52 Virtual Team Building Activities to Keep Your Remote Team Connected and Engaged
In today’s world, remote work has become increasingly common, and with it comes the challenge of keeping teams engaged and connected while working from different locations. Enter virtual team building activities: a great way to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration and creativity, and have fun with your colleagues, no matter where they are.
At their best, virtual team building activities can help remote employees build stronger relationships, develop better communication skills, and improve morale. Whether you’re looking to break the ice with a new team, keep your current team engaged and connected, or just inject some fun into your workday, there’s a virtual team building activity out there for you.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 52 fun virtual team building activities and ideas that you can try with your remote team. From virtual scavenger hunts and online games to group challenges and social events, there’s something for everyone on this list. These team building ideas for remote teams are not only fun and engaging, but they can also help improve communication, foster collaboration and increase productivity.
Table of Contents
Whether you’re managing a remote team or just looking for ways to improve team morale, these activities are sure to be a hit with your team.
Virtual Team Building Activities with Icebreakers
1. Two Truths and a Lie
This classic icebreaker game is perfect for remote teams. Each team member shares three statements about themselves, two of which are true, and one that is a lie. The rest of the team has to guess which statement is the lie. This game is not only a great way to learn more about your team members, but it’s also a fun and engaging way to break the ice.
2. The Name Game
This virtual team building activity is an excellent way to help team members learn each other’s names. Each team member chooses a word that starts with the same letter as their first name, and the rest of the team has to come up with adjectives that describe the chosen word. For example, if your name is Sarah, you could choose the word “Sunny” as your word. The rest of the team could then come up with adjectives like “Sweet” or “Spirited” to describe the word.
3. Desert Island
In this team building idea, each team member shares which three items they would bring with them if they were stranded on a desert island. The rest of the team has to guess why they chose those items and what they would use them for. This activity is a great way to get to know your team members on a deeper level and to see how they approach problem-solving.
4. Pet Show-and-Tell
Host a virtual pet show-and-tell where team members can show off their pets to each other. This activity is a great way to bond over shared love for pets and encourage socialization.
Virtual Team Building Activities with Food and Beverage
5. Virtual Happy Hour
One of the most beloved team building activities at the traditional office is going out with coworkers after clocking for happy hour. How can you replicate that with a remote team? Virtual team building activity company Unboxed Experiences has run thousands of virtual happy hour events for all types of organizations, large and small.
These virtual happy hours deliver beer and wine kits to team members all over the country. Everyone gets on a live virtual event to go through a beer or wine tasting complete with snacks and entertainment. With everyone together for a drink, it feels like you’re out enjoying happy hour together at a bar.
6. Virtual Cocktail Hour
Virtual cocktail hour is a fun and engaging way to bring your team together. You can use a platform like Zoom or Google Meet to host a virtual happy hour and have team members share their favorite cocktail recipes.
7. Virtual Cooking Class
Virtual cooking class is a fun and interactive way to encourage teamwork and collaboration. You can use a platform like Zoom or Google Meet to host a virtual cooking class and have team members cook together.
Pro tip: Want to learn more about virtual cooking classes? Check out our blog on Virtual Cooking Classes for Team Building.
8. Online Charcuterie Class
Looking for a less messy alternative to virtual cooking classes? Virtual charcuterie board classes are a great way to get the same culinary experience as cooking classes but without needing a lot of equipment or a heat source. Check out the Charcuterie Board Experience for a delectable virtual team building event that teaches everyone how to build stunning charcuterie boards from a tasting kit.
9. Coffee Tasting
Virtual coffee tasting is a fun and engaging way to bring your team together. You can order a variety of coffee beans and have team members taste and rate each one during a virtual coffee tasting.
10. Virtual Wine Tasting
Bring a wine tasting home to your virtual employees! Virtual wine tastings are a fantastic way to get your team together for a boozy and classy time. Wine tasting and pairing events are great to celebrate just about any occasion, but it’s particularly fun to just sit back, relax and enjoy some glasses of wine with your whole team.
Learn more about virtual wine tastings and book your own event here.
Collaborative Virtual Team Building Activities
11. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
A virtual scavenger hunt is a fun and engaging way to encourage collaboration among team members. Divide your team into smaller groups and assign them a list of items to find around their homes. The first team to complete the list wins.
12. Virtual Escape Room
A virtual escape room is an exciting way to challenge your team members’ problem-solving skills. There are many online escape rooms available that you can use to create a fun and engaging team building activity.
13. Online Team Trivia
Online team trivia is a great way to encourage collaboration and teamwork. You can use a platform like Kahoot or Quizlet to create your own trivia game or find pre-made quizzes online.
14. Virtual Lunch-and-Learn
Host a virtual lunch-and-learn where team members can eat their lunch while learning about a new topic related to your industry or team members’ interests. This activity is a great way to encourage learning, team bonding and discussion.
