Staff parties are a great way to encourage team bonding and make everyone feel included, and build stronger relationships at work. The type of parties you throw at your company say a lot about the culture you’ve created or are trying to create, so it’s important to think about this when planning the activities you’d like to include.
Whether it’s fun staff party games that allow everyone to show their competitive side, or something a bit more formal where your team can mingle and get to know each other outside of work, the key to a good staff party lies in the planning.
In this post, we’re going to share our top tips for throwing an unforgettable staff party to show your team that you appreciate them and what they do, and in turn, build a happier, more fulfilled and productive team.
The Benefits of Staff Party Games:
Staff party games are a lot of fun and offer the perfect way to bring your team together outside of work and show their fun side. Here are some of the things that make staff party games so popular among employees:
They encourage team bonding
Just because people work together, doesn’t necessarily mean they have gotten to know each other other than to say hello when passing by in the corridor or in the occasional team meeting.
This 2022 study by the Harvard Business Review found that genuine work-based friendships not only benefit employees, but can have a positive impact on the business itself due to increased productivity and morale.
You may even have experienced this yourself; having people at work that you can chat to each day, go for lunch, and have a laugh makes going to work more enjoyable and less tedious, so it’s the same for your staff.
When at work each day, people are mostly kept within their own teams, making it difficult to form friendships outside their team or department. Staff parties, and especially those that include interactive activities like staff party games are great ways to get people mixing.
Another study found that more than half of UK workers directly credit their current or previous jobs with meeting some of their most important friends. Of course, we can’t say that staff parties are the main reason they met and formed a friendship, but it’s certainly clear that certain aspects of company culture make it easier for employees to connect and bond with each other.
They’re inclusive
With so many options to choose from and with something for everyone, staff party games are designed to be inclusive and take into consideration things like physical ability, whether someone is extroverted or introverted, and many can even help with managing things like language barriers which is especially important when you’re leading a multicultural team.
They boost staff morale
It’s just a fact of life that we all have to work, but with over one third of our lives spent working, the profession we choose should be something that is enjoyable, or at the very least, not something that we hate.
Many companies will throw the traditional annual Christmas party, but from the perspective of the staff, it can often feel like nothing more than a tick box exercise with very little thought or effort put in.
When you truly care about building a strong and positive company culture and take the time to think about fun staff party ideas your team will genuinely enjoy and want to participate in, then your employees will feel more appreciated at work, staff retention rates will be higher, and morale will be better overall.
They improve communication
One of the most challenging aspects of managing a team is navigating the different personalities and communication styles in a way that everyone feels supported and heard.
Group activities like staff party games require teamwork and communication which will then filter through into helping them communicate more effectively in the workplace.
Exciting Staff Party Game Ideas:
Whether this is your first time organising a staff party or you’re something of an expert, we have a range of party games for you to choose from that are guaranteed to make your next staff party the one that everyone talks about for years to come.
Here are some of the staff party games available to hire from Fun Pro:
Prize Crane games
Prize Crane games make a great addition to staff parties of all sizes and a great way to break the ice and get everyone involved. If you remember going to an arcade as a child, the thrill of wondering whether you’d win that teddy was half the fun. With our Prize Crane arcade games, your team can have hours of fun just with these alone.
The machines themselves come in a range of themes and colours and they don’t require any coins; simply fill them with your chosen prizes and see who’s lucky enough to win.
Prices start at just £495+ VAT.
Racing Car simulators
For the more competitive employees in your team, what better way to encourage some healthy rivalry and team spirit than with racing car simulators?
These car simulators are perfect for staff parties and will really help bring the team together as they race against each other.
Prices for our racing car simulators start at £475+ VAT for 1 car.
Football tables
Football tables and other team games are a great way to bring people together and break the ice at staff parties since they encourage teamwork, and lighthearted competition among colleagues.
With prices starting at £295+ VAT, Fun Pro football tables are an affordable way to throw a great staff party that everyone can enjoy.
Crazy golf
Crazy golf, also known as mini-golf, is a fantastic way to get employees interacting in a relaxed and enjoyable setting. With creative obstacles and engaging courses, crazy golf promotes teamwork, patience, and a bit of friendly competition. It’s a perfect option for indoor or outdoor staff parties and caters to all skill levels.
Our crazy golf hire starts at £495 +VAT.
Batak games
Batak reaction games are always a hit at staff parties and events, especially when people are playing in groups. These high-energy games involve pressing illuminated buttons as quickly as possible, making them ideal for those in your team who enjoy a fast-paced challenge.
The prices for our Batak Lite games start at £445 + VAT and £495 + VAT for Batak Pro.
