25 Virtual Team Building Ideas

As remote work continues to rise in popularity, team bonding and shared joy remain crucial for maintaining a positive and engaging work environment.

Engaging in activities beyond the scope of daily tasks allows remote workers to recharge and return to their duties with renewed energy and perspective.

These lighter moments provide an opportunity for remote team members to temporarily set aside their responsibilities, relax, and forge deeper connections with their colleagues.

You might be wondering, “What are the virtual activities we can do as a remote company to foster this sense of togetherness and fun?”

Let us discuss the importance of virtual team-building activities and review several examples specifically designed to cater to the needs and dynamics of remote teams, ensuring they feel valued, connected, and part of a cohesive unit.

You can even book a demo with us to learn more about these exciting virtual team building activities perfect for remote teams of any size. 

Virtual Team Building Ideas For Work

Here are a few virtual team-building activities you can slip into your meetings or dedicate time to improve your company culture.

1. Virtual Escape Room

Virtual escape rooms have risen in popularity as a compelling method for remote workers to gather and enhance their problem-solving skills. These interactive experiences foster collaboration and creativity, making them great for team building for dispersed teams.

In an online escape room, participants are typically presented with a scenario and must work together to solve puzzles and discover clues, all through a video conferencing platform.

This requires teams to communicate effectively, think critically, and work cohesively to “escape” within a set time limit, mirroring the challenges and satisfaction of physical escape rooms.

This activity is an excellent choice for a virtual team-building session, offering a unique and engaging way to develop problem-solving skills and team dynamics.

It is a team-building game that provides an immersive experience that can entertain and strengthen the bonds between teams, making it a valuable addition to any team’s virtual engagement strategy.

2. Virtual Murder Mystery

A virtual murder mystery is an exciting variation of the escape room concept, tailored for teams looking to dive into a world of intrigue and deduction.

This activity transforms participants into detectives, immersing them in an immersive digital environment where every clue counts.

Participants are tasked with investigating who the murderer is within the team, navigating through specific scenarios and plots designed to challenge their critical thinking and teamwork.

The goal of a virtual clue murder mystery is to piece together evidence and identify the culprit, requiring effective communication and collaborative problem-solving.

This is one of the best online office games, offering a unique and engaging way to strengthen bonds and enhance teamwork skills among remote workers.

It promotes engagement and provides an immersive experience beyond the typical virtual team-building activity, making it a memorable and impactful choice for teams looking to connect and grow together.

3. Virtual Team Trivia

Get competitive and showcase your knowledge with virtual team trivia, a game that turns virtual meetings into arenas of friendly competition. This activity tests the smarts of your remote team and spices up the usual routine with engaging challenges.

Virtual team trivia can span various categories and niches, from pop culture and world history to science and technology. Tailoring the virtual trivia questions to reflect the team’s interests ensures everyone can contribute and enjoy.

Examples of categories could include “Famous Landmarks,” “Tech Innovations,” or “Culinary Delights,” offering a wide range of topics that cater to diverse tastes.

This virtual team-building game is an excellent way for everyone to learn new facts and interact dynamically. Virtual trivia helps team members bond over shared knowledge and discoveries while enhancing their strengths.

The winning team can get a small prize sent over, like gift cards or the like, as a reward. You can also apply this to other virtual team-building games to further engage the team.

4. Virtual Team Building Icebreaker Ideas

Icebreakers are excellent for initiating conversation among team members, especially in a virtual setting.

They serve as simple yet effective tools to ease people into more comfortable interactions, paving the way for open communication and a collaborative team environment.

Some of the most common icebreakers are the following.

