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A well-connected team is a high-performing team. When employees feel engaged and valued, they collaborate better, communicate more effectively, and stay motivated. But in remote work environments, keeping that connection strong takes effort.
That’s why team building isn’t just about fun; it’s essential for productivity. Virtual activities help teams strengthen relationships, boost morale, and build trust, leading to better teamwork and smoother workflows.
In this guide, we’ll cover 18 remote-friendly team-building activities designed to keep your team engaged, connected, and working at their best no matter where they are located.
Quick Icebreakers to Start Meetings
When working remotely, the first few minutes of a meeting can feel awkward. A fun icebreaker helps set the tone, gets everyone engaged, and makes virtual meetings feel less like a chore.
These quick team-building activities take five minutes or less, making them perfect for kickstarting a meeting on a high note.
1. This or That
Category: Icebreaker | Players: 2+
A fast-paced game where players choose between two options and compare answers.
This or That is a simple yet engaging game where players choose between two options. Whether it’s a tough decision or a no-brainer, it sparks quick debates, encourages interaction, and helps teammates learn more about each other in a relaxed setting.
How This Works
Add Braid to Slack – Visit Braid's website, add Braid to your Slack workspace, and grant necessary permissions.
Start a Game – Use the /braid command in Slack or go to Braid’s game library to launch "This or That."
Choose a Channel – Select the Slack channel where the game will be played.
Play the Game – Make your pick on 5 choices.
Compare Results – Once everyone has made their selections, Braid automatically compiles the results and posts them in the Slack thread. Players can see how their choices compare with teammates!
It takes just a few minutes and is a great way to start a meeting, take a break, or get to know your teammates better.
Sample This or That Questions
Braid provides a built-in selection of fun prompts, or you can customize the game with your own questions to match your team’s interests!
It is perfect for remote teams looking for a quick way to break the ice, boost engagement, and encourage conversations. It's also a great way to find out surprising commonalities among teammates—who knew your coworker also prefers pineapple on pizza?
2. Two Truths and a Lie
Category: Icebreaker | Players: 2+
A classic team-building game where players share three statements (two true and one false) while others guess which one is the lie.
Two Truths and a Lie is a fun and engaging way to learn surprising facts about teammates. It encourages storytelling, strengthens connections, and adds an element of friendly competition. The game works well as a meeting warm-up or a casual bonding activity.
How This Works
Pick a Player – One person shares three statements about themselves: two that are true and one that is false.
Guess the Lie – The rest of the team discusses and votes on which statement they think is false.
Reveal the Answer – The player reveals the lie, often leading to fun discussions or surprising facts.
The game can be played in Slack by posting statements in a thread or in a video call for live interaction.
Sample Two Truths and a Lie Statements
"I once met a famous celebrity at an airport."
"I have been skydiving twice."
"I can speak five languages." (Lie)
Two Truths and a Lie works best when players get creative with their statements, adding just enough truth to make the lie believable.
3. GIF Battle
Category: Icebreaker | Players: 2+
A fun and visual challenge where players respond to prompts using only GIFs.
GIF Battle is a lighthearted way for teams to express themselves without words. Players compete by posting the best GIF that fits a given prompt, either it’s describing their mood, reacting to a work scenario, or answering a random question.
The result? A Slack thread full of laughs, creativity, and a new way for teammates to engage.
How This Works
Pick a Prompt – A moderator or any team member posts a scenario or question.
Post Your GIF – Players reply with a GIF that best fits the prompt.
Vote for the Best GIF – Teammates react with emojis to vote for their favorites, or the moderator picks a winner.
GIF Battle can be a one-time activity or a recurring game, with new themes for each round.
Sample GIF Battle Prompts
"Describe your Monday morning in a GIF."
"Your reaction when you realize it’s Friday."
"How you feel when you forget to unmute yourself on Zoom."
"Show your mood after finishing a big project."
"Your response when someone schedules a last-minute meeting."
No two rounds are ever the same, and teams can customize prompts to fit their workplace humor.
4. Emoji Check-in
Category: Icebreaker | Players: 2+
A quick and creative way to check in with teammates using only emojis.
