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Virtual Holiday Party Ideas for Work

Is your team looking for a way to gather and celebrate the end of the year together? This list of fun virtual holiday party ideas for work will help you choose the right activity to celebrate together as an office, whether you are in person or remote. The list is stuffed full of fun virtual holiday party ideas perfect for teams of all different shapes and sizes, including holiday themes from funny to quizzical to creative so that there is something for everyone. Check out our list of ideas to find the perfect activity for your team and see how you can end up with all of your co-workers on Santa’s “nice” list this year!

1. Secret Santa

This is one of the most classic holiday party games! To do it, all coworkers will get to take part in a surprise gift exchange. Each person participating is secretly assigned another colleague to get gifts and special treats for and at the end, you can hold a Zoom meeting to open gifts and reveal who each person’s gift-giver was. To make it even more fun, have each recipient try to guess their Secret Santa before it is revealed. Secret Santa is great because you don’t need to worry about the pressure of buying gifts for every single co-worker – just the one you are assigned. Instead of selecting the perfect gift for everyone on your team, you can focus on one person.

We recommend setting a budget for the group so everyone has a range to stay within. Otherwise, gift givers won’t know how big or small to go! To draw names, check out Elfster’s Secret Santa generator. Everyone can opt-in, and then Elfster randomly assigns Secret Santas. We recommend setting a deadline for the gifts to arrive a few days in advance of your meeting date. At the meeting, you will meet on Zoom to open presents together, show off your gifts, and enjoy the holiday cheer with your team! Pro-Tip: Have everyone submit their addresses in Elfster or on a Google sheet so that nobody has to ask where to ship. The goal is to keep it anonymous until the reveal!

 2. White Elephant

Are you looking to gamify your gift exchange? A white elephant gift exchange is fun for those who want to spice things up by swapping (or stealing!) gifts! It combines the holiday spirit of gift-giving with an activity allowing coworkers to pick and choose their gifts – sometimes by stealing them from another colleague. Be warned that this game can get intense (in a fun-spirited way), and many co-workers will go after the same gifts. But it’s a great way to turn an ordinary gift exchange into a game.

You can choose to follow the standard white elephant rules or put your own fun twist on it. This game is typically played at the office or in person together, but with a few modifications, there is a convenient virtual version that makes a great virtual holiday office party! To start, everyone will need a number so that you know the order in which coworkers will open and choose their gifts. It’s easiest to have everyone draw their order ahead of time using a number generator. At the virtual white elephant, everyone will show their wrapped gift on camera. Instead of choosing someone else’s gift to open, players will choose their gift and the gift-giver will open it on camera. The chooser can either stick with that gift or “steal” from someone else. Use the renaming feature on Zoom to track who has which gift. For example, if I choose to have my coworker Nikhil open his gift, I would rename his Zoom screen to my name. Then, if Maggie steals that gift from me later on, Nikhil would rename his Zoom screen to Maggie. At the end of the game, everyone can send their gift to the appropriate person. It’s a classic game that can easily be modified to fit into the virtual world!

3. Holiday Themed Virtual Trivia

Do you think that you know more facts about eggnog or Santa’s reindeer than everyone else on your team? What better way to put it to the test than with holiday-themed virtual trivia? Coworkers are probably used to some friendly competition with their relatives over the holiday season, so it will definitely get them into the spirit to engage in some friendly competition with each other. You can find a lot of different trivia options available, from answering a set number of questions at your own pace to answering as many questions as you can in an allotted time. At Escapely, we tested a variety of methods and consistently got the best feedback on our rapid-fire rounds. So much so that now it is the only virtual trivia we offer! We recommend a wide range of questions so that everyone can participate. For example, you can include categories like holiday food, Hanukkah traditions,  Christmas songs, worldwide celebrations, or really anything else (most trivia companies can make custom categories – we do it all the time). Virtual holiday trivia is a perfect way to incorporate a fun activity into your virtual work holiday party.

 

 4. Virtual Cookie Exchange

The holiday season is wonderful, and holiday food and treats are some of the best (and yummiest) parts! Of course, some of the most delicious treats circulating around December are the various cookies people make. Before 2020, many companies held cookie exchanges to share holiday goodies with their coworkers – but these days many coworkers never go into the office! With many companies transitioning to fully remote, a virtual cookie exchange is an easy way to continue to enjoy cookies with your colleagues from the comfort of your home. To pull this off virtually, coworkers will need to send the cookies in advance. Each colleague should bake a batch of their favorite holiday cookie and send a few to each coworker. Then, all you have to do is set up a date and send out a Zoom link for everyone to hop on and enjoy delicious cookies together! Just make sure you leave some cookies out for Santa as well!

5. Gingerbread House Decorating Kit

If you want something more elaborate than a virtual cookie exchange, a gingerbread house decorating party is another yummy virtual Christmas party idea. It allows coworkers to get creative while building something delicious and bonding with their work friends. You can even have everything shipped directly to all attendees’ front doors, so you don’t have to worry about gathering the supplies yourself and shipping them or sending attendees out to shop. If that sounds appealing, check out this gingerbread house decorating event, which allows you to build a gingerbread house while listening to festive tunes. You will even get to make a warm apple cider drink to accompany your decorations! If a DIY event is more your speed, you can easily just send attendees a shopping list and ask everyone to bring their own supplies. With this approach, it is fun to let attendees choose the icings and candies they would like to use to decorate. In the end, everyone can show off their new candy creations! And of course, we at Escapely believe a little friendly competition makes all team building events more fun, so if you want to add a little competition, you can always have a contest for the best-decorated house! A gingerbread house decorating event is a sweet way to plan a yummy activity for your team and should definitely be on your list of virtual company holiday party ideas!

6. Virtual Murder Mystery

A virtual murder mystery as a virtual office Christmas party idea, you ask?! Absolutely yes, we answer. While a virtual murder mystery might be more commonly associated with a Halloween party, you would be surprised how popular these are as holiday parties. At Escapely, we see a surge of bookings for our virtual murder mystery around the holiday season. Part of it is no doubt because we offer a holiday-themed version, which gives participants a holiday tie-in with all of the fun of cracking a crime. But there are even plenty of groups who want to host a holiday party but steer clear of any holiday themes. For groups like this, a virtual murder mystery is the perfect answer!

Most teams are full of people who embrace the true crime genre and are ready to jump at a chance to play detective. There are a variety of styles of virtual murder mystery on the market, from “dinner theater” experiences to escape room-style murder mysteries that are heavy on evidence and puzzle-solving. At Escapely, we believe our customers should not have to do any prep work, so we don’t have them play characters. Instead, the suspects are all played by live actors that participants get to interrogate! It’s a great way for people to throw on their detective thinking caps and solve a “whodunnit” type of case. Whether you choose a traditional murder mystery or one with a holiday twist, this virtual holiday party idea will not disappoint. You might be surprised how seriously your team takes it!

7. End of the Year Virtual Bingo

Holiday bingo is perfect for groups because it has the flexibility to scale to any size! While virtual bingo does utilize behind-the-scenes staff, only one caller is needed whether you have a group of a few people or a few hundred. Additionally, this is an easy event to execute internally if you do not want to hire a company to run it. To play, everyone can gather on Zoom or their virtual platform of choice. Everyone gets their own bingo card (at Escapely we use Bingo Baker, but there are many options) and then an emcee calls out the numbers. To make it more fun during the holidays, we use holiday-themed words on our bingo cards, but even if you don’t have the bandwidth to create special bingo cards, you can play holiday music throughout the event. The icing on the cake is that pretty much everyone already knows how bingo works, so you will not need to waste much time explaining the rules and can get right into the fun!

 8. Virtual Decorating

If you have a creative team, consider bringing everyone together for a virtual decorating party! It is high up there on the list of great virtual work Christmas party ideas and there are a number of different ways to decorate virtually with your team. One option is to send your coworkers kits so that they can make their own seasonal holiday decor, such as a wreath or a mug. All materials they need will be included in their kit, so no one will need to go out and purchase anything, which will be much appreciated during the busy holiday season. The first part of the meeting will be dedicated to crafting and bonding with your team. At the end, you can showcase your final designs to each other. To really immerse the group in the holiday spirit, you can encourage participants to attend with fun Zoom backgrounds that go with the decorating theme. If your team loves competition, you can combine this with a virtual cookie or gingerbread house decorating contest (see the prior suggestion). You can even offer a prize! The holidays are the perfect time of year to bring your team together, and what better way than by decorating for the season?

9. Virtual Hot Chocolate Tastings

There is nothing quite as nostalgic as sipping hot chocolate while waiting for the snow to fall during the holidays. A great way to bring those fond memories back (and create new ones!) is to host a hot chocolate tasting with your coworkers. There are companies ready to host these events for you, such as this virtual chocolate tasting with an expert chocolate sommelier. There is even this hot chocolate bomb making class to mold your own chocolate bombs – all you need to do is drop them into hot milk! If you prefer to self-host this event, you can also just find time over Zoom and send everyone a hot chocolate gift set to celebrate the holiday season. After all, you likely spend more time with your coworkers than with anyone else. If you are with those over the age of 21, then you can always send your team a little cordial to add to the hot chocolate, and if budget allows, we suggest pairing this virtual hot chocolate tasting with trivia or an escape game to liven up the party. This sweet delight will always be the perfect way to end the year together!

10. Virtual Escape Game

A virtual escape game is one of the most popular team building events because it combines fun, competition, and teamwork. On top of that, it’s a challenge, so it makes everyone feel like they really accomplished something together. We have found that the holiday parties with the highest attendance rates always involve competition. People apparently jump at the chance to beat their coworkers and see how they stack up! And while any virtual escape game will be fun for a holiday party, there are some virtual escape rooms with holiday-themed games. At Escapely, we wanted to be sure that our holiday-themed game would be appropriate for everyone, so we developed Escape the Ice Palace, themed for the holidays in general rather than any particular holiday. However, if you are looking for a game to celebrate a specific winter holiday, those exist as well. No matter what you choose, your coworkers will thank you.

11. Naughty List – Never Have I Ever

Icebreakers are a great way to bond and nothing bonds people together quite like shared experiences…or in this case, shared non-experiences. To play the game of Never Have I Ever, each player takes a turn revealing something they have never done before. Maybe you’ve never traveled to a different country, or you’ve never sang karaoke, or maybe you’ve never eaten a whole gallon of ice cream (who are we kidding – we’ve all done that one!). But regardless, the way to play is that after each person states their “never,” If anyone else in the game has done it, they must join the naughty list and take a sip of hot chocolate…or, If your group is so inclined, you can also replace the hot chocolate with a Hot Toddy or Baileys and coffee! Most people on your team should have no problem coming up with things they have never done – after all, the possibilities are endless – but we suggest sending out a list like this of Never Have I Ever questions for coworkers who don’t know where to start. You will be certain to learn a lot about your team and are certain to get some laughs along the way. You might even learn more than you wanted to about your coworkers, like who cuts their own hair!

12. Holiday Family Traditions

The holidays are known as a time when family and friends come together. For a lot of families, the holidays are deeply rooted in traditions that differ from family to family. For your virtual holiday party this year, consider bringing everyone together to share their favorite holiday traditions and memories! It is always fun learning about your coworkers outside of the workplace and getting an insight into how they celebrate the holidays. Some of your coworkers may celebrate in similar ways – which is a great opportunity to bond! Some may give back to their community or have a family gift exchange or a holiday bake-off. Depending on the diversity of the group, you might even get to learn about cultural traditions you never knew about before. If you want to add another element to this party, you can ask everyone on the team to send a little bit of their family tradition (recipe, craft, or ornament) to everyone else on the team. Bringing everyone together to share their experiences in this way will certainly allow you and your colleagues to connect more personally.

13. Make Wreaths Together

Another fun and festive activity for your virtual work Christmas party is to have everyone make wreaths together. For groups who want to avoid having any food/beverage as part of their work holiday party, this is a great way to do something creative and holiday-themed without adding to the excessive eating that tends to go along with the season. Get together with your team to make a festive item that can be used time and time again throughout the holiday season. It’s easy to do yourself if you just have everyone can bring their own supplies and trade tips and tricks over Zoom. Or, if you prefer a host, there are many companies that help you build wreaths together in a class! In this guided wreath-building session, an instructor will ship everything you need right to your front door and then guide you through the activity. All your team has to do is warm up their apple cider and enjoy creating a wreath together, led by a professional. The best part is that coworkers will have a reminder of their fun work holiday activity hanging on their doors all throughout the holiday season. And for those who prefer not to hang a wreath at home, it makes a great gift!

14. Holiday Costumes and Dressing Up

One way to add an extra fun layer to any virtual work holiday party idea is dressing up! The most popular of all is of course the ugly sweater contest, in which everyone wears the most ugly and tacky holiday sweater they can find (see the dedicated item below).  But there is a lot more your group can do to add a costume element to your virtual holiday party. One suggestion is to have a costume contest in which everyone comes as their favorite holiday movie or character. One by one, you can take turns guessing which movie or character everyone chose. Your friend from accounting may dress up as Frosty the Snowman, while the HR director may come as Buddy the Elf. Another suggestion is to pick a holiday movie and have everyone dress as a character from it. Then, you can watch the movie together at the end of the party. If you have a particular “game for anything” team, everyone can put their costume suggestions into a random online generator. People will each get assigned a costume and will need to wear whatever they get!

 15. Ugly Sweater Party

If you are looking to go a more traditional route with your holiday party this year, is there anything better than a good old-fashioned ugly sweater party? The answer is no – they are timeless, hilarious, and your employees will love it!  Invite everyone to come together on Zoom or in the office and tell them to wear their best ugly sweater!  It’s fun to put some prizes on the line, too. Consider awards for things like:

• Ugliest Sweater
• Funniest Sweater
• Most Festive

On Zoom, you can place people in small groups to mingle and do some fun icebreaker activities so that everyone can interact and see the sweaters! We recommend switching up the groups every few minutes so that everyone can meet different coworkers, and of course, get a good look at the competition. In the end, ask each attendee to send in their votes and then bring everyone back together to showcase the winners! And don’t forget to play some music at the closing ceremonies.

16. Holiday Cocktail Parties

Most coworkers will all agree that the best element at work holiday parties are the cocktails. Virtual holiday cocktail parties make great events in and of themselves. There are many hosted classes in which a virtual instructor or mixologist can teach everyone how to make their virtual holiday party drink. Of course, almost all of these will send attendees everything they will need in advance. Some instructors even play holiday music or ask virtual holiday trivia questions while you are getting ready. If you have the budget for it but are low on time, these events require very little on behalf of the organizer as the company will handle shipping the kits for you. For the 21+ crowd that isn’t looking to make cocktails the focus of their event but just wants to add a fun beverage to their holiday party, you can make cocktails an addition to any virtual event. Just have everyone pour a cup of eggnog, cider, or any other beverage of their choice, get on Zoom, and enjoy some time together. If anyone has a special cocktail recipe they would like to share, it would certainly be appreciated as well. A virtual cocktail party is certain to make your virtual company holiday party memorable and fun.

17. Virtual Card Exchange

Have you ever sent a loved one gifts or cards through the mail that tragically got lost? Well, now, through virtual card exchanges, you can rest assured that your card will be delivered directly to the recipient electronically with no chance of getting lost in the mail. Get your coworkers together to send virtual cards to everyone on their list. The great thing about this virtual holiday party idea for coworkers is that it helps knock an item off of their to-do list. We recommend getting everyone on a site similar to Canva to create messages and design cards, and then you can show each other your creations. A fun twist on this activity is to add an office card exchange so that each employee must send one virtual card to someone else at the office during the event.

