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Team Building & Retreats tips
Published on
June 24, 2025
22 Amazing Team-Building Activities for Conference Calls That Actually Work
Enough with team calls filled with awkward silence every time someone asks how everyone's doing. Yeah, you've been there and so have we.
At TeamOut, we know the uncomfortable truth: 25% of remote employees say they feel lonely, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2025 report. Additionally, only 28% of exclusively remote workers feel connected to their organization’s mission and purpose, the lowest percentage since 2011. It's time to look at these stats with full attention: icebreakers aren't cutting it anymore. When your team exists primarily through screens, building connections requires a completely different playbook.
But here's what most people don't realize—conference calls can be more effective for team building than in-person meetings when you know what you're doing. You just need virtual team-building activities designed for the virtual environment, not faulty adaptations of office games.
After helping hundreds of organizations transform their virtual team dynamics, we've discovered something fascinating: the best conference call team-building activities leverage the advantages of digital platforms while addressing the specific challenges of remote collaboration.
In this guide, you'll discover 22 battle-tested activities that work in virtual settings. These are strategies that have helped teams across industries build stronger connections, improve communication, and yes, even have fun during their conference calls.
Why Team Building Activities Matter More Than Ever for Remote Teams
The Hidden Cost of Virtual Disconnection
Remote work has fundamentally changed how teams operate, but most organizations are still figuring out the human element. When MIT researchers studied virtual team performance, they found something striking: teams that engaged in structured virtual bonding activities showed 34% better cross-departmental collaboration compared to those that didn't.
The science behind this is pretty fascinating. Virtual interactions trigger different neurological responses than face-to-face meetings. Without physical presence cues, your brain works harder to process social information, leading to what researchers call "virtual fatigue." But here's the interesting part—when virtual interactions include purposeful engagement activities, they can stimulate oxytocin production (the bonding hormone) more effectively than passive in-person meetings.
The Business Impact You Can't Ignore
Let's talk numbers for a second. Organizations with engaged remote teams experience:
23% increase in profitability compared to teams with low engagement (Gallup, 2023)
41% reduction in absenteeism and sick days (Gallup, 2023)
Companies that implement regular virtual team building see an increase in their ROI, primarily through improved productivity and reduced hiring costs.
Breaking Through the Screen Barrier
The challenge isn't that virtual team building doesn't work, but the fact that most people are doing it wrong. Traditional team-building activities were designed for physical spaces. Virtual team building requires understanding the psychology of digital interaction.
When you're looking at someone through a screen, your brain processes that differently than face-to-face interaction. Eye contact works differently. Body language is limited. Background distractions compete for attention. But virtual environments also offer advantages: everyone gets equal "screen time", introverted team members often participate more freely, and you can leverage digital tools in ways that aren't possible in physical meetings.
The key is designing activities that work with these virtual dynamics, not against them.
Creative & Collaborative Experiences
These team-building activities focus on unleashing creativity and encouraging team members to work together on shared projects or storytelling during conference calls. They help remote teams build stronger connections, foster team bonding, and spark new ideas that enhance company culture.
1. Virtual Story Building Chain
The Virtual Story Building Chain is a fun team-building activity for conference calls where team members create a story together, but each person only sees the last few lines added. It sparks creativity, encourages team collaboration, and always leads to laughter as the final story is read aloud, enhancing team spirit and break down silos between departments.
Step-by-Step:
The team leader shares a story prompt with the entire group on the video conference call.
The first team member adds 2-3 sentences and privately sends their part to the next person.
Each subsequent group member only sees the previous contribution and adds their own 2-3 sentences.
At the end, the entire story is read out loud to the team
Group Size: 4-15 participants
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Materials Needed: Shared document or chat function
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing capability
Key Skills Developed: Creative thinking, active listening, adaptability
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building activity for conference calls enhances creativity and communication skills while fostering a fun and collaborative team spirit.
2. Digital Vision Board Creation
This virtual team-building activity channels your team's aspirations into a shared digital vision board, helping align individual and team goals. Team members add images and words to a digital whiteboard, sparking discussion and revealing unexpected connections that boost team cohesion and company culture.
Step-by-Step:
Divide a digital whiteboard into sections for "Team Goals," "Individual Aspirations," "Company Vision," and "Fun Stuff."
Each team member spends a few minutes adding images, words, or drawings to each section.
