Here is our list of fun Office Olympics ideas for work.
Office Olympics ideas are fun and exciting games that get the whole office involved. For example, soccer, basketball, and even biathlon. These ideas aim to be an escape from day-to-day work responsibilities. The purpose of these activities is to encourage camaraderie, unity, and relationship-building.
These games are a subset of team building games and office challenges, and are in-person versions of virtual Office Olympics. These events can serve as indoor team building activities, outdoor team building ideas, field day activities, and Amazing Race ideas.
This post includes:
How to do work Olympics: ideas and tips from top teams
Plus DIY Office Olympics ideas:
- office Olympics games
- office Olympics activities
- office Olympics challenges
- event ideas for office Olympics
Here we go!
How to do work Olympics: ideas and tips from top teams
Every two years, Olympic fever sweeps workplaces worldwide.
Water coolers, break rooms, and group chats buzz with banter about the opening ceremony, medal counts, and that obscure sport that Armond in accounting could definitely qualify for if he tried. (Seriously, curling is his secret calling.)
Savvy leaders see all that employee excitement and organize a team social around the Olympics, perhaps a viewing party or themed-trivia.
However, true champions (we’re talking, the Simone Biles of the HR world,) go above and beyond and plan Olympic-themed employee engagement events nothing short of epic.
We rounded up stories of Olympic team building from companies including Indeed, Uber, and many more.
Then, we called on the teambuilding.com customer experience, sales, and host teams to vote on the most medal-worthy submissions.
Here are the top picks!*
1. Passing the Torch (Gold)
“This year we decided to host an Office Olympics to coincide with the Olympic Games. We kicked off the games by “passing the torch.”
I started the torch passing by posting a photo of myself with a candle and then tagged two other people “passing the flame” to them. They posted a pic with a flashlight/lightsaber/candle and tagged two more people.
There were some hilarious photoshop contributions and even a flamethrower by the time it passed to our CEO who “lit the torch” during our All Hands and officially kicked off the games.
Over the course of the next two weeks we then had daily challenges posted in Slack. The team could earn points towards the medals through a variety of methods:
- Win the daily challenge (3pts)
- Post a video of themself “breaking” in the #photos channel (2pts)
- Completing an activity in our wellness app (1pt)
Points were added up at the end of the week and the person with the most points took home bragging rights and a gift card to their favorite wellness brand.
Activities included:
- Write a national anthem for our company
- Post a pic of your pet competing in an Olympic game (we love our pets!)
- Bake-off – post a pic and recipe of your favorite French cuisine
- Best AI generated art that reflected the motto of “games wide open” (celebrating diversity/inclusion)
Employees said it was a nice break from the day-to-day!”
– Amber Master, Freestar
2. Olympic-themed Socials and Team Challenges (Silver)
“We had a blast with the Olympics this year! Despite our company’s current budget constraints and a distributed workforce, we managed to have a lot of fun.
We curated a handful of events that were both budget-friendly and catered to our local and remote employees, ensuring that everyone could join in and enjoy the excitement.
- Olympic Step for Gold Challenge: This was a step challenge in which employees tracked their daily steps over the two weeks of the Olympics. Participants competed individually and as part of a team. With 18 participants (50 person company), we clocked over two million steps!
- Guess Who: Star Achievers Edition: Employees shared awards, achievements, hidden talents, or accolades featured in various “Guess Who” style, trivia-related activities.
- Feast of Champions: Employees participated in a potluck-style lunch where they prepared and brought a dish inspired by their culture, heritage, or country/cuisine of interest. We enjoyed the lunch at our office while watching some live Olympic events.
- Virtual Live Stream and Work Sessions: We hosted virtual live streaming of popular Olympic events via Google Meet and encouraged employees to tune in, engage in friendly banter over the chat channel, and (maybe) get some work done.”
– Degory Heiden, Double Line, Inc.
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3. Quarter-long Olympics – (Bronze)
“It started with an Opening ceremony on February 29th (a special date that also occurs only once every 4 years) with a torch-lighting – a video where we digitally embedded one of the employees as the flamed arrow launcher. Then, we continued to separate everyone into small groups and have each group come up with a made-up country name, flag, and a little bit of background.
