11 Best Virtual Holiday Games to Bring Festive Fun to Your Remote Team

Looking to spread holiday cheer and keep your remote team connected? Virtual holiday games are the perfect answer. Here’s a list of 11 games that will bring festive fun and strengthen your team’s bonds.

Key Takeaways

• Virtual holiday games are essential for reducing isolation and enhancing team bonding among remote employees during the festive season.
• Top recommended activities include Virtual Secret Santa, Holiday-Themed Trivia, and Virtual Escape Rooms, all of which promote teamwork and fun engagement.
• Incorporating technology and thoughtful gestures, like personalized swag bags and charity events, can significantly enhance the virtual holiday party experience and foster community spirit.

Why Virtual Holiday Games Are Essential for Remote Teams

Engaging in virtual holiday celebrations helps reduce feelings of isolation often experienced by remote workers. The holiday season, while joyous, can also amplify the sense of separation for those working from home. Virtual holiday games provide a platform for remote employees to connect, share laughter, and experience the festive spirit together, no matter where they are.

Virtual holiday games foster stronger relationships and collaboration among a virtual team of members, which is crucial for a remote team work environment. These games encourage team members to interact in a relaxed and fun setting, breaking down communication barriers and fostering a sense of camaraderie. Online holiday activities can significantly boost employee morale and job satisfaction, helping employees feel valued and appreciated.

Holiday-themed games enhance communication among remote employees, allowing team members to have meaningful conversations, share personal experiences, and build trust. This connection is crucial for a positive work environment and ensures everyone feels part of the team, especially during the Christmas spirit festive season, with holiday characters adding to the atmosphere.

Top Virtual Holiday Games for Team Building

Virtual holiday games are vital for remote teams as they build team chemistry and enhance engagement among employees working from home. These activities not only bring holiday cheer but also build bonds and deeper connections among remote employees.

Here are some top virtual holiday games that can make your company holiday party memorable.

Virtual Secret Santa

One of the most beloved holiday traditions, Secret Santa, can be conducted virtually, allowing remote teams to participate in a festive gift exchange. Organize a virtual Secret Santa by using an online name drawing tool for matching participants. Send gifts in advance and plan a live unwrapping session to share the excitement.

During the live unwrapping, team members can guess their Secret Santa, adding fun and surprise. This activity spreads holiday cheer, strengthens team bonds, and creates lasting memories. Incorporating festive elements like holiday music, Santa hats, and virtual backgrounds can further enhance the experience.

Holiday-Themed Trivia

Holiday-themed trivia can be organized as an individual or team competition, making it a versatile and engaging activity. Frost’s Virtual Holiday Trivia, for example, consists of three rounds where participants answer holiday-related questions for points. This activity can also include icebreaker questions to warm up the participants and set a festive atmosphere.

Prizes for the trivia champion can range from coupons to gift cards, adding an incentive for participation. This game challenges participants’ knowledge of holiday traditions, songs, and history while fostering friendly competition, making it a favorite for many virtual holiday events. Participants must also try to guess correctly to win.

Virtual Escape Room: Holiday Edition

A virtual escape room is a key activity that can be included in holiday events to promote teamwork and problem-solving. Set up a virtual escape room by gathering everyone in the main Zoom session and briefing them on the rules and objectives. For example, in the Virtual Escape Room: Jewel Heist, the objective is to recover stolen jewels by uncovering clues and solving challenges within a time limit.

This holiday twist on the classic game not only provides a fun challenge but also enhances communication, collaboration, and team bonding with a seasonal spin. Working together as a whole team to solve puzzles and complete tasks helps team members build stronger relationships and enjoy a memorable holiday celebration.

Engaging Virtual Holiday Party Ideas

A variety of virtual holiday party ideas can keep everyone entertained and connected throughout the holiday season. Creative competitions and interactive activities can make your virtual holiday party a hit.

Here are some fun and engaging options to consider for your next virtual get together celebration.

Virtual Gingerbread House Competition

A virtual gingerbread house building competition is a fun and engaging activity for remote teams during the holiday season. Participants should:

• Have gingerbread house kits or instructions for homemade materials ready.
• Decorate their gingerbread houses in real-time on a video call.
• Follow a collaborative process during the decoration.

