20 Virtual Team Building Activities To Boost Your Remote Work Routine
Step aside, ordinary work routines! As a part of the corporate workspace, people can end up feeling a little bit like another cog in the wheel. This is why you often need virtual team building activities to break you out of the funk.
If you’ve been craving something offbeat and electrifying to spruce up your remote work life, you’re in for a treat. We have compiled about 20 virtual team building activities for you to check out. These activities cover everything from enthralling murder mysteries all the way to the beloved classic Pictionary. We are sure you will be spoilt for choice with the help of our list. Let’s begin our deep dive.
Kick off your virtual meetings with a bang using icebreaker virtual team building activities or a dash of humor with our funny virtual team building activities to keep everyone laughing and engaged at a personal level. For more intimate teams, consider our virtual team building activities for small groups that can help foster meaningful connections and collaboration.
Our article on virtual team building activities for large groups, on the other hand, is a nifty guide on how to effectively manage larger teams and boost team engagement. If you’re working on shoe-string budget, we got you covered with our article on free virtual team building activities, too.
1. Why Does Your Organization Need Virtual Teambuilding Activities?
Virtual teambuilding activities are essential for organizations operating in a remote work setting. They are designed to help enhance communication skills, foster positive company culture, encourage teamwork and friendly competition, boost morale, and create shared experiences. All of this in turn helps contribute to a a happier, more engaged, and more productive remote workforce.
Additionally, by engaging in virtual teambuilding activities, employees have the opportunity to practice and improve their communication skills, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards shared goals.
2. Paid Virtual Team Building Activities
2.1. Hooray Teams
With its wide range of virtual team-building activities and interactive games, Hooray Teams offers an exciting and engaging hosted platform for companies to connect their employees, no matter where they are located. This virtual teambuilding marketplace is home to a number of unique and immersive virtual experiences which can easily be tailored to accommodate your group size.
You can race against the clock to unravel a murder mystery or host virtual trivia sessions that bring your entire team together for a friendly competition. The choices are endless. So, if you are a company seeking to strengthen bonds and improve teamwork within your remote teams
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 60 -120 mins
- Price per Session: Varies based on team size
2.2. Murder Mystery
Do you have any true crime fanatics within your team? Well, this is one activity that is tailor-made for them, a good murder mystery. You will be stepping into the shoes of a detective and embark on an immersive adventure that will test your team’s problem-solving skills and detective instincts.
Throughout the experience, team members will need to gather clues, analyze evidence, and collaborate with their teammates to piece together the intricate puzzle. Communication and critical thinking skills are put to the test as participants discuss theories, share findings, and strategize their next moves. The pressure is on as the clock ticks and the team races against time to solve the murder before it’s too late.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 60 -120 mins
- Price per Session: Varies depending on the provider.
2.3. Virtual Escape Room
Virtual escape rooms come in a wide variety of themes and storylines, catering to different interests and preferences. Whether your team wants to solve a murder mystery, prevent a hacking attack, or explore an ancient treasure hunt, there’s a virtual escape room to suit everyone’s taste. For the adrenaline junkies, there is no activity as fun as a virtual escape room.
In this interactive activity team members are transported into a world of mystery and puzzles, where they must work together to solve a series of challenges and escape within a set time limit. Just like a traditional escape room you have to solve clues and overcome obstacles but you do it through your electronic device.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 60 -120 mins
- Price per Session: Varies depending on the provider.
2.4. Virtual Wine Tasting
Wine tasting has often been seen as a luxurious experience that only a select few get to experience. However, there is a way that you can easily adapt it for your remote team. Platforms like Hooray Teams can easily help you explore the rich flavours and aromas of fine wines, all from the comfort of your own home.
You will receive a curated box of wines at your doorstep before the session. Each wine is discussed in detail, with an experienced sommelier sharing insights about the grape varieties, the winemaking process, and the unique characteristics of each bottle. So, if it is a luxury experience you are looking for this is the activity for you.
- No of Participants: 10-1000
- Time Duration: 60 -120 mins
- Price per Session: Varies depending on the provider.
2.5. Minute to Win-It Games
All of us, at some point, have come across the television show- Minute to win it and gone like-”I can do that”. Well, here is a chance to do so. These quick and exciting games are perfect as virtual team building activities since they require minimal set-up and can be easily played through video conferencing platforms.
Minute to Win It Games also provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase their unique skills and talents. Each game has its own quirks and challenges, making it a chance for everyone to show off their unique skills. It’s like a talent show that boosts everyone’s mood! What’s even cooler? You can play these games using everyday stuff you’ve got lying around the house, like paper clips and ping pong balls. It’s like turning your place into a playground.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: Dependent on the number of players
- Price per Session: Varies depending on the provider.
