50 christmas team building activities for work: free, fun and inclusive ideas

It's that time of year again.

The Christmas decorations are appearing, someone's started playing festive music in October, and the annual question has landed in the team chat:

"What are we doing for the Christmas social this year?"

For some workplaces, the answer is a meal, a few drinks and a Secret Santa exchange.

For others, organising a Christmas celebration can be surprisingly complicated.

You've got colleagues who love a competitive quiz, others who would rather have a quiet conversation, remote employees who can't attend in person, and a budget that probably won't stretch to hiring an entire winter wonderland.

The good news?

You don't need an expensive event to organise enjoyable Christmas team building activities at work.

Some of the best activities cost absolutely nothing. Others require only a few sheets of paper, a little creativity and colleagues willing to get involved.

Whether you're organising a Christmas gathering for five employees, a department of fifty or an international team working remotely, we've put together 50 Christmas team building ideas to help you celebrate the end of the year.

You'll find office games, quizzes, creative challenges, activities for small and large teams, remote-friendly ideas and meaningful ways to recognise colleagues' contributions.

We'll also explain how to choose activities that are accessible, inclusive and enjoyable without making participation feel compulsory.

And if you'd prefer something ready to use, WorkplaceHero has created a free Christmas Social Pack with festive quiz questions, illustrated film clues, answer sheets and mingle bingo.

Explore our free Christmas Social Pack

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Why organise christmas team building activities?

Christmas team building activities aren't just about filling time at the end-of-year party.

They can create opportunities for colleagues to interact outside their usual responsibilities, recognise one another's contributions and celebrate shared achievements.

When thoughtfully planned, festive activities can:

• Encourage connection: Help colleagues from different departments get to know one another.
• Support collaboration: Give teams opportunities to solve problems or complete challenges together.
• Recognise achievements: Celebrate the work people have contributed throughout the year.
• Create shared experiences: Provide enjoyable moments beyond day-to-day responsibilities.
• Include remote colleagues: Bring distributed teams together through virtual or flexible activities.
• Offer a low-cost celebration: Create something enjoyable without requiring a substantial budget.

However, it's worth remembering that a Christmas activity is not a substitute for good management, healthy working relationships or meaningful employee recognition throughout the year.

A single quiz won't fix a difficult workplace culture.

And an employee who doesn't want to attend a Christmas party isn't necessarily disengaged.

The best Christmas team building activities complement a positive workplace culture rather than trying to create one in an afternoon.

50 christmas team building activities at a glance

All timings and group sizes are indicative. Adapt activities to your workplace, participants and accessibility requirements.

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Part 1: christmas quizzes and knowledge games

Quizzes are among the easiest Christmas team building activities to organise.

They're relatively inexpensive, can be adapted for different group sizes and allow colleagues to contribute different knowledge and interests.

1. Christmas team quiz

Best for: Small teams, large offices and hybrid groups
Time: 30–45 minutes
Equipment: Questions, answer sheets, pens and optional screen
Cost: Free

A Christmas quiz is a reliable choice for workplace celebrations.

How to organise it

1. Divide colleagues into teams of three to five.
2. Prepare three or four rounds of questions.
3. Include a mixture of Christmas films, general knowledge, music and traditions.
4. Read out each question and allow time for discussion.
5. Collect answers and announce the winning team.

Make it more engaging

Include a picture round or a few questions about your organisation's achievements during the year.

WorkplaceHero shortcut: Our free Christmas Social Pack includes 26 festive quiz questions, illustrated Christmas film clues, host answers and team answer sheets.

Download the free Christmas Social Pack

2. Festive mingle bingo

Best for: Teams where colleagues don't regularly work together
Time: 10–20 minutes
Equipment: Bingo cards and pens
Cost: Free

Festive mingle bingo encourages colleagues to start conversations.

How to play

1. Give each participant a bingo card.
2. Each square contains a prompt.
3. Participants find colleagues who match the prompts.
4. They write the person's name in the square.
5. The first person to complete an agreed pattern wins.

Example prompts:

• Has baked something this month.
• Enjoys winter walks.
• Prefers hot chocolate to coffee.
• Can recommend a festive recipe.
• Has visited somewhere snowy.
• Enjoys a good Christmas film.

Make it more inclusive

Include prompts that aren't exclusively Christmas-related.

Allow seated or digital participation where appropriate.

