Why Virtual Team Building Matters Now (More Than Ever)
With remote work becoming the norm rather than the exception, we face new challenges - and opportunities - when building strong teams. In 2025, 22% of Americans will be working remotely. That's 36.2 million people swapping in-person conversations for Slack emojis. But here's the kicker: 51% of remote workers feel isolated, so it’s time to act.
Remote workers report feeling less connected to their colleagues than when they worked in the office. It’s clear that remote work can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, 77% of remote workers report higher productivity. On the other, 82% feel disconnected from their colleagues. Virtual team building bridges that gap, turning a group of isolated individuals into a cohesive team.
Think about your team for a minute.
How many times have you seen:
- Projects that take longer because people hesitate to reach out for help
- Misunderstandings that could've been avoided with better rapport
- Great ideas going unshared because someone doesn't feel comfortable speaking up
- New team members struggling to find their place in the group
When teams don't connect, they don't just underperform - they fall apart. We're seeing turnover rates spike in companies that haven't cracked the code on virtual connection.
What Are The Benefits of Virtual Team Building Activities?
Let's dive into the world of virtual team building and why it's a game-changer for remote teams. Here are the top benefits that'll make you want to schedule your next virtual hangout ASAP:
Boosts Productivity
Think your team's crushing it now? Just wait. According to Gallup research, virtual team building activities can lead to a whopping 21% increase in profitability. What other proof do you need?
Slashes Absenteeism
The same Gallup study found that these activities can reduce absenteeism by 41%. Turns out, people actually want to show up when they feel connected. Who knew?
Creates Natural Bonds
Remember those office conversations that somehow led to your best ideas? Virtual team building recreates that magic in the digital realm. Foster those natural bonds that make work feel less like… work.
Crushes the Loneliness Monster
Working from home doesn't have to mean working alone. Virtual team building activities give remote workers a chance to connect and combat the isolation blues. Strayboots studies show that if employees feel disconnected and isolated from their teams, 27% don’t make it beyond their first year. We want to do better than this!
Sparks Innovation & Builds Trust
When different minds come together in a relaxed virtual setting, innovation skyrockets. Besides, trust is the secret sauce of high-performing teams. Virtual team building activities help create a psychologically safe space where team members feel valued and respected.
Time to get your virtual game face on!
Best Virtual Team Building Activities (TeamOut Top Picks)
When it comes to virtual team building, the sky is not the limit. Variety abounds, but we took the liberty of selecting our top 5 just for you. For us, these are the crème de la crème when it comes to bringing teams together in a remote setting. Check them out:
1. Virtual Escape Room
Virtual Escape Rooms 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.
How to play :
- Select a game with a theme that suits your group’s interests
- The host introduces the game, providing a backstory and goal for the escape
- Teams work together to solve a series of puzzles and riddles to unlock new clues
- Players must communicate and share findings to move closer to the escape goal
- The game finishes when the team "escapes" under a set time
Time estimate: 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: Stimulating teamwork and improving problem-solving skills.
2. The Amazing Online Race
The Amazing Online Race is the virtual adaptation of the popular TV show where teams are challenged to complete tasks and solve puzzles across different online platforms. Participants race against time and each other and navigate through websites and social media to complete challenges and reach the finish line first.
How to play :
- Create a series of online challenges and clues
- Divide participants into teams
- Give teams the first clue and start the race
- Teams complete tasks and solve puzzles to get the next clue
- First team to complete all challenges wins
Time estimate: 1 to 2 hours
Group size: 10 to 30 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes problem-solving, communication, and collaboration in a fast-paced, exciting environment.
3. Virtual Talent Show
A Virtual Talent Show transforms the traditional talent show into an online event, giving team members a chance to showcase their hidden skills and have a chance to shine! From singing and dancing to magic tricks and stand-up comedy, participants can let their creativity thrive in a supportive, virtual setting.
