20 Team Building Activities for Remote Teams in 2026

As remote work continues to evolve, so does the need for effective team building. Did you know that 78% of remote workers feel less connected to their teams compared to those in the office? This statistic highlights the importance of intentional activities that foster collaboration and camaraderie among dispersed teams. In 2026, it’s time to rethink how we engage our teams virtually. Here are 20 practical team-building activities designed specifically for remote teams.

1. Virtual Escape Rooms

• Time Needed: 60-90 minutes
• Group Size: 4-10 people
• Cost: $20-40 per person
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Problem-solving and teamwork
• Skip if: Team members prefer more physically engaging activities.

Insider Tip

Choose a provider with a theme that resonates with your team’s interests for increased engagement.

2. Online Cooking Classes

• Time Needed: 2 hours
• Group Size: 10-20 people
• Cost: $50-100 per person
• Energy Level: Low to moderate
• Best For: Creative collaboration
• Skip if: Team members have dietary restrictions that can't be accommodated.

Insider Tip

Send ingredient kits to participants beforehand for a seamless experience.

3. Virtual Trivia Competitions

• Time Needed: 1 hour
• Group Size: 5-50 people
• Cost: $10-25 per person
• Energy Level: Low
• Best For: Ice-breaking and fun
• Skip if: Your team dislikes competitive formats.

Insider Tip

Incorporate company-specific trivia to make it more personal and engaging.

4. Digital Scavenger Hunt

• Time Needed: 90 minutes
• Group Size: 5-30 people
• Cost: $15-30 per person
• Energy Level: High
• Best For: Engagement and teamwork
• Skip if: Limited space at home makes it difficult to find items.

Insider Tip

Use a platform that allows for real-time sharing of photos for increased interaction.

5. Virtual Team Workshops

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours
• Group Size: 10-30 people
• Cost: $200-500 total
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Skill building
• Skip if: Your team feels overwhelmed with learning.

Insider Tip

Focus on soft skills like communication or leadership to ensure applicability.

6. Remote Book Club

• Time Needed: 1 hour bi-weekly
• Group Size: 5-15 people
• Cost: Free to $15 per book
• Energy Level: Low
• Best For: Intellectual engagement
• Skip if: Team members have conflicting reading preferences.

Insider Tip

Choose a mix of genres to cater to diverse interests.

7. Online Fitness Challenges

• Time Needed: Ongoing (1-2 hours/week)
• Group Size: 5-20 people
• Cost: Free to $50 per person for classes
• Energy Level: High
• Best For: Health and wellness
• Skip if: Team members are not fitness enthusiasts.

Insider Tip

Implement a points system to track progress and encourage participation.

8. Virtual Wine or Beer Tasting

• Time Needed: 2 hours
• Group Size: 10-30 people
• Cost: $50-100 per person
• Energy Level: Low to moderate
• Best For: Socializing and relaxation
• Skip if: Your team has members who do not drink alcohol.

Insider Tip

Send participants tasting kits in advance to enhance the experience.

9. Online Art Classes

• Time Needed: 2 hours
• Group Size: 5-20 people
• Cost: $40-80 per person
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Creativity and expression
• Skip if: Team members are not interested in art.

Insider Tip

Provide a theme or project related to your company’s values for added relevance.

10. Virtual Coffee Breaks

• Time Needed: 30 minutes
• Group Size: 2-15 people
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Low
• Best For: Casual interactions
• Skip if: Your team prefers structured activities.

Insider Tip

Encourage sharing personal updates to foster connection.

11. Online Game Night

• Time Needed: 2 hours
• Group Size: 5-20 people
• Cost: $5-15 per person
• Energy Level: High
• Best For: Team bonding
• Skip if: Some team members are not gamers.

Insider Tip

Choose games that are easy to learn and cater to different skill levels.

12. Collaborative Playlist Creation

• Time Needed: Ongoing
• Group Size: Entire team
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Low
• Best For: Cultural exchange
• Skip if: Team members have vastly different music tastes.

Insider Tip

Curate a playlist for team meetings to create a fun atmosphere.

13. Virtual Hackathons

• Time Needed: 1-2 days
• Group Size: 5-20 people
• Cost: $100-200 total
• Energy Level: Very high
• Best For: Innovation and creativity
• Skip if: Your team is not tech-savvy.

Insider Tip

Set clear goals and provide prizes for the best projects to motivate participation.

14. Online Meditation Sessions

• Time Needed: 30 minutes
• Group Size: 5-30 people
• Cost: $15-30 per person
• Energy Level: Low
• Best For: Stress relief and mindfulness
• Skip if: Team members are skeptical about meditation.

Insider Tip

Offer a variety of meditation styles to cater to different preferences.

15. Virtual Murder Mystery Party

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours
• Group Size: 6-20 people
• Cost: $20-40 per person
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Fun and engagement
• Skip if: Your team prefers less structured activities.

Insider Tip

Choose a theme that resonates with your team’s interests for maximum enjoyment.

16. Online Skill-sharing Sessions

• Time Needed: 1 hour per session
• Group Size: 5-15 people
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Knowledge exchange
• Skip if: Team members are not comfortable sharing their skills.

Insider Tip

Create a schedule and encourage volunteers to lead sessions on their areas of expertise.

17. Virtual Charity Events

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours
• Group Size: 10-50 people
• Cost: Varies based on the charity
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Team bonding and social impact
• Skip if: Team members prefer more relaxed activities.

Insider Tip

Choose a cause that resonates with your team to enhance participation.

18. Online Language Classes

• Time Needed: 1-2 hours per week
• Group Size: 5-15 people
• Cost: $15-50 per person
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Cultural exchange
• Skip if: Team members are not interested in learning a new language.

Insider Tip

Use a platform that allows for small group discussions to enhance learning.

19. Virtual Pet Show and Tell

• Time Needed: 30 minutes
• Group Size: 2-20 people
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Low
• Best For: Personal connection
• Skip if: Team members do not have pets.

Insider Tip

Encourage storytelling to deepen connections among team members.

20. Online DIY Crafting Sessions

• Time Needed: 2 hours
• Group Size: 5-20 people
• Cost: $30-60 per person
• Energy Level: Moderate
• Best For: Creativity and relaxation
• Skip if: Team members are not interested in crafting.

Insider Tip

Send out crafting kits in advance to ensure everyone has the materials they need.

Conclusion

In 2026, remote team building is more important than ever. Consider these 20 activities to foster collaboration, connection, and creativity within your team. Start planning now to ensure that your team feels engaged and connected, even from a distance.

Action Items:

1. Select 3-5 activities that resonate with your team.
2. Create a timeline for implementation over the next quarter.
3. Allocate a budget based on the chosen activities.