Spurred by the shift towards remote work, hybrid team building activities offer a blend of in-person and virtual experiences designed to bring teams together, no matter where they are. Whether you are scaling a startup or manage a professional services company, these activities are more important than ever. They help to bridge the gap between remote and on-site employees, fostering a sense of company-wide unity and cooperation.
Hybrid team building activities are also an essential ingredient for a healthy team dynamic. They can improve communication, enhance collaboration, and build trust and understanding among team members, creating a more cohesive and effective team overall.
Of course, these events do have their challenges. Effective team building in a hybrid environment requires clear communication, inclusivity, and the use of the right tools and technology to allow both virtual and in-person participants to interact smoothly. It’s also important to foster a sense of community and participation to ensure that all team members feel valued and included.
As a full-service PEO, Aspen provides a complete HR solution and can create and administer your Hybrid Team Building Activities. We’re here to guide you through creating and implementing these activities for your team.
Tips for Implementing Hybrid Team Building Activities
Implementing these activities requires careful planning and preparation. Thoughtful design is crucial since your activity must work for both in-person and virtual participants, allowing the two groups to interact seamlessly. Keep the activity simple, with clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
However, it’s not just about choosing an activity – it’s about executing it in a way that engages everyone and fosters team spirit. Be aware of the technological requirements for participation, such as screens, webcams, smartphones and/or physical materials (for example, cards or game pieces). There are many tools and platforms available that can help facilitate these activities, and it’s important to choose the right ones for your team.
After the activity, be sure to gather feedback and learn from the experience. This helps to ensure that future activities are even more successful.
Diverse Hybrid Team Building Activities to Try
There’s a whole world of hybrid team building activities out there, each one unique and exciting in its own way. Let’s explore some of the most popular:
Icebreakers and Getting to Know You Activities
Two Truths and a Lie
An easy way to spark conversation and learn interesting facts about your fellow team members is by playing the classic game “two truths and a lie”. Guessing the truth about their past experiences might be harder than you think!
Show and Tell
Bring back the nostalgia of childhood with a virtual show and tell. Invite your team to share something special with the group, whether it’s a cherished memento, a favorite book, or a beloved pet.
Baby Photos
Guessing who’s who between your team’s baby photos is certain to bring a touch of nostalgia and plenty of laughter. It’s a fun way to break the ice while quickly building personal connections.
Games
Trivia Night Competition/Jeopardy Trivia
Host a trivia night and challenge your team’s knowledge. Whether it’s a Jeopardy-style quiz or simply general knowledge, pop culture, or industry-specific trivia, this activity is a fun (and competitive!) way to bond as a team.
Virtual Game Show
Nothing gets your team connected and excited like a virtual game show! Virtual platforms offer an opportunity to blend physical and virtual play to bring a hybrid team together, whether it’s for a trivia quiz, a talent show, or a cooking competition.
Pictionary
Unleash your team’s creativity with a game of Pictionary. This activity can be an innovative and exciting way to improve communication and teamwork skills.
Name That Tune
Test your team’s ears (and musical knowledge) with a game of Name That Tune. This activity can be a fun and competitive way to learn more about each other’s music tastes and challenge your team’s listening skills.
Charades
Bring out the actors in your team with a game of charades. This activity can be a fun and engaging way to improve communication and teamwork.
Tasting Activities
Cocktail Shakeup
Explore the inner mixologists in your team with a virtual cocktail shakeup. Learn to make new drinks, share your favorite recipes, and enjoy a fun and relaxing time together.
Online Cooking Classes
Discover the joy of cooking together with online cooking classes. Learn new recipes, share cooking tips, and best of all, enjoy the delicious results.
Virtual Beer & Wine Tasting Classes
Take your team on a virtual journey through the world of beer or wine. Learn about different craft brews or varietals through a virtual tour, and enjoy a sophisticated and fun experience.
Virtual S'more
Gather your team around the virtual campfire for a s’mores roasting session. (Create s’mores kits for everyone with all the ingredients plus a tea light to stand in for the bonfire). Share stories, laughs, and the joy of making s’mores together, even if you’re miles apart.
