In the age of remote work, keeping the team engaged and connected can be challenging. Fortunately, Zoom offers a great platform to not only meet virtually but also have fun together. Hosting games to play on Zoom with coworkers is a fantastic way to foster team spirit, increase engagement, and give everyone a much-needed break from their regular routine. This article explores some of the best games you can organize to ensure your team remains enthusiastic and bonded, even from afar.
Why Play Games on Zoom with Coworkers?
Games offer more than just entertainment; they help build camaraderie and strengthen team dynamics. By incorporating games to play on Zoom with coworkers into your virtual meetings, you can:
- Boost Morale: After long hours of work, a fun and casual game session can lift everyone’s spirits.
- Encourage Collaboration: Certain games require teams to collaborate, enhancing problem-solving skills and team cohesion.
- Relieve Stress: Providing an opportunity to relax and laugh can reduce stress and prevent burnout.
- Foster Creativity: Games often spark creativity and innovation, allowing coworkers to think outside the box.
Now, let’s dive into some engaging games that you can play with your coworkers on Zoom.
1. Trivia Night
Hosting a trivia night is one of the easiest and most enjoyable games to play on Zoom with coworkers. Create questions that revolve around different topics, such as general knowledge, pop culture, or even company-related trivia. You can use websites like Kahoot! or Slido to make the trivia interactive and score points automatically.
- How to Play: Prepare a list of trivia questions in advance or use an online trivia platform. Split participants into teams and have a host read the questions. Teams can submit their answers via chat or the trivia platform.
- Tip: Customize trivia to include questions about your company’s history or fun facts about team members for added engagement.
2. Pictionary
For those who enjoy drawing and guessing, Pictionary is a perfect game to play on Zoom with coworkers. All you need is a virtual whiteboard or a third-party tool like Skribbl.io to get started.
- How to Play: Divide the participants into two teams. One person from each team will receive a word or phrase to draw while others guess what it is. The team that guesses the most drawings correctly wins.
- Tip: Use Zoom’s built-in whiteboard feature for drawing or allow participants to use a pen and paper in front of the camera.
3. Virtual Escape Room
Virtual escape rooms have become a popular trend in the world of remote work. It’s an engaging game that promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and communication among coworkers. Many companies offer virtual escape rooms tailored for corporate teams.
- How to Play: A game host will guide participants through the escape room scenario via Zoom. Teams work together to solve puzzles and find clues to “escape” the virtual room within a set time limit.
- Tip: Choose an escape room theme that aligns with your team’s interests for maximum enjoyment.
4. Two Truths and a Lie
This classic icebreaker is a fantastic game to play on Zoom with coworkers, especially for teams that may not know each other well. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to learn more about your colleagues.
- How to Play: Each participant shares two truths and one lie about themselves. The other team members then have to guess which statement is the lie.
- Tip: Encourage participants to get creative with their truths and lies for added fun.
5. Scavenger Hunt
Turn your home into a playground with a Zoom scavenger hunt. It’s an exciting and interactive game that will get everyone moving while on a video call.
- How to Play: The host calls out a list of household items or themes, and participants must find them within their homes and show them on screen. The first person to return with the item wins points.
- Tip: Make the scavenger hunt challenging by including unique or unusual items that aren’t commonly found around the house.
6. Charades
Charades is another crowd favorite, and it translates well to Zoom. It’s one of the simplest games to play on Zoom with coworkers, requiring nothing more than imagination and a few good ideas.
- How to Play: Divide participants into teams. One person acts out a word or phrase without speaking while the other team members guess what it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
- Tip: Set a time limit for each round to keep the game fast-paced and exciting.
7. Bingo
Bingo is a low-effort yet entertaining game that’s perfect for a relaxed Zoom call. You can easily create Bingo cards online and share them with participants.
- How to Play: Distribute Bingo cards to all participants. The host calls out numbers or items, and players mark their cards. The first person to get a line or full house yells “Bingo” and wins.
- Tip: Spice up the game by including work-related Bingo items like “late to the meeting” or “forgot to unmute.”
8. Online Board Games
Many classic board games now have online versions that are perfect for remote teams. Games like Settlers of Catan, Monopoly, or Ticket to Ride can be played on Zoom with coworkers for a virtual game night experience.
- How to Play: Choose a game platform that supports multiplayer modes. Invite coworkers to join the game via Zoom and play together.
- Tip: Schedule a longer game night for more complex board games to allow for breaks and discussions during the game.
9. Jackbox Games
Jackbox Games offers a variety of party games that are excellent for playing over Zoom. From quick thinking games like Quiplash to drawing games like Drawful, there’s something for everyone in the collection.
- How to Play: One person hosts the game and shares their screen via Zoom. Participants can join the game through their phones or computers by entering a code.
- Tip: Jackbox games are great for large groups and provide easy instructions to keep the games running smoothly.
10. Would You Rather?
A simple yet revealing game, Would You Rather? is ideal for creating conversation and laughter during Zoom calls with coworkers.
- How to Play: The host asks “Would you rather?” questions, and participants take turns answering. These questions can range from silly to serious, depending on the mood.
- Tip: Use a mix of work-related and funny questions to keep things light-hearted and interesting.
Conclusion
Incorporating games to play on Zoom with coworkers into your remote work routine can significantly improve team dynamics, engagement, and morale. Whether you’re looking for a quick icebreaker or a more elaborate team-building activity, there’s a game out there to suit your team’s needs. From trivia to scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms to Bingo, these activities will help your coworkers stay connected and energized, even in a virtual environment.
Make sure to select the games that resonate most with your team and adjust the level of complexity based on your group’s preferences.
