Best Work Games To Play At The Office
Office games are more than just a way to pass the time—they’re the perfect recipe for boosting team morale, encouraging collaboration, and injecting some much-needed fun into the workday. Whether you’re planning an Office Olympics event, a thrilling Survivor-inspired challenge, or a lively round of charades, these activities bring coworkers together in engaging and creative ways. Not only do they break the monotony of daily routines, but they also foster better communication and teamwork skills. Dive into our curated list of office games that guarantee laughter, camaraderie, and an unforgettable bonding experience for your team!
1. Mafia Mysteries
How to Play:
In this social deduction game, participants are assigned roles like Mafia, Detective, and Civilians. The Mafia’s goal is to “eliminate” civilians without being caught, while the Detective must identify the Mafia. During each round, players discuss suspicions, and the group votes on who to eliminate. The game ends when the Mafia are eliminated or they outnumber the Civilians.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Assign roles using a random generator or direct messaging in platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
- Use breakout rooms for the Mafia to plot secretly and a group chat for public discussions.
- The host oversees and narrates the game, providing suspenseful storytelling.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Provide printed role cards and set up a small space for the Mafia to meet discreetly.
- Create an immersive atmosphere with props like fake money or themed decorations.
- Designate a central space for group discussions and voting.
Tips for Success:
Make the game more engaging by incorporating clues or props related to the storyline. Use dramatic storytelling and sound effects to heighten the tension, whether virtual or in-person. This team-building game sharpens deduction and encourages communication.
2. Virtual Escape Rooms
How to Play:
Teams solve a series of puzzles, riddles, or tasks to “escape” from a virtual or physical room. Each puzzle leads to the next, requiring teamwork and logic to succeed. Participants must complete the challenge within a set time limit.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use platforms like Zoom with shared Google Forms, PDFs, or virtual escape room apps.
- Assign a host to guide participants and provide hints if needed.
- Share puzzle screens or links, and ensure participants can collaborate using a shared chat.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Design a dedicated space in the office with physical props like locks, puzzles, or hidden clues.
- Scatter clues across the room, creating a logical sequence for participants to follow.
- Time the activity and provide a gamemaster to guide the experience.
Tips for Success:
Plan the puzzles carefully to balance difficulty and fun. Offer hints to keep the game moving but maintain the suspense to enhance engagement. This immersive game fosters collaboration and problem-solving skills.
3. Trivia Mayhem
How to Play:
Teams compete to answer questions from various categories, earning points for each correct answer. Add a twist with lightning rounds or penalties for wrong answers to keep the excitement high.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use a trivia platform like Kahoot or Quizizz.
- Prepare a PowerPoint or share questions via screen share on Zoom.
- Break participants into teams and use breakout rooms for team discussions.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Set up a trivia board or use a projector to display questions.
- Provide buzzers or flags for teams to signal their answers.
- Use index cards or a scoreboard to track points.
Tips for Success:
Incorporate fun, office-related categories alongside general knowledge topics. For virtual play, test the tech beforehand. For in-person, have a lively host to keep the energy up. Trivia Mayhem combines knowledge and teamwork into an engaging office game.
4. Survivor: Office Edition
How to Play:
Participants compete in challenges—mental, physical, or both—while forming alliances or strategizing to eliminate others. Players vote someone off after each round, and the last remaining contestant wins.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Host the game via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
- Use challenges like trivia, typing speed tests, or riddles.
- Create a voting poll for eliminations and keep a scoreboard.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Design physical challenges like obstacle courses, puzzles, or team races.
- Set up a designated area for eliminations and tribal councils.
- Use a dry erase board or printed ballots for voting.
Tips for Success:
Keep challenges varied to suit all skill levels. Encourage friendly banter to build alliances and excitement. Survivor: Office Edition is an excellent work game for boosting team spirit and adaptability.
5. In It to Win It
How to Play:
Players complete fast-paced, skill-based challenges using common items like cups, spoons, or paper. Each round gets progressively harder, and participants are eliminated until a winner emerges.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Share a list of items participants will need ahead of time.
- Use Zoom or Teams to explain each task and time players.
- Ask participants to display their completed tasks on camera for verification.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Set up stations with supplies for each task.
- Use a timer or stopwatch to enforce time limits.
- Have a referee to ensure fair play and track progress.
Tips for Success:
Choose simple but challenging tasks to keep everyone engaged. Provide a mix of individual and team challenges for variety. This game’s fast pace and competitiveness make it a hit at any office gathering.
6. Agents vs. Spies
How to Play:
Participants are secretly assigned roles as Agents or Spies. Agents must complete specific tasks, like delivering coded messages or solving puzzles, while Spies work to sabotage their missions without being detected.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use private messages to assign roles and missions.
- Create a shared spreadsheet or chat to track progress.
- The host moderates, reveals sabotages, and adds twists.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Assign roles with cards or envelopes.
- Use props like folders, puzzles, or hidden objects for tasks.
