Remote Team Building Activities
Working remotely can occasionally stir up feelings of isolation, with a certain nostalgia for the warm camaraderie and buzzing connection distinctive to an office environment. Research reveals that this sentiment resonates with many as approximately 70% of teams today incorporate remote employees.
To help bridge this gap, we’ve pulled together a comprehensive list of fun, engaging remote team building activities designed to inspire stronger connections among team members. Immerse yourself in these practical ideas requiring no physical presence yet fostering a sense of unity and teamwork – because even miles apart, we’re working towards the same goal.
Key Takeaways
- Remote team building activities are important for fostering strong relationships and creating a supportive work environment for remote employees.
- Activities such as virtual break rooms, tours of remote working locations, and virtual company events help to boost morale and build a strong company culture.
- Regular “good news” conversations, employee recognition activities, and friendly challenges contribute to stronger connections among remote team members.
- Virtual workshops, shared meal times, and virtual book clubs promote learning, collaboration, and personal connections in remote teams.
Understanding Remote Team Building
Remote team building is about making ties among workers who are far apart. It tries to copy the feel of teams that meet in person. The goal is to make a help system for people on the job.
This boosts their spirits and joy. It also helps them work better together and makes your company’s culture stronger.
There are many ways you can build your remote team. You could make a virtual break room or show tours of where everyone is working from home. Other ideas include having online company events, starting ‘good news’ talks, or giving out awards and other perks for good work done at home!
The Importance of Remote Team Building
Building teams in a remote setup is key. It strengthens links between all who work far from each other. Workers feel happy and their mood improves. People learn to work together even when they are not in the same place.
The culture of a company stays strong when its people connect well with each other. Stress goes down and minds stay healthy through these activities. These things make workers love their jobs more, do better, and help the whole team perform at its best.
Top Remote Team Building Activities
Discover fun and engaging activities that will strengthen your remote team’s bond and boost morale. Read more to find the perfect activity for your team!
Virtual Break Room Creation
A virtual break room helps a team take time for fun. It gives workers a place to chat and relax, just like in a real office. You can create one using tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
In your virtual break room, hold events like the “Daily Snapshots”. Here, everyone shares their day’s best bit. Through this, people feel more connected while working from far away spots.
Let it help you boost morale and build company culture!
Tours of Remote Working Locations
Tours of remote working locations can be fun and uplifting. It’s like taking a trip without leaving your chair. Each team member shows off their workspace in a video call. This helps us feel more connected in our work from home setups.
We get to see where our friends do their jobs every day. Even better, we learn new ideas about how to set up our own workspaces! These tours help make teams stronger and happier too.
They are great for lifting morale and building a firm company culture while adding some much-needed fun!
Virtual Company Events
Virtual company events are a key component of remote team building activities. These events help bring remote employees together, fostering connections and collaboration. By creating a supportive environment, virtual company events boost morale and enhance employee happiness.
They also contribute to building a strong company culture, improving communication and teamwork. Virtual company events can be seamlessly integrated into regular team meetings or ongoing Slack conversations, making them accessible and inclusive for all team members.
Good News Conversation
One of the top remote team building activities is having a “good news” conversation. This involves each team member sharing something positive that happened to them recently. It could be personal or work-related, like completing a challenging project or achieving a personal goal.
Sharing good news helps boost morale and creates a positive atmosphere among team members. In fact, research shows that expressing gratitude and celebrating wins can increase happiness and productivity in the workplace.
So, taking the time to have regular “good news” conversations can contribute to building stronger connections and a more engaged remote team.
79% of remote workers participated in at least one virtual team building activity in 2020.
Virtual team building activities help to build trust among coworkers.
Remote workers benefit from participating in regular “good news” conversations.
Employee Recognition Activities
Employee recognition activities are an important part of remote team building. Recognizing and appreciating the efforts and achievements of remote team members helps to boost morale, motivation, and overall employee wellbeing.
It makes team members feel valued and acknowledged for their hard work, which in turn increases their engagement and productivity. There are various ways to incorporate employee recognition into virtual team building, such as using a reward and recognition platform, implementing an “employee of the week” program, or even hosting virtual birthday parties or retirement parties to celebrate milestones.
These activities not only foster a positive company culture but also strengthen relationships among remote workers. According to recent studies, 69% of remote workers engage in at least one team-building event per quarter, demonstrating the significance of recognizing employees’ contributions in a virtual environment.
