Happiness Helps us Work Better!
We all know that happiness helps us work better, so why not make the workplace more fun with some office games?
Whether it’s for building teamwork, getting to know each other, or just taking a quick mental break, there are tons of fun office activities to try. We’ve put together a list of the best ones, with a short explanation of why each one is great for your team.
And the best part? Many of these office games can be played remotely, and most of them don’t cost a thing!
Now-a-days, big tech giants too understand that a positive work environment is about more than just getting work done – it’s about encouraging creativity, teamwork, and engagement.
That’s why every company should focus on adding small fun activities for employees in office and office games to the workplace. It can make the work experience better and create a happier, more positive work culture.
In this blog, we’ll share some fun office activities and office games you can try to make your workplace more enjoyable.
What are Office Games?
Office games are fun activities that get employees working together, being creative, and communicating. Whether it’s a short 5 minute game during a break or a bigger activity at an office party, office games help break up the routine, reduce stress, and encourage teamwork. These games can be simple icebreakers or team-building challenges, all designed to improve relationships and lift overall workplace mood.
Why Should HR Managers Organise Office Games?
As HR professionals, your goal is to create a workplace where employees are productive, happy, and engaged. The best way to do this? Fun office activities. Studies show that employees who take part in team bonding activities at work are 50% more likely to be satisfied with their job. Office games help improve informal communication, encourage problem-solving, and build stronger relationships among coworkers. So, if you want to boost team unity and employee engagement, office games should be part of your plan.
Benefits of Fun Office Activities
- Builds Respect and Kindness
Fun office games and small fun activities for employees in office teach everyone to be kind and respectful. After all, nothing says teamwork like laughing over a quirky office party game! - Creates a Safe Space
Fun office activities create a positive work environment where people feel comfy asking for help or sharing ideas without feeling judged. - Encourages Open Talk
Playing team games for office helps employees break the ice and talk more freely. No more awkward silences in meetings! - Boosts Teamwork
Fun office games are teamwork’s best friend. They bring everyone together to solve problems and get things done as a team. - Reduces Stress
Office party games aren’t just for laughs—they’re great for mental health too! They help employees de-stress and feel more relaxed. - Shows You Care
Adding fun office activities to the mix, along with employee well being plans and perks, makes employees feel valued and happy at work. - Celebrates Everyone
From quirky fun office games to team games for office parties, these activities build an inclusive workforce and make everyone feel they belong.
Popular Office Games to Try
For your ease of skimming through the content according to your preferences, we have designed a table dividing the office games based on their respective categories. So that you can navigate through each of these fun office activities easily. Here’s a table organizing the games into categories:
Team Building Games | Office Party Games | Physical & Active Games | Creative & Fun Games |
Scavenger Hunt | Karaoke | Freeze Challenge | Pictionary |
Charades | Murder Mystery | Hula Hoop Showdown | Blind Drawing |
Office Olympics | Solve the Murder | Dance Face-off | Pottery Challenge |
Escape Room Challenges | Best Coffee Maker | Indoor Matches | Guess the Song/Movie |
Who’s Item is That? | Never Have I Ever | Balloon Blowing Contest | Office Debate Club |
Now, let’s find some office game ideas that you can try with your team. Each of these activities is designed to bring fun and excitement to your workplace, all while promoting teamwork and communication.
Team Building Office Games
1. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a classic team building game for the office. It’s simple yet effective in encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. You can create a list of items for employees to find around the office or even virtually. Teams race against the clock to complete the challenge, and the first one to finish wins. This activity also helps break the ice and encourages employees to interact and work together.
A virtual scavenger hunt where team members have to find everyday items at home and share a picture or video. It’s a fun office game to play during virtual meetings, too.
Tip: For the scavenger hunt, create a fun and challenging list of office-related or quirky items, encourage teamwork through clues, and make it more exciting by offering small prizes for the fastest team to complete the hunt.
2. Charades
What could be more fun than acting without words? In charades, players take turns acting out words or phrases without speaking while their teammates guess what it is. This game is great for team bonding, as it requires communication, creativity, and a lot of laughs.