- Monitor gameplay and introduce plot twists to increase suspense.
Tips for Success:
Encourage creativity by letting players invent their own spy personas. Use dramatic storytelling to set the stage. This espionage-themed team-building game is thrilling and fosters strategic thinking.
7. Wild Charades
How to Play:
In Wild Charades, participants act out prompts from categories like movies, songs, or phrases, but with a twist—add a modifier like “act as a robot” or “mime underwater.” Teams take turns guessing within a time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use Zoom or Teams with a random charades word generator.
- Assign one player to act while others guess using the chat or unmuted audio.
- The host tracks points and ensures smooth transitions.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Write prompts and modifiers on slips of paper for players to draw.
- Use a timer and designate a scorekeeper.
- Set up a performance area with chairs arranged for spectators.
Tips for Success:
Encourage players to get creative with exaggerated motions and props. Add a penalty for guesses that stray too far off-topic. This hilarious game guarantees laughter and energy, whether virtual or in-person.
8. Ultimate Gameshow
How to Play:
Modeled after popular game shows, Ultimate Gameshow combines trivia, quick reflex games, and puzzle-solving challenges. Teams compete for points across multiple rounds, with a grand finale showdown.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use platforms like Kahoot for trivia and share quick visual puzzles via screen share.
- Use the Zoom chat feature for team answers.
- A lively host keeps the pace fast and fun.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Set up a game show stage with buzzers or noise-makers.
- Alternate between trivia questions, physical challenges, and team puzzles.
- Use a scoreboard to track progress and announce the ultimate champion.
Tips for Success:
Incorporate rounds inspired by real game shows (e.g., lightning trivia or word puzzles). A dynamic host and dramatic sound effects elevate this high-energy game.
9. That’s My Jam (Name That Tune)
How to Play:
Players compete to identify songs after hearing a short clip or humming a few bars. Points are awarded for correctly guessing the song title and artist.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use Spotify or YouTube to play song clips via screen share.
- Teams can use chat or unmute to submit answers.
- A host keeps track of scores and plays DJ.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Use a speaker or Bluetooth device to play music clips.
- Teams buzz in or raise hands to answer.
- Provide a whiteboard for tracking scores.
Tips for Success:
Curate a playlist with a mix of classics and current hits to cater to all tastes. That’s My Jam is a hit for music lovers and competitive spirits alike.
10. Game Night Party
How to Play:
A mix of mini-games like trivia, charades, and scavenger hunts. Teams rotate through activities, earning points at each station. The group with the highest score wins.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use Zoom breakout rooms for different mini-games.
- Assign hosts to lead each game and report scores.
- Rotate teams every 15 minutes to keep the energy high.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Set up stations for each mini-game with clear instructions and materials.
- Use timers and assign referees to ensure fairness.
- Have a leaderboard to track cumulative scores.
Tips for Success:
Plan a variety of games to keep everyone engaged. Game Night Party offers something for every personality, making it a surefire hit.
11. Brain Games
How to Play:
Teams tackle brain teasers, logic puzzles, and riddles. The faster they solve a challenge, the more points they earn. Puzzles range from classic riddles to visual illusions.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Share puzzles via Google Docs or screen share on Zoom.
- Teams use breakout rooms to brainstorm solutions.
- A moderator provides hints if teams are stuck.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Create puzzle packets or stations with printed challenges.
- Set a timer for each challenge.
- Assign a gamemaster to provide hints and track progress.
Tips for Success:
Include a mix of puzzle types to appeal to different skill sets. Brain Games foster critical thinking and teamwork in a fun, low-pressure environment.
12. Coworker Feud
How to Play:
Inspired by Family Feud, players guess the top answers to office-themed survey questions like “Most Popular Lunch Spot” or “Favorite Coffee Order.” Teams alternate guesses until one wins the round.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Collect survey answers using Google Forms beforehand.
- Display questions via screen share and let teams submit answers through chat.
- The host tracks scores and reveals answers live.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Write survey questions on a whiteboard or use printed cards.
- Teams buzz in or raise hands to answer.
- Assign a lively host to reveal answers and add humor.
Tips for Success:
Customize questions to reflect office culture. The mix of humor and competition makes this game unforgettable.
13. Scavenger Hunt All-Stars
How to Play:
A scavenger hunt with a twist: participants must complete challenges tied to each item, like taking a creative photo or solving a riddle before moving on.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Provide a list of challenges and items participants can find at home.
- Teams upload photos or videos as proof in a shared chat.
- Use a timer and leaderboard to track scores.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Hide items around the office or assign tasks at various stations.
- Teams check off items and complete tasks under supervision.
- Use a scoreboard to display progress.
Tips for Success:
Incorporate unique or office-related items to make it memorable. Scavenger Hunt All-Stars keeps players moving and thinking, making it a dynamic office game.
14. Office Olympics
How to Play:
Office Olympics is a series of competitive mini-games designed to get everyone moving and laughing. Teams compete in activities like paper toss basketball, chair races, and rubber band archery. Each event earns points, and the team with the highest total wins the coveted Office Olympics trophy—or bragging rights!
