virtual problem solving team building activities

Top 22 Virtual Problem-Solving Activities to Strengthen Any Team

We live in a fast-paced environment where challenges often arise, both personally and professionally.

Especially in today’s workplace, professionals have to deal with social, ethical, and organisational problems.

This is where problem-solving skills come into play.

Strong problem-solving tactics can improve creativity and help team members make efficient and informed decisions.

While every professional might not be a natural born problem-solver, there are a lot of resources to help develop these skills.

In this article, we’ll go over the definition of problem-solving activities, their main benefits, and examples that can be put into practice in the workplace.

What Are Problem-Solving Activities?

These activities require problem-solving skills, which help find solutions for difficult situations.

Like any other skill, these tactics are best learnt through practice.

To make problem-solving activities worth the ride, participants have to be open-minded, listen to others, and accept alternative ideas and solutions.

An agile mindset can also be beneficial when participating in such activities because they’re based on understanding, collaborating , learning and staying flexible.

As problem-solving games are group activities, participants must be willing to collaborate and embrace agility and flexibility.

Another critical aspect is creating the mindset that there are no winners or losers.

The goal of these activities is to share strategies and learn from each other, rather than compete against one another.

The Four P’s to Problem-Solving

By following the four P’s in the problem-solving guide, one can resolve almost any problem that comes along.

Problem-solving activities begin with a discovery phase, where the problem is identified.

This is the step where you understand, dissect, and learn about the problem you’re trying to solve.

Until the problem has been well defined, you can’t move forward and prepare to form the right solution.

After you’ve analysed the problem, you have to develop several courses of action to solve the issue.

This is the phase where you generate several possibilities to ultimately decide on the best course of action for your problem.

After the problem has been defined and resolutions have been listed, it’s time to take action.

This is the step where you find the best approach and implement a plan that needs to be followed with precision.

You need to first visualise your plan and then execute it.

When the problem has been solved, you need to evaluate the plan and assess whether it could be improved for future situations.

While you should do your best to solve the issue, the truth is that there is always room for growth.

Reviewing and checking for room for further improvement is essential because it can help you achieve even greater results in the future.

Benefits of Developing Problem-Solving Skills in the Workplace

Employees are often asked to think outside the box for projects or find alternative solutions for work problems.

Problem-solving tactics are a great way to practice valuable skills relevant in the workplace.

There are a lot of situations where processes and workflow in organisations need improvement. Or, when deadlines are tight, team members have to find ways to deliver on time.

These are the exact scenarios that can be overcome if the team is able to turn problems into actionable solutions.

After all, performance is closely related to employee efficiency as achieving companies’ goals on time is crucial to success.

Having team members with good problem-solving skills means they can use critical thinking to make better decisions and ultimately increase business productivity and growth.

There are a wealth of advantages that problem-solving activities can bring to teams.

Here are a few benefits you can expect from employees well equipped with problem-solving skills:

Better risk management

Simply put, risk management skills help people know what could go wrong, assess risks, and finally take action to solve an issue.

Some people are very good at handling risk, while others are afraid of risky situations.

Whichever way your team members are naturally inclined, problem-solving techniques are here to help.

Participating in problem-solving tasks trains the mind to handle stressful situations better.

It’s impossible to avoid risk, and this is why it’s essential to be confident that your team knows how to handle risk and turn it into opportunity.

Better thinking

Team problem-solving techniques stimulate better thinking by pushing people to find progressive alternatives.

Better thinking also develops analytical skills, which help people find logical explanations for problems and identify practical solutions.

Better communication skills

As mentioned earlier, problem-solving activities are group tasks that can only be performed if participants work together.

Humans are competitive by nature which can be problematic when trying to create a cohesive team. Problem-solving skills nurture understanding and collaboration within a company.

By solving problems together, employees learn how to better communicate and listen to others.

Having transparent and effective communication improves engagement and productivity and leads to better relationships .

Increased team cohesion

If your team already has good communication skills , this will likely lead to increased team cohesion .

Regardless of your business’s profile or size, success comes from having a united team.

Team cohesion reduces anxiety, brings motivation, and increases employee satisfaction.

Being on a cohesive team means that employees work together for the same goal, and everyone contributes to the group’s overall success.

People are social creatures, so it’s imperative that everybody feels heard, understood, and included.

Efficiency / increased productivity

Exercising problem-solving activities can boost performance and workplace productivity, leading to overall growth and profits.

Having solid problem-solving skills equips employees with the ability to find efficient solutions promptly.

By reducing the time spent solving specific problems, companies benefit from improved workplace productivity , leading to better profit margins.

Problem-solving activities foster creativity and encourage team members to express their ideas.

Creative thinkers know how to find the balance between analytical skills and innovative solutions, thus providing new perspectives.

No matter how well-established company processes are, there are always situations that require alternative ways of thinking.

Creative thinking skills boost people’s confidence in putting forth unique ideas.

List of the Top 22 Virtual Problem-Solving Activities

Virtual problem-solving activities for teams are meant to challenge participants to think outside the box and find solutions to problems while also having fun. Remember that these exercises should be playful and enjoyable.

Here is a list of virtual problem-solving activities that teams of any size can play:

• Dumbest Idea First
• Brainstorm Ideas
• End in Mind
• Stop, Start, Continue
• Idea Mock-Ups
• Be a Character
• Crossword Puzzles
• Online Escape Rooms
• Murder Mysteries
• Virtual Hackathons
• Treasure Hunts
• Moral Challenge
• Improv Games
• Poem/Story Challenge
• What Would You Do?
• Lost at Sea
• Coworker Feud
• Virtual Code Break
• War of the Wizards
• Ultimate Game Show

Online problem-solving activities can be played through video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Webex, etc.

Let’s take a closer look:

1. Dumbest Idea First

Dumbest Idea First, as the name suggests, is a problem-solving exercise in which participants are asked to think of the dumbest possible solutions to the problem presented.

After all ideas have been presented, look through the list.

You might be surprised to find that some ideas are not as dumb as first thought!

Helps with : creative problem-solving .

2. Brainstorm Ideas

One of the most common problem-solving activities is brainstorming ideas with your team.

Brainstorming ideas’ objective is to generate as many ideas as possible.

After the list is complete, team members review them and decide which is most suitable for the given scenario.

There are a lot of methods to aid the brainstorming process.

You can play word games, create a mood board, play improv games, or even doodle.

Helps with : lateral thinking.

3. End in Mind

The End in Mind technique is an excellent activity for solving group problems that require participants to start with the end.

In this exercise, you have to backtrack, finding solutions for the issue.

It challenges team members to think of the “what,” “why,” and “how” of a problem, thus coming up with alternative approaches.

Helps with : analytical thinking.

4. Stop, Start, Continue

“Stop, Start, Continue” is a technique used for delivering or requesting feedback.

This problem-solving activity consists of a list of three categories that each member has to think about:

• Stop: three things that the team should stop doing
• Start: three things that the team should start doing
• Continue: three things that the team should continue doing

This exercise aims to solve problems in new ways while also having fun.

Helps with : team cohesion, critical thinking.

5. Idea Mock-Ups

Idea mock-ups are processes in which solutions to problems are found via mock-ups.

It’s a virtual solving problem activity as you can use images from the internet that can be easily shared with the team members.

This exercise aims to have players try out a bunch of different scenarios until the perfect match for the problem is found.

6. Be a Character

Have you ever dreamed of being a character from a movie or a book? Then this is the perfect exercise for you.

By playing this group game, participants impersonate a character and approach problems through that person’s mindset.

Helps with : creativity , thinking outside the box.

7. Idea Trial

The Idea Trial is another fun virtual problem-solving activity that encourages participants to find solutions for a particular problem.

Players need to present their ideas to the “court.”

They can go through the entire process, such as opening and closing statements, and call witnesses to support their ideas.

Helps with : risk management, communication skills.

8. Crossword Puzzles

Everybody has heard of crossword puzzles, but not everyone has thought of transforming them into a virtual problem-solving activity.

All you have to do is use an online crossword puzzle to create a custom puzzle for your team.

To make it more exciting and engaging for your team, you should consider your company’s niche and your teammates’ interests.

Helps with : critical thinking.

9. Online Escape Rooms

Like in-person escape rooms, their online counterpart requires participants to escape rooms and work together to solve puzzles virtually.

Digital escape rooms provide two alternatives for players: either a Zoom room led by a host or from a specialised website.

These are significant virtual problem-solving activities that are both fun and challenging.

Helps with : cooperation, communication.

10. Murder Mysteries

Murder mysteries are story-based problem-solving activities that require participants to take on the roles of suspects and detectives.

The aim of the game is to identify the killer by searching for clues and occasionally solving small puzzles.

These group exercises are complex because they require players to be observant and search for hidden clues using logic.

Luckily for you, there are many options for playing murder mystery games online .

Helps with : observation, logical thinking.

11. Virtual Hackathons

Hackathons are events where a group of people pitch a product or service in a given period.

Even though it originated in the programming world, hackathons can be easily applied to any industry.

Virtual hackathons refer to the online version of these events, where participants work together via online meeting software to design solutions.

These are great virtual team problem-solving activities because they don’t require much organisational work.

You just have to announce the event’s theme, explain the problem when the hackathon begins, and set a timeline.

Helps with : efficiency, cooperation.

12. Treasure Hunts

Like escape rooms or murder mysteries, treasure hunts are group games that require players to find hidden objects by following a trail of clues.

Treasure hunts are fun problem-solving activities that teach participants how to collaborate and communicate with each other.

They can have specific themes or be a more general hunt.

Helps with : communication, cooperation.

13. Moral Challenge

While most group problem-solving activities focus more on finding alternative problem resolutions, moral challenges lean more towards ethics.

These group techniques are just as important as the others as not all problems are factual; some are ethical.

Moral challenge exercises are better played in a group because each participant can represent a different opinion or moral belief.

The moral issue becomes harder to resolve and implicitly forces team members to find common ground.

Moral challenges are equally important in decision-making processes as rational thinking.

Some of the most well-known moral challenges online are the Moral Machine or the Dilemma .

Helps with : communication skills.

14. Improv Games

Improv games have their roots in acting and comedy and are group activities designed around participants’ acting without a script, or improvising.

These problem-solving activities force players to keep the story going in an entertaining and logical way.

This kind of group exercise helps build collaborative skills while boosting team members’ confidence.

Helps with : collaboration, imagination.

15. Poem/Story Challenge

If most of the problem-solving activities mentioned are based on logical thinking, the poem/story challenge revolves around writing skills.

While not all businesses rely on this, it’s still an excellent exercise for groups, as it stimulates the imagination and improves public speaking.

All you have to do is ask participants to create a story or a poem using a limited word bank.

After they have crafted their stories, they read them aloud in front of the group.

Helps with : creativity, public speaking.

16. What Would You Do?

“What Would You Do?” is a hypothetical problem-solving activity that challenges your team to brainstorm ideas and react to different scenarios.

To play this game with your team members, prepare some problem-solving stories in advance, then read them one by one.

Participants have to say what they would do in these circumstances.

Helps with : lateral thinking, imagination.

17. Lost at Sea

Lost at Sea, also known as Stranded at Sea, is a team-building activity that encourages interaction and teamwork.

Give participants a scenario where they’re stranded on an island with just a handful of objects.

To increase their chances of survival, they need to rate the objects based on their utility.

Players should work individually first and then together to decide which objects are most important.

If multiple groups play this game, the moderator can ask each group to compare their individual and collective rankings.

They should also consider why any scores differ.

At the end of the game, players reflect and feedback on their choices.

Helps with : decision making, collaboration, critical thinking.

18. The Hunt

Its purpose is to challenge players to collaborate under pressure as they compete for glory.

This is a virtual problem-solving activity suitable for a business of any size.

It works best played in small teams of four or five, so players have the opportunity to interact with one another.

Helps with : team decision making, lateral thinking, creativity.

19. Coworker Feud

This game is a new take on the classic game show Family Feud, and it consists of multiple rapid rounds.

The players are asked to provide fast answers to a fun assortment of questions the host presents.

The aim is to guess the five most popular answers to win points for the round.

The team with the most points is declared the winner of the game.

Helps with : fast-thinking, communication.

20. Virtual Code Break

Virtual Code Break is a virtual team-building activity specially designed for remote players.

Its purpose is to challenge players to think outside the box, improve problem-solving skills, and leverage their own and each other’s skills.

This game uses an intelligent video conferencing solution so that teams of all sizes can play from anywhere globally.

Players compete against each other by answering trivia questions and solving riddles and puzzles.

Helps with : better thinking, collaboration.

21. War of the Wizards

War of the Wizards is a 90-minutes virtual team-building activity that promises to be both fun and creative.

To play this game, participants roleplay as powerful wizards to conquer evil forces through the power of storytelling.

They have to play mini-games and competitions, develop their characters, and make decisions together to win.

Helps with : teamwork, imagination.

22. Ultimate Game Show

In this 90-minute virtual event, players bond together as a team while playing different quizzes to win the final prize.

This competition works for hybrid teams, as well as for fully remote teams.

Helps with : collaboration, fast-thinking.

Plenty of organisations face daily challenges that affect team productivity and get in the way of attaining business goals.

While it’s impossible to avoid those situations, there are many ways to train team members to work collaboratively to resolve problems effectively.

Problem-solving activities act as educational tools that bring all participants closer as a team and help them develop problem-solving skills. By nurturing solution-generating capabilities, your team learns to communicate better, act fast in risky situations, and find creative solutions.

The virtual problem-solving activities listed in this article are excellent practices for real-life conflict resolution that can benefit everyone within an organisation.

Stefan is a Co-Founder and a President of Brosix. His many years experience as a programmer, give him an unique perspective to lead the team and build Brosix in a way to best serve the customers.

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Senior Quantitative Researcher, People Insights

Principal Writer

18 virtual team building activities and games

This isn’t academic theory or some stuff we just made up. This is how real remote teams have fun and stay connected.

5-second summary

• Building bonds between teammates is extra-important when you’re in remote or hybrid mode, as a growing body of research confirms.
• Whether an activity is just for fun or helps move your work forward, taking time to help your virtual team to get to know each other is an investment that pays dividends in team cohesion and performance.
• We collected a list of activities used by real teams at Atlassian that can help virtual teams get to know each other as people and colleagues.

The bad news: team building is a lot more challenging when all or some of your people are working remotely. Try as you might, you just can’t do trust falls over Zoom. (Also, no one likes trust falls anyway.)

The good news: we have a trove of the best virtual team building activities to share with you. These are the same super-creative, road-tested, remote-team-approved activities that we use here at Atlassian.

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What is virtual-team building?

Virtual team building means creating human-to-human connections between your remote team members. Forging these bonds not only promotes team harmony, it can also help streamline communication and increase productivity.

Distributed eam bonding is a topic that matters deeply to us. We have a  Team Playbook  of exercises and workshops to help teams work better together (not to mention a guide to hybrid meetings for when it’s time to get down to business). It’s important to take time out to build connections while having fun, too. And, as a company of several thousand people distributed across five continents, we’ve had plenty of chances to act as test subjects for both flavors of virtual team-building activities.

Keep your virtual team connected with these proven rituals

How do you do team building virtually.

The best way to connect remote teams is to help them feel seen and heard, literally, and in ways that directly address the challenges of a dispersed workforce.

In mid-2020, we ran a survey on remote work , which uncovered the real-world complications we’re all facing with distributed work: feeling that our work is “invisible,” navigating new barriers to organic collaboration, and having less access to our managers. When we ran a similar survey in 2021 , we found that, although some of the initial challenges we faced have eased up a bit, teams are still struggling with belonging and cohesion.

The common thread here is that working from home can be lonely. Spending less time in an office environment means fewer built-in opportunities to form social bonds and build trust with colleagues. That can lead to disengagement, which, in turn, can lead to poor performance on the job.

That’s no small deal. In fact, 94 percent of  workers we surveyed  said that mutual respect and connection were critical to their team’s success, and 19 percent said it’s the most important factor in their sense of well-being at work. Understanding each other on a personal level means we can communicate more effectively and have an easier time distributing roles and responsibilities across the team.

So how can teams overcome these hurdles?

Tools of the trade

We use Trello boards as sort-of a virtual whiteboard, Slack as our chat tool, and Zoom for video conferencing. You’ll need at least one of these tools (or their equivalent) for each of the activities shared here.

Fun remote team building activities for any occasion

Choose what’s right for your team based on these categories:

Real-time vs. asynchronous – Do you need to do this simultaneously, or can each person participate at whatever time works best for them?

Practical vs. just for fun – Is the activity intentionally unproductive (which is not necessarily a bad thing), or does it serve the dual purpose of building social bonds and improving the way you work in a more tangible way?

18 ideas for virtual team games and activities

1. don’t overlook the classic: icebreaker questions 🧊.

Type: real-time, just for fun, on the regular

Time: 5 minutes

Tools required: video conferencing

Before you roll your eyes and go “Duh … like I hadn’t already thought of that,” understand that some of our distributed teams (my own included) do an icebreaker at the start of our team meetings every week. Even though we’ve been working together for a couple of years and feel pretty connected already, there are always more interesting tidbits to learn about each other. Some recent favorites include:

• Who was the last artist you searched for on your music streaming service of choice?
• What are your parents’ best qualities?
• Put these morning routine items in order: breakfast, coffee/tea, open up your laptop.
• What was something that always frightened you as a child?

Small talk at work has big benefits

2. have an online lunch date 🍱.

Time: 60 minutes

This one comes from the engineering team that built the Trello app for Android. Once a month, the team links up via video conferencing over lunchtime. Team members can even expense up to $25 so they can join from their favorite cafe, order delivery, or cook up a little something special at home (because, real talk: heating up leftovers gets old).

Only have 15-30 minutes to spare? No worries. Virtual coffee chats and virtual happy hours are fun variations on this activity.

3. Socialize over group chat 💬

Type: asynchronous, just for fun, on the regular

Time: varies

Tools required: Slack, Teams, or other group chat app

Group chat is an ideal way for distributed teams to stay in touch, but who says you have to keep it strictly business? Pre-pandemic, Atlassian set up a channel in Slack called #social-remote where we remote workers (which is now pretty much all of us), talk about what we had for lunch, compare notes on standing desks, share articles related to remote work, and generally discuss anything but the projects we’re working on.

There are even off-shoot channels for cities or states where clusters of “Remote-lassians” live. Let’s just say that more than a few hot-dish recipes have been swapped in the #minnesota channel.

4. Have a messy-desk photo contest 📸

When you work in an office, you feel compelled to keep your desk at least minimally clean: no used tissues, three-day old cereal bowls, or constellations of coffee rings.

But when you work from home, there’s no such social contract to uphold. So one of our rituals in the #social-remote Slack channel is “messy desk Thursdays” in which we out ourselves for the abysmal state of our workstations while the ROTFL 🤣and 🤦🏽‍♀️ facepalm emojis fly fast and thick.

It’s also a chance for your preternaturally tidy teammates to do some humble bragging about their austere, magazine-worthy office spaces.

5. How do you make online meetings fun? Presents 🎁

Type: real-time, just for fun, one-hit wonder

Tools required: video conferencing, Trello board

Whether your team prefers white elephant style or something more thoughtful, you can pull off a gift exchange even if you’re not at an offsite. Start by copying this handy Trello board template and inviting your teammates to join. It has full instructions in the “Rules” column, but here’s the gist. Each team member buys a gift that can be shipped easily. Instead of announcing what the gift is, you’ll add a card to the board with a picture and title that provides a hint.

During the game, you’ll take turns clicking on cards to reveal what the gift is. Once you turn over a card, you’ve claimed that gift. You’ll also get chances to steal a gift someone else has already claimed. After the game is over, mail the gift you contributed to the person who ended up with it.

6. Teach people how to work with you with “My User Manual” 📋

Type: asynchronous, fun but practical, one-hit wonder

Tools required: Keynote or PowerPoint

When you’re just forming as a team, or when a new member joins, it’s worth taking the time to share your personal workstyle. Do you prefer chat or email? What time of day do you do your best heads-down deep work? Are you cool with impromptu video calls? Check out this example from the CEO at CultureAmp:

Inspired? So were we. That’s why we created the My User Manual play, where you’ll find instructions on how to run this exercise in your team. Set up a meeting to review everyone’s “user manuals” in real-time, or share the decks so people can review them asynchronously. Either way, collect the decks in a central repository where future team members can access them.

7. Expand your professional skill sets together with “Learning Circles” 📚

Type: real-time, fun but practical, on the regular

Time: 30-60 minutes

Tools required: video conferencing, study materials as needed

It’s easy to get so caught up in executing on your work that you forget to expand your horizons, especially when working from home with no office banter happening around you. Plus, remote work can be isolating if you don’t make a point to connect with your teammates on a personal level.

Our Learning Circle play can address both issues. Choose a topic related to your work that you want to learn more about – anything from SQL to leadership styles to trends in recruiting practices – and find colleagues who share that interest. Each month, gather over video conference to discuss a book or article, or have someone in the group give a short presentation. The best part about learning circles is that you can extend them beyond your immediate team and connect with people across the entire organization.

8. Take your team’s pulse with “Health Monitor” 🩺

Tools required: video conferencing, Confluence, or Google Docs

Health Monitor is a variation on the classic agile retrospective. It prompts you to examine how you’re working together, instead of what you’re working on.

Through extensive research, we identified eight attributes that healthy, high-performing teams tend to have in common, then developed the Health Monitor as a framework for assessing how your team is doing in each area. Do you have the right balance of skills on the team? Are you making decisions effectively? Do you understand the dependencies around your work? Here’s a one-minute overview, staring yours truly.

Although this activity was not designed specifically for remote teams, it’s amazingly beneficial. When your team doesn’t sit shoulder-to-shoulder, it feels easier to sweep issues under the rug rather than address them head-on.

But little problems have a way of growing larger while you’re not looking, and eventually, you’ve got a crisis on your hands. Health Monitor prevents this by prompting teams to self-assess on a regular basis and keep their weaknesses from becoming full-blown liabilities.

9. You can’t have Nerf wars, but you still have .gif battles 💥

Time: 15-30 min

If you’ve ever been jealous of the Nerf dart wars waged by your co-located colleagues and friends, you’ll love .gif battles. Copy this Trello board template and invite your teammates to join it. (Click on the “How it works” card to see full instructions for the game.)

The game consists of four rounds, each with its own theme. You’ll use Giphy.com or Google Images to find a .gif that fits with the theme for that round and attach that gif to a card. Once everyone has their .gifs in, you’ll vote on the round’s best submission. At the end, the person who wins the most rounds will be crowned the Ultimate .Gif Battle Champion of All Time™. Just think of the glory! Don’t be afraid to add a tiebreaker round if needed.

10. Uncover your superpowers 🦸🏽

Type: real-time, fun but practical, one-hit wonder

Time: 30 min individual prep, 60 min as a team

If you think “water cooler moments” unlock creativity, you’re focusing on the wrong thing

If you’re ready to go beyond surface-level connections with your team, this is the activity for you. Each person will prepare for the session by taking an online strength finder assessment such as Clifton Strengths . During the group session, everyone hops on a video call and takes turns sharing their results.

When my team did this, each person shared top three strengths, lowest-ranked strength, and something in our results that surprised us. Then we’d discuss as a group how that person’s top strengths contribute to the team already, and how we could make even better use of them.

This is an intensely personal activity. You’re going to feel a bit vulnerable and exposed, so it works best if there’s already a sense of psychological safety amongst teammates. But because you’re discussing each other’s strengths, the conversation tends to be very positive and affirming. Chances are, everyone will walk away with a deeper sense of belonging and an understanding of the unique value they bring to the team.

11. “How you doin’?” 👋🏽

Time: 5 min

(This one is so much better if you say the words “How you doin’?” in a low, Jersey mobster voice – think Sal from “The Sopranos.” But I digress… ) The team that looks after the Atlassian Community website and our user groups added this five-minute ritual to the beginning of their weekly team meetings.

The board they use to track agenda items includes a space for each person to add a card representing how they’re feeling that week. Maybe they’re struggling with something in their personal life and are a bit low-energy. Maybe they finally ran that 10k over the weekend and are PUMPED for the week ahead. It’s an easy way for teammates to let each other know when they might need some extra support or patience, or when they’ve got good vibes to spare.

12. Make sweet music together 🎶

Tools required: Spotify or Google Play, Slack or other group chat app

Raise your hand if you and your remote teammates talk about music. (Thought so. Pretty much everyone does.) The content team at Trello is no different… but they’ve gone next-level with it. Using Spotify, they create collaborative playlists that anyone on the team can listen to and help curate.

Try creating an upbeat, “get $#!t done” playlist, a soothing “de-stress” playlist, or any other theme that suits your team.

13. DIY boba tea 🧋

Type:  real-time, just for fun, one-hit wonder

Time:  2 hrs

Tools required:  video conferencing, kitchen

Y’know how boba tea (sometimes called bubble tea) costs like $6 at a retail shop? It sounds overpriced until you realized how labor-intensive it is! About 50 members of our marketing team learned this first-hand when we did a virtual boba-making session. Each participant received a kit containing all the ingredients (we used this one ). Then, an expert guided the whole group through the process – it really does take two hours to make a batch! But that provided plenty of time for icebreakers and general chit-chat while ingredients cooked and/or cooled.

14. The fellowship of the traveling plush toy 📦

Type:  asynchronous, just for fun, on the regular

Time:  varies

Tools required:  Slack or other group chat app

A cross between the gnome prank in Amélie and the Flat Stanley craze, this ongoing activity yields months of fun. Choose a plush toy or doll that will be easy to pack up and mail – we had a custom plush made in the shape of our logo, and named it “Ace” – and set up a rotation so it travels between team members. When it’s your turn, use your chat channels to share photos of the plush hanging out with you, then pack it back up and mail it to the next person after a week or so.

15. Birds of a feather read books together 🤓

Type:  real-time, just for fun, on the regular

Time:  30-60 min for discussion; reading time varies

Tools required: video conferencing, Slack or other group chat app

Calling all bookworms! If you’re like me, then you know that the only thing better than reading a good book is discussing it with friends. Or, in this case, colleagues who also enjoy books (which, really, is pretty close to friends anyway).

Our brand content team runs a casual book club where the only parameter is that the books we choose must have nothing to do with our jobs. We use a Slack app called Polly to vote on book selections and when to meet over Zoom (and drinks) to talk about it.

16. Monday JAMM sessions 📆

Time:  5 min

Tools required: Slack or other group chat app

“So, how was your weekend?” The Atlassian brand and events teams took this time-honored Monday morning question into the virtual world by sharing stories and photos from their weekend over chat – but with a twist. To help put themselves in the best mental space possible for the week ahead, they focus on sharing the most positive and rejuvenating aspects of their weekend that will help them power through the week. Each entry starts with JAMM, which means “just another manageable Monday.” For example, “JAMM because I got to an amazing hike on Saturday!” Think of it as part gratitude practice , part pep-talk. It’s been such a hit that it’s spread to other teams, too!

17. Enneagrams for everybody 🥸

Type:  real-time, fun but practical, one-hit wonder

Time:  2+ hours

How well do you really know each of your teammates? Take time out for a deep dive into your personalities by using the Enneagram system . You’ll walk away with a better understanding of what makes everyone tick, and you’ll probably get some juicy insights into your own personality as well. (I sure did!)

Unlike finding your Myers-Briggs type or your zodiac sign, Enneagram asks you to self-identify your personality type based on the descriptions for each one. From there, you can explore how to best get along and communicate with other types. It’s a self-awareness + team harmony win-win.

18. A lightning round of mini-games 🕹

Time:  1-2 hours

Game apps for tools like Zoom and WebEx can be a ton of fun. (Hot tip for Zoom users: try the Kahoot! trivia app .) It’s a great way to add extra flavor to your virtual team lunches or kill a few minutes while you’re waiting for people to trickle in at the start of a meeting.

Now go forth and bond!

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22 Unbeatable Team Building Problem Solving Activities

Problem-solving is a critical skill for professionals and with team building problem-solving activities, you can sharpen your skills while having fun at the same time.  

Updated: March 1, 2024

In the professional world, one thing is for sure: problem-solving is a vital skill if you want to survive and thrive. It’s a universal job skill that organizations seek in new potential employees and that managers look for when considering candidates for promotions.  

But there’s a problem. 

According to Payscale, 60% of managers feel that new grads entering the workforce lack problem-solving abilities – making it the most commonly lacking soft skill.  

Problem-solving skill needs to be practiced and perfected on an ongoing basis in order to be applied effectively when the time comes. And while there are tons of traditional approaches to becoming a better problem-solver, there’s another (much more interesting) option: team building problem-solving activities. 

The good news? This means learning and having fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And you can create a stronger team at the same time. 

16 In-Person Team Building Problem Solving Activities for Your Work Group  

1. cardboard boat building challenge, 2. egg drop , 3. clue murder mystery, 4. marshmallow spaghetti tower  , 5. corporate escape room, 6. wild goose chase, 7. lost at sea  , 8. domino effect challenge, 9. reverse pyramid  , 10. ci: the crime investigators, 11. team pursuit, 12. bridge builders, 13. domino effect challenge, 14. hollywood murder mystery, 15. code break, 16. cardboard boat building challenge, 6 virtual team building problem solving activities for your work group  , 1. virtual escape room: mummy’s curse, 2. virtual clue murder mystery, 3. virtual escape room: jewel heist, 4. virtual code break  , 5. virtual trivia time machine.

• 6. Virtual Jeoparty Social

There are a ton of incredible team building problem solving activities available. We’ve hand-picked 16 of our favorites that we think your corporate group will love too. 

Split into teams and create a cardboard boat made out of just the materials provided: cardboard and tape. Team members will have to work together to engineer a functional boat that will float and sail across water without sinking. Once teams have finished making their boats, they will create a presentation to explain why their boat is the best, before putting their boats to the test. The final challenge will have teams racing their boats to test their durability! Nothing says problem-solving like having to make sure you don’t sink into the water!

Every day at work, you’re forced to make countless decisions – whether they’re massively important or so small you barely think about them.  

But your ability to effectively make decisions is critical in solving problems quickly and effectively.  

With a classic team building problem solving activity like the Egg Drop, that’s exactly what your team will learn to do. 

For this activity, you’ll need some eggs, construction materials, and a place you wouldn’t mind smashing getting dirty with eggshells and yolks.  

The goal of this activity is to create a contraption that will encase an egg and protect it from a fall – whether it’s from standing height or the top of a building. But the challenge is that you and your team will only have a short amount of time to build it before it’s time to test it out, so you’ll have to think quickly! 

To make it even more challenging, you’ll have to build the casing using only simple materials like: 

• Newspapers 
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber bands
• Popsicle sticks
• Cotton balls

Feel free to have some fun in picking the materials. Use whatever you think would be helpful without making things too easy! 

Give your group 15 minutes to construct their egg casing before each team drops their eggs. If multiple eggs survive, increase the height gradually to see whose created the sturdiest contraption.  

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of using eggs for this activity, consider using another breakable alternative, such as lightbulbs for a vegan Egg Drop experience. 

With Clue Murder Mystery, your team will need to solve the murder of a man named Neil Davidson by figuring out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit the crime.

But it won’t be easy! You’ll need to exercise your best problem-solving skills and channel your inner detectives if you want to keep this case from going cold and to get justice for the victim.

Collaboration is critical to problem solving. 

Why? Because, as the old saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This expression reflects the fact that people are capable of achieving greater things when they work together to do so. 

If you’re looking for a team building problem solving activity that helps boost collaboration, you’ll love Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower.  

This game involves working in teams to build the tallest possible freestanding tower using only marshmallows, uncooked spaghetti, tape, and string.  

The kicker? This all has to be done within an allotted timeframe. We recommend about thirty minutes.  

For an added dimension of challenge, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower to make it a little more top heavy.  

Whichever team has the highest tower when time runs out is the winner! 

If you’ve never participated in an escape room, your team is missing out! It’s one of the most effective team building problem solving activities out there because it puts you and your colleagues in a scenario where the only way out is collaboratively solving puzzles and deciphering clues.  

The principle is simple: lock your group in a room, hide the key somewhere in that room, and have them work through challenges within a set time frame. Each challenge will lead them one step closer to finding the key and, ultimately, their escape.    

At Outback, we offer “done-for-you” escape rooms where we’ll transform your office or meeting room so you don’t have to worry about:

• Seeking transportation for your team 
• Capacity of the escape rooms  
• High costs 
• Excessive planning  

That way, you and your team can simply step inside and get to work collaborating, using creative problem solving, and thinking outside the box.   

In this smartphone-based scavenger hunt team building activity , your group will split into teams and complete fun challenges by taking photos and videos around the city. Some examples of challenges you can do in this activity are:

• Parkour:  Take a picture of three team members jumping over an object that’s at least waist-high.
• Beautiful Mind:  Snap a photo of a team member proving a well-known mathematical theorem on a chalkboard.
• Puppy Love:  Take a photo of all of your team members petting a stranger’s dog at the same time.

It takes a ton of critical thinking and problem-solving to be crowned the Wild Goose Chase Champions!

Can you imagine a higher-pressure situation than being stranded at sea in a lifeboat with your colleagues? 

With this team building problem solving activity, that’s exactly the situation you and your group will put yourselves. But by the time the activity is over, you’ll have gained more experience with the idea of having to solve problems under pressure – a common but difficult thing to do. 

Here’s how it works. 

Each team member will get a six-columned chart where: 

• The first column lists the survival items each team has on hand (see the list below) 
• The second column is empty so that each team member can rank the items in order of importance for survival  
• The third column is for group rankings  
• The fourth column is for the “correct” rankings, which are revealed at the end of the activity 
• The fifth and sixth columns are for the team to enter thee difference between their individual and correct scores and the team and correct rankings 

Within this activity, each team will be equipped with the following “survival items,” listed below in order of importance, as well as a pack of matches:  

• A shaving mirror (this can be used to signal passing ships using the sun) 
• A can of gas (could be used for signaling as it could be put in the water and lit with the pack of matches) 
• A water container (for collecting water to re-hydrate ) 
• Emergency food rations (critical survival food) 
• One plastic sheet (can be helpful for shelter or to collect rainwater) 
• Chocolate bars (another food supply) 
• Fishing rods (helpful, but no guarantee of catching food) 
• Rope (can be handy, but not necessarily essential for survival) 
• A floating seat cushion (usable as a life preserver)  
• Shark repellant (could be important when in the water) 
• A bottle of rum (could be useful for cleaning wounds) 
• A radio (could be very helpful but there’s a good chance you’re out of range) 
• A sea chart (this is worthless without navigation equipment) 
• A mosquito net (unless you’ve been shipwrecked somewhere with a ton of mosquitos, this isn’t very useful) 

To get the activity underway, divide your group into teams of five and ask each team member to take ten minutes on their own to rank the items in order of importance in the respective column. Then, give the full team ten minutes as a group to discuss their individual rankings together and take group rankings, listed in that respective column. Ask each group to compare their individual rankings with those of the group as a whole. 

Finally, read out the correct order according to the US Coast Guard, listed above.  

The goal of this activity is for everyone to be heard and to come to a decision together about what they need most to survive.  

If your team works remotely, you can also do this activity online. Using a video conferencing tool like  Zoom , you can bring your group together and separate teams into “break-out rooms” where they’ll take their time individually and then regroup together. At the end, you can bring them back to the full video conference to go through the answers together. 

Many problems are intricately complex and involve a ton of moving parts. And in order to solve this type of problem, you need to be able to examine it systematically, one piece at a time.  

Especially in the business world, many problems or challenges involve multiple different teams or departments working through their respective portions of a problem before coming together in the end to create a holistic solution. 

As you can imagine, this is often easier said than done. And that’s why it’s so important to practice this ability.  

With a collaborative team building problem solving activity like Domino Effect Challenge, that’s exactly what you’ll need to do as you and your group work to create a massive, fully functional chain reaction machine. 

Here’s how it goes. 

Your group will break up into teams, with each team working to complete their own section of a massive “Rube Goldberg” machine. Then, all teams will regroup and assemble the entire machine together. You’ll need to exercise communication, collaboration, and on-the-fly problem solving in order to make your chain reaction machine go off without a hitch from start to finish. 

Being a great problem-solver means being adaptable and creative. And if you’re looking for a quick and easy team building problem solving activity, you’ll love the reverse pyramid. 

The idea here is simple: break your group out into small teams and then stand in the form of a pyramid.  

Your challenge is to flip the base and the peak of the pyramid – but you can only move three people in order to do so.  

Alternatively, rather than doing this activity with people as the pyramid, you can do another version –  the Pyramid Build  – using plastic cups instead.   

This version is a little bit different. Rather than flipping the base of a pyramid to the top, you’ll need to build the pyramid instead–but in reverse, starting from the top cup and working down. 

With this version, you’ll need 36 cups and one table per group. We recommend groups of five to seven people. Give your group 20 to 30 minutes to complete the activity. 

To get started, place one cup face down. Then, lift that cup and place the subsequent two cups underneath it. 

The real challenge here? You can only lift your pyramid by the bottom row in order to put a new row underneath – and only one person at a time can do the lifting. The remaining group members will need to act quickly and work together in order to add the next row so that it will balance the rest of the pyramid. 

If any part of your pyramid falls, you’ll need to start over. Whichever team has the most complete pyramid when time runs out will be the winner!  

The value of being able to approach problems analytically can’t be overstated. Because when problems arise, the best way to solve them is by examining the facts and making a decision based on what you know. 

With CI: The Crime Investigators, this is exactly what your team will be called upon to do as you put your detective’s hats on and work to solve a deadly crime. 

You’ll be presented with evidence and need to uncover and decipher clues. And using only the information at your disposal, you’ll need to examine the facts in order to crack the case. 

Like many of our team building problem solving activities, CI: The Crime Investigators is available in a hosted format, which can take place at your office or an outside venue, as well as a virtually-hosted format that uses video conferencing tools, or a self-hosted version that you can run entirely on your own.  

Each member of your team has their own unique strengths and skills. And by learning to combine those skills, you can overcome any challenge and solve any problem. With Team Pursuit, you and your team together to tackle challenges as you learn new things about one another, discover your hidden talents, and learn to rely on each other.

This team building problem solving activity is perfect for high-energy groups that love to put their heads together and work strategically to solve problems as a group.

Collaborate with your colleague to design and build different segments of a bridge. At the end, see if the sections come together to create a free-standing structure!   

Together as a group, see if you and your colleagues can build a gigantic “chain-reaction” machine that really works!

In smaller groups, participants work together to solve the challenge of creating sections of the machine using miscellaneous parts, and at the end, you’ll have to collaborate to connect it all together and put it in motion.

The case is fresh, but here’s what we know so far: we’ve got an up-and-coming actress who’s been found dead in her hotel room following last night’s awards show.

We have several suspects, but we haven’t been able to put the crime on any of them for sure yet. Now, it’s up to you and your team of detectives to crack the case. Together, you’ll review case files and evidence including police reports, coroners’ reports, photo evidence, tabloids, interrogations, and phone calls as you determine the motive, method, and murderer and bring justice for the victim.

You’ll need to put your problem-solving skills to the test as you share theories, collaborate, and think outside the box with your fellow investigators.

Using Outback’s app, split up into small groups and put your heads together to solve a variety of puzzles, riddles, and trivia. The team who has completed the most challenges when time is up, wins!

Can you stay afloat in a body of water in a boat made entirely of cardboard? Now that is a problem that urgently needs solving.

With this team building problem solving activity, you and your colleagues will split into groups and create a cardboard boat made out of just the materials provided – cardboard and tape.

Team members will have to work together to engineer a functional boat that will float and sail across water without sinking. Once teams have finished making their boats, they will create a presentation to explain why their boat is the best, before putting their boats to the test. The final challenge will have teams racing their boats across the water!

If you and your team are working remotely, don’t worry. You still have a ton of great virtual team building problem solving options at your disposal.

In this virtual escape room experience, your team will be transported into a pyramid cursed by a restless mummy. You’ll have to work together to uncover clues and solve complex challenges to lift the ancient curse.

You’ve probably never heard of a man named Neil Davidson. But your group will need to come together to solve the mystery of his murder by analyzing clues, resolving challenges, and figuring out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to commit a deadly crime. 

This activity will challenge you and your group to approach problems analytically, read between the lines, and use critical thinking in order to identify a suspect and deliver justice.  

