25 Best Virtual Retreat Activities and Games That Don’t Suck (2024)

Virtual Team-Building: We Are Aware of the Challenges

To address these challenges, companies have increasingly turned to virtual retreats as a solution. These retreats are not just a break from routine but an opportunity to create connections and combat the isolation that often accompanies remote work. Well-planned virtual retreats can replicate the relationships of in-person events through activities and games, helping to promote a sense of belonging even in a virtual environment. These events offer a fresh perspective on remote collaboration while maintaining the flexibility remote work provides​.

In this article, we’ll share a variety of virtual retreat activities, as well as practical tips to organize an event that resonates with your remote team. Whether this is your first retreat or an annual tradition, these activities can bring a new energy and sense of cohesion to your remote work culture.

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Team-Bonding Virtual Activities

Virtual Ideas Ideal for Team Bonding

1. Virtual Group Map

Looking for a way to spark connection among team members from different backgrounds? Try the Virtual Group Map. This is an engaging icebreaker that invites participants to place themselves on a visual map representing their hometowns or home countries. As they share one internal value learned from that place, the others will learn about their stories and cultural insights. Sharing these personal facts is a fantastic way to get to know each other, fostering understanding and setting a positive tone for your retreat!

How it works:

1. Create an imaginary map on the floor or use a digital platform;
2. Place each participant on the map;
3. Ask participants to share one value from their upbringing and its importance;
4. Invite them to share a short story;
5. Allow time for follow-up questions.

Group size: Up to 30 participants

Great for: Breaking barriers, promoting communication and understanding.

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2. Virtual Trivia Challenge 

Immerse your team in a Virtual Trivia Challenge and put their knowledge to the test! Compete in rounds of questions and brain-bending puzzles, from pop culture and history to geography and cinema. It’s an opportunity for teams to outsmart each other, strategize their answers, and show off their trivia knowledge. Just grab your team, divide into groups, log in, and get ready to quiz your way to victory! 

• Time estimate: 1 hour
• Group size: Up to 35 participants
• Great for: Teams interested in friendly competition; it promotes communication and strategy among colleagues.

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3. Virtual Game Show

Join a Virtual Game Show and step into the spotlight with your remote team! Compete in fun challenges like rapid-fire trivia, charades, or tricky word games, all hosted by a charismatic emcee. Teams battle for the top spot while facing twists and playing mini-games. Win prizes like gift cards in this interactive activity, where you can showcase your team’s skills. Perfect for virtual hangouts!

• Time estimate: 1-2 hours
• Group size: 5-20 participants
• Great for: Friendly competition and enhancing communication skills.

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4. Virtual Pictionary

Get ready for Virtual Pictionary, where your team’s drawing skills are put to the ultimate test… Online! Compete in real-time as you sketch clues like “a flying unicorn” or “an alien pizza party”, while your teammates guess what you’re drawing. A host keeps the game moving with surprise twists and punchlines. This game promises tons of laughs and prizes for the best guesses. Time to draw and guess your way to victory!

• Time estimate: 1-1.5 hours
• Group size: 5-20 participants
• Great for: Remote teams eager to strengthen bonds while sharing quality time together.

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5. Virtual Do-Good Games

Jump into Virtual Do-Good Games and make a positive impact in your local community! In this activity, teams tackle challenges like creating care packages for local charities or designing awareness campaigns for social causes. Compete in tasks such as organizing virtual fundraisers or brainstorming eco-friendly solutions. It’s a great way to make a difference, and show off your creativity while working towards meaningful goals. Perfect for teams who want to give back!

• Time estimate: 1-2 hours
• Group size: Groups of any size
• Great for: Teams interested in giving back to local communities.

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6. Virtual Retreat Bingo

Virtual Retreat Bingo is a fun, ongoing game perfect for keeping your team engaged throughout a virtual retreat. Players fill in Bingo squares by learning fun facts about teammates during the event. To win, they must connect five squares in a row, column, or diagonal. The catch? You can’t use the same teammate’s name twice in a line, and for larger groups, not twice on the whole card. Small prizes are awarded each time someone completes a row.

How it works:

1. Prepare Bingo Cards with prompts (e.g. "Loves hiking").
2. Distribute cards to participants at the start.
3. Mingle throughout the retreat to fill in squares.
4. Award Prizes each time a player completes a line.

It’s a simple way to encourage networking and add fun to the event.

