20 Online Orientation Ideas and Activities for Work

Here is our list of the best online orientation ideas.

Online orientation ideas are different ways to welcome new employees to your team virtually. Examples include virtual orientation Bingo, interactive organizational charts, and coworker speed dating. The purpose of these activities is to create a welcoming and positive environment for new employees on their first day.

These ideas are similar to online lunch and learn concepts, online field trip ideas, and online celebration ideas.

This list includes:

• online new hire orientation ideas
• online orientation ideas for students
• online orientation games
• online orientation activities

Let’s get to it!

List of online orientation ideas

Online orientation ideas and activities can help new employees feel like a part of your team from day one. Here is our list of online orientation ideas to get new hires excited.

1. Peas in a pod

One of the best online orientation games is peas in a pod. The objective of this game is to have new hires meet coworkers with whom they share similarities. To begin this activity, create a Zoom meeting with several breakout rooms. Then, pair up two employees per breakout room. We recommend assigning pairs that would not normally interact with each other, such as employees from different departments.

Be sure to give players 10 to 15 minutes to chat with their partners in the breakout room. By the end of the time, each pair should come up with three similarities. Each similarity should revolve around common interests and shared experiences. You can remind employees that physical similarities do not count for this game.

Peas in a pod is an ideal exercise for team members to befriend employees from different areas of the company.

2. Virtual orientation Bingo

One of the most interactive online orientation games is bingo. To play this game, have employees chat with each other in Zoom breakout rooms. Virtual orientation bingo aims to meet as many coworkers as possible who have completed any of the items in the bingo card. The first player to mark five consecutive or diagonal spaces on their card wins.

Here is a sample Bingo card:

The purpose of virtual orientation bingo is for new hires to learn fun facts about coworkers while socializing.

3. Remote work tips exchange

Exchanging tips about working from home can be helpful for new colleagues, especially those who have worked in an office previously. To organize this activity, ask your team to write down their top three tips for remote work. Information could include managing schedules, staying connected with colleagues, and decorating home offices. It is important to cover both the benefits and challenges of working remotely in this discussion. This activity provides practical tips for both new hires and existing employees.

Check out our list of the top tips on remote work.

4. Team values ranking

Ranking team values aims to align team members with the core values of the company.

Here is how to run this activity:

1. Present the company’s key values to the team.
2. Ask each member to rank the values based on personal importance through a survey or polls.
3. Have a group discussion to see how the team aligns with the firm.

This process encourages an understanding of shared values and helps reinforce teams’ commitment to company goals.

5. Milestone badges

One of the most creative online new hire orientation ideas is to award milestone badges to new employees during milestone moments in their onboarding. A milestone badge is a digital badge that an employee receives after making significant achievements in the workplace.

For example, your badges can include essential milestones like:

• Completed new hire orientation
• Met all team members
• Job shadowed an experienced employee
• 30 days on the job
• 60 days on the job
• 90 days on the job
• Six months on the job

Milestone badges are a great way to keep new hires excited and motivated about their new role.

6. Interactive organizational chart

An organizational chart is a helpful tool for showing your team’s hierarchy and structure. Instead of sending new hires a traditional chart, we recommend turning your org chart into an interactive orientation activity. You can use an online platform like Google Slides or Pingboard to create an interactive organizational chart. Your chart should allow users to engage with the content and click on different areas to get more information, similar to a typical website.

Giving new employees an interactive organizational chart will make it easier for them to learn the ins and outs of your team structure.

7. Alliteration introduction

Alliteration introduction is one of the best online orientation ideas for students. To play this game, have each student introduce themself with an adjective before their name. The tricky part about this exercise is that each player’s adjective must begin with the same letter as their first name. In addition, be sure to instruct players to choose adjectives that describe their personalities. For example, one student might introduce herself as Neat Nancy, whereas the next player can introduce himself as Funny Francisco.

This game lets players know each other’s names and personalities. Plus, pairing adjectives with peers’ names can help students remember their classmates’ names.

