250+ Creative Scattergories Lists for a Fun Team Game

Basic doesn’t have to mean boring. Though Scattergories has a simple format and requires no equipment beyond a pen or keyboard, it can provide hours of fun. For budget-conscious teams looking to boost group morale, it’s an excellent option to have in the team building arsenal.

In this blog, we’ve compiled more than 250 Scattergories lists for work. You can use these directly or adapt them slightly as the basis for your own hilarious Scattergories game.

Table of Contents

What is a Scattergories List?

A Scattergories questions list is a selection of different categories to include in your Scattergories game. Traditionally, there are 12 different categories per round, though you can vary this to suit the number of players and the time available. 

Usually, the categories are completely random, but you can also link them thematically. For example, if the overarching theme were movies, you could have categories such as actors, documentaries, directors, and animation.

How to Play Scattergories Online?

To play Scattergories online with your team, here are some simple steps you can follow:

1. Schedule a time and date with your colleagues to play Scattergories. Send out e-invites with the video chat link in advance.
2. Prepare the custom Scattergories lists. Try and get creative across a variety of topics, from food and drink to sports and holidays.
3. On the day, explain the rules to all participants. They will have one minute to fill in as many of the categories as possible using a random letter of the alphabet. This can be selected either through a dedicated website or by asking a team member to do so.
4. Reveal your pre-prepared Scattergories lists. Make sure everyone has time to copy down the topics on their own computer before continuing.
5. Once everybody is ready, start the timer.
6. After a minute has elapsed, go around the group to hear each player’s answer. Occasionally, there may be debatable answers. In these instances, the group should discuss and reach a consensus about whether to accept or reject any questionable responses.
7. Add up the points. Players only score 1 point for a unique correct answer, i.e., an answer that nobody else in the group has given. If two people have written the same thing, no points are awarded.
8. Play as many rounds as you like. At the end, add up the total points to declare a winner.

250+ Best Scattergories Lists for the Workplace

We’ve put together more than 250 category lists to play the Scattergories game with your team. These have been organized into broad themes, which you can mix and match across multiple rounds.

1. All About the Office

Find out which of your colleagues excel at quick thinking with Scattergories lists for work that’s all about things used in the office. This can range from everyday items to essential tech.

• Office stationery
• Desk objects
• Workplace technology
• Office furniture
• Computer software
• Ways to commute
• Remote work essentials
• Job titles
• Coffee break 
• Business terminology
• Work tasks
• Company names
• Team building activities 
• Communication tools
• Reasons to love work
• Work-related apps
• Office snacks
• Professional skills
• Types of meetings
• Office attire

2. Movies

Movies have tons of topics to create different Scattergories lists, like directors, producers, actors, story elements, and more. 

• Movie genres
• Actor names
• Famous directors
• Best picture winners
• Movie characters
• Animated hits
• Film equipment
• Popular villains
• Movie heroines
• Famous screenwriters
• Oscar-winning movies
• Filming locations
• Movie soundtracks
• Animated characters
• ‘80s or ‘90s movies
• Movie remakes
• Famous cameos
• Movie franchises
• TV-to-movie adaptations
• Movie sequels

3. Nature and Animals

The ‘Nature and Animals’ category allows team members to share their diverse knowledge about flora and fauna. This, in turn, deepens their appreciation for the natural world. 

• Natural wonders
• Flowers
• Trees
• Natural phenomena
• Gems
• Bodies of water
• Things in a wood
• Mammals
• Ocean-dwelling creatures
• Animals that fly
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Insects
• Herbivores
• Animals that make good pets
• Animals that appear in TV or film
• Arctic animals
• Nocturnal animals
• Desert animals and insects
• Medicinal plants
• Types of natural disasters 

4. Food and Drinks

Have a good time with your team playing a refreshing round of Scattergories themed around edible delicacies and delicious drinks.

• Baked goods
• Fried snacks
• Vegetables
• Spices
• National cuisines
• Flavors of crisp
• Mixology 
• Dishes made from potatoes
• Salsas and sauces
• Desserts
• Foods that are red
• Soft drink brands
• Chocolate brands
• Finger foods
• Types of milk
• Wine varietals
• Pasta types
• Cheese varieties
• Nuts and seeds
• Seafood

5. Arts and Crafts

This Scattergories topics list includes arts-and-crafts-themed topics that are good for a fun game at work.

• Famous artists
• Origami
• Colors
• Tools used to create artworks
• Architectural styles
• Craft hobbies
• Pottery types
• Fabric varieties 
• Materials you can use in a craft project
• Crochet styles
• Terrarium
• Home-made candle scents
• Recycled craft items
• Printmaking methods
• Items in a sewing kit
• Art museums
• Calligraphy fonts

6. Pop Culture

Test your team’s trend radar with pop culture Scattergories lists covering everything from chart-topping hits to superheroes and internet slang. 

• Sports celebs
• Superheroes and their sidekicks
• Reality TV shows
• Star Trek characters
• Marvel heroes  
• Internet slang
• Emojis
• Computer games
• Fitness models 
• DC superheroes  
• TikTok influencers
• Sitcom characters
• Comic books
• Famous podcasts
• Video game characters
• Instagram filters
• Social media influencers
• Celebrity-owned brands
• Comedians
• Music bands

7. Holidays

Celebrate popular holidays with an appropriately themed game of Scattergories. Here are some categories based on holidays like Easter, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Juneteenth, and more. 