Virtual Option Setup:
- Host events like typing speed races, trivia, and balancing challenges via Zoom.
- Assign points for each task and track scores using a shared document.
- Use a host to explain each event and maintain energy throughout.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Set up stations for each event around the office, with clear instructions and materials.
- Assign referees to monitor games like paper toss or desk chair slalom.
- Use a whiteboard or poster to display team scores in real time.
Tips for Success:
Make the games accessible for all fitness levels and focus on fun rather than intense competition. Incorporate team cheers or costumes for extra flair. Office Olympics is the ultimate combination of team bonding and lighthearted competition, sure to energize any workday.
15. Taboo
How to Play:
In Taboo, one team member tries to get their teammates to guess a specific word or phrase without using “taboo” words listed on the card. For example, if the word is “apple,” you might be forbidden from saying “fruit,” “red,” or “pie.” The goal is to guess as many words as possible within a time limit.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use platforms like PlayTaboo.com or create custom cards in a shared document.
- Share your screen, and a host can act as the moderator to enforce taboo rules.
- Teams take turns guessing, with a timer visible to all participants.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Print or write taboo cards and use a timer or hourglass to track rounds.
- Teams alternate turns, with one player acting as the clue-giver.
- Assign someone to watch for “taboo” word violations and penalize accordingly.
Tips for Success:
Keep the game fast-paced and use categories that resonate with your group. Taboo is an excellent way to build communication skills and foster quick thinking, whether played virtually or in person.
Let me know if you’d like me to adjust anything or expand further!
16. Werewolf
How to Play:
Werewolf is a social deduction game where players are secretly assigned roles like Werewolves, Villagers, and a Seer. Werewolves “eliminate” villagers at night, while villagers try to identify the Werewolves during the day through discussion and voting. The game ends when all Werewolves are eliminated or they outnumber the Villagers.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use Zoom or Discord, with a host privately assigning roles via chat.
- Utilize breakout rooms for the Werewolves to plan and the main room for group discussions.
- A host moderates the game, narrates events, and tracks progress.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Hand out role cards to participants and designate a narrator.
- Players sit in a circle, “close their eyes” during night phases, and openly discuss during the day.
- Provide props like candles or sound effects for atmosphere.
Tips for Success:
Encourage dramatic roleplay to amplify the experience. Werewolf combines strategy and persuasion, making it a thrilling team-building game.
17. Jeopardy
How to Play:
This quiz game challenges participants to answer questions in different categories and point values. Teams earn points for correct answers and can wager them during a Final Jeopardy round.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use platforms like Jeopardy Labs to create a custom game board.
- Share your screen and allow teams to buzz in using chat or unmute.
- A host moderates, keeps score, and ensures smooth transitions between categories.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Create a game board using a whiteboard, sticky notes, or a projector.
- Use buzzers or flags for teams to signal their answers.
- A host acts as the game show host, providing lively commentary.
Tips for Success:
Include categories relevant to the team, like office trivia or pop culture. Jeopardy’s interactive format makes it a hit for work games.
18. Murder Mystery
How to Play:
Participants assume roles in a scripted murder mystery. One player is secretly assigned as the murderer, and others must uncover their identity by solving clues and interrogating each other.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Email roles and clues to participants before the game.
- Use Zoom breakout rooms for private conversations and the main room for group discussions.
- A host oversees the game and reveals the murderer at the end.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Distribute role cards and provide physical props like fake clues or evidence.
- Use designated areas for secret meetings and group discussions.
- Add themed decorations to enhance immersion.
Tips for Success:
Encourage participants to stay in character for a more immersive experience. Murder Mystery is perfect for combining creativity and teamwork.
19. Code Word
How to Play:
A word-guessing game where teams try to identify a secret “code word” based on limited clues. One teammate gives single-word hints, while the rest of the team guesses.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use online tools like Codenames Generator for random words.
- Share the screen with the word list, and let teams guess via chat.
- A host moderates and tracks points.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Create a physical word board using sticky notes or index cards.
- Teams take turns giving clues and guessing words.
- Use a scoreboard to track points.
Tips for Success:
Keep hints clever but concise to avoid giving away the answer. Code Word is a fun way to challenge communication skills.
20. Office Typing Race
How to Play:
Participants compete to type a given passage or solve a typing challenge as quickly and accurately as possible. The fastest typist wins.
Virtual Option Setup:
- Use online typing tools like TypingTest.com and share the results via screenshot.
- A host announces the passage and sets the timer.
- Track accuracy and speed for fair scoring.
In-Person Option Setup:
- Provide laptops or keyboards at stations with the same passage loaded.
- Use a timer to track results and verify accuracy afterward.
- Announce winners live and award small prizes.
Tips for Success:
Incorporate office-related or humorous passages for added fun. Office Typing Race is a simple yet engaging way to ignite competitive spirit.