Company picnics offer a fantastic opportunity for employees to unwind, connect, and create lasting memories together. These are fun occasions to build workplace connections, celebrate milestones, or simply unwind after a busy week.
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Choosing the right company picnic ideas, however, isn’t always easy, and every group of colleagues will prefer different things. To engage everyone and create a great atmosphere, we’ve listed 30 exciting ideas to help you plan the perfect company picnic.
Why You Should Host a Company Picnic
Hosting a company picnic can be a great way to boost morale and promote a positive company culture, and is more than simply a fun break from the workplace.
Company picnics offer a lot of benefits, and we’ve outlined a few of the main ones below:
- Team Building: A company picnic provides employees with an opportunity to connect and bond outside of the office environment. It allows them to interact with colleagues from different departments, creating a sense of team spirit in the workplace. Building strong relationships among employees can contribute to a more cohesive and productive work environment.
- Relaxation and Stress Relief: Taking a break from work and participating in outdoor activities can help reduce stress levels among employees. Relaxing in a casual and laid-back setting allows individuals to recharge and refresh themselves mentally and physically. As a way of bringing joy to employees, a company picnic can enhance employee well-being and work-life balance.
- Appreciation and Recognition: Hosting a company picnic is a gesture of appreciation towards employees. It shows that management values their hard work and dedication. Employees feel recognized and valued, thus increasing their job satisfaction and motivation.
- Improved Communication: Company picnics create a relaxed atmosphere where employees feel comfortable communicating with their supervisors and higher-level management. This open communication helps bridge gaps and fosters a sense of transparency within the organization. Employees also feel more comfortable sharing ideas and feedback that can contribute to the growth and improvement of the company.
- Enhanced Productivity: When employees are happy and motivated, their productivity tends to increase. A company picnic can be seen as an incentive that boosts employee engagement and encourages them to perform at their best. It provides an opportunity for employees to step away from their daily routine and return to work feeling refreshed and energized.
- Networking Opportunities: Company picnics often involve family members and significant others, providing an opportunity for employees to network and build relationships with colleagues’ families. These casual interactions outside of work can strengthen the sense of community within the company and help create a supportive work environment.
- Corporate Branding: Hosting a company picnic can also serve as a way to promote the company’s brand and image. Inviting clients, partners, or potential employees to the event can showcase the organization’s culture and values. It can contribute to establishing a positive reputation in the industry and attract top talent.
How to Plan the Perfect Company Picnic
- Choose a Picnic Theme
One way to begin planning your picnic is to choose from different company picnic themes. Themes can be as simple as ‘Food’ or ‘Music,’ or you can add a more unique touch that encourages creativity, such as a ‘Carnival Theme,’ ‘Rodeo Theme,’ or ‘Sports Theme.’
Employees should be encouraged to dress up and participate in the theme to help create the best atmosphere. For a special touch, you could even design some company t-shirts for employees to wear during the picnic. - Decide Which Corporate Picnic Ideas to Use
Once you’ve decided on the perfect theme for your picnic, it’s time to choose the right activities.
Activities should be linked with the theme, but should also be in line with your team members’ interests and strengths, to help create a fun and relaxed setting. For example, if the whole team loves delicious food, then center your picnic around food with eating contests and different food stalls set up. Or maybe your team loves sports, so you can plan lots of physical activities for them to get involved with.
Try to choose a range of activities to suit everyone, and don’t limit your picnic to just one or two activities. Choose plenty of games to keep everyone engaged! Additionally, choose some fun company picnic food ideas to go along with the event, such as sandwiches, pasta salad, chips, dips, and sweet treats. - Organize with Your Team Members
With your work picnic ideas ready to put into action, it’s time to plan your picnic with your employees. Bring up the picnic at the end of a meeting, and send an e-mail invitation with the proposed date and time. Remind employees to dress accordingly depending on the picnic theme, and to bring their own snacks or drinks if necessary!
Fun Company Picnic Ideas
These company picnic ideas include all kinds of different themed activities, centered around food, music, and outdoor fun.
Whether your team members love a traditional tea party, or maybe they’re more on the adventurous side, we’ve got company picnic ideas and summer picnic classics to suit everyone and help you to have the most successful picnic.