 18. Virtual Holiday Scavenger Hunt

There are so many exciting ways for friends, family, and even coworkers to connect this holiday season. Playing fun games together, like a virtual scavenger hunt, spreads the holiday cheer whether you’re 10 or 1,000 miles away from each other! At a time when most coworkers will be getting inundated with treats and sweets to eat, this activity gets the crowd out of their seats and moving around. Everyone will start on Zoom while one person (the host) reads off a previously compiled list of holiday items for all to collect. The list can include anything from something red and green to a menorah – and everything in between! You can execute this event one of two ways: Either give everyone the list at the beginning and a set amount of time to collect the items, or you can read them one by one and let people dash around the house as quickly as they can and return to their desk to hear the next item. You would be surprised how competitive this event gets! If your team chooses to include a prize for the most items found, this will certainly drive up the competition. There’s no better way to get those sleigh bells jingling than jumping in on all this holiday fun!

19. Virtual Cooking Classes

Want to cook up some fun, delicious recipes this winter season? Whether it’s for friends, family, or coworkers, food is always a hit at any holiday party. And if you and your coworkers learn how to make it yourselves, you can impress everyone at the other holiday parties you are invited to! This virtual holiday party idea is tasty and useful. You can select a holiday dish and learn how to cook it together, all individually from the comfort of your own kitchen. A simple Google search will reveal a wealth of options, both holiday-themed and not, and almost all companies will send you the ingredients so all you have to do is cook. Some will even send them chopped, peeled, and prepped! Some of the options you will find are chocolate candies, a cinnamon roll workshop, homemade pasta and pizza class, a chocolate bark making class, a truffle making party, donut baking class, mochi pancakes, holiday tiramisu, and so much more! Food is the key to the heart, so what are you waiting for?

 20. Virtual Painting Party

For those groups that like to have something that they leave with at the end of their virtual Christmas party, then a virtual painting party may be the thing! These activities have become increasingly popular, so chances are you and some others on your team have even done one before – but perhaps not with a holiday theme! Everyone has a chance to gather over Zoom, where you will be guided by an artist throughout the entire session. Since this is a private party, your team can feel free to add wine, snacks, or dinner to the celebration and your team can choose to have a festive painting or one unrelated to the holidays. You can check out Paint The Town’s website to get an idea of what to expect. To get into the holiday spirit, you can even have music playing in the background, and they can ship out fun holiday accessories to your entire team! Even better, all materials will arrive straight to everyone’s door, so no prep work is required from anyone. A virtual painting party is a relaxing and fun way for your colleagues to have a virtual company holiday party for your entire team. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the painting session, Picasso!

21. Holiday Show And Tell

Do you remember how fun it was in Kindergarten to bring an item to show your class for show and tell? Now you can do the same thing at a virtual work holiday party. Have everyone on your team choose an item meaningful to them and bring it to the Zoom meeting. One by one, give everyone a chance to show the item they chose, explain a little bit about it, and tell everyone why it is valuable to them. It’s a fun, low-pressure environment in which everyone gets a chance to show off what is important to them and learn more about their coworkers. We recommend telling attendees the items they choose can be holiday-related or simply anything meaningful that they would like to share – you certainly wouldn’t want anyone to feel left out if they do not celebrate winter holidays. However, if you want to add a holiday twist, check out this free printable card on Pinterest. This fun card has some prompts to share holiday information with your team which you can do after some of the sharing.

22. Tiny Tree Decorating

A really cute (and fun) virtual Christmas party idea is to decorate a tiny tree, and it works perfectly over video conference! (Of course, you do this in the office together too.) You can conveniently order a bundle of tiny trees and ship them out to everyone in advance. It’s up to you whether you would like to include ornaments and tinsel or let everyone choose and bring their own supplies. The former is less work for attendees (though more work for the organizer), but the latter will result in a wider variety of creative trees. At the virtual work Christmas party, spend some time chatting and decorating before showcasing your creations. If you want to get really festive, you can play holiday music or even pair it with some holiday cocktails (see above)!

23. Holiday Gift Wrapping Contest

If you have never heard of a holiday gift-wrapping contest, this virtual holiday party idea is sure to stir up some competition! You may not think of gift wrapping as a standard idea for virtual holiday parties, but just hear me out – it is incredibly fun! While there are a few different variations you can take on this competition, the most popular way to organize this is by shipping everyone the same shaped items that they have to wrap in an allotted amount of time. We recommend oddly shaped items and a time of only a few minutes. To determine a winner, everyone can either vote on the best wrapped gift, or you can have designated judges from your team that act as officials and rate the best-wrapped present.

24. Make Origami Ornaments

For crafty people in your group who would like to add a little creativity to your party, try making origami ornaments! There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to make this a competition: Send the folding instructions for several items to everyone without the accompanying photos so that no one knows what it is supposed to look like. Then, gather over Zoom to compare the creations and see who nailed it…and who did not! This variation is a virtual work Christmas party idea that is easy to prepare. For something a little bit more guided, you can check out instructional videos such as this instructional Youtube video. It takes your group step-by-step through all of the folds needed to make their ornament. Depending on the tone of your group, they may find the guided version to be a more fun virtual holiday party. But the best thing is that both of these options are free, so it’s a perfect way for groups on a budget to also engage in a fun craft, of course, while chatting with each other and reflecting over the past year. Even better, at the end of the session, everyone has an ornament that they can hang on their tree, not to mention the lasting memories of a fun time.

25. Gratitude Event

The holidays are a time to be thankful for a lot in life, and if you have coworkers like ours at Escapely, you will probably feel especially thankful for your work team! As the end of the year closes, it can be a stressful time for companies, and having a virtual holiday party may not be at the top of your priority list. However, it’s still always nice to let your employees know that you are grateful for them and their work. One popular gratitude event is buying everyone on your team lunch or dinner and gathering over Zoom to enjoy it together. This idea for virtual holiday parties is a yummy way to connect with everyone while showing your appreciation for the team. An alternative gratitude event is to have your team share what and/or who they are thankful for. Encourage employees to go a little deeper and explain why or tell a short story that illustrates why they feel so lucky. This exercise helps the whole team show their gratitude for one another, rather than having one person just thank everyone as a group. If your team is small or extra close, you can get a bit more personal and really dig into what the team has helped each other through in the last year. If you also want to include this in an end-of-year reflection, you can check out these questions to help guide your conversation. A gratitude event is a fantastic way to boost team morale and finish the year off strong!

BONUS: Recipe Exchange

Food is a huge part of the holiday season and really brings people together! If you are still tossing around fun ideas for a virtual holiday party this year, consider doing a recipe exchange. Rather than just submitting recipes, have all of your employees submit their favorite holiday recipe along with who they are and why they chose it. The added “flavor” will not only help them learn more about their coworkers, their family traditions, and which holiday(s) they celebrate, but they will remember a vignette about their coworker each time they make the recipe. This virtual holiday party idea can be done virtually or in person. If you meet virtually, consider combining all the recipes into a document and sharing it with your company! If you are meeting in person, you can even make it a potluck! Have everyone make and bring their favorite dish so that attendees can sample the recipes. You can even make this a bonding activity throughout the year by encouraging all employees to share pictures and stories each time they make the recipe.

Need Help Planning a Virtual Holiday Party?

It’s a lot of work to plan a virtual holiday party, especially at a time of year when most people are already stretched thin – both with year-end work and family commitments! We highly recommend hiring a company that will take all of the planning and event execution off of your plate. This is especially nice because it allows the event organizer to attend and enjoy alongside everyone else. At Escapely, for example, we have virtual holiday parties for all budgets and group sizes and our event planners will take all of the heavy lifting off of your plate. Whichever company you choose, just be sure to check the number of events they have hosted and briefly review their past clients – it will give you a great indicator of the quality to expect so that you know you are in good hands!

Virtual escape rooms exploded in popularity during the pandemic, as people sought out engaging ways to connect and entertain themselves while maintaining strict social distancing measures.

The ever-increasing transition to remote activities has not only made it easier for friend groups and colleagues to spend quality time together but has also highlighted the benefits of virtual engagement.

These digital alternatives to physical escape rooms are still thriving today. They offer a unique blend of problem-solving and teamwork opportunities from the comfort of participants’ homes.

This article aims to provide creative and exciting ideas for setting up your own DIY virtual escape room, combining the thrill of solving puzzles with the convenience of an online adventure.

If you have often wondered, “Are there any fun virtual escape room ideas we can do in a remote setting?” The answer is a resounding yes.

Read on to discover numerous ways to transform your virtual gatherings into memorable escapades, complete with challenges that test your problem-solving skills and allow you to dive into the best virtual escape room ideas you can find. You may also book a demo with us to discover how your team or friends can experience virtual escape rooms from the comfort of your home. 

Technology and Platforms

Technology has revolutionized the way we approach entertainment, making the virtual escape room concept a reality.

Advanced software and digital tools help replicate the immersive experience of a physical escape game in the virtual space. This transformation allows puzzle designers to create intricate scenarios and challenges that players can navigate from their own devices.

Leveraging technology found in everyday life, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets, individuals can now design and participate in online escape rooms. These are the common gadgets you can use to bring your online escape room to life.

• Smartphones and Tablets: These serve as the primary interface for interacting with the escape room, allowing users to receive clues, navigate puzzles, and communicate with team members. Since everyone is bound to have a smartphone or tablet, especially in the work setting, they allow players to seamlessly immerse into the world of the game.
• Computers: They help provide a more immersive experience with larger screens, which is beneficial for seeing detailed puzzles and managing multiple information sources.
• Video Conferencing Platforms (e.g., Zoom Meeting): These help facilitate real-time communication and collaboration among team members, replicating the group dynamics of a physical escape room. They also help the participants work on their communication skills in real time, fulfilling one of the many goals of an online escape room event.
• Google Forms: They can be used to submit puzzle answers and receive feedback, enabling seamless integration of challenges and solutions within the virtual escape room. It is easy to navigate through a Google Form, making it an accessible way to conduct online escape rooms.
• Live Video Feed: This dynamic element of the game allows participants to explore real-world environments virtually or interact with a game master in real time.

The accessibility of these technologies has opened up new avenues for team building and social interaction, especially for remote teams and individuals who are geographically separated.

Online escape rooms and video conferencing platforms are thus ideal for team-building affairs, as they allow teams to decide on strategies and solve puzzles together despite the physical distance between them.

This level of accessibility ensures that the fun and engagement of an escape game are never more than a few clicks away, bringing people closer at a time when remote work and social distancing have become more common.

Outdoor Virtual Escape Rooms

Exploring the great outdoors has taken a thrilling turn with the introduction of outdoor virtual escape rooms. These innovative experiences use GPS-based platforms to transform familiar cityscapes and parks into immersive adventure grounds.

Participants can enjoy the fresh air and explore their surroundings while engaging in a digital escape room experience, seamlessly blending the physical and virtual worlds. Outdoor virtual escape rooms turn local landmarks into stages for adventure.

For example, players in Central Park, New York, might embark on a quest to solve ancient riddles hidden among the park’s statues and landmarks.

Meanwhile, in Downtown Las Vegas, participants could find themselves racing against the clock to prevent a fictional heist from taking place amidst the glittering lights of the city.

These scenarios show how outdoor settings provide the perfect backdrop for a real escape room experience, allowing players to combine physical activity with the thrill of solving puzzles and completing challenges.

The adaptability of outdoor virtual escape rooms to different locations makes them extremely popular, particularly due to their versatility and appeal. 

With a time limit to complete the tasks, an entire group can come together to build teamwork, solve mysteries, and complete challenges under the guidance of a skilled and attentive event host.

Fear-Based Themes

Fear-based theme activities are extremely popular. They capture audiences with the thrill of the unknown and the exhilaration of overcoming one’s fears. Virtual escape rooms, such as haunted houses or zombie apocalypses, have adeptly incorporated these themes.

The allure of these scenarios lies in their ability to deliver an adrenaline rush and an immersive narrative that keeps participants on the edge of their seats.

The psychological impact of fear in escape rooms is evident, enhancing engagement and group cohesion. Fear heightens senses, forcing teams to communicate effectively and work together to overcome challenges before it is too late.

This intensified experience makes the escape room scenario even more memorable and strengthens problem-solving skills and team dynamics, making it a powerful tool for virtual team building.

Bringing these fear-based themes into the digital space requires leveraging the available technology, creating an immersive virtual escape room experience that can be thrilling and accessible anywhere at any time.

• Video Conferencing Software (e.g., Zoom): This enables live interactions with actors or guides, adding a personal and terrifying touch to the narrative.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Technology: This offers an immersive environment that can simulate eerie settings, enhancing the feeling of being in a different, fear-inducing world.
• Sound and Visual Effects: These can be integrated into the digital escape rooms to create a more realistic and frightening atmosphere, heightening the sense of urgency and fear.
• Interactive Websites and Apps: These provide puzzles and clues within a fear-based narrative, allowing for a seamless integration of story and gameplay.

These deliver a virtual escape room experience that mimics the fear and excitement of a physical escape game, making it great for those seeking remote adventures with a classic theme like The Lost Tomb, Cabin Fever, or other fear-based narratives.

Indoor Virtual Escape Rooms

Virtual escape rooms offer the flexibility needed to transform any home or office space into an interactive puzzle-solving arena. These virtual escape room games can be customized to fit various environments so participants can enjoy their experience in its entirety.

This adaptability makes virtual escape rooms a versatile option for entertainment and team building, allowing for creativity in how challenges are presented and solved.

Creating the right environment is crucial for players to immerse and enjoy indoor virtual escape rooms. Participants can set space to match the theme of the escape room game, whether it be a dimly lit room or a clutter-free desk area for puzzle-solving.

The ambiance plays a significant role in mimicking the feel of a real room, making the virtual escape games that much more engaging and realistic.

Accessibility and the convenience of participating from the comfort of a home can even increase engagement levels among participants significantly.

This ease of access, combined with the ability to connect via video call or a Zoom escape room, breaks down geographical barriers, making it easier for remote teams to come together.

The use of common digital tools for submitting puzzle solutions or team decisions further enhances the collaborative aspect of these games, promoting communication skills and collective problem-solving.

Picture Overlays and Environment Design

Visuals are critical to immersing participants in an online escape room and enhancing the overall experience. Even the simplest diagrams or illustrations can help transport your participants into a whole new world.

Thus, high-quality visuals and thoughtful environment design play crucial roles in transforming a virtual escape room event from simple puzzle-solving activities into captivating remote adventures.

These elements are vital in bridging the gap between digital and real life, making virtual experiences feel more tangible and engaging.

Through picture overlays, visual storytelling becomes part of the escape room experience. These can add depth to the storyline, conceal hidden clues, and enrich the narrative, allowing participants to dive deeper into the world of digital escape rooms.

Picture overlays greatly benefit family-friendly scenarios in virtual escape rooms, in particular, by making the adventures more appealing and accessible to participants of all ages.

These overlays can transform a remote adventure into a visually rich experience, highlighting clues and pathways in a fun and engaging manner.

This can include a treasure hunt through a magical forest or solving mysteries in a whimsically illustrated castle, where the picture overlays serve as clues while helping with the storytelling, enhancing the enjoyment for the entire family.

Interaction with Everyday Items

Incorporating something familiar into your online escape room can enhance the relatability of the experience. Familiar objects found in everyday life can become key elements of the escape room challenge, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.

This approach not only adds a layer of realism to the game but also encourages players to view their surroundings with fresh eyes and helps them realize that adventure can be found in the most common places.

Utilizing everyday objects around the house presents an innovative challenge in virtual escape rooms set in players’ homes. Players are encouraged to interact with items they find every day—books, utensils, furniture—to solve puzzles and complete challenges.

This interaction bridges the gap between the virtual version of the game and the players’ physical reality, making the remote adventures that much more immersive and personal.

Introducing features like an object finder can further engage players by integrating common household items into the game. This prompts players to search for specific items in their house that help solve puzzles or unlock the next part of the story.

These interactive elements make the game more engaging and add a unique twist to the escape room challenge as players race against the clock to find objects hidden in plain sight.

QR Code Integration

Smartphones have revolutionized various aspects of daily life, including how we play games. In the context of online escape rooms, QR codes have emerged as a powerful tool, seamlessly bridging the digital and physical worlds.

Leveraging QR codes within virtual escape rooms offers a novel way to distribute clues and trigger events within the game.