2.6. Virtual Cooking Classes
While cooking is not everyone’s forte which is fine, virtual cooking classes are perfect for even for beginners. It’s a great way to get conversations flowing. These online classes allow you to learn new cooking skills, try out different recipes, and have fun together with team members, all from the comfort of your own kitchens.
Not to toot our own horn, but we do host an extremely tasty Pasta cooking class. We take care of all the nitty-gritty details, like sending all the ingredients to every team member ahead of time. So, no need to stress about gathering stuff for the activity!
- No of Participants: 5-300
- Time Duration: 60 mins
- Price per Session: $ 80 Per Person.
2.7. Online Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations
Online celebrations offer a wide range of possibilities to make the day truly special and unforgettable. From virtual parties and surprise video shout-outs to interactive games and personalized presentations. The best part? Online celebrations give you the freedom to tweak and fine-tune the event to match each person’s tastes and passions.
Now if you need an expert crew to help you plan your colleague’s or employee’s big day, we are a click away. Hooray Teams offers Birthday celebrations helmed by a professional host to ensure that the conversation keeps flowing. Additionally, you can even choose to send a surprise gift to your co-worker.
- No of Participants: 5-300
- Time Duration: 60 mins
- Price per Session: $ 25 Per Person.
2.8. Send a Company SWAG Package
In the modern business world, maintaining a strong company culture and keeping remote employees engaged is more important than ever. While virtual meetings and video conferences help bridge the gap, sometimes it takes a little extra effort to truly make remote employees feel valued and connected. One effective way to achieve this is by sending a company SWAG package.
These packages can contain a variety of items such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, water bottles, notebooks, pens, stickers, and more – all displaying the company logo or relevant branding. This is a thoughtful gesture, one that is bound to make your employees happy.
- No of Participants:
- Time Duration: NA
- Price per Session: NA.
2.9. Guided Meditation and Wellness Sessions
Guided meditation and wellness sessions are becoming increasingly popular among remote teams as a way to promote mental well-being and reduce stress. If you are looking for a reliable guided meditation class, we can help you out. The Hooray Teams Meditation class offers the expertise of an experienced instructor, ready to guide you on this transformative journey.
It’s as simple as following the provided Zoom link, making it effortless for you to embark on a path of mental well-being and self-care.
- No of Participants: 5-300
- Time Duration: 60 mins
- Price per Session: $ 20 Per Person.
2.10. Trivia hour
A Trivia Hour is a virtual event where your team unites for a full hour of brain-teasing fun. The fun of this game lies in its versatility. Companies can customize the trivia questions based on various themes, such as pop culture, history, sports, or even company-related trivia. This allows for a personalized experience that caters to the interests and preferences of the team.
We highly recommend diving into the exciting world of Pop Culture trivia! this one covers everything that is new and current in the pop world. Right from Taylor Swift all the way to Wrexham. But hey, if you’re more of a nostalgia enthusiast, we’ve got a treat for you too! Check out“The Office” trivia.
- No of Participants: 5-300
- Time Duration: Dependent on the number of players.
- Price per Session: $ 20 Per Person
3. Free Virtual Teambuilding Activities
3.1. Bingo Party
Bingo is a classic game of chance and strategy. One that has been successfully adapted to virtual platforms, allowing remote teams to come together and enjoy. Whether your team is large or small, work in different time zones, or have varying levels of familiarity with each other, Bin=go Party can be easily customised to best represent your team.
The premise is simple. All team members are provided with a virtual Bingo card that contains a grid of numbers or words. One person is needed to be a host. They call out random numbers or read out questions or statements related to team members’ experiences, skills, or interests. As team members mark off the items on their Bingo cards that correspond to the called-out numbers or answers, they strive to complete a line in any direction or match a pre-determined pattern.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: 30 – 60 mins
- Price per Session: Free
3.2. Online Jeopardy
Thanks to video conferencing platforms you can easily bring the thrill of the classic TV show to your devices. Once again this is a highly customizable game, one that you can choose the themes for. Some of the most popular options are industry-specific trivia, company history, or general knowledge.
Organising an Online Jeopardy game is pretty easy. There are a number of free platforms that allow you to set up the game, create categories and questions, and even track scores and leaderboard rankings
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Price per Session: Free
- Time Duration: 30 – 60 mins
3.3. Word of the Day
This is a simple yet powerful team-building activity that you can easily play with all the employees in your team. Each day, a team member is assigned the responsibility of choosing a word and sharing it with the rest of the team. This word can be anything – a new vocabulary word, a word related to a specific industry or project, or even a word that reflects a team value or motto.
