Gone are the days when company picnics were solely about employees trying to impress their bosses. Today, the dynamics have shifted, and company picnics have evolved into inclusive and collaborative events that foster a sense of unity and camaraderie among all team members.
In the past, employees may have felt pressured to showcase their skills and dedication to impress their superiors at company picnics. It was seen as an opportunity to gain recognition or climb the corporate ladder and even The Simpsons knew it!
Fast forward to the modern era of office picnics, where things have gotten a tad more exciting.
The focus is not just on the food and relaxing side of things, it also promotes a whole range of benefits.
What makes company picnics so beneficial?
Company picnics offer a multitude of benefits that contribute to a positive work culture and enhanced team dynamics. These benefits include:
- Team Building: Office picnics provide an excellent opportunity for summer team building and fostering positive relationships among coworkers. They allow employees to interact outside the usual office environment, promoting camaraderie and creating a more cohesive work atmosphere.
- Morale Boost: Picnics offer a break from the routine and allow employees to relax and unwind. They serve as a morale booster, giving employees something to look forward to and creating a more positive and enjoyable work environment.
- Work-Life Balance: Office picnics promote work-life balance by encouraging employees to take a break from their usual work tasks and spend quality time with their colleagues. This helps reduce stress levels and improves overall well-being, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
- Communication and Collaboration: Informal settings like picnics foster open communication and encourage collaboration among employees. These events provide a relaxed atmosphere for individuals from different departments or hierarchical levels to connect, share ideas, and build better working relationships.
- Recognition and Appreciation: Office picnics often serve as a platform to recognize and appreciate employees' hard work and achievements. Companies may use these events to publicly acknowledge individuals or teams for their contributions, boosting employee motivation and engagement.
In today’s article, we have put together some of the best game ideas for your picnic, as well as sprinkling in some inspirational ideas on how you can make your company picnic the one that everyone looks forward to.
Creative ideas for your picnic
1. Outdoor Movie Screening
Roll out the red carpet, or well, picnic blankets, for a memorable outdoor movie screening. Create a cozy ambiance with twinkling fairy lights, fluffy cushions, and maybe even a popcorn machine for that cinematic feel. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a blockbuster hit under the stars, all while munching on buttery popcorn and sipping refreshing beverages. It's the perfect way to unwind and bond with your colleagues over shared cinematic delights.
2. Live Entertainment
Bring on the show-stopping talent! Whether it's a local band belting out catchy tunes, a DJ spinning the latest beats, or a hilarious stand-up comedian tickling everyone's funny bones, live entertainment adds an extra dose of excitement to the picnic. Get ready to groove to the music, laugh till your sides hurt, and create an electric atmosphere that will leave everyone wanting an encore.
3. Food Tasting Stations
Get those taste buds dancing with an array of mouthwatering food tasting stations. From sizzling street tacos to gourmet sliders, tantalizing sushi rolls to finger-licking BBQ, cater to everyone's cravings with a variety of cuisines and local specialties. Don't forget to accommodate different dietary preferences too, ensuring vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free folks have their fair share of scrumptious delights. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure that will leave everyone drooling for seconds.
4. Photo Booth
Say cheese and strike a pose! Set up a fabulous photo booth complete with funky props, dazzling backdrops, and Instagram-worthy frames. Let employees unleash their inner models and capture hilarious and memorable moments together. Encourage them to snap and share their photos on social media using a designated hashtag, turning the picnic into an online sensation. Get ready for a paparazzi-style extravaganza that will have everyone smiling, laughing, and creating memories worth cherishing.
5. Wellness Activities
Take a break from the hustle and bustle and embrace wellness activities to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Whether it's a gentle yoga session to stretch those picnic-weary muscles, a guided meditation to find inner peace amidst the chaos, or a refreshing nature walk to reconnect with the great outdoors, these activities promote relaxation, mindfulness, and well-being. It's all about finding that zen amidst the picnic frenzy and nurturing your inner wellness warrior.
6. Talent Show or Karaoke
Unleash your hidden talents and get ready to steal the spotlight! Create a dedicated stage or area where employees can showcase their singing prowess through a lively karaoke session or wow the crowd with a talent show. From soulful serenades to hilarious comedy sketches, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the diverse skills and talents within your team. Prepare for a night of laughter, applause, and a whole lot of admiration for your colleagues' hidden superstar qualities.