Friendly Challenges
Friendly challenges are a popular and effective way to build connections and foster collaboration among remote team members. These challenges can be conducted through video calls and virtual meetings, allowing employees to interact and engage with each other in a fun and competitive manner.
Participating in friendly challenges not only boosts morale but also contributes to employee happiness and overall satisfaction in the remote work environment. By encouraging friendly competition, these challenges create a positive and engaging atmosphere that helps remote teams stay connected, motivated, and united.
Show and Learn Sessions
Show and Learn Sessions are an effective way to build connections among remote teams. These sessions provide an opportunity for team members to share something they are passionate about, whether it be a hobby, a special skill, or even a favorite book.
By showcasing their personal interests, team members not only get to know each other better but also foster a sense of camaraderie and appreciation for one another’s unique talents.
Show and Learn Sessions encourage open communication and create a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Daily Snapshots
Daily snapshots are one of the top remote team building activities. They help create a support system for remote employees by encouraging communication and collaboration. Each team member can share a photo or short video of their day, whether it’s their workspace, a funny moment, or something they learned.
Daily snapshots boost morale and happiness among remote teams, as everyone gets to see glimpses into each other’s lives and experiences. It fosters a positive and uplifting atmosphere, enhancing teamwork and building stronger connections within the company culture.
So let’s start sharing our daily snapshots and strengthen our remote team bonds!
Linking Team Members Who Don’t Usually Work Together
Linking team members who don’t usually work together is a great way to foster collaboration and create a support system among remote employees. By encouraging cross-functional communication and interaction, this remote team building activity can help boost morale and happiness within the team.
It also promotes a strong company culture where everyone feels connected and valued. Overall, linking team members who don’t usually work together is an effective strategy for enhancing teamwork and productivity in a remote work environment.
Friday Feeling for the Entire Team
Bringing the Friday feeling to the entire remote team is crucial for building strong relationships and boosting morale. When everyone feels connected and motivated, it improves collaboration and productivity.
Celebrating the end of the week together can be done virtually through activities like virtual happy hours or online games. By creating a fun and positive atmosphere, employees will feel appreciated and engaged, leading to better teamwork and project success.
So let’s make sure every member of our remote team experiences that Friday feeling!
Remote Workshops and Classes
Remote workshops and classes are a great way to foster team building and professional development in virtual settings. By offering workshops and classes on various topics, team members can enhance their skills, learn new things, and bond with their colleagues.
These workshops and classes can be conducted through video conferencing platforms or online learning platforms. The key is to provide engaging content that aligns with employees’ interests and goals while creating opportunities for interaction and collaboration among team members.
Such activities not only promote continuous learning but also encourage teamwork, boost morale, and strengthen the overall company culture in remote work environments.
Virtual Workout Sessions
Virtual workout sessions are a great way to promote team building and improve overall employee well-being. These sessions, conducted through platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, allow team members to engage in physical activity together while working remotely.
Not only do virtual workouts help relieve stress and boost mental health, but they also create a sense of unity and collaboration among team members. By participating in these sessions, employees can enhance their teamwork skills and increase their productivity.
Moreover, virtual workout sessions are accessible to all team members regardless of their location or fitness level.
Virtual Book Clubs
Virtual book clubs are a popular remote team building activity. They provide an opportunity for employees to connect and bond over a shared interest in reading. These book clubs can be organized through platforms like Slack or Teams, making it easy for everyone to participate.
Reading books together can help promote discussions and stimulate thoughtful conversations among team members. It’s also a great way to introduce team members to new books and genres they may not have explored before.
So, virtual book clubs offer a fun and engaging way for remote teams to come together and build stronger connections.
Shared Meal Times
Shared meal times are an important aspect of remote team building activities. They provide an opportunity for team members to come together and connect on a personal level. Shared meals can help relieve stress, improve mental health, boost creativity, and enhance collaboration among team members.
By organizing lunch and dinner boxes or coordinating meal times, companies can create a support system for their remote employees and build a strong company culture. Additionally, joint meditation sessions can be held during shared meal times to promote relaxation and mindfulness among team members.
Joint Meditation Sessions
Joint meditation sessions are a valuable way to promote relaxation and mental well-being among remote teams. By coming together to engage in this calming practice, team members can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance productivity.
These sessions also foster a sense of connection and unity within the team, even when physically apart. Through joint meditation, employees can experience the benefits of mindfulness while creating a supportive environment that promotes effective communication and collaboration.
Incorporating regular joint meditation sessions into remote team building activities contributes to the overall happiness, engagement, and success of the team as they work towards their shared goals.
