Fun Meeting Ideas To Boost Employee Enthusiasm
Jul 23, 2024 • 20 min read
Staff meetings don’t have to be mundane and repetitive; in fact, incorporating fun and exciting activities can significantly boost employee enthusiasm and productivity. By adding elements such as themed parties, virtual game nights, and innovation sessions, you can transform ordinary meetings into engaging and enjoyable experiences. These creative ideas not only foster team bonding and morale but also encourage creativity and collaboration. Here are 16 fun staff meeting ideas to help you make your next team gathering a memorable and productive event.
You’ll learn:
- Fun Staff Meeting Ideas
- Other Fun Ideas
- Surprise your Team Members with these Fun Staff Meeting Ideas
Ready to build your remote team?
Use the DigiWorks platform to hire, manage, and pay remote talent from all over the world.
Fun Staff Meeting Ideas
Staff meetings don’t have to be boring and routine. In fact, incorporating fun and exciting activities into staff meetings can increase employee engagement, boost morale, and foster team building. Here are 16 fun staff meeting ideas to try out:
1. Themed party
Themed parties can be a great way to add some excitement and fun to your next team meeting. Whether it’s virtual or in-person, implementing a themed event can boost employee engagement, promote team building, and create a more positive and lively work environment.
A themed party is an excellent way to break the monotony of traditional staff meetings and get everyone involved. You can choose any theme that fits your team’s interests and preferences. For instance, you can create a classic 80s party with bright neon decorations, or a holiday party with festive ornaments and Christmas carols.
To ensure everyone gets a say in the theme, poll your team members and ask them for their suggestions, and then narrow them down to the most popular choice. Encourage everyone to dress up according to the theme to create a sense of unity and camaraderie. You can even choose to award a prize to the most creative outfit.
To make the event extra special, consider sending themed boxes of decorations and snacks to employees’ homes before the meeting. This way, everyone will feel included, and it will create a sense of excitement leading up to the event.
2. Innovation session
Innovation sessions are a fantastic way to build camaraderie and creativity within your team. These brainstorming sessions are an opportunity to work on a specific project or business goal and encourage participation and idea sharing.
If you have a remote team, you can schedule a Zoom call for your innovation session. Alternatively, if you have a co-located team, you can conduct the session in the conference room. To keep the pace of the session relaxed, create a comfortable and relaxed environment that encourages team members to speak up and give their opinions.
During the innovation session, allow team members to share their ideas without interruption or criticism. This is essential for building trust and making sure everyone has a chance to share. Encourage participation by setting a clear business goal that everyone can work towards. For example, you could focus on developing a new product line or exploring new market opportunities.
To develop skills in leadership, creativity, and collaboration, build in team building exercises throughout the session. For instance, you could assign different roles to each team member, such as team leader, moderator, or scribe. This way, everyone has a chance to participate, and you can create a fun but productive work environment.
3. Virtual happy hour
Virtual happy hour is an excellent way to boost employee morale after a long day of work while building team relationships in a fun and relaxed environment. In today’s remote workforce, team building is crucial to ensure maximum engagement and productivity. Virtual happy hour is a great way to let team members unwind and have a good time while building stronger bonds with one another.
The first step in organizing a successful virtual happy hour is selecting the right virtual event platform. There are many platforms available to host these events, like Zoom, Dialpad, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. It’s important to choose a platform that is easy to use and reliable, ensuring everyone on the team can participate without technical difficulties.
Once a platform is selected, it’s crucial to send virtual credit cards to team members so that they can enjoy their favorite beverages while socializing. It’s best to send the virtual credit cards a few days before the scheduled event to ensure ample time for team members to plan accordingly.
4. Virtual game night
Virtual game nights have become a popular way to bring remote teams together for some much-needed fun and entertainment. Not only do these events provide an opportunity for team building and collaboration, but they also offer a chance for everyone to unwind and have a good time.
One significant advantage of gamification is that it’s versatile and can be incorporated into both virtual and in-person events. Virtual game nights can take various forms depending on the team’s preferences and interests.
One popular option is to host a virtual trivia night, where teams answer questions on a range of topics like pop culture, history, geography, and more. This game can be made even more exciting by adding a time limit, raising the stakes and making it more challenging.
Another fun game idea for virtual game night is the scavenger hunt. Teams can compete against each other to find items around their homes. This activity fosters teamwork and creativity as players brainstorm ways to find the items without leaving their homes.
Bingo is another classic game that can be played virtually. This game is a great way to bring people together and create friendly competition while also being enjoyable and educational.
