Here is our list of the best free online team building activities.
Free online team building activities are games, activities, and exercises you can do with your online group without paying a fee. Examples include Online Meditation, Sudoku Races, and Virtual Scavenger Hunts. You can do these activities using a web conferencing app, a group chat, or your company’s message board. These activities aim to develop good communication in a remote team while fostering fun.
These ideas are examples of virtual team building activities, Zoom meeting ideas, and online games to play on Zoom with coworkers.
This list includes:
- free online team building activities for work
- free online team building activities for students
- free online team building activities for adults
- free online team building games
Let’s get to it!
List of free online team building activities
Spending time with your team while doing a meaningful activity does not have to be costly. Here are free team building activities you can do with your remote team, from Snack and Learn to Improv Storytelling.
1. Biggerplate
Biggerplate is a helpful online tool for collaborative mind mapping. With Biggerplate, the team can create visual mind maps together to organize thoughts, ideas, and plans. Team members can contribute in real-time, adding branches, notes, and images to the mind map. Biggerplate allows for easy collaboration and sharing of ideas, fostering creativity and teamwork. This tool is particularly useful for brainstorming sessions and project planning. Plus, Biggerplate is a free resource, making it accessible for teams looking to boost their collaboration through visual thinking.
Learn more about Biggerplate.
2. Forest
Using Forest for team building is simple and fun. Forest is a mobile app that helps teams stay focused and productive. Team members set a timer to stay concentrated on their work, and during this time, a virtual tree grows. If an employee picks up their phone and leaves the app, then the tree stops growing. The cool part is that teams can join together to plant a forest, and the more focused time participants spend, the bigger the virtual forest becomes.
This app encourages teamwork and concentration because the whole team’s efforts help accomplish the goal of growing a digital forest. Best of all, members can spend virtual coins, and Forest will plant real trees! This activity is a lighthearted way to boost productivity and build a sense of accomplishment as a team.
Learn more about Forest.
3. Collaborative Story Building with Constraints
In collaborative story building with constraints, the team comes together to create a story, but with a twist! Before the storytelling starts, a host will set a specific constraint. For instance, the rule could be only certain words, setting the story in a particular location, or adhering to a specific theme. Each team member adds to the story while following the rules. The challenge is for teams to keep the story on track. This twist on telling stories is a fun and creative way for the team to work together.
4. Icebreaker Bingo
You cannot go wrong with playing icebreaker Bingo with your colleagues. This game is one of the best free online team building activities for work. To play online Bingo, you must create a Bingo card or download an already-made template.
Here are fun prompts you can use for your card:
Once you create a Bingo card, share it with all your colleagues who are playing. There are two ways to play online icebreaker Bingo. In the first option, each individual plays alone, marking an “X” in boxes with things they relate to. Or, you can put players into teams and send them to separate rooms. In teams, members talk and find others who have done the activities on the card. Whether you play alone or in teams, the first player or team to mark a whole row up or down wins!
5. Crisis Response
When practicing crisis response, the team works together to handle a pretend challenging situation. To start, imagine a tricky scenario related to your work. The issue could be an ongoing problem or an unexpected situation. Then, talk as a team to understand the crisis. Participants can share ideas about what is happening and then decide on the best actions to take to solve the problem or respond to the crisis.
Colleagues can make a plan based on their decisions. Part of the plan should include figuring out that each team member knows their role. Finally, employees can practice talking to each other during the crisis. This activity helps the team get better at solving problems and working together. If a real crisis happens, then the team is more prepared.
6. Online Book Club
For book-loving employees, consider a free online book club. First, choose a platform and schedule for meetings. Then, pick books ranging from novels to motivational or leadership ones. Participants read at their own pace and then discuss the book, author, and writing style on a set date. For an engaging discussion, prepare questions and set up a group chat for pre-meeting queries. Whether for colleagues or students, book clubs are productive and enjoyable sessions.
Pro tip: To avoid extra costs, suggest library borrowing and pick widely available titles!
7. Storytelling Improv
Storytelling Improv is among the free online activities to do with teams. The host will assign random topics to a participant. Then the participant will tell a coherent story within the given topic. You can use a free word generator online to generate topics.