How to play :
- Announce the talent show and set a date
- Have team members sign up with their act
- Create a running order
- Host the show on a video conferencing platform
- Allow time for applause and comments after each act
- Vote for favorites in different categories
Time estimate: 1 to 2 hours
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: Builds confidence, encourages self-expression, and helps team members see each other in a new light.
4. Digital Scavenger Hunt
Digital Scavenger Hunt brings the thrill of a scavenger hunt to the virtual world. In this exercise, participants have to find specific items around their homes or offices within a set time limit. It’s an activity that gets people moving and thinking on their feet.
How to play :
- Create a list of items to find
- Share the list with participants
- Set a time limit (e.g. 10 minutes)
- Participants search for items and take photos
- Everyone reconvenes to share what they found
- Award points for each item found
Time estimate: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: Encourages quick thinking, creativity, and friendly competition in a familiar environment.
5. Virtual Coffee Date
Virtual Coffee Dates are an excellent way to start conversation 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 or discuss everyday issues, creating a friendly atmosphere.
How to play :
- Set a consistent day and time each week
- Use calendar tools for reminders
- Use Zoom or Teams for video calls
- Suggest light, non-work conversation
- Use icebreakers to set the mood
- Limit sessions to 15-30 minutes
Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
Group size: Up to 30 participants
Why it works for teams: It helps create a cohesive remote work environment.
Free Virtual Team Building Activities
Successful team building doesn’t require a massive budget to be effective. These exciting activities are crowd-pleasers and you don’t have to spend a dime to participate!
6. Never Have I Ever (Safe for Work Edition)
Never Have I Ever (Safe for Work Edition) is an adaptation of the famous party game for a professional setting, where team members have the chance to share experiences and learn about each other in a fun, appropriate way. Employees take turns making statements about things they've never done, revealing surprising facts about themselves and their colleagues.
How to play :
- Prepare a list of work-appropriate "Never have I ever" statements
- Gather the team in a video call
- Each person starts with 5 points
- Read out a statement; those who have done it lose a point
- Participants can briefly explain their experiences
- Continue until someone runs out of points or time is up
Time estimate: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 5 to 15 participants
Why it works for teams: Fosters connection and understanding among team members through shared experiences.
7. Virtual Bingo Bash
Virtual Bingo Bash consists of filling bingo cards with fun tasks or facts about team members. This engaging activity combines the excitement of bingo with the opportunity to learn more about colleagues in an entertaining way.
How to play :
- Create bingo cards with team-related tasks or facts
- Distribute digital bingo cards to participants
- Call out items randomly
- Players mark off items on their cards
- First player to get a line or full house wins
- Discuss interesting facts or tasks that come up
Time estimate: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: Encourages active listening, promotes team bonding, and creates an inclusive atmosphere.
8. Online Trivia Night
Set your team up for an Online Trivia Night 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 and get a little competitive! Just grab your team, divide into groups, log in, and get ready to quiz your way to victory!
How to play :
- Choose a good online trivia platform, such as TriviaHub or Jackbox Games
- Divide your group into teams
- Let the games start!
- Award the winners
Time estimate: 1 hour
Group size: Up to 35 participants
Why it works for teams: It engages teams in friendly competition while promoting communication and strategy among colleagues.
9. Guess Whose Workspace
Guess Whose Workspace is a virtual activity where team members try to identify each other's work environments through selected photographs. Participants get a peek into their colleagues' personal and professional spaces while testing their observational skills and knowledge of their team at the same time.
How to play :
- Ask team members to take a photo of their workspace
- Collect and anonymize the images
- Share the workspace photos in a slideshow
- Have participants guess who each workspace belongs to
- Reveal the correct owners
- Award points for correct guesses
Time estimate: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Builds connection and helps team members learn more about each other.
10. Something in Common
Something in Common is a team-building activity where small groups aim to discover unique shared experiences or characteristics. Participants mingle and start conversations with the purpose of finding surprising connections and things in common.
