A recent report concluded that up to 95% of marketers consider webinars important to their overall strategy. Despite this massive popularity, most webinars have an attendance rate of around 40% to 50%. For the audience, sometimes, the virtual networking experience can feel a bit, well, flat. 

Around 50% of B2B marketers host 20 to 30 events each year, so it’s more important than ever to keep attendees engaged and make networking both fun and effective. That’s where networking games come in. According to some estimates, roughly 60% of organizers use games to keep events fun and interactive. 

You could host any kind of event, like a business conference or a casual networking mixer. But if you add a few interactive games to any of these events, it can completely transform the experience. 

So, how do you spark meaningful connections in the virtual world? Here are some fun and engaging networking game ideas that will leave your attendees talking—and networking—long after the event is over.

Why do we need games at virtual events? 

Games are like the LeBron of virtual events. Without them, the show may turn into an unexciting field goal. Here’s a list of reasons why we need games at virtual events. Take a look! 

1. Hosting a game spree at virtual events promotes networking.
2. It encourages team-building effort and fosters healthy competition.
3. It is easier to create memorable online experiences for global audiences.
4. Games help in breaking the “webinar” fatigue at virtual events. 

Organizing games helps organizers reduce the attendee drop-off rate.

Read and Learn: How to Add Energy, Impact, and Results at Every Stage of Your Webinar

What are some of the fun virtual games played at events?

Here’s a look at 16 virtual event games, categorized into four segments.

Online mystery games for virtual events

Looking for some fun virtual event ideas? Mystery games should top that list. These games can be played in groups of 4-10 and are a great way to beat the dullness monster at career fairs, training workshops, trade shows, and corporate meetings.

1. Escape room - Digital escape rooms require players to work in groups to solve a mystery and find their way out of a room.

2. Emoji riddles - Emoji riddles are a fun take on traditional riddle challenges. Each player has to guess what the riddle is through a succession of emojis.

3. Game of things - All players pick a card with incomplete statements, write a witty answer to complete the statement, and throw it in a (virtual) jar. One by one, players guess the answer by picking up the cards. The player with the maximum correct guesses wins the game.

4. Scavenger hunt - In this game, players/teams have to seek items from a given list. The first player/team to complete the list by finding all the missing pieces wins the game. 

Hubilo Treats: Here are some kick-ass engagement ideas for virtual and hybrid events that you can capitalize on, in your next event!

Trivia night at virtual events

Trivia games are virtual event ideas that work best at training workshops, internal sales kickoff events, or special events. Groups of 4-6 can play these games.

5. Skribble - It's a multiplayer drawing and guessing game that can be played in a shared game room. The groups can go to the website, create a room, and share their screen to enjoy the most out of the game.

6. Would you rather? - Would you rather is a great game for breaking the ice and starting conversations. Each player gets a card that has situations written on it with two possible outcomes. The player has to pick one of the two possible outcomes on the card.

7. Two truths and a lie - This, again, is a great ice-breaker game. As the name suggests, each player has to write two truths and one lie about himself/herself and read them out to other players. The player calling out the most bluffs wins.

8. Quizbreaker - This is a multiplayer game played in groups. Before the game starts, each player answers certain predefined questions about themselves. As the game starts, players have to guess which situation best describes their teammates.

Quick tip - If the game is not being played between a known group of people, then questions should be chosen carefully to be neutral. This way, you can avoid the risk of offending attendees unintentionally.

Easy-to-organize virtual games

These games are played in groups of 5-7. They are best suited for corporate-style events such as conferences, kick-offs, meetups, and networking events. Games like the ones listed below, foster healthy competition and encourage networking at your event.

9. Digital poker - Similar to how in-person poker is played, this is a multi-player card game where players wager cards to win a game. It is a deck variation game where cards are distributed amongst the players to place a bet according to the game rankings. 

10. UNO - UNO is like a childhood sweetheart for most. It requires players to match cards' base color or value and the first player to finish all dealt cards wins.

