Spirit week is most commonly associated with schools, but why can’t adults have fun too? Spirit week at work can be a great way to boost morale, build bonds, and create unforgettable memories.
Spirit week isn’t just fun; it’s a valuable tool for long-term business success. According to Harvard Business Review, having fun at work can increase engagement, creativity, and retention. Today, we’re going to cover the basics of spirit week at work and offer 20 fun work spirit week ideas. So get out the ugly sweaters and costumes, and get ready to have some fun at work!
Benefits of Hosting a Spirit Week at Work
While it’s easy to think spirit week is just for fun, it can have a big impact on your business as well. Here are three benefits of spirit week at work:
Improve Teamwork
The most obvious benefit of spirit week is improved teamwork. Spirit week brings team members together and encourages them to create lasting bonds. Whether it’s through seasonal events or a costume day, spirit week encourages employees to connect with each other and embrace their silly side.
As team members become closer and develop those bonds, their teamwork will improve. They’ll learn more about each other, recognize strengths and weaknesses, become closer, and work better together as team members.
Boost Employee Morale
Work can get overwhelming and stressful, which drags down morale. Spirit week however can serve as a fun break from the day-to-day struggles to help boost spirits.
And of course, that has numerous benefits of its own. High morale leads to higher retention, improved teamwork, increased engagement, productivity, and more. Considering the benefits, coming up with some spirit week ideas to boost morale is a no brainer.
Demonstrate Company Values
Every company has (or should have) company core values, the beliefs and principles that guide them. These values are incredibly important, and spirit week can be a perfect opportunity to demonstrate those values.
For example, charity focused spirit week events can help showcase what your company believes in and double down on those values. And with a strong set of values, it’s easier to unite employees around a common goal and create a sense of community.
Fun Spirit Week Activities
Now that we’ve covered the benefits, it’s time to present some fun spirit week activities you can use for your organization. We’re going to break them up by season, as well as provide some spirit week themes.
Fall Spirit Week Ideas
Between Halloween, football season, and the beautiful weather, Fall is a time of year perfectly suited for having fun and making memories with coworkers. So here are some fall spirit week ideas:
Pumpkin Carving Contest
A pumpkin carving contest is a great way to celebrate Halloween as a team while providing a fun and creative break from the work day. (Bonus: Check out these tips for spicing up your company Halloween party.)
Costume Day
As simple as it seems, costume day can be an incredibly fun spirit week activity that encourages creativity and expression. Not to mention it’s a chance to let loose and have some fun.
Fall Potluck
Everyone loves a good meal, so why not try a fall potluck? Food can be a great unifier, bringing people together through a delicious feast. It’s a great Fall event idea to say goodbye to summer and hello fall.
Football Jersey Day
It’s undeniable that people can be incredibly passionate about their sports, and a football (or other sport) jersey day can bring some of that passion into the workplace. Whether it’s fun and games or sparks a friendly rivalry, it’s sure to build bonds and create memories.
Charity Drive
Giving back has a tendency to bring people together, which is why it’s such a great spirit week idea. Charity drives are one of the best fall team building activities.
Winter Spirit Week Ideas
Winter might mean cold for a lot of the country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace company spirit. In fact, the cold weather can encourage people to come together. Check out these winter spirit week ideas:
Ugly Sweater Day
You might have done this in high school, but it’s just as fun as an adult too. Ugly sweater day encourages employees to get creative, express themselves, and come together through ugly sweater silliness.
Hot Chocolate Bar
Nothing warms you up on a cold day like hot chocolate, so consider having a hot chocolate bar for spirit week. It can be a delicious addition to holiday team building that encourages teams to communicate and build bonds.
Holiday Decoration Contest
Holiday decorations can liven the mood, increase morale, and create a welcoming environment. By making it a contest, you also encourage team members to get engaged, creative, and have fun trying to win.
Secret Santa
Secret Santa is an office classic and for good reason; getting gifts is fun, and giving gifts can boost morale and encourage relationship building. It’s also a good chance for employees to learn more about each other.
Chili Cooking Contest
If hot chocolate isn’t enough to warm you up, then consider a chili cooking contest. This is a great event for the winter; you and your team get to warm up with some hot chili, all while competing and having fun.
Spring Spirit Week Ideas
Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and starting over, making it an optimal time to start the year anew with spirit week. Here are a few spirit week ideas for spring that are sure to have your team feeling connected:
Garden Party Day
Since spring is the season of growth, a garden party is a great choice for spirit week. Let your team enjoy the beauty of nature while developing bonds and growing closer.
Earth Day Celebration
Earth Day is on April 22 each year, so consider celebrating Earth Day for work as part of spirit week. Your team can unite around the cause of the planet, giving back and enjoying some time away from work too. Consider events like Clean Water Connection that can help the planet while bonding with your team.
Spring Sports Day
Just like fall, spring is a season of sports. A company sports day is a great opportunity to get outside, bond over physical activity and friendly competition, and enjoy some fun with teammates.
Picnic Lunch
Keeping with the theme of embracing the spring air, a picnic lunch is another good option for spirit week. A picnic gives your team a break from the stress and the chance to converse, building friendships and bolstering teamwork.
Spring Fashion Show
A fashion show might not be everyone’s cup of team, but it’s still a great way to bring your team together in spring. Through creativity and expression, you can have a fun event that unites your team.
Summer Spirit Week Ideas
With summer comes warm weather, the beach, BBQs, and many more opportunities for fun. Embrace the outdoors and warm weather with these fun summer spirit week ideas:
Beach Day
Nothing says summer quite like the beach, which makes it one of the best summer spirit week outings. A day at the beach with coworkers can lift spirits, build bonds, and serve as a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the work day.
Ice Cream Challenge
Ice cream on a hot summer day is one of life’s best joys. Sharing that with your teammates is a great way to boost morale while building camaraderie. Not to mention it’s a great excuse to have some ice cream.
Outdoor BBQ
Outdoor BBQs are also quintessentially summer, and they are a perfect choice for an adult spirit week in the summer. Coming together over food and drinks is an effective way to encourage bonding while having fun at the same time.
Office Olympics Day
Who doesn’t get excited watching the Olympics, so why not bring some of that energy to the office with Quickfire Olympics? Summer Office Olympics can get your team motivated, engaged, and working together—all while having a blast.
Tie Dye Day
Tie dye is a simple but fun activity that brings out creativity while encouraging teamwork and collaboration. It’s a great summer office party idea that’s been around for years, showing that it has stood the test of time.
Start Planning Your Work Spirit Week!
Spirit week seems like it’s all about fun and games, but it’s so much more than that. It can be a chance to boost engagement, increase morale, and encourage team building—all while you and your team get to have fun making lasting memories.
If you’re struggling to come up with spirit week ideas and need a helping hand, TeamBonding is here to help. We’ve got all the experience necessary to help you put on fun and engaging spirit week events, taking care of the hard parts so you can focus on enjoying spirit week.
Start planning your work spirit week with TeamBonding. We have tons of events that are perfect for spirit week, so take a look and get in touch with us to start planning today!
