Virtual Team Building Activities to Try

For teams working remotely, the need to maintain a sense of connection is highly important for employee well-being. Frequent communication and a sense of shared identity within a team can soften the effects of physical separation.

Here are some fun, easy team-building ideas to try with your employees or coworkers—virtually!

Add a splash of fun to virtual meetings

Chances are you’re on a video call at least once a week with your team. Here are some quick, easy ways to add fun to your normal flow.

Best Conference Call Background

Challenge your team to find the best background possible for your next virtual meeting. If you use Zoom, you can upload your own background image. If you use something else, your team will need to get really creative and use things in their home.

Virtual Pictionary

Get the creative juices flowing! A classic game like Pictionary never goes out of style. Have team members guess what each other is drawing using Zoom’s whiteboard feature—or keep it old school with pen and paper that you can show on screen.

Name That Throwback

Nothing brings people together more than nostalgia. Compile a list of old songs, play snippets during your next video chat, and have team members guess the song name. You could choose hits from different music genres, decades, or even popular movies to keep it interesting.

Virtual Pau Hana

It can be hard to bookend the day when you’re working remotely. What better way to unwind than with a virtual pau hana! Set a time, have everyone prepare their favorite cocktail (or mocktail) and jump on a Zoom call together.

Group Workout or Exercise Sessions

Finding the motivation to stay healthy and work out from home is tough. Spark that fire in your employees with group fitness classes, weekly yoga sessions, or even just simple stretching breaks and reminders throughout the day.

Water Cooler Talk Story

Take the water cooler talk from the breakroom to the chatroom. If your remote communication channel allows for it, set up a specific chatroom or online thread for team members to talk story about everything BUT work—kids, dogs, worthy Netflix binges.

Don’t skip special occasions

Just because you can’t physically be together doesn’t mean you should skip celebrating special occasions. This goes for everything from employee birthdays and anniversaries to holidays and company events. Make a special shout-out during your next virtual meeting, send an eGift card, or offer time off when appropriate.