If you and your team like brainteasers, then Virtual Escape Room: Jewel Heist will be a big hit.  

Here’s the backstory.

There’s been a robbery. Someone has masterminded a heist to steal a priceless collection of precious jewels, and it’s up to you and your team to recover them before time runs out.

Together, you’ll need to uncover hidden clues and solve a series of brain-boggling challenges that require collaboration, creative problem-solving, and outside-the-box thinking. But be quick! The clock is ticking before the stolen score is gone forever.

With Virtual Code Break, you and your team can learn to be adaptive and dynamic in your thinking in order to tackle any new challenges that come your way. In this activity, your group will connect on a video conferencing platform where your event host will split you out into teams. Together, you’ll have to adapt your problem-solving skills as you race against the clock to tackle a variety of mixed brainteaser challenges ranging from Sudoku to puzzles, a game of Cranium, riddles, and even trivia. 

Curious to see how a virtual team building activity works? Check out this video on a Virtual Clue Murder Mystery in action. 

Step into the Outback Time Machine and take a trip through time, from pre-pandemic 21st century through the decades all the way to the 60’s. 

This exciting, fast-paced virtual trivia game, packed with nostalgia and good vibes, is guaranteed to produce big laughs, friendly competition, and maybe even some chair-dancing. 

Your virtual game show host will warm up guests with a couple of “table hopper rounds” (breakout room mixers) and split you out into teams. Within minutes, your home office will be transformed into a game show stage with your very own game show buzzers! 

And if your team loves trivia, check out our list of the most incredible virtual trivia games for work teams for even more ideas.

6.  Virtual Jeoparty Social

If your remote team is eager to socialize, have some fun as a group, and channel their competitive spirit, we’ve got just the thing for you! With Virtual Jeoparty Social, you and your colleagues will step into your very own virtual Jeopardy-style game show—equipped with a buzzer button, a professional actor as your host, and an immersive game show platform! Best of all, this game has been infused with an ultra-social twist: players will take part in a unique social mixer challenge between each round. 

With the right team building problem solving activities, you can help your team sharpen their core skills to ensure they’re prepared when they inevitably face a challenge at work. And best of all, you can have fun in the process. 

Do you have any favorite team building activities for building problem-solving skills? If so, tell us about them in the comments section below! 

Learn More About Team Building Problem Solving Activities  

For more information about how your group can take part in a virtual team building, training, or coaching solution, reach out to our Employee Engagement Consultants.     

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I love how this blog provides a variety of problem-solving activities for team building. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to foster teamwork and collaboration!

33 virtual team building games (free and easy to use!)

Being remotely distributed doesn’t mean your team should be disconnected. It often falls to a facilitator or team leader to help virtual teams stay aligned and connected. Virtual team building games and online activities you can play on Zoom are a great place to start!

In this list of completely free online team building games, you can engage and excite your team with ease! We've picked our favourite team building games you can run online without a need for complex set-up or buying additional software.

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Creating and nurturing high-performing teams in an online environment can be challenging. Not all team activities are suitable for virtual meetings and creating engaging activities online requires extra consideration. Virtual team building is especially important during times of crisis or change. How can you ensure you’re using the right team building activities to develop, grow, and connect a successful team? Whether you’re developing a remote team from the ground up, resolving interpersonal issues, or just want your distributed colleagues to have fun, we have you covered! We’ve collected our best virtual team exercises and online games and organized them into several categories so you can find the right one for your needs!

What are virtual team building games?

Trust, alignment and good communication are fundamental building blocks for a high performing team. But how can we create them? Team building games are a fun, effective way of bringing a team together in a shared activity designed to cultivate skills and build shared bonds. These can take the form of highly involved activities with some friendly competition, or they can also take the form of party games where team members are encouraged to just hang out and get to know each other better.

Team building is especially important in virtual environments, where remote teams can somethings feel isolated or disconnected. By coming together online for something other than a meeting, you can help build bonds and create memorable moments.

Fun virtual team building games

Most of the exercises and activities you’ll facilitate during an online session will have definitive goals and outcomes in mind when you run them, such as building particular skills or solving problems.

When designing workshops, remember that improving team connection is a viable and worthwhile outcome. Having fun and connecting with your teammates is a vital part of being a productive team member, and it’s worth remembering that there is value in having some enjoyable exercises with your team to de-stress, connect and get to know each other a little better. 

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Working towards shared goals and demonstrating team values in the course of an exercise is great practice for tackling complex business projects – if you can have fun while doing so, even better! The Virtual Scavenger Hunt is a great team activity for Zoom and an online whiteboard – encouraging teams to be creative, gently competitive and work together to get the best possible result. Start by creating a list of items to be found online. You can see an example in the method below. Then, split your team up into groups to go and find those items and collect them in the allotted time. Bonus points for encouraging the use of different tools, forms and media, and to allow teams to be creative in finding the items for the online scavenger hunt. We’ve found that having a debrief section and also creating a list that is almost undoable in the allocated time frame helps keep the stakes high and ask that a team prioritizes and communicates effectively. It’s also fun to see what different groups came up with at the end! 

Virtual scavenger hunt   #energiser   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   A fun team-building energiser that encourages groups to recreate the scavenger hunt experience in a fully remote environment! 

Story Around the Circle

Human beings are naturally born storytellers. With this online energizer, you’ll take some time to connect with one another through telling a shared story and be encouraged to have fun while improvising too!

The organiser starts with a line like “Once upon a time, in a land far away, 5 people got together to solve all the world’s problems. Everything seemed easy, until one day, one of the people saw on the horizon…” and invites the next person in the group to continue the story and add the next line. This keeps going until everyone’s contributed to the story.

When it comes to recording the story – do so either in Google Docs or in your online whiteboard tool. If someone wants to draw images to go with the story, that’s great too! Remember that creative team activities that encourage personal responses are absolutely worth adding into your toolbox!

If you want to keep participants on their toes, add rules like the lines have to rhyme in couplets, or have a word that people can’t use or must use. You could even choose who creates the next line, rather than going around in order. We love this exercise as it’s simple, engaging and can be easily amended to your needs.

Story Around the Circle   #team   #storytelling   #teampedia   #remote-friendly   Creating a story together can be merely for fun, or it can help the team imagine its future or recall its past.

Sharing knowledge, experience and skills is something good teams do by default. Finding time to let your team share what they’re passionate about outside of a work context is also valuable when it comes to building a cohesive, connected team.

With Skillshare, you can invite members of your group to share a hobby, passion or skill with the rest of the team and teach them something. This can take the form of a practical session – a keen artist might take the team through a drawing exercise – or a person with an interest in jazz might talk about why they love the genre. You can go as big or as small as you want, though the key is to let your team lead the way and share a passion or skill that is close to them. Building team bonds through this kind of experiential exercise can really help bring a team together over distance.

Remote-friendly skills that are easy to teach over video chat are a bonus, though, with some creativity, you can share all kinds of skills online in a fun way – whether those skills include cooking, sculpting, writing, yoga or anything else!

Guess the Desk

A challenge all online teams face is the feeling of disconnection and distance from your group. Finding ways to feel connected to one another and build team bonds when working remotely should be a priority for managers of virtual teams.

Guess the Desk is a fun online team activity that can not only help teams get to know one another but share best practices for remote working too! In Guess the Desk, start by having each participant take a photo of their desk or remote working set-up and send it to the facilitator who then puts them into a shared whiteboard or Google Doc. Don’t tell anyone whose desk is whose!

During the first round select one member to be the Desk President: they cast the vote on whose desk is whose after a group discussion. After each round, the previous Desk President elects the next and the group moves on to guess the next desk. Here’s the fun part. If your desk is up it’s your job to convince everyone that it belongs to someone else: if the group votes incorrectly on your desk, you get a point! If you successfully guess the right desk while you are Desk President, you also get a point.

After all the desks have been guessed, debrief and point out any particularly good remote working set-ups and best practices you notice and want to share!

Guess the desk   #remote-friendly   #energiser   #teambuilding   An energiser game for remote teams where participants share images of their work set-up and attempt to guess opponents’ desks while bluffing their own!

Virtual Trivia 

Every organization has a history filled with unique stories, in-jokes and memorable events. Creating a company quiz and inviting your team to see how well they know the organization can be a fun way of celebrating your history, what you’ve achieved and have some fun along the way!

A pub quiz format where one person asks questions that teams or individuals answer in a Google Doc, the text channel or in a Zoom session works great for energising and engaging your participants. Have a prize for the winning team and be creative with your questions to make your online office trivia sessions a release valve for your team and to create a relaxed, fun atmosphere.

When choosing the questions for your virtual trivia game, it can be useful to get input from different heads of department and have themed rounds. Pair with a virtual happy hour and a treat of your team’s choice to make this a memorable experience!

GIF challenge

Team members often have fun and idiosyncratic ways of communicating with each other, and finding ways to share your personality is an important factor when connecting with others. In an online environment, having fun and creative outlets that help your group communicate and get to know one another really helps build effective, happy teams.  

For this remote team game, set-up an online whiteboard or shared Google Doc and post a phrase or statement that participants then have to search for a suitable GIF in response. It might be something as simple as, “That Monday morning feeling,” or “Good management looks like this.” You can have a couple of questions just for fun, then include some that invite people to creatively respond to organizational challenges and prepare them for the next exercises.

After each round, you can invite everyone to comment or vote on their favorites, and have additional rounds to crown a winner if you wish. One great way to use this exercise is by sprinkling several rounds of questions throughout the workshop to keep energy levels up and create some moments of fun and creativity as counterpoint to other exercises.

GIF challenge   #energiser   #fun   #remote-friendly   Create space in your agenda for a fun online energiser where participants are encouraged to find creative GIF-based responses to your questions.

Team Eurovision

Music is a universal language, and sharing music we love as a group can create some interesting conversations and facilitate team bonding – even the music we like is very different! In Team Eurovision, invite everyone in your group to select a song made by an artist from the country where they were born and add the song to a shared Spotify playlist. Want to make it more interesting? Have a rule where everyone’s song had to come out in the year 2000, or from the year they were born. Play the songs in a dedicated after work session (alcohol, treats or snacks encouraged!) and invite each team member to introduce each song and tell the team why they should vote for it. Collect the votes at the end and crown a winner!

You can use the Team Eurovision method as a standalone virtual team activity, or have the shared Spotify playlist playing in the background of a remote working session. Remember that the purpose of the exercise is to have fun and start conversations that can help your team get to know each other, so don’t worry if it falls apart! 

Virtual Cribs

Remember MTV Cribs? In that TV show, celebrities invited a film crew into their homes and gave them a guided tour. In Virtual Cribs, you invite a volunteer from your team to give us a guided tour of their home over Zoom and share part of their lives with the group. Invite the other members of the group to ask questions and comment on what they love. Seeing how other people live and work in their remote set-ups can help virtual teams get to know one another and feel more connected.

Want to spice things up? Have your team find a place they love on Google Street View or a virtual museum tour and give the rest of the team a guided tour as if it was their home. This can be a fun way to explore new places virtually, while also encouraging your group to be creative. Visiting the National Gallery of Australia and trying to explain why you put a statue of a crocodile in your front room can make for a fun team activity! 

Virtual Bingo

Even a regular team meeting can be made a little more fun with a game of virtual bingo. Start by distributing your bingo cards to everyone in the virtual meeting. We recommend customizing your own to make the items resonate with your company culture or to share (nice!) jokes with your co workers.

As you go through your meeting, ask participants to keep track and announce when they’ve filled their card! This is a great way to keep your team engaged throughout a virtual team building event, and you can even offer prizes to the winners too!

Virtual Bingo   #team   #skills   #remote-friendly   #group game   A bingo game that is played throughout a live session using common virtual session occurrences. 

Bad Movie Night

Watching movies as a group is always a great way to spend time together. With online services like Netflix, it can be easy to get your remote team to collectively watch a film together and de-stress with company. Watching any film out of hours with a virtual team can be a nice way to spend time together outside of work and feel connected, but how can we make this even more fun and include a competitive element?

In Bad Movie Night, have each member of your group suggest a “so bad it’s good” film and vote on which you should watch together. Cult films, old horror movies or schlocky B-movies are a great place to start! Your team will likely have some suggestions but if you need a hand, Rotten Tomatoes and Buzzfeed have some good examples. If in doubt, try The Room ! After you’ve watched the terrible/great film together, have everyone write a one sentence review of the film and post it anonymously into a shared document or whiteboard. Encourage everyone to be as savage, critical and creative as possible, then vote on whose review is the funniest! 

In an office environment, it’s easy for team members to do nice things for one another in order to show their appreciation: you might get your colleague a coffee or a cake they love, or help out with a tough piece of work. For remote teams, making these kinds of gestures is difficult and while it’s not a necessary part of having an effective team, taking the time to show your colleagues you appreciate them is a lovely way of saying thank you!

With Gift Chain, invite your online team to send a small, personal gift to a team member in appreciation. You can use a secret Santa like system to pull names out of a hat, or have each person choose someone they’d like to say thank you to once they received a gift to keep the chain going. Set a small price limit or alternatively, have each gift be a handwritten letter that is sent in the post. It can feel really special to receive a thoughtful gift or letter from a colleague and it’s a great way of bringing positivity and appreciation to remote teams during difficult periods. 

Breakout Room Tag

Recreating a sense of fun and possibility for remote employees is tough. This virtual team building game is a fun and easy way to bring the high-energy of a game of tag to your online meeting.

Start by setting up Zoom breakout rooms and giving participants the option to move between them. Next, invite someone to be “it”. That person needs to enter a breakout room, count to ten and then say someone’s name to make them “it”. Randomly assign the entire team to breakouts and then let the fun begin!

We particularly like this online game for teaching remote team members how to use your video call software while also energizing the group! Try running a few rounds of Freeze Tag too, where people must hold a pose until someone else sings happy birthday to unfreeze them, if you want to up the ante.

Break-out Room Tag   #large group   #virtual   #zoom   #remote-friendly   #energizer   #high energy   #ericamarxcoaching   Everyone plays tag, using breakout rooms in Zoom

Team Gallery

Whether you’re an expert photographer, proud parent or amateur snapper, most of us regularly take photographs on our phones. In Team Gallery, set a weekly photograph prompt and invite your team to take a photograph and anonymously submit it into a shared online whiteboard. You might ask your team to take a photograph of some natural beauty or an image to go with a phrase like, “How I spent my summer vacation” or “This is me in a nutshell.”  Your prompts or questions can be fun, creative, or ridiculous but should encourage everyone to respond creatively!

As a facilitator, you can make it into a competition where everyone votes on their favorite image or caption, or have your gallery be a place to share and connect asynchronously. Whatever you go with, ensure the photographs stay up and are collected and shared. Think of all the great stories and images you’ll have after a few months of running this activity! It can be a lovely shared resource for new team members getting to know everyone and is a great way to connect and engage with one another outside of a work context. 

The Exciting Sponge Game

In this improv game, team members each have a minute to find a random object in their space and return to their desk. The more humdrum or ordinary the object, the better!

Next, invite everyone to spend another minute brainstorming an idea for a story that elevates that ordinary object (a sponge, for example!) into an exciting one. Finally, invite your group to take turns telling an improvised story featuring the object for sixty seconds on zoom.

This team building game is an opportunity for your group to be creative, share something personal and create memorable moments on the spot! Bonus points for taking screenshots of each person with their exciting sponge and adding it to your Mural or company handbook!

Virtual team building games to get to know each other

Online meetings can take time to get comfortable with, particularly for teams who are just transitioning to remote working. Communicating with colleagues in an online environment can be challenging because of the lack of physical cues, non-verbal communication and all the potential distractions one might have when working from home or in a remote office. And just like any skill, it needs practice. Breaking the ice and getting people comfortable with interacting with each other is a vital part of any effective working session. This is particularly important if you have a new or freshly formed team to deal where people don’t yet know each other as much.

One of the first barriers many people face in online meetings is speaking up – by starting with an inclusive online team games, you can get everyone over this hurdle right at the beginning. Furthermore, helping your team get to know one another and become comfortable working together virtually helps lay the foundation for deeper team development exercises. Let’s take a look at some of our favourites! 

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity

The Four Quadrants activity is a creative, visual exercise that is a great way to help your group get to know each other and encourage personal responses. You can use this with any four questions that will help a virtual team align, get to know one another, or outline challenges or working opportunities. It’s super flexible and works with teams of any makeup. 

In an online environment, this exercise works well using an online whiteboard like Mural or Miro to collect responses and have people participate in real time. You can use digital drawing tools or invite participants to draw on paper and upload photos to the shared whiteboard. 

Break the Ice with The Four Quadrants Activity   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   The Four Quadrants is a tried and true team building activity to break the ice with a group or team. It is EASY to prep for and set up. It can be MODIFIED to work with any group and/or topic (just change the questions). It is FUN, COLORFUL and works every time!

Happiness Exercise 

Sharing personal experiences and generating positivity can help groups bond and improve team relationships. The Happiness Exercise is a great, remote-friendly team activity to build trust and help people share honestly and openly.

Start by asking members of the group to share an occasion when they were happy. Join in yourself to give your team the idea! Once everyone has spoken, ask everyone to give an example of a time they made someone else happy. Choosing just one can be a challenge, but you’ll be surprised at how much you can learn and share with these very simple prompts. If you’re using an online whiteboard or collecting notes in a shared document, it’s fun to collect these experiences for later reflection and sharing!  

Happiness exercise   #teambuilding   #icebreaker   #warm up   #remote-friendly   This exercise is a simple application of the principles of Appreciative Inquiry.

Icebreaker: The Group Map

Many great remote team activities were born in live workshops with large numbers of people and big open spaces. Translating some of those activities into an online workshop can be tricky, though it’s no reason not to do them! With a little creativity and the right tools, many existing exercises can be reworked for remote environments successfully. 

The group map is a fun virtual icebreaker for Mural, Miro or any other online whiteboard. By creating a virtual space with either an imaginary or virtual map where participants can position themselves and add images, you can foster an environment of sharing and reflection that can be fun to interact in too! Encouraging participants to be creative can also lead to great shared resources and team boards to reflect on and share later! 

Icebreaker: The Group Map   #get-to-know   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   Ask people to place themselves on an imaginary map laid out in the room representing the country according to where they grew up. Ask them to share one internal value they got from that place, and why is that important for them. Encourage people to share a short story if they want

Three Wishes

Simplicity is your friend when it comes to remote team building. Facilitating structured conversations around concepts people are familiar with can make the virtual team building process a little easier and help drive quick results. Three Wishes is a flexible virtual icebreaker that can work well in a video conferencing tool like Zoom or Google Meet, or can be expanded to use images and GIFs in an online whiteboard tool. We recommend adjusting this activity based on the flow of your session: if your agenda is discussion heavy, encourage participants to share their three wishes in the forms of images, memes, songs, or GIFS. The opportunity to do a little solo-work before sharing can be a welcome change and as with any online icebreaker, the opportunity for humour helps too!

Three wishes   #get-to-know   #icebreaker   #remote-friendly   The activity serves as a brief energiser during a workshop, and helps to get creativity flowing. At the end of this method, each team member will be a little more familiar with each other.

Magic Box is a great team workshop activity but with a collection of images and some creativity, it can be an ideal icebreaker for Mural or team workshops using an online whiteboard. In the live version of Magic Box, the facilitator brings a collection of items to the workshop and invites participants to choose an object. In turn, each member of the team then gets to explain who they are, why they’ve chosen the object, and also talk about the connection between the topic of the workshop and the object. 

In an online setting, you get to go one step further and include items, concepts or even people that you could not possibly fit in a real box. You might ask participants to choose someone to join the team from a group of world leaders or fictional characters. You might include pictures of objects that are directly related to the workshop or your company. Whatever you choose, ensure you include a mix that allows for varying personal tastes and gives people the chance to express themselves.  

Magic Box   #team   #icebreaker   #get-to-know   #teambuilding   #remote-friendly   Ice breaking at the beginning of the workshop/meeting

Snapshot of my life

We all know that one aspect of effective virtual team building is giving your group the opportunity to get to know each other as individuals and form personal connections. Trust, team awareness and good working practices are almost always better with people we really know. Snapshot of my life asks participants to bring an image to the team workshop that says something about their life and upload it into an online whiteboard or shared workspace. It might be a great memory, something that is important to them or a dream they have. Sharing these kinds of personal experiences with your online team can help sow the seeds for your online team building session and can help people feel seen and heard by sharing what they find most appropriate. You can also do this exercise asynchronously and invite participants or team members to continue adding to the board after the meeting! Team games and exercises that are flexible and malleable are great methods to add to your toolbox.

A snapshot of my life   #remote-friendly   #energiser   #teambuilding   This exercise is great for building empathy amongst team members, and giving each participant a deeper understanding of their colleagues’ backgrounds (particularly great for international or remote teams). It’ll also set a casual atmosphere for the workshop ahead.

Starting your video call with an exercise that builds trust and helps your group get to know each other is a wonderful way to build team morale. In this game, ask everyone in the virtual meeting to cover their cameras and then invite one person to make a statement that is true of them. Everyone that the statement is also true of then shows themselves, gives a way and then covers their camera.

Go around the group so everyone has a chance to share their voice and have a quick moment with some of their colleagues. Follow this online team building game with breakout rooms to help people get to know each other even better!

True of Me   #virtual   #group exercises   #connection   #zoom   #remote-friendly   #trust   #energizer   #ericamarxcoaching   #opening   #psychological safety   #group game   #large group   Everyone covers their camera and one person makes a statement that is true about themselves. If it is true for others on the call, they show their face to the camera as well. The initiation for the next prompt is passed to another person in the group.

Virtual dance party

You don’t need a dancefloor to have fun with your team, do you? This is a quick game designed to get people moving, lower inhibitions and let people show their personality – all without leaving Zoom!

In Dance, Dance, Dance, ask participants to create some space so they can move around. Next, put on a playlist of popular songs and kick-off with a dance that everyone else in the team has to follow. Change songs every so often and give everyone in the group a chance to be the leader. Bonus points if your video conferencing platform allows a gallery view so you can all see each other and follow accordingly!

Dance, Dance, Dance   #hyperisland   #energiser   #remote-friendly   In this short and physically active energizer, participants dance playfully in small teams. Periodically, the music changes and members take turns leading the dance. The aim is to generate fun energy and playfulness in a group, often as a counter-balance to more “serious” group work.

Virtual team building activities to improve collaboration

Great teams make it a habit to reflect on projects, group processes and how they work together as a team. Unstructured discussions on subjects like working processes or team dynamics can escalate in the wrong direction if not properly framed and facilitated. 

Using team games, exercises or activities to facilitate the team reflection process can help ensure your team moves forward productively. In an online environment, taking the opportunity to reflect as a group is imperative to building bonds and improving the awareness of each member of the team. 

Strength Building Exercise

The members of a team will invariably get to know one another as a by-product of working together, but is this enough to build the kinds of bonds and relationships that can make a successful remote team? Dedicated time to encourage participants to share, reflect and celebrate success should be a part of your virtual team workshop.

With the Strength Building Exercise, you’ll encourage positivity, mutual appreciation and respect among your team and help build a productive team culture. This method is great for boosting positive energy and creating space for your virtual team to celebrate one another and build a confident, self aware group. Many of the best remote team activities have benefits that extend beyond the workshop and this exercise is up there with the best of them!

Strength Building exercise   #team   #appreciation   #self esteem   #remote-friendly   People develop confidence and self esteem as they discover that their achievements and skills are valuable. This is an exercise for team building and for increasing self esteem and mutual trust.

9 Dimensions

Even the best groups and online teams will face challenges. Discussing and resolving those challenges and reflecting on how the group is performing can take many forms though it’s important to create spaces where all opinions are heard, and dominant voices are tempered with those of less vocal group members. 

The 9 Dimensions Team Building Activity is a great, remote-friendly approach to structuring a team discussion. Begin by distributing or having your team create a 3 x 3 grid with nine areas for discussion. Invite each team member to fill in the grid with a colour based on their feelings about that area. They might feel that an area needs improvement and add a red dot, or use a green dot to show they think the team is nailing that area. 

The facilitator then asks the team to share some of their results before focusing on what areas of improvement the team is aligned on and where perspectives differ. This approach allows people to contribute as they feel able and keeps the process running smoothly.

9 Dimensions Team Building Activity   #icebreaker   #teambuilding   #team   #remote-friendly   9 Dimensions is a powerful activity designed to build relationships and trust among team members. There are 2 variations of this icebreaker. The first version is for teams who want to get to know each other better. The second version is for teams who want to explore how they are working together as a team.

Trust Battery

Trust is one of the foundations of a healthy, effective team. Creating a team culture where everyone feels seen, heard and valued while also able to reflect on their interpersonal relationships should be a priority. 

With Trust Battery, you invite your team to reflect on their relationships with one another, be open and grow together. In an online environment where face time is limited, checking in and encouraging honest, constructive reflection is essential for healthy teams. While it can be useful to think of your team as a single organism, it’s important to remember that any group is composed of individuals, all of whom have complex and differing interpersonal relationships. 

Using an exercise like Trust Battery can help bring areas to improve to the fore and allow you to work on them as a team in a structured, thoughtful manner; creating a stronger, more open team as a result. Bonus!

Trust Battery   #leadership   #teamwork   #team   #remote-friendly   This self-assessment activity allows you and your team members to reflect on the ‘trust battery’ they individually have towards each person on the team, and encourages focus on actions that can charge the depleted trust batteries.

Leadership Coat of Arms

Ask two members of your team what makes a good team and you’ll likely get two answers that are as different as they are the same. Using a remote-friendly exercise like Leadership Coat of Arms is a great way to encourage a creative exploration of the subject that also creates room for different ideas. Why can’t we do the same thing for teamwork?   In this creative virtual team exercise, participants are asked to draw their own coat of arms symbolising the most important elements of their teamwork philosophy. The coat of arms drawings are then debriefed and discussed together with the group. What items are consistent for the whole team and what stands out? Being asked to condense complex ideas into a simple visual format can be refreshing and also creates a gallery that can be shared and ideated upon in the future!

Your Leadership Coat of Arms   #leadership   #leadership development   #skills   #remote-friendly   #values   In this leadership development activity, participants are asked to draw their own coat of arms symbolising the most important elements of their leadership philosophy. The coat of arms drawings are then debriefed and discussed together with the group. After the exercise you may prepare a coat of arms gallery, exhibiting the leadership approach and philosophy of group members

Team Self-Assessment

All teams develop a default way of working together over time. Most of these working practices are dictated by necessity (online meetings for remote teams, for example) or organically as people work together on projects. While this approach can work in the short term, a deliberate and considered assessment of team working methods can help your team be more effective and happy. The Team self assessment method from Hyper Island is a team activity which asks your group to think of their team as a system with interlocking parts, much like the model of a computer’s Operating System. By thinking of your team in this new way and assessing it thoroughly, new things can come to light and your team can then make the necessary changes. This method also encourages your team to take ownership over creating this change – which is a great way of helping team members feel connected, valued and a part of the process. 

Team Self-Assessment   #team   #hyperisland   #remote-friendly   This is a structured process designed for teams to explore the way they work together. The tight structure supports team members to be open and honest in their assessment. After reflecting as individuals, the team builds a collective map which can serve as the basis for further discussions and actions. The assessment is based around 6 dimensions. Each one encouraging the team to reflect and analyse a different and crucial element of their behaviour.

Virtual team building games for communication

Anyone working in a team knows how important communication is: when it’s good, your team works like clockwork and you feel like you can achieve anything; when it’s bad, tasks take twice as long, things get missed and people get frustrated. 

Virtual teams whose primary method of communication might be Slack or email especially need to consider how they communicate and work together. Some things which may come across easily with verbal communication might not be clear in text, and when working together online, good standards of communication are important to keep things moving effectively.

Proper and transparent documentation, kick-off meetings and retrospectives are only one part of the puzzle. Combine these with experiential learning and remote-friendly communication exercises in order to get real results. Team communication activities like the below are great for helping virtual team members think about how they might better communicate. Let’s dig in!

Blind Drawing

Whatever the organisation, teams invariably have members with different skill sets and knowledge bases. One of the challenges of team communication comes when one team member tries to explain an unfamiliar concept to another team member. If teams aren’t great at communicating, this process can be frustrating for both parties. In Blind drawing, one person has to describe an object while another has to accurately draw it from this description alone. The rule is that the person describing the object cannot say anything which clearly gives away what the object is or is closely related. For example, if describing a tree, you might say, “It’s a tall cylinder with lightning coming out of each end, one set of lightning spreading out into the air, the other going into the ground. It has rough, weathered skin, and at the ends of each fork of lightning there are hundreds of children that grow until they’re ready to fall.” It’s a fun exercise to see how people interpret abstract instructions, but it also shows how what might be obvious to one person is not obvious to another, and underlines the need for clear, effective communication. 

Blind Drawing   #teambuilding   #communication   #creative thinking   #remote-friendly   Test your communication and interpretation skills with Blind Drawing!

Humans are storytellers by nature. Sharing stories of where we’ve come from, what’s happened to us and how we feel about the world is part of being alive, and by tapping into this instinct, you can enable perspectives to come to the surface and encourage meaningful exchanges that can help your team grow together. 

Begin by creating a word cluster in a shared online space as triggers for the session. These might include company specific words, or more general terms like: partnership, venture, first day, work travel, fun project, opportunity, and so forth. 

Invite your participants to look over the collected notes and have a volunteer take one of those words and move it to the campfire space and share a connected work story. This works most effectively in an online whiteboard where you can clearly delineate the working areas. 

Continue to share stories connected to words from the wall or the previous participant’s story until everyone has shared a work-related story. Sharing experiences in this way can help teams feel connected, communicate their perspectives and practice sharing work related thoughts in a positive, considered manner.

Campfire   #gamestorming   #team   #remote-friendly   #storytelling   Campfire leverages our natural storytelling tendencies by giving players a format and a space in which to share work stories—of trial and error, failure and success, competition, diplomacy, and teamwork. Campfire is useful not only because it acts as an informal training game, but also because it reveals commonalities in employee perception and experience.

Team of Two

Regardless of the size of an organisation, most business communication actually takes place as an exchange between two people: a manager asks for something from an individual, or a customer support agent liaises with a customer, for example. While teams might be composed of many people, it’s vital to remember that each of those people is an individual and those individuals all have different working relationships with one another. 

Team of Two is a focused team communication activity designed to help two individuals work better together and ensure they each are contributing to the process. This one works great in Zoom breakout rooms or private sessions though it’s worth noting that this activity might also benefit from a moderator. 

While this technique is highly effective, it’s not suitable for all situations, particularly if communication has broken down completely. Attentive team managers will want to deploy this exercise when challenges arise and to help teams move past communication issues.

Team of Two   #communication   #active listening   #issue analysis   #conflict resolution   #issue resolution   #remote-friendly   #team   Much of the business of an organisation takes place between pairs of people. These interactions can be positive and developing or frustrating and destructive. You can improve them using simple methods, providing people are willing to listen to each other. “Team of two” will work between secretaries and managers, managers and directors, consultants and clients or engineers working on a job together. It will even work between life partners.

Feedback: Start, Stop, Continue

Giving regular, thoughtful feedback is one of the most important ingredients in building meaningful relationships and ensuring teams can communicate effectively. While team members might give feedback on an ongoing and ad-hoc basis, creating a space for a structured online feedback exercise can help a group give more thoughtful feedback in a constructive way. 

The Start, Stop, Continue exercise encourages groups to reflect on group dynamics from three angles and create actionable steps to improve communication in their remote team. By having these guiding principles, you can ensure the feedback given is constructive and that the session is productive: a must for any online team workshop!

Feedback: Start, Stop, Continue   #hyperisland   #skills   #feedback   #remote-friendly   Regular, effective feedback is one of the most important ingredients in building constructive relationships and thriving teams. Openness creates trust and trust creates more openness. Feedback exercises aim to support groups to build trust and openness and for individuals to gain self-awareness and insight. Feedback exercises should always be conducted with thoughtfulness and high awareness of group dynamics. This is an exercise for groups or teams that have worked together for some time and are familiar with giving and receiving feedback. It uses the words “stop”, “start” and “continue” to guide the feedback messages.

Seven Words

When online team communication isn’t working or has broken down, it’s often because of miscommunication or differing interpretations of an email or message. Considering how we use words and how they can be interpreted can really help improve interpersonal communication and make us more efficient, considerate communicators.

In Seven Words, begin with a seven word sentence and ask your group to list some possible interpretations – it can be really interesting to see all the different ways even a simple sentence can be interpreted depending on the individual receiving it! Moving into pair work afterwards means that each participant gets to see how their sentences are interpreted in action. For distributed teams who might primarily communicate over email or on Slack, this kind of focused reflection on team communication can lead to meaningful improvements very quickly!

Seven Words   #thiagi   #communication   #skills   #remote-friendly   Ever heard the cliché, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it”? The Seven Words jolt dramatically demonstrates this principle. You demonstrate how the meaning of a sentence changes as you emphasize different words. Later, you invite pairs of participants to explore this concept.

Powerpoint Karaoke

Presenting a slide deck is a fairly common aspect of office life, but what about presenting a powerpoint you’ve never seen before?

Start by creating a Powerpoint deck of random slides, images, words – try and get other team members involved where you can! Next, invite a player to be the first to share a slide and try to “sell” or “explain” whatever appears on the slide. This virtual game can be so much fun, while also helping remote workers get more comfortable with presenting material online.

Powerpoint Karaoke   #improv game   #communication   #presentation skills   #skills   #remote-friendly   Powerpoint Karaoke is an improv game where volunteers take turns presenting slide decks that they’ve never seen before, in front of a live audience.

As the world changes and more teams turn to remote work and distributed workforces, the need for thoughtful approaches to virtual team building rises. It’s not enough to hope for the best – find time and space to develop your team and find better ways of working together in this new online environment. Not only will your team be happier and more productive, but you’ll find new ways of working and feeling connected.

We hope the above exercises give you plenty of food for thought and lots of ways to bring your remote team together for fun and productive team activities online. Have a virtual team exercise or game that’s worked well with your team or want to see more? Get in touch in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

Great post!

Having attended a few online icebreakers recently and not being inspired by them, I decided to go away and create my own :-)

https://www.ThinkLinks.cards

Hopefully it will be helpful to some.

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20 Non-Cheesy Five-Minute Virtual Team Building Activities (+ Bonuses)

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Key takeaways.

• Team building in remote environments can be more challenging than in-person.
• Remote workers are more prone to loneliness and disengagement.
• Remote team building can be fast and fun with the right tools and approach.

Every remote manager knows how important it is to find the right team-building activities for their team, as remote team building comes with unique challenges. Remote teams are dispersed across locations and time zones, often lacking the casual interactions that unite teams who share a physical workspace. Moreover, remote teams may struggle more with loneliness and isolation, which puts team spirit and well-being in managers’ focus.

Many managers will schedule long team-building exercises and virtual happy hours to try and unite their teams. But these long meetings are often inconvenient because they get in the way of finishing work and require remote workers to meet outside of working hours. Also, most of them are painfully cheesy.

You don’t need to schedule full hour-long Zoom meetings for effective remote team bonding. The fun games and activities below can fit at the beginning or end of regular team meetings or even as ongoing Slack conversations. 

Keep reading for 20 unique activities to help your team:

• Break the ice
• Bond and build trust
• Enhance their problem-solving skills
• Get their creative gears working
• Boost morale
• Increase engagement
• Build a healthier work environment and company culture
• and more...

Build connections on Slack

Spark conversations with a remote team with meeting roulettes, watercooler prompts, and interest groups, all in Slack.

The 3 resources all teams need to bond successfully 

To organize successful virtual team-building activities, you only need three things.

You can't expect your employees to work for eight hours straight and then stick around for two more hours for a team bonding exercise. They are most likely tired, hungry, and their loved ones, who have been patient all day, require their attention. This is why you need to include them in your daily schedule.

2. Resources

While you can have an amazing team building activity for remote teams without spending a single dollar, you must provide them with the right tools. Platforms like Skype, Zoom, Slack, Google Meet, etc., can be very useful for video chats, and make sure you have good tools for messaging  since you will definitely use that a lot. Try a couple of different ones to see which one works best, and then choose one and stick with it.

3. The right attitude

Nobody likes change, at first. Implementing something that requires your remote employees to talk, draw, or reveal personal details won’t necessarily be met with great enthusiasm. If you really want to achieve your desired results, you need to assign a dedicated person to encourage participation and help your coworkers relax and enjoy themselves.

Make sure you choose someone who is well-liked and knows most of the employees, so their message will get across more easily.

Virtual team-building activities for new teams

New teams can feel a bit awkward in the beginning. Ice-breaker games and group activities can help your team feel more comfortable from their very first team meeting. 

Here are four quick team-building activities to get past the awkward phase of guess-who and start building the foundations of camaraderie in your team. 

1. Hot Seat

Hot Seat is a great team-building activity to introduce an individual to the rest of the team. Get everyone on a video conference and ask specific questions about their background. Make sure the questions stay fun and light and that everyone is comfortable participating.

Some icebreaker questions to ask: 

• What was your favorite band growing up? 
• What’s on your bucket list?
• What is the first vacation you remember? 
• What book would you bring to a desert island?
• How did you feel when you landed your first job? 
• Is there any notable accomplishment you remember from middle school? 

2. Seman Drawkcab

Seman Drawkcab (“Backward Names,” spelled backward) is a simple way for new remote employees to learn one another’s names. You can play the game, even with large groups of people, in 5-10 minutes. 

The rules: 

• Every person pronounces their name backward, one by one
• The group has to guess the real name of each person that has said their name backward

3. Two truths and a lie

Two truths and a lie is an excellent way to show off your team members’ creativity, sense of humor, and unique personal history. You can play this game with large groups but if your team exceeds 20 people, consider splitting into breakout rooms.

• Ask each team member to write down two truths and one lie about themselves on a sheet of paper before the meeting
• Make sure these facts are personal anecdotes rather than work-related facts 
• During the meeting, take each set of two truths and one lie and read it in front of the entire team
• Ask each member of the team to guess which are facts and which are lies
• The person who makes the most correct guesses wins the game

4. Dinner Party

Dinner Party is a quick trivia game that prompts new team members to reveal fun personality facts. You can limit the game to five minutes or play longer. 

• At the beginning of your meeting, ask each team member to name three people, living or dead, they would invite to a dinner party
• Have them explain why, especially if it’s a unique choice 

Virtual team-building activities to challenge problem-solving skills

The following team-building games will help your team get their problem-solving skills on point—just enough to “warm up” for the real business problems your team solves. 

5. Word Association

Word Association is a fun team game that only takes 5-10 minutes, even with a large group. The goal is to stimulate your team’s creativity and show how everyone thinks differently.

• Give your team a word and ask them to say (or write) the first thing that comes to mind 
• Continue associating based on the previous word
• After a few rounds, compare responses to see each person’s association journey

6. Object Memory

Object Memory is a five-minute team-building activity that will train your team’s brains while teaching an important lesson about the power of teamwork and communication skills. Small teams can play the game in under five minutes. It may take longer for larger groups.

• Write down 30 words on a virtual whiteboard and share your screen for 30 seconds with the team 
• Ask the team to write down as many words as they remember in 30 seconds 
• Split the team into small groups 
• Ask each group to work together to remember more words and pool together everything they find

7. Get Them to Draw It 

Get Them to Draw It is a fun activity that only takes about 5-10 minutes. The game’s primary goal is to help everyone pay attention, challenge assumptions, and think outside the box. 

You can play the game in large teams, but it works best in groups of fewer than five people.

• Select one remote team member and secretly show them an image of overlapping triangles, circles, and squares drawn on a piece of paper
• Ask the selected team member to get the rest of the team to replicate the drawing without mentioning its elements (circle, triangle, and square)
• The team may struggle to perfectly replicate the image
• In the end, point out that you never mentioned whether or not the describer can show the original drawing to the team during the game

8. Dog, Rice, and Chicken

Dog, Rice, and Chicken is a logic and problem-solving game you can play in Slack or over video calls. Regardless of the group size, it will only take 5-10 minutes. 

The basic rule is simple: one of the team members is the Farmer, and the others are the Villagers. The Farmer has “a dog, rice, and chicken problem”, and the Villagers have to find a solution.

