Trade shows in 2025 are fast-paced, digitally saturated, and packed with brands vying for attention. Attendees are bombarded with sales pitches, free swag, and flashy booths—so how do you make yours stand out?
Interactive experiences cut through the noise. They give people a reason to pause, participate, and remember your brand long after the event ends. Whether you’re showcasing a new product or trying to spark more meaningful conversations, games are a proven way to turn foot traffic into real engagement.
Below, we’ll break down why interactive experiences matter more than ever and share 10 trade show game ideas to help you attract visitors, generate leads, and create buzz at your next event.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
TL;DR summary
- Trade show games boost engagement, spark social buzz, generate leads, and improve brand recall.
- Use interactive experiences to encourage conversations and create meaningful brand moments.
- Popular options include trivia, scavenger hunts, escape rooms, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and putting green competitions.
- Mix solo and group games to appeal to both introverts and extroverts.
- Track participation with QR Codes and short links to measure interest and optimize the full trade show experience.
Why should you use games at your trade shows?
Interactive games help your booth stand out in a crowded expo hall. They’re a smart addition to your branding strategy and a proven way to turn quick interactions into lasting impressions.
- Increased booth traffic: Games draw attention and pull in trade show attendees, even those unfamiliar with your brand.
- Higher engagement: Visitors stay longer, giving your team more time to connect and convert.
- Improved memorability: A fun, well-planned experience helps your brand stick in attendees’ minds long after the event.
- More social sharing: Games encourage visitors to post photos or videos, building buzz beyond the trade show floor.
- Lead generation: Ask potential customers to share their contact information to play or redeem a prize, helping you grow your list and simplify post-event follow-up.
10 interactive trade show booth game ideas to consider
Trade show games are one of the best ways to increase brand awareness, but only if you choose the right ones and plan them strategically.
Below, you’ll find 10 ideas worth trying at your next trade show, along with tips on how to boost engagement, drive traffic, and leave a lasting impression.
1. Spin the prize wheel
Attendees can spin the wheel to participate in giveaways and win prizes like brand merchandise, discounts, or exclusive experiences. This easy-to-run game draws big crowds and consistently drives foot traffic to event booths.
- Why it works: Everyone loves a chance to win, and that excitement helps pull people in. The game’s bright visuals and simple format make it naturally eye-catching and interactive. Plus, it’s easy to customize with prize options that reflect your brand and resonate with your audience.
- Pro tip: Use bold signage, vibrant colors, and a branded design to attract attention as attendees pass by.
2. Photo booth challenge
A photo booth is already a great way to generate engagement, but turning it into a game adds even more energy.
Ask participants to snap their most creative photo, then post it on social media to enter a contest. Include a printed QR Code at your booth that connects to a branded link—this is where attendees can find the contest details, rules, and hashtag to include in their post. At the end of the day, award a prize for the best shot.
- Why it works: Builds excitement and turns your booth into a must-see attraction. It also encourages social sharing, which expands your brand’s reach online.
- Pro tip: Provide branded props, custom effects, and a clear call to action (CTA) to boost engagement. Add your company name and logo to each printout to increase brand awareness.
3. Virtual reality experience
With 40% of US adults having never used a virtual reality (VR) headset, incorporating VR at your trade show can offer a unique, memorable experience for many booth visitors. Use VR to showcase your products or services in action, especially if they’re complex or hard to demo in person.
- Why it works: Delivers a one-of-a-kind booth experience, particularly for attendees new to VR or when highlighting intricate offerings like vehicles or equipment.
- Pro tip: Brand your product demo or VR game to build brand awareness, and collect contact info from participants to support lead generation.
4. Trivia quiz
Run a trivia game with general knowledge or brand-specific questions. Choose topics related to your industry or the trade show theme to make it more relevant and engaging.
- Why it works: Encourages friendly competition and gives attendees a chance to show off what they know, making your brand more memorable.
- Pro tip: Keep the quiz short and simple to follow so participants don’t feel stuck at your booth. Offer small prizes to draw foot traffic and drive engagement.
5. Escape room challenge
With an estimated 2,000 escape rooms across the U.S., there’s a good chance you’ll find one near your trade show location. Partner with a local provider to create themed puzzles that attendees can solve for a unique, high-energy booth experience.
- Why it works: Creates a buzz-worthy, immersive experience that boosts brand recall. It also gives your team more time to connect with participants.
- Pro tip: Use your brand’s colors and logo throughout the escape room, and collect contact info from attendees who participate.
