good presentation games

14 Fun & Interactive Presentation Games for Teams and Students

So you've got an audience to energize, students to engage, or a team that needs a little extra fun — playing an interactive presentation game is an easy way to do just that.

We've done the research and found the best of these games for you: we looked specifically for games that are simple to set up, fun to play, and flexible enough to be used with a variety of presentations and audiences. Most of these activities work virtually with Zoom/PowerPoint and can also be used in person.

Which of these 14 presentation games do you like best? Take a look and let us know your favorites:

1. Live Trivia Competition

A great way to ramp up the excitement and engagement is to enable a little bit of friendly competition. Trivia is an easy way to do this—plus, it can be whole-group inclusive and large-audience friendly (if you use the right tools).

Here's a great trivia game you can run with your team, students, or any large audience. It's already created for you with questions and scoring built in to make it even easier:

Here's how to play:

• Make a free account here: https://slideswith.com/  
• Click the slide deck and copy it. 
• Launch the trivia game by clicking "Start Event."
• Invite your group to join in and submit answers using their mobile devices (show the winners automatically).
• Interact and play during your presentation!

This trivia game has questions on many topics to keep your audience's attention and appeal to everyone. It only takes 10-15 minutes to play, so it's a great game for long discussions! Also, this interactive activity is free for up to ten participants and is totally customizable.

2. Sing and Swing 

To really liven up your group, encourage your listeners to play Sing and Swing. This activity is best for long presentations because it boosts energy, creates a fun, light-hearted environment, and makes people laugh a lot. 

Here's how to play: 

• Before your presentation, pick a well-known song and rewrite the chorus (replace parts of it with words and phrases from your presentation) 
• When you're ready to play, show the song on your screen. 
• Invite your audience to sing it with you!

If you have a fun group or a class of energetic students, consider adding choreography to engage your audience even more. 

3. 20 Questions

If you want a presentation game that requires your listeners to talk more than you, 20 Questions is the one to play! A classic and simple activity, this game immediately boosts engagement and gets people laughing. 

Here's how to play: Have someone put an appropriate image or word on the screen behind you (this can be an audience member you trust or a colleague or co-presenter). To make things more fun, put on a blindfold so that everyone knows you can't cheat. From there, ask 20 "yes or no" questions to guess what's displayed on the screen. Your group should respond "yes" or "no" to guide you to the correct answer. 

4. Scavenger Hunt Challenge

To get your audience out of their seats, a scavenger hunt challenge is one of the best interactive games for presentations. It'll immediately energize your audience , team, or students while giving them a fun way to learn.  

There are tons of in-person and virtual scavenger hunt ideas you can use to dive deeper into your topic or help everyone learn about one another. But if you want a ready-to-play game that you can instantly launch without having any tech skills, here's a fun one to play: 

• Use an email address and password to create a free account here: https://slideswith.com/ (a free account guarantees up to ten people can play at no charge). 
• Click the game and press "Copy and use this slide deck." 
• In the top right corner, click "Start Event."
• Ask listeners to join the game by using their mobile devices to scan the QR code. Players should continue using their mobile devices to submit answers to questions.
• Have everyone start hunting for items! 

This activity is a particularly fun game because it's a photo-hunt, show-and-tell challenge! That means your audience will not only get out of their seats to find items, but they'll also get to take pictures and share and discuss photos of what they find. This conversational element will help engage your group! 

5. Group Word Clouds

Whether you're speaking to team members, students, or conference-goers, this activity lets you ask questions and get your listeners' thoughts on specific topics. 

This game is the perfect way to start your presentation, especially if you're discussing something with a wide range of opinions or are unsure how much your listeners know about a certain subject. Group Word Clouds is also beneficial if you want to do a quick meeting pulse or know how your listeners feel going into your presentation—understanding their energy levels and mood can help you adjust (if necessary) to get maximum engagement and excitement.

To enjoy this activity, keep things simple by using a tool that already offers a ready-to-play Group Word Clouds game. Here's a popular one you can launch immediately: 

• Create a free account by entering an email and password here: https://slideswith.com/  
• Click the game and then copy it (the button to do so is right underneath the slide deck).
• Press "Start Event" in the top right corner. 
• Tell participants to play by scanning the QR code. 
• Create word clouds and have fun!

This interactive game only takes 5-10 minutes to play, so it's a fast, fun way to engage your audience and feel out the room. Players can use their mobile devices to answer questions. This activity is also free for up to 10 people and is easy to personalize.

6. The Get to Know You Game

This activity is one of the best presentation games if you have a small group that doesn't really know each other. The Get to Know You Game is a creative way to do introductions, and it's really simple.

Here's how to play the game: Before the event, ask group members to bring a favorite song or item to the presentation (you can do this by emailing them). When you're ready to play, ask each person to introduce themself, present their song or item, and explain why they picked it. For those sharing a song, have them play it on their phones before they explain why it's their favorite. 

7. Live Poll Questions 

When you have a large group, it's not easy to find ways to boost engagement—but poll questions are the solutions, especially when they're live and interactive. With this unique setup, large groups engage by answering questions and seeing their answers displayed in a fun way. 

Your job is to make sure you actually find a game that showcases responses uniquely to captivate your group. For a quick and great option, here's a popular icebreaker activity that promises to display responses using fun formats like word clouds, donut charts, live graphs, and per-player: 

• Create an account for free to access the game:  https://slideswith.com/  
• Click the slide deck and press the button to copy it. 
• Look in the top right corner of the deck and press "Start Event."
• Invite your group to play the game. They only need to use their mobile devices to scan the QR code. 
• Start polling your audience!

This activity is one of those fun presentation games everyone will want to enjoy, so invite all of your team members and students to participate. This game can accommodate up to 250 players and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Tell your group to use their mobile devices to submit their responses. 

8. Assumptions 

This interactive game is a great way to break up your presentation to see who's paying attention and who can answer questions pertaining to your topic. 

• Ask your audience to stand up (for virtual presentations, make sure everyone's video is on). 
• Show true or false statements on the screen one by one. 
• Tell people to raise a hand if they think the statement is correct and sit down if they think it's incorrect.
• Continue until one person is left standing.
• Award the winner. 

This activity can be as short and challenging as you want. Also, if your presentation is long, you can play multiple rounds to break up your speaking time and test your audience throughout your discussion.  

9. Controversial Questions 

Want to see where your audience, students, or team lands on controversial topics? Then, energize your presentation with a fun, creative game called Controversial Questions. This activity has prompts that inspire lively debates, so it's a great way to get your group excited and chatty. 

However, to maintain a positive environment, make sure to find a tool that offers an office-friendly, classroom-friendly, and conference-friendly game. You don't want to sour the mood by creating uncomfortable division during your presentation. To make sure this game is fun and light-hearted, here's a popular one that's suitable for all audiences and ages: 

• Sign up for a free account by inputting an email address and password here:  https://slideswith.com/pricing  
• Click the game and press the button that says, "Copy and use this deck." 
• Press "Start Event" (the button is in the top right corner). 
• Have participants join the fun by asking them to scan the QR code with their mobile devices. 
• Get controversial and play! 

This interactive game for presentations asks fun (but appropriate) questions like:

• Does pineapple belong on pizza?
• Does the person flying in the middle seat get both armrests?
• Should the toilet roll go over or under? 

Players should use their mobile devices to submit answers. Up to ten people can play for free, and you can customize the game by updating the questions!

10. Word of the Day 

With this activity, you can keep your audience, team, or students engaged throughout your entire presentation. This  game requires listeners to be alert and recognize whenever you say the word of the day. 

Here's how to play: At the beginning of your presentation, tell your group the word of the day (it can also be a phrase if you'd prefer). Say that you'll weave the word into your presentation and that your audience must shout it out whenever you mention it. 

11. Mini Activity: Group Icebreaker

Whether you're doing an in-person or virtual presentation, you need to warm up your audience to get things started on a positive note. The best way to do that is with a quick icebreaker game. 

However, make sure your questions are fun, positive, and engaging. You can easily do this by finding a game that already has the best icebreaker questions included. Here's one that's ready to play (and requiring no tech skills to launch): 

• Input an email address and password to make a free account here: https://slideswith.com/  
• Click the deck and copy it (press "Copy and use this deck). 
• Click the button in the top right corner that says "Start Event."
• Invite participants to play by asking them to scan the QR code. 
• Break the ice to warm up your audience!

Your group should use their mobile devices to submit responses to poll questions. Also, this game accommodates up to 250 players, but only ten people can join for free.

12. Process of Elimination 

This activity is one of the best games for presentations because it's simple yet fun and great at helping listeners get to know each other. You can play it at the beginning of your presentation or in the middle to give your group a chance to stretch their legs. 

• Before your event, create a list of "yes or no" questions. 
• Once you're ready to play, tell your group to stand up (if you're doing a virtual presentation, make sure everyone's video is on). 
• Ask each question one by one. 
• Tell attendees to stand if their answer is "yes" and sit if their answer is "no." 

The questions can relate to your topic or be totally random. Also, if you'd prefer to thin out the number of people standing, you can take a creative twist and ask your questions by saying something like this: "Stay standing if (insert scenario)." When phrasing each question this way, the game will end with one person standing. To acknowledge the winner, you can give them a round of applause or award them a prize. 

13. Conference Opener Icebreaker 

If you're speaking at a big conference, you need an interactive game for presentations that can get everyone involved and ensure every voice is heard. To achieve these goals, you should create an icebreaker game that works for large groups . 

Using an easy, intuitive template is the best step to take. That way, you don't have to start from scratch or spend hours making your game. For a template that requires no code or tech-savviness to build on, here's the best option: 

• Sign up by making a free account here: https://slideswith.com/  
• Click on the game. On the next page, click the button to copy and use the deck. 
• Customize the template using the instructions HERE . 
• During your presentation, press "Start Event" in the top right corner. 
• Ask the group to use their mobile devices to scan the QR code and join the fun. (Also, make sure participants use their mobile devices to submit answers.) 
• Play and engage your audience!  

This template has fun, interactive features built in to keep your large audience engaged. Those features include polls, word clouds, and ratings. Just make sure you sign up for a paid plan to accommodate the large number of people in your group—the free account only works for up to ten players. 

14. Two Truths and a Lie 

This classic game is a fun, energizing way to help your listeners get to know one another. It's perfect for small in-person or virtual groups and is an ideal activity for the beginning of your presentation. 

Here's how to play: Pick any topic (for the purposes of this article, the topic will be "movies"). In no particular order, say two movies you've really watched and one you haven't watched. Ask your audience to guess which statement is the lie. The winner picks the next topic and says two truths and a lie. 

Be Memorable With Presentation Games

Oftentimes, people forget presentations within a week or even days, and that's because the discussions are boring. But you don't work hard preparing a presentation for it to be forgotten. If you want your message to stick, all you have to do is make it enjoyable without being corny.  

If you want to be remembered and actually get people engaged, you need to make your presentation fun and enjoyable, without coming off as corny or desperate to please. Ivan Dimitrijevic, 10 Secrets of Making Every Presentation Fun, Engaging, and Enjoyable

Luckily, the interactive presentation games in this article are unique and exciting—they're far from corny. So, use them for your upcoming presentations to make your messages compelling and memorable. 

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15 Interactive Presentation Games to Engage Your Audience

In the world of presentations and public speaking, engaging your audience is crucial. A captivating presentation can leave a lasting impact and ensure that your message is heard and retained. One effective way to achieve this engagement is by incorporating interactive presentation games into your talks.

Interactive presentation games break the monotony of traditional slideshows and transform passive listeners into active participants. In this blog, we’ll explore 15 interactive presentation games that can make your presentations more dynamic, memorable, and enjoyable for your audience.

Why Use Interactive Presentation Games?

Traditional presentations often involve passive listening, which can lead to disengagement and limited retention of information. On the other hand, interactive presentation games create an environment of active participation. 

Making your presentations more memorable and impactful. They foster interaction, feedback, and collaboration, turning your audience into active participants rather than passive observers.

Benefits of Engaging Your Audience

Engaging your audience with interactive presentation games offers numerous benefits:

• Increased Engagement: Interactive presentation games grab your audience’s attention and keep them actively involved throughout the presentation.
• Improved Information Retention: Active participation enhances the retention of key information, ensuring that your message sticks with your audience long after the presentation is over.
• Enhanced Learning: Games encourage a deeper understanding of the subject matter, making it easier for your audience to grasp complex concepts.
• Better Audience Connection: By involving your audience, you establish a stronger connection, making them feel valued and heard.
• Immediate Feedback: Games provide opportunities for instant feedback, allowing you to address questions and concerns in real time.
• Fun and Entertainment: Interactive fun games add an element of fun and entertainment to your presentations, making them more enjoyable for your audience.

How to Choose the Right Presentation Games

Selecting the appropriate presentation games depends on your audience, topic, and objectives. Consider factors such as the size of your audience, the level of interactivity you desire, and the technology available. Tailor your choice of games to align with your presentation goals, ensuring they enhance your message rather than distract from it.

Now, let’s explore 15 interactive presentation games that you can incorporate into your presentations to engage your audience effectively:

01. Polling and Surveys

Polling and surveys involve asking questions to your audience and collecting their responses in real time. This game is useful for engaging the audience and gathering valuable data or opinions.

Example: During a marketing presentation, you can use polling to ask the audience which social media platform they use most frequently for product discovery, with response options like “Facebook,” “Instagram,” or “Twitter.” The results can guide your marketing strategy.

02. Quiz and Trivia

Quiz and trivia games challenge the audience’s knowledge of a specific subject. Correct-answer questions encourage competition and learning because participants’ scores are added up.

Example: In a history lecture, you can organize a trivia quiz about historical events. Ask questions like, “Who was the first President of the United States?” and award points for correct answers to make learning history engaging.

03. Interactive Q&A Sessions

Interactive Q&A sessions allow the audience to ask questions and engage in a live dialogue with the presenter. This interactive presentation game promotes engagement, clarification, and in-depth discussions.

Example: After a business strategy presentation, open the floor for an interactive Q&A session where the audience can ask questions about the proposed strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.

04. Gamified Scenarios

Gamified scenarios present real-world situations or challenges to the audience. Participants make decisions, and the consequences of those choices are revealed, creating an immersive learning experience.

Example: In leadership training, simulate a business scenario where participants make decisions as managers. Their choices affect the company’s success, making the learning process engaging and interactive.

05. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Experiences

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) games provide immersive 3D experiences. Participants can explore virtual environments or interact with augmented elements.

Example: In a product launch presentation, use AR to allow the audience to visualize how the product would fit into their homes. They can use their smartphones to see a virtual presentation version of the product in their living rooms.

06. Storytelling Challenges

Storytelling challenges encourage participants to create and share their stories, fostering creativity and personal expression.

Example: In a team-building workshop, ask each participant to share a personal success story related to teamwork. This engages the audience and builds a sense of connection among participants.

07. Collaborative Whiteboard Activities

In real-time, collaborative whiteboard activities involve multiple participants contributing ideas, drawings, or annotations on a digital whiteboard. This game fosters teamwork and brainstorming.

Example: During a brainstorming session for a new project, use a digital whiteboard tool where team members can simultaneously sketch out their ideas and add comments. This promotes collaboration and idea generation.

08. Interactive Polls and Word Clouds

Interactive polls and word clouds engage the audience by having them vote or input keywords related to a topic. The results are displayed dynamically.

Example: In a conference PowerPoint presentation about technology trends, ask the audience to submit keywords related to the most exciting emerging technologies. Display the results in a word cloud to visualize the collective interest.

09. Simulations and Case Studies

Simulations and case studies replicate real-life scenarios for participants to make decisions and see the outcomes. This game is effective for practical learning.

Example: In a business strategy workshop, provide participants with a case study of a struggling company. Have them analyze the situation and propose strategies to turn the business around. The best solutions can be discussed as a group.

10. Role-Playing Exercises

Role-playing exercises involve participants taking on specific roles or characters to act out scenarios. This game promotes empathy and communication skills.

Example: In customer service training, participants can take on the roles of customers and service representatives. They act out various customer service scenarios to practice effective communication and problem-solving.

11. Breakout Rooms and Group Discussions

Breakout rooms and group discussions split the audience-focused audiences into smaller groups to discuss specific topics or tasks. This great game promotes active participation and in-depth exploration of ideas.

Example: In an educational webinar, use breakout rooms to divide participants into smaller groups. Each group discusses a different aspect of the topic and then shares their insights when they return to the main session.

12. Live Challenges and Competitions

Live challenges and competitions introduce competitive elements to the best presentation games. Participants can compete individually or in teams to solve problems or complete tasks.

Example: In a team-building event, organize a friendly competition where teams compete in a series of challenges. Challenges could include problem-solving tasks, physical activities, or trivia quizzes to foster teamwork and camaraderie.

13. Interactive Presentations

Interactive presentations incorporate multimedia elements, quizzes, and audience participation throughout the entire presentation screen to keep the audience engaged.

Example: During a product launch presentation, embed interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, and live demos within your slides. This ensures constant engagement and information retention.

14. Icebreakers and Energizers

Icebreakers and energizers are quick, fun activities designed to create a relaxed atmosphere and engage the audience at the beginning of a presentation or during breaks.

Example: At the start of a team meeting, use a fun icebreaker like “Two Truths and a Lie,” where each participant shares two true statements and one false one about themselves. It lightens the mood and promotes bonding.

15. Creative Challenges and Brain Teasers

Creative challenges and brain teasers stimulate creativity and problem-solving. They present puzzles, riddles, or creative tasks to engage the audience stand.

Example: During a creativity workshop, present participants with a riddle or a creative problem to solve as a group. Encourage them to think critically and come up with innovative solutions, fostering creative thinking.

How QuestioPro LivePolls can help in Interactive presentation games

When you use any tool for an interactive show, you need to think about how your audience votes and your presentation’s goals. Make sure the interactive elements enhance the learning or engagement experience rather than becoming a distraction. 

Here are some ways a survey-based tool like QuestionPro can assist in creating interactive presentation games:

Question and Quiz Creation

Many interactive presentation game tools allow you to create questions and quizzes that you can integrate into your presentations. These questions can be multiple-choice, true/false, open-ended, or other formats. Participants can then respond to these questions during your presentation.

Interactive presentation fun game tools often include features that engage your audience. This can include things like timers for questions, leaderboards to display scores, and interactive survey elements that make your presentation more engaging and fun.

Feedback and Scoring

These tools typically provide instant feedback to participants. Correct answers might be rewarded with points, while explanations could follow incorrect answers. Scores are often tallied in real time, creating a competitive or gamified atmosphere.

Data Collection

Interactive presentation game tools can help you collect data on audience response software . This data can be valuable for assessing learning outcomes, understanding audience vote opinions, or tailoring your content to your audience’s preferences.

Customization

You can often customize the appearance and behavior of interactive elements to fit your presentation’s theme or style. This allows for creative and engaging presentations.

Audience Participation

Such tools enable audience members to actively participate and feel involved in your presentation. This can lead to higher engagement levels and better retention of information.

Reports and Analytics

Some tools provide analytics and reports after your presentation, which can help you assess the effectiveness of your interactive elements and the overall presentation.

