Remote work has its upsides. Commutes shrink, employee well-being improves, and productivity rises while turnover drops. The downside? Social connection often suffers. Team members who don’t check in on group chats may go days—or longer—without real interaction. And even if dispersed teams do connect, the closeness that comes naturally on-site can be hard to replicate.
Virtual team-building bridges that gap. Done well, it helps colleagues get to know one another personally, build trust, and collaborate more smoothly—making it an essential part of any remote work strategy.
In this guide, we’ll share 12 virtual team-building exercises for remote and hybrid teams that truly engage your workforce.
Why are virtual team-building activities important?
Team-building activities have always been important—even before the onset of remote work. From off-sites to happy hours, structured and casual team activities help colleagues bond, build trust, and tackle challenges together.
But remote and distributed teams don’t have the same organic opportunities to connect, like bumping into each other in the break room and attending in-person meetings. Without these touchpoints, organizations risk siloed communication, weaker collaboration, and fragmented onboarding for team members.
That’s where virtual team building makes a difference. Well-designed activities strike a balance between fun and accessibility, ensuring everyone can participate in an online environment. They’re also easy to scale across time zones and require minimal tech, making it simple for the whole team to join.
12 virtual team-building activities
From larger team-building events to smaller bonding moments, bring your workforce closer with activities that spark conversation and collaboration. Here are 12 ideas to get you started.
1. Scavenger hunt
Create a list of items for team members to find around their homes or workspaces within a set time limit, like “something blue” or their favorite mug. Set a timer, let everyone scatter, and then have them hop back on camera to show what they’ve found. People love sharing stories behind their items, and it always leads to light conversation.
2. Trivia game
Host a virtual trivia night using an online team-building games platform, like Luna Park. Participants form small groups to collaborate rather than playing individually, which encourages teamwork and strategic thinking. Engagement grows as teams discuss answers and celebrate correct responses. Adding a fun element, like bringing a favorite bar snack, keeps spirits light and social.
3. Escape room
You can create a virtual escape room on your own using tools like Google Forms or Google Slides. Create a storyline and add puzzles that teams have to problem-solve before the timer hits zero. Throughout the game, people work together to unravel clues and tackle each challenge to “escape” in time. The excitement of racing against the clock brings out creativity and collaboration, making it a fun team bonding experience.
4. Two truths and a lie
Bring the classic get-to-know-you icebreaker game digital by playing a round whenever someone new joins the team. Each player shares three fun facts about themselves—two true, one false—while the rest of the team guesses which one is the lie. For extra fun, rotate who goes first or keep a running tally of correct guesses to add a playful, competitive edge.
5. Coffee or lunch breaks
Virtual coffee and lunch breaks give teams a casual way to connect, just like they would in a physical office setting. Try a 10-minute coffee check-in or a bi-weekly lunch across time zones, and encourage chats about weekend plans and binge-worthy shows.
6. Pictionary
Pictionary brings a fun, creative twist to virtual team building. Set up a video call, and give participants access to a virtual deck of Pictionary-style cards, a timer, and a digital whiteboard. Then, split players into teams. Each round, one person draws the word on their card while teammates guess before the timer runs out, earning points for correct answers. The fun comes from everyone laughing at off-target drawings and cheering for correct guesses. By the end, the game builds camaraderie and playful competition across the team.
7. Murder mystery
In this sleuthing game, participants step into the roles of characters trying to solve a fictional crime. Organizers create the storyline and character briefs, then bring everyone together on a video call to interrogate each other and uncover clues. Participants will ask questions and defend their characters, keeping the energy high and encouraging collaboration.
8. Bucket list share
Have your team create a list of activities and goals they want to accomplish in life. During a video call, everyone takes turns sharing their ideas in one to two minutes to keep things moving. Encourage follow-up questions so teammates can learn more about each other’s interests and highlight shared goals to build connections.
9. Happy hour
Host a virtual happy hour on a Friday afternoon to unwind after the week. Invite your team to join a video call with their favorite drink and share stories. It’s all about kicking back, connecting, and enjoying a relaxed, low-pressure gathering.
10. Fitness sessions
Virtual fitness sessions give teams a chance to move, de-stress, and recharge together. Schedule a class, such as yoga or dance, and share any prep instructions and equipment needed ahead of time. Encourage participants to stick around for a short video call afterward and pass along tips and celebrate milestones. You can also set small challenges over multiple sessions to keep motivation high and foster a sense of shared well-being across the team.
11. Collaborative playlists
Invite people to connect through music by creating collaborative playlists on platforms like Apple Music or Spotify. During a video call, ask everyone to add a few of their favorite songs, and take turns sharing why they chose the track. Update the playlist regularly so the team can keep discovering each other’s tastes and bonding over shared stories.
12. Open mic
A virtual open mic gives team members a chance to show their talents and have fun together. Ask participants to prepare a short performance, like a song, comedy bit, and any unique skill they’re comfortable showing. Pair the session with a virtual happy hour, inviting everyone to bring their favorite drink or snack. This type of activity gives colleagues a chance to show their personalities and connect with each other, helping the team feel more close-knit.
Create exceptional employee experiences with Oyster
Take the remote employee experience to the next level by creating virtual team-building activities that help people bond—while Oyster handles hiring, payroll, and global compliance.
Oyster’s Total Rewards program gives your team access to top-tier benefits, making your organization a more engaging, supportive place to work. At the same time, you’ll stay fully compliant with labor laws worldwide. Schedule a demo today and start transforming your remote workplace.
FAQ
How do you create a team remotely?
Build a remote team by recruiting and hiring beyond your local talent pool. You’ll also need the right tech, like an asynchronous messaging platform, video conferencing tools, and virtual project management software. If hiring internationally, consider partnering with an employer of record (EOR) like Oyster to ensure compliant hiring and payroll processes across different countries.
How do you make activities inclusive across time zones?
When planning virtual events, use a time-zone calculator to find slots that work for all, or most, team members. Alternatively, focus on asynchronous activities, such as collaborative playlists and a rolling game of show and tell, so everyone can participate on their own schedule.
About Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.
Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.
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