IN-PERSON VS. VIRTUAL TEAM BUILDING EVENTS: PROS & CONS (AND HOW TO CHOOSE WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOUR TEAM!)
- Charlotte Mulligan
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Discover the key differences between in-person vs. virtual team building events. Learn the pros, cons, and expert tips to help you choose the perfect experience for your team’s goals, budget, and setup.
Choosing between in-person and virtual team-building events can feel tricky but the right format makes all the difference. At Food Craft NYC, we’ve hosted hundreds of both live and online workshops designed to bring teams together through creativity, culture, and connection.
Whether your team is fully remote, hybrid, or office-based, this guide breaks down the pros and cons of each format and helps you decide what’s best for your company culture. From hands-on culinary sessions to interactive virtual experiences, learn how each approach can strengthen collaboration, boost morale, and keep your team engaged wherever they are. Picture this: it’s Friday afternoon, and your team (spread across a half dozen time zones) is logging into yet another meeting. A few cameras flicker on, polite smiles appear, but the energy feels distant, disconnected.
Someone suggests doing something fun together, but then comes the question: Should we try to plan something in-person, or stick with a virtual event? That’s the classic in person vs virtual team building dilemma many companies face today.
In a world where hybrid and remote work are the new norm, team building looks very different than it did a few years ago. According to Owl Labs, as much as 70% of full time workers in the US worked from home in 2020.
This number has dropped substantially in 2025, with just about 20% of businesses remaining fully remote as reported by Appollo Technical. However, Archie states that as much as 65% of workplaces now operate under a hybrid setup. This shift has made the need to help teams connect, collaborate, and recharge stronger than ever and yet the how can vary dramatically depending on the team’s setup, budget, and goals.
At Food Craft NYC, we’ve hosted hundreds of both in-person & virtual team building events. Each format has its strengths and challenges, and choosing the right one can make all the difference in creating a meaningful experience for your people.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of in-person vs. virtual team building events, and share our expert tips to help you choose what works best for your team’s unique needs!
Why Team Building Matters (and Why You Should Know The Pros and Cons of In-Person vs. Virtual Team Building Events)
Before diving into formats, let’s remember why team building matters in the first place. Team building isn’t just about fun - it’s a strategic and rewarding investment in your company’s culture and productivity. Great team activities can:
Strengthen communication and creative collaboration
Increase engagement, morale, and job satisfaction
Reduce stress and burnout
Encourage creativity and problem-solving
Foster a stronger sense of belonging and reduce turnover
In an era where many employees are still working remotely or in hybrid setups, these benefits are even more critical! When done right, team building bridges the physical and emotional gaps between colleagues. It helps everyone to feel that they are a part of something Inclusive and meaningful.
Team building is crucial to a healthy workplace, but the type of connection it achieves depends heavily on whether your event happens in person or online. Now that we know why all of this matters, it’s time for a closer look. Let’s start to break down the differences in-person vs. virtual team building events and how each approach helps teams connect, engage and thrive.
In-Person Team Building Events
In-person team building events are the classic way to connect. They are interactive experiences that bring people face-to-face to learn, collaborate, and build memorable moments together. These can range from corporate retreats and outdoor challenges, to educational events and meaningful volunteer days!
At Food Craft NYC, our immersive in-person events focus on hands-on culinary and immersive crafting experiences. Think sushi-rolling classes, pinata-making parties, or cocktail happy hour sessions where multicultural and global teammates collaborate, compete, and connect through the universal language of fun!
The Pros of In-Person Events
1. Human connectionThere’s something special about real-life interactions. The laughter, shared energy, and spontaneous moments of collaboration build bonds that no video call can replicate. Face-to-face events create authentic connections that translate into stronger teamwork back at the office.
2. Fully immersiveWhen people cook or craft together, they’re not just chatting—they’re touching, tasting, smelling, listening, and creating. In-person events stimulate the senses, making the experience more memorable.
3. Better for deep engagementWithout screens, distractions, or tech glitches, it’s easier to stay present. Teams are more likely to collaborate, communicate naturally, and form lasting relationships.
4. Perfect for local teamsIf most of your employees are based in one region or office, in-person events offer a simple, high-impact way to strengthen bonds!
The Cons of In-Person Events
1. Logistics can get complicated
Coordinating schedules, travel, and venues takes time and often, a lot of emails. For geographically spread-out teams, this can be a significant challenge.
2. Higher costs
Between venue rentals, catering, materials, and travel reimbursements, in-person events tend to require a larger budget.
3. Harder to include everyone
In a hybrid workplace, remote or global employees may be left out, leading to feelings of exclusion or uneven participation.
4. Time-intensive
An offsite or all-day event can take employees away from work longer, which may not fit every team’s schedule.
Cooking Up Connection
One of our favorite in-person events was a bubble tea-making event for Google’s New York office. The team gathered in the kitchen, now filled with tapioca pearls and boba straws, ready to mix their drinks and enjoy some custom flavors.
What started as a way to take a break from their desks turned into a laughter-filled hour of colorful mixology. By the time they left (drinks in hand!) even the quietest team members were chatting like old friends. That’s the magic of in-person connection!
Virtual Team Building Events
What They Are
Virtual team building events take place online, connecting participants from anywhere in the world through digital platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. Think trivia nights, cooking demos, and ceramic painting sessions.
