10 Best Virtual Team Building Activities for Employees
Are you in search of the best virtual team building activities?
For a business, it is not an easy task to manage employees who are from different locations around the world. As a leader, you might find it hard to manage teams with time differences. That’s why you need the right exercises to build stronger relationships and trust among your remote employees.
In this article, let’s see the 10 best virtual team building activities you can try. They can help bring your remote employees together and strengthen their relationships.
Tips for Conducting Virtual Activities Successfully
Before we start, here are some tips to run your virtual team building sessions successfully:
Inclusivity: Make sure the activities are inclusive and accessible for all employees, regardless of their location or abilities.
Respect Time: Keep in mind the time zones and availability of your employees. Plan accordingly so that everyone can participate without feeling excluded.
Open Communication: Encourage open communication and create a safe space for employees to share their thoughts and ideas. This will help build trust and camaraderie among team members.
Clear Objective: Have a clear objective for each activity, whether it’s to improve communication, problem-solving skills, or teamwork.
Give Support: Provide necessary resources and guidelines for the activities, such as video conferencing tools or instructions on how to participate in the exercise.
If this is your first time, you can read this article for inspiration: How to Facilitate Team Building Activities in Your Workplace?
10 Best Virtual Team Building Activities for Employees
Here are some engaging exercises that can help your team bond, collaborate better, and boost their morale while working remotely.
So, let’s start!
#1. Photo Sharing
This is a quick activity where participants share a meaningful photo from their lives and explain its story. It helps employees connect on a personal level within a short timeframe.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A computer or phone with access to video calling software
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Ask each team member to select a meaningful photo to share during the activity.
- Have them briefly explain the story or reason behind the chosen photo.
- Encourage others to ask one question about the photo for deeper engagement.
- If the team is large, divide the participants into smaller breakout rooms to ensure everyone has enough time.
Debrief
Figure out which shared experiences or personal stories fostered stronger emotional connections among employees. Take note of any commonalities that could help strengthen team bonds further.
#2. Virtual Escape Room
This exercise challenges employees to solve puzzles and riddles together. It promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Time: You decide
Materials: Online escape room platform
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Choose a virtual escape room experience that aligns with your team’s interests.
- Divide the employees into smaller groups if the platform supports limited participants.
- Provide instructions on how to access the platform and ensure everyone knows their roles.
- Encourage collaboration as the team works through the challenges to “escape” the room.
Debrief
Reflect on how well the team collaborated and which problem-solving strategies worked best. Discuss any moments where communication or leadership stood out as particularly effective.
#3. Personal Trivia Challenge
This activity aims to uncover fun and interesting facts about team members. It promotes a sense of connection and understanding among colleagues.
Time: You decide
Materials: A list of trivia questions
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Prepare a list of random personal trivia questions such as ‘what is your favorite childhood memory?’ or ‘where did you grow up?’
- Ask each member of the group to take turns answering the questions.
- Encourage others to guess the answers before the participant reveals them.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity helped the group learn more about each other’s backgrounds and interests. Highlight any surprising or unique discoveries that stood out, fostering mutual appreciation and understanding among employees.
#4. Virtual Book Club
A virtual book club can help employees bond over a shared interest in reading. It also encourages critical thinking and discussion, which are essential elements of effective teamwork.
Time: Varies based on the length of the chosen book
Materials: Chosen book, access to video calling software for virtual meetings, optional discussion questions or prompts
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Choose a book that appeals to your team’s interests or relates to work-related themes. Allow enough time for participants to read the book before holding a virtual discussion.
- Schedule regular virtual book club meetings to discuss the book in detail. Encourage open and respectful discussion among participants.
- Optional: Provide discussion questions or prompts to guide the conversation and encourage deeper analysis of the chosen book.
Debrief
Reflect on how participating in a virtual book club has impacted team dynamics, communication, and critical thinking skills. Consider asking for feedback on future book club selections to keep employees engaged and interested.
#5. Digital Scavenger Hunt
In this exercise, employees should find certain websites or information within the time limit based on the given clues. It promotes creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: A list of clues, and a computer with internet access
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Choose a theme for the scavenger hunt and create a list of clues or tasks related to that theme. For example, if the theme is “corporate culture,” one clue could be to find the company’s mission statement on the website.
- Divide the participants into smaller teams and assign a time limit to complete the scavenger hunt.
- The team that completes the most tasks within the given time wins. Alternatively, you can have a friendly competition with points awarded for each completed task.
Debrief
Discuss how working together on a common goal encouraged teamwork and collaboration. Reflect on which clues were the most challenging and how the team members solved them.
#6. Happy Hour Joke
This activity promotes bonding and laughter, which can reduce stress. It is one of the excellent virtual team building activities to wind down after a busy day of work.
