In the modern work landscape, many teams have transitioned to fully remote environments, our team included. With this shift comes the challenge of keeping teams connected and engaged from afar. Thankfully, the advent of online platforms like Zoom makes team building online not just feasible, but highly effective.
Team Building on Zoom
Zoom has transformed from a simple conferencing tool into a hub for creative team interactions. Virtual team building on Zoom transcends geographical boundaries and time zones, fostering connections and encouraging collaboration. Keep reading to get a little bit of inspiration to plan your activities, and learn how you can assess if the participants are effectively involved and comfortable in real-time with MorphCast for Zoom.
Zoom Team Building: Ideas for Activities and Games
A Zoom team building activity can be as elaborate or as simple as you want it to be. From hosting a virtual talent show to arranging a Zoom team building game like Pictionary or trivia, the possibilities are endless.
Zoom Team Building Bingo
Bingo is a longtime favorite pastime that can be adapted for virtual team building on Zoom. To play Zoom Team Building Bingo, send participants a bingo card with a grid of squares to fill in. Instead of traditional bingo numbers, the squares will contain phrases commonly heard on a Zoom call, such as “Can you hear me?”, “Sorry, I was on mute”, or “Let’s circle back to that.” As the conversation progresses, participants mark off the squares that match the phrases they hear. The first person to complete a row, column, or diagonal on their bingo card wins. This game adds a touch of nostalgia and fun to team meetings while encouraging active listening.
Zoom Scavenger Hunt
Hosting an online scavenger hunt on Zoom can be an exciting and interactive team building activity. To organize a virtual scavenger hunt, create a list of items or clues for participants to find within their own homes. You can choose a theme for the scavenger hunt, such as “work-from-home essentials” or “favorite childhood items.” During the Zoom call, provide participants with one clue or item at a time, and they must race against the clock to find the item and show it to the rest of the team through their webcam. Award points for the fastest find or for the most creative presentations. This activity promotes engagement, problem-solving, and a sense of adventure among team members.
Zoom Scattergories
Zoom Scattergories is a game that challenges participants to think quickly and creatively. Before the Zoom call, create a list of categories such as “things on your work desk,” “music genres,” “things in a museum,” or “boy names.” Assign a letter of the alphabet for each round. Participants then have a limited time to come up with an object or term that fits each category and starts with the given letter. Encourage original answers and award points for unique responses. To make it more challenging, set a time limit and create bonus categories for additional points. This game stimulates creative thinking, promotes friendly competition, and encourages team members to explore their knowledge and imagination.
This or That?
This or That is a simple and quick Zoom team building game that serves as an icebreaker or energizer during meetings. The game involves posing a question with two options to the team, such as “hamburgers or hot dogs?”, “beach or mountains?”, or “coffee or tea?” Each team member takes turns sharing their preference and explaining why they chose one option over the other. The goal is to engage in friendly debates, encourage discussion, and get to know each other’s preferences and perspectives. To keep the game brief, set a time limit for each question, and move on to the next one when time is up. This game helps foster connections, create a positive and lighthearted atmosphere, and encourage team members to find common ground or appreciate different viewpoints.
Arm’s Reach Show & Tell
One place to find inspiration for virtual team building ideas is grade school. An example of a fun, school-inspired activity is Virtual Show & Tell. To facilitate this show and tell, set a one-minute timer for participants to find “something within arm’s reach that is meaningful to you.” Each team member then has one minute to share about their object, including information like where they got it and why they keep it. This activity provides an opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level, share stories, and discover common interests or experiences.
Virtual Escape Room
Virtual escape rooms have gained popularity as engaging team building activities. They involve solving puzzles, uncovering clues, and working together to “escape” a virtual scenario or accomplish a specific objective. There are various online platforms that offer pre-designed virtual escape room experiences, or you can create your own using Zoom and other collaboration tools. Divide the team into smaller groups and assign them a virtual room or scenario to navigate. Participants must communicate, collaborate, and use their problem-solving skills to solve puzzles and progress through the virtual escape room. This activity promotes teamwork, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Virtual Talent Show
A virtual talent show is a fantastic way to showcase the diverse talents and skills of team members. Encourage team members to prepare a short performance or demonstration of their talents, such as singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, performing magic tricks, or showcasing a unique skill. Each participant takes turns presenting their talent via Zoom, and others can cheer and provide positive feedback. This activity not only provides a platform for team members to express themselves creatively but also fosters a supportive and encouraging team culture.