This activity enhances communication skills within the team. As team members try to incorporate the Word of the Day into their daily conversations, they become more aware of what they are saying. Additionally, this activity is simple and flexible. Even if someone misses a day, they can pick up the next day.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: N/A
- Price per Session: Free
3.4. Virtual Book Club
One activity that has stood the test of time in terms of virtual team building activities is the Book Club. It’s a fantastic way for diverse team members to come together and dive into rich discussions about literature. Each team member brings their unique perspective to the table, sparking lively and thought-provoking conversations. This not only boosts individual creativity but also fosters collaborative thinking within the team.
To make the virtual book club even more enjoyable, consider additional activities and elements. For example, you can schedule regular video conference discussions where team members can share their thoughts and insights about the book. You can also set up a dedicated Slack channel or email thread to keep the discussions flowing and share reading recommendations.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Price per Session: Free
- Time Duration: 30-60 mins every month
3.5. Team Talent Show
A team talent show is a great way to showcase your employee’s personalities while in a remote set up. From singing and dancing to magic tricks and comedy skits, everyone has something special to bring to the table. By giving team members the opportunity to shine, you create a positive atmosphere of celebration and appreciation.
To organise a successful virtual talent show, start by setting a date and time that works for everyone. You can also incorporate friendly competition into the talent show by introducing a voting system. Team members can cast their votes for their favourite acts, and the top performers can be recognized with virtual awards or prizes.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: Dependent on the number of participants
- Price per Session: Free
3.6. Pictionary
A classic game that is probably enjoyed and played by everyone is Pictionary. The beauty about this game is that it translates to the virtual world really well. You need atleast two teams for this game. Each group will need a designated “drawer” who will be responsible for creating artistic masterpieces for the other members of their team to guess. They then have a set amount of time to visually represent the word or phrase using only their drawing skills. The rest of the team members must use their deductive skills to guess what the drawing is trying to depict.
Its a simple game but is an excellent way to create strong bonds within the team. Afterall there has to be a reason why it has been popular all these years.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: 30-60 mins
- Price per Session: Free
3.7. Shared Playlist Creation
Music is a really powerful medium to bring people together. You can leverage this medium as a virtual team building activity through Shared Playlist Creation. Gather your team members and decide on a virtual platform that allows for collaborative playlist creation. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or even a shared Google Drive folder can work well for this purpose.
As the playlist starts taking shape, each team member can explain why they chose a particular song and what it means to them. This provides an opportunity for team members to get to know each other on a more personal level and gives insight into their musical preferences.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: NA
- Price per Session: Free
3.8. Team Building Quizzes
Quizzes are a great way to challenge your team’s knowledge in various subjects, from pop culture and history to sports and geography. You can use online platforms like Kahoot or TriviaPlaza to host the quiz and keep track of scores. To add an extra element of excitement, consider offering prizes or rewards for the winning team.
If you want to incorporate some creativity into your team building quizzes, consider a themed quiz. For example, you can create a quiz based on your company’s history or values, or even have a fun French stereotype trivia quiz.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: Dependent on the number of participants
- Price per Session: Free
3.9. Guess the Emoji Board
Guess the Emoji Board is a game where participants are presented with a series of emojis that represent popular phrases, movies, songs, or even everyday expressions. The challenge is to decipher what these combinations of emojis are trying to convey. It requires creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among team members to come up with the correct answers.
This game sparks lively discussions and debates as team members work together to crack the emoji code. It’s a great opportunity for remote employees to showcase their creativity and unique perspectives.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Time Duration: Dependent on the number of participants
- Price per Session: Free
3.10. Host a Miniature Campfire
A miniature campfire is a virtual team building activity that brings the warmth and connection of a traditional campfire into the virtual space. It is a fantastic way to facilitate social interaction, boost morale, and strengthen teamwork among remote employees
Now, here’s the fun part. Once you’ve got your virtual campfire set up, map out a series of engaging activities that will whisk your team away on an unforgettable adventure. Kick off with icebreaker games or storytelling sessions where every participant gets to share their cherished camping memories or fun campfire tales. The goal? To ensure everyone is actively involved and create a welcoming atmosphere where every team member feels at ease sharing their experiences.
- No of Participants: Unlimited
- Price per Session: Free
- Time Duration: Dependent on the number of participants
4. FAQs
4.1. What is the 50 States Challenge Team Building?
The 50 States Challenge is a team-building activity where participants work together to name all 50 U.S. states as quickly as possible. It’s a fun and educational way to encourage teamwork and geographical knowledge
4.2. How do you play the exciting sponge game?
In the exciting sponge game, participants stand in a circle and pass a wet sponge from one person to another using only their chins. The goal is to successfully pass the sponge around the circle without dropping it. It’s a hilarious and light-hearted activity that promotes teamwork and coordination.
4.3. How do you host fun activities?
Hosting fun activities involves choosing engaging games or challenges that suit your group, setting clear rules and objectives, and creating an inclusive and enjoyable atmosphere. Consider the preferences and interests of your participants and ensure that the activities encourage teamwork, creativity, and interaction among team members.