The Farmer’s problem:

• The Farmer needs to get a dog, bag of rice, and chicken across the river to get home but can only carry one item at a time on the boat 
• If they leave the dog alone with the chicken, the dog will eat the chicken
• If they leave the chicken alone with the rice, the chicken will eat the rice 
• How can the farmer safely get all three items on the other side of the river? 

The solution:

• First the farmer should carry the chicken, leaving the dog and the bag of rice behind
• Next they should go back and carry and pick up the rice
• Once the rice is safely on the across the river, they should carry the chicken back to the starting point
• Then they should leave the chicken at the starting point and pick up the dog
• Once the dog is across the river, with the bag of rice, the farmer will simply need to go back one last time to take the chicken across the river

If you enjoy Dog, Rice, and Chicken, check out this   collection of similar riddles .

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Ongoing virtual team-building ideas.

Some team games can be played one time, but these games and activities can be a throughline for weeks, months, or even years.

9. Meeting Roulette

Meeting Roulette is a fun way to help your teammates get to know each other. The game is beneficial for full-remote and   hybrid teams   where people from different departments might not interact with each other much.

You can use   Connections (by Deel)   to automatically connect random teammates to introduce themselves and chat for a few minutes. You can set up Connections to run for as long as you want to, and it can also help   onboard new teammates   by introducing them to the rest of the group. 

10. Articulate

Articulate takes five minutes for groups of 15 or fewer people. You can play it over several weeks, taking turns as the main character. 

• Give your main player a list of 10 words 
• Ask them to describe the words in front of the other team members
• They cannot use the actual words you’ve given them, but they have to give the other members clues that indicate what the words actually are
• If the main player manages to have the team guess one of the words, they move on to the second, third, etc.
• Once all words have been guessed, select a new main player 

For an additional level of challenge, have the main player describe the 10 words with charades instead of verbal clues. 

11. The Slipper Dilemma 

The Slipper Dilemma is one of our favorite 5-minute team meeting ideas. It can be played by 5-10 people, and it’s a fun way to incorporate the unique “work from home” vibe into your team games. 

• During any of your meetings throughout the workday, if someone in your team shouts “Slippers,” everyone has to move their camera to their feet, showing what they are wearing 
• Make sure people are aware of this activity before you kick off the game!

12. The Jukebox

The Jukebox is an excellent game for teams of all sizes. The facilitator creates a Spotify playlist each month, following a theme. They ask the team members to add a song to the playlist that fits the theme.

Some “Jukebox” theme ideas could include: 

• The first band I saw in concert in high school
• The band I will always like listening to
• One song that always energizes me
• Summer vibes
• Halloween jump scares

Create a playlist with a new theme every week or every two weeks to make this a recurrent team activity. Not sure where to start? Check out some of the playlists we like to listen to at Deel for inspiration.

Virtual team-building games for large groups

Larger groups and teams will require quicker and more simple games and activities if the goal is to keep them short and fun. Below is a selection of activities we find very effective for big teams.

13. Virtual scavenger hunts

Scavenger hunts energize a team, improve teamwork, and bring a bit of humor into your remote-working life. The good news is that you can play them as virtual activities too, and many versions are available—including five-minute ones. 

Create a list of items people typically have around the house and give the whole team five minutes to find those items. Whoever finds them first wins the game.

14. Meme Chat 

Meme Chat is another five-minute team-building activity people get a kick out of. Ask team members to find a meme representing the company, the day, or the project they are working on. 

You can discuss the memes in meetings (allowing no more than five minutes for each description). Alternatively, ask everyone to post their memes in a Slack channel and have the rest of the company vote for the best one. It works with emojis too!

15. This or That

This or That helps people spark discussion and get to know each other better. You can play it with a group of any size, via video chat or in your preferred chat tool. Ask a “this or that” question every week and let people discuss their answers. 

Set a time limit for all the chats or move them to a dedicated Slack channel where people can chip in whenever they have a few minutes.

Connections   is a great tool to help you automate and schedule your questions!

Possible questions include:

• Mountain or ocean?
• Jazz or rock?
• Comedy or action?
• Breakfast or lunch?

16. International Holidays

One of the best things about remote teams is their diversity. Bring this diversity into your company culture by allowing people to share their culture and holidays. 

Ask each team member to enter their country’s holidays in a spreadsheet and set up automated Slack messages a couple of days before every event to notify team members. During the next team meeting, ask the team member who added the holiday to share a quick overview of how they celebrate it back home. 

Self-managed remote team-building activities

Some activities don’t need to be part of a meeting, conference call, or team-building event to effectively strengthen your team’s cohesion and engagement. Enabling employees to participate in their own activities and interact with their team members in the ways they see fit is an equally powerful tool for remote teams to bond.

While these activities aren’t strictly five-minute ones, they don’t need much time allocated either and can be easily adapted to fit any schedule.

17. Virtual book club

This is a rapport-building classic. Readers in your team can interact during virtual meetings, in their own Slack channel, or even asynchronously via email to suggest, discuss, review and discover books they love.

Similar   interest groups   can be started for any other topic, not just books. You might have musicians, gamers, amateur cooks, or arts and crafts experts in your organization. Give them a place to discuss what they love.

18. Virtual coffee

A lot of face-to-face bonding happens at the water cooler or by the coffee machine. You can maintain the benefits of these relaxed moments of interaction by having quick virtual coffee calls, where people from different teams or departments can have a chance to quickly get to know different members of the organization.

19. Online games

While gaming might not be for everyone, there are many online game options for all skill levels and preferences. From Pictionary to pool, to virtual escape rooms, to murder mysteries, to the latest viral success, online bonding options through gaming are truly limitless.

Letting employees wind down while playing something fun and interactive can be a great way to build connections and re-energize the team (and remember to have a company leaderboard!).

20. Show and Tell

Sometimes, simple ideas are the most effective, and this one is straight from primary school. Have a member of the team show and talk about something they are passionate about or interested in.

You can allocate just a few minutes per person, so the whole team gets a go, or ask one team member to present each week or month.

Bonus ideas to take your virtual team building to the next level

Virtual team building in Paris

Ever wished you could whisk your team off on an extravagant trip to Europe? Okay, who're we kidding - ever wished you could just treat yourself? Well, now you can and guilt-free.

Woyago Teams specializes in providing high-quality virtual team building experiences. And we're not talking about the kind of virtual reality where you put on a headset and flail your arms around an empty room. Woyago's team will take you on a guided tour of some of Europe's most iconic landmarks from the comfort of your office chair all while bringing your team closer together. 

Guinness world record

Raise the stakes and go for fame on this unusual team building idea by challenging your team to a Guinness World Record. On our to-do list as a team, beat the current world record of fastest office at 87 mph.

Don’t forget a good virtual office party

While most of our suggestions here are about short and easy activities that can be sprinkled into daily video conferencing and meetings, don’t forget that a good virtual event can work wonders. From virtual trivia to karaoke and game show activities, it’s never a bad idea to dedicate an hour to a good party.

The Amazing Online Race

If you are working with a competitive bunch, this game will definitely be the right fit. The Amazing Online Race is one of the best virtual team building activities for inspiring collaborative and competitive spirit.

Split everyone into teams, and come up with a list of challenges they need to do. On a virtual whiteboard, track their success and the number of points they've achieved. Set a fixed number of challenges or a time period, so they know they don't have all the time in the world. Come up with a prize for the winning team. Teams race to complete online assignments such as "beat the high score in Pac Man" or "make and upload a lip-sync video to Total Eclipse of the Heart."

Throughout the day, you and your group members will check-in via video call to gauge each other's progress. The team that completes all challenges first wins!

Personal User Manuals

Have you ever thought to yourself - Oh, I wish these people knew how I like to work! Or wandered that about someone else, but you were too afraid to ask? Well, now you don't have to! The goal of this game is to get to know each other better, without the pressure of revealing too much or the fear of public speaking. Have everyone in your team create a personal user manual - what they like, prefer, and can't stand when working with others. Attach them all in a single file, and share them with the team. This will guarantee better cooperation and understanding. 

It's always a great time to start a challenge!

Working with others can be highly beneficial because you can always count on support, advice, and friendship. And that can all be part of your team's culture even if you are working remotely. Start by coming up with a list of possible challenges - exercise, healthy lifestyle, vegan diet, books, number of taken steps, or water drunk throughout the day... Don't pressure anyone into participating, and let them join groups of their own volition. Track the progress in real-time and make sure that everyone who is struggling has enough support and encouragement. 

Long-term remote team activities 

But what if your company has always been remote, and the global shift to remote work didn't change anything in your way of working? Well, that is great since it probably means you have already tried most of the games we have offered so far. But no worries. We are ready to take you to the next level. Once you are done with the easier and less time-consuming activities, you can start implementing games and initiatives that require more time, energy, and participants.

We suggest looking into these ideas to get started.

Debate club

If you have a lot of strong-willed, opinionated people in your company, this is a great activity for you. Let everyone interested sign-up, come up with teams, and give them a topic to debate about. Assign moderators, judges, audience, get as many people involved as you can. This is a great way to promote constructive and argumentative thinking that can help any business. Make sure that you choose neutral topics so the discussion doesn't get too heated. 

Virtual time capsule 

Burying time capsules has been a tried-and-tested way to get communities, classes, and teams to bond and enjoy a shared activity. Just because your team is remote, that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this as well! Have everyone contribute with a digital item - a picture, a letter, a video... Zip all the files and set up a password. Hide the file, so only one person has access to it. Set a time limit and let everyone get excited about it. Remind them occasionally about it, to keep the interest high and the conversation frequent. 

Pen Pal Club 

And while we are on the topic of letters, and long-forgotten traditions, have you ever been a part of a pen pal club? Modern times allow for new traditions, but that doesn't mean that the old ones should be forgotten! Simply adjust this long lost custom by paring up employees that don't really cooperate or have the need to work together. Give them instructions - send at least one email every week to your Pen Pal about anything you would like. There are no limitations nor mandatory length. It is important to get them to start writing. They will do the rest themselves!

Collaborative craft projects 

If your team has been forced to work apart after spending countless days together in the office, then this is a great idea for you. Providing that you are able to use the local post office, assign them this task, and see their reaction. The idea is for the team to work on a single, physical project together. How? Well, first you should agree on what you will make, together. Then you get to organize the order. The first person starts crafting, and at a certain point, they mail the project to someone from the team. This goes on and on until the project is finished. You can even take the game to the next level by encouraging them to send little gifts and notes, as well. 

Bring your remote team together with Deel

Want to achieve true team bonding even when your team lives thousands of miles apart and has little time to interact? 

Deel makes remote work feel less   remote , helping you build your company culture and keep your teams engaged and organized. 

Discover   Connections , and start building the best team today.

Deel makes growing remote and international teams effortless. Ready to get started?

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Remote Work

100+ fun virtual team building activities to boost team morale.

Sudarshan Somanathan

Head of Content

April 23, 2024

Even with all the benefits of virtual teams , over 53% of remote workers feel it’s hard to connect with coworkers from behind the screen.

We’ve all been there!

As convenient as remote working is, employees are bound to feel lonely sometimes. 

Virtual team-building activities are fun games and exercises that help coworkers collaborate on a shared goal, no matter how remotely located. It helps you know each other and build relationships, fostering cohesiveness and creativity.

Most of your coworkers will find team building event announcements ‘meh’ because they fear another boring meeting without the ‘fun’ element. 

To level up your team-building efforts with remote employees, we’ve curated a list of 100+ fun virtual team-building activities and tools to enhance collaboration and engagement within remote teams. 

Let’s go 🎉

Importance of Virtual Team Building

1. virtual icebreakers, 2. virtual team-building games, 3. virtual talent shows, 4. online team-building workshops, 5. virtual lunch meetings, 6. remote movie nights, 7. group meditation or yoga sessions, 8. online cooking classes, 9. online comedy sessions, 10. online fitness challenges, games, quizzes, and trivia, food and drink, music and dance, creative expressions , intellectual pursuits , interactive team-building activities , cultural exchange and diversity , tools to facilitate virtual teams, keep remote teams engaged and productive with clickup.

Virtual team building is essential for remote teams to help overcome isolation, improve communication, build team trust , and keep employees engaged. Let’s see how virtual team-building activities help remote teams stay connected. 

• Help build relationships: Virtual team building activities help remote employees get to know each other personally despite not being present physically in the same location. These activities help build stronger relationships, which are essential for maximizing collaboration and team productivity
• Boost morale and engagement: Engaging in fun and interactive team-building activities provides a break from the daily grind and allows team members to unwind and relax. Such breaks help reduce stress and lead to improved morale and overall well-being 
• Improve communication skills: Our list includes many fun virtual team-building activities to enhance communication and team bonding. These activities include active listening, expressing ideas clearly, and providing constructive feedback to keep remote employees engaged . If you are tired of hurdles in productivity due to miscommunication, then these activities are a must-try!
• Enhance problem-solving skills: Many virtual team-building activities require participants to work together to solve complex issues. Such virtual games teach your team to work cohesively to accomplish goals

100 Virtual Team Building Activities to Try in 2024 

Here’s a list of 100+ fun-filled virtual team-building activities to facilitate your team’s coming together to achieve maximum efficiency.

Do you feel your team members aren’t yet acquainted with each other? It’s time to break the ice! 🥶

Virtual icebreakers are activities and exercises that encourage conversations with your team members.

The main agenda of icebreaker activities is to allow team members to have free-form conversations in a fun, informal setting. 

For example, ‘Two Truths, One Lie’ is an excellent icebreaker. Each team member has to come up with three statements about themselves. Of these statements, two are truths, and one is a lie. The rest of the team listens carefully and tries to guess which statement is the lie. Once everyone has voted, go on and reveal the answer.

Similarly, there are other virtual icebreaker activities, like ‘Six Word Memoirs’ and ‘Desert Island Intelligences.’

Speaking of introductions, it’s not easy to remember everything about everyone in just one meeting. That’s where   ‘meet the team’ templates can help you quickly introduce everybody. Keep these templates handy to see everyone’s job titles, experience, skills, and contact information in one place.

You can also use team charter templates to document your team’s mission and objectives so you’re all on the same page.

Interactive games like Pictionary or Dumb Charades are a fun way to improve teamwork and friendly competition.

These games aren’t what one would call an icebreaker; you typically play them once you’ve established some rapport with your team members.

The good part is that most video conferencing apps like Zoom, project management tools like ClickUp, and collaboration apps like MS Teams are equipped with drawing tools and elements to play Pictionary without having your team install another app.

Understanding your team members’ interests and passions helps you interact with them better. Sometimes, it means appreciating your colleagues for their unique talents. 

Virtual talent shows can be a handy tool for this. You and your co-workers get to showcase your creative sides, and discovering a possible overlap of their interests with yours helps you and your team bond better!

Another great avenue for team-building is hosting virtual workshops or training sessions. Topics could cover team leadership , communication skills, team dynamics, and enhancing professional development and collaboration. Workshops with role-playing exercises and group discussions are worth a special mention. 

While these workshops will help your team members grow, bringing out the best in each member requires focusing on different stages of team development – forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. Just make sure you are there at every stage to guide your employees. 

Food is among the simplest ways to bring people together. Virtual lunch meets enable team members to gather online, eat together, chat, and bond over meals. The good part is that these meetings are incredibly simple and easy to pull off. 

Moreover, having a virtual meet-up over lunch once every week is an excellent practice for building relationships outside work-related discussions. Use these virtual meetings to learn more about your coworkers—food preferences, favorite restaurants, and how they like to spend their time outside work. 

Everyone bonds over food, and movies are a close second. 🎬

To improve your virtual team-building game, consider organizing virtual movie nights where team members watch films together using synchronized streaming platforms.

For example, Netflix Party is the big fish of the remote-watch-party ecosystem right now. It works as a browser extension, allowing up to 50 people to watch anything on Netflix together.

Likewise, third-party apps like Scener facilitate remote watching via Netflix, Disney+, HBO, and more.

As a team leader who is acutely aware of how stressful the work environment can be, you must encourage your team through activities that promote mental well-being .

If you are into meditation and yoga, you could lead virtual sessions to promote relaxation, mindfulness, and stress relief among team members. If not, you can conduct group yoga/meditation sessions using video guides from YouTube that are bound to give everyone some much-needed de-stressing!

Do you cook? If yes, maybe teach your team a recipe or two or even learn their favorite recipes. 🍴

Alternatively, you could let a team member lead a virtual cooking class. If no one on your team cooks, have group sessions where you can learn from the gazillions of videos the internet offers! 

What is something that everyone loves, apart from eating? Laughing, of course!

You could host online comedy sessions with your team, where everyone shares jokes about each other or what’s happening in your lives. You might discover a colleague’s hidden talent at stand-up! Moreover, giving your team a chance to rib you about your quirks openly and taking it like a sport will make you the coolest team lead ever! 

If there’s one thing we all learned from 2020 and 2021, it is the importance of a healthy body to house a sound mind. Setting fitness goals for each other will not only help you stay healthy, but it’ll also foster a sense of working together towards a common goal, and the overall outcome is bound to reflect on the output of your projects!

Looking for a few more suggestions of virtual team-building activities? Here are some more team building activities for your remote team. 

11. Virtual board game night  

12. virtual bingo , 13. augmented reality game , 14. virtual ‘never have i ever’ , 15. bucket list challenge, 16. personality test quizzes, 17. virtual ‘emoji conversation’ game , 18. virtual code-break , 19. virtual murder mystery , 20. digital marketing trivia , 21. online trivia games , 22. virtual scavenger hunt, 23. virtual arm’s reach show-and-tell , 24. virtual escape room , 25. guess the emoji contests , 26. virtual ‘who am i’ , 27. online time machine trivia , 28. guess the slogan , 29. logo trivia , 30. podcast trivia , 31. friday special – ‘know your team’ virtual meet, 32. virtual racing games , 33. virtual five-finger showdown , 34. virtual pub crawl , 35. virtual mixology class , 36. digital dessert party , 37. virtual happy hours , 38. cookbook club , 39. trivia cook-off , 40. virtual karaoke sessions , 41. online collaborative playwriting , 42. virtual dance party , 43. virtual open mic night , 44. group karaoke competition , 45. virtual dj battle, 46. online music jam sessions , 47. group playlist collaboration , 48. ‘name that tune’ challenge , 49. what if you were x (a ceo, movie star, or similar recognizable roles), 50. photo-sharing challenge , 51. virtual improv session  , 52. remote creative writing contests , 53. digital playwriting challenge  , 54. remote storytelling session , 55. virtual art challenge , 56. remote paint and sip sessions , 57. remote crafting sessions , 58. spreadsheet pixel art , 59. diy craft challenge, 60. virtual origami session , 61. digital art collaboration , 62. virtual fashion show , 63. diy home decor challenge , 64. intra-team photography contests , 65. online sketching class , 66. debate club , 67. virtual sudoku sessions , 68. virtual book club , 69. power hour , 70. spreadsheet wars  , 71. leader role play , 72. weekly wins celebration , 73. productivity tip showdown , 74. product pitch challenge , 75. department swap day, 76. virtual workshop on communication , 77. online brainstorming sessions , 78. virtual team pursuit , 79. interdepartmental mentorship program , 80. ‘deal or no deal’ negotiation game , 81. department swap day , 82. empowerment workshops , 83. online fundraisers , 84. customer persona creation , 85. virtual secret santa , 86. gratitude circle , 87. virtual team-based story building with objects around you , 88. virtual team-building experiences , 89. virtual support squad social , 90. book swap session , 91. virtual travel talk , 92. virtual museum tours , 93. virtual plant shop , 94. diy spa day , 95. sharing favorite movie quotes , 96. digital escape to nature , 97. remote book club discussions , 98. virtual language exchange , 99. virtual cultural exchange session , 100. diversity panel discussions .

Now that you have the best virtual team-building activities list, you need the right tools to execute them. Before you pick activities for the month, discuss them with other members. 

Use ClickUp Whiteboards to discuss different activities and ask your team members for suggestions. There are many fun activities in our list above that you can execute using our virtual whiteboard. 

Once you have the right virtual team-building activities, you must ensure everyone becomes a part of it. As your team members might be located in different parts of the world, ensure you get the sessions onto their calendars and remind them of the upcoming activities. 

With ClickUp Reminders , you’ll be free from the hassle of manually sending out reminders to team members. It’ll automatically notify members frequently to ensure everyone participates in the fun activities. 

While it’s all fun and games with team-building activities, our platform also has features to keep your remote teams organized.

ClickUp Teams allows you to collaborate with distributed teams, align on common goals, and track progress. 

When collaborating with virtual teams, there is a chance of miscommunication if you solely rely on meetings. You need to visualize your processes, action plan, and progress to keep everyone in the loop. 

That’s precisely what our visually compelling ClickUp Dashboards will help you do. They will keep everyone on the same page regarding team goals and track project progress. Assigning tasks to team members will also keep them accountable at all times.

The ClickUp Tasks feature further enhances accountability and team discussions. Add comments, assign tasks with comments, record and share voice clips , and add priorities so that everybody in the team knows what to work on first.

In addition, collaborative ClickUp Docs make it easier to sync efforts and keep everyone in the loop regardless of location and time (a big yay for hybrid and remote teams!) Our Chat View also makes it convenient to chat with your team in real time. If you prefer, you can arrange Zoom calls within ClickUp. 

Bonus: How productive is your team? Take the productivity quiz to find out!

Making sure your remote team has fun at work is serious business! Do try out one or more of the suggested virtual team-building ideas to break the monotony of work and bring teams closer.

Another way to keep your virtual team productive is by using collaborative task management tools like ClickUp. Designed to help the whole team work efficiently together, irrespective of location, ClickUp is the go-to platform for big and small teams worldwide.

Want to learn more about how remote work becomes easier with ClickUp? Book a demo today !

 1. What are team-building activities for virtual work?

Virtual team-building activities strengthen bonds, boost morale, and foster collaboration among remote team members. 

These activities can include virtual icebreakers, such as fun quizzes or online games, to help team members get to know each other better.

 2. How do you build teamwork online?

Online teamwork happens through work management platforms like ClickUp. 

These comprise streamlined processes that ensure smooth workflow, activities, and games where team members worldwide can participate while working from home. 

The goal is to unite all the team members, no matter which part of the world they live in.

 3. How do you build team spirit virtually?

Building team spirit virtually requires creativity and intentional efforts.

Start by scheduling regular virtual meetings where team members can interact, share updates, and engage in casual conversations to build rapport.

Use a video conferencing platform for face-to-face interactions to mimic the feeling of being in the same room. Incorporate virtual team-building activities such as online games, quizzes, or challenges that encourage collaboration and teamwork in a fun way.

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Top 50 problem solving activities, games & puzzles for remote teams

Blockchain and Crypto / March 6, 2022 by admin

Here is a list of the top 50 problem solving activities, games & puzzles best suited for remote teams. Read on!

What are problem solving activities?

The success of a company or organization depends heavily on the managers’ ability to help workers develop their problem solving skills. Problem solving activities that address areas such as teamwork and cooperation, adaptability or reinforcement of decision-making strategies help.

All processes of problem solving begin with the identification of the problem. The team will then evaluate the possible course of action and select the best way to tackle it. This needs a profound understanding of your team and its core strengths.

Not only among corporates, but problem solving activities find their use in educational settings as well. Students who are good at solving problems will become much more successful than those who are not. Remote work and education are on the rise.

Enabling smooth interpersonal communication to solve problems can become a task in these situations. However, engaging all the people concerned in problem solving activities before shifting to the remote space can ease the process.

Also Read: Keen to invest in bitcoins – find a trustworthy bitcoin trader now!

Key skills evaluated in problem solving activities

Problem solving skills refer to the necessary thinking skills that an individual or group uses when met with a challenge. Many issues require the use of several skills; others are easy and may require only one or two skills. These are some skills that help to solve problems,

• Communication skills
• Decision-making skills
• Analytical thinking
• Negotiation skills
• Logical reasoning
• Persistence
• Lateral thinking

Problem solving skill examples

Several problems occur at the workplace. Problem solving skills can be technical problems that occur on websites or apps or addressing client concerns. Problems could be simple or complex. Business managers spend time and resources to solve problems.

They encourage their team to improve their analytical and logical abilities. Common issues in companies can be exploding data or changing technology, or financial management.

Did you know? Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in problem solving!

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Problem solving scenarios

Many problem solving scenarios occur at work. The basis to solve any problem is to evaluate and arrive at a solution. Analytical skill or problem solving ability is a skill many employers evaluate while hiring candidates.

Strong problem solving skills can be an asset to any organization. Organizations organize problem and solution activities to improve the problem solving abilities in the workplace.

1. Decision making games

Businesses are looking for new and innovative ways to stimulate their staff. Decision making games help employees to learn new skills and work effectively as a team. Decision making activities help to improve the creative problem solving and decision-making skills of the team. Here are some best Decision-making games,

1. Dumb Idea first – This game gives a hypothetical problem that could occur in your company. Ask each manager to think of the dumbest solution to the problem. After compiling the list of the ideas, the team reviews them.

You have a brainstorming session to make the “dumb ideas” feasible. This problem solving exercise underlines the importance of out-of-box thinking.

Benefits: Decision-making skill

Time duration: 10 to 15 minutes

Team size: 2 to more team managers

Material: Paper and pencil

2. Egg Drop Idea – The objective of the game is to build a container to protect the egg when dropped from a specified height using the material provided. Each team nominates a presenter who explains why the egg will survive the fall.

Once they have presented the idea, the team drops the egg to check if the idea has worked. Egg drop pyramid activities like the marshmallow challenge help teams to think on their feet.

Benefit: Decision-making skill and is a top problem solving skill example

Time duration: 15 – 30 minutes

Team size: 6 or more

Material: A cartoon of eggs, aprons to protect clothes, material for packing (cardboard, tape, elastics, plastic straws, etc.), material to clean up.

Instructions:

• Every team gets an egg and should choose from the building materials. 
• Grant everyone 20-30 minutes to build an egg carrier and guard against breaking. 
• Remove each egg carrier from a ledge (that is, over a balcony) to see which carrier prevents it from cracking. 
• If several eggs survive, continue to heighten until only one egg remains.

3. Dog, Rice, and Chicken – The dog, rice, and chicken game can be fun decision-making activities for adults. In this game, one team member plays the farmer, and the other team members are villagers who advise him. The farmer has to take three items chicken, dog, and rice across the river by boat.

There are the following constraints:- only one item can be carried on the boat. He cannot leave the chicken and dog alone because the dog will eat the chicken. He cannot leave the chicken alone with the rice because the chicken will eat the rice grains.

Benefit: creative problem solving examples that are applicable at work.

Time duration: 10-15 minutes.

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2. Teambuilding puzzle

Team building exercises are fun and creative ways to get your team to work together and improve problem solving skills.

1. Lost at Sea – In this game, you and your friends have chattered a yacht to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Since you do not have any navigation experience, you hire a captain and a two-person crew. Unfortunately, the crew and captain die when a fire breaks out on the yacht.

The yacht is severally damaged and is sinking. You and your friends have managed to save 15 items and a lifeboat. Your task is to rank the 15 items while you are waiting to be rescued. The activity lost at sea team building underlines the importance of problem solving skills in the workplace.

Benefits: Team building exercise and interaction

Time duration: 30 to 40 minutes

Team size: 4 to 6

Material: Lost in sea ranking for interaction chart for each member

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower – The marshmallow team-building activities have the goal of building the tallest tower as quickly as possible. To make the task more challenging the marshmallow is placed at the top of the tower. This is a fun puzzle activity for team building.

Benefit: Teambuilding puzzle

Time duration: 30 minutes

Material required: 20 sticks on raw uncooked spaghetti, a marshmallow, masking thread, and yarn of thread.

3. Go for Gold – This is an example of a marshmallow challenge similar to activities. The objective of this exercise is to create a structure using pipes, rubber tubing, and cardboard to carry a marble from point A to point B using gravity.

Benefit: team building problem solving scenario examples

Team size: Minimum 6 persons

Material required: Each member has different material

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3. Work Problem Solving

Work problem solving activities help to use the skills you used in problem solving activities in your workplace.

1. Create your own – this game aims to create a brand new problem solving activity for the organization. The team can brainstorm for 1 hour. After one hour each team has to give a presentation about their activity outlining the key benefits.

Benefit: Understanding the problem solving process. Build creativity, improve negotiation, and Decision-making skills

• When the participants arrive, you declare that they will create an original problem solving activity on their own, rather than spending an hour on an existing problem solving team-building exercise. 
• Divide members into teams and encourage them to develop a new problem solving team-building exercise that will fit well with the organization. The activity should not be one they have engaged in or heard of before.
• Every team has to show their new activity to everyone else after an hour and outline the main benefits.

2. Shrinking Vessel – make a shape on the floor using a rope where all the team members can fit. Reduce the size every 10 -15 minutes. The real challenge for the team is figuring out how to work together and keep everyone together.

Benefits: Adaptability and cognitive diversity

Material: Rope and large room

• Place on the floor a big circle of rope. Position your whole team inside the circle. 
• Lessen the circle size steadily. When it gets smaller, advise the team to keep the entire team inside the circle. Nobody must move out of the loop. See how small you can make the area until it cannot remain inside.

3. Legoman – the team is divided into groups of two or more people. Select an impartial individual who will make a structure in 10 minutes. Each team will compete to recreate it in fifteen minutes. Only one person is allowed to see the structure. They need to communicate vital parameters like color, shape, and size.

Benefits: Communication

Tools: Lego

4. What Would X Do – This problem solving activity stimulates teams to think of new ideas.

• Benefits: Instant problem solving
• Time Duration: 10-15 minutes
• Materials Required: N/A
• Let every team pretend to be someone famous. 
• Every team needs to address the issue as if they were a famous person. Which are the choices they would consider? How will they do this? 
• It helps all to consider options they may not have initially thought of.

Tip: Before you decide, a problem is worth solving, weigh the risks of solving it versus not solving it. 

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4. Team building riddles

Team building riddles are a great way to show the team group problem solving is usually more effective.

1. Barter puzzle – the team is broken into groups. Give each team a different jigsaw puzzle to solve. The groups have to complete the puzzle at the same time. The twist in the game is that some pieces of their puzzle belong to other puzzles.

The goal is to complete the puzzle before the other teams. Each group has to come with their method to convince other teams to handover the pieces they need, either by bartering pieces or donating time to the other teams. This puzzle piece team-building activity helps teams to collaborate.

Benefit: Team building and negotiating.

Material: Jigsaw puzzle for each team

Time: 30 minutes

2. Scavenger Hunt – in this game, each team has a list of the article to locate and bring back. The goal of the game is to finish the assigned list first. In the scavenger hunt, the team has a time limit to make the game more challenging. You have the flexibility of having the hunt outside or within the premises. The team-building puzzle game helps the team to look for creative solutions.

3. Escape – the goal is to solve clues and find the key to unlock the door in a limited time. Hide the key and a list of clues around the room. The team has 30 to 60 minutes to figure out the clues and unlock the door.

Benefit: Team building exercise

Material: Rope, key, lockable room, 5 to 10 puzzles

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5. Work together problems

Work together on problems helps to underline the need to collaborate while solving issues at work. Group challenge activities help the team work well together.

1. Bonding belt – each group is divided into 5 to 6 participants, who are bound together with rope or tape so that their movements are limited. The team has to reach from point A to point B, and the time is recorded. The teams collaborate to beat their previous score.

Benefits: Helps the team to collaborate and skills for problem solving scenario/

Time: 20 to 30 minutes

Material: Cling film, belt, or rope

2. Scramble puzzle – the team members with blindfolds sit in a circle with the puzzle. The teammate without the blindfold sits outside the circle, with their back to the group. The blindfolded group tries to assemble the pieces of the puzzle. The outsider who has the same puzzle gives the team instructions to solve it.

Benefits: trust, leadership, and communication

Material: Preschool-level puzzles and blindfolds.

3. Flip it over – this is a classic work-together problem. In this game, 6 to 8 participants stand together on a blanket/towel/tarp. The challenge is to flip over the blanket or reverse it. The rule is that none of the participants can leave the blanket.

Benefit: Work together exercise

Duration: 30 minutes

Material: Blanket

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6. Team building survival games

Team building survival games helps to fine-tune problem solving scenarios that may occur at work. The activities encourage creative problem solving and decision making.

1. Stranded – Stranded helps in building effective communication. In this setting, the team is stranded in an office. The rooms will be locked, and doors and windows cannot be broken down. The team is asked to make a list of 10 items that they need to survive.

They need to rank items in the order of their importance. The team has to agree on the items and the order. Stranded is one of several popular survival team-building exercises.

Benefit: Team building and Decision-making exercises

• Your team is stuck inside the building. Doors are closed, so there is no option to kick down the doors or smash the windows.
• Grant the team 30 minutes to determine what ten things they need to thrive in the office and list them in order of importance.
• The goal of the game is to get everyone to agree in 30 minutes about the ten things and their ranking.

2. Minefield – you randomly place items around the room or hallway and there is no clear path from one end of the room to another. The team is divided into pairs. One team member is blindfolded, and the other team member is the guide.

The guide navigates the blindfolded person across the minefield. The two partners cannot touch. This survival team-building activity underlines the need for clear communication.

Benefits: Communication and collaborative problem solving

Duration: 10-15 minutes

Material: Blindfold, empty room or hallway, and collection of random items.

3. Frostbite – in this survival scenario team-building exercise the team is trapped in Siberia. Each team has to elect a team captain. The team has to build a storm shelter with the material provided.

The twist in the game is the team captains cannot help physically since they have frostbite. Other team members are suffering snow blindness and are blindfolded. The electric fan will be turned on in 30 minutes to see if the shelter built will survive the storm.

Benefit: Leadership, skills action plan, and team building survival games

Team size: 4 to 5 members

Material: An electric fan, blindfold, simple building materials like cardboard paper, rubber bands, toothpicks, masking tape, straws, sticky notes, etc.

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7. Group decision making games

Group decision making games help encourage creative problem solving and decision making at work. Here is a bunch of group decision making games

1. Reverse Pyramid – the team members stand in a pyramid shape. The next step is to flip the base and apex of the pyramid. The limiting factor in only three persons can move.

Benefits: Group Decision-making and collaboration

2. Tower of Hanoi – in this game, there are three towers/posts/rods with 5 or more discs arranged conical shape with the smallest shape at the top. The objective of the game is to move the entire stack to another location retaining the shape. Some conditions of the games are only one disc can be moved at a time. Only the top disc can be moved. Another rule of the game is larger disc cannot be put on a smaller disc.

Benefits: This team-building exercise helps problem solving within the participants.

3. Human Knot – the team stands in a circle every person holds hands with a person not standing next to them. When everyone is cross-connected, the aim is to untangle the structure without letting go of anybody’s hand.

Benefit: group problem solving

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8. Funny problem solving games

We need to solve problems for personal and professional lives. Funny problem solving exercises are a light way. Funny problem solving can help reduce stress levels.

1. Pencil drop – in the pencil drop challenge, one end of the pencil is tied to a pencil and the other is tied around the waist of a team member. The other team member puts the pencil into the bottle placed below. The participants are not allowed to use their hands.

Benefit: Team bonding

Team size: 2 members each

Material: Some pencil and bottle

2. Blind drawing – this game requires two players to sit back to back. One participant describes an image in front of them without giving stating anything obvious. The other participant needs to draw it using the description. The outcome can be fun.

3. Be the character – in this activity, you pretend to be an imaginary character while trying to solve a problem. This game gives a unique perspective on your solution and whether the solution is feasible for other members.

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9. Group problem solving activities for adults

Group problem solving activities are very efficient, especially for adults. These can be used in any setting to enhance problem solving skills. 

1. Human Knots

• Benefits: Communication skills, collaboration
• Time Duration: 10 – 15 minutes.

This is one of the most straightforward group problem solving activities that can be done with any group. It facilitates communication and critical thinking in the face of a challenging and complex question. Various group members will possibly suggest a variety of solutions, and each will need to be reviewed and adopted by the organization as a whole.

• Have the group stand in a small circle (make several circles when you are a larger group). Every person in the loop will hold the hands of 2 other people who are not directly next to them. That would make a messy crossed arms knot.
• Ask the group to disentangle themselves without moving their hands at any point in time. They may be unable to disentangle completely to form a circle again. Still, they would have begun to work together to solve the problem by the end of the activity.

2. Frostbite 

• Benefits: Leadership, decision-making, trust, adaptability
• Time Duration: 30 minutes.
• Materials Required: An electric fan, blindfold, simple building materials like cardboard paper, rubber bands, toothpicks, masking tape, straws, sticky notes, etc.

Your group is trapped in the barren deserts of Siberia, and a sudden winter storm is approaching. You have to create a shelter with only the materials in hand that can survive the storm’s harsh winds. The leader of your expedition was afflicted with frostbite in both hands, sadly, and all the others experience severe snow blindness.

• Divide the group into clusters of 4-5. Every group will have to elect a chief. 
• Group leaders are not allowed to use their hands to support the group in any way, and group members should be blindfolded during the exercise. 
• The groups have 30 minutes to build a small tent structure that can withstand the wind from the fan’s highest location. 

3. Dumbest Idea First

• Benefits: Critical thinking, creative problem solving, quick problem solving
• Time Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
• Materials Required: Pen or pencil, a piece of paper.

Dumbest Idea First is one of the most creative problem solving activities for groups. This can encourage your creativity by thinking out of the box and lead you to ideas that would typically sound too insane to work. You can broaden the possibilities by looking at these crazy solutions first, and find potential alternatives that might not be as obvious.

• Present your team with a question. It could be a real-world dilemma facing the group, or it could be a created scenario. For example, your company attempts to beat a rival to win a high-paying customer contract, but the customer bends to your competitors. You have a short period before they make the final decision to change their mind.
• With the given question, advise your group to come up with the dumbest ideas to tackle the issue. Anything can be written down. 
• After each person has put forward a few ideas, go through the list, and analyze each plan to see which are the most feasible. List them from the highest level of feasibility to the lowest level.  

4. Wool Web 

• Benefits: Leadership, communication
• Time Duration: 30 minutes
• Materials Required: Some balls of yarn.

As hard as replicating the magnitude of the real-world problems is, that is no excuse not to try! Wool web creates a dilemma that appears complicated at first, but groups will learn to break down complicated challenges into solvable problems one move at a time.

This happens by using the right strategy and working together. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most stimulating problem solving activities for adults.

• Split the group into similarly large teams. Every time, it receives a yarn ball. 
• Tell each team to turn the yarn ball into a vast web. Give them around 5-10 minutes to do this. When done, rotate all the teams so that every team is on a yarn web they have not set up. 
• Every group must choose one person to untangle the web. That individual would be blindfolded and be guided by the rest of the team on how to unwind the web using only verbal instructions. The first team to achieve it wins the game.

5. Tallest Tower 

• Benefits: Creative thinking, collaboration
• Materials Required: 1 bag of marshmallows, one packet of uncooked spaghetti.

Simple building projects can help group members create strategies to overcome box issues. Tallest Tower is another one of the most creative problem solving activities. Groups will compete with only two materials to make the tallest tower in a fixed period.

• Divide the group into two, which have an equal number of players. Provide 20 – 30 uncooked spaghetti noodles and 3-4 marshmallows to every team. 
• Groups must compete in the provided period to build the tallest tower using only the materials supplied. A marshmallow has to be set at the top of the tower.

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10. Problem solving activities for students

Below is a bunch of problem solving activities for students and kids,

1. Brainstorm Bonanza – Brainstorm Bonanza is one of the best problem solving activities for students. As a teacher, making your students create lists relevant to something you are teaching at the moment can be a fantastic way to help them expand their knowledge of a subject when learning to solve problems.

• Benefits: Problem solving
• Materials Required: Pen and paper

1. If you are discussing a real, current, or fictional occurrence that did not work out well, let your students imagine ways that the protagonist or participants might have produced a better, more favorable result.

2. They can brainstorm independently or in groups. 

2. Clue Me In – this is one of the most enjoyable problem solving games. It facilitates logical thinking and cognitive development.

• Benefits: Cognitive development, logical thinking
• Time Duration: 20 minutes
• Materials Required: A bag, clues, items as necessary
• Select a collection of things relating to a specific occupation, social phenomenon, historical incident, object, etc.
• Assemble individual objects (or pictures of things) commonly linked to the target response.
• Place all of them in a bag (five-10 clues ought to be enough).
• Then, have a student reach into the bag and take out clues one by one.
• Select a minimum number of clues to draw before they make their first guess (two-three).
• After that, the student should guess, pulling each clue until they think it is right.
• See how quickly the student can solve the riddle.