• Annual celebrations
• Holidays from around the world
• Ways to get on the naughty list
• Best gifts for Mum on Mother’s Day
• Movies to watch with Dad on Father’s Day
• Holiday songs
• Places to go on a beach break
• Best locations for skiing
• The most overrated holiday destinations
• Summer holiday games
• Easter basket fillers
• Valentine’s Day movies
• St. Patrick’s Day foods
• Diwali sweets
• Firecrackers
• 4th of July parades
• Holiday-themed books
• Holiday scents

8. Sports

One of the best Scattergories lists for adults who like their sporting action, this hard-hitting theme is sure to be a home run.

• Track and field rules 
• Team sports
• Cities that have hosted the Olympics
• Athletes who have won a gold medal
• Games involving a ball
• Football teams
• Famous sportspeople
• Sporting equipment
• Stadiums that host sports
• Things a referee might say
• Sporting terminology
• Water-based sports
• Activewear and accessories
• Cricket teams
• Famous coaches
• Winter sports
• MMA fighters
• Sports mascots
• Extreme sports

9. Fashion

Spot the fashionistas in your team with this category, all about iconic trends, popular dressing styles, vogue hairstyles, and more. 

• Fashion designers
• Shoe brands
• Popular hairstyles
• Fashion magazines
• Makeup brands
• Skincare items
• Fashion bloggers
• Seasonal clothing items
• Hat styles
• Types of handbags
• Popular makeup artists
• Jewelries
• Fashion capitals
• Perfume brands
• Accessories
• Types of footwear
• Wristwatch brands
• Clothing brands
• Red carpet award shows
• Fashion events

10. Travel

Take your team on an adventure of breathtaking destinations, famous landmarks, must-try local foods, and more with these Scattergories lists. 

• Popular tourist destinations 
• Airports
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Famous hotels or resorts
• Cruise lines
• Adventure activities
• Travel souvenirs
• Travel apps
• Famous markets
• Historical landmarks
• Famous streets
• Famous hiking trails
• Travel movies
• Popular beaches
• Cafés around the world
• Iconic bars
• Travel essentials
• Viral food spots
• Popular deserts

Bonus List of Scattergories Categories for Holidays

Add extra fun to your game sessions with a bonus list of Scattergories categories covering Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

1. Halloween

Get your team in the spooky spirit with Halloween Scattergories lists that cover everything from creepy costumes to classic horror movies and treats. 

• Halloween costumes
• Candies you might get as a treat
• Haunted places
• Horror movie characters
• Creepy ingredients for a potion
• Halloween party games
• Halloween foods or drinks
• Costume accessories
• Spooky decorations
• Halloween movies
• Halloween props

2. Thanksgiving

Bring holiday cheer to your team with these Thanksgiving Scattergories categories and bond over festive fun. 

• Foods to eat at Thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving desserts
• Fall harvest items
• Leftover recipes
• Autumn flowers and plants
• Thanksgiving movies
• Things you carve
• Thanksgiving activities

3. Christmas

Bring your team together with a Christmas Scattergories list featuring gifts, carols, delicacies, and decorations.

• Christmas carols and songs
• Holiday movies
• Hot drinks
• Places you’d visit for a white Christmas
• Christmas candies 
• Things you find under the Christmas tree
• Christmas books
• Christmas ornaments
• Stocking stuffers

4. New Year

Challenge your team to name resolutions, party themes, traditions, and things people do on New Year with these topics for the Scattergories game.

• New Year’s Eve party themes
• Resolutions people make
• Carnival games
• New Year songs
• Drinks served on New Year’s Eve
• New Year movies
• Famous countdown locations
• Champagne and wine brands
• Fireworks displays around the world

Expert Tips to Make Scattergories More Fun

Before organizing the Scattergories game for your work colleagues, here are a couple of points you can consider:

• Establish ground rules about adjectives. For example, if the category is vegetables and the letter is G, decide whether players are allowed to say ‘green pepper’. Making this clear from the beginning avoids unnecessary arguments later.
• Avoid letters like Q, X, and Z during your Scattergories game. Regardless of the topic, it’s often hard to come up with answers that fit with these letters.
• If someone’s answer sounds questionable, make the discussion part of the fun. It’s a great way for teammates to flex their persuasion skills in a lighthearted way.
• Have everyone drop their answers in the chat the moment time’s up. It keeps things fair and stops anyone from sneaking in last-second edits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are good Scattergories categories for work?

Ideally, the best Scattergories lists for work should be as general as possible. Unlike friendship groups, the workplace is likely to have a broad range of knowledge and interests. To promote inclusivity, it’s important not to get too specific or niche when considering categories for Scattergories. 

Can you play Scattergories for free?

Yes, Scattergories can easily be played for free. No specialist equipment is required, and the game rules are simple. You can even find a free and easy Scattergories lists generator online to come up with random categories for your game.

What are some of the best online sites to play Scattergories?

The best sites for playing Scattergories online are scattergoriesonline and swellgarfo.

How many people can play Scattergories at once?

The Scattergories game works well with any team size. You can play with as few as two people or large groups by splitting them into smaller teams.

How can we create custom Scattergories lists for my team?

To create a custom categories list for Scattergories for your team, you can tailor categories around your team’s work or interests. Go with categories like “Things You’d Find in Our Office,” “Inside Jokes,” or “Project Names” to make the game more personal and engaging.