20 Must-Try Interactive Games for Adults That’ll Make Your Event Unforgettable

You know those events where everyone’s just staring at their phones? I turn those into parties where people can’t stop laughing and making friends. No awkward silences, no checking emails under the table – just pure fun that gets everyone involved.

After running every kind of event you can imagine – from stuffy corporate meetings to crazy family gatherings – I’ve collected the best interactive games for adults that work every single time. Let’s see!

How Interactive Games for Adults Create Unforgettable Connections

Whether you’re hosting a work event, a family gathering, or just a Friday night with friends who need to put their phones down, interactive games for adults work like magic.

Trust me, I’ve tested these with the toughest crowds (looking at you, IT department during a power outage). Every game here has been played, tweaked, and perfected in real situations. They’re simple to set up but powerful enough to create moments people talk about for years.

Ready to learn how to turn any gathering from “when can I leave?” to “when can we do this again?” Let’s dive into my favorite interactive games for adults that just work!

20 Interactive Games for Adults

1. Office story chain

• Setup: Create a smooth digital space that’s easily visible to everyone. For large groups, prepare separate breakout areas (5-8 people works best). Set up your projection or sharing screens at optimal angles. Have a backup mobile option ready – trust me, you’ll thank me later! Prepare some hilarious story starters like “The day the office plant became sentient…” Create themed music playlists to keep energy high during transitions. For remote teams, do a tech check and have everyone test their connections. I always keep a bank of funny prompts ready for groups that need a little push to get creative.
• How to Play: Each person adds one sentence to build a workplace story
• Pro Tip: Base it around office inside jokes
• Time: 15-20 minutes
• Best For: Breaking ice in work meetings

2. Reverse charades

• Setup: Create three card decks: rookie level (basic actions), pro level (complex scenarios), and expert level (industry-specific situations). Arrange your space with a clear “stage” area and semicircle seating for maximum visibility. For virtual plays, help everyone test their camera angles and lighting – nothing kills the fun like a frozen screen! Create themed soundtracks for different rounds. Set up a large visible timer – pressure makes it funnier! For hybrid events, ensure remote folks can see and hear clearly. Keep backup prompts ready – I once had a group that turned “quarterly report” into an interpretive dance!
• How to Play: Group acts, one person guesses
• Pro Tip: Mix in some industry terms for extra laughs
• Time: 20-30 minutes
• Best For: High-energy team building

3. Virtual escape challenge

• Setup: Map out an exciting narrative with multiple paths to victory. Create 5-7 interconnected puzzles that build on each other. Mix up puzzle types – word games, riddles, pattern recognition, and even some physical challenges for hybrid events. Have a central dashboard where teams can track progress. Create beautiful visuals for each challenge – I use everything from fake security camera footage to mysterious audio messages. Prepare hints on cards that guide without spoiling. Test everything across different devices and internet speeds. Have a backup “quick win” puzzle ready for groups that get stuck. I once themed this around a “mysterious office disappearance” and people still talk about it!
• How to Play: Teams solve digital puzzles to escape
• Pro Tip: Mix logical and creative challenges
• Time: 30-45 minutes
• Best For: Remote team bonding

4. Memory matchup madness

• Setup: Create a digital gallery of interesting photos – team events, office spaces, project milestones, even funny zoom screenshots. Prepare them in pairs, but with slight differences between matches. Have a scoring system ready that rewards both speed and accuracy. For in-person events, print high-quality cards and arrange them in a grid. Create different difficulty levels by adding more subtle differences. Have spotlights ready to highlight the playing area. Keep track of matches with a digital scoreboard. I love adding sound effects for matches and misses – it really amps up the excitement!
• How to Play: Find matching pairs while sharing memories
• Pro Tip: Use company photos for extra engagement
• Time: 25-30 minutes
• Best For: Team nostalgia and connection

5. Skills auction

• Setup: Create “skill cards” for various talents (both work-related and fun). Give each participant virtual currency to bid. Prepare auction lots with mixed skill sets. Have a theatrical auctioneer’s podium (even virtually!) with a proper gavel sound effect. Create beautiful display cards for each skill. Prepare bid tracking sheets and team combination strategies. Have “mystery skill” envelopes for surprise rounds. I once had a CEO bid all his points on “best office dog walker” – hilarious! Set up practice rounds so everyone understands bidding rules. Create alliance zones where teams can strategize between rounds.
• How to Play: Bid on team members’ skills to create dream teams
• Pro Tip: Include both professional and fun skills
• Time: 45-60 minutes
• Best For: Team formation and appreciation

6. Cultural recipe battle

• Setup: Create beautiful recipe card templates that include space for stories and memories. Set up gallery spaces for final presentations. Prepare judging criteria that value both the recipe and the story behind it. Have a system ready for sharing recipes afterward. Create themed background music from different cultures. Set up virtual “tasting notes” sections where people can share memories. Prepare backup cultural facts and food trivia for slow moments. I once had an entire engineering team debate the perfect ratio for chocolate chip cookies!
• How to Play: Share and present family recipes and their stories
• Pro Tip: Focus on the stories behind the dishes
• Time: 40-50 minutes
• Best For: Cultural sharing and team bonding