By simply scanning a QR code with their device, players can unlock new dimensions of gameplay, making the experience more dynamic and engaging.

This allows for seamless integration of puzzles and tasks. Scanning a QR code can reveal clues, open virtual locks, or even direct players to online resources necessary to solve clues. This encourages players to interact with their surroundings.

Interactive elements powered by QR codes can thus significantly enhance the player’s engagement within the escape room game.

They transform static puzzles into dynamic challenges that require physical interaction, such as moving to a specific location to scan a code or combining digital information with physical objects.

This integration of QR codes enriches the virtual game experience, making puzzles more immersive and allowing for a more complex and layered approach to solving clues.

Theme Ideas

Having a specific theme for an online escape room can significantly enhance participants’ immersion and enjoyment, particularly if it is based on a world or story they are already familiar with.

A familiar setting can instantly engage players, drawing them into the narrative and challenges of the game. This immediate connection encourages deeper involvement and investment in the escape room’s outcome.

Famous story adaptations, such as a Harry Potter-inspired Hogwarts digital escape room or an adventure set in the Back to the Future universe, have a unique appeal.

These themes capitalize on the existing fan base and familiarity with the story’s universe, characters, and potential puzzles.

With the guidance of a host and game guide, participants can live out scenarios that they have only previously imagined, making team decisions that affect the outcome of their very own remote adventures.

Platforms that offer scavenger hunt capabilities provide tremendous flexibility for creating diverse themes in virtual escape rooms.

The adaptability of these platforms ensures that every team can decide on an adventure that resonates with them, making each remote adventure a unique and personalized experience.

Theme Suggestions

With so many different themes available, it is easy for teams to decide on one that matches their interests or objectives. Whether for team building, education, or entertainment, the theme can set the tone for the virtual escape room experience.

The best virtual escape rooms captivate the participants’ imaginations and challenge their skills in an engaging and fun context. Here are a few scenarios you can try.

• Murder Mystery Escape Room: The timeless popularity of murder mystery themes in escape rooms continues to captivate participants. Scenarios such as “The Midnight Express” provide a thrilling backdrop where players unravel clues to solve a crime. This would be a tremendous virtual escape room for fans of true crime and mystery.
• Heist-Themed Escapes: Heist-themed virtual escape rooms, like “Prison Break” or Breaking into a “Prestigious Art Museum,” offer roles for robbers and detectives, creating an exciting dynamic of strategy and suspense. You can have your team decide how the group will be divided or challenge them to work with other players by drawing lots. This online escape room theme is excellent for larger teams, such as those in corporate settings with multiple teams and departments.
• Sci-Fi Adventures: Sci-fi themes inspired by mysterious space occurrences allow participants to embark on adventures beyond our world. This type of virtual escape room lends itself well to the use of technology and imagination, with puzzles that involve using digital technology to hide clues and provide your exit right at home in this particular setting.
• Historical Figures: Creating escape rooms around historical figures or events can be fun and educational, offering insights into different eras. You can accomplish puzzles related to places of education, like the Regency Park Library archives, or uncover a forbidden treasure related to an ancient civilization or an important person in history.
• Indiana Jones Adventure: Utilizing iconic characters like Indiana Jones in escape room scenarios adds an element of adventure and discovery, perfect for explorations or uncovering ancient mysteries. This will help transport the participants into a world of adventure and nostalgia from the safety and comfort of their homes.
• Fairy Tale Escapes: Classic fairy tales provide a rich source of inspiration for virtual escape rooms, transforming familiar stories into interactive challenges or quests through an “Enchanted Forest” or solving “Grimm Escape” puzzles. They allow you to make the most memorable fairy tales and folklore come true.

There are many more themes to explore, and there are even free digital escape rooms online that can inspire the creation of your own unique experience.

The possibilities are endless, from cruise ship adventures to intricate murder mysteries. Leveraging these ideas can help players break free from the ordinary and dive into the extraordinary world of virtual games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You may have more questions on how you can make the best virtual escape rooms for the people around you.

We have gathered the most common ones to help you with your research.

How Do I Create a Virtual Escape Room?

Creating your own virtual escape room is straightforward and accessible using tools like Google Forms or Canva.

These platforms offer a user-friendly interface for anyone looking to design an online escape room. They allow for the incorporation of puzzles, clues, and storytelling elements without the need for advanced technical skills.

Once you have set up the story and designed the puzzles, sharing your virtual escape room with players is as simple as sending a link.

Participants can access the escape room on their smartphones or tablets, making it easy to engage in virtual games from anywhere.

Whether your theme revolves around a “Prison Break” scenario or a “Summer Vacation” adventure, these tools ensure that your escape room is captivating and fun.

Can Virtual Escape Rooms Be Used for Team Building?

Yes, virtual escape rooms are excellent for remote team-building activities. These provide an engaging environment where team members can come together to complete puzzles and navigate challenges, regardless of their physical locations.

Escape room companies have crafted these experiences to mimic the collaborative and immersive nature of physical escape rooms, making them a perfect fit for teams looking to connect and grow together.

They require collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills, making them a fun and effective way to strengthen team bonds, even when team members are geographically dispersed.

Engaging in a virtual escape room encourages critical thinking and teamwork, as participants must work together to decipher clues and complete the puzzle break.

This not only enhances team dynamics but also fosters a sense of achievement and camaraderie among participants.

What are Some Virtual Escape Room Tips I Can Follow?

To maximize your chances of success in a virtual escape room, you must prioritize effective team communication, delegate tasks based on individual strengths, and encourage collaboration.

Establishing clear communication channels and strategies from the outset can help ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards the same objective.

Recognizing and leveraging each team member’s unique skills and perspectives can also significantly enhance the group’s problem-solving capabilities.

Pay close attention to details, communicate openly about findings, and manage time efficiently. In the context of an online escape room, noticing subtle clues and sharing discoveries with the team can be the key to unlocking the next step.

Utilize available hints, think critically, and stay focused on the main goal of escaping within the given time frame. Effective time management and a collective focus on the objective will contribute greatly to your team’s success.

Key Takeaways on Virtual Escape Room Ideas

A virtual escape room stands out for its accessibility, versatility, creativity, and engagement.

Whether you want to build teamwork, explore new themes, or simply have fun, online escape rooms provide a unique platform to do so from anywhere in the world.

Try out these different online escape room ideas and their vast array of themes and technological integrations available. The possibilities for this type of activity are endless!

 

Are you looking to keep your team connected this summer?

Summer team-building activities are a valuable investment for any organization, and with the arrival of warmer weather, the summer season presents the perfect opportunity to engage in activities that bring team members closer together!

There are many fun activities to try this summer, and booking a demo with us can help you know more about how your team can experience these games while strengthening teamwork.

Your employees will reap numerous benefits, from improved communication and collaboration to increased motivation and productivity. The specific objectives of summer team building games will vary depending on each organization’s goals and needs, but some common objectives include:

• Building trust and rapport among team members
• Improving communication and collaboration skills
• Enhancing problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Encouraging creativity, innovation, and thinking outside the box
• Fostering a sense of camaraderie, unity, and team spirit
• Boosting morale, motivation, and engagement
• Reducing workplace stress and promoting work-life balance

Why you should plan a summer team building activity

After being cooped up during the winter months, colleagues will jump at summer team building activities that get them together outside of the workplace and strengthen their bonds in a more relaxed and enjoyable setting.

For the best results, choose activities that encourage your team members to engage in collaborative tasks, problem-solving challenges, and friendly competition. The summer season is perfect as it offers a vibrant and energetic backdrop. That energy fosters a positive and uplifting team-building atmosphere, which always enhances trust and improves communication skills among participants.

By engaging in shared experiences and overcoming obstacles together, colleagues develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other’s strengths. Additionally, summer team building activities provide a much-needed break from the day-to-day, boosting morale and revitalizing the team’s energy.

Team members will relax, recharge, and build personal connections, leading to a more cohesive and productive work environment.

Summer Team Building Ideas

Are you looking for summer corporate event ideas? There are countless options to choose from! Consider a virtual escape room or company trivia to promote some friendly competition and camaraderie. Or go for creative activities like cooking classes or art workshops. The possibilities are endless!

 

Morning Coffee

Morning coffee is a great summer team-building idea. It involves gathering the team together before the workday to have a cup of coffee or drink of choice and engage in open and casual conversations.

This simple yet effective activity allows team members to connect on a personal level and build relationships without the pressures of the workplace. It’s the perfect way to promote a positive and inclusive work culture, as it allows everyone to contribute and be heard, regardless of their position or seniority.

By creating a relaxed and informal atmosphere, morning coffee allows colleagues to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences outside of the usual work-related discussions.

This activity can take place either in the office or virtually. You can even take morning coffee to the next level by including a coffee tasting in your virtual meeting! No matter what, morning coffee will help set a positive tone for the day.

Company Trivia

Company trivia is engaging and entertaining and should be on every virtual summer team building activities list. Planning a team trivia night is always popular among in-person and remote teams. This activity brings team members together and encourages some friendly competition.

If your team is gathering in person, determine the best location for the event and gather the necessary trivia questions. Consider different difficulty levels and categories to create a well-balanced bank of questions.

You will also want to clearly define the rules of the game, including how answers should be submitted, how points will be awarded, and any additional rules or guidelines to ensure fairness. Finally, decide whether your colleagues will play as individuals or in teams.

You will need a host to facilitate the trivia event, which can be accomplished by designating someone from the group or by hiring a professional trivia host to visit your office or venue. They will be responsible for asking questions, keeping the game flowing smoothly, and engaging participants.

A great way to get everyone excited is to choose a wide range of categories that will appeal to a variety of interests. It also helps to include rounds for upcoming holidays or observances. For example, in our virtual trivia at Escapely, we encourage teams to choose six diverse categories from history to movies to food and drink. We also encourage teams to take advantage of our DEI content, which has been thoroughly tested and vetted within each community before we offer it to clients.

To make your trivia event even more memorable, offer prizes or rewards for the winning teams! This adds a competitive element and motivates participants to give their best effort. It also always encourages a higher turnout. Prizes can range from small tokens of appreciation to more significant rewards like company swag or gift cards.

Murder Mystery

Hosting a murder mystery party as a team building activity may sound a bit dark, but it can actually be an incredibly exciting and immersive experience for your team. If done right, it will be an interactive and engaging event that allows team members to work together to solve a fictional crime while enjoying a fun-filled experience.

To organize summer team-building activities like murder mysteries, start by selecting a theme that suits your team’s interests and preferences. It could be a classic detective story set in the 1920s, a thrilling spy mystery, or a spooky Halloween-themed murder.

The chosen theme sets the stage for the event and adds an element of intrigue and excitement. We always suggest encourage team members to dress up in costumes that align with the theme! It adds to the fun and helps participants fully immerse themselves in the experience. Some participants will have costumes readily available, but you should consider providing some costume suggestions to help those who don’t frequent theme parties.

There are two types of murder mystery team building events. In one, participants get to play a character in the crime, each with a specific backstory, motive, and clues relevant to the mystery. For this style of murder mystery, you will need to distribute the character information to team members in advance so they can familiarize themselves with their roles and develop their character’s personality.

During the event, participants interact with each other, share information, and gather clues to try to solve the murder. Sometimes, the murderer doesn’t even know they are the person accused of the crime until the very end! To make this version successful, you will need to encourage open communication among team members as they piece together the puzzle.

Consider incorporating interactive elements like clue cards, evidence collection, or timed challenges to enhance the experience and keep everyone engaged. This would not be a fit for shy personalities or teammates who do not know each other well yet.

We tend to get better feedback on our virtual murder mystery in which participants don’t need to memorize parts or play characters. For one, there is no advance preparation, which makes it easier on participants. Second, the participants get to play investigator and interrogate the suspects, played by a cast of live actors – in the age of true crime podcasts, we have found that everyone has an inner investigator waiting to come out! This style is a better fit for teams who have new members, are still getting to know one another, or simply don’t want to have to do “homework.”

Some of the benefits of having a murder mystery party as one of your summer team building ideas are that it encourages teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Participants must work together, analyze evidence, and connect the dots to solve the mystery successfully.

 

Happy Hour

Hosting a happy hour is another staple on the list of summer team building activities. It is a wonderful way to create a relaxed and social atmosphere where team members can come together, unwind, and catch up outside of work hours. 

When planning a team happy hour, it’s important to choose a suitable venue or setting. You can opt for a local bar or restaurant, book a private room, or even host the event in a designated space within the office. Alternatively, consider organizing a virtual happy hour over Zoom for remote or distributed teams.

No matter where you host it, you should consider incorporating interactive elements to make your happy hour more engaging and inclusive. You can organize icebreaker activities or conversation starters that encourage participation and facilitate connections among team members. These activities range from trivia games to sharing interesting personal stories or collaborative challenges. It can even be as simple as everyone answering the same question!

Another way to make the happy hour enjoyable is to offer a variety of food and drink options to ensure there is something for everyone. Be sure to ask in advance so that you can accommodate dietary and drink preferences and restrictions. This will ensure inclusivity and make the event accessible to all team members.

Hosting a happy hour also promotes a sense of work-life balance and employee well-being. It signals that the organization values team members’ personal time and encourages relaxation and socializing. Best of all, while happy hour pairs with everything, it pairs especially well with summer and can take place monthly. They are perfect for your June team building activities, July team building activities, and August!

Virtual Escape Room

There is no more engaging or effective team building activity to bring remote teams together in a virtual environment than a virtual escape room. These games promote teamwork because at their core they are a team game, and every player has a role. Team members must communicate, share information, and leverage each other’s strengths to succeed.

If you want your team to sharpen its effective communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, this is a summer team-building activity you must add to the rotation.

Because virtual escape games are immersive and interactive, these team-building events require engagement and active participation. They allow teams to bond and collaborate in a fun and challenging setting. Additionally, the virtual nature allows remote teams to connect and build relationships regardless of their location.

By working towards a common goal, teams develop trust, cooperation, and camaraderie. They also love friendly competition and must work together—especially if they want to win!

Our best advice is to seek a virtual escape room that provides a fully guided experience. You don’t want participants to feel confused, overwhelmed, or unable to continue and a moderator will ensure each time has a chance to team build! Our best feedback comes from our fully hosted virtual escape game.

Dedicated moderators work one-on-one with each team to guide them through the game. However, even if the budget does not allow for a guided experience, your team will reap the benefits of communication, collaboration, and problem solving.

Outdoors Sports Tournament

When deciding on your summer activities for the workplace, consider organizing an outdoor sports tournament. It’s an excellent way to promote teamwork, camaraderie, and healthy competition among team members, and you don’t need college athletes on your team to make it fun! Teams can come together in an active setting by engaging in sports like volleyball, basketball, or soccer. 

Start by selecting a location with ample space for the chosen sport. Local parks, sports fields, or recreational areas might all be able to accommodate the tournament’s needs. Be sure to choose sports for your summer team-building activities that are accessible and enjoyable for all participants.

Popular team sports like volleyball, basketball, or soccer often work well as they require both individual skills and team coordination. Also, most people are familiar with the rules. To promote cross-collaboration, you can allow team members to form their own teams or assign teams based on a mix of departments or roles.

Encourage each team to come up with a creative team name, and if you really want to go the extra mile, design team uniforms or jerseys! This adds a fun and competitive element to the event and helps foster team spirit and unity.  

Prior to the tournament, establish clear rules and guidelines to ensure fair play and safety. Communicate the rules to all participants in advance and consider having an impartial referee or facilitator oversee the matches and enforce the rules. This helps create a level playing field and ensures a smooth and organized tournament without conflict. You will also want to create a bracket to help keep things organized. This will let the teams know when they are playing and allow them to track the overall standings.  

At the end of the tournament, acknowledge and celebrate the teams’ efforts and achievements. Recognize everything from individual performances to team spirit to sportsmanship. You can even award trophies, medals, or certificates to winning teams or individuals to commemorate their participation and success.

The benefits of an outdoor sports tournament as one of your summer team building events are endless. Participating in sports fosters teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. It also encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones, develop leadership skills, and learn to work effectively under pressure.

