Discover 8 reasons bubble tea making is a fun virtual team building activity, from cultural learning and hands-on participation to connecting remote teams.

A More Interactive Way to Bring Your Team Together

What if your next team building event ended with everyone holding a drink they made themselves, comparing flavors, and sharing their creations?

Finding team building activities that employees genuinely enjoy isn't always easy, especially when you're bringing together different personalities and work locations. Traditional icebreakers can feel forced, while virtual happy hours can leave employees staring at their screens with little to do.

That's where bubble tea making comes in. Instead of simply joining another meeting, employees get to roll up their sleeves, experiment with flavors, and create their own drinks while connecting with coworkers.

The beverage's popularity also makes it an appealing choice. According to Grand View Research, the U.S. bubble tea market generated approximately $1.08 billion in revenue in 2025 and is projected to reach $2.65 billion by 2033.

While one team building activity can't solve every workplace challenge, shared experiences can create opportunities for employees to interact beyond their usual work routines. A guided bubble tea workshop brings together conversation, creativity, and a little friendly fun, whether employees are working remotely or gathering in person.

Here are eight reasons bubble tea making deserves a spot on your corporate team building calendar:

8 Reasons Bubble Tea Making Works for Corporate Teams

1. It Makes Remote Team Building More Interactive

Virtual team building can start to feel repetitive when employees are mainly expected to talk, answer questions, or participate in another online game. A hands-on activity gives everyone something different to focus on.

With a virtual bubble tea making event, participants follow an instructor's demonstration, prepare ingredients, cook tapioca pearls, and assemble their own drinks. Individual DIY kits allow employees to join from home while following the same guided experience.

The shared task also gives coworkers natural conversation starters. They can compare their drinks, ask questions, and share how their creations are turning out without relying on forced icebreakers.

Why it works for teams: Employees aren't just watching a presentation or attending another video call. They're actively participating in the same experience, making informal interaction feel more natural.

2. It Combines Hands-On Fun With Cultural Learning

Bubble tea is more than a colorful drink. It originated in Taiwan during the 1980s and has since become a globally recognized beverage. Its preparation brings together tea, tapioca pearls, and a range of flavors and textures.

A guided workshop can introduce employees to the drink's Taiwanese origins, ingredients, and preparation techniques while they make their own. It's an opportunity to explore something new through participation rather than a presentation alone.

This can also complement workplace cultural awareness initiatives, Employee Resource Group programming, and AAPI Heritage Month activities in May. The workshop offers a starting point for learning about the beverage and its history, while leaving room for broader conversations about culture.

It's important to recognize that bubble tea has Taiwanese roots, but one beverage cannot represent an entire culture. Cultural information should be shared accurately and respectfully.

For additional background, see National Geographic's overview of bubble tea's Taiwanese origins.

Why it works for teams: Employees can learn something new while enjoying a shared activity. It combines cultural curiosity with practical participation.

3. It's a Fun, Alcohol-Free Alternative to Virtual Happy Hours

Virtual happy hours can be a convenient way to bring remote employees together, but the format can become repetitive when the main activity is simply socializing over video.

Bubble tea making offers another approach. Instead of centering the event on alcoholic drinks, employees prepare their own beverages, experiment with flavors, and enjoy the finished creations together.

This format can be especially appealing for employees who don't drink alcohol or prefer a different kind of social event. It still creates a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere, but gives participants a shared activity to enjoy.

Why it works for teams: It gives employees something to do together without making alcohol the focus of the event.

4. It's Perfect for Global Teams, With Kits Shipped Internationally

Organizing a shared experience for employees in different countries can be challenging. Travel isn't always practical, and sourcing the same ingredients locally can add another layer of coordination.

Virtual workshops with individual DIY kits offer a more convenient way to bring distributed colleagues together. Participants receive the ingredients and materials needed for the activity, then join the same live session from their respective locations.

International kit shipping can also help companies include employees outside their primary office location. However, availability and delivery arrangements should be confirmed before booking. HR managers should check destination coverage, shipping costs, customs requirements, and delivery timelines.

Why it works for teams: A shared virtual workshop can bring geographically distributed colleagues into the same experience without requiring everyone to travel to one office.

5. It's Beginner-Friendly and Easy to Follow

Not everyone has experience making drinks from scratch, and that's part of the appeal. Employees don't need previous cooking or drink-making skills to participate in a guided bubble tea workshop.

An instructor demonstrates each step, from preparing ingredients to assembling the drinks. Participants can learn techniques such as cooking tapioca pearls and combining different drink components while following along at their own pace.

Organizers should still share any required kitchen equipment information ahead of time. This gives employees an opportunity to prepare their space and avoid last-minute surprises.

