Those days of wondering who microwaved last night’s fish in the breakroom are gone. Today many employees work from their couch or kitchen table, often without ever having to put on pants. Despite initial concerns about remote work and performance, it turns out that working from home is actually making people better at their jobs.

The data is clear: remote work benefits both employees and employers. It leads to increased productivity, lower office overhead costs, and a happier workforce. In fact, 93% of working professionals say working remotely positively impacts their mental health.

This new way of working isn’t going away either. More and more companies are going partial or fully remote. So it’s no surprise a recent study by Upwork estimates over 22% of the American workforce will be remote by 2025. That’s about 36.3 million people, an 87% increase from pre-2020 levels.

The idea of never having another awkward bathroom encounter or elevator ride appeals to most. But let’s face it: working with remote teams comes with its own set of challenges.

Building strong team bonds virtually isn’t as easy or as quick as when you’re working face-to-face in a physical office for 8 hours a day. Leaders must put on their thinking caps to create meaningful connections and find ways to promote unity and a sense of teamwork despite the distance.

Here’s how to make it happen.

What’s the Big Deal with Remote Team Building?

Unlike in-office teams, you can’t bond over lunchtime burrito runs. Without a bit of virtual legwork, virtual team members remain strangers. But why does this even matter?

Remote Team Building Defined

Remote team building refers to using various activities, strategies, and exercises to improve interpersonal relationships in a no-office environment. Simply put, leaders create virtual situations where remote employees can bond to build cohesion within their team. Building these bonds keeps employees motivated, engaged, and aligned with team goals.

This is easier in traditional in-office environments as proximity helps relationships grow organically over time. Remote team development requires more planning and regularity, relying on virtual tools in digital environments to create meaningful working relationships. The good news about remote work is virtual team building can take any shape. From remote game nights to online talent shows, managers can let their imaginations run wild.

Why Remote Team Building Matters

Remote team building offers two big benefits: happier employees and more collaborative teams.

The studies on mental health and remote work are mostly positive. Still, some findings show remote work can lead to feelings of isolation, which can cause depression and disconnection—all of which hurt employee happiness and overall performance.

The studies on mental health and remote work are generally positive. However, some findings suggest remote work leads to feelings of isolation, depression, and disconnection—all of which are bad for employee happiness and overall performance.

This isn’t a surprise. Humans crave social interaction. Some people naturally thrive in an in-person office environment and struggle in a virtual work setting. That’s why online team-building events are important. They help counter the negative feelings by creating a sense of connection.

And because happier people make better teammates, virtual team building not only lifts spirits but also boosts team collaboration. When remote workers trust their colleagues and feel comfortable communicating openly, everyone wins.

Remote team development activities break the ice and build rapport among colleagues. Over time, these efforts increase collaboration, communication, and productivity, no matter the physical distance.

Common Challenges for Remote Teams

While employees say they enjoy working remotely, remote teams face big challenges that impact performance, especially when it comes to mental health. Studies show up to 40% of remote workers experience symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Communication is another challenge in the virtual workplace. Relying on text-based communication like instant messages and emails increases the risk of miscommunications and misunderstandings. After all, there’s only so much emojis and GIFs can convey.

Time zone differences complicate things, and delayed responses and real-time collaboration are difficult. Over time, these issues can snowball into frustration, confusion, project delays, and even conflict within the team.

Benefits of Stronger Remote Team Bonds

Stronger bonds among employees mean a more effective, productive, and united team. When team members trust each other and communicate well, everything improves—collaboration, productivity, efficiency, and overall work quality. A close-knit team also boosts job satisfaction. When employees feel valued by their team and company, they’re more likely to stay in their role. Plus, more bonded remote teams find it easier to share diverse perspectives and ideas, which improves problem-solving and creativity. Strong relationships are especially valuable during conflicts as team members are more likely to address issues constructively rather than letting them simmer.

Let’s Brainstorm Virtual Team Building Ideas

Choosing the right activities for remote teams is personalized, as there is no one-size-fits-all. Some employees may like playing online games, while others may prefer the challenge of a fitness competition. To select activities everyone will enjoy, you need to consider the personalities and preferences of each team member.

