Here is our list of the best online party ideas.
Online office party ideas are virtual events that companies organize for their employees. Examples include virtual karaoke parties, online Bingo parties, and virtual office Olympics. The purpose of these office ideas is to allow remote coworkers to socialize outside the work environment.
Online party ideas are similar to our other articles about virtual parties, including work party ideas, online party games, and virtual pizza party ideas. You can also host seasonal events, such as virtual birthday parties, online Halloween parties, and company holiday parties.
This list includes:
- virtual office party activities
- online party ideas for work
- online party games for work
Here we go!
List of online office party ideas
From virtual art classes to virtual yoga classes, here is our compilation of the best online office party ideas.
1. Virtual Recipe Exchange
Food lovers in your office will appreciate a virtual recipe exchange. Simply ask participants to prepare a favorite dish and share the recipe with the group. During the online party, you can have a cooking demonstration, with each employee showcasing their culinary skills. This activity is a delicious way to bond over food, learn new recipes, and share cooking tips, making it perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable virtual gathering.
2. Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, is one of the most engaging online party games for work. In this interactive experience, colleagues come together in a virtual setting. Players create and guide their own characters through adventures led by a Dungeon Master. Collaboration is key as players explore unknown lands, unravel mysteries, and face dangerous creatures. Playing online is convenient with platforms like Roll20 and D&D Beyond. Organizing a game for coworkers fosters teamwork and strengthens team bonds through the game’s fun and collaborative nature.
Check out Roll20 and D&D Beyond.
3. Tarot and Astrology Readings
You can spice up your evening with an online tarot and astrology reading to predict what is in store! Astrology.com offers various tarot readings like daily tarot, daily career tarot, and yes or no tarot. To participate, pick a category, choose a question, select a card, and get its interpretation. If you have more questions, then just redo the readings!
Further, you can discover your daily horoscope, including food, home, dog, teen, cat, and a bonus horoscope. Then, try the workplace compatibility test to see how well you work with a colleague based on your astrology signs. Finally, explore quick future-telling games like Ask the Genie and Fortune Cookie.
Astrology and tarot add fun to any party, especially during Halloween, but you can play anytime since horoscopes update daily!
Learn more about Astrology.com.
4. Customized Team Trading Cards
Creating virtual trading cards is a great way to get to know the whole team. These cards can show work achievements and highlight each individual’s unique personality. The cards might feature skills, accomplishments, fun facts, or favorite office stories. These digital cards become a cool way for team members to learn more about each other, making the team feel more connected and appreciated.
5. Virtual Time Capsules
Virtual time capsules are a special online space where team members can share digital things that represent the present. These spaces are like a virtual museum showcasing each participant, from pictures of home offices to recordings of team activities. This digital exhibit helps each member tell a part of the team’s story, making each colleague feel like they are contributing to the team’s history. As the capsule grows, it becomes a reminder of how creative and strong the team is together.
6. Digital Doodle Derby
During a digital doodle derby, participants will create a big digital drawing where each team member adds a special picture. This derby is a fun art project where each individual uses digital tools to create fun artwork. As participants doodle, the canvas turns into a mix of creative ideas. This team effort shows how well members work together to make an awesome collaborative piece.
7. Online Puzzle Competition
During this competition, players will go head-to-head to see who can complete a puzzle first, whether it is a jigsaw, crossword, or word search. You can play on online platforms like Jigsaw Planet or Puzzle Baron. You can form a team with two or more coworkers and use the platform’s chat or interact via video conferencing while solving puzzles independently. Then, set a timer, and the first to solve the puzzle wins!
Even without a built-in chat, players can use video conferencing to interact. To make online puzzles more competitive, offer incentives! Your coworkers will enjoy the challenge of winning a prize.
Check out Jigsaw Planet and Puzzle Baron.
8. Virtual Improv Workshop
Improvisational theater, or improv, is a live performance where participants act out ideas without a script. You can set up a virtual improv session for your workplace, starting with simple activities and moving to more complex exercises.
Activities include physical warm-ups, group games, vocal exercises, storytelling, and acting out short scenes. These activities promote collaboration, as participants listen and respond instantly to their scene partners. Improv is a fun way to create a collaborative environment and teach performers to work together.
Here is how to tell engaging digital stories.
9. Virtual Happy Hour
Virtual happy hours bring remote teams together for a more social work environment, allowing colleagues to connect and relax after a long work day. Platforms like Zoom let participants chat, share stories, and enjoy drinks together.
These virtual gatherings foster relationships among team members, particularly for those who have not met in person. Also, happy hours build community, enhance collaboration, and contribute to a more productive and engaged workforce. Customizable to different preferences and time zones, virtual happy hours are great for a range of schedules and locations.
