As companies continue to grow and move more of their workforce into remote positions, the need for engaging remote team meetings, fun virtual happy hours, and online team building games has become increasingly important.
When team members are working from home all over the globe, it can be difficult to build camaraderie and trust. A simple video call or Slack channel ping isn’t super engaging, nor is it fun. That's where these virtual games come in!
How do you host virtual team building games for remote employees?
First off, here are some tips for you to get started with your online office games.
Choose the right platform for your team 💻
Hosting virtual team-building games requires careful planning and the right tools. Start by selecting games that fit your team’s size, interests, and the amount of time available. Do you need functionalities like a whiteboard, screen sharing, or networking capabilities? Then a virtual networking tool like Remo might be best. The important thing is to make sure the tool you choose offers all the capabilities you need for your meetings, including features like online screen sharing. If all you need is to present a slide deck or discuss, then Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams might work out great as well.
It's also important to clearly communicate the rules and objectives of the games to all participants. Make sure everyone understands how to participate, and consider doing a quick practice round if the game is new to your team. Lastly, encourage participation by creating a relaxed and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable joining in. Offering small prizes or recognition can add an extra layer of motivation and excitement, ensuring that your team-building efforts are both fun and effective.
Plan your virtual games in advance ✍
Some of the activities require very little preparation, while others may take a bit more time and effort, so make sure you prepare these meetings ahead of time. (Or use Confetti, so we can plan the event for you. 🤷) Also, make sure you think about themed meetings for the holidays, Halloween, summer vacations, and more.
So, without further ado, here are some virtual games and activities to enjoy with your remote team members!
1. Scavenger hunt 🔎
This is a fun activity that can be done virtually or in person. Split your team into groups and give them a list of items to find or tasks to complete. For example, you can put a timer for 2 minutes, and ask everyone to go find something blue, then eliminate anyone who didn’t complete the hunt until there’s only one person left. Discovering stuff around your coworker's house is way more interesting than your standard icebreaker questions.
2. Pop trivia quiz ❓
Create a quiz about the company, products, or services. Or, you could create a list of trivia questions based on current events or pop culture. Teams can compete against each other, or compete with other team members individually, to see who can get the most correct answers. Consider offering rewards to winning players, like paying for their lunch or sending them a gift card to their favorite coffee shop!
How to get started 👉 If you’d rather have gaming professionals set up trivia for your company, consider Classic Trivia!
{{classic-trivia="/blog/experiences"}}
3. Charades 💁
Charades is a classic game that translates well into virtual meetings. To play, one team member silently acts out a word or phrase while others guess what it is. Use a random word generator or prepare a list ahead of time. The game's visual nature and physical engagement make it a lively break from the usual meeting routine, adding a burst of energy to the session.
How to get started 👉 Don’t worry about setting themes up yourself. Confetti has a rousing game of Charades ready to book!
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4. Hangman 💀
Hangman is perfect for a quick and simple game during a remote meeting. Share your screen with a blank word or phrase and let the team guess the letters. Each incorrect guess brings the game closer to completion! This game combines problem-solving with a touch of suspense, making it an engaging way to fill a short time slot. Make sure you pick a virtual event platform with an interactive whiteboard, like Remo, to make it a lot more fun.
5. Word Ladder 🪜
Word Ladder is a game where players take turns making a new word using the last letter of the previous word. For example, if one person said "Drawl", the next person could say "Draws"! If your group is feeling extra creative, you could even do a story ladder, where players each take turns saying one word to try to build a story together. This free activity is a way to improve group communication skills and think on your feet!
6. Spot the difference 👀
For “Spot the Difference,” share two nearly identical images on the screen and challenge the team to find all the differences. You can use online tools to create custom images or find pre-made ones online. This game tests attention to detail and can be a relaxing yet stimulating activity, perfect for unwinding during a meeting.
7. Virtual escape room 🗝
Have a team of expert problem solvers wanting to test their skills? Or maybe your crew loves a bit of friendly competition? Then take your team on a riddling adventure with a virtual escape room.
A virtual escape room offers an immersive team building experience. Participants will need to solve puzzles and complete challenges to "escape" within a time limit. Many platforms offer themed rooms that can be customized for your team.
This virtual game promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and communication, making it a favorite for longer team sessions.
How to get started 👉 Challenge your employees with this Virtual Escape Quest.