7. Workplace time machine

• Setup: Create a timeline template spanning past, present, and future. Prepare prompts for different eras (First day at work, Current challenges, Future dreams). Have props ready for different time periods – old technology, future gadgets, etc. Create a photo booth area with era-appropriate backgrounds. Prepare reflection questions that dig deeper than just events. Have a sharing circle setup where everyone can see each other. Create a digital archive for storing shared memories. I keep tissues handy – this one often brings out emotional stories! Include music from different decades to set the mood.
• How to Play: Share stories from different points in your career timeline
• Pro Tip: Include future hopes and dreams
• Time: 35-45 minutes
• Best For: Deep team connection and vision sharing

8. The great office detective

• Setup: Create detailed mystery scenarios with multiple suspects and clues. Prepare evidence packets including emails, chat logs, and security footage stills. Set up investigation stations with different types of clues. Create suspect profile cards with interesting backgrounds. Have a central evidence board where teams can organize their findings. Prepare red herrings to keep it challenging. Create dramatic reveal music for the final solution. I once based a mystery on the case of the missing office plants – turned out the AC was too cold! Include prop evidence like coffee mugs with lipstick marks or mysterious sticky notes. Set up interrogation rooms where teams can question “suspects” (willing volunteers).
• How to Play: Teams solve office-themed mysteries
• Pro Tip: Base mysteries on real office incidents
• Time: 45-60 minutes
• Best For: Problem-solving and teamwork

9. Talent show roulette

• Setup: Create a digital wheel with various talent categories (singing, dancing, impressions, magic, etc.). Prepare backup acts for shy participants. Set up a proper stage area with lighting – even virtually, ambiance matters! Have intro music for each performer. Create applause signs and reaction cards for the audience. Prepare a scoring system that values effort over skill. Set up quick practice areas for last-minute prep. I’ve seen CEOs rap and interns do amazing magic tricks! Include “duo” options where people can perform together. Have emergency “talent prompts” for those who freeze up.
• How to Play: Spin the wheel, perform random talents
• Pro Tip: Keep it light and supportive
• Time: 40-50 minutes
• Best For: Building confidence and team spirit

10. Department swap challenge

• Setup: Create role cards for different department functions. Prepare scenario challenges that mix departments in funny ways. Set up “department stations” with typical tools and problems. Create quick guides for each role’s basics. Have props ready – marketing materials, coding snippets, sales scripts, etc. Prepare funny “emergency scenarios” that require cross-department collaboration. Include scorecards for both accuracy and creativity. I once saw an accountant try to write marketing copy – it was beautifully precise! Create role-specific buzzword bingo cards.
• How to Play: Perform tasks from other departments
• Pro Tip: Mix up unlikely department pairs
• Time: 35-45 minutes
• Best For: Cross-department understanding

11. Office olympics

• Setup: Design silly office-themed competitions (speed typing, chair racing, paper airplane accuracy). Create an opening ceremony with department flags. Prepare medal podiums and certificates. Set up different “venues” around the office or virtually. Create scorecards for each event. Have proper sports commentary ready – make it epic! Include team and individual events. Prepare safety guidelines for physical activities. I’ve seen paper airplane competitions get INTENSE! Create athlete profiles for participants. Have Olympic-style music ready for ceremonies.
• How to Play: Compete in office-themed sports
• Pro Tip: Include both skill and luck-based events
• Time: 60-90 minutes
• Best For: Active team building

12. Values in action theater

• Setup: Turn company values into scenario prompts. Create costume boxes with simple props. Prepare “director’s notes” with scene suggestions. Set up a stage area with basic lighting. Have scene cards ready with different difficulty levels. Create audience feedback forms that focus on creativity. Prepare transition music between scenes. Include both scripted and improv options. I once saw a team turn “integrity” into a soap opera! Have warm-up exercises ready. Create a show program with team credits.
• How to Play: Act out company values in creative ways
• Pro Tip: Encourage over-the-top performances
• Time: 45-60 minutes
• Best For: Values reinforcement

13. Project time machine

• Setup: Create timeline templates for past and future projects. Prepare reflection prompts for different project phases. Set up sharing spaces for success stories and lessons learned. Create visual aids for project milestones. Have celebration bells for marking achievements. Prepare “what if” scenarios for alternative outcomes. Include space for drawing future project dreams. I keep celebration confetti ready for big win stories! Create journey maps for visual storytelling. Have backup discussion topics ready.
• How to Play: Share and reimagine project stories
• Pro Tip: Focus on learning moments
• Time: 40-50 minutes
• Best For: Project team reflection

