Work Summer BBQ And Family Fun Day Games: 20 Outdoor Ideas

A work family fun day is two events at once: colleagues who want a drink and a chat, and their children who want something to do immediately on arrival.

These cover both, with a clear plan for the ten minutes after everyone arrives - the make-or-break bit.

Games that run themselves all afternoon

• Giant Jenga, Connect 4 and quoits left out in a corner - no supervision, constant use.
• Welly wanging with a marked distance line and a leaderboard on a flipchart.
• Hook a duck or a coconut shy if there's any budget at all.
• A guess-the-sweets-in-the-jar with a sheet to write on, drawn at the end.
• Football goal or basketball hoop with a shootout tally.

Organised team games

• Rounders, teams drawn from a hat so families mix.
• Tug of war, department versus department, best of three.
• Egg and spoon, sack race and three-legged race - a proper sports day for adults and children together.
• Water balloon toss in pairs, stepping back each round.
• The obstacle relay: cones, a space hopper and a beanbag on the head.

For the children of colleagues

• A treasure hunt round the site with a small prize for everyone who finishes.
• Face painting, if anyone can be persuaded.
• Parachute games for the under-sevens - a proper play parachute costs little and occupies twenty children.
• A colouring or poster competition judged at the end by the most senior person there.
• A den-building corner with cardboard and pegs.

Planning and wet weather

• Start one game at the advertised start time so early arrivals aren't standing about.
• A running order on a board: rounders at 2, tug of war at 3, prizes at 4. It gives the afternoon a shape.
• Prizes for everyone under twelve, novelty prizes for adults.
• Wet plan: indoor quiz, bingo, giant board games and the same prize-giving. Decide the day before, not on the morning.
• Sun cream, water and shade as a matter of course, plus a first aid point and a named person for lost children.

Shop thank you and leaving cards

How to write it so it lands

• One game running at the advertised start time.
• Prizes at a fixed hour so people know when to gather.
• Agree the wet weather plan the day before.

Where to shop next

• Work team building games
• Icebreaker games for a new team
• Remote and virtual team games
• Games for an away day or conference
• Games for a leaving do or retirement party
• Two-minute games to start a meeting
• Work quiz rounds (non-Christmas)
• Training day games adults won't hate
• Office games HR won't object to
• Office Christmas party games
• Board games hub
• Quiz questions and rounds
• Free feel good tools
• Shop leaving and thank you cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Birthday cards for kids
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What games work at a work summer BBQ?

Leave giant Jenga, Connect 4 and welly wanging out for people to drift into, then run organised rounders and tug of war at advertised times so the afternoon has some shape.

What can children do at a work family fun day?

A treasure hunt round the site, parachute games for the under-sevens, a den-building corner and a poster competition judged at the end. Prizes for everyone under twelve.

How do you plan a work family fun day?

Put a running order on a board, start one game exactly at the advertised start time, have prizes at a fixed hour so people know when to gather, and appoint a named person for first aid and lost children.

What if it rains?

Have an indoor plan agreed the day before - a quiz, bingo, giant board games and the same prize-giving. Deciding on the morning is how these events get cancelled.

Do you sell team building kits or games?

No - we make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK. Every game here runs with what's already in the room, and the only products on this page are our own cards.