Example: You can host themed charades like “movies” or “work-related phrases” to add a twist.
3. Office Olympics
Turn your office into a sports arena! Organize a series of challenges, from paper airplane races to balancing a book on your head. You can divide employees into teams and compete against each other. Office Olympics are perfect for team building and help employees let loose while still staying engaged.
Example: Host an Office Olympics with fun events like paper airplane races, pencil javelin and book-balancing relays.
4. Escape Room Challenges
If you’re looking for something that mirrors the collaborative, problem-solving skills needed in the workplace, an escape room is a great choice. Whether physical or virtual, escape rooms test employees’ ability to communicate, think critically, and solve problems together—skills that are essential in the office.
Organize a virtual escape room experience where teams must solve puzzles within a set time limit.
Tip: To make the escape room even more engaging, customise the puzzles to work-related scenarios or challenges, encouraging employees to apply their workplace skills while solving them.
5. Who’s Item is That?
This guessing game sparks creativity and teamwork by challenging employees to identify whose desk item is being shown. In this game, one person picks an item from their desk and presents it anonymously. The rest of the group has to guess who it belongs to based on the item’s uniqueness or personal clues.
This activity makes room for communication and encourages team members to learn more about each other’s personalities and workspaces. It’s a great icebreaker, especially for new teams or remote teams looking to connect virtually by sharing photos of desk items.
Example: In “Guess the Desk Item,” one person shows an item from their desk (like a quirky mug or a unique pen) and the team guesses whose it is.
Office Party Games
6. Karaoke
Not all office games need to be competitive. Karaoke is perfect for less competitive, more outgoing staff. It allows employees to unwind and have some fun, and you may discover some hidden talents within your team.
Host a karaoke session during an office party or on a Friday afternoon to kick off the weekend.
Tip: To make the karaoke session more fun, create themed song categories or encourage group performances to boost team spirit and create a lively atmosphere.
7. Murder Mystery
This is a team-building game where each employee gets a role and clues, and together, they must solve a mystery. It promotes communication and requires everyone to think critically and work together to uncover the truth. This game is perfect for Christmas office games or team-building events.
Example: In a “Mystery Solving” game, each employee receives a role and clues to solve a holiday-themed mystery.
8. Solve the Murder
A murder mystery game where employees take on different characters and try to solve a fictional crime. The group must work together to piece together clues, ask questions, and deduce who the “murderer” is. This activity promotes critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving, as employees must collaborate to solve the mystery.
It’s a fun and immersive game that encourages communication and strategy. It’s a great way to enhance collaboration and creativity while offering a thrilling experience for everyone involved.
Example: In a “Murder Mystery” game, employees take on different roles and work together to solve a fictional crime.
9. Best Coffee Maker
This is a friendly competition where employees show off their barista skills by making the best coffee or espresso. They can compete in categories like presentation, creativity, and taste. Judges (or the rest of the team) evaluate based on specific criteria, such as flavor, appearance, and overall experience. It’s a fun way to explore coffee-making, encourage creativity, and maybe discover the office’s unofficial barista.
Tip: To make the coffee competition more engaging, provide different types of coffee beans or milk options, and allow employees to experiment with unique flavors or latte art.
10. Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a popular conversation game that sparks laughter and surprises by encouraging players to share personal experiences. It’s an easy way to get to know each other and build camaraderie, whether at a party, team-building event, or casual hangout. Players take turns saying “Never have I ever…” followed by something they’ve never done. Anyone who has done that thing takes a drink (in the drinking version) or lowers a finger (in the “ten fingers” version).
This game is perfect for breaking the ice and getting people to open up, as players reveal fun and sometimes unexpected facts about themselves. The game continues with players taking turns until someone runs out of fingers or the group has had enough laughs.
For a virtual meeting, players can participate by using the “ten fingers” version—each player starts with ten fingers up on video, and they lower a finger when they have done the thing mentioned. It’s a great way to connect with colleagues in a light-hearted, interactive way.