14. Innovation roulette

• Setup: Create cards with random objects, problems, and solutions. Prepare a spinning wheel (physical or digital) for each category. Set up brainstorming spaces with plenty of visualization tools. Have prototype materials ready (paper, tape, markers). Create presentation spaces for final pitches. Include “wild card” elements for extra challenge. Prepare evaluation criteria that reward creativity. I once saw someone solve customer service with a rubber duck – brilliant! Have inspiration images ready. Create team formation cards for random grouping.
• How to Play: Create solutions using random combinations
• Pro Tip: Embrace the absurd ideas
• Time: 45-60 minutes
• Best For: Creative problem solving

15. The random Ted Talk

• Setup: Create a wheel of random topics from serious to silly (office coffee habits, plant psychology, spreadsheet fashion). Prepare presentation templates with required elements (graphs, quotes, expert testimonials). Set up a proper speaking stage with timer display. Have emergency topic cards ready. Create “audience reaction” cards for engagement. Set up quick prep areas with basic props and materials. Include “spontaneous Q&A” prompts. I once had someone give a passionate 5-minute talk about stapler evolution! Have intro music for each speaker. Create funny “expert credentials” for presenters. Include applause signs and mood lighting.
• How to Play: Give impromptu talks on random topics
• Pro Tip: Encourage wild statistics and made-up research
• Time: 40-50 minutes
• Best For: Public speaking practice and laughs

Read more:

• Interactive Presentation Games
• Free Interactive Games for Training Sessions

16. Corporate archaeological dig

• Setup: Create “artifacts” from different company eras (old logos, ancient tech, retired products). Prepare discovery zones with hidden items. Create archaeological field guides with clue sheets. Set up carbon dating stations (just for fun!). Have magnifying glasses and investigation tools ready. Create artifact catalog sheets. Include mystery objects that need creative explanations. I once had a team discover an “ancient” floppy disk – the theories were wild! Prepare era-appropriate music. Create museum-style display cards for findings.
• How to Play: Discover and explain company “artifacts”
• Pro Tip: Mix real and imaginary items
• Time: 35-45 minutes
• Best For: Company history exploration

17. Professional speed meeting

• Setup: Create conversation starter cards beyond the usual small talk. Prepare rotation signals (bell, music, etc.). Set up meeting stations with comfortable seating. Have timing cards visible to all. Create profile sheets for note-taking. Include both professional and fun topics. Prepare backup questions for quiet moments. Have “connection cards” for marking potential collaborations. I use a fancy hotel lobby bell for rotations – adds class! Create topic pools of varying depth. Have refreshments ready between rounds.
• How to Play: Quick rotating conversations with purpose
• Pro Tip: Mix up seating for maximum connections
• Time: 30-40 minutes
• Best For: Networking and team connection

18. Office survivor challenges

• Setup: Design workplace-themed challenges (email inbox speed sorting, conference call bingo, coffee run relay). Create tribal buffs from department colors. Set up immunity challenge areas. Prepare reward ceremonies with silly prizes. Create dramatic voting cards and a voting area. Have challenge explanation cards ready. Include both mental and physical challenges. Create a proper tribal council area. I once had teams build office supply towers – revolutionary engineering happened! Have dramatic reveal music ready. Create team flags and mottos.
• How to Play: Complete office-themed survival challenges
• Pro Tip: Make eliminations fun, not final
• Time: 60-90 minutes
• Best For: Extended team building

19. Corporate time capsule

• Setup: Prepare a beautiful container for physical items and a digital vault for virtual ones. Create contribution cards for items and their significance. Set up a recording station for video messages to the future. Have preservation materials ready for physical items. Create a ceremony space for the sealing. Prepare future prediction cards. Include company milestone markers. Have a proper photoshoot area for documentation. I always include current prices of everyday items – future shock value! Create ceremony scripts and music. Have backup items ready for those who forget.
• How to Play: Create meaningful time capsule together
• Pro Tip: Include predictions for the future
• Time: 45-60 minutes
• Best For: Team legacy building

20. Appreciation domino effect

• Setup: Create appreciation prompt cards with specific categories. Set up a sharing circle or virtual gallery. Prepare recognition certificates or digital badges. Have a gratitude wall ready for post-its or digital notes. Create a ceremony space with proper lighting. Include both verbal and written appreciation options. Prepare reflection music for background. Have tissue boxes ready – this gets emotional! Create photography station for team appreciation shots. I use special metallic pens for written appreciations – makes them feel extra special! Have backup prompts ready for shy participants.
• How to Play: Start chain reactions of specific appreciation
• Pro Tip: End with group photo or screenshot
• Time: 30-40 minutes
• Best For: Team celebration and connection

Conclusion

There you have it – my tried-and-tested collection of 20 interactive games for adults that can turn any gathering into a hit. Still not sure where to start? Try “Office Story Chain” or “Reverse Charades” – they’re my go-to games that never fail to get people laughing. Or jump straight into “Office Olympics” if your group needs some energy.

Now get out there and turn your next gathering into an unforgettable experience!