Our Christmas Social Pack includes two festive mingle bingo cards.

3. Christmas film picture round

Best for: Almost any team size
Time: 10–20 minutes
Equipment: Illustrated clues or images
Cost: Free

Christmas film rounds are popular because they encourage discussion and friendly debate.

How to play

1. Prepare a series of illustrated clues.
2. Display them on screen or provide printed sheets.
3. Ask teams to identify the films.
4. Award one point for each correct answer.

Possible clues include:

• A train travelling through snow.
• A boy alone in a large house.
• A green character with a dislike of Christmas.
• An elf visiting New York.

Make it better

Use a mixture of well-known classics and more recent films.

The WorkplaceHero Christmas Social Pack includes an illustrated film round.

4. Christmas music trivia

Best for: Music-loving teams
Time: 15–20 minutes
Equipment: Questions and optional audio
Cost: Free

A festive music round can bring together colleagues with different musical tastes.

How to play

Prepare questions about Christmas songs, artists and release dates.

Examples:

Which duo released Last Christmas in 1984?

Answer: Wham!

Who recorded All I Want for Christmas Is You?

Answer: Mariah Carey.

Which band recorded Merry Xmas Everybody?

Answer: Slade.

Make it more inclusive

Mix music from different decades and include questions that don't depend on hearing audio clips.

If playing recordings, check any relevant music licensing requirements.

5. Christmas around the world quiz

Best for: Multicultural and international teams
Time: 15–20 minutes
Equipment: Prepared questions
Cost: Free

Explore Christmas and winter traditions from different countries.

How to play

1. Prepare ten questions about seasonal traditions.
2. Divide participants into teams.
3. Read out the questions.
4. Reveal the answers with a short explanation.

Make it better

Use verified facts and avoid presenting any culture as having only one way of celebrating.

Invite colleagues to share personal experiences if they wish, but don't expect anyone to represent an entire culture or religion.

6. Christmas true or false

Best for: Any team size
Time: 10–15 minutes
Equipment: Prepared statements
Cost: Free

A quick activity that works well as an icebreaker.

How to play

1. Prepare ten festive statements.
2. Ask teams to decide whether each is true or false.
3. Reveal the answers after each question or at the end.

Example:

"The film Home Alone was released in 1990."

Answer: True.

Make it better

Include surprising but verifiable facts.

Avoid statements where the answer depends on interpretation.

7. Festive emoji challenge

Best for: Office and remote teams
Time: 10–15 minutes
Equipment: Emoji clues
Cost: Free

Can colleagues identify Christmas films using only emojis?

How to play

Share ten emoji combinations and ask teams to guess the titles.

Examples:

🏠 👦 🪤 — Home Alone

🚂 ❄️ 🔔 — The Polar Express

🟢 🎄 🎁 — The Grinch

🧝 🎅 🍝 — Elf

Make it better

Ask teams to invent their own clues.

Provide text descriptions or equivalent clues for participants who may find emoji-based puzzles inaccessible.

8. Christmas word scramble

Best for: Small and large groups
Time: 10–15 minutes
Equipment: Word lists and pens
Cost: Free

A simple festive word puzzle.

How to play

Give teams a list of scrambled words and ask them to solve as many as possible.

Examples:

Make it better

Include a bonus phrase for teams that finish early.

9. Festive alphabet race

Best for: Small and medium-sized teams
Time: 10–15 minutes
Equipment: Paper and pens
Cost: Free

A quick word challenge.

How to play

1. Give teams the letters A to Z.
2. Ask them to write a Christmas or winter-themed word for each letter.
3. Set a time limit.
4. Award points for valid answers.

Examples:

• A — Advent.
• B — Bauble.
• C — Carol.
• D — Decoration.
• E — Elf.
• F — Festive.

Make it better

Allow broader winter-themed words so the challenge is accessible to more participants.

10. Workplace Year-in-Review quiz

Best for: Teams celebrating shared achievements
Time: 15–25 minutes
Equipment: Questions about organisational milestones
Cost: Free

This activity combines festive entertainment with recognition.

How to play

Prepare questions about the organisation's achievements during the year.

Examples:

• Which month did we launch our new service?
• How many new colleagues joined this year?
• Which project reached a major milestone?
• What was our most popular team activity?

Make it better

Use accurate information and include a short explanation celebrating the people behind each achievement.

Avoid questions that expose private employee information or embarrass individuals.

