Updated: May 03, 2023

13 Fun Large Group Games to Play in 2023

Here is our list of fun large group games.

Large group games are exciting games and activities for big teams and large gatherings. Examples include Coworker Feud, Balloon Stomp, and Scavenger Hunts. These games help make large events entertaining and create healthy competition between teammates.

Large group games are similar to large group icebreakers and large group energizers. These activities promote team building and positive workplace environments.

large-group-games

This list includes:

  • party games for large groups
  • big group games
  • games for large groups of adults

Here we go!

List of fun large group games

From Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament to Cross the Circle to Wild Goose Chase, here is our list of fun games for large teams.

1. Balloon Stomp

Balloon Stomp is an energetic large group activity that teammates can play outdoors. In this game, colleagues will gather to stomp as many balloons as possible within a given timeline.

To organize this activity:

  1. Split the players into two opposing groups.
  2. Each group will choose a color like blue or red.
  3. Get 20 to 30 balloons in each of the colors.
  4. Blow up all the balloons.
  5. Find a large empty space for colleagues to play.
  6. Arrange the balloons randomly on the open field.
  7. Set a timer for 30 to 60 seconds.
  8. The players must only pop the balloons in their team color.
  9. Each team must burst all their balloons before the timer runs out.
  10. When the countdown ends, the team that pops more of their balloons wins the game.

This competitive game is a great way to build a collaborative workforce and encourage colleagues to help each other achieve a common goal.

2. Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament

Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament is a great game that challenges employees to think fast. In this game, employees will use their hands to make signs representing a rock, paper, or scissors. The game’s rules are simple. Rock smashes scissors, paper covers rock, and scissors cut through paper.

To organize this activity:

  1. Split players into two teams.
  2. Players from opposing teams will stand across from each other.
  3. At the sound of a whistle, players will compete in five rounds.
  4. Players who lose three times consecutively are out of the game, and their opponents win by default.
  5. Otherwise, the player who wins the best three out of five hands wins the round.
  6. The team with the most players standing wins the tournament.

This exciting activity tests teammates’ observatory skills and pushes employees to be detail-oriented and fast.

3. Coworker Feud

Coworker Feud is one of the best large group team building games because it allows employees to get to know their colleagues better.

To organize this activity:

  1. Create fun surveys and gather answers from players. For example, you can ask, “What are you likely to do in front of a mirror?” Answers can include brushing hair, dancing, and dressing.
  2. Split the players into two opposing teams.
  3. Share the survey questions and answers with the players.
  4. Each team must guess the given survey question’s most common answer.
  5. The teams get points for each correct guess.
  6. Points depend on how many participants gave that response. Common answers give higher points. For example, if 12 respondents said brushing hair, then the team that guessed that answer would receive 12 points.
  7. At the end of the game, the team with the most points wins.

Employees can use this activity as an opportunity to find out interests they share in common with colleagues. For example, employees may ask what type of pets colleagues like or their favorite movie genre.

Here is a list of Coworker Feud questions.

4. Photo Scavenger Hunt

Photo Scavenger Hunt is one of the best team building activities for large teams to play around the office. In this game, employees will race against time to find images representing their team.

To organize this activity:

  1. Split employees into two teams.
  2. Each team will choose an image or icon to symbolize them. For example, colleagues can pick an apple, dog, or star to represent them.
  3. Print several copies of each team’s image, and hide them in strategic locations in the office.
  4. Tell each team how many images they must find.
  5. The groups have the entire workday to find their team’s pictures.
  6. At the end of the workday, each team will present the number of images they found.
  7. The team that finds all their pictures first wins the game.

This game is a simple and fun way to test a colleague’s observatory skills and encourage workers to pay great attention to detail. Some great places to hide photos include the work printer or scanner, near the coffee machine, or on top of the vending machine.

Here are more photo scavenger hunt ideas.

5. Cross the Circle

Cross the Circle is an engaging activity that employees can use to discover interests or traits they may have in common.

