This storytelling icebreaker activity is a trainer-led group exercise for corporate training workshops, where participants create a shared story using visual prompts.
Storytelling Icebreaker Activity (Corporate Training) — At a Glance
- Format: Trainer-led small-group icebreaker using visual prompts
- Duration: Up to 30 minutes
- Group size: Small groups of 4 (ideal)
- Best for: Corporate training sessions, team building, communication skills workshops
- What you need: A4 print-outs or slides with 4 images per group + a board/wall to display
This activity is one of many you can find on the group icebreakers for trainers and corporate training workshops hub page.
What Is the Storytelling Icebreaker Exercise?
This storytelling icebreaker exercise is a trainer-led group activity where participants work together to create a shared story using a small set of visual prompts.
Who Is This Activity Designed For?
This activity is designed for adult participants in corporate training workshops and works best when delivered by a trainer or facilitator to small groups of four people.
Participants at the training event are asked to be creative and to create a story by using a set of images that are presented to them.
What Is the Purpose of This Storytelling Icebreaker?
The purpose of this storytelling icebreaker is to help participants relax, get to know one another, and begin collaborating through a shared creative task that supports team collaboration in corporate training settings.
It can be used both as an opening icebreaker or as a team-building exercise within a corporate training session.
How Do You Run the Storytelling Icebreaker Activity?
Trainers run this activity by dividing participants into small groups, providing visual prompts, and guiding them through a structured storytelling process.
1. Pre-Planning (5–10 minutes)
Before the training day, prepare a set of A4 print-outs, each containing four images. Choose images that are visually interesting and different, but with enough potential connection to allow a narrative to emerge.
2. Place Participants into Groups (2–3 minutes)
At the training event, divide participants into groups of four and give each group one set of image print-outs.
3. Creating the Story (10 minutes)
Give each group 10 minutes to study the images and create a story that connects all four.
Encourage creativity, but ask groups to keep the story realistic and avoid fantasy elements such as time travel or aliens.
4. Storytelling Circle & Wrap-Up (10–15 minutes)
After the story creation phase, ask one participant from each group to pin their storyboard (the A4 images) onto the board at the front of the room and present their story. Each group should spend no more than three minutes telling their story.
Invite other groups to briefly suggest how they might have developed the story differently using the same images. Depending on the available time and number of groups, you do not need to select every group to present.
Trainers looking for additional group-based warm-ups may also find the Both Sides of the Fence icebreaker activity useful for encouraging discussion and comparison.
Trainer Tip: Why This Works Well in Corporate Training
This activity works particularly well in corporate settings because it gives all participants an equal starting point. The images remove pressure to “perform”, encourage natural discussion, and allow quieter participants to contribute without needing specialist skills or prior knowledge.
Overall timing: approximately 30 minutes from start to finish, depending on group size.
Activity Benefits
This storytelling icebreaker activity is a great corporate training activity in that it is a fun and very easy task for anyone to become involved
This activity also brings out the creative side of participants, supporting key communication and speaking skills that are essential in workplace training.
When used for corporate training, this activity can be especially interesting in that you will often see participants who might not be natural leaders or who might sometimes be quiet, showing themselves to be highly creative and capable.
When Should Trainers Use This Storytelling Icebreaker?
Trainers typically use this storytelling icebreaker at the start of a corporate training workshop to help participants relax, engage, and begin working collaboratively.
It works particularly well at the beginning of communication skills sessions, team-building workshops, or any group training where discussion and creativity are important.
If you are structuring a full workshop, this type of activity is often used at the start of a broader communication session plan.
This activity can also be used mid-session to re-energize groups before moving into more structured learning.
For more trainer-led warm-ups and facilitation ideas, see our full collection of group icebreakers for training workshops.
Ready-to-Use Storytelling & Communication Training Materials
Save preparation time with professionally designed, trainer-led materials you can use straight away in corporate training workshops.
- Fully editable PowerPoint slides
- Trainer notes and participant guides
- Printable workbooks, handouts, and activities included in the slides