Incorporating interactive presentation games into your talks can elevate your engagement, foster learning, and make your message more memorable. Whether you choose polls, quizzes, simulations, or storytelling challenges, tailoring the games to your audience and objectives is key. 

By doing so, you’ll transform your presentations into dynamic and unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impact on your audience. So, level up your presentations with these interactive games, and watch your audience become active participants in your message.

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Awake and interested: 21 Interactive presentation games

Have you ever worked hard on an important presentation, only to look out at the audience and see that they’re barely awake? 

Don’t take it personally. It’s hard to get talked at for a period of time, especially if it’s been a long day already. That’s why experienced presenters often come to the table with interactive presentation ideas. These interactive presentation games will add a little extra fun to an otherwise straightforward presentation, and might be just what you need to keep your audience awake and interested. 

Let’s face it: public speaking and presenting is rarely anyone’s favorite activity. Fearing that your audience isn’t engaged or is drifting off to sleep only makes things worse. Get creative with some interactive presentation games to engage your audience, keep them interested, and help them to actually retain the important information you’re sharing. 

21 Interactive presentation games

These ideas are great for any kind of event - from a sales kickoff meeting to a work retreat . If you are planning a seminar or industry event, consider some of these options as additions to conference activities that attendees love. 

1. Live trivia

A trivia competition is a safe and easy way to get people engaged and involved in the information. You can start your session with a trivia quiz based on any topic, or you can pause periodically and share trivia questions based on what you’ve presented already. For example, if you are presenting at a certain conference, you might choose questions that deal with the subject matter of the event. It’s pretty much fail-safe to pick some simple trivia questions to get everyone chatting at the beginning of your presentation, and if you want to create a competition you can break everyone up into small teams to see who knows the most. Tip: If you go the competition route, people will always be more engaged if there’s a prize involved. 

2. Presentation singalong

This is a silly idea that’s sure to infuse your presentation with some fun and laughs. Start by choosing a popular song with a melody that will be easy for most people to pick up on. Then write down the lyrics, and swap some of the words out with concepts from your presentation. Essentially, you’ll keep the beat but change the words to items from your talk. Then create a slide to share during your presentation and “teach” everyone the song. People will be singing along and likely remember your presentation all day! You’ll want to know your audience fairly well for this one; not everyone likes singing in public and some people will only feel embarrassed, not entertained. For people who are comfortable laughing at themselves, it’s a winner! 

3. 20 questions

This is a simple and classic question game that doesn’t require any preparation or investment. You can be the subject and the people you’re presenting to can help you to answer. Choose someone from the audience and have them write down or draw something on the board behind you. Then, ask the audience a series of questions to get to the answer of the mystery item. The game traditionally allows yes or no questions rather than open-ended ones. For example, “Is the item an animal?” or “Is the item bigger than my fist?” You might try to have them keep the answer relevant to your presentation, but that can be tough depending on the subject matter. If you go that route, try to make the game a mid-session break, where they focus on something from your presentation so far. 

4. Same-room scavenger hunt

For a twist on a classic game (that doesn’t require leaving the presentation room), put together a scavenger hunt full of items that people will either have on themselves, or ask other attendees for. Things like a certain style of pen, a diet coke, a cellphone photo of a famous landmark, a green hairband, etc. Try to choose things that people will have in their bag or on their person - but pick a few things that they’ll likely have to ask around for. That way they can move about the room a little bit, as well as strike up conversation with others. You might be surprised how much people are able to grab without having to leave the room! Set aside a few prizes for the winners, and bonus points for people who get extra resourceful.

5. Show and tell

This game can serve as a sort of icebreaker and is ideal for smaller groups , or groups who don’t know each other well. It requires a little preparation, as before the event you’ll ask everyone to bring an item such as a favorite song or beloved photo - anything that tells a bit about what matters to them. Then, before your presentation begins, have everyone introduce themselves and explain why they brought the item they chose. Have your technology lined up in advance, so that if it’s a photo, you’re able to enlarge it on a screen, or if it’s a song, it can be played. This is a great way to learn more about your fellow attendees and find commonalities that can form friendships. 

6. Periodic poll questions

Break up a lengthy presentation by having people share their opinions. Throughout your presentation, place a few polls or surveys that people can take informally. You can keep things simple by just having members raise their hands for their chosen option, or you can download an app so that you can collect responses in real-time. Try to make the topics pertinent to your presentation, and choose questions that are engaging and likely to have different opinions. You don’t want to choose questions where the answer will be obvious; that doesn’t lead to great conversation - which is your goal. 

7. True or false game

This activity is another one that allows people to move and stretch, which can be really beneficial during long or dry presentations. Prepare some slides in advance with one statement per slide. The statements can be just for fun, like about pop culture, or about the subject matter of your presentation (this is a good way to see who is paying attention). The key is that some should be true and some should be false. Think of it like a true or false quiz based on the information you’ve shared. Have the entire audience stand up, and then display the slides one-by-one. Tell them to stay standing if they believe the statement is (rightfully) true, and sit down if they believe it’s false. After each round, say whether the comment was true or false. Anyone who was wrong must now sit down permanently. Continue this process until only one person is left standing as the winner. 

8. Controversial questions

A bit of light-hearted controversy is a good way to get people engaged and to get conversation flowing. Energize your group with some questions that will spark debate. Obviously, you don’t want to create discomfort or irritation, so it’s good to avoid topics like politics, religion, current world events, etc. Keep questions on the fun side like “Mountains or beach - and why?” or “Coffee is overrated - yes or no.” Have everyone decide which side of the debate they are on and then join their “teammates”. Have the groups debate and see if anyone ends up changing their mind. 

9. Word of the day

If you want to ensure people pay more attention to your talk, start things off with a word of the day. This is particularly effective if you are doing a multi-day engagement and can change the word each day. At the beginning, tell everyone what the word of the day is. Then make sure it’s interspersed throughout your presentation. Have everyone keep a tally of how many times the word was mentioned, and whoever gets the right number wins. 

10. Process of elimination

This activity is simple, yet fun, and can help people get to know each other as well. You can choose to kick off your presentation with it, or use it as a break part way through your presentation. It requires a little preparation; before your event come up with a list of “yes or no” questions. On the day of, have everyone begin by standing up. Then ask each question one by one, and have people continue standing if their answer is yes, and sit down if their answer is no. If you want to thin the crowd earlier and make the game move faster, try suggesting scenarios instead of a question. For example, “Stay standing if you have ever seen a reindeer in real life”. Eventually you will get down to one person, who can be crowned the winner. 

11. Large group icebreakers

Not all icebreakers are the same. Some are great for meeting new people and interacting with the person next to you; others are good for getting an entire group engaged. Research icebreakers designed for large groups (our blog is a great place to start). 

12. Interactive Q & A session

An activity that’s actually really valuable to your attendees is a live question and answer session. This way they can learn more about what you’ve presented and gain a deeper knowledge. Plus, more outspoken people tend to ask questions that everyone is thinking, so it can be really helpful for everyone present. Let everyone know that at the end of your speaking portion you’ll leave time for questions. Make sure to allot about 20 minutes or more and encourage people to share any questions they have, letting them know you’ll answer to the best of your ability. 

13. Business case study

Simulations and case-studies represent real-life scenarios that people must solve. This can be an interesting and educational activity for people who are at an industry conference or other learning-style event, particularly with a business focus. To encourage really practical learning, try providing participants with a case study about a struggling company. Participants should analyze the situation and come up with a few suggestions for turning things around. Have everyone share their insights and then dive deeper into the best ideas from the group. 

14. Storytelling challenge

If you want to focus on fostering creativity and personal expression, try a storytelling challenge where everyone must create and share a story. For example, if you are hosting a team-building workshop , have each individual talk about a time they were part of a really effective team. What made them successful and what can other people take away from their story? This also helps to build a sense of connection among the audience. 

15. Collaborative whiteboard

This real-time activity involves having everyone present work together to contribute ideas, drawings, or annotations to a white board. It can really add an element of teamwork and brainstorming which can be powerful. If coming up with suggestions is part of your event, try having a large whiteboard and allowing people to come up and add their thoughts one by one. You can also use a digital white board tool to keep things a bit cleaner. Then share the ideas generated and consider giving people a few minutes to write down all of the results. 

16. Role-playing exercise

To promote empathy and communication skills, try coming up with role-playing games where participants will take on different roles or act as characters in various scenarios. For example, if you want to do customer service training, you might have one person play the role of a customer service representative and another of the role of a difficult customer. Allow them to act out various scenarios to practice problem-solving . 

17. Breakout tables

If you are presenting to a larger audience, why not try breaking them up into smaller groups to facilitate more discussions on specific topics or tasks? This is a good way to facilitate teamwork, collaboration, and a deeper dive into topic exploration. If the space allows, you can have separate breakout rooms instead of just tables. In a smaller space, divide the room with tables at the four corners so each group has room to speak comfortably without disturbing the other groups. 

18. Brain teaser

Flexing creative muscles and problem-solving are always welcome skills, no matter what the subject matter is. Come up with some challenges or brain teasers to present to your group (or smaller groups if presenting to a larger audience). Puzzles , riddles , creative tasks, or critical thinking exercises are all welcome additions that will get people moving, chatting, and thinking. Try some of these guessing games for extra fun. 

19. Interactive quiz

Want to see how much people are paying attention? Why not spring a pop quiz on them, just like in high school? We are only partly kidding. If you are presenting during a particularly long day, or on a complex topic, take periodic breaks and toss out a few quiz questions. This is especially valuable if you announce at the beginning of your presentation that you’ll be sharing some quiz questions throughout the day - then people know they need to pay attention. Pick a few key points from your talk and ask some fairly simple questions that the audience can answer. 

20. Topic of the day

If you are part of a multi-day event covering a variety of topics, you’ll get better engagement if your audience can help direct the material. Let them know in advance that you are going to keep your presentation fluid and reserve the last 20 minutes (or whatever amount of time makes sense) for a discussion on a topic of their choice. At this time, ask your audience what they want to learn more about. This is a great idea for events that last more than one day because you can build on what you previously shared. For example, if you present on Topic A on Monday, and Topic B Tuesday, ask your group on Tuesday if they would rather dive deeper into Topic A or if they want to spend more time on Topic B. Leaving it up to them will ensure they find real value in whatever is discussed. 

21. Partner assignment

For a business-focused conference, networking and meeting other professionals is part of the appeal. Kick things off well by having everyone pair up with someone they don’t know. Then assign a simple exercise where they need to work together. For example, task them with coming up with a new name for a traditional product. They’ll get to work on communication and critical thinking skills while building a bond with someone in the same industry.

Make your all-company meeting complete

Anytime that you can bring your entire group together for a team meeting or all-hands event, you have the opportunity to insert a little fun. Try some of these ideas during your next team building retreat or even when you just need some quick team-building ideas.

If you need help in figuring out the flow, and how to plan an event that all of your attendees will be talking about for years, reach out to Surf Office for expert event advice .

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50+ PowerPoint Game Ideas for Interactive & Engaging Presentations

Last updated on May 8th, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of presentation tools, PowerPoint remains a versatile mainstay. While most of us associate it with business meetings or academic lectures, it’s worth noting that its capabilities stretch far beyond. From engaging classroom activities to lively party games, PowerPoint offers a plethora of interactive opportunities. Dive into this curated list of popular games you can craft using PowerPoint, and discover how to transform this presentation platform into an entertaining gaming console.

Benefits of using Games in PowerPoint Presentations?

Games are not just a source of entertainment; they are a potent tool for fostering engagement, boosting retention, and breaking the monotony of standard presentations.

In business, using PowerPoint games can invigorate team meetings, encourage participation in training sessions, and enhance the assimilation of complex data, making information dissemination more impactful.

For the classroom setting, PowerPoint games pave the way for an interactive learning environment, where students are motivated to participate actively. It aids in the comprehension of challenging concepts, fosters a competitive yet collaborative spirit, and ensures that learning is not just effective but enjoyable.

Leveraging the power of games in PowerPoint presentations is thus a strategic move, transforming the traditional slide-based discourse into an interactive experience for both corporate and educational realms.

In this article, we will present some game ideas that you can implement in PowerPoint, either by using pre-defined Game templates or creating your own interactive PowerPoint games. Let’s see some ideas below, as well as a quick description on how you can create the game using PowerPoint slides or download pre-existing free PowerPoint templates with games .

1. Family Feud PowerPoint Game

Family Feud is a quiz game where contestants guess the most popular answers to survey questions.

To create this game in PowerPoint, design slides with the questions and use animations to reveal the answers as players guess. Organize the answers in a descending order of popularity, revealing the most popular answers last for dramatic effect. Color coding and use of sound effects can enhance the experience. You can download this free Family Feud PowerPoint template .

2. Jeopardy PowerPoint Game

Jeopardy is a classic quiz game featuring categories and increasing point values.

To create a Jeopardy Game in PowerPoint, begin by crafting a grid of point values on a master slide. Each value should link to a separate question slide. Use hyperlinks for seamless navigation. After answering, guide the user back to the main grid. To track answered questions, you might consider changing the color or appearance of clicked values.

Check out this animated Jeopardy PowerPoint Template in case you are interested in learning how to make a Jeopardy game on PowerPoint.

3. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire PowerPoint Template Game

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is a high-stakes quiz game with questions of increasing difficulty and lifelines.

To create a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game in PowerPoint, create a series of slides with questions and multiple-choice answers. Use animations and slide transitions for lifelines, such as “50:50,” revealing the correct answer or polling the audience. Include dramatic sound effects and visual cues for milestones in prize money.

4. Wheel of Fortune Game for PowerPoint

The Wheel of Fortune is a word puzzle game, Wheel of Fortune sees players guessing letters to complete a phrase.

To create this game as a PPT presentation, you can use text boxes in PowerPoint for the puzzle, and animations to reveal letters as they’re guessed. You can also use editable puzzle templates to form the different shapes and layouts. Consider incorporating a spinning wheel animation or image for added effect. Sound effects can be used when letters are guessed correctly or incorrectly.

5. Bingo Game for PowerPoint

Bingo involves players marking off numbers on a card as they’re randomly drawn.

To create a Bingo Game in PowerPpoint, prepare Bingo cards and design slides that randomly display numbers. To ensure randomness, consider using a number generator and manually progressing through slides.

6. Memory Match Game in PowerPoint

Memory Match game is a card-matching game. Memory Match requires players to flip two cards to find pairs.

Using PowerPoint, design slides with hidden images or text that appear upon click. Ensure two of each item for pairing. Create a grid layout in PowerPoint, and use PowerPoint animations to simulate the card “flip” effect when clicked.

7. Trivia Quiz Game in PowerPoint

In Trivia Quiz, players answer a variety of multiple-choice or true/false questions.

Design your PowerPoint slides with a question on top, followed by clickable answers below. Using slide transitions, provide immediate feedback for correct or incorrect answers. Consider incorporating a scoring system or timer for added challenge. If you don’t want to create a quiz from scratch, you may use a free Quiz PowerPoint template design , or a free Trivia PowerPoint template , with pre-defined slides prepared for a Quiz or Trivia game. Alternatively, you can check the quiz maker tools .

8. Hangman PowerPoint Game

Hangman is a word-guessing game. Incorrect guesses lead to drawing parts of a hangman figure.

For this game in PowerPoint, you can create a new PowerPoint presentation and use text boxes for the mystery word. Then, add shapes for the hangman drawing, revealing parts incrementally with each wrong guess. The game concludes when the word is guessed or the hangman is fully drawn. You can also leverage this presentation by applying animations.

9. Pictionary PowerPoint Game

Pictionary is about guessing a word based on a drawing.

In PowerPoint, you can create a Pictionary game that displays a hint or a drawn representation of the word on a slide. When presenting the slideshow, players then guess what the word is based on the visual. This can be made interactive by using drawing tools in real-time, if the platform allows.

10. Price is Right in PowerPoint

In this game, players estimate the price of various items.

To create a Price is Right PPT presentation, you can showcase images of items on your PowerPoint slides and have players guess their price. Once guesses are made, reveal the actual cost. This can be done using PowerPoint animations (first the cost is hidden, and then when revealed you use a Fade effect or any other animation under the Appear section). To add more dynamics, use animations to simulate the spinning wheel or other mini-games from the show.

The Big List of Other Interactive PowerPoint Games for Engaging Presentations

Here are 40+ interactive PowerPoint games that you can incorporate into your presentations for engaging presentations.

Conclusions

PowerPoint proves time and again that it’s more than just a tool for slideshows; it’s a canvas for creativity. By thinking outside the box, we can leverage its features to create engaging and interactive games suitable for various settings. Whether you’re an educator aiming to make lessons more captivating or someone looking to add a fun twist to a gathering, these PowerPoint games offer an innovative way to engage and entertain. So, the next time you open up PowerPoint, challenge yourself to see it not just as a presentation tool, but as a gateway to interactive fun.

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Top 10 Presentation Games for Large Teams

A large audience. Difficult topics. For many speakers, it is difficult to keep their attention on the talking topics during a presentation to a large team or audience. As a result, it is common for people to slip into passive listening mode and grab their smartphones. They simply stop paying attention to your presentation. Interactive games for group presentations can help keep the audience focused. In this blog we will give you a top 10 presentation games to help you keep their attention when you are presenting in front of a large group of people. From a simple game where all the audience has to do is raise their hand, to an interactive presentation game that will help you gain new insights. Choose one or more and find out which presentation game works best for your audience.

Key Takeaways:

• Engage audiences with interactive games like 'Elimination' and 'Assumptions' to start presentations dynamically.
• Incorporate audience content choices using 'Topic of the Day' for tailored discussions.
• Utilize practical application games like 'Bring into Practice' for theory reinforcement.
• Encourage creativity and networking with 'Duo Assignment' and 'Sing & Swing'.
• Maintain attention with end-of-presentation quizzes and the humorous 'Phone' game.
• Leverage Sendsteps for interactive polls and enhanced presentation engagement.

1. Elimination game

This game will introduce you to the audience. A fun idea to start any presentation with.

How it works: Have everyone in the audience stand up. Then display on the presentation screen statements where the answer will determine wheter the audience must sit down. For example, are you speaking at a conference that has already taken place several times? Then start with: "Sit down if this is your first time attending this conference." You can then filter the audience by asking follow-up questions such as: "Sit down if you have attended this congress 3 times." Continue until a few are left.

2. Topic of the day.

You can let some of the content of your presentation be determined by the audience. By asking them beforehand what they think is an interesting topic, you adapt the presentation in no time, to their interest which will make them listen even more attentively. Such short games for presentations are easy to implement, but have a great effect.

How it works: At the beginning of your presentation, show three related topics on the screen. For an entertaining presentation, these can also be unexpected words that have relatively nothing to do with the topic. The audience votes through an online poll which topic or word the speaker should cover in the final presentation.

3. Assumptions

You can run the first game in a similar form with statements.

How it works: First, the whole audience stands up. Show statements on the screen and ask the public to raise their hands when they think a statemwnt is correct, and not to raise a hand when it is incorrect. If their answer is wrong, they should sit down. Continue until there are one or a few participants left and reward them with a big round of applause from the audience or even more fun: an appropriate prize.

