15 Best Virtual Holiday Team Building Activities to Try

Virtual activities give remote workers a chance to have fun and strengthen their bonds.

Team-building activities are especially important during the holidays. Virtual holiday party games can lift spirits and bring the team closer.

Holiday-themed games give employees much-needed breaks from regular work. They also help team members bond, making them feel appreciated and like they are part of the team, even when working from home.

If you are interested in any of these activities, you can book a demo with Escapely today.

Here is a list of festive virtual team-building activities you can try this holiday season.

1) Virtual Escape Room

Virtual escape rooms are online games where players collaborate to solve puzzles and challenges in a set time to “escape” a themed room.

These games have engaging storylines and require players to use problem-solving, teamwork, and communication to solve clues.

In this activity, each person plays from their own device, working together through video calls on platforms like Zoom or Teams.

Teams join the video call, get instructions, and are then guided by a host or game master. Players solve riddles and complete tasks to progress through the game, usually using a shared digital screen.

Virtual escape rooms are a great holiday team-building activity because they mix fun and creativity with skills like teamwork and communication. They give remote employees a festive, unique challenge that boosts morale and brings the team closer in a playful way.

If you and your team plan to explore various cities across the country, our Escape The City games offer a unique twist to a regular city tour. By turning a public spot in multiple cities nationwide into an outdoor escape room, you can enjoy a special and enjoyable way to learn more about the city of your choice.

2) Virtual Murder Mystery

A virtual murder mystery is an interactive online game where players portray characters to solve a fictional crime.

Each player is assigned a character, including their backstory and motives. They must work together by asking questions, gathering clues, and combining the evidence to solve the mystery.

Through a video conferencing call, the players will solve the mystery through discussion. Some versions will have a facilitator who guides the players’ investigation. Alternatively, other moderators let players lead the investigation.

Players need to use critical thinking, communication, and deduction to solve the case, making it a fun and interactive game.

A virtual murder mystery is a great holiday team-building activity because it promotes teamwork, creativity, and social interaction. Its fun, immersive nature helps remote teams bond in a memorable way.

3) Virtual Trivia

In virtual trivia games, players answer questions on different topics to earn points, playing either solo or in teams.

It is played over video calls, with a facilitator sharing questions either through the screen or verbally. Players can answer through chat, polling tools, or quiz software.

Trivia questions can cover many subjects, including holiday-themed topics, pop culture, history, or even personalized questions about the team.

To play, employees join a virtual meeting, where the host explains the rules before kicking off the game. Teams or individuals compete by answering questions within a given time, and scores are tallied at the end.

Virtual trivia is a great holiday team-building activity because it encourages collaboration, friendly competition, and knowledge-sharing. 

It is fun and light-hearted, giving team members a break from work while helping them interact. This is especially important for boosting morale during the holiday season.

4) Virtual Scavenger Hunt

A virtual scavenger quest, or hunt, is an online game where players look for specific items in their homes or complete challenges via video call.

The host explains the rules and gives a list of items or tasks, often with a holiday theme. Players will then race to find the objects or complete the tasks within a time limit.

Items can include common household objects, holiday decorations, or even holiday-themed tasks. Participants will share proof by holding the items up to the camera or sending photos.

Points are given for speed, creativity, or accuracy, and the game ends with a winner.

A virtual scavenger hunt is a fantastic holiday team-building activity because it fosters creativity, teamwork, and energizes participants. 

It is an engaging way to bring remote teams together for a fun, light-hearted challenge that promotes interaction and bonding.

5) Virtual Ornament Making

Virtual ornament-making is a creative activity where participants design and create holiday ornaments from home while connected through video calls.

Each team member will either get a craft kit ahead of time or gather their own materials, like paper, ribbons, beads, or paint. A host will provide step-by-step instructions to guide everyone through the crafting process.

Team members can share their progress and ideas, and at the end, everyone displays their handmade ornaments.

Virtual ornament-making is a great holiday team-building activity because it fosters creativity, interaction, and personalization. It allows team members to unwind while bonding over a shared, hands-on experience. 

In addition, the keepsake ornaments serve as tangible reminders of the fun and collaboration during the holiday season.

