Throwing a company picnic increases the delight and participation of employees, putting them together and drawing them to the activity through beautifully conceptualized setups.
A good time outdoors can make a simple ‘get together’ into an experience where employees bond with each other much more.
Here are a few unique, wondrously crafted picnic food ideas for large groups:
Company Picnic Theme Ideas
A well-chosen theme can turn a simple, quiet gathering into an engaging, memorable moment to seal more cemented bonds between coworkers. Here are some fun corporate picnic ideas with unique and very detailed themes:
1. Retro revival
With a retro revival theme, you can bring back colorful eras of the past. You can choose any decade—the colorful 50s, swinging 60s, or disco-infused 70s. Use neon signs, vinyl records, and peace symbols as period-specific items.
Employees are encouraged to come to work dressed in their favorite retro clothing. The playlist would be full of iconic hits. To make the event ring true, add activities such as a dance competition featuring favorite dances of the era and a classic car show.
2. Carnival extravaganza
Turn your picnic area into a mini carnival. This theme might include multi-colored tents, a Ferris wheel, and carnival games like ring toss, duck pond, and mini shooting gallery. Adding jugglers, magicians, and face painters can keep everybody entertained. You could also have food from carnival cuisine, like cotton candy, hot dogs, and funnel cakes.
This would be a great theme for families; if desired, it can even include prizes for the winners of different games.
3. Glamour of Hollywood
Bring a little glamour of Tinseltown to the office, making every employee feel like a star. Of course, it starts with a red carpet entrance, velvet ropes, and ‘paparazzi’ clicking away as guests arrive. Decorations can include Oscar’s clones in trophies, cutouts of stars, movie posters, and so on.
The guests can be encouraged to dress up like famous movie stars or characters, with perhaps a look-alike contest underway. Movie trivia and an award function for exemplary employees are other features that can be included.
4. International festival
Emphasize the diversity of your workforce with the theme of an International Festival. Divide the picnic area into zones representative of different countries or regions. Each zone may have traditional foods, drinks, and crafts specific to that culture.
Decorations may include flags, lanterns, and traditional attire. Activities will include cultural performances such as folk dances and music and a parade of nations to showcase the different countries your employees hail from.
5. Sports spectacular
Turn the picnic into a sports day of activities that will foster good teamwork and healthy competition. Set up several sports stations for football toss, frisbee, mini golf, and volleyball. Employees may be asked to wear team jerseys or colors and identify as part of a particular department or team within the company.
A tournament could be developed with a schedule where everyone will participate in at least one activity. This would be an exemplary theme, allowing active participation and including, if one wants, a trophy or medals for the winner to enhance the competitive spirit in a fun and inclusive way.
6. Eco-friendly green day
Organize an Eco-Friendly Green Day for sustainability and environmental awareness. Use decorations made from biodegradable and recycled material. Send e-invitations to save paper waste.
Activities could include workshops by experts on sustainable living practices, a clean-up challenge at a nearby park/area, and a plant-a-tree activity where every team plants a sapling. Focus food on organic and locally grown produce with vegetarian options. Ask employees to carpool to the meeting site or provide a shuttle to reduce carbon emissions.
7. Nautical beach party
Bring the beach into your company with a nautical-themed picnic—just right for summertime. Find a venue near the water or create a beach atmosphere with sand, pool areas, and deck chairs if possible. Decorations may include anchors, ship wheels, and navy blue and white striped patterns.
Organize activities such as a sandcastle building contest, beach volleyball tournament, or water balloon fights. Offer seafood fare like grilled fish and shrimp cocktails, with refreshments that include tropical fruit drinks and smoothies.
8. Saga of a superhero
Take inspiration from the superhero sagas and rejoice with superheroes at your workplace. Employees can dress up like their favorite superheroes or even as new characters. Adorn the picnic area with cardboard cutouts of skyscrapers, capes, and masks to bring out the “superhero city.”
Activities may include an obstacle course in the superhero training camp, a villain piñata, and a best costume contest. Menus may comprise fun and themed items like “power-up” energy bars, “hero sandwiches,” and “super soda.”
9. Wild West BBQ
Get down with the rugged charm of the Old West by opting for a Wild West BBQ theme. Set the scene with hay bales, checkered tablecloths, and many cowboy hats. Horseshoe pits and a mechanical bull will keep everyone laughing.
You might also want to include a line dance instructor to teach a few dances. A tasty menu of barbecue favorites should be in store, with items like ribs, grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and baked beans. Playing a live country band sets the atmosphere, creating a rustic experience that will not be forgotten.