3. Survivor Scenario – Create a hypothetical situation that allows students to think creatively to make it through. One example may be being stuck on an island, realizing that three days of help would not come.

The community has a small amount of food and water and has to establish shelter from the island’s objects. This would undoubtedly be one of the fascinating problem solving activities for students.

• Benefits: Logical thinking, collaboration
• Encourage working together as a group.
• Listen to each student who has an idea about making it safe and secure across the three days.

4. Moral Dilemmas – Create several potential moral dilemmas that your students can face in life, write down, and place each object in a bowl or container. These things may include items like, “I’ve seen a good friend of mine shoplifting. What is it that I would do?” or “The cashier gave me an additional $1.50 in change after I purchased candy from the shop. What is it that I would do?”

• Benefits: Logical thinking
• Time Duration: 5 minutes per student
• Materials Required: Container, bits of paper with moral dilemmas written
• Ask every student to draw an item from the bag one after the other and read it aloud. 
• They must then tell the class the response on the spot as to how they would handle the situation.

5. Problem solving box – this is an activity that will help on both cognitive and emotional levels for students. 

• Benefits: Logical thinking, decision making
• Materials Required: Box, paper, pen
• Have your students design and decorate a medium-sized box with a top slot. Name it as the “Problem Solving Box.”
• Invite students to write down anonymously and apply any concerns or problems they may have at school or at home, which they do not appear to be able to work out on their own.
• Let a student draw one of the things from the box once or twice a week, and read it aloud.
• Finally, as a group, let the class work out the best way students can approach the problem and eventually solve it.

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11. Problem solving activities for kids

Below is a bunch of problem solving activities for kids,

1. Puzzle-solving – Solving puzzles is one of the best problem solving activities for kids out there. Essentially, every puzzle is a big collection of muddled-up items to figure out and bring back together again.

Kids must be introduced to puzzles with regularity. These are useful for improving skills in reasoning. The best kinds to choose from are wooden puzzles with a wooden frame. They last long, and the structure serves as the foundation to direct children during construction. 

• Benefits: Reasoning skills
• Time Duration: Varies
• Materials Required: Puzzles according to the age level

Instructions: 

• Show the kids a demo of how a particular puzzle can be solved. 
• Then, let them choose a puzzle of their liking from the available choices. 
• Ask them to solve their chosen puzzles. 

2. Memory Games – Memory games will improve memory and attention to detail for your child. 

• Benefits: Attention to detail
• Materials Required: Matching pairs of images
• Using matching pairs of images and turn them all face down, shuffled, on a table.
• Take turns to pick any two cards, and face them on the table.
• You hold the cards if you turn over a similar pair, and if the pair does not match, turn the cards over before it is your turn to try again. 
• A teacher/parent must encourage the kids to concentrate on where the pictures are, and seek to find a matching pair on each turn.

3. Building games – Construction toys like building blocks, wooden blocks, or legos should be a staple in a kid’s home every day. Playing with them is one of the most fun problem solving activities for kids. Anything that your child builds is a challenge as it involves thinking about what to create and how to put together the parts to get a workable and usable design. 

• Benefits: Decision making
• Materials Required: Construction toys.

1. Let your child build a challenge openly and often, and ask him/her to build a particular structure, with conditions. For instance:

• Create two towers with a bridge that connects them.  
• Create a creature that stands alone and has three arms.

2. Observe how your child uses trial-and-error before finding a way to bring the idea into motion.

4. Tic-Tac-Toe – this is an excellent game for teaching decision-making skills. It encourages kids to think before they act and weigh the potential consequences. 

• Materials Required: Pencil, paper
• Draw a simple tic-tac-toe table on paper or chalkboard.
• Take turns to add a nought or a cross to the table to see who is the first to make a line of three.
• Your kid will likely catch on in no time before placing their symbol and start thinking carefully.
• Coloured counters or different items can be used to play this game as well.

5. Building a Maze – This activity is fun and fits for any age. It will also be a lot more enjoyable than doing a maze in an activity book, particularly for younger kids. 

• Materials Required: Chalk
• Draw a big maze with jumbo chalk on the paving. Make passages, including one or two, which end in an impasse. Teach your kid how to get out of it.  
• Make the maze more complicated and add more dead-end passages as your child gets better at figuring out a path and finding the way out.

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What is a problem solving process?

When a team or person faces an issue or obstacle, it can be tempting to quickly track a potential solution and set up a fast fix. This could happen without understanding the complexity of the problem and pursuing a systematic approach to seeking a solution.

The attempts to address issues or obstacles may become unstructured and frustrating without a consistent method. End-to-end processes for problem solving offer a mechanism for a community to tackle any size or nature, and see results. Problem solving activities for adults, kids, and students can help make the problem solving process very useful.

Army problem solving process

There are 7 steps to problem solving army model,

• Recognize and define the problem – The first step army problem solving process is defining the problem precisely and determining the root cause.
• Gather facts and make assumptions – You need to gather all information you have at your disposal. Common resources for information may be documentation and policies. Assumptions are unsubstantiated facts. Use facts rather than assumptions when you need to analyze the scope of the problem.
• Generate alternatives – One of the key steps in military problem solving is finding ways to solve the problem. Ideally, it best to have multiple approaches to solve the problem. Take input from peers and subordinates if possible.
• Analyze possible solutions – Analyze each possible solution with advantages and disadvantages. You evaluate each solution according to screening and feasibility criteria. Reject the solution when it fails in the screening process.
• Compare Alternatives – Another crucial step in the army problem solving model is to evaluate alternatives for cost and benefits. You need to consider your experience and immediate future. Tabulating each solution with the pros and cons will help clear the picture.
• Make an executive your decision – Make a decision and prepare an action plan, and put it in motion.
• Assess the result – You need to monitor the implementation of the plan and modify it if required. Establishing critical steps and milestones will help to ensure success.

Army problem solving games

• Capture the flag – the game helps in team building and army problem solving. Two teams compete against one another to retrieve a flag or object from the opposing team camp base and get into their camp base. This game is flexible, and ground rules need to be set before the game starts.
• Paintball – Paintball is a fun military problem solving activity. You can have many modifications and variations of the paintball game. The aim is to fire paint pellets at the opposing team. Laser tag is another variation of the game.
• Firing blind – Firing blind is a game where each team has a large number of water balloons. At the other end of the field has to hit the target is protected by a tarp from direct firing. The team has to hit the target that is covered. One team member acts as the observer and directs the team to hit the target with the water balloons.

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Obstacles to problem solving

Problem solving can take time and patience, one of the best ways to solve any problem is pausing and evaluating the problem. Obstacles to problem solving are,

• Misdiagnosis – Misdiagnosis is a common problem can occur due to preconceived idea, biases or judgments. Defining and having a concrete understanding of the problem is the first step in the problem solving activity. This can be difficult. If you are not careful, you may spend your time and resources solving the wrong problem and finding the wrong solution.
• Communication bias – Communication barriers are caused when we are unable to explain the problem to the team, or presuming we know more than everyone else. Everyone on the team must be on the same page. You may need to acknowledge you have a limited understanding of the problem.
• Solution bias – A common obstacle in problem solving is thinking there may be a universal solution or thinking the same solution can solve multiple problems. You need to evaluate a problem independently than try to force-fit a solution that worked previously.
• Cognitive bias – One of the barriers to finding an effective solution is cognitive bias, or the tendency to jump to conclusions. To find solutions fast firms often end up with an irrelevant solution. This may cause more problems down the line.
• Lack of empathy – Every problem is associated with human emotions or abilities. It is important to identify and recognize people affected by the problem or it will be difficult to find a solution that will solve help.

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Famous virtual problem solving software

Traditionally watercoolers chat is a great way to bring people together and help team members interact with one another. A virtual water cooler has a similar concept where people interact in a similar virtual setting or a dedicated virtual room. It allows remote teams to bond. Software that offers virtual water coolers services,

• unremot.com – provides users with a unique water cooler experience. The app provides unique solutions to remote teams.
• Microsoft Teams
• Informal Whatsapp group
• Donut over slack channels

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Article • 16 min read

Virtual Team-Building Exercises

Building connections when you're working remotely.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Remote teams have fewer opportunities to socialize, making it difficult to get to know one another or new members. This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from our colleagues, and it may even lead to team conflict and reduced productivity.

Virtual team-building exercises can help remote teams to overcome these difficulties, and to drive a sense of community and shared understanding.

In this article, we'll explore why virtual team-building exercises matter, and how they can benefit your team. We'll also look at five team-building exercises that you can try with your team.

Virtual Team-Building FAQs

What are virtual activities.

Virtual activities require team members to take part remotely, using technology such as virtual meeting software, online chat, or instant messaging.

What do I need to get started with virtual team-building exercises?

Reliable video conferencing technology, and the skills to use it. Ideas for activities that will help to build teamworking skills. And, most importantly, good facilitation skills. Aim to keep the exercises moving so that people stay engaged.

What are some virtual team-building challenges?

You may sometimes encounter problems with the technology or with your internet connection. Virtual team building can also take longer to produce the desired results.

Why Virtual Team-Building Is Important

Teams can find it difficult to build rapport when they never meet "in real life." But developing and nurturing good working relationships is important for individuals to feel able to communicate openly, solve problems, and collaborate well. Virtual team building can also reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in remote teams.

While some people question the value of team-building exercises, studies have shown that they improve teams' effectiveness and help to build trust. [1] These exercises can be equally effective for virtual teams.

Our article, Working in a Virtual Team , and Skillbook, How to Set Up a Virtual Team , provide advice on using technology to collaborate with people remotely, and on how to build effective virtual teams.

Setting up a Virtual Team-Building Exercise

Start by defining your purpose and objectives. For example, do you want to improve project management or negotiation skills? The outcome of your team-building exercise needs to meet your objective, and promote individual and team growth.

When setting up your exercises, consider how much time you have for each activity. Collaborative problem-solving exercises will take longer than quick "ice breakers."

Think, too, about the participants' cultural expectations and individual personalities. Introverts may find it harder to open up during team discussions. They may also be suffering from overstimulation if they're working from home. On the other hand, extroverts may tend to take over.

Some people on your team may not have met, so allow enough time for introductions. Where people don't know each other, use short, fun Virtual Ice Breakers to get started. And consider different ways people can contribute, so everyone has a voice.

To be truly effective, any team-building exercise must be part of a continual process, embedded into your team and organization's culture. They are not a "quick fix."

Five Virtual Team-Building Exercises

Let's look at some team-building exercises that you can use remotely with your team. They are designed to improve communication, build trust, develop listening skills, and enable your people to understand one another better.

Exercise 1: Four Facts and a Fib

This exercise is ideal for a team whose members don't know one another very well. It provides an informal platform for individuals to share personal information and build trust.

People and Materials

Suitable for groups of any size. Each participant needs a pen and paper.

Allow around 20 minutes for completion, depending on the size of the group.

Instructions

Ask the participants to write down five "facts" about themselves, one of which must be a lie – but a plausible one. For example, "I once swam with dolphins," not "I wrestled a shark!"

Allow participants enough time to write down their facts. Once they are finished, go around the group and ask each participant to read out their five facts.

As a group, guess which facts about each person are true and which is the lie. When each person has revealed their truths and lie, discuss the outcomes. Were any surprising? If so, were the truths more surprising than the lie?

Advice for Facilitator

If the group is not forthcoming at first, ask people directly which of the speaker's facts they think is a fib and why.

Exercise 2: Escape Room

An Escape Room is a themed challenge event where players collaborate to find clues, complete tasks, and solve a variety of puzzles. It can improve communication, collaboration and decision-making skills.

Escape Room games are typically suitable for teams of between three and six players, and require a significant amount of creative setup. In fact, it's often easier to use an external supplier.

Mind Tools Club members and corporate licensees can access our exclusive and original Escape Room game, "The Lost Labyrinth," comprising a downloadable game pack and Game Master Guide. See our Escape Room article for details.

The classic scenario is to escape within a time limit – usually an hour.

These vary from game to game, and can involve codebreaking, word games and math puzzles.

Advice for the Facilitator

Invest the time you need to understand and prepare the game properly. If teams get stuck, have some hints prepared to keep the action moving.

Exercise 3: Blind Origami

The purpose of this activity is to highlight the importance of listening and asking for feedback.

Any number of people, in virtual pairs.

Phone (without video) or messaging app.

A sheet of Letter or A4 size paper for each person.

Around 25 to 30 minutes.

Email one person from each pair a set of origami instructions. You can get these from many hobby websites. Try origame.me , for example.

The person with the instructions should guide their partner (the receiver) through the steps to create an origami structure, via messaging or videoconferencing software (but with the camera turned off).

The receiver can ask questions, request clarification, and offer feedback during the call.

When each group has finished, participants can turn their cameras back on to see whether the receiver got the origami structure right.

Rotate around the groups to see how they're getting on. When each group has finished, ask the partners to switch roles and repeat the exercise with a different design.

Once the second exercise has been done, ask participants how accurate each structure was. How difficult was it to listen and follow verbal instructions? How good was the feedback provided? Use the answers to identify areas where each pair could improve their listening and feedback skills.

Bring everyone back into the meeting to share some thoughts on listening effectively, and get them to think about some takeaways.

Exercise 4: Scrabble Scramble

This fun activity is designed to trigger creative thinking, encourage collaboration, and develop communication. It works best when you use a virtual meeting package like Zoom, which enables teams to split off into virtual breakout rooms.

This exercise is suitable for groups of approximately 12 or more. You'll need a bag of Scrabble tiles, and participants will need pens and paper.

Allow 20 minutes for completion.

Assign two or three letters chosen at random to each person.

Then split the group randomly into teams. The exercise will work best with six to nine people per team.

Ask each group to create as many words as they can in 10 minutes using their letters. Before starting, outline the rules below to the group:

• Each letter tile can be used only once in each word.
• Words must be three or more letters.
• Plurals of an already used word are not allowed. For example, you can have "tree" or "trees" but you can't have both.
• Proper names are not allowed, e.g. place names or forenames.

Each team can swap up to two of their letters before they start if they wish.

Teams get two points for three-letter words, three points for four-letter words, and so on. The longest word earns a bonus of five points.

Make clear whether or not teams are allowed to use a dictionary. If appropriate, offer a prize for the highest team score and longest word. Ask the teams to reflect on what they've learned. How did they work together to build words? Who took the lead? Who had the best ideas, and how did they arrive at them?

Exercise 5: Lost at Sea

This activity emphasizes decision making, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Teams of about five or six people. You can download our worksheet for the exercise here . Each participant needs their own copy.

Flexible, but aim for 25 to 40 minutes.

Give your team members a scenario where they're stranded at sea with just a handful of objects. They have to rank the objects in order of how useful they'd be in helping the group to survive. They should work individually first, and then as a team.

Divide participants into their teams, and provide everyone with a ranking sheet .

Step 1: Ask team members to take 10 minutes on their own to rank the items in order of importance. They should do this in the second column of their sheet.

Step 2: Give the teams a further 10 minutes to confer and decide on their group rankings. Once agreed, they should list them in the third column of their sheets.

Step 3: Ask each group to compare their individual rankings with their collective ones, and consider why any scores differ.

Step 4: Now read out the "correct" order, collated by the experts at the U.S. Coast Guard. You can find that here . Participants should add these to the sheet.

Step 5: Have the teams consider why they made the choices they did, and evaluate their performance against the experts' choices.

Ideally, teams will arrive at a consensus decision where everyone's opinion is heard. If discussions are dominated by a few people, draw the quieter people in so that everyone is involved. But explain why you're doing this, so that people learn from it.

Virtual team-building exercises are a great way to improve communication, build trust, increase creativity, reduce conflict, and help your team members to understand one another better.

They're also a useful way for people to get used to remote meetings and videoconferencing software.

Holding these exercises regularly gives your team members fun ways to interact and get to know one another. It encourages them to connect and to collaborate, and this can benefit your team and the organization as a whole.

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22 Best Virtual Team Building Activities

Are you tired of virtual meetings feeling stale and disconnected? Spice up your team’s interactions with these 22 engaging virtual team-building activities.

In today’s ever-evolving professional world, remote teamwork has become the standard. Hence, building a strong sense of togetherness among virtual colleagues is crucial for unit cohesion.

As more companies embrace remote setups, keeping team morale high has become a challenge , as remote teams lack the spontaneous interactions and connection-forming opportunities of traditional offices.

This lack of interaction poses can make forming bonds quite tricky, but fortunately, not impossible.

We have compiled a complete guide to the best virtual team-building activities you can try with your workmates. These activities aim to unite teams and enhance productivity , regardless of distance or time zone differences.

Whether you face distance barriers or different schedules, this article is packed with fun and effective virtual team-building ideas to help your team shine online.

1. Escape Room Challenge

The escape room challenge is an exciting team activity that boosts problem-solving skills and teamwork in person or online. This challenge became a hit for team-building enthusiasts during the pandemic.

The participants must put their problem-solving skills to the test as they work together to escape from a virtual escape room, solving mysteries and finding clues within a set time limit.

Here is a list showcasing various online escape rooms catering to different interests and preferences.

• Alice Escapes Wonderland : This 90-minute VR adventure re-enacts the classic fairytale, featuring appropriately-themed puzzles and riddles. Players must explore a 3-D landscape, navigate an enchanted forest, and take part in a mad tea party to retrieve Alice’s magical mirror.
• Ghost Hunt in the Haunted Mansion : This 90-minute virtual escape room blends the excitement of escape rooms and haunted house tours. Players act as paranormal investigators and collaborate to solve puzzles while evading ghosts, hoping to trap them inside.
• Puzzle Break’s Grimm Escape : This is a popular virtual escape room for groups, featuring a game master leading players through time-sensitive riddles. Priced at $25 per person, it is a popular choice for remote work adoption.
• Wildly Different Escape Rooms : Wildly Different offers custom-built escape rooms tailored to industry or brand needs. This game provides relevant training, video conference games, and team bonding experiences for those in industries that can benefit from the team-building aspect of escape rooms.
• Mystery Escape Room: The mystery-themed escape rooms offer engaging challenges for groups of four to eight players. Participants collaborate via virtual meeting platforms to solve puzzles and unravel mysteries, with an escape room guide available for help.

Whether physically exploring a virtual escape room or solving virtual puzzles, the escape room challenge creates an environment where teams bond and shine together, even when the pressure is on.

An escape room challenge is not just fun and interactive—they are extra exciting when you emerge victorious!

2. Murder Mystery

Add some thrill and excitement to team bonding with a murder mystery event, which promises intrigue and suspense whether you meet face-to-face or virtually.

The virtual murder mystery game is an engaging and suspenseful activity that can bring a remote team closer together as they work collaboratively to solve an intriguing case.

Here are the listed options available to engage participants and foster teamwork.

• Murder in Ancient Egypt : Murder in Ancient Egypt is a virtual event where attendees become detectives and archaeologists. The attendees unravel clues and solve puzzles to piece together the story of an early Egyptian’s tragic end.
• Murder in the Speakeasy : Murder in the Speakeasy is a game where players travel back to the 1920s. The players uncover a murder at the secret Krazy Kat club, working together to solve puzzles and earn clues.
• Murder Mystery Zoom Parties Hosted by Detective Ness : Murder Mystery Co now offers Zoom events for 8-12 players. This game features eight characters and four audience members. Detective Ness acts as lead investigator and provides clues that players must come together to solve.
• That Show About Love: Ghost Ship Murder Mysteries hosts themed online murder mystery parties featuring in-character representatives. This game parodies reality dating shows, the mafia, presidents, and outer space. It is suitable for women or virtual bachelorette parties.
• Tiny_Theatre Interactive Murder Mystery: Tiny_Theatre hosts interactive Zoom Murder Mysteries featuring “Who Killed Zolan Mize?” This game can accommodate up to ten guests and private bookings for groups of up to 30.

3. Trivia Event

What could be better than challenging your colleagues to a virtual trivia showdown? Get the friendly competition going and encourage knowledge-sharing among your team.

Whether you gather in person or meet virtually, this activity builds camaraderie. It also breaks down barriers and allows colleagues to showcase their diverse knowledge or hidden interests.

Here is a list of the best online trivia games for those seeking guidance for their virtual trivia session.

• Live Virtual Trivia: This virtual trivia game offers teams a 60-minute event with an engaging host. It features themes like Rock & Roll, International, or Holidays.
• TriviaMaker: TriviaMaker is a video conference tool that allows users to create or choose from premade trivia games tailored to their team’s expertise.
• Crowdpurr: Crowdpurr allows users to create personalized virtual trivia games with live ranking. It enhances competition and makes it intuitive for phone-based question answering.
• Sporcle Party: Sporcle Party is a mobile trivia game where one person hosts and players wager points based on their confidence in answering questions from dozens of topics.
• Trivia Crack : Trivia Crack is a mobile game where players spin a wheel with six question categories. The players answer at least one question per category and challenge each other for possession of cute characters.

4. Happy Hour

Gather your team for virtual happy hours , where you can enjoy video meetings filled with fun team games and activities. These sessions can be part of the workday or held at the end of it.

Virtual happy hours are also perfect for wrapping up the week with fun Friday activities. These sessions are about building a supportive, connected work environment where everyone feels appreciated.

Happy Hour offers a range of options with 24 virtual happy hour ideas to strengthen team connections and boost morale in remote work settings.

Here are some enjoyable games to play with coworkers during virtual happy hours!

• MTV Cribs: Fridge Edition: This virtual happy hour activity is where attendees tour a celebrity’s kitchen, revealing their features and collectibles. The participants should be an active audience, cheering and asking questions.
• Something in Common: This is an icebreaker game for virtual happy hours, where participants share three unique things they have in common. This game focuses on uniqueness over commonality.
• “I Will Drink to That.”: This is a drinking game for virtual happy hours, where players choose a common and obscure phrase to trigger a drink. Everyone takes a sip when they hear the phrase, “I will drink to that!”
• The Question Game : The question game is a simple, challenging, and fun game where players ask questions, respond with questions directed at each other, and continue until the questions stop.
• The Statement Game: The statement game is a conversational game where players make statements. The goal is to maintain the chain of logic. The game ends either when someone asks a question or if you do not state something within five seconds.

5. Movie Night

Are there movie or TV aficionados in your team? Get your team together for a movie night, whether you are in the same room or connecting online.

A movie night is not just about enjoying a movie together; it is also a chance to feel more connected and hold conversations beyond work.

Choose a movie or TV series that interests everyone and plan a night when everyone can tune in together. Here are some movie night suggestions to help you choose a film fellow employees will enjoy!

• Action Movies : Indiana Jones series, Jurassic Park series, Pirates of the Caribbean series, Uncharted, Die Hard series, Mad Max series, National Treasure, and The Mummy .
• Superhero Movies: Black Panther series, Iron Man series, The Dark Knight, Man of Steel, Spider-Man series, Thor series, Justice League, The Batman, and Guardians of the Galaxy Avengers series.
• Comedy Movies: 9 to 5, The Internship, Anchorman, Office Space, Working Girl, Up in the Air, Spy, The Devil Wears Prada, Stranger Than Fiction, and When Harry Met Sally.
• ’80s Movies : Sixteen Candles, Terminator series, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Police Academy series, Fatal Attraction, Cocktail, Weird Science, Top Gun, Jagged Edge, and Young Guns.
• Animated Movies: Monsters, Inc., Pets, The Incredibles, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Iron Giant, Robots, Toy Story, Kung Fu Panda, Moana, The Lego Movie, and How to Train Your Dragon.

For an enhanced movie night, sync your viewing with your coworkers using a video communication app like FaceTime, Discord or Houseparty.

You might even think about giving escape room gifts to those who get into the movie night trivia!

6. Karaoke Night

Let us turn team bonding into a musical party with a karaoke night!

Whether it is a birthday celebration or a Friday evening wind-down, karaoke is always a hit.

Karaoke night adds a lively and upbeat atmosphere. This activity encourages teamwork and lifts everyone’s mood as you sing along and jam out to your favorite songs.

Karaoke night sessions are also easy to organize, allowing everyone to let loose and express themselves freely.

First, have participants choose a song and locate its karaoke backing track. Only the singer’s mic is left on during the session while others enjoy the music or join in for a group sing-along.

Get ready to take a shot to warm up those vocal cords! Here are some of the greatest karaoke songs of all time that never fail to have people singing or dancing along.

• “Like a Prayer” by Madonna
• “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
• “Juice” by Lizzo
• “Purple Rain” by Prince
• “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson
• “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
• “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
• “Love Shack” by the B-52s
• “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey

No matter the song, the goal is to add some fun to the work environment and inject a bit of excitement into the usual workday routine.

Image Source : king5.com

7. Pictionary

Get your team’s creative juices flowing and enhance teamwork by incorporating a lively game of Pictionary into your team-building activities.

Whether you are sketching on a classic board or using online platforms, Pictionary encourages effective communication and fosters collaboration through artistic expression.

Read below to discover which online Pictionary game is perfect for your team’s game night!

• Emoji Pictionary: This interactive and educational Pictionary bundle includes four games suitable for various groups. This bundle includes women’s history, music, and movies. This game can be used as a team-building activity, party game, or icebreaker, printed and played online.
• Recreate A Famous Artwork : The Go Game offers a self-hosted version of Pictionary called Recreate a Famous Artwork. In this activity, coworkers sketch a famous artwork while others guess it. This game promotes collaboration, creativity, and communication skills.
• Virtual Paint and Sip : Virtual Paint and Sip is an online game that offers a step-by-step painting tutorial for all levels of artists. This game allows coworkers to relax and enjoy themselves while fostering camaraderie and comedy.
• Picture-Perfect Drawing : This online Pictionary game features energetic hosts for organization and fun. The first correct guesser wins, engaging the entire office. Other unique team-building events can be added for a diverse game night.
• Movie-Themed Pictionary : This movie-centric online game will unite staff by focusing on movies and incorporating trivia. With a professional moderator, the game ensures a focused and enjoyable evening. This game fosters a sense of camaraderie and community among movie buffs.

8. Charades

Let us bring some fun to our team-building with a game of charades, whether we are in the same room or connecting online.

Charades boost non-verbal communication skills , bring plenty of laughter, and help players bond as they work together to guess each other’s actions and phrases.

Here are some ideas for charades during a virtual team-building session.

• Famous movie titles
• Popular TV show characters
• Well-known book titles
• Famous landmarks or monuments
• Historical figures
• Proverbs or idioms
• Sports-related actions or athletes
• Musical instruments
• Emotions or feelings
• Superheroes or villains

Image Source : brightful.me

9. Ultimate Mixtape

Let us all pitch in to create the ultimate mixtape by making a collaborative playlist where each team member adds their favorite songs.

The ultimate mixtape is not just about enjoying music together; it is also a chance to learn more about each other’s unique tastes and preferences.

Here are tips for crafting the ultimate mixtape, ensuring you have a well-rounded selection of songs.

• Choose songs that reflect each team member’s personality or interests.
• Add tracks that bring back fond memories or stir positive emotions.
• Mix in music from various decades or genres to cater to different tastes.
• Add songs that boost motivation and productivity.
• Opt for tracks with uplifting lyrics or messages.
• Consider including favorite songs from beloved movies or TV shows.
• Select music that aligns with the team’s values or goals.
• Include tunes that everyone can sing along to or groove to.
• Incorporate songs that relate to current projects or aspirations.
• Add tracks that evoke a sense of nostalgia or bring back fond memories.

10. Holiday Party

With a virtual holiday party , bring some holiday magic to your team-building efforts! The holidays are a time for everyone to come together and enjoy the festivities, no matter where they are.

A holiday party is a wonderful break from our everyday routines. Here are a few virtual holiday party suggestions to unite team members and spread festive joy.

• Virtual Secret Santa: Incorporate traditional Christmas party games like Secret Santa. Set a gifting budget and assign pairings using DrawNames or Google Sheets . Encourage employees to open gifts and guess their Secret Santa identities.
• Virtual Giving Campaigns : Consider including a virtual giving campaign to boost employee morale. This easy-to-run event supports a charitable organization, encourages donations, and includes fun activities like raffles and trivia challenges.
• Virtual-Themed Ugly Sweater Party: Add some competitive flair to your virtual holiday party with an ugly sweater competition. Invite guests to flaunt their most outrageous sweaters , and let the fun begin with a team vote or prizes for the top contenders.
• Virtual Elf on the Shelf: Each team member gets assigned a day during the holiday season to play the Elf on the Shelf. The team member can post a picture of their Elf or any holiday-themed toy doing something festive.
• Virtual Gratitude Session : Reflecting on gratitude can help prepare for the busy holiday season. Consider a virtual gratitude session with team members. You can include sharing gratitude, creating gratitude boards, and sending holiday cards to seniors or underprivileged children.

11. Virtual Coffee Chats

Are you seeking a laid-back virtual team bonding experience? You can pair up team members with virtual coffee chats. Online coffee chats offer an ideal opportunity to spark conversations among remote teams.

This activity reflects the heart of team building, reminding us of the wisdom in team building quotes like “Together, we achieve more.” It also highlights the importance of relationships for achieving our goals.

You must arrange impromptu 15-minute breaks where team members hop on a video call with no set agenda other than to chat and savor their drink.

If the conversation starts to stall, consider revisiting these prompts as excellent conversation starters!

• What is something you are looking forward to this week?
• What simple fact or thing still amazes you?
• What is the best part about a virtual coffee break?
• What is the best show you have watched during the pandemic?
• Are you more of an early bird or a night owl?
• If you could invite one person, living or dead, to have tea with, who would it be?
• Which emoji do you find yourself using the most with your coworkers?
• If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• What title would your biographer give your biography?
• If you could immediately learn any language, which one would you choose?

12. Virtual Wine Tasting

You can arrange a virtual wine tasting for your team, where everyone gets a variety of wines delivered right to their door.

With an expert guiding you, you will sip, swirl, and learn together about different wines.

Virtual wine tasting is an amusing way to gather, share experiences, and deepen our understanding of the finer things in a relaxed and social atmosphere.

Here are some imaginative tips to get your team laughing and connecting over delightful wine.

• The Blind Tasting Challenge: Blindfold your team and try to guess the type of wine based on taste alone, a classic game that brings laughter.
• Virtual Vineyard Tour: Experience a virtual vineyard tour with your team. Learn all about wine production history, explore flavors, and impress colleagues with your newfound knowledge.
• Wine & Cheese Pairing Experience: The wine & cheese pairing experience offers a virtual group wine and cheese pairing event. This experience allows participants to learn the art of pairing wine varieties with gourmet cheeses.
• The Sommelier Showdown: Experience a blind tasting showdown with colleagues, aiming to guess wine types, showcasing your tasting skills, and creating hilarious memories.
• Wine Cocktail Making: Create wine cocktails with your team to discover new delicious combinations and impress colleagues with your mixology skills.

How about trying out virtual bingo during your conference calls? Bingo is a delightful activity that brings a touch of nostalgia and fun for both kids and adults alike.

Here is how to play virtual bingo for a simple, free, and enjoyable way to kick off virtual team building.

• Step 1 . Share the online team-building bingo board with your remote team members.
• Step 2 . Choose a timeframe that suits your team, whether during a single video call or over several weeks.
• Step 3 . Earn points by discovering new information from your colleagues that matches your Bingo board’s prompts.
• Step 4. Keep track of your progress by marking each completed square with an “x” or a similar marker.
• Step 5 . Remember, the center square is a free point for everyone.
• Step 6 . Offer prizes to the first player who completes challenges like filling a row or board.

If you are up for it, take traditional virtual team-building bingo to the next level. With Virtual Team Building Bingo 2.0 , you will discover a variety of fun challenges that encourage team interaction.

14. Fitness Classes

Even if hitting the trails or gym together is impossible, you can still encourage each other’s fitness goals.

Embrace group activities like yoga, cardio sessions, or other workouts. These activities foster a healthy lifestyle and enable connections beyond work.

Integrating challenges into your routine promotes physical fitness and mental well-being, even when working from home. Here is a list of fitness ideas that can strengthen team bonds.

• Walking Challenge: The walking challenge is a simple yet effective virtual team-building activity. It requires participants to record 10,000 daily steps using fitness tracking apps. Employees take pictures and share them with the team, with incentives for the most steps.
• Stretch Challenge: The virtual team can enjoy a stretch challenge to loosen up their limbs. The challenge requires participants to complete stretch exercises with a rotational schedule for added interest. This short virtual workout is ideal before or after work sessions.
• Plank It Challenge: Planks are an engaging online team fitness idea that improves endurance and strength. They require minimal equipment and can range from a few seconds to minutes. Start with a 30-second challenge and gradually increase the time based on endurance.
• Deep Breathing Challenge: Participants will engage in a three-minute deep breathing exercise on a platform like Zoom to reduce stress and calm the brain. The exercise can be done before or after a workout, starting with a count of two and progressing to five.
• Shadowboxing Challenge: Shadowboxing is an excellent upper body workout without complex equipment. Participants can wear comfortable clothes and gloves and record a five to ten-minute session.

15. Team Building Cookbook

Crafting a team cookbook together sounds like a blast! Team building a cookbook is a fun and collaborative way for all your colleagues to swap your go-to recipes and cherished culinary secrets.

Besides, what better way to connect than over delicious food and the stories behind it?

Each team member can share a favorite recipe, and then they will gather the recipes into a digital or physical cookbook.

Here are some ideas and activities you can incorporate into your team-building cookbook.

• Recipe Sharing Sessions : Organize virtual meetings where team members can share their favorite recipes. Each member can take turns presenting their recipe. The team member explains its significance and demonstrates how to prepare it.
• Theme Days : Assign different themes for recipe contributions, such as “Comfort Foods,” “International Cuisine,” or “Healthy Eating.” Theme days encourage diversity in recipe selections and add an element of excitement to the cookbook.
• Cooking Challenges : Host cooking challenges where team members try out recipes from the cookbook and share their experiences. The challenge can be done asynchronously, with participants posting photos or videos of their culinary creations.
• Cookbook Design : Collaborate on designing the layout and format of the cookbook. Team members with graphic design or publishing experience can contribute their expertise to create an attractive and professional-looking cookbook.
• Celebratory Cookbook Launch : Host a virtual launch party to celebrate the completion of the cookbook. During the party, team members can share stories behind their recipes, toast to their collective achievements, and even enjoy some dishes from the cookbook together.

16. The Great Virtual Bake-Off

A virtual bake-off is fun for connecting with colleagues and uncovering the next employee of the month!

Prepare your mixing bowls and spoons because it is time to vie for your virtual bake-off team-building event’s “Star Baker” title!

Teams will enjoy this engaging and lively bonding experience. This activity features a bake-along session guided by a professional baker and a friendly competition to spice things up!

Here are some ideas and things to do to make your bake-off a memorable experience.

• Select a Theme: Choose a theme for the bake-off, such as “Holiday Treats,” “International Desserts,” or “Healthy Bakes.” The themes add an element of creativity and fun to the event.
• Send Ingredient Lists: Provide participants with ingredient lists and recipes in advance. This ensures that everyone has what they need to participate. Consider dietary constraints and preferences when selecting recipes.
• Schedule a Virtual Bake-Along: Host a virtual baking session where team members can bake together in real-time. An expert baker or team member with baking expertise can lead the session, offering tips and guidance along the way.
• Encourage Creativity: Encourage participants to put their twist on the recipes and get creative with decorations and presentations. This activity fosters teamwork and allows individuals to showcase their unique talents.
• Set Up Judging Criteria: Determine judging criteria based on taste, presentation, creativeness, and adherence to the theme. You can have a panel of judges or let all team members vote for their favorite bakes.

17. Typing Speed Race

Get ready for some fun with the typing speed race! This challenge is not just about showcasing your lightning-fast fingers but also a fantastic way to enhance a crucial remote work skill: typing speed and accuracy .

Team members can join the typing test and share their scores on Slack, email, or any other communication platform.

You can spice things up with a Typing Speed Relay , where you tally up team totals. Form teams and tally up the total scores to determine the winners.

Ready for the challenge? Start by taking a typing test on typingtest.com or a similar platform. Then, share your results on your company’s message board or via email.

18. Can You Hear Me Now?

“Can You Hear Me Now?” is a dynamic virtual team-building game focusing on communication and creativity.

First, you must introduce the game rules. You need to assign a describer to use geometric shapes to depict an image and the team as listeners to guess the image.

The game master rotates the describer role among team members for each round. This ensures active engagement and equal contribution opportunities.

The game master creates geometric shapes-based images, ranging from everyday objects to abstract concepts. This allows for creativity and diverse interpretations.

The members observe the describer’s shapes and attempt to guess the image, discussing their interpretations and working together to identify the image.

19. Baby Photos

“Baby Photos” is a fun icebreaker where members share their childhood pictures, and everyone tries to guess who is who. This activity is a great way to kick things off and learn more about each other.

Here are the steps for a delightful and nostalgic “Baby Photos” experience.

• Step 1. Request team members to submit baby photos, ideally from 2-3 years old, electronically to a designated organizer or shared folder.
• Step 2. Collect baby photos and compile them into a shared platform for easy viewing. Label each photo with a number or code to maintain anonymity.
• Step 3. Create a guessing game during virtual meetings by sharing baby photos. This promotes creativity and humor independently.
• Step 4: After a set period, gather all participant guesses through a designated form or private messaging to the organizer.
• Step 5: Scoring: Compare each player’s guesses with the actual identities of the babies in the photos. Award points for correct guesses and tally up the scores accordingly.
• Step 6. The winner of the game can be announced through a virtual meeting or group message and recognized for their achievements.
• Step 7. The activity concludes with a discussion where people share their thoughts, memories, or funny stories about baby photos. It fosters bonding and conversation among team members.

20. Dance Party

Want to lift team spirits in a flash? Try throwing spontaneous dance parties during video calls! Here are some helpful tips for making virtual dance sessions a hit with your team.

• Kick off your call with a dance, allowing everyone to join in as they log on.
• Use dance breaks to inject energy into your meeting whenever needed.
• Wrap up your virtual meetings with a dance break for a fun closing.

Here are some upbeat songs to keep the energy high during your virtual dance party!

• “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
• “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
• “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
• “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
• “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
• “Dynamite” by BTS
• “Hey Ya!” by OutKast
• “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees

Remember, you do not need fancy moves—just turn on a song and groove to the beat!

Dancing helps break awkward silences , keeps energy levels up, and adds fun and camaraderie to your team calls.

21. Guess That Song

Add excitement to your team-building activities with a lively “Guess That Song” challenge! Test your musical proficiency and see if you can identify tunes in the blink of an eye.

“Guess That Song” is a fantastic chance to improve communication skills and bond over our shared passion for music . Here are some ideas to make the most of this activity.

• Start by organizing game logistics and deciding on a platform for playing songs.
• Create a diverse music playlist from various genres, decades, and styles.
• Choose a game format, including song audio clips, lyric snippets, or music videos.
• Encourage collaboration and teamwork by dividing participants into teams or playing individually.
• Create a scoring system to track points based on response speed and difficulty level.

22. Field Trip

Explore the world from the comfort of your screen with virtual field trips! These online adventures are conducted through platforms like Zoom or Google Street View.

Field trips offer interactive experiences ranging from live tours to deep-sea dives. Here are some options that engage and educate participants of all ages.

• Virtual Safari: Wild Earth offers daily live safaris, including a sunset safari. It allows participants to observe animals like lions and elephants in their natural habitat.
• Virtual Excursion of the Great Wall of China: Experience a guided tour of the Great Wall of China through high-resolution images on Zoom for just $15 with The China Guide.
• NASA Commercial Crew Program: The tour guide takes virtual visitors through spaceship crew pits and launching pads. The guide explains what it takes to become an astronaut.
• Streaming Broadway Shows: Broadway HD offers a vast collection of productions. Although not live, most of the filmed productions on the site capture the essence of live performances.
• Virtual Tour of the Louvre: Explore the renowned Louvre Museum , saving you the hassle of airfare and long queues.

Image Source : bus.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let us address the common questions to make your virtual team-building experience successful.

What are the 4 Main Types of Team Building Activities?