The entire team discusses the contributions and explores connections between personal and team objectives.
Save the vision board to revisit and update in future team meetings.
Group Size: 6-20 participants
Duration: 25-30 minutes
Materials Needed: Digital whiteboard (Miro, Mural, or Jamboard)
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing and annotation tools
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity aligns individual and team goals visually, strengthening team cohesion and shared purpose.
3. Virtual Time Capsule Assembly
Virtual Time Capsule Assembly is a creative remote team-building activity where team members contribute digital items representing the present moment, which are compiled and "opened" at a future team meeting. It builds team spirit, creates shared memories, and gives remote employees something to look forward to.
Step-by-Step:
Each participant shares a digital item (photo, quote, prediction, song, etc.) that represents them or the team right now.
The team leader collects all contributions and stores them in a shared digital folder or document.
Set a time limit (e.g., six months or a year) for when the time capsule will be revisited.
At the next team meeting, after the time limit, open the capsule and reflect as a group.
Group Size: 5-25 participants
Duration: 20-25 minutes
Materials Needed: Shared folder or digital platform
Platform Requirements: File sharing capability
Key Skills Developed: Reflection, future planning, team bonding
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity creates shared memories that boost team bonding and morale over time.
4. Collaborative Playlist Building
Collaborative Playlist Building is a fun activity for virtual meetings that lets team members build a playlist together, sharing songs that represent their personalities. It’s a great way to boost morale, spark conversation, and create a musical snapshot of your remote team.
Step-by-Step:
Pick a playlist theme (e.g., "Songs that motivate me" or "Music from my childhood").
Each team member adds 1-2 songs to a shared playlist and briefly explains their choices.
Play short snippets during the video conference call and let team members share their stories.
Save the playlist for future virtual happy hours or team-building events.
Group Size: 3-30 participants
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Materials Needed: Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube playlist
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing for playlist display
Key Skills Developed: Cultural awareness, personal sharing, team bonding
Why it Works for Teams: This is an excellent team-building activity that reveals personalities and builds connections through common musical interests.
5. Virtual Innovation Challenge
This Virtual Innovation Challenge is a fast-paced virtual team-building game where small groups tackle quirky challenges and present their creative solutions, building problem-solving skills and encouraging team collaboration. It’s a fun way to energize your next team meeting and see how different minds approach the same problem.
Step-by-Step:
The team leader presents a lighthearted challenge relevant to remote work or virtual meetings.
Divide the entire team into small groups and give them a time limit (e.g., 10 minutes) to brainstorm.
Each group presents its solution to the entire group in a brief pitch (1-2 minutes).
Vote for the most creative or practical idea as a fun way to wrap up the activity.
Group Size: 6-18 participants (works best in groups of 3-4)
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity encourages rapid problem solving and teamwork, energizing team collaboration.
6. Digital Escape Room Experience
A Digital Escape Room Experience is an online team-building activity that challenges your virtual team to solve interconnected puzzles, promoting team collaboration and problem-solving skills. Each puzzle requires different strengths, helping team leaders highlight the diverse talents within a cohesive team.
Step-by-Step:
Prepare a series of digital puzzles that require various skills (logic, pattern recognition, wordplay, etc.).
Divide the team into small groups and share the first clue or puzzle via the video conference call.
Teams work together to solve each puzzle, unlocking the next clue as they progress.
The first team to "escape" wins, but everyone benefits from the shared problem-solving experience.
Group Size: 4-12 participants
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Materials Needed: Pre-designed digital puzzles, shared screen
Key Skills Developed: Logical thinking, teamwork, communication under pressure
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building experience leverages diverse skills to solve puzzles, enhancing team collaboration and problem-solving.
Physical & Energizing Engagements
Designed to get team members moving, these quick team-building activities boost energy and morale, making them perfect for remote workers during long conference calls. They’re a fun way to break up the day, support wellness, and help the entire team feel recharged in just a few minutes.
7. Desk Yoga Flow Session
A Desk Yoga Flow Session is a wellness activity that combats virtual meeting fatigue by guiding the entire group through simple desk-friendly stretches. It’s a fun way to boost morale, normalize wellness, and help team members feel more alert and focused during conference calls. Remember, wellness is one of the 2025 team-building trends!
