In today’s remote work landscape, keeping teams connected can feel like a bit of a juggling act. But here’s the thing—engaging online games can make a world of difference, sparking laughter, creativity, and camaraderie across digital screens. Whether you're aiming to break the ice, strengthen bonds, or just inject a bit of fun into a virtual meeting, these 13 free online group games for work are perfect for teams of all sizes. Let's dive into the ultimate list of games that are sure to bring a spark to your virtual workplace in 2024.
Why bother with online games at all, you ask? Well, it turns out, playing games isn’t just child’s play—it’s a powerful way to bond teams, reduce stress, and ignite creativity. Here’s why online group games are a hit with remote work teams:
Boost Team Morale: Nothing lifts spirits like a little friendly competition or a shared laugh.
Break the Ice: Games are a great way to get to know each other in a relaxed, fun environment.
Promote Collaboration: Many of these games require teamwork, promoting trust and teamwork.
Ready to get started? Here are 13 free online group games for work that your team will love.
Imagine Pictionary but online! Skribbl is a fun, easy-to-play game where each player takes turns drawing a given word while others try to guess it.
Platform: Skribbl.io
Ideal for: Creative teams who love a quick sketch and laugh
Pro Tip: Use it as a warm-up to lighten the mood at the start of your meeting!
Internet Game is a unique, interactive platform where you can enjoy multiple mini-games with your team. The games are fast, fun, and designed to keep remote teams engaged. Plus, the platform includes built-in voice chat for seamless communication.
Platform: Internet Game
Perfect For: Work teams that enjoy interactive, multiplayer games
Why You’ll Love It: Great for a virtual game night!
Kahoot! brings quiz night right into your virtual workplace. Create your own trivia quizzes or use ready-made ones, covering topics from general knowledge to company trivia.
Platform: Kahoot!
Ideal for: Teams of any size who enjoy quick trivia competitions
Bonus: Kahoot! has free options with a wide variety of quizzes.
For a game that gets your team thinking, try Codenames. This word game divides players into two teams where they must guess words based on one-word clues given by a "spymaster."
Platform: Codenames
Ideal for: Word-lovers and teams with sharp problem-solving skills
Best Part: It’s great for building quick thinking and creativity.
Remember the game “Telephone”? Gartic Phone is its hilarious online cousin. Each player writes a sentence, then others attempt to draw or interpret it, leading to some unpredictable and laugh-out-loud results.
Platform: Gartic Phone
Perfect For: Creative teams and those with a good sense of humor
Note: This game can lead to some very unexpected outcomes!
QuizBreaker is an easy way to learn more about your colleagues. It creates quizzes based on team members' answers to fun questions, making it a superb icebreaker.
Platform: QuizBreaker
Ideal for: Getting to know new team members or building closer bonds
Pro Tip: It’s a great icebreaker for onboarding new employees.
Another drawing game, but this one with a twist. In Drawful 2, players are given strange prompts to draw, which leads to some truly unique artwork.
Platform: Drawful 2
Great for: Teams that love creativity and don’t mind looking silly
GeoGuessr drops you into a random location on Google Maps, and you must guess where you are in the world. It’s a fun way to test your geography knowledge and see how well you can identify landmarks and landscapes.
Platform: GeoGuessr
Ideal for: Teams that enjoy exploration and travel
Tip: Great for fostering discussion and learning about different cultures and places.
For teams that love mystery, Werewolf Online is an interactive game of deduction. Players are either villagers or werewolves, and the goal is to identify the werewolves before they eliminate everyone.
Platform: Werewolf Online
Best For: Smaller teams or groups who enjoy a bit of suspense
Extra Fun: It’s great for strengthening decision-making skills.
If your team loves dark humor, this is the game for you. This hilarious and often irreverent card game has an online version that’s sure to get everyone laughing.
Platform: Pretend You're Xyzzy
Best For: Teams with a sense of humor (and who aren’t easily offended)
Heads Up: This one’s best played with teams who are already comfortable with each other.
TriviaMaker allows you to create trivia games with themes related to your company, industry, or anything else. Add a personal touch with questions about your team or company!
Platform: TriviaMaker
Perfect For: Company-themed trivia or large group play
Tip: Make it competitive with prizes for the winning team!
Everyone knows Bingo! It’s simple, requires no special skills, and can be easily customized for work-related themes, from “Most Used Phrases” to “Common Zoom Faux Pas.”
Platform: Virtual Bingo cards are easy to find and customize online
Great For: Larger teams or all-company gatherings
Fun Twist: Customize the Bingo card with phrases or items unique to your team.
Spyfall is a game of hidden identities and deduction. One player is the “spy” and doesn’t know the location while everyone else does. The goal? To reveal the spy before they figure out the location!
Platform: Spyfall
Best For: Teams who love mystery and deduction
Fun Factor: It’s a great conversation starter and will have everyone guessing!
Q: Are these online games suitable for large teams? Absolutely! Many of these games, like Bingo and Kahoot!, work well with big groups. Some games might be better suited for smaller teams, so keep that in mind when choosing.
Q: Can I play these games on any device? Most of these games are browser-based and can be played on any device with internet access. Some games, like Houseparty, may require a mobile app.
Q: Do we need to download any software for these games? Not necessarily! Most are browser-friendly or accessible through an app with simple installation, like Zoom or Houseparty.
Q: Are these games really free? Yes, each game listed here offers a free version that is suitable for team building. Some platforms might have premium features, but the free versions are still engaging and fun!
Q: How do I make sure everyone can participate in the games? Pick games that suit the group size and familiarity level of your team. Make sure everyone has the necessary devices and that the game doesn’t require advanced tech skills.
There you have it—the top 13 free online group games for work to boost team morale, build bonds, and keep virtual meetings lively in 2024. These games aren’t just time-fillers; they’re powerful tools that can turn a group of coworkers into a cohesive, engaged team. So, whether it’s a quick session of Skribbl to start the day or a full-on game night on Internet Game, there’s no shortage of ways to bring fun back to work.