Beyond the Boardroom: Hilarious Virtual Games for Your Next Office Party

Why Your Remote Team Needs to Play More

When teams play online office party games, they open up a powerful tool for connection. The shift to remote work introduced challenges like loneliness, which affects 20% of remote workers, and "Zoom fatigue." Yet, human connection remains vital; social connectivity can make employees two to three times more likely to maintain or increase productivity.

Online office party games offer a vibrant solution, turning routine virtual meetings into memorable experiences that:

1. Combat Loneliness: Address the isolation many remote workers feel.
2. Boost Morale: Create enjoyable, interactive virtual experiences.
3. Improve Productivity: Foster the social bonds linked to higher output.
4. Facilitate Team Bonding: Build rapport and a sense of togetherness.

As Meghan Calhoun, Co-Founder of Give River, I've spent over two decades observing workplace dynamics. My experiences have reinforced my belief in the power of play to transform team well-being and build a thriving, connected remote team.

A Curated List of the Best Online Office Party Games

We've curated a list of the best online office party games, from free, easy-to-play options to structured, professionally hosted experiences. Our goal is to help you select activities that will entertain and strengthen your team's connections.

Free & Fun Online Office Party Games Anyone Can Play

Many popular online games require no downloads and can be accessed through a web browser, making them perfect for impromptu fun. Adapting traditional party games for a virtual setting is often the simplest approach.

Let's explore some favorites:

• Jackbox Games: While not entirely free, purchasing a party pack provides hilarious, easy-to-play options like Quiplash. One person hosts, and others join on their phones. Most games support up to 8 players.
• Codenames Online: This popular word association game is fantastic for remote teams. It’s a low-stress, collaborative game for 4-8 players, easily played on its dedicated Codenames Online platform.
• Drawing Games (Skribbl.io, Gartic Phone, Drawsaurus): Browser-based games like Skribbl.io, Gartic Phone, and Drawsaurus offer Pictionary-style fun. No drawing talent is needed, and they often lead to hilarious results. Skribbl.io supports up to 20 players.

• PlayingCards.io: This versatile platform lets you play familiar card games like Poker or Hearts virtually.
• Scattergories Online: Challenge your team's creativity with this quick-thinking word game. The online version simplifies managing categories and scoring.
• Wikirace: Players race from one random Wikipedia page to another using only internal links. It’s an addictive game of quick thinking.
• Typing Speed Race: Use online typing test tools for a simple but fun competition to see who has the fastest words per minute.
• Virtual Charades: A classic that translates well to video calls. Use a random word generator and let the guessing begin.
• Guessing Games: Get creative with "Guess Whose Refrigerator" or "Guess Whose Workspace." Team members submit photos, and others guess the owner, offering a fun glimpse into colleagues' lives.

For more ideas, check out our guide on Free Virtual Team Building Activities for the Workplace.

Quick Icebreakers & Online Office Party Games for Meetings

Sometimes, you just need a quick activity to warm up a meeting. These icebreakers are perfect for setting a relaxed tone.

• Two Truths and a Lie: Each person shares two true statements and one lie. The team guesses the lie, uncovering surprising facts and sparking conversation.
• Never Have I Ever (Work-Appropriate): Adapt this classic with SFW prompts like, "Never have I ever fallen asleep during a virtual meeting." It's a fun way to learn about colleagues' shared experiences.
• Who's Most Likely To...?: Ask a "Who's most likely to...?" question and have everyone point to the person they think fits best. It’s a lighthearted game focused on laughter and stories.
• Virtual Bingo: Create custom Bingo cards with squares like "Has a pet" or "Works from a different time zone." Players mark squares as facts are revealed, promoting team bonding.

These icebreakers are excellent for kicking off events. For more ideas, explore our Fun Ice Breaker Questions for Virtual Meetings.

Structured & Hosted Experiences for a Memorable Party

For a more polished, hands-off approach, paid and structured options are an excellent choice. They often come with professional hosts, ensuring a seamless event for holiday parties or special initiatives.

Here are some popular options:

• Virtual Escape Rooms: These collaborative games challenge teams to solve puzzles and "escape" a virtual scenario, improving teamwork and critical thinking.

