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30 Interactive Event Ideas To Keep Audiences Engaged

March 6, 2024 by Chinny Verana Leave a Comment

Blog Banner Interactive event ideas

Event planners are tasked with one of the most challenging aspects of running an event – keeping participants engaged in your event. The last thing you want to happen is for your event attendees to just space out and scroll on their phones. It is up to the event organizers to be proactive and include interactive elements throughout the event. We have compiled these helpful interactive event ideas you can include for your event. 

Benefits Of Interactive Activities In Events

A useful quote by Chip Heath states, 

“The “occasionally remarkable” moments shouldn’t be left to chance! They should be planned for, invested in.” 

A successful event happens when an audience feels connected to your event and they feel that they have gotten an immediate return on their investment. 

To make people feel connected and care about you, you must make them feel that they are part of the overall experience of your event. Most interactive event ideas are created to give participants space and opportunity to participate in the event, resulting in more engagement.  

Studies have shown that using interactive activities can also enhance learning and retention. This is especially useful for corporate events like conferences, seminars, and workshops. Furthermore, interactive activities can be a good networking opportunity for participants and audience interaction. 

30 Interactive Event Ideas

Pass the Ball / Item to

Break the ice at the start of the event. Choose an item that can be relevant to your event. This can be a ball, key, etc. The event host can start by instructing the attendees to pass the item to someone who meets a specific characteristic. 

For example, pass the ball to someone wearing eyeglasses. Be creative with your descriptions like passing the item to someone who has a great smile, has a certain skill, works at a certain place, has a role in an organization, etc. Starting the event with some good vibes can help set the mood for the entire event. 

Puzzles and Rewards

A person holding a puzzle piece with a puzzle on the background

Puzzles have long been celebrated for their ability to engage and challenge participants, making them an ideal interactive activity for events of all kinds. Whether it’s a corporate conference, team-building retreat, or community gathering, incorporating puzzles adds an element of fun and intrigue that keeps attendees on their toes. 

What’s more, offering rewards for successfully cracking the code not only motivates participants but also creates a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Some sites can offer customization of puzzles you can use for your event. 

Polls and Surveys

Get a consensus of your participants by creating polls and surveys. You can gamify this by using it as a quiz. Polls can be used to gather information on attendees’ expectations about the event from the beginning. 

Pairing / Group Sharing

Encourage participants to develop meaningful connections and conversations by incorporating pair collaboration. Prepare questions and talking points to make the discussion smooth and interactive. 

Minute to Win It

A time-bound game always excites the audience and participants. Prepare simple props and interactive games to include in your event program for a fun brain break. Inspired by the popular game show Minute to Win It, event organizers can set up a series of challenges that participants must accomplish in one minute. Some minute-to-win-it challenges you can include are:

  • Chopstick Challenge: Participants use chopsticks to transfer small objects like candies or marshmallows from one bowl to another. The challenge is to transfer as many objects as possible within a minute using chopsticks.
  • Suck It Up: Participants use a straw to suck up M&M candies from a plate and transfer them to a cup. The challenge is to transfer as many M&Ms as possible in one minute using only suction from the straw.
  • Stack Attack: Participants stack a tower of cups into a pyramid shape and then back into a single stack using only one hand. The goal is to complete the stacking and unstacking process within a minute.

Trivia Games

Include a friendly competition and intellectual stimulation by preparing trivia games. Choose a healthy mix of easy and hard questions to motivate your attendees. If possible, include questions that you can relate to your event topic or agenda. 

Shoot the Ball

Whether it’s basketball hoops, soccer goals, or carnival-style shooting galleries, these interactive attractions offer endless fun for attendees eager to showcase their athletic prowess and compete for prizes. With a bit of friendly competition and plenty of cheering spectators, Shoot the Ball games are a slam dunk for event entertainment.

Bingo

A group playing an interactive game of bingo together

Simple and classic games like bingo can be a hit among participants. Bingo games are easy to prepare but have a lasting impact on attendees. Whether attendees are crossing off numbers, letters, or themed symbols, the thrill of yelling “Bingo!” never gets old.

Roleplays

Engage the imagination of your attendees by transporting them into different scenarios or circumstances. Choose a setting that is applicable and relatable for your event attendees. 

Workshops

A hands-on experience through an interactive workshop immerses your participants to your event. Let your attendees learn from experts, interact with peers, and hone their skills. Partner with organizations and stakeholders to craft the type of workshops that fit your target audience’s interests.

Photobooth / Photo opportunity

An event planners using props and posing for a photo

Photos and event photography are a staple part of any event now. Capture precious moments and give your guests something that they can look back on even after the event. Make your photobooth session interactive by enabling customization or personalization of their photos. Add fun props and booths for a more interactive experience. 

Virtual Reality or AI 

A person using AI technology for an interactive experience

Take advantage of the benefits of artificial intelligence and push the boundaries of what your guests can expect with it. Take engagement to the next level by using virtual landscapes or virtual reality for your interactive activities. Virtual reality can be used to make virtual events engaging too.

Play with Art

Playing with art activities invite attendees to unleash their creativity and express themselves through artistic experimentation. Consider painting, sculpting, or mixed media collage – these interactive art experiences offer a hands-on approach to self-expression and discovery. 

Freedom Wall

A freedom wall adorned with opinions from various individuals.

Give your participants a voice by providing them with space for creative expression. Set up a “freedom wall space” with a question that anyone can answer. Reading participants’ feedback can give a sense of connection with each other as they get to know each other’s stands. 

