You found our list of competitive games for work.
Competitive games for work are activities that foster a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition. For example, office trivia challenges, company-wide tournaments, and workplace sports days. The purpose of these games is to boost morale, improve communication skills, and promote a positive work environment. These games are also known as “workplace tournaments” and “challenges for employees.”
These competitive games for work are similar to competitive team building games, work competition games, and large group games.
This list includes:
- workplace tournaments
- challenges for employees
- competitive company games
- competitive team building activities
- competitive work activities
- contests for employees
Let’s get to it!
List of competitive games for work
From Office Trivia Challenge to Cook off Challenge, here is our list of the best games for office competitions.
1. The Great Guac Off (Top Choice)
When looking for competitive team building activities, check out The Great Guac Off! This avocado-themed experience will put your team head-to-head in exciting challenges.
Here is what you can expect:
- 90 minutes with world-class hosts
- avocado-based trivia and mini-games
- premium guacamole-making ingredients and dippers
- an optional secret ingredient to make the contest more challenging
- a spirited guacamole mash off and judging round
Best of all, we can host this experience at any location of your choice! This competition is a great way to improve collaboration and communication skills.
Learn more about The Great Guac Off.
2. The Office Trivia Challenge
The Office Trivia Challenge is a fun and engaging competitive game. Colleagues can test their knowledge of the popular TV show The Office. To play this game, create a list of trivia questions related to the show’s characters, plotlines, and memorable moments.
Employees can split into teams and take turns asking questions. The team with the most correct answers wins! This game encourages camaraderie and provides a lighthearted break from work.
Here are more team building trivia night ideas.
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3. Workplace Sports Day
Workplace Sports Day is a fantastic opportunity for colleagues to come together, have fun, and foster team spirit. Organizing competitive company games can boost employee morale. Sports days can feature plenty of games, from relay races to tug-of-war. For these competitions, split participants into teams and have them go head-to-head. You can even give out prizes to winning teams!
These activities promote teamwork, communication, and friendly competition among coworkers. Workplace Sports Day encourages physical activity and strengthens relationships.
For similar events check out this guide to work field day games.
4. Desk Decoration Contest
A Desk Decoration Contest can be one of the most fun and engaging competitive work activities. Employees can showcase their personal style by decorating their desks according to a specific theme. For instance, themes could include holidays, outer space, and global cultures. Folks can vote for their favorite desks, and you can give a themed prize to the winner!
This activity promotes team bonding and adds excitement to the work environment. This contest is a great way to boost morale and create a positive atmosphere in the office.
5. Pitch Perfect Game
The Pitch Perfect Game is a fantastic addition to any team building event or work gathering. To host this activity, start by choosing presentation topics. Examples include new products, ad campaigns, or event ideas. Participants will write pitches that fit the given theme. Folks will have five minutes to give their speeches to a panel. The best presentation wins! Firms can even implement the winning idea if they have the budget.
This exercise enhances public speaking skills and encourages creativity. By playing this game, workers can sharpen their communication abilities and learn to think on their feet.
6. Sales Contest
A Sales Contest can improve your productivity by fostering healthy competition. To plan this event, start by choosing a sales timeline. Then, employees compete to sell the most products or services. Be sure to offer a special prize to encourage participation. For instance, prizes could include an afternoon off or a special dinner.
This contest adds a fun twist to routine tasks. Further, a sales contest improves productivity and strengthens team spirit.
Here are more team building games for sales.
7. Healthy Habits Challenge
The Healthy Habits Challenge is a fantastic competitive game for work. This exercise promotes wellness and camaraderie among colleagues. In this challenge, teams compete to adopt and maintain healthy habits. Examples include regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and mindfulness practices. You can offer wellness awards for folks who stay on track with their goals. Prizes could include smartwatches or spa days.
By participating in this game, employees can improve their overall well-being. This exercise increases productivity and fosters a positive work environment.
Read about more office challenge ideas.
8. Caption This Picture
Caption This Picture is one of the top contests for employees that encourages creativity in the workplace. For this activity, start by finding a series of funny pictures. Examples include animals, meme formats, and celebrities. Then, send these images to colleagues through Slack or another communication channel. Participants can come up with funny captions for each photo. After teams submit each photo, they can vote on their favorites. The captions with the most votes win!
This game fosters communication and camaraderie, helping team members connect and bond. Additionally, Caption This Picture stimulates creativity and makes employees laugh.
9. Office Simon Says
Office Simon Says is a fun and engaging competitive game for the workplace. To play this game, choose one player as the “Simon” who will give instructions to the rest of the participants. The catch is that folks must only follow the instructions preceded by the phrase “Simon says.” Participants who follow instructions without the phrase “Simon says” are out of the game. The last player standing wins!
This game promotes active listening and quick thinking among colleagues. This exercise is a great way to break the ice, build camaraderie, and add some excitement to work.
10. Charity Fundraiser Race
Organizing a Charity Fundraiser Race can spark a friendly competition while supporting a worthy cause. When planning this event, start by choosing a date, location, and route. Colleagues can form teams and compete to hit fundraising goals. On race day, teams can also go head-to-head to try to get the best race times. You can offer prizes for top fundraisers, fastest runners, and most spirited teams. This exercise is a great way to support your community while boosting team fitness.
