101 Teambuilding ideas for Remote Teams

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

Virtual team building is crucial for remote workers as it helps maintain a sense of connection and camaraderie despite physical distance. It fosters communication, collaboration, and trust, which are essential for a cohesive and productive team. Additionally, it helps combat feelings of isolation and disengagement that can arise in remote work settings.

An investment in trust and relations between the team can be one of the most significant ways to help the team feel happier, more connected, improve trust and performance. We are social animals. It helps teams to go faster and communicate better together when they know each other better as people.

And it’s great fun too!

101 Teambuilding Ideas

1. Photo Sharing: Ask team members to share a photo of their workspace, a recent vacation, or a favorite hobby. This can be done in advance, and then during the team-building day, each person can talk briefly about their photo. It’s a great way to visually connect and learn more about each other’s interests and environments.
2. Desert Island Scenario: Pose the question, “If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?” This can lead to humorous and insightful responses, revealing more about each person’s priorities and creativity.
3. Speed Networking: Set up short one-on-one video calls (about 5 minutes each) between team members who don’t normally interact much. Provide a few prompt questions to get the conversation started. This is like speed dating but for making professional connections within the team.
4. Virtual Escape Room: There are online platforms that offer virtual escape rooms, which can be a fun and challenging way for team members to collaborate and solve puzzles together.
5. Personality Quiz: Have everyone take a quick online personality test (like the 16 Personalities test) before the team-building day. During the event, team members can share their results and discuss how their personality traits impact their work and communication styles.
6. Story Time: Ask each team member to prepare a short, funny or interesting story from their life or work experience. During the team-building day, everyone takes turns sharing their stories. This can be a great way to learn more about each other and share a few laughs.
7. Skill Share: Invite team members to teach a short 5-10 minute lesson on something they’re good at or passionate about. This could be anything from a quick yoga session to a lesson on making the perfect cup of coffee.
8. Two Truths and a Lie: This classic game is great for getting to know each other. Each person shares three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie. The rest of the team tries to guess which statement is the lie. This can be done in a group video call, and it’s a fun way to learn interesting facts about your colleagues.
9. Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of common household items or specific items related to your work. Set a timer and have team members find as many items on the list as they can and bring them back to show on camera. This can create a lot of laughs and helps to break the ice.
10. Personal Bingo: Create bingo cards with different personal traits or experiences in each square (e.g., “Has traveled to three continents,” “Speaks more than one language,” “Loves to cook”). Share the bingo cards digitally, and have team members mark off squares for things that apply to them. The first person to get a bingo wins. This can spark interesting conversations and help team members find common interests.
11. Show and Tell: Ask each team member to bring an item to the video call that is meaningful to them or represents a hobby or interest. Each person takes a turn to show their item and explain its significance. This activity helps team members get to know each other on a more personal level.
12. Virtual Coffee Breaks: Schedule short 15-minute breaks where team members can join a video call to chat informally, just like they would during a coffee break in the office. This can help remote employees feel more connected to their colleagues.
13. Virtual Talent Show: Encourage team members to showcase a talent or hobby, such as playing a musical instrument, performing a magic trick, or demonstrating a craft. This can be a fun way to celebrate the diverse skills within the team.
14. Guess the Desk: Ask team members to submit a photo of their desk or workspace without revealing whose it is. During the team-building session, display the photos and have everyone guess which desk belongs to whom. This can lead to interesting discoveries and discussions about personal work styles.
15. Time Capsule: Have each team member write down a prediction or goal for the team or themselves for the next year. Collect these in a virtual “time capsule” (e.g., a shared online document) and set a date to revisit them in the future. This can create a sense of shared anticipation and accountability.
16. Virtual Background Challenge: Ask team members to create or choose a fun virtual background for their video call. You can have themes like “favorite vacation spot” or “dream office.” This adds a visual element to the meeting and can spark conversations.
17. Trivia Quiz: Create a trivia quiz with questions related to your industry, company history, or general knowledge. Divide the team into small groups and have them compete against each other. This can be both educational and entertaining.
18. Recipe Swap: Encourage team members to share their favorite recipes, and then have a discussion about them. This can lead to conversations about cultural backgrounds, cooking tips, and even plans for a virtual team dinner.
19. Bucket List Sharing: Ask team members to share one thing on their bucket list and explain why it’s important to them. This can lead to inspiring conversations and help team members connect on a deeper level.
20. Virtual Board Games: There are many online platforms where teams can play board games together. Choose a game that requires collaboration and strategic thinking, like Codenames or Ticket to Ride.
21. Online Puzzle Challenge: Collaborate on solving online puzzles or brain teasers, which can help improve problem-solving skills and teamwork.
22. Pet Parade: Team members introduce their pets on camera, sharing stories and bonding over their love for animals.
23. DIY Craft Session: Host a virtual crafting session where team members follow along to create a simple DIY project, promoting creativity and relaxation.
24. Virtual Movie Night: Watch a movie together using a streaming platform with a watch party feature, followed by a discussion about the film.
25. Book Club: Start a virtual book club where team members read the same book and meet to discuss their thoughts and insights.
26. Fitness Challenge: Encourage team members to participate in a fitness challenge, such as a daily step count or yoga session, to promote health and wellness.
27. Mindfulness Meditation: Host a guided meditation session to help team members relax and de-stress, fostering a sense of calm and focus.
28. Language Exchange: Pair up team members who speak different languages to teach each other basic phrases, promoting cultural exchange and learning.
29. Virtual Karaoke: Have a fun karaoke session where team members can sing their favorite songs and cheer each other on.
30. Home Office Tour: Team members give a virtual tour of their home office, sharing tips on organization and decoration.
31. Cooking Class: Host a virtual cooking class where a team member or guest chef demonstrates how to make a simple dish, followed by a group tasting.
32. Online Gaming Session: Play online multiplayer games that encourage teamwork and strategic thinking, such as Among Us or Fortnite.
33. Fashion Show: Have a virtual fashion show where team members showcase their favorite outfits or themed costumes, adding a fun and creative element to the meeting.
34. DIY Home Spa: Share tips and recipes for homemade spa treatments, like face masks or scrubs, for a relaxing self-care session.
35. Art Challenge: Set a theme and have team members create artwork using any medium, then share and discuss their creations.
36. Virtual Field Trip: Take a virtual tour of a museum, historical site, or natural wonder, followed by a discussion about the experience.
37. Memory Lane: Share old photos or stories from past team events or personal milestones, fostering nostalgia and deeper connections.
