10 Best Virtual Team Building Activities for Small Groups

Virtual team building activities can strengthen connections, collaboration, and communication among remote teams.

This is especially important for small teams working remotely since it helps strengthen trust and team cohesion. 

Virtual team building activities can boost morale and productivity through improved communication. They also cultivate a sense of belonging, which is vital for long-term team success. 

Interested team leads can book a demo to try team building activities with Escapely.

Below, we list 10 effective virtual team-building activities to help your small team thrive remotely.

1) Virtual Escape Room

A virtual escape room is an online, interactive game in which participants solve puzzles and complete challenges to “escape” a simulated scenario within a set time limit. 

Players will collaborate through videoconferencing and shared platforms to find clues and progress through the game. This fosters teamwork and problem-solving skills. 

An escape room is a good virtual team-building activity for small teams because it encourages close collaboration, enhances communication, and strengthens relationships in a fun, engaging environment. 

Small groups allow for more meaningful interaction and help each member contribute effectively. It also builds trust and camaraderie in a remote setting.

2) Virtual Trivia

Virtual trivia is an online quiz game in which participants answer questions on various topics, either alone or in teams. It is played over video conferencing platforms and can be customized to suit the group’s interests or knowledge areas. 

For small teams, virtual trivia is an excellent team-building activity because it promotes friendly competition, sharpens communication, and encourages problem-solving. 

It also allows team members to bond over shared knowledge or fun facts, boosting morale and creating a lighthearted environment. 

In small groups, trivia helps everyone participate fully. It also improves team dynamics and creates a sense of connection despite the remote setting.

3) Virtual Murder Mystery

A virtual murder mystery is an interactive game where participants work together to solve a fictional crime. This involves uncovering clues, questioning suspects (played by participants or facilitators), and piecing together the storyline. 

It is conducted over videoconferencing and fosters problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication as team members collaborate to crack the case. 

A virtual murder mystery is a good activity for small teams that encourages deeper engagement and allows each person to contribute to the mystery’s resolution. 

It promotes teamwork and builds trust in a fun, immersive way. It also builds camaraderie and stronger interpersonal connections in a remote work environment.

4) Monax Island

Monax Island is a virtual team-building adventure game that sees participants stranded on a fictional island. They must work together to complete challenges and solve puzzles to “survive” and escape. 

The game emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity as teams navigate various scenarios and make strategic decisions to progress. 

Monax Island requires constant communication and teamwork. This makes it an excellent virtual team-building activity for small groups, as each member can contribute continuously and actively. 

The immersive, story-driven experience helps build trust and camaraderie. Meanwhile, its engaging, problem-solving nature fosters stronger bonds and enhances team dynamics in a remote setting.

5) Virtual Scavenger Hunt

A virtual scavenger hunt is an interactive online game in which participants must find specific items or complete challenges within a set timeframe. These objects may be found either in their physical environment or through online searches. 

It encourages creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork as members collaborate to fulfill the list of tasks. 

For small groups, a virtual scavenger hunt is a great team-building activity because it promotes active participation from everyone, enhances communication, and injects fun into the remote work environment. 

The small team size also allows for more personalized interactions, which will foster stronger connections and improve overall team morale.

6) Virtual Drawing Games

In virtual drawing games, participants draw prompts while others guess the drawing in real time. This can be done on platforms like Zoom with shared whiteboards or drawing apps like Skribbl. 

These games encourage creativity, quick thinking, and clear communication as team members collaborate to solve each prompt. 

For small groups, virtual drawing games are excellent team-building activities because they provide a relaxed, fun environment where everyone can participate, fostering engagement and camaraderie. 

A small group ensures more interaction and personal connection, helping to build trust and improve team dynamics while also offering lighthearted moments of humor and creativity.

7) Guess the Emoji Board

The “Guess the Emoji” board game is a fun virtual activity in which participants analyze emoji boards to guess each other’s most used emojis. 

