What is National Have Fun at Work Day? 🤔
National Have Fun at Work Day is an unofficial holiday on the last Friday in January—January 31, 2025—where we inject some humor and whimsy into the workplace. (International Fun at Work Day is observed on April 1st around the world.) The idea behind this day is to get employees out of their routine, let loose, and have some fun team building activities to bring everyone together and boost morale and job satisfaction.
On this day companies will often have various activities and events within the workplace to create a positive and fun atmosphere. These can be group activities, fun games, contests, or other creative initiatives to make the workday more enjoyable.
National Have Fun at Work Day is to remind us that work can be fun and by adding joy and togetherness it can lead to more productivity, better teamwork and camaraderie, and happier employees. It’s an opportunity for companies to thank their employees and highlight the importance of 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, a fun event that increases engagement and collaboration in a competitive environment. Teams will work together to solve puzzles and find clues if they want to complete the quest before time runs out. This activity encourages critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills among team members in a non-work setting.
Providing a virtual space for teams to communicate, strategize, and work together creates connections and teamwork among colleagues, a positive and enjoyable company culture. Add this to the day’s agenda and inject some energy, excitement, and a sense of achievement, so employees have a memorable and rewarding experience of having fun with their teammates.
How to get started 👉 Work together to complete the Virtual Escape Quest in time!
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2. Joke Contest
Add some humor to the office with a joke contest that will have everyone laughing. Schedule during lunch or a meeting where employees can take turns telling their funniest (work-appropriate) jokes. To make it even more fun, have a panel of judges or let the team vote on categories like “Funniest Joke”, “Most Original” or “Best Delivery.”
A few laughs are guaranteed to lift the mood and create shared laughter which is a great way to bond with colleagues.
3. 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 from different departments 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 👉 Here's a list of creative scavenger hunt prompts created by Confetti's Games team!
4. Take a Laughter Yoga class
Laughter Yoga isn’t just about laughing. It’s a well-being experience with mental health benefits too! Led by a certified Laughter Yoga teacher, this session will start with insights into the benefits of laughter for mental well-being. Through guided deep breathing, warm-ups, and interactive laughter exercises, teams will have an event that reduces stress, boosts moods, and connects teams.
Participants will enjoy playful exercises that will get them out of their comfort zones and laughing with others. Trust us, in Laughter Yoga fake laughter will turn into real chuckles and guffaws and get those endorphins flowing.
How to get started 👉 Treat your team to some side-splitting good times with Laughter Yoga!
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5. Group movement break
Sometimes all it takes is a little movement to energize a team. Schedule a group stretch or dance break during the day to give employees a chance to get loose and refuel. For the stretch session, lead a series of simple movements that target the tension points from sitting at a desk all day like the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
If you want to kick it up a notch cue up an upbeat playlist for an impromptu dance break where employees can move freely or join a fun “Dance-Off” competition. Keep it fun, not skills – creativity wins here! Whether you opt for some gentle deskercise or a more energetic burst of energy, a little movement is a great way to lift everyone’s mood.
6. Host a team lunch
On National Have Fun at Work Day, gather your team for a fun free lunch.
Whether you order in from a local favorite, do a potluck with homemade dishes, or video call with lunch from home, sharing a meal is a great opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level, celebrate successes, and just enjoy each other’s company in a more relaxed environment. Plus, who doesn't love free food?
For those working from home, an easy way to do a group lunch is through Confetti’s Lunch Party! We’ll take the stress out of planning by sending your team a gift card they can use to order takeout from their favorite restaurant.
How to get started 👉 Nourish your body and your team spirit with a Lunch Party!
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7. 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.
How to get started 👉 Browse the menu of Cooking Classes for fun ideas that hit the spot!
{{cooking-classes="/blog/collections"}}
8. 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!
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9. Go head-to-head in a game show
Level up from the classic board games with an online game show! 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!
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10. 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!
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11. Office photo booth
If you’re working from the office, set up a makeshift photo booth in the office to capture the fun of the day. Create a corner with a backdrop – this could be a plain wall with streamers or a themed backdrop made from craft supplies. Add props like hats, oversized glasses, funny signs, and costumes to get everyone to get silly and creative with their photos.
Use a smartphone or a digital camera to take the photos or set up a tablet with a timer for a DIY approach. For remote teams, you can create a virtual photo booth using fun filters on video conferencing apps. Then compile the photos into a collage or slideshow to share with the team to keep as a memento of the day.
12. Kick back at the Confetti Pub
Gather your team at the Confetti Pub! Participants can explore a variety of breakout rooms hosting different fun 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 Clash, 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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13. Gratitude wall
Create a Gratitude Wall to spread positivity and appreciation around the office. All you need is a large piece of paper, a whiteboard, or even a virtual communication channel for remote teams. Ask employees to write notes of gratitude or funny messages about their colleagues, team achievements, or even lighthearted observations of the day.
Use prompts like “I’m thankful for…” or “Today I appreciated…” to get the ideas flowing. Throughout the day employees can read what others have written and get a morale boost and a sense of team bonding. End the activity by reading a few out loud or keep the wall up as an ongoing reminder of the supportive culture you’re building.
14. 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!
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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 virtual team building activities encouraging employee engagement, visit the National Have Fun at Work Day collection.
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