Team Building Activities: 40 Borderline Genius Ideas

Having an effective team is key to generating ideas that make a difference, successfully completing projects, and achieving sustainable growth. Team–building activities are how to build them.

After all, what’s better than a talented individual working towards company goals? A team of talented individuals working towards company goals.

Learn more about the importance of team building, or jump straight to our list of activities you can implement.

What is Team Building?

Team building is a continuous procedure focused on developing team chemistry and synergy to improve communication, cohesion, and collaboration.

Team-building activities are games or activities designed to help people working together grow more efficient as a group. Along with employee appreciation, feedback, and incentive programs, they help improve the overall employee experience in an organization.

These activities require individuals to use creative thinking, consider the opinions of others to take a better overall approach, and work together to solve problems.

As a result, the group builds better communication and problem-solving skills and improved team chemistry.

Moreover, team members gain an understanding of one another’s skills, which helps define roles and delegate tasks.

Why is Team Building Important?

Let’s have a look at a few statistics to understand the significance of team building:

• In 2014 alone, companies worldwide invested over $130 billion in training and team-building activities.
• A CIPD survey found that almost 95% of companies send their employees to events, seminars, etc., for team-building activities.
• A University of Stanford study found that employees who worked together were able to do so for 48% longer and solved more problems.

In addition to these stats, here is a table that simplifies the differences between companies that utilize free team-building activities and those that don’t.

When it comes to team-building games for work, the chosen exercises and tasks need to engage employees first and foremost to fulfill their purpose.

A simple company survey on interests, preferences, and passions will give you personal insights into your employees. Such information can help you develop or shortlist more targeted team-building activities – generating better results in the long run.

40 Free Team Building Activities to Engage Employees in 2024

Building activities are your best bet for improving team communication, increasing productivity, or boosting employee engagement.

From creative methods to old-school ideas, here are 40 team-building activities for better team chemistry, efficiency, and results.

1. Life Highlights Game

First on our list is one of our many 5-minute team-building activities. This game helps you get employees together and break the ice.

To initiate this activity:

• Have all participating team members gather and sit down in one area.
• Allow 2 to 5 minutes for each participant to think about the best times.
• The entire team then has to describe the 30 seconds they would always choose to relive if they only had 30 seconds to live.
• They also need to explain why they chose those specific 30 seconds.

This activity provides team members with a deeper insight into one another’s minds and will help them relate to each other in some way.

2. The Zombie Escape

This activity involves working together to solve puzzles and escape the ‘zombie.’ It’s a test of problem-solving skills, team bonding, and the ability to work together.

For this activity, you need to:

• Gather your team in a small room and make one team member the zombie.
• There are generally 3 to 5 boundaries – the zombie crosses each boundary after 5 minutes.
• The rest of the team has to solve 5 or more puzzles and riddles together before the zombie reaches them.
• If any member is ‘touched’ by the zombie, they’re done for.
• If the team solves all the puzzles before the zombie reaches them, they will have ‘escaped.’

The Zombie Escape is a fun activity where employees understand how to work together during high pressure or stress.

3. Two Truths and a Lie

Next on our list of free team-building activities for work is a game of bluffs and poker faces. In Two Truths and a Lie, each team member has to tell two truths and one lie.

Each participant should try to make their statements as similar as possible. The other team members then try to figure out which is the lie.

To carry out this activity:

• Gather at least 5 team members and have each take turns telling two truths and one lie.
• Each time someone has their turn, the other members will vote on which statement is the lie.
• Whoever recognizes the lie gets one point.
• Every member that gets the lie wrong provides one point to the liar.

The game is a great way to get to know one another and understand each other’s thought processes.

4. The Classification Game

The classification game aims to create a sense of commonality among team members by dividing them into subgroups based on their likes and dislikes.

To do this activity:

• Gather your team members and have them state 5 things they like and 5 things they dislike.
• Write down everyone’s responses.
• Ask them to divide themselves into subgroups of people with common likes and/or dislikes.

