19 Company Picnic Ideas and Planning Tips

Organizing a company picnic is one of the best ways to give your employees a break from their busy routines and lift their spirits. Such a short getaway will boost morale, strengthen teamwork, and help everyone recharge. All in all, whether you're an event coordinator in charge of planning in your company or a boss who wants to lead the team outside but needs some creative, fun ideas, you're in the right place.

Here in this blog, we'll share many insightful planning tips for a successful company picnic. You'll be covered by:

• Company picnic themes
  
• Food & beverage ideas
  
• Interesting company picnic games
  
• Company family picnic ideas
  
• Site & date selections
  
• Weather-proofing strategies
  

15 Company Picnic Ideas to Get Employees Engaged

Finding fun company picnic ideas is no easy thing. When you type the keyword "company picnic ideas" in the search engine, you'll find yourself facing thousands of options. And choosing the perfect ones that truly fit your needs makes things even more challenging.

No worries, we have already picked the top 15 things that you should never miss for a company picnic, including:

1. Creative Themed Picnic

When deciding on the theme, you can give a few options for everyone to vote on, or simply ask the team what they prefer. Basically, there are so many wonderful themes for your company picnic to try, so don't just limit this activity to the traditional, simple kind. 

For those who want something refreshing and bright, the tropical paradise theme is definitely worth a try. You'll need to prepare Hawaiian garlands, palm leaf decorations, and fruit-inspired drinks like coconut water or pineapple juice.

If you prefer something simpler but still stylish, go for a Bohemian-style picnic. Then you must prepare items like patterned blankets, cozy cushions, string lights, and wooden trays or woven baskets for food. 

2. Food Truck

For any outdoor party, having a food truck can never go wrong. This is especially true for a company picnic, as it can offer a variety of foods and drinks in one convenient spot. A food truck also reduces the need for complicated catering setups. So if you have a large group to serve, it can be a perfect option. 

You can even add extra fun to the company picnic with this car. That is, turning it into a DIY food buffet to let everyone make their own dishes.

3. Tea Party

Another fun idea is to turn the picnic into an outdoor tea party. Then, tea can definitely be the star of the event. You can provide a variety of tea bags, such as black, green, and jasmine tea. And don't forget to provide different kinds of pastries and snacks to pair with them. 

However, during the picnic party, there are still some people who may enjoy a light buzz. So apart from the tea, it's better to prepare champagne, cocktails, apple cider, juice, or soda to cater to all tastes. 

Since drinks are usually left out for a while, they can easily get exposed to dust, falling leaves, or insects outdoors. Therefore, if you plan to offer a variety of beverages, it would be wise to have a tent to build a safe space for them. It will not only keep everything clean, but also protect everyone from strong sunlight or sudden rain.

4. Outdoor Movie Night

If your company picnic lasts into the evening, consider hosting an outdoor movie night. This gives everyone a chance to gather after a day of activities and relax together. Make sure you have prepared a selection of movies, a high-quality projector, and a screen. 

5. Sky Lantern Launch

Flying a sky lantern will be a meaningful part of the company picnic. Everyone can write their wishes, prayers, or personal messages on lanterns. Once lit, the lanterns float up into the sky like small hot-air balloons. This can really create a romantic and cheerful vibe. 

6. Cornhole Tournament

Cornhole tournament is easy to arrange. It only needs bean bags and two boards placed a short distance apart. Players take turns tossing the bags, and they'll need to land them on the board or into the hole for points. It is very simple to learn and fun to play. People of all ages, from kids to grandparents, can join in. So it could be a great game for a company family picnic. 

7. Live Entertainment

Live entertainment will energize your company picnic and keep everyone engaged. You can invite a local band to perform or hire a DJ to play upbeat songs. The playlist should include songs that everyone knows and loves, so they can sing along and interact more actively. 

If anyone in your team enjoys playing instruments or singing, just encourage them to perform in front of their colleagues. It would be good for ice-breaking. And for larger groups, you may consider hiring an emcee or host to keep the event organized.

8. Kick Ball Game

The ball-kicking game can be played by all ages. Children can make new friends quickly through it, while adults can relive their childhood memories. The most common one is soccer ball kicking, but you can also try more creative versions, such as:

• Kick Baseball: Similar to baseball, but players kick the ball instead of hitting it with a bat. It's perfect for big open spaces.
  
• Relay Kick Race: Teams should work together to kick the ball through a course and back.
  
• Target Kick: You'll need to prepare cones or buckets and give points for accurate kicks. 
  
• Giant Beach Ball Soccer: It's about using an oversized ball for a hilarious twist to make everyone laugh.

9. Face Painters

Face painting always draws a crowd of excited kids. A cute cartoon character or a splash of bright color on their face can bring them much joy that lasts all day. You can invite a professional face painter who knows how to create fun and trendy designs. But just make sure the paints used are safe and non-toxic, as some materials may cause allergies or skin irritation.

10. Marshmallow Challenge

This is also a nice challenge for both kids and grown-ups. Here's how it works: each team uses toothpicks and marshmallows to build the tallest tower they can. You can set a time limit and add a theme, such as building a bridge or a famous landmark. It's even more exciting if you let teams use a few surprise materials, like straws, tape, or spaghetti, to finish their buildings.

