Working remotely has its perks—flexible hours, no commute, and attending meetings in comfy socks. But let’s face it: staying connected as a team isn’t always easy when everyone’s working from different locations.

This is where virtual engagement activities make a real difference. They offer simple ways for teams to bond, share laughs, and work together, no matter the distance. From quick icebreakers to creative challenges, these activities help create a sense of community while keeping the energy high.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best virtual engagement activities to strengthen team bonds and bring everyone closer—even from miles apart.

What Is Virtual Employee Engagement?

Virtual or remote employee engagement refers to the strategies and activities used to connect, motivate, and involve employees who work remotely or in hybrid environments. It’s all about building a sense of belonging and collaboration, even when teams are spread across different locations.

Unlike traditional engagement methods, virtual employee engagement focuses on building relationships through digital tools and creative activities. These could include virtual team-building games, online wellness programs, and even informal social gatherings hosted over video calls.

When employees feel engaged, they’re more productive, satisfied, and connected to their work and colleagues. Virtual engagement makes sure that remote employees don’t just function—they thrive.

Key components of virtual employee engagement include:

• Regular communication - Keeping everyone in the loop and encouraging open dialogue.

• Team bonding activities - Building connections through fun and interactive experiences.

• Recognition and appreciation - Celebrating achievements to boost morale.

• Opportunities for growth - Providing remote-friendly ways for employees to develop skills.

Why Virtual Engagement Activities Matter

Remote work offers plenty of benefits, but it also brings challenges such as loneliness, miscommunication, and disengagement, to name a few. These issues aren’t just inconvenient; they can have a big impact on team morale and company performance.

Here’s how virtual employee engagement activities address common challenges and drive results:

• Combat disengagement - Only 33% of employees in the U.S. are engaged at work, leaving a significant 67% either disengaged or actively disengaged. Virtual engagement activities provide opportunities for meaningful connection, helping employees feel more involved and valued.

• Improve productivity - Engaged employees contribute to an 18% increase in productivity, showing that building engagement isn’t just good for morale—it’s great for business.

• Boost team morale - Fun, shared experiences show employees they’re appreciated, which matters because 69% of employees say they’d work harder if their efforts were recognized.

• Increase retention - Highly engaged employees are 87% less likely to leave their employer voluntarily, reducing turnover and preserving team continuity.

• Prevent costly disengagement - Disengaged employees cost companies $3,400 for every $10,000 in salary due to reduced productivity. When you strengthen employee engagement through interactive activities, organizations can offset these losses.

Virtual team building activities help teams stay connected and motivated, creating a positive ripple effect across the organization. For remote workers, these activities aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential for building trust, strengthening relationships, and driving success.

Top Virtual Engagement Activities for Team Bonding

Virtual engagement activities can be both fun and effective, helping teams connect and collaborate from anywhere. Here are some of the best activities to energize your remote team:

Icebreaker Activities

Icebreakers are a great way to warm up a virtual meeting and set a positive tone. These activities are quick and simple, and encourage team members to interact in fun and meaningful ways:

1. Two Truths and a Lie

This classic game is a favorite for a reason—it’s fun, easy to play, and perfect for getting to know your team better. Each participant takes turns sharing three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one that’s a lie. The rest of the team guesses which statement is false. 

It’s surprising how many hidden talents, quirky hobbies, or unique experiences are revealed during this game. Plus, it encourages everyone to think creatively about their statements and sparks engaging conversations.

2. Virtual Scavenger Hunt

A virtual scavenger hunt is a fast and entertaining way to energize your team. Before the meeting, prepare a list of common household items or fun prompts (like “something that makes you smile” or “an item from your childhood”). During the game, participants race against the clock to find and present these items on camera. 

The scavenger hunt encourages movement, adds an element of friendly competition, and gives team members a glimpse into each other’s personalities and environments.

3. Emoji Introductions

If you’re short on time, emoji introductions are a quick and lighthearted icebreaker. Ask team members to describe their current mood, highlight a recent activity, or even summarize their weekend using only emojis in the chat.

For example, someone might use 🏞️🍕🎮 to share that they went hiking, ate pizza, and played video games. The creativity required to convey meaning through emojis leads to some fun and unexpected insights, making it an instant conversation starter.

