Table of contents
The Challenges of Building Remote Team Bonds
1. Virtual Coffee Breaks
2. Asynchronous Icebreakers
3. Online Game Tournaments
4. Cross-Cultural Learning Sessions
5. Collaborative Playlists
6. Virtual Escape Rooms
7. Wellness Challenges
8. Shared Learning Programs
Final Thoughts
Contributors

Sherry T.
Contributor
In today’s globally distributed workforce, building effective teams across time zones is essential. Remote work allows organizations to tap into talent from around the world, but it also presents some significant hurdles—the biggest one being how to nurture a sense of camaraderie among coworkers who might never share the same physical space.
Office lunches and after-work drinks are tried and true methods of bonding in the workplace. But when remote team members are spread across continents, these kinds of activities simply are not feasible. Even if they were possible, virtual happy hours and similar events can sometimes feel forced or awkward. So how can you help your remote team bond? We’ve got some ideas.
The Challenges of Building Remote Team Bonds
Building bonds in a remote team is hard for several reasons.
First, there is the simple fact that people who work remotely tend not to have much face-to-face interaction. Many still consider in-person time to be crucial for building trust and rapport. Without it, remote workers have to rely on other methods—like video calls and instant messaging—to establish and maintain relationships.
Asynchronous communication dampens spontaneity, cultural differences can make certain team activities unappealing or inappropriate, and the absence of a physical presence can sometimes diminish the “human” factor in work relationships.
Overcoming these obstacles calls for effort and creativity. Fully remote companies like Buffer and GitLab have developed ways to surmount them, and their methods serve as useful templates for other organizations moving in the same direction.
1. Virtual Coffee Breaks
An easy yet effective way to bond is with virtual coffee breaks. These informal meetups give colleagues a chance to chat about non-work topics and create more personal connections. Tools like Donut, which integrates with Slack, help set up these kinds of interactions by pairing team members randomly for quick catch-ups, mimicking the spontaneity of watercooler chats.
Why it works:
- Sessions can be scheduled at times that overlap globally.
- Conversations aren’t tied to a specific cultural context.
To accommodate different time zones, you can set up multiple time slots or rotate schedules weekly.
2. Asynchronous Icebreakers
For teams spread across many time zones, synchronous activities might not always be feasible. Enter asynchronous icebreakers. These activities let employees share personal stories, photos, or fun facts on shared platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Notion. For example, you could create a channel for “Two Truths and a Lie” where team members post their statements and colleagues guess the lie when they’re online. Another idea is a weekly photo challenge where employees share a snapshot of something meaningful from their week.
Why it works:
- Builds familiarity over time, reducing initial awkwardness.
- No need for real-time coordination.
3. Online Game Tournaments
Gamification serves as a potent motivator, and remote teams can leverage online games to bond virtually. Platforms like Skribbl.io (an online drawing and guessing game) or Among Us are excellent for this purpose.
They require minimal setup, and most people can start playing right away. These games are also great because they have built-in “tournament” structures that allow you to declare winners and losers at the end of each session.
You do not need to play these games for hours on end; short bursts work just fine, especially when you are trying to accommodate different time zones.
Why it works:
- People can join in without feeling they are being evaluated, which makes games ideal for initiating conversations about diversity and inclusion.
- Games are a natural way to get people to interact. They create a relaxed atmosphere that encourages participation.
4. Cross-Cultural Learning Sessions
Organizing cross-cultural learning sessions is another way to use your team’s diversity as a bonding opportunity. You could take it a step further and host virtual cooking classes where everyone prepares a dish from a team member’s culture. This fosters respect and curiosity while strengthening bonds.
Why it works:
- It creates meaningful connections by highlighting shared experiences.
- It celebrates diversity.
5. Collaborative Playlists
Music is a universal language, and creating a shared playlist can be a surprisingly effective way to build team cohesion. Using platforms like Spotify or YouTube, you can compile songs that represent each team member’s personality or culture. To add an interactive element, you can host a “listening party” where everyone discusses their song choices. Let the playlist become the unofficial soundtrack of your team!
Why it works:
- Provides information about coworkers’ preferences and histories.
- Encourages self-expression.
6. Virtual Escape Rooms
Promoting problem-solving and teamwork is what virtual escape rooms do best. Remote-friendly experiences can be found through companies like Teambuilding.com and Outback Team Building.
One suggestion: If you have a larger group, use an escape room that was built for smaller groups so everyone has a chance to participate. Another suggestion: If your team is spread out across different time zones, schedule multiple sessions so everyone can partake in the fun.
Why it works:
- Teams are required to collaborate closely in order to unravel the mysteries of the puzzles which promotes high engagement.
7. Wellness Challenges
Wellness challenges promote healthy habits while fostering team camaraderie. For example, you can create a step-count competition using apps like Strava or Fitbit.
Another option is to host mindfulness or yoga sessions via Zoom, at times when most employees can attend.
A “screen-free challenge” could also work: have employees take breaks from their devices and update the rest of the group on what they are doing.
Why it works:
- These activities support mental and physical well-being and align with company values around work-life balance.
8. Shared Learning Programs
Team building activities can serve a dual purpose and double as professional development opportunities. One way to accomplish this is to create shared learning programs where employees take an online course or read a book together.
Platforms like Coursera or MasterClass offer group-friendly options that work well for this kind of program. After completing the course or book, it is important to have a follow-up discussion with the team. This is where the real bonding happens, because during the discussion, members share insights they gained from the experience, and sometimes they even share what it was like to do a project on the chosen platform.
Why it works:
- Blends individual development with teamwork. When people work together, they experience a dual benefit: they hone their personal skills and, at the same time, learn how to collaborate better.
One of the key outcomes of good team building is providing that shared sense of accomplishment. When you do something together, you feel more connected to the people you did it with. And it’s just more fun to succeed when you are not alone in that success!
For example, ask your team:
- Did they enjoy the activity?
- Did it help them connect with colleagues?
- What changes would they recommend?
Gallup’s research indicates that engaged teams are not only more productive but also have better retention rates. So, investing time in remote team-building activities should pay off for both the individuals and the organization as a whole.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, building connections among remote team members is crucial but can be challenging.
Building a remote team requires creativity, adaptability, and an understanding of your team’s unique dynamics. It helps to think of building a remote team as three separate but interrelated tasks: connecting people, enabling them to do their jobs well, and fostering a shared sense of purpose. Do all three things well, and you’ve got yourself a solid remote team.