When you and your team work remotely, getting to know one another may seem impossible. How do you encourage your team to engage with open, clear communication when you can’t be in the same place at the same time?
It’s 2021, which means that team building exercises don’t have to look like they did in the past: trust falls, walking on coals, etc. In this modern era, there are options for virtual team building that bridge geographical boundaries, just like your company does.
If you want to improve employee engagement and create a strong teamwork dynamic, try one of these 10 activities. Log onto a virtual video conferencing platform and enjoy built-in games like these--or make your own!
1. Bingo
This classic game is a huge favorite for professional networking and team building events. Every player gets a virtual card only they can see; mark spaces that the Bingo game system randomly selects until you build a full row, column, or diagonal line. Hand out prizes or work-based rewards for the winner to boost engagement.
Games like these encourage teams to relax, communicate, and socialize with one another. This may seem unnecessary when there’s work to be done, but these team building exercises actually improve work performance!
2. Pub-Style Trivia
Trivia games are all the rage in neighborhood bars and coffee shops. Take advantage of this trend and invite your team to participate in a company trivia night. A live host can run you and your team through a series of questions. Get the most answers right to win a prize!
Choose the topic or theme, then split up into random teams. Your whole team may get surprisingly competitive! When teams compete together, they learn accountability, trust, and knowledge of one another’s skill sets.
3. Company Trivia
This is a slightly more formal version of pub-style trivia. Quiz your employees on factoids about your business. Who is the founder/owner? How many states are you active in? Do you have any international clients? The employee who knows their workplace best is the winner.
Company trivia games are enormously popular at business conventions and conferences. Not only do they encourage team building, but they inspire your coworkers to learn more about their workplace. When people are proud to learn about where they work, they become more engaged with and involved in their participation.
4. Name That Tune
“What’s that song again?” Play a few seconds of a popular song and quiz your team on the name of the song, its artist, or, if you want to be vicious, the album it’s from. Dole out points to the biggest music fan with the most diverse tastes. This virtual team game is a nationwide favorite.
Music games are great for team building because they open up involved, passionate conversation about a topic most people enjoy. Learn about coworkers of different age groups and backgrounds. You may be surprised by each person’s taste in and knowledge of popular music.
5. Cards
Some virtual collaboration and meeting systems allow you to play simple on-screen card games. These team building games, including poker and blackjack, are fast, easy to explain, and offer plenty of excitement!
This is a great option for virtual happy hours, or after-work socials to blow off steam and socialize. While most remote teams can’t gather at the same neighborhood bar, there are virtual solutions to plan team events like happy hours. Invite your team to show up with their favorite adult beverage--if they’re of age--and socialize around a game of cards.
6. Board Games
Many board games are available for online play. Log on and play popular classics that have been gaming staples for decades or more. However, you may have to log on to voice/video chat on another service at the same time.
If you can figure out the logistics of recording collaborative board game play in a virtual setting, this is a fun option for all age groups. Board games have been popular for generations, and they’re nearly all designed to be competitive but still enjoyable.
7. Never Have I Ever
This is a fun activity with the hidden attribute of teaching team members about each other. In this game, employees need to hold up 5 fingers or use tokens to represent their points. Players take turns naming a task they’ve never performed, a place they’ve never been, etc. Have you done that? You lose a point. Target and eliminate players until one winner is left standing!
8. Who/What/When/Where/Why?
This classic interview icebreaker is actually a great game for teams. One host or team leader selects a series of questions starting with your five basic W’s. Ask details about people’s lives and backgrounds, or even ask silly questions like, “What’s the worst popular ice cream flavor?”
You may be surprised by what you learn about your coworkers in this icebreaker game! Getting to know basic facts about one another is an essential step in team building.
9. Improvisation Games
If your team is willing to get silly, play improv games. All you need is a fun video conferencing platform. One person volunteers to name a setting while another names a scenario. Then, everyone can take turns acting out an outrageous improvised scene. For example, three people are selling lemonade at a circus. What happens next?
Your team members may be hesitant or even shy about improvisation games at first. Once they open up and have fun, though, they’ll see why improvisation is a favorite group activity.
10. Uno
Who doesn’t love this ultra-competitive card game? Give your whole hand to win, but don’t forget to call out “Uno!” There are different variations of this game, including themed packs, that are fun for all age groups.
Try one of these 10 virtual team building games and you just might bear witness to surprising results. Your company’s employees won’t feel obligated to participate, they’ll look forward to it! That’s the definition of a productive team building event. To learn more about some of these games and activities, visit Trivia Hub now. Once you break the ice with your first virtual team building event, you and your team will reap the benefits and ask for more.