How to play :
- Divide participants into groups of 3-4
- Give groups 10-15 minutes to find something unique they share
- Each group presents their common thread to the larger team
- Vote on the most surprising or creative commonality
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 10-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes deeper communication and breaks down barriers.
Fun Virtual Team Building Activities
Strengthening team bonds and boosting morale are a priority for your team, but who said they can’t do it without adding some laughter to the mix? These activities bring out the sense of humor in each team member, so get ready for some online giggles!
11. Meme Chat
Meme Chat turns team communication into a visual experience where everyone has a laugh, allowing participants to express their mood and project challenges through internet memes. It's a modern, lighthearted approach to team interaction.
How to play :
- Choose a theme (current project, team mood, work challenge)
- Give participants 10-15 minutes to find or create a relevant meme
- Each person shares their meme and explains its significance
- Discuss the humor and underlying message
- Vote for the most accurate or funny meme
- Save the best memes for future team reference
Time estimate: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages creativity and provides comic relief.
12. Hot Seat
Hot Seat is an activity where one team member becomes the center of attention, answering fun and revealing questions while colleagues learn more about their personality, background, and experiences.
How to play :
- Volunteer or randomly select a team member for the hot seat
- Prepare a mix of questions
- Team members take turns asking questions
- The "hot seat" participant answers honestly
- Encourage follow-up questions and discussions
- Rotate to a new team member after 15-20 minutes
Time estimate: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Builds empathy and creates a more connected team environment.
13. Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie is one of TeamOut’s 21 Best Corporate Staff Retreat Games for Team Building in 2024. This game explores the personal lives of team members as each participant shares two true statements about themselves and a fake one. It’s up to the rest of the group to discern fact from fiction, creating an atmosphere of fun and curiosity.
How to play :
- Have each participant prepare three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie
- Go around the group, with each person sharing their three statements
- After each person shares, allow the group to discuss and vote on which statement they think is the lie
- Reveal the correct answer and share any interesting stories behind the truths
- Continue until everyone has had a turn
Time estimate: 30 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Enhances interpersonal relationships and improves active listening skills
14. Articulate
Articulate is a word-guessing game where participants have to describe specific words without using obvious or direct descriptors. Players must use creativity and precise language to help their teammates guess the target word within a time limit.
How to play :
- Create a list of words across different categories
- Divide participants into teams
- Set a timer for each round (typically 30-60 seconds)
- The describer tries to get teammates to guess the word
- Establish clear rules about forbidden words or phrases
- Award points for each correctly guessed word
- Rotate describers between rounds
Time estimate: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 6-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Improves communication skills and encourages creative thinking.
15. Virtual Charades
Virtual Charades transforms the popular party game into an online experience where participants act out words or phrases using only physical gestures while teammates attempt to guess the answer through a video call.
How to play :
- Prepare a list of words or phrases to act out
- Use a random selection method to choose the performer
- Mute the performer so they can't give verbal hints
- Set a time limit for guessing (typically 2-3 minutes)
- Performer uses only physical gestures to communicate
- Team tries to guess the word or phrase
Time estimate: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Develops non-verbal communication skills and helps team members think creatively.
Quick Virtual Activities: 15-30 Minutes to Stronger Teams
You’re interested in exploring team-building activities with your crew, but time runs short and you want to get straight to the point with quick and easy adventures? You’re in the right place. These gems only take between 15-30 minutes to complete. Enjoy!
16. Word Association
Word Association is a rapid-fire verbal game where participants aim to create spontaneous connections between words, showing their quick-thinking skills and unexpected mental pathways. Players respond instantly with the first word that comes to mind after hearing the previous word.
How to play :
- Establish a starting word
- Set a quick response time (2-3 seconds)
- Go around the group, with each person saying their immediate word association
- Track the chain of words
- Eliminate players who hesitate or repeat a word
- Continue until one player remains
- Discuss interesting word connections
Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Demonstrates creative thinking, reveals individual thought processes, and creates unexpected verbal connections.