Step-by-Step:
A team member or guest instructor leads the group through basic stretches (neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, seated twists) that can be done at a desk.
Encourage everyone to participate, even if they stay seated.
After a few minutes, invite the team to share how they feel.
Use this as a recurring activity in long virtual meetings or as a mid-afternoon energy boost.
Group Size: 3-50 participants
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Materials Needed: None (just space to move arms and shoulders)
Platform Requirements: Video capability for demonstration
Key Skills Developed: Stress management, mindfulness, team wellness
Why it Works for Teams: This activityreduces virtual meeting fatigue and improves focus, supporting overall team productivity.
8. Virtual Show and Tell Challenge
A Virtual Show and Tell Challenge is a fun team-building activity that brings back the classic show and tell, encouraging team members to share personal items from their workspace that fit a chosen theme. It’s a low-pressure, engaging way for remote employees to reveal a bit of their personality and spark conversation during conference calls.
Step-by-Step:
The team leader announces a theme (e.g., “Something that makes you smile”).
Each team member has a few minutes to find an item in their workspace.
Everyone takes 60-90 seconds to show their item and share its story with the entire team.
Group Size: 4-20 participants
Duration: 15-25 minutes (depending on group size)
Materials Needed: Items from participants' immediate environment
Platform Requirements: Video capability for showing objects
Key Skills Developed: Storytelling, personal sharing, active listening
Why it Works for Teams: This is one of the best team-building activities to boost team bonding and communication skills by helping team members learn more about each other in a relaxed, fun way.
9. Energy Check-In Thermometer
This quick team-building activity uses a visual thermometer or scale to check in on team members’ energy levels, building emotional awareness and support within the virtual team. Each person shares their current energy level, a descriptive word, and one thing that would boost their mood, creating a supportive environment for remote teams.
Step-by-Step:
Display a digital thermometer or a 1-10 scale during the video call.
Each group member indicates their energy level and shares a word describing it.
Everyone suggests one thing that could help raise their energy.
Group Size: 3-25 participants
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Materials Needed: Digital thermometer, graphic or simple scale
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing or annotation tools
Key Skills Developed: Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, team empathy
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building activity improves team cohesion and emotional intelligence by encouraging open communication about well-being.
10. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are crowd pleasers, even in the online world! Turn your remote team-building event into a game by challenging team members to find and share items from their home offices based on creative prompts. This fun team-building activity gets everyone moving and sparks interesting stories behind the objects they choose.
Step-by-Step:
The team leader announces a prompt (e.g., “Find something red”).
Team members have 30 seconds to locate and show their item on camera.
Repeat for several prompts, allowing brief sharing for each item.
Group Size: 5-30 participants
Duration: 10-20 minutes
Materials Needed: Pre-prepared list of items/challenges
Platform Requirements: Video capability for showing found items
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity energizes the entire team and builds team spirit through shared laughter and personal stories.
Brain Teasers and Problem-Solving
These problem-solving team-building activities challenge team members with puzzles, logic games, and escape room challenges that develop teamwork. Ideal for remote team building, they encourage creative thinking and collaboration, helping to create a successful team.
11. Codenames Virtual Edition
This virtual team-building game adapts the popular board game for conference calls, challenging small teams to use strategic thinking and clear communication. Spymasters give one-word clues to help their teammates identify words on a shared grid, fostering teamwork and creative problem solving.
Step-by-Step:
Divide the group into two teams and assign spymasters.
Display the virtual word grid to the entire team.
Spymasters give clues while teammates work together to guess the correct words.
Group Size: 6-16 participants (ideal for 8-12)
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Materials Needed: Online Codenames platform or custom word grid
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity develops communication skills and problem-solving abilities in a fun, competitive format.
12. Virtual Trivia Tournament
A Virtual Trivia Tournament is an engaging team-building event that combines general knowledge with team-specific trivia, making it one of the best team-building games for meetings. Team members answer questions about random facts, company history, and each other, sparking friendly competition and conversation.
Step-by-Step:
Prepare trivia questions in categories like “Random Facts,” “Company History,” and “Team Member Trivia.”
Divide the group into small teams and ask questions in rounds.
Keep score and announce the winning team at the end.
Group Size: 4-50 participants
Duration: 20-35 minutes
Materials Needed: Pre-prepared questions, scoring system
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing for questions, breakout rooms for team discussions
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building game boosts morale and helps team members learn more about each other and the company.
