Game 6: Would You Rather (The Conversation Starter)
How it works: Present two choices, everyone picks one and briefly explains why.
Examples: Would you rather have the ability to fly or be invisible? Work from beach or mountains?
Why it works: Reveals personality, sparks discussions, easy to customize for your team.
Time needed: 8-12 minutes
Best for: Team building, mixed groups, getting quiet people talking
Game 7: Story Building (The Creative Challenge)
How it works: Start a story with one sentence. Each person adds one sentence in turn. See where it goes.
Example start: It was a normal Tuesday until the coffee machine started talking.
Why it works: Collaborative creativity, unexpected humor, no pressure to be perfect.
Time needed: 10-15 minutes
Best for: Creative teams, writing groups, imaginative people
Game 8: Desert Island Picks (The Personality Revealer)
How it works: If stranded on desert island, what 3 items would you bring? Everyone shares and explains.
Variations: 3 apps for your phone, 3 colleagues to work with, 3 foods for life
Why it works: Shows priorities and thinking style, sparks interesting debates.
Time needed: 10-12 minutes
Best for: Strategic teams, getting to know preferences, decision-makers
Game 9: Emoji Reactions (The Quick Energizer)
How it works: Call out scenarios, everyone responds with emoji reactions only. Example: How do you feel about Monday mornings?
Why it works: Visual, fun, shows team mood, works across language barriers.
Time needed: 5 minutes
Best for: International teams, quick check-ins, visual communicators
Scenarios: Your weekend, current project, coffee vs tea, working from home vs office
Game 10: Background Story Contest (The Creative Winner)
How it works: Everyone changes to a random background. Others guess the story behind where they are now.
Why it works: Uses Zoom features creatively, encourages storytelling, lots of laughs.
Time needed: 12-15 minutes
Best for: Established teams, creative types, people comfortable with improv
Pro tip: Provide a list of random backgrounds if people need inspiration.
Implementation Tips for Success
Timing Guidelines
- Start of meeting: 5-7 minutes max
- End of meeting: 10-15 minutes works
- Dedicated social time: 15-20 minutes
- Never go over the planned time
Group Size Considerations
- 2-4 people: Story building, 20 questions work best
- 5-8 people: Two truths and a lie, would you rather
- 9+ people: Lightning rounds, emoji reactions, scavenger hunt
- Use breakout rooms for large groups
Cultural Sensitivity
- Avoid personal questions about family or money
- Test games with diverse team members first
- Provide alternatives for people who prefer to observe
- Be mindful of time zones and energy levels
What Makes These Games Actually Work
These 10 games succeed because they follow key principles:
- Simple rules that need no explanation
- Equal participation opportunities
- Natural conversation starters
- Adaptable to different team sizes
- End on a positive, energizing note
Games to Avoid (The Hall of Shame)
Skip these common suggestions that consistently flop:
- Virtual escape rooms (too complex, too long)
- Complicated trivia (excludes people, creates pressure)
- Singing or dancing (embarrassing for many)
- Games requiring personal photos or information
- Anything taking over 20 minutes
Final Pro Tips
- Always explain the time limit upfront
- Have backup games ready in case one falls flat
- End while energy is still high, not when people check out
- Ask for feedback and rotate games based on team preferences
- Remember: the goal is connection, not competition
The best Zoom game is one that people actually want to play again. Start with these 10, adapt to your team culture, and watch virtual meetings become something people look forward to.