Through shared experiences, both on and off the field, team members can strengthen their bonds and develop a greater appreciation for each other’s strengths and abilities.

 

Virtual Summer Movie Night

A virtual summer movie night is a great addition to your list of virtual summer team-building activities. To organize this event, we suggest choosing a movie that aligns with the team’s interests. All you need to do is coordinate a time for everyone to start the movie simultaneously using a video conferencing platform like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, which has screen-sharing capabilities.

After the movie, divide participants into smaller breakout rooms to facilitate in-depth discussions about the film. Encourage team members to share their thoughts, favorite scenes, and key takeaways.

This activity allows for informal and engaging conversations and encourages active listening enabling team members to connect on a more personal level and discover common interests beyond work.

Team Barbecue

If you’re planning any August team building activities for the end of summer, hosting a team barbecue combines food, outdoor fun, and a casual social atmosphere. You can organize a barbecue at a local park or beach to provide a relaxed setting where team members can gather, unwind, and enjoy each other’s company as summer comes to an end.

To begin, choose a location that suits your needs. Take into account things like picnic areas, grilling facilities, and ample space for activities. Communicate the details to the team and encourage them to bring their favorite dishes to share, including barbecue specialties, sides, salads, desserts, and beverages. This potluck-style approach not only ensures a diverse and delicious spread but also promotes inclusivity and showcases the team’s culinary talents and cultural diversity.

In addition to the food, plan some summer team building activities and games to encourage interaction and bonding. Considering adding games like volleyball, cornhole, or frisbee get everyone moving and involved. But no matter what, a team barbecue will provide opportunities for team members to collaborate, communicate, and enjoy some tasty food!

Virtual Mixology Class

A virtual mixology class is an engaging and interactive team building activity that allows team members to learn the art of crafting summer cocktails or mocktails from their homes. Most people associate happy hours and fun cocktails with summer, but this activity takes happy hour to the next level by allowing teams to explore their creativity, learn new skills, and bond.

You can lead the class yourself or choose an experienced mixologist to lead the session—just make sure you choose someone with the necessary expertise to guide participants through the process of making these delicious and refreshing summer drinks! If possible, we also suggest sending participants a kit of everything they will need.

During the class, the mixologist chosen should demonstrate the step-by-step process of making your chosen cocktails or mocktails while explaining the techniques, ingredients, and proportions. Participants can follow along, ask questions, and receive real-time guidance. This interactive format encourages engagement and allows team members to connect with each other and the instructor.

After the mixology class, encourage team members to gather virtually for a social session where they can enjoy their concoctions and engage in casual conversations. This relaxed atmosphere allows for further bonding and connection, as team members can share their thoughts on the class, exchange drink recipes, or simply catch up with each other.

Virtual Team Building Activity for Remote Teams

Virtual summer team building activities offer several advantages for fostering team bonding over the summer, especially for remote teams. First, virtual summer team building activities allow team members from different locations to participate without the limitations of physical distance. Remote teams can come together regardless of their geographical spread, making it easier to include everyone.

Second, virtual summer team building activities provide flexibility and convenience. Team members can join from the comfort of their own homes or any location, eliminating the need for travel or logistical arrangements. This flexibility is particularly beneficial when individuals may have personal commitments or vacation plans during the summer. Virtual team building activities allow team members to participate at their convenience, ensuring maximum engagement and attendance.

Numerous online platforms and tools are available that cater specifically to virtual team building, offering various interactive games, trivia sessions, virtual escape rooms, or even virtual cooking classes. You will want to choose a video conferencing platform like Zoom with which team members can see and interact with each other, fostering a sense of connection.

We prefer Zoom for all of the games we run because of the features like breakout rooms, which allow for smaller group discussions. We also use the annotation features in many of our games to make it more interactive for participants.

Another advantage to virtual summer team building is cost-effectiveness. Organizing virtual activities typically requires fewer resources than in-person events. There are no expenses related to venue rentals, travel, or catering, making it a more budget-friendly option for organizations—especially for remote teams spread across different locations.

Virtual events offer flexibility, inclusivity, and a wide range of options while eliminating geographical barriers. Virtual activities provide a convenient, cost-effective, and engaging way to foster team bonding, allowing remote teams to come together, strengthen relationships, and create a sense of unity regardless of location.

Benefits of a virtual summer team building activity

Summer team building activities that are virtual offer several benefits that contribute to a successful work environment. Because virtual events allow for interaction with more teammates than an in-person event, they enhance team communication, fostering better collaboration and understanding among members.

Second, they boost overall productivity, as improved relationships and trust leave team members more invested in the company. Lastly, these types of activities help leaders stand out by showcasing their ability to foster a positive and cohesive team spirit.

Improves team communication

The best team building games are interactive and require participants to communicate. Take a virtual escape room, for example. It enhances communication skills by requiring team members to collaborate, share information, and solve problems collectively.

Team members must convey their observations, ask questions, and interact with each other to progress in the game. Engaging in a virtual escape room activity can significantly benefit a team because participants will need to coordinate their efforts to solve puzzles and escape within a given time frame. Virtual escape games also promote active listening – participants must carefully listen to each other’s ideas and work together to find solutions.

Lastly, the activity provides a safe and fun environment for team members to practice expressing their thoughts and opinions, enhancing their overall communication skills.

Improves overall productivity

Engaging in fun summer team building activities that do not involve work-related discussions provides employees with a much-needed break from their daily routines. This break allows them to relax, recharge, and temporarily shift their focus away from work-related things.

This, in turn, actually makes employees more productive when they are working! By participating in fun activities, employees can reduce stress and gain a fresh perspective. When they return to the workplace, they bring renewed energy, increased motivation, and a clearer mindset.

This boost in mood and productivity positively impacts their performance, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a more positive work environment.

Makes leadership stand out

It is often said that a good leader is one who works to develop the leadership abilities of everyone on their team. By this same reasoning, a good team building activity will develop and identify leadership abilities amongst the participants.

Again, we will use a virtual escape room as an example because it provides valuable insights into a team’s true leaders. Effective leaders naturally emerge during a virtual escape room by taking charge, providing direction, and delegating tasks.

Leaders communicate clearly, ensuring everyone is engaged, informed, and working towards a common goal. They foster collaboration by encouraging active participation, listening to others’ ideas, and incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making.

Leaders inspire and rally team members, exhibit problem-solving skills, and help identify innovative solutions. They are resourceful, creative, and able to navigate complex situations effectively.

Observing how individuals behave and interact during a virtual escape room makes it evident who possesses the leadership qualities necessary to guide and inspire a team. Recognizing these true leaders can facilitate their organizational development, allowing them to take on leadership roles and contribute to the team’s success beyond the virtual escape room environment.

Planning a virtual team building event

Planning a virtual team-building event requires careful consideration and effective coordination to create an engaging and memorable experience for remote team members. The first step is to designate an event organizer who will be responsible for planning and executing the event. 

The event organizer can proceed to select appropriate summer team building activities and platforms that promote interaction and collaboration. They will also be responsible for developing a detailed schedule, considering time zones and availability.

The event organizer should ensure seamless logistics by coordinating virtual meeting links, providing clear instructions, and addressing any technical requirements. In most cases, they should collaborate with external facilitators who specialize in virtual team building.

On the event day, the event organizer will manage the virtual event, facilitate the activities, and ensure participants have a positive and inclusive experience.

Bring fun to the workplace with summer team building games

Adding summer activities to the workplace can inject a dose of fun into the day and foster a positive work environment. Team building games provide opportunities for team members to connect, collaborate, and build stronger relationships while enjoying the spirit of the season.

Summer team building games provide an opportunity to unwind, recharge, and foster a sense of camaraderie among team members. So, let the sunshine in, organize a team building game, and watch as the positive energy radiates throughout the workplace, leading to a happier and more productive team!

Are you looking for a fun event to test the investigative skills in your group? Ever wanted to see whether you have what it takes to crack a case? A virtual murder mystery party is a great choice! It is a fun and interactive event that will bring your team together while you work to solve the ultimate question: Who did it?

Are you curious about how our virtual murder mystery games work? Book a demo and explore our various options that make this a standout experience.

Hosting a Murder Mystery to Solve Online

A virtual murder mystery party is a super fun event to attend, but fortunately, it is also an easy and fun event to host! We know being the “host” of a party can sound daunting, but we promise it is not! Here are some easy steps to start planning your murder mystery to solve online.

The first step is to pick a day and build your attendee list. Will you be including just your direct work team or going head-to-head with some other divisions or offices? Once you have that list, you will need to create a virtual meeting place for your party (our favorite virtual platform is Zoom for its functionality). After you get your base pieces set, it’s time for the fun part: What is your theme? Where do you want to solve this crime? What are the characters like? The virtual murder mystery ideas are endless! When all details are decided, it’s time to send the meeting link and an invite to hold the time on everyone’s calendar. We recommend sending out a themed invite for your group to help build excitement.

Now, we totally understand that life can get busy, and you may want some help planning this event. Don’t worry – we are here! Escapely offers a virtual murder mystery team building activity that we help you plan from start to finish. All you need to do is pick your day and time, and of course, invite your best investigators to help you crack the case! We handle the rest. As a bonus, our game is fully interactive, with live actors to immerse your groups into the scene. It’s a blast!

Being the host doesn’t have to be scary – we make it easy!

Virtual Murder Mystery Party Themes

A virtual murder mystery party is bound to be enjoyable, especially with a great theme! We highly recommend building excitement for the crime you are solving by creating a theme. For those more ambitious, encouraging murder mystery costumes at the event makes it even more immersive and enjoyable! We have quite a few virtual murder mystery ideas to suggest, so if you’re not sure where to start, grab your detective hat and choose one of these themes.

Murder in the Speakeasy

The drinking of alcohol is prohibited! Except at the speakeasy, where you find yourself presented with a crime: murder. This popular murder mystery idea takes your group back to the 1920s when secrets were strong in the hidden speakeasy. From there, you have to follow clues and leads that could guide you to the murderer. First, of course, you’ll need a strong ability to identify the truth because, back then, lying was part of the game.

In keeping with this style, your suspects may have to lie about their background, their personal details, where they were, and so much more. It’s up to you and your team to separate fact from fiction – after all, a virtual murder mystery wouldn’t be much fun if everyone told the truth and you knew immediately who did it. This theme has great potential for elaborate costumes, accents, storylines, and more as you bring your teams back to the ’20s to solve a mystery. It’s the perfect time to encourage dressing up in murder mystery costumes to match the theme. Plus, getting into character might even help you solve the crime. Whatever you choose, a 1920s speakeasy murder is sure to be a hoot!

Mystery Mansion

A mansion may be the perfect place to commit a crime, but it’s also a hard place to escape once the investigation begins! With a mansion, there are many rooms and crevices to hide evidence so participants have many opportunities to uncover different pieces of the puzzle. You will get to make decisions like which room will you be investigating and trapped in? How many suspects will there be? And your participants will need to decide whether they’re getting the whole truth and nothing but the truth, or whether secrets will be kept.

Mansions are not inexpensive, so we recommend leaning into the opulent aesthetic with this virtual murder mystery party theme. You can create a lavish backstory and virtual decor to trap your participants in a unique space while they crack the case. Depending on the storyline, your team may be working with the police to solve this escalated crime or solving it as their own group of investigators. One twist that you can add if you wish to put people in the hot seat is to have each player prove their innocence to the others over the course of the game. Everyone can be a suspect!

As far as costumes go, with such an extravagant storyline, this virtual murder mystery idea leaves plenty of options to play with. Players can dress in period costumes if they want to go back in history or put on costume jewels and opulent robes. In addition to the costumes, participants can even bring props like canes, tiaras, and candlesticks. A murder in a mansion is sure to be filled with twists and turns that will keep your team engaged!

Museum Heist

Picture this: Rare collections of artwork and historical artifacts line the walls with the scent of history…but something is missing. There has been a heist, and you will need your team to help to solve it! In this storyline, there is a famous piece of artwork missing that needs to be recovered. Rather than solving a murder, your team will work together to locate the missing piece and figure out who did it. You can set some pressure at the beginning of the event by telling everyone the museum is opening soon. The players must ensure no one knows something is wrong! This virtual murder mystery idea may not always include murder, but it does not lose any fun as you still work to solve a crime! Does your team have what it takes? 

This type of murder mystery party idea can even be done in the style of an escape room. You can have your team work together closely to sort through clues and navigate the museum layout. Players can work together to retrace the thief’s steps, perhaps with the use of a maze, and rely on their investigative skills to get them to crack the case. It’s a great team building exercise because they will need to be able to dissect what is important and also work quickly to recover the missing artwork and uncover the thief before the museum opens. This mystery team building idea will put pressure on everyone in a fun and motivating way. To spice it up, you may also find a version that adds the twist of two crimes: a heist and a murder. So please put on your investigative hats – it is about to get real!

Haunted Schoolhouse

Chances are there are people on your team who thought school was a “scary” place when you were younger. What better virtual murder mystery idea than a haunted schoolhouse? Imagine an eerie and dark school with spirits wandering the hallways. In the midst of this, your team – the best investigators around – is called in to investigate a crime: a murder. The classrooms, offices, staff lounges, and more are filled with clues and hints, but you need to be very careful as you search – a haunting spirit follows you. Will you all be able to escape the grip of this schoolhouse victorious, or will this be the last crime you try to solve? 

In a haunted schoolhouse, you can expect a dark atmosphere, keeping you and your team on the edge of your seat. We suggest keeping lights dim so that everyone feels there could be watchful eyes around them, and, of course, throw in a little scare here and there. You could include children haunting the hallway and trying to trap you in the schoolhouse, or there may be twists and turns that set you back. Can you work together to ask the right questions, stay focused, and find the killer?

Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery

Put your team into the shoes of the infamous investigator Sherlock Holmes for this virtual murder mystery idea that everyone will recognize. We recommend you dial it back to the early 1920s when Sherlock Holmes was in his prime as a young adult. Your team will embark on an early investigation in Sherlock Homes’ career: a murder. Your team will get access to the murder scene and search for clues to eliminate all the possibilities of who the murderer is. Different suspects, rooms, and weapons could be involved, and you will need to find exactly which ones you think did it.  

There are both murder mysteries and escape rooms that can be played with this style. In both, you can expect to play a game similar to a virtual clue murder mystery party. You and your team must take all of the evidence, resources, and suspects into play and see where the truth lies for this murder. It’s a retro theme in which teams will have to channel their inner detective abilities…and as mentioned before, a costume might help! They say to dress for the job you want, and today, you want to be an investigator and escape! 

 

The Lost Mummy

While normal murder investigations happen soon after the murder occurs, this virtual murder mystery idea is a little different. This time, an ancient soul that left us years ago is represented as a mummy. But something has happened…it has gone missing! Your team will travel back to ancient Egyptian times and immerse yourselves in the history as you try to solve the mystery of who stole the lost mummy. 

Expect to be surrounded by temples, pyramids, historical artifacts, and history! In a theme like this, your team will work together to solve the crime of the lost mummy, but it could get a little tricky. With all those years past, the clues may be harder to read, not to mention written in the foreign language of hieroglyphics. If you go with this theme, you will of course need to provide some translations from the future. Your team will love deciphering the clues and uncovering the missing pieces to return the mummy to its rightful spot! Can you do it?

Steps to Hosting a Virtual Murder Mystery Party

A virtual murder mystery team building activity will surely be a memorable adventure, and we want to help make it as successful as possible! Therefore, we will dive into some of the most important pieces of planning and hosting a virtual murder mystery party to be sure you are ready for an extraordinary experience. 

1. Pick a Murder Mystery to Solve Online

The first step is choosing which theme you want to solve in your murder mystery party. There are a lot of virtual murder mystery ideas out there (see our list above for ideas!), and each will provide a unique experience. One of the biggest pieces to consider is which theme will fit your group best. Does your group like historical settings or immersing in a “haunted” scene? Do they want to solve a murder in the present day or work on deciphering things from the past? Once you get a general idea of your group’s vibe, you can work to pick the best murder mystery to solve online. 