11. Bingo - In this game, players have to match the numbers printed on a card as the host draws numbers at random. The one who matches the numbers the quickest wins the game.

Hubilo Treats: In collaboration with Drag Taste we organized this game at one of our recent events - Events. Reimagined. Find out 10 more things we did to drive engagement at this event.

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12. Digital slot machines - A slot machine is one where the player inserts a coin and spins the wheel to get a successful pair of three items. Organizers could gamify this experience by providing certain specific attendees exclusive access to this slot machine. How you decide on exclusivity is your choice.

13. Spin the wheel - Much like the slot machine, spin the wheel is a game where a player gets to spin a wheel on the screen to earn rewards. The rewards are subjective to the game and the organizer. Hosts or guest speakers can play this game in between the sessions to reward the attendees with special prizes.

Virtual board games

These games can be played in groups of 2-4. They can be played at community events, fundraisers, chapter meetings, or virtual reunions.

14. Catan digital - This is a multiplayer game where participants take the roles of settlers of different holdings. Each settler has to trade and acquire resources to build the holdings through strategic planning and negotiation skills.

15. Pin me on a map - Organizers can create whiteboards with an outline of the world map and allow attendees to mark where they are attending the event from. The markings can be in different colors to create a colorful world map of active participants of the event.

16. Chess - Chess needs no explanation. It is played on a board of 64 black and white squares, and the winner takes away the opponent's queen.

Advanced Networking Games and Activities 

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a timeless way to get people moving and thinking. When adapted to the virtual world, they become an exciting way to engage participants in a fun, collaborative environment.

• Engage participants with a series of tasks: Start by creating a list of items or challenges like finding something around their house, answering trivia questions, or sharing a fun fact about themselves in the chat. The participants need to find that item or complete a particular challenge within a specific time frame.
• Incorporate a mix of general and platform-specific challenges: Mix up general tasks like “find a blue object” with platform-specific tasks like “send a message in the chat with your favorite event takeaway.” You're ultimately creating interaction between participants.
• Foster team building and friendly competition: Divide participants into teams and let them work together to complete the tasks. Not only does this create a competitive edge, but it also encourages communication and collaboration.

Hubilo makes hosting virtual events seamless with its interactive platform features, where participants can easily navigate between tasks, post answers, and chat with their teams.

Word Cloud Poll

A word cloud poll is a perfect icebreaker if you want to kick off your event with something light and engaging. It's simple, visually dynamic, and encourages participants to think about what’s on their minds.

• Participants submit words to form a collaborative word cloud: Start with a central question or theme, like “What’s the one word that describes your goal for today?” or “What’s the most exciting trend in your industry right now?” Let attendees submit their responses, and watch the word cloud grow as more people contribute.
• Encourage discussion on shared interests and insights: Once the word cloud forms, ask participants to explore common themes and dive into a discussion. For example, if “innovation” or “collaboration” comes up a lot, use that as a starting point to spark a conversation among your attendees.
• Utilize as an initial icebreaker: Not only does this game get people talking, but it also helps you gauge your audience's general mood and interests right off the bat.

Make Networking Fun & Engaging! 🎲

Transform your virtual event with Hubilo's interactive networking games. Try it out today and create unforgettable experiences!

Conversation Roulette

If you want to switch up the usual networking setup and make it spontaneous, Conversation Roulette is the way to go. 

• Spin a virtual wheel to select conversation topics: Use a virtual wheel (you can easily integrate this into your event platform) to randomly select different discussion topics. These can range from lighthearted questions like, “What’s your go-to karaoke song?” to more professional topics like “What’s your biggest career challenge right now?”
• Include diverse topics for personal and professional exploration: Make sure the topics are diverse, so people can connect on both personal and professional levels. This way, you break the ice but also create space for deep, meaningful conversations.
• Facilitate engaging and dynamic discussions: The element of surprise makes the conversation dynamic. You never know what topic you'll get next, and this keeps participants engaged throughout the event.

