Virtual welcome party for new hires

A virtual welcome party for new hires is a 30 to 60 minute video call in their first week. The team plays a hosted game in small groups, so the new person meets everyone without giving a speech. Hosted games book two weeks ahead, so book when the offer is signed.

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Live host on every game · Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet

A new hire at his home desk smiles as coworkers wave hello to him on a video call

How to run a 45-minute welcome party

A hello from the manager, a hosted game in small teams, and everyone back to work. The new hire never has to present.

  1. 0:00Hello from the manager · youOne line on the new hire's role and who they'll work with most. No speech from them.
  2. 0:05The hosted game · your hostA 35-minute cut played in small teams, so the new hire talks with a few people at a time.
  3. 0:40Wrap and next steps · youName their onboarding buddy and the next team meeting, then let everyone go.

Want the full hour? Keep the game at 60 minutes, or add the coffee kit.

Keep the spotlight off

  • Ask the new hire before the call what they're happy to share. Use that and nothing more.
  • Play in small teams: four people at a time, not the whole department watching.
  • Pick games about guessing and teamwork, not about telling your life story.
  • Skip the "three fun facts about yourself" round.
  • Let cameras be optional for anyone who prefers them off.

A manager's week-one run of show

The party is one step in the week. Here is where it fits, from the signed offer to the first Friday.

Need words for the welcome note? See welcome to the team messages.

  1. Offer signedBook the welcome game, or the coffee kit if the start date is 3 weeks out.
  2. Week beforeInvite the team and send the new hire a short welcome note.
  3. Day 1Laptop, accounts, a 1:1 with you and an intro to their buddy.
  4. Day 2 or 3The welcome party: 45 minutes, inside the new hire's working hours.
  5. Day 5A 15-minute check-in: who they've met and who to meet next.

Icebreaker games for a new hire welcome

Each runs about an hour with a live host on your own private link. Click any card for dates and booking.

Games that keep the new person off the spot

Small teams, guessing and teamwork, no introductions round. Nothing ships, so these book 2 weeks ahead.

More formats on virtual team games.

One new hire or a whole start class

The same call works for one person joining a team or everyone who starts on the same Monday.

  • One new hire

    Who's on the call

    The team they're joining, usually 5 to 25 people.

    What to book

    A 45-minute game cut, or the full hour with the coffee kit.

  • A start class

    Who's on the call

    Everyone starting that month, plus their managers and buddies.

    What to book

    One game in mixed teams, so starters meet each other and the company at once.

  • Interns or a cohort

    Who's on the call

    A summer intern class or a graduate cohort starting the same day.

    What to book

    A welcome game in week one, then events across the whole program.

Planning for a summer intern class? See team building for interns.

Book-by dates from the start date

Three 2027 welcome parties, each in week one of a Monday start: January 4, February 1, June 7.

Book-by dates for virtual welcome parties in 2027
Thu, Jan 7, 2027Hosted game: Wed, Dec 23, 2026Coffee kit, US guests: Thu, Dec 17, 2026Kit, Canada or abroad: Thu, Dec 3, 2026
Wed, Feb 3, 2027Hosted game: Wed, Jan 20, 2027Coffee kit, US guests: Wed, Jan 13, 2027Kit, Canada or abroad: Wed, Dec 30, 2026
Wed, Jun 9, 2027Hosted game: Wed, May 26, 2027Coffee kit, US guests: Wed, May 19, 2027Kit, Canada or abroad: Wed, May 5, 2027

A booking date that lands on a holiday moves to the day before. Start date sooner than two weeks away? Send it anyway and we'll check which hosts are free.

What a virtual welcome party costs

Live totals at three sizes, with the host included. The kit price includes continental US shipping.

Virtual welcome party prices at 8, 15 and 30 guests
Poll Points!8 guests$850$107 a person15 guests$850$57 a person30 guests$1,700$57 a person
Your Favorite Game Shows!8 guests$975$122 a person15 guests$975$65 a person30 guests$1,195$40 a person
Bingo and Beyond!8 guests$975$122 a person15 guests$975$65 a person30 guests$1,195$40 a person
Team Discovery Challenge8 guests$875$110 a person15 guests$875$59 a person30 guests$1,095$37 a person
Mystery Mixtape8 guests$1,40015 guests$1,40030 guests$1,400
Coffee Tasting8 guests$1,091$137 a person15 guests$1,714$115 a person30 guests$3,049$102 a person

Book with an estimated headcount and confirm it later. A 50% deposit holds the date, and you can pay by card or invoice. Get a quote for your team.

A welcome party, not an onboarding program

This page plans one call in week one. Team events across the first months are a different plan.

For that, see new hire onboarding.

The welcome gift

Ship it to their home the week before they start, so it's there on day one. See new hire gifts by budget, or let the coffee kit be the gift.

Virtual welcome party questions

What is a virtual welcome party for new hires?

A 30 to 60 minute video call in a new hire's first week where the team plays a hosted game in small groups, so the new person meets everyone without giving a speech.

How do you welcome a new team member virtually?

Send a short welcome note before day one, give them a buddy, and hold a 45-minute welcome party on day 2 or 3 with a hosted game in small teams. Our welcome to the team messages guide has wording for the note.

Which icebreakers don't put the new person on the spot?

Games played in small teams, where people guess how the room answered or work together on a challenge. Skip rounds where the new hire introduces themselves to everyone, and ask them beforehand what they're happy to share.

When in the first week should we hold it?

Day 2 or 3, inside the new hire's working hours. Day 1 goes to laptops and accounts, and by Friday the week is gone.

How long should a virtual welcome party be?

30 to 60 minutes. 45 leaves room for a hello and a wrap. Our games run about 60 minutes as standard, so ask for a shorter cut in your quote.

How much does a virtual welcome party cost?

A hosted game like Poll Points! is $850 for 15 guests, with the host included. The coffee kit is a base fee plus a price per guest, with continental US shipping included. Each card on this page shows the live price.

How far ahead do we need to book?

Hosted games book 2 weeks ahead, the coffee kit 3 weeks, about 5 with anyone in Canada or abroad. For a welcome on Thursday, January 7, 2027, book a game by December 23, 2026 or the coffee kit by December 17, 2026.

Can we welcome a whole start class at once?

Yes. Invite everyone starting that month with their managers and buddies, and the host mixes the teams so starters meet each other and the people they'll work with.

How is a welcome party different from an onboarding program?

A welcome party is one call in week one. An onboarding program runs team events across the first months. See new hire onboarding for that plan.

More for new hires

Someone new starting soon?

Send us the start date, a rough headcount and where the team is. You get a full plan within 24 hours.

Get a free quoteSee the games