Virtual team building strengthens relationships, improves communication, and fosters collaboration among remote team members through engaging activities. Teams participate in games, challenges, and interactive sessions on online platforms, helping them connect, build trust, and work effectively together despite being physically apart. Virtual team building activities ensure remote teams stay united, motivated, and aligned toward shared goals.
Why are Virtual Team Building Activities Important?
Virtual team-building activities are entertaining, and an excellent way to interact with your team. These activities offer numerous benefits that enhance the remote workplace experience. You can incorporate these activities to improve the below mentioned:
- Strengthen communication within the team
- Foster better collaboration and cohesion
- Boost productivity as team members learn to work effectively together
- Create opportunities to check in with employees
- Enhance mental well-being, lift morale, and reduce stress
- Increase employee satisfaction, leading to reduced turnover
Virtual Games for Office
Team building games for remote employees have become a popular way to enhance team bonding, promote creativity, and build connections. Here’s a list of 20 fun and interactive games. It also includes some 5-minute team-building activities to try in your virtual team meetings:
Activity | Effort | Impact | Fun |
---|---|---|---|
Guess Whose Workspace | Low | Medium | High |
Movie Night | Medium | High | High |
Virtual Ice Breakers | Low | High | High |
Virtual Lunch Meetings | Medium | High | Medium |
Online Drawing Activities | Medium | Medium | High |
Collaborative Playlist Creation | Low | Medium | High |
Baby Pictures | Low | High | High |
Virtual Debate Club | High | Medium | Medium |
Two Truths and One Lie | Low | High | High |
What Would You Do? | Low | Medium | Medium |
Something in Common | Low | High | High |
Virtual Show and Tell | Low | Medium | High |
Virtual Dance Party | Medium | High | High |
Virtual Birthday Parties | Medium | High | High |
Emoji Mood Board | Low | Medium | High |
Bucket List | Low | Medium | Medium |
Name 10 Things | Low | Medium | Medium |
Five Finger Showdown | Low | Medium | High |
Virtual Team Building Activities for Remote Teams
Here’s a breakdown of the online team-building games with how they work, their objective, and why they’re fun:
1. Guess Whose Workspace
This virtual game allows team members to share a glimpse of their work-from-home setups.
How It Works
- Team members anonymously submit photos of their workspaces.
- The organizer compiles and shares the images with the group.
- Participants guess which workspace belongs to whom.
Objective
- Encourage team bonding by revealing personal work environments.
Why It’s Fun
- Quirky or unexpected workspace setups often spark laughter.
- Promotes creativity as team members analyze clues to make their guesses.
2. Movie Night
It brings team members together to enjoy a shared cinematic experience, even while working remotely.
How It Works
- Choose a movie based on team preferences.
- Use a streaming tool to sync the viewing experience.
- Team members join a shared platform where they can watch movies and chat in real time.
Objective
- Encourage informal conversations that build stronger interpersonal connections.
Why It’s Fun
- Real-time reactions and comments during the movie make the experience interactive.
- Selecting diverse movie genres allows everyone to explore new interests and perspectives.
3. Virtual Ice Breakers
Virtual ice breakers are quick, engaging activities that help team members warm up and connect in a remote setting. These exercises are ideal for starting meetings or team-building sessions, making interactions more relaxed and enjoyable.
How It Works
- Choose a question or prompt, such as “What’s your dream vacation?” or “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”
- Each team member takes turns answering, either verbally or in chat.
Objective
- Ease into conversations and make team members feel comfortable.
- Promote open communication and build rapport.
Why It’s Fun
- The questions often lead to surprising, humorous, or creative answers.
- It helps uncover shared interests or unique traits among team members.
4. Virtual Lunch Meetings
Virtual lunch meetings replicate the casual, social environment of shared meals, allowing team members to connect informally.
How It Works
- Team members log in to a video call during their lunch break.
- Participants enjoy their meals while engaging in lighthearted or open-ended conversations.
- Optional themes, such as “cultural cuisine day” or “favorite recipes,” can add variety.
Objective
- Promote casual, non-work-related interactions.
- Create an inclusive and engaging work culture for remote teams.
Why It’s Fun
- Sharing meals creates a relaxed atmosphere, encouraging authentic conversations.
- Discussions about food, hobbies, or personal interests reveal commonalities and unique perspectives.
5. Online Drawing Activities
These are creative and interactive games that bring team members together through art and imagination.
How It Works
- Use online tools like Microsoft Whiteboard to host the activity.
- Players take turns drawing prompts while others guess what the drawing represents.
- You can also set collaborative tasks, like drawing a team logo or completing a shared artwork.
- Set a timer or scoring system to make it competitive or simply enjoy it as a casual activity.
Objective
- Encourage teamwork and communication by engaging team members in a creative challenge.