6. Putting green competition
A putting green is a fun, social activity that nearly anyone can enjoy. Focus on making the challenge approachable but rewarding to encourage participation and engagement without driving up your costs—especially if you reward winners.
- Why it works: Draws in attendees and creates a relaxed, engaging atmosphere around your booth.
- Pro tip: Add your logo to golf clubs, scorecards, or the putting green itself for extra brand visibility, and offer prizes to promote participation.
7. Augmented reality sandbox
Augmented reality (AR) blends digital visuals with physical spaces to create interactive, sensory experiences. Use AR technology to superimpose digital images on a wall or floor. Since these images are responsive, participants can touch, move through, or manipulate them to trigger brand moments or product demos.
- Why it works: Encourages hands-on engagement and gives visitors a more immersive way to connect with your products or services.
- Pro tip: Create AR experiences that align with your product or message, and collect contact details from participants to identify and follow up with leads.
8. Giant branded Jenga
Set up an oversized game of Jenga or opt for another jumbo classic like bean bag toss or Connect 4. The games are easy to jump into, making them perfect for casual interaction with booth visitors.
- Why it works: Creates a relaxed networking opportunity where you can chat with attendees in a low-pressure environment.
- Pro tip: Add your logo and brand colors to each game piece to reinforce your brand identity with every turn.
9. Scavenger hunt for the whole trade show
Send visitors on an event-wide adventure by giving them items to find or stamps to collect. Offer prizes or exclusive discounts to those who complete the entire scavenger hunt by the end of the day.
- Why it works: Builds excitement and boosts attendee engagement. It also encourages social sharing, helping expand your reach beyond the booth.
- Pro tip: Use Dynamic QR Codes or tracking links that attendees can scan or click on their mobile devices to receive scavenger hunt clues. Then, track engagement in real time.
10. Leaderboard competitions
Leaderboards work well for both arcade-style setups and in-person competitions. Great options include racing simulators, memory games, or sports-inspired challenges.
- Why it works: Sparks friendly competition and engaging gameplay, which helps build excitement and brand recall.
- Pro tip: Ask players to submit their contact info before joining the game to support lead generation. Offer incentives like branded swag or free products to attract interest and keep the energy high. You could also run a simple QR Code raffle alongside competitions to engage more attendees with less setup.
FAQs on trade show game best practices
What are the best trade show games for small booths?
It depends on your target audience’s interests and your product. You want a game that captures attention and helps showcase what you offer. That said, options like spin-the-wheel, trivia quizzes, and oversized Jenga work especially well in small spaces. They’re engaging, easy to set up, require minimal room, and can be customized to fit your brand.
How can I collect leads through booth games?
Ask participants to share their contact information before entering the game or claiming a prize. To streamline this process, use QR Codes or short links to send visitors to a mobile-friendly sign-up page they can access instantly from their smartphones.
What kind of prizes work best at trade shows?
Again, it depends on your audience, but branded swag, exclusive discounts, digital gift cards, and free trials are all solid options. They’re easy to distribute, memorable, and useful enough to grab attention.
How do I make a game appeal to both introverts and extroverts?
Offer a mix of experiences. Solo challenges like leaderboard games appeal to more reserved attendees, while group activities like scavenger hunts or escape rooms give extroverts a chance to engage.
Can I track engagement from a trade show game?
Yes—but only if you use trackable tools. Use unique Dynamic Bitly Codes or Bitly Links to direct visitors to registration pages, then monitor scans and clicks to gauge interest across different games or materials.
How do I make my booth games more shareable on social media?
Set up a photo station with branded visuals and clear instructions. Encourage attendees to take pictures or videos and share them online using a branded hashtag. To drive participation, offer incentives like discounts or free merch for those who post.
How do I coordinate a trade show scavenger hunt with other vendors?
Start planning early with vendors who are open to collaborating. Make sure each booth offers a unique clue or QR Code that leads visitors through the full experience. Consider pooling resources to offer a compelling prize for those who complete the hunts.
Level up your events with games and measure their success with Bitly
Trade show games are more than just fun—they help your brand stand out, increase engagement, and support lead capture at busy trade show booths. When planned thoughtfully, interactive experiences turn quick booth visits into lasting brand impressions.
To get the most value, you need the right tools behind the scenes. Bitly makes it easy to generate QR Codes and short links that connect every game to a lead capture form, landing page, or campaign via URL. With Bitly Analytics, you can monitor scans and clicks in real time to see which experiences resonate and use that insight to optimize your strategy across events.
Ready to elevate your trade show booths? Get started with Bitly today to track every interaction with branded links and QR Codes that drive measurable results.