Instead of asking, “How’s everyone doing?” try letting emojis do the talking. Emoji Check-in encourages team members to describe their mood, workload, or thoughts in a fun, visual way.
Whether it’s a single emoji or a combination, this activity adds personality to virtual communication and helps teams stay connected.
How This Works
Pick a Prompt – Ask a question in Slack that teammates can answer using only emojis.
Drop Your Emoji Check-in – Everyone responds with one or more emojis that reflect their mood or situation.
React and Reply – Teammates can add reactions to each other’s responses or jump into the thread with a quick follow-up.
A great way to add this into the workday is before a team meeting, at the start of the week, or even as a mid-day break.
Sample Emoji Check-in Prompts
"Describe your mood in three emojis."
"How’s your workload looking today?"
"What’s your energy level like right now?"
"Sum up your week so far in emojis."
"What’s one thing you’re looking forward to?"
A simple yet effective way to make remote communication more engaging and interactive
5. Rapid Fire Q&A
Category: Icebreaker | Players: 2+
A quick question game where players answer fun, unexpected prompts on the spot.
Rapid Fire Q&A is a high-energy activity designed to get teammates thinking quickly and sharing spontaneous responses. Each player answers a series of quick, lighthearted questions, revealing fun facts and sparking engaging conversations.
It works well at the start of meetings, as a warm-up activity, or as a way to bring more personality into remote team interactions.
How This Works
Choose a Moderator – One person asks a series of rapid-fire questions.
Set a Timer – Each player has only a few seconds to answer each question.
Go Around the Group – Responses can be given in chat or out loud during a call.
Players can take turns answering, or the moderator can call on random teammates to keep the energy up.
Sample Rapid Fire Q&A Questions
"What’s your go-to work snack?"
"If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"
"What was your first job?"
"What’s the last thing you watched on TV?"
"If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?"
This activity adds excitement to any virtual meeting and encourages teammates to share fun personal insights in a relaxed way.
Brain-Boosting Word and Puzzle Games
Mental challenges are a great way to keep teams engaged while improving problem-solving skills. These games encourage creativity, quick thinking, and friendly competition.
Whether your team enjoys word challenges, trivia, or visual puzzles, these activities will keep everyone sharp while having fun.
6. Wordsmith
Category: Word Game | Players: 2+
A creative word challenge where players build words from a seven-letter set.
Wordsmith is the perfect game for teams who enjoy a mix of competition and quick thinking. Players race against the clock to form as many words as possible using a given set of seven letters.
The longer and more unique the words, the higher the score. It helps improve vocabulary, encourages problem-solving, and adds an energizing break to the workday.
How This Works
Add Braid to Slack – Visit Braid's website, add Braid to your Slack workspace, and grant necessary permissions.
Start a Game – Use the /braid command in Slack or go to Braid’s game library to launch "Wordsmith."
Choose a Channel – Select the Slack channel where the game will be played.
Play the Game – Braid provides a random set of seven letters, and players must form as many words as possible before time runs out.
Compare Scores – Once time is up, Braid tallies the scores based on word length and uniqueness. The player with the highest score wins.
It is quick, engaging, and an excellent way to add a fun mental challenge to the workday.
Sample Wordsmith Round
Given letters: T, R, A, I, N, S, E
Possible words: Train, Strain, Stain, Rain, Rise, Air, Tin, Art
Players must think fast and come up with as many words as possible before time runs out.
Perfect for remote teams looking for a quick way to test their word skills, challenge their minds, and bring some friendly competition into the workday. It’s also a great way to uncover surprising strengths—who knew your teammate could come up with ten words in seconds?
7. Trivia
Category: Knowledge Challenge | Players: 2+
A competitive quiz game where players answer trivia questions across different categories.
Trivia is a fun and engaging way to test knowledge, encourage teamwork, and create friendly competition.
With a variety of question categories, from general knowledge to pop culture, this game keeps everyone on their toes. The faster and more accurate the answers, the higher the score.
How This Works
Add Braid to Slack – Visit Braid's website, add Braid to your Slack workspace, and grant necessary permissions.