6) Online Holiday Movie Night

An online holiday movie night is a virtual event where team members watch a holiday-themed movie together. This is usually done via video call or a streaming service with a group-watch feature.

Participants should choose a popular holiday film and schedule a time beforehand. On movie night, everyone logs in from home, syncs the movie, and can chat or discuss the film throughout.

Platforms like Teleparty or Zoom with screen-sharing make it easy to stream the movie and stay connected in real time.

To keep the energy high, the event can be enhanced with pre-movie chats, themed snacks, or trivia during intermissions.

An online holiday movie night is a great team-building activity because it allows team members to relax, share the holiday spirit, and connect through a shared experience. 

It is a fun, low-pressure way to boost morale and togetherness during the holidays.

7) Virtual Gingerbread House Decorating

In this fun holiday activity, participants create and decorate gingerbread houses on a group video call.

Each team member either receives a gingerbread house kit in advance or gathers their own supplies, like gingerbread pieces, icing, candies, and other decorations.

During the event, everyone joins a virtual meeting with their supplies ready. They can then chat and share their progress while building and decorating their houses. The host can also guide the activity by offering decoration tips or themes.

At the end, participants show off their creations, and the team can vote on categories like “most creative” or “best design.”

This activity is excellent for virtual team-building events because it combines creativity, fun, and social interaction. 

It encourages teamwork and friendly competition and gives remote teams a festive, hands-on way to connect and bond during the holiday season.

8) Holiday Bingo

Holiday Bingo is a festive twist on the classic bingo game that is perfect for the holidays. Each participant gets a virtual or printable bingo card.

Instead of regular bingo numbers, the cards can have holiday-themed words, symbols, or activities like “snowman,” “gift exchange,” or “holiday movie.” The host will call out the words or phrases, and players mark them off, trying to complete a row, column, or diagonal to win.

Another version uses holiday-themed statements like “has a birthday in February” or “has never made a snowman.” Then, players will mark off the statements that apply to them.

Holiday Bingo is an engaging virtual team-building activity that is easy to play, encourages engagement, and creates a festive, relaxed atmosphere. 

The friendly competition and holiday theme can bring remote teams together for fun and interaction.

9) Holiday-Themed Virtual Happy Hour

A holiday-themed virtual happy hour is a virtual social event where team members gather online to enjoy drinks, conversation, and holiday-themed activities. 

Participants join from home with their favorite drinks. They can also make or share festive holiday cocktails or mocktails.

The host can add holiday elements, like themed backgrounds, holiday trivia, or virtual icebreakers to keep things fun. Different team members can also share stories about their favorite holiday traditions.

Holiday-themed happy hours are great for team-building because they offer a relaxed, fun way for colleagues to unwind and socialize. 

The festive theme lifts spirits, strengthens connections, and helps remote teams feel more united during the holidays.

10) Ugly Sweater Party

An ugly sweater party is a lighthearted event where participants wear humorous holiday sweaters.

The event centers around the tradition of wearing “ugly” holiday sweaters. These sweaters usually have garish patterns or festive embellishments like lights and ornaments. 

Participants show off their sweaters, and prizes can be given for categories like “ugliest sweater” or “most creative.”

Team members are invited to join the virtual meeting wearing their holiday sweaters. The host can lead the event by encouraging everyone to explain their sweater choices and even organize a virtual fashion show. 

Additional activities like holiday trivia or virtual games can further enhance the experience.

An ugly sweater party is a great virtual team-building activity because it brings humor and creativity to the group. It is a relaxed way for teams to bond, share laughs, and celebrate the festive spirit, boosting morale and connection.

11) Holiday Costume Party

A holiday costume party is a virtual event where participants dress up in festive or themed costumes to celebrate the holidays.

Team members join a video call wearing their creative holiday outfits. These can range from classic Christmas characters like Santa and elves to more imaginative or cultural costumes.

The event usually includes a costume contest with prizes for categories like “best costume” or “most original.”

The host can start by having everyone exhibit their costumes and inspirations. The party can also feature fun activities like holiday trivia, games, or themed icebreakers.

A holiday costume party is a great virtual team-building activity because it encourages creativity, humor, and interaction. 

It creates a festive atmosphere that helps remote teams share laughs and bonds while celebrating the holiday spirit.