Consider setting the game’s rules and a time limit for participants to tell their stories. A short time frame, like 30 to 60 seconds, can make the activity engaging for all participants. Also, if a player takes back any statement or says an irrelevant story, then that player wins no point for that round.
After several rounds, you can sum up the points and award the winner “the best storyteller.” This activity can improve participants’ creativity as well as mental flexibility.
8. Scattergories
Scattergories is a free online game where you make lists of words that fit different categories and start with the same letter. To play, just create a game and share the link with your friends. You can decide how many people can join and how each round ends, either after a certain time or by clicking “STOP.” You can pick categories like food or animals, and the game randomly gives you letters. The website keeps track of points, and the player with the most points wins. Scattergories is a fun way to be creative with words!
Learn more about Scattergories.
9. Online Meditation
Hosting an online meditation is a great way to build a positive virtual work environment. The best part is that you can organize this activity for free. First, invite your group members to a virtual meeting. You should ensure that the time you choose is the most convenient for attendees. Any distraction on the attendees’ side can easily ruin the moment. Therefore, inform your group about the need for a “quiet time” and switch off all phones. You can start by asking icebreaker questions to help your group members loosen up.
For example:
- How often do you meditate?
- How do you stay calm in tense situations?
- What is your favorite between mindfulness and movement meditation?
- Can you give five benefits of meditation?
Playing soothing background music is a great idea to set the mood right. Also, you can follow a pre-recorded guided meditation session on YouTube for a seamless experience. You should choose a particular meditation focus, such as mindfulness or deep relaxation, to help you select the best video guide.
10. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Organizing virtual scavenger hunts with colleagues is a creative and engaging way to build team spirit. To get started, decide on a theme for the scavenger hunt, like “office items” or “things that make you smile.” Then, assign a list of items related to the theme to each participant. During the virtual meeting, set a timer and have players search around their homes or workspaces to find the items on their lists. Participants can showcase their findings through the video call, and players can enjoy a few laughs and stories about their discoveries. The individual who completes the scavenger hunt first or finds the most items wins. Virtual scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to bring a sense of fun and connection to remote team activities.
Read more about online scavenger hunts.
11. Skribbl
Skribbl is one of the best free online team building games you can play with your teammates. To start, one colleague creates a private room and shares a link with others. Once the whole team joins, the game begins. Each player takes turns drawing an object based on a given word while the rest try to guess what it is. You use the drawing tools provided to make your sketch, and the quicker players guess correctly, the more points everyone earns. The game consists of several rounds, and at the end, the player with the most points wins. Skribbl is a simple and entertaining way to test your drawing and guessing skills with friends!
Learn more about Skribbl.
12. Tea and Coffee Session
If you need to spend time with your team in a simple yet fun way, then you can host a tea and coffee session. This activity requires team members to chat and mingle while sipping their favorite tea or coffee.
During the session, you can ask icebreaker questions like:
- Do you prefer to drink tea or coffee?
- What is your favorite tea flavor?
- Do you like to have your coffee black or with cream?
- What is your favorite coffee bean blend?
- Green tea or black tea?
- How much sugar do you add to your tea?
The idea is for team members to bond over their favorite beverage. Also, team members who do not take coffee and tea can join the conversation and discuss their favorite beverage.
13. Sudoku Race
Sudoku is a favorite puzzle for many, and you and your friends can have a quick online Sudoku race for free. There are various online programs where you can play this game without any cost. These programs even let you chat with your pals while playing. Depending on the website, you can make a private multiplayer game for you and your colleagues. If private multiplayer games are not an option, then just ask teams to start a Sudoku puzzle at the same time and take a screenshot when the game finishes. The first player to finish the puzzle is the winner. Sudoku is a fun way to challenge yourselves and see who can solve the puzzle first!
14. Online Karaoke
Online Karaoke is one of the free online team building activities for adults. All you need is an interesting playlist, a video conferencing platform, and colleagues ready to sing their hearts out. First, appoint a host who will be in charge of the music. Before the karaoke party, participants can send their favorite songs to the host. Then attendees will take turns singing.
During the karaoke session, the host will share their screen and computer sound while playing the requested song. In the end, you can recognize exceptional participants in different award categories like the best singer, best duet, and the most likely to win a Grammy.