On top of fitting the group “vibe,” you also have to consider your group size. There are murder mystery parties explicitly designed for small groups, but if you have a bigger team, then you will need to focus on murder mystery party ideas for large groups. Once these basic questions are answered, you can start your search. I know it sounds cliche, but the easiest way to find some options is to google the theme you are looking for and see what populates. There are so many different vendors at different pricing tiers, and a search will allow you to see all the options available to weed through. There are even some “in-person” options, so if you have a virtual team, I recommend including “virtual” in your search! After you get some front runners from your search, you can factor in the smaller details like ease of working with the company, reviews, price, and availability. Then you can pick a winner and start solidifying the planning!

2. Organize your guest list

A virtual murder mystery idea is a great event, but what makes it more fun is experiencing it with your group! That being said, you want to make sure your guest list fits the parameters for a successful event. There are advantages to both small and large groups, and of course, you will need to take into account your company’s budget. You will also need to answer questions like do you want to play as one team, or do you want to split into multiple teams and see who cracks the case with the most accuracy?

If you choose to play as one team, we recommend you stay in the 5-10 people range. This size will allow your game to move at a steady pace with the right amount of brainpower contributing to solving the crime while also allowing everyone to participate. If your group size for a singular team gets too big, some may feel like their experience was hampered because they didn’t get to participate as much. If you want to mix it up and split your group up into teams to compete against each other, which is our personal favorite way to play (who doesn’t love a competition?), then you can choose any size group that your budget allows. We recommend each team stays in that 5-10 range. If you often work on a budget, companies will often allow you to increase your team size to lessen staffing costs. Once you decide whether to play as one team or multiple teams, you can start building out the guest list and putting the event on everyone’s calendar!

3. Discuss what equipment you need

Once you solidify your virtual murder mystery idea and guest list, the next thing to consider is the equipment needed for success. With a virtual event, the main piece will be for all participants to have a device that can connect to the internet and with videoconferencing capabilities. This will allow players to be able to join the meeting platform. We recommend using a laptop or computer because many platforms are more user-friendly on these devices versus a phone or tablet, but if that is all that is available, they can still play! 

Another thing to consider is whether your teams will join remotely from their own devices or whether you will have people in the same location. If you have people in the same location, will they still be on their own devices, or will they join together on one device? The reason this is important to consider is that if they have their own devices in the same location, you will need to take the audio feedback into account, and if they are all using one device, you will need to take the accessibility into account. (And by accessibility, we mean the opportunity for everyone to hear and see the screen, which is crucial to the experience.)

While an internet-connected and video-capable device is the most important piece of equipment needed, there are some other items that will make the experience better. Some other things you may need during a murder mystery or virtual escape room experience are a pen and paper, a separate device you could use to access the internet for quick searches, and headphones. If participants are in a busy area where they cannot hear their computer or use their computer speakers, headphones will be key! All of these things will help ensure a successful virtual event.

Test your technology

To successfully host any virtual murder mystery idea, we all know that players will need devices to join the meeting platform used for the game. When you schedule your event, be sure to verify which platform will be used, and at that time, we recommend sending your guest list notification to download the appropriate app. Some platforms offer the option to join from a web browser without downloading the app, but we highly recommend encouraging participants not to use that option. Joining from the app always makes the best use of the platform’s functions and provides the best experience. Joining from the browser version often limits functionality. For example, while using Zoom, you cannot use the annotation feature when joining through the browser – only from the app. 

One last thing to consider with the tech test is the number of people who will be sharing a device. If you plan to use a conference room, know that some require certain “extensions” in order to use the video conferencing platforms within conference rooms. This may need to be an extra purchase through your platform or something your vendor will supply. Be sure your vendor knows you are planning to use a conference room to be able to plan properly for a successful event! 

After participants download the app, they will want to ensure it is working properly. We recommend getting the whole group together for a tech test prior to the event so that you don’t waste precious event time getting connected and troubleshooting connectivity issues. Our preferred platform for virtual events is Zoom because of the built-in functionalities like annotation, the use of breakout rooms if needed, and the ability to share screen audio. It is overall the most user-friendly. Plus, it’s free! A Zoom murder mystery party will let you dive into the game and help you get the most out of the experience!

4. Organize your theme

Choosing the best murder mystery to solve online is step one. Then you can amp it up and go all out with the theme! This event is supposed to be a fun experience that lets your group and team have a chance to bond outside of the normal “office.” It is meant to be a murder mystery party, so let’s do our best to make it a party. Picking a theme and encouraging participation will help with this! Depending on the company you choose to use for your event, they may already give you a theme specific to the murder mystery you choose. If it is a generic theme, you can always add your own theme on top to spice it up!

Some of our favorite themes are a century theme (the 80s, 90s, etc.) or a location theme (Hawaiian, Sherlock Holmes in England, etc.). Choosing the right theme will transform your event from an ordinary team building experience to an exciting event everyone will look forward to! You can include decor, custom invitations, food themes to accompany it, or even an “event box” that you send to all your virtual guests to open together during the event. This is a great way to immerse people who might feel distanced while working from home. There are options to include everyone, and your theme will be sure to build excitement!

Costumes and Backdrops

Once you pick the right theme, your event will be transformed into a virtual murdering mystery party and you can start to encourage the environment and participants to coincide. This could be in the way of costumes or decor pieces that really bring out the theme. You can have participants dress up like suspects, investigators, or even the victim! It doesn’t need to break the bank – you can encourage participants to go to thrift stores or even use things they have lying around. If you want more participation, we suggest holding a costume contest. Having a contest usually increases the amount of people who wear a costume and ups the ante in this category. 

After you have costumes squared away, you can think about the backdrops and decor you want to include. If any of the attendees will be together in person, you can hang backdrops around the room you will be in, and maybe even include some table decor! We suggest small things like centerpieces or themed pens and pads of paper to help the group feel involved. If it is a virtual event, you can ask your group to choose a virtual background that matches either the theme or the costume they are coming in! We suggest sending out a few options to help everyone get the creative juices flowing and also to accommodate those who may be reluctant to make their own. Google has great options for virtual backgrounds. It’s fun for participants to have a say in decorating the event, and costumes and backgrounds will jazz up your event into something extra special!

5. Launch and Solve Your Murder Mystery

After following these steps, your virtual murder mystery idea will be coming to life. You have chosen your mystery, invited all of your participants with the link for the game, leaned into the theme with costumes and decor, and maybe even sent out some little physical things to help get them excited. Now it’s time for the party! 

When you are ready for the event to start, send out one last email to your team reminding them to join the meeting link on time. You will want to make sure people don’t trickle in late so you can get the most out of your playing time. (There are often specific time frames after which your hosts will need to wrap up.) At the start time, join the link, and from there, welcome your team online and get them excited! As soon as the event is ready, you can relax. You get to become a participant, immerse yourself in the experience, and enjoy yourself. Encourage communication and participation, and most importantly, have fun!

 6. Awards and Prizes

If there is one thing that has consistently proven to increase participation in any event, it’s prizes! An incentive entices anyone who might be on the fence and augments the excitement of those who would have attended no matter what. Bragging rights are always fun, of course, but to up the ante, you can give away a physical item! We suggest a trophy, prize money, a gift card, paid time off, or even the opportunity to declare a company event or theme day. You can even theme the prize to the event you chose. For example, if you chose a Sherlock Holmes-themed event, your prize could be a magnifying glass trophy and a day of paid time off to go “investigate” a new adventure of their choosing.

Notifying your team that a prize or award is up for grabs should be done in advance. For one, it will encourage attendance. Also, many people are more motivated when they have an end goal. You will need a clear way to determine how you will choose the winner or winners (depending on whether you are playing as teams or as one group with an individual winner). You can award the people who brought the most fun and entertainment to the experience, those with the best costumes, those who contributed the best ideas, or those who were the biggest team players. There are even murder mysteries that award a winner based on how well they solve the crime.

Why a Murder Mystery is a Great Team Building Activity

A virtual murder mystery event is an experience that will allow your group to think outside the box and collaborate with each other while aiming for a common goal, namely to solve a crime. This is a great team building activity because it requires a wide range of thinking to ensure all the evidence and theories are considered. Everyone’s brain works differently, so each participant will have valuable contributions, questions, and thoughts that are different from one another. At a virtual murder mystery, collaboration is vital, and your team will have to practice listening to and evaluating opinions different from their own.

It’s also a great team building experience because it’s interactive. There are so many activities that simply require participants to watch something – for example, a comedy show or a speaker. Those have their time and place, but a virtual murder mystery will get coworkers talking to each other, sharing ideas, and eventually agreeing on an outcome. Even better, usually inside jokes are formed amongst co-workers. The characters are often quite lively, and your team will have fun interrogating them and trying to find holes in the story.

Even though teammates will be working on collaboration, idea sharing, leading, and listening, an event like this will bring your team closer together without them even realizing it. They will feel as though they are just having fun. Virtual murder mystery team building events can even be used for more than just a company event. They can be played with family, friends, social groups, and more.

Team building quotes are famous expressions and sayings focusing on various topics, including teamwork, open communication, and overcoming struggles.

Team leaders often use these quotes to inspire and motivate their colleagues and ultimately improve the company culture as a whole.

Whether you’re looking for the best quotes about teamwork or seeking motivational quotes for team work success, these powerful words can make a difference.

Searching for a fun activity where these upcoming quotes keep your team motivated? Book a demo with us to learn about our escape rooms, trivia games, scavenger quests, and more!

Now, let’s get to know the power of these best teamwork quotes and how they impact any team.

What are the benefits of working as a team?

As the classic team-building quote says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Teamwork is the foundation of success and is a vital component in accomplishing goals.

Whether working all together in one single location or collaborating with co-workers around the globe, teamwork is essential to continue moving forward. Inspirational quotes about teamwork often emphasize the power of collective effort in achieving great results.

Everyone ultimately has the same goal, so why not focus on building up camaraderie instead of creating divisions?

For a team to grow to its greatest heights, it is important to build a work culture in which each team member chooses to help the others not because they are required to but because they genuinely want to. Good quotes about teamwork reinforce this mindset by reminding teams of the value of collaboration.

When coworkers have the support of a strong team, nothing can stand in the way of success. The great thing about teamwork is that it comes in all sizes, making this list of motivational quotes for teamwork diverse and applicable to any work environment.

What are team building quotes?

Everyone is inspired differently, but that does not mean there are no common traits we all share. Everyone wants recognition for a job well done, and everyone wants to feel as though they are contributing and that their contributions matter.

Inspirational quotes about team work can reinforce this sense of purpose and drive.

Quotes for team building are a fantastic way to pass along words of encouragement to keep the positive momentum going, and they come with the added benefit of being quick, easy, and free. Whether praise for a successful accomplishment or a friendly push to let everyone know what they are doing matters, a great team-building quote can reach people far and wide. Encouraging team work quotes can be especially useful during challenging times to uplift and motivate employees.

You can choose the best team quotes for work or funny team building quotes depending on the tone you are looking to set for your team at that point in time. A well-timed inspirational quote for work team can re-energize a group and refocus efforts on shared goals.

Of course, these quotes won’t take the place of a one-on-one interaction, but they are a fantastic motivator to inspire everyone and remind them that what they are working on matters. Motivational quotes for teams at work can strengthen morale, boost enthusiasm, and encourage collaboration.

A good quote for teams can boost morale by encouraging the whole team to band together, and inspirational quotes about team can speak volumes to your employees and coworkers. The right motivational quotes for team work can make a lasting impact, reinforcing the idea that success is achieved through collective effort.

Quotes on team building are notable sayings and expressions with a strong emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and encouragement. Team building quotes inspire others and encourage teamwork. Leaders and managers will often use these team building quotes in an effort to educate and motivate everyone around them.

Whether speaking to project leaders or dedicated team members, a great team building quote can bring everyone together. These quotes can motivate members to work together, to encourage each other to take a firm leadership role, or to lighten the tension with some added humor.

Many are attributed to historically relevant leaders and revered community figures – often as a means of encouraging others to one day reach the same level of success that they themselves have achieved. No matter what style is used, all team building quotes ultimately achieve the same desired outcome of bringing the team together.

Quotes on Leadership

All of the best leaders have one thing in common: they understand that they are unable to achieve greatness alone. Here are a few inspirational team building quotes that emphasize the importance of leadership, and what it means to build others towards success.

After all, a mark of true leadership is growing a group of individuals to a team success. These team building quotes focus on leaders and leadership but can be applied to anyone looking to take ownership of their success.

• “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” – Arnold Glasow, author
• “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” –Gen. George S. Patton
• “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” –Jack Welch, former CEO and Chairman of GE
• “People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” -former President Theodore Roosevelt
• “To lead people, walk beside them. As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence… When the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’” –Lao Tzu, philosopher
• “Earn your leadership every day.” –Michael Jordan, NBA star
• “Make sure you’re not just waiting for someone else to fix things, or hoping that things will improve… Figure out what’s going on and make a plan to improve things.” –Kenneth W. Thomas, author
• “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.” –Walter Lippmann, writer, and political commentator
• “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” -former President Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Leadership is the capacity to transform vision into reality.” –Warren G. Bennis, founding chairman of the Leadership Institute at the University of Southern California

 Motivational Quotes

Whether a person is feeling the highest highs or the lowest lows, anyone can appreciate a little extra motivation. These team building motivational quotes highlight finding the positive in all situations and encourage team building through motivation. These team building quotes focus on both the motivational and inspirational aspects of overcoming challenges.

• “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” –Henry Ford, entrepreneur
• “What people have the capacity to choose, they have the ability to change.” –Madeleine Albright, politician
• “True heroes are made of hard work and integrity.” –Hope Solo, soccer player
• “It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.” –Shonda Rhimes, television producer
• “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to live up to what light I have.” -former President Abraham Lincoln
• “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” –Steve Jobs, business magnate
• “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
• “People doing good work feel good and people doing exceptional work feel exceptional. Accomplishments contribute greatly to satisfaction.” –Mark Sanborn, author
• “Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had.” –Angela Bassett, actress
• “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” -His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Collaboration Quotes

Teamwork is the not-so-secret ingredient to the long term success of any organization. These team building quotes focus on the importance of working together as a team. After all, it should be the goal of each individual not only to succeed, but to see the success of others all around them.

• “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” –H.E. Luccock, professor
• “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” –Helen Keller, activist
• “Cooperation is the thorough conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there.” –Virginia Burden, author
• “The chain is only as strong as its weakest link, for if that fails the chain fails and the object that it has been holding up falls to the ground.” –Thomas Reid, philosopher
• “It’s very dramatic when two people come together to work something out. It’s easy to take a gun and annihilate your opposition, but what is really exciting to me is to see people with differing views come together and finally respect each other.” –Fred Rogers, children’s entertainer
• “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.” –Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader
• “Collaboration is a key part of the success of any organization, executed through a clearly defined vision and mission and based on transparency and constant communication.” –Dinesh Paliwal, president and CEO of Harman International
• “It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” –Charles Darwin, naturalist
• “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” –Phil Jackson, NBA coach
• “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” –Andrew Carnegie, industrialist

Team Communication Quotes

Effective communication is crucial to a high-functioning team. Understanding the meaning behind the words we use and how they are interpreted by others is an advanced skill teams strive for. These team building quotes will encourage team members to open up a new line of dialog with each other.

Communicating as a team is one of the most important elements of any organization, and these team building quotes bring to light their importance.

• “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” –George Bernard Shaw, playwright
• “Excellent communication doesn’t just happen naturally. It is a product of process, skill, climate, relationship and hard work.” –Pat McMillan, CEO
• “Communication works for those who work at it.” –John Powell, film composer
• “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.” –Robert Frost, author
• “Great communication begins with connection.” –Oprah Winfrey, television host and producer
• “Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.” –Anne Morrow Lindbergh, aviator
• “The great enemy of communication, we find, is the illusion of it.” –William H. Whyte, sociologist
• “Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” –Mattie Stepanek, poet
• “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” –Plato, philosopher
• “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” –Brian Tracy, motivational speaker

Quotes on togetherness

By definition, each team has a common goal. These goals can be accomplished by an individual, but a team will have much greater success when everyone works together. These team building teamwork quotes emphasize the importance of togetherness and working together as a larger, stronger team to achieve success.

