When it comes to remote work, fostering team cohesion and camaraderie can be challenging. Yet, it’s essential for maintaining productivity, morale, and a sense of community within the workforce. Enter virtual team building activities, a modern solution to this modern problem.
These activities are designed to bridge the gap between remote employees, helping them to bond, collaborate, and have fun despite physical distances. Let’s explore some of the most engaging and effective virtual team building activities, starting with the ever-popular online escape rooms.
1. Online Escape Rooms – Our Top Pick for Virtual Team Building Activities
Online escape rooms are a fantastic way to kick off virtual team building activities. These digital adventures replicate the excitement and challenge of physical escape rooms but can be experienced from the comfort of one’s home. Teams are “locked” in a virtual room filled with puzzles, clues, and riddles that they must solve within a set time to “escape.”
The beauty of online escape rooms lies in their ability to promote teamwork and critical thinking. Participants must communicate effectively, share insights, and work together to decipher clues and progress through the game. This fosters a sense of unity and collaboration that can translate to better teamwork in professional tasks.
2. Trivia Quizzes
Trivia quizzes are another excellent option for virtual team building activities. These can be tailored to suit your team’s interests, whether it’s pop culture, history, science, or company-specific trivia. Platforms like Kahoot!, QuizBreaker, and TriviaMaker make it easy to create and host engaging trivia sessions.
Trivia quizzes promote healthy competition and provide a platform for team members to showcase their knowledge and quick thinking. They can be organized regularly, with different themes each time to keep things fresh and exciting. Additionally, trivia quizzes can be a great icebreaker for new team members, helping them integrate into the group seamlessly.
3. Coffee Breaks
Virtual coffee breaks mimic the casual conversations and social interactions that happen during office coffee breaks. These informal sessions can be scheduled daily or weekly, providing a relaxed environment where team members can catch up, share personal stories, or discuss non-work-related topics.
Virtual coffee breaks are vital for maintaining the human connection in remote teams. They allow employees to unwind and bond over shared interests, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and promote a more cohesive team spirit. Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack make it easy to set up and manage these casual virtual team building activities.
4. Online Workshops and Webinars
Investing in professional development is always a good idea, and online workshops and webinars can double as virtual team building activities. These sessions can cover a wide range of topics, from industry-specific skills to personal growth and wellness. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer extensive libraries of courses that teams can take together.
Participating in workshops and webinars as a team encourages learning and development while providing a common experience to discuss and reflect on. This shared educational journey can strengthen bonds and promote a culture of continuous improvement within the team.
5. Game Nights
Game nights are a timeless way to build camaraderie, and they can easily be adapted into virtual team building activities. Whether it’s classic board games, card games, or video games, there’s something for every team. Games like Pictionary, charades, and online versions of popular board games such as Codenames and Settlers of Catan can be great fun.
Virtual game nights offer a break from work-related stress and allow team members to interact in a light-hearted, playful environment. These sessions can be organized weekly or monthly, providing a regular dose of fun and relaxation that can strengthen team bonds over time.
6. Book Clubs
For teams that enjoy reading, virtual book clubs can be an enriching form of team building. Selecting a book to read together and then discussing it in a virtual meeting fosters intellectual engagement and provides a platform for deeper conversations. The chosen books can range from fiction to professional development titles, depending on the team’s interests.
Virtual book clubs encourage continuous learning and provide a structured way for team members to connect over shared interests. They also promote empathy and understanding, as discussions often reveal different perspectives and insights.
7. Remote Team-Building Challenges
Remote team-building challenges are designed to test and improve team dynamics. These can include a variety of activities, such as virtual scavenger hunts, cooking challenges, or fitness challenges. Platforms like GooseChase and Scavify offer tools to create engaging and interactive scavenger hunts that teams can participate in from their own homes.
These challenges promote creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. They can be tailored to suit different themes or goals, making them versatile and adaptable to any team’s needs. Moreover, they add an element of fun and excitement to the workweek, keeping team members motivated and engaged.
8. Icebreaker Sessions
Another one of the top virtual team building activities are icebreaker sessions which are crucial for new teams or for integrating new members into an existing team. These short, structured activities are designed to help team members get to know each other better. Common icebreakers include “Two Truths and a Lie,” “Would You Rather,” and “Desert Island Scenarios.”