• Highs and Lows: Ask each team member to share their best and worst moments of the week. This activity fosters empathy and encourages team members to support each other.
• Show & Tell: Invite participants to present a personal item and explain its significance. This icebreaker allows team members to learn more about each other’s personalities and life outside of work.
• 2 Truths and A Lie: Everyone shares three statements about themselves—two truths and a lie. The rest of the team guesses which statement is the lie. This game is a fun way to discover surprising facts about team members.
• Guess The Desk: Team members submit a photo of their desk, and everyone tries to guess whose desk it is. This virtual team-building game offers insights into team members’ personalities through their workspaces.
• Virtual Coffee Breaks: This icebreaker involves scheduling short, informal meetings where the team can enjoy their favorite beverage together over a video chat. It is a simple yet effective way to create a relaxed atmosphere for casual conversations, allowing the team to share personal stories and interests or just enjoy a break together. Virtual coffee breaks can help reduce feelings of isolation among remote workers and strengthen interpersonal relationships within the team.
• The Bucket List Share: In this activity, each team member shares something from their bucket list – an experience they want to have, a place they wish to visit, or a goal they aspire to achieve. This icebreaker encourages the team to reveal more personal aspirations and dreams, fostering deeper connections and understanding among the group. It can also spark interesting conversations and even identify common interests, potentially leading to future team-building activities aligned with shared bucket list goals.

Incorporating an icebreaker into the agenda can effectively kick off any team meeting or serve as a pre-event activity for larger team-building events.

Whether through video chat or other digital platforms, these activities set a positive tone and can significantly enhance the dynamics of the next team meeting.

5. Family Feud Online

Family Feud is a popular game show that blends competition with laughter, making it an ideal choice to slip some fun and competitive spirit into your workdays.

This game can seamlessly transition into the virtual workspace, providing a lively way to engage remote employees and inject energy into the team’s routine.

Playing Family Feud online involves dividing the entire team into smaller groups and connecting via video call. A game master announces questions, and each team takes turns guessing the most popular responses previously compiled from surveys.

Establishing a few rounds and ground rules beforehand ensures the game runs smoothly, allowing everyone to participate equally and enjoy the competition.

This adaptation of Family Feud for virtual team building is a fantastic method for co-workers to unwind together, share laughs, and strengthen their connections beyond work tasks.

6. Price is Right

The Price is Right is another game show that has captivated audiences for decades. It is known for its engaging blend of pricing games and the excitement of guessing product prices.

Its familiarity and widespread appeal make it an excellent choice for virtual team-building games, allowing remote teams to experience the thrill of the game show from anywhere.

To adapt The Price is Right for virtual teams, participants connect through a video chat app. The host presents products or services, and participants guess their prices, aiming to get as close as possible without going over.

Including Price is Right mini-games, like Plinko or the Showcase Showdown, adds even more variety and fun to the activity.

This is a fantastic way to bring everyone together, offering a mix of anticipation, strategy, and laughter. It gives a break from work while encouraging interaction and teamwork, making it a standout choice for virtual team-building activities.

7. Charades on Zoom

Charades, a classic party game, has effortlessly found its place in the virtual workspace, turning virtual meetings into lively and engaging sessions. This virtual team-building game is capable of getting people animated and involved, even through their screens.

Playing Charades on Zoom presents a different way to test communication skills, as players must convey a word or phrase without speaking, relying solely on gestures.

Team members take turns performing while others guess, making it a dynamic virtual game that challenges and enhances non-verbal communication skills among participants.

This is one of those virtual team-building games that provides a fun and easy way to gather members for some light-hearted moments and shared laughter.

Charades stand out among fun games for their simplicity and the spontaneous joy they bring, making it a perfect fit for virtual team-building activities.

8. Office Scavenger Hunts

Office Scavenger Hunts have gained popularity as a virtual team-building game, offering an engaging and interactive way for remote workers to connect. This activity transforms the conventional workday into an adventurous quest.

Participants use team chat apps to embark on their scavenger hunt, where the organizer sends clues leading to various items around their home.

Everyone then sends pictures of these items to score points, and those with the most points at the end of the hunt are declared the winners. This encourages creativity and quick thinking, making each scavenger hunt a unique and exciting challenge.

Not only is a virtual scavenger hunt a fantastic break from the routine virtual meeting, but it also serves as an excellent opportunity for team members to engage in light-hearted chats and share a few laughs.

It is a perfect example of how virtual team-building games can foster camaraderie and a sense of community among remote workers.

9. Virtual Pictionary

Virtual Pictionary is another classic game that serves as a great alternative to charades, especially if the team is not comfortable with video chat. It retains the essence of guessing and drawing, making it a beloved choice among virtual team-building games.

Teams can use a virtual whiteboard, like Skribbl, to facilitate the game. One team member draws and has the team guess what the drawing represents, combining fun with a test of creativity and quick thinking.

