Virtual Holiday Party Games for Zoom and Teams
Online holiday parties go wrong in one predictable way: a few people talk and everyone else watches with their camera off. The fix is games where everyone answers at the same time. Here are the ones that work best on Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, plus the setup that avoids technical trouble.
The setup that just works
- One host shares the screen (with "share sound" on if the game has music).
- Guests answer on their phones, not in the video app. Phones are faster than chat boxes and nobody has to switch windows.
- Check your meeting length limit. Free plans of some video apps end meetings after a set time; schedule a paid room or plan a break.
- Do a 2-minute tech check at the start with a practice question.
8 games that work online
1. Phone-based holiday trivia
The host shows the question on the shared screen; everyone taps an answer on their phone; points go up automatically, with a bonus for speed. It's the closest thing to a TV game show you can run on a video call.
2. Hot Takes polls
"Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?" Everyone votes, the results appear, and people who agree with the majority score. Quick, harmless and surprisingly heated.
3. Reindeer race betting
Show six racers with odds, let everyone place a bet, then watch an animated race with commentary. Long shots pay more, so even people who are behind can catch up. (How to run one.)
4. Holiday show and tell
Each person shows one ornament, mug or holiday photo and tells its story in 30 seconds.
5. Emoji movie titles
Paste emoji clues into the chat; first correct answer wins.
6. Scavenger hunt at home
"Bring something red", "something older than you", "your best holiday sock". First one back on camera wins the round.
7. Office Edition quiz
Questions about your own team ("Which city did our newest hire move from?") make remote people feel like part of the group.
8. Final question with big points
End with one question worth a lot of points so the scoreboard isn't decided until the last minute.
Hybrid parties (some in the room, some online)
Put the game on the meeting-room TV and share the same screen to the call. When everyone answers on their phones, people in the room and at home compete on exactly the same terms — no one is stuck waiting to be called on.
Holiday Party Showdown works over screen sharing: guests scan a code, answer on their phones, and the scoreboard runs itself. No app or sign-up for anyone.
Try the free demoGet the full game
More ideas: 21 Christmas party games for work.