As we roll toward brighter days, it’s time to start thinking about ways to celebrate your employees by giving them some moments in the sunshine. There’s no better way to show your appreciation to your employees than by inviting them to a fantastic Summer Picnic. It’s a chance to get out of the office, eat good food and play games. 

But throwing a company picnic can be more challenging than you may think. It’s not as easy as buying chips, potato salad, and a cooler full of sodas. Like any other corporate event, a company picnic requires some real planning and creativity. So let’s dive in. What will it take for you to host the best company picnic for your employees and their families?

Invitations and Guest List

This is the first step in setting the mood for your event. While traditional invitations can be spiced up by incorporating your theme, consider trying something new. Take advantage of social media and create an event page on Facebook. Employees can use it to RSVP and connect with each other before the picnic even begins. Another unique idea is delivering candy bars with the invitation printed on the wrapper.

Of course, all employees will be invited to your company picnic. Think about whether you will extend the invitation to spouses and children. Keep in mind, attendance will be higher if you involve family and you will also reap more benefits in the way of loyalty and appreciation.

Picnic Theme Ideas

A picnic theme can be based on any number of things, such as a specific picnic location, an activity, an event, a movie or TV show, a novel, an historical time period, a holiday, and more. Before you settle on a theme, make sure it’s relatable and illustrative of your business and its representatives.

Choose a fun theme for the picnic, such as a Company Hawaiian luau, a company sports day, or a ‘decades’ theme where everyone dresses up in their favorite decade’s attire. It helps change the atmosphere and adds a fun twist and turn.

Insert your theme into your picnic activities, picnic food, picnic decorations (tablecloths, centerpieces, etc.), and even communications about the event (invitations, reminders, response cards, etc.). Possible themes could include a company beach party, safari party, wild-west, casino, circus, Olympics, luau, company field day, etc.

• Caribbean: A Caribbean theme for your company picnic may include tropical decor and food from the region.
• Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest picnics revolve around beer and German-inspired food.
• Carnival: A picnic carnival theme is perfect for kid-friendly picnics.
• Mardi Gras: Picnic Mardi Gras is a more adult theme for a picnic.
• Beach Party: A Picnic beach theme can be either adults-only or kid-friendly. It’s perfect for those who want a laid-back atmosphere.
• Casino: Casino night is perfect for an evening event with just your employees and their significant others.
• Luau: Luaus are Picnic Hawaiian-themed events perfect for the whole family.
• Western: A Western theme may mimic a hoedown or old west saloon. Play up the cowboy elements if kids are attending.

Pick an Attractive Local Venue

The venue you choose for a company picnic can be the difference between the event being a memorable success or a forgettable flop. It goes without saying that the venue for picnics should be in keeping with your theme, but there are a few other factors to consider when you’re picking a picnic location for your event.

Look for company picnics locations that are close enough for your employees to get to easily and that offer amenities such as volleyball, softball, BBQ area, etc. Make sure the picnic space is available on a few of your date ranges, then book two separate days. One for the actual event, and one as a backup date in case of inclement weather.

Some of the company picnic ideas venues you might want to consider:

• Local, state, or national parks
• Community centers
• Petting zoos idea
• Banquet centers
• High rise rooftops
• Restaurant patios
• Golf clubs
• Beaches
• Chartered boats
• Campgrounds

Company Picnics – Menu for Good Food

Your picnic menu may also depend on your theme and budget. For example, a carnival-themed event may include cotton candy and corndogs, while a Caribbean-themed party may focus more on shrimp and seafood. Regardless of the theme, make sure the picnic menu items fit within your budget and are easy to transport and serve at scale.

Decide if you want to pull out a grill and make picnic burgers and hotdogs or get the picnic catered. They each have their benefits. While grilling can save the company money, catering allows everyone to sit back and enjoy the event. Remember to include vegetarian and kid-friendly options.

• Picnic Taco Bar Idea – This is an easy and fun option that is usually a hit with just about everyone. Make sure to offer a few different proteins and toppings.
• BBQ – Ribs, brisket, chicken, no matter which way you go you will win with your guests — just make sure you have napkins handy. Extra BBQ sauce is also good to have available. 
• The Grill Master – Recruit someone to work the grill and serve up the old standby of hamburgers and hotdogs. Don’t forget the condiments!
• Paper Goods – Make sure to include this on your sign-up sheet. You’ll want plenty of cups, plates, silverware, napkins, and garbage bags so that there’s an easy clean-up.
• Consider Catering – Even if you are hosting a potluck, you may want to think about having the main dish catered. This will save time and ensure a good meal.