Why it works for teams: Step-by-step instruction makes the activity approachable for employees with different experience levels, so no one needs to feel intimidated or left behind.

6. It Can Accommodate Different Team Sizes

Bubble tea making can be considered for different corporate event sizes, but the right setup depends on the provider's facilitation capacity and the group's needs.

Here's what HR managers should consider:

• Small teams: Allow more time for questions, interaction, and informal conversation.

• Medium-sized teams: Use a structured demonstration with opportunities for employees to share their finished drinks.

• Large departments: Confirm facilitator capacity, additional hosts, audio-visual requirements, and group coordination before booking.

• Hybrid teams: Make sure remote participants can clearly see the demonstration and take part in discussions alongside employees in the room.

It's also worth confirming group-size limits, session duration, and any additional facilitation fees before finalizing the event.

Why it works for teams: A guided activity gives employees a common structure to follow, making it easier to coordinate participation across different group sizes.

7. It Offers Options for Different Dietary Needs

Food-based team building activities require a little extra planning, particularly when employees have different dietary preferences, allergies, or restrictions.

Bubble tea recipes may include tea, tapioca pearls, fruit flavors, milk, and other toppings. However, not every recipe will suit every dietary requirement. Dairy-free, vegan, and caffeine-free are also different categories, so it's important not to assume that one automatically means another.

Before booking, HR managers should request the current ingredient list, allergen information, and details about available substitutions. If employees have food allergies, organizers should also ask about cross-contact precautions during preparation.

Why it works for teams: Reviewing dietary needs ahead of time helps employees understand their options and participate more comfortably.

8. Employees Learn a Skill They Can Recreate at Home

Some team building activities are enjoyable at the moment but don't leave participants with much to take away. Bubble tea making adds a practical element: employees learn how to prepare the drink themselves.

Depending on the recipes, participants can practice cooking tapioca pearls, preparing drink components, layering flavors, and assembling beverages. They can then use those techniques when making bubble tea at home.

At the end of the session, invite employees to share their favorite drink or the part of the process they enjoyed most. It's a simple way to wrap up the experience and give everyone a chance to show what they've made.

Why it works for teams: Employees leave with more than a shared memory. They gain a practical skill they can try again outside the workshop.

Inside a Food Craft Virtual Bubble Tea Making Workshop

Knowing why bubble tea making works for remote teams is one thing. Understanding what participants actually receive and do during the event can help HR managers decide whether it's the right fit.

Kits By Food Craft's virtual Bubble Tea Making workshop combines prepared DIY kits, live instruction, cultural trivia, and opportunities for group interaction.

Here's what the experience includes.

1. All-Inclusive DIY Kits Delivered Ahead of the Event

Each participant receives an individual kit containing the ingredients and materials needed for the workshop. Having the supplies prepared ahead of time saves employees from having to source each ingredient themselves.

The kit includes ingredients for three drinks:

• Two drinks prepared together during the live guided session.

• One additional DIY drink that participants can make independently.

Participants may still need basic household kitchen equipment, depending on the preparation instructions. Sharing the equipment list before the event gives everyone time to get ready.

2. A Welcoming Host and an Expert Instructor

The virtual experience includes two roles that help keep the event organized and engaging.

• Host: Welcomes participants into the virtual room, introduces the experience, brings energy to the session, and helps create a friendly atmosphere.

• Instructor: Leads the bubble tea-making class, demonstrates the preparation techniques, and guides participants through the recipes.

Having both roles helps balance the social side of the event with the practical instruction. Participants have someone leading the experience and someone helping create a welcoming environment.

3. An Interactive Introduction With Cultural Trivia

Before the hands-on activity begins, participants enter a virtual event room where the host welcomes everyone and introduces the session.

A shared screen helps participants see what they need to gather or prepare. The introduction also includes cultural trivia about bubble tea, covering its Taiwanese origins, history, and interesting facts about the beverage.

It's a chance to get everyone involved before the drink-making begins and add context to the activity.

4. Two Guided Bubble Tea Recipes and a Third DIY Drink

The workshop features three different drinks, giving participants a chance to explore a range of flavors and preparation techniques.

• Passion Fruit with Rainbow Jelly

  • Participants learn to prepare a fruit-forward drink featuring passion fruit and rainbow jelly. The recipe introduces different textures and flavors while giving everyone a chance to assemble their own beverage.

  
  

• Mint Taro Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls

  • The second guided recipe features taro milk tea with tapioca pearls. Participants learn how to prepare the drink and cook the pearls from scratch before bringing everything together.

  
  

• Matcha Brown Sugar (DIY)

  • The third recipe is Matcha Brown Sugar. Participants receive the ingredients to prepare this drink independently, giving them an opportunity to practice what they've learned during the live session.