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Part 2: creative christmas team challenges

Creative activities can be particularly effective for teams that prefer doing something together rather than answering questions.

They encourage communication, problem-solving and collaboration.

11. Christmas charades

Best for: Small and medium-sized teams
Time: 15–25 minutes
Equipment: Prepared prompts
Cost: Free

A classic workplace party game.

How to play

1. Divide participants into teams.
2. One volunteer chooses a festive prompt.
3. They act it out without speaking.
4. Their team guesses the answer.
5. Award points for correct guesses.

Possible prompts:

• Decorating a Christmas tree.
• Wrapping an awkward present.
• Building a snowman.
• Untangling Christmas lights.
• Carrying too many shopping bags.

Make it more inclusive

Allow participants to choose whether they want to act, guess or keep score.

12. Festive pictionary

Best for: Creative teams
Time: 15–25 minutes
Equipment: Whiteboard or paper
Cost: Free

A drawing challenge that can be adapted for office or remote participation.

How to play

1. Prepare a list of festive words.
2. Divide colleagues into teams.
3. One participant draws the chosen word.
4. Their team guesses the answer.

Possible prompts:

• Reindeer.
• Snow globe.
• Christmas pudding.
• Gingerbread house.
• Sleigh.
• Stocking.

Make it better

Use a shared digital whiteboard for remote colleagues.

13. Paper christmas tree challenge

Best for: Teams of four to forty
Time: 15–20 minutes
Equipment: Paper and tape
Cost: Low

A simple construction challenge.

How to play

1. Divide participants into small teams.
2. Give every team the same materials.
3. Challenge them to build the tallest freestanding Christmas tree.
4. Allow ten minutes for construction.
5. Measure the finished trees.

Make it better

Include awards for creativity and sustainability.

Offer alternative roles or tasks for colleagues who may find fine-motor activities difficult.

14. Gift wrapping challenge

Best for: Small and medium-sized teams
Time: 15–20 minutes
Equipment: Reusable boxes, paper and tape
Cost: Low

An entertaining challenge that can produce some wonderfully questionable results.

How to play

1. Give each team an identical object.
2. Provide equal amounts of wrapping materials.
3. Set a time limit.
4. Judge the results.

Possible categories:

• Neatest wrapping.
• Most creative design.
• Best use of materials.
• Most sustainable wrapping.

Make it better

Use recycled paper or reusable fabric wrapping.

15. Christmas drawing relay

Best for: Teams of six or more
Time: 15–20 minutes
Equipment: Paper and pens
Cost: Free

A collaborative drawing game.

How to play

1. Give the first participant a festive phrase.
2. They draw it without using words.
3. The next participant writes what they think it represents.
4. The following participant draws that description.
5. Continue alternating between writing and drawing.
6. Reveal the final result.

Suggested phrase:

"Santa trying to assemble flat-pack furniture."

Make it better

Keep the prompts light-hearted and workplace-appropriate.

16. Festive storytelling challenge

Best for: Creative teams
Time: 15–20 minutes
Equipment: Paper or digital documents
Cost: Free

A short collaborative writing activity.

How to play

1. Divide participants into groups.
2. Give every team the same opening sentence.
3. Ask them to write a short story.
4. Set a word limit of 100–150 words.
5. Invite volunteers to share their stories.

Suggested opening:

"It was the last working day before Christmas when a mysterious parcel arrived at reception..."

Make it better

Give each team three random words they must include.

17. Christmas scavenger hunt

Best for: Office-based teams
Time: 15–25 minutes
Equipment: A list of clues
Cost: Free

A scavenger hunt adds movement and problem-solving to the celebration.

How to play

1. Divide colleagues into teams.
2. Give each team a list of objects or clues.
3. Ask teams to identify the items.
4. Award points for correct answers.

Possible prompts:

• Something red.
• Something reusable.
• Something shaped like a star.
• Something associated with winter.
• Something beginning with S.

Make it more inclusive

Allow participants to photograph or describe items rather than physically collecting them.

Avoid inaccessible areas and activities that interfere with colleagues who are working.

18. Festive desk decoration challenge

Best for: Office and remote teams
Time: Flexible
Equipment: Existing decorations or recycled materials
Cost: Free–low

Invite colleagues to decorate a small part of their workspace.

How to organise it

1. Announce an optional challenge.
2. Agree a theme.
3. Set a date for submissions.
4. Invite photographs with permission.
5. Celebrate creative entries.

