17 Interactive Exhibition Stand Games to Attract, Engage, and Convert
Want to make your exhibition stand the busiest spot at the show? Bring in the games. The right exhibition stand game can turn heads, spark conversations, and generate serious leads.
This guide showcases 17 tried-and-tested exhibition stand games that deliver on footfall, fun, and ROI. From digital showstoppers to physical favourites, there’s something for every brand, budget, and booth size.
Why Exhibition Stand Games Work
Gamification is a proven strategy to achieve measurable marketing outcomes at events. Exhibition stand games transform passive visitors into active participants, giving you more opportunities to connect and convert. Here’s why smart brands are turning their stands into game zones:
Increase footfall: Games draw attention and crowds. A busy, buzzing stand naturally attracts even more visitors.
Boost dwell time: The longer attendees stay, the more chances you have to showcase your products and hold meaningful conversations.
Capture GDPR-compliant leads: Games make data capture frictionless, whether through sign-up forms, QR codes, or leaderboard entries.
Create shareable moments: Laughter, selfies, and gameplay are highly shareable, amplifying your presence on social media.
Enhance brand recall: People remember experiences, not flyers. Research shows gamified campaigns can increase customer engagement by nearly 48%, proving their impact on attention and retention.
17 Trade Show Game Ideas
Finding the right exhibition stand game can make the difference between a booth that gets overlooked and one that becomes the talk of the show. These 17 interactive trade show game ideas range from simple, low-cost options to high-tech immersive experiences.
1. Claw Machine with Branded Merch
A classic claw machine filled with branded giveaways or small prizes. Visitors try their luck to “win” your promo products.
Why it works: Nostalgia makes claw machines a natural crowd-puller. The suspense of grabbing (or dropping) prizes draws people in and encourages repeat tries. Every prize doubles as a mobile advert, with attendees carrying your branded items around the venue.
Pro tip: Include a mix of high- and low-value prizes to maximise excitement and keep queues forming.
2. Digital Quiz with Scoreboard
A custom trivia quiz tied to your industry, products, or brand. Visitors answer questions via tablets or a big screen, with scores displayed live.
Why it works: Quizzes are interactive, educational, and competitive. They position your brand as knowledgeable while keeping the experience playful. A scoreboard motivates repeat participation and adds to the stand’s energy, making it a hotspot for attendees.
Pro tip: Use registration for quiz entry to capture GDPR-compliant leads seamlessly.
3. Social Media Photo Booth
A branded photo area with props, filters, and a custom hashtag. Attendees snap pictures and share them online for fun and prizes.
Why it works: Photo booths generate instant engagement both on the stand and across social media. Attendees walk away with a branded memory, while your business gains shareable content and extended reach.
Pro tip: Run a contest for the most creative post using your hashtag to keep online engagement rolling throughout the event.
4. Timed Word Game
Visitors race against the clock to spell out branded keywords or industry terms. Run it on tablets, touchscreens, or a large display with a live leaderboard.
Why it works: Fast-paced challenges are addictive and spark competition. By weaving in your product names or slogans, you turn gameplay into brand education. The visible leaderboard fuels return visits as attendees try to beat the top score, increasing dwell time and conversations with your team.
Pro tip: Offer instant giveaways for players and premium rewards for daily leaders to maximise engagement.
5. VR Experiences
Headsets can transport attendees into a virtual version of your product, service, or brand story.
Why it works: VR is proven to increase learning and recall. A six-month study found AR/VR users enjoyed a 30% boost in comprehension and retention, with 85% reporting higher engagement and 70% saying it helped them grasp complex concepts. That means your brand message lasts.
Pro tip: Project the VR session onto a big screen to attract onlookers and build anticipation.
6. Mind-Controlled Pint Pourer
A futuristic headset measures visitors’ focus to control a pouring mechanism. The calmer and more focused they are, the smoother the pint pour.