This is an ideal activity for remote team building because it can be integrated into online meetings without the need for complex setups.

This game offers a great way to take a break, fostering light-hearted chats and laughter among team members.

10. Speed Typing Races

Typing is an everyday activity in the digital workplace, and turning it into a race can introduce a healthy dose of competition while also honing practical skills.

This makes it a valuable and enjoyable virtual team-building activity, blending the development of a crucial work skill with the excitement of a contest.

To ensure fairness in these competitions, participants should use the same typing test, which can be found online. This guarantees that the challenge is equally matched and that the results accurately reflect each person’s typing speed and accuracy.

Speed Typing Races are not only a great challenge that sparks competition among team members but also fosters team spirit as everyone competes and roots for each other.

It stands out among virtual games for its ability to offer a substantial competitive advantage in a fun and engaging way, making it a popular choice for companies that utilize online game sessions.

11. Heads Up

The Heads Up! app, created by Ellen DeGeneres, is a versatile game that can be played by any group size, making it a fantastic choice for online team-building games.

Its accessibility and ease of play through a video call enable remote teams to come together for some fun, regardless of their location.

In this game, players provide clues for a word displayed on the app, and one person tries to guess the correct answer based on these hints. This challenges teams to communicate effectively and think creatively under pressure.

Heads Up! is a great way to take a break from work, providing a fun way to lighten the mood and strengthen team bonds. It is an engaging activity that can be easily integrated into any team’s routine, making it a popular choice among online games.

12. Virtual Bingo

Virtual Bingo is a game that can easily be adapted for online play, making it a popular choice among virtual team-building games. Its simplicity and familiarity make it easy for everyone to join in the fun, regardless of location.

Teams can stick with the classic bingo format or get creative by tailoring the game’s content to reflect aspects of the team members themselves.

This modification adds a personal touch, transforming Bingo into not just a game of luck but also an opportunity for members to learn more about one another in a playful setting.

Virtual Bingo serves as an excellent activity for a team-building event, offering a relaxed environment where team members can compete, laugh, and bond.

It is a great way to break down barriers, encourage camaraderie, and ensure that playing games together positively contributes to team dynamics and morale.

13. Personality Tests

Personality tests are a great way to delve deeper into understanding one’s preferences, strengths, and areas for growth, making them insightful for team building. By exploring various personalities, everyone can form stronger bonds with their teammates.

There are many online personality tests available that teams can take together before sharing and comparing results. You can try out the following personality tests with your team.

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): This test categorizes individuals into 16 distinct personality types based on four dichotomies (Introversion/Extraversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, Judging/Perceiving). It is helpful in understanding a person’s preferred ways of thinking, working, and communicating.
• The Big Five Personality Test: This assessment evaluates individuals based on five major dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). It helps identify how a person’s personalities influence their work style and interactions.
• DiSC Profile: The DiSC model provides insights into four primary behavioral traits: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. It is particularly valuable for improving work productivity, teamwork, and communication by understanding the different personality styles within a team.
• StrengthsFinder (Now called CliftonStrengths): This assessment identifies individuals’ top five strengths from a list of 34 themes, such as Strategic, Achiever, or Relator. It encourages teams to operate in a way that plays to their strengths, thereby enhancing team efficiency and satisfaction.
• Enneagram: This model identifies nine personality types that are interconnected in various ways. It offers deep psychological insights into individuals’ core motivations, fears, and how they relate to others. The Enneagram can be a powerful tool for personal development and fostering empathy within teams.

This exercise encourages open discussions about individual differences and how these can complement each other in a team setting, fostering a more cohesive and understanding work environment.

It is important to note that while personality tests can be enlightening and fun, they should not be used to pigeonhole or define how we view people.

They are tools for engagement and self-reflection aimed at enhancing team dynamics and personal awareness rather than limiting the perception of individuals’ capabilities or potential.

14. Donut Pair Up Calls Through Slack

The Donut Pair Up calls through the Slack app are a fantastic way for team members to get acquainted with one another. This tool is designed to enhance virtual team-building activities, bridging the distance between remote employees.

It functions by randomly matching and introducing co-workers, allowing them to set the frequency of these matchups.