These four pillars— communication, problem-solving, trust-building, and decision-making —form the foundation of effective team-building. The activities in these areas boost teamwork, productivity, and morale.

What are the 5 C’s of Team Building?

The 5 Cs of team building, including communication, collaboration, cooperation, cohesion, and camaraderie , are essential for fostering effective teamwork and a positive work culture.

What are Fun Team Building Activities for Virtual Work?

Fun team-building activities for virtual work include virtual escape rooms, online trivia games, virtual cooking or baking challenges, and virtual talent shows . These activities enhance remote team camaraderie.

Key Takeaways on Virtual Team Building Activities

The “22 Best Virtual Team Building Activities” guide presents engaging exercises designed to strengthen team dynamics regardless of physical or virtual settings.

From virtual escape rooms to online trivia games and beyond, these activities cater to diverse team preferences while fostering collaboration, communication, and camaraderie.

We encourage readers to explore and integrate these virtual team-building activities for large groups .

For those seeking tailored virtual experiences, Escapely offers innovative solutions in virtual team building.

Contact us at [email protected] or 702-747-3009 to discover how our virtual team-building activities can elevate your team’s engagement and cohesion.

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12 Tips on How to Build Virtual Teams Effectively

40 Fun Ice Breakers for Virtual Meetings

20 Best Virtual Team Building Activities for Large Groups

8 Reasons Why Escape Rooms are Fun

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Best Escape Room Gifts: Buying Guide

How to Plan an Escape Room Birthday Party

14 Best Escape Room Alternatives to Try

How to Make an Escape Room at Home: DIY Guide

Can You Do an Escape Room with 2 People Only?

How to Create a Virtual Escape Room

42 Escape Room Tips & Tricks to Win (Virtual and Physical)

What is an Escape Room? How Does it Work?

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How Many People Do You Need for an Escape Room?

How Long Does An Escape Room Take?

History of Escape Rooms: When Did They Start?

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61 Fun Virtual Team Building Activities & Games To Boost Remote Employee Morale

Virtual team building has the power to make remote teams feel as tight-knit as on-site teams. This is especially true if you leverage purpose, vision, and enthusiasm to plan crowd-pleasing virtual team building activities.

Expert evaluations of remote work suggest that…

“ . . . communication and shared identity within a team can mediate the effects of physical separation.”

Strategically designed virtual team building activities provide communication while reinforcing a shared team identity. These online team games & activities can also mitigate the engagement-draining challenges of a remote or distributed workforce.

Experts who’ve studied companies found that “transformational and visionary leadership” can get remote engagement levels up to on-site engagement levels.

Are you ready to commit ?

This post features icebreakers , tools, curated WFH employee care packages , and virtual team building activities you can implement or share with leadership to build strong remote teams.

Pro-Tip: Use “Command + D” to bookmark this list – we update it often with new content.  *Jump straight to our favorite fun virtual team building activities & games for remote teams

Page Contents (Click To Jump)

Popular Activities For Team Building Online In 2024

Online team building in 2024 can mean a variety of things. In the last few years, teams across the globe have learned about the different ways you can engage with your coworkers virtually.

Consistent collaboration between colleagues can help foster a stronger community while improving overall team performance and productivity. Consider creating a questionnaire on team building to gauge the interests of your team. This section is here to provide a quick guide to some of the most popular online team building ideas that SnackNation has come across.

If we missed any favorites that you and your coworkers enjoy, please let us know in the comments below!

Virtual Team Challenges

A virtual team challenge is designed to test each member of your team in fun and unique ways. These challenges may include puzzles, physical activities, riddle-solving, trivia knowledge, and a host of other skills that will push your employees to think critically and work together as a team.

Why this is a fun activity for team building online: The “virtual team challenge” will play on both the strengths and weaknesses of your staff, so there is not only an opportunity for your colleagues to enjoy some time together not discussing spreadsheets, but they can learn a bit about problem-solving and team collaboration in the process.

Sign up to customize your virtual event and try out a few challenge-based activities to see which one fits your group dynamic:

Get your thinking cap on, your Zoom lobby link ready, and bring your A-game. It’s challenge time!

Quick Virtual Team Building Activities

Quick virtual team building activities offer a refreshing break from work to learn more about each other in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. These activities are perfect for warming up meetings, breaking the ice, or injecting a bit of fun into a virtual event. They require minimal setup and can often be done spontaneously, making them ideal for distributed teams.

Why this is a fun activity for team building online: These virtual fun activities for employees can significantly enhance team cohesion and communication without taking up too much time. They offer a refreshing break from work, allowing team members to learn more about each other in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. These activities also encourage creativity and can lead to improved problem-solving skills within the team.

SnackNation spoke with team leaders to learn more about the ways they incorporate remote team building activities. We compiled our favorites to maximize camaraderie online:

Rose/Thorn Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: About 1 minute per person
• Start your virtual huddle by having everyone share their rose (any positive that makes them feel grateful, happy, etc.) and also their thorn (a challenge). A rose can be work or non-work related along with its thorn.
• Rose: I got an event partner to give me a refund today!
• Thorn: A different event partner won’t give me a refund.
• Rose: I found time to go for a walk today today.
• Thorn: There was no time to go for a walk today.

“I work in Enterprise Marketing at ZipRecruiter and our entire team is now remote. We do a daily standup call with my manager and Rose/Thorn is how we start every virtual meeting. It is a quick way to start off a team huddle and get everyone on the same wavelength.” -Joanna Ericta, Senior Marketing Associate at ZipRecruiter

Crime Junkie Virtual Icebreaker

• Adapted for: Clue Virtual Murder Mystery
• Time: About 60 minutes
• Send out the Clue Virtual Murder Mystery link to everyone who plans on playing.
• Using the app, your group will split into teams, examine clues, review case files, and channel their inner detectives.
• Race against the clock to solve the mystery of who had the means, motive, and opportunity to murder Neil Davidson.
• If you DO solve the case in time: Celebrate the virtual team building victory and discuss what led to the “aha” moment when everything clicked.
• If you DON’T solve the case in time: That’s okay! Take this moment to do a group reflection on which challenges your team overcame and which ones stumped you.

Giving Points to Your Team

Bonusly is a software platform that employees use to send small bonuses to each other to recognize their everyday wins and successes. We use Bonusly internally at SnackNation, and one of our favorite parts of the software is that you can redeem your bonus points for a wide variety of gift cards, prizes, and awesome gadgets!

Here’s how Ben Kuehnle, our Sales Development Manager, has introduced Bonusly to his department with positive results:

“ Bonusly’s reward catalog includes notable brands like Uber, Nike, Starbucks, Steam and many more. As awesome as the rewards might be, the real benefit of Bonusly comes from your team feeling appreciated and recognized for their hard work no matter they might be in the world.” -Ben Kuehnle, Sales Development Manager at SnackNation

Plus, they get to choose their own rewards, so you know they’re getting something they’ll appreciate.

Virtual Team Building Activity Templates

Virtual team building activity templates can be used to engage remote teams and boost morale. Short, sweet, and easy to use, these templates are a great place to get things started before a conference call or Zoom meeting. Each template offers a unique way to build camaraderie and increase collaboration.

Why this is a fun activity for team building online: With endless possibilities, you can use a pre-made template or customize your own to build out an icebreaker or online team activity that best suits your group’s interests.

Get started with any of these pre-made templates:

Grab a template, send it out to your team, and watch the results roll in!

Holiday Themed Virtual Team Building Activities

This virtual team building event schedules a monthly team update where everyone can get together on a Zoom call and bond together over a holiday-themed game or experience. From a St. Patrick’s Day virtual pub in March to a Halloween-themed game show — the activities (and fun) are endless.

Why this is a fun activity for team building online: It is constantly changing! While one month you may be celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with a workshop, the next month you might be kicking off Pride with LGTBQIA-themed trivia!

Looking for ideas coming up? Try out a few crowd-favorites:

Each month gives you and your team members a chance to take an hour off and let loose!

Virtual Recognition Wall

An easy way for distributed teams to bond is to encourage some good ol’ fashioned peer-to-peer recognition using a “virtual wall” to showcase the amazing things your colleagues are doing. Based on the classic Wall of Fame, this idea utilizes your companies’ employee recognition tool to great effect. Simply create the wall, send out a message to your team, and schedule some time at your next meeting to quickly review the shout outs!

Why this is a fun activity for team building online: Employees can post messages, photos, videos, GIFs, memes, and all sorts of fun ways to recognize their peers virtually. It can be scheduled during a meeting or asynchronously so that everyone has a chance to participate.

Check out a few of these top-rated tools for building your next virtual recognition wall:

Start recognizing and watch your team light up!

Shippable Experiences

Get your entire team together to participate in a new experience! Choose from a huge catalog of interactive activities that range from cooking classes, art nights, happy hours, baking parties, and so much more. The idea behind a shippable experience is that each employee receives a team building kit sent directly to their doorstep.

All they have to do is bring the box and show up to a virtual party where they will be led through a series of activities.

Why this is a fun activity for team building online: These shippable experiences can give your team members a chance to try something new. Learn how to make dim sum, try your hand at dream catcher making, whip up a cocktail with a master mixologist, or take an hour off and enjoy a relaxing virtual happy hour together.

There are 100’s of options to choose from, explore these kit-based classes by signing up for Confetti :

Get started unboxing some fun with a truly memorable experience.

Virtual Team Building Activities & Games

Virtual team building activities can be online games that you play on a shared screen or unique, shared offline experiences you can use to build common ground for future conversations.

Online Team Games & Activities For Virtual Team Building

Whether you choose an online team game or an offline activity, you can rest assured that it will serve the goal of giving your team memory-making experiences they can share no matter how far apart they are.

Outback Virtual Team Building

• Paid activity: $8 – $49 per person
• Time: 1 – 3 hours (Various Options)
• Best for: Teams of 3 – 1,000+
• Self-Hosted: Their team will provide you with everything you need to effortlessly and successfully plan your virtual activity, plus dedicated support.
• Virtually-Hosted: Their professional event hosts will take care of everything for you – kick back, relax, and join in on the fun.

Are you looking for unique and fun ways to keep your remote team engaged?

Outback Team Building & Training is currently offering 14 of their most popular remote team building activities in a virtual format specifically designed for remote corporate groups, some of our favorites are: 

💎 Virtual Escape Room (Jewel Heist) : Solve a “virtual” heist with your team of quick-witted detectives as you complete online puzzles, riddles, and virtual trivia. This virtually hosted team activity is ideal for groups that love solving complex problems and aren’t afraid of a little friendly competition.

🔎 Virtual Clue Murder Mystery : Gather your remote team online and collaborate virtually to crack the case of a deadly crime in this virtual murder mystery online team building activity . Which team will be the first to solve the murder of millionaire, Neil Davidson?

🧠 Virtual Jeoparty Social : Work collaboratively with your teammates as you put your collective trivia knowledge to the test in this high-energy, and immersive virtual Jeopardy-style competition infused with a fun social twist.

🤔 Virtual Team Pursuit : Get your remote team together to compete in a series of online mental, physical, skill, and mystery challenges. The virtually-hosted team pursuit activity will allow you to get to know your colleagues better, and enhance communication skills while showcasing each individual’s hidden talents.

🍻 Virtual Happy Hour Trivia : Sit down, grab a beverage, and partake in a challenging and fun online trivia competition at your favorite virtual pub, “Hamish McDuff’s”. Complete with a wacky and hilarious Scottish pub owner as your host, they’ll lead you through an unforgettable happy hour.

“The Virtual Clue Murder Mystery event was so much fun – it was for a fundraising event and everyone thought that it was very well-done. Brynne did an amazing job of leading our team, making it a super easy set up, and being a resource. THANK YOU!” – Microsoft ( Virtual Clue Murder Mystery )

“The event was turn key and easy to follow. I liked that it wasn’t overly complicated, but challenging enough to keep the team engaged. Having an event coordinator run the event made everything easy to deal with.” – General Mills ( Team Pursuit )

Here’s a quick 1-minute overview to show you how this virtual team building activity works:

• Paid activity: From $10 a person+
• Time: About 30 – 90 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 5 – 500 (varies with activity)

Confetti is the only platform that gives you everything you need to plan memorable virtual team activities & events in just a few clicks.

It’s free to sign up and only takes ~20 seconds. Once inside, it gives you a playground of dozens of ideas that you can click and customize in a matter of minutes – with instant quotes directly available on the platform! For every event, they provide a briefing that includes all the details organized such as a designed invitation, host information, and a place to insert your points of contact.

Confetti cherry picks and curates vendors, ready to deliver the best experience possible within the date and times you need.

Hundreds of companies trust Confetti with all their virtual team building needs, including: Facebook, Google, Amazon, Uber, and Adobe.

“ Confetti has taken a huge workload off my plate in planning engaging employee experiences… True lifesaver!” – Room

Virtual Happy Hour

• Free activity
• Time: About 30 – 45 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 2 – 10

A big thanks to The Assist for sharing this idea! Here are some virtual happy hour tips:

• Send all of your participants a Happy Hour box packed with goodies they’ll enjoy during the virtual get together [ cocktail kit provided].
• Use a reliable video conference call service .
• Get together with your team and take a trip to “Hamish McDuff’s” virtual pub for some happy hour trivia.
• Limit guests to 10 – 20 to boost engagement.
• Have a variety of icebreakers prepared in case things get awkward. (Kisha found that doing a pet show-and-tell helped boost everyone’s engagement.)

Pro-Tip: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all spring with the Spring Fling Beer & Cheese Pairing Experience ! The folks at Unboxed Experiences have crafted up an unforgettable team building event with special Irish beers, gourmet cheeses and engaging virtual entertainment so you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your whole team, no matter where you are. Unboxed Experiences will work with you to deliver this 🍻 St. Paddy’s beer kit 🍻 right to your employees’ doorsteps prior to your virtual event. You can even customize your boxes with branded swag like pint glasses and koozies!

Let’s Roam Virtual Team Builders

• Paid activity
• Best for: Teams of 5 – 500

Let’s Roam Virtual Team Builders are the hottest new thing in the online team building game right now. These interactive challenges are comprised of 5 rounds that include: Trivia , Fact or Fib, Costume Party, Impersonations, Riddle Me This, and many more game types designed to get your virtual team building memorable moments!

What makes Let’s Roam Virtual Team Builders so unique is that you can play all of these online games through their innovative video conferencing platform that will have you bonding and laughing with your co-workers from anywhere in the world – pretty cool huh.

Here’s a quick 1-minute overview of how it works:

The Go Game

• Time: About 45 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 10 – 200

The Go Game offers something we haven’t seen anywhere else: a dedicated event host (MC and DJ!) that makes sure your event’s energy and engagement stays sky high. Whether onboarding newly remote employees or cultivating culture across distributed teams, The Go Game is engaging teams from companies like Spotify, Google, LinkedIn, GoFundMe, YouTube, Amazon, Uber, Ernst & Young, Salesforce, Dell, and more.

You won’t find your usual online team games here. Learn more at The Go Game!

Think more like:

• Buzz-In Pub Trivia
• The Giphy Challenge
• Pictionary Drawing Contest
• Live Polling and Voting
• Karoke Battles

They’ve combined their unique brand of fun within a slick video conferencing interface and a hilarious host to bring remote teammates into the fold.

QuizBreaker

• Paid activity: Free Trial
• Time: 5 minute setup and 3 minutes per round
• Best for: Teams of 7 to 100 (you can create multiple teams)

QuizBreaker is a virtual icebreaker game that helps remote teams connect & engage in a fun way. In each round, players have to guess ‘Who Said What’ – a simple way for your online team to bond over things they have in common. You can schedule virtual icebreaker quizzes to go out via email multiple times per week and track winners via a gamified leaderboard. It’s used by hundreds of remote teams including at companies such as Google, New York Times & Microsoft to help build a positive company culture .

Water Cooler Trivia

• Paid activity: Free 4-week trial , then about $1 per participant per month
• Time: About 5-10 minutes per week
• Best for: Teams of any size (from 2 people to 2,000)

There’s a reason Jeopardy’s been on the air for 50 years: people LOVE trivia. That’s the same reason why teams flock to Water Cooler Trivia , a platform for automated weekly trivia quizzes. It’s a virtual team activity employees eagerly anticipate each week. Offices are emailed a Monday morning trivia quiz with responses due that night and results sent the next morning. That schedule is totally customizable. Importantly, it’s not a one-off event but a source of weekly fun and conversation for the team without any ongoing setup or maintenance tasks.

Water Cooler Trivia sparks conversation and competition between colleagues asking HOW Alyssa knew THAT. The thrill of pub trivia without the two-hour time commitment and logistics.

The contests are super customizable, meaning you can decide the

• Categories (Pop Culture, Current Events, Science & Tech, etc)
• Difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard)
• Timing (day of the week and the time for the quiz and results)
• Region (if you have global teammates and want to exclude US-centric questions)

WCT has thousands of trivia questions along with features like an office leaderboard, the “funniest wrong answer” each week, the option for departments to compete against each other, and even a bobblehead trophy for your team to move to the winner’s desk each week (when back in the office).

“Every time I see Water Cooler Trivia in my inbox I yell “YES!” My coworkers and I love it, and have discussions when the questions and responses come out. We have an entire Slack channel dedicated to Water Cooler Trivia.” -Content Writer at G2

Virtual Team Building Party In Paris

• Paid activity: Starts at 19 USD per person; flat rates and nonprofit discounts available
• Time: About 60 – 90 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 5 – 200 (the guides adapt for large group sizes )

Bienvenue à Paris!

Woyago has created virtual tours that will allow you to travel to Paris for an hour or two! By combining storytelling and cheeky virtual activities, your team will learn hilarious French vocabulary, compete in ridiculous Parisian trivia, find their Parisian soul with absurd icebreaker questions, and learn quirky, insightful stories about Paris while connecting, interacting, and engaging with each other.

Between virtual wine and cheese tastings , live bike rides from the streets of Paris, French stereotype trivia, virtual team games, and French vocabulary that will make you laugh out loud, we promise that you’ll end up obsessing over Paris…just like them!

Whether your team is familiar with Paris or not, they will connect, interact, and engage with each other for the duration of the tour. Woyago’s lighthearted and comedic tone of the tours make this a very effective morale boost for virtual or hybrid teams of any size:

Virtual Charcuterie Board Event

• Time: One hour
• Best for: Teams of 5 or more

Take your team on an indulgent culinary journey that will satisfy their hearts and taste buds with the Charcuterie Board Experience . During this fun and enriching virtual team building event, you and your guests learn to build a show-stopping charcuterie centerpiece with a huge selection of provided smoked meats, artisan-made cheeses, finger fare and delectable spreads.

Making charcuterie boards as a team has never been easier!

The expert hosts over at Unboxed Experiences will easily show your group how to design your board with stunning charcuterie elements like meat rivers and a hand-made salami rose.

Like their other events, the Charcuterie Board Experience is fully customizable, so you can load this event up with company swag to blow your team away.

The Escape Game Remote Adventures

• Time: 60 Minutes
• Best for: Teams of 4+

Are you ready for a team game online that is fun, challenging, and always gives you a few “WOW!” moments? Then you’re ready for The Escape Game. Their virtual escape room will absolutely change your team’s communication and bring them closer together! Since it’s all done virtually, it works for any team big or small, and teams that may be spread across the country or the globe!

The Escape Game Remote Adventures are one of the most unique and fun virtual team building experiences out there. Not only is it the perfect analog for the workplace but your team will have so much fun making lasting memories together through this awesome, one-of-a-kind experience. It’s as simple as getting on a video call where your team will communicate with a host and direct a game guide with a live camera feed of the room. Find clues, solve puzzles, and (hopefully) escape!

• Time: About 45 – 60 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 20+

Nothing brings a team together like a scavenger hunt: the fun, the interaction, the problem solving , the friendly competition – it’s the perfect team builder. With Scavify , you no longer need to physically be together to bring all the elements of that perfect team builder together.

“My objectives were to engage my Leadership remotely without having to be on another Zoom/Teams/Skype call. Even though our meetings remotely have been productive, we have missed the opportunity to show our personalities. It has been a very stressful time and using Scavify was a great way to have fun and be a little silly. At the same time I was able to add some tasks related to business plans and concerns. A really great exercise!”

Through a mobile app and/or browser, individuals and teams can participate in a virtual scavenger hunt app that has them snapping photos, taking videos, answering questions, scanning QR codes, providing feedback and more from the luxury of their own home. Better yet, the Scavify app provides real-time interaction features like a leaderboard and photostream to keep remote teams connected during this time. The ability to leave the hunt open for a week (or longer) allows colleagues to compete on their own time when it works best for them.

Ice Cream Float Experience

• Paid activity: Varies depending on customizations
• Time: About 30 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 5+

If you have an energetic team that enjoys shaking things up, they’ll love the novelty of the Ice Cream Float Experience offered by Unboxed Experiences . During this fun (and often funny) virtual teambuilder, guests will mix together ice cream ingredients in a zip bag (everyone will receive an all-inclusive Ice Cream Float kit beforehand), then shake everything up over some ice and rock salt until…voila, homemade ice cream!

A guide leads the virtual team building event, sharing fun trivia about the history of the ice cream float and keeping everyone hyped up with a playlist of popular music to shake along to. Once the ice cream is done, and everyone has danced around a bit, guests will cool down with an ice cream float. Each Unboxed Experiences kit is customizable, so you can include swag and other gifts to put a smile on your guests’ faces.

Learning Circles from Atlassian

• Best for: Teams of 2+

Atlassian’s learning circle templates make it easy to plan a virtual educational activity about a topic relevant to your team’s work.

Pro-Tip: Don’t let the logistics of throwing a virtual team building activity slow you down. Have monday.com track budgets, store receipts, and document participants while you focus on what actually matters: having fun .

Selfie Games

• Time: Up to 60 minutes, depending on how many rounds you play
• Best for: Teams of 5 – 15

Players upload selfies and then add sketches and captions. The goal is to guess which captions and sketches were made up and which ones the person pictured actually added themselves.

Priority Experiences

• Time: Up to 60 minutes
• Best for: Teams of 10+

Priority Experiences offers a comprehensive and unique set of online team building activities built around their collection of shippable experiences.

• Choose your experience – they’ll match you with the right experience based on budget, goals, and interests.
• Logistics – They’ll take care of all the details so all you and your team have to do is grab your kit from your doorsteps and show up!
• Build virtual team camaraderie! – Their shippable experiences can be structured to your liking whether you want a host to lead you through a guided tasting or you simply want to relax with your colleagues with a glass of wine or a new beer!

Playingcards.io

• Best for: Teams of 2 – 6

Hop on this platform and play a variety of card games synchronously with your team during game night . Doing something as commonplace as playing cards with your remote team helps cultivate the sense of normalcy that makes distance disappear.

Team Building Hub

• Paid activity: From $28 per person
• Best for: Teams of 5 – 1,000+

Team Building Hub is the corporate events arm of The Escape Game and is a one-stop-shop for fun remote team building activities. Team Building Hub offers team building events online, at 24 retail locations across the US, and they can also come to you. The games are engaging, the hosts are enthusiastic, and booking is surprisingly simple.

If past virtual team building games have left your group unenthused, book a Team Building Hub event – your team will love it!

Pro-Tip:   Team Building Hub works with thought leaders like Lee Cockerell, Donald Miller, and the John Maxwell Team. Ask about pairing your experience with one of their mini-courses on communication or problem-solving.

Jackbox Games

As soon as one person purchases a game pack, your team can choose any screen-sharing platform and start playing games that test your wits ( Quiplash ), let you ask crazy hypothetical questions ( Split the Room ), create wacky word clouds ( Word Spud ) and so much more.

Tip: Pick a list of games and rounds you’re going to play before the meeting, or you might end up playing for two hours!

Team Bonding

Team Bonding is a trusted leader in the team building category with over twenty years of experience bringing fun and excitement to teams with a growing catalog of team building activities, games, and experiences.

• Paid activity — Talk to the team to receive a custom quote 
• Time: Activities range from 1 hour to 6 hours
• Best for: Teams of 10 – 100

They work with you to plan the perfect day, from one-hour team lunches to full-day team building extravaganzas. With virtual and in-person options, any organization can utilize Team Bonding to engage with their peers and encourage team members to bond over a new experience.

“Thank you for facilitating the Jeopardy show yesterday for our group. We received very positive feedback both from our external client and internal participants. Four of them took the time to write us thank-you notes for organizing the event.” — Ernst & Young

It’s Game Night

• Paid Activity
• Best for: Teams of 10-200

They say “No More Boring Game Nights” They have a library of games packed with everything from social deduction mystery games, brain-busting trivia, buzzer-beating game shows, to the “Are we really this clueless?” escape rooms, and more. Their games are built for the super competitive and the laid back, so no one is left out.

One of their most talked about features is the vibing music that sets the tone for the whole session.

The Drone Racing League Simulator

Get competitive with your teammates as you race each other in this sophisticated simulator. Just purchase the game and use Steam’s Remote Play function to start playing with your team over the internet.

The Deserted Island Scenario

• Time: 30 – 45 minutes
• Best for:  Teams of 2 – 10

Join your virtual meeting and give everyone the bad news: They’ve been stranded on a deserted island .

Counter with the good news: They get to choose three items from a handy list of survival tools .

Provide a list of tools for everyone to choose from. The longer the list, the more interesting the online team game will be. You also don’t have to design your list to be sound from a survivor’s standpoint; you simply want everyone to think creatively.

• 100-proof rum
• Plastic tarp
• An out-of-battery cell phone
• Canvas tarp
• Lighter fluid
• Athletic shoes

Put your meeting on hold or pause while each person gets ten minutes to select their three items.

Resume the meeting and have everyone share which items they picked and also explain why. Allow time for each speaker to answer questions about their selections.

Now give everyone an additional five minutes to decide if they want to change any of their items based on what they just heard from their teammates.

Ask anyone who changed their list to explain why.

By the end of this virtual event idea , everyone will find themselves more open to new ideas and thankful for new perspectives–A great idea to introduce at your next virtual holiday party !

Marco’s Virtual Comedy Show

• Time: About 30 – 60 minutes
• Best for: Teams of all sizes

Marco’s Laugh.Events  provides memorable virtual team building activities that specialize in comedy experiences for groups who want to inject a little laughter into their day.

Easy to set up, fun to participate in, and ideal for remote teams – a virtual comedy show brings the wit and creativity of the comedy club to your team in a professional (yet lively) Zoom setting.

Choose from any of their wonderful comedy shows including:

• Stand Up Comedy (30 Minutes) : Clean, corporate-ready acts delivered to you by some of New York City’s best stand up comedians. You can choose one or two comedians to deliver sets that will impress!
• Juggling and Jokes (30 Minutes) : Part comedy, part juggling. You won’t know what to expect in this multifaceted comedy show. Unpredictable, fast-paced, and guaranteed to show you some things you’ve never seen (or heard)!
• No Work Custom Comedy Hour (60 Minutes) : A custom comedy experience for virtual teams looking for something special. Help craft your ideal comedy show with access to a roster of comedy performers.

Treasure Mountain

• Best for: Teams of 3 – 7

Developed by expert online team game designers and a team with 5+ years developing unique virtual group events.

• Schedule your game for anytime you want.
• Built in timer so you can compete against other teams.
• After you find the GOLD, download your teams Completion Certificate with Team Name and Team Time

We recommend splitting your company into small teams of 4-5 people with a team captain for each. Provide each team captain with an access code to Treasure Mountain . Online teams will then race through the riddles and challenges to be the fastest group to escape and get bragging rights at the next virtual all hands meeting!

The Offsite Co

• Time: (3) 60 – 90 minute sessions

The Offsite Co offers the most comprehensive and unique set of virtual team building events and games out there. They focus on designing a series of activations to help their clients reach engagement goals while employees are working remote.

Every event is customized based on your company culture.

They take care of all of the online team game design, logistics and planning and even provide the most fun and professional facilitators we have encountered.

Here’s a quick 1-minute example of a Virtual Lip Sync Karaoke event through The Offsite Co :

Virtual Icebreaker Activities, Games, & Ideas

Department Quiz Battle Virtual Icebreaker

• Source: Trivia Games
• Time: About 5 minutes per person on each team
• Determine (or challenge) which departments will be duking it out in a virtual team building trivia battle
• Create a list of 10 trivia questions using a Google Form or sign up for Trivia Games
• In Trivia Games , a live Quiz Host will guide contestants through 3-4 exciting rounds of trivia on Zoom.
• Each team records its answers on a digital sheet provided by the host. Points are counted in between rounds with the final round producing the winners!
• Send out your trivia quiz to each department email and/or Slack
• Set a deadline for submission and then tally up the results!
• Who had the funniest answer?
• Who had the quickest answers?
• Who scored the most points for their team?
• Which team had the strongest participation?
• Share the company leaderboard and crown that week’s department champion 👑

GIF Wars Virtual Icebreaker

• Adapted for: Bonusly
• Time: About 1-2 minutes per person
• Using a virtual team building & recognition tool like Bonusly , have each person take a second to send a shoutout to someone who has really helped them out or gone above and beyond for the team recently.
• Make sure to add a GIF to each shoutout
• Go around and vote on who added the best GIF (think Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity)

Pro-Tip: You can make this a recurring virtual activity in Bonusly  by choosing ‘GIF War’ themes for each week like: movies, sports, dogs, cats, etc…

Quick Virtual Icebreakers

• Best for: Starting meetings, closing meetings, Monday morning check-in calls
• Time: About 15 minutes
• ❓ 5-Minute Weekly Trivia
• 🤷 Guess Who
• ⏰ Minute to Win it

Snapshot Virtual Icebreaker

• Source: monday.com’s free virtual team building template
• Time: About 5 minutes
• Desk space (Yes, even messy desk spaces)
•  Refrigerator
• Have everyone upload their pictures to a shared online whiteboard or document to create a digital collage of everyone’s snapshot.
• Spend a little time complimenting the pics or asking questions.

The final product may look something like this: (Images courtesy of the SnackNation State of the Executive Assistant Facebook Group )

Escape Room Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: About 60 minutes or less
• 🚂 Escape the Murder Mystery Express
• 🏛 Find Forbidden Treasure in an Ancient Temple
• 🚀 Space Escape: Mission to Mars
• ⛏ Gold Rush Adventure
• 🕵️  Go Deep Undercover to Solve a Jewel Heist
• If you’re going to escape, you HAVE to work together and communicate virtually.
• Once you log onto the Zoom call your host will help you through the adventure while your Game Guide will be your eyes, ears, hands, and feet inside the online team game.
• With the help of your Guide Game and your digital dashboard, you and your team will find clues, solve puzzles, and complete your mission.
• Whether or not you complete your mission in time, the leader will be able to review what went well and what didn’t go so well during the virtual activity. The debrief after your online experience will no doubt be filled with lots of laughs and lessons learned.

Ice Cream Float Virtual Icebreaker

• Source: Unboxed Experiences by City Brew Tours
• Connect with a private virtual event planner (like Unboxed Experiences ) who will arrange for kits to be sent directly to all of your guests.
• On event day, a virtual guide will show everyone how to make ice cream in a bag (seriously, it works!).
• Guests will dance along to popular songs (featuring favorites like “Shake Your Groove Thing”) as they shake their ice cream ingredients until everything is perfectly frozen.
• Finally, guests make their own rootbeer, orange soda, or cherry soda float to sip on as you transition to your next session.

Pro-Tip: Is your workplace big on work/family balance? This is one of those virtual team events that employees can get their families involved in. Kids especially love shaking up their ice cream, and your guests will appreciate having time to hang out with their families during the work day. Unboxed Experiences also has other virtual team activities to choose from like their Tea & Mindfulness Experience , Beer Making Kits , & more!

Getting To Know You Virtual Icebreaker

• Source: Assembly (free up to 10 users)
• Time: About 5 minutes per person
• 💪🏼 What would your superhero costume look like?
• 🎶 What would you choose as your top 5 songs of all time?
• 🤔 What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
• 🍕 If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• 🏴‍☠️ You’re forming a team of treasure hunters. Which job would you assign to yourself and why?
• During your next team meeting, spend a few minutes inside the Getting to Know You channel within Assembly to review each other’s answers. These are also automatically sent out via email and can be scheduled to your desired timing, volume & frequency.
• You can also try setting up themes for each week based on upcoming holidays or company trivia to create a fun virtual team building experience personalized for your team. 

Pro-Tip: Your Assembly Getting to Know You Channel could look something like this: 👉 Set up a demo with Assembly and create your team’s Getting to Know You channel free up to 10 users!

Open Mic Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: About 10 minutes
• Give everyone a heads up that they will have about a minute at the beginning of the meeting to take the virtual stage.
• Ask them to find or write an icebreaker joke , read a poem, sing a song, play the mandolin—anything they want!
• Start your meeting with these glorious performances.
• Allow ten seconds in between each for a rush of snaps and applause.

Squad Squabble Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: About 45 – 60 minutes (plus prep)
• Find a virtual team building software to host the online game like Virtual Coworker Feud by Confetti. Sign up for FREE to learn more.
• Build your teams.
• Determine your questions (think about funny inside virtual office jokes).
• Solicit answers from colleagues either through email or a survey.
• After the online team game is set up, determine a host or roll with one of the experts from Weve !
• Read the first question — the first team to buzz in gets to answer. For every answer on the board, they collect points.
• If they receive 3 strikes (wrong answers!), control goes to the other team to determine the board.
• Repeat the steps until you have a winner — the team with the most points wins the game!

We played a round of Squad Squabble ( Virtual Coworker Feud ) with our friends at Design Pickle to show you how this virtual icebreaker works… Still have no idea how 11 people said “Microwaving Fish” as an answer…

Trip To Paris Virtual Icebreaker

• Source:  Woyago Virtual Trip To Paris
• Time:  About 60 minutes
• Wine and cheese tastings
• Live bike rides from the streets of Paris
• French trivia and questions
• Virtual get-to-know-you activities
• French vocabulary… and more!
• Grab your virtual passport and beret to experience the magic of Paris from your desk!

“Big Talk” Virtual Icebreaker

• Source: Outback Team Building
• Start virtual meetings with a few minutes of organized “big talk” about global events and news.
• Before the meeting, send out a current news story for the team to read.
• At the start of the meeting, give everyone a minute to share their thoughts on the story without interruption or commentary.
• Set aside 5 minutes after that for open group discussion.

Dance Party Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: About 5 minutes (or the length of your chosen song)
• Tell everyone about the awesomeness that’s about to happen.
• Do a quick sound check to make sure everyone can hear the host’s music.
• Start your jam. (If you can’t decide, use an icebreaker tool like Random List to get a random selection.)
• Dance and probably laugh.

“Do You REALLY Know Your Team?” Virtual Icebreaker

• Before your next meeting, ask all your teammates to answer three “about me” questions.
• If you could eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
• What’s your favorite vacation spot?
• If you were an animal, what would you be?
• What’s your favorite movie?
• At the meeting, share the answers and have your teammates try to pair the answers with the right person.
• Once everyone has guessed, reveal who gave what answer.
• If the results are interesting/surprising, have your teammates explain – It’ll get people laughing and learning more about each other.
• Boom – instant virtual team bonding!

Critical Thinking Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: About 2 minutes per person
• Before your meeting send out a discussion topic question for your team to answer in your virtual office dashboard .
• “If you were alone in a dark cabin, with only one match and a lamp, a fireplace, and a candle to choose from, which would you light first?”
• “A boat has a ladder that’s ten feet long, and hangs off the side of the boat, with its last two feet submerged in water. If the ocean tide rises five feet, how much of the ladder will be underwater?”
• “There are a dozen eggs in a carton. Twelve people each take a single egg, but there is one egg left in the carton. How?”
• Give everyone 30 seconds to answer.
• Have everyone share their answer on a remote working platform like monday.com
• Spend about one minute discussing the differences in your answers and what you each learned from one another.

Fact Recall Mission Virtual Icebreaker

• Source: Fact Recall Mission
• Time: About 7 minutes
• Each team member invited to play Fact Recall Mission introduces themselves and gives a “fact” about them; usually with a prompt, such as favorite vacation destination, most likely to see in concert, most binge-worthy show they recommend, etc.
• Keeping the facts tucked away to memory, each player will try and recall who said what during the introductions.
• A recommended show is a great option because everyone learns something about the person and also gets a great recommendation.
• Vacation memories and concert bucket lists are fun and a great throwback to the good times.
• Do the players in the group know each other too well? It’s still a great opportunity to play and use it to tell something about yourself as a warm-up. Everyone needs a new book recommendation or Netflix binge idea.

“One Word And I’m In” Virtual Icebreaker

• Time: Less than 1 minute per person
• Start your virtual pow-wow with a Work-From-Home-Wellness Box and by having everyone pick one word to fill in the sentence “I’m ______ and I’m in”
• “I’m stoked and I’m in”
• “I’m ready and I’m in”

“At SnackNation, we start virtual meetings with the “One word and I’m In” activity. It’s quick, breaks the ice, and gives a pulse on the group’s energy. Some common ones on our team are “I’m caffeinated and I’m In,” “I’m fired-up and I’m In, “I’m a-little-bit-tired-but-ready and I’m In.” Our team likes to get creative with the hyphens.” -Victoria Holbrook, Brand Marketing Manager at SnackNation

“Name That Emoji Song Title” Virtual Icebreaker

• Adapted for: Nectar
• Time: 3 minutes per person’s turn
• Start a group messaging chain either through phone or your employee recognition software platform of choice – like Nectar .
• Determine who goes first and put a timer on your phone for 3 minutes.
• The first person looks at their last played song and then “attempts” to use only emojis that give hints to the title of the song.
• Everyone else takes turns guessing the name of the song until the timer runs out.
• At the end of the 3 minutes, reveal the song if no one guessed correctly and share why that was your last played song.

These have been some standouts from our team at SnackNation: 🐴❌🏷️ – “A Horse With No Name” (America) 🙈💡💡 – “Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd) ❌⛰️🔼✅ – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) 🌊👀 – “Ocean Eyes” (Billie Eilish) 💁‍♀️4️⃣🎄👉👤 – “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey)

Offline Team Games & Activities For Virtual Team Building

Offline book club.

Start a book club and have everyone do the reading independently and offline. Have everyone keep a log of their thoughts and impressions as they go. You can have your final discussion by exchanging snail mail letters, hopping on a conference call, or meeting in person.

Remote Scavenger Hunt

Since you won’t be able to plant items for people to physically find, your best bet is creating a list of subjective, goal-based items.

Here are some example prompts:

• Find the item that makes you feel the happiest.
• Find an item attached to a powerful memory.
• Find your favorite way to connect to others.

Have teammates log and photograph their answers. Eventually, the team can share these logs via email or snail mail.

You can also try pre-planned virtual scavenger hunts. Scavify provides a variety of app-based, in-home scavenger hunts everyone on your team can share with their significant others or families.

Offline Employee Wellness/Fitness Challenge

Pro-Tip: Push your employees to live up to their wellness goals with an incentivized employee wellness challenge hosted through a platform like Motivosity . Whether it’s achieving a certain number of steps per day or practicing weekly meditation, Motivosity makes it easy for companies to distribute points to employees who hit their goals. You can even customize their rewards catalog  with exclusive wellness-related rewards to recognize employees’ progress anytime they hit a major milestone.

Daily Gratitude Commitments

Have everyone on your team commit to completing daily gratitude journaling for a month. Doing this activity alone will make you feel amazing, but knowing your teammates are (figuratively) by your side will maximize your warm fuzzies.

Solve a Mystery

Solve Hunt A Killer mysteries independently. Get everyone on your team a 6-episode Hunt a Killer subscription. They’ll all receive a package full of clues to work through to solve a mystery. The exercise will be even more fun knowing you’re all solving the same case together.

Pro-Tip: If solving mysteries is your cup of tea, then we recommend checking out Clue Murder Mystery by Outback Virtual Team Building . Will your team be the first to solve the murder of millionaire, Neil Davidson?

Start a Pen Pal Program

Match everyone on your team up with an official pen pal. If this activity feels old fashioned, then own it. You and your pal can pretend you’re writing in Victorian England or during the American Revolution.

Daily Writing Prompts

Provide everyone with a daily writing prompt for an entire month. (Mailing out journals would be a nice touch if you have the budget!) Later on, you can get together (in-person or online) to discuss what you created.

