Interactive Canva Games
A self-initiated side project that turned into a viral product, bringing fun and connection to classrooms, remote teams, and parties.
Boring Remote Interactions
The Challenge
For three years, I worked remotely, and every Friday our team held check-ins with team bonding activities. We rotated who would lead, and when it was my turn, I wanted something fun, engaging, and interactive. Since we had no face-to-face connection, I felt the activities needed to bring real energy into the virtual space.
That’s when I had an “aha” moment: Why not design interactive games that anyone could use for remote meetings? This idea became the spark for my first Canva game template.
The Research
Learning from the Audience
I observed trends on TikTok and Pinterest, noticing how many teachers and remote workers were searching for quick icebreakers. I also looked at existing game tools and saw a common gap: too complex to set up, or too costly for casual use.
This led me to test ideas directly with my own audience — posting short videos showcasing early Canva game prototypes. The response confirmed the demand: people wanted simple, editable, and fun templates.
icebreaker insight on TikTok
icebreaker insight on TikTok
icebreaker insight on TikTok
Problem Definition
Framing the Opportunity
The gap I noticed wasn’t just in my own team, but across schools, businesses, and families. Remote interactions often felt dull or transactional. Existing game tools were either too complicated, too expensive, or lacked creativity.
I designed interactive Canva games to solve that problem: simple, fun, and editable templates that anyone could customize. Canva was the perfect platform — it’s free, widely accessible, and easy to use.
The design question became:
How might I create ready-to-use game templates that bring people together, while keeping them easy to run and customize in Canva?
The Solution
Interactive Canva Game Templates
I designed a library of games — from Family Feud-style challenges to Guess the Emoji. Each game was designed as an editable Canva template that hosts could quickly customize. The templates balanced visual design, simple game logic, and smooth facilitation.
sample mock up
Sample mock up of interactive game
Inside Canva template
sample mock up
Jeopardy and Family Feud content on TikTok
Who Wants to be a Millionaire content on TikTok
Pinterest pin content
Jeopardy and Family Feud content on TikTok
I marketed the games through TikTok videos, Pinterest boards, and Etsy listings, positioning them as affordable, plug-and-play solutions for teachers, teams, and party hosts.
My Role – Designer and Entrepreneur
This project was entirely self-driven. I ideated the games, built the logic into slides, and designed the templates in Canva. I also created marketing content, posted on TikTok and Pinterest, and managed my Etsy store. Every step — from product design to promotion — was handled by me.
The Outcome
Viral Reach and Passive Income
The first TikTok video I posted reached 1.3 million views, with 39.32k likes and 20.2k saves. Canva’s official account even commented on the post. The viral attention boosted sales on Etsy, creating a stream of passive income.
Teachers, remote teams, and party planners continue to use these templates for fun and interactive experiences. What started as a small experiment became a sustainable creative business.
User Response – What People Said
The feedback from users confirmed the value of the templates. Teachers shared that the games made their virtual classes more fun and engaging. Remote workers said the icebreakers helped their teams feel more connected. Even party hosts and families used the templates to bring energy to their gatherings.
Kacey
"file was great! just as described easy to input your own info to make it custom and I reached out multiple times for help and they were GREAT! so nice and quick to help appreciate it and will definitely purchase files again!"
Marisa Rose
"highly recommend for a great hybrid work social!"
Reflection
What I Learned
This project taught me how creativity, design, and marketing can intersect to create real opportunities. I learned the power of short-form video in reaching global audiences, and the value of building something that balances fun with accessibility. Most importantly, it showed me that even side projects can open unexpected doors when designed with empathy and shared with the right community.