13. Logic Puzzle Relay
Challenge your virtual team with a relay of interconnected puzzles that require different types of thinking and collaboration. Each puzzle’s solution unlocks the next, encouraging team effort and showcasing the diverse strengths of remote workers.
Step-by-Step:
Present the first puzzle to the team.
When solved, provide the next puzzle, with each solution building on the last.
Continue until all puzzles are solved, celebrating the group’s success.
Group Size: 6-15 participants
Duration: 25-35 minutes
Materials Needed: A series of related puzzles, a shared document
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building game encourages a healthy company culture while promoting teamwork by leveraging different talents.
14. Virtual Murder Mystery
On a Virtual Murder Mystery, transform your conference call into an interactive detective game where each team member plays a character with unique information. Using breakout rooms, remote employees collaborate, interrogate, and piece together clues to solve the mystery, making for a memorable team-building exercise.
Step-by-Step:
Assign character roles and distribute unique information to each participant.
Use breakout rooms for private conversations and evidence sharing.
Reconvene as a group to discuss findings and solve the mystery together.
Group Size: 6-20 participants
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Materials Needed: Character profiles, clue packets, evidence files
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building gamedevelops teamwork abilities and communication skills by requiring collaboration and strategic thinking.
15. Pattern Recognition Challenge
This fun team-building activity tests your team’s ability to spot patterns in visual, numerical, and logical sequences. Starting simple and building complexity, it encourages creative thinking and teamwork as the group works together to solve each challenge.
Step-by-Step:
Present a simple pattern to the group and ask for solutions.
Gradually introduce more complex patterns, allowing team members to collaborate.
Discuss different approaches and celebrate successful solutions.
Group Size: 4-20 participants
Duration: 15-25 minutes
Materials Needed: A series of pattern-based puzzles
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing for visual puzzles
Key Skills Developed: Analytical thinking, attention to detail, systematic reasoning
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building game enhances problem-solving skills and creative thinking while highlighting the value of diverse perspectives.
16. Virtual Word Association Web
Create a web of interconnected words to see how team members connect ideas and concepts, revealing different thinking styles within your virtual team. Starting with a central word, each person adds a related word and explains the connection, growing a unique web of associations.
Step-by-Step:
Start with a central word relevant to your team or industry.
Each team member adds a connected word and explains their reasoning.
Continue until everyone has contributed, then discuss the web as a group.
Group Size: 5-18 participants
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Materials Needed: Digital whiteboard or shared document
Key Skills Developed: Creative thinking, association skills, pattern recognition
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity improves communication skills and helps employees learn how others think and make connections.
Learning Activities for Growth
These team-building exercises focus on professional and personal development, allowing team members to share knowledge, learn from each other, and grow together. Perfect for new team members and established teams, these activities support ongoing learning and strengthen company culture.
17. Skill Share Speed Sessions
In this rapid-fire team-building event, each team member prepares a three-minute lesson on a skill, hobby, or expertise, then rotates through breakout rooms to teach and learn from others. It’s a fun way to uncover hidden talents and foster a culture of continuous learning among remote employees.
Step-by-Step:
Each participant prepares a brief lesson on a chosen topic.
Rotate through breakout rooms so everyone teaches and learns from several people.
Regroup to share highlights and favorite takeaways.
Group Size: 6-20 participants
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Materials Needed: Timer, optional screen sharing for demonstrations
Platform Requirements: Breakout rooms for small group rotations
Key Skills Developed: Teaching abilities, knowledge sharing, active learning
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity builds respect for diverse skills and encourages knowledge sharing within the team.
18. Virtual Book Club Lightning Round
This quick team-building activity lets team members recommend books and share key insights in just 90 seconds each, creating a shared reading list and sparking meaningful conversation. It’s a fun way to reveal values, interests, and thinking styles while connecting remote teams.
Step-by-Step:
Each person prepares a 90-second book recommendation and insight.
Participants share in turn, allowing for brief follow-up questions.
Compile the recommendations into a shared list for the team.
Group Size: 4-25 participants
Duration: 15-25 minutes
Materials Needed: None (just book recommendations)
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing for book covers (optional)
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building game fosters team bonding and encourages ongoing learning by sharing personal insights and interests.