Make it better

Avoid judging based on how much money someone has spent.

Allow winter-themed alternatives.

19. Christmas card design challenge

Best for: Creative teams
Time: 20–30 minutes
Equipment: Paper, pens or digital design tools
Cost: Low

A simple creative activity.

How to play

1. Divide colleagues into small teams.
2. Ask each team to design a festive greeting card.
3. Set a time limit.
4. Display the finished designs.

Possible categories:

• Most creative.
• Most humorous.
• Most sustainable.
• Best teamwork.

Make it better

Consider using the winning design for an internal team greeting, with the creators' permission.

20. Recycled decoration challenge

Best for: Teams interested in sustainability
Time: 20–30 minutes
Equipment: Clean recycled materials and basic craft supplies
Cost: Low

Challenge teams to create a decoration using materials that would otherwise be discarded.

How to play

1. Provide suitable recycled materials.
2. Divide colleagues into teams.
3. Ask each team to design a decoration.
4. Set a construction period.
5. Display the results.

Make it better

Award recognition for creativity and thoughtful use of materials.

Avoid sharp or unsafe objects.

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Part 3: gift exchanges and appreciation activities

Not every Christmas team building activity needs to involve competition.

Some of the most meaningful activities focus on recognising colleagues, sharing interests and expressing appreciation.

21. Secret santa gift exchange

Best for: Teams who enjoy gift exchanges
Time: 15–30 minutes
Equipment: Gifts and a name-drawing process
Cost: Budget-dependent

Secret Santa is a familiar workplace Christmas tradition.

How to organise it

1. Invite colleagues to opt in.
2. Agree a modest budget.
3. Draw names fairly.
4. Collect optional gift preferences.
5. Set an exchange date.
6. Enjoy the gift exchange.

Make it more inclusive

Keep participation voluntary and avoid pressure to spend the full budget.

For inspiration, see 75 Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Work Under £5, £10 and £20.

22. Handmade gift exchange

Best for: Creative teams
Time: Flexible
Cost: Low

A handmade gift exchange can be a thoughtful alternative to buying presents.

How to organise it

Invite participants to create a small gift.

Ideas include:

• Homemade biscuits.
• A bookmark.
• A simple decoration.
• A handwritten card.
• A small craft item.

Make it better

Agree a realistic time and cost limit.

Remember that handmade gifts can require more time and effort than purchased ones.

23. Christmas book swap

Best for: Teams who enjoy reading
Time: 15–20 minutes
Cost: Free–low

A book swap can be a simple, sustainable alternative to Secret Santa.

How to organise it

1. Invite colleagues to bring a suitable book.
2. Allow new or good-quality pre-loved books.
3. Place the books on a table.
4. Let participants choose a book using an agreed method.

Make it better

Allow different genres and avoid requiring people to buy new books.

24. Festive recipe exchange

Best for: Food-loving teams
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

Invite colleagues to share favourite festive or winter recipes.

How to organise it

1. Ask for voluntary submissions.
2. Collect recipes in a shared document.
3. Include ingredients and instructions.
4. Share the finished collection.

Make it better

Encourage vegetarian, vegan and culturally varied recipes.

Don't assume everyone celebrates Christmas.

25. Christmas kindness challenge

Best for: Any team size
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

A kindness challenge encourages small acts of support and appreciation.

Ideas

• Thank someone who helped you.
• Share a useful resource.
• Offer support to a colleague.
• Recognise someone's contribution.
• Help someone learn a new skill.

Make it better

Avoid turning kindness into a competition.

The aim is genuine appreciation.

26. Charity gift alternative

Best for: Teams interested in charitable giving
Time: Flexible
Cost: Optional

Instead of exchanging gifts, colleagues can choose to support a charitable cause.

How to organise it

1. Ask whether colleagues would be interested.
2. Agree an appropriate charity or selection process.
3. Make donations entirely voluntary.
4. Share the outcome if appropriate.

Make it better

Consider non-financial alternatives, such as volunteering or sharing information about local causes.

Don't pressure employees to disclose whether or how much they've donated.

27. Festive appreciation cards

Best for: Any team size
Time: 10–20 minutes
Equipment: Cards or digital messages
Cost: Free

A simple appreciation activity can be surprisingly meaningful.