7. Charity Initiatives
Spread the picnic love beyond the company by incorporating charity initiatives into the event. Organize a donation drive for a local cause or arrange a volunteering activity that allows employees to make a positive impact in the community. Giving back not only reinforces the company's commitment to social responsibility but also fosters a sense of unity and purpose among employees. Get ready to make a difference while having a blast at the picnic, because doing good never goes out of style.
8. Arts and crafts area
Get ready to ignite the artistic fire within at our DIY Craft Stations, where imagination knows no bounds. Consider a haven of creativity, complete with pottery painting, tie-dyeing, and a cornucopia of personalized craft options. It's a chance for employees to escape the daily grind, dip their brushes into a palette of colors, and let their inner Picasso run wild.
Whether it's transforming a plain ceramic piece into a work of art or fashioning a tie-dyed masterpiece, these craft stations offer a delightful escape into a world of self-expression. And the best part? Participants get to take home their unique creations, tangible mementos that forever embody the joy and camaraderie of the picnic.
9. Raffle Prizes
Ready to turn up the excitement at your company picnic? Get those raffle drums rollin' and watch the anticipation skyrocket. Encourage your amazing employees to dive into activities and conquer challenges to earn those coveted raffle tickets. With prizes so awesome, it'll make their hearts race faster than a caffeine-fueled sprint to the coffee machine.
10. Themed Picnic
Give your company picnic a unique twist by choosing a theme that reflects your company's culture or industry. Whether it's a tropical luau, a superhero showdown, or a retro carnival, a well-executed theme adds an extra layer of fun and excitement to the picnic.
Game ideas for your picnic
11. Paper Plane Contest
- Instructions: Each participant creates their own paper airplane using a standard sheet of paper. Measure the distance or time each plane stays in the air. The person with the longest distance or longest airtime wins.
- Materials needed: Sheets of paper.
Prepare to fold, fly, and fiercely compete in the epic Paper Plane Contest. It's a creative extravaganza that will take your team back to childhood dreams of aeronautical glory. Bring your finest folding skills, unleash your inner innovator, and get ready to soar to victory in this friendly battle of airborne awesomeness.
12. Blindfolded Obstacle Course
- Instructions: Set up an obstacle course with various challenges. Divide participants into teams of two, with one person blindfolded and the other providing guidance. The sighted team member must guide their blindfolded partner through the course using verbal instructions.
- Materials needed: Obstacles (cones, ropes, hula hoops, etc.), blindfolds.
Behold the Blindfolded Obstacle Course, where communication, trust, and teamwork collide in a spectacular display of stumbling and fumbling. Your intrepid team must conquer this treacherous path through sheer collaboration, active listening, and the occasional hilarious misstep. It's a crash course in empathy, where understanding is gained one blindfolded blunder at a time. If you liked this game, make sure to check out more of our tips on how to improve team cohesion!
13. Scavenger Hunt
- Instructions: Create a list of items or clues for teams to find within the picnic area. There doesn’t have to be meaning to the items; any random object will do! The team that finds all the items or solves all the clues in the shortest time wins.
- Materials needed: Paper, items of your choice
The Scavenger Hunt, the ultimate adventure that unleashes problem-solving prowess, teamwork wizardry, and a sprinkle of creativity. It's a strategic extravaganza where brainpower meets exploration as your team races to unlock hidden treasures. Get ready to collaborate, think outside the box, and leave no stone unturned in this wild and whimsical quest.
14. Minute to Win It Challenges
- Instructions: Set up a series of minute-long challenges where participants must complete a task using everyday objects. Examples include stacking cups or moving cookies from the forehead to the mouth using only facial muscles.
- Materials needed: Everyday objects (cups, cookies, etc.).
Prepare for the Minute to Win It Challenges, where lightning-fast antics and friendly rivalry collide. These challenges ignite creativity, force adaptability, and unveil hidden talents as team members scramble to conquer the clock.
15. Trivia Time!
- Instructions: Prepare a set of trivia questions about the company's history, products, or famous employees. Divide participants into teams and ask questions. The team with the most correct answers wins.
- Materials needed: Trivia questions, answer sheets.
Get ready for Office Trivia, the brain-boggling showdown that proves knowledge is power and a hilarious conversation starter. It's a crash course in camaraderie, where teammates unite to celebrate their shared team culture and flex their mental muscles. Prepare to be enlightened, dazzled, and maybe even shocked by your team's epic achievements.
