Your calendar is packed with video calls. Your team is exhausted from back-to-back meetings. And now someone wants to schedule another "fun" team building activity that requires everyone to be on camera at the same time.
Sound familiar?
Video call fatigue is real. Research shows that remote workers spend an average of 6+ hours per day on video calls, leading to increased stress, decreased productivity, and burnout. The last thing your team needs is another mandatory video call, even if it's meant to be fun.
The good news? You don't need video calls to build team culture. In fact, some of the best team building activities work better when they're asynchronous. Here are remote team activities that don't require video calls—and actually work. (For a comprehensive guide to remote team building games, check out our Ultimate Guide to Remote Team Building Games.)
Why Skip the Video Call?
Before we dive into the activities, let's understand why async activities often work better:
- Respects time zones: No need to find a time that works for everyone across multiple continents
- Reduces pressure: Introverts and busy team members can participate on their own terms
- Eliminates fatigue: Your team is already on video calls all day—give them a break
- Increases participation: When activities are optional and flexible, more people actually join in
- Builds culture over time: Ongoing async activities create lasting connections, not just one-time boosts
1. Music Sharing Games
Music is universal, personal, and surprisingly revealing. Music sharing games like Unknown Bangers create natural conversation starters without requiring anyone to be on camera. (Learn more about why music games are the secret to better team culture.)
How it works: Team members submit songs weekly through Slack. Everyone listens and rates them on their own schedule. You discover shared musical interests and spark conversations naturally.
Why it works without video: Music is meant to be listened to, not discussed in real-time. The async format lets people actually enjoy the music and think about their responses. Plus, you can listen during breaks, commutes, or whenever you have a few minutes.
Best for: Teams of 4-20 people, weekly engagement, building authentic connections
2. Async Trivia Games
Trivia doesn't need to be a live competition. Async trivia games run over a week, giving everyone time to participate when they can.
How it works: Post trivia questions in Slack throughout the week. Team members answer when they have time. Reveal answers on Friday and celebrate the winners.
Why it works without video: People can think through answers, research if needed, and participate at their own pace. No pressure to answer quickly or be on camera.
Best for: Large teams, competitive personalities, knowledge sharing
3. Photo Challenges
Weekly photo challenges are simple but effective. Themes like "your workspace," "your pet," or "something that made you smile today" encourage sharing without being invasive.
How it works: Post a weekly theme in Slack. Team members share photos throughout the week. No pressure, no deadlines, no video calls.
Why it works without video: Photos speak for themselves. You don't need to explain them in real-time. The visual content is engaging and reveals personality naturally.
Best for: Creative teams, visual learners, building personal connections
4. Written Storytelling
Create a shared document or Slack thread where team members contribute to an ongoing story. Each person adds a paragraph or two, building on what others wrote.
How it works: Start with a prompt or opening line. Team members add to the story throughout the week. Read the final story on Friday.
Why it works without video: Writing allows people to be creative and thoughtful. No pressure to perform or think on the spot. The collaborative nature builds connection through shared creation.
Best for: Creative teams, writers, building collaborative culture
5. Two Truths and a Lie (Async Version)
The classic icebreaker, but done asynchronously. Each team member posts three statements about themselves, and others guess which is the lie.
How it works: One person posts their statements in Slack. Others comment with their guesses throughout the week. Reveal the answer after a few days.
Why it works without video: People can think about their guesses, ask questions in the thread, and participate when they have time. No awkward silence or pressure to respond immediately.
Best for: New teams, getting to know each other, breaking the ice
6. Virtual Coffee Roulette (Async Version)
Instead of mandatory video coffee chats, create a Slack channel where paired team members can chat asynchronously throughout the week.
How it works: Pair team members randomly each week. They have a dedicated Slack thread to chat about anything—work, life, interests. No scheduled calls required.
Why it works without video: Some people communicate better in writing. The async format removes scheduling pressure and allows for more thoughtful conversations.
Best for: Building deeper relationships, cross-team connections, introverted team members
7. Shared Playlists
Create collaborative playlists where team members add songs based on themes. Everyone can listen on their own schedule.
How it works: Start a Spotify playlist with a theme (e.g., "Songs for Monday Morning" or "Workout Bangers"). Team members add songs throughout the week. Everyone listens when they can.
Why it works without video: Music is personal and doesn't need discussion. The shared playlist creates a sense of community without requiring synchronous participation.
Best for: Music-loving teams, creating shared experiences, low-pressure engagement
8. Book or Article Club
Choose a book, article, or podcast episode for the team to consume. Discuss it asynchronously in Slack.
How it works: Pick something short (an article or podcast episode) or break a book into chapters. Team members read/listen on their schedule and discuss in a Slack thread.
Why it works without video: People can consume content at their own pace and think about their responses. Written discussions often go deeper than verbal ones.
Best for: Learning-oriented teams, knowledge sharing, building intellectual connections
9. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items or experiences for team members to find or complete. They share photos or descriptions as they complete items.
How it works: Post a list of items (e.g., "something blue," "your favorite snack," "a view from your window"). Team members complete items throughout the week and share in Slack.
Why it works without video: No need to coordinate schedules. People can participate when they have time, and the visual sharing creates engagement.
Best for: Active teams, visual sharing, weekly engagement
10. Gratitude or Wins Sharing
Create a weekly thread where team members share something they're grateful for or a win from the week.
How it works: Post a Slack thread each week. Team members add their gratitude or wins throughout the week. Read through them on Friday.
Why it works without video: Written gratitude often feels more authentic and thoughtful. People can reflect and share when they're ready, not when put on the spot.
Best for: Building positive culture, recognition, team appreciation
Best Practices for Async Team Activities
Keep It Optional
Forced fun isn't fun. Make participation encouraged but not mandatory. When people choose to participate, engagement is more authentic.
Set Clear Expectations
Explain how the activity works, when it happens, and what's expected. Clear guidelines help people participate confidently.
Make It Easy
Use tools that integrate with your existing workflow (like Slack). The easier it is to participate, the more people will join in.
Be Consistent
Regular activities build culture over time. Weekly or bi-weekly activities work better than one-time events.
Celebrate Participation
Acknowledge people who participate. A simple "thanks for sharing!" goes a long way in building positive culture.
The Benefits of Async Team Activities
Async team activities offer several advantages over video call-based activities:
- Better for distributed teams: Works across any time zone without scheduling nightmares
- More inclusive: Introverts and busy team members can participate on their terms
- Reduces fatigue: No additional video calls when your team is already maxed out
- Builds lasting culture: Ongoing activities create connections over time, not just temporary boosts
- Higher participation: When activities are flexible and optional, more people actually join in
Getting Started
Ready to try async team activities? Start with one that fits your team's personality. Music sharing games like Unknown Bangers are perfect for teams looking for an easy, engaging way to build culture without another video call.
Set it up once, let it run automatically, and watch your team culture improve week by week. No video calls required, no time zone coordination, just authentic connections through shared interests.
Your team will thank you for giving them a break from video calls while still building meaningful connections. And who knows—you might discover that async activities actually work better than the video call alternatives.
Remember: the best team building activities are the ones your team actually wants to participate in. Keep it simple, make it optional, and let the connections happen naturally—no video calls required.