As remote work becomes more prevalent, one of the biggest challenges for managers is maintaining workplace culture and employee engagement. Without in-person interactions, it can be difficult for remote employees to feel connected to their team and company.

That’s where virtual team building games, like Work From Home Bingo, come in. These fun events not only provide a welcome break from work but also offer a chance for remote employees to connect and bond with their team members in a casual and enjoyable setting.

In this article, we’ll explore the rules and objective of work from home bingo, suggest 30 different bingo squares to include on your cards, offer tips for supporting remote workers in withe work from home (WFH) journey, and provide ideas for boosting remote worker engagement. Let’s dive in!

How to Play Work From Home Bingo

To get started with work from home bingo, you’ll need to create your own bingo cards. There are a few different options to consider, depending on your team’s needs and preferences.

1. Printable Bingo Cards: If you’re looking for a low-tech option, you can easily find free printable bingo templates online. Simply create enough cards for your team and email them out for team members to print in advance of your video call ice breaker or virtual happy hour.
2. Bingo Card Generator: If you want more functionality and customization options, consider using a bingo card generator. These online tools allow you to select your own bingo squares and generate virtual bingo cards that your team can access on their devices. Many generators even include a free space in the center of the card.
3. Online Game: If you want to take things to the next level, consider playing a fully online game of work from home bingo. There are various platforms and apps available that offer virtual bingo functionality, including the ability to mark off squares and track progress.

Once you have your bingo cards ready, it’s time to start playing. Here’s how:

1. Choose the First Player: To begin, select the first player. This can be determined by a random draw or by whoever is celebrating a birthday or milestone.
2. Mark Off Your Squares: Have the first player “call” a line from their card that they’ve done and want to mark off. All other players can now mark that square off if they’ve experienced the event named. The first player can choose a new player who hasn’t gone yet, and play progresses in the same fashion.
3. Complete a Row of Five Squres (or the Entire Board): Just like regular bingo, the objective of work from home bingo is to mark off an entire row of five squares either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. For a longer game, you may opt to play until someone has marked off their entire board, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The first player to meet the completion requirements wins the game.

To add some extra motivation, consider offering a prize or reward to the winner. This could be a gift card, a bonus, or even just bragging rights. But even without a prize, work from home bingo is a fun and engaging way to boost team morale and stay connected with your remote workers.

35 Ideas to Include in Your Bingo Card

Looking for some inspiration for your Work From Home Bingo card? Here are 35 fun and creative ideas to add to your virtual game that are sure to engage your remote team.

Tips for Supporting Remote Employees and Boosting Employee Engagement

While a remote work bingo game is sure to get your off-site employees engaged for a short time, longer-lasting support will take a bit more effort on your behalf.

It’s important to support your remote employees and maintain a strong sense of employee engagement within your team. Here are some tips for supporting remote employees and boosting employee engagement:

• Provide the Right Tools and Resources: Make sure your remote team members have access to the tools and resources they need to do their job effectively. This can include software, hardware, and communication tools like video conferencing and instant messaging platforms.
• Encourage Regular Communication: Remote workers can often feel isolated, so it’s important to encourage regular communication among team members. This can include daily check-ins, weekly team meetings, and one-on-one meetings between managers and team members.
• Use Virtual Team Building Activities: Consider hosting additional events, like a virtual escape room or murder mystery party to get team members working together towards a common goal. These types of activities can be done with the help of the right login-based website, or by mailing physical packets of clues and having your employees meet for secret, small group conference calls where they reveal certain clues about their assigned character or fictional location, and work together to come to a conclusion.
• Foster a Positive Company Culture: Remote workers should feel like they are a part of the company culture, even if they are working from home. Encourage your team members to participate in company-wide events and activities—even physical ones that they have to travel to attend—in order to create a culture of inclusivity and open communication.
• Provide Opportunities for Growth and Development: Remote employees should have the same opportunities for growth and development as on-site employees. Provide training and professional development opportunities, and encourage employees to set goals and work towards career advancement.

By implementing these tips, you can support your remote employees and boost employee engagement, creating a stronger and more cohesive remote team.

Conclusion

Work From Home Bingo is a fun and engaging way to boost employee morale and team building efforts in remote workforces. By incorporating creative and relatable ideas into a virtual bingo board, teams can stay connected and have some fun while working from home. With the ongoing shift towards remote work, it’s important to find innovative ways to maintain office culture and keep employees engaged, and Work From Home Bingo is just one example of how to achieve this.