Games Ideas for An Office Olympic Themed Incentive

Have you been inspired by the Olympics, and are now planning to hold your own Office Olympics but aren’t sure where to start?

Then look no further!

To get you started we have put together some Office Olympics game ideas that have been suggested by Benjamin, Jonty, and Clarke.

14 Ideas for An Office Olympic Themed Incentive

For a successful Office Olympics you need a variety of games, where different individuals can showcase their skills.

In this article we will take a look at the following fourteen Office Olympics game ideas, explaining what they are, and how to play:

1. Opening Ceremony

This is a fun competition where teams decorate their work pods (or cubicles) to match a theme. The best-decorated pod wins.

What You Need

For this competition, you will need:

• Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, banners),
• Judges or a voting system
• Decorating time

How to Play

• Announce the Country – Get each team/person to pick a country out of a hat to represent and decorate their pod.
• Decorating Time – Allocate time for teams to decorate their pods.
• Judging – Judges or employees review and vote on the best decorations.
• Announce Winners – Reveal the winning team and give out a prize.

2. 100m RC Race

100m RC Race is a exciting and competitive activity where participants race remote-controlled (RC) cars over a 100-meter course.

What You Need

In this race, you will need:

• RC cars (one per participant or team)
• 100m track (can be set up using tape or markers)
• Timer or stopwatch

How to Play

• Set Up the Track – Mark out a 100-meter course in a suitable area. Use tape or markers to outline the track.
• Organise Participants – Assign each participant or team an RC car.
• Start the Race – Have participants line up at the start line. On the signal, start the timer and let them race their RC cars to the finish line.
• Declare the Winner – Announce the top 3 fastest racer and award any prizes (if applicable).

3. Discus Hoopla

Discus Hoopla is an entertaining game where participants throw a disc (or similar object) to score points by landing it in hoops or targets.

What You Need

For this game, you will need:

• Discs or frisbees (one per participant or team)
• Hoops or targets 
• Markers to outline the throwing area and score sheets

How to Play

• Set Up the Targets – Place the hoops or targets at different distances from the throwing line (you can set these up on the ground or mounted on stands). Assign point values to each target based on difficulty.
• Mark the Throwing Line – Designate a line from which participants will throw their discs.
• Take Turns Throwing – Each participant takes a turn throwing their disc towards the hoops or targets.
• Score Points – Points are awarded based on where the disc lands (inside the hoops or on the targets). The participant’s score is recorded. After all participants have had their turns, tally the scores. The participant with the highest score wins.

4. Paper Aeroplane Javelin

This is a fun competition where each team create a paper plane made of only A3 or smaller paper.

A nominated person stands on the line and the team/person who can achieve the longest flight distance wins.

What You Need

In this competition, you will need:

• Sheets of paper
• Measuring tape/ruler to measure the distance flown

How to Play

• Prepare the Area – Mark a starting line where participants will throw their paper aeroplanes. Designate an area for measuring the distance flown.
• Make the Aeroplanes – Each participant/team folds their own paper into an aeroplane.
• Throw the Aeroplanes – One by one, participants throw their paper aeroplanes from the starting line.
• Measure the Distance – Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure how far each aeroplane travels from the starting line to where it lands. The participant whose aeroplane flies the farthest wins.

5. Bin Archery

Bin Archery (or “Paper Ball Archery”) is a game where participants throw crumpled paper balls into waste paper baskets placed at different distances to score points. The top three with the highest scores win.

What You Need

In this game, you will need:

• Crumpled paper balls (enough for each participant to have several)
• Waste paper baskets
• Score sheets 

How to Play

• Set Up the Baskets – Place the waste paper baskets at varying distances from the throwing line. Assign different point values to each basket based on distance.
• Mark the Throwing Line – Define a line from which participants will throw their paper balls.
• Throw the Paper Balls – Each participant/team takes turns throwing their paper balls towards the baskets.
• Score Points – Award points based on which basket the paper ball lands in. Record the scores for each participant. After everyone has had their turns, total the points for each participant. The top three with the highest scores are the winners.