4. Would You Rather Questions

"Would You Rather" is a simple and entertaining game that can spark debates and laughter. Prepare a list of funny or thought-provoking questions, such as, "Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible?" or "Would you rather never use social media again or never watch TV?"

Each participant picks their answer and explains their choice. It’s a great way to highlight different personalities and get people chatting without requiring too much effort or preparation.

5. Guess the Workspace

For a team-specific icebreaker, try “Guess the Workspace.” Ask team members to take a photo of their current workstation (or a corner of it) and send it to the meeting host before the session.

During the game, the host shares the pictures one by one, and the group guesses whose workspace it is. This activity is fun, insightful, and gives everyone a peek into each other’s remote setups.

Collaborative Online Games

Collaborative online office games are perfect for establishing teamwork and problem-solving in a remote environment. These activities bring people together to achieve shared goals while keeping things fun and engaging.

6. Virtual Escape Rooms

Virtual escape rooms challenge your team to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and work together to “escape” within a set time limit. Choose from a variety of themes, such as haunted houses, space missions, or ancient temples.

Each participant brings their unique problem-solving skills to the table, making it a fantastic way to encourage collaboration and creative thinking. Many platforms, like The Escape Game or Escape Room Anywhere, offer easy-to-access virtual options that accommodate teams of all sizes.

7. Braid’s Wordsmith Game

If your team uses Slack, Braid’s Wordsmith game is an excellent option for combining fun and collaboration. Players work together to form words from a set of letters under a time limit, encouraging quick thinking and teamwork. 

The simplicity of playing directly in Slack means no need for additional tools—just a fun, low-barrier way to engage the whole team. It’s ideal for short breaks or energizing a meeting.

8. Pictionary or Skribbl.io

Pictionary is a timeless classic, and platforms like Skribbl.io make it easy to play online. In this game, participants take turns drawing prompts while others try to guess what they’re illustrating.

The fast-paced nature of guessing combined with the hilarity of questionable drawing skills makes it a hit with teams. This activity supports creativity and encourages everyone to let loose, even those who might be shy in more formal settings.

9. Codenames Online

Codenames is a strategic word game that’s simple to set up and loads of fun. In this game, participants are split into two teams, each led by a “spymaster.” The spymaster gives one-word clues to help their team guess words on a shared board while avoiding the “assassin” word. 

This game is a great way to sharpen communication skills and encourage strategic thinking in a team setting. Codenames is available online for free, making it an accessible option for any team.

Wellness-Focused Activities

Wellness-focused activities help remote teams prioritize their mental and physical health, which is crucial for staying engaged and productive. These activities provide a refreshing break from work and encourage healthier habits for individuals and teams.

10. Guided Meditation Sessions

Guided meditation sessions are a great way to help your team relax and refocus. These sessions can be as short as 5–10 minutes and are led by a professional or through free online resources like Headspace or Insight Timer.

Meditation helps reduce stress, improve focus, and promote a sense of calm—essential for employees juggling deadlines and personal responsibilities. Schedule these sessions during midweek to help your team recharge and stay motivated.

11. Step Challenges

Step challenges encourage your team to stay active by tracking their daily or weekly steps. Use fitness apps like Fitbit, Google Fit, or Pacer to set goals and monitor progress. You can even make it competitive by awarding prizes to those who hit the highest step count or achieve milestones.

Step challenges improve physical health and create friendly competition and camaraderie among team members.

12. Desk Yoga Sessions

Desk yoga is perfect for remote workers who spend hours at their desks. These sessions focus on gentle stretches and postures that relieve tension in the neck, shoulders, and back.

A certified yoga instructor can guide the team via Zoom, or you can use YouTube videos for self-led sessions. It’s an easy and accessible way to keep the team feeling refreshed and energized throughout the day.

13. Virtual Wellness Workshops

Host wellness workshops that focus on topics like nutrition, mental health, or mindfulness. Invite experts to share practical tips on maintaining healthy habits while working remotely.

For example, a workshop on meal prepping can teach employees how to prepare healthy, balanced meals for their workday.

These workshops provide actionable insights while showing that your organization values employee well-being.

