Work isn’t at its best when it’s just meetings, deadlines, and endless emails. Sometimes, a bit of light-hearted workplace fun is exactly what teams need to boost morale and strengthen connections. That’s the exact message National Fun at Work Day focuses on.
Studies show that 89% of employees feel happier using workplace gamification, so why not embrace a little gamified chaos?
This blog will help you make the most of this holiday and bring your teams closer together than ever before.
Let’s go!
What is “National Fun at Work Day”?
Observed in the United States on the last Friday of January, National Fun at Work Day is a dedicated reminder that a happy team is a productive team.
While every workday could use a little fun, this holiday focuses on creating a positive atmosphere through team bonding and having a laugh together.
Internationally, some countries celebrate it on April 1st, blending it with the playfulness of April Fool’s Day. No matter when you choose to celebrate it, one thing remains true: happier employees lead to stronger, more engaged teams, which makes your company culture thrive!
So celebrate your people on this day to the fullest!
30 of the best activities for National Fun at Work Day
Here are our 30 activities to help your teams unwind, whether they’re in the office or joining remotely from the other side of the world.
Activities for on-site teams:
Our first activities are designed to get teams bonding face-to-face, so clear some space and let the good times roll!
1. Game-on arcade lounge
Kickstarting our list, hit pause on your spreadsheet creations and press start on some good old-fashioned arcade fun! Most of us have a few cherished memories of old videogame arcades, so why not transform a common area into a mini gaming lounge for the day?
Deck out a recreational area with retro arcade emulators (with at least four controllers!), foosball and air hockey tables. Serve up some old-school popcorn and ice slushies. Let the battle for office glory begin. Game winners get bragging rights. Losers? Well, there’s always next year’s rematch!
2. Desk “glow up” challenge
Are any of the working areas in the office looking a little… uninspired? Time for a desk makeover competition. Arm your employees with a treasure trove of decorations to glam up their desks. Plants, LED lights, motivational posters, or anything that lets their personality shine through.Set a workplace theme like “Zen Den,” “Retro Vibes,” or “Organized Chaos” (for those who thrive in creative clutter). Snap before-and-after photos and vote for the best transformation. The glow-ups don’t have to disappear tomorrow either. Keep them around for as long as you wish and enjoy what they bring to the office!
3. Flavors-of-the-world potluck
They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. A potluck with dishes from all around the world could be the perfect way to celebrate the day. Forget the boring lunch routine and make today a global office buffet! Perfect for international teams, this potluck could become a chance to share traditions, swap stories, and discover new flavors.Encourage everyone to think of facts or traditions that make the dish meaningful to them. Bonus points for the most unique dish (just don’t be that person who only brings store-bought chips and dip!).
4. A day for the Office Olympics
Who needs the actual Olympics when you can witness work teams striving toward Olympian glory? Dedicate your National Fun Day At Work to the most prestigious sporting event of the year: The Office Olympics!Bring in hilarious challenges like chair races, wastebasket basketball, typing speed contests, or a stapler relay (we’ve got a list of Olympic activities already waiting for you). Set the event up with solo-only or cross-departmental competitions. Gold medals (or at least gold stickers) to your champions. Eternal office glory awaits!
5. Reverse Shark-Tank
We’re all aware of the smash TV hit Shark Tank (actually called Dragon’s Den in the UK). This one flips the traditional competition on its head because today, the employees are the investors and the bosses are in the hot seat! Managers and executives must pitch their wildest, most ridiculous business ideas for Sharks to deem worthy or unworthy.Let your employees grill them with questions before deciding whether to "invest" (using fake company currency, of course) or whether to back out. It’s the perfect way to flip the power dynamic for the day and have a few laughs.
6. Mystery missions in the office
A normal workday? On National Fun Day At Work? I don’t think so! For this activity, assign secret mystery missions for each team member, which are small, fun tasks they must complete without getting caught. This might include slipping a random movie quote into a conversation, giving five high-fives before lunch, or dramatically narrating their own actions like a sports commentator.\If someone guesses the mission, the member is out! The last employee standing wins a prize (and major bragging rights). It’s a fantastic way to add a little chaos and undercover fun to the office.
7. Throwback threads
For many people, the best avenue of self-expression is through the clothing they wear. This could be a wonderful chance to a retro workplace theme and make it an event to remember. Use nostalgic dress codes from their favorite decade, like ’80s neon, ’90s grunge, or early 2000s velour tracksuits (which are actually making a comeback).Set up a mini runway walk-off or a best-dressed competition and let the office vote for the most in-vogue look. This is a fantastic way to relive old trends and (lovingly) roast regrettable past fashion choices!
8. Cross department speed-friending
Ever worked in the same office as someone for years but barely know what they do? Have you thought about whether any of your team members feel this way? Speed-friending is a social work event that fixes that!Use a pool of employees from across as many departments as possible and pair them up for quick, 3-minute conversations. Supply them with our list of icebreaker questions, and they’re in for a treat! By the end, new connections are made, inside jokes are born, and teams feel more united.