We had seven teams that competed in synced and a-synced Olympic games throughout the 3-month event. During that period, we had games such as Olympic Trivia, Olympics-themed Scrabble, creating Wiki pages for your country, and a mini hackathon!
We had a leaderboard and special opportunities to earn your “country” more points. For the duration of the Olympics, we would go on video calls with our country’s flag as a background.
The Grand Finale event took place in our offsite in Prague, where the teams competed for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. We printed out the countries’ flags and had a podium event at the end of it.”
– Tamar Amoza, Novu
4. Time Machine to Ancient Greece
“Each month, our HR team dons tin helmets and takes a spin in our Hot Tub Time Machine. In August, our Wellness Team found themselves in Ancient Greece.
Our monthly wellness package, themed around Ancient Greece, included a variety of interactive and inclusive activities designed for 250+ employees and the individuals we support, encouraging participation and fostering a sense of community.
Each location earned points toward the Summer Games by completing challenges that accompanied the torch. After completing a challenge, the torch was passed on to the next home.
For example, we challenged employees to create a visual display that showcased the various countries where our employees and the individuals we support were born or identified as their home. This initiative highlighted the rich diversity of our teams, celebrating and honouring the unique backgrounds and stories that make up our community.
The pinnacle of our celebration was our Summer Games event, an in-person gathering where all employees were invited to spend the day participating in friendly competitions themed after Greek gods. Teams competed enthusiastically for bragging rights and prizes, strengthening bonds and promoting teamwork.”
– Angela Murdoch, Parents for Community Living KW Inc.
5. Office Olympics
“We organized an Office Olympics for one of our locations.
Our social area was the venue, it was decorated with flags and with five rings.
There were eight games:
- Paper Tossing in a Trash Bin
- Paper Plane Folding and Flying
- Javelin Throw with Ice-Cream Stick
- Bowling with Empty Shower Gel Bottles
- Ping-Pong Toss in an Egg Container
- Coffee Mug Obstacle Course
- Archery Darts
- Geek Typing Race
Globally we also played Kahoot! Trivia with 20 questions followed by interesting fun facts.”
– Eszter Madar, Trax Retail
6. Virtual Relay
“We started off with a virtual trivia relay. Teams competed in a trivia quiz that featured questions related to the Olympics, famous athletes, and sports history.
Then we designed our own Olympic Flag. Teams had 20 minutes to design a flag that represented their team, including elements that symbolized their team’s spirit and values. After completing their designs, each team presented their flag and explained its significance.
We then had a scavenger hunt where we had to find things in our house such as an award, items that were the color of each Olympic circle, and something that would be used in an Olympic sport.
Since we had no budget our team awards were the winning teams put their medal as their slack status for the week.”
– Samantha Goldworth, Indeed
7. Virtual Olympics
“I organized a virtual olympics for our global university recruiting team as the volunteer lead for our team social committee.
Team members were randomly placed on teams. The week before the Olympics officially started, they submitted team names, songs, and flags.
The actual Olympics took place the week the real Olympics started and was a weeklong extravaganza with activities each day. Teams received points for every question of the day they answered on Slack and also participated in challenges, including a talent show, a trivia contest, and submitting fun facts.
The rest of the global team, including those not on teams, voted for their favorite team brands, fun facts, talents, etc. throughout the week. The top three teams at the end of the week won Uber credits.”
– Kasey Stricklin, Uber
8. Office Olympic Game Stations
“We hosted Office Olympics, with four different game stations. We paired staff from differing departments together to work as a team. They participated in hungry hungry hippos, rock paper scissors duel, three legged race and don’t drop the noodle!
Each station had a prize winner. It gave staff to a chance to collaborate and work with another team member they may not know as well and have fun.”
– Ashley Pester, CHOICES, Inc.
*Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.
List of DIY Office Olympics ideas
Office Olympics are a tradition your entire team can look forward to every year. Coming up with fun and unique activities for the whole office is a fantastic way to inspire teamwork. Here are ideas for holding Office Olympics games within the workplace.
1. Desk Soccer
Desk soccer is a great first choice for office Olympic games. All you need to play soccer in the workplace is some space, office furniture, and a lightweight ball.