Start a Game – Use the /braid command in Slack or go to Braid’s game library to launch "Trivia."
Choose a Channel – Select the Slack channel where the game will be played.
Answer Trivia Questions – Players compete by responding to a series of trivia questions as quickly and accurately as possible.
Compare Scores – Once all questions are answered, Braid tallies the points and announces the winner.
It is a great way to challenge your team’s knowledge while adding an element of excitement to the workday.
Sample Trivia Questions
Mount Everest is the right answer!
Trivia is an excellent way to test knowledge, spark conversations, and bring out team members’ competitive sides. Whether played as a quick break or a full-length game, it’s a fun way to learn new facts while enjoying some friendly rivalry.
8. Online Escape Room
Category: Team Challenge | Players: 3+
A problem-solving adventure where teams work together to solve puzzles and escape within a time limit.
Online Escape Rooms bring the excitement of traditional escape games to virtual teams. Players must collaborate, think critically, and solve a series of challenges to "escape" before time runs out.
It strengthens teamwork, communication, and creative thinking while providing a thrilling break from daily tasks.
How This Works
Choose an Online Escape Room – Select a virtual escape room from an online platform. Some options include pre-designed scenarios, while others let teams create their own.
Form Teams – Divide into small groups and assign a captain to track progress.
Solve Puzzles Together – Work through riddles, logic problems, and hidden clues to advance in the game.
Beat the Clock – Teams must escape before time runs out, making fast decision-making essential.
Escape rooms can be played in real-time over video calls or through text-based puzzle-solving platforms.
Sample Online Escape Room Themes
Mystery Mansion – Solve a crime and escape before the culprit returns.
Lost in Space – Fix a broken spaceship before it crashes.
Treasure Hunt – Follow hidden clues to unlock a legendary treasure.
Time Travel Mission – Complete challenges across different eras to return to the present.
Spy Challenge – Decode encrypted messages and stop a cyber attack.
This activity is ideal for teams that love puzzles, challenges, and high-energy collaboration.
9. Riddle Relay
Category: Brain Teaser | Players: 3+
A fun and engaging game where teammates solve a series of riddles in a relay-style challenge.
Riddle Relay is a great way to test problem-solving skills while keeping things light and interactive. Each player or team receives a riddle, and once they solve it, the next riddle is passed to another participant.
The game continues until all riddles are solved or time runs out. This activity encourages teamwork, creative thinking, and quick reasoning.
How This Works
Choose a Moderator – One person manages the game and sends riddles to participants.
Assign Teams or Individuals – The game can be played as a team challenge or as an individual competition.
Solve Riddles in Sequence – The first player or team must solve their riddle before passing the next one along.
Complete the Relay – The goal is to solve all riddles in the shortest time possible.
Teams can collaborate in Slack threads or video calls, making it an interactive experience.
Sample Riddles for Riddle Relay
"The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?" (Answer: Footsteps)
"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?" (Answer: An echo)
"I am always running but never move. What am I?" (Answer: A clock)
"What has to be broken before you can use it?" (Answer: An egg)
"I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?" (Answer: A map)
It works well as a standalone activity or as part of a larger team-building session.
10. Scattergories Online
Category: Word Game | Players: 2+
A fast-thinking word game where players must come up with unique answers that fit a specific category and start with a given letter.
Scattergories Online is a great way to challenge creativity and quick thinking while having fun with the team. Players compete to generate words that fit the category before time runs out.
The catch? No duplicate answers—only unique words earn points.
How This Works
Pick a Game Platform – Use an online Scattergories generator or manually set categories and letters in Slack.
Choose a Letter – A random letter is assigned to all players at the start of the round.
List Your Words – Players must think of words that fit each category while starting with the given letter.
Compare Answers – If two players submit the same word, it gets crossed out. Only unique answers earn points.
Tally the Scores – The player with the most unique and valid answers wins.
Scattergories can be played through Slack messages or on video calls, making it a flexible and engaging activity.
Sample Scattergories Round
Letter: S
Animal: Snake
Movie title: Star Wars
Food: Strawberry
Office item: Stapler
City: San Francisco
The more unique the words, the higher the score.