8. Team map

When you work in a remote setting, you might have coworkers who live in different parts of the world. Building a team map is a fun orientation exercise that allows employees to learn where their coworkers reside.

You can follow these steps to create your team map:

1. Open a collaborative document, such as Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint.
2. Paste a map of the world on a blank slide.
3. Ask each employee to drop a red pin on their location.
4. Have each employee share a fun fact about their city or state.
5. Save the map as a PDF.
6. Send the PDF to team members in the meeting notes.

This activity is a great conversation starter and icebreaker exercise. In  addition to sending digital copies, we suggest printing out your team map and sending copies to each employee’s home address. A printed map will serve as a fun and memorable keepsake.

9. ABC freeze

ABC freeze is a unique and innovative game that encourages employees to think on their feet while sharing their thoughts with the team.

You can have one employee begin the game by reciting the alphabet. Next, ask the meeting host to yell, “Stop!” At that point, the player should stop reciting the alphabet and remember the specific letter where they stopped. The player should then share one aspect they are most excited about in their new job. However, the player’s response must begin with the same letter where they froze. For example, if one player stopped on the letter F, then this employee could share that they are excited about friendships at work.

ABC freeze is a fun and challenging icebreaker that encourages employees to think quickly.

10. Have you met my coworker?

Have you met my coworker is one of the best social icebreaker games to play during new hire orientation. The objective of this game is to learn new facts about teammates and then present what you learned to the rest of the team.

Here are the rules to play this game:

1. Break your team up into pairs.
2. Send each pair to a breakout room.
3. Set a timer for ten minutes.
4. Bring all players back to the main meeting.
5. Have each pair introduce their partner to the rest of the group.

This exercise is ideal for new employees to learn about coworkers in a one-on-one setting. In addition, this game promotes active listening, critical thinking, and presentation skills.

11. New hire scavenger hunt

Hosting a scavenger hunt can help new employees become familiar with your company’s website while learning important information. To set up your game, put together a list of items for employees to find, along with a point system. Rather than asking players to search for physical objects, we suggest asking them to find content and information on your company’s website and social media channels.

Here is an example of an item list and point system for your new hire scavenger hunt:

• 2 points: A PNG file of the company logo
• 2 points: The company’s mission and values statement
• 3 points: A recent company award
• 3 points: A marketing manager job posting
• 4 points: A YouTube interview with the CEO
• 4 points: A five-star review from a customer
• 5 points: A blog post from 2020
• 5 points: A social media post from 2021

Be sure to give participants a 15- to 20-minute time limit to search for the content on the internet. The employee who finds the most items gets the most points and wins the game.

Here are more online scavenger hunt ideas.

12. Company trivia

Company trivia is a fun and challenging orientation exercise that teaches new hires about your organization. You can use online platforms like Trivia Maker or Kahoot to create and play your game.

Here are a few questions to include in your company trivia game:

• In what year was this company founded?
• Who is the current CEO?
• What is the company’s slogan?
• How many employees are currently working at the company?
• Where is the company headquarters located?
• How many employees are on the IT team?

The player who answers the questions quickly and correctly wins the game. Company trivia is a fun way for new employees to learn the company’s history while engaging in friendly competition.

Check out more online trivia ideas.

13. New hire checklist

Navigating a new workplace can be challenging, so one of the best online new-hire orientation ideas is to create a new-hire checklist. Your checklist should include different tasks and actions each employee should complete during their first few weeks.

Here is an example of what to include in your checklist:

• Fill out tax forms
• Complete diversity and inclusion training
• Read benefits brochure
• Review organizational chart
• Download Microsoft Office on your laptop
• Schedule a one-on-one meeting with a teammate
• Set goals for your first month on the job

Equipping new hires with a checklist is a great way to ensure they stay on track during their first few weeks in their new role.

14. Department meet and greet

A department meet and greet is one of the most helpful online orientation activities. For this activity, ask leaders across your department to sit on a panel for your orientation event.

During the activity, have each leader introduce themself. You can encourage the speakers to share fun facts about themselves, such as how long they have been with the company, as well as their interests or hobbies. After each leader makes their introduction, be sure to open up the floor for a question and answer session. New employees can use this time to ask questions about working at the company.