How to organise it

Invite colleagues to write a short message thanking someone for a specific contribution.

Example:

"Thank you for helping me settle into the team this year. Your patience and support made a real difference."

Make it better

Encourage specific examples rather than generic praise.

Allow private messages.

28. Christmas gratitude wall

Best for: Office and remote teams
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

Create a shared space where colleagues can recognise positive moments from the year.

How to organise it

Use a physical noticeboard or digital platform.

Invite colleagues to share:

• Something they're proud of.
• Someone they want to thank.
• A positive team memory.
• A challenge the team overcame.
• A lesson learned.

Make it better

Keep contributions voluntary and moderate public posts appropriately.

29. End-of-Year team awards

Best for: Any team size
Time: 15–30 minutes
Cost: Free–low

Celebrate meaningful achievements and contributions.

Suggested categories

• Collaboration Champion.
• Creative Problem-Solving.
• Outstanding Team Support.
• Commitment to Learning.
• Customer Service Excellence.
• Behind-the-Scenes Contribution.

Make it better

Explain why each contribution matters.

Avoid embarrassing or negative award categories.

30. Team achievements timeline

Best for: Teams reflecting on the year
Time: 20–30 minutes
Equipment: Whiteboard or digital board
Cost: Free

Create a visual timeline of the team's achievements.

How to organise it

1. Draw a timeline covering January to December.
2. Invite colleagues to add important milestones.
3. Include projects, improvements and learning achievements.
4. Discuss the progress made.

Make it better

Recognise contributions from different departments and remote colleagues.

This can also create a useful starting point for future planning.

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Part 4: remote and hybrid christmas team building

Remote teams deserve more than a last-minute invitation to watch the office party through a laptop.

These activities are designed for colleagues working across different locations.

31. Virtual christmas quiz

Best for: Remote and hybrid teams
Time: 30–45 minutes
Equipment: Video conferencing and quiz questions
Cost: Free

A virtual Christmas quiz can bring distributed colleagues together.

How to organise it

1. Schedule a suitable time.
2. Share questions on screen.
3. Allow participants to submit answers digitally.
4. Keep scoring consistent.
5. Announce the results.

Make it better

Display questions in writing as well as reading them aloud.

Use accessible answer submission methods.

32. Virtual festive bingo

Best for: Remote teams
Time: 15–25 minutes
Equipment: Digital bingo cards
Cost: Free

A simple activity that works well online.

How to play

1. Share bingo cards.
2. Read out clues or festive words.
3. Participants mark their cards.
4. The first person to complete an agreed pattern wins.

Make it better

Provide printable alternatives and clear instructions.

33. Remote christmas scavenger hunt

Best for: Small remote teams
Time: 10–20 minutes
Cost: Free

Invite colleagues to identify objects matching simple prompts.

Examples:

• Something red.
• Something reusable.
• Something that reminds you of winter.
• Something beginning with S.
• Something that makes you smile.

Make it better

Allow descriptions instead of requiring participants to show their homes on camera.

34. Virtual festive coffee break

Best for: Small teams
Time: 15–30 minutes
Cost: Free

Sometimes a relaxed conversation is all that's needed.

How to organise it

1. Schedule a short optional video call.
2. Invite colleagues to bring a preferred drink.
3. Provide a few light-hearted conversation prompts.
4. Allow informal discussion.

Make it better

Avoid turning the gathering into another operational meeting.

35. Digital christmas appreciation board

Best for: Distributed teams
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

Create a shared digital board where colleagues can recognise one another.

How to organise it

Invite employees to post messages thanking colleagues for their contributions.

Make it better

Include remote and behind-the-scenes employees.

Allow private submissions where appropriate.

36. Remote festive photo challenge

Best for: International and remote teams
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

Invite colleagues to share an original photograph based on a seasonal theme.

Possible themes:

• Winter from my window.
• My favourite hot drink.
• Something red.
• A cosy moment.
• A favourite seasonal tradition.

Make it better

Avoid requiring photographs of homes, family members or private spaces.

37. Collaborative christmas playlist

Best for: Music-loving teams
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

Invite colleagues to contribute favourite festive or feel-good songs to a shared playlist.

How to organise it

1. Choose a suitable music platform.
2. Invite voluntary suggestions.
3. Agree simple content guidelines.
4. Share the finished playlist.

Make it better

Allow broader seasonal music so everyone can contribute.