Explore these happy hour ideas and virtual happy hour ideas.
10. Virtual Costume Contest
You can energize your team’s routine with a virtual costume contest! During this lively online party, members showcase their creativity and humor. Participants dress up based on a chosen theme, take turns displaying their outfits, and can have judges or self-voting to determine a winner. The game fosters bonding, encouraging coworkers to appreciate each other’s unique styles. Beyond the fun, the contest promotes creativity, collaboration, and team spirit, inspiring stronger relationships and a positive work culture.
For some inspiration, check out the best museum inspired Halloween costumes.
11. Virtual Yoga Class
A virtual yoga class promotes physical wellness and relaxation for employees. Typically, a professional instructor leads these courses through platforms like Zoom, Skype, or Microsoft Teams. Participants follow the instructor’s guidance from home, wearing comfortable clothing and using a yoga mat or towel. This activity fosters team building by encouraging relaxation, stress reduction, and improved overall well-being. Plus, yoga creates a sense of community among team members.
For more wellness content, here is a list of online wellness ideas for work.
12. Virtual Office Olympics
When looking for online party ideas for work, consider virtual office Olympics. This event features office-themed challenges like typing speed races, spreadsheet navigation races, email triathlons, and project management marathons. For instance, in a typing relay, team members take turns typing a paragraph. Email triathlons test email management skills, and a video conference activity includes setting up a call, screen sharing, muting, and unmuting. These activities enhance efficiency and make virtual office Olympics a must-have on your virtual office party activities list.
Check out our list of online office Olympics ideas.
13. Virtual Dance Party
A virtual dance party is a fun way to unite coworkers for a lively Friday evening after a busy workweek.
To organize this event:
- Create an upbeat playlist.
- Invite team members to connect via Zoom.
- Encourage participants to dress up.
- Optionally, hire a dance instructor for a choreographed routine.
This activity just needs a reliable internet connection and a device for streaming music and joining the video call.
14. Virtual Art Class
A virtual art class led by a professional instructor is a creative way for colleagues to bond. The instructor can teach various art forms like painting, drawing, photography, digital art, graphic design, and sculpture. Participants need basic art supplies, and the instructor guides them through the creative process. After the class, employees can share their creations, exchange feedback, and use the learned skills in the workplace.
15. Online Murder Mystery Party
An online murder mystery party is an interactive role-playing game where coworkers take on different roles to solve a murder mystery. Participants receive character descriptions and clues via video conferencing. A facilitator guides the process to ensure players stay on track. This activity promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and creativity within teams. Additionally, murder mystery parties offer an engaging break from the workplace, relieve stress, boost morale, and contribute to a more positive work culture.
Get ideas from this list of online murder mystery games.
16. Virtual Talent Show
A virtual talent show is a great way for remote coworkers to connect and showcase their skills. Participants take turns performing talents like singing, dancing, comedy, or magic tricks. Then, a panel of judges picks the winning performance and awards a prize. Talent fosters personal relationships among team members. Additionally, this activity allows every employee to share and appreciate each other’s unique skills.
Browse the top online talent show ideas for work.
17. Virtual Movie Night
Virtual movie nights let coworkers pick and watch a movie together through video conferencing. This activity creates a shared experience with chat and interaction. To organize a virtual movie night, choose a movie and ensure the whole team can access it. Consider picking a newly released or classic film. Participants can make snacks and drinks for the screening. Then, sit down, watch the movie, and chat about the scenes! This activity promotes team building, a sense of togetherness, and shared experiences, helping team members unwind and connect.
You could also play team building movies about teamwork.
18. Online Mixology Class
One way to lift your employees’ moods is to hire a professional mixologist to teach them how to create their own cocktails. First, you must identify some free time and schedule a mixology training that works for all coworkers. To ensure hitch-free training, provide the team with a list of required ingredients and equipment beforehand. Then, with an interactive video conferencing platform, team members can ask questions and learn. At the end of the training, team members should know how to make balanced, appealing, and delicious cocktails.
An online mixology class can foster team building. Besides, the activity promotes creativity and communication. This training also allows team members to learn new skills and work toward a common goal.
Check out this list of online mixologist classes.
19. Virtual Book Club
For book enthusiasts on your team, a virtual book club is an ideal way to connect. To start, gather the book lovers, choose a book, set a reading schedule, and decide on regular virtual meetings. During sessions, discuss the book, share thoughts, and engage in related conversations. After finishing a book, decide on the next one. A virtual book club enhances critical thinking and communication skills, fostering a sense of community among participants.
