Hybrid working has transformed how teams operate, but it’s also created a connection gap. Those spontaneous corridor conversations and coffee machine catch-ups that built trust and collaboration? They’ve disappeared. Many employees now work in the office two or three days a week but never cross paths with certain colleagues. New starters may have never met their team face-to-face.
Without deliberate effort, hybrid teams drift toward silos, disengagement, and miscommunication. Team building isn’t a luxury — it’s essential infrastructure for high performance in distributed organisations.
At Let’s Talk Talent, we help organisations become irresistible places to work by creating experiences where people genuinely connect and thrive. This means moving beyond one-off ‘fun’ sessions and designing consistent, purposeful rituals that drive trust, clarity, and collaboration. Learn more about our team performance consultancy.
This guide provides 33 tried-and-tested remote team building activities, organised by outcome, with clear guidance on when to use them, timings, and required tools.
In this article
- Why Remote Team Building Matters in Hybrid Organisations
- Hybrid Team Building Tips Before You Start
- Team Building Activities to Get to Know Each Other
- Team Building Activities to Focus on a Common Goal
Why Remote Team Building Matters in Hybrid Organisations
Effective team building addresses five key outcomes:
- Get to know each other: Build psychological safety and break down silos
- Focus on a common goal: Align teams around shared purpose and strategy
- Boost morale: Combat digital fatigue and isolation
- Improve communication: Develop active listening, feedback, and conflict resolution
- Generate energy and innovation: Spark creativity and forward thinking
Without intentional design, hybrid teams struggle with trust erosion, unclear priorities, uneven participation, and lost innovation. Regular, well-facilitated activities create the connective tissue that holds distributed teams together.
Hybrid Team Building Tips Before You Start
Set yourself up for success with these foundations:
- Test technology beforehand: Ensure cameras cover everyone, audio is clear, and screen-sharing works
- Account for time zones: Rotate meeting times or use asynchronous options
- Build in breaks: Remote participants need time away from screens
- Design for inclusivity: Consider introverts, neurodivergent colleagues, and camera comfort
- Set ground rules: Establish expectations around cameras, muting, and participation
- Connect to broader strategy: Link activities to your learning and development plans
The goal is making everyone feel included, valued, and able to contribute authentically.
Team Building Activities to Get to Know Each Other
When to use: Onboarding, cross-functional teams, after restructures, when teams lack social connection.
1. Work Style Personality Test
Send an assessment like High5 in advance. Share and discuss results during your session.
Best for: New teams | Time: 30–45 min | Group: 5–30 people
2. Guess Whose Life This Is
Team members submit two photos (not showing faces) representing themselves. Colleagues guess who they belong to.
Best for: Deeper connection | Time: 20–30 min | Group: 8–25 people
3. One Thing That’s Not On Your CV
Each person shares something significant that wouldn’t appear on their CV — hidden talents, unusual experiences, personal passions.
Best for: Any team | Time: 1–2 min per person | Group: 5–30 people
4. At Arm’s Reach
Everyone brings an object from their workspace and explains its significance.
Best for: Remote-first teams | Time: 15–25 min | Group: 5–20 people
5. Virtual Line-up
Line up virtually based on tenure or another criterion. Exchange stories about how the organisation has changed.
Best for: Culture-building | Time: 15–20 min | Group: 8–30 people
6. Music Show-and-Tell
Pick a significant song and explain why. Create a shared team playlist.
Best for: Creative teams | Time: 20–30 min | Group: 5–20 people
7. Share Your Bucket List
Share three to five bucket list items. Colleagues suggest ways to help tick them off.
Best for: Deeper relationships | Time: 25–35 min | Group: 5–15 people
Making it stick: Integrate into onboarding, run quarterly mixers, or use at project kickoffs.
Team Building Activities to Focus on a Common Goal
When to use: Strategy resets, project kickoffs, quarterly planning, when teams lack clarity.
8. Six-word Story
Describe your team’s purpose in exactly six words. Share and discuss the variation.
Best for: Strategic alignment | Time: 15–20 min | Tools: Virtual whiteboard
9. Show-and-tell Session
Regular sessions where people share progress, challenges, and upcoming work.
Best for: Transparency | Time: 30–45 min | Group: 5–20 people
10. A Look to the Future
Envision where your organisation will be in ten years. Share and discuss alignment.
Best for: Strategy
