Let’s be real: lunch breaks shouldn’t just be about reheated leftovers and scrolling through emails. They’re golden opportunities to unwind, have a laugh, and connect with the awesome humans you work with. So why not trade your phone for a board game and turn the lunch table into a mini game night?
Board games at work aren’t just fun; they create shared moments, spark conversations, and build bonds that go beyond “Kindly see attached.” Whether you're breaking the ice with new teammates or just want something livelier than another Slack notification, a board game lunch group might be your next favorite office tradition.
Fun Fact: I actually started my board game journey in the office. My team lead, Gemma, introduced Carcassonne to me and my colleagues.
Not sure where to begin? Gotchu fam!
Here's a handy guide to launching your very own lunchtime board game group, plus a list of fun, fast, and actually work-friendly games to try.
List of Fun Board Games to Play with Co-Workers
Bluffing and Deduction
If your team’s got a few master schemers, poker-faced persuaders, or secret strategy nerds, these games are for them. Bluffing and deduction games turn the office into a mini battleground of wits; full of social reads, sneaky plays, and just the right amount of mischief. Perfect for coworkers who love a good mind game (and maybe stirring a little friendly chaos).
Coup: Philippine Edition
History meets high-stakes deception. Coup: Philippine Edition drops you into a Rizal-inspired setting, where powerful families are vying for control. You’ll be playing two secret roles, bluffing your way through coups and counteractions, and trying not to get called out. It’s quick, sharp, and has just enough local flavor to make things spicy.
Don't Get Got
The game that never really ends. Don’t Get Got runs quietly in the background while you work—except you’re all secretly on a mission. Whether it’s convincing someone to say something weird or pulling off a task without raising suspicion, every mundane moment suddenly becomes a chance to strike. No setup, no table needed—just stealth, charm, and a little bit of mischief.
Word and Storytelling Games
For the word nerds, pun lovers, and creative minds in the office, these games are a goldmine. They spark imagination, fuel hilarious conversations, and reward quick thinking, and sometimes the more ridiculous the interpretation, the better.
Tapple
Think fast, speak faster. In Tapple, players take turns rattling off words that fit a category—but you can’t reuse letters. The timer’s ticking, the pressure’s on, and the tension gets delightfully loud. It’s the kind of chaos that energizes a room and gets everyone shouting (in the best way).
Dixit PH
A game that feels like dreaming out loud. Dixit PH uses surreal, whimsical art to spark stories and stir imaginations. One player gives a clue inspired by their card, the others throw in their best guesses, and then the table tries to figure out who said what. It’s creative, cozy, and often leads to the most unexpected “a-ha!” moments.
Poetry for Neanderthals
Grunt good. Speak bad. That’s the whole deal. In Poetry for Neanderthals, you’re trying to get your team to guess a word—but you can only use one-syllable clues. The moment you say a longer word, you get whacked with a soft inflatable club. It’s silly, it’s surprisingly tricky, and it always ends in laughter and nonsense sounds.
Quick Reflexes and Pattern Recognition
Need a quick pick-me-up that’s part chaos, part challenge, and all fun? These fast-paced games get your brain firing and your hands moving; perfect for shaking off the post-lunch slump or spicing up a team-building session.
YUBIBO
This one’s weird, wacky, and wildly fun. YUBIBO is a cooperative dexterity game that mixes fingers, sticks, and squishy balls (yup, really). One card flip tells you which finger to use and which color gets involved—and just like that, you’re holding a noodle-like tower of teamwork together. “Yubi” means finger, “bo” means stick—together, it’s Fingersticks! You’ll be laughing and concentrating harder than you thought possible.
Fold It
Think origami meets MasterChef. In Fold It, you’re racing to fold your fabric “recipe” to match a card before anyone else does. It’s fast, it’s hands-on, and it gets surprisingly competitive when the heat is on. Don’t be fooled—this one’s harder than it looks!
Kushi Express
Time to get skewering! In Kushi Express, you're a yakitori chef trying to thread the right ingredients in the right order before your coworkers can finish their sticks. Blink and you’ll miss it—it’s all about sharp eyes, fast hands, and staying cool under pressure.
Spot It!
Simple rules, wild energy. Every card in Spot It! has exactly one symbol in common with another, and your job is to spot it before everyone else does. It's quick, addictive, and comes with multiple mini games to keep the vibe fresh. A go-to game for sparking competitive banter in under 10 seconds.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (PH Edition)
It’s silly, it’s speedy, and it’s total chaos in a card game. In Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza players take turns placing cards while chanting the five magic words in order. If the card matches the word being said, BAM! Everyone slaps the pile. Slowest hand takes the stack. It’s pure mayhem, made even wilder with surprise action cards that keep everyone on their toes (and hands). Great for teams who love loud laughter and light bruising (just kidding… mostly).