11. Tug of War

Tug of War is a classic outdoor game that never goes out of style. The setup and rules are simple. All you need to do is prepare a sturdy rope and divide the employees into two groups. To prevent hand injuries, you may also provide specialized gloves for each player.

Since this game can be quite physical and takes a lot of energy, it's best to schedule it earlier in the day before everyone gets too tired. Also, try to hold it on a dry, sunny day. Wet or slippery ground could cause players to fall and get injured. 

12. Pumpkin Carving

If your company picnic takes place in the fall harvest season, then it's suggested that you add some seasonal elements to it. Pumpkins are everywhere during this time. So why not organize a pumpkin carving contest? Participants can take their creations home as decorations or get ready for the following Halloween. 

13. Adult Water Slide

A water slide is a must for a company picnic in summer. It can make people feel cool on hot, sunny days. You may need to rent and set up an inflatable water slide, a small pool, and add extras like water guns for more fun. 

This activity will bring all the adults back to their childhood and allow them to enjoy some playful moments. If you are gonna arrange this for your employees, remember to remind them to bring a change of dry clothes to wear afterward.

14. Giant Four In A Row Game

This activity requires a large game board and oversized discs, usually in two colors. Players take turns dropping their discs into the slots, and if they line up four in a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, they win. But this game needs a flat and stable surface, so make sure to find a level spot in advance to prevent the board from tipping over.

15. Tie-Dye Station

If you want a fun DIY activity, set up a tie-dye station! You can prepare items in advance, such as T-shirts, dresses, pants, scarves, or headbands. Some people would also like tablecloths or blankets. Of course, participants can bring their own items, but remind them to choose fabrics that take dye easily - white and cotton work best. 

Once you've provided all the necessary tie-dye kits, including dye bottles, rubber bands, gloves, etc., and set up the station, encourage everyone to show their creativity and make a unique piece. You can also invite a professional artist to guide them to create a successful design.

4 Tips on Hosting a Memorable Company Picnic

Beyond the 15 great corporate event ideas mentioned above, you'll also need to focus on more details to ensure the day runs smoothly. Date, location, weather, and communication with your team are all key factors to consider. Here's what you should do:

Set a Date on Holidays

On holidays or weekends, people are often full of energy and ready to enjoy their days. So hosting your company picnic during a holiday can create a lively and festive atmosphere. A holiday picnic also gives employees a chance to join without taking extra time off work. 

However, don't occupy their entire holiday. Keeping the picnic to a single day is ideal. Some employees may have personal plans, like traveling or spending time with family. It's best to arrange the picnic at the start of a holiday or within the first couple of days, rather than in the middle, so it doesn't disrupt their travel plans.

Pick the Right Location

The location should be easy to reach and have plenty of space. If the spot is hard to find, some people might get lost. This will definitely cause delays and affect everyone's mood. Since you'll have many activities, a large, open area is the best. 

The ideal choices for your company picnic location include city parks, riverside areas, botanical gardens, recreational fields, or lakeside spots. Once the location is confirmed, send a clear map or directions to everyone. This helps ensure all participants arrive on time and that all activities start as scheduled.

Prepare for Hot Weather and Sudden Rain

The weather is always a big challenge for outdoor events. Even if you check the forecast and pick a sunny day, you may still suffer from unexpected rain or wind. In summer, the heat and humidity can also make participants uncomfortable. 

Choosing a location with large shaded areas helps, but a better solution is to invest in a pole tent. It is often reusable, so you can take it down after the company picnic and take it out anytime for future outdoor events. Or you can just resold it. 

Meanwhile, this tent is easy to set up. Its construction only includes a few poles and a fabric cover, yet the materials are durable. The poles are made of high-quality aluminum, and the PVC-coated cover is fully weatherproof. Once set up, this party tent can withstand no matter harsh sunlight, rain, or wind. 

The central pole is a standout feature. It creates a peaked roof and provides strong support to the whole structure. Compared to other types of tents, it is also very cost-effective. Thus, the pole tent can really be a practical investment for your company events.

Communicate Clearly

The key to the success of the company picnic is surely clear communication. Before the event starts, make sure everyone knows all the important details, including the date, time, and location, as well as transportation options. Let them know what to bring, such as snacks, water, umbrellas, or any items needed for specific activities.

If you plan to include any activities that might get clothes dirty or wet, like the adult water slide or other messy games, you should give guidance on what to wear to a company picnic or ask participants to bring a change of clothes. This ensures everyone can be comfortable and ready to enjoy the outdoor fun.

Final Thoughts

When planning this exciting gathering, you can choose a few of the ideas mentioned above. There's no need to fit all activities into a single day. That is not realistic at all. But no matter how you gonna plan the day, the weather should be a major consideration, as it can directly affect the schedules and everyone's mood. 

To prepare for unexpected weather, we highly recommend having a tent. If that sounds right for you, just contact Sheltent anytime. We provide high-quality pole tents and can help you and your team have an unforgettable company picnic.