19 Virtual Team Building Activities 2024

Since the pandemic, remote work has been all the rage, and why not? Its benefits, like better work-life balance, have been discussed ad nauseum. That said, remote work still presents challenges, including team cohesion. Given the distance between remote workers, what can you do to make them feel connected?

Virtual team-building activities are the answer. They’re a clever way to strengthen your remote company culture while bonding and improving employee relations. Of course, implementing the right virtual team-building activities can also be tricky. Thankfully, Mosey has you covered.

In this article, we’ll explore 20 of the best virtual team-building activities that will bring the water cooler to your computers.

What Are Quick Virtual Team Building Activities?

Need a way to quickly break the ice in a virtual team meeting? These activities take less than 10 minutes but will have a lasting impact on team morale and connection.

1. Icebreaker Games

Icebreaker questions get people talking and sharing in real time. They’re perfect for the start of virtual meetings or when you have a few minutes to spare. For example, you could ask about everyone’s weekends or what they would bring to a company potluck.

2. Fun Slack Channels

Create dedicated channels on Slack (or your messaging platform of choice) for light-hearted topics. A “pets of [company name]” channel is always a hit, as is one for sharing funny GIFs or interesting articles. These channels create space for casual conversations and help build camaraderie among remote team members.

3. Short Games

“Would You Rather” questions or other short virtual team-building games are a fun way to spark laughter and conversation. You can also try a quick round of “Two Truths and One Lie” or a virtual scavenger hunt with items found around the home or workspace.

4. Virtual Coffee Breaks or Happy Hours

Encourage informal interactions by scheduling a virtual happy hour or coffee break. These events allow remote employees to chat and connect outside of work-related discussions. You can even set up themed events, like a virtual wine tasting or a “show and tell” of your favorite beverages.

These quick and easy activities show that team building doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. A few minutes of fun can go a long way in building a stronger, more connected group.

What Are Interactive Virtual Team Building Activities?

Let’s kick things up a notch. If you have more time — specifically 30-60 minutes — these interactive activities will get your remote team laughing, collaborating, and maybe even learning a new skill.

5. Online Team-Building Bingo

Who doesn’t love bingo? Create bingo cards with squares like “Forgot to unmute,” “Wearing pajama pants,” or “Kid or pet made a surprise appearance.” This game adds fun to any virtual event while helping everyone relate to the shared experience of remote work.

You can even create custom cards with inside jokes or company-specific references for extra fun.

6. Virtual Escape Rooms

Put your team’s problem-solving skills to the test with a virtual escape room. These immersive online experiences require teamwork, communication skills, and creative thinking to solve puzzles and “escape” within a time limit. It’s a thrilling way to strengthen team bonds and boost collaboration.

7. Pictionary or Charades

Get together and get your creative juices flowing with virtual Pictionary or charades. These classic games translate seamlessly to the virtual world with tools like the whiteboards on various video conferencing platforms, from Zoom and Microsoft Teams to Google Meet or even Skype.

Turn a mundane workday into a fun activity for the whole team.

8. Trivia Games

Test your team’s knowledge with a trivia game. Let their personalities shine through by picking a theme that matches your company culture or the things you know your team loves. Think pop culture, history buffs, and more. These games spark friendly competition and get everyone laughing. They’re bonding activities at their finest.

9. Virtual Murder Mysteries

For an unforgettable team-building event, host a virtual murder mystery game. These games transform your virtual meeting into an exciting whodunnit.

When you introduce interactive activities, don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your entire team. Above all, remember to have fun.

What Are Skill-Building Virtual Exercises?

Want your team to learn and grow together? Ditch the boring webinars and try some fun and educational team-building exercises. These activities help your employees learn new skills and improve their work while having a good time and collaborating. It’s a win-win for everyone.

10. Virtual Workshops and Training Sessions

Who said learning has to be dull? Offer workshops on topics your team actually wants to learn about. Maybe they’re interested in improving their communication, becoming better leaders, or managing their time more effectively while working remotely.

These sessions teach valuable skills and encourage everyone to work together and learn from each other.

11. Online Cooking Classes or Mixology Workshops

Add some flavor to your team building with interactive cooking or mixology classes. Your team can bond over learning new recipes, experimenting with different tastes, or mixing up delicious cocktails and mocktails.

It’s a fun and relaxed way for people to connect outside of work. They may even discover a hidden talent for cooking or mixology.

12. Virtual Book Clubs

Love to read and chat about books? A virtual book club is a great way to connect with colleagues with similar interests. Choose a book that’s relevant to your work or just for fun. Then, meet up regularly online to discuss what you’ve read.

You’ll be surprised at the insightful conversations and new perspectives that emerge.

13. Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions

Tap into your team’s collective creativity with online brainstorming sessions. Grab a virtual whiteboard or mind-mapping tool and let your gears grind. It’s a fantastic way to solve problems, develop new ideas, or plan projects together.

Everyone gets to contribute, and you might be amazed at the innovative solutions your team generates.

14. Coding Challenges or Hackathons

For tech-loving teams, why not host a coding challenge or hackathon? It’s a fun way to show off your coding skills, learn from each other, and create something new and useful for your team.

These activities prove that team building and skill development don’t have to be a drag. Mix them together and watch your team become stronger and more connected. The skills they learn will benefit them at work and in their everyday lives, so give it a shot and see how your team grows.

What Are Creative Virtual Team Building Activities?

Are you looking for out-of-the-box activities? Forget the same old routine; it’s time to get creative and have fun with your remote team. Employee engagement is about to skyrocket.

15. Virtual Scavenger Hunts

Think of it like a treasure hunt, but online. You can hide clues all over your company’s virtual workspace and get your team to work together to find them. Make it even more fun by adding inside jokes or challenges related to your work. This online game is a great way to encourage teamwork and friendly competition via a virtual work environment.

16. Online Karaoke or Lip-Sync Battles

Want to see your team let loose and have a blast? Karaoke or lip-sync battles are the way to go. Everyone gets to pick their favorite song, dress up if they want, and put on a show. It’s all about having fun, showing off hidden talents, and having a good laugh. Ultimately, this team-building idea will boost the well-being of your crew.

17. Virtual Improv Sessions

Time to get goofy. Virtual improv sessions are the perfect facilitators of laughter, communication, and thinking on your feet. You’ll work together to create funny scenes and games on the spot. It’s a method of building trust and breaking down any awkwardness.

18. “Guess Who” Games

Want to know your coworkers better but can’t do it in person? Play a virtual version of “Guess Who.”

Have everyone create a profile with fun facts about themselves, like hobbies, favorite foods, and interesting experiences. Then, try to guess who’s who based on their profiles. It’s a light and fun way to learn more about each other and strengthen relationships.

19. Virtual Tours of Museums or Historical Sites

For something educational and fun, many museums and historical sites offer virtual tours. You can explore them together as a team, right from your homes. This way, you can learn new things, have interesting conversations, and bond over shared interests.

20. Online Game Shows

Recreate the excitement of your favorite game shows like Jeopardy or Family Feud with an online version. You can use a platform like Kahoot to create your own questions and categories. This activity brings out the competitive spirit in a fun and lighthearted way. Get your team involved by asking them to bring their own questions for more personalized play.

If your team is tired of “traditional” remote team-building activities, break out these to really mix things up. Remember to look for even more unique activities — there are endless options!

Try These Virtual Team-Building Games Today

Team building shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should be something your team looks forward to. Try these activities and experience the difference. After all, when your team feels connected and supported, everyone wins.

If you’d like other insights to strengthen your teams, explore our resources for more business tips on people management and regulatory compliance.

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