Here is our guide to Amazing Race online.
We put this guide together after running thousands of online team building activities internally and for clients.
Playing Amazing Race online virtually with teams involves a series of challenges, puzzles, and tasks. Teams must complete these exercises within a set time frame, all conducted through virtual platforms. The benefits of playing this game with your team include fostering collaboration, problem-solving skills, and communication. Participants will work together to overcome obstacles and race toward the finish line.
Ideal group size:
4 to 10 players
Activity duration:
60 to 90 minutes
Cost:
$20 to $50
This estimate includes potential expenses for virtual platform subscriptions, digital puzzle materials, and any additional props or resources.
What you’ll need:
- Video conferencing software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
- Online collaboration tools (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, Trello) for sharing clues, puzzles, and tasks
- Virtual escape room platforms or puzzle websites for interactive challenges
How to play:
Step 1: Plan the Race Route
First, design a virtual race route with a series of challenges, puzzles, and tasks that teams must complete. It is a good idea to ensure a variety of challenges to engage different skills and interests.
Step 2: Divide Participants into Teams
Before the game, assign participants to teams of 4 to 6 members each. Consider mixing up team compositions to encourage cross-departmental collaboration and bonding.
Step 3: Explain the Rules and Objectives
After making teams, clarify the rules, objectives, and time frame for the Amazing Race. Be sure to emphasize the importance of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving throughout the race.
Step 4: Introduce the Challenges
Then, present the challenges to each team through virtual platforms, including clues, puzzles, and tasks. You should provide clear instructions and any necessary resources for completing each challenge.
Step 5: Set a Time Limit
Be sure to specify a time limit for teams to complete the Amazing Race. This step will ensure enough time for participants to engage in the challenges while maintaining a sense of urgency.
Step 6: Foster Collaboration and Communication
Teams can communicate effectively and collaborate closely to strategize and tackle each challenge. Breakout rooms or group chats to facilitate discussions and decision-making.
Step 7: Monitor Progress and Provide Support
Hosts should track each team’s progress throughout the race and offer support or hints when needed. Additionally, maintain active communication with teams to address any questions or concerns.
Step 8: Celebrate Achievements and Progress
As teams progress through the race, celebrate milestones and achievements. In addition, recognize creativity, teamwork, and perseverance demonstrated by participants.
Step 9: Award Prizes and Acknowledge Efforts
After the race, announce the winning team based on their performance and completion of challenges. Further, recognize all participants for their contributions and efforts in making the Amazing Race a memorable and engaging experience.
Examples of games or activities:
1. Virtual Scavenger Hunt
- Provide a list of items or clues that participants must find within their own homes.
- Participants search for and collect the items or solve the clues within a set time limit.
- Teams document their findings through photos or videos and submit them to the facilitator.
- The team that finds the most items or solves the most clues within the time limit wins.
2. Puzzle Relay Race
- Divide participants into teams and provide each team with a series of digital puzzles or riddles.
- Teams work together to solve the puzzles and unlock the next clue or challenge.
- Once a team solves a puzzle, they relay the answer to the facilitator to receive the next challenge.
- The first team to complete all puzzles and reach the finish line wins.
3. Virtual Escape Room Challenge
- Present teams with a series of virtual escape room scenarios or challenges.
- Teams work together to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and escape the virtual room within a set time limit.
- Facilitate the experience using online escape room platforms or customized digital escape room kits.
- The team that successfully escapes the virtual room in the shortest time wins.
4. Digital Trivia Pursuit
- Prepare a series of trivia questions covering various topics, themes, or company-related facts.
- Present the questions to teams through video conferencing or online quiz platforms.
- Teams collaborate to discuss and answer the trivia questions within a specified time frame.
- The team with the most correct answers at the end of the trivia pursuit wins.
Tips:
- Plan ahead: Take time to carefully design challenges and tasks that cater to diverse interests and skill levels within your team.
- Embrace technology: Utilize online platforms and digital tools to facilitate communication, collaboration, and submission of challenge solutions.
- Keep it balanced: Ensure a mix of mental, physical, and creative challenges to engage different strengths and preferences among participants.
- Set clear rules: Communicate the rules, objectives, and time limits clearly to all participants before starting the race to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.
- Foster teamwork: Encourage active collaboration and communication among team members to strategize and effectively tackle challenges.
- Be flexible: Stay adaptable and ready to adjust during the race to accommodate unexpected challenges or technical issues.
- Provide support: Offer guidance, hints, or assistance to teams as they navigate the challenges, ensuring a positive and inclusive experience for all.
- Celebrate achievements: Acknowledge milestones and successes achieved by teams throughout the race to boost morale and motivation.
- Encourage sportsmanship: Promote a spirit of fair play, respect, and encouragement among participants, regardless of competition outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Playing Amazing Race online offers a dynamic and engaging team building experience that fosters collaboration, creativity, and camaraderie among participants. By leveraging technology and innovative challenges, teams can embark on exciting virtual adventures that strengthen bonds and enhance problem-solving skills. Amazing Race offers shared moments of triumph, laughter, and teamwork.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on online communication games.
