Planning your event
How to Choose the Right Virtual Activity for Your Team
The right activity fits your team’s interests, circumstances and available time. Look beyond the theme: compare what participants actually do, how the event is hosted and how much preparation it requires.
Published and updated · Teamantics
Teamantics is White Rhino’s virtual team building brand.
1. What types of virtual team activities are available?
Common formats include quizzes, escape-room-style puzzles, murder mysteries, creative workshops, cooking sessions, collaborative challenges and facilitated conversations.
Requirements vary. Some activities use only a browser and video call; others require an app, additional equipment or materials delivered beforehand.
2. How do you choose an activity your team will enjoy?
Start with a short preference check rather than assuming everyone enjoys the same thing. Ask whether colleagues prefer puzzles, creative tasks, general knowledge, conversation or competition.
Also consider available time, access requirements and preparation. Offering a choice between two or three suitable options can help people feel involved without creating an overwhelming shortlist.
3. What is a virtual escape room?
A virtual escape room is an online challenge in which participants solve clues and puzzles to complete a mission or progress through a story. Teams usually share observations and combine ideas.
Delivery varies between providers. Some experiences are browser-based, while others use an app or a live host. Check the specific activity’s technology and participation requirements.
4. What is a virtual murder mystery?
A virtual murder mystery asks participants to investigate a fictional case using evidence, clues and information about suspects. Some formats involve acting as characters; others focus on collaborative investigation.
Check whether participants need to perform, read material beforehand or take on an assigned role. The phrase “murder mystery” does not describe one standard format.
5. What is the difference between an escape room and a murder mystery?
Escape-room-style activities usually centre on solving a sequence of puzzles to complete a mission. Murder mysteries usually centre on interpreting evidence and identifying what happened.
Both can involve teamwork and problem solving. Choose based on the actual gameplay and participation style, rather than the category name alone.
6. Are quizzes suitable for teams with different backgrounds?
They can be, provided the questions and format suit the group. Consider language, cultural references, specialist knowledge and whether the quiz includes ways to contribute beyond recalling facts.
Ask for examples of question topics. A quiz heavily focused on one country’s television or sport may not suit an international team.
7. Should you choose a competitive or collaborative activity?
Choose competition when the group enjoys scoring, time pressure and a clear winner. Choose a more collaborative format when the priority is shared problem solving or a relaxed experience.
Many activities combine both: colleagues cooperate within small teams while competing against other teams. Explain the format beforehand so participants know what to expect.
8. How can quieter colleagues participate comfortably?
Look for small-group tasks and different ways to contribute, such as spotting clues, organising information or discussing solutions. Avoid formats that rely entirely on speaking in front of the whole group.
Ask how the host encourages participation without putting individuals on the spot. Quiet participation should not automatically be treated as disengagement.
9. How do you avoid making the event feel like forced fun?
Choose a format that suits the group and give an honest preview of what it involves. Avoid unnecessary personal disclosure, surprise performances or activities that depend on embarrassing participants.
Acknowledge that people have different preferences. A clear purpose, reasonable timing and respectful facilitation can make participation feel more comfortable.
10. What works well for colleagues who are meeting for the first time?
Choose an activity with clear instructions, shared tasks and little reliance on existing relationships or inside jokes. Small-group interaction gives new colleagues more opportunity to speak than a large open discussion.
Avoid assuming that new starters want to share personal information. Give them a useful shared experience and room to contribute at their own pace.
11. What should you consider for a large group?
Check the activity’s capacity, meeting-platform limits, team structure and facilitation arrangements. A large attendance number does not necessarily mean everyone interacts in one room throughout.
Ask how participants move between the main session and smaller groups, how questions are handled and what happens if someone joins late.
12. Should you choose a hosted or self-run event?
A hosted event gives someone responsibility for explaining the activity, maintaining the pace and guiding participants. It can reduce the organiser’s gameplay workload.
A self-run event can offer more flexibility and may suit a smaller budget, but someone still needs to prepare and lead it. Compare the organiser’s available time and confidence as well as the purchase price.
13. What should you ask about accessibility before booking?
Describe the requirements relevant to your group and ask how the activity accommodates them. Useful questions cover captions, visual clues, audio content, reading demands, timed tasks, device compatibility and alternative ways to participate.
Do not rely on a general “accessible” label. Suitability depends on both the activity and the individual’s requirements.
14. How should you compare suppliers?
Compare the complete experience: participant tasks, duration, hosting, technology, preparation, total cost and booking terms. Look for specific reviews describing an experience similar to the one you are considering.
Ask for a sample of joining instructions or an event page. Clear participant information can help you assess the practical experience before buying.
15. How do you choose between Teamantics activities?
Compare each activity’s theme, duration, participant requirements and description of the gameplay. Set your team size to see the relevant team total before deciding.
Teamantics offers professionally hosted virtual activities, including escape rooms, murder mysteries, quizzes and adventure challenges. Check individual activity pages for the available formats and options.