9. Boardwalk carnival
If you’re looking to go all out for the next National Fun Day At Work, then bring an office carnival to town. Transform a common area into a mini boardwalk festival with classic games like ring toss, balloon darts, and a rubber duck fishing pond (no scamming winning players here!).Print out tiny carnival tickets or tokens and hand them out for each game played. These can be redeemed at the end for any prizes you decide to kindly offer. Popcorn and candyfloss will go down well as carnival snacks, so bring the full fairground experience to the office (minus the shaky rollercoasters).
10. Make a snapshot station
Set up a photo booth with fun props, quirky backdrops, and silly accessories so your teams can snap hilarious pictures throughout the day. Go classic with fake mustaches and oversized sunglasses, or add a themed twist like a Hollywood red carpet. You could even recreate some “Awkward Family Photo” vibes, it’s up to you. Encourage team selfies and group shots, and at the end of the day, create a photo collage or digital album so everyone has a keepsake from the fun.
11. Culinary showdown
Has your office ever debated who has the best cooking skills? Well, this could be the chance to finally find out. Host a cooking competition where employees whip up their best dishes. You can let them choose the type of food beforehand, like the ultimate sandwich or fruit dessert.Try setting up a panel of judges (or a company-wide taste test with a survey) to decide the winner. You’ll be hitting two birds with one stone, bringing people closer together as their stomachs fill up. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of napkins on hand if things get messy.
12. Mystery box challenge
Brace yourself for the ultimate quick guessing game that needs a bit of bravery. Each member takes turns reaching into a mystery box filled with weird, wacky, and unexpected objects (all safe, of course!). Their mission is to identify what’s inside, just by touch!Will you use a squishy stress ball? A rubber chicken? A cold bowl of jelly? The reactions alone will likely have your teams cracking up. Add a competitive twist by timing guesses or awarding points for correct answers. Bravery is encouraged!
13. The Office’s Got Talent!
Move over, America’s Got Talent. It’s time for you to create a show to rival them. Set the stage for a talent show where anyone can show off their low-key talent. Cheer on anyone who wants to sing, dance, juggle, tell jokes, or show off any hidden skill.Make the most of a judging panel, or put it to an audience vote and award prizes for standout performances. Whether you end up with a guitar solo or an interpretive dance about spreadsheets, this is a chance for everyone to shine and maybe even discover a star in the office!
14. Cereal bar breakfast club
Breakfast cereal isn’t only for kids. Kickstart the workday by crafting a cereal bar filled with throwbacks to childhood favorites. Use Froot Loops, Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms, and Frosted Flakes. These can all be dispensed from a self-service station with different milk options, fresh fruit, and fun toppings (because sprinkles CAN belong on cereal!) You’ll be encouraging each person to come closer together and share stories of their childhood favorites. You might instigate some debates over the correct way to eat cereal (though surely there isn’t just one).
15. A cinematic day
How about letting work take a complete backseat for the day, turning the office into a movie theater? Revamp a meeting room into a cozy cinema, complete with bean bags and dim lighting. Have an office whip-round to make a list of candidate films, then let the group vote. For a fun twist, research some bingo cards that go along with your movie of choice, like a hilarious LotR bingo sheet for Legolas and Gimli broments. Put your feet up and enjoy some movie magic!
16. Ping-pong pizza party
Go all out for this National Fun Day and indulge in a throwback activity to college dorm life. A ping-pong workplace competition (with pizza) just oozes relaxation vibes. Create a tournament bracket and let them swing it out for office glory, whether they’re backhand masters or total newbies.If you want to ramp up with a challenge, find some mock mini-paddles or have them play with an eye patch on (borderline impossible). Between matches, players can fuel up on pizza, because nothing creates “team bonds” like arguing over the last pepperoni slice! Just kidding, they’ll love it!
17. Laugh-and-lunch stand-up comedy hour
On your National Fun Day At Work, make lunch breaks a whole lot funnier with a stand-up comedian to deliver a set full of office-friendly laughs. Bringing in outside performers can be a great way to inject something new into the day or even provide the encouragement a person needs to pick up the mic themselves.Keep the jokes work-friendly and add a lunch buffet of their choosing so they can enjoy a meal while laughing any stress away. Whether you’re using a pro comedian or it’s your intern’s first attempt, one thing is for sure: laughter is a killer way to improve teambuilding.
18. Bring your pet to work day
A workday that celebrates man’s best friend is a fabulous way to enhance your National Fun Day At Work. Whether your team members have fluffy, feathered, or scaly friends, this event could naturally help with stress relief while also providing an overload of cuteness!Pet meet-and-greets between departments work well, as well as a mini photo shoot for souvenirs of the day. Pets are fantastic to use as part of a work social event. No pet? No problem! Partner with a local shelter for an office puppy cuddle session!
19. Compliment chain-reaction
As cheesy as it might sound on the surface, a compliment chain reaction might just brighten the day for a person who needs it. Start off by having each employee write a kind note to a colleague, highlighting something they appreciate. That person writes a new note and passes it to a different member during the day, creating a feel-good ripple effect. Your team members really will feel encouraged to carry this chain into their life outside of work, and you’ll never know where this chain of positivity finishes!
