Virtual Team Building Activities & Games for Remote Teams
Working with remote workers or hybrid setups? These virtual team-building activities and games bring your entire team closer, spark laughter, and encourage true team bonding. Whether it’s a quick icebreaker in your next virtual meeting or a full-blown virtual team-building event, these activities are designed to boost morale and creativity across time zones.
Top 3 picks to start with
- 10 Things in Common – This easy, fun activity helps new team members and veterans connect instantly by finding shared experiences. Great for small groups and quick calls.
- Codenames (Virtual edition) – A clever, collaborative guessing game that sparks your team’s competitive spirit. It’s low effort but high impact for any virtual team bonding session.
- Accountability Pods – Break your team into 2–3-person pods that meet monthly to support goals. These informal check-ins build relationships and drive productive remote teams.
The best virtual games and activities for remote teams
Keeping a team engaged is harder when you don’t share an office, but that doesn’t mean some intentional virtual team activities can’t replace live action. These aren’t just icebreakers—they’re how you create culture, trust, and motivation without needing to be in person.
- Deal or No Deal Negotiation Game – A fun, high-stakes simulation that sharpens communication.
- 20 Questions – Light and fast, this one works across time zones and gets people talking.
- Category Game – Perfect for midweek energy boosts in long virtual meetings.
- Big Talk Virtual Icebreaker – Great for building vulnerability and deeper team trust.
- How You Doin'? – A simple check-in that sets a supportive tone for the meeting.
You can run most of these inside Zoom or your virtual conference room of choice, or even integrate with Slack to incorporate team building into daily work.
List of the best online games for remote teams
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How to choose the right activity
Some teams thrive on energy. Others prefer reflection. Picking the right virtual activities depends on what your whole team enjoys.
- Time: Do you want a 5-minute game or a 45-minute team-building event?
- Group size: Some games scale well for 30+; others are better with 4–6.
- Repetition: Is this a one-time event or something you’ll do weekly?
Try mixing formats, too! A virtual coffee break one week, then a full-blown team-building exercise the next.
Tips for making your next team meeting more fun
- Start with a round of “What’s your mood in emojis?”
- End with shoutouts to create natural public recognition
- Rotate hosting roles to keep energy fresh
- Try adding one round of a virtual team-building game to break up long calls
Even 5 minutes of lightness makes a difference.
Recognition tools that make a difference
Playing games is fun, but it’s only worth it if they show people that they are an important part of the workspace. For remote teams operating in Slack, that can be challenging unless you integrate a tool like Clappy Kudos from BuddiesHR.
In between games, Clappy helps highlight wins, spark positive work environments, and give every team member their moment to shine. Try Clappy Kudos for free and start recognizing collaboration, giving props for leadership, and turning meetings into celebration moments!
Frequently asked questions
How often should we run team-building events?
Aim for a light activity weekly (like in your next team meeting) and a larger virtual team-building event once a quarter. Consistency is key.
Can virtual games really boost morale?
Yes. Even 5-minute games can improve mood, increase communication, and foster a sense of being part of a successful team, all without leaving your desk.
What’s the best way to keep remote employees engaged?
Mix up activities with genuine recognition. Use tools like Clappy Kudos to highlight wins between games and encourage a culture where other team members lift each other up.
Can I run these activities through Microsoft Teams?
Absolutely. Most work on Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. Some Slack-native tools (like Clappy) even work in chat without opening a new window.
Final thoughts
You don’t need a giant budget or a party planner to build a team that wants to work together.
It’s about rhythm and balancing fun virtual games with thoughtful check-ins and easy systems for connection. These team-building games are tools for long-lasting trust, not just fun.
