Building strong connections in a remote work environment can be challenging, but incorporating team building activities for remote employees can make a significant difference. These virtual team-building activities are designed to foster collaboration, boost morale, and create shared experiences that bring remote teams closer together, no matter where they’re located.
From virtual workshops to friendly competitions, there’s something for every team to enjoy and benefit from.
1. Virtual Succulent Planting Workshop
When it comes to remote team-building activities, a virtual succulent planting workshop is a great way to bring some creativity and nature into the mix. This fun and lighthearted activity allows colleagues to connect while planting their own succulent arrangements from the comfort of their homes.
What we love about this workshop is that it’s super relaxed and low-key. It’s a great way to encourage creativity and mindfulness while giving everyone a living piece of art to call their own. Plus, it’s super stress-relieving to play with dirt and plants! You’ll get your team chatting and laughing while they work, and they’ll love showing off their creations once they’re done.
Succulent Bar makes it easy to execute this fun team-building activity. Each participant receives a kit in the mail that’s packed with everything they’ll need: succulents, soil, pots, and tools. During the workshop, a Succulent Bar expert will lead the group through the planting and decorating process in a live virtual session. Team members can share their screens and show off their masterpieces, and the Succulent Bar team will provide fun challenges and prompts to keep things interactive and engaging.
2. Online Escape Room Challenges
Online escape rooms can’t provide the same adrenaline rush as a physical escape room, but they are just as exciting in their own right.
Digital adventures are ideal for developing problem-solving and teamwork skills. With a clock ticking down, remote team members must work together, communicate effectively, and think creatively. The goal of escaping the room before time runs out fosters teamwork and showcases individual team member’s strengths in a colorful and dynamic environment.
You can find hundreds of themes and skill levels through online escape room providers. Each team member joins a video call and leaps into a virtual escape room where they collaborate to solve puzzles and unlock progression. Many platforms offer a host or game master to enhance the experience, offering clues and keeping things interesting. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories while building a stronger team.
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3. Virtual Trivia Night
A virtual trivia night is a fun and interactive team-building activity that pits employees against one another in a friendly competition. Participants enter themed trivia games and answer questions on a wide range of topics, from the latest pop culture trends to obscure details about the company.
Trivia nights are a great way to bring out everyone’s competitive spirit and showcase individual personalities. Teams bond over shared knowledge and engage in good-natured debates to come out on top. The points system adds an extra layer of motivation, and the winner of each night is crowned champion. Morale boosts and camaraderie soar when you add a trivia night to your event calendar.
Kahoot and QuizUp are two easy-to-use platforms to host a trivia night. Choose a fun theme, create or customize questions to fit, and set up teams. Share the game link during a video meeting, and let everyone play along. A lively emcee can add to the fun by announcing scores and injecting humor into the evening. Take it to the next level by offering small prizes or the ultimate trivia trophy: bragging rights. Your team will be talking about it for months to come!
4. Remote Cooking Class
If you’re looking for a fun and unique team-building activity, remote cooking classes are a great option. Imagine your employees following a live cooking class with a professional chef, step-by-step, while learning how to make a delicious dish over lunch. Not only will everyone get to enjoy the fruits of their labor, but it’s a great way to bond and have some fun.
This experience is a great team-builder because it encourages collaboration. Employees will need to follow the chef’s instructions and work together to overcome any obstacles they encounter while cooking their meals. It’s a super relaxed atmosphere, which makes it easy for everyone to mingle and catch up with each other. It’s a great option for teams of any size.
Here’s how it works: You have the option to source your own ingredients or opt for pre-packaged kits that include everything you need to make the dish. During the live cooking class, the chef will walk your group through the recipe step-by-step, sharing tips and tricks along the way. Employees can show off their screens, share stories about their cooking, and even engage in a little competition by sharing photos of their finished dishes.
5. Virtual Coffee Breaks with Icebreaker Games
Virtual coffee breaks with icebreaker games are a great way to bring some joy and connection to your remote workers.
This is a great way to help remote workers feel more connected to each other. Creating time for casual conversation and play can help alleviate feelings of isolation that can come with working from home. Icebreakers add a fun element, help people feel more comfortable with each other, and build connections.
Schedule a 30-minute block of time when the team is unlikely to be overwhelmed with work. Invite people to grab their favorite coffee and get comfy. Prepare a list of prompts or games to keep things moving and fun. “Two Truths and a Lie,” “Would You Rather,” and speed friending/questioning are great options. The key is to keep it light and inclusive. Encourage everyone to participate and have fun. Consider making this a regular occurrence and incorporating it into your team’s routine. Over time, it can help remote workers feel more connected and included.
6. Collaborative Spotify Playlists
When it comes to distributed teams, a Spotify playlist can be a really fun way to bring some creativity and personality to your virtual collaborations. Each person adds their favorite songs, and it’s a great way to get to know your teammates a little better. You’ll likely find some common ground, and it’s a great way to discover new music.
It’s a low-pressure way to build some camaraderie, and you’ll end up with a playlist that’s great to work on. Win-win!
How to make it happen: Create a collaborative Spotify playlist and send the link out to your team. You can choose a theme for the playlist (I like “Motivational Monday”, “Chill Vibes”, or “Throwbacks”) to help guide song choices. During your next team call, play a few seconds of each song and ask everyone to share why they chose it. It’s a great way to spark some fun conversations, and you’ll end up with a great playlist that you’ll still enjoy weeks later.