At the end of the day, the key component of a good team building quote is the team itself.

• “The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” –Babe Ruth, legendary MLB player
• “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot: together we can do great things.” -Saint Mother Teresa
• “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever.” –Amy Poehler, actress
• “Surround yourself with a trusted and loyal team. It makes all the difference.” –Alison Pincus, co-founder of One Kings Lane
• “A fine glass vase goes from treasure to trash, the moment it is broken. Fortunately, something else happens to you and me. Pick up your pieces. Then, help me gather mine.” –Vera Nazarian, author
• “The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side.” –Margaret Carty, executive director of the Maryland Library Association
• “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” –Vince Lombardi, NFL coach
• “I’ve never scored a goal in my life without getting a pass from someone else.” –Abby Wambach, soccer player
• “No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game you’ll always lose out to a team.” –Reid Hoffman, internet entrepreneur
• “Camaraderie doesn’t happen by accident; developing a strong sense of trust, accountability, and togetherness around team goals requires intentional effort.” –Don Yaeger, author

Funny Team Quotes

Not all team building quotes need to be super serious – as the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Sometimes it is just as important to lighten the mood. After all, we are all human and like to have a bit of fun. These funny team building quotes are on the more lighthearted side and will bring some levity to your team.

• “If you take out the team in teamwork, it’s just work. Now who wants that?” –Matthew Stover, novelist
• “Teamwork means never having to take all the blame yourself”. –Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist
• “You think it’s dumb when someone says there’s no ‘I in team, but you stick one in there and you see how dumb that looks.” –Brendan Kiely, author
• “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers, vaudeville performer
• “There’s no secret about success. Did you ever know a successful man who didn’t tell you about it?” –Kin Hubbard, cartoonist
• “Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake.” –Savielly Tartakower, chess player
• “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.” –Muhammad Ali, former heavyweight boxing champion
• “I will always choose a lazy person to do a hard job, because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” –Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder
• “The road to success is always under construction.” –Lily Tomlin, actress
• “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy – both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” –Michael Scott, regional manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company
• “Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They’re about to announce the lottery numbers.” –Homer Simpson, safety inspector for the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant

Why are Team Building Quotes Important

A  good manager is one who can inspire others to achieve great things. Utilizing quotes is an excellent way to reach more people and motivate the team to reach their full potential. The quotes in this list have stood the test of time – some by a few years and others by entire centuries.

These team building quotes are rooted in the prolonged success of celebrated individuals, distilling meaningful life lessons into a few carefully organized and impactful words. The benefits of team building include increased communication between members of the organization, which is the cornerstone of an effective team.

When you have a committed and engaged team, there is nothing that can stop you from success. A positive work environment leads to prolonged periods of creativity, driving even more forward progress. Team building quotes are a useful tool to remind everyone that, in both the good times and the bad times, everyone is working together to achieve greatness. 

Knowing the Right Time to Use these Team Building Quotes

Positive team building quotes are more than just words on a page. The words themselves are a tool for the true goal of building trust and inspiring your team towards success. Team building quotes for work serve to motivate the team, including everyone from the leader of the organization to the newest hire.

The great benefit of team building is that there is never too much you can do for your team. Through words and actions, there is never too much motivation that can be provided towards others. Team building quotes are part of an ongoing journey, with different styles and different methods to encourage others.

And when looking for both words and actions, Escapely has all the virtual and live team building opportunities you need to truly motivate your team to achieve brand new heights. Let your next team bonding experience be the next step in building trust among your team.

Virtual happy hours have become a staple amongst remote teams. The highest-performing teams can transcend coworker relationships to forge close friendships with these virtual team building activities, which is even more important in teams that don’t work together in an office.

Virtual happy hours are the perfect opportunity to bring your team together to socialize, connect, and break up the work day! In addition, you are likely to have high attendance because the virtual environment removes barriers to entry – there is no commute time, and it’s easy to join from anywhere!

With virtual happy hours, even teams spread out across states or the globe can check in with each other and deepen bonds. We recommend making it a regular occurrence that coworkers will learn to look forward to. Whether you are searching for best Zoom happy hour themes, happy hour party ideas, or virtual happy hour topics, this is an ideal way to connect.

Check out our list of 24 virtual happy hour ideas to liven up your next meeting and re-energize your work team. You can even book a demo with us to learn more about our fun virtual team-building activities. You can choose to bring in the professionals, ship kits to your coworkers, or plan a quick and easy event on your own. For those looking for free virtual happy hour games or free virtual happy hour ideas with coworkers, we have options that cater to every need.

The possibilities are endless with ideas for virtual happy hour that can appeal to all preferences. No matter your preferences, our collection of online happy hour ideas will make your next remote happy hour one to remember!

Food and Drink Virtual Happy Hour Ideas

1. Virtual Coffee Tasting

There are ways to involve non-drinkers in virtual happy hour ideas that involve alcohol. But this one bypasses that entirely! A virtual coffee tasting is great if you are getting your team together for an early or mid-morning virtual happy hour. Your team members who drink coffee daily will have a chance to learn about the roasting and brewing process, and those who do not will be exposed to new tastes and flavors.

The typical virtual coffee tasting starts with a brewer walking you and your coworkers through the history of coffee, its science, and many different techniques for making coffee. This is a perfect way to jump-start your team’s day, teach them something new, and allow them to connect with each other.

Several different virtual coffee tastings are available. Check out this one from Krafty Lab. You can choose the kit you want to use and select your ideal date and time. If sending out kits is outside the budget, a virtual coffee tasting can easily be set up internally.

Set a meeting time and tell everyone to log on with the coffee of their choice. Then, ask each team member to share their favorite brew. It’s quick, easy, and cost-effective. Either way, most coworkers will agree that the best way to start the day is with caffeine!

2. Virtual Wine Tasting

When setting up virtual happy hour activities for your team, virtual wine-tasting team-building events almost always make the list. And this happy hour idea can be done with a range of production efforts. It can be hosted on a budget by someone on your team or upgraded to a premium experience with a sommelier and wine-tasting kits.

To host a virtual wine tasting yourself, you can order miniature bottles of wine and send them to your team. Try them together and discuss what everyone thinks! For a more upgraded experience, invite a winemaker or sommelier from the winery of your choice to walk the team through different varietals.

Learn about how the winery grows and harvests grapes, how their wine is made, the winery’s history, where the ingredients come from, and of course, the taste! The instructor will share tasting notes and pairings that participants can take home with them.

We do recommend keeping in mind any coworkers who want to avoid drinking alcohol. If you have any participants who prefer not to drink wine, most wineries offer a non-alcoholic option so that everyone can participate.

3. Virtual Cheese Tasting

Who doesn’t love cheese? Virtual cheese tastings are crowd-pleasers that work great as stand-alone experiences or alongside virtual wine or beer tastings. In fact, some wineries and breweries offer both together!

Virtual cheese tastings can range from pairings to tastings to even crafting your cheese board. Have a talented cheese expert lead you through a cheese sampling to learn about the taste, smell, pairings, and more! Your team can ask questions and share feedback – it’s a great way to keep everyone engaged.

You can also provide an experience for each employee to create their own charcuterie board – a skill they can take away from the experience and utilize in the future. Participants can showcase the boards afterward and vote on a winner.

Charcuterie boards can also be accommodated if you have any participants with dietary restrictions, as anyone can choose to leave out ingredients that they cannot have.

4. Virtual Cocktail-Making Class

A virtual cocktail-making class is a classic option for happy hour! In a virtual mixology class, you and your coworkers get to become bartenders. The most common way to execute this team-building event is to hire a knowledgeable mixologist to walk your team through the construction of several festive cocktails.

If you go this route, the company you choose will also coordinate sending each participant a cocktail kit with everything they will need. This makes it easy for your team, and everyone will love receiving a customized kit prior to the event. It really gets everyone excited!

The other option is to see whether any team members have bartending experience and would be willing to take charge. You can provide a shopping list beforehand so that each employee can purchase the ingredients they need for the event. You can even throw in some happy hour games to play after the drinks are made!

We also recommend theming your beverage choices to the time of year! For example, choose some refreshing options to bring your team together in the summer months.  It’s the perfect ending to the work week and an opportunity for employees to relax and destress together!

5. Virtual Beer Tasting

Beer is a classic beverage, but there are so many different kinds! Beer connoisseurs and novices alike will learn something at a virtual beer tasting. It is also something that you can easily organize yourself. Have each team member submit their favorite beer.

Compile the selections into a list and ask each coworker to seek out a few they are unfamiliar with and bring them to happy hour. At the event, let the new tasters share their thoughts with those who chose the beers.

Of course, one of our most well-liked virtual happy hour tips is to take the organization off your plate. If you want to outsource the execution, some companies can provide tasting kits and a beer expert or brewer to join and talk through the notes of each one!

Either direction you choose, your employees will love this happy hour classic that allows participants to come together and bond over drinks!

6. Virtual Chocolate Tasting

Do you know anyone who likes chocolate? I thought so. Virtual chocolate tasting team-building events are a tasty crowd-pleaser. They are a great addition to virtual happy hours year-round, especially around the holidays!

Bring your team together to learn about the history of chocolate, how it is made, what it pairs well with, and, of course, taste it! A virtual chocolate tasting is the perfect way to sweeten your next gathering. 

As an affordable alternative, ask each of your coworkers to bring their favorite chocolate candy to the next team meeting and allow everyone some time to explain their top choice. This will get your coworkers talking and comparing their favorites!

7. Virtual Snack Boxes

Sending your coworkers a snack box before your next virtual happy hour is a great way to show your appreciation and go the extra mile. Each team member can sit back and enjoy chatting with other team members without having to prepare something to eat in advance. 

Incorporating a snack box into your virtual happy hour gives everyone something to look forward to—it will arrive in advance! Everyone will come to the event ready to engage in conversation and laugh with their colleagues.

Many allow you to customize the box with your company logo or include some company swag to add a personal touch.

8. Virtual Cooking Classes

There is nothing that brings people together more than food! That is why one of our favorite virtual happy hour activities is a cooking class. Virtual cooking classes and team-building events are an excellent way for your team to bond, build new skills, and, the best part, taste their creations!

You can plan this virtual happy hour activity as a DIY event or hire a chef. If you have a smaller budget and need to stick to virtual happy hour ideas that you can execute within your team, ask everyone to share their favorite recipes.

Let the team vote on their favorite – this will get them excited and invested! Then, the person who submitted it can give a cooking demonstration over Zoom. If you choose to hire a professional, a chef will keep everyone engaged while coworkers will chat throughout the cooking process.

We recommend sending your team a kit with all the ingredients they will need to make their chosen dish, but you can also provide a shopping list and ask everyone to gather them.

The best thing is that you can turn this into a virtual team-building game later on. When coworkers make this recipe at home, ask them to take a picture to share with the team!

Virtual Happy Hour Games and Activities

What is a virtual happy hour without some friendly competition? If you’re looking for ideas to liven up your next team gathering, we definitely suggest an activity or a game. This next section contains games suitable for newer teams still getting to know each other and experiences like a virtual escape room or charades. No matter your choice, these will surely get the competitive juices flowing.

9. Icebreakers

Getting to know new coworkers might seem intimidating at first. Many people struggle to find the right way to initiate a conversation, especially in a virtual environment. Fortunately, we have some tips to get your employees comfortable and “break the ice.”

Icebreakers can be fun and simple questions that encourage everyone to share more about themselves. They help coworkers get to know each other a bit more personally and build team morale by allowing everyone to learn about each other outside of the office. For ideas, check out our thorough list of virtual team-building icebreakers in the first section of this blog post.

10. Scattergories Online

Scattergories is a fun game that rewards players for thinking creatively. First, choose a category at random – animals, spicy foods, or things you throw away. Next, choose a single letter of the alphabet. Finally, give participants one minute to write down as many answers as possible, starting with the selected letter and fitting that category.

For example, if the category is kitchen items and the chosen letter is F, you might write down a fork, food processor, or frying pan. At the end of the minute, each player reveals their list one item at a time.

If any other player has written down the same answer, both are stricken from the record. Only the answers that no one else has count toward the score!

Of course, creative liberties with each category are allowed, but be prepared for a lively debate regarding why your answer should count. Scattergories online is a fantastic way to encourage outside-the-box thinking and can liven up any virtual happy hour.

11. Virtual Trivia

Virtual trivia makes almost every list of happy hour ideas, and rightfully so! Teams love getting together and testing their knowledge in a good old-fashioned way. It also gives coworkers a chance to show off their niche knowledge of certain categories – you might be shocked to find out who knows everything about The Simpsons or the countries in Africa. 

Coworkers will learn more about their teammates as they work together to try and come out on top. You can even include a prize for the winning team at the end!

There are several types of virtual trivia. You can choose an event with a set number of questions that everyone must answer, and the person or team with the most correct answers wins. The other option is rapid-fire trivia (our favorite!) which really gets the crowd going.

In rapid-fire trivia, teams must answer as many questions as they can in a certain time period. The added sense of urgency makes it really fun to see which answers people blurt out. Whichever you choose, virtual trivia will help your team get to know each other and everyone’s niche hobbies and interests.

12. Scavenger Hunts

A virtual scavenger hunt is a great option if you want to get everyone up and moving around. To do it, send your coworkers a checklist of items they need to find. Challenge them to locate as many items on the list as possible using their immediate surroundings.

To make it more fun, don’t send the list in advance! Let everyone run around their home office or their entire house to find the items on the list as quickly as they can. This virtual happy hour game can be played individually or in teams.

If working together as a group, maybe one person doesn’t have it handy, but maybe someone else on the team does! When time is up, every team shows what they were able to collect and earns one point for each item located. This is a great way to get your team interacting and laughing together on a budget!

13. Virtual Escape Room

Virtual escape rooms require teamwork, collaboration, and communication. They are the perfect virtual happy hour idea for teams of any size. They are the highest-rated experience by coworkers choosing virtual games! Teams encounter a series of puzzles and challenges and must problem-solve together to find codes and solutions.

You can all work together and race against the clock if you have a smaller team. If you have a larger group, you can split into smaller teams and race each other – who doesn’t love some friendly competition? A virtual escape room is something your employees will love and be thankful that they had the chance to play. It is also one of the most interactive team building events available.

14. Charades

Finally, a good reason to be on mute! The classic party game of Charades can be brought to your next virtual happy hour to get your coworkers out of their seats and laughing alongside one another. This event is easy to set up internally and is always a hit.

First, divide your group into two teams. Each team writes down a list of movie titles, songs, or books for the other team. Then, taking turns, one person on each team will randomly have the chance to act out the other team’s choice. We recommend sending the choice to the actor through private chat so no one else can see it.

Time each team to see how long it takes them to guess the correct answer. The team with the lowest total time wins! After that, everyone will have a fantastic time making silly faces and flexing their creative muscles without saying a word!

15. Virtual Comedy Experiences

No two-drink minimum is required for this comedy show, though you are welcome to encourage attendees to bring whatever they want to drink to their computer! Take the experience of going to an in-person comedy show and put a virtual spin on it for your next team happy hour. Everyone gets to enjoy the hilarity from the comfort of their own homes.

Inviting a professional entertainer to delight the entire team is a must. Virtually has many talented entertainers who will keep your coworkers entertained. Virtual comedy is the way to go if you’re looking for a virtual happy hour idea that doesn’t require participants to interact with one another but allows them to kick back and relax.

16. Don’t Say It (Taboo)

You have probably heard of Taboo, the word-guessing game where you can’t use the words on the card! Taboo is always a team favorite regarding virtual work happy hour ideas. This fun party game will liven up your virtual happy hour by having everyone around you attempt to guess the word or phrase that’s just on the tip of your tongue. The best part is that you can plan and execute this yourself.