Note that a subgroup is not harmful in any sense.

This fun game’s purpose is to provide team members with talking points that will help them develop better relationships.

Are you interested in learning more about team building? Take a look at our HR Certification Courses.

5. Back-to-Back Drawing

The next activity on our list is meant for teams of two. Back-to-Back Drawing requires one person to describe what they see while their team member tries to draw out what they’re describing.

To perform this activity, follow these steps:

• Break your team into pairs and have them sit back-to-back.
• Give one teammate a pen and a sheet of paper.
• Give the other member an image and ask him/her to describe what the image is without revealing it.
• Based on the provided descriptions, ask the teammate to draw the image using a pen and paper.
• Once the drawing is complete, it is compared with the real image, and each pair can share whether or not they had difficulty communicating.

This activity aims to find and eliminate any hurdles in team communication employees may have.

6. Company Coat of Arms

This old-school yet engaging method has employees design and create a coat of arms that either reflects their team or their vision for the company.

Here’s how you can go about doing this:

• Provide your team with the necessary art supplies.
• Ask them to share different ideas, concepts, designs, etc., that reflect their team characteristics, symbols representing their roles in the company, etc.
• Have them search for existing, creative coats of arms or symbols for inspiration.
• Ask team members to collaborate on painting, drawing, sketching, or 3D printing a company coat of arms.

After completion, hang the coat of arms in a prominent office location.

This activity is one of many accomplishments your employees experience as a team, and it also allows them to form a stronger understanding of one another’s creative thinking or abilities.

7. Office Trivia

In Office Trivia, employees participate in work-based trivia by answering questions designed around their work.

To carry out this activity:

• You must develop questions based on your company, office, past company accomplishments, etc.
• The questions are simple and based on observation or future milestones, such as ‘How many doormats do we have?’ However, all questions should be designed so each participant has a fair chance of answering correctly.
• Divide your team members into pairs or small groups, and check which group answers the most trivia questions correctly.

This is a healthy mental exercise that will help increase observational skills and foster relationships among team members.

8. Memory Wall

This activity aims to enable team members to share a positive memory from work. Employees can draw, share pictures, or write about their favorite memories.

To create a Memory Wall:

• Designate a location in the office for a Memory Wall.
• Write several topics on a board and have each employee choose one.
• Let them share a memory and then put it on the Wall.
• The Memory Wall will then showcase each member’s most memorable times in the workplace.

Such an activity will help build bonds and solidify relationships by providing talking points and revealing shared memories.

9. Minefield

Next on our list of team-building exercises for work is another one for pairs. One member is blindfolded, while their teammate has to guide them through a ‘minefield’.

To play Minefield:

• Choose a space that is large enough and build an obstacle course using chairs, boxes, desks, etc.
• Divide the participants into pairs and blindfold one person in each pair.
• Have the teammate, who can see, guide their blindfolded partner through the minefield via verbal instructions.
• If you wish to challenge them, allow more than one pair on the minefield at a time—and make it a race.

Minefield will test employees’ communication skills, their patience, and their ability to thrive (and work together) under pressure.

10. Paper Plane Challenge

This next activity may sound simple and out of place, but it has a very specific purpose. It requires teams to build the longest-flying paper airplane.

To start the challenge:

• Choose an open place that’s big enough to fly paper planes.
• Divide all participants into groups of 3 or 4.
• Give each team a sheet of paper and a time limit (let them use their phones or computers).
• The winning team is the one that creates the longest-flying airplane.

The Paper Plane Challenge aims to see how teams utilize their time.

Do they choose to fold the paper plane in a complex design? Or do they have to develop a simple one to complete it within the time limit?

You can find out how thorough your team members are in their processes by the end of the activity.

11. Sneak a Peek Game

Sneak a Peek requires teams to build a replica of what the activity leader has built after only glancing at the structure. This game tests the leadership skills of the team leader and group members.