To set the field, grab two desks to be the goal posts. Be sure to spread the desks out, allowing 20 to 30 feet between goals. The best part of this desk soccer game is that the players do not have to run much to score. Instead, players wheel themselves back and forth in rolling office chairs.
The number of players per team depends on the size of the field and the number of rolling chairs. We recommend less than four players for each team.
Make sure there is a referee to keep the play fun and competitive. Also, use a lightweight ball to minimize damage. In a pinch, a balloon could work as the ball, as well. Finally, set a timer and let the game begin!
2. Rubber Band Archery
When you think of archery, chances are you picture bows and arrows. Yet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would likely not be too keen on weapons in the workplace.
There is a way to make archery an office-safe Olympic activity. Instead of bows, the archers use their hands. Instead of arrows, shooters use rubber bands.
To set up this event:
- Create paper targets with a bullseye.
- Tape each of these targets to an open wall.
- Mark out five yards or so and place piles of rubber bands, one for each target.
To start the contest, give each archer a set amount of time to shoot as many rubber bands as possible. We recommend about 30 seconds. The winner will have the most bullseyes in the allotted time.
Be sure to have an open space for this event. It might not seem like rubber band archery could be dangerous. However, competition can get intense! To protect bystanders, make sure competitors have plenty of space to shoot the rubber bands.
3. Pencil-Toss Javelin
There are no large, pointed spears involved in this version of the sport. Javelin takes office Olympic challenges to another level.
In office Olympics, javelin tossers throw small pointed sticks or pencils. In this event, competitors throw sharpened pencils at a trash can or other bin, not a large field.
To start the game, set up the target about 10 to 15 feet away from the launchpad. Then, allow each competitor to throw several pencils and see who can get the most into the can.
4. Paper Plate Discus and Shot Put
In Office Discus and Shot Put, no heavy discs or balls or open fields are necessary. In the office version of the game, paper plates and paper balls are the materials of choice.
To set up the arena for discus, mark a line with tape at the start of an open area in your office or parking lot. Then, have teams throw a paper plate as far as possible. Be sure to mark and record the farthest throw for each team. For best results, use a heavier paper plate, and avoid styrofoam.
For shot put, wad up several pieces of heavy paper until you have a sphere the size of a tennis ball. Next, have teams line up on the same taped line as the discus throw and put the ball as far as they can.
Throwers should not toss the objects casually like a frisbee or baseball. Instead, competitors try to throw in an arc. You can award extra points for throwing form. The more authentic the feel of the activity, the more fun your group will have.
5. Rhythmic Gymnastics
Making rhythmic gymnastics one of your office Olympics activities is a way for team members to showcase creativity. Onlookers will enjoy this event, as well.
This activity allows participants to choose a song and prepare a rhythmic dance to it. Ensure each contestant has enough space to perform the routine. Also, recruit an unbiased judge. For ease, you can base the scores on creativity, originality, or enthusiasm. Or allow spectators to rate the performance and total or average the scores.
6. Table Tennis
Table tennis, or ping pong, is a common pastime. You can incorporate this activity into your office Olympics challenges in various ways.
If your office already has a ping pong table, then you are ready to play. Simply organize a tournament of games to find a winner.
However, it is time to get creative if you do not have access to an actual table ping pong table. One setup option is to mimic beer pong, minus the beer. For this idea, fill cups with water so that the glasses have weight and are not easily knocked over. Be sure to set up the same number of cups on each side of the table using the same pattern. Then, have teams take turns tossing a ping pong ball into opposing cups.
Another option for table tennis is to set up cups upside down on one side of a larger table or desk. Next, have members of each team take turns bouncing a ping pong ball across the table. The team that knocks the most cups off the table wins the event.
7. Noodle Fencing
As far as office Olympic challenges go, fencing might not be your first thought. This sport is uncommon and requires extreme finesse.
However, do not let that fact stop you from including fencing in your games. A quick trip to a discount store will provide you with the materials you need to do fencing games.
There are several easy options for the foil, or sword. Many discount stores carry toy swords. Grab several of these swords, and be sure to get a few extras. Pool noodles are another option.
This event will be a little harder to judge as a leader will have to watch closely and call out contact made. The judge will need to be comfortable enough to keep order in the crowd, as well. This event has the potential to get a little rowdy.