4. Fill Gaps

With this game, you kill two birds with one stone. You will keep the interest throughout the presentation and the audience will leave with the most important knowledge points.

How it works: Make a spreadsheet containing one or more key sentences from your presentation. One word is missing from each sentence. Before the presentation, put a workpaper on each chair. Ask the audience to fill in the missing words as they listen and give the correct answers at the end of the presentation.

5. 30 Seconds

Who doesn't love the game "30 Seconds"? In the category of audience games during presentations, this game is easy to play. The time pressure also boosts the enthusiasm of your audience.

How it works: Invite one person to come forward. He or she will stand with his or her back to the screen. Now show a picture on the screen showing an object or familiar person related to your topic. The participant may now ask the audience "yes or no" questions about the image for 30 seconds and try to guess. Set a timer for this. After 30 seconds, is the correct answer still not given? Then the participant may take one more guess. Tip: Double the time when the answer is harder to guess.

6. Bring into practice

Are you giving a presentation in which a lot of theory is discussed? Then it is useful to bring the knowledge into practice. This way you give your audience a chance to think about what they have learned and how they can apply it.

How it works: In a presentation on writing persuasive content, useful tips can be given for writing a catchy title. Listeners usually take notes on what factors are important here, but none of them have written a title based on this. On the screen, show 3 titles that are slightly different from each other, one of which is completely correct based on the theory. Have the audience vote for the correct answer via an online poll on their smartphone and show the results. Then discuss which answer is right or wrong and why.

7. Duo assignment

Participants in a large audience most likely do not know each other. With this game you can easily introduce them and exchange useful information at the same time.

How it works: In a presentation about a new product, you can assign your participants to come up with a name for the product. Have everyone come up with one name. Then they discuss it with their neighbor. Together they choose the best one. The speaker then assigns each pair to speak up their made-up name out loud. With a group of 30 people, this is feasible; with a larger audience, a few pairs can be formed.

8. Sing & swing

Singing is healthy! It gives energy and it puts your audience in a positive flow. Ideal when a presentation is long.

How it works: Rewrite the lyrics of a popular song and show it on the presentation screen. For example, take the chorus and replace it with a few phrases that are the essence of your presentation. Invite the audience to sing it with you. Even more fun presentation game ideas: for extra fun, add a simple choreography, for example clapping or waving your hands.

9. Quiz game

A quiz is an often used but very effective interactive presentation game. Announce in advance that a quiz game will be played at the end of the presentation. This keeps the audience paying attention throughout the presentation.

How it works: Ask about 10 questions and make it interesting by alternating between [multiple choice](/en/questions/multiple choice/), 'right or wrong' questions and 'yes and no' questions. Display these on the screen and let the audience answer with an online poll. Show the scores after each question. This encourages competitiveness in your audience!

Often attention drifts away at the end of a presentation, especially when there are questions from the audience. With this game, everyone pays attention to each other's questions.

How it works: Have all listeners sitting at the left end of the rows think of a question for the speaker. They whisper this question into the ear of the person sitting next to them. The question is whispered through to the person at the other end of the row. The people at the right end of each row may now ask the question out loud. Chances are, the question is nothing like the one initially thought of. This can produce hilarious moments!

Interactive presentation games with Sendsteps

The above mentioned games for presentations will make every presentation a true success. Get started and try out an online poll with your audience. Use our free tool and start presenting interactively right away. Not sure which presentation game is right for your presentation? Then please contact us. We are happy to give advice on how you can increase interactivity with your audience. In addition, Sendsteps offers even more smart features to deliver a perfect presentation.

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What are effective presentation games for large teams, and how do they enhance audience engagement.

Effective presentation games for large teams include 'Elimination', 'Topic of the Day', 'Assumptions', 'Fill Gaps', and '30 Seconds' for dynamic interaction. These games keep the audience engaged, encourage participation, and make complex topics more approachable. 'Bring into Practice' and 'Duo Assignment' stimulate practical application and creativity, while 'Sing & Swing', a quiz game, and the 'Phone' game ensure ongoing attention and fun. These games, especially when combined with Sendsteps for interactive polling, significantly enhance the overall engagement and effectiveness of presentations for large audiences.

How do games enhance team-building and collaboration in a large group setting?

Games in a large group setting enhance team-building and collaboration by providing a shared experience that breaks down barriers and encourages open communication. They create a fun and relaxed environment where team members feel comfortable interacting and working together.

What strategies can be used to ensure that all team members are engaged and participating in the games?

To ensure all team members are engaged in the games, it's important to choose inclusive activities that cater to diverse interests and abilities. Facilitators can also actively encourage participation and create small groups within the larger team to ensure everyone is involved.

How can the effectiveness of these games in achieving presentation goals be evaluated or measured?

Measuring the effectiveness of these games can be done through feedback surveys, observing the level of engagement during the games, and assessing the improvement in team dynamics and communication post-activity.

Roksanna van Dam

Roksanna works as an intern and mainly focuses on making content and the company's socials. Roksanna loves to teach herself and her audience new discoveries and has a creative mindset, which she combines with her work to create unique, fun, relevant blogs and templates.

50+ Fun Icebreakers For Your Next Presentation

If you’re looking for the perfect icebreaker to open your presentation and connect with your audience from the get-go, look no further! With the help of our presentation experts here at 24Slides, we have compiled the ultimate list of icebreakers you can use in your next presentation, meeting, or conference. 

We’ll also go through some quick icebreakers 101, solving questions like:

What is an icebreaker?

• Why should I start my presentation with an icebreaker?
• What makes a good icebreaker for presentations?

And, of course, you’ll get our compilation of over 50 icebreaker examples for your next presentation. Since there’s no one-size-fits-all, we’ve divided our presentation ice breakers into categories depending on the context of your presentation, so you can go straight to the ones that will work the best for you!

In this article, you’ll find:

Icebreakers for one-on-one presentations

Icebreakers for small group presentations (2-10 people), icebreakers for medium group presentations (11-30 people), icebreakers for large groups (31+ people), icebreakers for business and sales presentations, icebreaker ideas for training sessions and workshops.

• Virtual presentations icebreakers
• Fun icebreaker examples for playful presentations
• Great simple icebreaker questions  

So, are you ready to become an expert in using icebreakers in your presentations?

Imagine you’re in a room with a bunch of people where you know only a few of them or even none at all. You’d probably start feeling awkward and self-conscious, uncertain to interact with those around you. When you’re uncomfortable, your attention will probably be divided between wanting to listen to the speaker and making sure your elbows don’t touch your unknown neighbor. 

And, if you’re the speaker, you might feel pretty awkward too. Speaking in front of an audience is never easy, and you might wonder how to approach your presentation’s topic, especially if it’s dense or very important. 

An icebreaker is precisely what its name suggests: it breaks the ‘ice’ of uncomfortableness between you and everyone else around you. Icebreakers are usually short activities meant to help your audience to connect first as people before approaching your presentation’s topic - making your audience more relaxed and likely to hear out your ideas. 

Icebreakers can take many forms and shapes, from simple questions to engaging games. They can require people to talk with each other, answer a poll, or even move around the room. Anything that will make your attendees open up could be an icebreaker as long as it makes people feel more at ease! 

Benefits of icebreakers

The main objective of using an icebreaker in a presentation is to help people get more comfortable and avoid the common awkwardness when first speaking to a new audience. 

Icebreakers can accomplish many things - presenting yourself, getting people more at ease, and even as an introduction to your presentation’s topic. But they also offer a wide array of side benefits, like getting people more involved with your presentation and making it more memorable. 

If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Why should I add an icebreaker to my presentation? I’m just fine without one!’ here are 6 of the top benefits of using an icebreaker in your next meeting. 

• It breaks down the awkwardness

For people who aren’t 100% an extrovert, presentations and meetings are likely to create a certain degree of awkwardness. And having a room full of people who feel uncomfortable around each other can be detrimental to your presentation. Icebreakers help lessen this feeling in your presentation – making people relax and be more at ease so they can put all their energy into listening.

• Icebreakers help people relax and have fun

When people relax, they’re more likely to entertain new ideas. An icebreaker may be the turning point to make them feel more receptive to what you’re going to say. It also opens up more possibilities for inviting your audience to participate and ask questions. Icebreakers are a great way to make them feel welcomed and more likely to volunteer or join whatever activity you’ve prepared for them onstage.

• Help you connect with your audience

A presentation where the speaker starts right away can feel a little jarring. Icebreakers are the perfect way to introduce yourself and your topic without throwing your audience headfirst into the presentation. A good icebreaker can help you connect better with your audience – making them, in turn, more likely to hear you out!

• Gives your audience an energy boost

Some presentations can feel like they take forever. When you’ve been sitting down for what seems like hours, you might feel yourself starting to nod off. An icebreaker doesn’t necessarily happen just at the start of the presentation. It can be a great way to wake up your audience after a quick break and bring them back to the topic at hand. 

• Gives a chance to network with others

The right icebreaker can get your audience talking and help them find things in common. After all, your audience is all in the same meeting for a reason! By giving them the opportunity to interact with one another, you are also giving them the extra value of finding people who can work with them in the future. 

And, of course, icebreakers are great ways to get the ball rolling, so by giving your audience a chance to talk with one another, you might also get more interesting and unique takes on questions and ideas later on. 

• Creates a positive atmosphere

A positive atmosphere is created when people lower their barriers and defense mechanisms, making it more conducive to learning. A negative atmosphere, on the other hand, is felt when people don’t feel at ease and give their neighbors the cold shoulder. ‘Breaking the ice’ needs to get done as soon as possible!

5 Practical Tips for a Good Icebreaker 

What makes a good icebreaker? This is a tricky question to ask. Many icebreakers that work in certain situations will not work in others, as their use depends on context. 

Here are key factors to consider when planning your next presentation’s icebreaker: 

• Know your audience

Take the time to research your audience. The most important thing when planning your presentation’s icebreaker is to remind that you want your audience to feel less awkward  — not more.

Taking your time to learn about the people in front of you is the easiest way to avoid doing or saying something that could potentially offend your audience. Even if you do it unintentionally, the damage will still be done. 

• Identify your presentation objective

The right icebreaker will help you achieve your presentation objective, so take some extra time to think about it. For example, if you’re giving a presentation on cooperation and teamwork, you can do a game where your audience needs to rely on one another. Or conduct a poll to ask your audience how confident they are in their teamwork skills. 

Making your icebreaker closely relate to your presentation’s topic will not only open up your audience but also allow you to transition smoothly to the rest of your presentation. 

• Involve everyone

The icebreaker should be inclusive, meaning it shouldn’t exclude anyone from joining. For instance, if you have a disabled person in the crowd, then you wouldn’t want him or her to feel awkward for not being able to join. 

Have a backup icebreaker just in case the first one excludes someone. The point is that fun icebreakers should make everyone feel more at ease  — and not at the expense of the outliers of the crowd.

• Make sure you understand the context

To pick the right icebreaker for your presentation, you must know the overall setting in which it will take place. A presentation to the board of directors where you need to explain where the sales have been going down is probably not the best place to use a joke as an icebreaker. Or, if you’re giving a quick 15-minute presentation, you might not want to begin with a game that will take at least 10 of them. 

Taking into consideration general setting cues like time frame, space and resources availability, and presentation tone, will help you pick the perfect icebreaker. 

The Ultimate Presentation Icebreakers List

Here you’ll find the perfect icebreaker for your presentation. Since not every icebreaker will work on every situation, here you’ll find them divided into several categories: 

• Icebreakers depending on your audience size
• Icebreakers depending on your presentation’s tone and context
• Quick and easy questions to break the ice

Do feel free to browse through the entire list: most icebreakers will be easy to adapt to fit your specific needs and your presentation!  

Presentation Icebreakers for Every Audience Size

While in a small crowd, you might be able to ask person by person their input, this will most likely not be the case in large groups. On the flip side, a game that needs the audience to divide into teams might be a good pick for a medium-sized crowd, but not a one-on-one presentation. 

Among the many options of icebreaker options all over the web, we’ve compiled and edited a list of which ones will work the best for each audience size: 

• Introduce yourself. Unless you already know each other, introducing yourself is the easiest way to look proactive and get your presentation going. After all, it’s in your best interest for your prospect to warm up to you before your pitch or presentation!
• Have a conversation . Don’t go straight to your topic. Always warm up your prospects and engage them in conversation first. Try to ask open-ended (instead of just ‘yes’ or ‘no’) questions. You can tackle topics like current events, or even just the weather! Just talking in a more casual way will make the person feel more at ease and more likely to give you their undivided attention. 
• Ask them about their personal life. If it’s someone you already know, build rapport by showing you care about them. You can ask about their kids, vacations, or even their favorite sports team. Remembering what they care about can be a huge plus when building a better atmosphere! 
• Let them tell you what they expect from your presentation. It’s the easiest way to make sure you live up to your expectations! It also allows you to introduce the topics of your presentation seamlessly. Even better, you’ll feel and look more confident and under control by taking charge of the presentation’s rhythm and agenda. 
• Ask something related to your presentation topic. Ask them if they know anything about your company, product, competitors, or something to that effect. It’s not only a great way to start your presentation without spending too much time on what they already know, but it’ll also help you gauge their knowledge so you can decide how in-depth you need to get in your presentation.
• Give them a small present just for showing up. Especially if the meeting is not an obligation for them, being appreciative if they show up can go a long way. After all, they’re investing their time and energy into you!
• Compliment them. It’s always nice to get compliments. But don’t overdo it, and always, always be genuine. If your prospect feels like you’re using flattery to get the sale, then it can seriously backfire on you later on. You’ll lose face and credibility.
• Introductions but with a twist. Ask everyone to introduce themselves and state something unusual or a fun fact about them. Towards the end of the presentation, ask them if they remember anything other people said during the introduction. If they get something right, reward them.
• Ask people to line up alphabetically . You can do this with their first names or last names. Or even their nicknames. This gets people talking and getting to know each other’s names.
• Charades . This is one of the best fun icebreakers on this list. It’s a party favorite but can also be used in presentations, meetings, and conferences. You probably already know how this works, but if not, here’s a funny charades video on Jimmy Fallon’s show.

• String a story together . Storytelling is a powerful element in presentations. But for this icebreaker, you’ll need everyone’s help to create a story. Start the first sentence yourself and then ask the first person in front of you to continue the story. Each person gets to decide the direction the story takes, one sentence at a time.
• Play word games . There are many different kinds of word games. But this is something you may find useful. Identify the subject or category the words should belong to, like animals or food. If the first person chooses ‘DOG,’ the next person must identify an animal that starts with the last letter of the previous word. In this case, it would be something that starts with the letter G, like GOAT.
• One word to describe him or herself . Give your audience one minute to think about the perfect word that describes them. And let the others assess if they agree with that word or not.
• Social media icebreaker . Let people open up their favorite social media accounts and then share a photo they’re most proud of. Ask them to share a line or two about why they love that photo.
• Switcheroo. Ask everyone to stand up and switch seats with the people in front of them. Do this when you notice people are starting to get drowsy and need some stimulation.
• Human bingo. This is a fun way to get to know people. Prepare the cards and the pen/pencil. The cards should already be filled out with various traits, characteristics, hobbies, etc. Then, your participants will need to go around and interview each person and check off a box that applies to them. The person who completes their card first gets a prize.
• Friendly debate. Group your participants into two. One should be the ‘pro’ group and the other is the ‘anti’ group. For instance, you can choose pizza lovers and pizza haters. Give them a few minutes to present their arguments and let the great debate begin!
• Two truths, one lie. Just like the title says, make your participants come up with 3 things about themselves, in which one of them is false. Then, in groups or pairs, the others would have to try and guess which one is the lie. It’s a great icebreaker to make your audience interact more with one another.
• Guess game. Just like the last one, it’s easier to make participants interact with one another through a game. Make everyone write on a piece of paper something fun, like an unlikely hobby or the oddest job they ever had. Your audience must try to guess who wrote which one. It’s not only a fun icebreaker, but it also helps people find out the things they have in common.
• Going to the beach. It’s an easy game, but a fun one! Each person will start by saying ‘I went to the beach and I took…’ plus an object, like a beachball, a towel, or a surfboard. Then, the next person must repeat the same sentence and add a new object to the list. The more people, the more the list will grow, and the first person who forgets an item loses! It’s also a good icebreaker for making attendees learn each other’s names by adding who brought what to part of the list they need to repeat. 
• Paper planes.  Make your audience write something about themselves on a piece of paper, and then instruct them to make a paper plane out of it and throw it! When they pick up a new paper plane, their goal will be to find the correct person. It’s the perfect icebreaker to get people moving and getting to know each other!
• Stretch. This one’s easy and straight to the point, but it does help break the boredom. Ask people to stand up and stretch for a few minutes. You can lead the exercise or play a short video on stage. After this short exercise, you can expect to see a bunch of awake and attentive faces.
• Treasure hunting. Hide a few prized items throughout the venue and send your participants on a treasure hunt. It’s always exciting to look out for a prize! Even better, by making them solve clues, you’d encourage your audience to work on their teamwork skills. 
• Stress buster. Hand small slips of paper to everyone and ask them to write down the things that are causing them stress lately. Then, during or after the presentation, ask them to rip it to shreds.
• Snowball fight. Divide your group into two sides, and give each person 3 pieces of paper to crumple. Give them 1 or 2 minutes to try to get as many ‘snowballs’ into the other team’s side. A healthy amount of competitiveness will help you break the ice in no time!
• This or that.  Another great icebreaker to highlight the things in common! Ask your audience to stand in the middle of the room, and ask them questions that will make them pick a side of the room. Things like ‘Dogs or cats?’ or ‘Night Owl or Early Bird?’ will have them jumping from one side to the other. 

Icebreakers depending on your presentation’s tone

When planning your next icebreaker, you must always take into account the context of your presentation. After all, giving a sales report to your boss is not the same as giving a fun workshop on teamwork.  

If you’re looking for the perfect icebreaker for a specific situation, here you might find the one you’re looking for!

If you’re looking for a more professional way to warm up your audience for your work presentations, these icebreakers are the one for you. Most business presentations are more serious and straight to the point, just like these icebreaker ideas!

• Storytelling. This one is the king of icebreakers for business presentations and for a good reason! Storytelling is an incredibly powerful tool to add to your presentations, as it helps to both exemplify your point and connect emotionally with your audience. And of course, this makes it the perfect option to break the ice and get their entire attention from the get-go. 
• The highlight of the week. This icebreaker is great for getting your audience into a positive mood. When planning your next business presentation, take some extra time to find something good that happened that week or that month. Maybe you record sales for that month, or you got an exceptionally good review from a customer.  
• Would you rather?  When planning your sales presentation icebreaker, this one will help to get your potential customer right where you want it. Highlight the value they’ll get from your product, and how they are missing out on it. From our experience, asking, ‘What do you prefer, struggling 5 hours per week on PowerPoint, or getting your presentations done by a professional team of designers in 24 hours or less ?’ really puts things into perspective!  
• Give kudos. The best way to put people in a good mood is to spread out some positivity!  Giving the spotlight to someone who has done outstanding work recently can be a great way to break the ice. 
• Brainstorming session. Group brainstorming is another great way to get people to exchange ideas. You hit two birds with one stone – an icebreaker and an idea generator rolled into one!