In this activity:

  1. Draw a large circle on an open field.
  2. Teammates will gather inside the circle.
  3. The teammates will choose an order in which to play.
  4. The first player will call out a prompt, and any colleague who can relate to the prompt must step out of the circle. For example, the player may say, “Step out of the circle if you have ever danced in the shower.”
  5. If no player steps out of the circle, then the speaker is out of the game.
  6. The game will continue this way until only one player remains in the circle.

Coming up with relatable prompts helps colleagues bond and develop friendships at work. Players can also use this activity to find common interests in songs, games, and movies.

6. Steal the Bacon

Steal the Bacon is a competitive game that large groups can enjoy during gatherings or team game days.

To organize this activity:

  1. Split the players into two groups.
  2. Assign each player from one group a number. For example, assign Team A the numbers one to ten.
  3. Assign the second group the same set of numbers. For example, assign Team B the numbers one to ten too.
  4. Players with the same numbers will stand facing each other chronologically.
  5. Place an item in the middle of each of the players. A bottle or ball will suffice.
  6. Yell out a random number from the teams’ number group.
  7. The players with the number will race toward the item in the middle, grab it, and try to run back to their team without being tagged.
  8. If the player who gets the item is tagged, then they do not get a point.
  9. If the player gets the item back to their team without being tagged, then the group gets a point.
  10. Repeat steps seven through ten until you call each number.
  11. The team with the highest points wins the game.

This game tests employees’ wits and speed. Employees will also learn to collaborate and work better as a team.

7. Egg Drop Game

Egg Drop Game is an innovative game that encourages employees to develop new ideas and think out of the box. In this game, teammates must discover new ideas to prevent their eggs from breaking when dropped.

To organize this activity:

  1. Place eggs on a table.
  2. Each player gets one egg.
  3. Set a timer for four to five minutes.
  4. The participants must create a device that will cushion the egg when it falls off the side of the table onto the ground.
  5. Employees have only one chance to try out their experiment. If players’ ideas fail, then they are out of the game. Additionally, players lose if their egg breaks.
  6. The player with the most effective idea wins the competition.

This game is a brilliant way to promote creativity among workers. Colleagues can also play this game in teams to encourage players to share ideas and work together.

8. Tug-of-War

Tug-of-War is one of the best large party group games because it promotes teamwork. This activity is a test of strength, wits, and team effort.

To organize this activity:

  1. Split the players into two opposing groups.
  2. Draw a long line between each group.
  3. The teams will stand on either side of the line and must not touch or cross it.
  4. Give the teams a long rope. Each group must hold onto their end of the rope as tightly as possible.
  5. Set a timer for 60 seconds.
  6. Each group must attempt to drag the opposing team across the line before the timer runs out.
  7. The first team to drag the other group across the line wins.

You can create teams by choosing different departments in the office to play. To make this game fair, ensure that you have an equal balance of strength on each team. However, it is important to note that winning this game does not depend solely on force. Instead, colleagues must work together, pull at a perfect pace, and fish out their rival team’s weak moments.

9. Stop Walk Races

Stop Walk Races are one of the best large party group games. For this game, employees will need to find an open space or field.

To organize this activity:

  1. Players will stand on one end of the field.
  2. A coordinator will yell, “Walk,” and racers must walk toward the finish line as fast as possible.
  3. The coordinator will shout, “Stop,” randomly, and all the participants must freeze until they hear the word walk again.
  4. The game will continue in this manner until the players reach the finish line.
  5. The first employee to reach the finish line wins the game.

Players cannot run or sprint during the game. Any worker who violates these rules will be out of the game. You can make this game even more challenging by blindfolding participants, but you must ensure there are no obstacles or items that may injure the racers in the way. The blindfolded version of this game is better held in grass fields in case players fall.

10. Guess the Whistler’s Tune

Guess the Whistler’s Tune is one of the best fun virtual large group games because it promotes laughter among colleagues. This virtual activity is similar to the popular guess the tune game.

To play:

  1. Meet using any video conferencing platform.
  2. Choose an order in which to play.
  3. The first player will attempt to whistle a tune to match any trendy song.
  4. Other teammates must attempt to guess the tune the player is whistling.
  5. The colleagues will type their answers via the chat box.
  6. The teammate who correctly guesses the song wins a point.
  7. The game will continue this way until the players gather enough points.