Once paired, it encourages participants to arrange virtual meetings or calls through Slack, effectively utilizing the platform’s features to facilitate real-time interactions in a virtual conference room setting.

This is particularly beneficial for getting to know colleagues from different departments and is invaluable when welcoming new hires.

By fostering these connections, the Donut Pair Up calls help to create a more unified and friendly work environment, even in a remote setting, ensuring that all members feel included and valued.

15. Virtual Yoga Sessions

When working remotely, people tend to remain seated for prolonged periods, leading to stiffness and discomfort.

Recognizing this, virtual yoga sessions have become a popular remedy, offering a structured break and promoting wellness among remote employees.

By organizing these sessions through a virtual meeting platform, teams can participate in guided yoga practices together.

This not only helps alleviate the physical strain from sitting all day but also strengthens the sense of community and connection among team members, making it an effective form of remote team building.

Virtual yoga sessions serve as a wonderful way to get the body moving and encourage a healthier work-life balance.

They allow remote employees to engage in a shared activity, fostering a supportive environment that transcends the limitations of remote work.

16. Virtual Book Club

For the book lovers of the team, organizing a virtual book club is a beautiful virtual team-building activity that combines the joy of reading with the opportunity to connect on a deeper level.

It is an engaging way to share passions and interests beyond work-related conversations.

Participants can select a book to read over a certain period and then hop on a virtual call to discuss their thoughts, insights, and takeaways from the book. You can also enjoy this with a virtual coffee break.

This setup encourages meaningful dialogue and allows team members to explore different perspectives while bonding over shared literary experiences.

A book club is a great way to connect through literature and provides a relaxing escape from the daily routine.

It is an excellent avenue for team members to unwind, learn, and grow together, fostering a culture of continuous learning and mutual respect.

Food and Drink Virtual Team Building Activities  

Besides the many virtual team-building games and activities you can do with your remote team, you can also get together for food and drinks despite the distance.

You can also incorporate this with the fun virtual games we have provided for a more holistic virtual team-building event.

1. Virtual Office Happy Hour

Virtual office happy hour adapts the cherished tradition of co-workers gathering on a Friday night, making it accessible for those who work far apart.

This acknowledges the reality that, although physical distances may separate team members, the desire for connection and camaraderie remains strong. It is an innovative way to maintain bonds and foster a sense of belonging among remote teams.

By sharing cocktails and mocktails over a video call, everyone can recreate a traditional happy hour’s relaxed and informal atmosphere, making it a standout choice for virtual team-building activities.

This virtual gathering offers a space for casual conversations, laughter, and shared experiences, contributing positively to team dynamics and morale. It is also a great alternative for going out and facing the traffic on Friday nights.

Considering time differences is crucial to ensure every team member can participate in the virtual happy hour.

Scheduling these gatherings at times convenient for everyone reinforces the value placed on inclusivity and team cohesion, making it an effective tool for team building among remote teams.

2. Virtual Wine Tasting

Virtual wine tasting offers a refined twist on the traditional happy hour, catering to those with an appreciation for fine wines.

This activity elevates virtual team-building activities by introducing an element of sophistication and shared discovery. It is an excellent way to blend leisure with learning, all from the comfort of one’s home.

Participants can order samples of different wines in advance and then gather on a call to taste them together, perhaps accompanied by a selection of snacks and cheeses to complement the flavors.

This setup not only fosters a sense of community but also enhances the wine-tasting experience through collective enjoyment and discussion.

This approach to a remote team-building activity presents a more sophisticated way to spend Friday nights, allowing individuals to refine their palates and bond over shared tastes.

It is a novel way to engage in remote team building, providing both an educational and enjoyable experience.

3. Virtual Cocktail Making Class

Transforming happy hour into a learning experience, a virtual cocktail-making class is an engaging way for remote teams to unwind and acquire new skills.

This activity elevates the concept of virtual team-building activities by combining fun with education, providing an interactive and memorable experience.

Teams can either hire a professional bartender to guide the class or opt to share home recipes of cocktails, encouraging each team member to become the mixologist of their own domain.

This approach allows for personal creativity and sharing of favorite recipes, making each session unique.

For inclusivity, offering mocktail alternatives ensures that every team member has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their drinking preferences.

