Implementing fun activities for employees to engage in at work can spark their creativity and provide a brief and fun alternative to completing tasks. Participating in these activities can allow employees to learn more about one another and strengthen their abilities as a team. There is a wide variety of games you can play or events you can attend depending on your budgets, time frames, and interests. In this article, we share nine fun activities you can host for employees at work.
Why is it important to conduct fun activities at work?
It’s important to conduct fun activities at work because it can make the office a more enjoyable environment for employees. When employees have fun at their workplace, they may be more enthusiastic about coming into the office and motivated to contribute quality assignments to the company. Completing enjoyable activities with other employees can also increase team-building skills, which can allow employees to collaborate more effectively on projects with one another. Arranging these events, games or activities also gives employees a break from work, allowing them to return to their assignments with a clearer mindset to focus on tasks.
9 fun activities at work
Here are some fun activities you can conduct with team members at work:
1. Host a potluck
Consider hosting a potluck occasionally by instructing employees to provide a beverage, side dish, entree, or dessert of their choice for lunch. Employees can spend time eating together, engaging in personal conversations, or exchanging recipes. This can be an effective way for team members to spend time with one another so that they can feel closer as a group. You can host regular potlucks that have themes or feature a type of food to provide. Another option can be to show your appreciation for employees by hiring a company to cater lunches.
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2. Volunteer together
Arrange ways for you and other team members to participate in volunteering outings together. This is an effective way to demonstrate the company’s values through helping others. Employees might also enjoy working for an organization that’s committed to bettering their community. It also gives team members a way to spend time with one another outside of the office. Reach out to organizations in the community to see if they accept volunteers to successfully arrange a charitable outing. You can also ask employees where they volunteer on their own time or where they prefer to volunteer.
3. Create trivia questions
Challenge employees by conducting trivia sessions and hosting friendly competitions. You can ask employees what types of subjects they prefer you to quiz them on or they can submit their own questions for each other to answer. Departments can each separate into their own teams to strengthen their relationships and problem-solving skills with one another. You can host themed trivia sessions or test them on company-related topics like organizational policies or the brand’s messaging and image.
4. Conduct happy hours
You and the team can spend time outside of work by attending happy hours together. If you work with a virtual team, consider hosting virtual happy hours where you meet and talk with one another over video conferences. This can allow employees to get to know one another in a more relaxing environment so that everyone feels more comfortable around each other. You can also have employees bring in their beverages of choice to the office and discuss them during your happy hour sessions.
5. Build scavenger hunts
Make scavenger hunts for everyone to participate in to test their problem-solving, critical thinking, and team-building abilities. You can host this in the office or throughout the community as employees venture to different areas to locate items according to the clues you provide. The hunts can have certain themes or you can provide clues related to facts about the company or other employees. Assign each department as a team and offer awards like gift cards, small bonuses, or company merchandise to winners.
6. Have brainstorming sessions
If you have upcoming projects or deliverables due soon and would like employees’ unique ideas and opinions on them, host a brainstorming session. These can be small meetings that encourage employees to express their thoughts using their creativity and skills. You can make these sessions fun and engaging by motivating employees to share the most ideas. Instruct someone to write these ideas down on a whiteboard or chalkboard to make them visible to others so that employees can build on each idea. Encourage a supportive and positive environment to ensure employees feel confident and comfortable providing their ideas.
7. Engage in team-building activities
There may be teams who regularly collaborate with each other on different projects. A way to increase their team-building skills with one another, you conduct various activities to improve upon these abilities. You can take team members to team-building retreats or workshops where they engage in games that help them get to know one another and solve problems together. Consider developing your own team-building activities and hosting them in the office. These can be life-size board games, compliment circles or common icebreakers.
8. Invite guest speakers to visit
Help employees develop and grow in their roles by offering regular, interactive training sessions for them to attend. These can feature guest speakers who teach employees certain skill sets to advance in their careers. They can also speak on industry-related topics to keep employees informed and updated about ongoing trends. Ask employees who they’d like to visit the office or what type of subjects they’d like to learn more about to develop ideas for potential speakers.
9. Start a book club
Consider starting a book club with employees who enjoy reading and would like to discuss certain novels or stories each month. These can encourage employees to engage with one another and can challenge them to think critically and intellectually with one another. You can also host industry-related book clubs to talk about any reading materials or books written about current trends and topics. This keeps employees updated on the industry and allows them to express their opinions on it.
I hope you find this article helpful.
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