Why it works: It’s quirky, memorable, and instantly grabs attention. Attendees gather to watch, creating natural buzz around your booth. For hospitality, health, or tech brands, it’s a perfect way to demonstrate innovation while entertaining.
Pro tip: Capture photos or videos of participants in action and post them with a branded hashtag to multiply impressions online.
7. Augmented Reality Puzzles
Visitors use AR-enabled devices to uncover hidden digital clues around your stand and solve a branded puzzle.
Why it works: AR adds novelty while keeping attendees engaged for longer. A neuroscience study by Snapchat and Alter Agents found AR experiences scored higher immersion compared to traditional entertainment and held attention consistently. This means every moment of play is impactful, making your product features more memorable.
Pro tip: Link each clue to a product feature or benefit so attendees learn as they play.
See the Results for Yourself
Explore our portfolio of custom exhibition stands built to grab attention, boost engagement, and deliver ROI.
8. Break the Safe
Your stand features a clear safe with a visible prize. Attendees attempt to crack the code using clues hidden in your content or social channels.
Why it works: The suspense of a locked prize naturally attracts attention. Attendees engage more deeply with your stand material (videos, brochures, social feeds) as they hunt for clues. The safe itself becomes a visual magnet, pulling in curious crowds.
Pro tip: Require code attempts to be registered digitally to capture lead data.
9. Tablets with Touchscreen Games
Multiple tablets loaded with interactive games, from quizzes to memory challenges, for visitors to play simultaneously.
Why it works: Easy, casual, and scalable, tablet games work for any audience. They allow groups to engage without pressure and can be customised with your branding. Adding a live score wall ramps up competitiveness and increases return visits.
Pro tip: Collect emails as part of gameplay for seamless lead generation.
10. Blind Taste Test
Attendees sample your product (or competitor comparisons) while blindfolded and guess the flavour or brand.
Why it works: Sensory play is engaging, fun, and memorable. It gives visitors a hands-on experience of your brand’s quality while sparking laughter and conversation. For food, beverage, or health brands, it’s a natural fit that creates strong recall.
Pro tip: Enter correct guesses into a prize draw to boost participation and excitement.
11. Immersive Themed Zones
Divide your stand into zones, each with a unique theme, from retro gaming corners to futuristic product showcases.
Why it works: Multi-zone stands keep visitors moving and engaged for longer. By weaving a story through each area, you create a journey that connects emotionally with attendees. Creating layered, story-driven spaces is easier with bespoke exhibition stands tailored to your brand and event goals.
Pro tip: End the journey with a product demo or launch reveal to give the experience a powerful conclusion.
12. Interactive Video Wall
A motion-activated wall or live video feed that reacts to attendee movement. Add a gamified element, like spotting hidden objects or completing challenges.
Why it works: Video walls create a dynamic visual centrepiece that stops people in their tracks. Interactivity can extend dwell time and spark conversations. By embedding product demos into the game, you educate while entertaining.
Pro tip: Stream highlights or crowd shots live on social media to extend reach beyond the booth.
13. Sports-Inspired Competitions
Mini basketball hoops, penalty shootouts, or reaction walls that test attendees’ skills.
Why it works: Sports challenges are energetic, competitive, and fun. They release endorphins and attract crowds, while leaderboards encourage multiple plays. They’re a great way to break the ice and keep the atmosphere lively.
Pro tip: Award branded sports gear or event-exclusive prizes for top scorers to maximise visibility and participation.
Be the Stand Everyone Remembers
Turn your exhibition space into the star of the show with custom games, immersive zones, and interactive design.
14. Giant Nostalgic Games
Supersized versions of classics like Jenga and Connect 4 customised with your branding.
Why it works: Nostalgia is universally appealing and creates instant recognition. Oversized games draw attention from afar and invite relaxed, social play. When people pose with them, they also make perfect social media content.
Pro tip: Print product imagery or brand messages on the game pieces so every photo doubles as a subtle promotion.
