19 Inexpensive Employee Engagement Activities in 2023

You want your team to work well and enjoy their job. But you don’t have a lot of resources for perks and events.

Many bosses have this problem.

But don’t worry. You can make your team happy and productive without spending a lot.

In fact, some of the best ways to engage your employees are cheap or even free.

In this guide, we'll show you the 19 most inexpensive employee engagement activities that can help you connect with your team, boost morale, and improve performance. You can choose any of these strategies from games, workshops, or projects that fit your needs and goals.

Let’s get started.

1. Offer Work-from-home Opportunities

Give employees the option to work remotely at least once a week or month. This can help them balance their work and personal lives, reduce commuting costs and stress, and improve their productivity and well-being.

2. Organize a Virtual Game Show

This is a fun way to make your online meetings more exciting and have some friendly competition. You can use a website like Ultimate Game Show to play games like Family Feud, The Price is Right, Jeopardy, and more.

3. Plan a Field Day

If you have a place outside, you can have a field day with games like tug-of-war, sack race, egg toss, etc. This is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while having fun with your team.

4. Organize a Secret Santa Gift Exchange

You can organize a Secret Santa where your team exchanges gifts with each other anonymously. You can set a budget limit and a theme for the gifts. You can also use platforms like Elfster or DrawNames to assign secret Santas and create wish lists online.

5. Offer Free Meals and Snacks

Employees can feel valued, appreciated, and energized by providing healthy and delicious food options. It can also save them time and money, and encourage them to socialize with their colleagues during breaks.

6. Encourage Employees to Learn

This is one of the most important employee engagement strategies that people tend to overlook. Provide opportunities for employees to develop new skills, acquire new knowledge, and pursue their interests. This can be done by offering online courses, mentoring programs, book clubs, or learning challenges. This can boost employee satisfaction, creativity, and productivity.

This leads us to our strategy…

7. Start a Mentorship Program

Start a mentorship program where experienced employees can help new or junior employees. You can match helpers and learners based on their skills, interests, or goals. You can also give them guidelines and resources to help their mentoring relationship. This can help them learn from each other, grow professionally, and build trust.

8. Host a Trivia Night

You can host a trivia night where your team answers questions on various topics like history, geography, pop culture, sports, etc. You can divide your team into groups or let them play individually. You can also use platforms like Kahoot to create and play online quizzes with your remote team. This can stimulate their brains, foster teamwork, and spark laughter.

9. Have a Karaoke Night

You can have a karaoke night where your team sings their favorite songs in front of each other. You can rent a karaoke machine or use an app like Smule to sing online with your remote team. You can also have a theme for the night like 80s music, Disney songs, rock anthems, etc.

10. Have a Movie Night

Have a movie night where employees can watch and talk about a movie together. You can pick movies that are fun, inspiring, or educational. You can also use websites like Netflix Party or Watch2Gether to watch movies and chat with each other online. This can help them relax, bond, and have fun.

11. Host a Talent Show

Invite your employees to showcase their talents and hobbies in a talent show. You can have categories such as singing, dancing, comedy, magic, or anything else that your employees are passionate about. This can help them express themselves, discover new talents, and appreciate each other’s diversity.

12. Plan a Volunteer Day

You can organize a day where your team volunteers for a cause that they care about. You can choose a local charity, a community project, or an environmental initiative. This can help your team give back to society and feel good about themselves.

13. Office Makeover

You can involve your team in decorating and improving your office space. You can ask them for their input on the color scheme, the furniture, the plants, the artwork, etc. You can also let them personalize their own desks or cubicles with photos, stickers, posters, etc. This can help your team feel more comfortable and creative in their work environment.

14. Allow Pets at Work

Allowing employees to bring their furry friends to work can reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Pets can also help employees bond with each other and create a sense of community.

15. Make an Employee Recognition Wall

Make an employee recognition wall where employees can write notes of thanks to each other. You can use a wall in your office or a website like Kudos or Bonusly to write and show the notes. You can also ask employees to read the notes out loud in team meetings or share them on social media. This can make employees feel appreciated, grateful, and happy.

16. Celebrate Birthdays and Work Anniversaries

Celebrating birthdays and work anniversaries is one of the most effective employee engagement strategies. Make your employees feel special and appreciated by celebrating their birthdays and work anniversaries. You can send them a card, a cake, a gift, or a personalized video message from their colleagues. This can boost their morale and loyalty.

17. Create an Employees Reward Program

Create a program that rewards employees for achieving certain goals, completing certain tasks, or exhibiting certain behaviors. The rewards can be points, badges, certificates, or prizes that employees can redeem or display. This can motivate employees to work harder, smarter, and better.

18. Start a Wellness Program

This is one of our favorite employee engagement activities. Start a wellness program where employees can get different things and benefits to help their physical and mental health. You can give them free or cheap gym memberships, yoga classes, meditation sessions, counseling services, financial education, or health checks. You can also provide them with wellness tips, newsletters, or podcasts.

19. Create a Suggestion Box

Create a suggestion box where employees can submit their ideas, feedback, or complaints anonymously. You can review the suggestions regularly and implement the ones that are feasible and beneficial. This can make them feel respected, empowered, and engaged.

Which Activities for Employee Engagement Will You Choose?

Now that you know your options for the best employee engagement activities, there’s only one question left to answer: Which strategies are right for you?

Pick the strategy that best matches your needs and go ahead.

Happy engaging!

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