Team Building Exercises for Remote Teams

Remote work is here to stay, and with it comes the challenge — and opportunity — of keeping teams connected, engaged, and motivated. At UP Events, we know that team building exercises for remote teams are more than just a trend; they’re a vital part of building a thriving, productive company culture in the digital age. Let’s dive into the latest insights, best practices, and creative ideas for remote team building that deliver real results.

Why Team Building for Remote Teams Matters

The shift to remote and hybrid work has transformed how teams interact. According to recent research, feelings of employee isolation can reduce productivity by up to 21%. Meanwhile, 52% of employees have left or considered leaving a job due to a lack of community. The message is clear: intentional team building is essential for remote teams.

Key statistics:

• 2,500% increase in virtual team building investment since 2020.
• 73% of remote workers crave more social interaction with colleagues.
• 96% of companies still host at least one in-person team-building event per year, but virtual activities are now a core strategy.

Unique Challenges of Remote Team Building

Remote teams face hurdles that in-person teams rarely encounter:

• Digital fatigue: 46% of remote workers report burnout from constant online meetings and messages.
• Perception bias: Over half of employees feel in-office staff are seen as more hardworking than remote colleagues.
• Technical issues: 72% say virtual meetings often start late due to tech problems.

At UP Events, we design our remote team building activities to overcome these barriers, ensuring every participant feels included, energized, and connected.

Best Practices for Virtual Team Building

Drawing from expert advice and industry guidelines, here’s how to make your remote team building efforts count:

1. Make It Inclusive and Interactive

Design activities that everyone can join, regardless of location or time zone. Rotate meeting times and offer asynchronous options when possible.

2. Use the Right Tools

Platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet are essential, but don’t stop there. Tools like Slack, MURAL, and dedicated team-building apps can add variety and engagement.

3. Schedule Regular Sessions

Don’t treat team building as a one-off perk. Regular, well-planned sessions help maintain morale and foster lasting connections.

4. Tailor Activities to Your Team

Get creative! Mix up formats — think online trivia, virtual escape rooms, digital scavenger hunts, and even virtual cocktail workshops. At UP Events, we specialize in customizing experiences to fit your team’s unique needs and interests.

Popular Team Building Exercises for Remote Teams

Here are some of the most effective and engaging virtual team building activities, many of which we offer or can tailor for your group:

Virtual Escape Rooms

Challenge your team’s problem-solving and collaboration skills with a themed escape room experience. These can be run entirely online, with live hosts guiding the action.

Online Trivia and Quizzes

Test your team’s knowledge with custom trivia games. Add company-specific questions for a personal touch.

Digital Scavenger Hunts

Send your team on a hunt for items or information — either around their homes or online. This encourages creativity and quick thinking.

Collaborative Games

Games like virtual Pictionary, charades, or even VR team challenges (like our own VR Team Challenge) are perfect for breaking the ice and sparking laughter.

Virtual Workshops

From cocktail making to creative arts, workshops bring teams together to learn new skills and have fun. Check out our range of workshops for inspiration.

Informal Socials

Sometimes, the best connections happen over a virtual coffee or happy hour. Schedule regular informal chats to keep the team spirit alive.

The UP Events Approach: Customization and Connection

With over 15 years of experience and a 4.8-star Google rating from more than 2,600 clients, we know what it takes to create memorable, impactful team building experiences. Whether your team is fully remote, hybrid, or spread across continents, we offer:

• Fully tailored activities: Choose from our extensive menu or let us design something unique for your team.
• Seamless event management: We handle everything — from planning to tech support — so you can focus on connecting with your team.
• Flexible formats: Host your event virtually, in-person at our Amsterdam West or Weesp venues, or as a hybrid experience.

Explore our team building activities and corporate events to see what’s possible.

Impact: Productivity, Engagement, and Culture

The benefits of regular, well-designed team building exercises for remote teams are clear:

• Boosted productivity: Connected teams are up to 21% more productive.
• Higher engagement: Participation in team building correlates with better retention and morale.
• Stronger culture: Regular activities foster trust, belonging, and psychological safety.

As one HR expert put it:

“The purpose of team building is to foster employee connectedness. Even if your team is 100% remote, your team can interact with each other and feel less alone through virtual team building activities, which may help boost productivity.”

Real-World Examples and Inspiration

At UP Events, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations — from financial services to tech startups — bring their remote teams together. Whether it’s a quarterly offsite, a product launch, or a spontaneous morale boost, our events are designed to deliver results.

Want to see what’s possible? Browse our meeting packages, school activities, and even bachelor party ideas for more inspiration.

Additional Resources

• Harvard Business Review: How to Build Trust on Your Virtual Team
• Gallup: The Real Future of Work
• Society for Human Resource Management: Virtual Team Building Activities
• Forbes: The Importance of Team Building

FAQ: Team Building Exercises for Remote Teams

Q: How often should remote teams do team building exercises? A: Experts recommend a regular cadence — monthly or quarterly sessions work well to maintain connection and engagement.

Q: What are the best virtual team building activities for large groups? A: Activities like online trivia, virtual escape rooms, and digital scavenger hunts scale well and can be customized for groups of any size.

Q: How do you ensure everyone feels included in remote team building? A: Rotate meeting times to accommodate different time zones, use accessible technology, and design activities that don’t require special equipment or skills.

Q: Can UP Events help with hybrid or in-person team building as well? A: Absolutely! We offer flexible formats, including hybrid and in-person events at our Amsterdam and Weesp venues.

Q: Where can I learn more about UP Events’ offerings? A: Visit our pages for activities, team building, corporate events, and our event agency services.

Ready to energize your remote team and build lasting connections? Contact us for a personalized quote and discover how UP Events can make your next virtual or hybrid team building event unforgettable!