This consideration helps to foster a supportive and accommodating virtual environment where all participants can enjoy the camaraderie and shared learning experience.

4. Virtual Beer Brewing Class

If beer is more to your group’s preference, opting for a virtual beer brewing class offers an excellent alternative.

This unique virtual team-building activity allows the remote team to explore the craft of beer brewing, adding a distinctive twist to conventional team gatherings.

Participants can order the necessary supplies online and may even book a guided class to walk them through the brewing process. This setup ensures everyone can follow along and engage in the activity, regardless of their prior brewing experience.

Some classes can also accommodate non-alcoholic alternatives, ensuring it is inclusive for all participants.

After brewing, the team can look forward to tasting their creations, making it a great learning experience and a rewarding one. This activity stands out among virtual team-building activities for its blend of education, creativity, and teamwork.

5. Virtual Chocolate Tasting

Satisfy the collective sweet tooth of your group with a virtual chocolate tasting, an indulgent and engaging way to connect with your remote team.

This delightful experience serves as a novel online team-building activity, bringing individuals together through the universal love of chocolate.

Everyone involved can order sets of chocolates to be delivered beforehand. Then, by hopping on a call, participants can savor the chocolates together, making it a shared moment of enjoyment despite physical distances.

This arrangement ensures everyone has the same tasting selections, enhancing the collective experience.

As you explore different taste profiles together, it also becomes a perfect opportunity to spend quality time and share stories with one another.

This not only enriches the tasting experience but also strengthens connections within the team, making it more than just an activity but a memorable bonding event.

6. Virtual Cooking Classes

Booking a virtual cooking class is an excellent way to share your love for food, and it is one of the best ways to connect with each other across distances.

This activity stands out among virtual team-building activities, offering a unique blend of culinary exploration and teamwork.

Participants can also share personal recipes, adding a touch of individuality to the experience. This allows everyone to discover new flavors and cooking techniques, contributing to a more decadent, diverse culinary adventure.

Engaging in virtual cooking classes offers an opportunity to learn something new and try food from different places around the world.

It is not just about cooking. It is about bringing people together through the universal language of food, making it a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved.

7. Virtual Cheese Tasting

Cheese, being a well-loved food by many, presents a delightful opportunity for a virtual team-building activity.

It can pair perfectly with a virtual wine-tasting session, offering a comprehensive sensory experience that caters to a variety of preferences.

Participants can explore a wide range of flavors and textures by ordering different samples and having everyone try them during a call. This setup encourages discussion and sharing of impressions, making it a collective culinary journey.

When considering virtual cheese tasting as an activity, it is important to consider dietary restrictions to ensure inclusivity.

Offering alternatives or accommodating different dietary needs can make everyone feel welcome and able to participate fully in this engaging experience.

8. Virtual Snack Tasting

Sharing snacks is a common and enjoyable practice in in-person setups and can seamlessly transition to a virtual environment.

This activity introduces an informal and relaxed atmosphere to virtual team-building activities, mirroring the casual exchanges that occur in physical office spaces.

Participants can order various snack samples to try together during a video call. This collective tasting not only allows everyone to explore new flavors but also encourages conversation and laughter, enhancing team bonding.

To further enrich the experience, pairing the snack tasting with other activities, like a popular board game that can be played online, offers an even better experience.

It adds an element of competition and fun, making the virtual snack tasting not just about food but also about engaging in playful challenges together.

9. Virtual Snack Boxes

Elevate your snack-sharing game by ordering diverse virtual snack boxes for your team.

This innovative approach not only diversifies the snacking options but also introduces a global palette right to your doorstep, allowing for a more expansive exploration of flavors.

Having access to different snacks from around the world opens up a unique opportunity to learn more about various cultures and food traditions.

It is an engaging way to spend time with your team, fostering culinary curiosity and more profound connections through shared experiences and discussion about the snacks.

Book A Virtual Team Building Activity Demo With Escapely

Are you interested in conducting virtual team-building games during your next online get-together?

Check out Escapely’s different team games!

We offer a wide variety of activities, from escape rooms to trivia games, just as we have included in this list. You can even pair these activities with happy hour or snack sharing for a more holistic bonding session with your team.

Book a virtual team-building activity demo now and see how it can change your team’s dynamic while providing fun even in a remote setting.