45 Quick & Fun Office Games to Boost Team Productivity

Who says work can’t be fun? Office games are a great way to break the ice, reduce stress, and build stronger team connections. Whether in-person or online, they encourage employees to keep a sense of fun while working, boosting engagement and productivity.

 

From quick brain teasers to competitive challenges, this article covers the best office games to help you add a little play to the workday.

 

It also unveils how Krisp AI Meeting Assistant boosts employee productivity and engagement through features like AI Noise Cancellation and AI Note-Taking.

 

Let’s get this show on the road.

What Are the Benefits of Office Games?

Quick and fun office games to play with coworkers fuel team dynamics. How? Positive team interactions, attitudes, and behaviors help employees work effectively. Specifically, these games:

 

• Boost team morale
• Reduce stress
• Increase productivity, creativity, and teamwork
• Improve problem-solving, decision-making, and communication among employees

 

Companies often incorporate games during holidays, project milestones, or team meetings to foster engagement. Games also serve as a break or reward, helping teams stay motivated and connected.

Team Building Games for the Office

Office team building games:

 

• Are great for breaking the ice and bonding
• Boost collaboration, communication, and employee engagement
• Reduce stress
• Improve problem-solving skills
• Foster connections
• Raise team morale
• Create a more positive, productive work environment

1.    Two Truths and a Lie

This is one of the most popular “get to know you” games. Each player writes down two true statements and one false statement about themselves. Taking turns, they read their statements aloud while others guess which one is the lie. For example, a player might say, “I’ve been skydiving, I speak four languages, and I hate chocolate.” The group then discusses and votes.

2.    Office Scavenger Hunt

Participants receive a list of items to find or tasks to complete around the office. They search, take pictures, or bring back items within a set time limit. For example, a list may include “a red stapler,” “a handwritten note,” or “a team selfie at the coffee machine.” The first team to complete the list wins.

3.    Escape Room Challenge

Teams in a themed room must solve puzzles, uncover hidden clues, and crack codes to escape within a time limit. Participants work together to decipher riddles, unlock doors, and find missing objects. For example, a team may need to decode a message to open a locked box or rearrange symbols to reveal a hidden key. The game ends when the team successfully escapes or time runs out.

Office Ice Breaker Games

Office icebreaker games:

 

• Reduce tension
• Foster team bonding
• Improve communication among colleagues
• Encourage collaboration, creativity, and engagement
• Make the workplace more positive and productive
• Boost team morale
• Create a sense of belonging within teams

1.    Pictionary

Divide employees into two teams and provide a whiteboard or paper. One player picks a word or phrase from a pre-made list and then draws it while their team guesses within one minute. No letters or symbols are allowed. For example, the player draws a snowman for “Winter Wonderland.” The team that guesses correctly wins.

2.    Human Bingo

Create bingo cards with statements like “Has traveled to three countries” or “Loves coffee.” Employees mingle, asking colleagues if they match a square. If yes, they sign it. The first player who completes a row or full card shouts, “Bingo!” For example, the player finds someone who owns a pet and marks that square.

3.    Escape Room Challenge

Prepare a mix of fun office-related or general trivia questions. Divide employees into teams and take turns answering questions within a time limit. For example, “What year was our company founded?” or “Which coworker has the most pets?” The team giving the most correct answers wins.

Office Party Games

Office party games:

 

• Boost team morale
• Encourage communication and collaboration
• Create a fun and engaging work environment
• Help employees bond
• Reduce stress
• Foster stronger workplace relationships and a positive team culture

1.    Christmas Office Trivia

Divide employees into teams and ask holiday-themed trivia questions about Christmas movies, songs, history, and traditions. Use a buzzer system or write answers on whiteboards. For example, ask, “What year was ‘Home Alone’ released?” The team giving the most correct answers wins a small festive prize.

2.    Halloween Murder Mystery

Assign employees roles, such as detective, suspects, and victim, and provide clues about a fictional office crime. Players interact, question each other, and piece together the mystery. For example, in a “Haunted Office Heist,” teams investigate who stole the company’s prized Halloween decorations. The detective reveals the culprit at the end.

3.    Minute to Win It Challenges

Employees take turns drawing a card with a work-related or general topic, such as “Zoom call issues” or “Typing an email.” Then, act it out without speaking while their team guesses. Set a timer for each turn. The team with the most correct guesses becomes the winner.