Hosting a department meet and greet is one of the best ways for new hires to hear from company leaders while asking important questions.

15. Finish the sentence

Finish the sentence is a fun orientation game to get team members to share details about their personalities. To play this game, assign one member as the host. The host’s responsibility is to pose different prompts to each player.

Here are a few prompts to use in your game:

• I chose to join the company because…
• The value that I bring to the table is…
• My friends and family would describe me as…
• I followed this career path because…
• If I could give my younger self advice, it would be…
• My interests and hobbies include…

After the host states the prompt, the player should finish the sentence. For example, if the host says, “My friends and family would describe me as…” then the player might complete the sentence with, “… energetic, positive, and upbeat.”

16. Welcome lunch

Hosting a welcome lunch is a great addition to your new hire orientation program. This activity allows team members to get to know each other in a casual and informal setting. To begin your welcome lunch, set up a Zoom meeting during the lunch hour. Be sure to send digital gift cards for a complimentary lunch ahead of time so each team member can enjoy a tasty meal. During your lunch, encourage each team member to introduce themselves to the new employee. You can also incorporate fun icebreakers like would you rather or two truths and a lie.

Your entire team will surely enjoy the welcome lunch as a way to meet their new teammate and socialize with coworkers over a complimentary meal.

17. Buddy program

Beginning a new job can be challenging, so we recommend implementing a buddy program as part of your onboarding process. As part of this initiative, employees will serve as mentors to guide new hires during their first few months at the company.

Here are a few steps to help you launch your buddy program at work:

1. Ask experienced employees to volunteer as mentors.
2. Pair each new hire with a mentor.
3. Schedule meetings on a weekly or biweekly basis.
4. Have pairs talk about goals, progress, and questions.
5. Encourage pairs to maintain consistent communication.

Buddy programs are helpful for new hires who have just begun working at your company. We recommend incorporating exercises like goal setting and job shadowing into your program.

18. New employee gift basket

If you want to warmly welcome new employees, we recommend sending a gift basket to their homes. Sending gifts is a great way to show your appreciation.

Here are a few items you can include in your new employee gift basket:

• Company-branded T-shirt
• Company-branded hat
• Notepad and pens
• Stickers
• Reusable water bottle
• Laptop case
• Starbucks or Dunkin’ gift card
• Snacks

Sending a gift basket to new hires is one of the best ways to build excitement for their first day on the job.

19. Coworker speed dating

One of the most engaging online orientation activities is coworker speed dating. This activity allows new employees to interact with colleagues, even those from different teams. To set up this exercise, open a Zoom meeting and create 15 to 20 breakout rooms based on the number of attendees. The goal is for employees to quickly chat with various coworkers, and managers or senior-level staff can participate too. Remember to set a three- to five-minute time limit per breakout room to ensure the whole team has a chance to meet. This activity offers new hires an excellent chance to ask questions while getting to know their fellow teammates.

20. Round-robin roundtable

Round-robin roundtable is a fast-paced and energetic game that can help you set a positive tone during your new hire orientation. The objective of this game is to have each team member share a fun fact about themself in one minute or less.

Here are the steps to play a round-robin roundtable:

1. Join a Zoom meeting with your team.
2. Turn on the gallery view.
3. Set a 60-second timer.
4. Ask each employee to share a fun fact.
5. Continue until each team member has a turn.

Be sure to encourage employees to share secret talents or hobbies as fun facts. This game is an excellent way for new hires to learn about their coworkers’ interests quickly.

Conclusion

An employee’s first day at a new job can be intimidating, even in a remote work environment. Online orientation ideas can ease new hires’ nerves while helping them acclimate to your team’s structure and culture. In addition, activities like virtual orientation bingo, new hire scavenger hunt, and coworker speed dating are great ways to get team members involved in welcoming their new teammates to the company in a fun way.

Next, check out our lists of online event ideas, online happy hour ideas, and online retirement party ideas.