15 Holiday Staff Party Games That Won’t Make You Groan (We Promise!)
15 Coworker Party Games That Won't Make You Moan (We Promise!)
Employee parties should be an opportunity for everyone to let off steam and celebrate a bit. Good food and lots of laughs are absolute must-haves (not to mention some grown-up drinks, right?). Party games for employees are a holiday tradition, but let's face it: they're not always that much fun. If you're looking for ways to shake things up with fresh new games for everyone to enjoy, check out this list of low-key options.
1. What's in your cell phone?
This clever twist on a scavenger hunt lets teachers search their phones for pictures of their pets and reveal their ringtones. You can make your own list or purchase this What's In Your Cellphone game printable from the Media Medusa Shop on Etsy.
2. 80's Movies Emoji Trivia
Get this free printable version of My Party Games, then pass it on for a quick pen-and-paper game. Offer a prize to the first participant or set a timer and reward the person with the most correct answers. People can play alone or in teams. (Try this game the other way around for a change: ask people to use their phones to use emojis representing their favorite movies, songs, or books!)
3. Two truths and a lie
Two Truths and a Lie is a standard introductory game. Each person tells two true things about themselves and one lie. Other players try to guess which lie and get a point for each correct lie. Give this game a party twist by playing Two Gifts and a Lie instead. Have each person share two of the worst gifts they've ever received, then make one up. (Don't limit it to Christmas gifts; birthdays and other occasions definitely count!)
4. Find someone who (people bingo)
Help your employees get to know each other a little better with People Bingo. Find someone who meets the criteria for each square, but you can't use the same person twice! Play like traditional bingo and try to get a row across, down or diagonally, or give a prize to the first person to fill their entire hand. Create your own version or buy it from iCelebrateEVERYTHING on Etsy.
5. Teacher would you rather
Would You Rather is one of those fun games that everyone has played at least once. Use our free teacher-would-you-rather questions at your staff party or search online for tons of wacky scenarios to discuss.
6. Personal trivia
You need to prepare a little bit in advance, but it's so much fun to play. Gather random facts about each individual on your team, then write a trivia game to find out how well everyone knows each other. Possible facts include middle names, place of birth, how many siblings you have, favorite book or movie, and so on.
7. Ugly Sweater Contest
Ugly sweater contests have become a staple of employee holiday games. Vote for the worst sweaters or create different categories like Best Homemade Sweater and Dumbest Science Sweater.
Photo credit: @parkviewelementary_kisd
8th minute to win games
Minute to Win It ideas are always popular party games for co-workers! We love this roundup of games from Happiness is Homemade that's full of Christmas twists. Stack a Christmas tree full of plastic cups, play Reindeer Ring Toss, or try one of nine other options.
9. Pull up
Give each player a paper plate and something to write on. Each player places the plate on their head and holds it there. Then give a series of instructions to create one drawing at a time. Players must complete the drawing with the plate upside down without looking. Here is an example:
- Draw a line for the floor.
- Draw a rectangle on the line to create a school building.
- Now draw a triangle on top of the rectangle to create the roof.
- Add a door to the building.
- Add two windows to the building.
- Draw a tree on either side of the building.
- Draw a sun in the sky.
Take down the panels and look at the drawings. Offer a prize to the best. (Inspired by Core Principles)
10. School Scattergories
In Scattergories, the goal is to find an item that fits each category on a list, but all words in each round must begin with the random letter chosen at the beginning. This school version is perfect for staff party games. Buy it from Greengate Images on Etsy (or create your own). Then use this letter selector wheel to generate random letters for each round.
11. Charade
One of the most popular party games of all time, Charades is a timeless classic for good reason. You can find many free printable charade cards online, like these free children's book charade cards from Childhood 101. For added fun, you can come up with your own charade ideas tailored for teachers, like try to make the projector remote work. or "I'm on duty in the canteen."
12. Ringing
This one is easy and keeps the fun going throughout the party. Ring a bell (or use a bell app on your phone) every few minutes and announce the next "person you're looking for." Each winner gets a prize. Some ideas:
I am looking for the person...
- … whose birthday is closest to January 1st.
- … who has traveled to most countries in his life.
- ... who has the most pennies in their pocket or handbag.
Get more ideas for questions at Diva Girl Parties and Stuff.
13. Cling wrap ball game
Try this game instead of a traditional gift exchange. Create a big plastic wrap ball full of little gifts for people to discover! Start by wrapping a gift in the middle, then wrap and add a new gift every few layers. At the party, people take turns unwrapping until they find a gift that's theirs. See how to make your ball and get lots of gift ideas at Must Have Mom.
14. Poke A Present
Here's another neat way to give away small prizes. Place each item in a plastic cup, then attach a tissue paper lid. Glue the cups to a foam sheet as shown. At the party, invite each guest to toast a cup to receive their gift! Learn more about how to make Poke A Present on HGTV.
15. Crime Scavenger Hunt
Crime parties take a lot of work, but this scavenger hunt version is actually quite easy to set up. Everyone can enjoy solving the Clue-inspired mystery by collecting clues from cards hidden around the room. Visit Queen of Theme Party Games to learn more and to purchase the game.
What staff party games does everyone at your school enjoy? Come and share it in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!
Working virtually this year? Try these 15 fun zoom games for school workers.