• Time estimate: 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of any size
• Great for: Getting to know your team members and discovering shared interests. 

7. Espionage (Hosted)

Espionage is an exciting 90-minute social deduction game that turns your virtual retreat into a spy mission. Participants become secret agents tasked with completing a critical mission, but some players are secretly spies working to sabotage their efforts. The challenge is to identify the spies while solving complex, fast-paced puzzles. The game adds fun tension as agents try to keep cool under pressure, while accusing others of being double agents. It’s an efficient icebreaker for a virtual retreat, full of intrigue and laughter.

How to Play:

1. Assign Roles: Secret agents and spies are randomly assigned to players.
2. Start the Mission: Agents work together to solve puzzles while spies subtly sabotage efforts.
3. Accusations Begin: Agents try to identify the spies by analyzing behaviors and pointing fingers.
4. Reveal Spies: The game ends when the spies are either exposed, or successfully disrupt the mission.

This activity is fast-paced and interactive - a great way to break the ice and get everyone involved.

• Time estimate: 1.5 hours
• Group size: Groups of any size
• Great for: Challenging problem-solving skills and elevating cooperation.

8. Online Escape Games

Online Escape Games are an interactive team-building activity where participants collaborate to solve riddles and follow clues to "escape" a virtual room. These games typically feature multiple challenges, from solving puzzles to discovering codes hidden in a scenario. Teams must work together to uncover the key needed to complete the mission—whether it’s breaking out of a room, stopping a simulated art heist, or escaping from a virtual dungeon. With a wide variety of themes available, you can even find one that aligns with your company or event theme, adding a personalized touch to the retreat experience.

How to Play:

1. Choose a Theme: Select a game with a theme that suits your group’s interests or retreat goals.
2. Set the Scene: The host introduces the game, providing a backstory and goal for the escape.
3. Solve Puzzles: Teams work together to solve a series of puzzles and riddles to unlock new clues.
4. Collaborate: Players must communicate and share findings to move closer to the escape goal.
5. Escape the Room: Once the final puzzle is solved and the key or code is found, the team "escapes" and the game is won.

This is a challenging way to promote teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

• Time estimate: 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of any size
• Great for: Stimulating teamwork and improving problem-solving skills.

9. Virtual Hackathons 

Virtual Hackathons are a dynamic activity, popular in the startup world but adaptable to any industry. In a typical hackathon, teams of professionals—often engineers or creatives—come together to work on a project within a specific theme, such as "personal finance software" or "work productivity automation”. However, hackathons don’t have to be software-based; they can focus on any challenge relevant to your company. For example, you might tackle themes like "a new service we could offer" or "ways to reduce department spending". This type of event encourages creative problem-solving and team collaboration.

How to Run a Virtual Hackathon:

1. Set the Theme, like a new product or process improvement.
2. Divide participants into small groups with a mix of skills.
3. Host a virtual kickoff to explain the rules, set goals, and give teams a timeframe.
4. Teams brainstorm, design, and build their projects virtually, using online tools to collaborate.
5. At the end of the hackathon, teams present their solutions to the group, and a panel can choose a winner if desired.

Hackathons provide a productive way for teams to innovate and develop new ideas under pressure.

• Time estimate: 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of any size
• Great for: Encouraging creative problem-solving and team collaboration.

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10. Swag Bags

Swap Bag is a fun way to keep the excitement of retreat prizes alive, even in a virtual setting. While participants may not be physically present, you can still create that surprise factor by mailing gifts. These could include items like portable chargers, customized tote bags, branded t-shirts, or snacks to enjoy during the retreat. The key is to maintain the thrill and joy of receiving a mystery gift, making your virtual retreat feel just as special as an in-person event.

How to host a swap bag:

1. Pick the Gifts: Fun items like gadgets, swag, or snacks.
2. Mail gifts before the retreat starts.
3. Have everyone open their gifts on camera.
4. Align gifts with the retreat’s theme.
5. Suggest that participants post pictures or reactions.

Why is this an effective activity? This keeps the virtual retreat exciting and helps everyone feel involved.

• Time estimate: 30 minutes
• Group size: Groups of up to 50 participants
• Great for: Team-bonding and collaboration.

11. Virtual Tasting Experiences

Virtual Tasting Experiences are people-pleasing activities. Participants receive curated tasting kits, which could include items like wine, chocolate, cheese, or coffee, sent to their homes ahead of the event. During the session, a professional guide or sommelier leads the group through each tasting, explaining the flavors, origins, and techniques. 