Tip: To make “Never Have I Ever” more fun, set a theme for the questions, such as work-related experiences or quirky hobbies, to spark laughter and encourage interesting conversations.
Physical & Active Office Games
11. Freeze Challenge
A lively and energetic activity where employees dance to music and freeze when the music stops. The challenge is to hold the freeze position as long as possible without moving, which adds a hilarious competitive edge. The Freeze Challenge brings in fun, laughter, and physical activity. Thus, creating an atmosphere of joy and relaxation in the workplace. It’s an excellent way to recharge and energize a team during long meetings or after lunch breaks.
Tip: For the Freeze Challenge, play upbeat music, encourage creative frozen poses, keep it short and fun, and create a friendly competition to boost team energy and morale.
12. Hula Hoop Showdown
In this game, employees compete to see who can hula hoop for the longest or perform the most creative moves with the hoop. It’s a simple yet fun challenge that encourages physical activity and agility. The Hula Hoop Showdown can also be adapted to different team sizes and skill levels, making it inclusive and entertaining for everyone. It’s a great activity for building team spirit and laughter.
Tip: For the Hula Hoop Showdown, set up a friendly competition, encourage creative moves or tricks, and offer small prizes for the longest time or most unique performance to keep it fun and engaging.
13. Dance Face off
Teams battle it out in a friendly dance-off, where they create and perform choreographed or spontaneous dance routines. Each team showcases their creativity and rhythm, and the rest of the office votes on the best performance. This activity boosts morale, allows for self-expression, and encourages team collaboration. It’s a great way to break the ice and create a relaxed, fun atmosphere in the workplace.
Tip: To make the dance-off more exciting, consider adding a fun twist, like a theme or costume requirement, to challenge teams and make the performances even more entertaining!
14. Indoor Matches
Indoor sports like mini soccer, table tennis, or darts offer a fun and competitive outlet for employees. These games can be set up during breaks or after meetings to engage employees in physical activity while promoting teamwork and friendly competition. Indoor matches are a great way to get people moving, reduce stress, and encourage team bonding through lighthearted sports.
Tip: To make indoor sports even more engaging, you could create a mini-tournament with prizes for the winning teams to boost excitement and friendly rivalry!
15. Balloon Blowing Contest
A fun race to see who can blow up the biggest balloon the fastest. Employees compete to inflate a balloon as large as possible within a set time limit. This simple game is funny and creates an opportunity for everyone to interact in a low-pressure setting. The balloon blowing contest adds an element of silliness and excitement, making it perfect for team bonding and relaxation.
Tip: For the balloon blowing contest, encourage everyone to cheer for their teammates and add a fun twist by incorporating funny prizes for the most creative balloon shapes!
Creative & Fun Office Games
16. Pictionary
Similar to charades, Pictionary is all about creativity and collaboration. In this drawing game, one person sketches an image representing a word, while their teammates try to guess what it is. It’s a fantastic way to spark creativity and teamwork.
Tip: Use an online tool like Skribbl.io for virtual Pictionary during remote team meetings.
17. Blind Drawing
Blind drawing is a great communication exercise where one person describes an image, and the other draws it without seeing it. This game helps improve listening skills and the ability to give clear instructions—essential in any office environment.
Tip: To make blind drawing more fun, you can set themes, like office-related objects, and have employees guess what the drawings represent at the end!
18. Pottery Challenge
This activity involves employees getting creative with clay to form sculptures or simple items. Pottery encourages artistic expression, focus, and collaboration when done in teams. Teams can be tasked with creating something related to work or personal interests, such as a logo or a favorite hobby.
The challenge is not just about the outcome, but the process of working together, sharing ideas, and engaging in a hands-on activity that fosters creativity and stress relief.
Tip: To make the pottery activity even more fun, set a time limit for the sculptures and let teams vote for the most creative or funniest design at the end!