- Promote out-of-the-box thinking and lighten the mood during virtual meetings.
Why It’s Fun
- The unpredictability of drawings often leads to hilarious results and shared laughter.
6. Collaborative Playlist Creation
Music uniquely brings people together, and creating a collaborative playlist lets your team bond over shared tunes.
How It Works
- Choose a music platform that allows collaborative playlists.
- Set a theme, such as “Feel-Good Songs,” “Motivational Tracks,” or “Office Anthems.”
- Invite team members to add their favorite songs to the playlist.
Objective
- Encourage collaboration by involving everyone in a shared project.
- Build connections by exploring and appreciating diverse music preferences.
Why It’s Fun
- It’s exciting to discover team members’ unique tastes and learn more about them.
7. Baby Pictures
The Baby Pictures game is a delightful way for team members to share a glimpse of their childhood. This activity sparks curiosity and laughter as participants guess which baby picture matches which colleague.
How It Works
- Each team member submits a baby or childhood photo before the game.
- The organizer compiles and shares the pictures in a presentation or gallery without revealing identities.
- Participants take turns guessing which picture belongs to whom.
- The host reveals the correct answers after each round or at the end.
Objective
- Promote laughter and positive interactions among team members.
Why It’s Fun
- The baby photos are often adorable, surprising, or hilariously unexpected.
8. Virtual Debate Club
Virtual Debate Club is a lively activity that engages team members in friendly discussions on fun or thought-provoking topics.
How It Works
- Choose a fun or relevant debate topic (e.g., “Coffee vs. Tea” or “Is pineapple on pizza acceptable?”).
- Divide participants into two groups: one for and one against the topic.
- Allow a neutral moderator to oversee the debate, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone to participate.
Objective
- Encourage creative thinking and respectful exchange of virtual team building ideas.
- Create an engaging platform for expressing diverse opinions.
Why It’s Fun
- Participants enjoy expressing their viewpoints while learning more about their teammates’ personalities.
9. Two Truths and One Lie
Two Truths and One Lie is a classic icebreaker game that helps team members connect by sharing fun and surprising facts about themselves.
How It Works
- Each participant takes turns sharing three statements about themselves: two true and one false.
- The rest of the team guesses which statement is a lie.
- After the guesses, the player reveals the lie and elaborates on the truths, if desired.
Objective
- To build rapport among team members by sharing personal details.
- To promote active listening, curiosity, and engagement.
Why It’s Fun
- The game often reveals unexpected and humorous facts about colleagues, sparking laughter and conversations.
10. What Would You Do?
This creative virtual team-building activity encourages imaginative thinking and engaging discussions. Team members explore hypothetical scenarios, share their responses, and discover new perspectives.
How It Works
- The host poses fun or thought-provoking hypothetical questions, like “What would you do if you could live anywhere in the world?”
- Team members take turns sharing their answers or writing them in the chat.
Objective
- Encourage creative thinking and open communication.
- Provide insight into team members’ personalities and preferences.
Why It’s Fun
- Hypothetical questions inspire laughter and surprises.
- The answers often reveal unexpected and entertaining ideas.
11. Something in Common
It is a fun, interactive team-building game that encourages employees to discover shared interests or experiences. It’s a great way to know one another beyond the professional setting.
How It Works
- Divide the team into small groups.
- Set a time limit (e.g., 5-10 minutes) for the group to find as many things as possible they have in common.
- After the time is up, each group shares their commonalities with the larger team.
Objective
- To encourage team members to find connections with one another.
Why It’s Fun
- The challenge of discovering surprising commonalities sparks joy and excitement.
- It encourages creativity, as team members think outside the box to identify shared traits.
12. Virtual Show & Tell
This activity is a fun and interactive way for team members to share something personal or meaningful with the group, allowing everyone to learn more about each other.
How It Works
- Participants take turns presenting an item, hobby, or story that holds personal significance.
- They explain why it’s important to them and share any relevant details.
- Others engage by asking questions or commenting on the presentation.
Objective
- Encourage communication and open dialogue among team members.
Why It’s Fun
- The diversity of items and stories shared sparks curiosity and often leads to interesting discussions.
13. Personality Tests
Personality tests offer a fun and insightful way to better understand team members. These assessments help people recognize their strengths, preferences, and working styles, creating a more cohesive team.
How It Works
- Team members take a personality test.
- Each participant shares their results with the group, and discussions follow about how different personalities interact in the workplace.
Objective
- To identify different personality traits, working styles, and preferences, leading to improved collaboration.
Why It’s Fun
- Fun discussions about personality differences create opportunities for humor and self-reflection, enhancing team bonding.
14. Typing Speed Race
This competitive activity tests how fast and accurately team members can type. It’s a great way to challenge each other while having fun in a remote setting.
How It Works
- Use online typing speed tools.