Check out more charity team building ideas.
11. Cubicle Golf Course
A Cubicle Golf Course is one of the most fun and competitive workplace tournaments teams can play in the office. To set up this course, use office supplies like paper cups as holes and pencils as clubs. Employees can take turns putting their way through the course. The goal is to get the ball into each hole with the fewest strokes possible. A great reward for winners could be a paid trip to a real golf course. This activity provides a break from work and promotes team bonding.
12. Theme Dress Day
Theme Dress Day is a fun and engaging competitive game. On this day, employees can dress up according to a specific theme. Possible dress-up themes include superheroes, favorite movie characters, or decades. Then, host a costume contest and give out prizes for the best outfits! Prize categories could include funniest, most creative, and best DIY. This game encourages creativity and self-expression. Plus, this exercise fosters team bonding and boosts morale.
Here are more dress up day ideas.
13. Workplace Photography Contest
A Workplace Photography Contest is one of the most engaging challenges for employees. Participants can show off their photography skills by capturing unique moments within the workplace. You can either create a list of photography challenges for folks to complete or let them choose their own subjects. Participants can display their pictures in the office and vote for their favorites.
This activity encourages camaraderie and lets folks express their artistic sides. Additionally, this contest encourages workers to appreciate the beauty of their work environment.
For similar ideas, read about photo scavenger hunts.
14. Circus-Themed Talent Show
Hosting a Circus-Themed Talent Show is a unique twist on this classic activity! For this event, choose a large venue and decorate it with circus-themed props and backdrops. To boost the atmosphere, you can serve circus snacks to audiences. Popcorn, cotton candy, and peanuts are great choices.
Participants will then showcase their best circus skills. For instance, teams could juggle, ride a unicycle, or put on a show with their pet. Folks can add costumes and props to make their acts pop. Judges will give out prizes for the best performances! This exercise is a great way to show off workers’ talents.
Check out more talent show ideas.
15. Cook-Off Challenge
A Cook-Off Challenge can be a fun and engaging competitive game for work. Colleagues can showcase their culinary skills while fostering teamwork and friendly competition. To organize a Cook-Off Challenge, divide participants into teams. Then, assign each group a specific dish or theme to prepare. Teams have 30 minutes to prepare a dish. Judges rank each meal based on taste, presentation, and creativity. The best dish wins! This exercise promotes collaboration and creativity.
Here is how to do a cook-off for work.
16. Brainstorming Brawl
Brainstorming Brawl pushes workplace competition to new heights. Hosts will come up with complex industry-related issues. Teams will split into small groups and come up with solutions to the problems. For instance, companies interested in sustainability could challenge players to improve recycling practices. Judges can choose the best idea and give the winning team a prize. This exercise promotes critical thinking and innovation. Further, firms can solve real-life issues during this competition.
Check out virtual brainstorming ideas.
17. Creative Art Challenge
A Creative Art Challenge is an excellent way to promote teamwork and creativity. Participants receive a theme or prompt, like office supplies or nature. Folks can use different mediums to create art that fits the theme. Colleagues can vote on their favorite art pieces and give awards to the best ones.
This activity encourages employees to work together and showcase their artistic abilities. In addition, you can hang the art around the office after folks finish.
18. Office Decathlon
An Office Decathlon is one of the most competitive games for the office! To host this activity, brainstorm ten activities or challenges related to office life. For instance, typing speed tests, paper airplane contests, or coffee-making races.
Next, divide participants into teams and assign each team to a station for the first event. For each activity, provide clear instructions and a time limit. As teams rotate through the stations, keep track of scores. At the end of the decathlon, tally up the points to determine the winning team. Be sure to award prizes for first, second, and third place.
These activities are similar to office Olympics.
19. Corporate Coding Hackathon
Techie teams will love competing in a Corporate Coding Hackathon! Workers with coding skills can form teams. The hackathon’s theme could include developing software or fixing a tech issue. Before the event, establish clear guidelines and timelines. Hosts can schedule regular check-ins to showcase their progress. At the end of the event, a panel of judges can evaluate each project. Functional and innovative projects win! This exercise puts teamwork and coding skills to the test.
You can also hold a virtual hackathon.
20. Paper Ball Basketball
Paper Ball Basketball is a great workplace game, as it is simple to set up. To play this game, you need a trash can or recycling bin and some paper balls. First, set up the trash can or bin in a clear space where the whole team can see it. Then, crumple up some pieces of paper to make paper balls.
Each player takes turns standing a few steps away from the trash can and tries to throw their paper ball into the bin, just like shooting a basketball. You can take turns or play in teams, keeping score of how many shots each person or team makes. The player or team with the most successful shots wins the game! Just like traditional basketball, you can make this game more challenging by playing games like Horse or Around the World.
Final Thoughts
Playing competitive games at work can be an effective way to break up the daily routine. These activities foster a sense of camaraderie among employees and promote healthy competition. These exercises can also help improve communication skills and boost morale in the workplace. Next time your team needs a little pick-me-up, consider playing one of these competitive games.
Next, check out our posts on field day games, quick office games, and virtual game show ideas.
