Hybrid working can pose a challenge for team bonding. With fewer opportunities for spontaneous office lunches or chats, colleagues can become disconnected. That’s where online team-building activities can help! These activities can strengthen relationships, improve communication and raise morale. Check out these 10 ideas:
1. Virtual escape room
Bring your team together to solve puzzles and unlock clues in an online escape room. Platforms like Escapely offer interactive challenges that require teamwork, problem solving and a bit of creative thinking. They’re a great way to test collaboration skills in a fun setting.
2. Online Trivia
A quiz is a tried and tested team activity. Use tools such as Kahoot or TriviaMaker to host a trivia battle for your team. You could customise the questions based on their interests, or include fun in-jokes about your company. Make it competitive and offer prizes for the winners.
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3. Virtual coffee breaks
Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest. Set up weekly 15-minute virtual coffee breaks where teammates can drop in, relax and talk about non-work topics.
4. Play “Two Truths and a Lie”
This classic icebreaker works well online and is a great way for colleagues to get to know each other better. Each person shared two true statements and one false one – the rest of the team has to guess which one is the lie. It’s an easy game requiring no preparation and often leads to much laughter and conversation.
5. Online murder mystery party
How about turning your team into detectives for the day? Virtual murder mystery games like Red Herring Games provide all the clues and evidence needed for your team to solve a fictional crime. They’re immersive, engaging and encourage problem-solving.
6. Virtual show and tell
A great activity that isn’t just for school! Give team members five minutes to showcase something such as a hobby, a unique skill, a travel souvenir or even a pet. This helps teams connect on a personal level and brings some lighthearted fun to meetings.
7. Play online pictionary
Bring out your team’s artistic side with an online drawing game like Skribbl.io. Players take turns to draw words or phrases while teammates try to guess what they are. The worse the drawing, the funnier the game gets.
8. Virtual book or film club
A monthly book or film club encourages casual non-work related chat. Team members can vote on what to read or watch and then meet to discuss it over a video call. This idea keeps the team engaged without requiring too much commitment.
9. Digital scavenger hunt
Create a list of household items to find, or fun challenges, and have team members race to complete them on camera. This high-energy activity is perfect for breaking the ice and having a laugh.
10. Guess the desk
Have team members anonymously submit a photo of their home workspace and let the rest of the team guess whose desk it is. Team members get a glimpse into each other’s work environments and share organisational (or not) habits.
Hybrid teams may not always be in the same physical space but that doesn’t mean they can’t build strong connections. These virtual activities help bridge the gap, encourage collaboration and keep work fun.
The Hattie 