The best games for corporate events will be easy to play, quick to play, will involve mixing teams, and won’t put anyone on the spot. We’ve covered a few great indoor games for corporate events, including icebreakers, trivia, escape rooms, and construction challenges, plus some board games that can be played in groups of four to six. If you’d like to play something outside, we’ve got some fun treasure hunts, relays, and box cricket to play depending on the weather in Delhi NCR. The guide will also give you tips on how to plan your games in five easy steps. Avoid games that people will put their phones down halfway through! We recommend playing two or three games. Here’s how to pick the perfect games.
Choosing the Right Games
Many of us have experienced games that we didn’t really want to play. Usually this is because the organiser chose the game they personally wanted to play. However, this can be avoided using our quick checklist.
- Easy to understand – If you think you’ll have to use a slide to explain the rules of the game, don’t!
- Quick to play – 10 to 15 minutes per round to keep players energised and mean people can join late!
- Equal chances to win – Ensure the new intern and regional head have equal chances to win!
- No physical activity – Every active game will have a sitting role.
- No embarrassment – Singing alone or forfeits rarely go down well in a work environment.
- Mixed teams – Don’t play with your usual lunch bunch; mix up the teams.
Have a goal! New members need name and story icebreakers. If you have two teams that don’t get on well together, don’t play competitive games. Play cooperative puzzles instead. If it’s a party at the end of the year, you just want everyone to have fun. Many games for corporate events ideas fail because there was no goal written down. Team-building activities without goals can turn into a free afternoon with snacks.
Indoors Games for Corporate Events
Indoors games are the safest option to play in India during the summer, monsoon season or any event in an office or hotel ballroom. You’ll have control over the noise, seating and lighting making it easy to explain the rules.
Icebreakers for the first 15 minutes
- Human Bingo – Everyone will have a grid with prompts. They will need to find people in the room who match. For example, ‘has run a half marathon’ or ‘speaks three languages’. This can be played with 20 people or 200!
- Two truths and a lie – Play in groups of five to ensure everyone gets a turn. Only ask work-appropriate facts.
- Speed Networking – 3 minutes per round with one prompt per person. Everyone moves seats.
Puzzles and Brain Games
- Office Trivia – Create questions around company history, local cuisine, and films. Use the closest number as a tie-breaker.
- Escape Rooms – Teams of 4-6 will need to solve linked puzzles. These can be played in your own office using portable escape room kits. You’ll learn a lot about how your team works by seeing who takes the lead and who listens.
- Marshmallow Challenge – Teams of 4 will have 20 pieces of spaghetti, tape, string, and one marshmallow. They have 18 minutes to build the tallest free-standing tower. Tom Wujec (who popularised the challenge) noticed that often Kindergarteners will perform better than Business School students as they try things earlier.
- Minute to Win It – 60-second challenges. For example, cup stacking with one hand. These are cheap and lots of fun. Great for 15-50 people.
Board Games for Corporate Events
Board games have a bad reputation for being slow. However, there are lots of games that can be played in 5 minutes and finished within an hour. Board games for corporate events work best in groups of 4-6. Rotate every 30 minutes to ensure people meet new colleagues.
| Game | Players | Typical time | What it brings out |
| Codenames | 4 to 8 | 15 minutes | Clear clue-giving, listening |
| Pandemic | 2 to 4 | 45 minutes | Shared decisions, planning |
| Ticket to Ride | 2 to 5 | 30 to 60 minutes | Route planning, light rivalry |
| Dixit | 3 to 8 | 30 minutes | Storytelling, no wrong answers |
| Carrom | 2 or 4 | 20 to 30 minutes | Steady hands, table banter |
| Tambola (Housie) | Any size | 30 to 45 minutes | Pure luck, so everyone is equal |
Pandemic is a great idea to include in your games for corporate event ideas. Everyone works together against the game, meaning no one will be disappointed at losing. Tambola (Indian version of Bingo) can be played with very large groups as it only requires a ticket and pen.
Only play one game at a time. Have a summary card of the rules on each table. Assign one confident person per table to know the rules.
Outdoors Games to Get People Moving
Outdoors games for corporate events work well on offsites, resorts and campuses. You’ll have more space to play larger games. In Delhi NCR the best time to play outdoors is between October and March. From April to June it gets very hot in the afternoons so it’s best to play early in the morning or indoors.
- Treasure hunt/scavenger hunt – Split into teams of 6 and follow clues around the venue. Take photos to prove you’ve completed the challenge using your phone. Include a puzzle clue so everyone can get involved.
- Box Cricket – Small pitch, tennis ball and 6 overs. Ensure everyone gets a turn to bat and bowl.
- Prop Relays – Spoon and lemon, sack races and 3 legged races. Silly over serious!
- Tug of war – Evenly split teams.
- Giant Jenga or Cornhole – Play in a shaded area. Great for people who prefer chatting while standing.
Ensure you have water, shade, a first aid kit and non slippery shoes. Anyone can sit out a round.
How to Plan Fun Games for Corporate Events
You won’t accidentally create fun corporate event game ideas. Follow this easy process:
- Write a one sentence goal.
- Count how many people you have. Note any mobility or language requirements.
- Pre assign mixed teams. Shuffle departments and seniority on a sheet.
- Allocate 60-90 mins of structured games for a half day event.
- Finish with a 5 minute debrief asking what surprised them. Link their answers back to your goal.
If you don’t want to worry about the logistics, companies such as Capers Corporate Wellness in Gurgaon will create a game, prop and facilitator based on a team’s goal. This can help if you have over 100 people.
Things to Avoid
The worst thing you can do is force people to play. They will be reluctant and won’t speak. Give someone a role such as time keeper or photographer.
Don’t offer large prizes. This will turn friendly competitors into sore losers. Offer token prizes and everyone can boast together.
Even the best corporate event game ideas can be halted if no-one knows how to play. It’s better to spend the extra time demonstrating the game. Play a 60 second practice round.
Don’t over stay your welcome. Once people have had enough, stop playing.
FAQs
What are the best indoor games for corporate events?
Human Bingo, Office Trivia, Codenames, Escape Rooms and Marshmallow Challenge are great for most scenarios. They’re easy to play, mixed abilities and quick to play.
How long should games for corporate events be?
Try to keep games to 10-20 mins. Aim for 90 mins of structured games. Games that are too long will leave people drained. Enthusiastic players will become passive.
Are board games for corporate events suitable for large groups?
Yes! Play in groups of 4-6. Rotate every 30 mins. If you have over 100 people Tambola is easier to manage.
What are some fun games for corporate events for 100+ people?
Tambola, Mass Human Bingo and Live Quiz Apps (Kahoot) can all be scaled. Everyone plays at the same time.
What if some employees don’t want to play?
Give them a role where they don’t have to play. For example score keeper, photographer or time keeper. Let them opt in. Many will play once the room has warmed up.
Play One Round and Tweak
Pick one icebreaker, one table game and if the weather permits one outdoors game. Play and ask people what they enjoyed. Keep the winners for next quarter. Good games for corporate events don’t need a large budget. They just need clear rules, mixed teams and an obvious happy host. This can also be applied to larger corporate wellness programs. Start with what your people want!