6. Synchronised Office Chair Swivel

“Synchronised Office Chair Swivel” is a fun activity where teams swivel their office chairs in unison to see which team can coordinate the best.

What You Need

• Office chairs (one for each participant)
• An open area where participants can safely swivel
• Music or a timer (to signal when to start and stop swivelling)

How to Play

• Set Up the Area – Arrange chairs in a circle or a designated area where everyone has enough space to swivel safely.
• Form Teams – Divide participants into teams or pairs.
• Practice Time – Allow time to develop a synchronised routine.
• Start the Swivelling – Play some music or use a timer and let each team show their routine.
• Stop and Judge – After a set time or when the music stops, assess how well participants coordinated their swivelling. Award points based on synchronization and overall performance.

7. RC Long Jump

In this game, participants use remote-controlled (RC) cars to perform the longest jump off a homemade ramp.

What You Need

• RC cars (one per participant or team)
• Homemade ramp made from materials like wood or cardboard
• Measuring tape 

How to Play

• Set Up the Ramp – Build and place the ramp in a suitable area. Ensure it’s stable and at an angle for the cars to drive over.
• Mark the Jump Area – Designate a landing area where cars will land after jumping. Use markers to outline this area.
• Take Turns Jumping – Each participant takes a turn driving their RC car up the ramp to perform a jump.
• Measure the Distance – Use a measuring tape to record the distance from the edge of the ramp to where the car lands. The participant with the longest jump distance wins.

8. Shooting

This is a fun competition where participants use toy guns that shoot sticky bullets to hit targets on a whiteboard.

What You Need

• Toy guns (with sticky bullets or something similar)
• Whiteboards / targets
• Markers 

How to Play

• Set Up the Targets – Place whiteboards in the play area and mark different target zones on them.
• Prepare the Toy Guns – Ensure each participant has a toy gun loaded with sticky bullets.
• Take Turns Shooting – Participants/teams take turns shooting at the whiteboards, aiming for the marked target areas.
• Score Points – Award points based on where the sticky bullets land on the whiteboard. The person/team with the highest score, based on accuracy and target hits, wins.

9. Host a Sports Competition

A sports competition using Wii or Xbox gaming consoles where participants compete in virtual sports games.

What You Need

• Wii or Xbox consoles (with necessary controllers and accessories)
• Sports games (such as Wii Sports or Xbox Sports games)
• TV screens 

How to Play

• Set Up the Consoles – Connect the Wii or Xbox consoles to the TV screens and ensure all equipment is functioning properly.
• Choose the Games – Select the sports games participants will compete in (e.g., boxing, volleyball, bowling, soccer).
• Organise Teams – Divide everyone into teams or let them compete individually.
• Start the Competition – Have participants take turns or compete in matches according to the game rules.
• Keep Score – Track scores and results based on the game outcomes. After all matches are played, tally the scores and declare the winners.

10. Table Tennis

In this competition, participants hit a lightweight ball back and forth across a table and net using small paddles.

What You Need

• Table tennis table (a standard table with a net in the middle)
• Paddles (one for each player)
• Table tennis ball
• Enough room around the table for players to move

How to Play

• Set Up the Table – Place the table tennis table in a suitable area and set up the net in the middle.
• Start the Game – One player serves the ball by hitting it over the net to the opponent’s side of the table, The opponent must hit the ball back over the net before it bounces twice on their side of the table
• Score Points – Points are scored when a player fails to return the ball properly or the ball bounces twice on their side. Play until a set score is reached (e.g., 11 or 21 points) or until a predetermined number of games is won.

You can by a table tennis set online which gives you a net, 3 balls and two bats that you can use on a normal office table for around £2.49.

11. Triathlon

Triathlon is an exciting competition that combines three different events: a 100m RC car race, 10ft shooting, and bin archery, creating a multi-part challenge.