17. Emoji Quiz
Emoji Quiz challenges participants to communicate movie titles, phrases, or concepts using only emoji sequences. Players decode visual clues and guess the hidden message through creative emoji interpretation.
How to play :
- Prepare a list of movies, phrases, or concepts
- Create emoji sequences representing each item
- Share emoji strings in chat or screen
- Teams or individuals guess the representation
- Award points for correct guesses
Time estimate: 15 minutes
Group size: 6-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages creative communication and tests visual interpretation skills.
18. Speed Networking
Speed Networking is an outstanding icebreaker perfect to get to know your team in a quick, organic way. Pair up and start a conversation about your interests, hobbies, hometown, university, etc. When time runs out, move onto the next colleague and repeat the experience. To add a twist, create cards with topics of conversation, like favorite movies or holiday destinations.
How to play :
- Pair up
- Engage in conversation for a limited amount of time (e.g. 3 to 5 minutes)
- Switch partners and repeat the experience
Time estimate: 20 minutes
Group size: 6 - 40 participants
Why it works for teams: It gives everyone a chance to interact with all team members in a quick, organic way.
19. Icebreaker Questions
Icebreaker Questions provide a structured, light-hearted way for team members to share personal insights through quick questions and answers. In this exercise, the point is to create connections through quick, engaging responses to thought-provoking prompts.
How to play :
- Prepare a diverse list of interesting questions
- Ensure questions are work-appropriate and inclusive
- Give each participant 30-60 seconds to respond
- Encourage brief, spontaneous answers
- Allow follow-up comments or reactions
- Rotate through participants
Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Reveals personality, creates shared moments, and helps team members see each other beyond work roles.
20. Virtual Time Capsule
The Virtual Time Capsule allows team members to reflect on the present moment and share their thoughts about the future. This activity involves individual reflection while fostering connection and promoting forward-thinking. How? Just by giving honest answers to a list of prompts.
How to play :
- Bring everyone into a video call and explain the concept of the virtual time capsule
- Have a list of prompts ready, like "What's your boldest prediction for our industry in 5 years?"
- Give participants 5 minutes to jot down their answers to 2-3 selected prompts
- Each team member shares one of their responses with the group (1-2 minutes each)
- After everyone shares, facilitate a brief discussion about common themes or interesting predictions.
- Collect all responses in a shared document to be "opened" at a future team meeting (e.g. in 6 months or a year).
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Group Size: 5-15 participants
Required Materials: List of prompts
Why It Works for Teams: Encourages future-oriented thinking and provides a great way to track your team’s growth over time.
Virtual Team Building Activities for Small Groups
Trying to get customized games and exercises to suit the needs of your small group? You’ve got you covered. Make the most of these intimate yet creative activities to truly get to know your small group and one another.
21. Photos of the Week
Photos of the Week is a creative team-building activity where participants share personal or professional images around a specific subject, promoting connection and storytelling through visual communication.
How to play :
- Choose a weekly theme (e.g. favorite holiday, local inspiration)
- Give participants time to select and prepare their photos
- Set up a virtual sharing session
- Each participant presents their photo and explains it
- Allow time for questions and discussion
Time estimate: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Provides insight into team members' personal lives and encourages storytelling.
22. Virtual Book Club
Starting a Virtual Book Club is a great way for remote teams to bond over their own 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 :
- Choose the book (by vote)
- Decide on reading deadlines and meeting times to discuss the book
- Use video calls or Slack channels to share thoughts and reflections
- Encourage other members to participate
- Decide future reads - choose longer material based on engagement
Time estimate: 30 minutes/week
Group size: Groups of up to 30 participants
Why it works for teams: It sparks discussions and strengthens team bonds.
23. Creative Introductions
For teams of introverts or simply employees that are done with the boring “Tell me about yourself”, Creative Introductions saves the day. This exercise encourages participants to think quickly and come up with clever adjectives to describe themselves. The catch? They have to begin with the same letter as their name!