Creative and Collaborative Activities
These activities encourage teamwork, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking. Whether solving puzzles, telling stories, or designing something unique, they help teams connect in a fun and engaging way.
11. Picture Puzzle
Category: Puzzle Challenge | Players: 2+
A visual brain teaser where players race to solve an image-based puzzle as quickly as possible.
Picture Puzzle is a fun and engaging game that challenges players to reassemble a scrambled image. Whether it’s a scenic view, a famous landmark, or a random object, teams must work against the clock to put the pieces together.
It can boost problem-solving skills while adding an element of friendly competition to the workday.
How This Works
Add Braid to Slack – Visit Braid's website, add Braid to your Slack workspace, and grant necessary permissions.
Start a Game – Use the /braid command in Slack or go to Braid’s game library to launch "Picture Puzzle."
Choose a Channel – Select the Slack channel where the game will be played.
Solve the Puzzle – Players receive a scrambled image and must arrange the pieces correctly.
Compare Scores – Braid tracks the time taken to solve the puzzle and ranks players accordingly.
It is a great way to take a mental break while keeping the brain engaged.
Sample Picture Puzzle Challenge
Puzzle theme: Nature
Image type: A mountain landscape
Time to solve: 45 seconds
Players race to reconstruct the image, testing both speed and attention to detail.
This game is perfect for remote teams looking for a quick way to challenge their problem-solving skills, take a break from routine tasks, and enjoy a collaborative team-building activity.
12. Virtual Pictionary
Category: Drawing Game | Players: 3+
A fun and interactive game where players take turns drawing while their teammates try to guess the word or phrase.
Virtual Pictionary brings creativity and teamwork together in a fast-paced guessing game. One player draws an assigned word while others race to guess it as quickly as possible.
It is a great way to encourage laughter, quick thinking, and lighthearted competition among remote teams.
How This Works
Choose a Platform – Use an online whiteboard tool (like Skribbl.io, Drawasaurus, or Zoom’s whiteboard) or a Slack-integrated drawing bot.
Assign a Drawer – One player is selected to draw while the rest of the team guesses.
Start Drawing – The drawer illustrates a word or phrase without using letters or numbers.
Guess the Word – Teammates submit their guesses in Slack or a video call chat.
Award Points – The first correct guess wins, and a new drawer is chosen for the next round.
It works well in both small and large teams, and rounds can be adjusted based on time availability.
Sample Virtual Pictionary Prompts
Simple: Sun, Tree, Laptop, Coffee, Book
Medium: Airplane, Guitar, Lighthouse, Volcano, Pizza
Challenging: Time Travel, Brainstorming, Office Politics, Remote Work, Team Bonding
The more creative the drawings, the more fun the guessing becomes.
13. Story Building
Category: Creative Collaboration | Players: 3+
A team-driven storytelling game where each player adds to a growing story, one sentence at a time.
Story Building is a fun and imaginative way to bring teams together. Players take turns contributing to a shared story, creating unexpected twists and hilarious outcomes.
Whether the story ends in a mystery, adventure, or comedy, the collaborative process strengthens teamwork and encourages creative thinking.
How This Works
Set a Theme – Choose a starting prompt or let the first player create one.
Take Turns Adding Sentences – Each player adds one sentence to continue the story.
Keep the Momentum Going – The story builds in Slack or during a video call, with each person contributing without planning ahead.
Wrap It Up – After a set number of turns, the last player closes the story with a final sentence.
The fun comes from the unpredictable twists that happen along the way.
Sample Story Starters
"On a Monday morning, the office coffee machine mysteriously disappeared…"
"A strange email arrived in our inbox, containing only a single emoji: a rocket ship…"
"Our team just won a free vacation—but there was one catch we didn’t expect…"
"As soon as we logged into the Zoom call, we realized something wasn’t right…"
"The company chatbot suddenly gained a mind of its own and started giving very unusual advice…"
The more creative (and absurd) the sentences, the better the story turns out.
14. Caption This!
Category: Creative Challenge | Players: 2+
A lighthearted game where players come up with the funniest, most creative captions for an image.
