Table of Contents
19 Amazing Virtual Team Building Activities
Enhancing Remote Team Dynamics for Optimal Performance
Building strong bonds among teammates is crucial, especially in remote or hybrid work settings. A multitude of research confirms that investing time in team cohesion reaps benefits in both camaraderie and performance. Discover a curated list of activities used by real teams at Atlassian, fostering genuine connections among virtual colleagues.
What is Virtual Team Building?
Virtual team building entails establishing meaningful connections between remote team members, promoting not just TeamWork but also effective communication and heightened productivity. At Atlassian, a company spanning five continents, these activities are a vital aspect of fostering collaboration within its diverse and distributed workforce.
Here’s a list of 19 Amazing Virtual Team Building Activities and Games.
Challenges of Remote Work and Building Connections
Remote Work work, as evidenced by surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021, brings challenges such as feelings of work invisibility, barriers to organic collaboration, and limited access to managers. Loneliness is a significant factor, impacting engagement and job performance. Overcoming these hurdles involves intentional efforts to create spaces for social bonding and trust-building.
Tools of the Trade
Leveraging tools like Trello, Slack, and Zoom forms the backbone of these activities. Each activity is designed to be conducted using at least one of these essential tools.
Fun Remote Team Building Activities for Any Occasion
1. Icebreaker Questions
- Type: Real-time, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 5 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing
- Engage in weekly icebreakers even for well-connected teams to unearth fascinating tidbits about each other.
2. Online Lunch Date
- Type: Real-time, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 60 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing
- Share a virtual meal to strengthen connections. Team members can expense up to $25 for added enjoyment.
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3. Socialize Over Group Chat
- Type: Asynchronous, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: Varies
- Tools: Slack, Teams, or other group chat app
- Foster casual conversations in group chat channels, emphasizing social bonds beyond work-related discussions.
4. Messy-Desk Photo Contest
- Type: Asynchronous, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 5 minutes
- Tools: Slack, Teams, or other group chat app
- Embrace the chaos of Remote workstations by sharing messy-desk photos, sparking lighthearted interactions.
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5. Online Gift Exchange
- Type: Real-time, Just for fun, One-hit wonder
- Time: 60 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing, Trello board
- Organize a virtual gift exchange using a Trello board template, adding an element of surprise and fun to team interactions.
6. My User Manual
- Type: Asynchronous, Fun but practical, One-hit wonder
- Time: 60 minutes
- Tools: Keynote or PowerPoint
- Share individual work styles and preferences to enhance team collaboration, using a My User Manual template.
7. Learning Circles
- Type: Real-time, Fun but practical, Regular
- Time: 30-60 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing, study materials
- Collaboratively explore topics of interest to expand professional skill sets and foster connections beyond immediate teams.
Enjoying the 19 Amazing Virtual Team Building Activities and Games, so far? Let us know!
8. Health Monitor
- Type: Real-time, Fun but practical, Regular
- Time: 30-60 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing, Confluence, or Google Docs
- Assess team dynamics and performance using the Health Monitor framework, addressing key attributes contributing to team success.
9. .GIF Battles
- Type: Asynchronous, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 15-30 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing, Trello board
- Engage in .GIF battles, adding a playful touch to team interactions through creative visual expressions.
10. Uncover Your Superpowers
- Type: Real-time, Fun but practical, One-hit wonder
- Time: 30 minutes individual prep, 60 minutes as a team
- Tools: Video conferencing
- Dive into team members’ strengths using online assessments, fostering a deeper understanding of individual contributions.
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11. “How You Doin’?”
- Type: Real-time, Fun but practical, Regular
- Time: 5 minutes
- Tools: Video conferencing, Trello board
- Initiate a weekly check-in ritual, allowing team members to express their current feelings, creating a supportive environment.
12. Make Sweet Music Together
- Type: Asynchronous, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: Varies
- Tools: Spotify or Google Play, Slack or other group chat app
- Collaborate on themed playlists, adding a musical dimension to team interactions and bonding.
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13. DIY Boba Tea
- Type: Real-time, Just for fun, One-hit wonder
- Time: 2 hours
- Tools: Video conferencing, kitchen
- Embark on a boba-making adventure, combining fun icebreakers with a shared activity during virtual sessions.
14. The Fellowship of the Traveling Plush Toy
- Type: Asynchronous, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: Varies
- Tools: Slack or other group chat app
- Share the joy of a plush toy’s travels among team members, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie.
15. Birds of a Feather Read Books Together
- Type: Real-time, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 30-60 minutes for discussion; reading time varies
- Tools: Video conferencing, Slack or other group chat app
- Join a book club where team members explore books unrelated to work, combining intellectual engagement with social connections.
Enjoying the 19 Amazing Virtual Team Building Activities and Games, so far? Let us know!
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16. Monday JAMM Sessions
- Type: Asynchronous, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 5 minutes
- Tools: Slack or other group chat app
- Start Mondays on a positive note by sharing uplifting weekend experiences, creating a culture of gratitude and motivation.
17. Enneagrams for Everybody
- Type: Real-time, Fun but practical, One-hit wonder
- Time: 2+ hours
- Tools: Video conferencing
- Dive into personality exploration using the Enneagram system, promoting self-awareness and enhancing team harmony.
18. Lightning Round of Mini-Games
- Type: Real-time, Just for fun, Regular
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Tools: Video conferencing
- Incorporate game apps into virtual team interactions, adding a playful and dynamic element to meetings and gatherings.
19. Virtual Wine Tasting
Description: If you are seeking a lively virtual team building activity for your group, look no further!
This experience will create the perfect environment for either your team or a group of friends to engage, connect, and have a blast! It’s much more than a wine tasting; it’s a highly dynamic virtual blind or blend tasting competition!
Check it out here.
Added Value:
The focus is placed on utilizing the virtual tools available to create a dynamic that closely resembles in-person events.
Unlike traditional wine tastings, this is a group experience that promotes human interaction in a virtual environment
Conclusion
Team building is not just about overcoming geographical barriers; it’s a strategic investment in fostering strong connections, enhancing communication, and ultimately boosting team performance. The array of activities presented here, drawn from the real experiences of Atlassian teams, reflects the diverse nature of Remote team building. From the simplicity of icebreaker questions to the depth of exploring personality through Enneagrams, each activity contributes uniquely to the rich tapestry of team dynamics.
In the virtual realm, where the absence of physical proximity can lead to a sense of isolation, these activities serve as bridges that connect team members on a personal level. As the saying goes, “Teams that bond together, work better together,” and the insights gained through these activities can translate into improved collaboration, understanding, and mutual support.
The emphasis on regular, asynchronous, and one-hit wonder activities accommodates the varied schedules and preferences of remote teams. Whether engaging in real-time video conferencing or asynchronous interactions through collaboration tools, the goal remains constant: to create an environment where team members feel seen, heard, and valued.
The tools of the trade, such as Trello, Slack, and Zoom, play a pivotal role in enabling seamless execution of these activities. By leveraging these platforms, teams can transcend physical distances and forge connections that contribute not only to work-related collaborations but also to the overall well-being and job satisfaction of team members.
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In conclusion, virtual team building is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires intentional efforts to build and sustain meaningful connections. The activities outlined here are not mere theoretical constructs but have been tested and proven effective by real remote teams. By incorporating these activities into your team’s routine, you embark on a journey to not only bridge the virtual gap but to create a cohesive and resilient team capable of conquering challenges together.
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