The staff at Game Show Trivolution recently discussed the top 5 team building activities that will make your corporate event buzz with excitement. Ever sat through one of those team-building days where it just feels…forced? You know, a day packed with icebreakers that even ice can’t break, awkward “trust falls,” and presentations full of buzzwords nobody’s ever used in a real sentence. We’ve all been there! That’s why we rounded up five proven activities that actually get your team opening up, laughing, and remembering they work with real people—not just job titles. No awkward pauses. No eye rolls. Just real connections.
Let’s get into the five activities that never fail to turn coworkers into teammates. Spoiler alert: interactive game shows are the MVP.
1. Interactive Game Show Experiences (Because Who Doesn’t Want to Be on Stage for a Day?)
There’s a secret to really getting people talking, and it’s this: give them a game show microphone. For years, we’ve watched teams turn into instant superstars—whether it’s a trivia throwdown or a high-energy music challenge.
A. Name That Tune (Big Music Game Show Edition!)
If you’ve ever wanted your team to dive headfirst into some musical mayhem, the Big Music Game Show is your ticket. Picture this: your crew goes head-to-head in a competitive, high-energy musical experience—identifying hit songs, finishing famous lyrics, and racking up points when they’re quickest on the buzzer. Watch even the shyest team member turn into a music superstar (or at least the loudest backup singer) as everyone gets swept up in the fun.
The best part? You don’t need to be a music buff or karaoke champ—this game is all about laughs, epic throwback jams, and “wait, how on earth did you know that?!” moments. Ready to make your next event an absolute hit? Check out our take on Name That Tune, aka the Big Music Game Show—and let your team’s musical side steal the spotlight.
Want to see how competitive and fun it gets? 
B. Trivia Night (and Our Smartphone Game Show Twist!)
Trivia is the OG team builder. For good reason! A classic trivia night gets even the quiet folks speaking up—first to answer, but then to joke around about ridiculous questions and share the stories behind odd bits of knowledge. When you run a game show–style trivia event (think fast-paced, flashing lights, and energetic hosts), it’s almost impossible not to talk. Teams huddle to debate answers, reminisce about pop culture, and get surprisingly hyped over a right answer.
Craving an even more high-energy, modern spin? Enter the Smartphone Trivia Game Show from Game Show Trivolution. Everyone joins straight from their phones—no downloads, just scan-and-play fun. As questions pop up on screen, participants race to buzz in, sparking quick-fire discussions, friendly (or not-so-friendly) banter, and some surprise trivia champs. It’s techy, totally inclusive, and works for any group size.
Whether you want that classic “smack the buzzer” TV moment with our Mind Rush or the fast-paced buzz of everyone on their smartphones, we deliver team-building energy that gets the whole office crowding around to play (and cheer each other on).
2. Virtual Show and Tell (Bring Your Story to Work Day)
Let’s face it—remote work makes little chitchat a lot harder. That’s why Show and Tell isn’t just for kindergarteners; it’s a serious icebreaker for grownups, too. Ask each team member to hold up something from their workspace or home and share why it matters. It could be a random souvenir, a pet cameo, a favorite snack, or even a weird desk gadget.
It’s incredible how quickly this opens up real conversation. Suddenly, you’re bonding over shared hobbies, hidden talents, or the world’s ugliest vacation mug. Virtual or in-person, it’s a peek behind the work persona, and people love it.
How to run it:
- Give everyone 2 minutes.
- No judging: the weirder the item, the better the convo.
- Use prompts if folks are shy: “Show us something from your last trip” or “An object that always makes you smile.”
3. Marooned on an Island (No Shipwreck Necessary)
Here’s a team builder that sparks all sorts of personality reveals. The setup: ask everyone, “If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one album/book/movie/game, which one would you pick, and why?”
Sounds simple, but this is where you learn who on your team is riding the nostalgia train, who’s a hopeless romantic, or who’s about to admit their all-time favorite movie is…well, objectively terrible. (No judgment!)
It’s low pressure, but the conversation goes deep fast. Suddenly you’re talking about childhood favorites, family traditions, or that one movie that makes you cry every single time.
Pro tip: spice it up by letting people debate choices or vote on the most surprising picks.
4. Marshmallow Tower Challenge (Teamwork You Can Eat—Well, Sort Of…)
Ready to see how your team gets creative under pressure? Hand out a pack of spaghetti, some string, masking tape, and one marshmallow. Now, tell teams they’ve got twenty minutes to build the tallest free-standing tower—marshmallow perched on top.
Here’s what happens: at first, teams plan in hushed voices. A minute in, they’re collaborating, laughing, running out of spaghetti, taping stuff back together, and inventing totally new ways to “engineer” something sturdy. The time pressure takes away the fear of saying something silly, so everyone’s ideas get thrown into the mix.
When the timer rings, teams are always surprised how invested they got—and how much they learned about each other’s problem-solving styles. And yeah, sometimes there’s a surprising amount of marshmallow eating.
5. I-Spy (But Make It About Your Team)
This isn’t just for car rides. I-Spy breaks at the office spark curiosity and observation (bonus points for being easy to set up). Assign someone to pick a detail in the room (or on the call background), then everyone starts asking yes/no questions to figure it out.
It gets even better when you tailor it for your company—“I spy someone who once sang karaoke in Tokyo” or “I spy a team member’s favorite office coffee mug.” You’ll discover random facts and inside jokes, and the best part: everyone’s engaged and talking.
Why These Top 5 Team Building Activities Actually Work
Let’s be honest—the search for the top 5 team building activities aren’t about stuffing folks into a conference room and telling them to “network.” They’re about giving people a legit reason to open up, share stories, and let loose. Here’s why these work so well:
- They’re low pressure. No embarrassing spotlight moments or tricky rules.
- They encourage natural conversation. Activities with prompts or challenges get everyone contributing.
- They’re memorable. People walk away with new stories, inside jokes, and maybe even some marshmallow in their teeth.
- They scale. Whether you’ve got five or fifty folks, these work every time.
And when you add a dash of competition—like turning your next event into an interactive game show—you unlock a whole new level of energy and connection. That’s what we see every day with Game Show Trivolution events: folks leave as friends, not just coworkers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do interactive game shows improve team communication?
A: Our Top 5 Team Building Activities break down barriers—suddenly, everyone’s focused on having fun, sharing ideas, and celebrating wins (or funny losses). That kind of pressure-free environment makes real conversation happen naturally.
Q2: Can these Top 5 Team Building activities work for remote or hybrid teams?
A: Absolutely! Virtual Show and Tell and I-Spy work great over video calls, and trivia or themed game show experiences can be hosted anywhere.
Q3: What if my team is on the introverted side?
A: Activities like Marooned on an Island let people participate at their own comfort level. Game shows use team-based formats, so no one feels singled out.
Q4: How much time do we need for these activities?
A: You can pull off most of these in under an hour, but teams often want to keep going once the good vibes are rolling. Full-blown Game Show Trivolution events are perfect for the 90-minute sweet spot.
Q5: Can Game Show Trivolution help with custom trivia or company-specific events?
A: 100%! We love tailoring questions and games to match your company culture, favorite topics, or inside jokes. Contact us to find out how we can bring the fun to your next event.
Ready to actually look forward to your next team-building session? Book your next interactive Game Show Trivolution experience and see how fast your people start talking, laughing, and bonding—for real.
Check out availability and get started right here.
Looking for even more ways to transform your office vibe? Check out this Harvard Business Review article on creating meaningful team connections for additional inspiration.
