Employee appreciation week games: a five-day plan

Give your remote team a choice of short social breaks across the week. This plan is for 4–20 participating people, including the host, using their own browsers alongside your usual voice or video call. Choose the days that fit your team; five sessions are an option, not a requirement.

Make participation optional and leave room for a thank-you and conversation. Ask about device access, comfort with drawing, and preferences before choosing games. A game break works best as something people want to join.

Plan access before sending invitations

New accounts start with 2 free credits. Hosting a non-premium game uses 1 credit unless your account has applicable paid access. Five separately started games need five credits or suitable paid access: do not assume the starting balance covers a full week. A used-up balance can refresh to 1 credit after the waiting period; it is not a daily allowance. Check the balance shown in your account rather than relying on a refresh arriving during the week.

Trivia is premium and requires suitable paid access; credits alone do not unlock it. Check current plans and pricing before scheduling it. If you want to use only the initial free credits, choose up to two non-premium sessions and make the other days conversation breaks. Check access separately if a colleague takes over hosting.

Before Monday: a simple organizer checklist

1. Count the people who want to participate. The whole menu below fits 4–20 players, but attendance can change: each game lists its own range.
2. Open the game rules, check your account access and choose settings before the meeting. The host needs an account. Each participant should have a browser and the invitation link.
3. Allow five minutes for joining and instructions, time for a complete round, and a few minutes to wrap up. A 25-minute calendar slot is a planning example, not a promised game length; larger groups and discussion can take longer.
4. Create a lobby when ready, copy its link into your normal meeting chat and wait for players to join and press Ready. Keep the voice or video call open for conversation. Follow your workplace policies if a game site is blocked.

Monday — start with word prompts

Starts With J supports 2–24 players and is non-premium. Everyone answers category prompts with a chosen letter, which is not always J. Unique valid answers count; duplicates do not. Explain the answer-review step and give everyone enough reading time. Finish by asking which format they would like next.

Tuesday — draw and deduce together

Fake Artist supports 4–200 players and is non-premium. Most players know a secret word; one does not. Players add strokes to a shared drawing, then discuss who might be the fake artist. Simple lines are enough. Explain the hidden role and leave time for everyone to speak before voting.

Wednesday — try a quiz, or repeat a favorite

Trivia supports 2–100 players and requires premium access. Players answer multiple-choice questions; correct, faster answers earn more points. Check the available settings and explain the speed scoring first. If premium access or that format does not suit your group, repeat Monday’s non-premium word game using available credits or applicable paid access.

Thursday — share light personal facts

Two Truths, One Lie supports 4–20 players and is non-premium. Each player enters two true statements and one invented statement, and others guess the lie. Suggest easy topics such as food or hobbies. Let people skip personal sharing or choose another game; check the player minimum again if attendance changes.

Friday — let the group choose a repeat

Ask which earlier activity they want to play again, or whether they would prefer a chat. Repeating a familiar format can save explanation time. Starts With J is one option for 2–24 players; check the current balance before starting another game. Leave the last few minutes for specific thanks and suggestions, without turning participation or game scores into a work-performance measure.

After the week

Ask privately or as a group which sessions they would choose again and how often. Keep what people enjoyed, change what did not work and leave gaps for ordinary breaks. If you plan future sessions, check the host’s access and actual attendance again rather than assuming this week’s setup carries over.