14. Fitness Challenges

Fitness challenges can include anything from online workout classes to push-ups or plank competitions. Choose challenges that are inclusive and can be scaled to different fitness levels.

Platforms like Zoom or Google Meet can be used to host group workout sessions, making it a fun and motivating activity for the team.

15. Mindfulness Breaks

Encourage short mindfulness breaks during the workday, where team members take 5–10 minutes to step away from their screens and focus on deep breathing or gratitude journaling.

Simple practices like these help reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote overall well-being.

Regular mindfulness breaks can be integrated into daily routines or scheduled before high-stakes meetings to help everyone stay calm and centered.

Social and Creative Events

Social and creative events are perfect for building connections and giving team members a chance to share their personalities and interests. These activities add a fun, human touch to remote work, supporting a sense of community.

16. Virtual Show-and-Tell

This activity is a great way to let team members share more about themselves. Each participant takes a few minutes to present something meaningful—like a favorite book, a hobby, or even a recent travel experience.

Not only does this activity encourage self-expression, but it also opens the door to discovering shared interests among colleagues and strengthening personal connections.

17. Trivia Night

Trivia nights are always a crowd-pleaser. Choose themes like pop culture, history, or even inside jokes from your workplace. Platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz make it easy to organize virtual quizzes.

Split the team into groups or let individuals compete for bragging rights (or small prizes). It’s a lively, interactive way to energize the team and add some friendly competition to the mix.

18. Online Cooking Classes

Food has a unique way of bringing people together—even virtually. Organize an online cooking class where a chef teaches your team how to prepare a specific dish.

Alternatively, choose a recipe that everyone can cook at the same time, then share the results on camera. It’s a creative, hands-on activity that sparks conversations and leaves everyone with a tasty reward.

19. Virtual Talent Show

Give your team the spotlight to showcase their talents! From singing and dancing to showcasing art or magic tricks, this event lets team members shine and celebrate each other’s unique skills.

It’s a fun, lighthearted way to connect and appreciate the diversity within your team. Encourage participation by keeping the atmosphere relaxed and supportive.

20. Themed Virtual Parties

Turn a regular meeting into a themed virtual party! Whether it’s a “Decades Night,” a tropical beach theme, or even a costume contest, themed parties give everyone an excuse to dress up and have fun.

Incorporate games, music, and even themed backgrounds to make it more immersive. These events are great for boosting morale and breaking the routine.

21. Collaborative Art Sessions

Bring out the inner artist in your team with a virtual painting or drawing session. Hire an instructor or choose a step-by-step tutorial to follow.

Platforms like Zoom allow everyone to share their progress in real time. This activity not only taps into creativity but also encourages teamwork, especially if the session involves a collaborative group art project.

22. Book or Movie Clubs

Start a virtual book or movie club where the team selects a book or film to discuss together. These sessions can be held monthly and are an excellent way to spark engaging conversations while exploring shared interests.

Choose themes or rotate who picks the book or movie to keep things fresh and inclusive.

23. Pet Meet-and-Greets

If your team loves pets, dedicate a session to showing off furry (or not-so-furry) friends. Let team members introduce their pets on camera, share funny stories, and exchange tips. 

This simple activity brings lots of smiles and lightheartedness to the workday while celebrating a shared love of animals.

Recognition and Celebration Activities

Celebrating achievements and recognizing individual contributions is essential for keeping team morale high. These activities remind employees that their hard work is valued and help build a culture of appreciation.

24. Shout-Out Channels

Create a dedicated Slack or Microsoft Teams channel for shout-outs and recognition. Team members can use the space to acknowledge colleagues for their efforts, whether it’s meeting a deadline, helping with a project, or going the extra mile.

Encouraging peer recognition establishes a positive environment and strengthens relationships across the team.

25. Virtual Awards Night

Host a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate team achievements in a fun and engaging way. Create categories like "Best Zoom Background," "Most Creative Problem Solver," or "Speediest Email Responder."

Use slides or fun props to make the awards feel special. This lighthearted activity brings laughter while highlighting the unique qualities each team member brings to the table.

26. Milestone and Birthday Celebrations

Don’t let remote work stop you from celebrating important milestones and birthdays. Organize a virtual party complete with music, games, and even a virtual cake delivery for the honoree.

