"Chinese New Year - often referred to more broadly as Lunar New Year - is a great opportunity for organizations to bring people together through inclusive team building games and workplace activities."
For HR teams, People Managers, and team leaders, the goal is usually the same: create something that’s engaging, culturally respectful, and easy to run, without needing a big budget, specialist equipment, or weeks of planning.
In this guide, we focus on practical Chinese New Year ideas for the workplace, with activities that work for:
- In-office teams
- Remote and hybrid teams
- Global teams based across multiple locations
All ideas are suitable for US workplaces in 2026 and are designed to prioritize participation, teamwork, and flexibility.
Chinese New Year vs Lunar New Year: Workplace Terminology
Chinese New Year refers specifically to celebrations rooted in Chinese culture. Lunar New Year is a broader term that includes celebrations across several East and Southeast Asian cultures.
In many UK workplaces, “Lunar New Year” is now used to be more inclusive, while still recognizing Chinese traditions where appropriate.
In 2026, Chinese / Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 17, welcoming the Year of the Horse.
Why Celebrate Chinese or Lunar New Year at Work?
From an employee engagement perspective, Chinese New Year works particularly well as a team building moment because it:
- Encourages shared participation rather than passive observation
- Naturally lends itself to games, quizzes, and collaborative challenges
- Can be delivered in person, virtually, or as a hybrid experience
- Fits easily into the working day without becoming a large-scale event
When done well, it becomes a workplace activity that builds connection, rather than just an item on the calendar.
In-Office Chinese New Year Team Building Games
1. Chinese New Year Trivia Quiz (Team-Based)
One of the easiest and most effective ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in the office is with a team trivia quiz.
Our Chinese New Year Trivia quiz is designed specifically for workplace teams, making it simple for HR teams or managers to run using phones or tablets people already have.
Teams work together to answer questions covering:
- Chinese New Year traditions
- Zodiac animals and symbolism
- Cultural facts and modern celebrations
Because it’s team-based, it works well for mixed-knowledge groups and keeps the focus on collaboration rather than competition.
2. Chinese Zodiac Team Challenge
A light, engaging in-office team building activity that encourages discussion and teamwork.
How it works
- Split participants into small teams
- Assign each team a Chinese zodiac animal
- Ask teams to complete short challenges or prompts linked to their animal’s traits
This can be run on its own or combined with a quiz for a longer session.
3. Lucky Red Envelope (Hóngbāo) Office Game
A flexible workplace game that adds movement and interaction.
Ideas include:
- Hidden envelopes containing riddles or mini-tasks
- Digital envelopes shared via email or internal chat
- Team-based challenges rather than individual prizes
This works well as a drop-in office game that people can join throughout the day.
More In-Office Game Ideas
If you’re planning a bigger celebration, our collection of office games includes lots of easy-to-run formats that work well in meeting rooms and shared spaces.
Remote & Hybrid Lunar New Year Activities for Teams
4. Virtual Lunar New Year Team Games
For remote teams, short, structured digital games help create a shared experience without long video calls.
Popular options include:
- Mobile-friendly trivia and quizzes
- Timed challenges teams can complete asynchronously
- Photo or task-based challenges completed via our web-based platform, with teams sharing updates through Slack or Microsoft Teams
We run many of these as part of our wider virtual team building activities, designed to be simple for managers to host and easy for teams to join.
5. Hybrid Lunar New Year Activities for Global Teams
For organizations with people based across multiple offices, countries, or time zones, hybrid team building activities offer the most flexibility.
Our hybrid formats allow teams to:
- Play together in person, virtually, or as a mix of both
- Take part at the same time across different locations
- Join using devices they already have, without specialist setup
This makes hybrid activities particularly effective for global teams who want to celebrate Lunar New Year together, whether they’re in the same office or spread around the world.
6. Digital Zodiac Icebreaker
A quick, low-pressure remote or hybrid team activity that works well at the start of a meeting.
Team members:
- Discover their Chinese zodiac sign
- Share one trait they recognize in themselves
- Vote on the most accurate or surprising match
It’s simple, inclusive, and easy to facilitate.
Low-Effort, Low-Budget Workplace Celebration Ideas
7. Desk or Digital Decorations
Invite teams to decorate:
- Their desks (for in-office teams)
- Their chat avatars or virtual backgrounds (for remote teams)
Keep it optional and informal to avoid pressure.
8. Food-Themed Discussions (Optional)
Food plays an important role in Lunar New Year, but workplaces should stay mindful of:
- Dietary requirements
- Cultural sensitivity
- Hybrid accessibility
Sharing traditions or symbolism often works better than shared catering, especially for distributed teams.
Turning Lunar New Year into a Team Building Moment
The difference between a simple workplace celebration and effective team building is structure.
To increase engagement:
- Run activities in small teams, not individually
- Include light collaboration or problem-solving
- Keep sessions short (around 15–45 minutes)
Games like quizzes and team challenges help turn Chinese New Year into a shared team experience, rather than a passive observance.
FAQs: Chinese & Lunar New Year at Work
What are the best Chinese New Year activities for team building?
Team quizzes, zodiac challenges, and short collaborative games work best, as they encourage interaction without requiring specialist knowledge.
Are Chinese New Year games suitable for corporate workplaces?
Yes. When framed as optional and inclusive, they work well in most corporate environments.
How can remote teams celebrate Chinese New Year together?
Virtual quizzes, digital challenges, and asynchronous team games allow remote teams to participate without long meetings.
Is it better to say Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year at work?
Most US organizations use Lunar New Year for inclusivity, while still recognizing Chinese traditions.
Do we need special equipment to run workplace games?
No. Most workplace games can be run using phones, tablets, or existing digital tools.
How long should a Chinese New Year workplace activity last?
15–45 minutes is ideal. Shorter sessions usually see higher participation.
Are these activities suitable for hybrid and global teams?
Yes. Many activities are designed to work for teams playing together in person, virtually, or across multiple locations.
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