How to host a virtual tasting:

1. Pick the tasting theme, choose wine, coffee, chocolate, or other themes.
2. Mail tasting samples to all participants.
3. Arrange for a guide to lead the tasting session.
4. Log on, taste, and discuss the flavors as a group.

Cater to people’s dietary needs and check for any restrictions in advance.

• Time estimate: 1-2 hours
• Group size: Groups of up to 50 participants
• Great for: Team-bonding and collaboration.

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Virtual Wellness Ideas

12. Virtual Wellness Sessions

Employee Wellness Sessions are an excellent way to help your team relax and focus on their well-being during a virtual retreat. These can include guided meditation, home workouts, yoga, or desk stretches to improve posture. The aim is to boost both physical and mental health while encouraging long-term wellness habits.

How it works:

1. Choose the Activity: Select meditation, yoga, or stretching.
2. Bring in a wellness coach or instructor.
3. Let everyone know what to expect.
4. Log in, follow the session, and relax.

This helps your team recharge and develop healthy routines.

• Time estimate: 1-2 hours
• Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
• Great for: Improving relaxation, physical and psychological wellbeing. 

13. Virtual Nutrition Competition

A Virtual Nutrition Competition is a fun and interactive way to engage your team in healthy eating. Inspired by shows like Cutthroat Kitchen, participants compete in a cook-off using one nutritious ingredient, such as quinoa or avocado. Each team or individual creates a dish using the chosen item, and an expert or designated judge evaluates based on creativity, presentation, and health benefits. This competition adds a playful twist to wellness while promoting healthy eating habits.

How it works:

1. Pick a nutritious ingredient, like spinach or chickpeas.
2. Give participants a time limit and cooking guidelines.
3. Cook and present: Everyone prepares their dish live on video.
4. A judge rates dishes on creativity and healthiness.
5. Award prizes to the best healthy creations.

• Time estimate: 2 hours
• Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
• Great for: Encouraging creativity and healthy eating in a fun, competitive way.

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14. Virtual Group Life Coaching Session

Group Life Coaching is a powerful way to work on employee well-being while at the same time contributing towards a united team. These virtual sessions, led by a certified life coach, focus on personal growth and stress management. Participants work together to set goals, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles, all while collaborating and gaining trust within the team. Group life coaching not only supports individual development but also contributes for a better collective team performance.

How it works:

1. Find a certified life coach to lead the session.
2. Determine the focus of the coaching (e.g., growth, stress management).
3. Use a virtual meeting platform like Zoom.
4. Encourage all team members to participate actively.
5. Schedule follow-up sessions to track progress.

• Time estimate: 2 hours
• Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
• Great for: General well-being and team dynamics, promoting a more supportive work environment.

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15. Remote Coffee Breaks

Remote Coffee Breaks are an excellent way to foster connection among team members, even from a distance. These casual video call sessions allow colleagues to step away from their work and have relaxed conversations, just like in a traditional office setting. Participants can chat about non-work topics, share their stories, or discuss everyday issues, creating a friendly atmosphere. Incorporating these breaks into your team's routine enhances overall workplace wellness.

How to organize a Remote Coffee Break:

1. Set a consistent day and time each week.
2. Use calendar tools for reminders.
3. Use Zoom or Teams for video calls.
4. Suggest light, non-work conversation.
5. Use Icebreakers: Prepare fun prompts beforehand.
6. Keep It Short: Limit sessions to 15-30 minutes.

These informal gatherings significantly enhance team bonding. 

• Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
• Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
• Great for: Creating a cohesive remote work environment.

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16. Zoom Workout

Zoom Workouts are a great way to motivate remote employees to stay active and healthy while working from home. These virtual group exercise sessions allow colleagues to break up their workday, and get moving together in real time. Classes can range from stretching to high-intensity workouts or cardio, making it easy for everyone to participate at their own fitness level. Zoom workouts not only promote your team’s physical well-being but also foster team bonding by encouraging employees to stay active together, which is definitely a motivation.

How to organize a Zoom Workout:

1. Pick a workout type: Yoga, HIIT, or stretching.
2. Hire an instructor.
3. Choose a time that suits most.
4. Suggest workout attire and space

• Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
• Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
• Great for: Creating a cohesive remote work environment.

