How could your organisation embrace the International Day of Play on June 10th 2024?
- Option A: Organise a 'fun' activity using the list below, that half of them will love and half of them will probably hate you for pulling them away from what they actually need or want to be doing. It will create memories and possibly build more connection and with a good facilitator you could have a lot of fun. Yes I love to facilitate music-related experiences and retreats however there has to be a sustainable element to what you do to be MOST effective. Is there any follow-up? Is your facilitator therapeutically trained and insured? Are there ways of building connection over time and measuring results?
- Option B: Invite me in to speak about living life the ‘Play-fuelled way’ that will support your overwhelmed parents who are exhausted and never feel good enough, help your heightened hyperactive team members who are on the edge of burnout to find some balance and encourage the slightly more unimpressed de-motivated members of the team to embrace creativity and innovation and think slightly differently once they all find out about Polyvagal Theory and the power of play. Then put in strategies to support your staff to integrate this 'play-fuelled' way of living in the long term.
- Team Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt that can be done in the office or virtually using clues related to team members or company history.
- Outdoor Picnic: Arrange a picnic in a local park, with games like frisbee or softball included.
- Talent Show: Host a talent show where employees can showcase their non-work related skills and hobbies.
- Themed Dress Day: Have a themed dress-up day (e.g., superheroes, retro, etc.) with a virtual parade for remote employees.
- Lunch and Learn: Combine lunch with an interesting, informal talk given by a colleague or guest speaker.
- DIY Art Studio: Set up art supplies in a common area where employees can come to paint or craft during breaks.
- Board Game Tournament: Host a board game competition with a variety of games available for different interests.
- Cook-off Competition: Organize a cooking contest where employees can bring in their special dishes for tasting and judging.
- Karaoke Party: Set up a karaoke session either in-person or online for employees to sing their favorite tunes.
- Escape Room Challenge: Book an escape room activity or set up a virtual escape room for teams to solve puzzles together.
- Virtual Reality Exploration: Rent VR sets and allow teams to experience virtual reality games or travel simulations.
- Sports Day: Organize a mini sports day with activities like table tennis, badminton, or bowling.
- Movie Screening: Host a movie afternoon with popcorn and a selection of films voted on by the team.
- Mystery Dinner: Have a themed mystery dinner where employees participate in solving a fun whodunit.
- Flash Fiction Workshop: Run a quick, creative writing session where everyone writes a short, 100-word story.
- Improv Workshop: Hire a professional to teach an improv comedy workshop to help with team building and communication.
- Plant Potting Session: Bring in supplies for employees to pot their own plants to take home or keep at their desk.
- Group Fitness Class: Organize a group class like yoga, Zumba, or Pilates that employees can join together.
- Photo Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of photo ops that teams must capture around the office or their home.
- Mindfulness Session: Arrange for a guided meditation or mindfulness session to relax and reconnect.
- Puzzle Building Race: Set up several puzzles and see which team can complete theirs the fastest.
- Charity Volunteer Day: Organize a day of volunteering for a local charity, enhancing team spirit and giving back to the community.
- Pet Meet and Greet: Allow employees to bring their pets to work for a day or share pictures in a virtual meeting.
- Cultural Celebration Day: Encourage employees to share and celebrate their diverse cultures through food, stories, and dress.
- Ice Cream Social: Set up a station with different ice cream flavors and toppings for a sweet treat during the day.
If you want to arrange a call to discuss the real needs of your team and design a strategy to support them sustainably then I’d welcome a call. E-mail me [email protected]
