Company parties and activities are a great way to build team spirit, reward hard work, and bring people together - even if you have distributed and remote teams. Whether you're planning an annual holiday party, a team-building event, or just want to have some fun with your colleagues, there’s an endless number of ways to do it, so we’ve compiled some of our favorites here.
1. Virtual Trivia Night
Host a virtual trivia night where employees can show off their knowledge, work together in teams, and compete for prizes.
Trivia nights are a low-cost, pretty low-lift activity that allow employees to show off their knowledge and compete with one another for prizes, all while socializing and having fun. There’s usually going to be a wide range of knowledge among colleagues so we recommend grouping people into teams, which also helps people connect in smaller groups.
To get started, you'll need to choose a platform to host your virtual trivia night. There are several free and paid options available, such as Kahoot, Quizlet, or TriviaMaker, that make it easy to create and share trivia questions. It will also make it easier to organize if you choose a theme for your trivia night, such as pop culture, history, sports, or you could choose a topic that aligns with your company culture or values.
Once you have a platform and a theme, start promoting the event in advance to get people to attend (it’s not always easy to get people to participate after-hours, so you could also dedicate time at the end of the workday). Encourage your employees to form teams or play individually, and offer a prize for the winners.
Overall, a virtual trivia night is an excellent way to bring employees together, promote team spirit, and have fun. It can also be a great team-building exercise that promotes collaboration and healthy competition. With the right platform and a well-planned event, your virtual trivia night is sure to be a hit.
2. Karaoke Party
Have a karaoke party where employees can sing their favorite songs and let loose.
Ok, this one is likely to make some people uncomfortable, but the beauty is that not everyone has to participate. Once a few people break the ice you’re likely to be surprised by hidden talents and who on the team puts on a show.
This is one we recommend doing in person. If you want to host it yourself, you’ll need a karaoke machine, microphones, and a selection of songs. Alternatively, you can use a karaoke app or a virtual karaoke platform to organize the event. You can also find plenty of local venues that offer it and oftentimes have dedicated event spaces you can book for the whole team.
A karaoke party is a great way to push people out of their comfort zones to build team spirit, encourage employees to let loose and have some fun, and promote a positive company culture. It is an activity that everyone can participate in, regardless of their singing abilities, and can help to bring people together.
3. Scavenger Hunt
Organize a scavenger hunt around the office or virtually, which can be a great team-building exercise.
This one definitely takes more organization, planning, and time, but a scavenger hunt is a fun and engaging activity that can be organized both in-person or virtually to promote teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, and communication among colleagues.
To organize a successful scavenger hunt, you will need to plan out the game rules, clues, and tasks. If you’re doing it locally, you can organize it around the office, in a park, or any other location that is accessible and suitable for your team. Alternatively, you can organize a virtual scavenger hunt using some newer video conferencing and online platforms.
To get started, divide your team into groups and provide each group with a set of clues that they will use to solve puzzles and complete tasks. Each group will need to work together to find the answers and complete the tasks, which can include taking pictures or videos, collecting items, or solving riddles.
A scavenger hunt is a great team-building exercise that can help to build trust, improve communication, and promote collaboration. It’s also a creative way to use a virtual photo booth - having teams take pictures of the clues or accomplishments along the way to populate in a gallery the whole company can enjoy.
4. Murder Mystery Party
Host a murder mystery party where employees can take on different roles and work together to solve the mystery.
We don’t recommend trying to do this from scratch unless you’ve done it before, but a murder mystery party is a unique and engaging activity that can provide employees with an opportunity to work together, solve puzzles, and promote teamwork. If you have a theme you can also get into the spirit with costumes.
To host a successful murder mystery party, you will need to choose a storyline, characters, and clues. You can create your own storyline, use a pre-made kit, or hire a professional event planner to help you organize the event.
During the event, participants will need to interact with one another and use their problem-solving skills to gather information and solve the mystery. The event can be structured as a dinner party, with breaks in between the different stages of the game, or it can be organized as a team-building exercise that takes place over several hours or days.
It’s a significant commitment to put this on, but if you do it right it can be a lot of fun, let people get into character, and have a really memorable experience for the entire team.
5. Sports Tournament
Organize a company sports tournament, or mixed outdoor event where employees can compete against and with each other.
Organizing a company sports tournament can be a great way to promote teamwork, build relationships, and foster a healthy and active lifestyle among employees. It can take many forms but some popular options include basketball, softball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball. It also creates an opportunity for everyone get outside and spend time together, regardless of whether they feel inclined to compete or participate in certain sports.
Make sure you have the space, equipment you need, and clear rules for each game. We also recommend including games that are less physically oriented to be inclusive for everyone.
Once you have everything organized you can encourage employees to form teams and also set up a bracket system or a round-robin tournament, providing prizes for the winning teams. We highly recommend food and drink to go along with this activity, and don’t force anyone to participate in anything they don’t feel up to.
Getting out of the office and breaking a sweat can help to reduce stress, improve morale, and promote team spirit.
