9 Fun Social Event Ideas You Should Try Out

employees playing table soccer
Need fun social event ideas to jump-start your next big corporate event? Don’t re-hash old, tired cliches and go for something new and different. What you’re looking for is an event that will be the talk of the town for days, or even weeks. Take a look at the following suggestions to get your creative juices flowing:

1. Office Olympics

What better way to foster camaraderie, teamwork and fun than holding your very own company Olympics? Tap into your employees’ competitive side and spend the day filled with gymnastics, biking or even an archery event. The beauty of setting up your own Olympics is that you can work with what you have, such as the venue and space. Furthermore, you can jot down suggestions from your fellow employees and officemates on their favorite sports, whether it be soccer, archery or a 20-meter dash. It’s one of the best social event ideas for work that promises fun and gets them out exercising their muscles. It’s healthy, and the winner gets bragging rights in the form of trophies or medals.

2. Escape Room Adventure

Get with the times and try out an escape room adventure, which promises to be an enjoyable affair that makes use of grey matter. An Escape Room scenario works just like this- a group of people are “locked” inside a room. You have an hour to get out and escape by solving a series of puzzles. Each puzzle will have clues that you must locate and solve if you want to get out and breathe fresh air again. Escape rooms foster team building and critical thinking. More often than not, you’ll need the help of your fellow teammates to activate panels, hold down buttons or switches in order to progress to the next stage. These fun company event ideas are becoming more and more popular, which means you’ll be able to get one up quickly and without too much trouble.

3. A Carnival

How many of us has had fond memories of spending a whole day at the carnival? The good thing is, it’s not too late to hold a carnival-themed event and recreate the games and attractions that we hold near and dear to our hearts. You can get striped tents and host games inside them, or set up a whole row of yummy food stalls such as cotton candy, popcorn or good old hotdogs. There are many booths, lights and shows to choose from. Hire clowns or rent balloon vendors and ice cream carts and you’ll have a sure hit in your hands.

4. Flashback Party

Choose your favorite decade and customize the costume, the food and the atmosphere. It’s simple, easy and it’s sure to be a hit among fellow co-workers and their families alike. If the majority of your employees are millennials, the 2000s is a no-brainer. Bootcut jeans, ringer tees, cowboy shirts, camo style and cargo shorts are in, as well as iPods and Nokia cellphones as accessories. Music could be Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Eminem, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy or Blink 182. For 90s themed events, you must have Doc Martens, chokers and flannel, with music such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Hanson, Mariah Carey or the Spice Girls. To make things more interesting, you can hold dance contests or set a prize for Best Costume of the Night.

5. Ice Cave

How would you like to take the idea of chillin’ to a whole new level? Enter the Ice Cave theme, something that will stick with organization for a long time. You and fellow employees can experience what it’s like to live at the North Pole (more or less) while enjoying creature comforts such as drinks, food and of course, mingling with guests. This is the perfect event for dressing up warmly with thick clothing. You can even wear a ski mask and ski shoes to really get into the theme. An ice sculpture and a bartender serving themed drinks with party music streaming through the speakers can make for a perfect corporate night out.

6. DIY Photobooth

Photobooths are always welcome as entertainment ideas for events, but here’s how you can make it better. Customize the photobooth with a theme and decorate the backdrop accordingly. Get some props to encourage hilarious poses from the participants. Wigs, silly signs, fake mustaches and hats all make for a more colorful picture. Hire a photographer or use a DSLR camera for high quality shots. You can also use a Polaroid if you want to get instant feedback.

7. Talent Show

Got some aspiring singers, artists or actor and actresses just waiting for their time in the spotlight? A talent show will serve as the perfect platform to showcase your company’s hidden potential in the arts and theater variety. Put up a poster and soon you’ll have volunteers and candidates signing up for a chance to become famous (at least in the office). Have a themed talent show, such as American Idol, or a free-for-all, like America’s Got Talent. Participants can sing, act, do quirky stunts or ride a unicycle while juggling three bowling pins at once. At the end of the show the judges pick the best one out of the bunch and award the winner with a special prize.

8. Game Show

Everyone wants to be in a game show for fame and money. Make your employees’ dreams come true by setting up Game Show night filled with fun and Hollywood-style showmanship. You can do Jeopardy, Who’s Line Is It Anyway or the classic Wheel of Fortune by team, family or department. Losers get eliminated and the best go head-to-head for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights until the next game show event.

9. Sandbox VR

Virtual Reality is the next big thing in entertainment, and your employees can finally experience immersive gaming without having to spend a single dime. A VR room is set up and the participants wear VR goggles and equipment. They’ll be transported into a whole new world via the headset, which encourages teamwork in order to progress to the next stage. Sandbox VR comes in a variety of themes for you to try out. It’s fun not just for the players but for those who are watching as well.

Looking for team bonding ideas?

we have lots to choose from!