March 17, 2021. From high-energy games to creative workshops and wellness challenges, these team building activities for work are designed to beat burnout, build connection, and make remote work feel a little less…remote.
Have your team take a break, for burnout’s sake
Burnout at work, which is described as chronic workplace stress that leads to exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness, remains dangerously high. Recent Gallup reports show that:
- 77% of U.S. employees experience work-related stress regularly.
- 3 in 4 workers have felt burned out at least sometimes.
- 1 in 4 feel burned out “very often” or “always.”
So what’s the solution? Well, for one, it’s about investing in virtual team building activities that go beyond the occasional Zoom check-in and make the team feel like a real team.
Try one (or more) of these team building activities for work
The right initiatives can revitalize morale, rebuild culture, and bring back the sense of spirit that has been missing. Below are 10 research-backed virtual team building activities designed to engage and unite your team:
1. Online games keep the office connection 🎲
Perfect for casual Fridays or post-meeting wind-downs, Jackbox Games like Quiplash, Fibbage, and Drawful let teams unwind with laughter and creative competition. Only one person needs to host; everyone else joins from a browser or smartphone.
🔍 Why it works. Playing video games can build community and strengthen team effectiveness (seriously!), leading to increased productivity.
3. Escape rooms amp up the excitement 🔐
Put your team’s critical thinking to the test with immersive digital escape rooms. Companies like Outback Team Building and The Escape Game let small groups collaborate in real-time to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and “escape” before time runs out. Great for problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
🔍 Why it works. Requires collaboration under pressure, helping reinforce trust and quick decision-making—two essentials for high-performing remote teams.
4. Food brings people together! Try a virtual cooking class 🍳
Always wanted to learn how to make pasta from scratch? Grab your team, some red wine, and your laptop and you’ll all be transported to Italy in no time for this team building activity for work. Eatly offers virtual cooking classes at affordable prices with the ingredients included. Voilà! Team bonding. Similarly, companies like Cozymeal offer online cooking sessions where participants can learn new recipes and cook together from their own kitchens.
🔍 Why it works. Participating in virtual cooking classes is feasible and well-received, making it the right first step for a work team that is just starting out with a virtual team building activity.
5. Making everyone a better fit 🏃♀️
Encourage health and wellness by organizing virtual fitness challenges. Use fitness tracking apps to set goals and track progress, and create friendly competition among team members. Activities can include step challenges, yoga sessions, or group workouts conducted over video calls.
Looking to make this more of a perk and not just a virtual team building activity? WHOOP offers a corporate wellness program called WHOOP Unite, allowing companies to give employees access to its health-tracking wearable. The device provides personalized insights on sleep, recovery, and stress, helping employees improve their well-being and performance. Employers get access to secure dashboards with data to better support their teams.
🔍 Why it works. Implementing fitness challenges can boost team spirit, improve health and well-being, and increase motivation and engagement among employees.
6. Let’s all curl up with a good book 📚
Start a virtual book club where team members can read and discuss books together. Poll your team to pick a book—fiction, self-development, or business—and discuss it monthly over wine, coffee, or mocktails. Use Slack channels for in-between discussions and fun prompts.
🔍 Why it works. Virtual book clubs enhance feelings of connection and contribute positively to professional development.
7. Spark creativity with a workshop at your next team building activity for work 🎨
Try a virtual paint night, embroidery session, or origami class. Companies like Confetti offer kits and instructors, making it simple for teams to create something beautiful together
🔍 Why it works. Creative activities engage different parts of the brain and reduce stress while boosting mood.
8. Your company has got talent 🎤
Let your team shine by hosting a virtual talent night where they can sing, perform magic, recite poetry, or show off a hidden skill. Add awards for crowd favorite, most unexpected, and best background setup. This is one of those team building activities for work where you have a chance to really get to know what makes other people special outside of what they do for a living.
🔍 Why it works. Vulnerability breeds trust. Plus, it’s a rare opportunity to celebrate your team’s humanity beyond their job titles.
9. Figure out where the pieces go 🧩
Platforms like JigsawPuzzles.io let you run collaborative or competitive puzzle games where small groups solve real-time jigsaws or logic challenges. Add a timer and leaderboard for extra energy.
🔍 Why it works. Solving digital puzzles boosts teamwork, sharpens problem-solving, and provides a calming, collaborative break from daily tasks.
10. Show me what you got during a “Lightning Talk” ⚡
Rotate short presentations where employees teach something they love: woodworking, music production, fire spinning, fishing, marathon running, you name it. Just 10–15 minutes per session, monthly. Slides are more of a guide, and no pre-read is required.
🔍 Why it works. Sharing passions builds empathy and appreciation. It humanizes coworkers and creates space for deeper conversations.
Try out these virtual team building activities for work
We hope these ideas help you and your team feel a little less burnt out and a little more connected to one another. Oh, and don’t forget to stay hydrated—that always helps too!
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Ryan Daly
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