With that in mind, here are some team-building activity ideas to bring your remote team together.

Virtual Icebreakers

Virtual icebreakers are short, engaging activities that help remote workers get to know each other. Some examples are virtual coffee breaks for casual conversations during the workday, Two Truths and a Lie to learn surprising facts about each team member, and Remote Show-and-Tell.

Think of them like a professional first date. You might feel awkward at first, but that’s what helps break the ice: it allows everyone to start getting to know each other. When facilitated well, icebreakers help alleviate some of the initial awkwardness of virtual meetings and create a more relaxed working atmosphere.

Collaborative Online Games

Gamers are known for being master strategists. Online games improve teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills and make it fun. The collaborative nature of virtual team games requires participants to work together to achieve a common goal, just like in real life. That’s why they’re great for building team dynamics.

For example, virtual escape rooms challenge teams to solve puzzles and “escape” a scenario within a set time. This requires strong communication and critical thinking from all members. Virtual murder mysteries are similar. Players need to use collaboration and strategic thinking skills, making them another great option. Games like online Pictionary and other multiplayer video games also require strategic cooperation.

Skill-Based Workshops

Skill-based workshops achieve two goals at the same time. It allows team members to learn new skills and opportunities for team bonding. Workshops also encourage collaboration and shared learning experiences in many different settings. For example, virtual cooking classes allow culinary-inclined teammates to bond while learning to make the classic Italian spaghetti carbonara. Group language classes allow employees to learn new languages together, while online coding challenges promote technical skills and team problem-solving.

Through these activities, remote teams can learn from their mistakes, support each other, and master new skills together.

Fitness and Wellness Activities

Fitness and wellness activities are another two-for-one team building. They contribute to a positive team culture, reduce stress, and improve work-life balance.

For example, virtual yoga sessions help teams alleviate the physical strain of remote desk work and help them relax together. Remote step challenges encourage friendly inter-team competition and team members to stay active. Guided meditation sessions allow colleagues to share a moment of mindfulness and calm.

If your company’s mission is to create a healthier, more connected workforce, then fitness and wellness activities could be the perfect fit for your remote team. Just remember they may require extra accessibility considerations.

Creative Team Projects

Creative team projects allow teams to work towards a common goal while expressing themselves.

For example, workers can showcase their unique talents in a virtual talent show, like playing the guitar or puppeteering in a supportive environment. Others may enjoy collaborative story writing, where they contribute to a piece of digital art. For those who prefer more challenging activities, digital music collaboration and virtual short filmmaking are great ideas for team projects.

Virtual Competitions

Positive competition in the digital office can foster camaraderie among employees. For example, managers can organize virtual cooking or baking challenges where everyone prepares the same recipe at home and then shares their results on a video call. To make it fair, different judges can be assigned for each event, and the winning dish can be crowned “Best in Show.”

Managers can also schedule online trivia nights or pub quizzes either for individual teams or as a company-wide battle of the brains.

Best Practices for Organizing Virtual Team Building Activities

Choosing the right virtual team building event requires leaders to consider not only the team members’ likes and dislikes but also accessibility, scheduling, and inclusivity.

Choosing the Right Activities

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to virtual team building. That means leaders need to consider individual preferences and feelings when planning events so they are as enjoyable, engaging, and effective as possible. First and foremost, start by assessing your team members’ preferences and interests. For example, an accounting team might prefer a group round of video games over a collaborative storytelling event. Meanwhile, marketing professionals who are creatively drained after work might need to learn something new to reset their minds.

To maximize participation, leaders should consider the team’s size and work schedules to make all activities as inclusive as possible. The goal is to create events that are accessible and feasible for all members regardless of physicality or location.

Another good idea to make virtual team-building activities even more meaningful is to match events to the team’s current challenges and goals. For example, teams struggling with communication should participate in events focused on collaboration and teamwork. If morale is low around the virtual office, leaders should opt for more fun, lighthearted events to lift spirits and reduce stress.

