Many people work in an office environment. The days can get long and even boring. Office party games offer some fun and refresh employees. Of course, they can be played at parties, but they also work well in meetings, for fun at lunchtime or at any time when you need a little fun and a break from the routine.
1) Office Games
1.1) Blind Artist
Pair up players and have them sit back to back. One player holds a picture and the other a blank sheet of paper and a pen or pencil. The player with the picture describes it, without using specific words that give it away. The other player draws the described picture. At the end of a set time, the drawers show their pictures. The best representation wins a prize.
1.2) Wink Murder
Create enough slips of paper for every player to receive one. Mark all but two slips with a "v" for victim. The other two are marked with a "d" for detective and an "m" for murderer. The murderer kills other players with a sneaky wink. Victims "die" when they are winked at. The detective tries to find the murderer. When they do, that player becomes the detective and another murderer is chosen. Play for as long as the group enjoys the game.
1.3) Don't Laugh
Have all the players stand in a circle and take turns laughing while looking at the person next to them. If someone starts to laugh, they are out. The person left at the end of a set time is the winner of this simple and fun game.
1.4) Musical Chairs
Although this is considered a children's game, adults have fun playing this old favorite. Have everyone sit in a circle of chairs with enough for every player, minus one chair. Use songs that are familiar to the group. When the music stops, whoever can't find a seat is out. Keep removing one chair each round of the game. The last person remaining wins a small prize.
1.5) Name That Tune
Choose songs that are familiar to the group based on their ages and the makeup of the group. Play each song for five seconds. The first person to call out the correct song title is the winner.
1.6) Two Truths and a Lie
Each player thinks of one lie and two truths about themselves. Players sit in a circle facing each other and take turns sharing. The person to the right of the first person to share their two truths and a lie guesses which one is the lie. If they are correct, they stay in the game. If not, they are out. The last person remaining wins this truth-revealing game.
1.7) What Is It?
Put several small soft items, unusual toys, etc. in a large bowl. Blindfold the players and have them take turns reaching into the bowl and picking up an object. They must identify the item they touch. Cover the bowl between turns so other players don't have the advantage of seeing the objects before their turn.
2) Office Games for Large Groups
Large groups need games that are organized, have easy-to-follow instructions and include all the participants. Our selection of office party games for large groups includes both team and individual games. Be sure to assess the size, age and physical ability of your players before choosing a game to play from those provided.
2.1) Tug of War
Divide your large group into two teams, with each team as evenly matched in skill and strength as possible. Doing so makes the game last longer and increases the fun. Provide a long, sturdy rope and have each team line up, grab the rope and pull. The team that falls or lets go of the rope loses. You can also set a gap in the middle for each team to avoid. When a team pulls the rope so that members of the other team cross into their area, they win the game.
2.2) Freeze
Call one person from the group aside and instruct them to stop at some point and turn into a statue. Tell the rest of the group that if they see anyone completely still like a statue, they must do the same immediately, freezing in the position they are in. The game starts when the chosen person turns into a statue and ends when everyone is still. The fun part of this game is the silly positions people end up frozen in.
2.3) Guess Who
Have everyone write their name on a piece of paper and put it in a box, basket or bag. Each person draws a name and uses words to describe that person. Everyone else guesses who is being described. You can play this as a team game and have team members compete to see which player makes the fastest guess.
2.4) Grab the Tails
Divide your players into groups of three. Ask them to stand one behind the other, the tallest at the front and the shortest at the back. The last person tucks a piece of cloth like a tail into the back of their waistband. Each trio tries to grab the tails of the other players and pull them out. The team of three that collects the most tails at the end of the game wins.
3) Office Games for Small Groups
If you work in a small office, or you need games for a workplace unit made up of a few people, you will find our office party games for small groups effective for parties and whenever your employees get together as a group. They work well as icebreakers and as ways for teammates to get to know each other better.
3.1) ABC Challenge
Provide pencil and paper for each player. Tell them to write the letters A to Z vertically down the left side. Set a timer for 2 to 3 minutes depending on the difficulty of the chosen topic. Challenge the players to find a word for each letter. The first player to complete their list, or the one with the most answers at the end of the set time, wins this game. Choose one of the topics listed below or one of your own.
- Zoo animals
- Types of pets
- Names of flowers
- Dog breeds
- Sports teams
- Girls' or boys' names
- Toys
- Song, TV or movie titles.
