Company Picnic Ideas

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Company Picnic Ideas for Families

Looking for Company Picnic Ideas?

Are you looking for fun ideas for your company picnic? Are you hosting a company cookout with families and want a way to make it memorable for all ages? We’ve got you covered.

Thirty-five years of planning company picnics nationwide has allowed us to create a massive database of fun ideas that work best (and some unique experiences to mix things up).

We’ve got 35 years worth of ideas on:

  • When to Host & Where
  • Entertainment Ideas
  • Games & Activities
  • Team Building Ideas
  • Company Picnic Themes
  • Swag and Branding Ideas
  • Food & Beverage Ideas

What Makes a Good Company Picnic?

Our 35 years in the industry have taught us a formula for success in planning good company picnics. You may know the basics, like the right location, fun entertainment, games, activities, and great food.

Having a theme for a company picnic can make it unique and organized each year. However, the most crucial aspect of planning a successful picnic is creating personalized experiences. Themed activities can be fun, but what really boost morale is having fun together.

Here are various company picnic ideas. To ensure success, it’s best to seek advice from the experts. Contact our experts, share details about your business, and we’ll offer tailored suggestions based on your budget and location.

Team Building Ideas for Picnics

When to Host and Where

Company Picnic Location Ideas

Selecting the perfect date and location for a corporate picnic is different for each company. Some have dates already chosen for celebrating milestones like anniversaries, mergers, or holidays. Others are more flexible with the time frame, planning a spring, fall, or summer picnic.

Time and place are important when choosing an indoor or outdoor venue. In some cases, companies may host a “Bring Your Family to Work Day” on-site; we also support these locations.

Companies traditionally host picnics outdoors in the summer (find ideas specific to summer events). This may be different for your area. For example, businesses in the southwest may host their company cookout in the spring or fall when the weather is a bit cooler.

Speaking of cool, winter is becoming an increasingly popular option as well. Check out these time and location ideas:

Time & Location Ideas

  • Try a Winter Picnic
  • Host it Beachside
  • Your Location
  • Empty Warehouses
  • Explore Local
  • Tourist Sites
  • Fall/Halloween Picnic
  • Drive-in-Movies
  • Excursions
  • A Local Farm
  • Site from a Movie
  • Historical Sites

Watch Our Playlist to Get Ideas from Past Company Picnics

Traditional Fun Company Picnic Ideas

Our in-house MCs add a professional flair to your company picnic and make your event feel even more all-inclusive. Imagine ‘popcorn’ call-outs reminding the guests who to thank for the excellent entertainment & food – you & your company!

Interactive games makes everyone feel included and engaged.

Employee golf challenges, mega bingo, and various rides, games, and activities are fun for adults and kids alike. We ensure that everyone sitting at the tables actively participates in the celebrations.

Want more? Click on the option below for more ideas or contact our team for personalized picnic game ideas.

Caricaturist

Face Painters

Live Bands

Carnival Game Booths

Inflatables & Bouncers

Inflatable Surf Game for Company Picnic

Carnival Rides

Picnic Rides

Games & Prizes

Big Prizes Mean Big Fun at Annual Picnic

Petting Zoo

petting zoo

Dunk Tanks

Dunk Tank

Craft Stations

Balloon Sculptures

Balloon Sculpture

Casino Games

Company Picnic Casino Themed

Company Picnic Games & Activities

Our picnic planners are not “party planners.” They’ve specialized in walking the fine line between company parties and professional business events. Get more out of your business investment. 

Our picnic planners specialize in team-building games and activities that engage every single guest, from employees to families. Call an event planning company with the experience and resources to plan your company picnic today: 800.366.0603.

Zip Lines
Giant Slides
Olympic Games
Volleyball
Baseball
Flag Football
Water Balloon Toss
Wet Sponge Relay
Tabletop Games
Group Bingo
Raffle With Prizes
Team Relay Race
Carnival Booths
Mechanical Bull Riding
Paddleboarding
Giant Board Games
Bungee Jumping
Mechanical Surfboard

Tug of War
Executive Bullseye
Ring Toss
Balloon Darts
Basketball Toss
Golf Challenge
Slip n Slide
Trike Race
Obstacle Course
Pie Eating Contest
Sack Race
Chicken Race
Water Balloons Toss
Corporate Trivia
Bouncers
Casino Game Tables
Arcade Games
Carnival Rides

Ideas for Team Building Activities

  • Deserted Island Challenge: In this game, players must list three items they would bring to a deserted island. Players must then work together to use these items to find a way to survive. While that’s often the game’s ending, you can divide players into teams and reward the team with the most creative problem-solving skills.
  • Shipwrecked: Players only have 25 minutes to scavenge survival items from a sinking ship. Divide your team into two or more groups and have them go to the “shipwreck area,” where you’ve placed several survival items. These can be matches, tarps, ropes, water, or anything the team needs. But be sure there’s a limited amount of each, with some items having more than others. Teams must prioritize and barter with others to secure items and rank them in order of importance. This game is excellent for promoting problem-solving and leadership skills.
  • Human Knot: Team members are divided into groups and asked to stand in a circle with closed eyes and link arms. Then, they must work to untangle the human knot they’ve created without letting go of the other players’ hands.
  • Blind Square: Players are asked to devise ways to make a rope tied into a circle into a square while blindfolded. Once each team’s plans are laid out, they’re sent off, blindfolded, to follow through. Whoever’s plan enables them to turn this rope into a square without untying it wins.
  • Paper Plane Contest: Players are divided into teams and asked to build the most efficient paper airplane. The team with the farthest-flying paper plane wins the game.
  • Egg Drop: Harkening back to the science class challenges of our youth, players must work together to devise a way to keep an egg from breaking when dropped from a high spot—the team whose eggs stay intact wins this challenge.
  • The Barter Puzzle: Divide your group into teams and give each team a jigsaw puzzle of the same difficulty, but mix a few pieces from each puzzle into those from opposing teams. Players are asked to complete the puzzle and work to get their final pieces by negotiating, swapping team members, or trading pieces.
  • Blind Retriever: In this game, players are divided into teams wherein one member is blindfolded. The other team members must guide the blindfolded player to an object. This game fosters communication and teamwork skills and is a great way to kick off any team-building event.