How to play :
- Explain the rules of the game
- Give everyone 30 seconds to think about their adjective
- Go around the room and allow each person to share their introduction
Time estimate: 15 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: It breaks the ice and is a way for everyone to get a first impression of each other
24. Team Crossword Puzzle
Team Crossword Puzzle pits teams against each other in a race to complete a crossword puzzle that aims to promote teamwork and knowledge sharing. It’s a great way to bring together trivia nerds and puzzle enthusiasts while promoting problem-solving skills.
How to play :
- Divide participants into teams of 3-5 people
- Handout similar crossword puzzles to each team
- Set a time limit
- Teams work together to complete as much of the puzzle as possible
- The team with the most correct answers wins
Time estimate: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 6-30 participants
Why it works for teams: It encourages knowledge sharing and problem-solving
25. Online Drawing Games
Online Drawing Games adds extra adrenaline to the classic game of Pictionary, combining your team’s drawing skills with quick thinking. This fast-paced activity challenges participants to convey ideas through simple sketches, fostering creativity and enhancing non-verbal communication skills.
How to play :
- Divide the group into teams of 3-5 people
- Prepare a list of words or phrases for drawing
- Use online drawing tools like Skribbl.io
- Have one person from each team draw while their teammates guess
- Set a strict time limit (e.g. 30 seconds) for each round
- Award points for correct guesses and rotate drawers
Time estimate: 1 hour
Group size: 6-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Improves visual communication, encourages quick thinking, and promotes team bonding
Virtual Team Building Activities for Large Groups
Managing large groups can be a challenge… especially online. It’s harder to keep everyone focused and engaged, particularly if you’re gathering big teams and are not sure what to bring to the table. These suggestions help everyone get involved and work perfectly with larger audiences.
26. Kahoot! Quiz
Kahoot! Quiz is a new approach to traditional trivia where participants answer questions in real-time using their devices, creating an engaging team learning experience.
How to play :
- Create a quiz with work-related or fun topics
- Set up a Kahoot! game session
- Share game PIN with all participants
- Players answer questions individually
- Track points and display real-time leaderboard
- Award the winners
Time estimate: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 10-50 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes learning and creates healthy competition.
27. Online Fitness Challenge
Online Fitness Challenge motivates team members to stay active by participating in coordinated workout sessions or individual fitness tasks. These challenges take place in the comfort of their own home and they can be tracked and celebrated collectively.
How to play :
- Choose a fitness challenge (e.g. 30-day plank challenge)
- Provide clear daily instructions
- Use video conferencing for group workouts
- Track progress through shared spreadsheet or app
- Encourage daily check-ins and progress sharing
- Celebrate team and individual achievements
Time estimate: 30 days
Group size: 10-30 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes health, builds mutual support, and creates shared goals.
28. Virtual Happy Hour
Virtual Happy Hour provides a relaxed environment for team members to connect informally, share conversations, and build relationships outside of work-related interactions. This isn't your typical after-work drink fest. In fact, Happy Hour is a strategic appreciation session disguised as a casual hangout and it’s one of TeamOut’s Best Gratitude Activities for the Office.
How to play :
- Set a casual atmosphere
- Encourage participants to bring their preferred drink to the call
- Use icebreaker questions to start conversations
- Play light team-building games
- Keep the mood light and inclusive
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 5-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Builds camaraderie and creates personal connections.
29. Group Storytelling
Group Storytelling is a creative activity where team members collaboratively build a narrative, with each participant adding one sentence to create an unpredictable and entertaining story.
How to play :
- Establish a starting theme or first sentence
- Set a quick turn rotation (30-60 seconds per person)
- Each participant adds one sentence to the story
- Discuss the story's unexpected twists
- Vote on most creative or funny contribution
Time estimate: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 6-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Improves listening skills and creates shared humor.