Virtual icebreaker sessions help to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and comfortable environment. They can be particularly effective in the early stages of team formation, setting a positive tone for future interactions and collaborations.
9. Art and Craft Sessions
For a creative twist on virtual team building activities, consider organizing online art and craft sessions. These can include activities like painting, drawing, or even DIY crafts. Platforms like Paint and Sip Live offer virtual painting classes that teams can participate in together.
Art and craft sessions provide a relaxing and enjoyable way for team members to express their creativity and bond over shared experiences. They also offer a refreshing break from the usual work routine, promoting mental well-being and reducing stress.
10. Cooking Classes
Virtual cooking classes are a fun and interactive virtual team building activity that allows for teams to bond over a shared culinary experience. Professional chefs can guide participants through the preparation of a dish, allowing everyone to cook along from their own kitchens.
This activity encourages teamwork and communication as team members share tips and showcase their culinary creations. Platforms like Cozymeal and The Chef & The Dish offer a variety of cooking class options.
11. Online Improv Workshops
Improv workshops are excellent for enhancing communication skills, creativity, and spontaneity. These workshops typically involve a series of fun and interactive exercises designed to get participants thinking on their feet and working together.
Virtual improv workshops can be conducted by professional improv artists and are a fantastic way to break the ice and foster a sense of humor and camaraderie within the team.
12. Virtual Dance Parties
Sometimes, the best way to bond is through music and dance. Virtual dance parties can be organized where team members join a video call, play music, and dance together.
You can even hire a DJ or a dance instructor to lead the session. This activity is a great way to let loose, have fun, and relieve stress. Tools like Zoom and DJ platforms like Mixlr can be used to host these events.
13. Murder Mystery Parties
Virtual murder mystery parties are an engaging and immersive way for a virtual team building activity. Participants are assigned roles and work together to solve a fictional murder case.
Companies like Murder Mystery Co. and Red Herring Games offer virtual murder mystery packages that come with scripts, clues, and facilitators to guide the event. This activity requires collaboration and critical thinking, making it a perfect team-building exercise.
14. Virtual Karaoke
Karaoke is always a hit, and it can be just as fun in a virtual setting. Organize a virtual karaoke night where team members can sing their favorite songs and cheer each other on.
Tools like Zoom, along with karaoke apps like Smule and Karafun, make it easy to host a virtual karaoke session. This activity is a great way to let loose, have fun, and build team spirit.
15. DIY Craft Projects
For a hands-on activity, consider organizing virtual DIY craft projects. Send out craft kits or a list of materials needed, and then guide the team through the project via a video call. This could be anything from making candles to creating custom mugs.
The process of creating something together can be very rewarding and provides a tangible reminder of the team’s collaboration.
16. Virtual Charity Events
Engaging in charitable activities as a team can be very fulfilling and builds a sense of purpose. Organize virtual charity events such as fundraising runs, online auctions, or volunteer projects.
Teams can work together to raise money or awareness for a cause they care about. Platforms like GoFundMe and JustGiving can be used to facilitate these events.
FAQs
How can I have fun at work virtually?
Sing Your Heart Out In Karaoke
Host a Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Exercise Creativity Through a Virtual Improv Session
Host an Online Office Olympics
Employee Virtual Wellness Sessions
How to engage a team virtually?
Keep remote meetings as short as possible
Make ‘social’ events structured
Host informal virtual all-hands
Say goodbye to email
Create a remote working resources library
Make all org-wide updates digital
Record all (important) meetings
What are the 4 main types of team building activities?
Communication-focused, trust-building, problem-solving, and decision-making.
How do you facilitate remote work?
Encourage open and frequent communication between team members, set up regular virtual meetings, and use collaboration tools like email, instant messaging, and project management software.
Contact Hint Hunt Canada for Virtual Team Building Activities
Incorporating virtual team building activities into your remote work routine is essential for maintaining a cohesive and motivated team. Whether it’s the excitement of online escape rooms, the intellectual engagement of virtual book clubs, or the creativity of online art sessions, there’s a wide variety of activities to choose from.
By regularly scheduling these activities, you can foster stronger relationships, improve communication, and create a more enjoyable and productive remote work environment.