Tips For Organising Your Next Staff Party:
Planning a staff party that people enjoy takes a good level of planning and organising to make sure that it goes smoothly and that your employees are talking about it for all the right reasons.
Here are some of our top staff party planning tips:
Set a budget
The first step is to think about how much you can afford for things like the venue, games, food, and other essentials.
It’s also a good idea to shop around so that you can balance cost-effectiveness with quality to get the best value for your money.
Choose a suitable venue
When looking for a location for your staff party, you should look for one that can comfortably accommodate the amount of people in your team, as well as space for any planned activities like party games, stalls, or photo booths. You should also consider the time of year and if you plan to have any outdoor activities.
Decide on themes and entertainment
Staff parties with a specific theme like a retro arcade night, carnival or a decade-specific theme is a great way to get people involved in the activities and show their personalities outside of work.
Once you’ve chosen your theme, you can pick things to bring it to life like music, lighting, activities, and decor.
Consider different needs and preferences
When planning something like a staff party or event, it’s important to think about the fact that your team consists of people with a variety of needs and preferences.
For example, if you have staff members who are neurodivergent, or have a physical difficulty, then choosing activities that could be overwhelming for them, or a venue that doesn’t have wheelchair access is probably going to exclude some of your team from attending.
You should also consider that some people are more introverted or extroverted than others, and while you can’t accommodate 100% of everyone’s needs and preferences, aiming to make your staff party as inclusive as possible will make it easier for people to attend and also make them feel that the company really cares about them and appreciates the work they do, in turn leading to increased morale and higher productivity
Source Games and Equipment
Now that you’ve figured out the finer details of your staff party, it’s time to start getting everything you need in place to make it happen. If you know that you’re going to be having things like staff party games, then start contacting suppliers like Fun Pro to check prices and order the games and equipment you need.
It’s always a good idea to speak with a variety of suppliers for things like catering and decorations to see what deals they’re offering so that you can have a great staff party without spending more than you have to.
Find Staff Party Games With Fun Pro:
At Fun Pro UK, we understand the importance of creating memorable and fun events. Our wide variety of staff party games and equipment means there’s always something for everyone, no matter your team size or budget.
Why Choose Fun Pro UK?
Expert Support: We’re here to help you choose the best games and activities so that you can plan a truly unforgettable staff party or event.
End-to-end Service: We don’t just supply you with equipment and leave you to it; we will deliver, install and collect everything once you’re done.
Something For Everyone: From interactive game hire to arcade machines, we offer a range of options to make sure your next staff party has something that everyone can enjoy.
Custom Branding: We can apply your custom branding or company logo to any games or machines you hire and will remove them once you’re finished with them.
Reliability: Our top-notch equipment and seamless service mean you can focus on enjoying the party while we handle the logistics.
Take a look through our range of staff party games or get in touch with us for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do staff party games improve team morale and productivity?
Staff party games are a great way to get people interacting outside of work in a fun and lighthearted way so they’re more likely to get to know other people in the team they may not have met before. These relationships overflow into their work which makes coming to work more enjoyable.
How can I ensure all employees—introverts included, enjoy the event?
Although you’ll never be able to accommodate every single need and preference when planning an event, a good rule of thumb is to make sure that you’re planning a range of activities that most people can enjoy. Introverts may be more likely to enjoy things that only require one or a few people to play. Whereas extroverts will be more likely to enjoy games and activities that are more team-focused.
What types of games are most effective for large corporate gatherings?
The types of games and activities you hire for your event will depend on the company culture you have, the event you’re planning. If you’re hosting a more formal, corporate event or staff party, then activities like casino tables, photo booths, or even giant Jenga.
Should I hire a professional organiser or DIY the staff party planning?
Although there are certainly some aspects of planning a staff party or team event that are easy enough to do yourself, others will be much easier if you partner with a professional event hire company like Fun Pro, especially if you’re looking to have things like branded party games.
How do I choose a suitable venue or space for group games?
When choosing a venue for your event or staff party, you should consider things like how many people will be attending, what kind of activities you would like to have for people, and whether or not the venue is accessible for anyone who might require this.
What’s the best way to encourage participation and enthusiasm among employees?
This is never something that should be forced. If you already have a good company culture where your staff feel valued and appreciated, and they can see that the events you put on are trying to be inclusive, then most people will want to attend and will happily participate.
Can we incorporate company branding or themes into the games?
Yes. All of our games and machines can be branded with your company or event logo and promotional images. These are especially popular for things like conferences.
How do I measure the success of hosting staff party games?
The best way to measure the success of any party or event where you’re including things like games and activities is to see how many people are participating. You’ll also likely get feedback from people after the event as they’ll happily tell you how much they enjoyed themselves.
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