Each team member shares a screenshot of their frequently used emojis, and other players try to guess which emojis are used the most and in what order. 

This simple game creates lighthearted interactions, inside jokes, and an opportunity to bond over shared virtual experiences. 

It is ideal for small teams as it sparks creativity, fosters connection, and provides a quick break from routine. It also encourages collaboration and improves team morale in a remote environment.

8) Never Have I Ever: SFW Edition

“Never Have I Ever: SFW Edition” is a virtual team-building game where participants share work-appropriate statements about things they have never done. 

If others in the group have done that thing, they respond, often by lowering a virtual hand or reacting in a specific way. 

In small groups, this game promotes openness and encourages team members to learn fun, light-hearted facts about each other.

It helps break the ice and build trust to create a relaxed, inclusive environment.

9) Two Truths and a Lie

“Two Truths and a Lie” is a popular and quick team-building game where each participant shares three statements about themselves — two truths and one lie. The rest of the group tries to guess which statement is false. 

This activity is great for small virtual teams because it encourages storytelling, personal sharing, and active listening, helping team members learn more about each other in a fun, engaging way. 

It promotes interaction, breaks down barriers, and creates a relaxed environment, making it easier for remote teams to bond. Small groups also allow for deeper conversations and more personalized interactions​

10) Virtual Coffee Breaks

Virtual coffee breaks are short, informal online meetings where team members gather for casual conversations, typically without discussing work. These breaks allow participants to connect personally while improving team morale.

This activity is effective for small groups because it creates a more intimate and relaxed setting, encouraging open dialogue and trust among members. 

The bonding experience promotes better communication and collaboration within the team. This helps to reduce feelings of isolation in remote work environments and boosts team cohesion and well-being.

Why Virtual Team Building is Important for Small Teams

Small groups often face unique challenges like fewer chances of organic, spontaneous conversations than larger groups, where interactions may naturally occur. 

This can lead to a sense of detachment and reduced communication, making team members feel disconnected from each other. Small groups can also sometimes struggle with the need for personalized engagement. 

Each team member plays a critical role — and a lack of individual recognition or attention can lead to decreased motivation and productivity. When that happens, team morale can quickly decline, making it harder to build trust.

To counter these challenges, teams can foster team morale and trust through fun and interactive activities. 

Virtual holiday party games and team-building exercises like quizzes, online games, or virtual coffee breaks can help create a space for team members to bond and engage with one another outside of their regular work routines. 

These activities encourage open communication and provide the personalized attention that small teams need. 

By consistently incorporating such activities, small groups can develop stronger interpersonal relationships. This will improve collaboration and a more cohesive, supportive work environment.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Virtual Team Building

Virtual team building can have several challenges that are easily addressed.

• Technical Difficulties: Problems like poor internet connections or unfamiliarity with online platforms can be minimized by choosing user-friendly tools. Small teams can also conduct pre-meeting tech checks.
• Time Zone Differences: This can be managed by rotating meeting times or scheduling overlapping hours to ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
• Participant Disengagement: This is usually caused by repetitive or unexciting activities. To overcome this, leaders should prioritize diverse, interactive activities that cater to team preferences, such as virtual games, quizzes, or collaborative challenges. Encouraging participation through incentives or varying formats can keep things fresh.

Incorporate new activities and gather feedback after each session to keep employees engaged over time.

Mixing in casual, non-work-related interactions can also keep team members interested and foster deeper connections.

Key Takeaways on 10 Best Virtual Team Building Activities for Small Groups

Virtual team-building activities are important for fostering strong relationships, improving communication, and boosting morale within small groups. 

These activities address challenges like isolation and limited interaction to help create a more cohesive and supportive team environment. 

Small teams benefit greatly from regular, interactive opportunities like virtual coffee breaks or trivia games.

Leaders should prioritize diverse, engaging activities that cater to their team’s unique dynamics. By doing so, they will ensure that team members feel valued, connected, and motivated in their remote work environments.