15. Buzz Wire Challenge
Attendees guide a loop along a twisted wire. Touch the sides and the buzzer sounds, ending the attempt.
Why it works: Buzz wire games are addictive and competitive, keeping visitors at your stand longer. The steady-hand challenge adds suspense and often draws a crowd of spectators. Shaping the wire into your logo or product design reinforces brand recall.
Pro tip: Run timed rounds to crown daily champions and encourage repeat visits.
16. Spin to Win Wheel
A digital or physical wheel, divided into prize segments. Attendees spin for a chance to win branded giveaways.
Why it works: Spin-to-win games are simple, quick, and effective crowd-pullers. They create anticipation and work as a fun way to distribute promo items. Branded wheels also double as eye-catching displays for your stand.
Pro tip: Add quiz questions before each spin to make the game educational as well as entertaining.
17. RFID-Triggered Experiences
Visitors use RFID tags or cards to trigger videos, quizzes, or content at different touchpoints around your booth.
Why it works: RFID feels futuristic and interactive, giving attendees a personalised experience. Each tap can capture valuable data, while the surprise-and-reveal format keeps visitors curious.
Pro tip: Use RFID stations to showcase different product benefits, encouraging attendees to interact with all areas of your stand.
Looking for inspiration beyond games? Explore our guide to the best exhibition stand ideas to make your next booth stand out from every angle.
How to Measure the Success of Exhibition Stand Games
Running interactive trade show games is only worthwhile if you can prove their impact. Beyond the fun and energy they create, it’s important to track measurable outcomes that align with your event objectives. Here are the key metrics to focus on:
Lead volume: Count the number of new contacts you collect through game registrations, email sign-ups, badge scans, or QR code entries. This shows the direct business impact of your booth traffic.
Dwell time: Monitor how long attendees stay engaged at your stand. The more time they spend playing and interacting, the more opportunities you have to build meaningful connections.
Engagement levels: Track social media mentions, hashtag use, and content shares. Gamification often generates selfies, videos, and posts that extend your reach beyond the exhibition floor.
Conversions: Measure how many participants move on to the next stage, whether it’s booking a demo, requesting a proposal, or entering your sales pipeline.
For brands that value flexibility and ROI, modular exhibition stands offer a reusable, customisable solution that grows with your needs.
Bring Your Exhibition Stand to Life
Your stand should be an experience that attracts attention, engages visitors, and generates results. With the right mix of design, technology, and gamification, you can transform your trade show presence into a true crowd-puller.
At Plus Exhibition, we specialise in creating stands that look the part and perform. From interactive games and digital experiences to immersive themed zones, we’ll design and build a space that keeps visitors coming back.
Request your free 3D stand mockup or get in touch today, and let’s make your next exhibition your most successful yet.
FAQs
What are the best exhibition stand games to attract visitors?
Some of the best exhibition stand games include digital quizzes, VR experiences, spin-to-win wheels, claw machines, and giant nostalgic games like Jenga or Connect 4. These exhibition games are proven to increase footfall and engagement at trade shows.
How do I choose the right games for my trade show booth?
When selecting trade show games, consider your goals. If you want to capture leads, use interactive trade show booth games like quizzes or raffles that require sign-up. For brand awareness, visual games such as VR or interactive video walls draw bigger crowds.
Do exhibition games really generate leads?
Yes, interactive exhibition stand games are one of the most effective ways to generate leads at trade shows. By asking attendees to register, scan a QR code, or submit details to play, you can capture GDPR-compliant leads while keeping the experience fun.
What are some low-cost exhibition stand game ideas?
Budget-friendly exhibition stand games include photo booths, tablet-based trivia, giant Connect 4, or buzz wire challenges. These affordable trade show game ideas still attract visitors and create memorable engagement.
Can exhibition stand games be branded for my business?
Absolutely. Most interactive trade show booth games can be fully customised with your logo, brand colours, and key messages. This ensures the game reflects your identity and reinforces brand recall.
