Why virtual team activities strengthen remote culture
Virtual team activities are interactive, remote-friendly experiences designed to build connection among teammates who aren't physically together. Popular formats include online escape rooms, virtual trivia competitions, digital scavenger hunts, and collaborative workshops where teams create something together over video.
When people work from different locations, the casual hallway conversations and lunch breaks that naturally build relationships simply don't happen. Gallup found 25% of fully remote employees report feeling lonely at work—nearly double the rate of on-site peers. Virtual team activities fill that gap by creating shared moments that teammates can reference later—the kind of experiences that turn coworkers into actual colleagues who know each other.
Here's what virtual team activities actually accomplish:
- Build rapport across distances: A review of 65 peer-reviewed studies found that absent physical interaction contributes to detachment and reduced job performance—shared experiences give teammates something to talk about beyond project updates and deadlines.
- Break up monotony: A well-timed activity interrupts the rhythm of back-to-back video calls and reminds people that work can be enjoyable.
- Improve collaboration: Teams who connect socially tend to communicate more openly on projects and ask for help sooner. Team building statistics consistently back this up, showing measurable gains in productivity and retention for teams that invest in regular connection.
Pro tip: Schedule activities during work hours rather than after. Placing team building on the calendar signals that connection is valued, not an afterthought squeezed into personal time.
What makes a virtual team activity effective
Not every activity works for every team. Before diving into specific ideas, it helps to know what separates a memorable experience from one that makes people quietly turn off their cameras.
Easy to join without technical barriers
The best activities work on standard video platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams without requiring downloads, plugins, or complicated setups. If participants spend the first ten minutes troubleshooting, momentum disappears before the activity even starts.
Encourages participation from all personality types
Some people thrive when speaking up in a group. Others prefer typing in chat or contributing behind the scenes. Effective activities offer multiple ways to engage so introverts and extroverts alike feel included rather than put on the spot.
Fits within realistic time constraints
Your team is busy. Activities that respect that reality—whether a five-minute warm-up or a focused one-hour experience—tend to get better buy-in than marathon sessions that eat into deadlines.
Creates shared experiences and memories
The real value shows up weeks later when someone says, "Remember when Marcus found that ridiculous item during the scavenger hunt?" Those callbacks build culture over time in ways that formal meetings never do.
Aligns with team goals or occasions
Match the activity to the moment. Onboarding calls for something that helps new hires learn names and personalities. Holiday celebrations might warrant something more festive. Weekly check-ins benefit from quick, repeatable formats.
12 virtual team building games and activities for remote teams
The following activities range from quick icebreakers to immersive virtual games to play with coworkers. Each one works well in a virtual setting and has been tested by real teams.
1. Virtual trivia and gameshow competitions
High-energy competitions where teams answer trivia questions across categories like pop culture, company history, or general knowledge. A host keeps score and energy high while teams collaborate in breakout rooms to strategize answers.
Trivia works particularly well for large groups and celebrations because everyone can participate simultaneously. Most sessions run between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on the number of rounds.
2. Online escape rooms
Collaborative puzzle-solving where teams work together to "escape" a virtual scenario within a time limit. Escape rooms require communication, delegation, and problem-solving skills—abilities that transfer directly to project work.
Online escape rooms work best for small to mid-sized groups of 4 to 15 people. Sessions typically run 45 minutes to an hour.
3. Virtual scavenger hunts
Fast-paced activities where participants race to find household items matching creative scavenger hunt prompts like "something that makes you happy" or "the oldest thing in your kitchen." No prep required from participants, and the results are often hilarious.
Scavenger hunts scale well to groups of any size and usually take 15 to 30 minutes. The format keeps energy high because everyone is moving around rather than sitting at their desks.
4. Two truths and a lie
A classic icebreaker where each person shares three statements about themselves—two true, one false—and others guess the lie. Simple, requires no tools, and reveals surprising facts about teammates.
Two truths and a lie works best for new teams, onboarding sessions, or smaller groups where everyone has time to share. Expect 10 to 20 minutes, depending on group size.
5. Virtual cooking and baking classes
Live workshops where teams learn a recipe together with a professional instructor. Ingredient kits can be shipped in advance, creating a tangible shared experience that extends beyond the screen.
Cooking classes work well for teams who enjoy hands-on activities and are popular for celebrations. Sessions typically run 1 to 2 hours.
6. Remote happy hours with a twist
Casual social time works best when there's a light activity or theme to avoid awkward silences. Consider adding a mixology demo, conversation prompts, or a "show and tell" element where people share something meaningful from their workspace.
Happy hours fit naturally at the end of the week or for milestone celebrations. Plan for 30 minutes to an hour.
7. Online murder mystery games
Immersive role-play where participants are assigned characters and work together to solve a fictional case. Murder mysteries require engagement and creativity, making them memorable for teams who enjoy storytelling.
Murder mystery games work best for mid-sized groups comfortable with role-play. Sessions typically run 1 to 2 hours.
8. Digital show and tell
Each team member shares an object that's meaningful to them and explains why. Low-pressure, personal, and surprisingly effective at helping teammates learn about each other's lives outside work.
Show and tell works for any group size and can become a recurring activity at the start of regular meetings. Plan for 15 to 30 minutes.
9. Virtual coffee chats
Randomized one-on-one or small group pairings for informal conversation. Tools like Donut for Slack can automate the matching, building cross-functional relationships over time without requiring a formal event.
Coffee chats are especially valuable for large or siloed teams where people rarely interact across departments. Each pairing takes 15 to 30 minutes.