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17. Virtual Mental Health Fair

A Virtual Mental Health Fair promotes mental well-being in a supportive and engaging way. You can organize stress management workshops, online yoga and meditation classes, and even host Q&A sessions with licensed therapists. Include resources like checklists for burnout warning signs and tips for managing anxiety. These activities help normalize mental health discussions, encouraging employees to prioritize their emotional wellness and seek help when needed.

How to host a Virtual Mental Health Fair:

1. Organize workshops, meditation, and yoga classes.
2. Bring in therapists or mental health professionals.
3. Create resources and share tips on stress, burnout, and well-being.
4. Set a schedule throughout the event for flexibility.
5. Promote participation through Q&A sessions.

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• Time estimate: Full day
• Group size: Groups of every size
• Great for: Promoting mental health and learning about its importance as a group.

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18. Virtual Financial Literacy Workshops

Virtual Financial Literacy Workshops help employees improve their financial well-being, which directly impacts their mental health. These sessions teach practical money management skills like budgeting, saving for retirement, and how to improve credit scores. For example, a team could read a book like I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi and then join a live Q&A with financial experts. Tailoring the topics to your team's needs helps boost their financial confidence.

How to host a Virtual Financial Literacy Workshop:

1. Choose a topic like budgeting, retirement savings, or credit improvement.
2. Host financial professionals for a live Q&A or workshop.
3. Share books, articles, or tools before the event.
4. Host the Event: Use Zoom or another platform for live discussions.
5. Allow for Q&A to address specific concerns.

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• Time estimate: Full day
• Group size: Groups of every size
• Great for: Promoting mental health and learning about its importance as a group.

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Quick Virtual Team Building Icebreakers

19. The Price is Almost Right

The Price is Almost Right is a lively digital team-building game that brings an extra dose of excitement to your virtual retreat. In this activity, the host presents random household objects, and players must guess the price. The challenge? The guess must be within five cents of the actual retail price without going over. The first team to guess correctly wins a point, but if anyone guesses over, they’re out for that round, leaving their teammates to continue. It’s a fast-paced way to spark some friendly competition!

How to play:

1. The host collects everyday objects with known prices.
2. Participants take turns guessing, aiming to stay within five cents of the actual price.
3. The first correct guesser earns a point for their team. If a guess is over, that player is out.
4. Continue rounds and keep playing with new items and tally the team points.
5. The team with the most points at the end wins.

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• Time estimate: 30 minutes - 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of every size
• Great for: Promoting communication and collaboration.

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20. What Would You Do?

What Would You Do? is a scenario-based virtual team-building game that stimulates creativity and quick thinking. In this exercise, participants are presented with hypothetical situations and asked to come up with a plan of action. It’s a great way to start conversations while giving teammates insight into each other's problem-solving approaches. The game also builds trust as teams navigate tricky, imaginative plots together.

How to play:

1. Split into teams or stay as a group.
2. Pose hypothetical questions: Present fun or challenging “What Would You Do?” scenarios (e.g., "You're stranded on a deserted island—what's your first move?").
3. Teams or individuals create a plan of action, sharing and debating different ideas.
4. After discussing, the host can highlight the solutions, helping participants learn more about each other's problem-solving skills.

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• Time estimate: 30 minutes - 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of every size
• Great for: Promoting communication and collaboration.

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Virtual Activities for Professional Development

21. Virtual Debate Club

Virtual Debate Club is a standout way for teams to practice communication and critical thinking. In this activity, participants engage in mini debates on lighthearted topics, helping to build confidence and sharpen their speaking skills in a familiar environment. It encourages clear communication, persuasive argumentation, and collaboration in a virtual setting.

How to run a Virtual Debate Club:

1. Schedule a 45-minute video call: Pick a time that works for the team and prepare some debate prompts.
2. Brief participants on debating techniques, like speaking clearly and spotting logical fallacies.
3. Start with mini debates: Begin with low-stakes topics like “Should raisins be in cookies?” or “Is a hot dog a sandwich?”
4. After each debate, offer feedback, switch speakers, and continue with new topics.

• Time estimate: 1-2 hours
• Group size: Groups of up to 20 participants
• Great for: Strengthen communication skills and build camaraderie.

22. Virtual Ambassadors

Virtual Ambassadors is an interactive, geography-themed team-building game where participants take on the role of a country’s ambassador. In each round, a player describes their assigned country without mentioning its name, while the rest of the team guesses which country is being described. This activity encourages quick thinking, creative descriptions, and a competitive spirit.