The best icebreakers for training presentations and workshops are those that incentivize teamwork and learning skills. These icebreakers will help your team get to know each other better and work together in tandem. 

• Live polls. There are many apps that allow your audience to make live polls and display the results immediately. This is a great icebreaker, as it can be as serious or lighthearted as you want. You can use it to ask the audience’s mood, their favorite food, and how much they know about the topic at hand.  
• Word cloud.  Just like a poll, a word cloud can be a great option to explore what your audience thinks about a prompt or concept you give them and to get the ball rolling. You can make them write down in groups, have them add their ideas to a board, or even make one through an app ! 
• Problem-solution icebreaker. Present a real or hypothetical problem, and ask people to pitch in their solutions. You can ask them for their input individually, or you can divide them into pairs. As the saying goes, two heads are better than one.
• Finish a puzzle together. This is great for group work as everyone can contribute. For example, you can give them a few pieces each, and they’ll then work as a team to complete the puzzle.
• Pop quiz. This icebreaker is the best to keep your audience on their toes and on a learning mood. You can add it at the end of your presentation, before or after a coffee break, or even at the beginning to see how much previous knowledge your audience has. 

Virtual presentation icebreakers

Not sharing a physical space can make breaking the ice even more of a challenge, especially since many icebreaker ideas would not fit an online presentation. So here you’ll find some icebreaker options that are specifically designed for virtual meetings!

• Drawing battle. You don’t have to be a professional artist to enjoy this one! There are many apps and websites that allow you to add this game to your virtual meetings. Just propose a topic and let people try to guess what one of them is drawing! You can even divide them into teams to make it more interesting. 
• Try a virtual escape room. If you have time, try giving your audience this challenge to build cooperation and teamwork. It’s not only great for learning to work together but also to have fun and loosen up. 
• Count till 20. Your team must try to count to 20 by shouting one number each… but without agreeing in which order they’ll go. This icebreaker will definitely make people wake up, and probably also laugh as they try to avoid talking at the same time. 
• Emoji movies. Just like charades, your audience must try to guess the movie or book. But instead of someone acting, they must guess it from the emojis. It’s a great adaptation of a classic game for virtual meetings!   

Fun icebreaker ideas for playful presentations

Icebreakers can also help your presentation be more playful and fun! If you like your icebreakers a little silly to make sure people loosen up their inhibitions, then take a look at these ideas. 

• The no smiles challenge. If you’re making a fun, playful presentation, a great way to make it even funnier is to tell people smiling and laughing aren’t allowed in your presentation. This will most likely have the opposite effect, making people even more ready to laugh at your jokes! 
• Human rock paper scissors. This is a fun, high-energy game, but may not be feasible for older participants. Check this video to see if this is something you can use in your presentation.

• GIFs mood barometer. If you want your audience to be a little bit playful, having them share their mood as a GIF is the perfect way. If you want to keep some control of what they share, you can also use a live poll to give them options to choose from. It’s the perfect lightweight activity that still gives you valuable insights into your audience and their energy levels. 
• Bad jokes contest.  The only thing funnier than a good joke is an extremely bad one. Have your audience try to use their best dad jokes on each other while avoiding laughing at the jokes of the rest.  

10 Great Icebreaker Questions for Any Presentation 

Sometimes simpler is better, and the easiest way to get people talking is to ask them to do so! These icebreaker questions will help your audience open up without taking much time or extra preparation. 

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and what would be your superhero name?
• What's the most random piece of trivia you know and why?
• What is the oddest job you ever had, and how did you end up working there?
• If you could make a reality show, what would it be about?
• What cartoon character would you like to hang out with?
• Where is the most embarrassing place you ever fell asleep?
• If they made a sitcom about your life, what would the theme song be?
• What were the best and worst workshops/meetings/conferences you ever attended?
• If the zombie apocalypse began, what three people in this meeting would you want on your team?
•  If you had to teach a class right now, what would the subject be?

As a speaker or presenter, it’s important that you prepare fun icebreakers for your audience. You want people to be comfortable not just with you, but with their neighbors and groupmates as well. The icebreakers in this list are just the tip of the iceberg concerning the wide array of possibilities you can choose from. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative with your icebreakers!

Need more time to prepare for your presentation? 24Slides has you covered!

Now that you’ve begun thinking about your presentation, and the best way to break the ice with your audience, you might wish to have more time to prepare for it. Luckily, 24Slides can help with that !

You can focus on your presentation’s content and how to make your audience as comfortable as possible, and 24Slides professional designers will tackle the visual aspects of it all. In less than 24 hours , you can get a custom-made, fully editable presentation that will wow your audience and make it even more memorable. 

You might also find these articles interesting:

• 7 Essential Storytelling Techniques for Your Business Presentation
• How to Deliver the Perfect Online Presentation
• Improve Your Presentations' Body Language!

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10 interactive presentation ideas that leave a lasting impression

Attention is the gatekeeper of our memories. If you can’t get the audience to sit up and pay attention, your presentation will soon be forgotten.

In her webinar, Using neuroscience to create presentations with lasting impact , Dr. Carmen Simon, cognitive scientist and founder of Memzy , emphasized the importance of attention when forming new memories. According to Simon, one of the best ways to win attention is to insert a “cut” every three minutes.

Attention is definitely mandatory to people remembering the right things, and not just random things.

“Cuts” are simply a break from your normal presenting style, such as switching from a lecture to a Q&A or trivia question. Switching styles this ways keeps the audience intrigued about what comes next. Below are 10 interactive presentation ideas you can use as “cuts” in your own presentations.

Some of these ideas rely on Poll Everywhere, a live audience response system that lets you ask the audience a question and show live results. Try it out by signing up for a free account today.

Warm up the audience with an interactive icebreaker

Signal to the audience that this will be an interactive presentation by opening with an easy icebreaker. Kick it off before your presentation starts, as people are finding their seats, to get everyone familiar with the ins and outs of Poll Everywhere in a low-stakes setting.

Doing so speeds up the time it takes to complete subsequent activities because the audience will expect them. They’re also more likely to engage with you on Poll Everywhere if they’re already comfortable with the process.

Icebreakers come in many styles , but one of the most popular among Poll Everywhere users is the word cloud. Choose a question that calls for a personal response – What’s your favorite food? – that everyone can answer.

Plant engaged audience members ahead of time

This isn’t as sneaky as it sounds.

Sometimes all it takes is a few engaged people in the audience to get the discussion flowing, and give other people the courage to contribute. But what if you can’t count on your attendees to speak up on their own?

Ahead of your presentation, ask a few audience members who you already know and trust to pose specific questions during your presentation.

Maybe you want them to chime in with an easy “gimme” to kick things off and encourage that level of engagement. Or, maybe you want your designated attendee to ask a question that everybody else may be too afraid to ask (i.e. “How do we know we can trust this data?”).

This strategy won’t be necessary for every presentation. But when you’re worried that your request for questions will be met with lowered heads and shifting glances, this is an effective way to get the ball rolling.

Read more: From classroom to boardroom: A high school teacher’s presentation tips

Repeatedly ask questions to build involvement

You can’t expect your audience to engage and interact with you if you don’t give them an opportunity. So, make sure to have plenty of spots throughout your presentation where you can pause and ask a question.

This doesn’t need to be a threatening, pop quiz-style way to scare your audience into paying attention. Even the simplest questions can make people feel a little more involved in what you’re presenting. Think of things like:

• Have you heard of this before?
• Can you read what’s on that slide for me?
• Does anybody know where/what [thing] is?

They’re straightforward questions that require a one-word answer or super easy response, yet they do the job of reminding your audience that you’re talking with them – and not just at them.

Get people moving and out of their seats

It’s time to get your audience’s blood pumping. No, you don’t need to have them do jumping jacks or pushups, but think of some creative ways that you can get them moving around a little bit.

It could be something as simple as asking people to stand up, rather than requesting a show of hands. Or, you could think of some ways to incorporate movement with the content of your presentation. For example, have them walk up and introduce themselves to somebody new to implement the elevator pitch techniques you just taught them.

Give some thought to the different ways you could get your audience out of their seats at a few different points throughout your presentation. If nothing else, you can rest assured that they’re awake.

Read more: 8 interactive presentation games for large teams

Use interactive questions to assess the audience

If you want to know if the audience really understands what you’re presenting, ask.

Christopher Robertson , who teaches at University of Arizona’s James. E. Rogers College of Law, uses Poll Everywhere to identify and resolve any misunderstandings his students have about the complexities of law.

“Law students can easily go an entire semester passively attending class and both the professor and student discover on the final exam that they have not grasped the concepts covered in class,” said Robertson.

I find polling in class encourages active student participation and uncovers misunderstanding of how to apply the law that warrant a second look.

Taking time to test the audience this way gives them a chance to reflect on what you told them, and apply that knowledge on the spot. This can improve the chances they’ll remember that information after your presentation ends.

Enable anonymity to encourage candid feedback

Dr. Mark, physician and author of The Productive Physician , uses anonymous polling in his medical classes. He cites how this extra layer of security helps put students’ minds at ease, and lets them focus on the lesson instead of worrying about scrutiny from their peers.

“Poll Everywhere allows both anonymous and signed-in polling,” explained Dr. Mark, “but I prefer to use the anonymous mode as I feel it increases learner psychological safety: my students might be more inclined to test their knowledge without the fear of being seen to be wrong in front of their peers.”

You can enable anonymity for all Poll Everywhere activity types. The audience responds from the privacy of their phones – not in front of their peers – giving everyone an equal opportunity to make their voice heard.

Split your audience into smaller discussion groups

There’s nothing worse than explicitly asking your audience to engage with you and being met with only crickets and blank stares.

But, here’s the thing: Not everybody is comfortable speaking up in front of a crowd.

For that reason, it can be smart to divide your audience into smaller groups to discuss something relevant to your presentation topic – even if it’s just for five minutes.

If you want the whole audience to come back together and share what they learned during those conversations, it’s likely that a spokesperson will naturally arise from each group; meaning the people who aren’t comfortable chiming in on a large scale don’t have to.

The best thing about this strategy? The previously-reserved attendees will have a little more confidence to speak up when they know the rest of their group is there to jump in if needed.

Read more: How to present an effective PowerPoint presentation

Encourage questions throughout your presentation

It’s natural to want your audience to hold on to all of their questions until a Q&A portion at the conclusion of your talk. However, that’s pretty much the exact opposite of an interactive presentation.

Instead, be upfront at the beginning of your presentation that you want people to chime in with thoughts or questions, rather than biting their tongue until the very end. Of course, you’ll need to be willing to step in and get things back on track if a question steers the conversation too far off course.

If you don’t want the interruptions, find a way for people to submit questions asynchronously , such as in a chat window or shared document. You can respond to those submissions at your own pace throughout the presentation.

Either way, encouraging people to contribute to the topic in real-time is far more interactive and engaging than forcing them to sit and wait until the end.

Let the audience decide what’s next

Presentations don’t always need to flow in a straight line. With a quick question, you can empower your audience and let them decide what to learn about next.

Poll Everywhere’s own Katie Wilson gave a webinar on this very topic. In it, she explained how corporate trainers use polling to create choose-your-own-adventure style presentations .

Present your audience with a multiple choice activity, and let their votes determine which topic you tackle next. In Katie’s example, a corporate trainer is asking about how best to respond to a customer complaint.

Three options are available, and the audience votes on which one they think is most appropriate. Once the results are in, the presenter navigates to the slide associated with that option and discusses the results.

Use surveys to extend interaction after your presentation ends

Audience interaction doesn’t have to end with the presentation.

Jez Wiles, lecturer at the London College of Music, continues the conversation with his students both before and after his lectures with online questionnaires.

“Getting [students] to use a survey as a post-class reflective tool, or pre-lecture poll to find out what they know about something…this has all extended the use of [Poll Everywhere] for me, and boosted engagement,” said Wiles.

Poll Everywhere surveys can include any type of activity – from multiple choice to open-ended – and can be completed asynchronously at the audience’s own pace. This is a great way to help reinforce the topics of your presentation, or to collect audience feedback on the presentation itself.

I like the sense of fun Poll Everywhere naturally brings. I always find engagement goes up when I use it.

These are just some of the ways the Poll Everywhere community uses live audience engagement to drive interactive presentations. Each of these ideas is a type of cut you can use to keep your audience alert and engaged with what you’re saying.

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Game On! How to Easily Create and Play PowerPoint Games

Sylvia Nguyen

Do you know that PowerPoint can actually be fun? Yes, you definitely read it right, PowerPoint can be fun and engaging with just a little of effort. If you are continuously wondering “How to turn these boring slides to interactive PowerPoint games?” , then keep scrolling because you might thank me later!

PowerPoint Gamification

Before getting to the details of the PowerPoint games of this article, let’s go over the concept of gamification by adding games in PowerPoint. By understanding gamification in education, we can observe its impact on student progress and the necessary of applying gamification to daily PowerPoint lecture slides.

Gamification in Education Definition

Gamification is defined as applying game-like elements, or turning class activities into games but still managing to keep it under educational setting. By doing so, gamification increases student motivation and aid in student learning. In fact, according to a research in 2017 on the International Journal of Education Technology in Higher Education, gamification was justified to create positive impact on student engagement and motivation. From then, it was proven that gamification contributed to the learning curve and growth of students. Thus, gamification in education has various benefits for student learning progress as a convincing proof so that educators can be rest-assured to adopt this concept into their daily classroom.

So, how can we do to apply gamification in classroom?

Well, there are many ways to gamify your classroom , and plenty of gamification tools and applications you can try using, but today I’m going to show you how you can simply gamify PowerPoint slides.

How to Gamify PowerPoint Slides

As we learned the concept of gamification in education, it is thoroughly explained that in order for us to apply gamification, it is vital to bring the whole concept of gamifying learning journey to our students. One of the best practices is gamify classroom activities with the basic game concepts of points, levels, and a leaderboard.

Creating a leaderboard & using these game-based elements in your classroom doesn’t have to be manual, you

To add these game-based elements into your classroom, you can simply use PowerPoint! Instead of learning a completely new tool, or creating a manual leaderboard, ClassPoint, a PowerPoint add-in, adds a gamified reward system to PowerPoint . Using ClassPoint’s star points & leaderboard, educators can easily implement gamification strategies that increase student participation and centralize their learning experiences in a creatively fun way!

How to Create Interactive PowerPoint Games

One of the easiest ways that you can do to convert your boring slides into an engaging game is by directly creating an interactive quiz games in PowerPoint.

So, how do you create a PowerPoint game?

By turning your slide into a student question! Just add a question button, and your students will be able to answer and participate right from their phone! This not only enhances student engagement but also provides you with real-time insights into their understanding and progress.

They don’t have devices? – you can still ask verbal/written questions & give points!

Here’s how:

1. Turn slide into a quiz question

Turn any PowerPoint slide into a question! From trivia to written responses, you can get creative with how you want students to practice recall! Just write your question on your slide.

With the PowerPoint add-in ClassPoint, you can choose from eight different types of question formats to send to your students’ devices, such as multiple choices, fill in the blank, short answer, or even media-type of quiz like sending image or video as response to question. All of these can be turned to fun quiz games with a well-ready score system with leaderboard.

How : Write your question as text on your slide. With ClassPoint installed, you will find a ClassPoint tab in the PowerPoint ribbon. Click on it, and select a question type to add to your slide. Then the side panel will open where you can configure your question settings, such as setting the correct answer. And you’re done! Now sudents can join and answer from their devices

2. Award points for students’ answers

When it’s quiz time in class, run your quiz live, visualize students answers, and award points for correctness or excellence!

How : Students can join your class online using the class code, which will populate in the top right corner of presentation mode. Click on the class code for details. (you can create a saved class and set this code yourself!) Run your questions by clicking on the button in presentation mode! (you can set the questions to automatically start when you reach the slide!) Watch as students submissions fill your screen, then award stars!

Reward answers by awarding stars to everyone who submitted ‘A’ for example, everyone who submitted the word “inductor,” or to individual responses, for questions like short answer or slide drawing. You can also use the search bar to look for specific words in the answers or captions and give stars to all who used it!

If they don’t have devices:

If your students don’t have devices or it’s not the day to use them, no worries! You can still create a quiz game in PowerPoint, and use ClassPoint’s stars & leaderboard to gamify it!

How : Create question slides , then decide how you want students to answer: verbally in a game-show style, on individual whiteboards, or on paper, using their fingers for multiple choice, etc. Then give points with ClassPoint’s stars and saved class!

By creating a saved class in PowerPoint , you can open your class on any slide, and seamlessly give out stars to students! Then you can reveal the leaderboard for some competitive fun!

3. Reveal the Leaderboard

In order to gamify this quiz, you need game-like elements such as a leaderboard to make it a competition! With ClassPoint inside PowerPoint, you can open the Leader Board to reveal the top standings & podium to motivate students with friendly competition.

How : Click on the Leader Board trophy from the toolbar and watch confetti burst revealing the top star standings. Note: there is a current class and a total stars leaderboard; if you create a saved class, stars will accrue! Then you can set levels and use this for longer-term learning objectives!

4. Adjust levels and set goals

With saved classes, you can set star levels and have the leaderboard standings last over multiple sessions! As students earn stars, they will reach new levels & level badges! You can use ClassPoint’s gamified reward system for any objective or goal you’d like

How : Set your students’ goal , and let your students know what their objective is and how they can earn stars! Then set the levels : how many stars they need to earn in each level such as 10 or 20. (Maybe throw in rewards for each level earned!) Then award stars to reinforce their achievement or behavior.

• for single day use : if you have 10 questions, set level badge 2 to be 8, 9, or 10 stars and offer a reward to everyone who can reach level 2
• end of every unit quiz competition
• daily warm-up & recall points for participation
• Ex: each student must earn at least 3 stars a day for full participation points!
• for reinforcing positive classroom behavior

Why ClassPoint instead of Kahoot?

There are plenty of tools available for you to host quiz games, such as Kahoot! . This is a popular gamified quiz that let teachers create multiple choice quizzes online (or repurpose from their teacher-shared library)! However, tools like Kahoot, Pear Deck , ClassDojo , Quizizz , etc., require you to use a browser every time you need to launch activit.

By utilizing ClassPoint’s integration with PowerPoint, you can seamlessly incorporate interactive quizzes into your already-existing lessons.

In the long run, using ClassPoint in PowerPoint may be the most appropriate method for daily usage since you’d need to switch between PowerPoint and your browser in order to use your gamification system, which can be time-consuming. Fortunately, ClassPoint provides those features from interactive quiz to gamification system – all in one tool. This tool provides us exactly what we need – a package of interactive features allowing its users to transform static PowerPoints into a live interactive presentation.

More Easy-Prep, Fun PowerPoint Games

With ClassPoint, a student engagement add-in for PowerPoint, there are plenty of other tools that you can use to turn your slides into an fun and interactive game! (that don’t include the student-response questions or the use of student devices!)

The Snowman (Originally “Hangman”)

The famous game of hangman can be easily played in PowerPoint! You just need to design the game on a slide and ClassPoint will help you to take care the rest.

Note: While “hangman” is famous, there are plenty of more politically correct versions of the same game that are more kid & school friendly, such as building a snowman!