Lastly, try a virtual game night with quick video games. Set up a video gaming tournament, split into teams, and play fun, quick games that pump up the excitement.
5. Lunch and learn
Lunch and learn events have long been a favorite among employees to develop their skills while enjoying their lunch break. These events offer an excellent opportunity for teams to interact, learn, and rejuvenate before resuming their daily work activities. However, to make these events even more productive and fun, it’s time to add a twist to the conventional format.
Here are some creative lunch and learn ideas that can be conducted both in-person and virtually.
Wellness Workshop
Invite a registered wellness coach to talk about health and wellness topics such as nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. During the session, team members can engage in light physical activities and stretches, meditate, and reflect. Not only will this workshop help team members to be physically and mentally fit, but it will also help build team spirit.
To add a twist, team members can be encouraged to share their favorite healthy meal recipe and engage in a cooking challenge before the session. This way, everyone shares their knowledge, and they get to learn more about each other’s wellness journeys.
Diversity and Inclusion
Workshops on diversity and inclusion can help team members understand and appreciate each other’s differences. Invite an expert on diversity and inclusion to lead the session and discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
To add a twist, team members could be asked to prepare a short presentation on a cultural tradition or value close to their heart and share it with the group. This way, everyone has the opportunity to learn more about cultures different from theirs and how they can foster inclusiveness.
Creativity Session
A session on creativity can be a fun and fulfilling way to break the monotony of work routines. Invite a creative expert to lead a workshop on creativity, where team members can engage in activities that will stimulate their creative juices, like drawing, writing, or music.
To add a twist, team members could be asked to share their favorite book, movie, or artwork and why they love it. They could also be challenged to come up with a creative solution to a problem the company is facing. This approach will not only help to build camaraderie within the team, but it will also foster innovation.
Productivity Bootcamp
A productivity boot camp workshop will be a big hit among employees who are looking to improve their productivity. Invite an expert productivity coach to lead the workshop, and team members can learn tips and tricks for time management, organization, and prioritization.
To add a twist, team members could be challenged to apply the productivity strategies learned to their current roles and report back on the progress made after the session. This hands-on approach will ensure that everyone gets the most out of the session.
Team-Building Games
Team-building games are often a fun and engaging alternative to traditional learning sessions. Games such as trivia, puzzles, and escape rooms stimulate critical thinking and collaboration skills.
To add a twist, in a virtual environment, team members could have lunch delivered to their door during the session to enjoy together. Also, instead of simply playing the game, team members could be asked to rate how well they communicated during the activity and come up with ways to improve their communication skills.
6. Virtual escape room
Virtual escape rooms are a trending option for companies looking for interactive and exciting team building activities during staff meetings. These virtual challenges are immersive, entertaining, and promote teamwork and problem-solving skills.
To plan and execute a virtual escape room activity for team building during staff meetings, start by researching available options. There are several virtual platforms that offer unique and challenging escape room experiences tailored to different interests and skill levels. Choose a virtual escape room that fits your team’s preferences and is suitable for the number of participants.
If your team is large, divide them into smaller groups to create a competition between them. This will add an extra layer of excitement and motivate the teams to work together and use their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Once you have chosen the virtual escape room, plan and schedule the activity in advance. Make sure all participants have the necessary equipment and access to the virtual platform. Share the instructions and objectives of the activity in detail, so that everyone is aware of the rules and objectives.
During the activity, encourage teamwork and communication to successfully solve the virtual puzzles and escape the virtual room. Provide incentives or prizes for the winning team to make the activity more enjoyable and rewarding. This can be anything from gift cards, extra break time, or a free meal.
7. Virtual coffee date
Virtual coffee dates are an excellent way to boost employee motivation and productivity during team meetings. It provides an opportunity for team members to relax, catch up and get to know each other better, creating a more positive and collaborative work environment.
This approach also creates a regular positive habit in the company calendar, making team members feel more valued and connected to the company’s culture. Here are some practical tips on how to organize a virtual coffee date seamlessly:
- Scheduling: Pick a convenient time that suits everyone’s schedule. Virtual coffee dates can involve a brief session of 15-30 minutes, which can be scheduled at the beginning of the workday or during a break in between tasks.
- Creating a Relaxed Atmosphere: Encourage team members to bring their favorite drinks, snacks, and even pets if possible. This helps to set a relaxed and friendly tone and promotes a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
- Video Conferencing Platforms: Utilize video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams to ensure smooth communication between team members, regardless of their geographical location.
