10 Virtual Team-Building Activities with Software for Team Management

Ever wonder how to keep the team spirit alive when everyone's miles apart?🤔

In an era where remote work💻 has become the norm rather than the exception, team-building activities for virtual teams have soared in significance.

65% of remote employees reported that they have never had a team-building session🧑‍🤝‍🧑, the need for effective and engaging virtual team-building strategies is more crucial than ever. That's where virtual team-building activities swoop in to save the day🌀.

Utilizing sophisticated software for team management not only facilitates these activities but also helps in tracking progress💹, engagement, and the overall impact on team dynamics.

Such software and activities pave the way for creating a cohesive and productive environment, despite the physical distance between team members👯‍♀️. Okay, so let's discuss these in detail-:

 

What is Virtual Team Building?

Virtual team building refers to activities and strategies designed to foster camaraderie🧑‍🤝‍🧑, collaboration, and morale among remote team members😉.

It involves engaging in interactive exercises & games, and discussions conducted through online platforms to promote communication📲, trust, and team cohesion despite any geographical distance.

 

 

10 Virtual Team Building Activities with Software for Team Management

Building a strong team dynamic is crucial for virtual teams to enhance collaboration, communication, and overall productivity. Here are five team-building activities tailored for virtual teams:-

1. Two truths and a lie

• Type of game: Conversational starter
• Time required: 15 minutes

In this activity, team members take turns revealing interesting facts about themselves. Two of the statements are true✅, while one is false❌.

With Kroolo, effortlessly add remote team members, define roles, and customize team settings🎲, creating dedicated and personalized workspaces for interactive activities. The seamless onboarding process facilitated by Kroolo ensures that new members can quickly integrate into the team, enhancing participation and collaboration📳.

 

2. Messy fridays

• Type of game: Asynchronous; just for fun
• Time required: 5 minutes

When you're in an office🏫, there's this unspoken rule to keep your desk tidy. But when you work from home, there's no one there to judge if your workspace is a bit messy.

So, with Kroolo’s channel, you can have this thing called let's say “messy Friday”. On Fridays, ask your remote and in-house team to share pictures📸 of your messy desks and laugh about it with emojis like😂 and🤦🏽‍♀️. It's also a chance for super neat people to show off their perfectly organized workspaces.

Sharing pictures📺of messy desks creates a sense of camaraderie as team members realize they're not alone in having a less-than-perfect workspace.😁

 

3. Never have I ever

• Type of game: Social Icebreaker/Team-Building
• Time required: Typically 30-60 minutes, depending on the number of participants and the depth of discussion 

In the virtual "Never Have I Ever" game, team gathered on a video call🎥, and we took turns sharing interesting statements related to both personal and professional experiences.

For instance, someone started with "Never have I ever worked in a different country," and team members who had that experience turned on their video📽️to share brief anecdotes about their international work stints.

This not only provided a glimpse into our diverse professional backgrounds but also created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere🍹, encouraging everyone to share unique aspects of their lives.

 

4. Secret santa 

• Type of game: Team building
• Time required: Duration varies depending on the process of organizing and execution

Participants sign up📩, sharing their interests and preferences, and are then randomly assigned a "Secret santa" through a virtual platform.

The anonymity of the gift giver is maintained until the virtual exchange event, during which team members unwrap their thoughtful💭presents on a video call. The excitement builds as participants guess who their secret santa might be based on the gifts🎁or clues provided.

The event serves not only as a celebration 🎉🎊of the holiday season but also as an opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level, sharing laughter and joy even in a virtual setting.

 

5. Pancakev/s Waffle

• Type of game: Breakfast battle fun /Icebreaker
• Time required: Approximately 20-30 minutes

In your virtual game, you can have a Pancakes vs. Waffles showdown. There are two teams for each - Team Pancakes and Team Waffles.

Team Pancakes🥞 says pancakes are the classic and comfy breakfast. You can put all kinds of yummy things on them, like syrup, fruits, or chocolate chips 🍇.

Team Waffles🧇 argues that waffles have these perfect little pockets that hold toppings, making every bite awesome.

Share funny stories about your favorite pancakes or waffles. Some team members even made virtual backgrounds with huge stacks of their chosen breakfast 🥣.