Personality Tests
Personality tests are often used in job applications and on-boarding processes to understand a person’s characteristics and how they might fit into a team. These tests can also be utilized in remote team building activities.
By sharing personality test results among team members, discussions can take place about different personality types and how they contribute to the overall dynamics of the team. It allows individuals to gain insights into their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their colleagues.
This understanding promotes better communication, collaboration, and cohesion within the remote team.
DIY and Cooking Activities
DIY and cooking activities are some of the best remote team building activities. They help us create strong relationships and connections with our remote teammates. Not only do these activities relieve stress, but they also improve our mental health, boost creativity, and enhance collaboration.
DIY projects like collaborative craft projects or problem-solving games can really bring our team closer together. So let’s get creative and have fun while we work!
Online Gaming Sessions
Online gaming sessions can be a fun and effective way to build connections among remote teams. By playing games together, team members can engage in friendly competition, collaborate on strategies, and strengthen their bonds.
Online gaming sessions provide an opportunity for coworkers to relax and have fun outside of work tasks. They can also help improve communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork within the team.
With the right attitude and support from management, online gaming sessions can create a positive and engaging remote work environment.
Live Remote Coworking
Live remote coworking is a popular activity for building connections and fostering collaboration among remote teams. It involves setting aside dedicated time during the workday for team members to work together virtually in real-time.
This allows employees to share ideas, offer support, and engage in casual conversations just like they would in a physical office setting. Live remote coworking helps create a sense of community and breaks down the feeling of isolation that can sometimes come with remote work.
By working together simultaneously, team members can develop stronger relationships, enhance communication, and boost productivity.
Virtual Trash Challenge
The Virtual Trash Challenge is a great way to strengthen teamwork and promote environmental responsibility. In this activity, team members come together to clean up parks or nearby areas while connecting virtually.
By working towards a common goal of keeping the environment clean, teams can bond and foster a sense of camaraderie. This challenge not only promotes team building but also demonstrates the importance of taking care of our surroundings.
It shows employees that their company values environmental responsibility and encourages them to make a positive impact on their communities. With the Virtual Trash Challenge, teams can come together, make a difference, and have fun in the process!
Online Office Games
Online Office Games are a great way to engage remote teams and build camaraderie. These games can be incorporated into regular team meetings or ongoing Slack conversations, making them easily accessible for everyone.
By participating in online office games, team members can relieve stress, improve mental health, boost creativity, and enhance collaboration. They provide an opportunity for employees to connect on a personal level and have fun together, even when they’re not physically in the same location.
With the wide variety of virtual games available, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and contribute to the overall team spirit.
Virtual Show & Tell
Virtual Show & Tell is a fun and engaging activity that can promote team building among remote team members. It involves each team member sharing something they are passionate about or interested in with the rest of the group.
This activity allows individuals to showcase their unique talents, hobbies, or experiences, fostering a sense of connection and understanding within the team. By participating in Virtual Show & Tell sessions, team members not only get to learn more about each other’s interests but also develop a greater appreciation for their colleagues’ diverse skills and perspectives.
Virtual Debate Club
The Virtual Debate Club is an exciting and engaging activity that can be included in remote team building efforts. It allows employees to come together and discuss various topics, challenging each other’s perspectives in a friendly and constructive manner.
By participating in debates, remote workers can improve their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and teamwork. This activity creates a sense of collaboration and camaraderie among team members, even if they are not physically present in the same location.
The Virtual Debate Club fosters intellectual stimulation and encourages active participation from all team members, promoting engagement and connection within the remote workforce.
Virtual Ambassadors
Virtual ambassadors are key players in remote team building activities. They serve as connectors between remote employees, helping to bridge the gap and foster a sense of camaraderie within virtual teams.
These ambassadors act as representatives or advocates for their respective teams, ensuring that everyone feels included and engaged in company culture. By organizing virtual events, facilitating communication, and promoting collaboration among team members who don’t usually work together, virtual ambassadors play a vital role in creating a positive and supportive work environment for remote employees.
Through their efforts, they help enhance employee morale, boost productivity, and strengthen the overall sense of belonging within the organization.
Virtual Trivia
Virtual trivia is a popular virtual team building activity that can engage and entertain remote teams. It involves asking questions on various topics, such as pop culture, history, science, or general knowledge, and team members compete to provide the correct answers.
Virtual trivia not only promotes friendly competition but also encourages teamwork and collaboration as teammates work together to solve the questions. This activity allows team members to showcase their knowledge while fostering communication and bonding among colleagues.
