As remote work becomes the norm, fostering a sense of connection and teamwork among dispersed employees is more crucial than ever.
Online team-building games are not just a trend but a necessity for nurturing collaboration and morale in virtual environments. From escape rooms to trivia challenges, these games offer innovative ways to engage employees, enhance communication, and inject fun into the remote workplace.
With extensive experience evaluating hundreds of remote team-building games, we’ve done the legwork for you. Our expertly curated list features the very best in virtual team-building activities.
Discover how these selected online team building games can transform team dynamics and significantly enhance productivity within your remote workforce.
Team Building Ideas for Remote Employees
1. Escape Quest
In this online team building activity, participants embark on a virtual adventure where they must work together to solve puzzles, crack codes, and unravel mysteries within a specified time limit to “escape” from a digital room. With its immersive storytelling and collaborative challenges, Escape Quest cultivates teamwork, enhances critical thinking, and strengthens team bonding and communication skills among team members.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This game is a fantastic online team building option because it promotes problem-solving, stress management, communication, and brainstorming in an entertaining and interactive format.
Schedule an Escape Quest session to start off your next virtual meeting.
2. Virtual Jeopardy Wars
This online team building game puts a twist on the classic Jeopardy format, challenging participants with trivia questions, puzzles, and riddles across various categories. With its competitive yet collaborative nature, Virtual Jeopardy Wars encourages teamwork, boosts knowledge retention, and stirs up friendly competition among team members, even in small groups.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This game is an excellent choice for online team building because it enhances problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and strategic decision-making skills. Participants must work together to strategize, answer questions, and allocate points wisely to outsmart their opponents and emerge victorious in the virtual arena.
Try Virtual Jeopardy Wars during a team lunch to energize your team.
3. Two Truths and a Lie
In this classic activity, each team member shares two facts about themselves, one true and one false, while their colleagues guess which statement is the lie. This virtual event encourages creativity, fosters relationship-building, and helps team members get to know each other better in a fun and interactive way.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This online team building game is particularly effective because it promotes active listening, observation skills, and empathy among team members. Participants must pay attention to details, read body language, and make educated guesses to uncover the truth and transform their regular workday into a fun one.
Kick off weekly team meetings with a quick round of Two Truths and a Lie to break the ice and start conversations.
4. Coworker Feud
This playful twist on the classic game show Family Feud pits co-workers against each other in a friendly competition to guess the most popular survey responses to workplace-related questions. With its engaging format and team-based challenges, this game promotes teamwork, communication, and laughter among colleagues.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This virtual activity is a fantastic choice for online team building because it encourages collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills in a lighthearted and enjoyable setting. Participants must work together to brainstorm answers, strategize their approach, and rally their team to victory while strengthening bonds and facilitating a sense of unity.
Organize a Coworker Feud event as part of your quarterly team-building activities for continuous engagement.
5. Celebrate an upcoming Holiday
Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other special occasion, bringing your remote team together for some holiday cheer is a great way to boost morale and unify your coworkers or employees.
Whether through Zoom or video conference, start by organizing holiday-themed games such as virtual charades, holiday trivia, or a scavenger hunt where team members find items related to the holiday. Encourage everyone to dress in festive attire and share their favorite holiday traditions or memories over video chat or Google Meet while enjoying their favorite seasonal drinks, donuts, and treats.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: By combining games, drinks, and bonding activities, you’ll create a memorable and enjoyable holiday celebration among team members that brings your remote team closer together.
Plan your virtual holiday party early, and involve team members in choosing activities to build anticipation and participation.
6. Virtual World Tour
In this online team building activity, team members take turns leading the group on virtual meetings and tours to places they love or are knowledgeable about. From famous landmarks to hidden gems, participants will explore diverse cultures, cuisines, and experiences, all from the comfort of their own screens.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: With its immersive storytelling and shared exploration, Virtual World Tour fosters teamwork, cultural understanding, and curiosity among team members. This game is an excellent choice for online team building because it promotes creativity, communication, and collaboration in an engaging and interactive format.
Assign each team member a country to research and present as a fun and educational segment during regular team calls.
7. Quick Connect
This fun game allows team members to pair up in breakout rooms for quick one-on-one conversations, each lasting just a few minutes.