Quick and Fun Games in the Office on Fridays

Playing quick and fun games on Fridays:

 

• Boosts morale
• Relieves stress
• Fosters team bonding before the weekend
• Helps employees refresh their minds
• Improves engagement
• Strengthens workplace relationships
• Creates a positive and energetic office environment to close the week on a high note

1.    Desk Pong

Set up a small ping-pong game using a table, a lightweight ball, and makeshift paddles. Folders or hands work, too. Employees take turns trying to bounce the ball into cups or a designated area on the desk. For example, hold a mini Friday tournament, keeping score and awarding a small prize to the champion.

2.    Word Association Challenge

Create a set of emoji sequences representing common phrases, movies, or office-related terms. Employees compete to guess the correct phrase first. For example, post the emoji “🎩🦇” in a chat or whiteboard and have teams guess. The answer is “Batman.” The fastest responder or team earns points in this fast-paced guessing game.

3.    Speed Jenga

Divide employees into small teams, with one player drawing a randomly assigned word while others guess within 30 seconds. Use an online generator or a themed word list, such as office items or famous landmarks. For example, if the word is “laptop,” the drawer sketches it while teammates try to guess as quickly as possible before time runs out.

Office Games Online

Virtual team building activities:

 

• Foster team bonding, engagement, and collaboration in remote or hybrid workplaces
• Reduce isolation
• Relieve stress
• Boost team morale, ensuring employees stay connected and motivated
• Encourage communication, problem-solving, and teamwork
• Create a more interactive and inclusive work environment

1.    Virtual Escape Room

Teams work together to crack puzzles and riddles in a race against time to complete the escape challenge. Use platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams to play this game. A game master provides clues while players collaborate in breakout rooms in Zoom or MS Teams. For example, the team is “trapped” in a haunted mansion and must find hidden keys, decode messages, and solve logic puzzles to escape before time runs out.

2.    Online Trivia Challenge

Using a virtual whiteboard, such as Zoom Whiteboard, one player draws a word while teammates guess within a time limit. The game rotates through participants. For example, a player receives a “roller coaster” and sketches loops and tracks. Teammates type their guesses in chat, trying to be the first to identify the drawing correctly.

3.    Virtual Pictionary

A host asks themed multiple-choice or open-ended questions via a quiz platform like Doodlr.io and Sketchful.io. Players answer within a time limit, earning points for accuracy and speed. For example, a “Pop Culture” trivia round asks, “Who directed Inception?” Players choose the correct answer, Christopher Nolan. They earn points before time runs out.

Indoor Office Games to Play at Work

Indoor group games at work:

 

• Foster team bonding, communication, and creativity in a relaxed setting
• Reduce stress
• Improve problem-solving skills
• Boost workplace morale, making collaboration more enjoyable
• Strengthen team cohesion
• Improve workplace culture

1.    Office Trivia

Prepare questions about the company, employees, or general knowledge. Players form teams and compete to answer correctly, earning points for each correct answer. For example, ask, “Who was the first employee hired at our company?” One team quickly responds with the correct answer, earning cheers and a point on the leaderboard.

2.    Paper Airplane Contest

Each player folds a paper airplane, aiming to fly it the farthest. A start line is set, and contestants take turns throwing their planes, measuring the distances. For example, a participant carefully folds their plane and launches it, and the plane soars impressively across the office.

3.    Desk Maze Challenge

Create a small obstacle course on desks, using office supplies like cups and folders. Players must guide a small ball through the maze using only their breath or gentle tilts of the desk. For example, a player carefully tilts the desk, trying to roll a marble through a tunnel of paper clips. Teammates watch in suspense as they make it to the finish line just in time.

Office Games Encouraging Teamwork

Office games that encourage teamwork:

 

• Strengthen collaboration, problem-solving, and trust among employees
• Create a supportive environment where team members learn to collaborate effectively
• Boost team morale
• Improve workplace relationships
• Boost team efficiency and cohesion in a fun and engaging way

1.    Virtual Werewolf

Players are assigned secret roles, Villagers or Werewolves, through a video call platform like Zoom and Google Meet. A moderator leads the game. Players vote to eliminate suspected Werewolves while Werewolves secretly “eliminate” Villagers each round. For example, a player defends themselves, saying, “I’m not the Werewolf.” Teammates debate, trying to deduce who’s lying before voting to remove someone.

2.    Online Scattergories

The host gives a letter, e.g., “B,” and categories like “Movie Title,” “Food,” or “Animal.” Players list words beginning with that letter before time runs out. Those who give unique answers earn points. For example, if the letter is “B,” a player writes “Batman” (movie), “Banana” (food), and “Bear” (animal), avoiding repeated answers. The host reviews and tallies scores.