6. Virtual (or in-person) Escape Room
Set up a virtual escape room where employees can work together to solve puzzles.
A virtual escape room is a unique way to promote team-building and problem-solving skills among employees. To set up a virtual escape room, you will need a theme and a storyline, and then a series of puzzles and challenges that need to be solved in order to escape the room. You can choose to create your own if you’ve done it before and understand the core concepts, or more easily use a pre-made kit from a professional company that specializes in escape room experiences - including virtual options.
During the virtual escape room experience, employees will need to work together to solve puzzles and find clues, relying on effective communication through conference calls, sharing information, and using their problem-solving skills to find a way out. Add a time limit and prizes to add to the excitement, and try to pair people from different teams or departments for cross-collaboration and more team-bonding opportunities.
7. Volunteer Day
Plan a volunteer day where employees can give back to the community together.
A volunteer day is an awesome way for companies to give back to the community and promote a culture of corporate social responsibility (CSR). By organizing a volunteer day, employees can come together to make a positive impact on their communities and develop a sense of purpose and pride in their company.
To plan a successful volunteer day, it is important to choose a cause or organization that aligns with the values of the company. This could include volunteering at a local food bank, cleaning up a park or beach, or organizing a fundraising event for a charitable cause.
It’s also important to communicate the details of the volunteer day to all employees and encourage participation, including information about the organization, the goals of the volunteer day, and the logistics of the event, such as the meeting point, transportation, and schedule.
Not only does a volunteer day benefit the community, but it provides benefits to the team improved employee morale, team building, and a positive public image for the brand. It can also provide opportunities for employees to develop new skills and experiences, which can benefit their professional development and enhance their personal growth.
If you want to create some great brand content, compile the pictures from your community event into a photo or video mosaic.
8. Potluck
Organize a company potluck where employees can bring in their favorite dishes and share them with each other.
A company potluck is a fun and engaging way to bring employees together and foster a sense of community within the workplace. By sharing their favorite dishes and recipes, employees can learn more about each other's cultural backgrounds and food preferences, while enjoying a shared experience that is both social and gastronomic.
To organize a successful company potluck, it is important to communicate the expectations and details to all employees to encourage participation. This may include setting a theme for the potluck, such as a particular cuisine or ingredient, and inviting employees to sign up for specific dishes or courses ahead of time.
On the day of the potluck, make sure you have the space (and power outlets) to set up a buffet-style spread in a communal area. People can mingle, sample each other's dishes, and enjoy a relaxed and informal atmosphere that encourages conversation and interaction.
A company potluck can also be used as an opportunity to incorporate team-building activities or games that revolve around food or cooking. For example, you can organize a cooking competition or a blind taste test, where employees have to guess the ingredients of a dish.
Just about everyone loves food, so it’s hard to lose with this one, but we encourage doing it on a day where you’re not expecting significant output from everyone afterwards. No one is too productive after stuffing themselves with food.
Also, consider a fresh meal day where instead of home-cooked meals, employees order their favorite fresh meals online from local eateries. This can support local businesses and provides a variety of options catering to different diet restrictions or preferences.
9. (Virtual) Game Night
Have a game night where employees can play board games or card games together.
Hosting a game night for employees is a great way to bring coworkers together for fun and friendly competition and can be done both in person or virtually. Whether it's board games, card games, or other group activities, game night offers a chance for colleagues to socialize and bond in a low-pressure, enjoyable environment.
If you’re doing it in-person, choose a suitable location and set up tables or stations where employees can play the different games. You can go with the classic board games like Monopoly, Settlers of Catan (if you have 4+ hours), or Risk (if you have 24+ hours), as well as card games like Poker, Hearts, or Bridge. You could even incorporate video games or trivia games into the mix.
Encouraging employees to bring their own games is another great way to add variety and ensure that there is something for everyone. Provide snacks and drinks to keep people energized and focused, and consider incorporating prizes or awards.
In addition to being a fun social activity, game night can also help foster teamwork and collaboration. Games often require communication and strategy, which can help employees develop problem-solving and decision-making skills that can be applied to the workplace. Additionally, friendly competition can help build camaraderie and trust, while encouraging employees to support and learn from one another.
10. Talent Show
Host a talent show where employees can show off their skills and talents.
Hosting a talent show for employees can be an exciting and engaging way to showcase the unique talents and abilities of your team members. It may not be easy to get buy-in and participation, but you’ll likely discover some pretty amazing unknown talents of people at the company.
We recommend encouraging a wide range of acts and performances - whatever people want to showcase. Some employees may choose to sing, dance, or play an instrument, while others may opt to perform a comedy routine, magic act, or poetry reading. You can also incorporate group acts, such as a workplace band, choir, or dance troupe.
If your team is remote, you can also enable people to participate when it’s convenient for them via video, and then get the whole team together to watch everyone’s acts.
11. Food & Drink Tastings
Take the team to taste food, wine, spirits, cider, or anything local.
