Planning a company BBQ that employees actually want to attend can feel like an impossible task. You've likely experienced the collective groan when announcing "team building activities" or watched as your carefully planned events resulted in employees standing awkwardly in corners, counting the minutes until they can leave.
But it doesn't have to be this way. A thoughtfully organized company BBQ can become the highlight of your workplace calendar—an event that builds genuine connections while providing a much-needed break from the office routine.
You've set up a traditional company BBQ with food and drinks, but notice your employees segregating into their usual office cliques or checking their phones constantly. The event feels flat despite your best efforts.
This scenario is all too common at company gatherings. The food might be delicious, but without engaging activities, these events often fail to achieve their primary purpose: bringing people together and fostering connections beyond departmental lines.
Transform your BBQ into a field day extravaganza with classic games reimagined for adults. This isn't just about random activities—it's about creating shared experiences that break down workplace hierarchies and allow colleagues to see each other in a new light.
How to implement:
The traditional BBQ menu can become predictable and fails to engage employees beyond just eating. There's minimal interaction between team members who aren't already friends.
People naturally bond through shared activities and challenges. Cooking competitions provide a perfect balance of structure and creativity while giving everyone something to talk about.
Host a guacamole-making competition where teams collaborate to create the most delicious dip. This activity transforms passive attendees into active participants with a common goal.
How to implement:
Your company events lack energy and struggle to get people mingling beyond their immediate colleagues. Forced conversation starters often fall flat and feel artificial.
A well-designed scavenger hunt creates natural opportunities for teamwork and problem-solving while injecting an element of friendly competition that energizes the atmosphere.
Create a BBQ-themed scavenger hunt that gets people moving, laughing, and working together toward a common goal. This activity cleverly disguises team building as genuine fun.
How to implement:
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The scavenger hunt card includes engaging tasks like:
These challenges naturally encourage interaction while maintaining a casual, fun atmosphere. Consider laminating the cards for reuse or creating multiple versions for larger groups.
Your company events lack energy and struggle to get people mingling beyond their immediate colleagues. Forced conversation starters often fall flat and feel artificial.
A well-designed scavenger hunt creates natural opportunities for teamwork and problem-solving while injecting an element of friendly competition that energizes the atmosphere.
Create a BBQ-themed scavenger hunt that gets people moving, laughing, and working together toward a common goal. This activity cleverly disguises team building as genuine fun.
How to implement:
Traditional company BBQs often feature catered food that, while convenient, misses an opportunity for meaningful engagement. Employees become passive consumers rather than active participants.
Many of your staff have hidden culinary talents and competitive spirits that rarely get showcased in the workplace. A cook-off taps into these qualities while creating a memorable shared experience.
Organize a BBQ cooking competition where employees can demonstrate their grilling prowess. This activity celebrates individual skills while fostering a sense of camaraderie through friendly competition.
How to implement:
The standard company picnic menu rarely sparks conversation or creates memorable moments. Food is often just fuel rather than a centerpiece for connection.
A chili cook-off creates an accessible culinary competition that allows for personal expression and cultural sharing through food. Even cooking novices can participate with simple recipes.
Invite employees to showcase their best chili recipes in a spirited competition that celebrates diversity in flavors and techniques while giving everyone something delicious to sample and discuss.
How to implement:
Company events often lack interactive elements that encourage opinion-sharing and spark lively debates. Without these conversation starters, interaction remains superficial.
Food preferences are universally relatable and often reflect regional and cultural backgrounds. A taste test creates natural opportunities for employees to share personal stories and preferences.
Set up a blind tasting of various BBQ sauces where employees rate and discuss their favorites without knowing the brands. This simple activity generates surprising engagement and animated conversations.
How to implement:
Many company gatherings play it safe with activities, resulting in forgettable experiences. Without elements of surprise or excitement, these events fail to create lasting memories.
A hot sauce challenge introduces an element of daring that creates memorable moments and generates stories that will be retold long after the event. It also reveals unexpected sides of colleagues' personalities.
Arrange a progressive hot sauce tasting that tests employees' spice tolerance while providing plenty of entertainment for spectators. This activity guarantees laughs and memorable reactions.
How to implement:
Standard catered BBQs often create a transactional food service experience where employees simply line up, get served, and sit down. This misses opportunities for skill-sharing and cross-team mingling.
Many employees have grilling skills or food knowledge they rarely get to demonstrate at work. Interactive stations allow for knowledge exchange in a relaxed setting.
Set up multiple themed grilling stations where employees can either showcase their skills or learn from colleagues who are experienced grillers. This creates an engaging, educational component to your BBQ.
How to implement:
Traditional company-catered events often feature limited menu options that fail to accommodate diverse preferences and dietary needs, leading to dissatisfaction among some employees.
According to employee feedback, past company BBQs have struggled with food variety and quality. Food trucks offer a contemporary solution that provides diverse options while creating a festival atmosphere.
Transform your company BBQ into a food truck festival by bringing in multiple vendors offering different cuisines. This approach ensures everyone finds something they enjoy while creating a vibrant, market-like atmosphere.
How to implement:
Company events rarely tap into employees' personal lives and cultural backgrounds in meaningful ways. This misses opportunities for authentic connection and cultural appreciation.
Food traditions often reflect personal history and cultural heritage. A recipe swap creates space for sharing these stories and celebrating diversity through culinary traditions.
Organize a recipe exchange where employees share favorite family or personal recipes along with the stories behind them. This creates meaningful connections through food heritage.
How to implement:
Traditional company gatherings often lack physical activities that accommodate different ability levels. Without inclusive game options, some employees may feel excluded from the fun.
Oversized yard games create photo-worthy moments while being accessible to most employees, regardless of athletic ability. They provide a low-pressure way to participate in friendly competition.
Create a supersized version of a popular party game using buckets and beach balls. This activity guarantees laughs and friendly competition without requiring significant physical exertion.
How to implement:
Company events often lack tangible mementos that help employees remember positive workplace experiences. Without these touchpoints, the positive effects of the gathering quickly fade.
Photo booths create lasting memories while encouraging employees to let their guard down and have fun together. They also generate shareable content that extends the event's positive impact.
Set up a photo booth area with BBQ-themed props and backdrops where employees can take fun pictures individually or in groups. This activity creates lasting mementos while encouraging playfulness.
How to implement:
The most successful company BBQs go beyond just serving food—they create opportunities for genuine connection, celebration of diverse talents, and memorable shared experiences. By implementing activities that encourage participation while respecting different comfort levels, you transform a standard company picnic into an event that strengthens your organizational culture.
Remember to consider accessibility and inclusivity when planning activities, ensuring that employees with mobility limitations or dietary restrictions can fully participate. By involving employees in the planning process and gathering feedback afterward, you'll continue improving these gatherings year after year.
The key is striking the right balance between structured activities and free time, competition and collaboration, familiar traditions and new experiences. With thoughtful planning and these creative ideas, your next company BBQ will be an event employees actually look forward to attending rather than finding excuses to miss.
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