7. Online Pictionary or Drawing Games
Virtual event Pictionary and drawing games are some of the most interactive and fun virtual event ideas out there. These games are perfect for large groups and can be played with teams or in teams. Participants will love the creative and entertaining aspect of this game.
This lighthearted game is a great way to add some fun and humor to your virtual event. It’s a great stress reliever and mood-booster. It helps to encourage communication and timing skills as team members will need to describe their drawings and guess what they think the other person is drawing. Laughter and creativity are guaranteed!
You can play a virtual Pictionary using two great platforms: Skribbl.io or Drawasaurus. Both are free and easy to use. Simply share the link to the game with your team and have a video conference running at the same time. You can set up teams or have players compete against each other. One person will be chosen to draw, and the others on the call will have to guess what they think the drawing is. When the time is up, flip a switch, and the guessers become the drawers. It’s that simple!
8. Virtual Fitness Classes
Virtual fitness classes are a great way to energize your remote team and create some much-needed camaraderie. Yoga, pilates, and dance parties are all great options. Many virtual fitness classes are led by certified instructors and offer a great way to get your team moving and grooving together.
Exercise is a great stress reliever and mood-booster, and it can help your team focus and be more productive. Virtual fitness classes are a great way to help your team stay healthy and happy. Your employees will love sweating together and feeling accomplished as they learn new moves and crush their workouts.
You can provide live links to virtual fitness classes or pre-recorded options for employees to enjoy on their own schedule. Be sure to give your team the deets on what to expect and what to bring (mat, water, comfy clothes), and offer a variety of class types and levels. You can also theme your fitness classes and ask employees to share their favorite post-workout snacks or recovery routines for added fun.
9. Remote Book Club
A remote book club is a kind and thoughtful team-building activity that can be a great way to bring your employees together. Employees can choose a book to read and then meet virtually to discuss it. This is a great way to encourage connection and personal growth.
Book clubs are magical because they get people thinking and talking. They encourage people to form opinions and express themselves. Many books can lead to deep discussions and can bring people closer together. It’s a nice break from the daily grind and a way to bond over a fun story and ideas.
To get started, choose a book that you think your team will enjoy and appreciate. Non-fiction can be inspiring and motivating, while a classic novel can bring people together. Make sure to get copies of the book to your team – either digitally or in print. Set a schedule for everyone to read by a certain deadline and then schedule virtual meetings to discuss. Prepare questions to guide the discussion or opt for more free-form conversation. You can even rotate who facilitates the discussion to make sure everyone gets a turn. This is a great way to ensure everyone’s voice is heard and to keep the book club fresh and exciting.
10. Virtual Team Talent Show
A virtual team talent show is a great way to let your employees shine and have some fun in a remote work setting. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see coworkers in a different light and appreciate their individuality.
This is a great way to encourage employees to show off their personalities and have some fun. It’s a lighthearted way to boost your remote team’s morale. And who doesn’t love a good talent show? It’s a great way to break up the monotony of remote work and add some fun to the day.
Set up a virtual “stage” using your video conferencing tool of choice. Ask employees to sign up to participate and show off their talents. Whether it’s playing a guitar, modeling a knitting creation, or demonstrating a hidden talent, the options are endless. Choose a charismatic emcee to keep things moving and add some audience participation by offering awards like “Most Creative” or “Fan Favorite” for people to vote on. A virtual talent show is a great way to showcase your team’s inner brilliance and create memories that will last a lifetime.
11. DIY Craft Workshops
DIY craft workshops aren’t going to get your team’s adrenaline pumping like a high-speed attraction, but they do offer a unique and relaxing escape that promotes connection and creativity.
These hands-on sessions transport your entire team to a cozy crafting wonderland where they can unwind and express their inner artists. From candle-making to painting, each workshop is designed to inspire creativity and provide a much-needed escape.
Crafting has a therapeutic quality that promotes mindfulness and relaxation. As employees work on their projects, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete their masterpieces. The crafting process sparks conversation, laughter, and collaboration, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
To book this experience, choose a craft that your team will love, such as candle-making, painting, or creating decorative treasures. We’ll provide pre-packaged kits complete with all necessary materials, or you can send along a list of required supplies for your team to gather ahead of time. During the live workshop, a knowledgeable host or instructor will walk your team through each step, answering questions and encouraging participation. When the experience comes to a close, other team members can proudly display their finished projects, feeling accomplished and connected.
12. Virtual Office Olympics
For a fun and lighthearted virtual team-building event, the Virtual Office Olympics are a great way to encourage friendly competition and team spirit. Many of the mini-games offered are perfect for showcasing employee skills and promoting teamwork.
Activities like the typing race and virtual scavenger hunt are great ways to encourage quick thinking and collaboration. The trivia challenge is a fun way to test employees’ knowledge and promote teamwork to win. The Virtual Office Olympics are a great way to boost office morale and bring employees together, even when they can’t be in the same physical location.
To plan a Virtual Office Olympics, you’ll want to set up a series of structured challenges using different websites and apps. You can plan a typing race, “find the item,” scavenger hunt, or problem-solving contest. Divide employees into teams and keep a point system for each event. Host these virtual team-building games on a video conferencing platform and have a designated leader to keep score and declare winners. To take it to the next level, assign team names and virtual backgrounds and offer small prizes for the winning team.
Building Bonds Beyond the Screen
Team-building activities for remote employees are not just about having fun—they’re about fostering connection, collaboration, and morale in a virtual workspace. By incorporating creative and engaging team building activities for remote employees can help your team feel more united, motivated, and valued, no matter where they’re located. Try one (or a few!) of these ideas to create memorable experiences that strengthen your remote team.