Everyone needs a copy of Taboo. If employees don’t already have it, you could consider sending it to them—they will certainly appreciate getting to keep this game after the event is over!

First, divide your group into teams. One at a time, players take turns getting their team to guess as many words as possible in one minute. They need their team to guess the word at the top of the card, but be careful – you are not allowed to say any of the words below.

Sometimes it is tempting to say them since you can see them on the card! Players must think outside the box to get their team on the same wavelength. After everyone has had a chance to play, the team with the most correct answers wins. 

Pro tip: If teams have an uneven number of players, the team with the fewest players should have one player go twice!

17. Heads Up

Heads Up is a party game in which players guess a person, place, or thing that appears on screen! All you need is the Heads Up app on your phone, and it’s easy to play over Zoom. Each player should have the app downloaded onto their own phone.

Players can choose any category, and at the start of each round, they need to hold their phone against their forehead. Of course, they cannot see the answer, so it’s up to the rest of the team to give enough hints and suggestions to answer without giving it away (just like in Taboo).

There is just one catch to making this work over Zoom. Before each participant takes their turn, they must click their video on the screen and select hide self-view. This will allow them to remain on camera so that everyone else can see them, but they will not be able to see the answer reflected back on their screen.

Nevertheless, Heads Up is a fantastic game to play with your coworkers.

18. One Night Werewolf

One Night Werewolf is a social deduction game similar to the popular computer game Mafia. This is an easy game to set up as a team. First, choose a narrator who is quick on their feet and can provide some storyline as the game is played.

It should be someone creative who can come up with ideas on the spot! Then, divide everyone into two groups – the villagers and the werewolves. The narrator should do this privately through the chat function so no one else knows.

The game is divided into two stages—night and day. It starts at the night stage, with the narrator leading the action. Everyone closes their eyes throughout the duration of the night stage. At the end of the night stage, the werewolves open their eyes to identify the other werewolves. The narrator then shifts the game to the day stage, and everyone opens their eyes. The whole group works together in an attempt to identify the werewolves. 

The goal of the villagers is to correctly identify a werewolf, while the goal of the werewolves is to evade capture! A lively debate should ensue, and at the end, everyone chooses one person who they think is a werewolf. Whoever receives the most votes is “killed.” If a werewolf is chosen, the team of villagers wins.  If a villager is chosen, the werewolves win.

Virtual Murder Mystery

A virtual murder mystery is the perfect way for your team to test their crime-solving skills! This is definitely a virtual happy hour game that you will want to outsource to a company skilled in executing this type of event. Some companies ask you to review physical evidence to solve a crime, while others include live actors as part of the experience!

In this one, teams review various pieces of evidence and one-by-one interview each suspect to understand what happened. Their goal is to identify alibis, determine motives, and determine when a suspect is not telling the truth.

Figuring out which questions to ask and piecing together the answers is all part of the game. As teams work together to interrogate, they get to review text messages, examine social media posts, analyze DNA findings, and even listen to voicemails. Teams must work together and pay close attention. No detail is too small! Ultimately, teams have time to deliberate and make their final accusations. Finally, the killer is revealed, and a winner is crowned!

19. Online Tour Guide Experiences

Did you know you can take your team on a trip to Europe without buying them plane tickets? Now you can! When brainstorming team virtual happy hour ideas, this is a fairly new concept that should be considered. A virtual tour is an opportunity for your team to sit back, relax, and converse with each other while they get a front-row view of some of the world’s most famous cities and landmarks!

If you choose to hire an organizer, several different companies can set up and plan this type of experience for you. 

For example, Woyago allows your team to see Paris through a local’s eyes. If you prefer to save money and plan this experience yourself, you can also search for free options on sites like YouTube. Invite your coworkers to bring a drink and enjoy some food as they embark on their virtual tour guide experience.

If you want to reward your team with an all-expenses-paid trip but need more money, this is your ticket!

20. Virtual Bingo

One of our favorite ideas for the team is virtual bingo, the exciting combination of numbers and letters! It’s a classic party game that everyone already knows, so there is no learning curve or unfair advantage.

Many times it is hosted by a live caller, meaning your whole team gets to play! It always starts with an overview of the rules. From there, all participants receive their unique and randomly generated five-by-five bingo cards with their unique combination of numbers.

As the caller announces the draws, each call-out will be displayed on the screen for all participants. If you host this virtual happy hour game over Zoom (which we recommend), participants can use their mouse to mark off the squares on their cards.

The bingo rounds will vary from five across to four corners and even a full card. Players are looking to be the first to have their numbers called and be able to yell out “Bingo!” to win! And the best part is that you can choose custom words instead of numbers to appear on the cards. Choose things meaningful to your company or team!

21. Gartic Phone

Gartic Phone is a hilarious combination of telephone and pictionary, with everything getting lost in translation!

To do this, everyone will need to download the game from the app store, but there is a free version. Everyone on the team starts by writing a simple sentence – nothing too elaborate or difficult to understand. After each sentence has been entered, players will each get one at random. It is now your job to turn that sentence into a work of art by doing your best to draw an accurate representation of the sentence without using any words.

After each drawing has been completed, the pictures are randomly assigned again, leaving you with an image that is up to you to interpret. Everyone must try their best to describe the drawing in their own words in a simple and easy-to-understand sentence.

Repeat this process until every person has had a chance to create their own spin on your original idea. Part problem-solving and part creative interpretation, liven up your next virtual happy hour by seeing how quickly different people can change and rearrange your simple ideas. Expert drawing skills are undoubtedly optional and discouraged!

23. Online Magic Shows

Pick a card, any card, and get ready to be amazed!

Next on our list of ideas is an online magic show. Gather the whole team together to watch a magician perform illusions right before their eyes. It is sometimes hard to believe it isn’t camera tricks or clever editing—just the joy of close-up magic from the comfort of your home!

Whether performing classic card tricks or making everyday objects disappear, your team will be enthralled by a lively host accomplishing illusions that must be seen to believe.

24. Paint & Sip

For this virtual happy hour idea, have your team break out their art supplies and encourage them to bring along their favorite beverages for an activity sure to ignite a creative spark.

If you want to host this activity independently, decide what you will all paint as a team. Have each participant bring paints or crayons and display the painting on the screen. Everyone will work together to create their work of art, matching the original as closely as possible. When you are finished, go around and have everyone showcase their finished products.

If you have the budget, you can also bring in an artist to facilitate and guide everyone through a painting. This painting event through TeamClass is a great option. Kits are shipped to each participant with all the necessary supplies needed, including paints, brushes, and a canvas. On the event day, everyone logs on and follows along as

 the instructor walks everyone through each step of the selected painting. In the end, participants are left with their very own masterpieces. Trust us, no two paintings will be exactly alike, but everyone will have a great new addition to their home offices!

Virtual Happy Hour Tips

When setting up your next virtual happy hour, remember these tips to streamline your planning: 

1. Figure out the best fit for your team size. Do you want to all do something together or split your group into smaller teams?
2. You will need to decide whether your goal is an interactive activity or an opportunity for everyone to sit back and relax.
3. We always suggest asking your team for their suggestions. Do they want to play a game? Do they want to eat and drink? Or do they want to do both? Compile the top options, and for an extra touch, ask your team to vote! This will make your team invested in the experience and excited to get together outside work.
4. Determine your budget in advance. This will help you decide whether to hire professionals to plan your event or go the DIY route. By handing off the planning, you can focus on being present with your team while someone else does the heavy lifting.

At Escapely, we pride ourselves on caring for everything so our clients can sit back and enjoy. Still, if you are working with a budget, the awesome DIY games for a virtual happy hour on this list will engage your team and spruce up your next meeting.

It is important to invest in your employees and create a way for them to spend time with one another outside of work. Hosting a virtual happy hour regularly allows team members to reconnect and interact with one another in an environment outside of work.

They will share life updates, learn new things about each other, and have fun. Any of the above fun virtual happy hour ideas are certain to boost morale and engagement!

 

Virtual escape rooms are engaging and interactive games that challenge participants to solve puzzles and complete tasks in a virtual setting that mimics physical escape rooms.

These games intend to test different skills and foster teamwork, making them popular for family gatherings, office team-building activities, and adventures with friends.

While similar to a physical escape room, where players are locked inside a room and must find their way out before time runs out, virtual escape rooms often lack time restrictions. This allows participants to fully immerse themselves in the virtual world and enjoy the experience without the pressure of a ticking clock.

What happens in an escape room is typically about solving a series of puzzles and discovering hidden clues to “escape” or accomplish the goal.

You might still be wondering, “What is an escape room? What sets it apart?” Here’s everything you need to know about online escape rooms and what to expect at an escape room, including how you can use them to strengthen your bonds with any group.

Here is everything you need to know about online escape rooms and how you can use them to strengthen your bonds with any group. You can even book a demo with us to learn more about our fun virtual escape room scenarios.

What are the Features of Virtual Escape Rooms?

A virtual or online escape room is an innovative concept that brings the thrill and excitement of an actual escape room into the digital realm. It allows groups to collaborate from anywhere in the world, regardless of time zones.

Some of the most common features of the best virtual escape rooms include the following.

• No time limit
• Built-in clue system
• Availability for larger groups

With the flexibility of online escape rooms, many groups have seen the benefits of taking their escape game into the virtual world.

No Time Limit

Unlike their physical counterparts, virtual escape rooms do not have a time limit. This allows players to immerse themselves in the game for as long as they need to solve puzzles and find clues without the pressure of a countdown. What to expect in an escape room is an experience where you focus on the journey, not rushing through puzzles.

This aspect transforms the escape room experience into a more relaxed and enjoyable adventure, focusing on fun and teamwork rather than racing against the clock.

In these online escape rooms, if a team finds themselves stuck, they can rely on a game master for guidance, ensuring that groups play through to the end without frustration. You also do not have to rush solving those harder puzzles.

This allows for a more tailored experience, where the game master can fast forward or adjust the difficulty to keep the game engaging.

The flexibility to play at one’s own pace encourages a deeper connection among team members and a richer engagement with the game itself.

Built-in Clue System

Virtual escape rooms incorporate a built-in clue system that automates the process of providing hints and guidance, diverging from the traditional method where a person, such as a game master or game guide, offers clues.

This system allows players to request and receive hints directly through the platform, enabling them to crack codes and complete challenges more seamlessly.

The automation of clues ensures a smooth gameplay experience, allowing teams to solve puzzles without external interruptions.

The flexibility of this clue system, coupled with the virtual nature of the escape rooms, makes them an ideal choice for work-related team-building activities.

Teams can participate from various locations at times that suit them best, fostering fun and deeper connections between colleagues.

The built-in clue system supports this by allowing players to engage with the game and each other, regardless of their physical location, enhancing teamwork and problem-solving skills in a fun, interactive environment.

Availability for Larger Teams

Unlike physical escape rooms, online escape rooms are great for larger teams, like corporate entities seeking team-building exercises. They can also ask for support from game masters or escape room guides.

This feature is especially beneficial for teams larger than the typical four to eight players that real-life rooms accommodate, allowing for an inclusive and engaging experience for all participants.

The delivery method further enhances the accessibility of these virtual games. The most common method is a unique code sent via email, which grants access to the escape room with no expiration date.

This allows teams to organize and play online at their convenience, whether through a video call platform like Zoom, Google Forms, or other means.

The flexibility of a Zoom escape room allows participants to connect from anywhere using just their computer and camera, making it ideal for bringing together players from various locations for a fun and rewarding puzzle-solving adventure.

Do you want to try fun virtual escape rooms with the help of experts? Book a demo with us to explore our virtual escape room packages!

Book a demo with us

How Does a Virtual Escape Room Work?

Virtual escape rooms can have different plots and themes, such as searching for something that mysteriously disappeared or being trapped in an abandoned office or haunted house.

However, all escape rooms have the following segments to slowly immerse the small group into a different world.

• Onboarding Process
• Game Initiation
• Clue Delivery
• Recommended Collaboration

Here is your guide to these virtual rooms for a successful escape experience.

Onboarding Process

The initial onboarding process for participating in a virtual escape room experience is designed to be as straightforward and user-friendly as possible.

The team leader receives a unique link, often called the Leader Code, to enter the game’s platform.

Upon accessing the platform, the leader is prompted to create a team name, setting the stage for the adventure ahead. This step helps organize the game and enhances the sense of unity among team members.

Following the leader’s setup, the invitation process for other team members begins. Each participant receives a Player Code, distinct from the Leader code, which grants them access to join the team within the virtual escape room.

This ensures that all team members, whether puzzle lovers, family, friends, or colleagues aiming to become super sleuths like Sherlock Holmes, can easily connect and play together in the virtual escape room.

Game Initiation

The game in an online escape room starts when the team enters the starting keyword into a designated textbox on the game’s interface.

This action triggers the beginning of the players’ virtual adventure, setting them on their journey to solve the puzzles and complete the mission.

The process is designed to be seamless, ensuring that the transition from onboarding to actual gameplay is smooth and engaging for all participants.

Following the entry of the starting keyword, players are introduced to the lore of the escape room through a mission video or video feed, which provides a backdrop to the puzzles they will be solving.

This introduction offers highlights and essential information that set the tone for the adventure, ensuring that players are fully immersed in the story and understand the context of their mission.

This step enhances the game’s fun and excitement and helps connect the team as they embark on their shared adventure.

Clue Delivery

Clue delivery is designed to keep players engaged and motivated throughout their adventure in an online escape room.

Clues can be represented by yellow circles within the game’s interface, with additional hints unlocking as players devote more time to a puzzle. This mechanism ensures that help is available when needed, allowing teams to progress at their own pace.

Game designers craft this system to provide clues that complement the game’s flow and enhance the overall experience. Depending on the setup, a dedicated escape room guide can also provide the necessary clues.

Furthermore, these games are usually browser-based and compatible with popular web browsers like Chrome and Firefox or through applications like Google Forms, making them accessible to be played anywhere.

This approach eliminates the need for downloads or special programs, making it incredibly easy for players to jump into the game.

The simplicity of accessing and playing the game through a browser ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience for participants, allowing them to focus solely on solving puzzles and enjoying the adventure.

Recommended Collaboration

For the best online escape room experience, players should collaborate over Zoom or similar video-conferencing applications.

This allows for real-time coordination and communication, which is essential for solving puzzles and advancing through the game. It allows them to work on their communication skills while they have fun accomplishing the online escape room.

Utilizing these platforms also facilitates the development of critical-thinking skills among team members, as they can discuss strategies, answer questions, and share insights instantaneously.

Families looking for a bonding activity can gather around one computer to play together. This setup provides a unique opportunity for a shared experience where family members can collectively engage in puzzle-solving and decision-making.

The communal aspect of working through an escape room guide’s challenges, both in the physical and digital spaces, enhances the fun and strengthens connections, making it a memorable adventure for all involved.

Virtual Escape Games Offered By Escapely

Looking for a way to get your detective mode on in your digital space?

Check out Escapely’s variety of escape games and get in touch to book a demo with our team!

Introduction to Available Games

Escapely has a variety of escape room games that can improve your teamwork and critical-thinking skills.

Check out the different games you and your colleagues can play to connect with your inner Nancy Drew.

• Escape the Basement
• Escape the Desert Island
• Destination Unknown
• Double Double Puzzle and Trouble
• Escape the Ice Palace
• Whodunnit: Can You Crack the Case?

Depending on how many participants are present, you can play these games in separate teams or as a whole unit. You will not be restricted to an eight-player game, especially with how these are structured.

Unique Storylines and Challenges

All the scenarios from Escapely’s escape rooms have unique storylines. You will need to escape devious basements, solve murders, and defeat evil sorcerers to win the games!

Use your skills and work as a team to solve puzzles and codes to beat the other teams.

Choose your next adventure and gain unforgettable experiences from Escapely’s escape rooms.

Escape The City: Turning Popular Outdoor Locations Into Exciting Escape Rooms

While our virtual escape room scenarios and challenges offer plenty of fun to any remote team, our Escape The City games are a great way to combine a get-together experience with a tour of popular cities around the country.