- Set a time limit for all participants.
- Everyone types the exact text, and the tool tracks their speed and accuracy.
Objective
- Improve typing speed and accuracy.
- Enhance focus and attention to detail while engaging in a fun activity.
Why It’s Fun
- Competitive and thrilling as players race against each other to type the fastest.
- Unexpected typing mistakes and speed challenges lead to laughter and memorable moments.
15. Virtual Dance Party
It is a fun and energizing activity where team members join online to dance and enjoy music.
How It Works
- A team leader or organizer selects a playlist or allows everyone to add their favorite songs to a shared list.
- Set a time for the party, and everyone joins a video call to participate.
- Participants turn on their cameras, dance to the music, and engage with each other through video.
Objective
- To increase team morale and energy levels.
- To encourage physical activity, boosting mood and productivity.
Why It’s Fun
- Dancing together, even virtually, can bring out playful and lighthearted moments that help strengthen team bonds.
16. Virtual Birthday Parties
Virtual birthday parties are a great way to celebrate a team member’s special day, even when working remotely. These events allow employees to feel appreciated and connected despite being in different locations.
How It Works
- Team members plan a virtual celebration using video conferencing tools.
- The organizer prepares surprises such as virtual cards, party games, and interactive activities.
Objective
- To make the birthday person feel valued and celebrated within the team.
Why It’s Fun
- Everyone gets to participate, regardless of location.
- Virtual birthday parties often involve fun surprises like digital greetings or games.
- These parties create shared memories and strengthen team relationships.
17. Emoji Mood Board
It is a creative and fun way for team members to express their emotions or describe their day using emojis.
How It Works
- Each participant creates a “mood board” by selecting a series of emojis representing their current mood or describing their day.
- They share their emoji selection with the group via chat or screen share.
- Others can interpret the mood board or ask questions for clarification.
Objective
- Build empathy and understanding among teammates.
- Promote open communication and emotional awareness.
Why It’s Fun
- The activity sparks creativity as participants uses emojis to represent complex thoughts or feelings.
18. Bucket List
Sharing bucket lists is a wonderful way to connect with teammates personally.
How It Works
- Each team member writes down 3-5 items from their bucket list.
- In a virtual meeting, participants take turns sharing their bucket list items.
- Create a collaborative bucket list with team goals or activities to achieve together.
Objective
- Encourage personal sharing and vulnerability to deepen team connections.
Why It’s Fun
- Discovering shared goals or uncommon aspirations creates unique bonds.
19. Name 10 Things
It is a quick-thinking game that energizes teams and promotes engagement by encouraging participants to think on their feet in a fun, pressure-free environment.
How It Works
- The host picks a random category, such as “10 things you find in a kitchen” or “10 movies with animals.”
- Each participant or team has a set time to list 10 relevant items.
Objective
- Encourage creative thinking and quick decision-making.
Why It’s Fun
- The fast-paced nature adds excitement and humor as participants scramble for answers.
20. Five Finger Showdown
It is a lively virtual game that helps team members share personal stories and discover commonalities in a fun, interactive way.
How It Works
- Each participant holds up five fingers on the screen.
- The host reads out prompts or statements.
- If the statement applies to someone, they put a finger down.
- The last person with fingers still up wins the round.
Objective
- Encourage the sharing of unique experiences.
Why It’s Fun
- Surprising revelations lead to laughter and bonding.
The Bottom Line
Online team-building games for remote employees are vital for fostering collaboration, improving communication, and boosting morale in remote teams. These interactive activities help colleagues bond, build trust, and share experiences, promoting creativity and reducing stress. By incorporating them, organizations create a positive, inclusive culture, enhance engagement, and ensure productivity, making remote work more enjoyable and teams more connected.
FAQs
Q: How to build a team while working remotely?
A: To build a remote team, focus on open communication, leverage collaboration tools, and engage in team-building activities virtually to strengthen connections and collaboration.
Q: What is the ABC game for virtual meetings?
A: The ABC game for virtual meetings is a fun and engaging team-building activity where participants take turns naming items related to a specific category (like food, animals, or places) in alphabetical order. It encourages quick thinking and lightens the mood during meetings.
Q: What is the 5 Things virtual game?
A: In “5 Things” virtual game, the participants take turns naming five items related to a specific category within a set time. It encourages creativity, quick thinking, and team interaction, making it a great option for remote team building.
Q: How do you build a successful remote team?
A: Building a successful remote team involves fostering strong communication, trust, and collaboration through regular check-ins, clear expectations, and virtual team-building activities.
Q: How do you celebrate team success remotely?
A: Acknowledge team success and achievements in team meetings, reward contributions with personalized recognition or digital gifts, and use team building activities virtually to strengthen bonds. Keep the celebrations light and engaging, with 5-minute virtual team building activities for remote teams.