Incorporating virtual coffee dates into team meetings provides an opportunity for team members to bond and collaborate, creating a more productive and motivated work environment. It also fosters a positive company culture and sense of belonging, which ultimately translates to better performance. Don’t overlook the perks of incorporating such a regular positive habit in your teamwork!
Ready to build your remote team?
Use the DigiWorks platform to hire, manage, and pay remote talent from all over the world.
Other Fun Ideas
In addition to virtual coffee dates, there are many other fun and interactive meeting ideas that can help improve employee engagement and promote team bonding. From icebreaker activities to team-building games, here are some creative meeting ideas that can help get everyone’s creative juices flowing and increase productivity during meetings.
1. Show and tell
Show and Tell is a team bonding activity that promotes personal connections and creativity among team members. This interactive meeting idea works well for both virtual and in-person teams as it allows everyone to share an object they love and the story behind it.
To start the activity, the team leader can set up a designated time and invite all meeting participants to bring an object that reflects their personality or interests. The object can be anything they like, from a favorite book to a quirky desk ornament.
During the meeting, each team member takes turns sharing their object and its significance. This not only helps colleagues learn more about each other’s interests, but it also encourages them to step out of their comfort zones by sharing personal details.
The Show and Tell activity is a great way to promote team bonding, particularly for virtual teams where colleagues may not have many opportunities to interact face-to-face. For remote teams, participants can share a picture or video of their object if they don’t have it on hand during the meeting.
2. Caption contest
One interactive meeting idea that can boost employee engagement and creativity is a caption contest. Here is how you can execute this activity in your staff meeting:
- Gather a group of people who enjoy coming up with witty remarks and divide them into teams. Make sure to choose a diverse mix of individuals to encourage different perspectives in the contest.
- Find a humorous image that will spark creativity and laughter among the teams. This can be an image related to the company or a completely random image to make the contest more lighthearted.
- Give each team a designated time to create a caption for the image. This will allow them to brainstorm and collaborate on a witty and clever response.
- Once the teams have had enough time to create their captions, have each team present their caption to the group. This can be done in a round-robin format, where each team presents their caption one by one.
- Encourage the group to engage with each other by sharing their thoughts and reactions to each caption. It’s important to create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions.
- Finally, have everyone vote on their favorite caption. You can do this by having each person cast a vote for the best caption or by using a points system where each caption receives a score. Then, award a prize to the winning team for their creative and humorous response.
The caption contest is a fun and interactive meeting activity that can help break the ice and boost team morale. By encouraging humor and creativity among employees, you are creating an engaging and productive atmosphere for everyone involved. Incorporate this activity into your next staff meeting to see the positive impact it can have on your team.
3. Play “would you rather?”
One of the easiest and most effective ways to break the ice and build camaraderie during a staff meeting is to play a fun game of “Would You Rather?” This simple game can help bring everyone together while also revealing their personal interests and preferences.
To play the game, start by explaining the concept to the group. Essentially, “Would You Rather?” involves presenting two options and asking participants to choose which one they would prefer. Here are a few examples of TV and movie-related questions to get the group started:
– Would you rather have the power of telekinesis or the ability to fly like Superman?
– Would you rather live in the wizarding world of Harry Potter or the galaxy far, far away from Star Wars?
– Would you rather be stuck in a time loop like in Groundhog Day or live in a world where pets could talk like in The Secret Life of Pets?
– Would you rather have a lightsaber from Star Wars or a wand from Harry Potter?
You can also encourage the group to create their own “Would You Rather?” questions based on their personal interests. This can lead to some creative and hilarious scenarios, and it will also give everyone a chance to learn more about each other’s likes and dislikes.
4. Best backdrop contest
If you’re tired of the same old boring virtual meetings and want to find a way to incorporate some creativity and excitement into your next team gathering, why not try hosting a Best Backdrop Contest? This fun and engaging icebreaker activity is sure to get your team members excited and adding some personality to their virtual or physical meetings.
To start, encourage your team members to add a personal touch to their backgrounds by decorating their space or using virtual backgrounds. For those who need some additional supplies to create their unique backdrop, provide them with a Hoppier virtual credit card to purchase what they need.
During your meeting, have everyone showcase their creative backdrops and allow everyone to vote for their favorite design. You can even include prizes for the winners to increase participation and enthusiasm.
Hosting a Best Backdrop Contest is a great way to break the ice, encourage creativity, and promote interaction among team members. Give it a try at your next meeting and watch as your team members compete to see who can come up with the best backdrop design.
