Virtual Team Building Activities For Work: Fun Bonding Ideas & Games for 2025

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Technology has helped cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through modern software solutions, for instance, businesses are able to carry on with their operations and go beyond what Powerpoint viewer online tools can do.

However, there are also challenges to working online or remotely. Employees can continue their work and earn income but they lose the opportunity to interact with their coworkers. For some people, not being able to interact physically with people can result in mental health issues. Fortunately, companies are finding different ways to promote interaction even in the online space. One of the ways this is done is through virtual team building activities.

In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of holding virtual team building activities and the different types of activities that can be done to help bring fun and camaraderie among colleagues even in a virtual setting.

Virtual Team Building Activities Table of Contents

Why Hold Team Building Events Virtually
Apps for Virtual Team Building
Virtual Team Building Ideas
How can virtual team building activities encourage continuous professional development?
How Do Virtual Team Building Activities Contribute to Career Advancement?
How to Make Virtual Team Building Activities More Fun
How to Measure the Success of Virtual Team Building Activities
What factors should be considered when tailoring virtual team building activities to your team’s unique needs?
How can virtual team building activities promote long-term professional growth?
How can virtual team building activities support a healthy work-life balance?
How can virtual team building activities enhance remote onboarding?
How can virtual team building activities boost employee retention?

Why Hold Team Building Events Virtually

Resource management techniques can come in many forms. Team building can be one of them. Akin to the social benefits of field trips, team building has been defined as the process of turning a group of individual contributors into a cohesive group that will be able to successfully meet the needs of their customers. (Heathfield, 2021). Given the individual traits of these contributors, there are some instances when they do not see eye to eye. Hence, team building is essential to keep everyone on track in achieving the mission, vision, and goals of the organization and to ensure that they deliver the same level of performance the organization expects them to.

The current pandemic and the remote working environment that came with it only served to further emphasize a greater need for team building. But with in-person interactions in the workplace or any particular location being discouraged at the moment, team bonding cannot be done the traditional way.

Holding team-building events virtually are the next viable option organizations can set up as a way to continue building camaraderie among contributors and encourage them to keep doing their best despite the challenges of the moment. While the experience may not be on the same level as that of in-person activities, any opportunity for interaction among colleagues and management is most welcome in ensuring individual mental health and overall team cohesiveness.

However, remote teams need a clear structure and guidance to make virtual team-building effective. One study recommends tapping into the vast literature of Self-Determination Theory to provide a framework for managing remote work educators and ensuring they state engaged and motivated.

“As we do our best to embrace online remote work in these times of uncertainty, team leaders’ management and leadership style should especially consider their team members’ basic psychological needs to promote autonomous work motivation and job commitment," Cesar Orsini and Veena Rodrigues noted in their article published in Medical Teacher (Orsini and Rodrigues, 2021). “It becomes essential to support educators’ adaptation and psychological wellbeing, and to find ways to maintain their initial level of engagement before motivation to work from home starts to decrease." And one of these “ways" is through team-building activities.

Apps for Virtual Team Building

Remote audio-visual communication has evolved immensely in recent years, which has helped people and organizations to stay in constant communication especially during the pandemic.

Currently, there are several platforms available that enable organizations to communicate with their entire teams for meetings and, most especially, team building activities. Each platform has its own features and advantages that fit the organization’s needs, budget and other considerations. Here are some of the more notable ones:

Zoom

Zoom has risen in the past year to become the default videoconferencing platform for many individuals and organizations (Aten, 2021). One of its strengths is that it can handle up to 100 participants in a given virtual meeting. However, the free version limits such meetings to only 40 minutes. Meeting hosts would either have to pay for a premium plan of at least $14.99/month for longer uninterrupted meetings or set up a new meeting invite where participants can continue where they left off.

Google Meet

While not as widespread in use as Zoom, Google Meet offers a few advantages such as its free version being able to hold meetings for up to 1 hour and can accommodate up to 100 participants. However, its most notable feature is that it is part of the greater Google ecosystem. Those using various Google apps such as Gmail, Hangouts Chat, and Google Calendar will find a great deal of convenience with Google Meet’s interconnectivity with these apps.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams may be a fairly new videoconferencing platform, but it actually evolved from Skype’s business-oriented version Skype for Business. Like Google Meet, the free version can hold a meeting for up to 60 minutes with 100 participants. And if users are already subscribed to a Microsoft 365 plan, which already provides a subscription for Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, a premium version of Microsoft Teams is already included.

