The virtual corporate entertainment remote employees are most likely to join is live, easy to participate in, and rewarding to attend. Instead of another open-ended video call, give people a clear reason to log in: watch a creative experience unfold, interact in a low-pressure way, and leave with a personalized keepsake.
For HR teams and managers, that means choosing an event with a real focal point, not simply putting “virtual happy hour” on the calendar and hoping the conversation takes off.
Why another Zoom happy hour can be a hard sell
Remote employees already spend plenty of time on screens. If an invitation promises only “a chance to connect,” people may not know what they’ll actually do, or whether they’ll be expected to make small talk on camera.
A stronger event answers three questions before anyone clicks “Join”:
- 🎉 What will happen? Name the activity, entertainment, or creative experience.
- 🙌 How can I participate? Make it clear that people can join in without being put on the spot.
- 🎁 What will I take away? Offer a shared memory, a finished creation, or a personalized keepsake.
That clarity helps turn a calendar invitation into an event people can picture themselves enjoying.
Choose virtual team building activities with a built-in reason to engage
Effective virtual team building activities do more than fill a time slot. They give employees something to watch, respond to, create, or share. Here are three formats that work for different team moods and goals.
1. Live digital caricatures: entertaining to watch, personal to keep
With Big Head Cartoon’s virtual caricature experience, digital caricature artists stream live through our own software to guests’ screens. Employees can watch the artwork take shape and receive their personalized digital caricature as an instant downloadable keepsake.
It creates an easy point of connection: colleagues see the live art, react together, and get an image they can keep, share, or use as a profile picture. Guests can enjoy the experience without needing to perform or speak in front of the group.
At an Amazon virtual holiday party for approximately 100 people, caricatures were drawn live on screen (Jamie R., Amazon). It’s a real example of the format bringing an interactive visual experience to a remote celebration.
2. Virtual painting classes for teams: make something together
For teams that want a hands-on activity, virtual painting classes for teams give everyone a shared creative project. A live instructor guides the session, while participants follow along from home or another remote location. With optional art kits, employees can prepare in advance and spend the event focused on creating.
The outcome is more than a screen full of faces: people have a finished painting to show, compare, and keep. It’s a natural fit for a team celebration, employee appreciation event, or virtual gathering where a relaxed creative activity feels right.
3. Seasonal virtual entertainment: make the calendar part of the fun
Seasonal themes can give a remote event a ready-made identity. For autumn, a virtual pumpkin carving session offers a festive activity; for year-end celebrations, virtual holiday party entertainment can bring together live art, music, and a hosted experience.
The key is to make the theme part of the event, not just a line in the invitation. Share what guests will see or do, whether they need supplies, and how they can join in. Explore Big Head Cartoon’s virtual experiences for options including live digital caricatures, painting classes, and seasonal activities.
Make the experience comfortable for more than the loudest voices
A successful virtual event doesn’t require every attendee to turn on a camera, speak on cue, or compete for airtime. Design participation with different comfort levels in mind.
- ✅ Offer multiple ways to engage: watching, reacting, using chat, or participating in the activity.
- ✅ Set expectations in the invitation: state the run time, schedule, platform, and whether materials are needed.
- ✅ Keep the event focused: a clear host and planned flow help the session feel intentional.
- ✅ Think about time zones: choose a workable time for the largest share of the team, and consider an alternative when schedules vary widely.
- ✅ Make the payoff visible: mention the art, finished project, or downloadable keepsake employees can expect.
If the event also has an in-person audience, clarify the setup. The digital caricature artists stream remotely; they do not attend the venue. For hybrid events, any on-site crew is limited to the DJ, Emcee, and event staff. That clear division helps planners explain the experience accurately and coordinate the room.
Planning a mix of remote and in-person participation? Our hybrid team activities guide offers more ideas for bringing both audiences into the same event.
The business value: engagement that lasts beyond the call
Virtual entertainment is more useful when the experience has an after-effect. A lively shared moment can give remote colleagues something new to talk about, while a personalized digital caricature provides a keepsake that can be saved, shared, or used as a profile picture after the event ends.
For HR and event teams, that creates value across several touchpoints:
- Engagement: a live experience gives guests a reason to pay attention and interact.
- Memorability: personalized digital keepsakes make the event feel specific to the people who attended.
- Scalability: virtual formats can connect employees who aren’t in the same office or location.
- Smoother planning: a defined activity and clear program are easier to communicate than an unstructured online gathering.
The right format depends on your goal. Choose live caricatures when you want a visual, shared entertainment experience with a personalized takeaway. Choose a painting class when you want employees to create something together. Choose seasonal entertainment when the celebration itself is the main event.
FAQs about virtual corporate entertainment
What virtual corporate entertainment keeps employees engaged?
Look for a hosted, live activity with a clear focal point and low-pressure ways to participate. Live digital caricatures, virtual painting classes, and seasonal activities give employees something specific to watch, make, or share.
Are digital caricature artists physically present at a virtual or hybrid event?
No. The artists stream remotely via software to guests’ screens. For a hybrid event, any on-site crew is the DJ, Emcee, and event staff.
What are good remote employee engagement ideas for a holiday party?
Consider a live, themed experience employees can enjoy together, such as digital caricatures, a virtual painting class, or seasonal pumpkin carving. Set expectations in advance, including event flow and any materials guests may need.
Do guests keep their digital caricatures after the event?
Yes. Guests receive personalized, downloadable digital caricatures they can keep, share, or use as profile pictures.
If you’re planning a remote team celebration, employee appreciation event, or virtual holiday party, let’s find a format your employees can look forward to. Tell us about your event and request a quote.
Meta description: Discover virtual corporate entertainment employees want to attend, from live digital caricatures and virtual painting classes to seasonal team events.