20. Office paint and relaxation
Let creativity and calm wash over the workplace like a tidal wave with a paint-and-relax session. On National Fun Day At Work, provide each person with mini canvases and paint supplies, and use a chill playlist to inspire their own masterpieces. Keep the focus on unwinding, not perfection. You could even consider bringing in some local talented artists to help ideas flow. Pair it up with solid tea selections and snacks, and you’re setting the perfect tone.
21. Speed puzzle championship
Our final on-site activity encourages asking questions of anyone who calls themselves a puzzle master. Let members team up or go solo to complete a jigsaw puzzle as fast as possible. Choose fun and complex puzzles with pop culture references, or even a custom company design. Stick a timer on things and you’re setting up a great workplace competition! Remote-friendly activities:Just because your team is spread across different locations doesn’t mean they can’t join the fun! Try these remote-friendly activities to help virtual teams reenergize and connect:
22. “Sing your heart out” virtual karaoke
Do you have a secret virtuoso hiding amongst your teams? Time to grab the mic (or a hairbrush) and belt it out! Set up a virtual karaoke session where they can pick favorites and perform via video call. Use an online karaoke platform like KaraFun or Smule and search for a power ballad, a classic duet, or any off-key disaster, the result will be pure fun and laughter. No judgment, only standing ovations!
23. Online trivia showdown
Who truly stands out as your office Trivia Champion? National Fun Day At Work could be the perfect opportunity to prove it with a quick office game of trivia. covers pop culture, company facts, historical events, or anything that piques their interest. Platforms like Kahoot, Quizizz, or Crowdpurr come equipped with great templates. Have them compete solo or in teams, and award prizes for the office masterminds. Let the virtual trivia commence!
24. Curate a GOAT playlist
Making a playlist of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) tunes could provide musical inspiration for future work, so build one with your teams. Have each member submit their all-time favorite track in a Spotify Jam Session and save the results to help get them through upcoming deadlines. To add a spin on things, you can try categories like “songs with a color in the title” or “songs that sound like you’re in a dream.” Choose whichever category inspires them and enjoy musical memories together.
25. Meme and GIF wars
Let’s settle this once and for all: who has the best meme game in the office? Create a Meme & GIF Battle where employees submit their funniest work-related memes or reaction GIFs. Generate some fun titles like “Zoom Meeting Struggles” or “When It’s Friday at 4:59 PM” and see what hilarious results come back. Teams can vote on the winners, with the best entries then compiled into the company’s “Hall of Meme Fame.” This is a solid choice for National Fun Day At Work.
26. Send out snack packages
If your teams are scattered around the four corners of the world, snack packages might be a fantastic reminder of home or a chance to try something new. Who doesn’t love a surprise snack drop? Take some time by finding out the favorite snacks of each team member and pile them into packages ready to send.On the day, unbox together and share stories of why each snack tickles their fancy. We wonder how many of you have tried spicy wasabi peas before (we love them!).
27. A day for Jackbox
Dedicate the whole day to teambuilding games, Jackbox style! Become the virtual host of a gaming session filled with hilarious, team-friendly Jackbox classics like Quiplash, Fibbage, or Drawful. You don’t even need to download; members can join from their phones while you stream the game on Zoom. Jackbox is jam-packed with great games to try with your virtual teams this National Fun Day At Work. Make the most of it!
28. Who’s that cute baby face?
Here’s a fun little activity that encourages remote participants to dig through their treasure trove of baby albums. Ask each member to submit a baby photo of themselves, then compile them into a virtual slideshow. The challenge of this virtual game is to guess who’s who! Add multiple-choice options or make it a free-for-all guessing game, with points for correct matches. Expect hilarious surprises (who knew the CEO had that much hair?!) and plenty of nostalgic laughs.
29. Virtual city tours
Who says you can’t travel from your desk? You can! (Well, through your screen at least) Creating a virtual city tour for remote participants can be a great way to bring people together on National Fun Day At Work. Take your team on a virtual adventure by booking an interactive city tour from platforms like Airbnb Experiences or Heygo.Explore Tokyo’s neon streets, walk through ancient Rome, or dive into a hidden speakeasy tour—all from the comfort of your home. Get your groups to vote on a destination beforehand. It’s a fun way to explore parts of the world together, no passport required!
30. Virtual escape room day
For our final recommendation, can your team crack the codes and escape in time? Virtual Escape Rooms have soared in popularity recently, and there are some fantastic options to choose from. Choose from mystery, sci-fi, or spy-themed rooms on platforms like Escapely, The Escape Game, or Enchambered.An escape room is the ultimate team-building activity, testing decision-making under pressure, while having a blast! Make the most of a virtual National Fun Day At Work with an escape room that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
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National Fun at Work Day is a great excuse to shake things up, but why stop at just one day? A single afternoon of games and laughs is awesome, but the greatest team bonding happens when you step away from the office entirely.
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