What is National Have Fun at Work Day? 🤔
National Have Fun at Work Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on January 28th each year that’s dedicated to injecting a bit of humor and lightheartedness into the workplace. The main idea behind this day is to encourage employees to take a break from their usual routine, let loose, and engage in enjoyable team building activities that foster camaraderie and boost morale.
On this day, companies often organize various activities and events within the workplace to promote a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. These activities can include team building activities, fun games, contests, or other creative initiatives designed to create a more relaxed and enjoyable work environment.
The aim of National Have Fun at Work Day is to remind people that work can be enjoyable, and by incorporating elements of joy and camaraderie, it can lead to increased productivity, better teamwork, and improved job satisfaction among employees. It's an opportunity for companies to show appreciation for their employees and emphasize the importance of building a positive team culture.
Calling the office fun committee! Try these National Have Fun at Work Day ideas:
1. Play a virtual escape room
On this national fun day, treat your team to a virtual Escape Quest, an exciting event that boosts engagement and collaboration in a challenging atmosphere. Participants will work together in teams to solve puzzles and uncover clues if they want to complete the quest before the time is up. This activity encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication among team members, all in a non-work setting.
Providing a virtual experience where teams can communicate, strategize, and work together to solve puzzles builds connections and teamwork among colleagues, fostering a positive and enjoyable company culture. Incorporating this activity into the day's agenda can infuse energy, excitement, and a sense of collective achievement, leaving employees with a memorable and rewarding experience that celebrates the importance of having a good time with their teammates.
How to get started 👉 Work together to complete the Virtual Escape Quest in time!
2. Plan a scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a creative way to have some fun at work! Here's how you can organize one:
- Create teams: Divide employees into small teams of members from different departments or cross-functional groups to promote connection among colleagues who might not typically work together.
- Set ground rules: Establish clear guidelines, such as the duration of the hunt, areas where participants can search (if it's an in-office hunt), or specific platforms/tools to use (if it's a virtual hunt). Ensure that the rules are easy to understand and inclusive for everyone participating.
- Craft clues or tasks: Design a series of clues or tasks related to the workplace, office items, company history, or team-specific knowledge. Ensure the clues are exciting, not too challenging, and encourage teamwork and creativity.
- Select locations or items: If it's an in-office hunt, identify specific locations like a conference room, or items that participants need to find. A virtual scavenger hunt could involve searching for information on the company website, solving puzzles, or even taking snapshots of particular items around their home office space.
- Determine prizes or recognition: Offer prizes or recognition for winning teams. It could be anything from small gift cards, a trophy, extra break time, or a shoutout in a company-wide email. Recognize everyone's effort to make sure it's an inclusive and positive experience for all participants.
- Host a debriefing session: After the activity, encourage teams to share their experiences, funny moments, and challenges faced during the activity.
How to get started 👉 If you want to leave the planning to the professionals, enjoy a Plug and Play Mixer: a getting-to-know-you event that combines a mini scavenger hunt using items from home, icebreakers, and more!
3. Take a Laughter Yoga class
Laughter Yoga isn't just about giggles. It's a unique wellness experience with mental health benefits, too! Led by a certified laughter yoga teacher, this session begins with insights into the positive impacts of laughter on mental well-being. Through guided deep breathing, warm-up exercises, and interactive laughter activities, teams will enjoy an event that promotes stress relief, boosts moods, and enhances team connectivity.
Expect the unexpected as you engage in playful exercises designed to stimulate genuine laughter, encouraging everyone to step out of their comfort zones and laugh together. Trust us, in Laughter Yoga, fake laughter eventually gives way to genuine chuckles and guffaws which gets those positive endorphins flowing.
How to get started 👉 Treat your team to some side-splitting good times with Laughter Yoga!
4. Host a team lunch
On National Have Fun at Work Day, bring your employees together for a delightful and bonding team lunch.
Whether it's ordering in from a favorite local spot, arranging a potluck with homemade dishes, or hopping onto a video call with your lunch from home, sharing a meal provides an excellent opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level, celebrate achievements, and simply enjoy each other's company in a more relaxed setting.
For those working from home, an easy way to organize a group lunch is through Confetti's Lunch Party! We'll take the stress out of planning by sending your employees a gift card they can use to order takeout from a restaurant of their choice.
How to get started 👉 Nourish your body and your team spirit with a Lunch Party!
5. Take an online cooking class
Engaging in an online cooking class offers a fantastic opportunity to bond with your colleagues while learning new recipes and culinary skills.
Choose a cooking class that appeals to the team's tastes and interests, whether it's mastering the art of homemade pasta, exploring the secrets of gourmet pizza-making, or diving into the world of folding dumplings. Led by a professional cooking instructor, the class will guide everyone through the chosen recipe, providing tips, tricks, and interactive demonstrations along the way. It's a chance for the team to collaborate, share laughs, and savor the satisfaction of creating a delectable dish together, all from the comfort of their own kitchens.