5. Guess the location
One of the best ways to add some excitement to your virtual or in-person staff meeting is by introducing a fun interactive game such as “Guess the Location.” This icebreaker is an excellent way to get your team’s creative juices flowing and give them a chance to show off their geography knowledge.
To play “Guess the Location,” we recommend using a fantastic online tool called Geoguessr, which will take your team on a virtual trip around the world. Using this platform, you can randomly drop your team members in a specific location and challenge them to guess where they are based on the surroundings.
This game is a great team-building activity that encourages collaboration, boosts morale and, above all, provides a fun platform for your team members. Because everyone is involved in the game, they get to know each other better and strengthen their communication skills.
Encourage some friendly competition by setting up challenges to determine who the most accurate guesser is among your team. You could consider offering prizes for the highest-scoring players, which will add an extra layer of excitement and enthusiasm to the game.
6. Joke of the day
Looking for a simple yet effective way to spice up your staff meetings? Consider incorporating a joke of the day! This lighthearted activity is a great way to start off the meeting on a fun note and can help boost team morale.
Encourage your team members to submit their best joke ideas prior to the meeting. Each meeting, rotate through the submitted jokes and let a different team member share their joke with the group. This not only adds an element of surprise to the meetings but also encourages team members to participate and engage with each other.
If you find yourselves running out of joke ideas, don’t worry – the internet has got you covered! There are a plethora of online joke generators that you can use to find a joke that fits your team’s humor and style.
7. Scavenger hunt
Incorporating fun and interactive activities into remote team meetings is crucial for enhancing engagement and promoting teamwork. One such idea is to add a scavenger hunt to your virtual team building activity list. The beauty of this activity is that it can be customized to suit your remote team’s specific needs and various office settings, regardless of the team size.
The key to setting up a successful scavenger hunt is providing clear instructions, introducing a challenging yet doable list of items, and offering a prize for the winning team. This activity is an excellent way to break the monotony of virtual meetings and spark creativity and excitement among team members.
8. Guess the picture
Are you looking for a fun and interactive activity to add some excitement to your next staff meeting? Look no further than the game of Guess the Picture! This game is perfect for a quick icebreaker or team bonding activity.
In the game of Guess the Picture, players take turns drawing a picture while their colleagues try to guess what it is. To add a little friendly competition to the mix, keep score throughout the game and award points to those who successfully guess the picture.
If you’re working with a remote team and want to try a virtual version of the game, consider using Drawasaurus. With Drawasaurus, team members can take turns choosing from three random prompts and score points for identifying the picture quickly.
Whether your team is working in person or remotely, Guess the Picture is a great way to get everyone engaged and get their creative juices flowing. So, try incorporating this fun and interactive activity into your next meeting and see how it can add some excitement to your usual agenda!
Conclusion - Surprise your Team Members with these Fun Staff Meeting Ideas
To kick things off, start with a funny joke or humorous anecdote to set a positive and light-hearted tone for the meeting. This is a great way to get everyone relaxed and in a good mood before diving into the more work-related aspects of the meeting.
Next, plan a creative meeting agenda that includes not just the usual updates and team reports, but also some fun activities. For example, you could incorporate pictures in the presenter slides to break the monotony and spark creativity. Or you could include an icebreaker activity that encourages team collaboration, such as two truths and a lie or a scavenger hunt.
To liven up the meeting even more, consider incorporating engaging games that everyone can participate in. For example, you could try the popular game of Pictionary, where team members take turns drawing and guessing pictures, or you could play trivia games related to your industry or company culture.
Incorporating these fun, creative, and engaging ideas into your staff meetings is a great way to surprise and delight your team members, and make your meetings more enjoyable and productive. So why not give them a try at your next meeting and see how much of a difference they can make!
Ready to build your remote team?
Use the DigiWorks platform to hire, manage, and pay remote talent from all over the world.
About DigiWorks
DigiWorks is an easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and start ups hire amazing remote talent from around the world. DigiWorks offers a way for you to hire, manage and pay people from all countries. If you find an amazing virtual assistant from Philippines, a content writer from Nigeria, or operations manager from South Africa – manage and pay your entire team from one platform with no hassle.
If you’re looking for a more affordable and sustainable option you might consider making use of a hiring platform like DigiWorks. Virtual assistant companies or platforms like DigiWorks are amazing as they not only match you with pre-vetted and assessed remote workers that can take care of all your business needs but they will also handle all onboarding and payroll needs as well.