It's a fun contest of creativity and humor😆. Even though you don't pick a winner🏆, everyone is happy and feels more connected as a team, even if we're far apart.

 

6. Virtual coffee breaks

• Type of game: Informal networking/Casual interaction
• Time required: 15-30 minutes

Organizing virtual coffee breaks☕ for remote teams is a simple and effective way to foster a sense of camaraderie and maintain social connections.

Team members can schedule short, informal video calls during designated "coffee break" times⌛. During these sessions, participants can discuss non-work-related topics, share personal updates, or simply enjoy a casual chat over a cup of coffee or tea🫖.

This virtual coffee break helps recreate the spontaneous interactions that occur in a physical office setting🏨, promoting team bonding👯 and a more relaxed work atmosphere.

Team members can also use this time to share interesting articles, and book recommendations📚, or even play quick online games to add an element of fun to the break.

 

7. Word association threads 

• Type of game: Asynchronous
• Time required: Ongoing, with participants contributing as they have time

In the word association game, participants start a thread🧵by posting a word. The next participant responds with the first word that comes to mind based on the previous word.

The chain continues as team members add words, creating a unique and evolving thread. With Kroolo, you can enhance this game by creating dedicated channels for different threads, ensuring that all conversations are managed centrally.

Kroolo allows for flexible interaction within threads — participants can reply, forward⏩, react, mention, and even attach files seamlessly.

Enjoy perfect collaboration within teams🫂 as the word association game unfolds, providing a creative and engaging way for team members to connect and share ideas within the organized and user-friendly interface.

 

8. Remote team olympics 

• Type of game: Virtual team-building olympics
• Time required: Half or full-day

Organize a remote team olympics for a day of fun challenges and collaboration🔔.

With Kroolo, you can create channels, invite members, and engage in discussions across Teams, making coordination seamless. Incorporate activities like virtual escape rooms🏪, trivia contests, and creative challenges💪.

Use Kroolo's features to facilitate smooth communication during the event. Encourage creativity📝and teamwork, making it an enjoyable day😃that enhances camaraderie among remote team members.

 

9. Netflix viewing party

• Type of game: Virtual movie night
• Time required: 2-3 hours

Organize a Netflix viewing party🍿for your remote and in-house teams. Begin by creating a dedicated channel on Kroolo, inviting team members to join. Pick a🎬movie or series that suits everyone's taste, and use Kroolo’s chats and channels for detailed discussion.

During the session, team members can engage in real-time discussions, share reactions, and thoughts, and even predict plot twists.🎦

This laid-back yet immersive event not only offers a delightful break but also fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie among your remote team, making movie night a memorable shared experience🎞️.

https://hive.com/blog/virtual-team-building-activities/

 

10. Escape the room

• Type of game: Virtual team-building 
• Time required: 1-2 hours

Imagine playing a game like "Escape the room" with your remote team. You all gather on a video call and join a special website where the game happens🎭.

The host tells you a story, like finding a lost treasure. Then, you work together to solve puzzles🧩 and find clues to move forward in the game. For example, you might solve a puzzle to unlock a door or find a hidden key🗝️.

You'll need to talk🗣️ a lot and share ideas to solve everything before the time runs out. When you finish, you'll feel proud of your teamwork and happy to solve the mystery together.

It's like going on an adventure with your friends, even though you're all playing from home🏡.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can these activities be done with large teams?

Yes, many activities are scalable and can be adjusted to suit teams of various sizes by using breakout rooms in video conferencing software or organizing into smaller groups.

2. How frequently should we organize virtual team-building sessions?

The frequency can vary based on the team's needs, but a monthly or quarterly session is a good starting point to keep engagement high without overburdening team schedules.

3. How do we measure the success of a virtual team-building activity?

Success can be gauged through team feedback, the level of participation, and observing improved collaboration and communication following the activities.

4. Can these activities be done asynchronously for teams across different time zones?

Yes, certain activities like challenges, puzzles, or project collaborations can be designed to allow participation at any time, accommodating all team members regardless of their time zone.

5. What benefits can virtual team-building activities bring to remote teams?

Virtual team-building activities promote team cohesion, enhance communication, boost morale, and create a positive work culture. They contribute to increased engagement, which, in turn, positively impacts overall team performance.