5 QR Code-Based Booth Games That Collect Leads Effortlessly

Trade shows are crowded, noisy, and full of competition for attention. If you want attendees to stop at your booth, you need something quick, fun, and frictionless. That’s where QR code–based games come in.

With a simple scan, visitors can jump into a custom branded game right on their phone — no app downloads, no waiting for a kiosk. Whether it’s unlocking hidden clues, spinning a digital wheel, or seeing their name on a live leaderboard, QR games transform a passing visitor into an engaged participant.

And the best part? Every interaction naturally ties into lead capture, so you walk away with more contacts while guests walk away entertained.

In this article, we’ll explore 5 QR code booth games designed have interactive games at tradeshow which grab attention, drive engagement, and collect leads effortlessly.

5 QR Code-Based Booth Games That Collect Leads Effortlessly

QR Treasure Hunt

- How it works: Attendees scan different QR codes placed around the booth (or venue) to unlock clues or product facts.
- Lead capture: details required to start the hunt.
- Why it’s QR special: encourages movement, exploration, and multiple scans (more booth dwell time).

QR Puzzle Unlock

How It Works

- Attendees scan different QR codes placed around your booth (on walls, product displays, brochures, or giveaways).
- Each scan reveals one piece of a digital puzzle — for example:
  - A part of your logo
  - A product image cut into tiles
  - A brand slogan broken into words
- Players need to collect all pieces by scanning all QRs to assemble the complete puzzle on their phone.

The Challenge

- The puzzle can be a jigsaw style, sliding tiles, or fill-in-the-blanks phrase.
- Only after scanning all required QR codes can they see the full completed picture/message.
- For added excitement, you can set a timer to see who completes it the fastest.

QR Race Challenge

How It Works

- The booth (or even a section of the expo floor) is set up with multiple QR codes acting as checkpoints.
- Attendees scan the first QR to register and start the timer.
- Each checkpoint QR leads them to the next one, revealing either:
  - A clue about where to go next,
  - A mini-task (quick trivia, tap game, or product question), or
  - A stamp that logs their progress.
- The timer stops once they scan the final QR.

The Challenge

- Attendees must complete the entire QR sequence as fast as possible.
- Bonus mechanics you can add:
  - Wrong path traps → extra QR codes that mislead, so players must think carefully.
  - Timed questions → scan unlocks a question, and wrong answers add seconds to their race time.
  - Team mode → groups of 2–3 players race against others simultaneously.

QR Code Story Quest

How It Works

- Visitors scan the first QR code to enter a branded interactive story.
- Each QR code unlocks a chapter or decision point in the storyline.
- To continue, attendees must find and scan the next QR placed strategically around your booth (on product displays, brochures, giveaways, or digital screens).
- The story unfolds piece by piece until the final QR reveals the ending + reward.

The Challenge

- Attendees must complete all story chapters by scanning every QR.
- The story can be:
  - A brand adventure (e.g., solving an industry problem with your product as the hero).
  - A mystery or mission (e.g., uncovering clues about hidden innovations).
  - A choose-your-path journey where players’ decisions impact the ending.
- Only those who finish the full quest get access to the final prize or exclusive content.

QR Spin Across Locations

How It Works

- Instead of one big spin-the-wheel kiosk, your booth has multiple QR codes placed across different areas (walls, product displays, brochures, swag bags).
- Each QR unlocks a different digital wheel on the attendee’s phone.
  - One wheel could give instant prizes (stickers, gift cards).
  - Another could reveal product highlights.
  - A third could give discount codes or raffle entries.
- Visitors must scan at least 3 unique QR codes to qualify for a final prize or enter the grand raffle.

The Challenge

- Attendees must complete all story chapters by scanning every QR.
- The story can be:
  - A brand adventure (e.g., solving an industry problem with your product as the hero).
  - A mystery or mission (e.g., uncovering clues about hidden innovations).
  - A choose-your-path journey where players’ decisions impact the ending.
- Only those who finish the full quest get access to the final prize or exclusive content.

Turn Your Booth Into a Crowd Magnet – Let’s Talk!

Tell us a bit about your event and we’ll cook up something fun, branded, and totally crowd-worthy. Games, VR, AR — let’s make your booth the star!

Why QR Code Games Work for Lead Collection

Let’s be honest — nobody comes to a trade show excited to hand over their email on a clipboard. But turn that same form into a game, and suddenly people line up to play. That’s where QR code games shine.

- Super easy to join – A quick scan and they’re in. No downloads, no fiddling with tablets that may or may not be working.
- Works for everyone at once – One QR can handle 5 people or 500. It doesn’t matter, because everyone’s just playing on their own phone.
- Leads come naturally – Want their name and email? Just ask before they start the game. It feels less like data collection and more like “signing in to play.”
- Keeps them moving – Games that need multiple scans make people walk around your booth, notice more of your products, and maybe even strike up a chat with your team.
- Not just for the booth – The same QR can go on flyers, giveaways, or even follow-up emails. Attendees can keep playing later, which means your brand sticks in their head longer.
- Actually fun – And here’s the kicker: people want to play. When they’re having fun, they don’t mind sharing a little info with you.

Best Practices for QR Booth Games

Running a QR game isn’t just about slapping a code on the wall and hoping people scan it. A few small tweaks can make the difference between “meh” engagement and a buzzing booth. Here’s what we’ve learned works best:

- Keep the form short – Don’t ask for blood type and company history. Name + email is usually enough to get people started. You can always follow up later.
- Put QRs everywhere – On booth walls, product displays, handouts, even on a freebie tote bag. The more touchpoints, the more scans.
- Make it worth their time – A chance to win something (even small prizes) will pull people in. Extra points if the rewards tie back to your brand.
- Connect the dots – Don’t just collect leads and let them sit. Hook your QR game into your CRM or email system so you can follow up while the event’s still fresh.
- Show it off – A live leaderboard or a big “Congrats!” screen gets attention. People walking by see others having fun and think, “Hey, I want in on that.”

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to get scans — it’s to start conversations. The game is the icebreaker. Your team takes it from there.

Conclusion

Trade shows move fast, and you usually get only a few seconds to grab someone’s attention before they drift to the next shiny booth. QR code games give you that hook — quick to play, easy to join, and surprisingly effective at turning “just browsing” visitors into actual leads.

The best part? You don’t need bulky setups or fancy hardware. A simple scan on their phone is enough to get people laughing, competing, and handing over their info without it feeling forced.

If you’re looking for a smarter way to collect leads while keeping your booth lively, QR code games are hard to beat. They’re fun for attendees, valuable for you, and memorable long after the event ends.