Showing employees appreciation is essential for morale and productivity. Now you can show them just how much they mean to you by planning a company picnic!
You were just put in charge of organizing and planning the company picnic. Except, it isn’t just any ordinary picnic. It is the best company picnic. And it is for all the employees and their families, too.
While you are excited about the challenge, the idea of putting the picnic together seems daunting.
You want to do things right and be sure not to disappoint. And you need to make a lasting impression for all involved. But, where do you even start?
How do you create a successful company picnic for such a large crowd?
It’s simpler than you think – as long as you follow these tips.
Plan for the weather
Any time you hold an outdoor event, you have to take the weather into consideration. Of all the things you do have control over, the weather will never be one of them. So, you’ll just have to stay one step ahead.
When it comes to planning a picnic, holding it indoors is an illogical solution. Instead, you will hold your picnic outdoors, but you will bring the protection of the indoor with you.
How do you do this? With a tent rental.
Tents are strong enough to remain standing in inclement weather. They are also able to accommodate any crowd. So, to save your picnic from any chance of Mother Nature’s fury, rent a tent and incorporate it with your outdoor event.
Besides, everyone loves a cool, shaded place to relax outdoors. Your employees are sure to be thankful.
Timing is everything for your invites
If you are planning a picnic for your employees, then you surely want people to attend. Otherwise, what would be the point? When determining what day – and time – you will schedule it, take things into consideration such as:
- Work hours
- Scheduled vacations
- Holidays
And, while you are at it, you better determine whether you are hosting the event just for employees. Or, if you are inviting employees and their family members, as well as kids. Or if you prefer no kids, etc.
These are important details to consider and can ultimately impact when you have your picnic.
The venue can make or break your company picnic
Company picnics are usually put together as a way of showing appreciation. That means the venue you choose should be fun and vibrant – and in an easily accessible area. Don’t make your employees go out of their way to make it there.
The best part of choosing an outdoor venue with a tent rental is the fact that tents can be erected anywhere. They don’t have to be on the soft ground, either. So, whether you choose a local park, a nearby vacant lot, a spot along the water, or an empty parking lot, your tent can go up and your picnic can kickoff.
Don’t limit your options by choosing any other way.
Go for a themed-event
You could just host a regular ol’ company picnic. Or, you could host the company picnic. It’s the big one. The one that will be talked about for years to come. And why? Because it had a theme to make it fun and memorable.
Some ideas of themes are:
- Fiesta
- Around the world
- Carnival
- Tailgate
- Circus
- Luau
- Casino
- A day at the beach
- Safari or zoo
- Wild, wild west
Choose what fits your group. And make sure your picnic décor and, if possible, the entertainment matches the theme, too. This will help keep it uniform.
Themes also help to let your employees let loose. I mean, they work day in and day out for your company, they deserve a little fun and relaxation!
Imagine overhearing employees- years from now – saying, “Oh, do you remember that picnic when Fred in Accounting dressed up like Elvis?” or “We had a picnic one year and we all dressed up like pieces of pizza. Marla from Marketing was our one and only breadstick.”
Now, you’re thinking.
Must haves: food and fun
You always want to have food and fun at your picnic. After all, that is generally why most people attend them.
When it comes to food selection, you can stick to the plain old picnic food of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and various lukewarm salads. Or, you can opt for food from your theme.
For instance, have a fiesta theme and create a taco bar. Another idea would be to have a carnival theme and contact local food trucks to come.
Use your imagination and keep the event uniform.
As for fun, picnics are going to be full of outdoor activities. You could choose to play the common games, such as horseshoes, cornhole, or flag football. Or, you could opt for scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, and various teambuilding fun.
Don’t forget about the kids
Last, but not least, whatever you do – do not forget about the kids.
If you’ve told your employees that they can bring their children, then you better be prepared for them to do so. And, those kids are going to want something to do.
Most of the time at family events, without something set aside for the kids, you will find them attached to the parents. The idea behind the picnic is for everyone to mingle. And, while everyone loves their children, it is difficult to carry on a conversation with bored little ones all around.
Kids don’t require elaborate entertainment. So here are a few things you could so the kids can enjoy themselves, too.
- Choose to hold your event in a location with a playground.
- Rent a bounce house.
- Put together easy relay races for parents and kids alike.
- Offer a kids’ game, hangout, or entertainment area. Create a space that is just for kids. Provide outdoor messy things such as silly string, a homemade slime station, a finger-painting area, and so on.
Remember, though, that a company picnic for the family is as much for the kids as it is for the rest of the family. So, don’t try to exclude the children too much.
Conclusion
Planning a company picnic is beyond worth it to show your employees your appreciation, let them mingle and relax outside of work, and treat them to a special day.
Now, you have the blueprints for the best picnic in your company’s history. Plan for the weather, keep everyone full and entertained, and you will be planning next years picnic.
Enjoy!