What You Need

• RC cars 
• Toy guns and sticky bullets
• Whiteboards and bins
• Measuring tape

How to Play

• Start with the RC Car Race
• Then move onto Shooting
• Finish with Bin Archery
• Combine Scores – Add up the scores from all three events. The participant with the highest combined score wins.

12. Rock, Paper, Scissors judo

“Rock, Paper, Scissors Judo” is a playful twist on the classic game “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” incorporating a fun, judo-themed element.

What You Need

• Judo Mats or Soft Flooring: Optional, for added fun and safety during the judo element.

How to Play

• Understand the Basics – Each player uses a hand gesture to represent Rock, Paper, or Scissors.
  • Rock beats Scissors.
  • Scissors beat Paper.
  • Paper beats Rock.
• Add the Judo Twist – After the initial Rock, Paper, Scissors round:
  • Rock: Represents a strong stance.
  • Paper: Represents a defensive move.
  • Scissors: Represents a swift attack.
• Play the Game –
  • Both players perform their chosen gesture simultaneously.
  • The winner of the Rock, Paper, Scissors round then performs a simple judo move or gesture (like a light pretend throw) against the loser.
• Determine the Winner – The player who wins the Rock, Paper, Scissors round performs their judo move, and the other player acknowledges their defeat.
• Repeat as Desired – Players can go through multiple rounds, or play a set number of rounds to decide the overall winner.

13. Rubber Band Flicking Competition

The “Rubber Band Flicking Competition” is a fun game where participants see how far they can flick rubber bands.

What You Need

• Rubber bands (one per participant)

How to Play

• Prepare the Rubber Bands – Give each participant a rubber band. Ensure the bands are of similar size and strength.
• Take Turns Flicking – Participants take turns flicking their rubber bands
• Score Points – Points are awarded based on where the rubber band lands and who has flicked it the furthest. After all participants have taken their turns, add up the points. The participant with the highest score wins.

14. Paper Box Snow Shoes Racing

This is a fun race where participants use paper boxes as makeshift snow shoes to navigate a course.

What You Need

• Paper Boxes (one for each participant, large enough to fit their feet)
• A clear, marked path or area for racing
• Tape or string

How to Play

• Prepare the Paper Boxes – Cut holes in the paper boxes so participants can step into them, ensuring they fit comfortably over their shoes.
• Set Up the Race Course – Mark a start line and a finish line on the floor.
• Put on the Boxes – Participants step into the paper boxes and get ready at the start line.
• Start the Race – On your signal, participants race from the start line to the finish line while wearing their paper boxes. The first participant to cross the finish line wins. Ensure everyone is careful to avoid accidents.

How to Make the Most of Office Olympic Games

Plan the Event Schedule

Draft a detailed timeline for each event to maintain structure throughout the day. Allow time for introductions and explanations before each game starts. Posting the schedule around the office helps everyone stay informed about what’s coming next.

Organize Teams

To foster inclusivity, either focus on individual competitions or divide participants into teams before the games begin. Teams can be grouped by department or mixed up to encourage new interactions. Appoint a team leader and let teams choose their names, or assign countries for a fun twist.

Arrange Prizes

Decide on prizes for the winners well in advance. Award the top performers with gold, silver, and bronze prizes, and consider small tokens of appreciation for all participants to keep the spirit of friendly competition alive.

Create a Leaderboard

Recording the points each agent or team has scored in each game can create a fun sense of competition and hype.  Get a whiteboard to publicly share the winners of each game and the points each team has so people can see at a glance how they are doing.

Prepare Ahead of Time

Ensure everything is set up well in advance to keep the games running smoothly. A well-organized setup prevents downtime between events, keeping everyone engaged. Add some unique touches to make the experience even more enjoyable.

For more advice on creating your own Office Olympics, read these articles next: 

• How to Set up an Olympics-Based Call Centre Game
• Preparing Your Call Centre for the Olympics
• How to Host an Office Olympics
• 10 Fun Ideas to Make an Office Olympics Games

Author: Hannah Swankie
Reviewed by: Robyn Coppell