Here’s a step-by-step process of the activity:

• Provide your team with some Lego blocks.
• Build a structure yourself and hide it from all teams.
• Choose one team member from each team to come and look at your structure for 10 seconds.
• They will then try to build a replica with their teams.
• Each replica will then be compared to the original structure and other replicas.

The idea is to see whether one person can guide the rest of their teams on a specific task when that person has been briefed on it.

This test the team’s communication skills, memory, and ability to follow instructions from fellow team members.

12. This is Better Than That

This next activity is all about rating and organizing tools and techniques according to a given situation.

It requires teams to organize random objects according to their usefulness for a hypothetical scenario created by the activity leader.

To carry out this team-building activity:

• Divide your team into groups and assign them an imaginary survival scenario (e.g., stuck in a jungle, cast away on an island).
• Provide them with five random objects that would have no use in the scenario.
• Ask them to rate the usefulness of the tools and give them a time limit to do so.
• After they’re done, ask them why they chose that specific order and whether or not they think the tools might help them.

This will allow members to work together toward a common issue and become creative with their solutions.

It will also develop improvisational skills in individual team members—employees can learn to get out of unwanted or unknown situations and conquer them.

13. Classify This

Classify This requires team members to classify random objects into similar categories.

For example, if you have a pencil, a keyboard, and a fridge, you might classify the first two as ‘writing instruments’.

To start classifying:

• Choose 20 to 30 random objects from around the office, unrelated.
• Make small groups of your team and ask each entire group to classify the given objects into four different categories – set a time limit to do so.
• After they’re done, ask the groups why and how they came up with a particular grouping.

This tests the members’ ability to find similar patterns in unrelated situations with the help of fellow members. It can help employees find hidden trends, patterns, and agendas during work.

14. What’s on Your Desk

What’s on Your Desk is our next engaging team-building activity. It has teams turn a random object on their desk into a product.

For a correct approach to this activity:

• Have each team member grab an item from their desk.
• Divide all participants into groups and ask each one to choose one item as their ‘product’ – make them do so in under a few minutes.
• They will then have to give it a creative name, create a logo, and develop a rudimentary marketing plan.
• Each group will then present their products, discuss the pros and cons, and discuss ideas to improve.

This activity bolsters a team’s ability to improvise while working together and challenges them to develop quality work in a limited amount of time.

15. Team Timeline

In Team Timeline, each employee helps create a visual timeline that displays essential moments for the company and their own lives.

To create the perfect team timeline:

• Have the team build a timeline from the company’s inception to the present day. They should also note one another’s dates of birth and joining.
• Each participant will write down a few important life moments on the timeline.
• Compile the timeline and put it up in a prominent location in the workplace.

This activity provides employees with a glimpse into one another’s lives while relating them to the company. It also allows employees to feel connected to the company and fellow team members.

16. The Perfect Square

The Perfect Square tests each individual’s ability to work together with limited utility and communication.

This activity sees team members convert a circle-shaped rope into a square while blindfolding.

To make the perfect square, or at least try to do so:

• Have each member sit in a circle while they’re blindfolded.
• Put a rope before them, and form it into a circle.
• Hand each member a part of the rope.
• Ask them to make a square out of the rope.

This team-building activity explores whether employees can work together to accomplish a common goal.

17. What’s My Name?

This next activity requires employees to deduce which character they’ve been given by questioning fellow team members.

Each participant has a specific character assigned to them without their knowledge. Their job is to figure out their character through cross-questioning, analyzing answers, and similar tactics.

To carry out this activity:

• Write down the names of famous people on pieces of paper and attach them to the backs of each participant.
• Each participant can now see the names of all characters except their own.
• Employees can talk and ask each other questions to determine who they are.
• Any participant who figures out who they are can exit the activity.

This activity aims to increase dialogue among team members and test their deduction abilities.