• Slide: Pose a question or think of a vocab word and design the letter placement based on the number of letters of the answer. Alternatively, leave out the letter placement and add it live on the spot using ClassPoint’s annotation tools!
• Annotation toolbar
• Alternatively, to make a more creative and aesthetic game, you can use the Draggable Objects feature for the letters & building the snowman

How to play: Give students your question or tell them to start guessing your vocab word one letter at a time! When students start answering, you can use the annotation tools to fill in correct letters, to mark down incorrectly guessed letters, and with each correct answer, you can allow your students to draw one part of the snowman on the slide, or you can help your students to draw it. If you use Draggable Objects, you can alternatively drag the correct letters to the correct spot of answer, then drag the pre-made snowman’s parts to build a complete snowman!

Tip : Plan to play this game more then once? Save your game slide design as a ClassPoint whiteboard slide, then whenever you have 5 minutes at the end of class, open this game as a whiteboard inside any PowerPoint deck ! And wah lah! You have an educational fun game and zero wasted time.

Similar to the original Jeopardy TV gameshow, you can also set up a Jeopardy game inside PowerPoint!

• Slide: Create a table grid of hidden questions behind tiles/squares. Across the top should be different question categories, and going down should be a varying range of question difficulty. On top of the question tiles/squares, instead of posing the correspondent amount of cash-worth for each question, replace it with the number of stars awarding once respondent give the correct answer. Then write your questions on each corresponding slide. You can add interactive question type in these question slides to engage your students better. Remember that the higher number of stars, trickier the question should be.
• PowerPoint animation to move away the question tiles once it’s clicked
• Or, you can use ClassPoint Draggable Objects to drag and drop the award-worth tiles

How to play: Student gets to choose their hidden question based on the category and difficulty/number of stars. Then, move the stared question tile with drag and drop or animation, revealing the question. The student or team then answers it, and if the response is correct, he/she can receive the number of stars correspondent to that question using your own tally or ClassPoint’s star reward system! (see 3 & 4 under interactive PowerPoint game!)

Wheel of Fortune

Let’s add some little fun when asking your students to contribute their thoughts in the lesson!

• Slide: First, you need to come up with a question that allows your participants to answer using a keyword or a short sentence. Then, on the slide, prepare a crossword corresponding to the correct answer of question.
• Saved Class
• Wheel of Names

How to play: In wheel of fortune, the values of the prize are cash, but for this game, we will make the prizes the number of stars students can earn for each question! To prepare the spinning wheel of names embedded into PowerPoint , you will need to first add the list of awards (stars value) for students as a saved class in PowerPoint. Then, in slideshow mode, you can show this wheel to host the famous Wheel of Fortune gameshow in your class.

Finding the Way – Maze in PowerPoint

Last but not least, I had to include this all-time game that is loved by not just kids but also adults. With a little twist, we can turn the child game version of Maze or “Finding the Way” to an educational version of it.

• Slide: Prepare the maze image and the elements for the connection of finding the way. Note: This game fits best with the type of knowledge or definition that has correlations (e.g. Water and its states)
• Annotation toolset
• Or, Slide Drawing interactive question type

How to play: After setting up the slides, you can allow students to come up and draw on the slides from your device using annotation tools of ClassPoint in slideshow. Alternatively, you can use the interactive activity “Slide Drawing” and allow your students to draw the connection on their own device.

I hope that this article helps to knock on your creativity in making exceptional PowerPoint games and adopting educational gamification to your class on a daily basis. Gamification is definitely a game-changer for all educators who understand the concept and apply it in students learning appropriately.

And with ClassPoint, you can incorporate gamification seamlessly into your PowerPoint lessons! With the ability to transform slides into questions, run quizzes with students’ devices, award stars for answers, and reveal leaderboards, ClassPoint offers a comprehensive solution for creating interactive quizzes and games within PowerPoint presentations.

So, if you haven’t tried it yet, download it for free today, and share any of your own ideas or experiences using PowerPoint for games in the comment section below!

About Sylvia Nguyen

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Blog > Quiz Ideas for your Presentation

Quiz Ideas for your Presentation

02.21.20   •  #powerpoint #quiz #trivia #ideas.

It's no secret that people love participating in quizzes. That's why they are so perfect for engaging your audience when you're doing a presentation. In this article, you'll learn what kind of quizzes there are and why you should use them. Also, we prepared a list of 50 creative questions about all kinds of topics that you can use for your next presentation or quiz night!

Types of Quizzes and Quiz Ideas

There are many types of quizzes. However, the main distinction is between trivia and personality quizzes. The names are pretty much self-explanatory. In the Trivia Quiz , there are questions about knowledge and facts. In a presentation, they can be used for checking what your audience already knows about the topic you are about to present. But they are also perfect for testing your attendees knowledge after your presentation, making sure they remember what you just talked about. You can also just throw trivia question into the main part of your presentation, just as a little playful element. With Personality Quizzes on the other hand, there is no right or wrong. You're asking about a personality trait, hobby, or whatever else you'd like to know about your audience. Those are perfect as ice breakers in the beginning, and for connecting with your audience instantly. They can be as serious or as fun as you want them to be. The last category here is the Yes-/No-Quiz or True-/False-Quiz . You can either ask personality or trivia questions with this category. When formulating them, be sure that they can be answered with either Yes/True or No/False, and add a "Not certain" option if necessary.

How to integrate a Quiz in your Presentation

Quizzes at presentations are great, but how do you incorporate them best? You can of course just put the question on the slide and then let your audience raise their hands at the answer they like best. But that has many flaws, like no anonymity, people influencing each others votes, and no possibility to record the results. We recommend using a PowerPoint Plugin like SlideLizard , which makes poll creation and conduction as easy as it can be. You type in your questions (or choose one of the templates) and some possible answers, your attendees connect with a link on their smartphone and vote for their preferred answer. You can show the results to your audience immediately afterwards. Simply download the tool for free , install it and open up PowerPoint. In this video, you'll learn how to create your quiz polls.

50 Creative Questions for your Quiz

This is a collection of 50 questions - both trivia and personality - you can ask your audience when doing a presentation. They're sorted into categories.

• Arts and Culture
• Modern Technology
• Movies, Books & TV-Shows

Arts and Culture Quiz Questions

Where can you find the Mona Lisa?

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
• The Vatican Museum, Italy
• ✔ Louvre, Paris
• Uffizi Gallery, Italy

Which of the following does not classify as a Standard ballroom dance?

"The Scream" was painted by...

• ✔ Edvard Munch
• Vincent van Gogh
• Claude Monet

In which city does Romeo and Juliet take place?

Funny Quiz Questions

Have you ever… (Multiple Choice)

• Had a crush on your boss?
• Peed in the swimming pool?
• Taken shampoo and conditioner from hotels?
• Told barefaced lies to your mother?
• Denied receiving work emails when in fact you did?

Why did you decide to join this event today?

• Knowledge building
• Speaker line-up
• Networking opportunities
• My boss made me

Would you rather...

• have spaghettis as fingers
• or have potatoes as feet?

Which of these embarrassing things have already happened to you?

• falling over in public
• texting something to someone by accident that they really shouldn't have seen
• calling your significant other by another name
• saying "Thanks, you too!" after the person who sold you the ticket at the cinema wished you fun at the movie.

You're going to a party. Who are you?

• The one who just stands in the corner hoping to go home as soon as possible.
• The one who befriends the house pet and spends their night talking to the pet instead of the people.
• The one who constantly makes Snapchat and Instagram stories about how amazing the party is and meanwhile misses most of the party.
• The one who goes totally crazy.
• The one who constantly plays weird songs that everybody is annoyed by.

Geography Quiz Questions

What is the longest river in the world?

• Mississippi

Which continents have you been to? (Multiple Choice)

• North America
• South America

What is the most spoken language in the world?

• ✔ Mandarin Chinese

Which of these cities is not capital of a country?

• ✔ Rio de Janeiro

Which U.S. state has the second longest coastline (following Alaska)?

History Quiz Questions

Who is the Greek goddess for wisdom and warfare?

Bill Clinton famously a stray cat who was "First Cat" during his presidency. What was his name?

Which colour was Saint Patrick's day originally associated with?

In what year did Neil Armstrong land on the moon?

• He never did.

Which famous leader is also called "the sun king"?

• King Alfred
• ✔ Louis XIV
• Julius Caesar
• Alexander the Great

Modern Technologies Quiz Questions

What Social Media Platforms do you use? (Multiple Choice)

How much time does the average person spend on their phone in a day?

How much time do you spend on your phone in a day (approximately and on average)?

• less than an hour
• more than 4 hours

In what year was the company Microsoft founded?

What was the very first message sent over the Internet?

• ✔ 'lo' // with the intent of typing "login", but the system shut down after typing the first two letters
• 'hello world'

Movies & Books Quiz Questions

What is the best-selling book of all time?

• ✔ The Lord of the Rings
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• The Little Prince
• To Kill a Mockingbird

How many books do you read in one year?

• more than 40

Which one of these actors/actresses has not won an Oscar (yet)?

• Audrey Hepburn
• ✔ Johnny Depp
• Reese Witherspoon

What's your Harry Potter house?

What's your preferred Genre of movies?

• Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Music Quiz Questions

What music do you listen to? (Multiple Choice)

Which one of these hits is NOT in the Top 10 of the best-selling singles of all time (worldwide)?

• White Christmas by Bing Crosby
• ✔ Y.M.C.A by Village People // sold "only" 12 million copies, the others over 20 million
• I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
• In The Summertime by Mungo Jerry

Choose a band to listen to on repeat:

• The Beatles
• Backstreet Boys

Choose an artist to listen to on repeat:

• Taylor Swift
• Elvis Presley
• Michael Jackson

The famous soundtrack for Pirates of the Caribbean was composed by...

• ✔ Hans Zimmer
• John Williams
• James Horner
• Howard Shore

Random Quiz Questions

The best pet is...

• a hamster, rabbit or guinea pig
• some reptile
• something not on this list
• no pet for me, thanks!

What is the most common fear amongst the below mentioned?

• ✔ public speaking

My favourite subject in school was... (Multiple Choice)

The best way to spend a holiday is...

• on the beach
• in the mountains

What sports do you do? (Multiple Choice)

• Ball Sports

Science Quiz Questions

Why are flamingos pink?

• There is no specific reason, they are just born that way.
• ✔ because of their shrimp-based diet
• because of a gene mutation
• to stand out more in the wild

How many steps should you walk in a day?

And how many steps does the average American walk in a day?

How much blood does a grown-up's body approximately contain?

The apes that are the closest relatives to human beings are...

• ✔ bonobo and chimpanzee
• gorilla and chimpanzee
• gorilla and orangutan

Which one is the only planet that orbits the sun in a clockwise direction?

Work Quiz Questions

How many PowerPoint presentations are given in a day?

• ✔ 30 million

According to statistics, these are the top 5 time-wasting activities at work. Which one do you waste time on? (Multiple Choice)

• (too many) Meetings
• browsing online (including Social Media!)
• procrastination

How much of the available time at work is actually used for working (on average)?

What are your biggest motivations at work? (Multiple Choice)

• interaction and communication with colleagues
• interesting tasks
• personal growth and taking responsibility
• possible promotions

When is your most productive time in the day? (Multiple Choice)

• in the morning
• around noon
• at afternoon
• in the evening
• late at night
• I have no specific time

What kinds of quizzes are there?

There are trivia quizzes - they test your knowledge on a topic, and personality questions - which each person has to answer individually for themselves.

What are good questions for trivia nights?

You will find questions from various disciplines in our list of 50 questions, which you can read in our article.

Related articles

About the author.

Pia Lehner-Mittermaier

Pia works in Marketing as a graphic designer and writer at SlideLizard. She uses her vivid imagination and creativity to produce good content.

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How to Make a Presentation Interactive | 7 Great Ways

Lakshmi Puthanveedu • 29 July, 2024 • 11 min read

Are your presentations putting people to sleep faster than a bedtime story? It’s time to shock some life back into your lessons with interactivity🚀

Let's defibrillate “Death by PowerPoint” and show you lightning-quick ways how to make a presentation interactive .

With these tips, you'll be able to activate that dopamine drip and get butts in seats leaning in - not delving deep into the chairs!

Table of Contents

What is an interactive presentation.

• Why Use an Interactive Presentation?

#1. Create icebreaker games🧊

• #2. Make use of props 📝

#3. Create interactive presentation games and quizzes 🎲

#4. tell a compelling story, #5. organise a brainstorming session, #6. make a word cloud for the topic, #7. bring out the poll express, easy interactive activities for presentations, more presentation examples you could learn from.

Keeping your audience engaged is the most critical and challenging part, regardless of the topic or how casual or formal the presentation is. 

An interactive presentation is a presentation that works two ways. The presenter asks questions during the production, and the audience responds directly to those questions.

Let's take an example of an interactive poll .

The presenter displays a poll question on the screen. The audience can then submit their answers live through their mobile phones, and the results are immediately displayed on the screen, as shown in the image below. Yay, it's an interactive slide presentation .

Making an interactive presentation does not have to be complex or stressful. It’s all about letting go of the static, linear presentation format and using some tools and techniques to create a personal, more involved experience for the audience.

With software like AhaSlides , you can easily create interactive presentations with tons of interactive quizzes, polls, and live Q&A sessions for your audience. Keep reading to find out fired tips on how to make a presentation interactive 👇

Why Interactive Presentation?

Presentations are still one of the commonly used methods to pass on information. Still, no one likes to sit through long, monotonous presentations where the host doesn’t stop talking.

Interactive presentations can help. They...

• Increase audience engagement , allowing them to connect with you and the purpose of the presentation. 64% of people believe a flexible presentation with two-way interaction is more engaging than a linear one.
• Improve retention capacity . 68% say that it’s easier to remember the information when the presentation is interactive.
• Tips: Use a rating scale to gather feedback !
• Act as a break from the routine and allow participants to have an enjoyable experience.

How to Make a Presentation Interactive

Whether you are hosting a virtual or offline presentation, there are many ways to make presentations interactive, exciting and two-way for your audience.

Starting a presentation is always one of the most challenging parts. You are nervous; the audience might still be settling, there might be people not familiar with the topic - the list could go on. Get to know your audience, ask them questions about how they are feeling and how their day was, or maybe share a funny story to get them hooked and excited.

🎊 Here are 180 Fun General Knowledge Quiz Questions and Answers to gain better engagement.

#2. Make use of Props 📝

Making a presentation interactive does not mean you have to let go of traditional tricks of engaging the audience. You could bring a lighting stick or a ball to pass around to the audience when they want to ask a question or share something.

Games and quizzes will always remain the star of the show, no matter how complex the presentation is. You don’t necessarily have to create them related to the topic; these could also be introduced into the presentation as fillers or as a fun activity.

💡 Want more? Get 10 interactive presentation techniques here!

Stories work like a charm in any situation. Introducing a complex physics topic? You could tell a story about Nicola Tesla or Albert Einstein. Want to beat the Monday blues in the classroom? Tell a story! Want to break the ice ? 

Well, you know… ask the audience to tell a story! 

There are many ways you could use storytelling in a presentation. In a marketing presentation , for instance, you can create empathy with your audience by telling an engaging story or asking them if they have any interesting marketing stories or situations to share. If you're a teacher, you could pitch an outline to the students and ask them to build the rest of the story. 

Or, you could tell a story till just before the ending and ask the audience how they think the story ended.

You’ve created a stellar presentation. You’ve introduced the topic and are mid-way through the exhibition. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit back, take a break and see how your students put some effort into taking the presentation forward?

Brainstorming helps get the students excited about the topic and allows them to think creatively and critically.

💡 Get an engaged class with 6 more interactive presentation ideas

Want to make sure your audience gets the concept or topic of the presentation without making it feel like an interrogation? 

Live word clouds are fun and interactive and ensure the main topic is not lost in the presentation. Using a word cloud free , you can ask the audience what they think is the main topic for the production.

How do you feel about using visual aids in your presentation? It's not anything new, right? 

But what if you can merge funny pictures with an interactive poll? That's got to be interesting! 

“How do you feel right now?” 

This simple question could be turned into an interactive fun activity with the help of images and GIFs describing your mood. Present it to the audience in a poll, and you could display the results on the screen for everyone to see.

This is a great, super simple icebreaker activity that can help revitalise team meetings, especially when some folks are working remotely.

💡 We've got more - 10 interactive presentation ideas for work .

Whether you’re hosting something for your colleagues, students or friends, retaining their attention for a while can be a daunting task.

Games such as What Would You Do? and 4 Corners are easy interactive activities to help the audience get back on track with your presentation …

What Would You Do?

Isn’t it interesting to know what someone would do in a particular situation or how they would handle it? In this game, you give the audience a scenario and ask how they would deal with it.

Say, for example, you are having a fun night with your friends and family. You could ask questions like, “What would you do if you could be invisible to the human eye?” and see how they handle the given situation.

If you've got remote players, this is a great interactive Zoom game .

This is a perfect game for anyone with an opinion. It’s a great way to start a conversation on your presentation's topic before diving into the meat of it.

You announce a statement and see how everyone feels about it. Each participant shows how they think by moving to one corner of the room. The corners are labelled ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘strongly disagree’, and ‘disagree’. 

Once everyone has taken their place in the corners, you could have a debate or discussion between the teams.

🎲 Looking for more? Check out 11 interactive presentation games !

The 5 Best Interactive Presentation Software

Making a presentation interactive is so much easier with the right tool.

Many interactive presentation websites let your audience respond directly to the content of your presentation and see the results on the big screen. You ask them a question in the form of a poll, word cloud, brainstorming or even a live quiz, and they respond with their phones.

#1 - AhaSlides

AhaSlides presentation platform will let you host fun, interactive presentations for all your needs, with quizzes, live Q&As, word clouds, brainstorming slides, and such.

The audience can join the presentation from their phones and interact with it live. Whether you are presenting to your students, a businessman who wants to hold team-building activities, or someone who wants to have a fun quiz game for your friends and family, this is a great tool you can use, with a ton of fun interactive options.

If you are looking for ways to boost your team’s creativity at your workplace, then Prezi is an excellent tool.

It is a bit similar to how a standard linear presentation would be but more imaginative and creative. With a huge template library and many animated elements, Prezi lets you create a cool, interactive display in no time.

Although the free version does not come with many features, spending a little on the tool is worth it to create content for any occasion.

🎊 Learn more: Top 5+ Prezi Alternatives | 2024 Reveal From AhaSlides

NearPod is a good tool that most educators would get a kick out of. It is specifically designed to cater to educational needs, and the free basic version lets you host a presentation for up to 40 students.

Teachers can build lessons, share them with students and monitor their results. One of the best features of NearPod is the Zoom integration, where you can merge your ongoing Zoom lesson with the interactive presentation.

The tool also has various interactive features such as memory tests, polls, quizzes and video embedding features.

Canva is an easy-to-use kit that even a person with no design experience could master in a few minutes.

With the drag-and-drop feature of Canva, you can create your slides in no time and that too with copyright-free images and a ton of design templates to choose from.