15. Open Mic Comedy Night
If you want a comedy night experience without spending to hire a comedian, then you can organize an online open mic. You and your teammates will test how funny you are and find out who can crack the funniest jokes. Aside from saving costs by being your own comedian, open-mic comedy is excellent for bringing team members together and building participants’ improvisation skills.
You can allot a specific time for each participant to perform, especially if you have a large team. Also, attendees can bring drinks to sip during the experience. A web conferencing app will work best for an open mic comedy night. You will also see and hear your colleagues laugh, adding to the fun.
16. Snack and Learn
Snack and Learn is a fun variation of lunch and learn. However, attendees will have snacks instead of a full lunch during the meeting. A snack and learn is an excellent opportunity to build your team and train workers. Also, you can easily do this activity online for free. For a successful snack and learn, select a topic beforehand. To boost engagement, you should choose a topic that is not too complex for attendees. Also, you can host the session as an employee-led workshop, where a team member discusses a passion. On the other hand, you can discuss recent or coming changes at work or teach attendees leadership skills. Furthermore, be sure to find a good presenter from your team to carry attendees along.
17. Online Drawing Session
Online Drawing Session is one of the most fun free online team building activities for students. First, choose an artwork to draw. You can center the drawing around a particular theme. You can also allow students to explore their creativity and make their desired sketches. Also, inform participants to come with their drawing kits days before the activity. Even a pen and paper will do.
If you and other participants are unsure how to go about the activity, then you can watch a sketch tutorial video on YouTube. You can ask participants to come along with their favorite beverage to make the session more fun. A video conferencing platform like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams will be an excellent choice for an online drawing session,
During your meeting, you can keep students engaged by constantly asking about their work’s progress. Then, in the end, you and your students can sit together to show off your paintings.
18. Yoga
Yoga is a stress-managing activity you can do with your colleagues online. If your team works remotely, then doing online yoga can encourage your workmates to stay fit and build stronger relationships. You should try to get familiar with the basics of yoga, including the types of yoga.
You can have a colleague with reliable knowledge of yoga guide the team or follow a yoga video on YouTube. Before the session, inform participants to bring supplies like yoga mats, blocks, elastic bands, and aromatherapy oil. However, your colleagues do not have to spend much on this session. At-home supplies, like a blanket in place of a yoga mat, will come in handy.
You can further create a playlist of calming songs and play the music while sharing your screen with other participants. Finally, you and your colleagues can reminisce over your experience and share other stress management techniques when the session is over.
19. Words with Friends
Words with Friends is an interactive game you will love, especially if you are a huge fan of playing Scrabble. First, download the Words with Friends app on your phone or tablet. Then, invite your colleagues to join you in a game by sending them an invitation. Once the whole team is on board, take turns creating words on the virtual game board using the letter tiles you have. You earn points based on which words you play. In addition, you can chat with your colleagues within the app to share thoughts or just catch up. Words with Friends is a friendly and casual way to enjoy a word game together, even if you are not in the same physical location. Plus, this game is a fantastic way to keep the team spirit alive and add a bit of friendly competition to your workday.
Learn more about Words With Friends.
20. Typing Games
Typing games are fun free online activities to play with your colleagues. You can look for a free typing website, like Typing Test or TypeRacer, where you and your group can have fun playing. TypeRacer lets you race against up to 200 people in a typing competition. Another game is Typing Test, where you take a short test. Colleagues can share their results on a message board or in a group chat. You can decide the winner based on who has the highest words per minute, the fewest errors, and the least adjusted words per minute. Taking typing tests is a fun way to practice typing and see who is the fastest!
Learn more about TypeRacer and Typing Test.
Conclusion
These free virtual team building activities bring groups together for low-cost yet high-quality fun. These exercises enable you to spend time with your colleagues all from the comfort of your home. Team building activities do not have to be expensive to be effective. You can sing karaoke, play online games, or engage in enlightening discussions with colleagues without paying a dime. Of course, you would want to pick an activity that aligns with your group’s interest for maximum engagement. Regardless of the activities you choose, proper planning is crucial in making your team building goal a success.
For more fun, check out online games for large groups.