Winners can be chosen using voting tools during the video call, ensuring everyone has a say in the judging process. This activity taps into the holiday spirit, encourages creativity, and promotes teamwork, making it a delightful addition to any virtual holiday party.

Online Holiday Bingo

Online holiday bingo is a classic game with a festive twist. Here’s how to play and add holiday cheer:

• Buy holiday bingo cards online and distribute them to employees.
• Play in chat or breakout rooms.
• Mark five squares in a row to win.
• To add a holiday twist, the winner could ring jingle bells instead of shouting bingo, making the game more festive.
• Prizes for online holiday bingo can include Amazon gift cards or extra PTO hours.

Participants can request a gift box to enhance the Bingo Bonanza Holiday Party experience. This game brings a competitive edge and a festive atmosphere to your virtual holiday event, ensuring everyone has a great time.

Festive Talent Show

A festive talent show is a great way to showcase the hidden talents of team members. Team members can perform holiday songs, magic tricks, or share holiday-themed stories. This showcase allows everyone to display their creativity and celebrate the team’s diverse talents.

Organizing a virtual open mic or talent show recognizes unique talents and fosters unity and celebration. This activity will bring laughter, applause, and a festive spirit to your virtual holiday party.

Interactive Virtual Holiday Activities

Interactive virtual holiday activities offer an engaging way for team members to connect and have fun through team building activities. From holiday caroling karaoke to scavenger hunts, these activities can make your virtual holiday party unforgettable.

Here are some interactive options that will keep everyone entertained for a few minutes.

Virtual Caroling Karaoke

Host virtual holiday karaoke carol on platforms like Zoom or Karafun, bringing people together through music and singing. Useful tools and platforms include:

• Zoom or Karafun for hosting the karaoke sessions
• Watch2Gether to synchronize video streams
• YouTube for holiday lyric playlists and instrumental tracks for holiday carols Teams can use these resources to create a festive sing-along experience.

Encouraging costume themes for karaoke adds excitement and visual fun to the session. This activity brings holiday cheer, fosters a sense of community, and shared enjoyment, making it a great addition to your virtual holiday event.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Set up a virtual scavenger hunt by sharing a list of items for participants to find at home, setting a time limit, and instructing them to return items to their desk. Participants must find items and return them within the time limit, creating a fun and competitive atmosphere. Encourage participants to find holiday-themed items that reflect personal traditions or memories, adding a personal touch.

Suggested items for the scavenger hunt include cinnamon, Santa figurines, or candles. The winning team can receive a gift card prize, adding an incentive for participation.

This game is sure to bring laughter and excitement to your holiday fun holiday game virtual holiday party, getting the ball rolling.

Virtual Holiday Cookie Decorating

To organize the cookie decorating event:

1. Send cookie decorating kits with cookies, icing, and decorations to each participant before the event.
2. During the video call, team members can decorate their cookies in real-time while interacting.
3. At the end of the event, participants can showcase their decorated cookies and share their creations.

Virtual cookie decorating events can bring remote teams together during the holiday season. This activity taps into holiday cookie creativity and fosters a sense of community and shared enjoyment.

Fun Icebreakers for Virtual Holiday Parties

Icebreakers are a great way to start virtual holiday parties, creating a festive atmosphere and helping colleagues get to know each other. Sharing holiday traditions and playful games can make your virtual holiday event more engaging.

Here are some fun holiday icebreaker ideas.

“Christmas in My Town” Icebreaker

The ‘Christmas in My Town’ icebreaker kickstarts conversation and helps colleagues learn about each other’s favorite holiday traditions. Participants can share tips or holiday stories while decorating their gingerbread houses, making the activity more interactive.

This icebreaker fosters cultural exchange and helps team members connect on a deeper level, enhancing the holiday spirit and making the virtual holiday party more memorable.

Holiday "This or That" Game

The ‘This or That’ game can serve as both an icebreaker or the main game in a virtual holiday party. Team members choose between two options and respond in chat or verbally during a video call. This simple yet engaging game encourages participation and can spark interesting conversations.

Presenting holiday-themed choices adds a festive twist, helping team members learn more about each other’s preferences and making it a fun and interactive addition to your virtual holiday event.

Enhancing Your Virtual Holiday Party with Technology

Technology plays a vital role in making virtual holiday parties successful. Interactive elements and creative backgrounds can enhance the festive atmosphere and ensure smooth participation.

