9 Innovative Team-Building Games That Work for Both In-Person and Virtual Teams

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective teamwork is the backbone of any successful organization. Whether your team is gathered around a conference table or scattered across the globe, creating a sense of camaraderie and collaboration is key to boosting productivity, morale, and creativity. This is where team-building activities come in.

At TeamEx, we specialize in designing engaging, interactive, and innovative team-building games that bring people together—no matter their location. Whether your team operates in an office or is remote, these 9 games are adaptable to both in-person and virtual settings. Let’s dive into how you can strengthen your team dynamics and enhance communication, problem-solving, and trust among your colleagues.

1. Virtual Escape Room Challenge

Escape rooms have long been a popular way to encourage teamwork in person, but virtual escape rooms have quickly become a hit in the digital world. This game challenges teams to solve puzzles, find clues, and work together under time pressure to “escape” a themed room.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, your team can work together in the same room solving physical and digital puzzles. Virtually, teams collaborate through video conferencing, using digital tools to explore the virtual room and interact with clues. This game promotes problem-solving, collaboration, and communication—skills essential in both remote and in-office environments.

Tip: Choose escape room themes related to your industry or company values for added engagement.

2. Two Truths and a Lie

A simple yet fun icebreaker, “Two Truths and a Lie” is a classic game that’s perfect for both in-person and virtual team-building sessions. Each team member takes turns sharing three statements about themselves: two true and one false. The rest of the group has to guess which one is the lie.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

This game is highly adaptable for both settings. In-person, it can be played in a circle, and virtually, it can be conducted through a video call with everyone taking turns. It helps team members learn more about each other in a fun and relaxed setting.

Tip: Incorporate personal anecdotes related to your company culture to make it more meaningful.

3. Pictionary

Pictionary is a timeless game where one person draws a picture representing a word or phrase, and the rest of the team tries to guess what it is. Whether you're sitting in the same room or using a digital whiteboard, this game promotes creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, teams can use a physical whiteboard or paper for drawing, while virtually, you can utilize digital drawing tools like Zoom’s whiteboard feature or apps like Skribbl.io. This game encourages non-verbal communication and creative collaboration.

Tip: Use words related to your industry or company to increase relevance and engagement.

4. The Marshmallow Challenge

This hands-on team-building activity requires teams to build the tallest freestanding structure they can using only spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow, which must sit on top of the structure. The twist is that teams only have 18 minutes to complete the task.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, it’s a hands-on activity that encourages creativity and collaboration. For virtual teams, you can ship the materials in advance or allow team members to gather their own supplies, and then share their creations via video call. This challenge fosters problem-solving and innovative thinking.

Tip: Encourage friendly competition by timing the challenge and offering a small prize to the winning team.

5. Online Trivia

Trivia games are fantastic for encouraging friendly competition and testing knowledge in a fun way. You can create a customized trivia quiz based on your company’s history, industry, or general pop culture.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, trivia games can be played with pens, paper, or an interactive quiz platform. For remote teams, you can easily host a virtual trivia game using online platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz, where participants can join from anywhere. This game builds team knowledge, quick thinking, and collaboration.

Tip: Use trivia to reinforce important company values or educate your team on new products and services.

6. Show and Tell

A modern twist on the classic school-day activity, “Show and Tell” allows team members to share something personal or meaningful to them. This can range from a favorite book to an item that represents their hobbies or interests.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, team members can bring physical items to the meeting. Virtually, participants can simply hold up items to their webcam or share photos. This game helps humanize team members, fosters empathy, and encourages open communication, which is especially important in remote settings.

Tip: Make it more interesting by having a theme for each session, such as “favorite vacation spot” or “something that represents your personality.”

7. Team Bingo

Team Bingo is a fun and interactive game that involves creating a bingo card filled with fun facts or experiences. These might include “Has worked in the company for over 5 years,” “Has traveled to more than 10 countries,” or “Can speak two or more languages.”

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, bingo cards can be printed and handed out, while virtually, they can be shared digitally. The goal is to find team members who match the traits on the card, encouraging conversations and learning more about your colleagues.

Tip: Personalize the bingo card with work-related or fun facts to make it more engaging.

8. The Blindfold Challenge

The Blindfold Challenge is a team-building activity where one person is blindfolded, and their teammates must guide them to complete a task, like building a structure or navigating an obstacle course.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, this can be done with physical tasks, such as guiding someone through an obstacle course. Virtually, you can adapt it by giving verbal instructions through a video call to help the blindfolded person complete a challenge using everyday items at home. This game encourages trust, communication, and leadership skills.

Tip: Add an element of competition by timing the tasks and giving small rewards for teams that finish quickly or accurately.

9. The Compliment Game

The Compliment Game is all about positivity and appreciation. In this game, team members take turns giving compliments or positive feedback to others in the group. This can be about their work, personality, or a recent accomplishment.

Why it works for both in-person and virtual teams:

In-person, this game can be played in a circle, where each person takes a turn complimenting someone else. Virtually, you can use video calls to deliver compliments, or even use a dedicated online platform like Slack to send compliments throughout the day. This helps foster a positive and supportive team culture.

Tip: Make sure to encourage specific compliments that focus on strengths and contributions to the team.

Conclusion: Team-Building for Every Environment

Whether your team is gathered in a physical office or working remotely from various corners of the world, the key to effective teamwork lies in continuous engagement, communication, and trust. The games outlined above provide a blend of fun, challenge, and learning, offering unique ways to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships. At The TeamEx, we believe in the power of team-building to foster a positive work environment and improve productivity.

By incorporating these team-building games into your regular routine, you can help your team strengthen their bond, enhance their skills, and promote a sense of belonging, no matter where they are. Ready to take your team to the next level? Contact us at The TeamEx to discover more innovative team-building activities that suit your needs, whether in-person or virtual!