Interactive Show or Play

Interactive shows or plays transform passive spectators into active participants, blurring the lines between performer and audience member. Expect plenty of laughter and audience interaction as an effective form of audience engagement. 

Festival-inspired booths

A lady throwing a dart to a wall of balloons

Ring Toss, Guessing Booth, Balloon Darts, and Knock Down the Cans are some of the famous and popular festival games that people might be interested in. Consider how you can add a touch to your brand or product with these interactive booths for effective brand awareness. 

Spin the Wheel

If your event is serving prizes, then a spin the wheel can also be a hit. Write down a range of prizes on the wheel to excite the players as they spin. 

Mini bowling or golf 

Bring the bowling alley and golf course to your event. With portable greens, colorful obstacles, and themed hole designs, mini golf courses can be customized to fit the theme and ambiance of your event. Participants can compete for strikes, and spares, and even play unconventional variations of the game, adding a playful twist to the classic pastime.

Claw Machine 

A lady playing with one of the claw machines

Bring the fun of the arcade to your event. If budget permits, you can rent a claw machine and add some prizes for your participants. Use branded merch as your prize to stay on brand. 

Do it Yourself Activity

Empower your event attendees with a Do It Yourself Activity portion on your event. Crafting their work of creation gives a sense of fulfillment, belonging, and satisfaction to everyone involved. 

Giant Jenga

Turn the classic tabletop game into life-size wooden blocks. Giant Jenga offers a thrilling and interactive experience that captivates audiences of all ages. Expect fun suspense and teamwork as teams carefully remove blocks from the stack and place them on top without causing the tower to tumble

Giant Chess

Imagine strategizing your every move in Chess with life-size chess pieces or boards. The grand scale of the game adds a sense of drama and spectacle, as players strategize their moves, anticipate their opponent’s next moves, and vie for control of the board. 

Chess encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and tactical planning, offering a dynamic and immersive experience that engages audiences of all ages and skill levels.

Letter wall

Letter walls can be a thoughtful activity for events like retreats or team-building activities. Writing to one another can spark meaningful conversations and relationships.

Sensory Activity

Two photos showing a person interacting with booth displays at an event

Think about how your product or topic can come to life in different senses and how event participants can interact with it through sensory experiences. If you’re highlighting a specific feature of a product you may set up an area where people can touch it themselves.  

Mini Obstacle Course

Your event participants won’t have time to feel bored with an interactive event like a mini obstacle course. Set up different difficulty levels to excite participants and give them something to look forward to as they progress through the activity. 

Question and Answer Portion

There is a deeper understanding of topics discussed when your audience has questions for the speakers. Make sure to include this interactive activity, especially for events like seminars, conferences, and workshops. 

Awarding Ceremony

Boost audience morale and spirit by recognizing wins and achievements. Prepare a set of criteria for awarding before the event to make it easier for event planners. 

Live Demo or Presentation

Bring ideas and products to life with a segment where a representative will present their product or services to the live audience. Invite a participant from the audience to experience your presentation live in front.  

Roundtable Discussions

A group of event participants formed in a circle interacting with one another

Roundtable discussions are interactive sessions where participants engage in a helpful discussion about certain topics. Adding this interactive activity to your event is ideal to stimulate productive discussion among participants. 

Networking Icebreakers

Last but not least, you can opt for the good old classic networking icebreaker questions to get people talking. Here’s a list of questions you can ask as a starting point:

  • What brings you to this event today?
  • What’s one thing you’re passionate about outside of work?
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go?
  • What’s the most interesting book you’ve read recently?
  • What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
  • If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Best Practices In Hosting Interactive Events

Define Clear Objectives

Clear objectives are the guiding light for any successful interactive event. Before diving into event planning, take the time to define specific, measurable goals that align with your overall event vision.

Utilize Event Technology

Research the event tools you need and pick your best option. For example, choose the best ticket platform with lowest fees to maximize your event profits. Event Smart is an event registration and ticket-selling platform that enables event planners to customize their event page and registration forms to get to know their participants even before the event. 

Understanding your Audience

It is easier for your event participants to interact with your ideas if you know them well enough. Create an avatar of your audience and try to listen to what interests and excites them to choose your interactive event wisely.

Keeping Up with the Trends

Keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends, emerging technologies, and cultural shifts to identify new opportunities and innovations that can elevate your event experience. Event planners can stay on the loop with trends by visiting helpful event resources and websites, attending networking events, social media monitoring, and continuous education / learning. 

Be inclusive/welcoming

People will participate more if they feel a sense of belonging and safety. As event planners, they are tasked with ensuring that attendees have an inclusive experience throughout the event. 

From the moment attendees walk through the door, prioritize inclusivity by offering accessible facilities, diverse programming, and inclusive language that celebrates diversity and respects individual differences.

Highlight Collaboration and Involvement

Encourage collaboration throughout every step of the event planning process so your attendees feel connected to you. Incentivize audience participation to create a culture of collaboration with one another. 

Create Successful Interactive Events

Leave a lasting impression on your event attendees. Design a satisfying event experience from the first touchpoint with your event – your event site and registration. Unlike other ticket registration platforms, Event Smart provides a value-for-money solution that offers no commission fees even on an unlimited number of tickets sold. 

Aside from this, event planners can optimize their site, and edit the questions on registration forms and website design. Easily connect with your participants with features like confirmation emails. Start planning your event now. 

If you want more useful content like this, you can visit our other articles. You can also check out our 14-day free trial to start planning for your interactive event. There is nothing to lose! 

Filed Under: Event Engagement Tagged With: Interactive event ideas, Interactive events

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