19. Problem-Solving Think Tank
This team-building activity turns your conference call into a collaborative think tank, where groups tackle real or hypothetical challenges together. Using structured brainstorming, everyone contributes ideas and builds on each other's input, tapping into the diverse strengths of remote teams.
Step-by-Step:
Present a real or hypothetical challenge relevant to your team or industry.
Use a "How might we..." prompt to frame the problem for group brainstorming.
Each group member shares ideas without judgment, building on others’ suggestions.
Summarize the best solutions and discuss next steps as a team.
Group Size: 6-15 participants
Duration: 25-35 minutes
Materials Needed: Real problem scenarios, digital whiteboard
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing, breakout rooms for small group work
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building gamedevelops problem-solving skills and values every team member’s perspective, strengthening a cohesive team.
20. Virtual Mentoring Circles
A Virtual Mentoring Circle is a remote team-building activity that forms small groups for peer learning, where each person shares a challenge and receives advice from others. By rotating roles between advice-seeker and advisor, team members build meaningful connections and support professional growth.
Step-by-Step:
Divide the team into small groups for breakout sessions.
Each person shares a current challenge, while others offer input and ideas.
Rotate roles so everyone gets a turn as both mentor and mentee.
Use guiding prompts to keep conversations focused and productive.
Group Size: 6-18 participants (groups of 3-4 work best)
Duration: 20-30 minutes
Materials Needed: Structured question prompts
Platform Requirements: Breakout rooms for small group discussions
Key Skills Developed: Mentoring, active listening, professional development
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building activity boosts team bonding and creates a supportive company culture through shared learning and mentoring.
Just for Fun Activities
These remote team-building activities and online games are all about having fun, building camaraderie, and letting team members relax together during conference calls or virtual happy hours. They’re a great way to boost team spirit, encourage laughter, and create memorable moments for remote teams.
21. Virtual Game Show Extravaganza
Turn your next team meeting into a standout team-building event with a virtual game show featuring multiple rounds of fun games and challenges. Include categories like office trivia, creative tasks, and team games to keep everyone engaged and entertained.
Step-by-Step:
Prepare several game rounds (trivia, creative challenges, team tasks) and assign a host.
Divide the group into small teams or play individually, depending on the round.
Keep score, encourage audience participation, and award virtual prizes for extra fun.
Group Size: 8-30 participants
Duration: 25-40 minutes
Materials Needed: Game questions, scoring system, virtual "prizes"
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing, breakout rooms for team challenges
Key Skills Developed: Quick thinking, teamwork, and entertainment skills
Why it Works for Teams: This virtual team-building activity boosts morale and team spirit by combining friendly competition with shared laughter and fun.
22. Personality Assessment Party
This team-building exercise invites team members to take a personality assessment and discuss the results together. The conversation reveals work styles and preferences, helping remote workers understand and appreciate each other’s differences
Step-by-Step:
Choose a fun personality assessment and have everyone complete it before the meeting.
Share and discuss results as a group, focusing on how different styles contribute to the team.
Encourage team members to share insights or “aha” moments about themselves and others.
Platform Requirements: Screen sharing for results discussion
Key Skills Developed: Self-awareness, team understanding, communication
Why it Works for Teams: This team-building activity improves communication skills and team cohesion by fostering understanding of diverse personalities.
Ready to Transform Your Team's Virtual Dynamics?
These 22 team-building activities represent just the beginning of what's possible when you approach virtual team building strategically. The key is starting with challenges and exercises that match your team's current comfort level and gradually building toward more complex experiences.
The goal isn't to replicate in-person experiences through a screen, but to boost valuable virtual connections that leverage the strengths of digital collaboration.
The question isn't whether virtual team building works—it's whether you're ready to do it right. At TeamOut, we have a track record of organizing over 1,000 corporate events and a satisfaction rate of 95%, making us a top choice for retreat and event planning services across multiple industries. The truth is, we take team-building to the next level and help organizations like yours create lasting connections and measurable improvements in team collaboration.
Want to take your virtual team building to the next level? Contact us today and prepare for custom virtual experiences that transform remote team dynamics. Together, we'll discover how we can help your team thrive in the digital workplace.
Thomas Mazimann, a French entrepreneur and former international kayaking athlete, transitioned from sports to tech after moving to the U.S. He co-founded TeamOut, revolutionizing team gatherings.
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