Players are better off whistling recognizable parts of the tunes, like the chorus, to make it easier for team members to guess. Colleagues do not have to be adept whistlers to participate in this activity. Even novices can try to whistle to make the game even more fun and hilarious.

11. Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is a fun, fast-paced game where players try to steal flags from each other’s territories. This game promotes strategic thinking and helps colleagues develop problem-solving skills.

To organize this activity:

  1. Split the players into two to four teams.
  2. Each team may have four to eight players.
  3. Each team will make its flag. Players can use cardboard, clothes, and sacks as their flags.
  4. Find an open space or field for the game.
  5. Create territories for each team by drawing boundaries on the ground with white chalk. You may also use landmarks like trees and rocks to mark boundaries.
  6. Each group will secure their flag on a stick and push the stick into the ground on their territory.
  7. When the game starts, the teams will attempt to steal each other’s flags and carry them back to their territory.
  8. The groups can strategize and leave some players to protect their territory while others go on the hunt.
  9. Opposing teams can tag players who enter their territory. Tagged players are temporarily out of the game. These players must perform a task to free themselves, like ten frog jumps or five pushups.
  10. Teams that lose their flag are out of the game.
  11. The last team left standing wins the game.

This thrilling game requires dedication, speed, and coordination. Employees must create an effective game plan before proceeding with the game.

12. Murder in the Dark

Murder in the Dark is an excellent mystery game where employees must apply their observatory skills to find out which team member is the murderer.

To organize this activity:

  1. Write the letters “D” and “M” on small sheets of paper. Fold the paper up, and put it into a bowl.
  2. Roll up tiny pieces of plain paper, enough for all the players. Toss the papers into the bowl and shake the bowl around to shuffle the pieces of paper.
  3. Sit in a circle.
  4. Pass the bowl around, and have each player pick a piece of paper.
  5. The players will check the papers without saying if they picked the marked papers.
  6. The player who gets the letter “D” is the detective, and the player who gets the letter “M” is the murderer.
  7. The murderer will kill off other players by winking at them.
  8. Murdered players must exit the circle.
  9. The detective must attempt to catch the murderer before they kill off all the players.

Note that players have to look directly at the murderer to get killed, and the detective has to catch the murderer in the act to accuse and catch them. The detective has to be very observant and must not receive clues or hints from other players.

This game is similar to Werewolf.

13. Jenga

Jenga is a fun and challenging game for large groups. This game best suits folks who enjoy mentally challenging games and activities.

To play:

  1. Stack the Jenga blocks in alternating sets of three until you have an 18-tier tower.
  2. Straighten out the stack by pressing the blocks into each other.
  3. Players will take turns pulling one block out of the stack at a time without making the whole tower fall.
  4. Once a player pulls out a block, they will add it back to the top of the stack.
  5. The first player to knock over the tower loses.

As an added twist, you can even write directions on each Jenga piece. When participants pull the directions, they must follow them. For example, you could have players try to whistle a tune or shoot a wadded-up paper into a garbage can.

You can also get giant Jenga sets, which tend to be real crowd-pleasers!

Conclusion

Large group games are entertaining activities that teammates or colleagues can play during team gatherings. These games help promote teamwork and improve interactions between colleagues.

Large group games often work best in open spaces where players can run around or play comfortably without fear of injury. You may organize these games outdoors in open fields or find large empty spaces or rooms to play.

Next, check out our lists of the best Zoom games for large groups, large group team building activities, and virtual games for large groups.

FAQ: Large group games

Here are frequently asked questions about large group games.

What are large group games?

Large group games are fun exercises that more than ten players can engage in comfortably. Players can participate in these activities individually or play together in teams.

What are the best games for large groups?

The best games for large groups include Jenga, Limbo, and Murder in the Dark.

Why should you play games with big groups?

You should play games with big groups because they are fun and help foster connections in larger teams. These games often require team effort and create a boisterous environment where teammates can feel free and enjoy themselves.

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Author:

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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