Virtual Icebreaker Team Building Activities
Team-building activities are a great resource to strengthen team bonds, but what if employees don’t have a bond with each other just yet? Virtual icebreakers are effective conversation starters and lighten the mood for what comes next. Here are a few:
30. Icebreaker Bingo
Icebreaker Bingo is an interactive team-building activity that encourages participants to mingle and learn more about each other. The aim is to find individuals who match specific traits or experiences listed on their bingo cards.
How to play :
- Create bingo cards with various personal traits or experiences, such as "Has traveled to another continent" or “Plays an instrument”
- Distribute the bingo cards to participants
- Set a time limit for mingling online (15-20 minutes)
- Participants ask questions to find matches for their bingo squares
- When someone finds a match, they write that person’s name in the corresponding square.
- The first person to complete a line (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) shouts "Bingo!" and share their findings.
Time estimate: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 10-30 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages interaction and helps team members discover shared interests.
31. Guess Who? (Fun Facts Edition)
Guess Who? (Fun Facts Edition) is a game where team members share interesting tidbits about themselves anonymously, promoting curiosity and conversation as others try to identify who each fact belongs to.
How to play :
- Ask each team member to submit one fun fact about themselves anonymously
- Compile the facts into a list
- Share the list with the group without revealing names
- Participants take turns guessing which team member each fact belongs to
- After each guess, reveal the correct answer
- Continue until all facts have been guessed.
Time estimate: 30-45 minutes
Group size: 5-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes engagement, encourages storytelling, and helps team members learn unique aspects of each other’s lives.
32. Would You Rather?
Would You Rather? is a great debate starter that reveals team members' personalities in a fun environment. In this activity, participants are presented with challenging scenarios, and the aim is to make quick decisions about their choices.
How to play :
- Prepare a list of "Would you rather...?" questions
- Gather the team and present the question
- Participants raise their hand and choose their side
- Ask a few people from each side to explain their choice
- Discuss any surprising choices
Time estimate: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: It encourages quick decision-making and reveals team member’s thought processes.
33. Themed Dress-Up Day
Themed Dress-Up Day turns virtual meetings into a playful experience where team members express themselves through costumes around a specific theme. The best part? You can turn it into a competition for extra fun!
How to play :
- Select an engaging theme, like "Movie Characters” or "Superhero"
- Announce the theme at least a week in advance
- Encourage participants to prepare costumes
- Host a virtual meeting during designated time
- Allow each participant to showcase their outfit
- Vote on most creative, most authentic, or most surprising costume
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 5-30 participants
Why it works for teams: Boosts creativity and breaks traditional meeting monotony.
34. Personality Quizzes
Personality Quizzes provide an interactive way for team members to explore individual traits, communication styles, and personal insights through online assessments.
How to play :
- Choose a reputable personality assessment like Myers-Briggs, DiSC, Enneagram
- Have everyone complete the online quiz individually
- Gather to discuss results in a supportive environment
- Share key insights about personal working styles
- Discuss how different personalities can collaborate effectively
Time estimate: 60-90 minutes
Group size: 5-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Improves mutual understanding and celebrates individual differences.
Engaging Virtual Team Building Activities
If you’re looking for ways to transform your group into an engaged, cohesive team, these activities are the secret recipe everyone craves! By incorporating fun and interactive elements, these activities create experiences that will make your crew forget about the physical distance.
35. Digital Card Games
Digital Card Games offer a fun way for teams to connect and compete through online platforms, providing interactive gaming experiences for every taste!
How to play :
- Choose a digital card game platform like Playingcards.io or CardzMania
- Select a game like Spades, Cribbage, or Skip-Bo
- Create a private game room
- Share the room code with team members
- Play the game while on a video call
- Enjoy friendly competition
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 4-8 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages strategic thinking, creates shared entertainment, and builds camaraderie.
36. Collaborative Playlist Creation
Collaborative Playlist Creation allows team members to share their musical tastes and create a shared soundtrack that represents the group's diversity. Your team should feel free to share their top hits, guilty pleasures, and their personal party bangers.