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8. Virtual Bingo 👵
Virtual Bingo is easy to set up and play in a remote setting. Distribute digital bingo cards to participants and call out the numbers via video chat. To keep it interesting, you can theme the game around work-related topics or current events. It’s a relaxed, low-pressure game that can easily fit into a casual meeting or as a side activity.
You can easily find virtual bingo card generators online and have a fun bingo game remotely with your team.
How to get started 👉 Treat your team to something a little more glamorous, like Drag Queen Bingo. 👯
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9. Virtual superlatives🏆
Who always dresses the best? Who’s the all-around MVP, the most helpful, most funny, or most organized of the group? Who’s most likely to start a random dance party or host a book club?
Superlatives could include "Best Home Office Setup" or "Most Likely to Brighten Your Day." Simply gather nominations and votes through an online survey tool. You could even treat the recipients to a little souvenir or gift. It’s a fun way to celebrate team members’ unique personalities and strengths, fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.
10. Online Freecell 🃏
In Freecell, the objective is to move all 52 cards to the foundation piles, arranging them by suit from Ace to King. In Freecell, having partners can be beneficial as they can provide a fresh perspective, offer alternative solutions, and collaborate in strategizing moves. Discussing different approaches and working together to solve the challenging layouts can lead to a fun and team building experience, making it an excellent game to share in a virtual meeting.
11. Hearts card game ♥️
Hearts is an excellent team game because players form partnerships and work together towards a common goal. The objective of Hearts is to avoid taking any cards with hearts or the Queen of Spades, as they carry penalty points, while trying to force opponents to accumulate those cards. In this way, players must communicate and strategize with their partners to succeed as a team and achieve a low collective score.
12. "Guess the Desk" 📸
"Guess the Desk" involves participants sharing photos of their desks ahead of time. Compile the photos into a slideshow and have the team guess whose desk it is. It’s a playful way to get to know colleagues better and gain insights into their work-from-home setups. This game builds camaraderie and connection by giving a glimpse into each other’s personal workspace and style.
13. Freeze Dance 💃
This game is a great way to get people moving at the beginning of your meeting! Simply play music during your meeting and have participants dance, or just get up and stretch or move their bodies. When the music stops, everyone must freeze in place. Those who move after the freeze are "out" until only one person remains. It’s a great way to inject some fun and physical activity into a virtual meeting, helping everyone loosen up and enjoy themselves.
14. Two Truths and a Lie 🤫
Two Truths and a Lie is a simple yet powerful game that can bring your team closer together. In this game, each participant shares three statements about themselves—two of which are true, and one is a lie. The rest of the team then guesses which statement is the lie.
This game is more than just a fun icebreaker; it’s a great way to help team members learn interesting facts about one another, sparking conversations that might not happen during typical work interactions.
How to get started 👉 Book a round of Two Truths and a Lie with Confetti and we'll take care of all the setup and hosting duties!
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Add some fun to your next team meeting 🥳
Virtual activities are important for remote team building, as they help build trust and rapport among team members who may not otherwise be able to meet in person very often.
By using some fun games during your virtual meetings, you can help improve your remote team engagement and work more effectively together, regardless of where everyone is located.
So don’t waste any more time in boring meetings with your remote workers, choose your favorite team building activities on the list, and get started!
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Frequently Asked Questions ⁉️
Why are online games beneficial for remote team meetings?
Online games are beneficial for remote team meetings because they help to build stronger connections among team members who may not have many opportunities to interact in person. They can break the ice and foster a sense of camaraderie, making meetings more enjoyable and less formal. Games also encourage collaboration and communication, which can improve teamwork and productivity. Moreover, incorporating fun activities into meetings can boost morale, reduce stress, and create a more positive work environment, leading to increased employee satisfaction and retention.
How do you choose the right online game for your team?
Consider the size of your team and the platform you’ll be using and the interests and preferences of your team members. Opt for games that match their collective interests and are likely to be enjoyable for everyone. Also think about the meeting's goals. If the aim is to build team cohesion, collaborative games are ideal. For a more relaxed, fun session, trivia or icebreaker games might be better. Don’t forget to take into account the time available and choose games that can be completed within the allotted time without rushing or dragging on too long.
What are some fun things to do in an online meeting?
In online meetings, virtual team building games such as trivia or Pictionary can make the experience enjoyable. Starting with icebreaker questions can help participants feel more comfortable and connected. Consider organizing virtual coffee breaks or happy hours to create a relaxed atmosphere. Show and tell sessions with personal items or pets can add a personal touch, while online escape rooms or mystery-solving games can be an engaging group activity.