At Food Craft NYC, our virtual team-building experiences bring the same creativity and fun as our in-person events, just adapted for remote teams. We ship ingredient kits directly to each participant, and host a live, guided session with one of our expert chefs, artists, or mixologists. It’s hands-on, engaging, and totally remote-friendly.
The Pros of Virtual Events
1. Accessibility for everyone
Virtual events eliminate barriers of distance and travel. Whether your team is spread across states or continents, entirely remote or hybrid, everyone can join from the comfort of their home or office.
2. Cost-effective
No need to rent a venue or make travel arrangements! Virtual experiences tend to be significantly more affordable especially for large or global teams.
3. Easy to organize
Planning a virtual event can be as simple as sending a link. Our team takes care of logistics like shipping, supplies, and setup, making it seamless for event organizers!
4. Flexible
You can host events for small teams or hundreds of participants. Plus, they can fit into shorter time slots. ook a one-hour cookie decorating class, and get back to your workday!
5. Convenient
Participants can call into a virtual culinary workshop from their own kitchens, enabling an experience which may be difficult to replicate in an office.
The Cons of Virtual Events
1. Screen fatigue is real
After a long day of meetings, another Zoom session might not sound appealing. Virtual events need to be both interactive and energizing to truly work.
2. Tech issues can interrupt the flow
From spotty Wi-Fi to camera malfunctions, technology can sometimes get in the way of connection.
3. Limited sensory engagement
It’s hard to replicate the energy and physicality of being together in the same room. Virtual events rely more on visual and verbal interaction, which may not suit shyer teams.
4. Potential distractions
Home environments can make it harder to stay focused especially with kids, or multitasking can all interfere.
4. Attendance
It’s easier not to attend a virtual event, so a big turnout is less likely.
Bonding Across Time Zones
Our remote teambuilding MVP is TroopHR, a growing network of HR professionals which books a monthly virtual event with Food Craft NYC to keep their global team close! Their partnership with us enables them to unite their nationwide team, despite the miles between them.
Even as their membership grows, they are able to encourage collaboration, and develop a sense of unity amongst their multicultural team. That’s the advantage of virtual team building: fostering connection that transcends borders.
Comparing In-Person and Virtual: Side-by-Side
Both formats have their advantages and when it comes to in person vs virtual team building, the best choice depends on your team’s needs. Here’s a quick comparison:
Factor | In-Person Events | Virtual Events |
Connection | Deep, personal, organic | Inclusive, digital, global |
Cost | ~$85/person, all inclusive | ~$70/person, all inclusive |
Accessibility | Local or regional teams | Global and remote-friendly |
Engagement Style | Hands-on, sensory, physical | Visual, verbal, interactive |
Setup Time | Longer planning process, plus 90 minutes before the event to set up | Quick and easy, setup happens less than 15 minutes before the event |
Scalability | Limited by space and travel, usually <50 | Can support any number of guests |
Memorability | Tangible shared experience | Digital keepsakes and memories |
Bottom line: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In-person events offer depth and physical connection, while virtual events deliver flexibility and inclusivity. Ultimately, both formats can be powerful when done thoughtfully, and the most effective approach is the one that aligns with your team’s structure, goals, and culture.
How to Choose What’s Right for Your Team
If you’re unsure where to start, when deciding between in person vs virtual team building, consider these key factors:
1. Team Location
Mostly local? In-person may make sense.
Spread across regions or countries? Virtual is the way to go.
2. Budget
Big spender? In-person experiences often cost more per person.
Trying to cut back? Virtual events can provide comparably high engagement with lower overhead.
3. Goals
Want to bond and celebrate? Choose in-person.
Want to connect across distances or recharge morale? Virtual is perfect.
4. Time Constraints
Half-day or full-day retreat? In-person fits best.
One-hour pick-me-up? Go virtual.
5. Team Culture
Bold, extroverted, adventurous? Some teams thrive on energy and face-to-face interaction.
Quiet, efficient, focused? Some teams prefer low-pressure, remote-friendly experiences.
Insider Tip: Why not combine both? Hybrid events offer the best of both worlds. You can host local gatherings in multiple cities while connecting everyone through a shared virtual activity like simultaneous cocktail making or cookie decorating across locations!
If you still aren't sure, contact us! We’ll help you choose what’s right for your team.
The Future of Team Building
The future isn’t just in-person or virtual, it’s hybrid, somewhere in between! As workplaces continue to evolve, team building will likely focus on inclusivity, creativity, and flexibility.
Here are a few trends we’re seeing:
Hybrid experiences: Blending live and virtual participation to unite global teams.
Personalized activities: Tailored themes and kits that match your company culture.
Sustainability: Eco-conscious materials and local sourcing.
Cultural diversity: Multicultural cooking and crafting experiences that celebrate global cuisines and traditions.
At Food Craft NYC, we’re already embracing these trends and helping teams connect through meaningful, creative, and delicious experiences no matter where they are!
Whether your team is sitting around the same table or connecting through screens, team building is all about one thing: creating moments that bring people together. In-person events foster deep, tangible connections and unforgettable memories. Virtual events make connection accessible, flexible, and inclusive.
Both formats have their strengths and when chosen thoughtfully, either can transform your team’s dynamic. Whether you choose in person vs virtual team building, the best choice is the one that helps your team feel connected, valued, and inspired!
We believe that the secret ingredient to great teamwork is shared creativity. Whether you’re rolling sushi side by side or shaking cocktails from opposite sides of the globe, it’s those shared moments of laughter, learning, and collaboration that truly build stronger teams.
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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