How to play :
- Choose a music streaming platform like Apple Music
- Create a new collaborative playlist
- Share the playlist link with team members
- Invite everyone to add their favorite songs
- Set guidelines, like the number of songs per person
- Listen to the playlist together during a virtual meeting
- Discuss song choices and musical preferences
Time estimate: Ongoing, with a 30-45 minute sharing session
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes personal sharing, discovers common interests, and creates a team soundtrack.
37. Group Fitness Class
A Group Fitness Class brings team members together for a workout experience, promoting health and team bonding. Choose yoga, pilates, stretching, or even Zumba. Whatever class makes your team happy to move is the right choice for you!
How to play :
- Choose a fitness platform like Glo or Les Mills Virtual Classes
- Select a class type (yoga, HIIT, cardio)
- Schedule a group session
- Ensure everyone has necessary equipment
- Join the virtual class together
- Discuss the workout experience afterward
Time estimate: 30-60 minutes
Group size: 5-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes health, reduces stress, and creates a shared wellness experience.
38. Recipe Swap Night
Recipe Swap Night is a cooking-related activity where teams collaborate to share recipes and prepare meals together, even from a distance. You can make it a themed night, of course!
How to play :
- Ask team members to choose a favorite recipe
- Share recipes in advance
- Gather ingredients before the virtual meeting
- Cook together step-by-step on video call
- Enjoy the meal together
Time estimate: 60-90 minutes
Group size: 5-10 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages creativity and creates a shared dining experience.
39. Virtual Museum Tour
Virtual Museum Tour allows teams to explore global art and culture together through online museum platforms. Choose the museum that is of most interest to your team and book the online tour!
How to play :
- Select a museum with virtual tour capabilities
- Schedule a group viewing time
- Use museum's collaborative viewing tools
- Discuss artworks and exhibits
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes cultural learning, encourages discussion, and provides a unique shared experience.
Creative Virtual Team Building Activities
Engaging remote teams requires finding tools to properly boost their creativity and collaboration. Creative virtual team-building activities foster a vibrant remote culture and allow teams to get in touch with their artsy side. Let’s take a look:
40. Portrait Gallery Drawing Challenge
Portrait Gallery Drawing Challenge is a hilarious and artsy activity where team members attempt to draw each other's portraits using only verbal descriptions, resulting in comically inaccurate yet very entertaining artwork.
How to play :
- Pair up team members randomly
- Provide drawing materials to all participants
- Have one partner describe the other without revealing their identity
- Set a time limit for drawing (10-15 minutes)
- Describe specific features without naming the person
- Reveal the portraits and guess who is who
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 6-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Encourages creativity and tests communication skills.
41. Virtual Cooking Class Together
A Virtual Cooking Class brings team members together to learn and prepare a meal simultaneously guided by an online instructor. The best part? You can taste the results of your creations together, even if you’re apart!
How to play :
- Choose a recipe accessible to all skill levels
- Send ingredient list in advance
- Select a cooking class platform
- Follow the instructor’s guidance on video call
- Enjoy the meal together at the end
Time estimate: 60-90 minutes
Group size: 6-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Builds collaboration and teaches a new skill.
42. Lip Sync Battle
Lip Sync Battles are the ultimate occasion for team members to showcase their musical performance skills without actual singing. It’s usually a crowd-pleasing activity, virtually or in-person!
How to play :
- Announce the Lip Sync Battle in advance
- Allow participants to choose their song
- Set performance time limit (2-3 minutes)
- Encourage full costume and performance energy
- Record performances
- Vote on categories like "Best Interpretation"
- Share recordings for team enjoyment
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Builds confidence, encourages creativity, and promotes a good time.
43. Cultural Show and Tell
Cultural Show and Tell is an exercise where team members share objects, traditions, or stories that have a special meaning to them and that are a symbol of their cultural background. This activity promotes understanding and personal connection.
