Most of us would rather be almost anywhere than cooped up in an office cubicle — and for some reason, “fun” isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind at work. But more and more research shows that encouraging employees to play and have fun on the job is a genuinely smart business move: it relieves stress, improves brain function, boosts creativity, and strengthens relationships between coworkers.
If you’re not quite ready to pass out hula hoops, start slow by celebrating National Fun at Work Day — observed on the last Friday in January each year — with a few of these national fun at work day ideas.
1. Organize a Themed Dress-Up Day
Shake up the dress code for the day. A few directions to take it:
- If your office is typically buttoned-up, let employees wear jeans for the day — or go further and allow flip-flops.
- If your office is already casual, flip it: declare a “dress to impress” day with formal or cocktail attire.
- Pick a fun theme, like favorite movie characters, decades day, or a retro throwback, and let people run with it.
2. Host a Potluck Lunch
All too often, employees eat lunch at their desks. A potluck encourages your team to step away from their computers and actually connect.
- Set it up in a large communal area, or outside if the weather cooperates.
- Pick a food theme — international cuisine, comfort food, or everyone’s favorite childhood dish — to make it easier to coordinate and more fun to talk about.
- Add a few simple games nearby, like a bean bag toss or a dart board, to keep the energy loose while people eat.
3. Plan Team-Building Activities
Fun and team building go hand in hand. A quick scavenger hunt, a trivia contest, or a lighthearted group challenge gets people out of their usual roles and interacting with coworkers they might not normally work with. For ideas that go beyond the usual trust falls, see Team Building: Thinking Outside the Box.
- Keep activities optional and inclusive — not everyone loves being put on the spot.
- Mix up teams or groups so people connect outside their usual department.
4. Create a Relaxation Zone
Not every fun activity needs to be high-energy. Set up a few stations around the office where employees can access a low-key way to unwind throughout the day:
- A table with sketchbooks or coloring books for a quick creative break.
- A chess or checkers station for a few minutes of friendly competition.
- A comfortable seating area with music or a simple game people can dip in and out of.
Letting employees access these stations throughout the day, rather than during one scheduled block, makes it easy for people to fit in a break whenever works for them.
5. Organize a Fun Office Competition
If your team works in a cubicle setup, a “decorate your cubicle” contest is an easy, low-cost way to add some fun to the day. Stick with a central theme (tropical paradise, for example) or let people come up with their own. Bring in supplies like streamers, confetti, and balloons, then hand out awards in categories like “Most Creative” or “Best Use of Materials.” For more playful award category ideas, check out 9 Goofy Awards for Team Building.
6. Bring in a Guest Speaker or Entertainer
If your budget allows, bringing in an outside presence can make the day feel extra special.
- A comedian or improv group for a quick, lighthearted show.
- A motivational speaker who ties fun back to workplace culture and morale.
- A local performer, magician, or musician for something a little unexpected.
Choose someone who fits your office culture — a rowdy comedy set works for some teams, while a calmer, more reflective speaker suits others.
7. Encourage Random Acts of Kindness
Fun at work doesn’t have to be loud. Small, genuine gestures go a long way toward making the day feel special: a handwritten thank-you note left on a coworker’s desk, covering someone’s coffee run, or a small recognition gift for someone who’s been putting in extra effort lately. Encourage the whole office to participate, not just management — peer-to-peer kindness tends to stick longer than a single top-down gesture.
8. Set Up Fun Photo Booths
A simple DIY photo booth gives employees an easy, shareable way to mark the day.
- Use a plain backdrop or a festive banner, plus a few props (glasses, hats, signs).
- Set a themed photo challenge — funniest face, best team pose, or a specific prop everyone has to include.
- Encourage people to share their photos on internal channels to keep the fun going after the event.
9. Share Fun Facts and Stories
Give employees a low-pressure way to share something personal with the team.
- Ask everyone to submit one fun fact about themselves ahead of time, then turn it into a guessing game.
- Set up a shared document or board where people can post a favorite memory or funny work story.
- Compile the best submissions and share them out after the event so the fun doesn’t end when the day does.
Bonus: Host a Desktop Deals Sale
For something a little different, turn the office into a pop-up marketplace for the day. Call it “Desktop Deals” or “Cubicle Close-Out” and encourage employees to bring in items from home to sell — knick-knacks, clothing, or even their own crafts. Let everyone “shop” at each other’s desks, or set up a central spot in a conference room or break room. Keep it simple by sticking to cash-only transactions.
How to Keep the Momentum Going Year-Round
These are just a few national fun at work day ideas — the possibilities are genuinely endless. Don’t stress too much about making it perfect; after all, that would defeat the purpose of a day built around having fun. For more ways to keep morale high year-round, not just on one day in January, see 20 Creative Ways of Boosting Employee Morale.
FAQ
When is National Fun at Work Day?
National Fun at Work Day is observed on the last Friday in January each year (the date is often cited as January 28, but it shifts slightly depending on the calendar). It’s a day meant to encourage employers to bring some lightheartedness into the workplace.
Is International Fun at Work Day the same as National Fun at Work Day?
No — they’re related but separate observances. National Fun at Work Day falls on the last Friday in January, while International Fun at Work Day is celebrated on April 1. Both share the same goal of encouraging fun and morale-boosting activities at work, so it’s worth marking your calendar for both.
What are some easy national fun at work day activities for a small team or tight budget?
Low-cost ideas include a themed dress-up day, a potluck lunch, a DIY photo booth with printed props, or a simple “fun fact” guessing game. None of these require much planning time or budget, but they still give the team a genuine break from the routine.
Ready to hand out some awards for your office competition? Browse PaperDirect’s Employee Recognition, Certificates & Awards to find the perfect way to celebrate the day.