- Outdoor Sports Olympics
Host a multi-sport Olympics-style event where teams compete in various sports like soccer, volleyball, relay races, tug of war, and a classic sack race. Depending on the size of your company, you may have two teams competing against each other, or lots of teams. There’s sure to be some friendly competition amongst everyone, which only adds to the fun. Be sure to keep track of the winning team from each round and award a prize to the overall winners! - Amazing Race
Design an Amazing Race-style challenge that incorporates mental and physical tasks throughout the picnic area or a local outdoor space. Teams work together to solve riddles, complete challenges, and reach the finish line first. - Food Truck Festival
Instead of bringing the usual picnic supplies, invite a variety of local food trucks to your picnic venue, offering a range of cuisines for employees to enjoy. If you’re struggling to find ideal picnic food ideas, food trucks offering picnic food such as hot dogs and pizza are great choices, as well as a taco bar or vegan food stall for more unique offerings. - Family Day
Host a family-friendly picnic where employees can bring their children and loved ones. Organize kid-friendly activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy, such as lawn games and face painting. You could even include a petting zoo or a storytelling corner, to make the event inclusive for all ages. - Water Balloon Battle
Water games are always a fun activity in the summer, and a water balloon battle is a great way to cool off. Set up a water balloon battle zone and equip participants with plenty of water balloons. This fun-filled activity is perfect for beating the heat and bringing out everyone’s playful side. - Outdoor Movie Night
Set up a large screen and projector in a picturesque area, and create a cozy outdoor cinema experience. Watch a popular movie together on bean bags under the stars, complete with popcorn, fun candy, and blankets. - Team Cooking Competition
Divide employees into teams and host a cooking competition where they prepare a dish using provided ingredients. This is a perfect idea for a corporate picnic, encouraging creativity and getting employees to work together. - DIY Craft Stations
Set up various craft stations where employees can create personalized souvenirs, such as tie-dye shirts, friendship bracelets, or painted mugs. It allows for creative expression and leaves participants with something to remember the picnic by. - Inflatable Obstacle Course
Set up an inflatable obstacle course that challenges employees to navigate through various obstacles. As far as classic team-building activities go, an obstacle course always provides laughs amongst team members. - Carnival Games
Organize classic carnival games like ring toss, balloon darts, or a dunk tank. Winners can receive prizes or tickets that they can redeem for various items. - Photo Booth Fun
One way to create lasting memories is with a photo booth! Use props and fun costumes to create a unique photo booth experience. You could even include a company-branded backdrop to add a personalized touch. - Zip Line Adventure
If your picnic venue permits, bring in a professional zip line company to set up an exhilarating zip line experience. It provides an adrenaline rush and encourages employees to step out of their comfort zones. - Nature Hike or Scenic Walk
Choose a picturesque location for your picnic and organize a nature hike or a leisurely walk. It offers a chance to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings while fostering conversation and connection. - Photo Scavenger Hunt
Create a Photo Scavenger Hunt for everyone to get involved with. Teams race to take photos of everything on the list as fast as possible, using a smartphone or camera. Keep the list of items doable but fun! - Karaoke Contest
Set up an outdoor stage and host a karaoke contest. Employees can showcase their singing talents or cheer on their colleagues as they take the stage. This idea is guaranteed to bring laughter and entertainment to your picnic. - Eating Contests
One of the most fun game ideas for a company picnic is an eating contest. Challenge employees to a watermelon eating contest, where they have to a watermelon slice as fast as possible, without using their hands. Pie-eating contests are also a fun idea, where participants have to eat the pie with their hands behind their backs. - Water Park Adventure
Plan an excursion to a nearby water park where employees can enjoy thrilling water rides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. As a unique twist on classic corporate picnics, this is a refreshing and exciting way to bond outside of the office environment. - Outdoor Trivia
Organize a company-centric trivia session, testing employees’ knowledge about the company’s history, products, and achievements. Of course, this encourages friendly competition amongst everyone, but that’s all part of the fun! - Team-Building Workshops
Arrange team-building activities and workshops facilitated by professionals, such as problem-solving activities and scavenger hunts. These exercises can promote increased engagement in the workplace, as well as improve communication amongst team members. - Fitness Classes
Hire fitness instructors to lead outdoor fitness classes, such as yoga, Zumba, or Pilates. It promotes wellness, encourages physical activity, and offers a chance for employees to bond over shared health goals. - Live Band or DJ
Hire live music entertainment to create an energetic atmosphere. Options can range from local bands to DJs playing diverse genres, ensuring everyone enjoys the music and dances along. - Outdoor Painting Party
Set up easels, paintbrushes, and paints for a relaxing painting session in the great outdoors. Employees can express their creativity, unwind, and bond through this artistic experience. - Science Fair
Encourage employees to showcase their scientific skills and creativity through interactive experiments, projects, or demonstrations. It’s a unique way to showcase talents and engage in fascinating discussions. - Charity Walkathon
Organize a sponsored walkathon to support a cause that your company cares about. Employees can participate and raise funds together, emphasizing the company’s commitment to social responsibility, whilst enjoying some fresh air and open space outside of the office. After the long walk, be sure to prepare some tasty food for everyone to enjoy! - Group Fitness Challenges
Arrange friendly fitness challenges such as tug-of-war, planking competitions, or relay races that encourage physical activity and foster a healthy sense of competition. - Petting Zoo
Bring in a petting zoo with friendly animals such as goats, rabbits, or ponies. It allows employees to interact with animals and offers a therapeutic and delightful experience. - Bouncy Houses and Inflatables
Install bouncy houses, obstacle courses, or giant slides for a day of bouncing and sliding fun. Regardless of age, these inflatables bring out the childlike wonder and joy in everyone. - Outdoor Concert
Organize a live outdoor concert featuring local bands or musicians. Let employees relax and enjoy the music while lounging on picnic blankets or chairs in a cozy setting. - Employee Talent Show
Host a talent show where employees can showcase their hidden talents. Whether it’s singing, dancing, stand-up comedy, or magic tricks, this idea celebrates individuality and provides entertainment for all. - Tea Party
Host a traditional tea party picnic, complete with a range of teas and picnic food, such as tea sandwiches, potato salad, and cakes. This charming take on a typical picnic is ideal for a summer company picnic, and you can also incorporate some fun games after tea time to create the perfect atmosphere. - Outdoor Board Games
Set up oversized versions of board games such as Jenga, Connect Four, or chess, allowing employees to engage in friendly and competitive gameplay.
Design the Perfect Company Picnic With Our Fun Team-Building Activities
Remember to consider your company’s culture, budget, venue restrictions, and employee preferences while selecting picnic ideas. Incorporating a mix of physical activities, creativity, relaxation, and team-building exercises will ensure an inclusive and enjoyable event for all.
So, start planning and preparing to create unforgettable memories at your next company picnic!
Eleanor is a qualified English teacher and has received a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), specializing in Secondary English, and holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature from Liverpool John Moores University. She is certified to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) and has worked with students in the U.K. and South East Asia. She currently works as an English teacher in Vietnam, teaching students across a range of ages.
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