Let’s face it, working remotely has its perks (hello, pajama meetings and no commute), but it can also get really isolating if you’re not careful. Without the casual kitchen chats, hallway hellos, or after-work hangouts, team bonding can easily fall through the cracks. And when that happens? Collaboration takes a hit, morale dips, and suddenly work feels a whole lot less fun.
That’s where remote team bonding: social events and games come in.
At Harmonize, we get it, because we’re remote too. Our team is spread across the world, and ever since COVID shifted the way we work, we’ve been intentional about staying connected. From virtual games to low-key hangouts, we’ve tried it all (and had our fair share of laughs along the way).
These moments of play aren’t just about killing time; they help us build trust, spark real conversations, and remind everyone that behind the avatars and Slack threads are real people. Whether you’ve got a fully remote crew or a hybrid setup, adding a little fun to the mix can seriously boost team vibes.
In this blog, we’re rounding up creative, low-lift, and genuinely enjoyable ideas to bring your remote team closer together.
Fun Social Events and Games to Bring Remote Teams Together
Here’s the thing: remote team bonding doesn’t have to mean forcing everyone into a cringey icebreaker or sitting through yet another Zoom quiz. The goal is to keep it light, low-pressure, and something people look forward to. Here are some crowd-favorite ideas (including a few we’ve tried at Harmonize):
1. Virtual Game Show Hour
We’ve done this one at Harmonize, and it’s always a hit. Think Jeopardy! or Family Feud, but with your team. Use tools like Kahoot, QuizBreaker, or even build a DIY version in Google Slides. You can theme it around company trivia, pop culture, or inside jokes; bonus points if you get someone to host it in a dramatic game-show voice.
2. Two Truths and a Lie, Slack Edition
This one never gets old. Ask everyone to drop two truths and one lie in a Slack thread, and let the team guess. It’s fast, funny, and usually sparks random conversations. Great way to uncover weird talents or past lives no one knew about.
3. Online Escape Rooms
Yes, these exist, and they’re surprisingly good. Companies like The Escape Game or Enchambered offer remote-friendly versions where teams solve puzzles together in real time. It’s collaborative, challenging, and a great test of communication.
4. “Bring Your Pet (or Plant) to Work” Day
Everyone hops on a short call to introduce their dog, cat, parrot, plant, or whatever they’ve been co-parenting during WFH life. It’s wholesome, hilarious, and perfect for a midweek mood boost.
5. Jackbox Games or Skribbl.io
Low effort, high chaos. Jackbox has a bunch of mini games that work great over screen share, like Fibbage or Drawful. Skribbl.io is Pictionary in your browser. Zero setup, and always a good laugh (even if no one can draw).
6. Themed Costume Call
This one’s great for holidays or just because. Think “hat day,” “superhero day,” or “wear your ugliest shirt” Friday. Keep it simple and make it optional; people love showing off their creativity (and sometimes their weirdest wardrobe choices).
7. Guess That Desk
Ask everyone to send a photo of their workspace. Then display them one by one and have the team guess who’s who. It’s surprisingly fun to see who’s minimal, who’s chaotic, and who clearly cleaned up right before taking the photo.
8. Remote Team Bingo
Make a custom bingo card with boxes like: “Has a dog bark during a call,” “Mentions coffee,” or “Wears a hoodie.” Share it at the start of the week and let people mark off squares as things happen. It adds a layer of passive fun to everyday interactions, no meeting required.
9. Coffee Roulette ☕
Once a month, pair up team members randomly (or use tools like Donut on Slack) for a 15-minute virtual coffee chat. No agenda, no work talk, just a chance to connect with someone new. Especially helpful in global teams like ours at Harmonize to bridge those cross-country gaps.
10. Virtual Show & Tell
Remember how fun this was in school? Bring it back. Once a month, let team members take a few minutes to show off something personal, a hobby project, a weird mug, a recent photo they love, or a book they’re into. It’s lowkey, casual, and great for building rapport.
11. Emoji Story Game
This is a fun async activity on Slack or Teams. Start a thread with a sentence written only in emojis. The next person has to “translate” it into words and add the next part of the story using emojis. It gets weird fast, and that’s the best part.
12. Virtual Cook-Along or Bake-Off
Pick a recipe (something simple and globally accessible), set a date, and cook together on Zoom. People can show off their results, or failures, and vote on the most “nailed it” dish. We’ve had team members in different time zones cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner at once.
13. GIF Reaction Battles
Host a meeting or a Slack thread where the only way to respond is using GIFs. Ask a question like “How’s your week going?” or “What’s your mood today?” and let the battle begin. It’s chaotic, expressive, and surprisingly therapeutic.
14. Guess the Baby Photo
Ask teammates to share a baby photo ahead of time. Then share them all in a slideshow and have the team guess who’s who. This one always brings laughs (and a few surprises).
15. Async Playlist Party
Create a shared Spotify playlist and ask everyone to add a song they love or that matches a mood/theme (e.g., “songs to code to” or “Friday feels”). It’s a fun way to discover new music and feel connected through vibes.
Tips for Making Remote Games and Social Events Actually Work
You’ve got the remote team bonding ideas, now here’s how to make sure they don’t flop:
Keep It Optional (but Welcoming)
Nobody likes mandatory fun. Let people know it’s okay to skip, but create a vibe that makes them want to join. A chill invite, a fun name, or even a lighthearted Slack message can go a long way.
Keep It Short and Sweet
Aim for 20–30 minutes max. People are more likely to join (and stay engaged) when they know it won’t take over their calendar. Even a tight 15-minute game can be a great reset between meetings.
Be Time Zone-Friendly
At Harmonize, with folks in India, the US, and Pakistan, we rotate timing or pick overlapping hours that work for most. If live events are tricky, try async activities like Slack threads, polls, or simple reaction games.
Create Space for Quiet Folks
Not everyone loves to speak up on video calls. Try formats where people can participate by typing, reacting, or sharing photos, not just talking. You’ll get broader engagement and avoid putting anyone on the spot.
Switch It Up
Don’t run the same activity every time. Rotate hosts, themes, or formats to keep it fresh. You can even invite team members to suggest or lead an event; ownership builds enthusiasm.
Know Your Team’s Vibe
A group of engineers might love logic puzzles, while a marketing team might lean into creative games. Pay attention to what clicks and tailor future events around that.
Put It on the Calendar
If you want people to show up, it needs to live in their calendar. Add a recurring invite or drop reminders in your team’s main Slack channel so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
Final Thoughts: Keep the Fun in Remote Work
Remote work doesn’t mean you have to miss out on remote team bonding; you just have to get a little creative. Whether it’s a quick Slack game, a monthly cook-along, or a spontaneous GIF battle, these small moments of connection make a big difference.
At our company, we’ve seen how even the simplest virtual events can spark laughter, build trust, and bring teammates closer, no matter how many time zones we’re working across.
This blog is brought to you by AttendanceBot, the all-in-one time tracking, leave management, and shift planning tool built for remote and hybrid teams inside Slack and Microsoft Teams. Whether you’re coordinating time off, managing work hours, or setting up flexible schedules, AttendanceBot helps teams stay in sync, so there’s always time for a little fun, too.