• Virtual Murder Mysteries: Immerse your team in a whodunit. These games provide characters and clues, fostering communication as teams work to solve the crime.
• Virtual Trivia Battles: Boost team spirit with themed trivia. Many platforms offer professional hosts. Water Cooler Trivia is a great option for ongoing engagement via email or Slack.
• Virtual Team Pursuit/Amazing Race: These high-energy activities involve a series of challenges that teams race to complete, promoting strategic thinking.
• Luna Park: This platform offers a suite of games with integrated video conferencing, praised for its global-friendly approach that avoids US-centric content.
• CrowdParty: This platform aims to reduce Zoom fatigue with simple, accessible games that require no downloads. It's highly rated for maximizing engagement.

These professionally managed activities remove the planning burden. For more inspiration, explore our guide on Corporate Virtual Fun Activities.

How to Ensure Your Virtual Games are Inclusive for Everyone

Ensuring inclusivity is paramount for a successful event. Here are some key considerations:

• Choose Accessible Games: Opt for simple, browser-based games that don't require specific cultural knowledge or advanced gaming skills.
• Consider Player Limits: Be aware of player limits (e.g., Jackbox for 8, Skribbl.io for 20) to avoid excluding anyone.
• Non-Alcoholic Alternatives: If a game involves drinking, always offer clear non-alcoholic options or alternative actions to ensure everyone feels included.
• Clear Instructions: Before starting, clearly explain the rules and objectives. A quick demo can be very helpful.
• Use Breakout Rooms: For larger teams, use breakout rooms to facilitate smaller group discussions and more personal interaction.
• Foster Psychological Safety: Create an environment where people feel safe to be themselves without judgment. Emphasize fun over competition.
• Accommodate Different Personalities: Provide ways for quieter team members to participate, such as using the chat for answers. Avoid putting individuals on the spot.
• Time Zone Awareness: If your team is geographically dispersed, be mindful of time zones when scheduling events, rotating times to be fair to all.

For more insights, explore our Wellbeing Activities for Virtual Team Meetings.

From Fun to Fulfillment: Integrating Play into Your Company Culture

The magic of online office party games extends beyond a single event. When woven into your company culture, they become a powerful tool for building lasting connections and reinforcing core values.

Beyond a One-Off Event: Building Lasting Connection

Feeling connected at work makes a huge difference. Socially connected remote employees are two to three times more likely to maintain or boost productivity, and online office party games are a fantastic way to build that connection.

Regular game sessions, like a weekly "Fun Friday," can significantly boost team spirit. These aren't just breaks; they are essential pauses that combat "Zoom fatigue" by turning screen time into genuine fun.

Consistent play builds strong team bonds by letting colleagues see different sides of each other, sparking empathy. It effectively recreates the spontaneous "water cooler" chats missed in remote work.

Games can also reinforce company values. A creative problem-solving game highlights innovation, while collaborative trivia celebrates shared knowledge. The shared laughter builds the trust and psychological safety essential for high-performing teams.

While platforms like Bonusly or Kudos excel at employee recognition, we believe true togetherness also requires the simple joy of play. Give River complements these efforts by creating opportunities for natural connection and shared experiences, focusing on genuine human connection over just rewards.

To dive deeper, explore our insights on how to Boost Employee Engagement and find more Team Bonding Exercises on Zoom.

The Give River Approach: Gamifying Good Deeds for a Stronger Team

At Give River, we believe fun and purpose go hand-in-hand. Our 5G Method combines recognition, guidance, wellness, growth, gamification, and community impact to build happier, high-performing teams. For us, online office party games are more than entertainment—they're a path to deeper engagement and a stronger culture.

Imagine games that reinforce core values, encourage kindness, or create community impact. By gamifying positive behaviors, we "ignite culture and improve employee wellbeing." The goal isn't just winning; it's building a connected team that thrives on shared experiences.

The benefits of regular play are clear: less loneliness, higher morale, and boosted productivity. The overwhelmingly positive feedback for such events, with teams consistently giving high ratings, highlights the deep impact these activities have on team dynamics.

Online office party games are a powerful tool for creating a workplace where joy is celebrated and connections blossom. We invite you to explore how our solutions can transform your team's interactions and help build a thriving, purpose-driven culture.

Ready to learn more? Find how our team-building solutions can transform your workplace culture and see how we nurture a strong Organizational Culture in Virtual Teams.