You can also send e-cards signed by the team or small gifts to make the celebration extra special. These events show employees that they’re valued beyond their work contributions.

27. "Employee of the Month" Recognition

Revamp the traditional “Employee of the Month” idea for virtual teams. Announce the honoree during a team meeting and highlight their accomplishments.

Pair the recognition with a fun prize, like a gift card or an extra day off. Publicly recognizing outstanding contributions boosts motivation and sets a positive example for others.

28. Work Anniversary Spotlights

Make work anniversaries feel special by spotlighting team members during meetings or in a company-wide email. Share a few fun facts about their journey with the team, highlight their contributions, and invite colleagues to leave messages of appreciation.

It’s a simple way to celebrate loyalty and strengthen the sense of belonging.

29. Recognition Boards

Set up a virtual board (using tools like Miro or Trello) where employees can post “kudos” or thank-you notes to their colleagues. This creates a collaborative space for recognition and makes it easy for everyone to see the positive impact of their efforts.

At the end of each month, you can showcase the messages during a team meeting.

30. Team Achievements Wall

Create a visual “wall” to track team achievements and progress over time. This could be a shared document, a slide deck, or even a Trello board.

Highlight milestones, completed projects, and personal wins to keep the team inspired and motivated. Regularly updating the wall reminds everyone of their collective success and keeps the momentum going.

31. Surprise Recognition Moments

Catch employees off guard (in a good way!) by surprising them with spontaneous recognition. During a team meeting, take a moment to shout out an individual or small group for their recent accomplishments.

These unexpected acknowledgments add an extra layer of excitement and appreciation to the workday.

How to Make Virtual Engagement Activities Successful

Planning and running virtual employee engagement ideas requires more than just picking a fun idea. For these activities to truly resonate, they need to be well-thought-out and inclusive.

Here are some tips to guarantee your engagement efforts are a success:

Know Your Team’s Preferences

Not all activities appeal to everyone, so it’s essential to understand your team’s interests. Conduct a quick survey or poll to gather insights into what they’d enjoy—be it games, wellness events, or professional skill-building.

This makes sure your activities align with their preferences, increasing participation and enthusiasm.

Set Clear Goals

Define the purpose of each activity before you begin. Are you trying to strengthen team bonds? Reduce stress? Celebrate milestones?

Clear goals help you choose the right activity and measure its success. For example, a trivia game might be great for lighthearted fun, while a collaborative challenge could focus on building teamwork.

Keep It Inclusive

Accessibility is key when planning virtual activities. Choose options that accommodate remote team members, regardless of time zones, skill levels, or personal circumstances.

For example, avoid activities that require special equipment or knowledge, and make sure the timing works for your global team. Inclusivity establishes a sense of belonging and makes everyone feel valued.

Use the Right Tools

The right tools can make or break your virtual engagement activities. Platforms like Zoom, Slack or Microsoft Teams are great for hosting, while apps like Braid integrate directly into Slack to streamline games and activities.

By using tools that are easy to access and navigate, you reduce technical frustrations and focus on having fun.

Time It Right

Timing is everything. Schedule activities during work hours to respect personal time and avoid conflicts. Keep them concise—20–30 minutes is often enough to achieve your goals without losing engagement.

Timing your activities right guarantees maximum participation and minimizes disruptions to work schedules.

Encourage Participation

Create a safe and welcoming environment where team members feel comfortable joining in. Set the tone by encouraging everyone to participate, but avoid forcing anyone who may feel uncomfortable.

Rotate leadership roles to give different team members the opportunity to host activities, promoting a sense of ownership and inclusion.

Evaluate and Improve

After each activity, ask for feedback from participants. What did they enjoy? What could be improved? Use this input to refine your future events.

Regularly evaluating your activities helps you identify what resonates with your team and keeps your engagement efforts fresh and effective.

How Braid Supports Virtual Engagement Activities

Keeping teams engaged doesn’t have to be complicated—especially with tools like Braid, a Slack-based platform designed to make virtual engagement effortless.

Whether your goal is to break the ice, strengthen team bonds, or simply add fun to the workday, Braid makes it easy to bring your team closer together.