Live Entertainment Ideas for Company Picnics

Theme activities that boost morale

Picnic games and activities that boost morale can be themed or mixed and matched to fit your needs.

  • Caricaturist
  • Stilt Walker
  • Puppeteer
  • Cirque & Strolling Performers
  • Theme-Specific Costumed Actors/Dancers
  • Jugglers
  • Live Musicians
  • Themed Action Stations
  • Animal Shows
  • Theme-Specific Dance Lessons

Apparel & Swag Ideas

Answer the age-old question, “What should I wear to a company picnic?” by offering company t-shirts, hats, and cool swag for the day. Not only do they look great, but they can help designate teams for your field games. Some fun company picnic ideas for apparel and swag include:

Custom Company T-Shirts: Mark the day with custom-designed company picnic t-shirts. Use different colors to designate teams for field day competitions or team-building activities.

Bonus Pro Tip: Use your RSVP to gather information like size, color, and design preferences to help you place an accurate order. Our registration team can pass them out the day so no one forgets theirs at home!

Branded Visors/Hats: Allow staff to show pride with branded visors or basketball hats.

Picnic Food Ideas

Sunglasses: Protect their eyes with branded sunglasses like Cartoon Network did at their beachside picnic.

Budget Friendly Ideas: 

Low on budget, but big on this idea? Offer bandanas in different colors that can be tied on or company logo stickers against different backgrounds.

Thrill With Themes

Western/Rodeo

Western Picnic Theme

Olympics

Olympics Themed Picnic

Beach Party

Guests Celebrating Win at Cartoon Network Day at the Beach for Employees and their Families

International

International Themed Picnic

Americana

Fun Zone Americana Themed Picnic

Carnival/Circus

Carnival Games

Fall/Harvest

Safari

africa / safari decor at international themed picnic

Oversized Fun

Giant Inflatable Foosball

Looking for Delicious Cookout Ideas?

More Company Picnic Food Ideas

And of course, don’t forget about the food. A suitable dish will compliment and tie up your day. Classic hot dogs and hamburgers with all the condiments are always famous for family fun days.

BBQ ribs and brisket are a favorite of the Rodeo-themed picnics. Picnic food ideas don’t have to stick to the classics. Modern kitchens can go nearly anywhere. Your employee picnic could have flavors from all over the world.

Fair-style sweet corn is an absolute must for all outdoor company picnics! Did you know the most popular picnic food nationwide is potato salad?

Let our catering team make it both delicious and easy! We’ll roll out the wood-burning grill and BBQ on-site! It doesn’t get any fresher than that. More food-based company picnic ideas are below:

Table & Serving

  • Sustainable Bamboo Cutlery
  • Palm Leaf Plates & Bowls
  • Recycled Paper Plates
  • Reusable Branded Cups or Bottles

Entrees

  • Barbeque Ribs
  • Grilled Chicken
  • Tri-tip
  • Grilled Kabobs

Sides 

  • Coleslaw
  • Baked Beans
  • Potato Salad
  • Fair-Style Corn

Novelties

  • Funnel Cake
  • Cotton Candy
  • Churros
  • Novelty Ice Cream

All Your Company Picnic Needs in One Place

Over the past 35 years, we have planned and produced thousands of successful company picnics in California, Vegas, and the Dallas/Fort Worth areas of Texas, and we have since taken our picnics nationwide. Over these years, we have developed a keen sense of what works.

When you plan your next company picnic with Event Solutions, it’s sure to be a spectacular experience your staff and their families will talk about for months. With a custom theme to guide your day, all the hard work of developing an excellent idea for your next annual picnic is completed.

After all, coming up with unique company picnic ideas can be challenging, but showing your employees a great time shouldn’t be. Event Solutions specialists will come to you no matter where you are in the USA. We do so much more than plan picnics; we plan all sorts of employee events. Click on one of the links below to learn more!

VIEW OUR GALLERY

We Do So Much More Than Just Picnics

When you plan your next company picnic with Event Solutions, it’s sure to be a spectacular experience your staff and their families will talk about for months. With a custom theme to guide your day, all the hard work of developing an excellent idea for your next annual picnic is completed. 

After all, coming up with unique company picnic ideas can be challenging, but showing your employees a great time shouldn’t be. 

Event Solutions specialists will come to you no matter where you are in the USA. We do so much more than plan picnics. Click on one of the links below to learn more!

You Dream It We Build It!