One important detail: the instructor guides participants through the first two drinks live. The third is a DIY recipe to make separately, not a third live-guided preparation.

5. Engagement Questions and Group Interaction

The workshop isn't only about following recipes. Between the two guided drink preparations, participants have opportunities to answer engagement questions and interact with coworkers.

They can discuss their favorite flavors, share preferences, and compare experiences. These conversations create a natural social break without interrupting the instructional process.

6. A Group Photo to Celebrate the Experience

At the end of the workshop, participants can show off their finished drinks and take a group photo together.

It's a simple way to mark the occasion and give employees a keepsake from the event. Sharing or appearing in the photo should remain optional, so everyone can participate in a way that feels comfortable.

Is Bubble Tea Making Right for Your Team?

A virtual bubble tea workshop can suit several types of corporate events, but the best fit depends on your team's location, goals, and practical requirements.

Before booking, consider the number of participants, shipping destinations, dietary requirements, and equipment needed. These details can help determine whether the workshop fits your event plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bubble Tea Making

1. What is bubble tea making team building?

It's a guided group activity where employees learn to prepare bubble tea, experiment with ingredients, and share their creations. It combines practical learning, cultural exploration, and informal conversation.

2. How long does a bubble tea making workshop take?

Kits By Food Craft's virtual Bubble Tea Making workshop is listed as a one-hour session. Organizers should allow additional time for setup if necessary.

3. Can bubble tea making work for remote and global teams?

Yes. Virtual workshops allow employees to participate from different locations using individual DIY kits and live instruction. Confirm international shipping availability, delivery timelines, and destination restrictions before booking.

4. Is a bubble tea making class suitable for beginners?

Yes. Participants don't need previous drink-making experience. An instructor demonstrates the preparation process and guides employees through the recipes.

5. What drinks do participants make during the workshop?

The guided session features Passion Fruit with Rainbow Jelly and Mint Taro Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls. Participants also receive ingredients for a third DIY drink, Matcha Brown Sugar, which they can prepare independently.

6. Can employees with dietary restrictions participate?

Participation depends on the ingredients and available substitutions. Request the current ingredient list and allergen information before booking to determine whether the recipes are suitable for everyone.

7. Can bubble tea making support AAPI Heritage Month?

Yes. A workshop can introduce employees to bubble tea's Taiwanese origins and provide a hands-on cultural learning experience. The cultural context should be presented accurately and respectfully. The activity can also be offered throughout the year.

8. How much does a corporate bubble tea making event cost?

Kits By Food Craft's Bubble Tea Making workshop has been listed at $70 per person. Pricing and any applicable shipping, gratuity, processing, or smaller-group facilitation fees should be confirmed directly with Food Craft before booking.

9. What equipment do participants need?

Participants may need basic kitchen equipment, such as a saucepan, strainer, drinking glasses, water, and ice. Organizers should share the provider's current preparation instructions ahead of the event.

10. Do you ship bubble tea kits internationally?

Yes, we ship kits internationally subject to shipping & import fees.​

11. Are these vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, except for the snacks included in the kit which aren’t gluten-free.

12. Why should you join?

A bubble tea class is about more than just learning new recipes. It’s an interactive, fun-filled adventure that brings friends, family, and colleagues closer—one beverage at a time.

13. Can bubble tea making replace a traditional virtual happy hour?

It can serve as an alternative to a conventional virtual happy hour by giving employees a shared activity instead of simply asking them to socialize over video. It also offers an alcohol-free format centered on drink preparation and conversation.

Bring a More Interactive Experience to Your Next Corporate Event

Virtual team building doesn't have to mean another quiz, presentation, or informal video call. A hands-on activity like bubble tea making gives employees something to create together while introducing them to new flavors, preparation techniques, and cultural context.

For HR managers and team leaders planning an upcoming event, Kits By Food Craft's guided Virtual Bubble Tea Making workshop brings together prepared DIY kits, live instruction, and opportunities for group interaction.

Whether you're organizing a remote team celebration, an AAPI Heritage Month activity, or simply looking for a fresh way to bring coworkers together, a shared drink-making experience can make the next virtual gathering a little more memorable.

Ready to plan your next team experience? Explore Kits By Food Craft's virtual team building events and find an activity your team can enjoy together.

At Kits by Food Craft, we provide innovative and engaging virtual teambuilding experiences. We've helped over 1000+ dream teams globally foster stronger connections and boost morale through our unique virtual events. 

As an AAPI woman-owned small business, Kits by Food Craft is passionate about promoting cultural awareness and diversity through food, drink, and craft experiences. We believe that shared experiences bring people together, making workplace celebrations more meaningful and inclusive. Learn more about our story here.

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