Working the same way every day can feel boring or tiring. People may lose energy or focus.
That’s why it’s important to keep things fun and exciting at work. One great way to do that is by using staff motivation games.
These games help people learn, grow, and feel more excited about their jobs. They also build better teamwork and make the workday more enjoyable.
Whether you work in an office or online, these games can help your team stay happy, focused, and strong. Let’s break the boring 9-to-5 routine with some fun and powerful ideas.
Here is a list of 19 staff motivation games that help your team grow and stay motivated.
These are not just fun – they also help people learn, improve, and feel proud of their work.
Try a few with your team and see how it boosts energy and focus!
Skill Swap Sessions
Team members teach each other a professional skill they excel in.
This is a fun way to learn from each other. Everyone on the team has a skill they are good at.
In this game, each person takes a turn to teach that skill to others. It can be something like using a new tool, writing better emails, or managing time.
Everyone gets to be a teacher and a learner. It helps the team grow together and builds respect for each other’s talents.
30-Minute Masterclass
Rotate sessions where one team member delivers a mini-lesson on a motivational or productivity-enhancing topic.
Every week or month, one team member gives a short 30-minute class. They choose a topic that can help the team do better at work.
It could be about staying motivated, saving time, or staying focused. They can use slides, talk, or even play a short video.
The goal is to learn something new in a short time. Everyone gets a turn to share and grow. It’s fun, useful, and builds confidence too.
Challenge Ladder
Set up tiered personal/professional challenges with rewards as people level up.
This is like a game with levels. Each person sets small goals to improve themselves.
When they finish a goal, they move up a level and get a small reward.
For example, someone might want to speak up more in meetings or finish tasks faster. As they grow, they keep climbing the ladder.
This makes learning fun and helps people stay excited. It also lets the team cheer each other on.
🎮 OFFICE AND DESK GAMES (Directly Related to Motivation Games):
Friendly competition to clear inboxes using rules like 2-minute replies, defer, or delete.
This is a fun race to clean out your email inbox. Everyone follows the same rules: reply if it takes less than 2 minutes, delete junk, or save for later if needed.
The challenge is to reach “inbox zero” the fastest. You can even track how many emails are left.
It helps people feel less stressed and more in control. At the end, everyone shares a helpful tip they used during the race.
Process Fix Quest
Identify frustrating workflows, and each team picks one to improve within a set time limit.
The team picks a work process that feels slow or messy. Maybe it’s how reports are written or how meetings are planned.
Each group takes one problem and works to fix it within a set time, like one week. They test new ideas and share what worked best.
It’s like going on a quest to make work easier. This game helps teams solve real problems and feel proud of their improvements.
“Do It Now” Relay
Each person completes a short task they’ve been putting off, then “passes the baton” to the next.
Everyone picks one small task they’ve been avoiding – like replying to an email, updating a file, or finishing a form.
One person starts and does their task right away. When they finish, they “pass the baton” by calling on the next teammate to do theirs.
It keeps going like a relay race. This makes boring tasks fun and helps the whole team clear things off their to-do lists quickly.
Limit Breaker
Team members each tackle a self-imposed limit (e.g., fear of public speaking, hard conversation) and share results.
Each person chooses a personal limit they want to break. It could be something like speaking in a meeting, leading a group, or trying a new skill.
They get time to work on it, face the challenge, and then share what they did and how it felt.
It’s about pushing past fear and growing stronger. Everyone cheers for each other. It builds confidence and helps people feel brave at work.
Employees pitch new ideas to improve company processes/products – peers vote on the best ones.
In this game, team members come up with ideas to make the company better.
It could be a way to save time, improve a product, or help customers more. Each person gives a short pitch to share their idea with the team.
Then everyone votes for the one they like best. The top ideas can be tested or built.
This game encourages creative thinking and shows that every voice matters.
Book Club Challenge
Choose a book focused on growth or business, then assign “growth missions” based on key chapters.
The team picks a book about growth, leadership, or business.
Each week, they read a few chapters and talk about what they learned. But it’s not just about reading – they also get small “growth missions” based on the book.
For example, if the chapter is about focus, the mission might be to plan one full focus day.
This game makes learning fun and helps people turn ideas into action.
Skill Tree Game
Employees map out their growth path like an RPG character, gaining “XP” for completing tasks, training, or projects.
Each team member makes a “skill tree,” like in a video game. They choose the skills they want to grow – like communication, problem-solving, or leadership.
Every time they learn something new, finish a project, or take training, they earn “XP” (experience points) and unlock new levels.
It’s a fun way to track growth and stay motivated. Everyone builds their own path to becoming better at work.
Learning Scavenger Hunt
A list of resources (videos, TED talks, articles) to consume, each with a reflection or action item.
Create a list of things to learn – like watching a TED Talk, reading an article, or trying a new tool. Each item has a small task or question to reflect on.
Team members complete the list and share what they learned. It’s like a scavenger hunt for the brain!
This game encourages people to explore new ideas and talk about them. It keeps learning fun and exciting.
Staff motivation games are a great way to keep your team excited, learning, and working well together.
These games are not just for fun – they help people grow, feel more confident, and enjoy their work more.
Even small games can make a big difference in how your team feels every day. You don’t need big tools or long hours – just the right idea at the right time.
Try a few of these games and see how they can break the boredom and bring new energy to your team. A happy and growing team is a strong team!
Engage With Us
We’d love to hear how you keep your team motivated!
Have you tried any of these office motivation games? Do you have your own ideas that work well?
Share your favorite games, tips, or success stories in the comments. If you try one of these activities, let us know how it went!