Sides

• Macaroni and Cheese – You can’t go wrong with this comfort food kids and adults love.
• Chicken Salad – No matter how you make it, chicken salad is always a hit. Pair it with French bread, chips, or fresh spinach.
• Corn on the Cob – This is pretty much a must-have at every picnic. Throw the corn on the grill for an easy and delicious side dish.
• Chips – This may be the easiest (and most important) thing on the list. Make sure to have a variety of options spread out in different places, so there’s always something to snack on.
• Popcorn Making Machine – Make popcorn the old-fashioned way. It’s fun, delicious, and smells great.

Beverage Station

Design a self-serve picnic beverage station that includes basics such as bottled water, lemonade, and soda. If you decide to offer alcoholic beverages, be sure to have bartenders on hand to serve the beer, cocktails, wine, or mixed drinks.

Company Picnic Ideas: Arrange Entertainment

Entertainment may also give your picnic some structure and add a bit of fun. Consider your theme and the type of atmosphere you want to provide. These are different than activities because people may not participate in them in an organized way.

Even though it’s advisable to choose entertainment ideas that are in line with your picnics theme, you shouldn’t neglect some tried and true forms of entertainment, particularly if kids will attend your picnic. A few kid-friendly types of company picnic ideas you should consider include:

• Balloon animal-making clown
• Petting zoo
• Cooking Class
• Ice sculpting
• Outdoor movie theater
• Caricature artist
• Face painter
• Bouncy castle
• Water slide
• Sidewalk chalk
• Water balloons
• Photo booth
• Video booth

Outdoor Company Picnic Activities and Games for Adults

Company picnics are the perfect opportunity to incorporate fun company team building activities and event. This can be anything from field day-type activities like tug of war to team sports like volleyball. Many times the venues have activities that go hand in hand, such as fishing on the lake or swimming at the beach. 

If your event is picnics themed, you can easily base activities around it with things like hula lessons at a luau or midway games at a fair-themed picnic. Don’t forget to have kid-friendly activities planned, as well.

To pick picnic games and activity ideas that everyone will participate in, you should consider the ages of your employee or attendees. It’s also wise to devote some thought to any physical limitations some guests might have. Naturally, you should evaluate the venue you’ve booked to determine which activities are practical given the space’s possible constraints, rules, and regulations.

Face it. Some of your employers are physically fit and others are not. So it’s important to offer different types of activities that will work for everyone. Here are a few fun suggestions and ideas:

• Scavenger hunt
• Trivia
• Karaoke
• Laser tag
• Bouncy houses
• Painting class
• Sports (volleyball, softball, etc.)
• Tug-of-war
• Face painting
• Carnival-style games
• Bean bag toss
• Cornhole
  

Team Building Activities

Do you want your guests to improve their teamwork and team building? If improved collaboration is one of your objectives, you may want to plan some team building exercises for your upcoming picnic.

It’s wise to schedule team building sports for your picnic if you want your employees to work better together. Here are some of the team building sports you may want to consider:

• Softball
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Football
• Soccer
• Kickball

Prizes for your Raffle

A raffle or drawing is often an anticipated highlight of the company picnic for employees and their families – especially if you give away great prizes. Skip giving away the extra PTO day this year or company logo gear. Rather, include employees’ kids and offer exciting prizes like new technology, money, gift cards and certificates, and the latest toys – all things most people love to win.

Games and Activity Ideas for Company Picnic

No matter how much you want to improve your group’s teamwork, you should still include some activities and game ideas that are solely intended for your guests to have fun. Here at Texas Sumo, we are not only giving you fun but we create memories for everyone. Here are the lists of fun games you can rent that will make it entertaining for your guests.

The Benefits of Having a Company Picnic

All work and no play is no way for a workforce to operate, and we think most companies understand that.  Sometimes you just need to get everyone together for purposes other than making money and driving profit to keep the fun around the office, warehouse, or job site alive and well.

The main thing is: Everyone wants to work for a company that promotes fun and goes that extra mile for its staff. If you want to be that business or that boss, start by creating a buzz with a few extraordinary company picnic ideas.

Remember, company picnics are not a waste of time or money. When done right, employees will leave feeling rejuvenated, appreciated, and motivated. Your company will be seeing the benefits long after the event.

More Party Ideas & Themes >

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