiative and turn it into something more human. Have someone take the lead by initiating light banter, playing some background music, or asking casual questions in the chat. This can gradually evolve into a mini warm-up session for the team.
Some teams even make this a semi-official tradition. A few minutes of informal conversation can go a long way in loosening people up and making the transition into the actual meeting feel more natural and welcoming.
4. Ask Thought-Provoking Icebreaker Questions
Icebreakers are often overused and underwhelming, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be effective when done right. The secret is to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that allow people to share something a bit more personal—but not too vulnerable.
Here are a few examples that have led to meaningful discussions:
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
- What’s something you didn’t think you’d enjoy but ended up loving?
- If you had a time machine, would you go forward or backward in time—and why?
- What’s a small moment from childhood that you still think about?
Circulating the question in advance gives introverts time to prepare and often leads to more considered responses. You’ll be surprised how much connection a single good question can create.
5. Invite Your Pets to the Meeting
Yes, you read that right. Pets are instant mood boosters. When a colleague’s dog strolls into the frame or a cat decides to walk across a keyboard, it reminds everyone that they’re interacting with real people—not just profile pictures and avatars.
Rather than apologizing when a pet makes a surprise appearance, turn it into a moment of joy. Some teams even schedule a “pet parade” segment at the start or end of meetings where everyone shares a quick peek of their furry friends. It lightens the atmosphere and gives everyone a chance to smile.
In remote work environments, these moments of genuine connection can make all the difference.
6. Rotate the Role of “Meeting Starter”
Having the same person kick off every meeting can become stale. Try rotating this responsibility among team members. Each person can bring their own flavor to the opening minutes of the meeting—whether it’s a fun fact, a quote of the day, or a quick story related to the team’s goals.
This keeps the energy fresh and gives everyone a chance to shape the tone of the conversation. It also empowers quieter team members to take a more active role in the team dynamic.
7. Host a “Two-Minute Talent Show”
This one might not work for every meeting, but if you’re gathering for a more casual session—like a retrospective or monthly wrap-up—it can be a great addition.
Invite anyone who’s interested to share a two-minute talent, passion, or hobby. It could be anything from juggling, doing impressions, showing off a drawing, or playing a quick song on the guitar. No pressure. No judging. Just a moment to celebrate the quirks and creativity of your team.
This light-hearted segment can reveal hidden talents and build a stronger team culture through shared laughter and surprise.
Final Thoughts
Virtual meetings don’t have to be monotonous and draining. With a few intentional changes, they can become opportunities for connection, creativity, and even joy. Whether you’re leading a team, hosting a training session, or simply attending your tenth call of the day, injecting a bit of fun can dramatically improve how people show up and engage.
So next time you’re planning a meeting, take a moment to ask: what small thing can I do to make this a little more enjoyable? You might just find that the spoonful of sugar helps the whole experience go down more smoothly.