Virtual Quizzes

Everyone loves a good quiz, especially when there’s something to learn—and maybe even a prize on the line.

• Organize segmented groups to answer event-related questions: Create a quiz based on your event’s theme or industry. For example, if you're hosting a tech conference, ask questions about emerging tech trends or popular industry tools. It’s a fun way for participants to test their knowledge and learn something new in the process.
• Encourage attention and active participation: Quizzes keep attendees focused and constantly engaged with the content. Plus, it’s a great way to measure how much people absorb during the event.
• Include questions relevant to the industry or event theme: This makes the quiz entertaining and informative. It’s a great way to ensure attendees stay on topic and gain valuable insights from the event.

Check out these exciting engagement ideas for virtual and hybrid events that you can use to elevate your next event!

Speed Networking

Speed networking is the ultimate way to break the ice and ensure that everyone makes valuable connections in a short amount of time.

• Conduct short, timed networking sessions: Set up short, timed sessions where participants are randomly matched with one another for quick introductions. Typically, each session lasts about 3-5 minutes, allowing just enough time to make a meaningful first impression.
• Use AI matchmaking to form diverse small groups: Instead of relying on the traditional “meet people at random” method, Hubilo uses AI-driven matchmaking to pair attendees based on shared interests, expertise, or event goals. This ensures that connections are relevant and productive right from the start.
• Build connections quickly in a fast-paced setting: Speed networking is all about efficiency and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to meet. The time limit keeps things moving and prevents anyone from feeling like they’ve been stuck in one conversation for too long.

Hubilo makes speed networking simple by automatically pairing attendees and even integrating AI matchmaking based on personalized profiles, making it a breeze to keep the momentum going.

Ready to level up your next virtual event? Try out Hubilo’s for seamless integration of these networking games, and give your attendees the kind of interactive experience they won’t forget! Book a free demo!

Spin the Wheel and Answer

Here’s a game that combines spontaneity with a bit of fun: Spin the Wheel and Answer. It’s easy to implement and will keep the energy high throughout your virtual event.

• Create a virtual spin wheel with varied topics and prompts: Use a tool or platform like Hubilo to set up a virtual “spin the wheel.” Each segment on the wheel represents a different topic or prompt, like “Share a fun fact about yourself,” “Tell us your biggest career goal,” or “Describe your dream project.” When the wheel spins, attendees get a prompt to answer, sparking candid conversations.
• Encourage sharing of thoughts and personal stories: Your goal is to get people to open up in a way they wouldn’t in a typical networking situation. Whether it’s a funny story or a professional goal, the diverse prompts help attendees connect personally—breaking down barriers and fostering authentic connections.
• Promote openness and candid conversations: The game creates a casual atmosphere as the wheel spins and more participants share their experiences. Attendees feel more comfortable talking openly, and it can be fun to see the wide variety of answers.

Weave A Story

If you want to really get creative and spark collaboration, a group storytelling activity can be a great option. Weave A Story is perfect for virtual networking because it’s all about creativity, communication, and teamwork.

• Collaborate in groups to create a story using assigned words: Divide your attendees into smaller teams, and give each group a set of random words or phrases they need to incorporate into a short story. The best part? Each team member can add their own spin, building the story in real-time. By the end, you’ll have a wild and fun narrative reflecting the room's diverse minds.
• Encourage creativity and teamwork: The game perfectly balances light-hearted fun and creative problem-solving. Participants must collaborate to make the story come together while thinking outside the box to incorporate their assigned words uniquely.
• Facilitate communication and unified storytelling: This activity helps strengthen communication skills, as participants must work together to make the story flow. It’s also a great way to build rapport and deepen connections among team members—since they must rely on each other’s ideas and input to make the story cohesive.

Hubilo makes it easy to break participants into smaller groups and share content in real-time, creating a seamless experience for all involved in the storytelling game. This is a great option for events where you want to spark creativity and have fun while networking.

Additional Ideas to Keep the Networking Flowing

We’ve already covered some of the most engaging and popular networking activities. But there are a few more games that can keep the energy up and the connections strong at your event.