10. Magic and Mystery Night
Turn the picnic into an evening of enchantment by hosting a Magic and Mystery theme. This works well, especially if the picnic is held in the evening or at night. Use mood lighting, such as fairy lights or lanterns, to achieve a mystic feel to the atmosphere.
Hire magicians or illusionists for a show and have a “mystery escape room” challenge. Activities may include tarot card readings and a magic hat raffle. Food can become mysterious with “potion” punch, “enchanted” skewers, and “magic bean” salads.
Company Picnic Outfit Ideas
Here are more elaborate company picnic outfit ideas that work well for each theme and ensure you stay comfortable, functional, and fun at your next corporate event.
11. Themed t-shirts
Possibly, the number one choice on the list is to allow company-branded T-shirts that reflect the picnic’s theme. They can be color-coded by departments or feature humorous graphics about the event. The great thing is that tees are versatile and comfortable for any outdoor activity and serve as perfect keepsakes.
12. Country western
For a Wild West-themed picnic, invitees can dress as cowboy boot wearers, good old denim users, check shirt sporters, and hat wearers in kicky cowboy hats. A bandana around your neck would be the perfect accessory. You will have fun with this comfortable outfit that allows unrestricted movement at events.
13. Tropical luau
For instance, you could make a beach or tropical-themed picnic by suggesting floral shirts, grass skirts, or board shorts. You could hand out leis or flower hair clips at the entrance to get everyone in the festive spirit. This attire goes well, creating a relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere.
14. Sports team jerseys
Ensure all employees wear their favorite jerseys or T-shirts with their favorite sports. This way, you will eventually splash color into the event and discuss the sport that best fits most employees.
15. Eco-friendly fabrics
This being an Eco-Friendly Green Day, push for sustainable material-based costumes: say, organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled polyester. This approach enhances sustainability and shows the company’s commitment to being environmentally conscious.
16. Superhero costumes
Employees can come out dressed as famous superheroes for a Superhero Saga picnic or create their hero uniforms. This is engaging and can include capes, masks, light-up accessories, etc.
17. Vintage day out
Encourage stepping back in time with true vintage dresses, suits, or accessories with a Retro Revival theme. One can find varied outfits ranging from 1920s flapper dresses to 1950s rock and roll, depending on the decade that has been selected. And this allows one to purport an endowment of elegance and fashion in an easygoing environment.
18. Nautical attire
E.g., navy stripes, hair accessories, dresses, white linen pants or dresses, boat shoes, sailor hats, and/or anchor-themed jewelry.
19. Color block party
Make the picnic a parade of colors by dressing each team or department group in different colors. This approach will make the event vividly colorful and help identify groupings for different games and events.
20. Formal picnic chic
If the picnic is a little more uptown, perhaps the dress code would be more like a “garden party,” with sundresses, polo shirts, and summer suits. Party-goers should wear lighter fabrics and pastel coloring to preserve a light, outdoorsy feel while being slightly formal.
Company Picnic Food Ideas
These company picnic menu ideas accommodate a wide range of tastes and themes, so there’s something tasty for everyone:
21. Build-your-own burger bar
Set up a burger bar with various options, such as beef, chicken, or veggie patties, paired with an assortment of toppings like cheeses, bacon, avocado, sautéed mushrooms, and different kinds of sauces. Keep gluten-free and vegan bun options at hand for special diets. In this interactive food station, let them make their burgers how they want.
22. Gourmet sandwich platters
Offer a variety of artisanal sandwiches with top-quality ingredients, prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, artisan bread, and specialty condiments. Have some meat-based and some vegetarian options, such as caprese or grilled veggies. Sandwich platters can be pre-made or set up as a sandwich bar with various breads, meats, vegetables, and spreads for guests to create their own.
23. Local BBQ smorgasbord
Taste the local flavor by offering an array of regional BBQ favorites, like Texas-style brisket, Carolina pulled pork, or St Louis ribs. Pair these with a few sides, including coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, and a salad bar. Barbecues always take off and are perfect for the outdoors, offering hearty but satiating choices.
24. Fresh salad bar
Make a salad bar with various greens, such as romaine, spinach, and arugula, accompanied by nuts, seeds, cheeses, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and dressings. Add protein like grilled chicken, tofu, or salmon to complete this meal. This offers a refreshing and healthy dining option that caters to tastes and special diets.
