Keep Your Team Connected Virtually By Hosting a Virtual Team Building Event

Are you part of a remote team but feeling like your colleagues are drifting apart? With remote work transforming team dynamics, the casual office banter and impromptu desk chats of the past may seem like a distant memory. While working from home has its perks, it can also leave employees feeling isolated. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right strategies, you can feel connected, even from a distance.

If you're looking to bring your remote team closer, hosting a virtual team-building event might be the perfect solution. A virtual team-building event is an organized activity designed to spark interaction, collaboration, and camaraderie among distributed team members. Team-building activities can be tailored to specific teams or involve the entire company, depending on your objectives and the level of participation you want. The goal? To bridge that sense of disconnect, no matter the distance.

Not sure where to begin? Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to host a virtual team-building event—from the benefits to creative ideas that can boost team morale. But first, let’s take a quick look at how virtual team-building compares to the traditional, in-person approach.

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Virtual vs. In-Person Team Building

Even though the pandemic is over, many companies continue to embrace and shift entire teams to remote work (about 45% and growing to be exact). As such, HR professionals and employers, like yourselves, are constantly searching for ways to boost team morale and help employees feel more connected. This raises some important questions: Can virtual team building truly match the energy of in-person meetings? Are virtual sessions capable of driving the same level of creativity and productivity, or are we missing something vital? And perhaps most importantly, can they cultivate a genuine sense of connection and community, or is the digital divide too wide to bridge?

Let’s take a closer look at how virtual and in-person team building compare in terms of effectiveness.

Virtual Team Building 

The aim of a virtual team-building event is to create a sense of belonging and cohesion between team members. Your team members may be miles apart, but that does not mean that they need to feel isolated. 

1. Cost Effectiveness 

Who doesn’t love cutting costs? Virtual team-building events are significantly cheaper than in-person gatherings, reducing expenses related to venues, travel, and catering. In fact, they can be up to 7 times less costly than in-person events​. 

2. Increased Engagement

Virtual platforms offer innovative tools to keep your team engaged. Fun, collaborative games like “Two Truths and a Lie,” “Guess the Movie with Emojis,” or trivia sessions can break the monotony of daily tasks and create a sense of camaraderie among employees. These activities encourage team bonding and make remote work feel less isolating.

3. Better Inclusivity 

A significant benefit of hosting events virtually is that virtual events level the playing field for all employees, no matter their physical abilities or personal circumstances. They make it easier for everyone to participate, including team members who might not feel comfortable traveling or attending large in-person gatherings. 

In-Person Team Building

In-person team-building events are all about connecting in real life. These events let your team bond through spontaneous chats and shared experiences that just feel more natural face-to-face. It's easier to build trust and create stronger relationships when you're in the same room, sharing those moments together.

1. Stronger Interpersonal Connections 

Face-to-face interactions really help people connect on a deeper level. While you might not get as many spontaneous moments during a team-building event, the shared experiences and non-verbal cues can still do a lot to bring employees closer.

2. Higher Costs 

The downside of in-person events is the higher cost. Expenses such as venue rentals, travel, accommodations, and catering can quickly add up, especially for companies with teams spread out across different locations.

3. Limited Flexibility

In-person events have to accommodate everyone’s physical presence, which limits flexibility compared to virtual options. It’s harder to schedule around different schedules and personal commitments, not to mention factoring in the traveling time, making virtual events more accessible for dispersed teams. 

Now that we’ve compared both formats side by side, let’s take a look at the benefits and limitations of hosting a virtual team building event. 

Benefits of Hosting a Virtual Team-Building Event

With workplace dynamics changing more and more every year, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to go the extra mile and bring employees together. Hosting virtual team building activities routinely can:

1. Strengthen Relationships

Want to be in sync with your employees like the team in The Office? Virtual team-building activities create opportunities for employees to connect on a personal level, despite the physical distance. Engaging in fun activities allows team members to share experiences, and build trust. These shared moments help break down barriers and give employees a chance to truly get to know one another.