• Polls & Surveys: Incorporate live polls or surveys throughout your event. You can gather feedback, create interactive discussions, and keep attendees engaged. You can ask anything from "Which speaker has been your favorite so far?" to more lighthearted questions like "What’s your go-to work snack?" These real-time interactions help attendees feel heard and engaged while giving them a platform to share their thoughts.
• Breakout Rooms: Sometimes, all it takes is a smaller group to really open up and get talking. Use breakout rooms to divide attendees into smaller, more intimate groups where they can engage in focused discussions or networking. You can rotate groups throughout the event to ensure everyone meets and interacts with different people.
• Virtual Happy Hour: If your event runs over a few hours or days, don’t forget to schedule a relaxed, social time where participants can unwind and chat in a casual setting. It can be either a “virtual happy hour” or just a casual networking time. Having a space for informal conversation can make all the difference in helping attendees build stronger relationships.

When to Play Games at Virtual Events

1. In-between sessions - Shorter format games played in between sessions help kill boredom. They also keep the audience hooked to the event, and reduce the drop-off rate.
2. During networking hours - Games are the best icebreakers for people meeting each other for the first time at events. To get the conversation flowing it’s best to organize games just before the event starts, during the networking break, and after your main sessions have ended.
3. With speakers at the end of the session - This is a concept that every event prof must explore. The host of a session can play a game with the speaker at the end of the session. People love to watch game shows, why not recreate one at your next virtual event with your speakers?

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Virtual Game Best Practices to Follow

What good would Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. do if no one taught him how to read? To be able to create experiences as impactful as Dr. King’s speeches, follow these seven easy ways to host virtual games at virtual to maximize participation: 

• Ask people to register for games at the registration desk.
• Match-make them and put them in groups. 
• Inform the groups about pairing via emails. 
• Enable mobile gaming via the virtual event platform’s mobile app
• Put the rules of games on the respective game pages at the event reception
• Enable video and audio features for attendees to have fun and talk during the game.
• Encourage participation with the promise of reward.
• Track audience engagement metrics derived from playing the games.

Frequently asked questions

• What type of events are suitable for interactive games?
  Interactive games can be incorporated into a wide range of online events, such as conferences, trade shows, virtual meetings, webinars, and product launches.
• How can interactive games benefit my online event?
  Interactive games can boost attendee engagement, promote networking, increase brand awareness, and create a more memorable experience for attendees.
• What are some examples of interactive games for online events?
  Some examples of interactive games for online events include trivia games, virtual escape rooms, scavenger hunts, multiplayer games, and online polls.
• Do I need any special equipment or software to incorporate interactive games into my online event?
  You can use a variety of software tools and platforms to incorporate interactive games into your online event, such as Kahoot, Quizizz, Mentimeter, and Hubilo.
• How can I ensure that interactive games are accessible to all attendees?
  You can ensure that interactive games are accessible to all attendees by providing clear instructions, simple and intuitive interfaces, and alternative formats or accommodations for attendees with disabilities.
• How can I measure the success of interactive games at my online event?
  You can measure the success of interactive games at your online event by tracking metrics such as attendee engagement, participation rates, and feedback from attendees.

Take-home message

Virtual networking doesn’t have to be dull or uninspiring. Interactive networking games like scavenger hunts, word clouds, and speed networking keep your attendees engaged and help them make meaningful, lasting connections.

These games offer something more than just fun—they foster collaboration and spark creativity. Simultaneously, they break down the barriers that sometimes exist in virtual spaces. 

Whether you’re trying to strengthen team dynamics, encourage new partnerships, or just get people talking, these activities provide a fantastic way to achieve your goals.

With Hubilo, you can integrate these networking games and create an unforgettable experience. The platform’s intuitive tools and AI-powered matchmaking make it easy to connect people, track progress, and engage participants with minimal hassle.

Want to make your next virtual event stand out?  

Request a demo from Hubilo!