10. Collaborative playlist building
The team creates a shared Spotify playlist around a theme like "songs that pump you up" or "guilty pleasures." Asynchronous-friendly and sparks conversation about musical tastes without requiring everyone to be online simultaneously.
Playlist building works particularly well for distributed teams across time zones. The activity can run asynchronously over several days.
11. Remote fitness and wellness sessions
Guided stretching, yoga, or meditation led by an instructor. Wellness sessions promote well-being and give teams a non-work-focused shared experience that can become a regular ritual.
Fitness sessions work at any team size and typically run 15 to 45 minutes. They're a good option for teams interested in wellness without requiring athletic ability.
12. Creative workshops and DIY craft sessions
Hands-on activities like origami, candle making, or painting, where participants create something together. Kits can be shipped so everyone has materials, and the finished products serve as physical reminders of the experience.
Creative workshops work well for tactile learners and teams who want something different from typical video call activities. Sessions typically run 1 to 2 hours.
Quick team building exercises you can run in five minutes
Not every activity requires a dedicated event. Some of the most effective team building happens in the first few minutes of a regular meeting.
Icebreakers that energize virtual meetings
- This or That: Quick either/or questions—think would you rather prompts (coffee or tea? Morning or night?)—that everyone answers in chat simultaneously.
- Emoji mood board: Everyone drops an emoji representing their current mood. Simple, visual, and reveals more than you'd expect.
- Rose and thorn: One good thing and one challenge from the past week. Takes two minutes and builds empathy.
Warm-up games for the start of any call
- Lightning scavenger hunt: 60 seconds to find something blue, something that makes you happy, or something you'd grab in a fire.
- Word association: Start with one word, go around with related words until someone gets stuck.
- GIF battle: React to a prompt using only GIFs in chat. Surprisingly competitive.
Virtual team building activities for large groups
What works for ten people doesn't always scale to fifty or more. Large groups face unique challenges: it's harder to hear everyone, easier to disengage, and technical complexity multiplies.
Activities that scale to 50 or more participants
From the list above, the following work particularly well at scale:
- Virtual trivia: Team-based scoring keeps everyone engaged, even in large groups.
- Scavenger hunts: Everyone participates simultaneously, and results can be shared in chat.
- Gameshows: The spectator-friendly format means not everyone needs to speak to feel involved.
Teamland's hosted experiences are designed to engage groups from small teams to 500+ participants, with professional facilitators who know how to manage energy across breakout rooms.
Tips for keeping big groups engaged
- Break into smaller breakout rooms for portions of the activity, then reconvene.
- Use chat and polls liberally to give everyone a voice without requiring them to unmute.
- Assign team captains to maintain energy in subgroups.
- Consider a professional facilitator experienced with large virtual audiences.
How to make remote team building fun and inclusive
The most common concern about virtual team building? "What if people hate this?" Here's how to avoid the cringe factor.
Accommodate different time zones
If your team spans multiple zones, rotate timing so the same people aren't always inconvenienced. Alternatively, choose asynchronous-friendly activities like collaborative playlists or Slack-based challenges that don't require everyone to be online simultaneously.
Balance activities for introverts and extroverts
Mix high-energy games with lower-key options. Offer chat-based participation alongside speaking. Give advance notice so introverts can prepare—surprising people with "share something personal right now" rarely goes well.
Avoid cheesy or forced participation
Acknowledge the concern directly: nobody wants to feel like they're back in a mandatory corporate training from 2003.
Here's what helps:
- Make participation encouraged but not mandatory.
- Choose activities with genuine entertainment value, not forced "fun."
- Let teams vote on what they want to do.
Pro tip: Professionally facilitated events tend to feel less awkward than DIY attempts because the host keeps energy high, handles transitions smoothly, and takes the pressure off internal organizers.
Build stronger remote teams with Teamland
Remote team building doesn't have to be complicated, or cringe-worthy. The activities in this guide work because they create genuine moments of connection, not forced participation.
If you'd rather skip the planning and logistics, Teamland handles everything end-to-end: from helping you choose the right activity to hosting the event so your team can simply show up and enjoy it. With 100+ experiences trusted by teams at Amazon, Spotify, Disney, and thousands of other companies, there's something for every group size, budget, and occasion.
Not sure where to start? The Team Idea Generator recommends activities based on your team's size, preferences, and goals.
FAQs about virtual team activities
How often should remote teams schedule virtual team building activities?
Most teams benefit from a quick activity weekly—like a five-minute icebreaker at the start of a meeting—plus a longer experience monthly or quarterly. The right frequency depends on team size, workload, and how distributed the group is. Teams spanning multiple time zones often find monthly dedicated events more sustainable than weekly ones.
What is the difference between DIY and professionally hosted virtual team activities?
DIY activities are free and flexible but require someone on your team to plan, facilitate, and keep energy high. Professionally hosted experiences handle logistics, materials, and facilitation so your team can participate without anyone playing organizer. The trade-off is cost versus time and polish.
How can you encourage skeptical employees to participate in virtual team building?
Start by making activities optional rather than mandatory—forced fun rarely works. Choose genuinely entertaining options and let team members have input on what to try. Over time, as people see colleagues enjoying themselves, skeptics often come around on their own.
Do virtual team activities work for hybrid teams with some people in-office?
Yes, though hybrid formats require intentional design. The key is ensuring remote participants have equal ability to engage and aren't watching in-office people interact with each other. Activities that work entirely through video and chat—rather than relying on physical proximity—tend to level the playing field.