Collaborative Craft Project

Select a collaborative craft project , such as a mosaic of painted rocks or a paper quilt, and ask everyone to create one piece independently. When you can get together to assemble the larger project, you’ll be delighted to see how all the individual displays of creativity come together.

Open-Ended Instructions Challenge

Challenge everyone to create something useful for the office using only items from their recycling bins and kitchen pantries. Have people share photos and descriptions of their completed items.

Virtual Team Building Tools, Apps, & Software

Virtual team building tools are typically softwares that empower companies to create and customize unified digital workspace experiences that promote transparency and collaboration within remote teams .

Fun Slack Apps For Online Team Games

Slack apps for virtual teams are fun extensions that can be used to help build remote employee culture and engagement . Since employees likely use Slack every day, the platform provides an ideal touchpoint for other programs and initiatives you want to try.

These apps seamlessly integrate into Slack to make your life as easy as possible.

• 💯 Bonusly Slack Integration . Bring employee recognition to your audience in Slack.
• 🚰 Water Cooler Trivia . Connects your team members with fun weekly trivia in their email.
• 🌳 Evergreen . Evergreen helps your team to give more peer to peer recognition to each other and plant trees.
• 🍩 Donut . Donut helps team members who’ve never met connect with one another.
• 📊 Simple Poll . Create and launch polls in Slack where everyone can see them.

Here are a few more trusted apps for remote team building:

• 🧑‍💻 Standuply . Automate the management and education of your teams in Slack.
• 🥳 BirthdayBot . Be the person that always remembers and celebrates everyone’s birthday .
• 🏓 PlayPlay.io . It’s okay if your company doesn’t have a game room. You can play pingpong right in Slack.
• 🎉 Karl . Celebrate virtual teams organically through Slack.
• 🎶 JukeBot . With Slack, this bot, and your Spotify account, you can create awesome playlists for your teams.

Expert Advice For Planning Your Next Virtual Team Building Event

There are a few key reasons why planning even a small team building event with your remote team can have a positive impact on morale.

For example…

• When remote workers feel lonely, isolated, or unsupported , a virtual team building activity can remind them of all the amazing people they have behind them.
• When remote workers feel their excitement slipping , a virtual team building activity can help them rekindle their passion by exposing them to excited co-workers.
• When remote workers are craving more autonomy , a virtual team building activity can help them gain trust from their managers and peers.

So what’s the overarching secret to unlocking the benefits of virtual team building?

It’s commitment—commitment and passion from a strong leadership team .

For managers looking to set up their next virtual team activity, SnackNation spoke to a few team leaders to understand what is important during the planning phase of your event.

Based on their feedback, it is recommended to follow these tips and strategies to ensure your event succeeds.

1) Check Your Connection

Make sure your internet connection is stable before your event so that you are not risking any delays, audio problems, or video issues. Testing out your setup ahead of time can save you valuable time when you have team members showing up your your Zoom call or video conference link looking to get started.

2) Determine a budget

While there are many online games available to your team that are free, your team manager may want to invest in an event host to run your online event effectively.

These team building hosts add comedy to your event while also making sure the activity runs smoothly by moderating the game for you and your colleagues. If you are a manager and are tired of leading every single meeting, working with a dedicated event host can take the pressure off you and set up your event for success.

3) Send out invites for RSVPs

Busy teams will find it hard to schedule time off to fit in a virtual event. That is why sending out an invite a week or two ahead of time will ensure team members can reserve that time on their calendars to show up and disconnect from their current work responsibilities.

The best online team games involve players who are engaged and not worried about their work or other tasks on their plate. Receiving RSVPs will also confirm that your event has enough players to participate since some virtual games and activities will require a minimum number of players.

People Also Ask These Questions About Virtual Team Building Activities

Q: why do virtual team building activities work.

• A: A virtual team building activity will work when it facilitates emotional connections among participants. Activities that enable participants to learn new things about one another promote the kind of bonding that makes physical space disappear. Make your virtual team building activities work by using strategic ideas. To get you started, we’ve created a list of 57 virtual team building games and activities that offer unforgettable shared online experiences.

Q: What can I do to spice up my next virtual meeting?

• A: Make a virtual meeting fun by adapting your meeting style to overcome the challenges of digital communication. Accept that you’re going to require frequent icebreakers and prompts to keep everyone participating and engaged. Get inspiration from our list of 5-10 minute virtual meeting icebreakers .

Q: How do I get started with a virtual team building activity in 2024?

• A: To set up a virtual team building activity, you need a team, reliable technology, creativity, and an understanding of how to make virtual events successful. You’ll also need some good ideas. Check out our list of tried and true virtual team building ideas here . (We even have some suggestions that require almost no technology and are free.)

Q: What is virtual team building?

• A: Virtual team building is using technology, emotional intelligence, and management skills to keep teams connected when they can’t physically be together. Virtual team building comes in many forms, but the effective programs make employees forget they’re not sitting in the same office.

Q: How do you celebrate with virtual teams?

• A: You can celebrate with virtual teams by leveraging tools and resources to provide recognition and support as often as you would provide high fives or encouraging words in the office. Get your virtual celebrations off the ground with the tools and softwares featured here .

Q: How do you bond with a remote team?

• A: You can bond with a remote team by making sure your virtual team building activities incorporate human elements, such as true information exchanges instead of rote information delivery. Managers should also stay up-to-date on current best practices for transcending distance and always have some fun and effective icebreakers like these on hand to warm up the team before meetings.

Q: What are some virtual team building challenges?

• A: Some virtual team building challenges include unreliable technology, the absence of physical and social interactions, difficulty scheduling meetings across time zones, a lack of engagement and participation, and the false assumption that virtual events can be planned and executed the same way as in-person events.

Q: How can I keep my remote workers engaged?

• A: Keep your remote workers engaged with frequent formal and informal check-ins. Provide words of recognition and encouragement throughout the day and commit to planning virtual team building events that overcome feelings of isolation and make remote workers feel like part of a larger team. Get your handy list of virtual team building ideas here .

Q: How do I know if my virtual activity was successful?

• A: You’ll know if a virtual activity was successful by surveying your participants. Have them provide honest feedback and incorporate that feedback into future events. You may also be able to gauge your virtual activity’s success by observing engagement and participation during the event.

Q: Where can I find a virtual team building activity for my remote team?

• A: Find a virtual team building activity in our comprehensive roundup of virtual icebreakers, games, and activities . We’ve outlined activities to fit any need or situation. Find quick icebreaker activities to complete at the beginning of virtual meetings, in-depth games to play online as a team, and even long-term team activities that require little or no technology.

In Conclusion…

Virtual team building activities & events have the power to transform your remote team members, making them feel connected, engaged, appreciated, and happier at work.

There are plenty of reasons to make that goal a priority. Given healthy attention and team building, remote teams can become just as effective as on-site teams while also bringing along added benefits , including the capacity to handle rapidly changing business environments .

We hope the information we’ve provided has left you feeling informed about what it takes to plan a successful virtual team building game and also empowered to see what works for your own unique and special team.

We can’t wait to hear your virtual team building success stories!

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About SnackNation

SnackNation is a healthy office snack delivery service that makes healthy snacking fun, life more productive, and workplaces awesome. We provide a monthly, curated selection of healthy snacks from the hottest, most innovative natural food brands in the industry, giving our members a hassle-free experience and delivering joy to their offices.

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45 Comments

Is there any activity for Managers..Or any suggestions which I can try on the listed activities

Outback Team Building is a good one for this audience.

Have to plan a team builder that would have typically been in person with about 50 people. This list offers a variety of activities that do not require cost and lots of supplies.

Appreciate your comment Andrea! Our team at SnackNation just did the Go Game’s virtual team builder and it was a lot of fun! Would recommend that for a group of 50+. I can make an intro for you if that would be helpful to give you guys a discount. Feel free to shoot me an email: [email protected]

Great list! What do you think about virtual group yoga? We’ve tried it with wombo.io and it’s been fun!

Thanks Jules! We currently have a recurring virtual group yoga sessions at SnackNation. It has been huge hit and a way for us to all stay connected 🙂

Such a detailed article due to the covid-19 our business have been massively suffering. I searched for virtual team building and your article popped up Currently, we’re using a HR Management Software called Silem for virtual team building hope it gets to our goal as expected.

Thanks for the activity list guys, we were doing normal video meet & organized a PUBG gaming tournament, will test out other activities listed out here & see how it goes.

Big fan of the PUBG gaming tournament idea. Let me know how that goes and we can append the article with your feedback 🙂

Hi Richard,

That Pubg gaming tournament worked pretty well for us. We got around 90 registrations out of 200+ employees & we arranged a 5 match tournament with different maps. For the first 4 matches, we have gone with 4 mem squad & then with maps of Livik, Erangal, Sanhok & Payload. Then based on the number of kills & ranking assigned points & picked a winner after 4 matches. The last match is a solo match erangel which is for the fun purpose though. Just like how we send an Email to all employees after the activity, we followed for this one also with the team standings & winners photos.

Overall that was a fun event & we are looking for more possibilities in future with Ludo & other games by which the participant count will be increased.

Feel free to add this in the article. 🙂 If possible, a link to our company website ( keka . com )

This is awesome! Can you shoot me an email and we can work through the details of including you in the post: [email protected]

Done Richard.

Do check the mail ( from Pranay ).

Hello Ashley, the article is really great. You shared some amazing team building activities here. We also do some fun activities at our company. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Pawan could you please share what fun activities you do for your comapny

Thanks for sharing these team building activities and its really great. I gonna share these ideas in our company management team. I think it will help our coworkers confidence and team spirit. Once again thanks for this ideas.

Our entire team at The Center for Sales Strategy recently participated in a virtual scavenger hunt as part of a team-building activity. I’ll be honest, at first, I thought it was going to be a disaster! But it turned out to be SO much fun! You don’t consider games like this “team-building” until afterward and you realize how much you learned about people and how much you connected with them. We have happy hours, high-five Fridays, and more, but the virtual scavenger hunt will be a lifelong memory!

Thanks for sharing your experience Amanda! What platform did you run your virtual scavenger hunt on?

We agree with you 🙂

Very Insightful Article 🙂

Very useful blog post. In this pandemic we should do virtual team building! These activities are really helpful, thanks for sharing

Happy to help Janhvi! Which activity did you find most useful?

Such a thorough post due to the covid-19 our service have actually been massively suffering. I looked for digital group building and your short article appeared Currently, we’re utilizing a Human Resources Monitoring Software program called Silem for online group building hope it gets to our goal as anticipated.

Wow! Such a good list and they are easy to do too. I hope our department can do some virtual team building since even in 2021 things aren’t sure for the COVID to disappear.

Appreciate it Robert! Which virtual team building activity was most interesting to you?

Team building is an important aspect of creating positive culture and cohesion in the work environment. These ideas for fostering relationships and engagement are insightful and evidently can mean the difference between helping teams realize their potential or teams losing motivation. Working remote has become a new reality for many individuals and while communication and shared identity can mediate the effects of separation it is apparent that what works for one team may not necessarily work for another. While there are many ways to personalize or engage a team and because every individual is unique and may have their own needs the element that stood out to me as being vital to get right is leadership/ management. Leaders that invest in their team and see their peers as assets can build rapport and generate better performance. Offering supportive elements and team building activities are ways to show care and concern, these emotional elements are part of human nature that help build lasting connections and productivity. A practical element of this is having synchronous communication channels (ex. Slack) in place not only to keep in contact but so that teams are able to see progress on projects, tools have been developed and are constantly being updated to allow remote teams to do more with predictions of future success in productivity and continued use. Despite productivity however I could not help but wonder what effect this will have on employees general well being in the long run. It was difficult for many to maintain a work life balance with mobile phone technologies enabling employees to be reachable 24/7 before the global pandemic, and now with more work now being done from home many have their personal and work lives to contend with in the same space at the same time. It is encouraging to see evidence that both spaces can compliment one another when handled well.

Completely agree with your thoughts here Helen! Virtual team building is certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, that would trivialize the entire process IMO. Staying connected and engaged while working remotely is a floating target that requires constant assessment as situations evolve over time. Personally, I’m excited that we are having these conversations openly about employee mental health/wellbeing. The fundamental nature of the employer/employee relationship will also need to adapt as times change.

Its indeed amazing piece of writing, I would love to try these out with my team!!!

We have had been doing it. But I really wish we could have the normal team building activity.

Yeah! Precisely what I exactly need to know. You know, sometimes it happens that if you create a team of 10 employees who is friends but their personal disputes hurt the operation and other team member’s growth. But by using these team-building tricks, I know I will get success in handling the whole remotely working staff. Thank you so much Ashley Bell for sharing such a wonderful blog with us. Keep sharing!

The steps are excellent and very help for me. Thank for sharing article.

This is indeed a very detailed and insightful article on Virtual Team Building Activities. I must commend you for this wonderful piece put out here. I really got value here. Thank you so much Ashley Bell for sharing such a wonderful blog with us. keep it up.

This is really interesting. Very useful information has been conveyed in this article! Thanks for sharing.

can anyone share the virtual games they are playing?

Nice post! Thanks for taking the time in sharing this post.

Awesome list of the best virtual team building activities for remote teams. These are the much needed information in this period. Thanks for Sharing

Nice information you got here. Thank you for sharing, I already got informed.

Great Share in this pandemic time, as correctly said new normal and virtual….A great way to encourage teamwork and boost employee engagement In HR activity.

Thank you so much for sharing this information with us. It’s a great article to help others understand the concepts in a much easier way.

This is actually very nice information about team building and management. Keep sharing such a great article. Thanks

A very long and comprehensive post covering good information.

This is really cool and fun Icebreaker games. Many work from home companies will enjoy this. Lol. Even just for meetings. Worth the time for long read.

So long read, but worth it. Fun and icebreaker virtual games

This is the most useful post I’ve read lately. In this pandemic, we have to do virtual team building! These events are really useful for everyone without exception.

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• Inspiration

34 team building activities for the world of remote work

• 19 Oct 2021

Team building activities are more important now than ever.

The rise of remote work has dispersed teams, introduced more freelancers and contractors into teams that were once entirely in-house, and left a lot of people feeling like they’re not actually part of a team at all.

It’s tough for employees to feel connected to their teammates when they rarely (if ever) interact in person and there are few opportunities for casual conversations that help build relationships.

Team building activities (even silly ones) can help fill those gaps and bring your people closer together. And most team building activities also make great icebreaker games  to welcome recent hires and solidify newly formed teams.

But not all team building activities are right for every situation. It’s wise to evaluate the needs and attitudes of your team so you can choose the best activities to meet your goals.

We’ve compiled a huge list of team building activities. But before we dive in, we’re going to start with a few tips on how to choose the right activities for your team.

How to choose the right team building activities

At best, choosing the wrong team building activity simply won’t help build your team. At worst, a poorly chosen activity can irritate people and make them feel resentful that they had to spend time on something that gave them no value.

Here’s how to avoid both of those scenarios.

Start with a goal

This is the most forgotten aspect of choosing team building activities. That’s because the purpose of team building activities seems to be set by the nature of the events: get people talking and having fun together…or something like that.

But every team building activity focuses on a certain aspect of teamwork. And you should select activities based on your current needs. That means the first step is paying attention to your team and discovering where they need help.

If your team struggles with communication, look for an activity that helps them practice communicating in a fun way. Other teams may just need some time to get to know each other on a more personal level (this is especially common in remote situations).

Choosing an activity that addresses the needs of your team will obviously have a more positive impact. And people will be more likely to participate and enjoy an activity if they get the sense that it will make their work life better.

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Get management involved

If there’s one sure way to fail at a team building activity, it’s to make the team run it themselves without the help of management.

It’s tempting to think that getting management out of the way will help people loosen up and enjoy themselves. But it’s still a work event, and managers are part of the team too.

Getting managers involved demonstrates that they care enough to show up and help build the team. But it also takes pressure off individual employees to manage the event, so they can focus on getting the most out of the activity.

Make sure the team is on board

This is especially important for mandatory team building events. If people must attend an activity, it has to be something they enjoy. Otherwise they’ll just feel frustrated that they had to show up for something silly.

Check in with your team and find out what activities they would enjoy. That way you don’t end up with a room full of people rolling their eyes and waiting for the moment when they can go back to their desks.

Set realistic timelines

Speaking of when people can leave, it’s really important to keep the timeline of your team building activities reasonable.

No matter when you host your event — during work or off hours — people could be doing something else. They will be less enthusiastic about your team building activity if it’s going to put them behind on their work or take a big chunk out of their free time.

A good general rule is to limit team building activities to 30 minutes or less, especially in remote situations where it’s easy for people’s attention to wander.

If you’re planning something longer, definitely check with your people to make sure they’re okay with the timeline.

Virtual team building activities

That brings us to our big list of team building ideas. We’ve sorted them into categories to help you find the ones that best fit your team. And what better place to start than in the virtual workspace?

Virtual team building activities have become some of the most important, since they work for remote teams. They’re a great way to introduce new team members, boost employee engagement , and nurture the relationships that make great teams.

1. Lateral thinking challenges

You probably know lateral thinking questions as riddles. The goal of lateral thinking challenges is to get people thinking about problems from different angles and examining a broader range of possibilities.

Lateral thinking challenges make great team building activities because they’re fun to tackle as a group and it gives everyone a chance to see how their teammates approach problems.

Here’s a starter lateral thinking question : There are a dozen eggs in a carton. Twelve people each take a single egg, but there is one egg left in the carton. How?

There are textbook correct answers. But the most valuable thing for your team is the discussion and group problem-solving.

2. Open mic minutes

You could also call this a tiny talent show.

Give everyone a few minutes to prepare a one-minute performance that shows off something they can do or showcases something they like. It can be a story, a joke, playing the guitar on camera, or anything else they can think of that would be fun or entertaining for their teammates.

This is a great meeting warmup or series of icebreakers for newly acquainted teams.

3. Positive reinforcement GIF party

This one is simple but powerful, and it makes a great online team building activity because GIFs are easy to share in most online communication and collaboration tools.

Here’s how it works: have everyone give another person in the group a shoutout on something they’ve recently done well, or that they do well all the time, and find a GIF to represent their kudos.

For example, “When my project fell behind last week, Joe stepped in and saved the day” might look something like this:

Once everyone chooses a GIF, have them give their praise and share their GIFs one by one.

4. “Whose answer is that?”

Ask the entire group the same question. Use a question that will generate unique answers like, “What kind of animal was your first pet?” or “Where were you born?” or “What was the name of your first stuffed animal?”

Have everyone write their answer on a piece of paper with their name or send their answer in a private chat message. Read each answer and have the group guess who’s answer it is.

Easy enough, right? But there’s a twist: the group must come to a consensus for each answer. And whoever owns the answer must avoid being spotted, so they must pretend that it’s not their answer. Once all the answers have been voted on, reveal who gave each one.

This activity encourages the team to ask each other creative questions and use clever interpersonal techniques to get information.

5. Fast fact recall

This is a great way to help teams get to know each other and build memory skills.

Ask everyone the same question and have each person give their answer to the group. It’s best to use questions that generate simple answers.

Asking for a book, movie, or show recommendation works well. Asking people their favorite food, color, or another favorite thing also works. Just do your best to ask a question that generates a fact about that person.

Once everyone answers, ask each person to recall someone else’s response. The catch is that they can’t use a fact that someone else has already mentioned. The game gets harder as the number of available facts gets smaller.

If someone is stumped, the group can help them out. This keeps the game moving and ensures that everyone stays engaged.

6. Emoji Pictionary

Have one person tell a story, summarize a current work project, explain what they did over the weekend, or anything really. But they have to do it using only emojis. Then have the rest of the team work together to interpret the emoji message and see if they can get it right.

You can add interaction by letting the team ask questions of the person who wrote the emoji message. But that person can only respond with more emojis.

7. Virtual socialization space

Create a virtual watercooler where people can gather when they need a break. The simplest way to do this is to set up a Zoom meeting and leave it open during the workday, so people can come and go.

This one works best in industries where even remote teams require a lot of ongoing interaction or for teams that transitioned from traditional office spaces to remote work.

If people are accustomed to working from home and only periodically speaking to co-workers, they’re not likely to appreciate a common break space. But it can be useful if people are accustomed to periodically aggregating for a quick break and a chat.

8. Virtual Pictionary

This is exactly what it sounds like — but over Zoom.

There are websites that enable you to host a more formal version of Pictionary, complete with cards and a virtual drawing board. However, it can actually be more fun to have people draw on a piece of paper and show it to everyone through their camera.

It might sound lame. But the challenge of showing a drawing on camera while the timer is running is often hilarious.

Just keep in mind that you may have to add a little time to account for showing the drawings on camera. You can also use this list of Pictionary words , if you don’t have the actual game handy.

9. Reverse virtual Pictionary

This is similar to playing virtual Pictionary, but the group has to tell one person how to draw something without saying the word itself.

It might seem redundant, but this game is actually less resource intensive than Pictionary because it’s less dependent on randomized words. Reverse Pictionary is more of an exercise in giving clear, precise instructions. And that can be done with nothing but a pen and paper.

10. Remote scavenger hunt

Come up with a list of items people might have at home. Then have them run and find each item. Do this one item at a time. Give kudos to the people who find an item the fastest and the person who found the most items from the list at the end.

This one is nice because it can be really quick, with just a few items. Or you can draw it out with more items or exotic items that people are less likely to have.

11. Remote show-and-tell

Have people show off their hobbies on a Zoom meeting by giving each person up to 10 minutes (or more if you have time) to show something they made or talk about something they like to do.

People who have active hobbies like rock climbing or mountain biking can create a short video and show that instead since it’s tough to show off a rock wall or mountain bike on a Zoom call. (Just make sure everyone knows how to screen share with audio on Zoom  for this).

12. Virtual meeting bingo

This is one that you can use to spice up your usual team meetings. Create a bingo card with things that often happen during virtual meetings. Things like, “someone tries to talk while on mute” or “cat on camera.”

Also feel free to add things that are unique to your team. If someone always has a cup of coffee during team meetings, no matter the time of day, add that to the bingo card to make it more fun and interactive. Just make sure you distribute the cards ahead of time so people can be ready.

13. Remote coworking groups

One of the most challenging aspects of working remotely is that people don’t feel like they’re part of a team because everyone is at home, working by themselves. There’s very little casual team interaction, if any.

Creating remote coworking groups or just paring people up as coworking partners helps bring teams together. All they have to do is hop on a video call and work silently together. They don’t even have to keep their microphones on. Only the camera has to be on.

This method of coworking even increases productivity. It’s actually so effective that there are services that connect remote workers  for this exact purpose.

So you’ll make your teams feel more connected and probably help them get more done.

14. Recipe sharing party

People are doing a lot more home cooking these days. So get everyone together on a video call and have them share their favorite homemade recipes. If you give people enough advanced notice, they can even bring the completed dishes to show off.

You can also mix things up by making it just recipes for a certain meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner). Or have people present something they think no one else will like.

15. Virtual spaces cleanup party

No matter how organized you are, you probably have at least one folder on your computer that’s the digital equivalent of a junk drawer.

This might sound lame. But it can be fun to get the whole team together and clean up the desktop and folders on your computers together. You can have people share their screens while they organize their digital workspace. Or simply post before and after screenshots.

16. Office trivia

Trivia is a pretty standard team building activity. But you can tailor the game to your team by asking questions pertaining to your particular office or organization.

This can be especially fun if your team used to work in a physical office, because you can ask questions that show how well (or not so well) everyone remembers the space.

Read your trivia questions aloud, pop them in the chat, or wow them all by sharing your questions via a trivia video, like this one:

17. Remote campfire (with campfire stories)

The long and the short of this one is that you’ll host a group video call to tell ghost stories, play mad-libs, and even have people light candles at their desks to simulate a tiny campfire (or  play a campfire video ).

This one is especially fun if you host regular review meetings at the end of the day or week. Add a little campfire theme to your wrap up meetings and close them out with a fun campfire story or game.

18. Only the worst ideas

This one is a great way to open meetings. To start off the meeting, present a work project or problem. Have people give only the worst, most ridiculous ideas for how to complete the project or solve the problem.

It gets everyone warmed up to think about the topic at hand. And it’s a great way to open a brainstorming session, because it encourages people to give their ideas, since they can’t be worse than the ones you started with.

Asynchronous team building activities

Asynchronous team building activities are activities that you can do without your team needing to interact in real-time.

These activities are especially handy for global teams or teams where members have different work schedules, because you don’t have to get everyone together at once.

19. Home office snapshot collage

Have everyone take a snapshot of their home office. Then make a collage of all the pictures and use it as a background in virtual team meetings. Or post your home office collage in a common space at your physical office.

Alternatively, you can have team members make a home office video tour, like that MTV show “Cribs.” They can have as much fun with it as they want, but it’s wise to set a reasonable time limit for the videos.

20. Learn the NATO phonetic alphabet together

The NATO phonetic alphabet  is a standardized collection of words that represent the letters of the alphabet. It’s used for spelling words on the radio because the words of the phonetic alphabet are easy to understand (even on fuzzy radio transmissions) and can’t be confused with other letters.

For example, the letters “B” and “D” sound very similar. They’re easily confused on the phone or on the radio. But the words for these letters in the NATO phonetic alphabet — Bravo and Delta — are easy to separate.

Have the team learn it together, then send messages to each other using the phonetic alphabet. It’s fun. And knowing the phonetic alphabet is a useful communication skill.

21. Video recaps

This one can be more or less work related, depending on how well your work lends itself to video. But the long and the short of this activity is to have your team capture progress footage of a specific project. Have one person gather the footage and create a recap video once the project is complete. If your work projects aren’t great candidates for video footage, people can create recap videos for their personal projects instead.

It will be a bit like virtual show and tell, but with more focus on documenting the process of doing something such as building a planter box or even just cleaning up the spare bedroom.

22. “Whose office is that?”

Ask the whole team to take pictures of their home offices, then have everyone guess whose office is in each picture.

The rules are similar to “whose answer is that?” Whoever owns the office has to do their best not to be spotted. You can even encourage people to take pictures that will make it difficult to determine whose office it is.

You can also turn this into an activity your team does together on a regular basis. Invite people to share a picture of something in their office — a coffee mug, their headphones, etc. — and the team can guess who’s office the object is in.

You can create a Slack channel for this game or use another communication and collaboration tool . This gives your team a fun quirk that they can all chuckle about.

23. Company values and policy videos

You can do this one even if you already have company values  and policy videos.

Have each team member choose a company value or policy and make a video that explains it in a way that would be engaging for a new employee. Then have everyone share their video with the team.

It’s a fun way to get everyone to engage with company values and policies. And if you’re in HR, you might even want to use some of the videos as part of your employee onboarding package.

Not sure where to start? Give them a few video templates (like the one below) to get their creativity flowing.

In-person activities

Even with the prevalence of remote work, in-person team building activities still have a place. Some remote teams are local enough for occasional get-togethers. And physical workspaces are still a thing, even if they’re not as popular as they used to be.

So keep these in-person team building events in your playbook.

24. Problem-solving escape

There are a lot of ways to set up critical thinking and problem-solving team building activities. You just need a collection of puzzles or problems to solve and some sort of game mechanic to gamify the process of working through the puzzles and problems.

Here’s an example to show you what we mean:

Pretend there’s a lava fissure in the middle of a room. The pool of lava expands by one foot each minute. For each puzzle or problem the team solves, they get a brick. They must get enough bricks to build a levy that stops the lava from filling the entire room.

You can change the game mechanic or invent your own altogether. Set the time limit based on how much time you have for your team building activity. And you can use fun puzzles or real-world problems from your company’s industry.

Regardless of how you set up the game, this is a great way to get your teams working together to solve problems.

25. “Salt and pepper”

This one takes a little prep. You’ll have to write down pairs of complementary items on separate pieces of paper (things that go together like salt and pepper, i.e. peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots, hand and glove).

Give each person a piece of paper and have them tape it to their back. Each person must ask other people questions to figure out what’s written on their paper. The catch is that they can only ask yes-or-no questions. Once they’ve discovered which half of the pair they have, everyone must then find their mate.

You can have the game end there if you wish or you’re short on time. But you can also go one step further and have people talk to their salt-and-pepper partner to find things they have in common or to engage in some other get-to-know-you activity.

26. Blindfolded obstacle course

This is a great team building activity if you want to help your team build communication skills.

It’s simple: set up an obstacle course with chairs, waste bins, and other office items. Don’t go crazy, though, because a blindfolded person will have to navigate it.

The blindfolded person has to make their way through the obstacle course with verbal instructions from the rest of the team. The team must guide the blindfolded person through the obstacle course without any physical contact.

They’ll have to develop a communication strategy and clearly communicate to succeed. The cool thing about this game is that there are no diminishing returns from doing it more than once.

You can have everyone take a turn being the blindfolded person, and the team will develop communication skills each time because each person will respond differently to the chosen communication strategy.

This game is a delightful way to illustrate how different people communicate differently, and help teams work out how to communicate with each team member.

27. Active listening quiz

This can also be a virtual team building activity, but it’s especially fun for in-person meetings.

Host a team meeting as usual. But during the meeting, have one person say or do something that’s totally out of left field. Draw a cartoon character on the board while talking about the meeting agenda or add a totally nonsense statistic to a performance report.

Obviously, you have to be subtle enough that people don’t ask what’s going on immediately. That way, you can quiz the team about the odd happenings at the end and see what they remember.

28. Business problem simulation

If you prefer business-oriented team building activities for work, this one is for you. And it’s relatively simple.

Come up with some sort of problem that’s common in your company. Then run a tabletop simulation for solving that problem. These exercises are very common in organizations like firefighting crews, military units, and engineering firms.

In real-world scenarios, it can take days, weeks, or months to solve these problems because implementing the solutions takes a long time. The benefit of tabletop exercises is that you can compress the solutions into minutes and focus on decision-making strategies and considering different courses of action.

29. Back-of-napkin problem solving

“Back of the napkin” is mostly just a figure of speech. But taking it literally can make for a fun problem-solving activity.

The idea is similar to the business problem solving simulation. The difference is that each person must work out their contribution to the solution on a napkin. If you want to make the activity even more challenging, limit the whole team to using just one napkin.

30. Find the common thread

There are two variations of this activity.

The first is to split the team into groups and have them ask each other questions until they find something they all have in common. It can be a hobby, a favorite food, setting their morning alarm for the same time, or anything else. As long as it’s something the whole group has in common.

A fun extra step is to have each group come up with a group name based on the thing they all have in common.

The other variation of this game is a little more subjective.

Start with two people. Have them ask each other questions until they find something they both have in common. Once they’ve identified something, choose someone else from the group and ask questions to identify something that they like that’s related somehow to the thing the first pair had in common.

It’s best to approach this variation as a group. Once the first pair has identified the thing they have in common, everyone can start offering up ideas that might connect that thing to the one of the next person’s interests.

That way everyone is involved and the team is forced to examine things from every possible angle.

31. Puzzle negotiation

You’ll need puzzles for this one. In the interest of time, it’s best to use simple puzzles. Before you start, secretly swap a few pieces of the puzzles, so each puzzle has pieces from all of the other puzzles.

Split the team into two or more groups and give each group a puzzle. The goal is to complete the puzzles, but they’ll have to barter with the other teams to get the pieces they need. It’s a fun way to help the team develop negotiation skills.

32. Who sells it best?

This is a classic exercise from sales teams where one person must sell a random object to someone else or to the team as a whole, within a limited amount of time.

This activity is most efficient if you limit the team to pitching objects that are in the room or office. And it’s more team oriented if you have each person create a short pitch for their item and present it to the team.

Once everyone has given their pitch, have the team vote on whose pitch was the best.

33. Office “Nailed It”

This activity is based on the show “Nailed It.” Don’t worry if you’ve never seen the show. The activity is simple:

Choose a piece of art or a picture. Split the team into two or more groups. Have the groups recreate the image using objects from the office.

Once they’ve completed their masterpieces, have the managers or team leaders choose who most accurately recreated the picture. Tell the winning group that they nailed it.

34. Team Sudoku

Believe it or not, Sudoku can actually be a team game. And you can get free Sudoku puzzles  on the internet.

You can have the whole team solve a single puzzle together. Or, split the team into groups and see who can complete their Sudoku puzzle the fastest.

Believe it or not, this team building activity is even better if not everyone knows how to play Sudoku. Rather than explaining to the whole team how the game works, just make sure at least one person in each group knows how to play. Let that person explain it to the rest of their group.

You can take this tactic one step further by prohibiting the person who knows how to play Sudoku from writing on the puzzle. That way they have to get the other team members involved. This stresses communication and helps team members work on their leadership skills.

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Team building activities do a lot of work for team cohesion. And they’re not just about helping people get acquainted and build strong working relationships. It’s also good for morale to let loose and have some fun at work.

We’ve mostly focused on team building activities that require relatively few materials. But if you want to try some of the video creation team building activities, Biteable has tons of  video templates  — complete with animations and text — that make it a snap to create gorgeous videos for work or play.

Make stunning videos with ease.

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Top 15 Problem-Solving Activities for Your Team to Master

May 27, 2022 - 10 min read

Some people see problems as roadblocks, others see them as opportunities! Problem-solving activities are a great way to get to know how members of your team work, both individually and together. It’s important to teach your team strategies to help them quickly overcome obstacles in the way of achieving project goals.

In this article, you’ll explore 15 problem-solving activities designed to enhance collaboration and creativity. Additionally, if you want to discuss the insights and outcomes with your team after the activities, you can use Wrike’s actionable meeting notes template. This template allows you to record meeting discussions, assign action items, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

The importance of problem-solving skills in today’s workplace

According to a 2019  report by McKinsey , soft skills are increasingly important in today's world — and problem-solving is the top area in which skills are lacking. A company or team’s success weighs heavily on the willingness of managers to help employees improve their problem-solving abilities. Team building activities targeting focus areas like communication and collaboration, adaptability, or strengthening decision-making techniques help.

All problem-solving processes start with identifying the problem. Next, the team must assess potential courses of action and choose the best way to tackle the problem. This requires a deep understanding of your team and its core strengths. A problem-solving exercise or game helps identify those strengths and builds problem-solving skills and strategies while having fun with your team.

Problem-solving games aren't for just any team. Participants must have an open mind and accept all ideas and solutions . They must also have an Agile mindset and embrace different structures, planning, and processes. Problems usually arise when we least expect them, so there's no better way to prepare than to encourage agility and flexibility.

Another aspect to keep in mind when engaging in problem-solving games and activities: There are no winners or losers. Sure, some games might end with a single winner, but the true goal of these exercises is to learn how to work together as a team to develop an Agile mindset. The winning team of each game should share their strategies and thought processes at the end of the exercise to help everyone learn.

Here’s a list of fun problem-solving activity examples to try with your team. From blindfolds to raw eggs, these problem-solving, team-building activities will have your team solving problems faster than Scooby and the gang.

Classic team-building, problem-solving activities

1. a shrinking vessel.

Helps with: Adaptability

Why adaptability is important for problem-solving: Adaptability is highly associated with cognitive diversity, which helps teams solve problems faster , according to the Harvard Business Review. Innovation and disruption are happening faster than ever before . People, teams, and organizations that can adapt will come out on top.

What you’ll need:

• A rope or string

Instructions:

1. Using the rope, make a shape on the floor everyone can fit into.

2. Slowly shrink the space over 10-15 minutes.

3. Work together to figure out how to keep everyone within the shrinking boundaries.

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower

Helps with: Collaboration

Why collaboration is important for problem-solving: “Collectively, we can be more insightful, more intelligent than we can possibly be individually,” writes Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline . We can solve problems better as a team than we can alone, which means developing your team’s collaboration skills will lead to better problem-solving outcomes.

What you’ll need (per team):

• 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
• 1 roll of masking tape
• 1 yard of string
• 1 marshmallow

1. The goal of this exercise is to see which team can use the materials provided to build the tallest tower within an allotted time period. The tower must be able to stand on its own.

2. To make this exercise more challenging, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower. This team problem-solving exercise helps people think on their toes while building camaraderie and leadership.

3. Egg Drop

Helps with: Collaboration, decision-making

Why decision-making is important for problem-solving: Making decisions isn’t easy , but indecision leads to team paralysis, stagnant thinking, and unsolved problems. Decision-making activities help your team practice making quick, effective choices. Train your team’s decision-making muscles and they will become more adept at problem-solving.

• A carton of eggs
• Basic construction materials such as newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc., tarp, or drop cloth
• A parking lot, or some other place you don’t mind getting messy!

1. Each team gets an egg and must select from the construction materials.

2. Give everyone 20-30 minutes to construct a carrier for the egg and protect it from breaking.

3. Drop each egg carrier off a ledge (i.e. over a balcony) and see whose carrier protects the egg from breaking.

4. If multiple eggs survive, keep increasing the height until only one egg is left.

4. Stranded

Helps with: Communication, decision-making

Why communication is important for problem-solving: More employees work remotely than ever before. Good communication skills are vital to solving problems across  virtual teams . Working on communication skills while your team is together will help them solve problems more effectively when they’re apart.

Here's the setting: Your team has been stranded in the office. The doors are locked, and knocking down the doors or breaking the windows is not an option. Give your team 30 minutes to decide on ten items in the office they need for survival and rank them in order of importance. The goal of the game is to have everyone agree on the ten items and their rankings in 30 minutes.

Creative problem-solving activities

Helps with: Communication

What you'll need:

1. Divide everyone into small teams of two or more.

2. Select an overseer who isn't on a team to build a random structure using Lego building blocks within ten minutes.

3. The other teams must replicate the structure exactly (including size and color) within 15 minutes. However, only one member from each group may look at the original structure. They must figure out how to communicate the size, color, and shape of the original structure to their team.

4. If this is too easy, add a rule that the member who can see the original structure can't touch the new structure.

• A lockable room
• 5-10 puzzles or clues (depending on how much time you want to spend on the game)

1. The goal of this exercise is to solve the clues, find the key, and escape a locked room within the time allotted.

2. Hide the key and a list of clues around the room.

3. Gather the team into the empty room and "lock" the door.

4. Give them 30 minutes to an hour to find the key using the clues hidden around the room.

7. Frostbite

Helps with: Decision-making, adaptability

• A blindfold
• 1 packet of construction materials (such as card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes) for each team
• An electric fan

Instructions:  Your employees are Arctic explorers adventuring across an icy tundra! Separate them into teams of four or five and have them select a leader to guide their exploration. Each team must build a shelter from the materials provided before the storm hits in 30 minutes. However, both the team leader’s hands have frostbite, so they can’t physically help construct the shelter, and the rest of the team has snow blindness and is unable to see. When the 30 minutes is up, turn on the fan and see which shelter can withstand the high winds of the storm.

8. Minefield

• An empty room or hallway
• A collection of common office items

1. Place the items (boxes, chairs, water bottles, bags, etc.) around the room so there's no clear path from one end of the room to the other.

2. Divide your team into pairs and blindfold one person on the team.

3. The other must verbally guide that person from one end of the room to the other, avoiding the "mines."

4. The partner who is not blindfolded can't touch the other.

5. If you want to make the activity more challenging, have all the pairs go simultaneously so teams must find ways to strategically communicate with each other.

9. Blind Formations

1. Have the group put on blindfolds and form a large circle.

2. Tie two ends of a rope together and lay it in a circle in the middle of the group, close enough so each person can reach down and touch it.

3. Instruct the group to communicate to create a shape with the rope — a square, triangle, rectangle, etc.

4. If you have a very large group, divide them into teams and provide a rope for each team. Let them compete to see who forms a particular shape quickest.

Quick and easy problem-solving activities

10. line up blind.

1. Blindfold everyone and whisper a number to each person, beginning with one.

2. Tell them to line up in numerical order without talking.

3. Instead of giving them a number, you could also have them line up numerically by height, age, birthday, etc.

11. Reverse Pyramid

Helps with: Adaptability, collaboration

1. Have everyone stand in a pyramid shape, horizontally.

2. Ask them to flip the base and the apex of the pyramid moving only three people.

3. This quick exercise works best when smaller groups compete to see who can reverse the pyramid the fastest.

12. Move It!

• Chalk, rope, tape, or paper (something to mark a space)

1. Divide your group into two teams and line them up front to back, facing each other.

2. Using the chalk, tape, rope, or paper (depending on the playing surface), mark a square space for each person to stand on. Leave one extra empty space between the two facing rows.