16. Team Building Relay Race
- Instructions: Set up a relay race with different stations representing team-building activities, such as trust falls, problem-solving puzzles, or communication challenges. Each team member completes a station before passing the baton to the next person.
- Materials needed: Various team-building activity props.
Brace yourselves for the Team Building Relay Race, where sweat, laughter, and team spirit go hand in hand. It's a rollercoaster of physical activity infused with mind-bending challenges. As teammates make their way through each activity, they'll forge unbreakable bonds of collaboration, trust, problem-solving, and communication.
Running out of creative juices? No problem; we have you covered. Take a look at our 50 awesome team-building activities for more inspiration.
17. Lip Sync Battle
- Instructions: Divide participants into teams. Each team chooses a song and choreographs a lip-sync performance. Each team takes turns performing, and judges or fellow team members select the winning performance based on creativity, stage presence, and enthusiasm.
- Materials needed: Music player, microphone (optional).
Lip Sync Battle allows team members to showcase their creativity, performance skills, and sense of humor. It promotes camaraderie, boosts morale, and creates a fun and entertaining atmosphere where everyone can participate and enjoy the performances.
18. Toss and Catch
- Instructions: Pair up participants and provide them with a soft object, such as a beanbag or foam ball. Partners stand a few feet apart and toss the object back and forth, gradually increasing the distance. The pair that tosses the farthest without dropping the object wins.
- Materials needed: Soft objects (beanbags, foam balls).
Toss and Catch is a simple and inclusive game that promotes hand-eye coordination, focus, and teamwork. It encourages friendly competition, provides an opportunity for participants to connect on a personal level, and adds an element of fun and physical activity to the picnic.
19. Watermelon Eating Contest
- Instructions: Provide each participant with a slice of watermelon. The objective is to eat the watermelon slice as quickly as possible without using hands. The first person to finish their slice wins.
- Materials needed: Watermelon slices.
The Watermelon Eating Contest is a fun and delicious game that promotes friendly competition and brings out the laughter. It adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the picnic while allowing team members to bond over a shared experience.
20. Balloon Pop Relay
- Instructions: Divide participants into teams. Each team has a designated starting point and a finish line. One member from each team races to the finish line while carrying a balloon between their knees. They must pop the balloon before the next team member can start their turn.
- Materials needed: Balloons.
Balloon Pop Relay adds excitement and energy to the picnic. It promotes teamwork, coordination, and a competitive spirit. It also creates memorable and entertaining moments for participants and onlookers.
21. Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Instructions: Create a list of specific photos or scenes that teams need to capture using their smartphones or cameras. The team that captures all the items on the list in the shortest time wins.
- Materials needed: List of photo items, smartphones or cameras.
The Photo Scavenger Hunt combines the fun of a scavenger hunt with creativity and photography. It encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and allows team members to explore the surrounding area while creating lasting memories.
22. Giant Twister
- Instructions: Create a large Twister board on the ground using colorful circles or mats. Players take turns spinning the wheel and placing their hands or feet on the corresponding colors without falling. The last person remaining on the board wins.
- Materials needed: Large Twister board or mats.
Giant Twister adds laughter, physical activity, and friendly competition to the picnic. It promotes flexibility, balance, and creates a lively and entertaining atmosphere for participants and spectators.
23. Relay Sack Race
- Instructions: Divide participants into teams. Each team stands in a line, and the first player in each team gets inside a sack. On "go," they hop to a designated point and back, then pass the sack to the next teammate. The team that finishes first wins.
- Materials needed: Sacks or large bags.
Relay Sack Race encourages teamwork, coordination, and builds camaraderie among team members. It adds an element of fun and nostalgia to the picnic while providing an opportunity for participants to cheer on their teammates.
24. Bean Bag Toss
- Instructions: Set up a bean bag toss board with different-sized holes and assign point values to each hole. Participants take turns throwing bean bags and aim to score the highest points. The player with the highest score after a set number of rounds wins.
- Materials needed: Bean bag toss board, bean bags.
Bean Bag Toss is a versatile game that suits all ages and skill levels. It promotes hand-eye coordination, focus, and friendly competition. It encourages social interaction and allows participants to engage in casual conversation while playing.
25. Limbo Contest
- Instructions: Set up a limbo pole using a long stick or pole. Participants take turns attempting to pass under the pole by leaning backward without touching it. Gradually lower the pole after each round. The person who can go the lowest without touching the pole wins.
- Materials needed: Limbo pole or stick.