Creative Activities
Virtual Art Classes
Spark your team’s creative energy with online art classes. Whether it’s painting, drawing, or pottery, art classes can be a fun and therapeutic way to bond as a team.
Recipe Swap/Virtual Cookbook
Hometown Tours
Travel to your fellow coworkers’ hometowns, thanks to the power of technology. Let each team member play virtual tour guide, introducing their hometown, sharing photos, stories, and favorite spots. This can be a great way to learn about different cultures and backgrounds, fostering a sense of understanding and appreciation within the team.
Adventure Activities
Virtual Murder Mystery
Hybrid Escape Room
Work together to solve puzzles and ‘escape’ from a virtual escape room. This activity is not only fun but also a great way to improve problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Hybrid Scavenger Hunt
Get your team’s adrenaline pumping with an adventurous hybrid scavenger hunt. Explore the great outdoors, solve clues, and race against the clock to find the treasure in this exciting team-building activity.
Other Fun and Celebratory Activities
Team Coffee Breaks
Take a break from work with a casual team coffee session. Chat about non-work-related topics, share a laugh or a personal story, and enjoy a moment of relaxation and camaraderie to break up the workday.
Virtual Lunch Club
Create a virtual lunch club and invite your team to join. Whether it’s sharing a meal over video chat, discussing a shared recipe, or simply enjoying a break together, a virtual lunch club can be a great way to foster a sense of togetherness and community.
Virtual Happy Hour
Host a virtual happy hour and invite your team to join. Whether it’s celebrating a team achievement or simply winding down after a busy week, a happy hour can be a fun and relaxing way to bond as a team.
Book Club
Foster intellectual stimulation and discussion amongst your team with a book club. Whether it’s discussing the latest chart-topping business title or a New York Times best-selling novel, a book club can be a memorable way to promote learning and intellectual curiosity.
Customizing Hybrid Team Building Activities
Since every team is unique, so are the team building activities best suited for each. It’s important to understand the various needs of your team and design activities that cater to those specific needs. Once the activities are implemented, it’s important to evaluate their effectiveness and make adjustments as necessary.
The Future of Hybrid Team Building Activities
The world of hybrid team building activities is constantly evolving. New trends are emerging, and innovation is at the forefront. But whether you’re a small team or a large organization, these activities can help you create a more connected and effective workforce. At Aspen HR, we’re always looking ahead to the future, and we’re excited to see what it holds for hybrid team building activities as they continue to grow and evolve.
What does team building in a hybrid work environment entail?
Team building in a hybrid work environment involves creating activities that engage both remote and on-site employees.
What are the advantages of hybrid team building activities?
How can a hybrid team be supported?
A hybrid team can be supported by providing the necessary tools and technology, fostering open and clear communication, creating opportunities for social interaction, and ensuring that all team members feel valued and included.
What are some popular hybrid team building activities?
Popular hybrid team building activities include virtual happy hours, online cooking classes, digital scavenger hunts, virtual trivia quizzes, and online art classes, among many others.
How can hybrid team building activities enhance team performance?
Hybrid team building activities can enhance team performance by improving communication, fostering collaboration, building trust, and creating a sense of unity among team members.
How frequently should a company conduct hybrid team building activities?
The frequency of hybrid team building activities can vary depending on the needs of the team. However, it’s generally recommended to conduct these activities regularly, such as once a month or once a quarter, to maintain team cohesion and engagement.
Let Aspen HR Help You Build Engagement in your Hybrid Workplace
While a recent innovation, hybrid team building activities are a powerful tool for fostering a sense of unity and collaboration in a hybrid work environment. They can help bridge the gap between remote and on-site employees, improve communication and collaboration, and increase job satisfaction and productivity.
At Aspen HR, we are the leading PEO for companies that have a remote or hybrid workforce. Our robust HR technology platform allows remote staff to feel connected to the workplace. We are also licensed in all 50 states, which allows us to serve clients who have a geographically dispersed workforce. If you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
