18 High-impact Virtual Team Building Activities And Games

If possible, have a technical facilitator support you during a workshop. This is the person who can take care of the tech setup (the timers, the music, the online whiteboard) and they’re the person to turn to if any tech difficulties come up. While you as the facilitator can take on this role, the quality of your workshop will really skyrocket if you’re able to have someone help you out. Preparation is important for any workshop, but even more so when it is run remotely!

Enhance Team Collaboration

This need for more structured remote sessions has Instantalks review grown alongside the rise of remote work. Methodologies like Jake Knapp’s remote sprint format, which uses highly visible timers and clear activity transitions, showcase the effectiveness of this approach. IDEO, the design agency, also champions this practice, incorporating “chapter markers” in their remote workshops to signal shifts and keep participants oriented. Design thinking expert Jeanne Liedtka and the popular Gamestorming techniques by Dave Gray further reinforce the value of structured activities and clear transitions for successful remote collaboration. It’s about building a climate of trust and respect where everyone feels comfortable contributing their best work.

Encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and connection brings teams closer together, even in a virtual environment. Practical team engagement activities are key to keeping remote workers connected, collaborative, and motivated. Whether solving puzzles, brainstorming ideas, or sharing meals, these activities build trust, strengthen relationships, and create a positive virtual work environment. Fun activities are a simple yet powerful way to bring remote teams together, reduce stress, and improve employee morale.

A 1-page mental health worksheet for identifying things to be grateful for in different life areas. For instance, Google’s “Search Inside Yourself” program teaches mindfulness and emotional intelligence to improve focus and empathy. Similarly, organizations worldwide use frameworks like DiSC or Non-Violent Communication (NVC) to enhance interpersonal dynamics and productivity. For instance, Google has famously used off-site adventures in places like Yosemite, while Deloitte utilizes Adventure Learning programs to build leadership skills. Corporate rafting trips and ropes courses are also popular among Fortune 500 companies seeking to strengthen team cohesion. Encouraging your team to spend time together outside of work enables them to bond and open up with ease.

Engaging Zoom Team Building Games & Activities For Remote Teams In 2025

• This activity fosters essential skills such as problem-solving, strategic thinking, and collective decision-making.
• For best results, appoint someone as an emcee and shoot for a mix of live and pre-recorded performances.
• They pass a plant to an individual who reaches outwards from a separate device, their arms outstretched.
• Set the time limit per round (2-3 minutes works well) and number of rounds (5 is standard).
• Additionally, specialized apps for virtual games or quizzes, such as Kahoot or Jackbox Games, can enhance the engagement and effectiveness of these activities.

For remote workers, team building is even more important because it contributes to efficient communication. When the team is remote, team building, forming relationships and maintaining these bonds is a process that needs constant work. The physical distance between workers can soon lead to feeling separated entirely, which can leave remote employees feeling unsupported and disconnected from those they work with.

Don’t Overlook The Classic: Icebreaker Questions 🧊

These chats have become even more valuable during this time in facilitating one on one or small group conversations that may be awkward to initiate on your own. It’s a chance to get to talk to your teammates about things outside of work, and enjoy a coffee or donut while you’re at it. At Bonusly, we allocate a stipend for each donut chat as an effort to incentivize the chats even more.

Plus, you have to factor in that all people need different time to get accustomed to the tool. Make sure to send out an onboarding email to your participants a few days in advance, explain the tools that are going to be used and prompt the participants to set them up. Similarly, experts like Judy Rees have championed the importance of interaction in remote settings, emphasizing techniques to create impactful and memorable online experiences. The popularity of “Gamestorming” by Dave Gray and Sunni Brown further solidified the value of playful, interactive activities in fostering creativity and collaboration in the virtual space. By mastering these tools and using these tips, you can elevate your remote facilitation skills and lead truly engaging and productive online sessions.