It can also serve as an icebreaker between employees who don’t interact as much during work hours.

18. Show & Tell

Everyone is familiar with Show & Tell from the past, but what did we have to show then?

As adults, we’ve traveled the world, experienced different cultures, and been around the block. In the modern workplace, show-and-tell can be fascinating.

The rules, however, remain the same:

• Have each employee bring something of importance from home.
• Allow them to share what it is and why it is essential to them.

This activity is a great way for team members to relate to one another, understand each other better, and learn about one another’s lives.

19. Scavenger Hunt

Yet another activity, scavenger hunts, allows employees to form bonds, work together, and have fun.

To set up your very own office scavenger hunt:

• Divide your team into smaller teams or groups.
• Place random objects around the office, work with existing ones, or plan it with custom/themed items just for the hunt.
• Give the teams a list of the items and provide them with well-written clues or hints.
• Set a time limit, and start hunting.

Fun activities such as scavenger hunts build better teams by creating memorable moments in the workplace.

20. The Barter Puzzle

The Barter Puzzle requires employees to make sense of jumbled-up jigsaw puzzles and work as a team to put them back together.

The barter puzzle is time-consuming, but here’s how it goes:

• Divide your team into smaller groups, and assign each group a puzzle.
• Give each team pieces of other puzzles so that every opposing team has 25% of all the jigsaw puzzles in the activity.
• The teams must work together to determine which pieces belong to which jigsaw puzzle. Set a time limit for this.
• The team that completes their entire jigsaw puzzle first wins.

The idea is to create a communication process among people with different pieces/goals.

The activity aims to reduce inter-departmental communication lag to help the business process remain efficient.

21. The Team Journal

The Team Journal is a shared journal that all team members design. It collects the thoughts of all team members.

To create the ideal team journal:

• Get a blank journal and stationery supplies.
• Ask each employee to contribute to the journal in their way.
• Employees can draw or write anything they want.
• Keep the journal in a specific location, allowing employees to jot or draw anything down.

Keeping a team journal builds trust and respect among team members. It also lets employees showcase themselves and share their thoughts with the team.

22. Dare Jenga

Next up on our list of team-building activities for work is a game of Jenga, except with a dare written on each block.

To play dare Jenga:

• Take any Jenga set and write dares down on each block (dares like ‘tell a joke,’ ‘stand on your hands,’ etc.).
• Stack the Jenga and have participants remove building blocks as if they would normally.
• Each employee must carry out the dare written on the block they remove.

This activity is fun and is a great relationship builder. It also helps employees become more comfortable with their fellow team members.

23. The One Question Icebreaker

The One Question Icebreaker is an effective tool for dispersing any feelings of awkwardness.

The activity requires each member to answer one question from a list of questions.

To break the ice:

• Develop a set of questions and give them to your team.
• Each employee will choose one and answer it to their liking.
• There are no wrong answers.

This activity aims to spark a conversation among team members and have them engage with each other.

24. Book Club

The next activity aims to develop a platform where team members can share and discuss their love for books. The Book Club is a weekly activity and should have a predesignated time slot.

To make and grow your office book club:

• Designate a day and a room for the book club every week, where team members gather to read, discuss, and share books.
• Give an appropriate name to the book club.
• It’s best to provide some books from the company to get things going.
• Allow any employee to join the book club.

Book clubs are a great way to socialize and develop strong employee relationships.

It fosters a healthy learning environment, develops language and listening skills, and enhances knowledge.

25. Board Game Tournaments

Playing board games that everyone is familiar with is a great way to pass the time and have fun together.

Board game tournaments are held with Scrabble, Chess, Monopoly, etc.

To organize board team-building game tournaments:

• Buy different board games and ask employees which board game they’d like a tournament on.
• Choose the one agreed upon by the majority and create a tournament bracket.
• Schedule the matches and determine a winner.
• Tournaments are monthly or bi-annually.