Escape The City is part scavenger hunt, part escape room, and part urban adventure. Participants follow clues in the real world to unlock the next destination. It’s a perfect way to break free from screens and enjoy a more hands-on, dynamic challenge.

Not only do you get to play at your own pace, but you’ll also discover hidden gems and see familiar locations in a whole new light. You can even pause for a meal or a drink, making the experience as enjoyable as it is challenging.

Ready to upgrade your next city tour with exciting and challenging escape room puzzles? Shop here!

Key Takeaways on What Virtual Escape Rooms Are

Escape rooms, both virtual and in-person, are great for teamwork and building camaraderie. They encourage players to work together, enhancing their collaborative skills.

Solving puzzles in an escape room makes players feel like geniuses. This satisfaction is a crucial part of why people enjoy these experiences.

Do you want to try fun virtual escape rooms with the help of experts? Book a demo with us to explore our virtual escape room packages!

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The shift to remote teams has introduced new challenges when it comes to forming and nurturing connections among colleagues. The physical distance can make it difficult to build the same camaraderie found in traditional office environments.

Despite these challenges, you can still bond with your online coworkers through virtual games.

Fun group online games designed for video conferencing platforms like Zoom can act as innovative tools for team building, helping to bridge the gap created by remote work.

You might ask, “What are the best virtual games to play with family or fun online games to play with friends on Zoom?” These are common questions for groups engaging in activities to enhance team spirit and cooperation among remote teams.

When it comes to fun online games for groups or games to do with friends, you can discover how your remote team can enjoy great virtual games for groups and build collaboration by booking a demo with us. 

These are some of the best fun online group games and online party games to play with friends through Zoom that can improve your relationships with colleagues regardless of their remote settings.

1. Online Escape Rooms

Escape rooms have become extremely popular as thrilling puzzle-solving group activities.

With the rise of remote work, virtual escape rooms have become one of the best online games for a remote team to connect and engage, coming together to solve online problems. These fun Zoom games are easy to manage, even remotely.

Such games can be done through DIY, allowing you to make a more personalized escape game. You can also have the whole team actively participating in forming the whole escape room, making it the perfect two-for-one team-building activity.

You can even book escape rooms online. An expert would usually guide these types of Zoom party games, so all you have to do is focus on playing games, the hints your game master provides, and having fun.

Following these tips and tricks, you can further enhance the team building and virtual escape room experience.

• Choose a Theme: The theme helps set the stage and immerse the players in a new world. Select from various themes to keep the experience fresh and exciting. Consider the players’ interests when choosing a theme, and include additional elements, like dressing up, to fully immerse everyone in the game.
• Team Coordination: Use video calls to collaborate and solve puzzles together. You must encourage everyone to coordinate to escape the room. This means fully utilizing the communication tools provided(in this case, Zoom) to complete the virtual game.
• Take Turns Leading: Rotate the team leader role to give each team member a chance to guide the group. This helps everyone learn how to step up and manage the team, which can be a great skill to pick up in work and life.
• Utilize Breakout Rooms: Zoom’s breakout rooms feature can simulate the experience of splitting into smaller groups to tackle different puzzles simultaneously. This can make larger virtual escape rooms more manageable and mimic the physical separation of rooms in a live escape game.
• Prepare Themed Backgrounds: Encourage participants to use virtual backgrounds related to the escape room theme. This adds an immersive element to the game, making the experience more engaging and visually interesting. It pairs perfectly with background music and costumes related to the theme of the virtual game.

Virtual escape games are an excellent tool for remote teams to enjoy together. They enhance problem-solving skills and communication in a fun, interactive environment.

2. Trivia Games

Exchanging trivia is a timeless activity and a fast-paced game perfect for social gatherings. It offers a unique blend of competition and learning.

Despite its simple questions-and-answers format, it is still considered one of the best games for video conferencing platforms.

It is an excellent Zoom game, favored by corporate teams for its simplicity and the fun, interactive environment it creates. It is also easy to conduct online, making it one of the most accessible Zoom games for all ages.

You can conduct this game by separating everyone into two teams to allow everyone to work together. You can also host a game where everyone races against each other to get the correct answer.

You can choose from the following topics to make your trivia games more organized.

• General Knowledge: This will test the players on various topics, usually known by the general public.
• Pop Culture: This topic will dive deeply into movies, music, and more, which is usually a point of interest for many people.
• History and Geography: Explore the past and the places of the world by testing your players about historical and geographical facts. You can do facts about specific periods or specific places in the world to narrow things down.
• Science and Nature: Quiz on facts about the universe and Earth. Since there are many branches of science, it can be easy to narrow down your questions to specific branches based on what your team may be most interested in.
• Sports: This category focuses on sports, athletes, and specific historical references related to sports. You can narrow this down to a specific sport to make it easier to look for questions you can ask your colleagues, given their interests. You can also narrow it down to specific events, like the Olympics or the World Cup.

Virtual trivia games on Zoom are easily customizable, allowing teams to tailor questions to their interests or achievements, fostering team spirit.

You can even hold a virtual trivia championship, in which the team or individual with the most points at the end of the game wins a prize.

These customizable games are not only fun but also a way to enhance critical-thinking skills and competitive spirit within a remote team.

3. Charades

Charades is one of the classic party games that has always been a staple at social gatherings, providing endless entertainment through imaginative miming and guessing.

Even when teams work remotely, charades can easily be adapted for Zoom, ensuring the distance does not dampen the spirit of this timeless party game. With just a few adjustments, it can become one of the most engaging Zoom games you can play.

Here is how to set up your charades game for your next Zoom meeting.

• Set Up Teams: Divide players into teams. This helps foster a competitive atmosphere. It also allows participants to learn how to communicate with one another despite potential differences, helping them form friendlier partnerships and relationships with their colleagues.
• Choose Your Words: You can use an online word or phrase generator tailored for Charades to keep the game varied and exciting. You can also focus on a particular category that everyone may relate to so everyone can stay engaged while they mime and guess the words.
• Spotlight the Actor: Use Zoom’s “Spotlight Video” feature to ensure all players focus on the person acting out the clue. This also allows your online Zoom game to become a fun way to get everyone used to using their camera, allowing them to loosen up and express themselves more animatedly.
• Keep Time and Score: Have your host decide on a time limit for each round and keep the score to determine the winning team. Whichever team successfully guesses the most correct answers wins.

Incorporating elements of drinking games into charades can add an adult twist, where teams drink if they fail to guess correctly or within the time limit, making it even more hilarious and enjoyable.

Charades on Zoom is not just a game. It is a way to break from routine work, foster team bonding, and sharpen communication skills, all while having fun during a Zoom call.

This game demonstrates how virtual platforms can host engaging and interactive games, making remote work environments feel more connected and less like a chore.

4. Pictionary

Pictionary is another classic game often featured on game nights. This fantastic game involves players drawing clues for their teammates to guess. It is a game that thrives on creativity and quick thinking.

Adapting Pictionary for remote play on Zoom is simple and allows teams to maintain fun and engagement despite the physical separation.

You can adapt Pictionary into its online form through the following steps.

• Split Into Teams: Have everyone split into two teams. This will encourage teamwork and friendly competition between the players. At the same time, it makes for a great team-building activity for those within each team, teaching players to communicate with one another under pressure as they play games.
• Activate Zoom’s Whiteboard: The host enables Zoom’s whiteboard feature to serve as a shared drawing space where everyone will take turns sketching their clues.
• Drawing Tools: Players can use the annotation tools to draw their clues. Click “View Options” at the top of the screen and select “Annotate” from the dropdown menu. Players can also change the color and size of their brush, allowing them to get creative while they play on the Zoom app.
• Guessing: Teammates guess the drawings in real-time, enhancing teamwork and interaction. The team with the most correct guesses wins the game.

This popular game encourages creative thinking, as players must convey concepts simply through drawing while under time constraints.

As one of the best free Zoom games, Pictionary is a cost-effective yet highly engaging option for team building, making it ideal for colleagues looking to connect and unwind.

Exploring this game in a remote setup highlights how virtual environments can still host traditional games, transforming them into valuable team-building exercises.

5. Board Games

Nothing beats playing a classic board game during game nights. Thanks to its versatility and the variety of play styles it can accommodate, board games are favored by players of all ages and backgrounds, including coworkers.

Adapting board games for Zoom calls is relatively simple. Many classic and modern games offer online versions or easy methods for remote play.

Here are a few fun games to play online during your next Zoom meetings.

• Chess and Checkers: Use online platforms for real-time moves and to share them via Zoom screen share. This fun Zoom game can also be played through platforms that allow multiplayer games where you play and move your pieces independently.
• Scrabble: You can use websites or apps that mimic these word games, allowing players to take turns and see updates live. While Scrabble is the most common choice with many variations and applications online, there are other word games you can play.
• Battleship: This classic game has many virtual versions, making it one of the best Zoom games you can play with your team. The game itself will keep track of all movements. However, you can also set up physical versions in your homes and call out moves for a more traditional take on this Zoom game.
• Monopoly: This Zoom game has many online versions that can be played together. One person shares their screen to keep everyone updated on the game’s progress. You can also try to look for sites that provide online games where everyone is given a code to view the board.
• Risk: This fun game focuses on strategy and can be found in a digital format, perfect for a group looking to conquer the world from the safety of their homes.
• Ticket to Ride is a strategy game in which players collect train cards to claim railway routes connecting cities across North America. On Zoom, players can share their moves and strategies while managing their board at home. For those with remote employees outside of North America, you can consider making your playing field global more inclusive and learning more about world geography.
• Codenames: This is a word-based party game where players guess the names of agents from clues given by their spymaster. It is easily adapted to Zoom thanks to the many online versions available, or sharing the key card with the host and having them share their screen with the rest of the players.
• Pandemic: This cooperative board game involves players working together as members of a disease control team to stop spreading infections worldwide. Using Zoom, team members can discuss strategies and decide on moves collectively, simulating the collaborative effort needed to win against the game board set up at one player’s home or found via an online platform that all can access.

Some games might require players to purchase access to online versions or apps from Google Play or the App Store, which could be a limitation for some participants.

Despite these potential hurdles, playing board games via Zoom remains a fantastic way to enjoy games, fostering team spirit and offering a break from work to connect with colleagues.

6. Karaoke

Karaoke is an all-time favorite activity at gatherings. Whether it is the holiday season, a birthday, or any other occasion you may have, it is a way for people to gather and share their love for music and hidden talent for singing.

Thus, karaoke has become a popular choice for online bonding for groups of people on a Zoom video call. It can also be easily adapted for Zoom sessions with coworkers, allowing them to share a fun and musical experience.

You can use YouTube for backing tracks and lyrics that can be played on Zoom. Use the screen-sharing feature to share your screen and sound with the rest of the team. Then, take turns singing along while others join in or watch.

While some might find singing in front of colleagues daunting, it is an excellent opportunity to break the ice, encouraging everyone to step out of their comfort zones and let loose with their coworkers.

You can also do a themed karaoke session. For example, if you have a 70s karaoke session, you can all dress up and sing to ABBA and the Jackson 5 to make your gathering more exciting and fun.

This fun activity is a great stress reliever. It lets people sing (or scream) their hearts out to music, no matter how out-of-tune they may be. Compared to other team-building activities, it does not require any complicated strategic thinking to let loose.

It is a fun way to bring remote teams closer and lighten the mood after a busy workday, especially when paired with a happy hour with snacks and drinks.

7. Cards Against Humanity

Cards Against Humanity is a now-classic card game in which players complete fill-in-the-blank statements using words or phrases printed on playing cards. These statements are typically deemed offensive, risqué, or politically incorrect.

The game has many online versions, making it easy to adapt for a remote team to play on Zoom. You can find and share a link to an online Cards Against Humanity platform, where all players can join the game session.

Ensure everyone understands how to select and submit their cards for each round. You can do a trial round before playing games to help everyone understand how the game works.

However, it is important to remember that Cards Against Humanity can be explicit. To keep the game enjoyable for everyone, it is best to look for “safe for work” versions or set clear guidelines on content.

You can also use generators online to make a customized deck for your team. You can set this up before your game day. The following are some of the more work-friendly themes you can use to play on Zoom.

• Office jargon and clichés
• Light-hearted industry stereotypes
• Famous historical figures and events
• Popular culture references suitable for work
• Wholesome and funny personal anecdotes or situations

Besides Cards Against Humanity, plenty of other fun card games, such as Zoom bingo or poker, are suited for Zoom interaction.

Different card games can cater to various group dynamics and interests, offering plenty of enjoyable experiences for teams that work remotely.

8. Happy Hours With Zoom Games

It is a common tradition for employees to enjoy happy hours in bars or clubs to unwind and socialize outside the office. During this time, playing games and having fun through various activities is normal.

However, after the pandemic and the adjustments to the new work setup, such gatherings have shifted online, with virtual meet-ups becoming the new norm. Fortunately, you can still take your happy hour with your team online!

Teams can gather on a Zoom call to enjoy various games while sharing drinks, maintaining the spirit of happy hour in a remote setting.

This setup provides a fantastic opportunity for colleagues to interact casually, enjoying the essence of a happy hour without stepping outside, making them perfect for unwinding on a Friday night.

The following are some of the most famous games that can be shifted into online games.

Two Truths and a Lie

This is a classic icebreaker that encourages sharing and guessing among peers. Everyone takes turns giving three statements, two of which are truths and one of which is a falsehood.

The rest of the team has to guess which of these statements is a lie.

Out of all the games, this one is bound to get people sharing some really fun stories about their lives.

Would You Rather

This is a game of choices that can spark interesting conversations and laughter.

Everyone will be given a specific scenario where they will have two choices.

It is up to your team if you want a game where you would have to explain your choice or just leave it to your discussions outside of the game, as this can serve as a conversation starter in the future.

Guess the Song

For this game, all you have to do is play a few seconds of a song, and participants have to guess the title or artist of that track.

You can also create variations of this game by having the players complete the song lyrics or guessing other fun facts about them.

Never Have I Ever

This classic party game allows everyone to share experiences or actions they have never done before. That participant has to drink whenever someone has done that action or activity.

Be careful when playing this game because it can get a bit risky.

Depending on your team’s preferences, you can set specific guidelines to make the game more work-friendly and to set boundaries with what you can share with your coworkers.

Zoom Bingo

Bingo is another classic game. The host announces numbers, which you have to tick out on your bingo card.

However, you can customize this to make it more relatable to your colleagues, with facts or personal anecdotes replacing the numbers being called out.

You can even create custom bingo cards with common phrases or actions that might happen during the call.

Most Likely To

In this game, participants decide who among them is most likely to do a certain thing.

The one who gets the most votes for certain activities or traits would have to drink. You can also do other challenges to make it more fun for your team.

Truth or Drink

This is a more conversational version of the classic truth or dare game.

Instead of receiving a dare, participants who choose not to answer the question truthfully would have to drink.

Flip Cup

For this game, teams race to flip cups from the edge of a table using a flicking motion.

You can easily adapt this game to play on Zoom by having each participant set up their own cups. Then, the fastest one who can flip their cup from their end wins.

Categories

Players take turns naming items within a category until someone hesitates or repeats an item.

The one who misses to say an item has to drink.

Fizz Buzz

Fizz Buzz is a counting game you can play with your coworkers in an online setting.

You will all take turns counting up. However, there will be special rules, such as replacing any number with a 3 with fizz or a 5 with a buzz.

Anyone who misses has to take a drink.

Leveling Up: Enhancing Corporate Culture with Online Games

Are Zoom games effective for remote employees?

Of course!

A simple game can enhance Zoom meetings, whether as an ice breaker to open your corporate Zoom meeting or a longer session for team-building purposes.

You can play many virtual games on Zoom, each fitting different group interests and dynamics. They are all bound to improve the relationships and skills within the remote team and boost everyone’s team spirit.

Besides the games to play, you can look into other virtual gathering ideas, like online classes and wellness sessions, to further enhance your corporate culture.