🎉 Learn more: Canva Alternatives | 2024 Reveal | Updated 12 Free and Paid Plans

Keynote for Mac

Keynote is one of the most popular bits of presentation software for Mac . It comes pre-installed and can be easily synced to iCloud, making it accessible across all Apple devices. Along with creating engaging presentations, you can also add a little bit of creativity by adding doodles and illustrations to your presentation.

Keynote presentations can also be exported to PowerPoint, allowing flexibility for the presenter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i make my presentation more interactive.

You can make a presentation more interactive with these 7 simple strategies: 1. Create icebreaker games 2. Make use of props 3. Create interactive presentation games and quizzes 4. Tell a compelling story 5. Organise a session using a brainstorming tool 6. Make a word cloud for the topic 7. Bring out the Poll Express

Can I make my PowerPoint interactive?

Yes, you can use PowerPoint's AhaSlides add-in to save time and effort while still being able to create interactive activities like polls, Q&A or quizzes.

How can you make presentations interactive to get students involved?

Here are some effective ways to make presentations more interactive and get students involved: 1. Use polls/surveys 2. Use quizzes, leaderboards, and points to make the content feel more game-like and fun. 3. Pose questions and cold call on students to answer and discuss their thinking. 4. Insert relevant videos and have students analyse or reflect on what they saw.

• Presentation outfit
• TED talks presentation
• Body language during a presentation
• How to get over Stage Fright
• Personality in a presentation
• Benefits of presentation software
• Zoom presentation tips
• Easy topic for presentation

To help you craft an impactful presentation, let's explore some common pitfalls and how to overcome them

• Bad speeches
• Bad presentation at work
• Death by PowerPoint

Lakshmi Puthanveedu

A small-town girl enthralled by culture, languages, and sunsets. Casual artist and musician looking to make memories every step of the way. Now changing the way humans live and have virtual interactions with AhaSlides.

Tips to Engage with Polls & Trivia

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Categories:

• Storytelling

A Simple Interactive Game To Use In Your Next Presentation

Interactive presentations are superior to the static ones.

You know that too. One-way presentations, where you are the only one talking are exhausting and boring for you and your audience. I hate them…

That’s why I am always on the lookout for good interactive presentation games to incorporate into my talks. I learn these games and interactivity devices, I try them, and then I share the results with you, and hopefully, you try them as well.

The interactivity in your presentation depends on all the interactive games and devices you string throughout the talk. The more tools you know and implement, the more interactive your presentation will be. You can’t just rely on one device; you have to keep adding more to your toolbox.

The more tools you implement, the more interactive your presentation

In this blog article, you will learn a simple interactive game you can use in your next presentation.

Here is the Formula for My Favorite Presentation Game:

Question > Tease > Reveal > Discussion

Question: Before you reveal a statistic or a fact to your audience, ask them to see if they know it and have them guess the correct answer.

For example: – Instead of saying “the attention of span of a human being is 8 seconds.”

Ask your audience “what do you think the attention span of a person is in 2015?”

– Instead of saying “the number one reason employees leave a job is because of a manager.”

Ask your audience “what do you think is the number one reason employees leave their jobs?”

Tease Don’t accept the first answer they give you even if it’s the correct one. Tease them for more responses and comment on the answers they give you.

The commenting can be as simple as saying “that’s close,” or you can also use funny remarks to keep your audience engaged in a lighthearted and fun atmosphere.

I experimented with the optimal number for teasing, and I found (from my experience) that three times is best. I noticed that the first 3 teases raise the energy of the room and after that, it starts to drop. I would suggest you do your test and see how that works for you.

You can point to people and put them on the spot and ask them what they think or to make a guess. Once you have some answers, you can reveal the real answer.

Reveal Finally, after you hear from a few of them, you can go ahead and tell the answer. Note that this could be a response that they shouted out already. That’s fine, just tell those people that they were right or close.

Discussion Usually, the game is played to get people engaged and enrolled in the conversation. Once you achieve that, then you can go ahead and make your points.

Game in action:

Question: Me: what do you think the attention span of a human being is in 2015? (asking the group)

Tease: Me: Mark, what do you think? (I single out Mark if no one shouts an answer) Mark: 3 seconds Me: Ok higher Me: Jennifer, what do you think? Jennifer: 7 seconds Me: we are getting close, last one, Mike what do you think? Mike: 10 seconds

Reveal Me: Close, it’s 8 seconds. It’s less than the attention span of a Goldfish !

Discussion There are two reasons to why I am sharing this piece of information with you about attention spans. The first is that I want you to add more engagement devices to your presentations so that you can keep grabbing the attention of your audience.

Second, when you see an audience member’s eyes glaze over, don’t take it personally. They will tend to check out briefly every 8 seconds, and it’s usually not because of your presentation. Your job is to keep bringing them back to you 🙂

The interactivity in your presentation depends on you applying multiple games and formulas like this one. The more tools you know and implement, the more interactive your presentation will be. I hope this tool will make your list.

Let me know what you think in the comments below . If you have one or few interactive games you would like to share, please share it – I would love to hear from you.

Related article:

9 Ways To Turn a Boring Topic Into An Engaging Presentation

How To Copy The Public Speaking Masters

Take a Presentation From Good To Great By Setting Boundaries

Three things that erode your speaking confidence.

How to Run a Project Kickoff Meeting Successfully

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10 Free PowerPoint Game Templates

Customizable slideshows for Jeopardy, Deal or No Deal, and other games

• Emporia State University

• Southern New Hampshire University

PowerPoint templates are a great way to introduce a new unit or review for a test with your students. It's a break from the regular routine, and students love the teamwork and competitiveness.

I've also used these templates with friends. I can replace the questions and answers with fun topics we're all familiar with and then play in person or online over a video call.

There are lots of websites with free PowerPoint templates that work with Microsoft's software and free presentation programs .

Jeopardy PowerPoint Templates

Most of the hard work is done for you.

Sleek graphics.

Some come with familiar sound effects and theme song.

Some are in the HTML format only.

A few require your email address.

One of the most popular types of PowerPoint games to use in the classroom is Jeopardy. It's a great game to use to review for a test or to introduce new material to students. They can be played as a class, teams, or individually on computers.

Family Feud PowerPoint Templates

Can encourage and be used with teams of students.

Great graphics resembling the TV gameshow.

Realistic sound effects from the gameshow.

Some are limited to a few slides.

Some require quite a bit of customizing.

Not much non-English support.

Some don't come in the popular PPTX format.

Another free game that's popular with teachers and students is Family Feud. These are played just like traditional Family Feud, and kids of all ages really get into the game. 

Wheel of Fortune From Games by Tim

Comes with great instructions for setup.

Realistic looking graphics.

Website has handy instructional video for help.

Cool animation.

Setup is pretty involved.

Doesn't automatically figure dollar amounts.

Can load only 12 puzzles.

Spin the wheel, use your own puzzles, and track scores with this Wheel of Fortune PowerPoint template that really reminds me of the actual game. It comes in the PPTM format .

Only Connect From Fisher Huntz

Includes sounds.

Multiple templates with questions and answers.

Includes a blank template.

Provides directions for playing and editing the template.

Doesn't include the game's Connecting Wall.

More free PowerPoint templates are available here that are modeled after the game Only Connect. One template is basically blank, so you can fill it out with whatever you want. Each of the others have 20 prefilled questions and answers that are ready to go for any teacher looking to entertain their kids with math or science related questions.

Deal or No Deal From Mining Quiz

Included a game rules slide for players.

Has a small help page to assist in setup.

Easy to edit template.

Graphics are a bit simple.

Single sound effect isn't clear.

This Deal or No Deal PPTX template is easy to manipulate and has sounds for each time you choose a briefcase.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Verbs

Comes with 12 pre-made questions.

Graphics and text are easy to read.

Added sound effects to enhance gameplay.

Will need to change the money values for other countries.

The lifelines are not clickable and only advance the slide.

Doesn't accurately keep track of winnings.

This Who Wants to Be a Millionaire template has questions already filled out for you about simple verbs. There are 12 questions in total, and I like that it has sounds and animated graphics for realism.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Templates From Sctriton Science

Website provides optional sound effects.

Provides enough blank question templates to play a full game.

Sound effects add some excitement.

The lifeline links reveal all answers.

Sound snips aren't very high quality.

This is yet another template for playing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in PowerPoint. It has 15 questions, all blank and ready for you to fill out with your own information.

Cash Cab From Sctriton Science

Provides enough slides to play an entire game.

Gives basic game instructions.

Fun ceiling animation like the TV show.

Can easily edit it.

Sometimes the template messes up.

Just like in the real game, this template includes not only blank slides for all the different questions, but also a place for a Red Light Challenge and a Video Bonus Question. You can also download the audio files for this template.

Cash Cab First Aid From Mining Quiz

Gives clear instructions on how to customize.

Nice sound effects to engage player.

Text is easily readable at a distance.

Distracting background.

No extra rounds like actual the actual game.

No way for player to select answer.

This Cash Cab template for PowerPoint has 12 questions, all related to first aid information. This template revolves around the objective to reach the Empire State Building before being kicked out of the cab with too many wrong answers.

You can also grab a blank template from the same download page if you want to write in all the questions and answers yourself.

The Price is Right by Stranded Goose

Works for free through Google Slides.

Very simple design.

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This 22-page template for The Price is Right is from a user called Stranded Goose at Teachers Pay Teachers. It works in Google Slides , so you'll use the presentation as part of your Google account.

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Top 10 Icebreakers For Your Next Presentation

Hrideep barot.

• Presentation , Public Speaking

If you are here, this is your sign to elevate your presentations from mundane to memorable with our guide on icebreakers for your next presentation. Are you tired of the same old routine when it comes to presentations? Are you looking for ways to captivate your audience, foster connections, and ensure your message doesn’t fall flat? Well, look no further because we’ve got the secret ingredient to transform your next presentation from mundane to memorable: Icebreakers!

In this blog, we’ll explore a treasure trove of icebreaking techniques to transform even the iciest of atmospheres into a vibrant and engaged audience. So, whether you’re a seasoned presenter or stepping onto the stage for the first time, get ready to discover the magic of icebreakers and watch your presentations come to life!

Why Icebreakers are Important?

Did You Know “ Icebreakers have an ancient history dating back to ancient Greece, where they employed “paradoxography,” a storytelling form, to engage and entertain participants during gatherings?”

Breaking the ice is like warming up a room full of strangers, it’s the catalyst for transforming uncomfortable moments into meaningful connections!” 

Picture this scenario: you are in a professional setting, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and it feels as if you are in uncharted territory. That is when someone proposes an icebreaker activity. Suddenly, you are engaged in a thought-provoking exercise, sharing insights, and gradually forming strong professional bonds.

Icebreakers are an essential tool in any social or professional setting, as they help to break down barriers, encourage interaction, and create a positive and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you are hosting a meeting, a workshop, a team-building event, or a conference, incorporating icebreakers can greatly enhance the overall experience for participants. In this blog post, we will explore the key points highlighting the importance of icebreakers and their numerous benefits.

Breaking the Ice

The primary purpose of an icebreaker is to break the ice between participants who may not know each other or who may feel hesitant to engage in conversation. By facilitating an initial interaction, icebreakers help to create a sense of familiarity, ease, and connection among attendees. They provide an opportunity for individuals to share a bit about themselves, their interests, and their backgrounds, which can lead to finding common ground and sparking conversation.

Building Trust and Relationships

Icebreakers play a crucial role in building trust and relationships within a group. When participants engage in icebreaker activities, they become more comfortable with each other, which encourages open communication and collaboration. Icebreakers foster a sense of trust and create a safe space for individuals to express themselves and share their thoughts and ideas. This improved trust and rapport can greatly enhance teamwork and collaboration throughout an event or project.

Energizing Participants

Icebreakers are an excellent tool for energizing participants and increasing their engagement. They help to shift the atmosphere from one of formality or initial awkwardness to one of energy and excitement. Icebreakers inject fun and enthusiasm into the event or meeting, making it more enjoyable and memorable for all involved. They also help to boost participants’ energy levels and attention span, ensuring that they are fully engaged and present throughout the entire duration of the activity.

Encouraging Creativity and Innovation

Icebreakers often involve out-of-the-box thinking, creative problem-solving, and innovative approaches. By engaging in activities that challenge participants to think differently or explore new perspectives, icebreakers stimulate creativity and innovation. They inspire individuals to break free from rigid thinking patterns and embrace fresh ideas. This creative environment can lead to more innovative solutions, insights, and outcomes further into the event or project.

Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity

Icebreakers are inclusive by nature, allowing individuals from various backgrounds and with different perspectives to come together and participate equally. They create a space where everyone’s voice can be heard, regardless of their role, hierarchy, or experience. Icebreakers can also be adapted to accommodate cultural differences and ensure that all participants feel comfortable and respected. By promoting inclusivity and diversity, icebreakers help to create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment for all.

Enhancing Learning and Retention

Here’s an interesting tidbit: People tend to remember information better when it’s associated with a positive or enjoyable experience. Icebreakers create a positive atmosphere, making your key points more likely to stick in your audience’s minds.

When participants are actively engaged and emotionally connected, they are more likely to absorb and retain information. Icebreakers help to create an optimal learning environment by providing an opportunity for participants to become actively involved in the experience. By warming up the mind and priming it for learning, icebreakers can significantly enhance knowledge retention and application.

How to Choose the Right Icebreaker?

Icebreakers are a crucial aspect of any event or gathering, as they help break down barriers, encourage interaction, and create a positive atmosphere among participants. However, choosing the right icebreaker can be a challenging task, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some practical tips and examples to help you make the best choice for your audience.

1. Consider the Audience

The first step in choosing the right icebreaker is to consider the size and diversity of your audience. Different icebreakers work better for different group sizes and compositions. For example, an icebreaker suitable for a small team might not be as effective for a large conference. Take into account factors such as age, occupation, and cultural background to ensure that your icebreaker resonates with everyone present.

2. Align with the Event Theme and Objective

Next, consider the theme and objective of your event. An icebreaker that complements the purpose of the gathering or relates to its theme can set the right tone and create a sense of relevance among participants. For instance, if you are hosting a professional networking event, a suitable icebreaker could be asking attendees to share something about themselves that is not typically found on their professional profiles, as commonly done on LinkedIn.

3. Time and Space Constraints

The available time and space for your icebreaker activity will also impact your choice. Consider the duration of the event, whether it is a short meeting, a full-day workshop, or a multi-day conference. Tailor your icebreaker accordingly, ensuring that it is engaging but not time-consuming. Additionally, consider the physical space and ensure that the icebreaker can be executed comfortably within the given environment.

4. Familiarity and Comfort Levels

The level of familiarity and comfort among your attendees is an essential factor to consider. Icebreakers work best when they encourage participants to step slightly out of their comfort zones. However, it’s crucial to strike the right balance to avoid any discomfort or resistance. If your audience is particularly introverted or unfamiliar with each other, opt for icebreakers that are low-pressure, quick, and personal. Asking attendees to share a community or cause that holds personal meaning, as often done in Facebook Groups, can create a sense of connection without being overwhelming.

5. Be Prepared to Adapt

Lastly, be prepared to adapt and adjust the icebreaker if necessary. Sometimes, despite careful planning, an icebreaker may not work as expected or may require modifications while in progress. Stay flexible and open to making changes on the spot if needed. Being attentive to the participants’ engagement and reactions will help you gauge the effectiveness of the icebreaker and make any necessary tweaks.

6. Asking the Right Questions

• To choose the most suitable icebreaker for your event, ask yourself and your team relevant questions:
• What do my audience members like and dislike?
• What icebreakers have worked well in the past for similar groups?
• What icebreakers have they already experienced or seen before?
• What specific goal do I want to achieve through the icebreaker?

By asking these questions and conducting proper research, you can gather ideas and options that align with your audience’s preferences and the goals of your event. Combine your findings with your own experiences and observations to choose the icebreaker that is most likely to create a positive and engaging experience for everyone involved.

What is a Good Icebreaker for a presentation?

A good Icebreaker sets the pace for an effective and memorable presentation. It isn’t boring nor is it routine. It excites and energizes as you start with a bang. Here are 10 examples of the best Icebreakers in the field:

• The 5 great icebreaker questions?
• One-Word Icebreaker Game
• What’s in the Bag Icebreaker
• Two Truths and a Lie:
• Speed Networking:
• Would You Rather
• Human Bingo
• Scavenger Hunts
• Non-cringeworthy icebreaker- “Two Truths and a Dream”

1. The 5 great icebreaker questions

  What is one thing you hope to accomplish in today’s meeting?

This question sets the stage for a productive discussion by encouraging participants to clarify their goals. It also helps the meeting facilitator tailor the agenda to address these expectations. For example, someone might say, “I hope to gain clarity on the project timeline,” which signals to the group that timeline discussions are a priority.

What is one word that describes how you feel about the upcoming project?

This question allows participants to express their emotional stance regarding the project, fostering transparency and empathy within the team. Responses can vary widely, from “excited” and “optimistic” to “apprehensive” or “curious.” Understanding each other’s emotions can aid in gauging the team’s overall morale.

Share one personal or professional success you’ve had since our last meeting.

This question promotes a culture of celebration and acknowledgment within the team. Participants can share accomplishments, whether big or small, that have occurred since the previous meeting. It encourages positivity and recognition of individual and collective achievements.

What is one challenge you anticipate facing in the upcoming weeks?

Anticipating challenges is crucial for proactive problem-solving. By discussing potential obstacles beforehand, teams can strategize and support each other more effectively. For instance, someone might mention, “I foresee difficulties in aligning our schedules for the project kickoff.”

What’s a book, podcast, or article you’ve found inspiring lately?

This is a powerful icebreaker that not only promotes knowledge sharing but also opens the door to meaningful discussions and interesting recommendations. This question sets a positive and engaging tone for meetings, promoting empathy, and providing valuable resources beyond the session. It’s a simple yet effective way to tap into the collective wisdom of the group while nurturing a culture of curiosity and inspiration.

2. One-Word Icebreaker Game:

Choose one word to describe your weekend.

• This prompt encourages participants to reflect briefly on their personal experiences. Responses could range from “relaxing” and “productive” to “adventurous” or “restful.” It provides insight into individual weekend experiences and sets a friendly, informal tone for the meeting.

Pick one word that captures your goals for the coming year.

• Participants can express their aspirations succinctly, like “growth,” “innovation,” “balance,” or “learning.” This exercise promotes goal sharing and may uncover common objectives or themes among team members.

Select one word that best represents your work style.

• This prompt encourages participants to self-reflect on their work approach. Words like “collaborative,” “methodical,” “adaptive,” or “focused” can offer insights into team dynamics and help in understanding each other’s strengths.

Fun One-Word to Describe Yourself Icebreaker:

• Choose one word to describe your personality.
• Share one word that sums up your morning so far.
• Pick one word that represents your favorite hobby or activity.
• This icebreaker is versatile and can be adapted to various contexts, allowing participants to share something about themselves in a concise, engaging manner. It’s a fun way to get to know each other better.

3. What’s in the Bag Icebreaker:

In this icebreaker, a bag contains various objects that participants can draw from. Each object represents a different aspect of the meeting or project. For example:

• A stress ball to represent managing project pressures.
• A puzzle piece to symbolize problem-solving.
• A pen to represent communication and collaboration.