2. Increases Communication and Collaboration

It hasn’t been that long since remote teams became a regular part of work life, so it’s no surprise that employees sometimes struggle with communication. That’s where team-building activities come in! They’re a fun way for employees to learn how to express their ideas more clearly. Not to mention, when teams play these structured activities, they get to practice teamwork and problem-solving, which are super important when working remotely. Plus, these activities really help sharpen skills like listening to others and giving constructive feedback.

3. Offers Flexibility in Timing and Structure

Who doesn’t want more flexibility in their life? Planning an event can be hectic, even if it’s just an internal one. That’s where virtual team-building events shine! They can be tailored to fit various schedules and preferences, making it easier for everyone to participate. This flexibility allows for a range of formats—from short, engaging activities during regular team meetings to longer, more immersive experiences scheduled at convenient times. Plus, it takes different time zones into account, ensuring that everyone can join in on the fun.

Limitations of Virtual Team Building

On the flip side, some employees may not yet feel fully comfortable connecting digitally in virtual team-building events. Here are some key challenges to consider:

1. Dealing with Possible Distractions 

Working from home comes with numerous distractions; unplanned construction noise, or an unscheduled delivery, can cause interruptions during activities. These distractions can make it difficult for employees to focus and engage. Unlike an office environment, where everyone shares the same space and interruptions are minimized, at home, the environment is harder to control. 

2. Challenging for People with Social Anxiety 

Shy employees may find it challenging to strike up conversations in a virtual setting. Without the benefit of informal cues, body language, or a casual chat by the coffee machine, initiating conversations can feel more forced. Especially in a large group, the mute button might look very appealing to those anxious employees, which hinders conversations. Hence, it is better to break people into smaller groups and breakout rooms to make everyone more comfortable.

3. Battling Screen Fatigue 

Perhaps the biggest hurdle is screen fatigue—after a full day of work meetings and emails, the idea of more screen time can be exhausting. Employees may feel irritable and drained by the end of the day, making it harder to participate in team-building activities. To encourage engagement, keep the activities short and be an active moderator.

How to Address These Challenges

To make sure your employees feel connected with one another, pick a platform that addresses most of these issues. The platform you choose should allow free attendee movement and have high quality audio and video which allows employees to make spontaneous, authentic connections. 

Want to know what types of virtual team-building events you can host? Keep reading!

Types of Virtual Team-Building Events

There are plenty of team-building event types to explore. You can choose a structured activity or take a more informal approach; the choice depends on your team dynamics, budget, and preferences.

1. Quick 5 Minute Team Activities

Who says meetings have to be dull and monotonous? You can easily fit in a few activities before or at the end of the meeting. These can be get-to-know-you type activities, like “2 truths 1 lie” or “Would you rather?”, or they can be competitive activities, like trivia or riddles to liven things up! 

This is actually something we do at our own Remo Virtual Town Halls Meetings – after catching up on company updates, employees take turns leading a short activity to keep everyone engaged.

2. Classes and Workshops 

What better way to bond than by learning a new skill together in a team workshop or training session? As an added bonus, you can choose topics relevant to your team’s function or industry, helping them expand their skill sets simultaneously. Not only does this foster teamwork, but it also enhances employees' professional development.

You can offer a variety of workshops for employees to choose from, such as digital marketing, coding, or outreach, and let them learn from the comfort of their own homes. If you’re going this route, you may want to consider using virtual workshop tools for online training and onboarding.

3. Games

Taking a break from work and simply relaxing is essential in this fast-paced world. Consider arranging a few games, such as Bingo, or Taboo, to encourage collaboration among employees. Plus, organizing these games are often the easiest team building activity thanks to the plethora of online games available. 

Just a quick Google search of “online games” and you’ll have plenty of options to choose from (my personal favorite has to be Codenames!). A friendly sense of competition can be a great way to get your team working together!