Pictionary on Zoom
Pictionary is a classic drawing and guessing game that can be easily adapted for virtual team building on Zoom. To play Pictionary, divide the team into two groups. Each group selects a representative who will be the “drawer.” The drawer is given a word or phrase to draw on a digital whiteboard or using a drawing tool within Zoom. The rest of the team members must guess what the drawing represents within a limited time frame. They can type their guesses in the chat or use the “raise hand” feature to indicate they have an answer. The team that correctly guesses the most drawings wins. Pictionary on Zoom encourages creativity, communication, and teamwork as team members work together to interpret the drawings and come up with the correct answers. It adds an element of excitement and friendly competition to virtual team building activities.
Virtual Team Edition: Guess the Traits!
Virtual Team Edition: Guess the Traits is a virtual adaptation of the classic game “Who’s Most Likely To…?” designed to add fun and interaction to your virtual team building session. This game involves guessing unique traits and behaviors of team members in a lighthearted and engaging manner. The facilitator prepares a list of traits, presents them one at a time, and team members make their guesses about who fits each trait. For example, “Who’s most likely to have the messiest desk?” or “Who’s most likely to break into a spontaneous dance?” After voting, the correct answers are revealed, leading to discussions and laughter among the team. The game rotates the focus to ensure everyone gets involved and promotes camaraderie, laughter, and a positive team culture.
Melody Mastermind: Guess the Groove
Melody Mastermind: Guess the Groove is an engaging team building activity that challenges participants’ music knowledge and preferences. Participants create playlists of their favorite songs and take turns as the “Melody Mastermind” to play short audio clips of their chosen songs. Others guess the song and artist, earning points for correct answers. The game promotes discussions and connections through music, fostering a positive and vibrant atmosphere during virtual team building sessions. In this activity, participants showcase their musical tastes while testing others’ ability to recognize their favorite songs. It’s an interactive and enjoyable way to explore different genres and artists while strengthening the bond within the team.
Group Meditation
Session In the fast-paced world of remote work, it’s essential to prioritize well-being and relaxation. A group meditation session over Zoom can help team members de-stress and find inner calm. Choose a meditation guide or instructor who can lead the session virtually, or use pre-recorded guided meditation sessions. Allocate a specific time for the team to come together on Zoom and participate in the guided meditation. Encourage everyone to find a quiet and comfortable space, close their eyes, and focus on their breath and relaxation. After the session, provide a moment for team members to share their experience or discuss any insights gained. This activity promotes mindfulness, stress reduction, and a sense of connection among team members.
Zoom Team Building: Are Your Employees Really Having Fun?
While planning fun Zoom team building activities is crucial, assessing their effectiveness is equally important. This is where MorphCast for Zoom comes into play. This innovative plugin integrates Emotion AI into your Zoom conferences, providing real-time analysis of participants’ emotions, attention level, and engagement (check here how our Emotion AI works).
With MorphCast, you can evaluate the emotional dynamics of your Zoom team building exercises. The technology allows you to determine who is most engaged, what activities generate the most emotional response, and pinpoint moments causing stress or frustration. This insight helps you tailor future activities to maximize engagement and satisfaction.
Privacy is a major focus for MorphCast. The technology only processes client-side information necessary for emotional analysis and doesn’t collect additional personal data. Users can also opt out of emotional data processing at any time, ensuring a comfortable and private experience.
The combination of Zoom and MorphCast provides a dynamic platform for team building. They enable us to create engaging activities and effectively gauge their success. With these tools, we can strengthen our remote teams, making them more connected and resilient than ever.