38. Virtual christmas escape challenge

Best for: Small remote teams
Time: 20–40 minutes
Cost: Free–low

A collaborative puzzle-solving activity.

How to organise it

Create a short scenario:

"The office Christmas party invitations have disappeared. Your team must solve five puzzles to recover them."

Use:

• Anagrams.
• Logic puzzles.
• Picture clues.
• Number sequences.
• Simple codes.

Make it better

Provide hints and avoid overly strict time limits.

39. Online festive pictionary

Best for: Small remote teams
Time: 15–25 minutes
Equipment: Shared digital whiteboard
Cost: Free

A virtual drawing game.

How to play

1. Divide participants into teams.
2. Give one player a festive prompt.
3. They draw it using the whiteboard.
4. Their team guesses the answer.

Make it better

Allow alternative roles for colleagues who don't want to draw.

40. The 12 days of team appreciation

Best for: Distributed teams
Time: 12 working days
Cost: Free

Instead of organising one large event, run twelve small appreciation activities.

Example schedule

Make it better

Allow employees to contribute when convenient.

Keep all participation voluntary.

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Part 5: quick christmas icebreakers and mini-games

Not every activity needs to last half an hour.

These quick games are useful for team meetings, Christmas lunches or filling a short gap in a celebration.

41. Christmas would you rather?

Best for: Small and medium-sized groups
Time: 10–15 minutes
Cost: Free

Ask colleagues to choose between two festive options.

Examples:

• Would you rather have a snowy Christmas or a sunny Christmas?
• Would you rather wrap 100 presents or decorate 100 trees?
• Would you rather organise the music or the food?
• Would you rather receive one surprise gift or three small presents?

Make it better

Use anonymous polls to allow everyone to participate comfortably.

42. Christmas cracker Joke-Off

Best for: Any team size
Time: 10–15 minutes
Cost: Free

Invite colleagues to submit their best terrible Christmas jokes.

Read them aloud anonymously and vote for a favourite.

Example:

Why did the Christmas tree go to the barber?

Because it needed a trim.

Make it better

Keep jokes workplace-appropriate and avoid humour targeting individuals.

43. Festive team name challenge

Best for: Quiz teams and large groups
Time: 5–10 minutes
Cost: Free

Ask teams to invent a festive name.

Examples:

• The Quizmas Crackers.
• Sleigh What?
• The Snow-It-Alls.
• The Tinsel Thinkers.
• The Silent Knights.
• The Bauble Brains.

Make it better

Offer a small award for the most creative name.

44. Christmas mystery object

Best for: Small groups
Time: 10–15 minutes
Equipment: Safe objects and opaque bags
Cost: Low

Place festive objects inside opaque bags.

Invite participants to identify them using suitable clues.

Possible objects:

• A bauble.
• A ribbon.
• A small bell.
• A pine cone.
• A cookie cutter.

Make it more inclusive

Offer visual or verbal clues as alternatives.

Avoid sharp, fragile or allergenic objects.

45. Festive Quick-Fire questions

Best for: Any team size
Time: 10–15 minutes
Cost: Free

A short quiz round designed to create energy.

How to play

1. Prepare ten accessible questions.
2. Read each question.
3. Allow a short response period.
4. Award points for correct answers.

Make it better

Avoid unnecessarily strict timing that disadvantages some participants.

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Part 6: wellbeing, collaboration and meaningful reflection

Christmas team building doesn't have to be about games.

Some activities can help colleagues reflect, recognise achievements and finish the year positively.

46. Winter wellbeing bingo

Best for: Any team size
Time: Flexible
Cost: Free

Create a bingo card containing simple, optional wellbeing activities.

Examples:

• Take a screen break.
• Enjoy a favourite hot drink.
• Spend time on a hobby.
• Take a proper lunch break.
• Listen to a favourite song.
• Reflect on something positive.
• Connect with someone you enjoy talking to.

Make it more inclusive

Avoid activities that assume everyone has the same health, mobility or personal circumstances.

Don't ask employees to disclose private wellbeing information.

47. Christmas team puzzle challenge

Best for: Small and medium-sized teams
Time: 20–30 minutes
Cost: Free

Create a series of short puzzles that teams must solve together.

Possible puzzles:

• Word scrambles.
• Logic questions.
• Picture clues.
• Number puzzles.
• Festive anagrams.