4. Virtual Coffee Chats

Games not your team’s thing? No problem – what about an informal virtual coffee chat for the team. Imagine your employees sitting in their favorite chairs, sipping on coffee or tea while catching up virtually. Sounds amazing, doesn't it? You can even use tools like the Remo AI Ice Breaker Generator to help you come up with various icebreakers to spark conversations. 

Sometimes, an informal chat can do wonders! Giving your team the chance to discuss what’s going on in their lives (outside of work) helps “humanize” one another and creates opportunities for connection and relatability. It also feels much less like a forced culture activity, but rather a chance to casually get to know their colleagues and team.

5. Happy Hours 

Virtual happy hours are another fun way for employees to unwind and socialize after work. They offer a digital twist on a popular in-person team-building activity. Whether it's enjoying virtual cocktails or having a casual chat over snacks, these gatherings create a relaxed atmosphere where team members can bond.

To make the experience even more engaging, consider incorporating games or themed nights, such as trivia or costume contests. This not only adds an element of fun but also encourages participation and interaction. Here are, “8 Virtual Happy Hour Games to play at your next team event”. 

6. Escape Room

Want to really make a big impression? Try hosting a virtual escape room! Escape rooms are all the rage these days, and they make for a great team-bonding exercise. The thrill of solving puzzles and riddles together offers a unique experience for employees to collaborate and work toward a shared goal. Through this challenge, employees often develop a greater sense of trust and unity. Want to know more? Check out, “Experience the Benefits of Virtual Escape Room Team Building” if you’re unsure how an escape room can help team building.

While you can of course design and execute these on your own, they can be quite time-consuming to plan. So, you may want to enlist help from expert companies like Wildgoose, which specialize in arranging these immersive experiences. 

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How to Host a Virtual Team-Building Event 

Are you clear on the different team-building events you can arrange? Want to know how to actually host one? While it’s quite similar to planning a regular virtual event, there are a few key differences that can save you time and effort! Lucky for you, we’ve broken down the entire process of how to host a virtual team-building event into easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Identify Team Goals

The first step is to determine why you want to host this team-building activity? Are you looking to boost morale? Are employees feeling stuck or isolated? Figuring out your team's needs will help you set the tone and inform the activities you select. For example, if communication is a challenge, you might consider arranging a workshop on communication or a speed networking session. Once you have a clear goal in mind, you can easily create a roadmap for your virtual team-building event.

Step 2: Choose Suitable Activities 

With a goal in mind, it’s time to pick your team-building activities. But, how do you choose the right activity?

Like most answers when it comes to event planning is…. it depends. But, the best part of running an internal event like this is that you have direct access to your target audience at all times. So, you can ask employees to choose the activities they'd enjoy most—this way, you can ensure the event aligns with their preferences. 

Beyond just asking, you can also consider the nature of your team-building activity – is it a frequent activity or a one-off event? If it's a one-off, you may want to mix things up by hosting something larger like a scavenger hunt, quiz, or online Pictionary. If it’s a regular activity, you can do something on a much smaller scale that’s easier to plan. 

When deciding between activities, you should also consider factors like team size, the amount of time available, and the energy levels of your group. For example, larger teams may benefit from games that involve breakout groups, while smaller teams might prefer more intimate activities like trivia or brainstorming challenges.

It's also important to think about how many activities to include. Too many can feel overwhelming, while too few might not be engaging enough. A typical team-building event can last anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on your goals, with a variety of 2-3 activities to keep things balanced and fun. Make sure to give employees enough time to relax between activities to avoid burnout though. 

Whatever activity you choose should align with your team's goals and preferences. Looking for more activity ideas? Take a look at “10 Free Virtual Team Building Activities to Strengthen Your Team” 

Step 3: Pick a Date & Time

This can be a bit challenging if your team is spread across different time zones. The easiest approach is to split your team into time zone groups. For example, you could group employees who work in APAC and European time zones together, while a second group could include those working in American time zones. This strategy helps ensure maximum participation while also connecting employees who work at similar times.