Scheduling and Frequency

Time zone differences are a big consideration when scheduling virtual team-building activities. No one wants to do a cooking challenge or try to turn their brain on for trivia at 2 am. Leaders need to determine the best time to accommodate as many people as possible so no one feels inconvenienced or left out. Scheduling apps and world clocks are essential but valuable tools for making this happen.

How often to hold these events requires careful planning to balance fun with workload. Scheduling regular events, whether bi-weekly or monthly, helps maintain team-building momentum without overwhelming anyone’s calendar. Flexibility is key, though. More frequent events may be needed during stressful periods, while a break may be required during heavy workload periods.

Leaders should aim to master balancing structured events to boost team morale with more informal social interactions to build team culture. Planned activities created by leadership support specific goals. But casual conversations and hangouts build organic connections and strengthen inter-team relationships.

Inclusivity

The main goal of every virtual team-building activity is to make sure every team member feels valued and included. These events should be accessible and fun for everyone regardless of physical ability, culture, or location. That’s why leaders need to adapt activities to fit the diverse needs of their team.

Creating a safe and respectful environment is key to inclusivity. Leaders need to set clear guidelines for interactions and emphasize respect so everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and contributing. This builds stronger connections across the team. Not everyone will be able to or want to participate in every activity for various reasons — whether it’s anxiety, illness, or a packed calendar. And that’s okay. It’s not always possible to have full attendance, and that’s something to keep in mind.

Gathering Feedback and Adjusting

Without the power of telepathy, the only way to know how team-building activities are received is through feedback from the team.

After each activity, leaders should decide how employees can provide feedback — through team votes, anonymous surveys, or direct conversations. This feedback is invaluable for planning future activities and takes some pressure off the team leader’s shoulders. Plus, being responsive to feedback shows that leaders value their team’s opinion and are committed to a positive and supportive team culture.

Tools and Platforms for Remote Team Building

Online platforms, apps, tools, and software make remote team bonding easy. With so many options at their disposal, leaders can get creative when choosing the best tools for their teams.

Video Conferencing Tools

Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other video conferencing tools are essential for remote work and team-building activities. These platforms provide the foundation for virtual interactions and allow teams to connect and collaborate almost as effectively as in person, no matter where they are.

These tools also come with features that enhance the video conferencing experience. Breakout rooms allow smaller groups to split off from the main meeting for focused discussions or activities. Screen sharing will enable presenters to display their information in real-time, making collaboration seamless. Virtual backgrounds add a fun and personal touch to meetings, helping employees express themselves while creating a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Collaboration Platforms

Slack is one of the most popular collaboration tools, offering real-time messaging through channels and direct messages. It makes sharing updates, reminders, and even polls about upcoming events easy and efficient. Plus, it supports various integrations, from software tools to virtual team trivia games and apps for virtual coffee breaks.

Trello and Asana are also widely used for project management. Both platforms are excellent for planning and tracking team events. Plus, they integrate with external tools like Google Meet and Zoom.

Online Game Platforms

Virtual games via online platforms are a great way to help teams blow off steam while boosting team spirit. If the internet is full of one thing for sure, it’s gaming options.

Kahoot is a quiz-based platform that allows teams to create and play customized trivia games based on educational information, personal fun facts about each other, or any other topic. JackBox Games provides quirky and fun games for casual, more lighthearted team-building sessions. These games are perfect for icebreaker activities or to bring some laughter after a long day. Tabletopia enables a virtual game of a huge selection of board games, allowing teams to play together through a more strategic, collaborative experience.

Wellness and Fitness Apps

Using fitness and wellness applications for team-building helps employees stay active and healthy while bonding. Their versatility allows leaders to choose how to add a healthy element to the virtual office.

Headspace and Calm, two popular wellness apps, offer guided meditation sessions and mindfulness exercises that help employees find peace and relaxation for a few minutes. Leaders can integrate these apps into the virtual office to promote mental well-being and reduce stress. For example, scheduling collective mindfulness breaks during high-stress periods can encourage relaxation and mental clarity.

