7 online team building activities for remote employees
A shared puzzle or a short trivia session is an easy starting point for remote team building. For a longer event, consider a cooking class or an online escape game. Before booking, check how everyone will take part: colleagues should have something to do as well as something to watch.
These seven ideas cover quick activities between meetings and events worth setting aside an afternoon for. Choose one that fits your team's time zones and how much preparation you can take on.
Compare the options
Check what the price covers and what each person needs before sending the invitation. The preparation below is a planning guide, not a quote from a provider.
| Activity | Works well for | Preparation to check |
|---|---|---|
| A puzzle in your team channel | People joining at different times | Choose a puzzle and a place for guesses |
| A scavenger hunt | A short break during a call | Prepare prompts everyone can take part in |
| Virtual trivia | A scheduled game in small teams | Questions, answers and breakout rooms |
| A paint session | A relaxed activity without a score | Supplies for each address |
| An online cooking class | Making something together | Ingredients, equipment and dietary needs |
| An online escape game | Solving a shared challenge remotely | Devices, player limits and booking terms |
| A collaborative drawing game | A quick activity during a call | A shared whiteboard and a few drawing prompts |
1. A shared puzzle in your team channel
Post a puzzle and let people contribute when they have a moment. Keep guesses in a thread so someone joining later can decide how much to read. Agree on when to share a hint or reveal the answer.
Our free Puzzle Archive has fifteen puzzles, graded from introductory to expert, with optional hints and answer checking. Start with an introductory one and see whether the team wants a harder challenge next time.
2. A lightning scavenger hunt
Prepare a few prompts, such as finding something with an interesting story or an object in a particular color. Give people time to return, then invite them to explain their choice.
Include a way to take part without leaving the desk. Someone in a hotel or shared office may prefer to describe an object or find an image instead.
3. Virtual trivia
Use small breakout groups so people can discuss an answer before submitting it. A mix of categories gives different colleagues a chance to contribute; avoid making every round about a subject one person knows inside out.
Keep the first session short and leave time to talk through the answers. If the team enjoys it, take turns choosing a category for the next one.
4. A virtual paint session
Choose this if the group would enjoy making something without keeping score. Check whether a hosted class sends supplies or expects each person to buy them, and make sure everything can arrive before the event.
Offer an alcohol-free option if it's advertised as “paint and sip.” Leave the final show-and-tell optional so colleagues can enjoy the activity without feeling judged on the result.
5. An online cooking class
Ask for the ingredient and equipment lists before booking. Check dietary needs and whether the ingredients are easy to find in each location. A recipe with straightforward substitutions will be easier to organize across countries.
Allow time to eat and chat afterwards. If the class falls outside someone's usual working hours, give them a choice about joining.
6. An online escape game
A hosted virtual room has a facilitator to explain the game and help the group along. Ask how many players share a session and whether everyone can interact, or one person directs the screen. Confirm the duration and whether the quote is per person or per group.
For a holiday event, Mission: Elfpossible is our digital adventure for 1 to 6 players, ages 14+, with 1.5 to 3+ hours of play. It runs on laptops or desktops, and a group playing together can share one purchased copy. The starting email arrives within minutes, and the game saves progress so you can take breaks.
7. A collaborative drawing game
Open a shared whiteboard and take turns drawing a prompt while the rest of the group guesses. Everyday objects and familiar places are easy to start with. Agree on a short time limit for each turn, and let people pass if they would rather guess.
For a version without a score, ask each person to add one detail to a shared drawing. You might build an imaginary office or plan the team's dream holiday. Check that everyone can edit the board before starting.
For colleagues who can meet: boxed escape games
A boxed game works well when colleagues can meet at a few shared locations. Give each group a copy, let them solve around their own table, and use a shared channel to compare progress. That leaves the physical clues where everyone at that table can see them.
Blackbrim: 1876 is a Victorian detective case for 1 to 6 players, ages 14+. It takes 2 to 4+ hours across two parts and holds 4.8 stars from 524 reviews. Teams can pause after part one and return to the case later; the online guide provides hints and answer checks.
For an introductory game, Down The Rabbit Hole has 1.5 to 3+ hours of play in a single part, for 1 to 6 players, ages 12+. Choose the story and difficulty that suit the people taking part.
How many copies will a team need?
Buy one physical copy for each group sharing a table. Twelve colleagues could play as two groups of six or three groups of four. If everyone is at a separate address, a digital game may be easier to organize than sharing paper clues over a call.
For a larger order or multiple delivery addresses, see our corporate team building page before planning the event. Check delivery estimates for every destination, especially when some colleagues are overseas.
Choose a first activity
If you want to try something this week, post Jungle Pet in your team channel. It's an introductory picture puzzle with hints, so people can join in without learning a game's rules first.
If the team enjoys solving together, you can plan a longer escape game with a better sense of the format they like. For colleagues meeting in person, our office game night guide covers the setup.
Remote team building questions
Can you play a boxed escape room game over Zoom?
You can show the materials over a call, but small print and shared documents may be awkward to follow. For a fully remote group, choose a digital game or give each location its own copy of the physical game.
Does everyone have to finish in one sitting?
Our games have no time limit. You can pause and return to the online guide later. For a hosted event, check the provider's booking length before inviting the team.
Can another group use a finished box?
Yes, if the first group keeps the materials in good condition. Our puzzles don't require destructive changes, so the box can be packed up for a new set of players. Keep notes on separate paper.
What should we check for international colleagues?
Check the shipping destinations and delivery guidance before ordering physical games. Allow for transit time and any customs charges. For digital activities, check device requirements and a time that works across the group.