Discord

Unlike the other platforms listed here, Discord was developed originally as an app for gaming communities. Over time, it became popular enough that non-gaming groups established their presence on the platform as well. As a videoconferencing tool, it allows for up to 25 participants while video meetings can last up to 5 hours, depending on user bandwidth. It is also a viable option for small teams that are looking for a tool that is less business-like, thanks to Discord’s gaming-centric aesthetics while providing security and other unique features such as allowing teams to have their own robust servers where they can set up general and team chatrooms and make voice calls as well. (Hoyt, 2020)

Virtual Team Building Ideas

Once the platform has been chosen, it’s time to determine the type of team building activity to hold. There are a lot of virtual team building ideas that organizers can choose from. But some of the popular ones are listed below, categorized as games or other activities.

Games

Trivia Games and Quizzes Whether as an intellectual challenge or plain trivia fun, trivia games and quizzes are popular team building activities. The subjects of these activities can be anything, be it general knowledge, specific subjects the team is generally familiar with or anything related to the organization itself. While pen and paper can be used to do a virtual quiz, apps like Kahoot and ahaSlides have easy-to-use quiz-making templates and updates the scores as well.

Virtual Pictionary The rules for the virtual version of Pictionary are somewhat similar to the classic game, where the presenter draws the object selected from a choice of words or an idea generator, which the players will try to guess what that object is. For virtual Pictionary though, the participants can either draw using a pen and paper within a given time limit or use tools like the whiteboard feature used in Zoom Games, which lets the players see what the participant is drawing in real-time and make guesses similar to how it is done in the traditional Pictionary game.

Charades This is one of the easiest games to translate into a virtual setting. The presenter acts out a word or phrase chosen from a list or an idea generator and the players guess the word within an allotted time. In the virtual setting, the participants use the built-in presenter settings of the platforms being used, like “Spotlight" for Zoom so everyone will have a better view of the presenter and what he or she are trying to act out.

Scavenger Hunts Another game that is easy to set up virtually is a scavenger game. The presenter chooses an item that the participants should present within a given timeframe and the first one who can present the item wins the game.

Online Games Online multiplayer games are more than just the usual battle games being played on esports tournaments. There are a variety of online games that are less intense and more fun to play. Many online games can work well as virtual team building games. Most notable of these is Among Us, a strategy game where participants can either be one of the crew members who tries to find who among them is an impostor or an impostor who must dispose of the crew members without being caught as one. Among Us has grown in popularity in recent years, partly because it makes great use of observation and analytics skills. It is considered a great game for practicing problem-solving skills needed at work. (Davies, n.d.)

Other Team Activities

Coffee Meeting

A virtual meeting over a cup of coffee at the start of the workday is an opportunity for team members to share roles and the tasks they need to do for the rest of the day. This helps contributors get to know what their colleagues are up to and offer assistance if necessary to get the work done much earlier while ensuring quality. It is supposed to be a light and fun meeting so there should be no pressure among team members. Productivity meeting icebreakers can help lighten up the mood on this one, encouraging virtual team bonding.

Team Lunch

Just like the coffee meeting, a team lunch is another opportunity for team members to get to interact and bond more. Even in a virtual setting, team members can share what they are eating and have a fun chat over a meal. It can also be an opportunity for team members to learn something or be inspired by holding talks during this time conducted by a mentor or a figure who is considered inspirational by the team.

Show and Tell

This activity can be considered a bit more intimate as participants share an item that represents something that is close to their hearts or part of their memory. It is an activity that helps contributors get to know their colleagues in a more personal manner and help build stronger connections based on empathy and relatability.

Drawing Parties

Art is another way for members of a team to bond. It also helps foster creativity in them. A drawing party is one activity that can help achieve both and there are many ways to go about doing it. It can have a certain theme such as drawing their colleagues as superheroes or the animals they associate themselves with. It can also come in the form of a drawing class where they are asked to draw a particular object the best way they can or have an artist teach them how to draw.

Birthday Parties

Birthdays of team members are milestone events that teams never fail to celebrate. Even in the current remote work environment, birthdays can still be celebrated virtually. The team leader or celebrant can organize a birthday meal shared virtually by the team across locations and hold fun activities like the games listed above or other appropriate activities that everyone in the team can participate in. Birthday greetings or messages can also be posted and shared across the organization, keeping the community ties strong.