Here are some ways to leverage technology for your virtual holiday party.

Using Zoom for Virtual Holiday Events

Zoom enables the creation of custom meeting links, making it easy to manage multiple events. Zoom’s chat feature allows participants to share holiday messages or photos in real-time, enhancing the interactive experience through video conferencing.

Breakout rooms can host fun activities like:

• Caroling
• Cocktail-making
• Cookie decorating These activities enhance team interaction and make the event more engaging. 

Zoom’s versatility makes it an excellent choice for hosting virtual holiday parties.

Incorporating Virtual Backgrounds

Unique virtual backgrounds can transform a standard video call into a festive atmosphere, enhancing engagement during virtual holiday gatherings. Seasonal backgrounds set a festive mood and enhance the theme of the virtual gathering. Participants can use backgrounds showcasing their favorite holiday scenes, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

Encouraging team members to design and share their own themed virtual backgrounds can boost creativity and participation. This simple yet effective use of technology can make your virtual holiday event more visually appealing and enjoyable.

Tips for Planning a Successful Virtual Holiday Party

Planning a successful virtual holiday party requires careful consideration and preparation. From setting the date and time to creating a detailed agenda, these tips will help you organize an event that everyone will enjoy.

Let’s explore some essential tips for planning your holiday version of a virtual holiday celebration.

Setting a Date and Time

Choosing a time that aligns with regular work hours can increase attendance at virtual parties. When scheduling the party, consider the following:

• Early December is a popular time for virtual parties.
• Events can also be effective in January, allowing everyone to participate without conflicting with their holiday schedules.
• Consider both team availability and holiday schedules to select the best date and time for the event.

A well-chosen date and time can significantly impact the success of your virtual holiday party. By ensuring that most team members are available and excited to attend, you can create an event that fosters connection and holiday cheer.

Creating a Detailed Agenda

Providing a structured agenda helps maintain engagement and informs participants about what to expect during the event. Virtual holiday party invitations should be sent a few weeks before the event, allowing participants to plan accordingly. A good approach for scheduling a virtual holiday party is to run two shorter sessions on the same day for flexibility.

A virtual holiday party typically should run for 40–60 minutes, ensuring that the event is engaging without becoming overwhelming. By creating a detailed agenda, you can keep the event organized and ensure that all activities run smoothly, making the party more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Spreading Holiday Cheer Beyond Games

Spreading holiday cheer goes beyond just playing games. From sending holiday swag bags to hosting virtual charity events, there are many ways to show appreciation and foster a sense of community among remote teams.

Let’s explore some additional ways to spread holiday cheer during your virtual holiday celebration.

Sending Holiday Swag Bags

Sending personalized holiday swag bags can enhance team morale and show appreciation for team members’ efforts. Personalization of swag bag contents based on individual preferences shows thoughtful consideration, making each team member feel valued. Swag bags can include cozy items like blankets and socks or festive accessories, adding a touch of holiday spirit.

These thoughtful gestures can boost morale and create a sense of unity among remote workers. By sending holiday swag bags, you can show your team that their hard work is appreciated and that they are an integral part of the company.

Hosting a Virtual Charity Event

Organizing a virtual charity event promotes generosity and community spirit among remote teams. Teams can coordinate philanthropy efforts and invite employees working with charities to participate, fostering a sense of purpose and connection. Donating to charity during holiday events practices gratitude and generosity, making the celebration more meaningful.

By hosting a virtual charity event, you can bring your team together for a good cause, enhancing the holiday spirit and creating lasting positive impacts. This activity not only spreads holiday cheer but also strengthens the bond among team members.

Summary

Virtual holiday games and activities offer a unique and engaging way to bring festive fun to remote teams. From virtual secret Santa and holiday-themed trivia to interactive activities like cookie decorating and caroling karaoke, there are countless ways to celebrate the holiday season together. These activities not only boost morale and foster team spirit but also create lasting memories and connections. Platforms like Offsite make this process even easier by curating ready-made virtual holiday experiences that are designed to keep teams connected, engaged, and entertained without the stress of organizing everything yourself.

By carefully planning and incorporating various elements, you can ensure that your virtual holiday party is a success. Embrace the festive spirit, leverage technology, and spread holiday cheer beyond games to create a memorable and enjoyable celebration for all. Here’s to making this holiday season one to remember, filled with joy, laughter, and connection.