How to play :
- Invite participants to prepare a cultural item/story
- Give each person 5-7 minutes to present
- Encourage questions and respectful dialogue
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Builds cultural awareness, promotes inclusivity, and deepens mutual understanding.
44. Improv Comedy Workshop
Improv Comedy Workshop introduces team members to improvisational comedy techniques, encouraging spontaneity, active listening, and creative communication. Your team gets to learn from a comedian everything about timing, failing, getting up, and trying again. Don’t worry if you don’t like to perform in front of an audience, this workshop is introvert-friendly!
How to play :
- Hire a professional improv instructor
- Explain basic improv rules
- Start with warm-up communication games
- Progress to scenario-based improv challenges
- Rotate through different improv scenarios
- Reflect on the experience
Time estimate: 60-90 minutes
Group size: 8-20 participants
Why it works for teams: Develops communication skills and reduces performance anxiety.
45. Virtual Travel Guide
Virtual Travel Guide is an exercise where team members become tour guides of their hometowns or favorite destinations, sharing personal stories and cultural insights through a catchy presentation.
How to play :
- Ask each participant to prepare a short presentation about their hometown or favorite travel destination
- Limit presentation time to 5-10 minutes per person
- Encourage sharing of personal photos and stories
- Allow time for questions and discussion after each presentation
Time estimate: 45-60 minutes
Group size: 5-15 participants
Why it works for teams: Promotes cultural understanding, encourages personal storytelling, and helps team members learn about each other's backgrounds.
Common Mistakes (And How Not to Drive Your Team Crazy)
Watching team building attempts crash and burn while everyone pretends their video isn't working. We’ve all seen it. After seeing plenty of mistakes when it comes to indoor and outdoor team-building activities, we’ve learned all about the “dos” and “don’ts”. But what are the most common mistakes to avoid?
The "You Must Have Fun!" Syndrome
Have you ever tried forcing someone to have fun? Yeah, that goes about as well as you'd expect. Here’s the thing: Nothing makes people run for the "camera off" button faster than mandatory fun time.
What to do instead? Make activities optional but interesting enough that people want to join. When word spreads about how much fun the last virtual escape room was, you'll instantly see a rise in engagement for the next virtual event.
The "One Activity Fits All" Mistake
You’ve heard it first: the "one size fits all" is a trap. Just because your marketing team loves charades doesn't mean your engineering team wants to act out "cloud computing" on camera.
Pay attention to what different groups enjoy and cater different activities to each group. Alternatively, find common interests and go from there. Don’t be afraid of experimenting!
Terrible Timing Awards
We've seen well-meaning managers schedule leadership activities right before significant deadlines. Beware of your team’s needs. Nobody wants to play "Two Truths and a Lie" while racing to finish a presentation. Read the room - literally and figuratively.
The "Just Another Meeting" Trap
The biggest mistake when it comes to team-building? Treating these activities like another task to check off your list and get moving with your day. Truth is, the moment it feels like work disguised as fun, you've lost them. Give people space to be human, share stories, and connect. Trust us - the work benefits will follow.
Wrapping things Up
Virtual team building can feel like high-fiving someone through a screen. It may sound awkward at first? Maybe. But is it worth figuring out? Absolutely.
The remote teams that thrive aren't the ones with the biggest budgets or fanciest virtual reality setups—they're the ones that figured out how to make digital connections feel real. Virtual team building activities make virtual meetings fun and build a sense of community. Our selection of activities can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1+ hours, so you’ll find the perfect one for your team even if you have time constraints on your side.
Ready to get started? Pick one idea from this guide and try it this week with your crew. Your future team will thank you - probably in the form of fewer black squares during your next virtual meeting.
At TeamOut, we specialize in bringing these activities (and many more!) to life. From company parties and corporate retreat planning to venue sourcing, we handle everything! Book a free call with our TeamOut experts, and let's start 2025 with a new approach on virtual and in-person team building!
.png)
.png)