How can virtual team building activities encourage continuous professional development?

Integrating professional development into virtual team building can enhance skill sharing and foster a culture of continuous learning. Organizers can incorporate short workshops, role-specific training sessions, or peer-led presentations into team activities to reinforce practical knowledge while promoting inter-departmental exchange. This approach not only strengthens team cohesion but also helps employees stay updated with industry-relevant skills. For technical or administrative teams, supplementing these activities with targeted online courses—such as the cheapest medical billing and coding program—can provide a cost-effective avenue for professional growth without requiring significant budget increases.

How Do Virtual Team Building Activities Contribute to Career Advancement?

Virtual team building activities go beyond fostering camaraderie—they create an environment where skill sharing and informal mentoring help uncover hidden talent and cultivate leadership. By encouraging collaboration in non-traditional settings, these activities offer employees opportunities to develop key soft skills that are critical for career progression. Moreover, organizations that integrate innovative team building into their culture often see enhanced motivation among contributors to pursue further education and professional development. Such initiatives may inspire efforts to acquire advanced qualifications, including programs like the cheapest bachelor's degree online, ultimately aligning employee growth with long-term organizational success.

How to Make Virtual Team Building Activities More Fun

While there are so many possibilities for conducting virtual team building activities, there is the risk that such activities may not turn out to be successful due to various reasons such as disinterest, tech issues, and scheduling conflicts. There is also the matter of “Zoom fatigue" with people feeling exhausted and stressed due to constant online meetings, some of which are held too close to each other in their schedule.

Zoom Fatigue Among Gender Groups

Source: Stanford, 2021

Organizers should take heed of these challenges early on and address them as effectively as they could be by doing the following:

Plan ahead for the activities that will be conducted for the next two to three months at the very least.
Plan and structure any team building activity and make sure that the event starts and ends on time. Respect the time of those participating in the activity.
Conduct a dry run of the activity to be conducted to ensure the smooth flow of the event and to prepare for any challenges that may occur during the activity.
Promote the activities within the team and encourage members to be more creative and interesting by offering small prizes or inviting notable personalities within or outside the organization who can participate in any of the activities.

How to Measure the Success of Virtual Team Building Activities

Measuring the success of virtual team building activities ensures that your efforts positively impact team cohesion and productivity. Below are key strategies and metrics to evaluate their effectiveness:

Post-Activity Feedback Surveys: Distribute surveys immediately after the activity to collect participants' opinions. Ask about enjoyment levels, perceived team bonding, and suggestions for improvement.
Attendance and Participation Rates: Track the number of employees who attend and actively participate. High attendance and engagement indicate interest, while low rates suggest the need for adjustments.
Employee Engagement Scores: Compare engagement scores before and after implementing regular virtual team building. An increase signals improved morale and collaboration.
Observation of Team Dynamics: Monitor communication, collaboration, and trust changes among team members during work tasks. Positive behavioral changes often reflect successful team building.
Team Performance Metrics: Evaluate project completion times, error rates, and overall productivity. Improved performance post-activity suggests strengthened teamwork.

Reinforcing Team Building’s Goals

It is easy for organizers to be carried away with all the preparations. It might appear like this is one of those career options for psychology graduates, but organizers can make team building simple. What’s important is to remember the purpose of the virtual team-building activities, which is to build a strong, results-oriented team that delivers for the organization.

At the end of the day, what matters most is that the activity that was conducted had achieved its goal of bringing people within the team closer than before and motivated to ensure the growth of the organization.

Key Insights

Virtual Team Building Necessity: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of virtual team building activities to maintain team cohesion and mental well-being.
Benefits of Virtual Team Building: These activities help promote interaction, camaraderie, and motivation among remote team members, which are crucial for maintaining productivity and job satisfaction.
Effective Tools: Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Discord offer various features that facilitate virtual team building, making remote interaction seamless and engaging.
Diverse Activities: Virtual team building can include a wide range of activities, from trivia games and scavenger hunts to more personal activities like show and tell or drawing parties.
Mitigating Challenges: Successful virtual team building requires careful planning, clear structure, and addressing potential issues like Zoom fatigue and scheduling conflicts.
Goal Reinforcement: The primary objective of virtual team building is to strengthen team bonds and enhance performance, ensuring activities are aligned with these goals.

