Ask most employees and they will probably say, “Isn’t work challenging enough?” However, that is not what these challenges are about. They are fun and simple work activities that can inspire employee camaraderie, build more effective teams, renew the group’s collective energy and boost productivity.¹ Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Connect through community service. For just a few hours of the workday (or during the weekend), employees can sponsor a needy family for the holidays, clean up a park or volunteer at a food bank. Doing good for the community will do your employees good, too.

Go happy hunting. Scavenger hunts are team-builders and morale-boosters. Design a hunt that is as simple or elaborate as you would like. The key is to present tasks that bring out each team member’s thinking skills and problem-solving ability. Then everyone can experience the one way to win: working together.

Have a field day. Break away from the office to engage employees in fitness and fun at a local park. Play kickball, catch a Frisbee^® or enjoy walking around on a sunny day — whatever inspires healthy, stress-free activity. Also consider laser tag or escape rooms. Keep in mind that not everyone enjoys competitive sports; give employees choices they’ll appreciate.

Boost brainpower with trivia. Playing office trivia can bring coworkers together to work their mental skills in ways they do not normally need to in their daily jobs. Use questions from a trivia board game or create your own work-related questions. If you want to go big, there are even national trivia companies who can help you host a worksite event.

Prizes? They are optional since most workers just enjoy bragging rights. But you can always sweeten the pot with gift cards or company swag. Ultimately, you will be the winner with engaged employees who enjoy coming to work and enjoy working together.

_{¹Odphp. "7 Simple, Fun Wellness Challenges to Start At Work - News & Media." Chapter 4 - 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines. June 22, 2016. Accessed September 05, 2018.}