Time: You decide
Materials: A list of jokes or funny stories
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Invite the employees to share their favorite jokes or funny stories during a designated virtual happy hour.
- Encourage participants to take turns and have a good laugh together.
- Alternatively, you can provide a list of jokes and ask each participant to read one aloud.
Debrief
Reflect on how humor can bring people together and reduce stress Discuss any memorable jokes or stories shared during the happy hour and how it impacted the overall mood of the group.
#7. Story Circle
This is a creative activity that encourages teamwork and communication. It also allows employees to tap into their imagination and storytelling skills.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Ask one participant to start a story, setting the scene and introducing the characters.
- After a few sentences, have that person pass the story on to another participant, who will continue where they left off.
- Continue passing the story around the group until everyone has had a chance to contribute.
Debrief
Discuss how working together on a creative task like storytelling can promote teamwork and encourage collaboration. Reflect on any unique twists or elements that each employee added to the story.
#8. Online Coffee Chat
This exercise provides an informal setting for employees to connect and get to know each other better. It can improve communication and build rapport among team members.
Time: You decide
Materials: A video calling software and optional conversation-starter questions
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Schedule a virtual coffee chat during a designated time where employees can join for casual conversation.
- Split the participants into groups.
- Provide each group with some optional conversation-starter questions to help break the ice and keep the conversation flowing.
- Encourage the group members to be open and curious, getting to know each other on a personal level.
Debrief
Reflect on how this casual virtual hangout impacted team dynamics and communication. Consider making it a regular event to continue fostering relationships within the group.
#9. Appreciation Circle
This is a simple activity that can boost team morale and foster a positive work environment. It allows employees to express gratitude for each other’s contributions and accomplishments.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Groups of 4-8 individuals
Instructions
- Schedule a virtual meeting and ask the participants to come prepared with specific examples of how their colleagues have contributed positively to the team.
- During the meeting, take turns going around in a circle, with each participant sharing their appreciation for a specific colleague.
- Encourage everyone to be sincere and specific in their expressions of gratitude.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity made employees feel appreciated and valued. Reflect on any specific examples of positive contributions that stood out to the group.
#10. Word Association Game
This is an interactive game that can spark creativity and improve communication skills within a team. It also encourages quick thinking and problem-solving.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Choose a word to start with and have one person in the group say it out loud.
- The next person must quickly say the first word that comes to mind when they hear the previous word. For example, if the first word is “cat”, the next person might say “dog”.
- Continue this pattern, with each person saying a new word based on the previous one.
- Encourage participants to explain their associations if desired, allowing for more insight into each other’s thought processes.
Debrief
Reflect on how playing the word association game has helped employees think creatively and improve communication skills. Discuss any interesting connections or insights that were revealed during the game.
Want Some Unique Leadership Development Activities?
If you want some unique activities to equip your employees with leadership skills, qualities, and mindset, you can get my new e-book:
Or Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?
If you want some unique activities for your employees (both in-person and virtual), you can get my new e-book:
Final Words
The above activities can motivate your remote employees and direct them toward your business goals. Once done correctly, you can turn your virtual employees into high-performing teams. Remember to plan and execute these activities with clear communication, active participation, and a positive attitude. With some creativity and effort, you can build a strong team culture regardless of the physical distance.
FAQ: Virtual Team Building Activities
You might have these questions in mind.
How often should we conduct these activities?
This will depend on your team’s needs and availability. It could be once a week, bi-weekly, or monthly. The key is consistency and making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Also, consider incorporating smaller activities into regular team meetings to keep the momentum going.
Should leaders participate in these activities?
Of course! Leaders should actively participate in these activities to show their commitment to building a strong team culture. This will also allow them to get to know their employees better and build trust.
How do I make virtual team building activities effective?
To make virtual activities effective, focus on creating inclusive and interactive experiences that cater to diverse team preferences. Use reliable technology to ensure smooth communication, and schedule activities at a time convenient for all participants. Regularly gather feedback to refine and improve the exercises based on group needs.
What are some simple exercises for remote teams?
Some of the simple exercises for remote teams are Appreciation Circle, Word Association, and Photo Sharing. They require minimal setup and can easily be conducted over a virtual platform. Other options include icebreaker questions, team quizzes, or collaborative brainstorming sessions. Remember to keep the activities engaging and tailored to your team’s interests and goals.
Can these activities be conducted in person?
Yes! Many of these activities can also be adapted for in-person settings. However, you may need to make adjustments based on the group size and ensure safety measures are in place. Consider combining virtual and in-person elements to create a hybrid experience for teams with both remote and on-site members. The key is to keep the activities fun, interactive, and aligned with your group’s goals.