38. Charity Drive: Organize a virtual charity drive or fundraiser to support a cause that’s important to the team, promoting a sense of purpose and giving back.
39. Wine Tasting: Host a virtual wine tasting session where team members can learn about and sample different wines, guided by a sommelier or wine enthusiast.
40. Gardening Tips: Share gardening tips and tricks, and show off home gardens or indoor plants, promoting a connection to nature and sustainability.
41. Virtual Magic Show: Hire a magician to perform a virtual magic show, adding an element of surprise and entertainment to the meeting.
42. Online Art Gallery: Create a virtual art gallery where team members can display their artwork or photography, celebrating creativity and expression.
43. Haiku Writing: Challenge team members to write haikus on a given theme, then share and discuss their poetic creations.
44. Improv Games: Play improvisational games that encourage quick thinking and creativity, such as “Yes, And” or “Word at a Time Story.”
45. Dream Vacation Planning: Share ideas for dream vacations, discussing destinations, activities, and travel tips, inspiring future adventures.
46. Virtual Bake-off: Organize a virtual baking competition where team members bake a specific recipe and present their creations on camera.
47. Music Playlist Exchange: Create and share playlists of favorite songs or songs that inspire productivity, promoting musical discovery and discussion.
48. Cultural Exchange: Share information about different cultural traditions, holidays, or customs, promoting diversity and inclusion.
49. Virtual Picnic: Have a virtual picnic where team members enjoy a meal outdoors or by a window, sharing their views and favorite picnic foods.
50. DIY Workshop: Host a workshop where team members can learn a new DIY skill, such as knitting, woodworking, or jewelry making.
51. Goal Setting: Share personal or professional goals and discuss strategies for achieving them, promoting accountability and support.
52. Photography Contest: Hold a photography contest with a specific theme, and vote on the best photos, celebrating creativity and perspective.
53. Puzzle Swap: Exchange puzzles or brain teasers and work on them together or individually, promoting problem-solving skills.
54. Virtual Dance Party: Host a virtual dance party with a playlist of upbeat songs, encouraging team members to let loose and have fun.
55. Mind Mapping: Collaborate on creating a mind map for a project or goal, visually organizing ideas and strategies.
56. Virtual Tea Tasting: Sample different types of tea and discuss their flavors and origins, promoting relaxation and exploration.
57. Gratitude Session: Share things you’re grateful for, promoting positivity and a supportive team environment.
58. DIY Soap Making: Learn how to make homemade soap, sharing recipes and techniques for a fun and practical activity.
59. Online Chess Tournament: Organize a chess tournament for team members who enjoy strategy games, promoting critical thinking and competition.
60. Origami Workshop: Learn how to create origami designs, promoting focus and manual dexterity.
61. Virtual Museum Heist: Participate in a virtual museum heist game, solving puzzles and working together to “steal” an artifact.
62. Comedy Night: Share jokes or watch a stand-up comedy special together, promoting laughter and stress relief.
63. Virtual Zoo Visit: Take a virtual tour of a zoo, learning about different animals and their habitats.
64. Mystery Box Challenge: Send team members a box with random items and challenge them to create something using only those items.
65. Virtual Reality Exploration: Explore virtual reality experiences or games together, discussing the technology and its possibilities.
66. Podcast Discussion: Listen to a podcast episode related to your industry or interests and discuss its key points and insights.
67. Astrology Chat: Share your zodiac signs and discuss astrology, learning about each other’s traits and compatibility.
68. Online Painting Class: Follow along with an online painting tutorial, creating individual artworks to share and discuss.
69. Stargazing Session: If possible, have a virtual stargazing session, sharing views of the night sky and discussing constellations.
70. DIY Candle Making: Learn how to make scented candles, sharing tips and creative ideas for customizing them.
71. Virtual Jam Session: For team members who play musical instruments, have a virtual jam session to share and enjoy music.
72. Virtual Potluck: Share recipes and have a virtual meal together, discussing the dishes and their significance.
73. Yoga Session: Participate in a guided yoga session to promote relaxation and physical well-being.
74. Fashion Design Challenge: Create fashion designs using household items or digital tools, then share and discuss your creations.
75. Virtual Campfire: Share stories or songs in a virtual campfire setting, promoting warmth and camaraderie.
76. DIY Jewelry Making: Learn how to make simple jewelry pieces, sharing designs and techniques for a creative activity.
77. Online Debate: Hold a friendly debate on a light-hearted topic, promoting critical thinking and communication skills.
78. Virtual Reality Game: Play a virtual reality game that requires teamwork and communication, promoting collaboration and fun.
79. Karaoke Battle: Have a karaoke battle where team members compete by singing their favorite songs, promoting friendly competition and entertainment.
80. Mystery Guest: Invite a mystery guest to join the video call and have team members ask questions to guess their identity or profession.
81. Virtual Reality Travel: Explore virtual reality travel experiences, discussing the destinations and the technology.
82. DIY Beauty Products: Learn how to make homemade beauty products, such as face masks or lip balms, sharing recipes and results.
83. Online Puzzle Room: Participate in an online puzzle room, solving challenges together to “escape” the room.
84. Virtual Reality Adventure: Embark on a virtual reality adventure, experiencing new worlds and challenges together.
85. DIY Home Decor: Share DIY home decor projects, discussing ideas and techniques for personalizing your space.
86. Online Cooking Competition: Have a cooking competition where team members prepare a dish within a time limit and present it on camera.
87. Virtual Reality Exploration: Explore virtual worlds or experiences together in virtual reality, discussing the immersive technology.
88. DIY Plant Care: Share tips on plant care and gardening, discussing different types of plants and how to keep them healthy.
89. Online Game Night: Play online games that encourage teamwork and strategic thinking, such as cooperative board games or team-based video games.
90. Virtual Reality Gaming: Play virtual reality games that require teamwork and coordination, promoting collaboration and immersion.
91. DIY Home Improvement: Share home improvement projects, discussing tips and tricks for DIY renovations and upgrades.
92. Online Art Class: Participate in an online art class, learning new techniques and creating artwork to share and discuss.
93. Virtual Reality Experience: Explore a virtual reality experience together, discussing the technology and its impact on entertainment and communication.
94. DIY Craft Projects: Share craft projects, discussing materials, techniques, and creative ideas for handmade items.
95. Online Board Game Night: Play online board games that require strategy and teamwork, promoting collaboration and fun.
96. Virtual Reality Sports: Play virtual reality sports games, experiencing the physical activity and competition in a virtual setting.
97. Virtual Reality Escape Room: Team up to solve puzzles and escape a virtual reality room, enhancing problem-solving skills and teamwork.
98. DIY Bath Bombs: Create homemade bath bombs together, sharing recipes and tips for a relaxing self-care activity.
99. Online Cooking Show: Host a virtual cooking show where team members demonstrate how to make their favorite dish, promoting culinary skills and cultural exchange.
100. Virtual Reality Art Gallery: Explore a virtual reality art gallery together, discussing the artwork and the technology behind virtual exhibitions.
101. DIY Gardening Workshop: Share gardening tips and tricks, and show off your home gardens or indoor plants, promoting a connection to nature and sustainability.

