Maintaining connections with colleagues while working remotely is crucial. This article presents top-notch team building solutions for remote teams.

The pandemic’s shift to remote work has left some feeling detached. However, team building can transcend physical boundaries. Technology empowers us to cultivate robust working relationships online, connecting us with individuals we might never encounter in person.

Virtual team building utilizes employee management software or employee monitoring software to unite teams separated by physical distance. It’s an invaluable tool for fostering rapport, getting acquainted, enhancing communication, and deepening understanding. It combats isolation by providing a space for shared comprehension and connection.

Below are five team building and bonding activities to foster a sense of connection within your remote team.

Virtual Lunches

Elevate the virtual happy hour concept by incorporating food. Gather team members for a shared meal as part of your virtual hangout. Company lunches and dinners over video chat offer excellent opportunities to connect. Structure the meeting with team members taking turns showcasing their meals, exchanging cooking tips, and sharing recipes. For an enhanced experience, consider sending an affordable one-person meal to each team member (ensuring dietary preferences and tastes are respected).

Icebreakers: Remote Team Building Ideas

Virtual icebreakers are an enjoyable way to foster team rapport remotely. Establish a virtual hangout group and prepare a list of icebreaker questions to prevent awkward silences. These questions ensure smooth conversation flow. Consider transforming icebreakers into a virtual trivia session. Play guessing games like “two truths and a lie,” where employees guess the correct answers.

Develop some icebreaker questions, sharing the answers anonymously on a group sheet. Team members then guess who provided each answer. This, along with an employee tracking app, aids in team creation and maintenance.

Virtual Happy Hours

After-work drinks have largely transitioned into virtual happy hours – online social gatherings on platforms like Zoom. These events typically involve icebreakers, simple games and activities, and beverages. Theming virtual happy hours around the 80s, Sci-Fi, beloved film characters, etc., adds an element of fun.

Virtual cocktail parties and happy hours maintain social interaction with colleagues over drinks, albeit remotely via video chat. Inject excitement with karaoke, lip sync battles, or virtual Pictionary. For non-alcoholic options, organize a mocktail party or afternoon tea.

Digital Games: Remote Team Building Ideas

Few things bring out the fun and competitiveness in a team like games. Virtual board games, accessible through platforms like Board Game Arena and Tabletopia, offer a great alternative to traditional options. They provide a wide array of board games playable within team members’ browsers. Incorporate video chat to make it communication easier and let the games commence!

Virtual Celebrations

For large virtual parties or events (20+ participants), breakout sessions are key. These effectively manage large audiences by dividing them into smaller groups, achievable instantly with video conferencing tools.

Organize your party as usual and assign groups, directing attendees to their designated virtual rooms to enjoy the planned food and festivities. Randomly assign tables, shuffling attendees every 15 minutes to maximize interactions. Alternatively, use a spreadsheet for attendees to pre-select their virtual tables.

Thanks to video conferencing, employee engagement platforms, and specialized apps designed for virtual teams and meetings, remote team building and socialization have never been easier. The “new normal” might necessitate operating within a social distancing paradigm, but it shouldn’t lead to feelings of isolation. With the right tools, companies can strengthen employee connections, ensuring their human resources feel valued and an integral part of the team.