Strava, a well-known fitness app, allows companies to create virtual cycling or running challenges, promoting physical activity and healthy competition among team members.

These apps help remote employees stay mindful of their emotional and physical health while enhancing company culture. With regular use, they can reduce burnout, improve overall well-being, and create a more balanced and supportive work environment.

Measuring Your Remote Team Building

Just like any other office initiative or campaign, companies need to figure out how to measure the impact of their remote team-building efforts to know if it’s working.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

KPIs are used to measure the success and performance of many business areas and team-building efforts. Here are a few of the most important KPIs for team building:

• Team productivity and collaboration levels measure how the team works together. These KPIs will show if the team-building activities are improving efficiency and collaboration.
• Employee engagement and participation rates measure how active each team member is in activities. These rates will give insight into enthusiasm and connection levels.
• Employee satisfaction and retention rates measure the likelihood of employees staying with the company by evaluating overall job satisfaction. They also reflect the long-term impact of team-building efforts on morale and loyalty.

Surveying Team Members

Surveys are the best way to get information directly from the source and measure the effectiveness of remote team-building efforts. By designing well-structured surveys, leadership can get quantitative and qualitative data on team morale, dynamics, and overall activity satisfaction.

Some teams may benefit from an anonymous survey, allowing employees to share their honest opinions without telling their manager directly they didn’t enjoy an event.

Surveys should include questions on how much employees enjoyed specific activities, how connected they felt to their team members, and a space for suggestions on future events. Analyzing these responses allows event organizers to make data-driven decisions and tailor the next team-building activity to suit the team’s needs better.

Continuous Improvement

Gathering all this feedback is pointless unless it’s used. Leaders should establish a feedback loop to refine team-building strategies based on survey results and key performance indicators.

Often, just asking team members what they’d like to do to build team cohesion can provide valuable insights—at least until someone suggests paid company nap time. Incorporating employee feedback not only keeps events engaging and relevant but also makes employees feel heard. Like a science experiment, leaders should track the outcomes of each event, what worked and what didn’t, to ensure each activity is better than the last.

Conclusion: Are Virtual Team Building Worth It?

Remote work has perks for employers and employees, but not all sunshine and pajama parties. Virtual teams can sometimes feel like a group of distant pen pals rather than a cohesive, communicative unit.

That’s why company leaders and managers need to get creative with virtual team-building. Doing so creates more productive, cohesive, and engaged remote workforces. The good news is virtual team-building doesn’t have to be a big deal or require months of planning. Leaders can start small with one or two activities that are fun and aligned with team goals and then evolve the events based on employee feedback. Online trivia games or virtual group cooking classes might seem frivolous to those used to paper-shuffling traditional offices. But, these “silly” events can bond teams and reduce feelings of isolation in the virtual workplace.

As remote work continues to grow, methods for building team morale and cohesion must evolve, too. Technology will bring new ways to support these efforts, and leaders should keep themselves open to these innovations to have strong, connected teams no matter where they are.

FAQs

What are the best remote team-building activities for small teams?

Online games and quizzes are the best activities for small virtual teams as they engage everyone and scale easily for more players. Virtual escape rooms are another great option, as they require small teams to work together closely and scale easily. Other options are digital art projects, remote show-and-tell, and collaborative story writing.

How often should remote teams do team building?

Ideally, remote companies should regularly do team-building events, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Building bonds between team members doesn’t happen overnight and requires many opportunities to create strong connections.

But when deciding on frequency, be considerate of your team’s workload and general availability.

Can remote team-building activities be across different time zones?

Yes, they can be across different time zones by scheduling flexible sessions, offering rotating event times, and using more asynchronous activities so everyone can participate.

What tools are needed for remote team building?

Video conference tools, collaboration platforms, online gaming websites or platforms, and/or wellness and fitness apps are some of the most important tools for team building across remote teams. Each offers a way for teams to compete, communicate, or just have fun with each other and build team cohesion and morale.

How can I measure the success of remote team building?

Using Key Performance Indicators like employee participation rates and retention metrics alongside regular employee surveys allows companies to measure the success of their team-building initiatives.