19. Guess the Song/Movie
This activity tests participants’ knowledge of classic songs or movie soundtracks. A snippet of a song or movie quote is played, and participants have to guess the title or name of the movie. This can be customized by theme (e.g., 80s music, superhero movies). The activity is engaging, helps employees bond over common interests, and can be done in person or virtually, making it an excellent addition to any team meeting.
Tip: To spice it up, create themed rounds (e.g., “movie quotes from 90s comedies”) and offer small prizes for the fastest and most accurate guesses!
20. Office Debate Club
A lighthearted and fun way to engage employees in quirky debates about trivial topics, such as “Is pineapple on pizza acceptable?” or “Which is better: cats or dogs?” Teams or individuals are assigned positions, regardless of personal opinions, and must argue their case. This encourages employees to think critically, express their opinions, and have fun while learning how to respectfully debate differing viewpoints. It’s a playful and intellectual way to engage the team.
Tip: To make it more interactive, allow participants to switch sides halfway through the debate for a fun twist and encourage open-mindedness!
Other Fun Office Games
21. Board Games
Board games are timeless fun office activities that promote friendly competition and interaction among colleagues. From games like Monopoly to newer ones like Codenames, board games bring employees together, creating an opportunity for team bonding and relaxation.
Tip: Schedule a weekly board game session to encourage ongoing social interaction in the office.
22. Do Not Laugh
A fun and competitive game where participants try to make others laugh while maintaining a straight face. One person attempts to tell jokes, perform silly antics, or show funny videos to crack their teammates up. The others must resist laughing or smiling. The first person who laughs loses the round. This game encourages playful interactions, builds camaraderie, and is perfect for lightening the mood in a team-building session or after a long day of work.
Tip: To make it even more challenging, set a time limit for each round, encouraging quick wits and adding excitement!
Fun Office Games Ideas for Every Occasion
Whether it’s a regular Friday afternoon or your office Christmas party, there are always ways to make office games fit the occasion. Below are some fun games to play in the office that cater to different office cultures and events.
• Fun Games in Office on Fridays
Fridays are the perfect day to relax and have fun. You can try team games for the office that aren’t too demanding but are still enjoyable.
Example: Try a quick trivia game or a round of “Two Truths and a Lie” to wrap up the week on a light note. These small fun activities for employees in office can be done during lunch breaks or right before the end of the workday.
• Christmas Office Games
The holiday season is a great opportunity for office bonding through games. Organize Christmas-themed games like holiday trivia, Christmas charades, or a gift-wrapping challenge. These festive office party games can create a cheerful atmosphere and make employees look forward to office celebrations.
Example: A Christmas scavenger hunt, where employees search for holiday-themed items hidden around the office, can be a great team bonding activity.
Conclusion
Office games are an excellent way to strengthen team bonds, boost morale, and add some excitement to your workplace. Whether you’re looking for small fun activities for employees in office or grand team-building challenges, there are countless games to try. So, why not start planning some office games today and watch how they transform your team’s dynamics? We’re sure your employees will appreciate it.
Remember, office games aren’t just about having fun—they’re a powerful tool for creating a positive work culture that encourages collaboration, communication, and a sense of belonging. Try out these fun office games, and watch your office become a more vibrant and cohesive place to work!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are office games?
Office games are fun activities that make the workplace more exciting. They give employees a break from their usual work routine, helping them feel refreshed and more productive. From small fun activities for employees in office to team games for office parties, these games boost energy and teamwork while adding fun to the day.
2. What is a good game to play at work?
Good office games to play at work include Human Triangle, Blind Drawing, Tower Building Challenge, Office Bingo, and Do Not Smile Challenge. These fun office activities are great for team bonding and boosting productivity. Whether you need office party games or small fun activities for employees in office, these games make work more enjoyable.
3. What is the one minute game in the office?
One-minute games are fun office games where players must complete a challenge in just sixty seconds. Examples include the Gravity Game, Lonely Socks, and Scoop It Up. These quick and easy games are great for office party games or small fun activities for employees in office. They also work well as team games for office, helping build teamwork in a short time.