3. The goal is for the two facing lines of players to switch places.

4. Place these restrictions on movement:

• Only one person may move at a time.
• A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.
• No one may not move backward.
• A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.

13. Human Knot

1. Have everyone stand in a circle, and ask each person to hold hands with two people who aren’t directly next to them.

2. When everyone is tangled together, ask them to untangle the knot and form a perfect circle — without letting go of anyone's hand.

Our last two problem-solving activities work best when dealing with an actual problem:

14. Dumbest Idea First

Helps with: Instant problem-solving

1. "Dumb" ideas are sometimes the best ideas. Ask everyone to think of the absolute dumbest possible solution to the problem at hand.

2. After you have a long list, look through it and see which ones might not be as dumb as you think.

3. Brainstorm your solutions in Wrike. It's free and everyone can start collaborating instantly!

15. What Would X Do

1. Have everyone pretend they're someone famous.

2. Each person must approach the problem as if they were their chosen famous person. What options would they consider? How would they handle it?

3. This allows everyone to consider solutions they might not have thought of originally.

Looking for more team-building and virtual meeting games? Check out these virtual icebreaker games or our  Ultimate Guide to Team Building Activities that Don't Suck.

Additional resources on problem-solving activities

• Problem-Solving Model : Looking for a model to provide a problem-solving structure? This detailed guide gives you the tools to quickly solve any problem.
• The Simplex Process:  Popularized by Min Basadur's book, The Power of Innovation , the Simplex Process provides training and techniques for each problem-solving stage. It helps frame problem-solving as a continuous cycle, rather than a “one and done” process.
• Fun Problem-Solving Activities and Games : Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of interesting and creative problem-solving activities for adults and kids!
• The Secret to Better Problem-Solving:  This article provides tips, use cases, and fresh examples to help you become a whiz at solving the toughest problems.

How to organize problem-solving activities with Wrike

If you want to make problem-solving activities more effective, consider using team collaboration software such as Wrike. 

Wrike’s pre-built actionable meeting notes template helps you keep track of meeting discussions, assign action items, and keep everyone in the loop. It’s an effective tool to streamline your problem-solving sessions and turn insights into real projects.

Brianna Hansen

Brianna is a former Content Marketing Manager of Wrike. When she’s not writing about collaboration and team building games, you’ll find her in the kitchen testing out the latest recipes, sharing her favorite wine with friends, or playing with her two cats.

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17 team building problem-solving activities that actually work

Wouldn’t it be great to go to work every day and everything just … works? While that’s a lovely daydream, in reality, we face challenges from time to time.

And when it comes to challenges, one thing remains true: Having a team you can rely on makes whatever it is way easier to deal with. 

It’s time to support your team in their personal growth and work on those problem-solving skills. The best way to do that is through some targeted team building activities . 

We’ve compiled a list of the best problem-solving activities, sorted by duration and your team’s needs. Bonus point: A lot of them are free !

Effective team building problem-solving activities

One of the most daunting aspects of team building is looking up ideas for things to do, not knowing whether they work. So we did the hard part for you and hand-picked the best team building activities to overcome obstacles. 

1. Improve collaboration with Work Buddy

Price: 14-day free trial, afterwards 7€ per user

Time : 15-20 minutes

Best for: Improving collaboration through understanding other team members' work preferences

Work Buddy is an innovative way to get teams on the same page! It's a fun and interactive quiz that helps team members understand each other better, leading towards improved collaboration. Through this session, you'll gain insights into your colleagues' working style - hours they prefer communicating during, their long-term goals, and more - which can help create stronger relationships within the workplace for more effective achievement of shared objectives. Work Buddy is free to try .

2. Practice to become a Communication Master

Best for: Exploring and understanding communication biases in the team

You're not alone if you've noticed misunderstandings or inefficient communication in your team. According to a recent study, 86% of knowledge workers report experiencing communication issues at work . Shortcomings in communication are estimated to lead to losses in profit of more than one trillion $ each year in the US alone.

Communication Master is an activity that helps your team practice explaining ideas in a clear and efficient way. It's challenging and fun, and you can try it for free .

3. Follow the GROW process

Price: Free

Time : 2-3 hours

Best for: Taking a tried and tested approach to problem-solving

Arguably the best way to tackle organizational problems is by applying a model already tried and tested in business coaching. The GROW model is precisely that. GROW is an acronym in which each letter represents a step in the problem-solving process.

How it works:

• G - Goal: Align on the goal(s) you want to achieve. Be as precise as possible and include numbers, time frames, etc. 
• R - Reality: Observe where you are on the journey to achieve your goal. What still lies ahead of you?
• O - Obstacles & Options: Which obstacles does your team currently face, and which challenges do you anticipate in the future? Consider various approaches to overcoming the (possible) roadblocks.
• W - Way forward: Write down concrete action steps that you will take moving forward, including responsibilities and timelines.

Watch this role play video to see how you can put GROW into action.

4. Assess personality types

Price: Free Time: 60-90 minutes

Best for: Increasing empathy and enhancing teamwork

If your teammates constantly clash with each other, chances are they have different personality types. Understanding differences within your team is critical for good collaboration and teamwork, the pillars of successful problem-solving. To get going, take a personality test together and learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses. Have a follow-up discussion to talk about how you can collaborate better in the future. 

Question starters for your discussion:

• Were you surprised by your results?
• Where does your personality benefit your work?
• How can you balance out each other's weaknesses?  
• How can you build on each other's strengths?
• Have you found a new appreciation for your teammates?

5. Have a well-being talk

Price: Free Time: 60 minutes ‍

Best for: Making sure your team is mentally prepared to tackle problems

If you feel like your team is lacking motivation and not on the top of their game, it may be time for a well-being check-in. Have an open conversation about mental health and your employees' feelings. Identify triggers for stress in the workplace; these typically include: 

• Content of the job 
• Role within the organization
• Professional development
• Work relationships
• Company culture
• Working conditions
• Personal reasons

Once you have identified the most prominent issues, create an action plan to improve your team’s mental well-being. If you need help facilitating this, Confetti offers a Mental Health Workshop led by a professional expert.

6. Online hackathon

Price: Free 

Time: 24-48 hours

Best for: Boosting teamwork and innovation; Solving a specific problem in your organization

A hackathon is an event in which people of different disciplines come together to solve a common, real-world problem. It is the perfect activity for quickly innovating processes within your organization. Hosting a hackathon online allows you to invite team members from all around the world.

There are already great resources about organizing virtual hackathons available. To get you going, here’s a quick rundown on the most important steps:

• Settle on the problem that your team should tackle, develop the deliverables, and invite industry experts to serve as a jury
• Choose a video conferencing platform so the participants can stay in touch throughout the hackathon
• Divide your team into smaller action teams. This works best if you involve different departments to mix and match different strengths and skillsets
• When the day of the hackathon arrives, hold a kick-off meeting to explain the process of the event 
• Have fun and get excited about great results

Leah Buchholz

Remote Expert & Jr. Content Marketer

Large groups

Prep required

Share fun facts and bond with a team quiz

Have your participants choose from a list of questions they’d like their coworkers to answer about them, before watching as they guess the right answer.

share-fun-facts-and-bond-with-a-team-quiz

Run a guided recognition activity

run-a-guided-recognition-activity

Organize a virtual cooking class

Hire a professional chef to help your team cook a delicious lunch or dinner. May be difficult for co-workers with families. To find providers and get tips, read our blog about virtual cooking classes.

organize-a-virtual-cooking-class

Hire a stand-up comedian

hire-a-stand-up-comedian

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Table of contents

Discover virtual team building with Gomada

Gomada auto-generates the optimal activity sequence for your team. All you need to do is schedule the activity.

Virtual team building problem-solving activities

If your team is working in a remote or hybrid setting and you’re looking for some fun games that strengthen problem-solving skills, the following activities are a match.

Related : The best team building software tools & apps.

7. Yes, and …

Time: 5-15 minutes

Best for: A quick game to foster creativity and flexibility

One of the best ways to strengthen your team’s ability to think quickly and adapt to unknown scenarios is through improv games. This one is perfect for beginners as it doesn’t require any acting, and your team can participate from the comfort of their home office chairs. 

To play the game, one person begins to tell a story, and the rest of the team has to build on it by replying with "yes, and". One after the other, everyone contributes one or two sentences, but people have to react quickly to keep the flow of the story going. 

You can determine the order in advance, for example, by first name or age, or keep it open to increase the difficulty level.

8. Flash of genius

Time: 15- 20 minutes

Best for: Quick thinking, boosting creativity, healthy competition

Have you ever had a flash of inspiration at a random moment? The one that prompts you to jot down your brilliant idea on a piece of paper or a napkin? That’s what this game is all about.

Before the game starts, you have to prepare several problem statements. These can be real, like ‘A team from another department constantly messes up your work. What do you do?’ or imaginative, such as ‘Aliens have landed on planet earth and kidnapped humans. What do you do?’. During the session, the participants then need to develop solutions to these problems. 

• Split the team into small groups and ask everyone to write down their approaches on a digital collaboration board 
• After two minutes of brainstorming, every team gets one more minute to decide on their number one solution
• For the finale, everyone presents their approach to the rest of the group

9. Codenames

Time: 15-30 minutes

Best for: Thinking outside the box, risk evaluation, communication

​​Codenames was initially released as a card game but is now also available as an online version. In this game, two teams must try to identify agents hiding behind codenames. 

• The playing field consists of 25 cards labeled with codenames (random words)
• Both teams assign one spymaster who gets to see under which cards the agents for their team are hiding. The spymasters take turns giving their team members clues to find the right cards, but with one big restriction – they can only say one word.
• The goal is to find all the right words before the other team finishes.

To be the fastest team, it is useful to give clues that connect different terms, but players have to be careful not to guess the cards that belong to the other group. Thus, the participants must find the right balance between risk-taking and passing on an opportunity to score.

10. Domino effect

Price: 0- 29€/person

Best for: Collaborating asynchronously and working together on one goal

The idea behind this activity is simple; you knock over one object that sets a second in motion, which is followed by a whole chain of reactions. What makes it difficult is that the team has to create this domino effect without being in the same place. Therefore, each team member has to create one part of the process and film it.

This is what it looks like: 

• Person 1 begins the series by knocking over a random object and making a video of it; let’s say they choose a ball that knocks down a book
• They inform person 2, who creates a video of a book falling onto a bottle. 
• Then, person 3 has to start their video with a bottle falling on the object of their choice and so on.
• In the end, all videos are cut together. 

The activity requires strategic thinking and good communication to have a consistent string of domino effects and is perfect for teams who work across different time zones. You can either set it up yourself or get a professional agency to support you.

11. Escape room

Price: 0-30€/person

Time: 15-90 min.

Best for: Refining attention to detail and logical thinking with a gamified experience

If you’re not already familiar with the concept of escape rooms, you’re missing out! In short, your team has to solve various puzzles and riddles while following a mystery tale. Only if they find the hidden clues will they reach the solution and escape the room. 

This makes escape rooms an excellent problem-solving team building activity for adults. Participants have to practice their patience and logical thinking. Virtual escape games usually take place over a video conferencing tool so participants can discuss their ideas as the game proceeds. One of our favorite escape room experiences is this Sherlock-inspired detective story.

12. Panel of Experts

Time: 15-30 min.

Best for: Helping team members to step out of their comfort zone through improvisation

Panel of Experts is another improv game that is great for fostering creativity and spontaneity as your team will have to create dialogues without any prior preparation and script.

How it works: 

• You determine one show host and two to four ‘experts’; the rest of the team will act as an audience. 
• Everybody in the audience can call in a topic they would like the group to discuss for two minutes. Collect all ideas and agree on a topic to start with.
• The actors now have to engage in a conversation in their respective roles. 
• After each round, assign the roles to new team members.

Your team will have collaboratively put up some entertaining scenes, and who knows, maybe you will discover some actual special-interest knowledge.

13. Sort the group

Time: 10-15 minutes

Best for: Improving communication; Getting to know your team

Sort the group exercises are exactly what they sound to be: As a team, you have to get in order following different attributes like height, age, duration at the company; you name it. The difficulty lies within the fact that you aren’t allowed to talk or write. Team members have to develop other ways to communicate and get in order.

Pro tip: You can open a shared document, write down the names of the participants and rearrange them until everyone agrees on the final result.

Trust Activity

Ups & Downs

Core dimension

What cheers us up and tears us down can be very different. Get to know your team’s motivators and demotivators.

Offline problem-solving activities for team building

If you’re pumped to do some team building in person , we’ve picked the right activities for you.

14. The minefield

Price: 0-10€

Best for: Practicing communication and listening skills and advancing trust between team members

This classic team building activity works very well to build trust in your team without the awkwardness of trust falls or entangling human knots. You’ll have to prepare a playing field beforehand, consisting of a starting and finishing line, and put some obstacles (e.g., bottles) in between. 

• Divide the team into several small groups. Each team lines up at the edge of the playing field.
• Each participant is given a blindfold to put on when it is their turn. You can use face masks or anything else to cover the eyes.
• After giving the go, the groups must try to guide their 'blind' teammates through the minefield using verbal instructions alone. If a person touches an object, they have to start over. If they make it through the minefield, the next person can start. 
• The fastest team wins. 

Pro tip: To make the game more difficult, you can rule that players cannot give directions (front, side, back) but must think of a code to guide their teammates.

15. Picking up trash

Time: 30 minutes - 3 hours

Best for: Teams looking to make a real impact beyond simple games

What better way to connect with your team than simultaneously doing something great for the environment? Have your team walk around the area around your office and pick up trash together. Afterward, you come together and brainstorm ideas on how to tackle the garbage problem. Maybe your neighborhood could profit from some more trash cans? Higher fines for littering? A better deposit system? Get creative!

You can also turn it into a challenge. To do so, divide your crew into smaller groups and assign each one the task of collecting as much rubbish as they can. After some time, you evaluate who had the most original approaches and picked up the most trash. 

Either way, you train your problem-solving skills on a real-world issue and do some good for nature.

16. Speed-dating

Time: 10-20 minutes

Best for: Fostering 1:1 conversations around work issues

While speed dating is best known for finding new romantic partners, it can also be applied to the working environment. 

Here is how it works:

• Divide the team into two groups, one of which positions itself in an inner and the other in an outer circle. There should always be two people facing each other. If you’re an uneven number, create one pair that always moves together.
• A game leader asks a question for which both partners have one minute to answer.
• Then the inner circle moves so that two new team members are facing each other.
• The game ends when everyone has returned to their original partner.

Some questions to inspire your own:

• If you could change one thing in your workday, what would it be?
• Would you rather have more time or more money? Why?
• What would you do if your laptop suddenly just stopped working?

17. Scavenger hunt

Price: Varies

Time: 2-3 hours

Best for: Fostering cross-team collaboration and boosting team morale

Another classic team-building activity that is great for promoting problem-solving. You have to work together as a team to find clues that will ultimately lead you to a goal. 

As far as preparation goes, you will have to decide between setting up the activity yourself or a professional provider. Depending on which option you choose, you will have to invest more money or time (yes, we are referring to the last game here). Either way, your joint search will have your team think outside the box and socialize with others. 

What are the benefits of problem-solving team building activities for businesses?

Problem-solving is an essential skill for every team. In particular, strengthening your team member’s decision-making and adaptability skills will ensure that your daily operations run a bit smoother; say a new process isn’t going as planned, or an essential co-worker falls sick, your team will be able to handle it. You also set out your organization for success when facing more drastic challenges, such as, uh, a global pandemic or changes in the company’s strategy. 

Some of the skills your team will improve on when regularly engaging in problem-solving team building activities are:

• Out-of-the-box thinking
• Communication
• Creativity 
• Flexibility
• Collaboration

Using team building problem-solving games

Investing time into team building activities that support problem-solving is the best way to empower your team in their abilities to overcome work challenges. Whether you’re an experienced leadership team looking to boost your decision-making and critical thinking skills or a young team working on collaboration and communication , these activities set you up for success. 

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99 Five-Minute Team-Building Activities (Virtual)

Here’s the ultimate list of five-minute team-building activities for virtual teams.

Virtual meetings tend to start… a bit stale: “Can everyone hear me?” “Is Brian here yet?” “Should we get started or give it a few minutes?”

At the fully remote company that I ran for six years , we lucked into some great virtual icebreakers . And we also had structured team-building games from time to time. That experience prompted me to write this guide – 99 short team-building activities organized into six categories. We did almost all of them ourselves. For the ones we didn’t do, you’ll see a source to learn more.

👉 5-Minute Virtual Team Building Activities: Complete List 👈

Click below to jump to a category of five-minute team-building activities for work:

• Game websites
• Interactive activities
• Visual activities
• Discussions
• Ice breakers

The Best Game Websites For 5-Minute Team Building

These are seven great websites/apps where you can find team-building games.

1) Tiny Campfire

Tiny Campfire offers a virtual campfire experience where teams can come together to tell stories, play campfire games, and even roast virtual marshmallows. It’s designed to create a cozy, bonding atmosphere, ideal for team building and making connections in remote teams.

Visit Tiny Campfire .

2) Geoguessr

GeoGuessr is an online game that drops players into a random location via Google Street View. Players must then guess their location based on visual clues. It’s excellent for teams as it encourages problem-solving and discussion, making it perfect for short, collaborative breaks.

Visit Geoguessr .

Skribbl is a free multiplayer drawing and guessing game where one person draws something related to a chosen word, and others have to guess the word correctly. It’s fun and light-hearted, suitable for fostering teamwork and laughter among colleagues.

Visit Skribbl .

4) Lumosity

Lumosity offers brain training games designed to enhance cognitive skills such as memory, attention, flexibility, and problem-solving. It’s great for teams looking to engage in mental fitness challenges together, encouraging a bit of friendly competition and cooperation.

Visit Lumosity.

HeyLime provides a variety of creative and collaborative online games tailored for remote teams, focusing on building connections and boosting team morale through interactive challenges and puzzles.

Visit HeyLime .

Wordl is a word puzzle game where players guess a target word with limited tries, receiving feedback on letter accuracy in each guess. It’s a simple yet engaging way to stimulate team communication and strategy in a casual, inclusive environment.

Visit Wordle on NY Times.

Sporcle offers a wide range of trivia and quiz games across various topics. Teams can use Sporcle to host quiz sessions that are both educational and entertaining, perfect for breaking the ice and sparking discussions among team members.

Visit Sporcle.  

The Best 5-Minute Games For Team Building

Here are some games your team can play together in five minutes.

8) Improv Storytelling

Participants build a story one sentence at a time, each person adding to the last, promoting creativity and quick thinking.

9) Birth Map

Team members place a pin on a digital map showing where they were born, leading to discussions about diverse backgrounds and cultures.

(Source: Atlassian )

10) Charades

One person acts out a clue while the rest of the team guesses.

11) Typing Speed Race

“In this activity, all team members take a typing test using typingtest.com or a similar website. Then, they post their results on the chat feature of their video conferencing software. This activity helps improve employees’ typing speed in a fun and engaging manner.”

– Aviad Faruzon at Faruzo

12) Spreadsheet Pixel Art

“Users create a copy of the main Google Sheets spreadsheet and then use the color pallet and small squares to recreate a pixel image that has been provided. The spreadsheet is color formatted meaning that if you enter numbers 1-9 in any given cell it will turn that color. The aim is to replicate the original image within the allotted 5-minute time frame. It’s a lot of fun seeing team members scramble to try and get the image as accurate as possible.”

– Nazy Rafaeil at Jovani

13) Personality Quizzes

Share the results of a quick personality or trivia quiz to spark discussions about preferences and traits.

14) Riddles

Solve challenging puzzles and riddles as a group, enhancing problem-solving skills and group cohesion.

“Virtual happy hour trivia is best for building connections between remote employees and since our company is completely remote these days, it is one of the best additions to the working model. Not only that, the fun game has aided in increasing collaboration as well.”

– Lauren Proctor at BenchMade Modern

16) Name That Tune

“One of my favorites is the ‘Name That Tune’ game. In this game, team members take turns naming songs and the other team members have to guess the artist and song title as quickly as possible. This game is a great way to improve communication and collaboration within teams.”

– Marcin Jablonski at LVBET

17) Emoji Translation

Write a sentence using only emojis, and let others translate it. Promotes laughter and light-hearted challenges.

18) Pictionary Sprint

Use a digital whiteboard to play Pictionary, with team members guessing what’s being drawn as fast as possible.

19) GIF Battle

Team members send GIFs in response to a theme or prompt and vote on the funniest or most accurate.

20) Virtual Lip Sync Battle

Team members pick a song and perform a lip-sync version for the team, which can be both hilarious and engaging.

21) Meme Creation Contest

Team members create and share a meme about their work life or current projects in a few minutes.

22) What’s That Sound?

Play a sound clip and have team members guess what it is. Could include animal sounds, musical instruments, etc.

23) Virtual Bingo

Play a quick round of bingo with cards that feature work-related situations or common interests.

24) Drawing Dictation

One person describes an object, and everyone else tries to draw it based on the description alone.

25) Haiku Happening

Each team member writes a haiku (a three-line poem) about their current mood or day and shares it.

26) Two Truths And A Lie

Each person shares two true statements and one false one about themselves, others guess which one is the lie.

27) Story From A Hat

Each member writes a random word or phrase and puts it into a virtual hat. Draw and tell a short story using the draw.

28) Where In The World?

Display a street view from Google Maps and have team members guess the location.

29) Flash Fiction Fun

Create and share very short stories (under 100 words) on a given theme, promoting creativity and quick thinking.

30) Quick Quiz

Conduct a quick trivia quiz on a variety of topics, using an online platform to keep track of scores.

31) Emoji Story

Build a funny story one line at a time using only emojis. Team members interpret and continue the tale.

32) Pop Culture Quiz

A quick quiz about current pop culture that can spark discussions and light-hearted debates.

33) Word Association

A game where one word leads to another, testing how quickly team members can think and how well they understand each other’s thought processes.  

Interactive 5-Minute Team Building Ideas

34) blind origami.

“Origami instructions will be emailed to one individual from each pair. The individual who has the instructions should use messaging or videoconferencing software to walk their partner (the receiver) through the steps of making an origami design (but with the camera turned off). During the call, the receiver can ask questions, request clarification, and provide comments. Participants can turn their cameras back on once each group has finished to observe if the receiver got the origami building correct. The goal of this activity is to emphasize the value of listening and soliciting feedback.”

– Zaeem Chaudhary at AC Design Solutions

35) Virtual Background Challenge

Change virtual backgrounds to fit a theme, and guess the theme or location depicted by each background.

36) Team Playlist

Each member adds a song to a collaborative playlist and explains their choice. Great for musical discovery.

37) Desk Stretch

Lead a quick session of stretches or simple physical activities to rejuvenate and boost energy.

38) Desk Yoga

A quick session of yoga poses that can be done while sitting at a desk to relax and stretch.

39) Group Fitness Challenge

A 5-minute fitness challenge (e.g., most push-ups, plank hold), encouraging health and a bit of friendly competition.

40) Mindfulness Minute

A guided one-minute mindfulness exercise to help relax and refocus, led by a team member or a chosen app.

41) Lightning Scavenger Hunt

Quick scavenger hunts where members find an item in their home that fits a quirky category, like something blue.

42) Virtual Handshake

Invent a new, funny handshake that team members can mimic and pass on.

43) Theme Dress Code

Decide on a theme (e.g., superheroes, 80s, hats) and everyone dresses accordingly during a meeting.

44) Virtual Dance Party

A spontaneous dance break where team members can dance on camera to a chosen song, boosting morale and energy.

45) Talent Show

A rapid-fire talent show where each member has a minute to showcase a hidden talent or fun trick.

46) The 5-Minute Journal

A quick journaling session where team members write down thoughts or feelings, helping to reduce stress and share insights.

47) Virtual Magic Tricks

Team members share a simple magic trick they can do, which can be a unique way to engage and surprise each other.  

Visual 5-Minute Team Building Activities

These activities use photos, things around your house, and artwork to break the ice.

48) Home Office Tour

Team members give a virtual tour of their home office, sharing personal touches and workspace setups.

49) Logo Draw

Team members try to draw famous logos from memory, leading to fun and sometimes humorous results.

50) Caption This Photo

“The team members will have to pass around a mobile device that displays a funny photo. Each person is instructed to come up with a creative caption for it. You can make the rules as flexible or strict as you want. For example, you might require everyone to submit their caption within the next 10 minutes. It’s a good way to help people loosen up and get more creative with their thinking.”

– Brice Gump at Major Impact Media

51) Handwriting Challenge

Everyone writes a specific sentence and shares it, comparing styles and perhaps discussing the lost art of handwriting.

52) Ugly Sweater/Holiday Outfit Contest

A fun and festive contest where team members wear and showcase their ugliest sweater or holiday-themed outfit, promoting light-hearted fun.

53) A Classic Show-And-Tell

“The best virtual team-building activities strip away the usual formalities and allow everyone to come as they are, socializing in a way that is absent of pressure or potential embarrassment. A great activity that accomplishes this goal is classic show-and-tell with a set topic, like pets, house plants, or what’s for lunch that day. It’s easy, instant and can kick off some great conversations.”

– Laura Spawn at Virtual Vocations

54) Photo Of Your Life

“In this challenge, each member is tasked with summing up their life in an image they have personally taken. It could be anything, from a location to hobbies, to family photos or pets. The image is then shared with everyone on the team along with an explanation on why they think the photo best sums up their life. This is a great way to present a more personal side to each member and allows others a peek on who they are as a person.”

– Scott McKinney at Debt Bombshell

55) Guess The Desk

Team members submit a photo of their desk and others guess whose desk it is.

56) DIY Desk Decor

Team members use quick crafts to create or modify a desk decoration, then share their creations.

57) Coffee Art Contest

Team members try their hand at creating latte art or arranging a creative coffee mug snapshot to share.

58) Show And Tell

Team members take turns showing something from their home/workspace and explaining its significance.

59) Pet Parade

Team members showcase their pets on camera, or share a photo if their pet isn’t nearby.

60) Quick Draw

Team members quickly draw something related to a prompt and then share with the group. Encourages creativity.

61) DIY Puppet Show

Quickly create simple puppets and perform a short sketch or tell a story using them, sparking creativity and teamwork.

62) Snapshot Moments

Each team member shares a photo or image that had a significant impact on them recently and explains why.

63) Slogan Rewrite

Rewrite famous slogans for products or companies, fostering creativity and humor in marketing and brand understanding.  

5-Minute Discussions For Team Building

These are structured ways to get conversations going.

64) Personal TED Talks

Team members give short, inspiring talks on topics they are passionate about, modeled after the famous TED Talks format.

(Source: The Go Game )

“One of the best team-building activities can be playing virtual games like “X or Y.” It is one of the most appropriate activities to understand other people. It is a simple activity in which team members can select some choice questions like “dog or cat” or ‘OTT or Cinema.’ The team members can then discuss the answers to these questions and better know the colleagues’ personalities.”

– Daria Maltseva at KeyUA

66) Debates

Quick, structured debates on light topics where team members express and justify their viewpoints, enhancing communication skills.

67) Bucket List

Sharing personal bucket list items, revealing dreams and aspirations, which can help in building deeper personal connections.

68) Recipe Swap

“Angry BBQ invites each team member to share their favorite recipe and how they did it. They are given the opportunity to present this in whatever form they like–may it be through a video file internally shown, a Tiktok content, or photo presentation every Friday during our informal virtual meetup. This activity effectively encourages employees to take time out from work to do something as satisfying as preparing food.”

– Michael Haas at Angry BBQ

69) Hot Seat

One member answers quick-fire questions from others, helping the team learn about them in a fun and engaging way.

(Source: Deel )

70) Eat And Greet

“We’ve created virtual lunches in a program called Gather Town. It’s a virtual office that gives our team of 100 employees the time and chance to meet each other over our lunch breaks. It’s become a really great way for all of us to stay in touch even though most of us are working remotely.”

– Amanda Kelly at NorthOne

71) Learning Meetings

“We offer every employee weekly paid learning time. And every week, everyone in our company meets virtually to share their learning updates. The meetings help build visibility and increase cohesion. More importantly, they expose everyone to new perspectives and encourage everyone to look at learning as a lifelong pursuit. This ties directly to our core values of Learning, Sharing and Giving Back.”

– Fraser Wilson at AnywhereWorks

72) 60 Seconds Of Fame

As our weekly meetings can become repetitive, I have decided to start them with a fun point. To do this, I ask each team member to share a joke, read a poem, sing a song or do something funny at the beginning of the meeting. In addition to helping break the ice and get to know the team better, I have also innocently discovered hidden superstars in my team!”

– Bartek Boniecki at Passport Photo Online

73) Guess Who?

Team members provide obscure personal facts to the group, and others have to guess who the fact belongs to.

74) Recipe Roundup

Share quick recipes or favorite snacks, possibly related to productivity or health.

75) Hero Award

Quickly nominate and award a “Hero of the Week” for team members who went above and beyond.

76) Speed Debating

Quick debates on harmless topics (e.g., is cereal soup?) with team members randomly assigned to positions.

77) High-Speed Networking

Quick 1-on-1 chats between team members randomly paired, rotating every minute.

78) Appreciation Round

Everyone takes turns to appreciate or thank another team member for their help or work.

79) Express Gratitude

Each team member quickly shares something they are grateful for, fostering a positive team environment.

80) Fast Fact

Each member shares a quick, unknown fact about themselves. Builds deeper understanding of each other.

81) Commonality Quest

Discover things that all team members have in common, fostering connections and revealing interesting facts.

82) Virtual Coffee Break

A structured 5-minute break where team members grab a coffee and chat about non-work topics.  

5-Minute Virtual Ice Breakers For Team Building

These are icebreaker questions specifically. We grabbed them from our main virtual icebreaker post .

83) What Was Your Worst Job?

Sharing experiences from unpleasant jobs, often leading to humor and a sense of common ground among colleagues.

84) Would You Rather Have A Rewind Button, A Fast Forward Button, Or A Pause Button On Your Life?

A philosophical discussion where members choose a hypothetical life control and justify their choice.

85) Do You Think You’re An Introvert Or An Extrovert, And Why?

Members discuss their personality traits, providing insights into their behavior and preferences in social settings.

86) Do You Think You’re An Optimist Or A Pessimist, And Why?

Individuals explain their outlook on life, facilitating deeper discussions and understanding among the team.

87) If You Can Give One Sentence Advice About How To Live Life, What Would It Be?

Members share profound or practical life advice in one sentence, reflecting their life philosophy or practical mindset.

88) If You Can Instantly Become An Expert In Something, What Would It Be?

Team members share which skill or field they wish to master instantly, revealing personal interests and aspirations.

89) If You Had A Time Machine, Would Go Back In Time Or Into The Future?

A thought experiment where team members choose their preferred direction in time and explain their choice.

90) If You Had To Choose To Live Without One Of Your Five Senses, Which One Would You Give Up?

A challenging question that prompts members to evaluate and discuss the importance of each sense.

91) What Is The Farthest Place You Have Ever Traveled To?

Team members describe the most distant place they’ve visited, potentially sharing interesting travel stories and experiences.

92) What Is A Unique Phrase In Your Area Of The World?

Members share and explain a unique phrase or slang from their local area, fostering cultural exchange and learning.

93) What Is The Best Piece Of Advice You’ve Ever Been Given?

Individuals share impactful advice they’ve received, which can be inspiring and motivational for the team.

94) Would You Rather Meet Your Ancestors Or Meet Your Descendants?

A choice that encourages team members to reflect on their values and what they might want to learn from or impart to their lineage.

95) What Was Your First Job?

A discussion about each person’s first job, often revealing funny or humble beginnings and shared experiences.

96) What Is Your Best Scar Story?

Team members share the stories behind their scars. This activity allows individuals to reveal personal experiences, challenges they’ve faced, or unique activities they did/do outside of work.

97) Describe Your Dream Vacation

Team members describe their ideal getaway, sharing personal interests and dreams, which can help in understanding each other’s preferences.

98) Describe Your Worst Haircut Experience

Sharing humorous or disastrous haircut stories to foster laughter and camaraderie among team members.

99) Movie Pitch

Team members quickly pitch a silly or dramatic movie idea that includes elements chosen by the team.

Resources For Virtual Team Building

• Filter 122 No-Prep, Virtual Icebreakers By Type
• Virtual Team-Building Activities
• 32 Programs To Strengthen Remote Work Culture

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• Inspire & Impact Collection |
• 45 team building games to improve commu ...

45 team building games to improve communication and camaraderie

Team building games bring everyone together without the added pressure of work. Here, we’ve listed 45 of the top team building activities broken down by icebreaker, problem solving, indoor, and outdoor games.

As Ashley Frabasilio, Employee Engagement Manager at Asana puts it, “Creating a shared experience for teams to build relationships is one of the best ways to increase trust and encourage collaboration."

Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor activities, quick icebreaker games, or activities to bond with your remote team members, we compiled a list of over 45 team building games that you’ll actually enjoy. 

How to make team building inclusive

Teams with an inclusive culture tend to be more transparent, supportive, and happy because everyone feels accepted. It’s essential to make any team activity feel productive and enjoyable for the entire group, regardless of personalities or skill sets. Whether you’re working on building an inclusive remote culture or want in-person teams to feel more comfortable together, consider the following for an inclusive team building experience:

Inclusive team building means including everyone. Depending on the type of team building activity, you may benefit from hiring an outside expert to facilitate a team building event that everyone can participate in. Plus, the activity may feel more authentic because a professional is guiding you.

If you have introverts on the team, they may not be as excited about an exercise that involves lots of social interaction and do better in small groups. 

Teammates with speech, sight, or hearing impairments may feel left out during a game that involves blindfolding players and communicating without looking at each other.

Physically active games could exclude physically impaired teammates. 

Before choosing one of the team building games from this list, take stock of everyone's abilities. Find an activity that everyone on your team can participate in. Maybe even send out an anonymous poll to see what kinds of activities your team would be willing to partake in. Ultimately, the best team building activity will be the one that everyone can enjoy.

Team icebreaker games

Icebreaker questions and activities are the perfect “getting to know you” games but they’re also fun to play with teammates you’ve known for a long time. You can play them to get everyone up to speed for a meeting (especially on those 8am calls) or use them to introduce new team members.

1. Two truths, one lie

Team size : 3+ people

Time : 2–3 minutes per person

How to play : Ask everyone in the group to come up with two facts about themselves and one lie. The more memorable the facts (e.g., I went skydiving in Costa Rica) and the more believable the lies (e.g., I have two dogs), the more fun the game will be! Then, ask each team member to present their three statements and have the group vote on which one they think is the lie.

Why this exercise is great : This game is perfect for groups who don’t know each other well yet. The details you share can be used as building blocks for late conversations (“What else did you do in Costa Rica?”) to give you a better idea of who you’re working with.

2. Penny for your thoughts

Team size : 5+ people

How to play : You’ll need a box full of pennies (or other coins) with years only as old as your youngest team member (not the time to brag about your 1937 collector’s penny). Ask every team member to draw a coin from the box and share a story, memory, or otherwise significant thing that happened to them that year. This can be anything from learning how to ride a bike to landing your first job.    

Why this exercise is great : This is a fun twist on a stress-free and simple icebreaker that gives everyone the chance to share a personal story with their team. You can play multiple rounds if the stories are on the shorter side or let team members elaborate on their stories to gain deeper insight into their lives.

3. Mood pictures

How to play : Prepare a variety of images before you play. You can collect newspaper clippings, magazine cutouts, postcards, and posters or print out different images from the internet (Pinterest is a great spot). The images should show landscapes, cities, people, shapes, or animals in a variety of colors and perspectives.

Lay all the images out and ask team members to each pick one that resonates with their current mood. Once everyone has picked an image, ask them to share what they resonated with, how it makes them feel, and why they picked it.

Why this exercise is great : This exercise is a great way to get a meeting or a workshop started because it allows you to get a feel of the room in a creative and unexpected way. You don’t always have to ask your team to pick an image that reflects their mood—it can also be their expectations for a workshop, their feelings about a current project, or how they hope to feel at the end of the day. As they say, a picture’s worth a thousand words, so this exercise makes talking about feelings easier for a lot of people.

4. One word exercise

Time : 5–10 minutes 

How to play : Pick a phrase related to the meeting topic and ask everyone to write down one word that comes to mind on a post-it. Then, gather these words on a whiteboard or put them in a presentation. For example, if you’re hosting a meeting about your annual holiday event. Everyone would take a moment to respond with the first word that comes in their head. If the team is responding with words like stress or exhaustion, you might want to rethink your process.

Why this exercise is great : This is a way to collect opinions, thoughts, or feelings about a meeting that’s well within most people’s comfort zone. You’ll have the chance to read the room before diving into the topic and may uncover some concerns or questions to focus on, which will make the meeting more beneficial to everyone.

5. Back-to-back drawing

Team siz e: 4+ people 

Time : 5–10 minutes

How to play : Split your team into groups of two and make them sit back to back. Hand one person a pen and piece of paper and show the other person a picture of something that’s fairly simple to draw (e.g., a car, a flower, a house). This person now has to describe the picture to their teammate without actually saying what the item is so they can draw it. They’re allowed to describe shapes, sizes, and textures but can’t say, “Draw a lily.” Once the blind drawing is finished, compare it with the original to see how well you communicated.

Why this exercise is great : This activity is a fun way to polish your communication skills, especially your listening skills. It also gives your team a chance to get creative and innovative by thinking outside the box to describe the image to their teammate.

6. Birthday line up

Team size : 8+ people

Time : 10–15 minutes

How to play : Ask your entire team to form a line in order of their birthdays without talking to each other. You can encourage other forms of communication like sign language, gestures, or nudges. If you want to add a little bit of pressure and excitement to the exercise, add a time limit! 

Why this exercise is great : Besides learning everyone’s birthday (which can always come in handy as a conversation starter later on), this exercise encourages your team to learn to communicate towards a common goal without using words. Although this can be a challenge and get frustrating, this exercise promotes problem framing skills, cooperation, and non-verbal communication skills.

7. Charades

Team size : 8–10 people

Time : 10–25 minutes

How to play : Divide your team into groups of four or five people. The person who goes first is given or shown a random object (e.g., printer, stapler, keyboard) in private. They then have to demonstrate how to use the object without actually showing it in front of their team. Their team gets 30 seconds on the clock to shout out the correct word (you can adjust the time depending on the difficulty of the objects).

Then it’s the other team’s turn. You’ll keep playing until every team member has had the chance to demonstrate an object to their team. 

Why this exercise is great : This classic game is a nice way to break up a mentally taxing day and get your team to do a creative exercise that isn’t work-related.

8. Swift swap

Team size : 10–20 people

How to play :  Split your team into two groups and line them up facing each other. Team A gets a quick observation period (15–30 seconds) in which group members have to memorize as many things about the people in front of them as possible. Then team A turns around while team B changes as many things about their appearance as possible. 

Anything from changing the line up order to swapping shoes with someone or changing your hairdo is fair game. After about 45 seconds, team A turns back around and gets 5–10 minutes to find out what’s changed. You can adjust the time depending on the size of your group.

Why this exercise is great : This game is a great way to break up a long day and take everyone’s minds off work for a little while. Your team also gets to practice time-sensitive non-verbal communication during the swapping phase.

9. Code of conduct

Time : 20–30 minutes

How to play : This game is a great way to tune into a new project or workshop. Write the two categories “meaningful” and “enjoyable” on a whiteboard and ask the group to share what they believe is needed to accomplish these two things for your project or workshop. This can be anything from “regular breaks'' to “transparency and honesty,” which could fall under either category.

Everyone will choose ideas that they agree are both meaningful and enjoyable . Record these values in a shared tool to establish the code of conduct for your upcoming project or workshop. This list will function as a reminder for the team to uphold these values.

Why this exercise is great : Whether it’s the first day of a workshop, the beginning of a new project, or simply a Monday morning, this exercise is great to get everyone on your team on the same page. By establishing group norms and values early on and holding everyone accountable with a written code of conduct, you can create a sense of cohesiveness. If you’d like to do this exercise virtually, use our team brainstorming template to collect everyone’s thoughts.

10. Common thread

Team size : 10+ people

Time : 30 minutes

How to play : Divide your team into groups of three to five people. Then ask your team to find things everyone in their group has in common. This can be a favorite TV show, an ice cream flavor nobody likes, or a common hobby. Encourage your teammates to find common threads that aren’t too superficial or obvious. The more things they can find that everyone in the group has in common, the better! If you have the time, bring everyone together afterward and ask the teams to share their experiences.