This activity is for laying off steam and developing friendships among employees. It also fosters healthy in-house competition that leads to individual and team growth.

26. Sports Outings

A great team building event is to take your team out.

It’s also practical to play sports during these outings, and it’s best to choose a sport that everyone can take part in without feeling left out.

For an engaging sports outing:

• Buy sports supplies like footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, etc.
• Take your team to a park, beach, or a familiar open field.
• Set up different matches and let the team have at it.

A team that can play sports together can work together through anything. You may also foster a company culture of physical activity to develop awareness on the importance of physical health.

27. The Meta Simple Team Building Exercise

This activity is the culmination of all others. The idea is to develop a new team-building activity based on previous experiences.

This activity aims to let the team decide and create their activities so they are involved and willing to participate.

To build the ultimate team-building activity:

• Gather your team and discuss the team-building activities you have already carried out.
• Ask them to share their opinions on the best and the worst ones.
• Allow them some time to develop their team-building activities based on one another’s feedback.

The team makes fun activities on their own and participates in them.

28. Office Treasure Hunt

An office treasure hunt is a great way to promote teamwork and engage employees. This activity encourages collaboration and helps team members familiarize themselves with their surroundings.

To set up your own Office Treasure Hunt:

Hide clues around the office that lead to the final prize, using items around the workspace, or create a storyline that fits your company culture. Divide the participants into teams and hand out the first clue. Let each team work through the clues, solving puzzles and riddles until they reach the final destination. The team that finds the treasure first wins.

This activity fosters problem-solving, promotes healthy competition, and builds camaraderie by creating shared experiences and memorable moments.

29. Personality Mapping

An effective way to improve communication and understanding among team members is through Personality Mapping. This activity uses assessments like Myers-Briggs or DISC to explore the unique traits of each individual.

To create a Personality Mapping session:

Have each team member complete a personality test and gather the results. Create a visual map that groups similar personalities together and highlights differences. Facilitate a discussion around the results, focusing on strengths, potential challenges, and how to leverage diversity within the team. Encourage participants to share their own interpretations and experiences.

This activity helps teams better understand each other’s communication styles, boosts empathy, and fosters collaboration by aligning tasks to individual strengths.

30. Charity Build-a-Bike

A meaningful way to strengthen teamwork and give back to the community is through a Charity Build-a-Bike activity. This initiative encourages employees to collaborate while assembling bicycles for a good cause.

To set up a Charity Build-a-Bike:

Split the team into smaller groups and provide each group with the materials needed to build a bicycle. Offer guidance and support, ensuring that teams work together efficiently. Once the bicycles are built, they can be donated to a local charity or children’s organization. Hold a brief ceremony to acknowledge the team’s effort and impact.

This activity not only strengthens problem-solving and collaboration skills but also instills a sense of shared purpose and pride among team members.

31. The Great Egg Drop

A creative way to encourage innovation and teamwork is through The Great Egg Drop challenge. Teams must construct a structure that will protect an egg when dropped from a height.

To organize The Great Egg Drop:

Provide teams with basic supplies like straws, tape, paper, and one raw egg per team. Set a time limit for teams to design and build their structure. Once completed, drop each egg from the designated height and see which survives the fall. Offer rewards for the most durable designs.

This activity promotes creative thinking, teamwork, and effective use of limited resources while also adding an element of excitement and fun.

32. Desert Island Scenario

The Desert Island Scenario is a thought-provoking activity that tests teamwork and strategic thinking. Teams are given a hypothetical survival situation and must choose items to help them survive.

To set up this activity:

Divide the participants into groups and give each group a survival scenario (e.g., stranded on a desert island). Present a list of random items, from which each team must choose five they believe will be most useful. Have teams discuss and develop a plan using their chosen items. Each group will present their strategy and reasoning to the larger team.

This activity encourages strategic thinking, teamwork, and communication, as participants must agree on their choices and adapt their reasoning.

