Is the atmosphere in your office low? Are both employee satisfaction and productivity down? A quick-fix solution to these problems is implementing Fun Fridays. These are times when employees can take a break from their work and engage in team-building activities. In many ways, Fun Fridays are a similar concept to 'Lunch and Learn' sessions. However, Fun Fridays are more focused on entertainment and fun activities. This makes them far more effective at boosting employee morale.

So, why are Fun Fridays so important? Well, they provide a break from the monotonous nature of work leaving employees feeling refreshed and energized. They are also an opportunity for employees to build stronger relationships with their colleagues. This will lead to better collaboration and increased job satisfaction. Today, we will discuss 15 activities and games that will revolutionize your Fun Fridays!

Office Olympics

Office Olympics is a fun and engaging activity that can help your employees bond and blow off some steam. Here is how to set it up:

1. Choose a game: Choose a range of office-friendly games to play, such as desk chair races, mini-basketball, or paperclip javelin.
2. Divide into teams: Divide your employees into teams of 4-6 people. Be sure to mix up the teams so that everyone has a chance to work with different people.
3. Set up your games: Set up your games around the office. You can use tape or markers to mark out the boundaries of each game.
4. Begin your competition: Once everything is set up, have each team start at a different game station. They will play each game for a set amount of time (such as 5-10 minutes) before rotating to the next game station. Keep score as each team completes each game.
5. Award the winner: After all the games have been played, tally up the scores and award the winning team with a prize. This can be anything from a small trophy to a gift card or a free lunch.

Remember, the point of Office Olympics is for your employees to have fun and engage with colleagues. Be sure to encourage friendly competition and good sportsmanship. 

Pizza Party

A pizza party is a classic way to celebrate Fun Friday in the office. It can be a great way for your employees to unwind after a long week, bond with colleagues over a shared love of pizza, and promote a positive work culture. You can order a variety of pizzas from a local pizzeria or suggest that your employees bring in their own homemade pizzas. To make the party more interactive, you can also have employees take part in a pizza-making contest. Another fun idea is a blind taste test to see who can identify different pizza toppings or flavors.

Trivia Challenge

A trivia challenge is a fantastic way to encourage friendships based on common interests. Follow the instructions below to set-up an unforgettable trivia challenge for your Fun Friday:

1. Select your categories: The first stage is choosing the question categories for your trivia challenge. Be sure to choose something that your staff members will find interesting or entertaining. Whether that be history, sports, or reality TV.
2. Write your questions: Next, you should create a list of questions for every category. These questions should be challenging - not impossible!
3. Set up your teams: Divide your employees into teams of 4-6 people. You can mix up the teams so that everyone has a chance to work with different people.
4. Start the game: Have each team select a captain who will be responsible for answering the questions. The captain can confer with the other team members, but they must make the final decision on the answer. Give each team a specific period of time (for example, 30 seconds) within which to answer each question.
5. Keep score: After each question, reveal the answer and award points to the team that answered correctly. Keep track of the score on a whiteboard or paper.
6. Award the winner: After all the questions have been asked, tally up the scores and award the winning team with a prize. This can be anything from a small trophy to a gift card or a free lunch.

Minute to Win It

Minute to Win It is a fun and exciting game that will add energy to your Fun Friday. The game involves completing a series of challenges within a minute or less. These challenges could include stacking cups or blowing up balloons. You can give rewards to the victors or form teams of employees to play against one another to make the game more exciting. The challenges can be customized based on the interests or skills of your employees. This could mean incorporating industry-specific objects or challenges that require problem-solving or creativity.

Movie Day

A movie day is a quick and easy way to get your staff together and offer them some downtime. First, you should choose a popular movie or TV show that you think your team will enjoy. The best way to determine what everyone wants to watch is to take a vote. Then, select a room or area in the office where the screen can be set up. You should ensure that the sound system and projector are working. It is best to test everything beforehand to avoid any technical issues. Lastly, you should provide a selection of delicious snacks such as crisps, popcorn, and fizzy drinks for your employees to enjoy while they watch the movie. Once everything is set up, press play, and let your team sit, back, relax and enjoy the show.

Escape Room

If you're looking for a unique and engaging way to bring your team together, an escape room might just be the answer. It's an activity that requires collaboration to solve puzzles and escape a themed room before the timer runs out. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it also provides a break from the daily routine and can help strengthen team dynamics. Whether you're trying to improve teamwork or just looking for a fun activity, an escape room can be a valuable experience for any team. In summary, an escape room is a team-building activity that will develop your employees' problem-solving skills.

