Just over 50 percent of American workers are satisfied with what they do at their jobs on a day-to-day basis.
If you own your very own small business, you might be searching for different strategies to improve employee satisfaction. Events in the workplace are a good way to do that.
So, how do you plan events your employees will actually engage with? We can help. Let’s go through how to plan fun activities for employees.
Ask Your Employees
Involve your employees in the planning process. Seek their input and suggestions for activities.
This ensures that their preferences are considered. It also increases their engagement and excitement about the upcoming event.
Create an online survey to gather event suggestions. Ask employees to provide ideas for events they would like implemented.
Set up an office suggestion box. Employees can anonymously submit their event ideas. This allows them to share their thoughts freely without any concerns.
Schedule dedicated team meetings or brainstorming sessions to discuss event ideas. Encourage employees to share their ideas openly. Let them build upon each other’s ideas. This will help generate creative and diverse event concepts.
Form employee focus groups to discuss and generate event ideas. These groups can meet regularly to share their thoughts. They can provide feedback on proposed activities. And they help shape the event planning process.
Schedule one-on-one meetings with employees. You can discuss their ideas and gather their input on potential events. This personalized approach allows for deeper conversations and can uncover unique perspectives.
Look At Team Building
Plan team-building activities for small groups that promote collaboration. These can help improve relationships among team members. Such activities often require minimal to moderate budgets. But they also provide significant value in fostering teamwork and camaraderie.
Escape rooms are one great option. Divide employees into teams. Then, challenge them to solve puzzles and riddles to escape a themed room within a time limit. This activity promotes collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. If you’re interested, check out Escape Ops.
Scavenger hunts are another possibility when it comes to cheap team-building activities.
Organize a scavenger hunt either within your office premises or in a nearby area. Create a list of clues and tasks that teams need to complete together. It encourages teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
You might also want activities that are a little less competitive. Bring in a chef or mixologist to conduct classes for your employees.
It allows them to work together and learn new skills. Plus, they’ll be able to enjoy their work afterward.
Or, you may want to hit the great outdoors. Plan a day of outdoor adventure activities. Try out things like ropes courses, zip-lining, or rock climbing.
These activities build trust and encourage risk-taking. They also help employees overcome challenges as a team.
You could even plan some time away. Plan an off-site retreat where employees can participate in different fun events. These retreats provide a dedicated space for team bonding and strengthening relationships.
Volunteer Activities
Organize a volunteer day where employees can contribute their time and skills to a charitable cause. Contact community organizations to find volunteer opportunities.
Look for charities that align with your company’s values. Giving back to the community can be a rewarding experience for employees. It can help strengthen their bond with colleagues.
Organize a day dedicated to community service. Employees can volunteer at local charities, schools, or shelters.
Arrange a volunteer event focused on environmental conservation. Employees can try things like beach cleanups, tree planting, or park restoration projects. These activities promote to promote sustainability and environmental awareness.
Identify employee skills that can be utilized for specific volunteer projects. If you have employees with marketing expertise, they could help with social media or fundraising campaigns.
Partner with local schools or organizations to establish mentorship programs. Employees can provide guidance, support, and knowledge to anyone seeking professional development.
If in-person volunteering is not feasible, offer virtual volunteering opportunities. Employees can engage in activities like online tutoring and mentoring through video calls. Or, they could support digital initiatives for non-profit organizations.
Organize fundraising events within your company. Examples include things like charity runs, bake sales or silent auctions. Employees can collaborate to plan and execute these events, raising funds for a chosen cause or organization.
Dedicate a specific number of paid days off for employees to volunteer individually or as a team.
This allows them to choose causes that are close to their hearts. So, they’ll contribute their time accordingly.
Encourage employees to share their skills and expertise with local community groups or non-profit organizations.
They can conduct training sessions. They could focus on things like financial literacy, technology skills, or career development.
Lunchtime Activities
Arrange occasional lunchtime events or themed potluck gatherings. Employees can showcase their culinary skills or cultural traditions.
Encourage employees to share their favorite recipes. Make it a collaborative effort to bring different dishes. This will help create a diverse and enjoyable mealtime experience.
Set up an area in the office where employees can gather to play board games or card games. This allows them to relax, have fun, and build relationships outside of work.
Start a lunchtime book club. Employees can read and discuss books of common interest. This promotes intellectual engagement.
It encourages reading habits. And it provides an opportunity for lively discussions.
Encourage employees to share their skills and knowledge with others during lunchtime. They can give short presentations or conduct mini-workshops. Consider topics like photography, coding, or language learning.
Wellness Initiatives
Promote employee well-being by offering wellness initiatives. Encouraging physical and mental wellness fosters a positive work environment. It also shows that the company values its employees’ overall well-being.
Create wellness challenges that employees can participate in. Examples include step challenges, fitness challenges, or meditation challenges. Provide incentives or rewards for reaching certain milestones to keep employees motivated.
Offer on-site or virtual fitness classes during lunch breaks or after work hours. These classes can include activities like yoga, Pilates, Zumba, or strength training. You can hire instructors. You could also partner with local fitness studios.
Organize workshops focusing on stress management, mindfulness, or work-life balance. Invite mental health professionals or experts to conduct these sessions.
Set up designated wellness spaces in the office. Employees can take short breaks for meditation, relaxation, or deep breathing exercises. Provide comfortable seating, soothing music, and dim lighting to create a calming atmosphere.
Try Some Competition
Organize friendly competitions among employees. Try things like trivia contests, sports tournaments, or creative challenges.
These activities promote team spirit and friendly rivalry. They also provide an opportunity for employees to showcase their skills and talents.
Corporate Team-Building From Home
You might also want to plan virtual activities. These are helpful in a remote work environment.
It’s also useful if your employees are scattered across different locations. Many online platforms and tools are available that help with interactive virtual experiences.
Organize virtual trivia sessions or quiz games using online platforms. Create themed quizzes or include questions related to your company or industry. It’s a fun way for employees to engage, compete, and learn together.
Put together virtual talent shows or show-and-tell sessions. Employees will be able to showcase their talents and hobbies. They could also show off interesting items from their homes.
It’s a lighthearted way to learn more about each other. And your employees will learn to appreciate individual skills and interests.
Arrange virtual happy hours or social gatherings. Employees can unwind, play games, and have casual conversations in a relaxed atmosphere. Consider incorporating team-building activities or virtual team games during these sessions.
Recognize Your Employees
Recognize and appreciate employees’ efforts and achievements through simple gestures. Recognizing and appreciating employees’ contributions goes a long way in boosting morale. It also helps to create a positive work culture.
Offer professional development opportunities to employees who have demonstrated exceptional performance. Or, look out for those shown dedication to their roles.
This could include things like such as training programs, certifications, or conferences. Supporting their growth and career advancement is a valuable form of recognition.
Create unique awards or certificates that recognize specific qualities. Present these awards during company events or meetings.
Planning Fun Activities for Employees: Start Today
There are lots of ways to plan fun activities for employees. Hopefully, you now have some ideas for what could work for your business.
Do you want more advice for helping keep your employees happy? We can help. Take a look at some of our other posts.