8. Rolling Chair Bobsled
Incorporating bobsled into your event ideas for office Olympics is challenging yet possible. The major constraint is finding an area with enough open space. For best results, use a warehouse or parking lot. For this event, you will need a rolling chair and cones, trashcans, or large boxes to create corners.
First, set up a course. You can use boxes, trashcans, or cones to make corners or turns. The race requires one teammate in a rolling chair and another team member pushing the chair from behind. The pusher will need to guide the rider through the course while avoiding barriers.
To make the game a race, time each team and see who can complete the course in the fastest time.
9. Ping Pong Basketball
Many of your coworkers might already enjoy a game of pickup basketball. This office Olympic event puts a special spin on the beloved pastime.
For this event, you will need about 20 ping pong balls in two different colors and a trash can. If you only have one color ball, then mark ten balls differently than the other ten. To set the stage for the game, place the can in the middle of an open area with floors conducive to bouncing ping pong balls, and be sure to avoid carpet.
Next, ask two members of opposing teams to stand eight feet away from the trash can. Then, both players shoot the balls at the trash can. Whichever team manages to get the most ping pong balls into the trash can wins.
Note: if the trash can is shallow, then pad the bottom of the can with something soft like a towel. Ping pong balls could bounce out of the trash can if it is not deep enough.
10. Broom Golf
For this Olympic event, you will need a broom, a ball, and a cup or container bigger than the ball. The larger the ball, the more hilarious the game will be.
To play golf in your office Olympic games, tape a line on the floor as a starting point. Place the hole about ten yards away. If you choose to use an actual golf ball, then a drinking cup will work as a hole. However, you could also opt for a soccer ball and use a five-gallon bucket for the hole.
To do this event, have your teams take turns putting for the hole. The player who gets the ball in the hole in the least strokes wins.
To make this event more challenging, start the players farther away and label the hole with a par number. Then, have multiple players from every team play a round and add up or average the scores to find the winning team.
11. Foam Blaster Biathlon
The biathlon is a lesser-known Olympic event perfect for your office Olympics. This activity does require advanced preparation.
Each team will need a foam blaster gun as well as a target. A cluttered area will work better as an event course. The course should include a central area with a shooting range set up. The shooting range will be a target about 10 to 15 feet away from a line on the floor. Next, you must have a track for the competitors to run or speed walk through.
The aim of biathlon is to get through the course as fast as possible while shooting as accurately as possible. When a competitor misses a shot in the actual Olympics, they have to do a penalty lap. For office Olympics, have team members do penalty jumping jacks, push-ups, or spin in circles.
The participant who completes the course the fastest wins.
12. Office Steeplechase
The steeplechase gets its name from the horse race that originated in Great Britain. Racers must complete a long race, typically 2,000 or 3,000 meters, with various barriers. The competitors even cross water barriers.
While you cannot create water pits in your office, you can combine the steeplechase with race walking, another Olympic event.
The course for this event could span your entire office area. Consider using common areas, meeting rooms, bathrooms, stairs, reception, and the parking lot. The idea is to have a long course that participants complete.
Be sure to set up several barriers with boxes or chairs that competitors have to get through. To minimize potential injuries, speed walk. Without running, the race should not get out of hand and result in injury.
Watching adults speed walk their way through an obstacle course of office supplies is a good time for all. This event also accommodates a larger number of participants.
The teammate who finishes the race the fastest wins the game.
Conclusion
No matter your budget and space, pulling together event ideas for office Olympics is possible. The games will help your team have fun and build deeper relationships with each other.
Casual and fun events like office Olympics are opportunities for workers to shake up the normal office routine. A little prep work ahead of time and a good attitude from the participants goes a long way in pulling off a successful event.
A few pointers for organizing office Olympics:
- Consider the age and ability of participants when dividing them into groups. Let each team pick a country to represent, or allow the groups to choose a name.
- Create a scoreboard that everyone can follow. Update the board throughout the games with the medal count.
- Ensure you have a large, open space where there is space for all the events. Plan a day far enough in advance to allow members to clear their schedules.
- Plan an entertaining opening and closing ceremony.
The more you put into the organization, the more your team will get out of it.
For more office fun, check out this list of company retreat ideas and this collection of executive team building ideas.
