Unique Team Building Activities: Murder Mystery Party
Looking for a great way to motivate and bond with your team?
Murder mysteries are very unique team building activities, but how do they work? They’re like a mystery novel come to life, and all your co-workers will play the suspects and detectives in a thrilling whodunit.
Start by picking a theme for your murder mystery party, like a classic 1920s speakeasy or a modern-day beach vacation. Then, everyone gets into character and dresses up in costumes to match the theme.
During the game, one of the players is “killed” (don’t worry, it’s all just pretend) and the rest of the team has to work together to figure out who the culprit is. Everyone has a role to play, from the detective to the suspects, and everyone is given clues to help them solve the mystery.
But here’s the twist: not everyone is telling the truth. Some players are hiding things! It’s up to you and your colleagues to put the pieces together and catch the killer before they strike again.

A murder mystery party can be a fun and engaging team building activity that encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and communication among team members.
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A Murder Mystery Party is One of the Most Fun Team Building Activities
There are plenty of reasons why a mystery party can be remembered as one of the most fun team building activities you did. And the best part is that it actually helps build the team! Here are some reasons why.1. Problem-solving
2. Communication

3. Role-playing
In a murder mystery party, team members will be assigned roles and will need to work together to uncover clues and solve the mystery. This can help team members to step out of their comfort zones and develop new skills, such as acting, improvisation, and storytelling.
4. Fun and engagement
A murder mystery party can be a fun and engaging way to break up the routine of work and help team members to bond with each other. This can help to build stronger relationships within the team and foster a more positive team culture.
Organizing Tips for Unique Team Building Activities For Work
Murder mystery parties are such a fun idea for unique team building activities for work. But, there are some things you definitely need to keep in mind to make sure that it will be an appropriate and effective activity for all members of the team.
In short, keep in mind the:
- Company culture
- Sensitivity of team members
- Time contstraints
- Group dynamics
- Logistics
1. Company culture
Consider the company culture and make sure these unique team building activities align with the values and beliefs of the organization. You want to ensure that the activity is not offensive or inappropriate in any way.
Pro tip: Night of Mystery has a number of “clean” versions on their website. Clean versions are void of references to alcohol, illegal drugs, and/or extra-marital affairs.

2. Sensitivity
Be mindful of any potential sensitivities or triggers that team members may have, and adjust the activity accordingly. It’s important to make sure that everyone feels included and comfortable participating.
Pro tip: If you are in question, please email Night of Mystery to find out more about the sensitive and adult topics that are references in the specific mystery you are considering purchasing.
3. Time constraints
Consider the time available for the activity and ensure that the murder mystery party can be completed within the allotted time frame. You don’t want to cut into work time or create undue stress by making the activity too long or difficult.
- Generally, Night of Mystery parties last 1.5 – 4 hours, but can be set up to fit the time period you want. We recommend a minimum of 1 hour.
4. Group dynamics
Consider the personalities and working styles of the team members and make sure the activity is suitable for everyone. You want to make sure that all team members feel comfortable and engaged during these unique team building activities.
Pro tip: When assigning characters, think about the dynamics. For example, if you are playing Ho Ho Homicide, do you want the boss to play Santa to mimic the dynamics of your work culture, or do you want to flip the script and have the Boss play a more subservient role, like an elf?
5. Logistics
Think about the logistics of throwing the activity like the venue, props, and costumes. Make sure that everything is well-organized and that team members have everything they need to participate fully in the activity.
Pro tip: You can use the simple “extras” included with the mystery to hang around the office space ahead of time. This will get everyone in the mood and ready to party ahead of time.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can ensure that a murder mystery party is a successful and effective team building activity for your work team.

One of the Most Creative Team Building Activities!
Overall, a murder mystery party can be one of the most creative team building activities your group will ever do! They’re a creative and enjoyable way to build teamwork skills and foster better collaboration among team members, and should be considered for your next event!