Virtual Activities based off of Improv are great ways to stay connected (and sane) throughout this time. We continue to do virtual humor events to provide a way to practice the skill of humor, virtual activities improv, connect with others, and give people a moment of reprieve from the rest of the world around them.
Below is a list of 40 virtual activities improv’ed for virtual humor, coming from the world of applied improvisation that can all be done remotely, from the comfort of your own Zoom.
Update: We’ve now created an eBook! For detailed instructions on each activity, click here to download the 40 Virtual Activities from Applied Improvisation eBook.
Note: We use Zoom for our virtual programs, however many of these exercise will work regardless of what technology you use (WebEx, Hangouts, GoToWebinar, shouting from your window).
Virtual Activities Improv’ed from Applied Improv
If you’re not familiar with the term applied improvisation, it simply means taking the concepts and ideas from the world of improvisation and applying them to something else, such as communication, leadership, or virtual team-building.
Virtual Large Group Activities
While most virtual activities work best in small groups, having 24 or more people in a remote meeting doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some interaction. By leveraging video, chat, or virtual whiteboards, you can still create interactive experiences.
- Binoculars
- Chat and Response
- Crazy 8s
- Dolphin Training
- I Liked-I Wish-What If
- Remain Visible If…
- Sit-Stand
- Space Walk
- Thumbs
- Whiteboard Clusters
Virtual Small Group Activities
Having a smaller group (we’ll say less than 24 because that’s one full screen of shining, virtual faces in Zoom), makes interaction easier. The fact that everyone can see each other helps simplify things and the fewer the people, the more people can directly indirect with one another.
- Answers to Questions
- Group Counting
- Group Mirroring / Dance Party
- Hot Spot
- I Am a Tree
- Liars Club
- Pattern Circle
- Portrait Gallery
- Stop Me If You’ve Heard This
- Story Spine
- String of Pearls
- Superhero Names
- Things In
- Word at a Time Story
- Yes, Let’s!
Virtual Partner Exercises
By leveraging breakout rooms, you can turn any group into small “partner” groups of 2-4 people. You share the instructions with the entire group, send them to their breakout rooms, and then debrief once everyone comes back together again. (Note: In Zoom, this only works for Zoom Meetings, not Zoom Webinars.)
- 3-Word Coaching
- Color-Advance
- Explain Like I’m [blank]
- First Letter, Last Letter
- Give a Gift
- Hype Person
- Interesting Questions
- Paired Drawing
- Problems and Solutions
- Photo Album / Vacation Math
- Now, Introducing…
- Story of Your Name
- What’s Not Wrong with Your Life
- Word Definition
- Yes But, Yes And
Virtual Activities Improv – More Resources
Want a pdf of each of the virtual activities improv above with a description? Click here to download the 40 Virtual Activities from Applied Improvisation eBook. For more on delivering improv activities and virtual humor, check out series on virtual humor. To see some great virtual activities improv live, check out the classic Upright Citizens Brigade youtube channel.