As you chop, mix, and sauté through the class, not only will participants sharpen their culinary prowess, but they'll also be creating lasting memories and a delicious meal to enjoy when the class is over.
How to get started 👉 Browse the menu of Cooking Classes for fun ideas that hit the spot!
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6. Play Bingo hosted by a fabulous Drag Queen
Elevate the excitement on National Have Fun at Work Day by treating your team to a Drag Queen Bingo experience! It's not just bingo; it's an entertaining corporate event that infuses a classic game with the personality of a live, dazzling Drag Queen! Whether your team is hybrid or remote, everyone can join in on this bingo party.
While your team plays up to 6 rounds of bingo, your host will keep you laughing and cutting up in the chat thanks to their hilarious commentary. And that's not all, it wouldn't be a true Drag show without a lip-sync extravaganza. Bring your energy and get ready to call out "Bingo!"
How to get started 👉 Go all out with a game of Drag Queen Bingo!
7. Go head-to-head in a game show
Team building games are a great way to bring out your employees' competitive spirit! On National Have Fun at Work Day, treat your team to a round of Coworker Clash, a hilarious and interactive survey-style game show. Employees will be divided into two teams, where they'll put their heads together to come up with answers to questions like, "Name something you'd hate to forget to do before work in the morning." Teams will try to guess the top five answers on the board like "brush your teeth" or "make coffee" without three incorrect guesses, or else the other team will get the chance to answer correctly and steal points.
Teams will play the main round where quick thinking and teamwork are essential to secure points. The game ends with a lightning round, where all teams will have the opportunity to buzz in, adding a final rush of adrenaline to the competition. At the end of the lightning round, the team with the highest points emerges victorious, earning bragging rights (at least until the next time you play.)
How to get started 👉 Push up your sleeves and go head to head in a game of Coworker Clash!
8. Host a crafting event
Arts and crafts are perfect for unwinding and enjoying your team's company. Add a splash of creativity to the day with a Resin Art Class! Led by a live art instructor, this hands-on experience will guide participants through the process of crafting their DIY resin coasters in a step-by-step demonstration.
Dive into the artistic process by preparing your surface and mold, mixing the resin with pigment colors of your choice, and exploring marbling and swirling techniques to create stunning, personalized patterns. Our instructor encourages questions throughout the session, ensuring everyone feels supported and empowered to unleash their creativity.
Not only will you craft a beautiful resin coaster during the class, but you'll also gain valuable knowledge and materials to create another coaster later on and remember the occasion.
How to get started 👉 Unleash your inner artist with a Resin Art Class!
9. Kick back at the Confetti Pub
Gather your team at the Confetti Pub! Participants can explore a variety of breakout rooms hosting different activities, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. From live music to engaging games and themed conversation rooms, this interactive experience promises to be the highlight of your National Have Fun at Work Day.
But wait, there's more! Put on your thinking caps for some Pub Trivia, where your team can showcase their knowledge in fast-paced rounds while attributing winning points to charities. The charities with the most points will receive donations in your company's name, courtesy of Confetti! Get ready for some friendly competition as we bring the virtual version of the classic game show, Coworker Feud, right to your screens. Guess the top answers to survey questions for a chance to win exciting gift card prizes in our raffle.
There's a reason this choose-your-own-adventure style experience is a customer favorite!
How to get started 👉 Meet your team at the Confetti Pub!
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10. End the day with Happy Hour
Cap off your National Have Fun at Work Day celebration with an interactive Beer Tasting! Why settle for your usual happy hour when you could make the experience an interactive and educational experience? To make it easier, tasting kits will be shipped directly to your team members' homes, ensuring everyone can participate regardless of their location.
During the tasting flight, your team will explore a range of beer styles, from Pale Ales and IPAs to Lagers and Pilsners, and more. Our beer expert will provide insights into the brewing process, the nuances of different beer styles, and tips on appreciating the flavors and aromas of each brew. It's an opportunity for your team to bond over shared experiences, expand their knowledge of beer, and discover their own personal preferences.
For participants 21+ only.
How to get started 👉 A Beer Tasting is a fun way to raise a glass and reward your hard-working team!
Spread joy on National Have Fun at Work Day 😀
As we wrap up our ideas for National Have Fun at Work Day, let's carry these ideas into the entire year! Building a fun and positive work environment doesn't have to be confined to a single day — it's an ongoing initiative that reaps tremendous rewards. Whether it's through team building activities or moments that encourage laughter in the workplace, continue to prioritize creating an atmosphere where every team member feels valued, motivated, and excited to contribute.
Celebrate National Fun at Work Day with Confetti! For more team building activities encouraging employee engagement, visit the National Have Fun at Work Day collection.