20. Virtual Board Game Night
A virtual board game night is a fun way to bring coworkers together for a night of friendly competition. Organizing a virtual board game night does not need much effort. You can simply select an online board game, then set up a virtual meeting to play the game.
You can choose a game that most participants are familiar with or teach the rules of a new game during the meeting. You will need a digital version of the game and a way to share the game screen with participants. Hence, a video conferencing platform is essential for a virtual board game night. Participants can chat, move, and engage in friendly banter during the game.
21. Virtual Stand-Up Comedy Night
A virtual stand-up comedy night brings coworkers together for laughter, featuring a stand-up comedian. You will need a virtual audio and video-sharing platform for this event. During the routine, participants can interact with the comedian, ask questions, and connect. You can spice up the night with additional games like trivia and truth or dare. This event helps relieve stress, keeping staff refreshed for the next workday.
Check out this list of online comedy shows you can attend.
22. Virtual Karaoke Party
A virtual karaoke party lets team members sing before a virtual audience, breaking geographical barriers and fostering inclusivity.
To organize virtual karaoke:
- Have team members submit their favorite songs.
- Compile a playlist for the party.
- Use karaoke apps like KaraFun or Singa, or streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music for synchronized lyrics in real-time.
This activity promotes a more inclusive work culture, allowing team members from different locations to connect through song.
23. Werewolf
Werewolf is a social deduction game ideal for remote teams. Players are divided into werewolves and villagers, each with specific objectives. Villagers aim to identify and eliminate werewolves, while werewolves protect their identity and eliminate villagers.
To play Werewolf:
- Choose a narrator to moderate the game.
- Start with the nighttime phase, where players close their eyes.
- Assign each player a role card.
- Move to the daytime phase, where players open their eyes, check their cards, and keep roles secret.
- Return to the nighttime phase, where werewolves choose a villager to eliminate.
- During the next daytime phase, announce and eliminate werewolves’ victims.
- Players then identify werewolves and debate on suspects.
- Vote to eliminate one player.
- Repeat steps four through seven during the nighttime phase.
Villagers win if all werewolves are eliminated, while werewolves win if their numbers equal or exceed the villagers’.
24. Online Charades
Charades, a popular party game, has a digital version for remote players. Participants act out words or phrases without speaking, and teammates guess the message. Online charades require a video conferencing platform and a timer.
To play online charades:
- Select a theme from a movie or book.
- Make a list of relevant words or phrases.
- Divide players into two teams.
- Players act out the words while others guess.
- Teams earn points for correct guesses.
- Opposing teams can steal incorrectly guessed words.
- The team with the most points wins!
Online charades encourages unity and shared experiences among remote coworkers.
25. Virtual Trivia Night
Virtual trivia night is a fun online party and team building activity where members collaborate to answer questions on various topics like pop culture, history, sports, and science.
To host a trivia night:
- Prepare trivia questions.
- Divide players into teams.
- Teams respond to questions, with opposing teams guessing if needed.
- The team with the most points wins!
Trivia encourages teamwork and knowledge sharing. Also, this game helps relieve work stress, boosting morale and team connection for the following week. This game promotes communication and is a valuable idea for workplace events.
Here are some trivia night ideas for teams.
26. Virtual Escape Room Challenge
Virtual escape room challenges are popular because of their team building benefits. Players must overcome obstacles to escape a virtual room within a specified time frame. These challenges vary from logic puzzles to riddles. Participants must put their reasoning abilities to work to beat the time while solving the puzzles.
The virtual escape room challenge is immersive. Each game has a relatable storyline that provides clues to the puzzles. The game is playable in individual or group mode. You can group two or more participants to enhance their collaborative skills. Above all, a virtual escape room challenge can be an interesting game with proper planning.
Check out these lists of online escape rooms and great escape room hacks.
27. Online Bingo Party
An online Bingo party lets team members play together using virtual cards and a host.
To organize online Bingo:
- Choose a hosting platform.
- Create a game and invite colleagues to sign up.
- Players use chat features to mark their cards and interact.
- The host calls out prompts during the game.
- Participants mark related prompts on their virtual Bingo cards.
- The first player to complete a full line calls out “Bingo!” and wins.
This activity is a fun and easy way to engage workers in team building, adding friendly competition to make it an effective online party idea for work.
Conclusion
Online office parties can be just as fun and engaging as in-person events. Employees will get to relax and cool off after a long day or week at work. Parties can also act as a great reward for a job well done. Also, team members can pick up a lesson or two that can come in handy at work from these games. Whether you are celebrating a milestone, enjoying a holiday, or just throwing a party for fun, these ideas can serve as fun inspiration.
For more party inspiration, check out these articles on virtual retirement party ideas, virtual Christmas party ideas, and online farewell party ideas.