Why this exercise is great : This fun game allows your team to find commonalities that they may not get a chance to discover otherwise. It’s also a great way to reunite teams that feel a bit divided. Talking about shared likes and dislikes can be helpful to reconnect you with teammates.

Remote or virtual team building games

Bonding with your teammates can be more difficult when you’re working remotely. Remote or virtual team building games can improve remote collaboration , motivate teams , and create a sense of community even though you’re physically apart. You can use Zoom to connect with your teammates or do quick team building exercises via your remote work software during the day.

If your team is located across multiple time zones, you may have to get creative with scheduling. Ashley Frabasilio, Employee Engagement Manager at Asana encourages leaders to schedule these activities during normal work hours. Ensure that the activity is appropriate for all participants in all time zones so no one feels excluded. Using work hours for these exercises can also increase the participation rate because you’re not interfering with personal time.

11. Show and tell  

How to play : Ask everyone in your team to bring something they’re proud of or that brings them joy to your next meeting. This can be anything from a pet to a plant, a painting they did, or a certificate they received. Everyone gets two to three minutes to show off their item and answer questions from the team if they have any.

Why this exercise is great : Show and tell isn’t just fun for kids, it’s also a great way to connect with your team. You’re probably going to learn something new about your teammates and may get a couple of conversation starters for your next meeting from this game.

12. Photo caption contest 

How to play : Collect a few funny photos—for example a few memes that have recently been circling the internet. Send these to your team before the meeting and ask everyone to submit their best photo caption for each image. You can put these together in a quick presentation and present them to your team during the call. You can have a good laugh together and even vote for the best captions.

Why this exercise is great : This exercise is a fun way to get creative as a team and have a good laugh together.

13. Morning coffee 

Time : 15–30 minutes

How to play : Schedule regular coffee calls for your remote team to give everyone a chance to get to know each other like they would in an office setting. You can schedule team calls with four to five people or randomly assign two people to each other that switch every time. You can offer these casual calls once a week, bi-weekly, or once a month, depending on your team size and the interest in this opportunity. 

Why this exercise is great : Remote teams don’t often get a chance to just chit-chat and get to know each other without talking about work or feeling like they’re wasting meeting time. By designating 15–30 minutes on a regular basis to a casual call, your team members will have a chance to bond with people they might not typically interact with.

14. Lunch and learn

How to play : Hold a weekly or monthly “lunch and learn” where one team member presents a topic to the whole team during their lunch break. This presentation can be on a tool everyone uses at work, on a lesson learned from a recent project, or even on a book they read that everyone can learn from. 

Why this exercise is great : These events are a great opportunity for your team to connect in a more casual yet educational setting. If your team budget allows, send restaurant gift cards to your team members so they can order lunch for the call.

15. Online group game  

Time : 30–60 minutes

How to play : Invite your team to play a game online together. This can be an actual video game if everyone happens to use the same console at home or you can download an interactive game (like Jackbox ) which you can screen share with the rest of the group. 

Why this exercise is great : Playing a video game or an interactive game that has nothing to do with work can be a fun way to switch things up, create a more casual work environment, and get to know each other better. It will also give people with great sportsmanship a chance to shine!

16. Trivia games 

Team size : 6–20 people

Time : 30–90 minutes

How to play : Start a meeting with a quick game of trivia or host a regular virtual trivia night at the end of the work day. You can play a game of office trivia (e.g., facts about the company) or pick random other themes like TV shows, music, or national parks. To mix things up, ask other team members to host trivia night.

Why this exercise is great : Whether you’re making the trivia game office-themed or creating a regular team activity that takes everyone’s minds off of work, you’ll get to spend time with your team playing a competitive, educational, and entertaining game that gives everyone a chance to bond.

17. Quarterly challenge  

Time : One month

How to play : Create an optional challenge for your team to participate in. The challenge can be centered around healthy eating, meditation, journaling, or reading. Create a chat or thread where your teammates can exchange their experiences, wins, and questions to keep each other motivated and accountable throughout the month. 

Make sure your team knows that participation is optional. It never hurts to ask for feedback to spark future team challenge ideas.

Why this exercise is great : Creating a challenge like this for your team shows them that you care about their work-life balance. By offering a quarterly challenge, you provide your team with the opportunity to share an experience together. Plus, it’s always easier to complete a challenge when you have a team who supports you and an incentive to work toward.  

18. Personality test  

How to play : Send a personality test to your team and ask everyone to share their results in a chat or during your next team meeting. This can be a formal test like the Enneagram or StrengthsFinder . For something more lighthearted, you can send a fun quiz like the Sorting Hat to find out which Hogwarts house you belong in or a Buzzfeed quiz (e.g., “ What Kitchen Appliance Are You? ”).

Why this exercise is great : Depending on the type of quiz your team takes, this can become a funny icebreaker before you start a meeting or turn into a discussion on your team’s combined strengths and challenges. 

Problem solving games

Playing problem solving games with your team helps them level up their teamwork skills, resolve issues, achieve goals, and excel together. Whether you’re using new brainstorming techniques or going out for a team adventure, these fun team building activities are the perfect way to improve your team's problem solving skills.

19. Your first idea

Team size : 5–12 people

Time : 10–20 minutes

How to play : Ask everyone in your team to write down the first idea that pops into their head when they’re presented with the problem. Compile the list and review it as a team.

A fun twist on this game is to ask everyone to write down their worst idea. After reviewing with the team, you may realize that some ideas aren’t that bad after all. You can play this game with a real-life problem, a fictional one, or when you’re brainstorming new ideas to pitch.

Why this exercise is great : We often get too much into our heads about problems and solutions. By writing down the first solution that comes to mind, we can uncover new perspectives and fixes.

20. Back of the napkin

Team size : 6–24 people

Time : 15–20 minutes

How to play : Divide your team into groups of two to four and present them with a variety of open-ended problems. These can be work-related, imaginary, or even environmental problems. Every team gets a napkin and pen that they have to sketch or write their solution on after they’ve discussed the issue as a group. These will then be presented to the rest of the team.

Why this exercise is great : Some of the best ideas have allegedly been recorded on napkins (hey, when creativity strikes you’ll write on anything). This game imitates this scenario while challenging your team to collaborate on solving a creative problem.

21. Create your own

How to play : Each team member will create an original problem-solving activity on their own and present it to the group. Whether this entails a physical, mental, or creative challenge is up to your team. If you have the time, play some of the games afterward!

Why this exercise is great : Coming up with your own games is fun and a real creative challenge. It also allows your team members to showcase their strengths by creating challenges they’ll be prepared to tackle.

22. Spectrum mapping

Team size : 5–15 people

How to play : Present your team with a few topics that you’d like their opinions and insight on. Write them down on a whiteboard and give everyone sticky notes and pens. Ask them to write down their thoughts and pin them on the whiteboard underneath the respective topic.

Now arrange the sticky notes as a team. Try to group similar ideas together to the left of the topic and post outliers toward the right side. This will create a spectrum of popular thoughts and opinions on the left and more extreme ideas on the right.

Why this exercise is great : This game will help you map out the diversity of perspectives your team has on different topics. Remember that unpopular opinions don’t have to be wrong. Embracing this diversity can help you uncover new perspectives and innovative ideas to solve problems you’re facing as a team. 

23. What would “X” do? 

Team size : 5–10 people

Time : 45–60 minutes

How to play : Present your team with a problem and ask everyone to come up with a famous person or leader they admire. This can be a celebrity, a business person, or a relative. Challenge your teammates to approach the problem as if they were that person and present their solution (extra points for playing in character).

Why this exercise is great : Getting stuck in your own head can often keep you from solving a problem efficiently and effectively. By stepping into the shoes of someone else, you may uncover new solutions. Plus, it’s fun pretending to be someone else for a little while!

24. Team pursuit

Time : 1–3 hours

How to play : Form groups of two to six people that will compete against one another in a series of challenges. You can buy a team pursuit package online or create your own game, which will take a good amount of prep time. 

You’ll want to create a set of challenges for your team: cerebral challenges that test logic and intelligence, skill challenges like aptitude tests, and mystery challenges which usually ask for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking (e.g., come up with a unique handshake, take a fun picture, etc.).  

Why this exercise is great : A solid game of team pursuit will create a fun challenge that gives everyone a chance to shine and show off their talents. Whether you’re a good runner, a quick thinker, or a creative mind, everyone will be able to contribute to the success of the team. This game will bring your team closer together and show them new sides of their teammates that they may not have been aware of.

25. Code break

Team size : 8–24 people

How to play : This brain teaser is a fun activity that you can play indoors or outdoors to challenge your team. Outback Team Building offers self-hosted, remote-hosted, and on-site hosted events that include several codes your teammates have to find and break to make it through the course.

Why this exercise is great : This challenge requires creative thinking, creates a competitive environment, and works with large groups because you can break off into smaller groups.

26. Escape room

Time : 2–3 hours

How to play : Visiting an escape room is always a unique experience and a great way to spend an afternoon with your team. If you have multiple escape rooms nearby, ask your team if they have a general idea of what theme they’d like to explore (e.g., history, horror, sci-fi) and try to pick something you’ll think everyone will enjoy.

If you’re super creative and have the time and resources, you can put together an escape room on your own!

Why this exercise is great : Solving the mysteries of an escape room with your team will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of your teammates, foster communication and collaboration, build trust, and become a shared memory that connects you together.

Indoor team building games

Most of these indoor games can be played in an office, conference room, or a hallway with a small team, but you may need a bit more space if you’re inviting a larger group to join in.

27. Perfect square

Team size : 4–12 people

How to play : Divide your team into groups of four to six and ask them to stand in a tight circle with their group. Ask everyone to blindfold themselves or close their eyes and give one person a rope. Without looking at what they're doing, the teams now have to pass the rope around so everyone holds a piece of it and then form a perfect square. Once the team is sure their square is perfect, they can lay the rope down on the floor, take off their blindfolds (or open their eyes) and see how well they did. 

Why this exercise is great : This game is about more than perfect geometric shapes, it’s an amazing listening and communication exercise. Because no one can see what they're doing, your team members have to communicate clearly while figuring out how to create a square out of a rope. Besides, it’s often really funny to see how imperfect the squares come out.

28. Memory wall

How to play : You’ll need a whiteboard and sticky notes for this game. Write different work-related themes on the whiteboard such as “first day at work,” “team celebration,” and “work travel.” Hand each teammate a few sticky notes and ask them to write down their favorite memories or accomplishments associated with one or more of these themes. Invite everyone to share these with the team to take a walk down memory lane and post the notes on the whiteboard as you go.

Why this exercise is great : This is a nice way to end a week, long day, or workshop because you’ll share positive experiences with one another that will leave your teammates smiling. If you’re finishing up a work trip or multi-day workshop, you can also do a slimmed-down version of this by asking everyone to share their favorite memory or biggest accomplishment of the last few days.

29. Turn back time  

How to play : This team building exercise works best in a quiet atmosphere with everyone sitting in a circle. Ask your team to silently think of a unique memory in their lives. You can give them a few minutes to collect their thoughts. Then, ask everyone to share the one memory they’d like to relive if they could turn back time.

Not everyone may be comfortable opening up at first, so be sure to lead with vulnerability and make everyone in the room feel safe about sharing their moment.

Why this exercise is great : This exercise is a great way to help your team members remember their priorities and bond on a deeper level. In a team that’s facing disconnection or stress, sharing personal highlights that aren’t work-related can help create a sense of togetherness. Although the exercise doesn’t take too long, it’s best to do it toward the end of the day so your team has a chance to reflect on what’s been said.

30. Paper plane  

Team size : 6–12 people

How to play : Split your team into groups of two to four and hand out card stock. Give each team 10–15 minutes to come up with the best long-distance paper plane design (they’re allowed to do research on their phones or computers) and a name for their airline.

When the paper planes are done, have a competition in a long hallway or outside to see which plane flies the farthest. 

Why this exercise is great : This exercise requires team members to collaborate on a project with a tight timeline. It is a great activity to practice communication skills, delegation, and time management.

31. Build a tower

Team size : 8–16 people

How to play : Divide your team into groups of four or five and provide them with 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. Challenge each team to build the tallest tower possible using only the supplies you gave them. When finished, the tower has to support the marshmallow sitting on top. Set the timer for 20 minutes and ask everyone to step away from their masterpiece when it runs out so you can crown a winner.

Why this exercise is great : This challenge is a great way to improve problem solving skills and communication within your team. Your team members will have to prototype, build, and present the tower in a short amount of time, which can be stressful. The better they work together, the more likely they are to succeed.

32. Flip it over

Team size : 6–8 people

How to play : Lay a towel, blanket, or sheet on the floor and ask your teammates to stand on it. The goal is to flip the piece over without ever stepping off of it or touching the ground outside of the fabric. You can make the challenge more difficult by adding more people to the team or using a smaller sheet.

Why this exercise is great : This exercise requires clear communication, cooperation, and a good sense of humor. It’s a great way to find out how well your teammates cooperate when presented with an oddly difficult task.

33. Sneak a peek 

Team size : 4–20 people

How to play : Create a structure out of Lego pieces and hide it in a separate room. Divide your team into groups of two to four people and give them enough Legos to replicate the structure in 30 minutes or less.

One player per team is allowed to sneak a peek at the original structure for 15 seconds, then run back and describe it to their team. The person who gets to sneak a peek rotates so everyone gets to see the original at some point during the game. The team that first completes the structure as close to the original wins! 

Why this exercise is great : During this game your team gets to focus on teamwork and communication. Since only one person at a time is allowed to look at the original, team members may see and describe different things. The more complex the structure is, the harder this game will be.

34. Pyramids

How to play : Pick a large open area for this game like a hallway, a meeting room, or the cafeteria. Divide your team into groups of four to six and give each team 10 paper cups. Ask the teams to stand in a line with about 8–10 feet between the team members. Now it’s a race against time!

The first person in each line has to build a pyramid with four cups at the base. Once they’re done, the second player has to help them carry the pyramid to their station (this can be on the floor or at a table). They can slide it on the floor or carry it together but if the pyramid falls apart, the players have to reassemble it on the spot before continuing their journey. At the next station, the second player has to topple the pyramid and rebuild it before the third player gets to help them carry it to the next station. This continues until the pyramid reaches the last station. The team that finishes first wins the game

Why this exercise is great : This game is fun to play during a mid-day break, fosters communication skills, and promotes teamwork.

35. Shipwrecked

Team size : 8–25 people

How to play : The premise of the game is that you’re stranded on a deserted island and only have 25 minutes to secure survival items off the sinking ship. Place items like water bottles, matches, food, etc., in the “shipwreck area.” You can also print pictures on index cards to make things a bit easier. The quantity of each item should be limited, with some items having more than others (e.g., more water than food, fewer tarps than teams, more knives than ropes, etc.).

Divide your team into groups of two (or more if it’s a large team). Once the clock starts, they have to gather as many items as they deem worthy from the shipwreck and rank them in order of importance. Since the items are limited (some more than others), the teams will not only have to prioritize the items within their own group of people but also negotiate, trade, and exchange items with other teams. 

Why this exercise is great : This game will challenge problem-solving abilities, encourage collaboration, and enable your team to flex their leadership skills. Typically, teams with strong leadership qualities will have the most success in making these quick decisions.

36. Team flag

Time : 30–45 minutes

How to play : Divide your team into groups of two to four people and provide them with paper and pens. Each group now has to come up with an emblem or flag that represents their team. Once everyone has completed their masterpiece, they have to present it to the rest of the teams, explaining how they came up with the design. This exercise is also a great opportunity to discuss how each group identified their common values and created alignment during the design process.

Why this exercise is great : This is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. Your team will not only have to come up with a unique design that represents their collective identity but they’ll also have to collaborate on putting pen to paper and presenting their flag or emblem at the end of the game.

37. Salt and pepper  

How to play : You’ll need a list of things that go well together like salt and pepper, left sock and right sock, day and night, peanut butter and jelly, or yin and yang. Write these words on individual pieces of paper and tape one sheet of paper on every team member's back. 

Ask your team to mingle and find out what’s written on their back by asking questions that can only be answered with yes or no (e.g., “Am I sweet? Do you wear me? Am I cold?”). Once the participants find out who they are, they have to find their match!

Why this exercise is great : Your team can use this game to bond with one another and improve their communication skills. If you have a large team, this exercise also gives them a chance to interact with people they may not usually get to talk to.

38. Sell it

Time : 45–90 minutes

How to play : Ask your teammates to each bring a random object to the meeting. Everyone then has to come up with a logo, slogan, and marketing plan to sell this object. After 30 minutes, each team member has to present their new product to the rest of the team. If you have a larger team, divide them into groups of 2–4 people and ask them to collaborate on their product pitch.

Why this exercise is great : This game is great to switch things up if you don’t already work in marketing or sales. It’s also fun to play with others as it allows your team to get creative and have fun with everyday objects.

39. The barter puzzle

Time : 1–2 hours

How to play : Divide your team into groups of three or four people and give each a different jigsaw puzzle of the same difficulty level. Ask them to complete the puzzle as a team. The twist: each puzzle is missing a few pieces that are mixed in with an opposing team’s puzzle. The teams have to figure out ways to get the pieces they need from the other teams by negotiating, trading pieces, or even exchanging teammates. Every decision has to be made as a team. The first team to complete their puzzle wins.

Why this exercise is great : Every decision made will have to be a group decision which challenges your team to improve their problem solving skills.  

Outdoor team building exercises

If you want to get a larger group together for a team building exercise, why not take things outside? Outdoor team building is also a great way to get your teammates to interact without the distractions of screens or smartphones. Whether you want to catch a breath of fresh air or get some sunshine together, these exercises will help you bond with your teammates outside of the office.

40. The minefield

Team size : 4–10 people

How to play : Create a minefield in a parking lot or another large, open space by sporadically placing objects like papers, balls, cones, and bottles. Split your team into groups of two and ask one person to put on a blindfold. The other person now has to guide the blindfolded teammate through the minefield only using their words. The blindfolded person is not allowed to talk and will be eliminated if they stop walking or step on anything in the minefield. 

The objective of the game is to make it to the other side of the minefield. The teams can then switch so another person will be blindfolded and guided through the field on their way back. You can also distribute pieces the blindfolded person has to pick up on their way through the field to add another difficulty level.

Why this exercise is great : This game is not just a trust exercise for your teammates but also a fun way to practice active listening skills and clear communication.

41. Earth-ball  

Team size : 5–20 people

Time : 15–45 minutes

How to play : You’ll need a balloon, beach ball, or volleyball for this activity. Ask your team to stand in a circle and keep the balloon or ball in the air for as long as possible. To make it a real challenge, no one can touch the ball twice in a row. The bigger your team, the more fun this game will be!

Why this exercise is great : This fun challenge is a great way to get your team moving. If you’re struggling to keep the ball up for longer, try to come up with a strategy to improve your time.

42. Scavenger hunt

How to play : Put together a scavenger hunt for your team. This can be in the form of a list of photographs they have to take (e.g., something red, all teammates in front of the company logo, the CEO’s car, etc.), items they have to collect (e.g., company brochure, yellow sticky note with manager’s signature on it, ketchup packet from the cafeteria, etc.), or other activities they have to complete on a designated route. 

Why this exercise is great : The more people that tag along, the more fun this game will be. You can group people together who don’t know each other very well to allow them time to bond during this exercise. Try to come up with company-specific quests for your team so they learn a few fun facts along the way. You can offer prizes for the most creative team or the first to finish the challenge to boost motivation.

43. Egg drop 

Time : 60–90 minutes

How to play : Divide your team into groups of two or three people and give each team a raw egg (keep some extras in case they break before the grand finale). Then put out supplies like tape, straws, rubber bands, newspapers, and balloons so the teams can build a structure for the raw egg that will protect it from a fall out of a second or third story window. 

Each team has 60 minutes to complete their structure. When the time is up, ask your teams to gather their eggs and egg cages to drop them out of the window. This grand finale will reveal which team engineered and built the best cage.

Why this exercise is great : Collaborating on a design and building a cage will challenge your team’s problem solving and collaboration skills.

44. Team outing

Team size : Any

How to play : Plan an outing for your team. You could attend a cooking class or go to a museum together. If you want to have something your teammates can work toward, plan to run a 5K together or host a ping pong tournament. You can also do something more casual like inviting your team to hangout at a bowling alley after work where you can play a few games in a casual and fun setting.

Why this exercise is great : Taking your team somewhere new will help break down some of the walls we often build in a professional setting. While you’re still at a company function, you’re more inclined to connect through casual conversation at a restaurant or park than you would at the office.

45. Volunteer as a team

How to play : Organize a team event during your regularly scheduled workday. This can be a charity event, yard sale, or fundraiser for a cause your team cares about. Even though these are enjoyable, scheduling them during work hours makes this feel like more of a perk than an obligation.

If your team members have a few causes they’re truly passionate about, consider making this a monthly or quarterly event. You can also rotate the charities that you’re helping out to accommodate your team’s different interests.

Why this exercise is great : Experiencing helper’s high can improve your personal health and mental state. Sharing this rush that doing good can give you will help your team bond on a deeper level. 

Benefits of team building

Team building is more than a fun break from your everyday routine at work. It also:

Improves communication, trust, and collaboration skills

Promotes a collaborative culture by bringing teammates together

Fosters agile decision making and problem solving skills

Boosts team productivity and morale

Uses creativity and outside-of-the-box thinking

Ashley Frabasilio believes that:

A common goal is to create a memorable and meaningful experience for folks to connect. Some questions to consider when planning an impactful team-building activity include: What do I hope folks walk away with? I.e., a new skill, a deeper connection to one another, personal development, a moment of delight, etc.”

Ask yourself these questions before proposing a team building activity so you can reap the full benefits of the exercise.

Bring your team together, creatively

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to build your team’s confidence, connection, and teamwork skills. While team building is fun, it’s also important to connect with your team on an everyday basis. To build one of those connections in your day-to-day work, the right collaboration software is key. 

Looking for the right collaboration tool? See how Asana keeps your team connected, no matter where you’re working. 

Related resources

Fix these common onboarding challenges to boost productivity

30-60-90 day plan: How to onboard new hires with ease

15 types of employee performance reviews

What is self-management? (7 skills to improve it)

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Team Building » Fall Team Building Activities Virtual

34 Exciting Fall Team Building Activities for Virtual Teams in 2024

Introduction to virtual fall team building activities.

As the crisp autumn air begins to replace the summer heat, and the leaves transition into a symphony of warm hues, it's time to reinvigorate your virtual teams with some fall-themed team building activities. The advent of fall presents a unique opportunity to bring your remote teams together, fostering camaraderie and enhancing productivity, all within the comfort of their own homes.

The shift towards remote work, accelerated by the global circumstances, has been a game-changer for businesses worldwide. However, it has also presented a new set of challenges, with team cohesion and employee engagement being among the most significant. Virtual team building activities have emerged as a powerful solution to these issues, helping to bridge the distance and maintain the team spirit.

Fall, with its vibrant colors and festive spirit, provides an excellent backdrop for these activities. The season's unique charm can be harnessed to create engaging and enjoyable experiences that not only bring the team together but also celebrate the season's beauty.

Whether it's a virtual pumpkin carving contest, a fall-themed trivia night, or an online autumn photography challenge, the possibilities for virtual fall team building activities are as abundant as the season's harvest. These activities can be tailored to fit teams of all sizes and can be conducted entirely online, ensuring that all team members, regardless of their location, can participate and enjoy.

As we delve deeper into this topic, we will explore the benefits of these activities, provide a range of creative ideas, and share some success stories. By the end of this piece, you will be equipped with a plethora of ideas to make this fall season an unforgettable one for your virtual team. So, grab a hot cup of apple cider, and let's dive into the world of virtual fall team building activities.

Benefits of Fall Team Building Activities for Virtual Teams

In this increasingly digital age, virtual teams have become a staple in many organizations. As such, the need for effective team building activities that can be conducted virtually has grown exponentially. Fall, with its vibrant colors and festive atmosphere, provides a unique backdrop for such activities. But beyond being seasonally appropriate, what benefits do fall team building activities offer for virtual teams? Let's delve into the key advantages.

1. Improved Communication

One of the primary benefits of team building activities is enhanced communication. Virtual teams often face communication challenges due to geographical barriers and lack of face-to-face interaction. Fall-themed team building activities, such as virtual pumpkin carving contests or fall trivia games, can break down these barriers by encouraging open dialogue and teamwork.

2. Increased Engagement

Fall team building activities can also boost engagement among virtual team members. Participating in fun, seasonal activities can break the monotony of daily work and spark enthusiasm. Whether it's a virtual fall photo contest or a Halloween costume competition, these activities can stoke engagement and create a more vibrant, energetic team atmosphere.

3. Strengthened Relationships

Virtual fall team building activities can also help strengthen relationships among team members. These activities provide opportunities for team members to interact on a more personal level, fostering trust and camaraderie. This can be particularly beneficial for virtual teams, where building personal connections can be more challenging.

4. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills

Many team building activities involve problem-solving tasks. These can range from fall-themed escape rooms to virtual scavenger hunts. These activities not only provide an entertaining break from work but also help develop critical problem-solving skills. Teams can apply these skills to their work, leading to more efficient and effective problem-solving in the professional sphere.

5. Boosted Morale

Lastly, fall team building activities can significantly boost team morale. Participating in enjoyable activities can help alleviate stress and foster a positive work environment. This can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved performance, and ultimately, a more successful team.

In conclusion, fall team building activities offer numerous benefits for virtual teams. They provide a platform for improved communication, increased engagement, strengthened relationships, enhanced problem-solving skills, and boosted morale. As we move into the fall season, it's the perfect time for virtual teams to take advantage of these benefits and start planning their fall team building activities.

6 Creative Fall Team Building Activities for Virtual Teams

As the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp, it's the perfect time to infuse your virtual team with the spirit of autumn through creative fall-themed activities. These activities not only promote team bonding but also stimulate creativity and innovation, fostering a productive and harmonious remote work environment. Here are six creative fall team building activities for your virtual teams.

1. Virtual Pumpkin Carving Contest

Nothing screams fall quite like pumpkin carving. This classic activity can easily be adapted for virtual teams. Each team member carves a pumpkin at home, then shares their creation during a video call. You can even add a competitive edge by having categories like 'Most Creative', 'Scariest', or 'Best Carving Technique', and awarding prizes to the winners.

2. Online Autumn Trivia

An autumn-themed trivia session can be a fun and engaging way to test your team's knowledge about the season. Questions can range from fall facts, pop culture references, to fall traditions around the world. This activity not only provides entertainment but also encourages learning and team collaboration.

3. Virtual Fall Scavenger Hunt

Scavify, with its innovative technology, can help you organize a virtual scavenger hunt with a fall theme. Team members can be tasked with finding fall-related items around their homes or in their local area. This activity encourages problem-solving and collaboration, all while allowing team members to enjoy the beauty of the season.

4. Fall Recipe Swap

A fall recipe swap is a great way to celebrate the season's flavors while learning more about your team members. Everyone can share their favorite fall recipes, followed by a virtual cook-off where participants prepare their dishes and share the results. This activity not only fosters team bonding but also promotes cultural exchange and appreciation.

5. Virtual Fall Craft Session

A virtual craft session can be a fun and relaxing way to bring your team together. Provide a list of fall-themed craft projects that team members can choose from, like making leaf garlands or DIY fall wreaths. This activity promotes creativity and gives your team a chance to unwind and converse in a non-work setting.

6. Online Book Club with Fall-Themed Books

A virtual book club can be a great way to stimulate intellectual conversation and bonding among team members. Choose a fall-themed book for everyone to read and discuss in a designated meeting. This activity not only encourages critical thinking but also provides a platform for team members to share their thoughts and perspectives.

These creative fall team building activities can bring a sense of unity and camaraderie to your virtual team. By celebrating the season together, you'll foster a positive and productive work culture that will last beyond the fall season.

5 Fall-Themed Virtual Team Building Activities for Small Teams

As the leaves start to change color and the air grows crisp, it's the perfect time to engage your small virtual teams in some unique fall-themed activities. These activities are not just fun, but they also foster camaraderie, boost morale, and enhance productivity. Here are five fall-themed virtual team building activities that small teams can enjoy.

Nothing screams fall like pumpkins. A virtual pumpkin carving contest is a great way to kick-start the fall season. Each team member can carve their own pumpkin at home while on a video call with the rest of the team. Once everyone is done, they can present their masterpieces and a vote can be held to crown the best carved pumpkin. This activity encourages creativity and gives everyone a chance to show off their carving skills.

2. Online Fall Trivia

Create a trivia game centered around the fall season. Questions can be about anything from fall-themed movies, history, and traditions, to seasonal foods. This activity tests team members' knowledge and gets them engaged in friendly competition. Plus, it's a great way to learn some fun fall facts!

Scavify is the perfect platform for a virtual fall scavenger hunt. Create a list of fall-related items for team members to find within their own homes or neighborhoods. This could include things like a leaf of a certain color, a fall-themed decoration, or a specific fall fruit. The first one to find all items wins. This activity encourages problem-solving and quick thinking.

Food is a big part of the fall season. Encourage your team members to share their favorite fall recipes. This could be anything from a hearty soup to a pumpkin spice dessert. Once everyone has shared, team members can choose to make someone else’s recipe and share their experiences and results. This activity not only shares the joy of cooking but also allows team members to learn about different cultures and tastes.

5. Virtual Fall Photo Contest

With the beautiful colors and scenery that fall brings, a photo contest is a wonderful idea. Team members can take photos of their favorite fall scenes and share them with the team. The team can then vote on their favorite photo. This activity allows team members to share a piece of their world and appreciate the beauty of the season.

These fall-themed virtual team building activities are designed to bring your small teams closer together while embracing the spirit of the fall season. They're not just about having fun, but also about building stronger connections among team members, enhancing communication, and fostering a more collaborative and productive work environment.

7 Fall Team Building Activities for Large Virtual Teams

In the changing season of falling leaves and cooler temperatures, virtual teams should not miss out on the opportunities for bonding and strengthening their unity. Regardless of the size of your team, the autumn season presents a wealth of creative and engaging activities that can bring everyone together. However, managing a large virtual team can pose unique challenges. Here are seven fall-themed team building activities specially designed for larger virtual teams:

1. Virtual Fall Festivals

Organize a virtual fall festival where team members can share their favorite fall traditions, recipes, decorations, or activities. This can be a week-long event with different themes for each day. Team members can share photos, videos, or even host live demonstrations. This activity promotes cultural exchange and helps team members learn more about each other.

2. Online Pumpkin Carving Contest

Pumpkin carving is a quintessential fall activity. Mail each team member a pumpkin carving kit and host an online contest. Team members can carve their pumpkins during a live video call or submit photos of their finished pumpkins. This activity encourages creativity and provides a fun, festive atmosphere.

3. Virtual Scavenger Hunts

Scavify offers engaging and interactive virtual scavenger hunts that can be customized for any team size. Teams can compete in challenges that require them to find specific fall-themed items or complete tasks. This activity promotes teamwork and problem-solving skills.

4. Autumn Trivia

Host a fall-themed trivia game where team members can test their knowledge about the season. This could include questions about fall traditions, holidays, or even fall-themed movies and books. Trivia games are a great way to encourage friendly competition and team bonding.

5. Fall Recipe Swap

Encourage team members to share their favorite fall recipes. This can be done through a live cooking demonstration or by sharing written recipes. Team members can then try making these recipes at home. This activity promotes cultural exchange and allows team members to share a part of their personal lives.

6. Virtual Book Club

Start a virtual book club that focuses on books with a fall theme. This could include mystery novels, books about Thanksgiving, or even books that simply take place during the fall. This activity promotes discussion and helps team members connect on a deeper level.

7. Online Wellness Challenge

Fall is a great time to focus on wellness before the holiday season begins. Organize a virtual wellness challenge where team members can track their exercise, healthy eating, or mindfulness practices. This activity promotes healthy habits and provides a supportive community for team members.

These fall team building activities for large virtual teams are designed to bring your team closer together, promote communication, and enhance team spirit. Despite the challenges of managing a large virtual team, these activities can help create a positive and cohesive team culture.

6 Virtual Fall Team Building Activities for Remote Teams

As the autumn leaves begin to fall, there's no better time to engage your remote team in some exciting fall-themed activities. The transition from summer to fall is a time of change, making it an ideal period to foster connections and build stronger relationships within your team. Here are six virtual fall team building activities designed to engage, entertain, and strengthen your remote team.

A quintessential fall activity, pumpkin carving can easily be transformed into a virtual team building event. Each team member can carve their pumpkin at home while on a video call. Once everyone is done, they can present their creations, and the team can vote for the most creative, funniest, or scariest pumpkin.

Test your team's knowledge about all things fall-related with an online trivia game. Questions can range from fall-themed pop culture references to facts about the season. Not only is this a fun way to learn more about the season, but it also promotes healthy competition and camaraderie among team members.

3. Virtual Fall Photo Contest

Encourage your team members to capture the essence of fall in their respective locations. This can be a beautiful fall landscape, a favorite fall-themed drink, or a cozy reading nook. Sharing these photos in a common virtual space allows team members to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of each other's experiences.

4. Remote Fall Recipe Swap

Fall is synonymous with comforting food and beverages. Create a platform where team members can share their favorite fall recipes. This not only encourages interaction but also provides an opportunity to learn about different cuisines and cultures. To make it more engaging, you can host a virtual cook-off where participants prepare their dishes live.

5. Virtual Fall Scavenger Hunt

Organize a fall-themed scavenger hunt using Scavify's interactive platform. Team members can search for items around their home or neighborhood that represent fall. This can include items like a colorful leaf, a pumpkin spice latte, or a cozy sweater. The team member who finds all items first wins the game.

6. Online Fall Book Club

Fall is the perfect season to curl up with a good book. Start a virtual book club where team members can read and discuss a book together. Choose a fall-themed book or a book that sparks thoughtful discussion. This activity promotes intellectual stimulation and deeper connections among team members.

These virtual fall team building activities offer a unique way to celebrate the season while fostering collaboration and camaraderie among remote teams. Remember, the key to successful team building is to ensure everyone feels included and valued. So, embrace the spirit of fall and let the team building begin!

5 Fall Team Building Activities for Enhancing Virtual Teamwork

As the autumnal hues begin to blanket the landscape, organizations are presented with an opportunity to harness the spirit of the season to enhance their virtual teamwork. Here are five fall-themed team building activities designed to foster communication, collaboration, and camaraderie among your remote workforce.

Nothing screams "fall" more than pumpkins. A virtual pumpkin carving contest allows team members to showcase their creativity and share a piece of their personal lives. Each participant carves a pumpkin at home and shares their creation via a video call. This activity not only encourages creativity but also creates a relaxed environment for team members to interact and bond.

An online trivia contest with fall-themed questions can be an exciting way to engage your team. This activity encourages team members to work together to answer questions, boosting their collaborative skills. It also provides a fun and relaxed platform for learning more about the season and each other.

Scavify, our interactive scavenger hunt platform, can easily be adapted for a fall-themed virtual scavenger hunt. Participants can be tasked with finding fall-related items around their homes or in their local area, and sharing photos or videos with the team. This activity helps to build a sense of community among remote workers, promoting teamwork and cooperation.

Food has a unique way of bringing people together. A virtual fall recipe swap gives team members an opportunity to share their favorite fall recipes and perhaps even prepare them live during a video call. This activity encourages sharing and communication among team members, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie.

5. Gratitude Sharing Session

Fall, being the season of Thanksgiving, is a perfect time for a gratitude sharing session. Each team member can share what they are thankful for, professionally and personally. This activity helps to build a positive team culture, promotes empathy, and strengthens relationships among team members.

Each of these fall-themed activities offers a unique way to bring your virtual team closer together, enhancing their ability to work as a unit. By incorporating these activities into your team building strategy, you can create a more engaged, cohesive, and productive team.

Case Studies of Successful Fall Virtual Team Building Activities

In the world of remote work, virtual team building has emerged as a critical factor in fostering collaboration, boosting morale, and enhancing productivity. Fall-themed virtual team building activities, in particular, have gained popularity due to their novelty and the unique opportunities they present to celebrate the season while bringing teams together. Let's delve into some real-world examples where these activities have made significant impacts on teams across various industries.

Case Study 1: The Virtual Pumpkin Carving Contest

A tech startup with a fully remote workforce decided to introduce a virtual pumpkin carving contest to celebrate the fall season. Employees were encouraged to carve their pumpkins at home and present them in a virtual meeting. The event was a resounding success, with employees showcasing their creativity and sharing laughs over the unique and sometimes hilarious pumpkin designs. The activity not only fostered a sense of camaraderie among the team but also allowed them to take a break from the usual work routine, returning to their tasks refreshed and invigorated.

Case Study 2: The Online Fall Trivia Challenge

An international marketing firm implemented an online fall trivia challenge as a fun and educational team building activity. The trivia questions covered a broad range of topics related to the fall season, including history, culture, and even science. The activity was conducted over a video conference, with teams competing against each other for the top spot. The challenge fostered a spirit of healthy competition and collaboration among the team members and served as an effective ice-breaker for new employees.

Case Study 3: The Virtual Fall Scavenger Hunt

A prominent e-commerce company organized a virtual fall scavenger hunt as part of their team building initiatives. The activity involved team members finding specific fall-related items within their homes and sharing them in a virtual meeting. The scavenger hunt was a hit among employees, promoting teamwork and providing a platform for individuals to share personal stories related to the items they found. The activity not only brought the team closer but also helped create a more personal and engaging work environment.

Case Study 4: The Online Fall Recipe Swap

A healthcare organization conducted an online fall recipe swap as a unique and engaging team building activity. Employees were encouraged to share their favorite fall recipes, with the best ones being compiled into a virtual cookbook. This activity allowed team members to learn more about each other's cultures and backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and respect among the diverse team. The recipe swap was a success, with many employees reporting that they felt more connected to their colleagues as a result.

In conclusion, these case studies highlight the effectiveness of fall-themed virtual team building activities in fostering collaboration, boosting morale, and creating a more engaging work environment. As we move forward, these activities will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of remote work.

Conclusions about Fall Team Building Activities for Virtual Teams in 2024

As we wrap up our exploration of fall team building activities for virtual teams in 2024, it is evident that these activities are not just about fun and games. They serve as vital tools in enhancing communication, fostering collaboration, and promoting a sense of unity among remote team members. The autumnal theme adds a unique twist, injecting a sense of novelty and excitement into these exercises.

The Importance of Fall-Themed Team Building Activities

Fall-themed team building activities have proven to be more than just a seasonal gimmick. They provide an opportunity to incorporate the season's unique attributes into team building exercises. This not only makes these activities more engaging but also helps create a more immersive and memorable experience for team members.

The Impact on Virtual Teams

For virtual teams, these fall-themed activities have shown to be particularly beneficial. They offer a much-needed break from the routine of remote work, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection among team members despite the physical distance. The activities we've explored, such as virtual pumpkin carving and fall trivia, have proven to be effective in enhancing team cohesion and collaboration.

Case Study Successes

The case studies we've examined underscore the effectiveness of these fall team building activities. Companies that have incorporated these activities into their team building repertoire have reported increased team morale, improved communication, and stronger relationships among team members. These benefits translate to increased productivity and a more harmonious work environment, which are crucial for the success of any virtual team.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead to the future of remote work, it is clear that virtual team building activities, particularly those with a seasonal theme, will continue to play a crucial role. They offer a unique way to strengthen team dynamics and foster a sense of community among remote team members. As we've seen, the benefits of these activities extend beyond team building, contributing to the overall success of the organization.

In conclusion, fall team building activities for virtual teams in 2024 are not just a passing trend but a strategic approach to enhancing team performance. As more companies transition to remote work, these activities will undoubtedly continue to evolve, offering new and exciting ways to bring teams together and foster a productive and collaborative work environment.

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Scavify is the innovative team building company that combines mobile technology with experiential learning to create unforgettable team building events. Our state-of-the-art mobile app is designed to facilitate engaging team building activities, from scavenger hunts to problem-solving challenges. Our expert facilitators will help you to design a customized event that meets the unique needs of your team and helps you achieve your goals.