Improv Games for Team Building: Boost Collaboration Through Laughter

When it comes to building trust, improving communication, and sparking creativity, few tools are as effective, or as fun, as improv. Short for “improvisation,” these unscripted games encourage participants to think on their feet, actively listen, and support each other in the moment.

Whether you’re leading a small team or a large department, improv games for team building offer a dynamic way to strengthen group cohesion while having a great time.

Why Improv Works in the Workplace

Improv isn’t just for actors, it’s a surprisingly powerful professional development tool. Here’s why it’s great for team building:

• Fosters quick thinking and adaptability

• Encourages active listening and clear communication

• Breaks down hierarchies and builds psychological safety

• Improves confidence and public speaking skills

• Creates laughter, reducing stress and improving morale

Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-person, improv games are easy to adapt and incredibly engaging.

Best Improv Games for Team Building

1. Yes, And…

How it works: One person starts by saying a simple sentence (e.g., “Let’s build a spaceship!”). The next person must reply starting with “Yes, and…” while adding to the idea (e.g., “Yes, and we’ll launch it from our parking lot!”).

Why it works: This classic improv rule encourages team members to accept ideas and build on them, rather than shutting them down. Great for brainstorming and reinforcing a culture of collaboration.

2. Five-Word Story

How it works: The team tells a story one person at a time, but each person can only contribute five words. For example:

• Person A: “Once upon a time, there…”

• Person B: “was a giant purple penguin…”

Why it works: This game encourages creative thinking, communication, and team synergy, especially when under pressure to keep the story coherent and funny.

3. Freeze Frame

How it works: Two players act out a random scene. At any point, someone from the audience yells “Freeze!” The actor must pause, and the new person replaces one of them—then starts a completely different scene using the same pose.

Why it works: This game is about adaptability and imagination, and helps teams loosen up while shifting gears quickly.

4. One-Word at a Time

How it works: Similar to “Five-Word Story,” but even more focused. Each person adds only one word at a time to build a story, forcing active listening and patience.

Why it works: It teaches rhythm, communication, and attentiveness, and it always results in laughter.

5. What Are You Doing?

How it works: One person mimics an action (e.g., brushing teeth). Another asks, “What are you doing?” The actor must respond with something completely unrelated (e.g., “I’m flying a kite”), and the second person must start acting out that answer.

Why it works: It encourages mental agility, nonverbal communication, and creative response under pressure.

Improv Games for Remote Teams

Yes, improv can work virtually too! With a little creativity and the right tools, you can bring the same energy and spontaneity of in-person games to your remote or hybrid team.

Here are a few adapted improv games that work beautifully over Zoom, Teams, or other video platforms:

Virtual “Yes, And”

This classic improv game transitions well to video calls. Split your team into breakout rooms of 3–4 people. One person starts a sentence (“Let’s open a pizza restaurant in space…”), and the next person responds with “Yes, and…” while building on the idea.

To keep it structured:

• Set a timer (e.g., 5 minutes per round)

• Rotate starters each round

• Encourage wild, playful ideas. There are no wrong answers!

Pro Tip: Make it more thematic by giving each group a workplace-related prompt to tie it to your business goals or culture.

Zoom Characters

Assign each team member a few minutes to prepare a totally fictional character. On camera, they’ll introduce themselves and answer a few “interview” questions as that character.

For example:

• “What’s your job title, and what do you actually do?”

• “What’s your biggest fear at work?”

• “How do you spend your weekends?”

You can even assign character types (e.g., “paranoid tech support agent,” “retired superhero,” “robot from HR”) to spark creativity.

Why it works: This game helps people shed inhibitions, tap into storytelling, and practice improvising under playful pressure—all while sharing a lot of laughs.

Story Pass

Choose a shared platform, like a Google Doc, Slack thread, or Notion page, and start a collaborative story. Each team member adds either one word or one sentence at a time, building off what the previous person wrote.

There are two ways to play:

1. Real-Time: Do it live during a team meeting for a fast-paced storytelling experience.

2. Async Version: Let the story unfold over the course of a day or week, with people jumping in when they have time.

Add a challenge by assigning a theme (e.g., “our next company adventure,” “a day in the life of a talking office plant”) and wrap up by reading the final story aloud on a video call.

Bonus Remote Game Ideas:

• Emoji Translation: One person acts out a phrase using only emojis in chat, and others must guess the meaning in real-time.

• Sound Effects Only: Tell a story or scene using only sound effects from around your home—no words allowed!

• Slide Show Roulette: Have someone narrate a “fake presentation” using a slide deck of random images others submit anonymously.

these remote improv games are not only engaging and hilarious—they also help remote employees feel more connected, break up Zoom fatigue, and strengthen communication across distances.

Tips for Running Improv Games Successfully

Improv games can unlock a powerful mix of creativity, trust, and collaboration, but only when the environment supports it.

Here’s how to create a positive, productive experience for every team member:

Create a Safe Space

Improv thrives on spontaneity and vulnerability, so it’s essential to build a space where people feel safe to take risks.

Make it clear that there are no wrong answers, and no one is being judged. Reinforce that the purpose is connection, not performance. If your team is new to improv, start with exercises that don’t require being “on stage” right away to ease them in gently.

Tip: Use humor and warmth as a leader to model openness. If you go first, and show you’re willing to be silly or imperfect, others will follow.

Start Small

Jumping straight into high-energy or complex games can intimidate team members, especially introverts or new employees. Begin with low-pressure, short activities that require minimal talking or acting. Games like “One Word at a Time” or “Yes, And” are perfect for warming up both minds and moods.

Tip: Think of it like a group stretch before a workout: light, quick, and judgment-free. Once everyone’s loosened up, you can introduce longer or more expressive games.

Encourage Participation, Not Performance

Remind your team that improv is a team sport. The goal isn’t to be the funniest or most theatrical, it’s about building on each other’s ideas, listening, and having fun together.

Praise collaboration over cleverness, and make space for quieter team members to shine in their own way.

Tip: Consider rotating roles so that no one person feels pressure to carry a scene. Include group-based games that highlight support and responsiveness, not solo performance.

Debrief After

The magic of improv doesn’t end with the game, it extends into reflection. Take a few minutes after each session to discuss what people experienced. Ask questions like:

• “What felt challenging, and what felt fun?”

• “Did you notice any moments of unexpected teamwork?”

• “How does this relate to how we collaborate day-to-day?”

Tip: Use improv as a bridge to talk about communication styles, team trust, adaptability, or creative problem-solving in real work scenarios. It can turn a fun game into a meaningful learning moment.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to run improv games that aren’t just entertaining—but also transformative for your team culture.

The Bottom Line

Improv games are an effective tool for building stronger, more agile teams. By creating a playful environment that encourages openness and creative thinking, your team can grow more cohesive, confident, and connected.

Plan a Complete Team Building Experience with eBombo

Want to take your team-building day to the next level? At eBombo, we design fully customized events, yes, including improv workshops, that blend fun and strategy to meet your goals. Whether it’s an interactive in-person session or a virtual experience, we handle all the logistics so your team can focus on growing together.