I’ve been team building for over 15 years, and in that time, I’ve discovered some of the most powerful tools for boosting team morale: game shows! Ideas like Jeopardy and In It to Win It might not sound like the secret to improving team interactions, but I’ve seen the magic firsthand.

It’s truly astounding to watch a bit of playful competition transform a team and breathe new life into the workplace. You have to see it to believe it.

Office game show events are about more than giving everyone a chance to blow off steam. It’s about taking a strategic approach to better team cohesion and communication while everyone unwinds. These aren’t just games; they’re experiences that can fundamentally change how your team members relate to each other.

Without further ado, here are my top 11 awesome game show ideas for work that require little to no effort to prepare and launch.

My Top 11 Game Show Ideas for Team Building

Since you’re here, I’m guessing you’re looking for a list of the best game show game ideas for keeping your team engaged from beginning to end. If so, you’ve come to the right place!

For those who’d like to hear more of my thoughts about the process, check out our podcast episode where I discuss how game shows can build team leadership.

And for everyone else, let’s dive into my list of game show games that your teams deserve! It’s in no particular order because they’re all in the top spot for me, so pick the one(s) that stand out to you.

1. Jeopardy

I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen Jeopardy light up a room. It’s not just about the trivia—game shows like this let teammates showcase their hidden knowledge and unexpected expertise. This, paired with friendly competition, has been known to spark new workplace friendships and always helps people learn more about each other.

The idea is that three players get together and participate in a question-and-answer session. The goal? To answer more questions correctly than your opponents, just like the real thing.

You’ll start by setting up a game board. You can use an actual whiteboard in your office or go digital with something like a PowerPoint presentation. Then, you’ll need to come up with interesting categories and questions before you’re ready to host the event!

No worries if all the prep work sounds like too much of a hassle. That’s why we’re here! (Okay, we’re not just here to make your quiz show ideas like Jeopardy come to life, but it’s part of it.)

TeamBonding offers The Official Jeopardy!® – Virtual Game Show as a team building activity that’s easy to set up. You can let us deal with creating customized questions, hosting the game, and taking care of all things technical while you enjoy participating in the game with your team.

2. In It to Win It

Talk about pure entertainment! In It to Win It is another team game show with the power to turn office items into tools of creativity. I’ve seen it transform simple challenges into moments of hilarious collaboration and excitement. Plus, it’s one of the easier game shows to play at the office.

One reason In It to Win It makes my list of the best game show game ideas is because it’s flexible. You can play this game in large groups, smaller teams, or individuals competing against each other, so it’s a fantastic game show for corporate events, small businesses, and everything in between.

Plus, whether you’re in-person or virtual, it brings out the playful problem-solver in everyone.

The concept is straightforward: teams use common household or office items to complete simple challenges. As the game progresses, you ramp up the difficulty of the challenges, and in the end, only the most creative and determined team wins!

TeamBonding makes it easy to play In It to Win It with your teams, too. Our In It to Win It spin-off event brings excitement, laughter, and friendly competition with unique 60-second challenges that everyone will have a blast solving.

3. Win, Lose or Draw

Not to date myself, but Win, Lose, or Draw was a game show that aired briefly in the 80s. (I found an episode on YouTube if you’re curious.) For our purposes of game show ideas for the office, it’s basically Pictionary meets corporate creativity.

Teams take turns trying to guess a phrase, title, or thing based on the drawing of one of the team members. There’s a no-talking rule, so you’ll have to rely on your creativity and drawing abilities to communicate the secret phrase.

As a team building activity, Win, Lose, or Draw can help your team work better as a team, think on their feet, and develop creativity. It has a simple format that’s easy to implement in a virtual or in-person setting. And I’ve seen shy team members become absolute STARS during this game, which is always a plus.

4. Family Feud

Survey says… this game is a crowd-pleaser! Family Feud is the embodiment of quality entertainment for the whole family. With 26 seasons and counting, this game show still draws nearly eight million viewers per episode. I love this one because it encourages quick thinking.

Beyond the laughs, it’s a great quiz show idea for developing social connections and communication skills. And it’s as simple as having two groups compete against each other to test their knowledge of random survey answers.

You can split a single team into two “families” or pit two small teams against each other. The host asks the teams to guess as closely as possible to the most popular answers to random survey questions. The team with the most points after all the rounds wins the game.

If researching survey answers and questions seems daunting, TeamBonding offers a spin-off team building game called Survey Says! Our facilitators will take care of everything, from building out the questions to hosting the game so you can focus on having fun.

As always, you can reach out to us to learn more about customized options to ensure your entire team stays engaged until the very end.

Game Show Ideas to Boost Team Engagement and Collaboration

Most people are familiar with the cost of a PlayStation, but have you ever tried guessing the cost of a vintage golf club set? It’s a fun way to engage teams and encourage collaborative problem-solving.

Take the concept of engaging team activities to a charitable cause with our “Play it Forward” version. Teams participate in challenges and trivia to earn rewards for their designated charity, creating a fun and meaningful experience.

For more game show ideas, consider “C’mon Down” and “Foodbank Showdown,” inspired by The Price is Right, which add an element of excitement and competition to team events.

Common Knowledge

“Common Knowledge” is a TV game show that tests everyday trivia knowledge. This game can be a great way to understand how team members think and communicate. Set up teams to answer multiple-choice questions, with a twist where everyone’s answers must align for extra points.

Consider hosting a Corporate Quiz Bowl based on Common Knowledge or a virtual event like “Almost Anything Goes” for a fun and engaging team-building experience.

Lip Sync Battle

A Lip Sync Battle is a fantastic way to break down professional barriers and boost team morale. Teams compete in lip-sync performances to popular songs, bringing energy and fun to team events.

This activity encourages creativity, courage, and teamwork as team members support each other and celebrate individual performances.

Wheel of Fortune

“Wheel of Fortune” is a classic game show that demonstrates teamwork and strategy. Our “Spin to Win” experience offers teams the chance to solve puzzles, spin the wheel, and earn rewards together. It’s not just about winning but about the journey and shared moments of excitement.

Whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person, “Spin to Win” can unify and energize teams in any setting, creating memorable experiences for all participants.

Revamping Your Team’s Potential

Traditional team-building activities may no longer be as effective as engaging game show ideas. Introducing exciting and interactive experiences can help bring teams closer and boost creativity.

Game show games offer a fun change of pace from typical meetings and can transform teams by breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration.

Choosing the Right Experience

Every team is unique, and our game show experiences are customizable to suit your organization’s needs. Whether for a virtual trivia game show or an in-person corporate event, our tailored journeys are designed to unlock your team’s potential.

Contact TeamBonding to turn your next event from mundane to magical with engaging and interactive game show ideas.

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