- Names of fruits or vegetables.
3.2) Balls in a Bucket
For this fun game you will need two chairs and buckets, a large bag of cotton balls, a large serving spoon, a cloth or scarf to use as a blindfold and a stopwatch or timer. Place the two buckets on the chairs, one filled with cotton balls, about five feet apart, facing each other. Blindfold a player, hand them the large spoon and tell them to move the cotton balls from one bucket to the other. Be sure to spin the player around several times before they start. Set the timer for a set period of time, five minutes at most. The player who gets the most cotton balls into the bucket before the timer goes off wins. If a player loses their bearings, they can't use their hands to find the bucket. Also, if they peek or use their hands, they are disqualified. Sometimes the player will lose direction and start scooping from the wrong bucket,
3.3) Wiggle Relay
Divide your group into two teams. Have an empty tissue box or another type of box with an equivalent hole in the side filled with ping pong balls. Attach the box to a belt and have each player try to empty the box by shaking their hips. Players must stay upright and cannot use their hands. Each team member empties the box and passes it along with the belt to the next player. The team that finishes first wins.
3.4) Don't Do It!
One person is chosen to give instructions to the other players, such as "stand still", "hop on one foot", etc. The goal of this game is for each player to do the opposite of what they are told to do. If someone doesn't do the opposite, they are out. The last player remaining wins this game.
4) Christmas Office Games
Most workplaces have a Christmas or winter party of some kind. Playing games keeps the party interesting and moving along, as participants don't get bored. Schedule your office Christmas party with games early in the evening, in the middle of the party, and just before it is time for the guests to leave. Many of the following games require very little advance preparation or expense. Choose one or more depending on the size and makeup of your group.
4.1) Christmas Tree Challenge
Give each guest a piece of green construction paper and ask them to hold it behind their back. The goal is to tear the paper to make the shape of a Christmas tree. The most attractive finished tree wins. If you don't have construction paper, you can blindfold each guest and have them draw a Christmas tree with a green marker or crayon on white paper.
4.2) Candy Cane Hook
Divide your group into two or more teams, with eight to ten players each. You will need a large quantity of small unwrapped candy canes placed in two large bowls. One member of each team takes turns putting a disposable stick in their mouth and trying to move the candy canes to their team's basket, bowl or stocking. The team with the most candy canes after every team member has had a turn is the winner.
4.3) Christmas Balloon Burst
Inflate green and red balloons and divide your players into teams. Give all the members of one team green balloons and all the players on the other team red balloons. Tie the balloons to one ankle of each player. The goal of this active game is to pop the balloons of the players on the opposing team without having your own popped. When someone's balloon is popped, they are out. The team with the most players left at the end of a set time is the winner. You can also play this game with people trying to be the last player left with a balloon if your group is very small.
4.4) Hot Present (Bow)
Play music and pass a small gift-wrapped present or a large festive bow around a circle of standing players. When the music stops, the player holding the present or the bow is out. The player left when everyone else is out is the winner.
4.5) How Many?
When guests arrive, ask them to guess how much of something they see. They can't take the time to count, only guess. You can use one of the following items or choose your own.
- How many ornaments, bells, candy canes, etc. are on the Christmas tree.
- How many Christmas candies are in a jar?
- How many presents are under the tree.
Record their guesses and, after everyone has arrived, announce the correct answer and the name of the person who guessed the amount or who was closest. You can give them a small prize if you like.
4.6) "Snow War
Inflate two or three balloons for each person playing, with the balloons divided equally between two colors. Divide the room or party area in half using painter's tape or masking tape on the floor or carpet. Divide your guests into two teams and instruct them that the goal is to get all the balloons of their team onto the other side of the line while keeping the other team's balloons away. After two minutes (longer if your teams are large), the team with the most balloons on the other side wins this fun and frantic game.
4.7) Wrap It Up Race
Give each player wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, tape and a box to wrap. When you shout "Go", players must wrap their boxes. The box must be completely covered and the neatness of the finished wrapped gift is considered when choosing a winner. The player who finishes first with a neat, complete wrapped gift wins this hectic challenge.
Not everyone gets excited when they hear it's time for an office party, as they have experienced some disappointing ones in the past. However, using our selection of office games provides interest, fun and relaxation. Be sure to take lots of photos of everyone trying to win our games. You and your guests will have a great time!