How to play:

1. Each player is given the name of a country they will represent (privately messaged by the host).
2. The player gives clues about their country, such as famous landmarks, cultural traditions, or geographic features, without naming it.
3. Other participants guess the country. The first to guess correctly earns a point.
4. Players take turns being the ambassador, and the player with the most correct guesses by the end wins.

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• Time estimate: 1-2 hours
• Group size: Groups of up to 20 participants
• Great for: Strengthen communication skills and build camaraderie.

23. Virtual Keynote Speaker

Virtual Keynote Speaker is a great way to bring fresh ideas and inspiration to your remote retreat, especially if this is your first time. An expert speaker can offer new perspectives and open your team’s mind to new ideas. Whether it's an industry leader or motivational speaker, a keynote provides valuable learning.

How to host:

1. Choose a speaker relevant to your retreat goals.
2. Schedule a time in the agenda for the session.
3. Prepare the team with background information.
4. Engage with Q&A.
5. Discuss takeaways afterward to apply new ideas.

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• Time estimate: 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of every size
• Great for: Stimulate fresh ideas and strengthen communication.

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24. Live Remote Coworking

Live Remote Coworking is a great way for distributed teams to boost productivity and accountability, even while working from home. This setup mimics the social motivation of an office environment, allowing team members to work together virtually.

How to set it up:

1. Create a Slack Channel named #coworking.
2. Start a video call each day, open for anyone to join.
3. Join the call and work quietly, simulating a shared workspace.
4. Use the call for work — it’s not for chatting, just focused work.
5. Encourage participation to build routine and collaboration.

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• Time estimate: 1 hour
• Group size: Groups of every size
• Great for: Adding accountability and a sense of community. 

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25. Virtual Book Club

Starting a Virtual Book Club is a great way for remote teams to bond over shared reading experiences. It allows team members to discuss ideas, opinions, and insights that will allow them to create a sense of connection. The best part? You get to vote for the books you read on a certain week/month and they can be anything from NY Times’ bestsellers to self-help or business related literature.

How to play:

1. Choose the book (vote).
2. Decide on reading deadlines and meeting times to discuss the book.
3. Use video calls or Slack channels to share thoughts and reflections.
4. Encourage other members to participate.
5. Decide future reads - choose longer material based on engagement.

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• Time estimate: 30 minutes/week
• Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
• Great for: Spark discussions and strengthen team bonds.

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Things to Keep in Mind Before Organizing Your Virtual Retreat

Before organizing your virtual retreat, it's important to define key elements like the number of attendees, event length, and budget. Clearly set goals to guide the retreat’s purpose, whether that’s team-building, skill development, or improving employee engagement. Make sure to secure reliable technology for smooth sessions and recruit a team to help with planning. 

Send invitations early and plan interactive activities to keep participants engaged. Finally, don’t forget to send a flexible schedule and make sure everyone has easy access to the sessions and activities via clear links to maximize participation.

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A Checklist for Conducting a successfull Virtual Retreat

Make sure you don’t lose your track along the way and that everything is up and running before the big day (or days!). A checklist for conducting a virtual retreat ensures everything runs smoothly. Start by choosing the right virtual platform. Test all technology in advance, including video conferencing tools, and confirm guest speakers or facilitators. Send out invitations early, including instructions and materials needed. On the event day, manage time well, engage participants through polls or breakout rooms, and follow up afterward with surveys or thank-you notes for feedback and future improvements.

For that, make sure you took care of the following:

1. Defined key parameters: number attendees, event length, and budget.
2. Set clear goals for team-building, engagement, or skill development.
3. Secured reliable technology for smooth sessions.
4. Recruited a planning committee for support.
5. Sent invitations early and include event details.
6. Planned interactive activities to keep participants engaged.
7. Offered a flexible schedule with clear links for easy access.

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Final Thoughts

Virtual retreats may not involve a change of scenery, but they provide a powerful break from routine. These events allow your team to step back, reconnect, and approach company goals with fresh energy. 

Virtual retreats can be just as dynamic as in-person gatherings, often reaching wider audiences, reducing costs (definitely an advantage!), and providing flexibility that in-person events can’t. With the right list of activities, from games to workshops, you can create connections, spark creativity, and keep remote teams engaged. We hope these ideas inspire your next retreat and help make it one your team will remember.