3.    Virtual Bingo

The host shares digital Bingo cards using MyFreeBingoCards or a custom spreadsheet. Instead of numbers, squares contain work-related phrases or tasks, such as “Sent an email before 8 AM”. Players mark squares as they occur. For example, a player marks “Accidentally muted on Zoom” when it happens during the game. The aim is to complete an entire row or column first to win.

Office Games to Play During Breaks

Office games during breaks:

 

• Help employees refresh their minds
• Reduce stress
• Boost energy levels
• Encourage social interaction, creativity, and mental relaxation
• Improve focus and productivity
• Create a positive work environment
• Make breaks more engaging and revitalizing for the team

1.    Desk Pong

Players set up a mini ping-pong court using a table and a small ball. They hit the ball back and forth using paddles or even folders. The first player to miss loses the round. For example, two coworkers use coffee mugs as a net and take turns hitting a small ball. They keep the score until one reaches five points first.

2.    Speed Jenga

Taking turns, players remove one block from a Jenga tower and place it on top. Unlike traditional Jenga, a timer sets a 10-second limit per turn, adding intensity. For example, a player quickly pulls a loose block but panics as the tower wobbles. Their teammate watches, ready for their turn if the tower stays standing.

3.    Word Association Challenge

One player says a word, e.g., “ocean,” and the next must quickly respond with a related word, e.g., “waves.” If a player hesitates for over three seconds, they lose the round. For example, a team starts with “coffee,” leading to “morning,” “alarm clock,” and “meetings.” One player hesitates on a word, losing the round.

Office Games Encouraging Physical Activities and Sports

Engaging in light sports or active games:

 

• Promotes movement
• Reduces stress
• Boosts well-being
• Improves focus, energy levels, and team camaraderie
• Creates a healthier work environment, helping employees stay active and refreshed throughout the day

1.    Chair Relay Race

Employees sit in rolling chairs and race from one end of the office to another. Teams take turns pushing their teammates to the finish line, ensuring a fun and safe ride. For example, two teams line up, and one player pushes their teammate forward. Suddenly, a chair veers off course, but the players quickly recover to finish the race.

2.    Office Bowling

Set up empty water bottles as pins at one end of a hallway or open space. Players take turns rolling a small ball to knock them down, scoring points like traditional bowling. For example, a player lines up their shot, rolls a foam ball, and watches as it knocks down three bottles. Teammates cheer as they attempt a second roll for a spare.

3.    Balloon Keep-Up

Players must keep a balloon in the air without letting it touch the ground. They can use hands, elbows, or heads but must remain within a designated space. For example, a team gathers in a circle, tapping the balloon up repeatedly. As it drifts unpredictably, one player dives to save it from touching the floor, keeping the game alive.

Creative Office Games

Creative team games:

 

• Inspire innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork by encouraging employees to think outside the box
• Boost engagement
• Reduce stress
• Improve collaboration, making the workplace more dynamic
• Foster a culture of idea-sharing and continuous learning, driving workplace success

1.    Story Building Challenge

One uses a sentence to start a story, and each team member adds a line, building a creative narrative. The story continues until it reaches a fun or unexpected ending. For example, the first player says, “A mysterious package arrived at the office.” Another adds, “Inside was a map leading to a hidden company treasure,” sparking excitement and laughter.

2.    Office Doodle Contest

Provide each participant with a blank sheet and a random word or phrase. Players must quickly sketch their interpretation, and colleagues vote on the most creative or funniest doodle. For example, a player receives the word “Monday Motivation” and sketches a cup of coffee with superhero powers. Another depicts a coworker dramatically dragging themselves to work.

3.    Reverse Brainstorming

Instead of solving a problem, teams brainstorm ways to make it worse. After listing ideas, they reverse them to find creative solutions. For example, the team is asked, “How can we make meetings ineffective?” The players say, “never setting an agenda” or “everyone talks at once.” As a result, the manager develops strategies for improving meetings.

Competitive Office Games to Play in the Office

Healthy competition through group games in the office:

 

• Boost motivation, teamwork, and productivity by encouraging friendly rivalry
• Help employees develop problem-solving skills, quick thinking, and resilience
• Foster a fun and engaging work environment
• Strengthen collaboration, communication, and workplace performance

1.    Office Jeopardy

Create a Jeopardy-style game board with categories related to work, pop culture, or general knowledge. Teams take turns selecting questions, earning points for correct answers. For example, a team chooses “Company History for 300” and correctly answers, “What year was our company founded?” They celebrate as they move ahead on the scoreboard.