Caption This! is a quick and fun way to encourage creativity and humor within a remote team. One player shares an image, and the rest of the team competes to come up with the best caption.
Whether it’s a workplace-related meme or a completely random picture, this game sparks laughter and friendly competition.
How This Works
Choose an Image – A moderator or any team member posts an image in Slack.
Write a Caption – Players submit their funniest or most clever caption in the thread.
Vote for the Best Caption – Teammates react with emojis to vote on their favorites, or a moderator picks the winner.
It can be played as a one-time activity or as a recurring challenge, with different themes each time.
Sample Image Ideas for Caption This!
A cat sitting on a laptop with a serious expression
A person staring blankly at a screen during a virtual meeting
A dog wearing sunglasses and sitting at a desk
A chaotic home office setup with pets and kids in the background
A robot typing on a keyboard
The best captions are often the most unexpected, making this a great way to add humor to the workday.
15. DIY Virtual Background Contest
Category: Creative Challenge | Players: 2+
A fun and engaging competition where team members create their own virtual backgrounds to showcase during a video call.
DIY Virtual Background Contest is a creative way to add personality to virtual meetings. Players design and use their own custom backgrounds, whether funny, themed, or personalized.
It encourages creativity, sparks conversation, and makes routine calls more engaging.
How This Works
Set a Theme – Choose a category, such as “Most Creative Office,” “Dream Vacation,” or “Silliest Background.”
Create a Virtual Background – Players design or find an image that fits the theme.
Showcase Your Background – Everyone joins the video call with their custom background.
Vote for the Best One – Teammates react with emojis, or the host picks a winner.
This activity works well for both casual team calls and special events like holiday meetings.
Sample Virtual Background Themes
Your dream office setup
A movie scene you’d like to be in
A completely unrealistic Zoom call (aliens, talking pets, etc.)
The “perfect” remote work environment
A throwback to a funny team moment
The more creative the background, the better the reactions.
Fast-Paced Team Competitions
These high-energy games are perfect for teams who enjoy a bit of friendly competition. Designed to be quick, engaging, and exciting, these activities bring out the competitive spirit while strengthening teamwork and problem-solving skills.
16. Typing Test
Category: Speed Challenge | Players: 1+
A quick game where players race to type a given sentence as quickly and accurately as possible.
Typing Test is a fun and competitive game that challenges players to test their typing speed under pressure. The goal is simple—type the given phrase as fast as possible with minimal errors.
It is great for warming up before a meeting, sharpening typing skills, or just adding a quick dose of excitement to the workday.
How This Works
Add Braid to Slack – Visit Braid's website, add Braid to your Slack workspace, and grant necessary permissions.
Start a Game – Use the /braid command in Slack or go to Braid’s game library to launch "Typing Test."
Choose a Channel – Select the Slack channel where the game will be played.
Play the Game – Players will be given a short sentence to type as quickly and accurately as possible.
Compare Scores – Once all players have finished, Braid calculates typing speed and accuracy, then ranks the players.
It is quick, engaging, and a great way to bring energy to a remote team.
Sample Typing Test Challenge
Example results:
Alice: 72 WPM, 98% accuracy
James: 65 WPM, 100% accuracy
Maria: 80 WPM, 92% accuracy
Players can see who types the fastest while maintaining accuracy.
It is perfect for remote teams looking for a quick way to boost engagement, challenge their typing skills, and inject a bit of friendly competition into the workday.
17. Word Link
Category: Word Game | Players: 2-10+
A fast-thinking word game where players link words together using the first and last letters.
Word Link is a fun and engaging challenge that tests vocabulary skills and quick thinking. Each player must enter a word that starts with the last letter of the previous word.
The longer the word, the more points you earn. Keep the chain going, avoid mistakes, and outscore your competition. How far can your team go before someone breaks the link?
How This Works
Add Braid to Slack – Visit Braid's website, add Braid to your Slack workspace, and grant necessary permissions.
Start a Game – Use the /braid command in Slack or go to Braid’s game library to launch "Word Link."
Choose a Channel – Select the Slack channel where the game will be played.
Play the Game – Braid provides a starting word, and each player must submit a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word.