Fun Virtual Team Building Activities
15. Virtual Pictionary
Pictionary is a classic game that is perfect for remote teams. Divide your team into smaller groups and have them take turns drawing pictures while the rest of the team tries to guess what they are drawing.
16. Karaoke
Online karaoke is a fun and lighthearted way to boost team morale. Use a platform like Zoom or Google Meet to host a virtual karaoke night.
17. Online Bingo
Let’s face it, bingo is a fun and easy way to bring your team together. You can create your own bingo cards or use a free platform to generate cards.
18. Virtual Murder Mystery
A virtual murder mystery game is a particularly cheeky avenue to bring your team together to challenge their critical thinking skills. Each member is assigned a character and works together to solve the mystery. You can find pre-made games on websites like Hunt A Killer or create your own using a platform like Cluedupp.
19. Virtual Game Tournament
Host a virtual game tournament and bring out the competitive spirit of your team. You can select a variety of games like Among Us, Mario Kart or Chess and have the team compete in different brackets. You can create your own tournament brackets using websites like Challonge.
20. Virtual Board Games
Host a virtual board game night with your team. You can play classic games like Monopoly, Risk or Settlers of Catan on websites like Tabletopia.
Educational Team Building Activities
21. Travel Tour
Team members can explore a new place together, such as a museum, a city or a national park. This activity is a great way to encourage learning, team bonding and exploration.
22. Virtual Museum Tour
Go on a virtual museum tour where team members can explore a museum exhibit together and discuss what they learned. This activity is a great way to encourage learning, team bonding and cultural awareness.
Virtual Team Building Activities to Improve Communication
23. Blind Drawing
Blind drawing is a fun and interactive way to encourage communication among team members. Divide your team into pairs and have one team member describe an object while the other team member tries to draw it without seeing it.
24. Storytelling
Storytelling is a great way to encourage creativity and communication. Divide your team into smaller groups and have them take turns telling stories about a pre-selected topic, like travel, inspirational moments or embarrassing high school stories.
25. One-Word Story
“One-word story” is a fun and challenging way to encourage communication and collaboration. Start a story with one word and have each team member add one word at a time until the story is complete.
Problem Solving Activities
26. Puzzle Race
An online puzzle race is a fun and engaging way to encourage problem-solving skills. Divide your team into smaller groups and have them race to complete a puzzle.
27. Virtual Codebreaker
Codebreaker is a challenging team building activity that encourages problem-solving and critical thinking. Use an online platform like Riddle Me This to create your own codes and puzzles.
28. The Marshmallow Challenge
Divide your team into smaller groups and give them 20 minutes to build the tallest tower they can using only spaghetti noodles, tape, and a marshmallow. This is a fun and engaging way to encourage problem-solving and teamwork.
Team Building Activities for Creative Types
29. Virtual Paint Night
Grab some brushes and an easel for a night of collaborative painting! You can use a platform like Zoom or Google Meet to host a virtual painting party.
30. Virtual Charades
Divide your team into smaller groups and have them take turns acting out words and phrases while the rest of the team tries to guess what they are.
31. Virtual Art Jamming
Get creative with a virtual art jamming session. Each member can be provided with an art kit or they can use their own materials to create their masterpiece. You can use a platform like Paint Nite to organize a session.
32. Virtual Songwriting Session
A virtual songwriting session is a great way to encourage creativity and collaboration within your team. Each member can contribute their ideas and lyrics to create a group song. You can use a program like Garageband to mix the final masterpiece.
33. Virtual Photography Challenge
Each member can be given a theme or subject and challenged to take the best photo. A virtual photography challenge is a fun way to encourage creativity and inspire your team to explore their surroundings. You can use platforms like Instagram or Flickr to share the photos and vote on the winner.
34. Virtual Music Performance
Hire a virtual musician or band to perform for your team during a virtual meeting. This activity is a great way to introduce your team to new music and bond over a shared love of music.
35. Virtual DIY Workshop
Host a virtual DIY workshop where team members can learn how to make something together, such as a piece of furniture or a home decor item. This activity is a great way to encourage creativity, learning and teamwork.
Funny Team Building Ideas
36. Virtual Comedy Night
Hire a virtual comedian to perform for your team during a virtual meeting. This activity is a great way to relax and bond over laughter.
37. Virtual Improv Workshop
Bring in a virtual improv coach to lead an improv workshop for your team. The coach will provide instruction and games for team members to play together. This activity is a great way to encourage creativity and teamwork.
Physical Team Building Activities
38. Virtual Yoga Class
Virtual yoga class is a fun and relaxing way to encourage physical activity and mindfulness. You can use a platform like Zoom or Google Meet to host a virtual yoga class.
39. Virtual Dance Party
Hop on Zoom or Google Meet to host a virtual dance party and have team members share their favorite dance moves. A dance party is a fun and energetic way to get your team moving.
Learning and Development Activities
40. Virtual Book Club
It has been shown that book clubs can encourage learning and personal growth among employee groups, so bring one to your remote workplace. You can choose a book to read together as a team and have regular virtual meetings to discuss the book.