With its interactive nature and ability to accommodate large groups, virtual trivia is an effective way to bring remote teams together in a fun and engaging manner.
Healthy Lifestyle Challenge
One of the remote team building activities that can have a positive impact on employee wellbeing is the Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. This challenge encourages employees to prioritize their health and make positive lifestyle changes.
It could involve activities like setting fitness goals, sharing healthy recipes, participating in virtual workout sessions together, or even organizing a step-count competition. By promoting a healthy lifestyle, this challenge not only improves physical health but also boosts morale and productivity among remote team members.
Virtual Happy Hours
Virtual happy hours are a popular remote team building activity. They help maintain strong relationships and connections among remote employees, which is important for communication and support within the team.
These virtual gatherings can be organized through platforms like Slack or Teams, allowing team members to come together in a relaxed and informal setting. Virtual happy hours contribute to employee well-being and job satisfaction by providing an opportunity for social interaction and a break from work-related stress.
They can also improve mental health by offering a chance to unwind, have fun, and engage in light-hearted conversations with colleagues.
Virtual Coffee Breaks
Virtual coffee breaks are one of the top remote team building activities. They provide a valuable opportunity for team members to connect and bond, even when working remotely. These breaks can be organized through platforms like Slack or Teams, using video calls or virtual meetings.
Taking regular virtual coffee breaks has many benefits for both individuals and teams. They help relieve stress, improve mental health, boost creativity, and enhance collaboration among team members.
It’s important for team managers to encourage and support virtual coffee breaks to ensure their effectiveness in building a strong remote team.
Virtual Birthday Parties
Virtual birthday parties are a popular and fun remote team building activity. They allow teams to celebrate birthdays even when they can’t be together in person. By organizing virtual birthday parties, companies show that they value their employees and want to make them feel special.
It’s a great way to bring the team together, boost morale, and create a sense of community. During these celebrations, colleagues can sing happy birthday, share well wishes, play games, or even organize surprise virtual gifts for the birthday person.
Virtual birthday parties are an enjoyable way for remote teams to connect and celebrate important milestones together.
Virtual Retirement Parties
Virtual retirement parties are a type of remote team building activity that aims to create a supportive environment for employees who are transitioning into retirement. These virtual celebrations can have many benefits, including boosting morale, increasing happiness, fostering collaboration, and strengthening company culture.
By honoring retirees and providing a space for colleagues to share memories and well wishes, virtual retirement parties help create a sense of community and connection among team members.
Additionally, these celebrations offer stress relief, improved mental health, enhanced creativity, and better collaboration within the remote work setting. Overall, virtual retirement parties contribute to employee wellbeing while maintaining engagement in remote teams.
Online Fundraisers
Online fundraisers are an important aspect of remote team building activities. They not only allow teams to come together for a common cause but also contribute to employee well-being, job satisfaction, and overall team performance.
By organizing and participating in online fundraisers, teams can make a positive impact on their communities while fostering a sense of unity and purpose within the team. Whether it’s a virtual charity run, an online auction, or a crowdfunding campaign, these fundraising activities provide opportunities for team members to connect with each other and work towards a shared goal outside of their regular work responsibilities.
Successful online fundraisers require dedication, creativity, and collaboration from the entire team.
Virtual Amazing Race
One of the top remote team building activities is the Virtual Amazing Race. This activity mimics the popular TV show and involves teams competing against each other in a virtual race.
It’s designed to boost collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills among remote employees. The Virtual Amazing Race allows participants to work together towards joint goals while having fun and fostering camaraderie.
With this activity, remote workers can engage in friendly competition and build connections with their colleagues, even though they are physically apart.
Tools for Virtual Team Building
In order to facilitate effective remote team building, there are several tools and platforms that can be utilized. From communication tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to virtual collaboration platforms like Gather and Sococo, these tools ensure seamless interaction and engagement among team members.
Want to know more about these tools? Check out the full article!
Celebration Hub
The Celebration Hub is a platform provided by Perkbox that allows companies to recognize and reward their team members. It helps foster connections between team members through virtual coffee dates organized by tools like Donut for Slack.
The hub also enables the organization of team challenges and competitions using the fitness tracking app Strava. Trivia games can be played in real-time on platforms such as Slack or Microsoft Teams to promote team building.
With its accessibility through various tools like Zoom, Skype, and Google Teams, the Celebration Hub provides a centralized space for remote teams to engage, connect, and celebrate together.
Donut for Slack
Donut for Slack is a fantastic tool that helps team members connect and build relationships through virtual coffee dates. It’s designed to foster connections among remote employees, enhancing virtual team building activities.