Organizing a tasting event is a fun and engaging way to bring employees together and create a unique and enjoyable experience for the day or afternoon. Choose a venue that can accommodate the number of employees attending, and select a place that has some variety for those that may not drink alcohol, or have certain allergies. You can also choose to have a someone like a professional sommelier come to the office to remove travel requirements and the amount of time needed.
During the tasting, employees get to learn about the operation, the region, and how to pair different food and drinks. You can also incorporate interactive elements, such as a blind taste test or a game where employees have to guess the type of what they’re tasting.
It’s a great way to unwind and relax after a long day at work, or get people away from the office for a day so they can get fresh air and discuss anything but work.
12. Cooking Class
Set up a cooking class where employees can learn how to cook a new dish together, in-person or virtually.
Hosting a cooking class for employees is a great way to rally people around something everyone loves - food. When in-person, cooking classes can be a great way to encourage team building, promote communication and collaboration, and provide a shared experience that everyone can enjoy. When virtual, they can allow people to participate from the comfort of their home while still getting the benefits of an awesome meal and team-building experience.
To organize a successful in-person cooking class, you'll need to choose a venue that can accommodate the number of attendees. You'll also need to decide on a dish or menu that is appropriate for the skill level and tastes of your employees. You can likely find some local restaurants or cooking schools that offer this kind of event.
For virtual, there are quite a few options you can find online that will send the necessary ingredients to each person and help facilitate and coordinate the collaborative, and instructive experience.
13. Outdoor Adventure
Plan an outdoor adventure, such as a hike or a bike ride, where employees can get some exercise and enjoy getting out of the office.
Planning an outdoor adventure is a great way to promote health and wellness, encourage teamwork, and provide a fun and memorable experience for people - when the weather is right. Some fresh air can be invigorating and energizing, and can help to foster a sense of camaraderie and shared experience among the team. There are also transportation solutions to help bring employees together in this way.
You'll need to choose an appropriate activity that is accessible to all employees and allows for different fitness levels. Some popular activities include hiking, cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, or even a ropes course. Or, just organize a picnic or bbq at the park so people aren’t committed to a certain level of activity.
Getting outdoors can promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, encourage teamwork and collaboration, and provide a break from the daily routine of work. It is difficult to do this one with remote teams, but you could encourage people to do this one their own and participate in a virtual photo booth to collect and share their adventures - similar to our online photo booth experience.
14. Holiday Party
Host a holiday party to celebrate the end of the year, change in seasons, or just to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.
Hosting a holiday party is a classic way to reward employees for their hard work and provide meaningful rewards, promoting camaraderie and goodwill within the workplace. A holiday party can be a festive and fun event that everyone looks forward to, and can also be inclusive of remote employees utilizing virtual experiences.
If you’re doing it in-person, be sure to choose a venue that can accommodate the number of attendees (and their +1’s) and that matches the tone of your event - whether casual, formal, fun, or themed. Be sure to feed people, particularly if there will be alcohol available, and if you really want to go big, hire some live music.
If you are hosting a virtual holiday party, consider sending people care packages ahead of time like cocktail kits, or meal kits that help create inclusiveness and participation. Utilizing a virtual event platform can help facilitate communication, while introducing a virtual photo booth can encourage people to show their spirit while creating some pretty cool content for the company.
15. Wellness Day
Organize a wellness day where employees can participate in activities like yoga, meditation, or massage.
This may be challenging for large companies, but if you’re planning for a smaller team or organization, having a wellness day for employees is a great way to show that you care about their physical and mental well-being. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy for everyone to get caught up in the stresses of work, leading to burnout and other related health issues. Providing an opportunity for employees to take a break and engage in activities that promote wellness and relaxation can have significant positive effects on productivity and overall happiness.
Popular activities include yoga, meditation, massage, or even a walking or running group. You can also consider bringing in experts in various fields such as fitness, nutrition, and mental health to lead workshops in the office to provide guidance on how to improve overall health and well-being.
This can be expensive, but keeping employees happy, healthy, and reducing stress can go a long way in retaining people and driving overall morale and productivity.
16. Virtual Movie Night
Have a virtual movie night where employees can watch a favorite movie together.
It’s unlikely employees want to all get together after hours at the office or a venue to watch a movie in a dark room, but hosting a virtual movie night can be a fun way to create engagement. Depending on the movie of choice (maybe a vote is in order) it can also be an excellent opportunity to showcase your company culture and foster team spirit. It’s low-key and allows employees to bond over a shared experience without significant commitment.
Some of our favorite platforms for hosting a virtual movie night are Teleparty, Scener, and Kast.
There you have it. If you can’t find a fun way from this list to get people away from work and out of the office to build team spirit and get to know each other, then we’re stumped. The emergence of many new virtual experiences are making remote work more possible and ubiquitous, so make sure to adapt your company experiences accordingly to remain inclusive, fun, and accessible.
To continue reading, visit our page about using Snapshot for team activations.
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