Alternatively, if you prefer not to split the team, you can choose a time that works for the majority of employees and ask everyone to adjust their working hours for the day (with leadership approval of course). Tools like Worldtimebuddy can make it easier to find a time that suits most participants. You even run a quick poll amongst the team to identify and select a date and time that fits the majority.

Step 4: Make an Internal Announcement

With the date and time set, draft an announcement or memo to circulate internally. Post the announcement in your company’s main communication channel, whether it's Slack, Microsoft Teams, an email newsletter, or whatever your team typically uses to communicate. Be sure to include key details like the event purpose, activities, and any necessary instructions (e.g., what to prepare or how to join).

For larger organizations, consider "marketing" your team-building event to generate excitement. You could create eye-catching graphics, teaser posts, or even a countdown to build anticipation. Engaging senior leaders or department heads to help promote the event can also boost participation and interest, especially if it’s a company-wide team-building event.

Step 5: Choose a Virtual Event Platform

Once you have a roadmap, your activities selected, and a date in mind, it’s time to start browsing different online event platforms. Ask yourself: Is this platform user-friendly? Is it budget-friendly? Does it have a good set of tools to carry out your virtual team building activities? If you ask us, Remo is an immersive virtual event platform that offers a diverse set of features, making it the perfect remote work solution for your enterprise and hosting your virtual team-building activities.

Step 6: Gather Feedback

The event is not over until you gather feedback! After the virtual team building event is over, ask your employees to fill out short surveys and give feedback. The feedback collected will help you understand what works and what things could be improved. This will help you improve future team building activities.

Not sure what questions to add in your survey? Check out “MUST Ask Questions For your Post Virtual Event Survey”

Easy isn't it? With the basics down, we have some tips to make sure you get the most out of your virtual team building event. 

Best Practices for Virtual Team Bonding

At first, anything may seem daunting and challenging, but with enough practice, you’ll be a pro at hosting virtual team-building events in no time. To help you get started on the right track, here are some tips to boost virtual team bonding.

1. Host Team Building Events Routinely 

Consistency is key, so don’t shy away from trying again! Hosting regular team-building events is one of the simplest ways to keep things fun and engaging. Not only does it give you an opportunity to check in with your team, but it also helps employees strengthen their sense of community. Try scheduling these gatherings bi-weekly or monthly, but be careful not to over-schedule them, as this can lead to burnout and decreased participation. Keep things fresh by introducing something new each time.

2. Give Perks to the Best Performing Team

A little appreciation can go a long way. If you notice a team performing exceptionally well and demonstrating great collaboration, be sure to highlight their achievements! After all, a bit of healthy competition can be motivating. Consider giving small rewards, such as a gift certificate to liven up their home office, a lunch allowance, or an early day off!

3. Have Fun Welcomings for Your New Hires

Starting at a new company can be nerve-wracking. No one likes being the “newbie”,  especially when it comes to getting to know an entirely new team. Learning names, roles, and personalities can feel like a challenge. On top of that, navigating unfamiliar communication tools like Slack only adds to the overwhelm. To ease the transition, why not welcome new hires with a virtual team-building activity? It’s a great way for everyone to connect and gives them a much-needed break from work.

Planning Your Virtual Team-Building Event with Remo

Having trouble picking a virtual event platform? With so many options out there, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. Why not host your virtual team-building event with Remo? It is the perfect virtual meeting solution for all your company needs. Schedule a demo, and our product specialists will guide you through all our innovative features, showing you how we can make your event a blast!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is a virtual team building event important?

Virtual team-building events are super important because they help employees feel more connected. They create opportunities for bonding and collaboration, making the team stronger. Plus, a little fun can boost morale!

2. How much do team building events cost?

The cost of team-building events can vary greatly depending on the platform and activities you choose. With so many options out there, we are sure that you’ll be able to find one that suits your budget. 

3. How often should I host a virtual team building event?

It’s great to host virtual team-building events regularly, like once a month or bi-weekly. This keeps the momentum going and gives everyone a chance to connect frequently. Just make sure to mix it up so it stays fun and engaging!