When someone draws an object, they must relate it to their perspective on the meeting or project. This activity encourages creative thinking and adds an element of surprise and engagement.

These icebreakers help create an inclusive and interactive atmosphere, enabling participants to connect on both a personal and professional level. Feel free to customize these questions and activities to fit your specific meeting or event goals.

4. Two Truths and a Lie:

“Two Truths and a Lie” is a classic icebreaker that encourages participants to share interesting facts about themselves while adding a bit of mystery. Here’s how it works:

• Each participant takes turns sharing two true statements about themselves and one false statement.
• The other participants then try to guess which statement is the lie.
• The reveal follows, where the person reveals the false statement and shares the actual truth behind it.

Example: Participant A says:

• “I once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.”
• “I’m fluent in three languages.”
• “I have a pet elephant.”

Participants B and C might guess that statement 3 (“I have a pet elephant”) is a lie. After the reveal, Participant A explains that they’ve never had a pet elephant, but they did climb Mount Kilimanjaro and are indeed fluent in three languages.

5. Speed Networking:

Speed networking is a structured, fast-paced activity designed to help participants make meaningful professional connections within a short time frame. Here’s how it typically works:

• Participants are paired up for a set amount of time (e.g., 3-5 minutes).
• During this time, they introduce themselves, discuss their professions, and exchange contact information.
• After the allotted time, participants switch partners until everyone has interacted with multiple people.

Example: In a speed networking event for entrepreneurs, participants A and B have a 3-minute conversation. They discuss their business ideas, challenges they’ve faced, and potential areas of collaboration. Once the timer goes off, they exchange business cards and move on to meet new people.

6. Would You Rather:

“Would You Rather” is a fun icebreaker that encourages participants to make choices and share their reasoning. Here’s how it works:

• Each participant receives a card with two options (e.g., “Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?”).
• They must choose one option and explain why they made that choice.
• This icebreaker can lead to interesting discussions and insights into participants’ preferences.

Example: Participant A receives a card with the question, “Would you rather travel back in time or visit the future?” They choose to travel to the future because they’re excited to see technological advancements. Participant A then shares their reasoning with the group.

7. Human Bingo:

Human Bingo is a great icebreaker for large groups. Each participant receives a bingo card with different characteristics or experiences, such as “Has traveled to five countries” or “Speaks more than two languages.” Participants mingle and try to find people who match the descriptions on their cards. When they find a match, they write that person’s name in the corresponding bingo square.

Example: Participant A’s bingo card includes the statement, “Has run a marathon.” They approach Participant B, who has indeed run a marathon. Participant A writes Participant B’s name in that square. The goal is to fill in as many squares as possible and shout “Bingo!” when they do.

8. Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt is an interactive icebreaker that involves participants searching for specific items or completing tasks within a set time frame. It can be done indoors or outdoors, and participants can work individually or in teams. The organizer provides a list of items or tasks, and participants race to find them.

Example: In an office-based scavenger hunt, participants might receive a list that includes tasks like “Find a red stapler” or “Take a selfie with a colleague from a different department.” The first person or team to complete all the tasks wins.

These icebreakers serve various purposes, from fostering connections and networking to sparking creativity and promoting engagement. They can be adapted to suit the specific goals and preferences of your event or meeting, making them versatile tools for building rapport and enhancing interactions among participants.

9. What are some fun facts for Icebreakers?

Facts make for fantastic icebreakers because they’re like little windows into each person’s unique world. Sharing a fact about oneself or a fascinating tidbit of knowledge not only sparks conversation but also fosters a sense of curiosity and connection. Facts are the bridges that allow individuals to relate to one another, creating a dynamic and engaging ice-breaking experience that goes beyond small talk.

– The first recorded speeding ticket in 1896 clocked in at just over 8 miles per hour, a far cry from today’s traffic violations.

– In the English language, “E” takes the crown as the most common letter, appearing in 11% of all words. Meanwhile, “A” follows closely behind at 8.5%, while the letter “Q” is a rarity, showing up in only 0.2% of words.

– While many are familiar with animals like dogs and horses in police service worldwide, some regions in China employ geese for their noisy and disruptive qualities to help maintain street order and deter criminals.

– Hailstorms are a natural occurrence, but on planets like Saturn and Jupiter, lightning strikes carbon soot, transforming it into graphite. Under immense pressure during storms, this graphite converts into diamond hail, creating extraordinary diamond storms.

– Philanthropist Bill Gates, a part of the Giving Pledge initiative, has donated approximately $30 billion to non-profits and has saved over six million lives through healthcare and vaccination initiatives. This inspiring effort has garnered the support of 231 philanthropists.

– Scotland has adopted the unicorn, despite never having seen one in person, as its national animal. This mythical creature holds a special place in Scottish history, surpassing even the famous Loch Ness Monster in cultural significance.

Professional fun facts about yourself 

Another way you can use fun facts as an icebreaker is by introducing yourself with a fun fact. It can be a great ice-breaking activity as everyone introduces themselves with an interesting fact. These examples can help you develop your fun fact answers that provide others with a clearer background of your professional goals, accomplishments, or experience:

• The bravest thing I’ve ever done was give a product demonstration to a live audience of over one thousand people.
• My role model is my dad because he immigrated to Canada when he was only 18, got a job right away, and worked hard to provide for our family.
• I have worked in marketing for over half my life.
• I have traveled to over 30 countries for business. My favorite one was Japan because they have a lot of delicious food.
• The first time I ever moved away from home was participating in a job internship 500 miles away from my hometown.
• I’m reading a book about financial technology to familiarize myself with the industry and its ongoing trends.
• I speak four languages: English, Spanish, Italian, and French.
• I was 17 when I got my first job at a fast-food restaurant, which helped me develop leadership, communication, and listening skills.
• My favorite subject in school was English, so I decided to become a writer.
• I once set the record for most products sold in one day during my previous sales job.

What is an Icebreaker that is not cringe?

A non-cringeworthy icebreaker fosters a positive and comfortable atmosphere, encourages interaction, and is relevant to the context. Here’s an example of a simple and effective icebreaker: An advanced and superior substitute of the Two Truths and a Lie icebreaker- which is called:

10. “Two Truths and a Dream”

In this icebreaker, participants share two facts about themselves and one aspirational dream or goal. This not only helps break the ice but also allows people to get to know each other on a more personal level and can lead to meaningful conversations.

Here’s how it works:

Each participant thinks of two true statements about themselves. These can be related to their personal life, hobbies, or professional background. They also think of one aspirational dream or goal they have for the future. It could be related to their career, personal growth, or a lifelong dream. Participants take turns sharing their two truths and one dream with the group. The challenge for the others is to guess which statement is the dream.

For example, someone might say:

• “I’ve traveled to five different countries.”
• “I’m learning to play the guitar.”
• “My dream is to start my non-profit organization.”

This icebreaker is effective because it allows people to share something personal and positive while also sparking curiosity and conversation. It’s not cringe-inducing and can lead to genuine connections among participants.

When to use Icebreakers?

Icebreakers are powerful tools to infuse fun and interaction into various situations. Here’s a quick guide on when to deploy them:

• Meeting Kick-Off : Start your meetings with icebreakers to get everyone engaged and set a positive tone. For example, “Two Truths and a Lie” can break the ice effectively.
• Team-building Events: During team-building activities, icebreakers help foster connections and boost team spirit. “Human Bingo” is a fun choice.
• Workshops and Training: In training sessions or workshops, icebreakers inject energy and creativity. “Would You Rather” questions can spark interesting discussions.
• Conferences and Networking: At conferences or networking events, icebreakers like “Speed Networking” facilitate connections and break the ice among attendees.
• Remote Meetings : In virtual settings, icebreakers bridge gaps and build camaraderie. Use questions like “Share your most unique quarantine hobby.”
• Post-Lunch Slump Buster: Combat post-lunch drowsiness by using icebreakers like “One-Word Icebreaker” to re-energize participants.

Icebreakers are not just for breaking awkward silences; they’re valuable tools to enhance engagement and connections across various scenarios.

How to Facilitate Icebreakers?

As the host or facilitator of the event, you have an important role in making the icebreakers successful. You’re the captain of the icebreaking ship, steering it towards success. Your role is pivotal in ensuring everyone has a great time. Start by preparing meticulously; you’re the conductor, and your baton must be in perfect sync with the icebreaker’s rhythm. When you step into the spotlight, introduce yourself with enthusiasm and clarity, setting the stage for what’s to come. Like a wise guide, explain the rules and what’s expected, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.

Equip participants with the necessary tools and materials, just as a host provides guests with all they need. Throughout the activity, be the energy monitor, adjusting the tempo to keep the vibe lively. Like an appreciative audience, provide feedback and recognition, highlighting the stars of the show. Finally, when the icebreakers conclude, be the storyteller who weaves it all together, connecting the dots between the icebreakers and the event’s purpose. Your role is to ensure that icebreakers are not just activities but memorable experiences.

Imagine the host/facilitator/MC as the thermostat in the room. While a thermometer simply measures the temperature, you, as the thermostat, have the power to set it. Your role is to bring clarity, engage the audience, and infuse energy into the atmosphere – all without crossing into cheesy territory. You’re the one who shapes the environment, making it inviting and exciting for everyone involved. 

Be clear – Be engaging – Be energizing

In wrapping up our exploration of top icebreakers for your next presentation, remember this: icebreakers are the secret spices that turn the bland into the brilliant. They’re not just warm-up acts; they’re the opening chords of a captivating symphony.

From classics like “Two Truths and a Lie” to the creativity of “What’s in the Bag” and the lightning-fast networking of “Speed Networking,” these icebreakers are your allies in engagement, your partners in connection, and your ticket to presentations that won’t be forgotten.

So, as you plan your next presentation, embrace the icebreaker magic. They’re not the side dish; they’re the star of the show. Your audience will thank you for it, and your presentations will sparkle with a charm that’s impossible to resist.

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Best PowerPoint Games & Activities to Get to Know Your colleagues

Team-building exercises are supremely important for any organization. These activities greatly determine how each team member functions and works collectively toward the organization’s visions and missions. Moreover, the rapport and personal bonds built over such activities boost the team’s overall competitiveness. 

Many studies show that well-executed games/activities played within a team will help individuals understand each other, furthermore, aid in maintaining a happy, productive, and pleasant work environment. Statistically, well-bonded teams have outperformed competitors, and individuals are better engaged in tasks when they have good friends at work.

Quite often, companies may not be doing the best with their choice of conventional team-building activities. This can lead to uneasiness among the team members, and some may even skip the activity, stating that they’re unwell.

So, we are bringing you a list of interesting games that can be played using Microsoft PowerPoint to help you break the ice within the team and make them perform fun tasks.

You may be interested in these PowerPoint game templates !

Table of contents:

• Two Truths and a Lie
• PowerPoint Karaoke
• Spin the Wheel
• Would you rather
• Obscure Word Cloud
• Guess the Order
• 4 Corners 

PowerPoint Game 1: Two Truths and a Lie

The “Two Truths and a Lie” game is a great way to better get to know your team members. It helps to build trust and encourages team members to work together. It is a great icebreaker and one of the most popular presentation games. Here are the steps to play it.

• Step 1: Divide the team into two groups.

• Step 2: Each group chooses three members to present their two truths and one lie.

• Step 3: Each presenter will share two facts about themselves and one lie.

• Step 4: The other group will try to identify which one is the lie. 

• Step 5: The group that guesses the lie correctly wins a point. 

• Step 6: Conduct several rounds to give equal chances to each team member. Finally, the group with the most points at the end of the game wins. 

You can get this game free from Slide Chef’s Free Interactive Two Truths and a Lie PowerPoint Template . Check it out.

PowerPoint Game 2: Charades

Charades is a game focused on building teamwork and fostering collaboration among members. It encourages communication and critical thinking skills, which are essential for any team. Follow the steps mentioned below to play it within your team.

• Step 1: Just like in most games, divide the team into groups.

• Step 2: Each group can choose at least three members to play the game.

• Step 3: Each group will take turns choosing a member from the other team to act out a word or phrase without speaking.

• Step 4: The team will have to guess the word or phrase within a set time limit.

• Step 5: If the team correctly guesses the word or phrase, they will get the point.

• Step 6: Repeat the exercise, and the team with the most points wins.

Check out this excellent charades game template made using PowerPoint .

PowerPoint Game 3: PowerPoint Karaoke

PowerPoint Karaoke challenges team members to develop creative solutions and encourages collaboration. It also helps to break the ice between the team members and build trust & bond with each other. The steps to play it are as follows:

• Step 2: Each group chooses three members to present a PowerPoint presentation.

• Step 3: Each presenter will be given a random PowerPoint presentation with unknown slides.

• Step 4: The presenter will have to present the slides without any prior knowledge of the content. This could be words, movie names, etc. 

• Step 5: The team will have to guess the topic of the presentation correctly.

• Step 6: The team who guesses the topic correctly first wins a point. 

Just like any game, the team with the most points wins. To get started, check out this website .

PowerPoint Game 4: Spin the Wheel

Spin the wheel is yet another game that can be easily played within teams to churn out creative solutions from them as a team. This is a stress-free game with a few steps. It can keep up the engagement within the group since it is based on a random spinner wheel.

• Step 1: Split the team into groups.

• Step 2: Each group selects at least three members to spin the wheel.

• Step 3: Each team will take turns spinning the wheel.

• Step 4: The wheel will have a variety of tasks that the presenter will have to complete. Try to include fun activities here since that will really break the ice between the members.

• Step 5: The presenter must complete the task within a set time limit.

• Step 6: The team who completes the task correctly first wins a point. Furthermore, the one with the most points wins.

PowerPoint Game 5: Would you rather

“Would you rather” is a fun game to get to know your team members better. Each team member gets to pick between multiple scenarios. It helps to build trust and encourages team members to work together. 

• Step 1: The presenter needs to write down the scenarios on the slide.

• Step 2: The team members can choose their preference via a poll or by simply raising their hands.

There is no right or wrong answer in this game. Although there are a lot of would you rather question available on the internet, we are listing down a few of them for you below.

Would you rather A. Would you rather do something you love but barely make enough to get by OR B. do something you hate but make billions of dollars?

Would you rather A. travel to the past OR B. travel in time to the future, OR C. remain in the present?

Would you rather A. Would you rather wear pajamas to work OR B. work in a really fancy office?

Would you rather A. have the ability to read other people’s minds OR B. be able to levitate OR C. be able to turn invisible

Would you rather A. Would you rather lose all your electric devices OR B. lose every picture that’s ever been taken of you?

PowerPoint Game 6: Obscure Word Cloud

There are multiple games played with a word cloud. The obscure word cloud is a fun and engaging game that can be played for ice-breaking sessions and between busy office hours to release stress. Here are the steps for playing the obscure word cloud.

• Step 1: Start the game by presenting a statement to the players.

• Step 2: Meanwhile, create a random word cloud containing obscure words.

• Step 3: The players can join the presentation via their phones and select the most obscure answer for the statement.

• Step 4: The most obscure word appears smallest on the board, and the ones who voted for that win.

PowerPoint Game 7: Guess the Order

• Step 1: Divide the team into multiple groups.

• Step 2: Each group chooses a fixed number of members to present a list of items.

• Step 3: Each presenter will be given a list of items in random order. 

• Step 4: The presenter will have to rearrange the list of items in the correct order without any prior knowledge.

• Step 5: The team will have to guess the correct order of the list of items.

• Step 6: The team who correctly guesses the correct order of the list of items first wins a point. 

• Step 7: The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. 

PowerPoint Game 8: 4 Corners

4 corners is not a game about winning or losing. Rather it is an activity where the team can participate collaboratively. Here is how you can play it:

• Step 1: The slides will present a question and four possible answers to the team.

• Step 2: The presenter can assign each answer to a corner of the room and ask the members to guess the corner that contains the correct answer.

• Step 3: The same game can be conducted virtually by asking the member to choose from the 4 quadrants on the slide. The quadrants can be named, and the members must read out the names. 

It’s great if you use a 4 corners game template available on the internet rather than making one from scratch.

There are many more variations of the games mentioned in this article that a team can play for ice-breaking sessions, events, get-to-know sessions, etc. We’ve mentioned the easiest form of those games so that you don’t have to spend more time to understand what the game is. 

Use these games to engage with an audience, conduct get-to-know sessions, incorporate them into networking events, or a stress-busting activity at the office.

At SlideBazaar, we help you create engaging and memorable presentations. Choose from our collection of professional templates or opt for our custom design services for a personalized touch. Your presentations deserve to be elevated to new heights, and we’re here to help you achieve just that!

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Presentation Icebreakers that Really Work

• Audience Response Tools , Event Planning , Leadership Techniques

Meetings and presentations in the workplace can be pretty rigid, right? Not only do you have the responsibility to make sure the meeting is engaging, but you also need to effectively convey the required information to everyone in the room with a certain degree of professionalism. Striking a balance between these two goals can seem tough.

The more conversations and interactions a presentation initiates, the more fun and informative it can be. In order to make that happen, icebreakers are key. They can work absolute wonders by helping everyone there feel more comfortable and connect with one another.

Icebreakers remove the awkwardness, allow people to relax, boost audience energy, develop a friendly atmosphere, and encourage networking. Let’s take a look at some fun icebreakers that can be utilized in different situations.

What’s An Icebreaker And What Can it Do?

An icebreaker means to breaks the “ice” or coldness around your attendees . In a room (physical or virtual) full of people who may or may not know one another, the atmosphere can be cold. If you plunge into your presentation in that environment, it won’t go over as well as it could. Attendees who feel out of place won’t interact or engage. Take the time to “warm-up” the room.

There are several advantages to beginning with an icebreaker:

• They help people to relax and have fun. Relaxation allows people to learn and entertain new ideas. An icebreaker is especially useful if you plan to get audience participation at some point in your presentation.
• Icebreakers are energizers . It’s great to start the meeting with one, but also throughout the session, if you notice your audience is looking tired, restless, or down at their phones more often than necessary – pull out a lively icebreaker.
• Icebreakers provide networking opportunities . Your audience can discover what they have in common.
• Finally, icebreakers create a positive atmosphere. If you want your presentation to be remembered for all the right reasons, begin with a happy, comfortable audience.

Here are a few tips that will make your icebreakers work

• Know your audience . Not every icebreaker suits every audience. Be careful not to offend or embarrass anyone.
• Try to include everyone , but again, don’t offend or embarrass your audience.
• Keep your objective in mind . The icebreakers you choose should help you reach your objectives, not just make your audience laugh.
• Make sure everyone is having fun . It’s not an icebreaker if it results in people feeling uncomfortable.
• Finally, avoid calling it an icebreaker. Unfortunately, the term has become associated with an unpleasant experience. So if you announce that you’re doing an icebreaker, you’re likely to be met with groans and resistance. Instead, say, “I have an idea; let’s try something new!”

Icebreakers for One-On-One Sessions

Try these for one-on-one presentations:

Introduce yourself

This is obvious, but introduce yourself unless you already know one another. If you know one another, maybe you can share a fact about yourself that the other person might not know.

Have a conversation

Have a quick chat about current affairs, the weather, or family. Whatever interests both of you and creates a warm environment.