33. Human Knot

The Human Knot is an engaging physical activity that promotes team bonding. It challenges participants to untangle themselves without breaking the chain, requiring strong communication and patience.

To organize a Human Knot:

Have participants stand in a circle, shoulder-to-shoulder. Instruct them to extend their hands and randomly grab another person’s hand, creating a “knot.” Without letting go, the team must work together to untangle themselves into a complete circle. Set a time limit and offer rewards for teams that succeed.

This activity builds problem-solving skills, enhances communication, and reinforces the importance of working together toward a common goal.

34. Remote Cooking Challenge

A fun way to connect remote teams is through a Remote Cooking Challenge. This virtual activity encourages participants to cook the same dish and share their experiences in a social setting.

To host a Remote Cooking Challenge:

Send a simple recipe beforehand and ask team members to gather the ingredients. Set up a video conferencing platform and have everyone cook the recipe together. Encourage participants to share tips, showcase their dishes, and discuss any challenges. Afterward, everyone can enjoy their creations together in a virtual dining room.

This activity fosters camaraderie and builds a sense of community among remote teams despite the physical distance.

35. Marshmallow Tower Challenge

An exciting way to promote collaboration and creativity is through the Marshmallow Tower Challenge. Teams are given limited materials to build the tallest possible tower with a marshmallow on top.

To set up the Marshmallow Tower Challenge:

Provide each team with spaghetti sticks, tape, string, and one marshmallow. Set a time limit for teams to design and construct their towers. After time is up, measure each tower to see which one stands the tallest. Offer a small prize to the winning team.

This activity encourages innovative thinking, teamwork, and adaptability, making it a fun and engaging way to break up the workday.

36. Blindfold Taste Test

A lighthearted way to build trust and create a fun atmosphere is through the Blindfold Taste Test. Participants are blindfolded and given various food items to identify by taste alone.

To organize a Blindfold Taste Test:

Gather a variety of food items and blindfold participants. Have each participant taste a small portion of each item and guess what it is. Offer points for correct guesses and discuss the tastes afterward. Rotate the blindfold so everyone gets a turn.

This activity builds trust, encourages sensory exploration, and allows team members to relax and enjoy a unique experience together.

37. Storytelling Workshop

A creative way to enhance communication and foster connections is through a Storytelling Workshop. Participants share personal or professional stories based on a chosen theme.

To conduct a Storytelling Workshop:

Choose a theme or prompt, such as “A challenge I overcame” or “My favorite project at work.” Each participant takes a turn sharing their story with the group. Encourage active listening and discussion after each story. Consider recording or compiling the stories into a shared document for future reference.

This activity improves public speaking skills, builds empathy, and helps team members understand each other’s backgrounds and perspectives.

38. Remote Office Tour

A unique way to build connections within remote teams is through a Remote Office Tour. Participants give a virtual tour of their workspace, showcasing elements that are meaningful to them.

To set up a Remote Office Tour:

Ask each participant to prepare a short workspace tour, highlighting items like books, art, or personal mementos. Have participants take turns sharing their tours over a video call. Encourage questions and discussion about each workspace. Create a shared document with photos and notes if desired.

This activity helps team members feel more connected by showing each other’s work environments and personal lives.

39. LinkedIn Scavenger Hunt

A professional way to encourage networking and build team skills is through a LinkedIn Scavenger Hunt. Participants search for specific profiles or information on LinkedIn.

To set up a LinkedIn Scavenger Hunt:

Create a list of items to find, such as “a person with an unusual job title” or “a connection with shared interests.” Set a time limit for participants to find as many items as possible. Have participants share their findings and discuss any interesting profiles or connections they discovered. Offer small prizes for the most unique or relevant finds.

This activity builds professional networks, improves research skills, and encourages collaboration.

