Running Effective LEGO® Serious Play® Method Online Workshops: Tools and Techniques
The LEGO® Serious Play® Method online workshops are an ideal solution—and they’re just as effective online. At Serious Play Business, we empower facilitators to run online workshops that build a deeper understanding, improve team building, and promote a communal learning experience.
Using this hands-on, experiential learning process online might seem challenging at first, but with the right approach, it becomes a flexible, cost-effective, and engaging method to help teams thrive. Let’s explore how.
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Why Take LEGO Serious Play Online?
Remote teams face challenges in maintaining engagement, trust, and collaboration. Traditional workshops often fail to keep virtual participants truly involved. That’s where LEGO Serious Play shines—it’s a powerful tool to encourage active participation and democratic discussion environments, even at a distance.
Key Benefits for Online Teams:
- Promotes authentic voices and equality of voice
- Helps uncover deep insights through model-building
- Encourages creative skills and critical thinking skills
- Fosters meaningful relationships and collaborative learning
This method supports alternative perspectives and can be used across contexts—from communications departments to academic departments, offering a new basis for discussion.
Train with Serious Play Business to bring LEGO Serious Play to your online team event: Serious Play Business
Theoretical Support for Virtual Facilitation
The LEGO Serious Play Method is rooted in constructivist learning theory, emphasizing that people learn best when actively building their understanding. This method supports the construction of knowledge and offers an engaging way to explore complex concepts.
Studies published in the International Journal of Management and Management Learning back this approach, especially when used with undergraduate students, remote teams, or in professional development.
Going digital doesn’t dilute its impact—it demands enhanced facilitation skills. A skilled facilitator helps teams translate their hands-on experience into shared meaning, even across screens.
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Essential Tools for LEGO® Serious Play® Method online workshops
Physical Kits Still Matter
Mail LEGO sets to participants ahead of your online session. Provide simple instructions or demo videos to ensure readiness.
- Boosts comfort and participation
- Delivers a tactile, creative experience
- Minimizes reliance on digital-only tools
Use the Right Video Platform
Video calls via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms allow for:
- Breakout rooms for small group collaboration
- Audio recordings and reflections
- A shared, visible space to encourage openness
Digital Collaboration Tools
Use whiteboards like Miro or Jamboard to:
- Map ideas and key themes
- Capture notes from storytelling
- Document insights for follow-up or session reviews
These tools form an array of tools that enable a smooth, creative online team event.
Learn to use these tools in our facilitator training program: Serious Play Business
Techniques to Elevate Remote Workshops
Start with a Warm-Up
Break the ice with basic builds to ease tension. This helps with:
- Setting a supportive environment
- Managing the week of teaching or onboarding
- Opening space for active learning
Model Shared Challenges
Have participants build individual responses, then discuss and merge them into team models. This:
- Helps teams align on key concepts
- Encourages concept within task engagement
- Supports development of teams with clearer goals
Storytelling for Insight
Facilitators should guide storytelling to extract meaning:
- Encourage teams to reflect and respond
- Link models to real issues (e.g., current challenge or team-building focus)
- Help teams uncover hidden assumptions and foster relationships
Real-World Example: Virtual Success Story
One client used the LEGO Serious Play Method for a remote team distributed across Europe and Australia. Despite never meeting in person, the team:
- Shared personal values through their models
- Unlocked distinct ideas around improving employee experience
- Created a news story style reflection using a pyramid story structure
It became one of their most successful workshops, with strong student feedback and long-lasting team cohesion.
See more examples from Serious Play Business-trained facilitators: Serious Play Business
Final Thoughts
Adapting the LEGO Serious Play Method for online use isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. With the right mix of tools, facilitation methodology, and flexibility, online sessions can be just as impactful as in-person ones.
Disclaimer: Play4Business has now transitioned to Serious Play Business, providing an upgraded experience and enhanced training resources. For all the latest certifications, workshops, and resources, visit Serious Play Business.”