Complete the Chain – The game continues until all players have contributed or until no valid words can be found.
It is fast, fun, and a great way to get teams thinking creatively.
Sample Word Link Round
Starting word: Coffee
Word chain: CoffeE ➡️ ElephanT➡️ Tiger ➡️ RainboW ➡️ WindoW ➡️ WaX
Each new word must start with the last letter of the previous word.
It’s a great way to test vocabulary skills—who knew your teammate would get stuck trying to find a word that starts with "X"?
18. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Category: Team Challenge | Players: 2+
An interactive game where players race to find specific items in their home or workspace.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt is a high-energy activity that gets remote teams moving. Players receive a list of items to find within a time limit and must return to their screen to show their findings.
The first person to collect all the items—or the one with the most items when time runs out—wins.
It is a great way to break up long meetings, encourage creativity, and add an element of friendly competition.
How This Works
Pick a Host – One person serves as the moderator and provides a list of items.
Set a Timer – Players have a limited time (e.g., 60 seconds) to find as many items as possible.
Show and Tell – Each player returns to their screen and holds up the items they collected.
Declare a Winner – The person who finds all or the most items within the time limit wins.
For added fun, players can share a quick story about the most unusual or unexpected item they found.
Sample Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Find something blue
Grab a book with more than 200 pages
Show an item that represents your hobby
Find something that starts with the letter "T"
Bring back the weirdest object on your desk
The best scavenger hunts involve creative prompts that make players think outside the box.
Keep Your Remote Team Engaged with Fun Activities
Building strong connections in a remote team doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right mix of icebreakers, word games, creative challenges, and friendly competitions, you can keep your team engaged, motivated, and collaborating effectively—no matter where they are.
With Braid’s team-building games and activities built right into Slack (and soon-to-be Microsoft Teams), you can turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection.
Whether it’s a quick game before a meeting or a dedicated team-building session, activities like This or That, Wordsmith, Picture Puzzle, and Trivia make virtual teamwork more interactive and enjoyable.
Ready to make remote work more engaging? Schedule a demo today!
FAQs About Team Building Remote Activities
What are some fun virtual team-building activities?
There are plenty of engaging remote team building activities to keep teams connected and energized. Some favorites include:
Trivia games – Compete in a friendly knowledge challenge.
Virtual escape rooms – Solve puzzles together to "break out."
This or That – A quick game of preferences to spark conversations.
Wordsmith – A fast-paced word association game for quick thinking.
Picture Puzzle – Work together to piece an image back together.
Typing Test – A fun speed challenge to see who types the fastest.
Using Braid’s Slack games makes team bonding easy, allowing remote employees to engage in virtual team building games right inside their workspace.
How do you team-build while working remotely?
Remote team building happens through intentional activities that bring people together, even when they’re working apart. Here’s how to make it work:
Schedule recurring team check-ins to create space for casual conversations.
Play quick icebreaker games before meetings to help remote team members feel connected.
Use Braid’s Slack games to add virtual team building games directly into daily workflows.
Plan virtual social events like happy hours, game nights, or collaborative challenges.
Encourage peer recognition so other team members celebrate each other’s contributions.
The key is consistency—small efforts over time make a big impact on keeping your entire team engaged.
What are five team-building activities?
If you're looking for a quick list, here are five great remote team building activities:
Wordsmith – A word chain game that challenges quick thinking.
This or That – Fun, quickfire preference questions for remote workers to bond.
Typing Test – Compete to see who types the fastest in Slack.
Story Chain – Build a story together one sentence at a time.
GIF Reactions – Respond to prompts using only GIFs.
Each activity encourages interaction, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition.
What is the ABC game for virtual meetings?
The ABC game is a quick-thinking challenge where players take turns saying words that start with each letter of the alphabet in order. It can be played in different ways:
Themed ABC Game – Choose a category (e.g., movies, food, work-related terms) and go through the alphabet with relevant words.
Storytelling ABCs – Build a story where each sentence starts with the next letter.
Rapid Fire ABCs – Set a timer and see how fast the entire team can get through the alphabet.
It is a great way to boost creativity and engagement during virtual meetings.
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