What factors should be considered when tailoring virtual team building activities to your team’s unique needs?

Organizations can improve engagement by aligning activities with the specific dynamics and professional requirements of their teams. Evaluating team diversity, individual communication styles, and job role demands helps in selecting tailored interactive tasks that foster both soft and technical skills. Leaders should analyze performance feedback and pilot initiatives to refine activity design and optimize alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, integrating opportunities for continuous learning—such as exploring further education options through resources like the shortest masters programs online—can further enrich the team building experience without compromising operational efficiency.

How can virtual team building activities promote long-term professional growth?

Virtual team building activities lay the groundwork for continuous professional development by encouraging collaborative problem-solving, peer mentoring, and cross-functional skill sharing. These interactions naturally extend beyond immediate team goals to foster a culture of learning and innovation. By integrating informal training sessions or focused discussion groups into virtual activities, organizations create low-cost, high-impact opportunities for employees to enhance their expertise. This approach not only supports career advancement but also aligns with flexible, modern education alternatives—for instance, if you're wondering is it cheaper to get a degree online? Yes.

How can virtual team building activities support a healthy work-life balance?

Virtual team building activities not only enhance team cohesion but also contribute to a sustainable work-life balance. By scheduling interactive sessions that break away from conventional work tasks, organizations can reduce burnout and help employees disconnect from work pressures. These structured yet informal gatherings create opportunities for relaxation and personal expression, mitigating the isolation of remote work. Moreover, incorporating elements that encourage learning and self-improvement complements overall wellbeing. For example, employees may use these sessions to explore new skills or educational opportunities through resources like accelerated associate degree programs, enabling them to advance professionally while managing personal time effectively.

How can virtual team building activities enhance remote onboarding?

Virtual team building exercises can accelerate the integration of new hires by promoting early relationship-building and familiarity with company culture. Structured activities enable new employees to interact with both peers and mentors, facilitating a smoother transition into remote work environments while promoting transparency in daily operations. Such engagements foster immediate inclusion, reduce first-day anxieties, and help new team members understand internal communication channels and collaboration frameworks. Additionally, these interactions can encourage continual professional enhancement through exposure to advanced learning resources, including online only colleges, which support ongoing skill development in a virtual setting.

How can virtual team building activities boost employee retention?

Virtual team building activities contribute directly to higher retention by fostering an inclusive culture where employee contributions are recognized and valued. By creating structured opportunities for informal networking and role diversification, remote teams experience enhanced job satisfaction and reduced turnover. This cohesive environment encourages employees to share knowledge and develop interdepartmental relationships, which in turn supports career resiliency and trust in leadership. With programs that include skill enrichment elements—such as opportunities to pursue a quick associate degree—organizations reinforce long-term commitment and nurture professional growth without disrupting workflow.

FAQ

Why are virtual team building activities important during the pandemic?

Virtual team building activities are essential during the pandemic because they help maintain team cohesion, promote mental well-being, and ensure continuous interaction among remote team members. These activities mitigate feelings of isolation and help keep employees motivated and engaged.

What are some popular platforms for virtual team building?

Popular platforms for virtual team building include Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Discord. Each platform offers unique features that cater to different organizational needs, such as participant capacity, meeting duration, and integration with other tools.

What types of virtual team building activities can we organize?

Organizations can organize a variety of virtual team building activities such as trivia games, virtual Pictionary, charades, scavenger hunts, and online multiplayer games like Among Us. Other activities include virtual coffee meetings, team lunches, show and tell sessions, drawing parties, and virtual birthday celebrations.

How can we make virtual team building activities more engaging?

To make virtual team building activities more engaging, plan and structure activities in advance, conduct dry runs to ensure smooth execution, promote creativity by offering small prizes, and invite notable personalities to participate. It's also important to respect participants' time and avoid scheduling conflicts to prevent Zoom fatigue.

What is the primary goal of virtual team building activities?

The primary goal of virtual team building activities is to build a strong, cohesive team that works well together and is motivated to achieve the organization's objectives. These activities aim to strengthen interpersonal relationships, boost morale, and enhance overall team performance.

How can we address Zoom fatigue during virtual team building?

To address Zoom fatigue, plan activities with adequate breaks, avoid scheduling them too closely together, and ensure they are engaging and fun. Offering a variety of activities and being mindful of participants' time can help reduce the feeling of exhaustion associated with frequent virtual meetings.

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