41. Virtual Skill Share
Virtual skill share is a fun and interactive way to encourage learning and personal development. Each team member can share a skill or hobby they have and teach the rest of the team how to do it.
Virtual Team Building Ideas for Social Impact
42. Virtual Volunteering
Studies have shown that groups who volunteer for community service see increased levels of bonding, as well as reduced stress levels. Bring your team together for a positive impact in their respective communities. You can find virtual volunteering opportunities on websites like VolunteerMatch and Idealist.
43. Fundraisers
Virtual fundraisers are a great way to raise money for a cause your team cares about. You can use a platform like GoFundMe or CrowdRise to set up a virtual fundraiser and encourage team members to donate and share the fundraiser with their networks.
Virtual Team Building Activities for Stress Relief
44. Virtual Guided Meditation
Virtual guided meditation is an engaging and relaxing way to encourage stress relief and mindfulness. Some virtual team events like the Tea & Mindfulness Experience have meditation and mindfulness exercises baked into the remote team building activity.
45. DIY spa day
Encourage your team to take a break from work and treat themselves to a spa day. Provide suggestions for things like face masks, essential oils, and relaxing music. You can also organize a video call where your team can chat while they pamper themselves.
46. Stress ball making
Making your own stress balls can be a fun and creative way to relieve tension. You can purchase materials like balloons and sand from a craft store, and then follow a tutorial to make the stress balls together as a team.
Remote Team Building Activities for Wellness
47. Virtual Fitness Challenge
A virtual fitness challenge is a great way to encourage wellness and healthy competition within your team. You can select a fitness challenge like a virtual 5k or a step challenge and have the team track their progress on a fitness app like Strava or Fitbit.
48. Virtual Yoga or Pilates Class
Host a virtual yoga or Pilates class to promote wellness and mindfulness among your team. You can use a platform like Glo to host the class.
49. Virtual Wellness Workshop
Hold a virtual wellness workshop where you can invite a guest speaker to talk about various topics like nutrition, stress management, and mental health. You can use platforms like Zoom or Google Meet to host the workshop.
50. Virtual Nature Walks
Spending time in nature can reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being. Consider creating a virtual nature scavenger hunt where employees have to find and photograph certain items in nature, such as a flower, a bird, or a rock formation. This activity promotes mindfulness and encourages employees to take a break from their screens.
51. Self-Care Workshops
Host virtual self-care workshops where employees can learn about self-care practices and techniques. Provide employees with resources and tools to help them incorporate self-care into their daily routines.
52. Virtual Laughter Yoga
Laughter yoga is a new trend that has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being among participants. Bring in a laughter yoga instructor to lead your team on a session and provide some entertainment. This activity promotes physical activity and helps employees relieve stress and boost their mood.
Pro tip: Interested in learning more about virtual wellness activities? Check out our Employee Wellness Program Tool Kit blog for tips and ideas.
Conclusion
In the modern office, virtual team building activities are becoming more and more essential to keeping remote workers connected and engaged. From online games to virtual happy hours, there are plenty of fun and creative ways to bring your team together, regardless of their physical location.
Through our list of more than 50 remote team building activities and ideas, we hope you have found inspiration for your team to work better together, improve communication and collaboration, and ultimately, increase productivity. By incorporating these activities into your team’s routine, you can strengthen relationships, build trust, and create a more positive work environment.
Remember, the key to successful virtual team building is to have fun, encourage participation, and adapt to the unique needs and preferences of your team members. Try out these virtual team building activities and ideas and watch as your team becomes more connected, productive, and successful.
FAQs about Virtual Team Building Activities
Q: What are some of the benefits of virtual team building activities?
A: Team building for remote teams can help foster better communication, collaboration, and teamwork among remote team members. They can also promote employee engagement, boost morale, and increase productivity.
Q: What are some of the most popular team building ideas for remote teams?
A: Some of the most popular virtual team building activities include virtual happy hours, virtual scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms, and virtual team-building games.
Q: How can I ensure the success of my virtual team building activities?
A: To ensure the success of your virtual team building activities, it’s important to:
- Set clear objectives and goals for each activity
- Choose activities that are appropriate for your team’s size, interests, and preferences
- Provide clear instructions and guidelines for each activity
- Use technology and software that is easy to use and accessible for all team members
- Allow for flexibility and adaptability in case of technical difficulties or scheduling conflicts
- Encourage participation and engagement from all team members
- Follow up with feedback and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the activity and make improvements for future ones.
Q: What are some tips for hosting a successful virtual team building activity?
A: Some tips for hosting a successful virtual team building activity include:
- Choosing activities that are fun and engaging for your team
- Planning ahead and providing clear instructions and guidelines
- Using technology and software that is user-friendly and accessible for all team members
- Encouraging participation and engagement from all remote workers
- Being flexible and adaptable in case of technical difficulties or scheduling conflicts
- Providing opportunities for team members to connect and socialize outside of work-related tasks.
