5 Team Building Games You Can Play Over Zoom vs. 5 For In-Person Events

As we move through 2026, remote work continues to be a norm for many teams. According to a recent study, 70% of employees believe that virtual team-building activities are just as effective as in-person events. However, choosing the right activities for your team can be daunting. Below, we explore five engaging team-building games for remote meetings and five for in-person events, ensuring that your team stays connected and energized, no matter the medium.

5 Team Building Games for Zoom

1. Virtual Scavenger Hunt

• Time Needed: 30-45 minutes
• Group Size: 5-20 participants
• Cost: Free (or $5 per participant for curated lists)
• Energy Level: High
• Logistics: Prepare a list of common household items. Teams race to find items and show them on camera.
• Skip if: Team members have limited access to their homes.

2. Online Trivia

• Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
• Group Size: 5-100 participants
• Cost: $15-25 per participant for platforms like Kahoot!
• Energy Level: Medium
• Logistics: Use a trivia platform to host a fun quiz. Break into teams for collaboration.
• Skip if: Team members prefer not to compete under pressure.

3. Two Truths and a Lie

• Time Needed: 20-30 minutes
• Group Size: 5-30 participants
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Low to Medium
• Logistics: Each participant shares two truths and one lie about themselves; others guess which one is false.
• Skip if: Team members are shy about sharing personal information.

4. Virtual Pictionary

• Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
• Group Size: 5-20 participants
• Cost: Free (or $10 for an online drawing tool subscription)
• Energy Level: Medium to High
• Logistics: Use an online whiteboard tool for drawing while others guess the word or phrase.
• Skip if: Team members are uncomfortable with drawing.

5. Escape Room Challenge

• Time Needed: 60-90 minutes
• Group Size: 4-8 participants per team
• Cost: $20-40 per participant
• Energy Level: High
• Logistics: Book a virtual escape room experience through companies like The Escape Game.
• Skip if: Team members have scheduling conflicts.

5 Team Building Games for In-Person Events

1. Trust Fall

• Time Needed: 20 minutes
• Group Size: 5-15 participants
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: Medium
• Logistics: In a safe environment, one person falls back while a teammate catches them.
• Skip if: Trust levels are low among team members.

2. Human Knot

• Time Needed: 30 minutes
• Group Size: 8-20 participants
• Cost: Free
• Energy Level: High
• Logistics: Participants form a circle, hold hands with two different people, and then try to untangle without letting go.
• Skip if: Team members prefer non-physical activities.

3. Outdoor Team Olympics

• Time Needed: 2-3 hours
• Group Size: 10-50 participants
• Cost: $15-30 per person for materials
• Energy Level: High
• Logistics: Set up various fun competitions like sack races, relays, and tug-of-war in a local park.
• Skip if: Weather conditions are unfavorable.

4. Workshop or Cooking Class

• Time Needed: 2-4 hours
• Group Size: 10-30 participants
• Cost: $50-100 per person
• Energy Level: Medium
• Logistics: Hire a local chef to lead a cooking class, allowing team members to bond over food.
• Skip if: Dietary restrictions are a concern.

5. Team-Building Retreat

• Time Needed: Full day or weekend
• Group Size: 10-50 participants
• Cost: $200-500 per person depending on venue and activities
• Energy Level: Variable
• Logistics: Book a venue like The Grove in Los Angeles, which offers team-building activities and meeting spaces.
• Skip if: Team members have scheduling conflicts.

Comparison Table: Zoom vs. In-Person Team Building Games

| Game | Format | Time Needed | Group Size | Cost | Energy Level | Best For | |--------------------------|--------------|-------------|-------------------|---------------------|--------------|-----------------------------| | Virtual Scavenger Hunt | Zoom | 30-45 mins | 5-20 | Free/$5 | High | High energy, fun | | Online Trivia | Zoom | 30-60 mins | 5-100 | $15-25 | Medium | Knowledge sharing | | Two Truths and a Lie | Zoom | 20-30 mins | 5-30 | Free | Low to Medium| Ice-breaker | | Trust Fall | In-Person | 20 mins | 5-15 | Free | Medium | Building trust | | Human Knot | In-Person | 30 mins | 8-20 | Free | High | Team dynamics | | Outdoor Team Olympics | In-Person | 2-3 hours | 10-50 | $15-30 | High | Active engagement |

Conclusion

Whether your team is meeting over Zoom or in person, effective team-building games can foster collaboration, trust, and connection. Consider your team's preferences and dynamics when selecting activities.

Action Items:

1. Choose your format: Decide between virtual or in-person based on your team's current setup.
2. Select games: Pick 2-3 games from each list that resonate with your team.
3. Schedule the event: Create a calendar invite and share the details with your team.
4. Gather feedback: After the event, ask for feedback to improve future activities.