Participants take turns sharing fun facts about themselves, their hobbies, or their weekend plans, creating quick connections and bonding opportunities.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: With its rapid format and focused interactions, Quick Connect encourages active listening, empathy, and better professional relationships among team members. This game is an excellent choice for online team building because it breaks the ice quickly, helps make connections, and gives team members a way to get to know each other on a personal level quickly.
Implement Quick Connect sessions bi-weekly to maintain personal connections and help team members stay engaged.
8. The Virtual Do-Good Games
In this fun activity, participants come together to compete in a series of virtual challenges and tasks designed to support charitable causes and make a positive impact on the community. From fundraising challenges to volunteer opportunities, it provides a platform for teamwork, creativity, and social responsibility.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This team building exercise is an exceptional online game because participants build stronger connections with each other and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
Coordinate a Virtual Do-Good event that aligns with your company’s CSR goals, encouraging team participation in meaningful causes.
9. Remote Pictionary
In this virtual team building game, participants draw objects, phrases, or concepts on a digital canvas while their teammates try to guess what they’re illustrating.
With its fast-paced gameplay and collaborative spirit, Remote Pictionary sparks laughter and creativity and strengthens bonds among your entire team.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This doodling game is an excellent choice for online team building because it encourages communication, problem-solving, and teamwork in a fun and interactive way.
Include Remote Pictionary in your team’s end-of-week wind-down activities to relax and foster creativity.
10. Escape Alcatraz
In this virtual team building activity, participants find themselves locked inside the infamous Alcatraz prison and must work together to solve puzzles, crack codes, and uncover clues to escape before time runs out. With its captivating storyline and challenging puzzles, Escape Alcatraz promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills among team members.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: In this game, participants must collaborate effectively, think outside the box, and stay calm under pressure, even if it is not played face-to-face, to outsmart the challenges and break free from Alcatraz.
Use Escape Alcatraz for team-building retreats to challenge and engage employees in complex problem-solving.
11. Virtual Talent Show
In this exciting showcase, team members can share their talents, hobbies, and passions with their colleagues in a fun and supportive virtual environment. Whether singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, or showcasing other skills like magic tricks or stand-up comedy, everyone is encouraged to participate and shine.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This game enhances creativity, builds camaraderie, and strengthens bonds among team members as they cheer each other on and celebrate each other’s talents. It’s a wonderful way to bring joy, laughter, and entertainment to your virtual team meetings while showcasing the diverse talents and personalities within your group. So, let the show begin, and let’s celebrate the unique talents of our team members!
Organize a Virtual Talent Show as an annual event, giving team members something exciting to prepare for and look forward to.
12. Colonist.io
In this digital adaptation of the popular board game Settlers of Catan, players compete to establish colonies, build settlements, and trade resources on a virtual island. With its dynamic gameplay and strategic challenges, Colonist.io encourages teamwork, negotiation, and critical thinking among team members.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This game is a great choice for online team building because participants must work together to strategize, form alliances, and adapt to changing circumstances to emerge victorious and dominate the island.
Schedule regular Colonist.io sessions to build strategic thinking and foster competitive spirit within teams.
13. Mean Queen’s Murder Mystery
In this thrilling virtual adventure, remote team members must work together through group chat or a conference call to solve a mysterious murder case involving the demise of the notorious Mean Queen. This game challenges players to use their detective skills, critical thinking, and deduction to uncover the truth behind the crime.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: It encourages collaboration, communication, and teamwork because participants must share information, analyze evidence, and brainstorm theories to piece together the puzzle and identify the culprit.
Plan a Murder Mystery event as a special Halloween or themed team-building activity to engage and entertain.
14. Photo of Your Life
“Photo of Your Life” is a heartfelt online team building activity that invites each member to share a meaningful photo of their life and share the story behind it.
This activity is perfect for remote teams of any size, as it increases connection and understanding among colleagues. From cherished family moments to personal achievements or unforgettable travels, each photo offers a glimpse into team members’ unique experiences and values.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: By sharing these personal snapshots, team members strengthen their bonds and cultivate a culture of openness, respect, and appreciation for each other’s journeys.
Use ‘Photo of Your Life’ as a recurring segment in team meetings to deepen connections and enhance team cohesion.