Limbo Contest adds a fun and interactive element to the picnic. It encourages flexibility, balance, and friendly competition. It creates an atmosphere of excitement and laughter, bringing joy to both participants and spectators.
26. Hula Hoop Challenge
- Instructions: Each participant is given a hula hoop and must keep it spinning around their waist for as long as possible. The person who keeps the hoop spinning the longest wins.
- Materials needed: Hula hoops.
The Hula Hoop Challenge promotes physical activity, coordination, and determination. It adds a light-hearted and nostalgic element to the picnic, and participants can cheer each other on and share in the fun.
27. Giant Connect Four
- Instructions: Set up a giant Connect Four board on a stand. Participants take turns dropping their colored discs into the slots, aiming to get four in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The player who achieves four in a row first wins.
- Materials needed: Giant Connect Four board.
Giant Connect Four is a strategic and engaging game that promotes critical thinking, decision-making, and friendly competition. It encourages problem-solving skills and provides an opportunity for participants to interact and strategize with each other in a relaxed setting.
28. Giant Jenga Tournament
- Instructions: Build a tower using giant Jenga blocks. Each player takes turns removing one block at a time from the tower and placing it on top without causing the tower to collapse. The player who causes the tower to collapse is eliminated, and the game continues until only one player remains.
- Materials needed: Giant Jenga blocks.
Giant Jenga encourages focus, strategy, and problem-solving skills. It promotes friendly competition and creates a sense of anticipation and excitement as the tower becomes more unstable.
29. Water Balloon Dodgeball
- Instructions: Divide participants into two teams. Fill up water balloons and place them in buckets on each team's side. Players try to hit members of the opposing team with water balloons. If a player gets hit, they're out. The team with the last person standing wins.
- Materials needed: Water balloons, buckets.
Water Balloon Dodgeball combines elements of dodgeball with refreshing water play. It promotes team spirit, coordination, and provides a fun and enjoyable way to cool down during the picnic.
30. Tug of War Challenge
- Instructions: Divide participants into two teams and provide a long rope. Each team holds onto one end of the rope and pulls in opposite directions. The team that successfully pulls the other team over a designated line wins.
- Materials needed: Rope.
Tug of War encourages teamwork, communication, and friendly competition. It promotes unity, camaraderie, and creates a sense of strength and determination among team members.
If you enjoyed these games and activities, make sure to check out our list of the best group activities you can consider for your next picnic!
Location, location, location
31. Taking the picnic further than the local park
When it comes to company picnics, taking the road less traveled can make all the difference. Instead of settling for the usual local park, why not embark on an out-of-town retreat that will elevate the picnic experience to new heights? Here's why choosing an out-of-town destination for your company picnic is a stroke of genius:
- An offsite retreat injects an extra dose of adventure and excitement into the picnic. It breaks the monotony of familiar surroundings and transports employees to a new and captivating environment, stimulating their senses and igniting a sense of wanderlust.
- Taking your picnic to an out-of-town destination offers a unique opportunity for employees to bond and connect on a deeper level. Away from the distractions of the office, colleagues can spend quality time together, building relationships, and fostering a stronger sense of camaraderie.
- An offsite retreat opens doors to a plethora of unforgettable experiences. From exploring natural wonders to engaging in thrilling outdoor activities, employees have the chance to create memories that will be etched in their minds for years to come. It's an adventure-filled picnic that goes beyond the ordinary.
- A new destination provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of daily work life. Employees can truly unwind, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy a tranquil setting that encourages relaxation and rejuvenation. It's a well-deserved break from the corporate grind.
- Venturing beyond the local park unveils a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether it's a charming lakeside retreat or a scenic mountain getaway, exploring new locations adds an element of novelty and curiosity to the picnic, making it all the more memorable.
Incorporate your company picnics with Surf Office retreat
Surely planning an offsite event will be a logistical nightmare? Well, not any more.
Surf Office provides access to numerous off-site retreats around the globe.
Break free from the mundane local park routine and embrace the power of an extraordinary company picnic in a new and exciting location. Why settle for the same old grassy patches and crowded swings when you can embark on an epic adventure elsewhere? Take your team to a captivating destination that ignites their wanderlust and creates unforgettable memories.
From stunning beaches to breathtaking mountains, unleash the full potential of your company picnic and let the scenic backdrop be the envy of all local park picnickers.
Make sure you don’t miss out on your dream location; contact us today!
