So, when it comes to thinking of the good of your employees, one of the things you need to do is show appreciation, like offering Employee Appreciation Day.  It’s an opportunity to show the team how much their hard work is valued by providing them—and their families—with a day to relax, connect, and, most importantly, have fun. Besides, treating everyone (and yes, that includes yourself, too) means that you’re giving everyone the chance to focus on their well-being.

With that all said, planning such an event can be challenging, but with a touch of creativity and a focus on fun, it’s possible to create an experience that will be remembered fondly for weeks to come.

Location, Location, Location

So, the first step in planning an unforgettable event is selecting the right venue. The location sets the tone for the entire day. So, whether the event is hosted at a local park, a golf course, or even on the company’s own campus, choosing the appropriate venue is basically going to be the biggest aspect. It’s pretty much what sets the whole tone. So, the size of the company, the number of families attending, and the activities that will be offered should all be considered when selecting a location.

If your business is large enough, like having a campus,then the best decision you could do would be to transform it into a fun-filled playground. You basically going to have more options, like setting up some different zones can be created for various activities—a relaxing picnic area, a games corner, and a central hub for food and drinks.

But what about those smaller companies? Well, even if you don’t have a large plot of land, that’s totally fine. You could look into renting a venue like a hotel garden or a countryside retreat that can offer a change of scenery that makes the day feel extra special. Actually, employees get far more excited if they can go somewhere that doesn’t involve their company’s property (like a campus). So that’s beneficial for you too.

Activities That Everyone Will Love

So, you really need to understand that a successful Employee Appreciation Day is about more than just good food (though that is certainly important). It’s about creating an environment where the team and their families can bond, relax, and have a great time together. Seriously, you just don’t want anyone feeling bored; it’ll look bad for the company. So that’s why it’s best to look into offering a variety of activities to ensure that there is something for everyone, regardless of age or interests.

For example, you could have a few small age-oriented activities like face painting or a bouncy castle (or both), but it helps to have other activities for the teens and adults there that they can enjoy. It could help to look into a VR experience near me because, honestly, who doesn’t love VR? 

You could have a little station for that (like a VR escape room or VR arcade games), or maybe a station for Jenga, sack races, tug-of-war, or pretty much anything that people actually find fun for an outing like this.

Food and Drinks

The quality of the food can significantly impact the success of the event. This is usually the easiest, so you could get catering since that alone will usually provide such a vast array of food. But, at the same time, it’s important to cater to a variety of dietary needs—vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are essential in today’s diverse workplaces. 

Don’t forget to provide a range of drinks as well; you can’t offer only soda, as some people may want juice, beer, or even water.