By facilitating these informal conversations, Donut for Slack contributes to improved employee well-being and overall team performance. With this tool, team members can get to know each other on a more personal level, leading to stronger communication and collaboration within the team.
Whether it’s discussing work-related matters or simply sharing hobbies and interests, Donut for Slack brings remote teams closer together in a fun and engaging way.
Strava
Strava is a fitness tracking app that can be used as a tool for virtual team building activities. With Strava, team members can engage in fun and friendly challenges like trivia games and word association games to promote communication and teamwork.
It provides an interactive platform where employees can come together, compete, and have fun while staying active and connected. While there are no specific statistical data mentioned about Strava in the given content, it offers a great opportunity for remote teams to bond over their shared interest in fitness and create a positive work environment.
Trivia
Trivia is a fun and engaging remote team building activity. It involves asking and answering questions about various topics, such as general knowledge or specific themes related to the company or industry.
Trivia helps teams bond and learn new things together while promoting friendly competition. It can be organized through virtual platforms like Zoom or Teams, where participants can use chat functions or raise their hands to answer questions.
Trivia not only boosts employee morale but also encourages collaboration and strengthens communication among team members.
Zoom
Zoom is a recommended tool for virtual team building and remote team building activities. It offers features like fun filters and virtual meetings to enhance the experience. With video calls and virtual meetings, teams can come together, engage in various activities, and build relationships despite being physically apart.
Zoom helps create a sense of togetherness and collaboration among remote workers, making it an essential tool for effective team building efforts.
Gather
Gather is a platform that allows team members to connect in a virtual environment and participate in online events. It helps create a sense of togetherness and maintain strong relationships despite physical distance.
With Gather, remote team building activities can be organized easily through platforms like Slack and Teams, and can be facilitated through video calls and virtual meetings. It’s important for these activities to be inclusive and accessible to all team members in order to contribute to employee well-being, job satisfaction, and overall team performance.
Plop
Plop is an exciting game that can be played within Slack, which is a popular communication tool for remote teams. With Plop, you can engage in fun virtual team building activities and boost your team’s morale and engagement.
It is linked to tools for virtual team building activities, making it easy to create a positive work environment even when working remotely. So, if you’re looking for a way to bring your dispersed team together and foster better communication and collaboration, Plop can be a great option to consider.
GreetBot
GreetBot is an amazing tool that can help with onboarding new team members and introduce them to the rest of the team. It’s a great way to make sure everyone feels welcomed and included right from the start.
GreetBot works hand in hand with other tools for virtual team building, which are all about creating a positive and engaging remote work environment. So, if you’re looking for ways to boost communication, support joint goals, and have some fun along the way, GreetBot can definitely be a valuable addition to your remote team building activities toolbox.
Jukebot
One tool that can enhance virtual team building activities is Jukebot. With Jukebot, teams can create and collaborate on Spotify playlists for shared music experiences. This allows team members to connect through the power of music, which can elevate moods, build rapport, and create a sense of unity even when working remotely.
By listening to the same playlists or creating themed ones together, everyone can enjoy a shared musical experience that promotes engagement and boosts morale in a fun and enjoyable way.
Jukebot adds an extra layer of connection and enjoyment to remote team building efforts.
Sococo
Sococo is a virtual office space built specifically for remote teams like yours. It provides a digital environment where team members can collaborate, communicate, and work together seamlessly.
With Sococo, you can create virtual rooms that mimic the layout of a physical office, complete with designated areas for different teams or departments. This makes it easier to connect with colleagues and have spontaneous conversations just like you would in an actual office setting.
Sococo also integrates with other tools designed for remote team building activities, making it even more convenient to organize and participate in virtual team bonding experiences.
What Time Tracking Apps Can Help with Remote Team Building Activities?
Remote work time tracking apps can greatly assist in remote team building activities. These apps enable teams to coordinate and collaborate effectively, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards common goals. By accurately tracking time and activities, these apps promote transparency, boost productivity, and foster a sense of accountability among team members. Overall, remote work time tracking apps are an essential tool for successfully building and managing remote teams.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remote team building activities play a crucial role in fostering strong relationships and creating a supportive work environment for remote employees. These activities not only boost morale and happiness but also enhance collaboration and build a strong company culture.
From virtual break rooms to friendly challenges and virtual workshops, there are plenty of options to keep remote teams connected, engaged, and thriving. So don’t let distance hinder teamwork – try out these activities today!