25. Ethnic food stations
Enjoy ethnicity-based food stations like Italian pasta bars, Mexican taco stands, Asian stir-fry stations, or Middle Eastern meze tables. Each station can offer a variety of dishes representing the cuisine staples; therefore, there will most definitely be something for the more adventurous.
26. Seafood boil
Add a little zing by offering a seafood boil of shrimp, crabs, mussels, and clams with potatoes, corn, and sausage. Add a touch of whimsy by traditionally serving the meal on newspaper-covered tables and letting everyone dig in, family-style. This is an excellent idea for nautical or beach-themed picnics.
27. Pizza oven
Hire a mobile pizza oven or set up a DIY pizza station with pre-made bases, sauces, cheese, and different toppings such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Guests can then personalize their pizzas, which are cooked on the spot. It is fun and allows fresh, hot food to come directly to the plate.
28. Dessert buffet
Offer a dessert buffet with various sweet delights, such as cupcakes, pastries, cookies, and fruit salad. Add some fun with options like a build-your-own sundae bar or chocolate fountain with marshmallows, fruit, and pretzels to dip. It’s a light-bite way to end the meal on a sweet note.
29. Healthy wraps and rolls
Offer wrap and roll options filled with healthful choices such as quinoa, avocado, spinach, lean meats, and hummus. These are easily digestible on the run and can be tailored to vegetarian or vegan options to meet everyone’s dietary needs. A truly healthy and versatile fast food option.
30. Street food favorites
Add in a street food fair to create a lively atmosphere. Most items at the street food fair should include favorites like hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, and popcorn. This casual dining keeps the mood light and guests munching as they enjoy the activities.
Company Picnic Game Ideas
Games are essential in team-building picnics because they provide development in teamwork, laughter, and fun. Here are ten ideas for a company picnic game that will make your event full of life and genuinely unforgettable:
31. Scavenger hunt
Create a scavenger hunt in the picnic area or a local park. Divide the employees into teams and challenge them to find a series of items or complete as many tasks as possible in a given time. Add some fun business-related questions and challenges, such as taking a selfie with the CEO or an item that would represent the company’s values. This game will encourage the employees to collaborate and think creatively.
32. Tug of war
Organize an old-fashioned tug-of-war by pitting one department in your organization against another or randomly dividing participants into different teams. It is a healthy game in terms of physical exercise with the added advantages of team spirit and competitiveness in a light-hearted atmosphere. Care must be taken that the ground is soft and safe, and the rope should not be weak.
33. Relay races
Organize various relay races that include challenges such as sack races, three-legged races, or obstacle courses where teams have to weave through cones, jump ropes, or balance beams. It is a game that accommodates and adjusts to people’s different fitness levels, so no one will be left out.
34. Trivia challenge
Host a trivia event with company-related, industry knowledge, or general pop culture questions. Run it either team-based or individual, with or without buzzers, or even using apps to answer. This is a fun way to get employees’ brains working and foster friendly competition.
35. Picnic blanket bingo
Design a large bingo game with cards containing items or scenes one might frequently see at a picnic or those specific to your workplace, like “someone wearing red,” “a dog,” or “a person playing Frisbee.” This activity encourages observing and interacting among staff members.
36. DIY craft stations
Create craft stations where the employees can do something to take with them, such as a customized hat or T-shirt, or effortless jewelry. This is very appealing to families and serves as a nice way to unwind from the more physical games.
37. Photo booth challenge
Create a photo booth with props related to the company or the picnic theme. Challenge teams to come up with the most creative photo. Not only does this work as a game, but it also gives keepsakes from the event. Photos can be judged on creativity, sense of humor, and relevance to the theme.
38. Water balloon toss
A water balloon toss is ideal for scorching summer days. Partners throw a water balloon at each other, taking one step backward after each successful catch. The last couple with their balloon intact wins. It is a refreshing but, at the same time, exciting game, especially if the balloon suddenly bursts, splashing some participants.
39. Karaoke contest
Set up karaoke equipment and let employees show off their singing voices. This game can be a competition whereby individuals or groups sing before others and vote on the individual/group who performs the best.
40. Environmental cleanup race
Turn a cleanup activity into one that is competitive. Arm groups with trash bags and gloves, then challenge them to clean up the picnic area or nearby park. The team collecting the most trash by weight wins a prize.
Conclusion
These fabulous company picnic ideas will help make the time outdoors memorable, lively, and enjoyable for the staff. Whether in food, dress code, or games, every little detail should integrate a sense of community and fun, ready to make it one of the corporate calendar highlights.
