How to Plan an Interactive Game Zone for Large Events
Creating an interactive game zone at large events is a fantastic way to engage attendees, boost excitement, and ensure your day is as fun as possible. Whether it’s a corporate event, trade show, university event, or large-scale festival, setting up a dedicated interactive game area can transform the atmosphere and provide a fun, immersive experience for your guests.#
Expo Play offers a wide range of interactive exhibition stand games to help you create the perfect game zone for your event. But how can you plan this and pull it off? Just read our guide to get started.
Assess Your Event Space and Layout
The first step in planning an interactive game zone is understanding the space available. Whether you’re hosting at the NEC Birmingham, the ExCeL London, or an outdoor festival, knowing the dimensions and layout of the venue is crucial. Consider areas with high foot traffic and enough space for multiple games, so attendees can comfortably move around and play without feeling cramped.
When planning your layout, ensure that games are spread out enough to avoid overcrowding but close enough to maintain a cohesive zone. You’ll want to avoid having all the popular games in one corner, which could cause congestion. Instead, distribute them throughout the space to encourage exploration.
Select the Right Mix of Games
Choosing the right mix of interactive games is key to creating an engaging game zone. You’ll want a balance of competitive games, team-based challenges, and individual experiences that appeal to a wide range of attendees. Here are some top picks for creating a versatile interactive game zone:
- Table Football: A crowd favourite that encourages team play and friendly competition.
- Giant Connect Four: A strategic, easy-to-play game that’s perfect for one-on-one challenges or casual fun.
- Batak Pro: A fast-paced reaction game that tests reflexes and is sure to draw in competitive attendees.
- Retro Arcade Machine Table: Nostalgic arcade games appeal to all ages and offer a relaxed, social gaming experience.
- Basketball Slam Dunk: A high-energy game that invites participants to test their shooting skills in a timed challenge.
By offering a variety of games, you can cater to different interests and ensure that every attendee finds something they enjoy. You can also tailor your game selection to the event’s theme—whether it’s competitive, casual, or brand-focused.
Custom Brand Your Games for Maximum Impact
For large corporate events, trade shows, or product launches, Custom games branding is a powerful tool to reinforce your brand while entertaining attendees. Expo Play offers custom branded games that seamlessly integrate your logo, colours, and messaging into the interactive experience. Branding games ensures your company’s identity is front and centre throughout the event.
Plan for Power and Setup
Interactive games often require power sources, especially electronic games like the Racing Simulator or Arcade Game Machine. Make sure to coordinate with your venue regarding power access and outlets, and consider bringing extension cords or backup generators if needed.
Additionally, ensure that you have enough staff on hand for setup, maintenance, and operation of the games throughout the event. Expo Play offers full delivery, setup, and on-site support, making sure everything runs smoothly and allowing you to focus on engaging your attendees.
Create an Inviting and Fun Atmosphere
The interactive game zone should be more than just a place to play games—it should feel like an immersive, engaging space where attendees can relax and have fun. To create the right atmosphere, consider using event furnishings like deck chairs and picnic benches for seating, or setting up chill-out areas where people can take breaks between games. Decorate the space with bunting and signage to enhance the funfair or arcade vibe, making the zone visually inviting and in line with your event theme.
For larger events, setting up a photo booth or Photo Mosaic Wall alongside the games can add an extra interactive element and encourage attendees to capture and share their experience on social media.
Encourage Friendly Competition with Prizes
Adding a competitive edge to your game zone with prize games can drive engagement and keep attendees coming back for more. Offer small prizes or branded merchandise for top performers on games like Batak Pro or Prize Crane Grabber. You can even introduce a leaderboard system for certain games, encouraging participants to challenge one another throughout the day.
Prizes don’t have to be expensive—branded pens, tote bags, or vouchers are often enough to create excitement. The goal is to offer an incentive that motivates attendees to participate and engage with your brand.
Promote Your Game Zone in Advance
To ensure high engagement, it’s important to promote your interactive game zone before the event. Use social media, email campaigns, and event apps to let attendees know about the exciting games and prizes you’ll have available. You can even tease popular attractions to generate buzz and anticipation.
At the event, use signage to direct attendees to the game zone, making it easy to find and encouraging participation. Incorporating a unique hashtag for your event or game zone can also boost social media engagement as attendees share their experiences.
Incorporate Team-Based Games for Corporate Events
For corporate team-building events, interactive games can be used to encourage collaboration and teamwork. Games like Giant Connect Four or Table Football are perfect for fostering friendly competition while helping colleagues bond and work together.
Consider organising team-based challenges or tournaments where groups compete against one another in different games. This promotes teamwork and makes the game zone an integral part of your team-building objectives.
Planning an interactive game zone for large events requires careful consideration of space, game selection, logistics, and branding. With Expo Play’s wide range of games, and our attention to detail, we have everything you need to create an exciting and engaging event. All you need to do is tell us where you need us!
We deliver to West Midlands, Lancashire, and Hampshire, with branded entertainment at the Manchester Central Convention Complex and the Olympia London.