Team-Based and Cooperative Games
If your team vibes best when you're working with each other (not against), these games are your jam. Cooperative games turn the spotlight on teamwork, communication, and shared wins—no lone wolves here, just a whole crew trying to beat the game together.
5-Minute Dungeon
This one’s pure chaos, in the best way. In 5-Minute Dungeon , you and your team have just five frantic minutes to slap down cards, beat baddies, and conquer each room before the timer runs out. It’s fast, loud, and totally addictive. Think of it as a dungeon run on double espresso.
The Gang
Time for a heist: no talking, just vibes. In The Gang, players silently bet on how strong their hands are in a clever co-op twist on Texas Hold’em. If everyone’s predictions line up just right, you break open the vault. But if someone overplays their hand? BAM!, alarm’s triggered. It’s all about reading the room, trusting your team, and playing it cool under pressure.
Card Games and Light Strategy
Looking for something easy to teach but still packs a punch? These card games strike the perfect balance between quick fun and sneaky depth. Ideal for coworkers who like a little friendly mind game with their merienda.
Flip 7
Flip cards one by one, but here’s the catch: you can’t flip the same number twice. Sounds easy? Nope. The deck’s stacked with one 1 card, two 2’s, three 3’s, and so on, plus special cards that can boost your score, give you a second shot, or freeze you and your opponents in place. Will you play it safe and bank points, or risk it all chasing that seven-in-a-row bonus? It’s a slick mix of press-your-luck and strategy that’ll hook you fast.
Love Letter (PH Edition)
In Love Letter (PH Edition), the Princess is on the lookout for someone trustworthy to help with royal duties as she takes the throne. Your job? Win her trust by delivering your letter through allies, friends, and family—without your rivals intercepting it. It’s a tight game of deduction and luck where every move counts. Who will win the Princess’s favor?
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is a humorous card game where players take turns drawing cards, aiming to avoid drawing an exploding kitten that knocks them out of the game. Use quirky action cards like “See the Future” or “Nope” to influence the game and outsmart your coworkers in this unpredictable showdown of strategy and humor.
Other Fun Options
Some games don’t fit neatly into any category, but they’re absolute crowd-pleasers that bring laughs and good vibes to the lunch table.
Herd Mentality
Herd Mentality is a super chill party game where everyone answers questions like “What’s the best pizza topping?” The trick? You want to think like the group, not stand out. If you’re with the majority, you score points. If you’re the odd one out, you get stuck with the dreaded pink cow token; no points, just laughs. It’s all about finding common ground, or spectacularly failing to do so.
That Sound Game
This one’s a total riot. In That Sound Game, players make noises—think animal sounds or everyday objects—and their teammates have to guess what it is. The crazier and more ridiculous the sounds get, the louder the laughs. Guaranteed to turn any lunch break into a comedy show.
These board games are ideal for creating memorable moments at work while promoting teamwork, creativity, and friendly competition. Check out more games for team building to expand your office game stash.
Hosting a Successful Board Game Lunch Event
Want to get a gaming group started at your office? Here’s how to make it a success.
Choosing the Right Games
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Games that suit different interests: bluffing, wordplay, strategy, teamwork, etc.
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Easy-to-learn mechanics: stick to the five-minute rule for explanations.
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Short playtime: ideally, games that can be finished in 45 minutes to an hour.
Setting Up and Teaching Games
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Assign a few experienced players to teach the games.
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Give a quick, engaging summary before jumping in.
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Provide reference cards or cheat sheets to help newcomers.
Encouraging Participation
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Make it beginner-friendly by starting with easy games.
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Set up multiple tables for different game types (strategy, party, cooperative, etc.).
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Rotate games weekly to keep things interesting.
Bonus Tip: Bring Snacks!
To encourage more people to participate, consider offering snacks or refreshments. You can pitch for company support or organize a potluck-style gaming lunch. Because let’s be honest—good food and good games make a winning combo.
Bring Fun to the Lunch Table!
Board games are an excellent way to bond with coworkers, break up the daily grind, and foster a more engaging workplace culture. Whether through strategic battles, quick reflex challenges, or hilarious wordplay, these office board games can bring teams closer and make lunch breaks something to look forward to.
Ready to bring some board game fun into your office? Check out the full collection of games at Gaming Library and start your own lunch gaming group today!