How to play

1. Divide colleagues into teams.
2. Give each team the same puzzles.
3. Allow time for discussion.
4. Award points for correct answers.

Make it better

Provide hints and avoid making the activity unnecessarily difficult.

48. Festive Mini-Olympics

Best for: Larger teams
Time: 30–60 minutes
Cost: Free–low

Combine several short activities into a festive tournament.

Suggested stations

1. Christmas word scramble.
2. Paper Christmas tree challenge.
3. Christmas trivia.
4. Festive Pictionary.
5. Emoji challenge.

How to organise it

Divide participants into teams and rotate them through the activities.

Use a simple scoring system.

Make it more inclusive

Provide alternatives for activities involving physical movement or fine-motor skills.

49. End-of-Year reflection circle

Best for: Small teams
Time: 15–30 minutes
Cost: Free

A relaxed opportunity to reflect on the year.

How to organise it

Invite colleagues to respond to optional prompts:

• What's something you're proud of?
• What's one thing you learned?
• Who helped you this year?
• What's something the team achieved together?
• What are you looking forward to next year?

Make it better

Allow written responses or the option to pass.

Avoid turning the activity into a formal performance review.

50. Christmas celebration and appreciation hour

Best for: Any team size
Time: 60 minutes
Cost: Free–low

Bring several activities together into one simple celebration.

Example running order

Make it better

Provide refreshments, accessible participation options and opportunities for informal conversation.

If using WorkplaceHero's full Christmas Social Pack, which is designed for approximately 40 minutes, allow extra time or adjust the other activities.

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How to choose the best christmas team building activity

With 50 ideas available, you probably don't need to use them all.

The right choice depends on your team, budget and available time.

Best activities for small teams

If you have fewer than ten employees, consider:

• Christmas charades.
• Festive Pictionary.
• Christmas would you rather.
• Festive storytelling.
• End-of-year reflection.
• Virtual coffee breaks.

These activities encourage conversation and can be organised with minimal equipment.

Best activities for large teams

For 30 or more participants, consider:

• Christmas team quiz.
• Festive mingle bingo.
• Christmas trivia tournament.
• Team achievements timeline.
• Festive mini-Olympics.

Use smaller groups to ensure colleagues have opportunities to contribute.

Best activities for remote teams

For remote or hybrid colleagues, consider:

• Virtual Christmas quizzes.
• Online bingo.
• Emoji challenges.
• Digital appreciation boards.
• Festive photo challenges.
• Collaborative playlists.
• Asynchronous team appreciation.

Read our full guide to 30 Christmas Activities for Remote and Hybrid Teams.

Best free christmas team building activities

If you're working with little or no budget, our favourites are:

• Christmas quizzes.
• Festive bingo.
• Charades.
• Word scrambles.
• Emoji challenges.
• Team appreciation cards.
• Year-in-review activities.
• Digital gratitude walls.

A successful activity doesn't need to be expensive.

How to organise an inclusive christmas team building event

Workplace Christmas celebrations should be enjoyable without creating pressure or discomfort.

Make participation voluntary

Not everyone celebrates Christmas or enjoys group social activities.

Employees should be able to choose whether to participate.

Consider religious and cultural differences

Christmas is widely celebrated, but colleagues may have different traditions and beliefs.

Include broader winter or end-of-year activities where appropriate.

Think about accessibility

Consider:

• Physical access.
• Hearing and visual accessibility.
• Sensory needs.
• Communication preferences.
• Digital accessibility.
• Alternative ways to participate.

Avoid financial pressure

Don't expect employees to purchase costumes, gifts or materials.

Be mindful of alcohol

Choose activities that don't depend on drinking alcohol.

Avoid embarrassing colleagues

Don't use humiliating forfeits, unwanted personal disclosures or jokes targeting individuals.

Include remote and part-time employees

Plan activities around different working patterns and locations.

Keep the atmosphere relaxed

Not everyone wants to compete.

Offer collaborative and conversational activities alongside games.

For more detailed guidance, read How to Organise an Inclusive Office Christmas Party.

A ready-to-use 60-minute christmas team building session

If you're organising a team gathering, here's a simple programme.

This schedule is illustrative.

For the full WorkplaceHero Christmas Social Pack, allow approximately 40 minutes and adjust the schedule accordingly.

How much do christmas team building activities cost?

Christmas team building can be organised at almost any budget.

These are illustrative budgets rather than current supplier quotes.