Easy Integration with Slack

Braid is designed to make virtual engagement as effortless as possible—no new tools or steep learning curves are required. If your team already uses Slack, you’re just a couple of clicks away from getting started.

Here’s how it works:

1. Add Braid to Slack - Visit Braid’s website and click the “Add to Slack” button to connect the app to your workspace.

2. Grant access - Allow Braid to integrate with your Slack workspace. Once permissions are granted, you’re ready to start playing!

3. Set up your first game - Choose a game, select a channel, and invite your team members. That’s it—your activity is ready to go!

With Braid, there’s no need for extra apps or complex setups. Everything runs smoothly within Slack, keeping your team’s focus on fun and collaboration. Even if you’ve never used a virtual engagement tool before, Braid makes the process easy and intuitive.

Engaging Games Your Team Will Love

Braid offers a variety of virtual employee engagement games that cater to different team dynamics, making it easy to find something everyone will enjoy.

Wordsmith

Collaborate with your team to build as many words as possible from a set of seven letters. Bonus points for using all seven! This quick word game promotes creativity and teamwork while leveling up from Apprentice to Grandmaster.

Typing Test

Think you’ve got the fastest fingers? Race against your teammates to type a given text with speed and accuracy. You’ll be scored on words per minute, accuracy, and completion rate. The ultimate typing champion awaits!

Picture Puzzle

Solve visual puzzles with your team! Players receive an image and a category hint, and the goal is to guess the phrase with the fewest guesses. This brainteaser combines fun and teamwork for a lighthearted challenge.

Word Link

Take turns linking words based on their first and last letters. The longer the word, the more points you earn. For example: ApplE ➡️ EaR ➡️ RockeT ➡️ TokeN. See how long your team can keep the chain alive!

This or That

Spark lively debates with this quirky icebreaker game. Players choose between two options, like Beer or Wine and Sweet or Salty, and compare results to learn more about their teammates.

Setting up these games is quick and hassle-free:

1. Choose a game - Select from Wordsmith, Typing Test, Picture Puzzle, Word Link, or This or That.

2. Pick a channel - Decide where your team will play.

3. Set preferences - Configure team sizes, time limits, or number of turns based on the game.

4. Start playing - Watch your team engage, compete, and have fun!

Affordable Pricing for Teams of Any Size

Braid is designed to be accessible for teams of all sizes, with pricing options that fit different needs:

• Free Plan - Ideal for small teams looking to explore Braid’s features at no cost.

• Premium Plan - For just $3 per user per month, organizations can unlock advanced features and customization options—making it a budget-friendly choice for larger teams.

• Enterprise Plan - Suitable for more than 1,000 users; includes custom game development, dedicated support, and priority feature requests.

Virtual Team Bonding Made Easy and Fun with Braid

Virtual engagement activities are more than just a way to have fun—they’re essential for keeping remote teams connected, motivated, and productive. Incorporating creative games, wellness activities, and opportunities for recognition promotes stronger relationships and builds a sense of community, even when your team is miles apart.

With tools like Braid, hosting these activities becomes simple and seamless. Whether you’re planning a quick icebreaker, a team-building game, or a fun social event, Braid’s Slack-based platform offers everything you need to engage your team effortlessly.

Make virtual team bonding simple and enjoyable with Braid. Schedule a demo today and watch your team thrive, no matter where they are.

FAQs About Virtual Engagement Activities

How do you engage employees virtually in a fun way?

Engaging remote employees virtually can be both simple and enjoyable. Incorporate activities like icebreakers, team games, or wellness-focused challenges to keep things lively. Tools like Braid make it easy to boost employee engagement with games that encourage collaboration, creativity, and fun—all directly within Slack.

What does “virtually engaged” mean?

Being "virtually engaged" refers to employees feeling connected, motivated, and involved in their work and team despite working remotely. Virtual engagement activities, such as team-building games, recognition programs, and collaborative challenges, help remote workers stay engaged and improve employee engagement across the board.

How do you make remote workers feel included?

Making remote workers feel included starts with promoting open communication, recognizing contributions, and organizing activities that bring the team together. Use tools like Braid to engage remote employees with interactive games and shared experiences, creating a sense of belonging no matter where they are.