2.    Speed Typing Challenge

Players compete to type a given paragraph as fast as possible with minimal errors. Use a stopwatch or typing test tool like TypingTest or LiveChat to determine the winner. For example, two coworkers race against each other, typing a randomly selected quote. One finishes in 45 seconds with only two errors, securing victory.

3.    Office Cup Stacking Race

Each participant gets a stack of plastic cups and must build and collapse a pyramid as fast as possible. The fastest to complete the task wins. For example, a player quickly stacks 10 cups into a pyramid. As they finish collapsing it, their opponent knocks over their stack, securing the win.

Team Challenges to Play in the Office

Group challenges in the office:

 

• Promote collaboration, problem-solving, and camaraderie by encouraging employees to work toward shared goals
• Boost creativity, communication, and team spirit
• Foster a more engaging and productive workplace
• Help strengthen relationships
• Improve team dynamics in a fun and interactive way

1.    Marshmallow Tower Challenge

Teams get spaghetti sticks, tape, string, and a marshmallow. They have 10 minutes to build the tallest free-standing structure, with the marshmallow placed on top. For example, one team carefully stacks spaghetti sticks but struggles with stability. Another team reinforces their base with tape and celebrates as their tower stays upright at the last second.

2.    Office Puzzle Race

Each team gets an identical 100-piece puzzle and races to complete it first. Participants must think quickly and rely on teamwork. For example, a team divides tasks, with one person finding edge pieces while others work on colors. The final piece clicks into place, and they cheer as the timer shows 30 seconds left.

3.    Blindfolded Obstacle Course

One blindfolded player must navigate an office obstacle course using only verbal instructions from teammates. The fastest team to complete the course wins. For example, a teammate shouts, “Step left! Now duck!” as the blindfolded player carefully moves forward. They avoid bumping into a chair and reach the finish line just before the rival team.

Five-Minute Office Games for Team Meetings

Five-minute team building activities for meetings:

 

• Energize team meetings by boosting engagement, focus, and collaboration quickly
• Help break the ice
• Reduce stress
• Improve communication, making meetings more dynamic
• Create a positive team atmosphere, encouraging participation and creative thinking

1.    Quick Draw Challenge

One player secretly selects a word, sketches it in 30 seconds, and the team guesses what it is. The first correct guesser wins. For example, a teammate quickly draws a stick figure running toward a finish line. Others shout, “Race! Sprint! Marathon!” until one correctly yells, “Relay race!”

2.    Rapid Fire Questions

The team receives quick, fun, or work-related questions. Each player must answer in three seconds or less. If someone hesitates, they’re out. For example, the host asks, “What’s your favorite snack?” A player quickly says, “Chocolate.” Another question follows: “Best vacation spot?” The game continues until only one remains.

3.    30-Second Storytelling

A player starts a random short story but stops after 10 seconds. The next person continues, and this cycle repeats until 30 seconds are up. For example, one of the players starts by saying, “A package arrived at the office…” The second player adds, “Inside was a mysterious letter…” The final player wraps up with, “And it led us on a wild adventure!”

One-Hour Office Games for Team Meetings

One-hour team meeting games:

 

• Provide a thorough team-building experience
• Foster collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving
• Allow employees to engage, strategize, and bond
• Strengthen workplace relationships
• Create a motivating and interactive environment
• Make meetings more productive and enjoyable

1.    Office Role-Playing Debate

Teams are assigned fictional workplace scenarios and must debate solutions from different perspectives. Each group takes a stance and presents arguments before the panel votes on the best resolution. For example, a scenario states, “Your company must choose between remote work or full-time office work.” One team argues for remote flexibility, while the other emphasizes office collaboration. Each team must defend their position with logic and creativity.

2.    Office Treasure Hunt

Create a list of clues and hidden objects around the office. Teams must follow the clues, solve riddles, and find all the items within an hour. For example, a clue says, “Where coffee fuels the day, your next hint is tucked away.” A team rushes to the breakroom and finds the next clue under the coffee machine.

3.    Business Simulation Challenge

Teams are given a fictional business scenario and must develop a plan within an hour. They present strategies for marketing, budgeting, or problem-solving. For example, a scenario states, “Your company is launching a new product. Create a marketing strategy and budget plan.” Teams brainstorm ideas, create slides, and show them to the group.