For larger teams, costs will depend on participant numbers and the type of event.

The most expensive activity isn't necessarily the most enjoyable or inclusive.

Download WorkplaceHero's free christmas social pack

We've created a free printable resource to make workplace Christmas planning easier.

The WorkplaceHero Christmas Social Pack includes:

• 26 Christmas quiz questions across three rounds.
• Illustrated Christmas film clues.
• Host answers.
• Team answer sheets.
• Two festive mingle bingo cards.
• Instructions for running the activities.

The pack is designed for approximately 40 minutes of festive entertainment.

It's suitable for office gatherings, team lunches and end-of-year celebrations, and can be adapted for remote or hybrid participation.

Your christmas social, sorted

You don't need to spend hours preparing questions, designing answer sheets or inventing icebreakers.

Start with our free pack and adapt the activities to suit your colleagues.

Download the free Christmas Social Pack

You can also explore WorkplaceHero's live quizzes for interactive team entertainment.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best christmas team building activities for work?

Popular options include Christmas quizzes, festive bingo, charades, Pictionary, creative challenges, scavenger hunts and team appreciation activities.

What are some free christmas team building activities?

Free activities include Christmas trivia, emoji challenges, word scrambles, festive charades, appreciation cards, gratitude walls and end-of-year reflection exercises.

What christmas activities work for small teams?

Small teams can enjoy Pictionary, charades, storytelling, would-you-rather questions, quizzes and relaxed reflection activities.

What christmas team building activities work for large groups?

Team quizzes, bingo, trivia tournaments and festive mini-Olympics can work well for larger groups.

How do you organise christmas team building for remote employees?

Use virtual quizzes, digital bingo, online Pictionary, appreciation boards, photo challenges and asynchronous activities.

How long should christmas team building activities last?

A short activity might last 10–15 minutes, while a full team celebration could last 60 minutes or longer. Choose a length that suits the participants and purpose.

Are christmas team building activities suitable for hybrid teams?

Yes. Use shared digital materials, accessible audio and common participation methods so office-based and remote colleagues can take part.

How do you make christmas team building inclusive?

Make participation voluntary, consider accessibility, respect cultural and religious differences and avoid activities that create financial or social pressure.

Do christmas team building activities improve teamwork?

They can create opportunities for communication, collaboration and shared enjoyment. However, lasting improvements in teamwork depend on everyday working practices and leadership.

Should christmas team building activities be compulsory?

Social activities are generally better organised voluntarily. Employers should avoid creating unnecessary pressure or disadvantaging employees who cannot attend.

What christmas activities are suitable for adults at work?

Quizzes, creative challenges, puzzles, storytelling activities and appreciation exercises can work well for adult workplace groups.

How many christmas activities should you organise?

For a one-hour event, two to four activities are often enough. Allow time for instructions, transitions and informal conversation.

What are good christmas icebreakers for work?

Festive mingle bingo, would-you-rather questions, emoji challenges and quick-fire trivia are all simple options.

Where can i download free christmas team building resources?

WorkplaceHero offers a free Christmas Social Pack with quiz questions, illustrated film clues, answer sheets and festive bingo.

Get the free Christmas Social Pack

Final thoughts: christmas team building should be enjoyable, not another task

The best Christmas team building activities aren't necessarily the most elaborate.

They're the ones that help colleagues connect, recognise each other's contributions and enjoy themselves.

For some teams, that means a lively Christmas quiz.

For others, it might be a creative challenge, a relaxed coffee break or a simple appreciation activity.

And for remote employees, flexible activities can provide opportunities to participate without another lengthy video meeting.

The goal isn't to make everyone celebrate in exactly the same way. It's to create opportunities for colleagues to feel included, appreciated and connected.

Whether you're planning a five-minute icebreaker or a full end-of-year celebration, a little thoughtful preparation can make a big difference.

And WorkplaceHero is here to make that preparation easier.

Download our free Christmas Social Pack

Or explore WorkplaceHero's live quizzes for interactive team entertainment.

Because after a busy year, your Christmas celebration should feel like a reward — not another project to manage.

Related reading

• 75 Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Work Under £5, £10 and £20
• How to Organise the Ultimate Workplace Christmas Quiz
• 25 Christmas Party Games for Small and Large Teams
• How to Organise an Inclusive Office Christmas Party
• 30 Christmas Activities for Remote and Hybrid Teams