Planning a work party, whether virtual or in-person, can be fun but also a bit daunting. How do you make sure people are engaged, laughing, and having a great time? Icebreaker games are a great way to get the ball rolling! Below are 20 creative and fresh icebreakers for work parties that will make your next work party memorable, ensuring everyone gets involved and has fun.
For more fun ideas, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Virtual Icebreakers!

Why Icebreaker Games Are Key for Work Parties
We’ve all experienced awkward pauses at work parties—whether virtual or in-person—where no one knows how to start a conversation. Icebreaker games solve that problem. They lighten the mood, spark conversations, and create connections between coworkers, ensuring your event is a success. Plus, icebreaker games help bring out the best in people and can turn any meeting into a fun, memorable experience.
20 Fun and Fresh Icebreakers for Work Parties
1. Guilty Pleasures Playlist
Each person submits a song from their “guilty pleasure” playlist (you know, those songs you love but might be a bit embarrassed to admit). During the party, the host plays each song snippet, and the team has to guess whose guilty pleasure it is. Expect everything from Backstreet Boys to ABBA! It’s a great way to see another side of your coworkers.
2. What’s Your Alias?
Ask each team member to invent an alter-ego for the evening, complete with a backstory. Give them a few minutes to think of a fun name, job, and quirky talent. During the party, have each person introduce themselves as their alias (e.g., “I’m Dirk Thunderpants, a competitive underwater basket weaver”). This game leads to hilarious introductions!
3. Reverse Word Guess
Choose a word (e.g., “donut”) but don’t tell anyone. Each person can ask yes/no questions to figure out what the word is, but here’s the twist: the answer to each question must be the opposite of the truth. For example, “Is it something you eat?” If it’s a donut, you answer “no” because donuts are edible! It’s a fun challenge, and it’ll keep people laughing at the confusion.
4. Two-Item Pitch
Split into teams and give each group two random items (like a paperclip and a banana). Each team has 5 minutes to pitch a new product using those two items. At the end of the game, each group shares their creative (and likely ridiculous) product idea. This game brings out the creative side of your team and is always full of laughs.
5. The Secret Sound
Before the party, record a few strange or unexpected sounds (like the sound of a stapler, a cat purring, or a drawer closing). Play these sound clips during the event and have everyone guess what the sound is. The fun part? The more obscure the sound, the more wild and imaginative the guesses get!
6. Unlikely Superheroes
Each person must come up with the most useless superhero they can think of (e.g., “Can only fly one inch off the ground,” or “Can turn water into slightly warmer water”). After everyone shares, vote on who came up with the weirdest superhero power.
7. Emoji Storytelling
Ask each participant to tell a story using only emojis in the chat. Then have everyone guess what story they’re trying to tell. Whether it’s “I got stuck in traffic and missed my coffee” or “My dog ate my shoes,” visual storytelling always leads to laughter and surprises.
8. Dance Battle (Zoom Style)
Play a short snippet of a popular song, and challenge team members to have a mini dance-off in their Zoom windows. Give them 15 seconds to bust their best moves on camera. The more ridiculous the dance, the better!
9. What’s Your Hobby?
Ask each team member to describe their favorite hobby in the most boring way possible. For example, “I move pieces of wood across a flat surface with some numbers.” The rest of the team has to guess what the hobby is (in this case, it’s playing chess). This game is perfect for sparking fun conversations about everyone’s pastimes.
10. Object Bingo
Instead of traditional bingo, give participants a bingo card filled with random objects that might be in a home or office (e.g., “coffee mug,” “something red,” “sticky notes”). Players must find these items in their surroundings and display them on camera. The first to complete a row wins!
11. The Great Work Fails
Ask team members to share their most memorable work-related fail in a lighthearted way (e.g., “I once replied all to the entire company with a cat GIF”). These stories always result in shared laughter and help coworkers feel more comfortable.
12. Alphabet Story Challenge
Create a story, but here’s the catch: each sentence must start with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, the first person starts with “A long time ago,” the next person continues with a sentence that starts with “B,” and so on. This keeps the story rolling and sparks some hilarious twists!
13. Whose Desk Is It Anyway?
Ask everyone to send a picture of their desk setup (without any personal identifiers). Display these anonymously during the party, and have people guess which desk belongs to whom. It’s always fun to see how others work—and to realize that you’re not the only one with a messy desk!
14. The Ultimate “Would You Do It?” Challenge
Ask bizarre hypothetical questions like, “Would you eat only broccoli for a month if it meant you never had to attend another meeting?” or “Would you work from the moon if Wi-Fi was perfect?” These prompts lead to fun discussions about what people would or wouldn’t do.
15. Emoji Expression Challenge
Have everyone choose one emoji from their phone that they think best describes their mood for the week. Then, have them act out that emoji’s expression on camera (think big grins, surprised faces, etc.). It’s a simple way to bring a little humor and expressiveness into the meeting.
16. Make It Fashion!
Ask each participant to come to the virtual meeting wearing a random household item as part of their “outfit”—like a towel as a scarf, or a colander as a hat. Have everyone explain their fashion choices. The more outlandish, the better!
17. Accidental Inventor
Give everyone a random, useless product idea (e.g., a “blanket that’s always cold” or “waterproof socks”). Then ask them to sell this product to the group as if it’s the best thing ever. The fun is in seeing who can be the most convincing about their ridiculous invention.
18. The Guessing Hat
Before the party, the host writes down random words or phrases and places them in a hat (or a digital alternative). Each player draws a word and has to describe it to the group without using that word. The rest of the group tries to guess what it is, like a simplified charades game.
19. What’s on My Desk?
Each person chooses one odd object on their desk and describes it mysteriously or exaggeratedly. The group must guess what it is. This leads to some fun, creative descriptions that reveal strange items people keep at their workstations!
20. Speed Problem-Solving
Create a ridiculous workplace scenario (e.g., “The coffee machine is broken and the entire team is caffeine-deprived!”). Each person must come up with a solution in under a minute. Whether serious or funny, this game sparks creativity and teamwork.
Wrapping It Up
Icebreaker games for work parties can instantly elevate the energy and engagement levels of your event. Whether you’re hosting an online happy hour or an in-office celebration, these fresh, fun ideas will keep everyone involved and laughing. Try these creative games at your next work party to break the ice and create a memorable experience for everyone.
For more quick and fun ideas, check out our 70+ 5-Minute Icebreakers for Remote Teams and 30 Hilarious Icebreakers for even more inspiration!