12) Holiday Talent Show

In this virtual event, team members showcase their unique skills or festive performances to spread holiday cheer.

Participants are invited to sign up and prepare their talents in advance. These can include singing holiday songs, sharing holiday-themed crafts, or even stand-up comedy.

On the day of the show, everyone joins a video call and takes turns performing. A host introduces each performer, manages the order of performances, and encourages audience participation through applause or chat reactions. 

At the end, there can be a fun voting system for “best talent” and other awards.

A holiday talent show is a great virtual team-building activity that encourages creativity and self-expression.

It gives team members a chance to share their talents to create a warm, supportive environment that lifts spirits during the holiday season.

13) Icebreaker Games

Fun ice breakers for virtual meetings are quick, interactive activities that help team members get to know each other and communicate in a relaxed way.

These games are ideal for virtual holiday team-building because they break down barriers and encourage remote team members to connect.

Popular icebreakers include holiday-themed “Two Truths and a Lie,” festive trivia, or “Would You Rather” questions about holiday traditions and preferences.

Participants join a virtual meeting, and the host leads the icebreaker questions or activities. Everyone takes turns answering questions, sharing stories, or playing the chosen game.

Icebreakers are a great virtual holiday team-building activity because they create a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere where team members can connect on a personal level.

The holiday theme enhances the fun, helping remote teams bond, build rapport, and boost morale during the festive season.

14) Virtual Holiday Card Making

Virtual holiday card-making is a creative activity where team members design and create holiday cards together using digital tools or physical supplies.

Each team member makes unique cards that can be personalized with drawings, messages, or festive designs.

Digital platforms like Canva or Adobe Express can be used for e-cards. Alternatively, physical cards can be made with paper, markers, and other craft materials.

The host can provide templates or ideas, and participants work on their cards while sharing their progress. At the end, everyone shows off their creations, and the cards can be shared digitally or mailed to friends and family.

Virtual holiday card-making is a great team-building activity because it fosters creativity, collaboration, and personal expression. It offers a relaxed, festive way for remote teams to connect, bond, and spread holiday cheer.

15) Decorate Your Home Offices Together

In this festive activity, team members join a video call to decorate their workspaces for the holiday season, sharing the experience in real-time.

Each person brings holiday decorations, such as lights, themed items, and garlands, to transform their home office. During the event, team members can exchange decorating tips, ideas, and inspiration.

Holiday music can be played to boost the festive spirit, and at the end, everyone shows off their decorated spaces. The group can even vote on categories like “most creative” or “coziest setup.”

This activity is an excellent virtual holiday team-building event because it promotes creativity, interaction, and festive fun. It helps remote employees bond over shared experiences while spreading holiday cheer in their workspace.

Why Virtual Team Building is Important

Virtual team building activities are important for remote teams for several reasons.

• Fosters Connection and Belonging: Remote team members may feel isolated due to a lack of daily in-person interaction. Virtual team-building activities address this lack by creating a sense of community, which makes team members feel more connected to each other and the organization.
• Enhances Communication: Effective communication is important for remote teams to succeed. Virtual team-building exercises encourage open dialogue, active listening, and collaboration, improving both personal and professional interactions.
• Builds Trust and Collaboration: Team-building activities give employees a chance to interact in non-work settings, building trust and camaraderie. This translates into better teamwork and collaboration in day-to-day projects.
• Boosts Morale and Motivation: Remote work can sometimes cause disengagement or burnout. Virtual team-building offers a refreshing break from work, helping employees relax and recharge. This boosts morale, motivation, and job satisfaction.
• Promotes Creativity and Innovation: Creative team-building activities encourage remote employees to think outside the box, which can lead to more innovation and better problem-solving at work.

Key Takeaways on 15 Best Virtual Holiday Team Building Activities to Try

Virtual holiday team-building activities provide fun and engaging ways to bring remote teams closer during the festive season. These activities lift spirits and create a sense of togetherness, even when team members are physically apart.

By adding creative and interactive events, companies can build team spirit, improve communication, and create lasting memories.

Hosting these virtual celebrations during the holidays is a great way to ensure remote employees feel appreciated, connected, and energized for the year ahead.