15. Virtual Game Show Extravaganza
In this exciting extravaganza, participants compete in a series of interactive game show-style challenges, trivia games, and puzzles, all from the comfort of their own screens using the online version of the game. Participants must collaborate, strategize, and think on their feet to outsmart their opponents and claim victory in the ultimate virtual game show battle.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: This event is an excellent choice for online team building because it promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging format.
Introduce a Virtual Game Show Extravaganza at your next all-hands meeting to energize teams and foster a fun competitive spirit.
16. Health and Fitness Challenges
This game is designed to keep your remote team active and motivated!
Whether it’s steps taken, workouts completed, or minutes of physical activity logged, you can organize a friendly competition with a leaderboard to track everyone’s progress. Participants can set personal goals and compete individually or in teams, earning points for each completed milestone. During the challenge, participants encourage each other, share workout tips, and celebrate achievements.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: Promoting a health and wellness culture within your team boosts physical fitness and enhances morale, productivity, and teamwork.
Launch a month-long fitness challenge with different weekly focuses to keep the team engaged and health-conscious.
17. Video Game Tournament
Get ready to level up your team’s camaraderie with an electrifying Video Game Tournament!
Whether it’s a classic multiplayer game like Mario Kart, a strategic battle like League of Legends, or a collaborative adventure like Minecraft, there’s a game to suit every team’s interests and skill levels.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: In this game, participants can form teams, compete in thrilling matchups, and showcase their gaming prowess in a fun and competitive environment. Throughout the tournament, teamwork, communication, and strategy will be key as teams battle it for the leaderboard’s top spot.
Organize a quarterly video game tournament to cater to different gaming preferences and unite the team in a fun, competitive way.
18. Quiplash
Quiplash is an entertaining online team building activity where team members can showcase their vocal talents in a virtual karaoke session!
Participants take turns singing their favorite songs while being cheered on by their supportive teammates. This activity provides a fun and enjoyable way to unwind and bond with colleagues and encourages camaraderie, laughter, and positive energy.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: By celebrating each other’s performances and cheering on fellow team members, Quiplash creates a lively and inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
Use Quiplash for team birthdays or celebrations to add a fun and personal touch to virtual gatherings.
19. Virtual Coffee Breaks
Virtual coffee breaks are the perfect way to foster connections and boost morale among remote teams. These informal gatherings allow team members to come together over video chat, relax, and engage in casual conversation, just like in the office kitchen or break room.
Why we love this online team building games for remote employees: During virtual coffee breaks, team members can share updates, discuss projects, or simply catch up on each other’s lives. It’s a chance to socialize, laugh, and build relationships beyond work tasks. To make virtual coffee breaks even more enjoyable, consider incorporating fun icebreaker questions, sharing interesting articles or memes, or even playing quick games to break the ice and keep the conversation flowing.
Regularly schedule virtual coffee breaks to keep the informal communication channels open, helping to maintain a healthy team atmosphere.
Benefits of Online Team Building Games for Remote Employees
Benefit 1
Online team building games provide a fun and interactive way for remote employees to connect and build relationships despite physical distance. Through engaging activities such as virtual escape rooms or trivia challenges, team members can bond over shared experiences, fostering a tighter-knit sense of community and belonging within the team.
Benefit 2
These games promote collaboration and communication skills essential for remote work success. By working together, you can improve teamwork and productivity.
Benefit 3
Online team building games offer a break from routine tasks and help alleviate feelings of isolation and burnout commonly experienced in remote work environments.
People Also Ask These Questions About online team building games for remote employees
Q: How do online team building games improve workplace collaboration?
- A: Online team building games improve workplace collaboration by fostering communication, trust, and teamwork among remote employees. Through interactive challenges and shared experiences, team members learn to collaborate effectively, solve problems together, and achieve common goals, ultimately strengthening their working relationships.
Q: Can online team building games for remote employees increase productivity?
- A: Yes, online team building games for remote employees can increase productivity by promoting team cohesion, boosting morale, and enhancing communication skills.
Q: How often should a team engage in online team building activities?
- A: The frequency of engaging in online team building activities can vary depending on team dynamics, workload, and preferences. However, regular participation in such activities, such as weekly or bi-weekly virtual gatherings or monthly themed events, can help maintain team morale, foster connections, and reinforce a positive team culture.
The post 🧩 19 Best Online Team Building Games for Remote Employees in 2024 appeared first on SnackNation.