8 Tips for Effective Virtual Team Building:

1. Schedule Regularly: Plan team-building activities on a regular basis to maintain engagement and team spirit.
2. Diverse Activities: Offer a variety of activities to cater to different interests and personalities.
3. Encourage Participation: Make sure everyone feels included and encouraged to participate.
4. Use Technology Wisely: Utilize the right tools and platforms to facilitate smooth and interactive sessions.
5. Set Clear Objectives: Have clear goals for each activity, whether it’s to improve communication, boost morale, or simply have fun.
6. Gather Feedback: After each session, ask for feedback to improve future team-building activities.
7. Be Mindful of Time Zones: Schedule activities at times that are convenient for all team members, especially if they are spread across different time zones.
8. Keep It Light: While some activities can be focused on work-related skills, it’s also important to have activities that are just for fun and relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you do it?

The frequency of team-building activities can vary depending on the team’s needs and schedule. However, a good starting point is to have at least one team-building session per month. For teams that work closely or are newly formed, more frequent activities (e.g., bi-weekly) might be beneficial.

Related Quotes

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” – Phil Jackson

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” – Ken Blanchard

“The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.” – James Cash Penney

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.” – Napoleon Hill

“Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results.” – Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha

Next Steps

Did you try any of these? Let me know how it went.

Have other ideas? Let me know in the comments?

Good luck!