Art Class

Introducing art classes into Fun Fridays is a great way to foster creativity and reduce stress among your employees. The classes can be conducted by a qualified artist or teacher, and they can be held at the office or at a nearby studio. Engaging in artistic activities can help employees relax, unwind, and develop new skills. This makes them ideal for Fun Fridays!

Bingo

Bingo is a classic game that can be a fun and exciting activity to plan on a Fun Friday in the workplace. The game involves players filling out a Bingo card with numbers or phrases that are randomly called out by the game’s host. The first person to fill out a line or a full card wins the game. Bingo can take a variety of forms including traditional paper cards, or an electronic version projected onto a screen. The game can be customized by using phrases or themes that are relevant to your workplace. This customization could involve industry-specific terms or industry jokes. You can even offer prizes, such as gift cards or company merchandise to make the game more competitive and engaging.

Cooking Challenge

A cooking challenge can be a pleasant way to bring your employees together and foster a sense of teamwork. Employees should be separated into teams and compete against one another to create the best dish based on a theme or set of ingredients. The challenge can take place in the office or at a nearby kitchen or restaurant. The teams are given a set amount of time to plan and prepare their dish, and they should be judged on presentation, taste, and creativity. Cooking competitions are a fun way to show everyone’s culinary abilities. They are also a great method for promoting collaboration among staff members.

Volunteer Day

Have you considered organizing a volunteer day for Fun Friday? It's a great way to give back to the community. Your employees can spend the day helping out at a local charity or organizing a community cleanup event. This hands-on experience allows them to develop relationships and a sense of purpose. Volunteering also presents an opportunity to learn from others and acquire new skills, making it a valuable experience for personal and professional growth.

Board Game Tournament

A board game tournament is a fun and engaging way to bring employees together that will promote healthy competition. Board game tournaments encourage employees to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategy skills. They also create a fun and engaging atmosphere. Board game tournaments give workers a wonderful chance to get to know one another and interact. This will help foster a deep feeling of community at work.

Karaoke

Setting up karaoke for your employees for Fun Friday is a fun and exciting way to bring them together, promoting a positive and fun work culture. Karaoke can be a great stress reliever and can also help build confidence and communication skills. Let your employees sing their favorite songs, either individually or in groups. They can showcase their musical talents, promoting the development of connections between coworkers.

Outdoor Adventure

Having an outdoor adventure on a Fun Friday can be a great way to inject some excitement and adventure into the workweek. Allow employees to take a break from their regular schedule to spend the day in the great outdoors with their coworkers. Some outdoor activity ideas could include hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing. It could even take the form of a scavenger hunt in a neighboring park or wilderness area. Employees will benefit greatly from this chance to get some exercise and fresh air. Outdoor adventures can encourage your employees to step outside their comfort zones. This will improve their self-confidence and self-belief. Plus, having a fun day out in nature can boost employee morale and overall job satisfaction. Thus, improving employee retention.

DIY Crafts

DIY crafts can be a fun and creative way to spend a Fun Friday in the workplace. It can be a great opportunity for employees to unwind and tap into their artistic side. It can also promote teamwork and collaboration. Some DIY craft ideas for the workplace include making personalized mugs and creating custom t-shirts. Alternatively, you could design and decorate plant pots. These projects can be a way to personalize and decorate the workplace. It will also encourage creativity and self-expression.

Virtual Cocktail Hour

If your company works remotely, you may be concerned that you cannot implement Fun Fridays. Fear not, because there is a virtual solution to your problem - a cocktail hour! A virtual cocktail hour is a great way to bring some fun and relaxation to the end of a busy workweek. To organize a virtual cocktail hour, send out invites to all employees with instructions on what they need to take part in the event. Encourage them to bring their favorite drink or cocktail and share the recipe with others. 

Start Fun Fridays now!

In conclusion, Fun Fridays are a great way to boost morale, promote teamwork, and create a positive work culture. You will make your employees feel appreciated by running Fun Fridays.

From outdoor adventures to cooking challenges, there are countless ways to make Fun Fridays enjoyable. The key is to choose activities that are engaging, inclusive, and reflective of your team’s interests. Who knows, maybe a little bit of fun on a Friday could lead to a more productive and successful team overall.

If you’re looking to take Fun Fridays a step further, why not organize a company retreat for your staff? If you need help planning the perfect team-building experience, don’t hesitate to reach out to Surf Office. Their experience and expertise can help you create a memorable, well-organized, and productive company retreat for all to enjoy!