Office Games for Large Groups

Team games for large groups:

 

• Promote team bonding, communication, and collaboration across departments
• Encourage networking, engagement, and problem-solving
• Help employees connect beyond their immediate teams
• Create an inclusive and dynamic workplace
• Help team members unite and focus on a shared purpose

1.    Silent Line-Up Challenge

Without speaking, employees must line up in a specific order by birth month, years of experience, or first name alphabetically. They can only make facial expressions and use gestures to communicate. For example, a team attempts to line up by birth month. One player gestures “snow” to indicate December, while another points at the sun for July. The team tries to figure it out.

2.    Office Scavenger Hunt

Teams receive hidden or unique office items to find within a time limit. The first team that manages to collect the items wins. For example, a clue reads, “Find something that has the company logo but isn’t paper.” Players rush to grab a branded mug from the breakroom before the others.

3.    The Balloon Tower Challenge

Teams receive balloons and tape. They must build the tallest free-standing balloon tower within 10 minutes. The tallest, most stable structure wins. For example, a team struggles as their tower collapses, while another carefully ties balloons in a triangle base for stability. The winning tower stands over four feet tall.

Office Games for Small Groups

These small fun activities for employees in the office:

 

• Strengthen team bonding, communication, and problem-solving in a more intimate setting
• Encourage creativity, quick thinking, and collaboration, making teamwork more effective
• Foster trust and camaraderie
• Improve workplace relationships and overall team performance

1.    Mystery Box Challenge

Fill a box with random objects. Each player blindly picks one and must create a short story or sales pitch based on the item within one minute. For example, a player pulls out a paperclip and pitches it as a multi-functional tool for survival, organization, and even fashion accessories.

2.    Spot the Difference

One player secretly changes five small things about their appearance or workspace while others close their eyes for 30 seconds. The group then tries to identify the changes. For example, a coworker removes their watch, changes their hairstyle, and flips a notebook upside-down. The team races to spot the subtle differences before time runs out.

3.    Memory Chain

The first player says a word, e.g., “ocean.” The next player repeats it and adds another word, e.g., “ocean, dolphin.” The sequence continues until someone forgets the complete list. For example, the chain grows: “ocean, dolphin, waves, sandcastle, surfboard…” A player stumbles at six words, ending the round. Then, the players continue with a fresh start.

How Krisp Makes Virtual Office Games Effective

Office games, including icebreakers and team-building activities, can be adapted for virtual teams. That’s where Krisp AI Meeting Assistant comes into play.

 

Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant helps organize online office games more productively and effectively, boosting team morale and creativity. As a result, remote work becomes more engaging.

 

After all, research reveals that gaming is good for the workplace. It builds cognitive, social, and emotional skills to help teams navigate complex environments.

 

How to Boost Productivity and Motivation at Work With Krisp

A motivated workplace is necessary both for employees and managers as teams only thrive in such an environment. Here is how Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant helps make your workplace motivated and happy:

1.     Noise Cancellation for Distraction-free Environment

Krisp removes background noises, voices, and echoes to let you focus on what matters most during online interactions like virtual icebreakers. Did you know Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant has pioneered the world’s first AI-powered Voice Productivity software?

2.     Automatic and Multilingual Meeting Transcriptions

Krisp’s AI Meeting Transcriptions, including the Import and Transcribe feature, provide exceptional accuracy and stellar speaker recognition. Thus, you can automatically transcribe online interactions with superb quality. You can also upload a meeting recording to Krisp and get the transcription to further boost engagement and collaboration.

3.     Error-free Meeting Note Taker

Krisp automatically transcribes and summarizes online discussions to let you enjoy meticulously taken critical takeaways. As a result, you can actively interact with your team. Then, you can make the necessary changes to these notes and save them in a meeting notes template to share with others.

4.     High-quality Meeting Recording

Krips offers unprecedented audio quality for recording, including screen recording your virtual discussions. After the meeting, you can revisit, review, and share these critical discussion points with others. Importantly, Krisp AI Meeting Assistant doesn’t need to join the calls to record them.

 

Krisp’s flagship Noise Cancellation technology is running on 200M+ devices and processing 80B+ minutes of conversations daily. Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant works with WinOS and MacOS and any videoconferencing tools like Zoom, Goole Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Make Your Office Games Effective With Krisp

Office games like scavenger hunts, quizzes, bingo, and picture charades boost teamwork, creativity, and morale. As a result, they make the workplace more engaging and productive. Whether in-person or virtual, these activities strengthen relationships and energize employees.

 

Krisp AI Meeting Assistant takes virtual game playing to the next level. How? Krisp offers features like Noise Cancellation and Note-Taking to improve communication. Krisp’s AI Meeting Assistant provides a seamless online experience by removing background noise and recording online interactions. Thus, you can enjoy more interactive and effective team building.

Frequently Asked Questions