Ask open-ended questions

While you chat, use open-ended questions . These will allow you to know your prospect better.

Ask what they expect from the presentation

As you talk with your prospect, figure out what they expect to gain from the presentation . If their expectations are incorrect, you can correct them. And you can adjust your presentation, if necessary.

Give them a present

Present them with a small token of appreciation , just for showing up to your presentation. No doubt you’ve been stood-up before, so a thank you gift is appropriate.

Compliment them

There’s a lot of power in a genuine compliment . Be kind to your prospect and notice something to compliment-worthy. Now let’s take a look at some fun icebreakers that can be utilized in different situations.

‍ Related : 35 Funny Poll Questions to Engage Your Audience and Brighten Someone’s Day

Icebreakers for Small Groups

If you’re looking for some fun icebreaking ideas among small groups, here’s a place to start: ‍

Two Truths and a Lie

‍ Two Truths and a Lie can be an extremely fun game. The idea is that each and every member makes three statements about themselves. Two are true and the other is a lie. Players will then guess which ones are the truths and which one is the lie. The statements could be as simple as “I’ve gone skydiving in Spain,” “I owned a turtle as a kid,” and “I have never had sushi.”

Most Unique

‍ Most Unique, too, helps everyone in a small group loosen up before a meeting or a presentation. It takes less time than the previous game, but similarly aims to help coworkers learn fun facts about each other.

The idea is simple: every person in the room gets to state something about themselves that’s unique and makes them different from the rest. For example, “I have ten siblings‚” “I can speak five languages‚” “I have lived in six different countries till date‚” and so on.

‍ Get-to-Know-You Questions

‍ This is one of the simplest ice breakers. Each group member can ask the other some questions that will help them get to know each other better. Examples of great questions to ask include:

• What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?
• Do you own any pets?
• What is your favorite holiday destination?
• What are your pet peeves?
• What are your future goals?

‍ Would You Rather

‍ Would You Rather is a game that initiates discussions on perspectives and individual personalities. It helps your team members learn a little more about each other. Every person is given a choice between two scenarios, and they have to pick one. After making a choice, they also have to explain why they picked that option.

The choices could be something like:

• Would you rather have summer or winter your whole life?
• Would you rather prepare your meal yourself and have different options each day or have your meal prepared for you without getting to choose the dish?
• Would you rather watch a new movie every day or re-watch your favorites without getting to watch anything new again?

And so on. The questions might seem silly, but you’d be surprised about what you can learn about your colleagues’ unique perspectives.

Going on a Picnic

‍ If you’re giving a presentation to people who don’t know each other that well, this is a great way to get group members to learn each other’s names in a fun way.

For example, if your name is Pauline, you will state your name, say you’re going on a picnic, and then say you’re bringing an item that starts with the first letter of your name. So, the sentence will be, “My name is Pauline, I am going on a picnic, and I’m bringing popcorn.”

The next person has to state not only what they’re bringing, but what the person before them is bringing as well. It’s basically a memory game and a name game combined.

‍ Related : 20 Interactive Presentation Games

Icebreakers for Large Groups

If your group is slightly bigger and has more members, there are even more options for icebreakers. Here are some interesting ones to opt for.

‍ Scavenger Hunt

‍ Remember the scavenger hunts your school made you participate in? Remember how it helped bring out your positively competitive side while you and your team members came together to win the game? The idea is the same here, with office members engaging in developing their problem-solving skills and working together towards a common goal.

You can divide the members in about 4-5 groups, and have the clues take them from one place to another. Try keeping fun prizes as well for the team or teams that perform the best.

Marshmallow Challenge

‍ Dividing everyone into groups of about four to five members, give every group a long piece of string, 20 sticks of dry spaghetti, some tape, and a marshmallow. The aim is to see which group can use the given elements to build the strongest structure with the marshmallow on top. This allows everyone to collaborate and pitch in ideas to execute the plan.

‍ Celebrity Heads

‍ For this game, there are about six members in every group. Two players are required for every round, where one member will have the picture of a celebrity stuck on their forehead. They will ask “yes or no” questions about the celebrity until they can guess who it is.

‍ M&M’s Exchange

‍ Give every member the same amount of M&Ms. Have everyone say one thing that they haven’t done that they think the others might have. Anyone who has done that thing needs to give the speaker an M&M, and if there’s someone who hasn’t done it, the person who made the statement gives that person an M&M. The game goes on till someone runs out of M&Ms.

‍ True or False Running

‍ Yet another fun icebreaker for large groups is the True or False Running game. Draw a line in the middle of the room, with the right side being the true side and the left side being the false side. Make statements related to general knowledge, and have members hop on either side depending on whether the statement is true or false. The one who gets the most correct answers wins.

‍ Related: How to Get People to Take a Survey

Ice Breakers for Training Seminars

Those attending training seminars are often nervous about the whole process. In order to make the attendees more comfortable, these are some great icebreaker sessions to choose from.

Blind Drawing

‍ This game requires two members to pair up. They need to be made to sit back-to-back, with one person having a picture, and the other person having a pen and a paper. The person holding the picture needs to describe it to the other individual, and the latter needs to draw it. The duo with the best picture can be given a small prize as a token of appreciation. Image source: https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik

‍ Five of Anything

‍ Divide the members of the training seminar into groups of four or five. Each group gets a topic, such as a book or a movie or so, and every member needs to list their five favorite things under that topic. After that, everyone gets to discuss their answers and learn a little more about the people around them.

‍ 10 Things in Common

‍ This game can help members find common traits with one another. Pair up two people and let them list 10 things that they have in common. It could be something as simple as them both having three siblings or owning a dog, and so on.

‍ For One Word, divide the members into groups and give each of them a discussion topic. Using this topic, they all have to come up with a word that they think will best describe the subject. For example, if it’s about company culture, ask them the one word they think best describes it. This facilitates interesting discussions among everyone.

‍ Related: How to Moderate Panel Discussion

Icebreakers for Team Building

The main aim of most icebreakers is to create a spirit of team effort and team bonding. If that’s what you’re looking to build before a meeting or in any other situation, the following icebreakers can help:

‍ Whodunit works well with both small and big groups. Have every member write something they have done on a piece of paper, be it scuba diving or going for a solo trip, and put all the notes in a basket. Every member picks a random note, and depending on which one they’ve picked up, they have to guess who it belongs to or which person had that particular experience.

The Egg Drop

‍ This team building icebreaker gets everyone engaged and is super-fun to both witness and perform. Divide the members into groups of about five people, and give each group an uncooked egg.

Have a few office supplies ready in a pile, and using those supplies, each team has to build a contraption around the egg that prevents it from breaking when it’s dropped. Image source: https://www.flaticon.com/authors/freepik

‍ The Barter Puzzle

‍ In this icebreaker game, groups are made and each team is given a puzzle to solve. However, some pieces of every puzzle are mixed with the other groups. Every group then has to decide how to acquire the piece from the other group in order to complete their puzzle.

‍ Human Rock-Paper-Scissors

‍ Who knew this classic game could be turned into an icebreaker method? Well, turns out it can. Break the members into different teams, and have each team come up with unique body signals for rock-paper-scissors. Each team can have a face-off in a best-of-five series, and the team that performs the best wins the game.

A Final Note

Keeping your audience engaged with icebreakers can help set the tone for the rest of the meeting. For more advice on how to make your presentations engaging, and for unique meeting tools visit Meeting Pulse !

You can use our live polling features to make question-and-answer games easier and visually pleasing, and gauge audience engagement with upvotes, downvotes, and emojis. With a slew of great icebreakers and simple, yet innovative tools, you can kick off your meetings right.

Get started with MeetingPulse today!

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Blog Beginner Guides How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

How To Make a Good Presentation [A Complete Guide]

Written by: Krystle Wong Jul 20, 2023

A top-notch presentation possesses the power to drive action. From winning stakeholders over and conveying a powerful message to securing funding — your secret weapon lies within the realm of creating an effective presentation .  

Being an excellent presenter isn’t confined to the boardroom. Whether you’re delivering a presentation at work, pursuing an academic career, involved in a non-profit organization or even a student, nailing the presentation game is a game-changer.

In this article, I’ll cover the top qualities of compelling presentations and walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to give a good presentation. Here’s a little tip to kick things off: for a headstart, check out Venngage’s collection of free presentation templates . They are fully customizable, and the best part is you don’t need professional design skills to make them shine!

These valuable presentation tips cater to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, encompassing business professionals, sales and marketing teams, educators, trainers, students, researchers, non-profit organizations, public speakers and presenters. 

No matter your field or role, these tips for presenting will equip you with the skills to deliver effective presentations that leave a lasting impression on any audience.

Click to jump ahead:

What are the 10 qualities of a good presentation?

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare an effective presentation, 9 effective techniques to deliver a memorable presentation, faqs on making a good presentation, how to create a presentation with venngage in 5 steps.

When it comes to giving an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression, it’s not just about the content — it’s also about how you deliver it. Wondering what makes a good presentation? Well, the best presentations I’ve seen consistently exhibit these 10 qualities:

1. Clear structure

No one likes to get lost in a maze of information. Organize your thoughts into a logical flow, complete with an introduction, main points and a solid conclusion. A structured presentation helps your audience follow along effortlessly, leaving them with a sense of satisfaction at the end.

Regardless of your presentation style , a quality presentation starts with a clear roadmap. Browse through Venngage’s template library and select a presentation template that aligns with your content and presentation goals. Here’s a good presentation example template with a logical layout that includes sections for the introduction, main points, supporting information and a conclusion: 

2. Engaging opening

Hook your audience right from the start with an attention-grabbing statement, a fascinating question or maybe even a captivating anecdote. Set the stage for a killer presentation!

The opening moments of your presentation hold immense power – check out these 15 ways to start a presentation to set the stage and captivate your audience.

3. Relevant content

Make sure your content aligns with their interests and needs. Your audience is there for a reason, and that’s to get valuable insights. Avoid fluff and get straight to the point, your audience will be genuinely excited.

4. Effective visual aids

Picture this: a slide with walls of text and tiny charts, yawn! Visual aids should be just that—aiding your presentation. Opt for clear and visually appealing slides, engaging images and informative charts that add value and help reinforce your message.

With Venngage, visualizing data takes no effort at all. You can import data from CSV or Google Sheets seamlessly and create stunning charts, graphs and icon stories effortlessly to showcase your data in a captivating and impactful way.

5. Clear and concise communication

Keep your language simple, and avoid jargon or complicated terms. Communicate your ideas clearly, so your audience can easily grasp and retain the information being conveyed. This can prevent confusion and enhance the overall effectiveness of the message. 

6. Engaging delivery

Spice up your presentation with a sprinkle of enthusiasm! Maintain eye contact, use expressive gestures and vary your tone of voice to keep your audience glued to the edge of their seats. A touch of charisma goes a long way!

7. Interaction and audience engagement

Turn your presentation into an interactive experience — encourage questions, foster discussions and maybe even throw in a fun activity. Engaged audiences are more likely to remember and embrace your message.

Transform your slides into an interactive presentation with Venngage’s dynamic features like pop-ups, clickable icons and animated elements. Engage your audience with interactive content that lets them explore and interact with your presentation for a truly immersive experience.

8. Effective storytelling

Who doesn’t love a good story? Weaving relevant anecdotes, case studies or even a personal story into your presentation can captivate your audience and create a lasting impact. Stories build connections and make your message memorable.

A great presentation background is also essential as it sets the tone, creates visual interest and reinforces your message. Enhance the overall aesthetics of your presentation with these 15 presentation background examples and captivate your audience’s attention.

9. Well-timed pacing

Pace your presentation thoughtfully with well-designed presentation slides, neither rushing through nor dragging it out. Respect your audience’s time and ensure you cover all the essential points without losing their interest.

10. Strong conclusion

Last impressions linger! Summarize your main points and leave your audience with a clear takeaway. End your presentation with a bang , a call to action or an inspiring thought that resonates long after the conclusion.

In-person presentations aside, acing a virtual presentation is of paramount importance in today’s digital world. Check out this guide to learn how you can adapt your in-person presentations into virtual presentations . 

Preparing an effective presentation starts with laying a strong foundation that goes beyond just creating slides and notes. One of the quickest and best ways to make a presentation would be with the help of a good presentation software . 

Otherwise, let me walk you to how to prepare for a presentation step by step and unlock the secrets of crafting a professional presentation that sets you apart.

1. Understand the audience and their needs

Before you dive into preparing your masterpiece, take a moment to get to know your target audience. Tailor your presentation to meet their needs and expectations , and you’ll have them hooked from the start!

2. Conduct thorough research on the topic

Time to hit the books (or the internet)! Don’t skimp on the research with your presentation materials — dive deep into the subject matter and gather valuable insights . The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in delivering your presentation.

3. Organize the content with a clear structure

No one wants to stumble through a chaotic mess of information. Outline your presentation with a clear and logical flow. Start with a captivating introduction, follow up with main points that build on each other and wrap it up with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering an effective business presentation hinges on captivating your audience, and Venngage’s professionally designed business presentation templates are tailor-made for this purpose. With thoughtfully structured layouts, these templates enhance your message’s clarity and coherence, ensuring a memorable and engaging experience for your audience members.

Don’t want to build your presentation layout from scratch? pick from these 5 foolproof presentation layout ideas that won’t go wrong. 

4. Develop visually appealing and supportive visual aids

Spice up your presentation with eye-catching visuals! Create slides that complement your message, not overshadow it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but that doesn’t mean you need to overload your slides with text.

Well-chosen designs create a cohesive and professional look, capturing your audience’s attention and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your message. Here’s a list of carefully curated PowerPoint presentation templates and great background graphics that will significantly influence the visual appeal and engagement of your presentation.

5. Practice, practice and practice

Practice makes perfect — rehearse your presentation and arrive early to your presentation to help overcome stage fright. Familiarity with your material will boost your presentation skills and help you handle curveballs with ease.

6. Seek feedback and make necessary adjustments

Don’t be afraid to ask for help and seek feedback from friends and colleagues. Constructive criticism can help you identify blind spots and fine-tune your presentation to perfection.

With Venngage’s real-time collaboration feature , receiving feedback and editing your presentation is a seamless process. Group members can access and work on the presentation simultaneously and edit content side by side in real-time. Changes will be reflected immediately to the entire team, promoting seamless teamwork.

7. Prepare for potential technical or logistical issues

Prepare for the unexpected by checking your equipment, internet connection and any other potential hiccups. If you’re worried that you’ll miss out on any important points, you could always have note cards prepared. Remember to remain focused and rehearse potential answers to anticipated questions.

8. Fine-tune and polish your presentation

As the big day approaches, give your presentation one last shine. Review your talking points, practice how to present a presentation and make any final tweaks. Deep breaths — you’re on the brink of delivering a successful presentation!

In competitive environments, persuasive presentations set individuals and organizations apart. To brush up on your presentation skills, read these guides on how to make a persuasive presentation and tips to presenting effectively . 

Whether you’re an experienced presenter or a novice, the right techniques will let your presentation skills soar to new heights!

From public speaking hacks to interactive elements and storytelling prowess, these 9 effective presentation techniques will empower you to leave a lasting impression on your audience and make your presentations unforgettable.

1. Confidence and positive body language

Positive body language instantly captivates your audience, making them believe in your message as much as you do. Strengthen your stage presence and own that stage like it’s your second home! Stand tall, shoulders back and exude confidence. 

2. Eye contact with the audience

Break down that invisible barrier and connect with your audience through their eyes. Maintaining eye contact when giving a presentation builds trust and shows that you’re present and engaged with them.

3. Effective use of hand gestures and movement

A little movement goes a long way! Emphasize key points with purposeful gestures and don’t be afraid to walk around the stage. Your energy will be contagious!

4. Utilize storytelling techniques

Weave the magic of storytelling into your presentation. Share relatable anecdotes, inspiring success stories or even personal experiences that tug at the heartstrings of your audience. Adjust your pitch, pace and volume to match the emotions and intensity of the story. Varying your speaking voice adds depth and enhances your stage presence.

5. Incorporate multimedia elements

Spice up your presentation with a dash of visual pizzazz! Use slides, images and video clips to add depth and clarity to your message. Just remember, less is more—don’t overwhelm them with information overload. 

Turn your presentations into an interactive party! Involve your audience with questions, polls or group activities. When they actively participate, they become invested in your presentation’s success. Bring your design to life with animated elements. Venngage allows you to apply animations to icons, images and text to create dynamic and engaging visual content.

6. Utilize humor strategically

Laughter is the best medicine—and a fantastic presentation enhancer! A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break the ice and create a warm atmosphere , making your audience more receptive to your message.

7. Practice active listening and respond to feedback

Be attentive to your audience’s reactions and feedback. If they have questions or concerns, address them with genuine interest and respect. Your responsiveness builds rapport and shows that you genuinely care about their experience.

8. Apply the 10-20-30 rule

Apply the 10-20-30 presentation rule and keep it short, sweet and impactful! Stick to ten slides, deliver your presentation within 20 minutes and use a 30-point font to ensure clarity and focus. Less is more, and your audience will thank you for it!

9. Implement the 5-5-5 rule

Simplicity is key. Limit each slide to five bullet points, with only five words per bullet point and allow each slide to remain visible for about five seconds. This rule keeps your presentation concise and prevents information overload.

Simple presentations are more engaging because they are easier to follow. Summarize your presentations and keep them simple with Venngage’s gallery of simple presentation templates and ensure that your message is delivered effectively across your audience.

1. How to start a presentation?

To kick off your presentation effectively, begin with an attention-grabbing statement or a powerful quote. Introduce yourself, establish credibility and clearly state the purpose and relevance of your presentation.

2. How to end a presentation?

For a strong conclusion, summarize your talking points and key takeaways. End with a compelling call to action or a thought-provoking question and remember to thank your audience and invite any final questions or interactions.

3. How to make a presentation interactive?

To make your presentation interactive, encourage questions and discussion throughout your talk. Utilize multimedia elements like videos or images and consider including polls, quizzes or group activities to actively involve your audience.

In need of inspiration for your next presentation? I’ve got your back! Pick from these 120+ presentation ideas, topics and examples to get started. 

Creating a stunning presentation with Venngage is a breeze with our user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and professionally designed templates for all your communication needs. 

Here’s how to make a presentation in just 5 simple steps with the help of Venngage:

Step 1: Sign up for Venngage for free using your email, Gmail or Facebook account or simply log in to access your account. 

Step 2: Pick a design from our selection of free presentation templates (they’re all created by our expert in-house designers).

Step 3: Make the template your own by customizing it to fit your content and branding. With Venngage’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can easily modify text, change colors and adjust the layout to create a unique and eye-catching design.

Step 4: Elevate your presentation by incorporating captivating visuals. You can upload your images or choose from Venngage’s vast library of high-quality photos, icons and illustrations. 

Step 5: Upgrade to a premium or business account to export your presentation in PDF and print it for in-person presentations or share it digitally for free!

By following these five simple steps, you’ll have a professionally designed and visually engaging presentation ready in no time. With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, your presentation is sure to make a lasting impression. So, let your creativity flow and get ready to shine in your next presentation!

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