40. Puzzle Pieces

An engaging way to promote inter-team communication is through Puzzle Pieces. Each team is given a puzzle to complete, but some pieces are intentionally mixed up.

To organize Puzzle Pieces:

Provide each team with a puzzle, but mix a few pieces into other teams’ puzzles. Inform teams about the mixed pieces partway through the challenge. Teams must communicate and negotiate to retrieve the pieces needed to complete their own puzzles. The first team to complete their puzzle wins.

This activity builds problem-solving skills, encourages communication, and fosters teamwork across different groups.

Building a Better Team

All the free team building activities mentioned have a singular goal – to foster inter-team harmony and synergy. This will always result in increased productivity, motivation, and efficiency in the business process.

While any job in the corporate world should be tackled in a professional manner, it doesn’t hurt to lay off some steam and develop better relationships with your team members.

All in all, though team building games are time-consuming and require effort to execute, the results are always worth it.

 FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about team building activities:

How do team building activities impact company culture?

Team building activities play a crucial role in shaping and strengthening company culture by promoting collaboration, communication, and trust among employees. When team members participate in shared experiences, they develop stronger interpersonal relationships, which translates into a more positive and supportive work environment. Incorporating regular team building activities, whether in person or through virtual team building exercises, helps align employees with the company’s core values and fosters a culture of teamwork and mutual respect.

What types of team building activities encourage team members to connect?

Activities that encourage team members to connect are those that focus on fostering communication, problem-solving, and shared experiences. These can range from icebreakers and creative problem-solving exercises to more elaborate events like escape rooms or outdoor challenges. For remote teams, virtual team building activities such as online quizzes, virtual coffee breaks, or collaborative games like Pictionary can serve a similar purpose. The goal is to create a comfortable space where employees feel engaged and can share their perspectives openly, building a sense of camaraderie and trust.

How can virtual team building activities be adapted for a remote team?

Virtual team building activities can be highly effective for a remote team if they are designed to suit the unique needs of geographically dispersed employees. Online activities like virtual trivia, remote scavenger hunts, or digital escape rooms provide opportunities for team members to interact in a fun and engaging way. Platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams can be used for group discussions, team challenges, and even virtual workshops. The key is to ensure that these activities are inclusive, engaging, and encourage active participation, helping remote employees feel as connected as their in-office counterparts.

What are some popular corporate team building activities?

Popular corporate team building activities include workshops, team lunches, volunteer days, and structured problem-solving challenges such as escape rooms. These activities are designed to promote teamwork, improve communication skills, and build a sense of belonging within the company. For remote teams, virtual versions of these activities—such as digital happy hours, online quizzes, and brainstorming sessions—can be used to achieve the same outcomes. Choosing the right activity depends on your company culture and the goals you want to achieve, whether it’s improving collaboration or simply providing a morale boost.

How do team building activities benefit remote teams?

Team building activities are particularly valuable for remote teams as they help bridge the gap created by physical distance. They create opportunities for team members to interact on a personal level, which can be challenging in a virtual work environment. Regularly scheduled virtual team building activities encourage remote team members to share their experiences, collaborate on tasks, and engage in non-work-related discussions. This not only reduces feelings of isolation but also strengthens the overall team dynamic, making remote employees feel more connected and invested in the company’s success.

How can companies choose team building activities that align with their company culture?

Choosing team-building activities that align with company culture involves understanding your employees’ values, goals, and interests. For instance, a company that values innovation and creativity might choose brainstorming challenges or creative workshops, while a company focused on community and service may prefer volunteer-based team-building events. It’s important to select activities that resonate with team members, whether it’s traditional in-person events or virtual team-building activities, to ensure maximum participation and positive outcomes. Aligning activities with company culture will encourage team members to engage fully and reinforce the organization’s core values.

If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into a HR role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.

Josh Fechter

Josh Fechter is the founder of HR.University. He's a certified HR professional and has managed global teams across 5 different continents including their benefits and payroll. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.