Your work ‘ohana may also extend beyond those employed at your organization to include their families as well. Organizations that host social gatherings for employees and their families have found that employee teamwork and camaraderie thrive. Fun workplace activities allow deeper connections that foster a sense of community and culture for employees to get to know each other, which in turn, drives performance and productivity. Use this step-by-step guide to enhance or start hosting family-friendly activities at your organization.
Expand Your Workplace ‘Ohana to Improve Company Culture and Productivity
Organizing employee social gatherings that include families and friends at least once a year is a Blue Zones Project worksite best practice. There are many ways you can host family-friendly social events from an annual ‘Ohana Day that brings families together for a day filled with food and fun, to hosting smaller activities throughout the year like a company hike. A variety of options are available for you to choose from below.
Where to Start?
- Put together an events and activities committee. Encourage employees to sign-up to assist your well-being committee in planning and coordinating social gatherings for staff and their families.
- Determine how often you will host family-fun events. Consider your organization’s annual calendar as well as employee work hours.
- Choose activities that work best for your employees and organizational culture. To know which activities employees want to participate in, conduct a survey to gather employee interests. If your employees have children, find out their ages. The more you know, the better you can plan engaging activities that everyone will enjoy.
- Promote events early to ensure families can attend. Since these events are during non-work hours, providing extra time to save-the-date can increase participation.
Family-Fun Activity Ideas
ePlan a fun day with family on company premises or at a nearby park, beach park, or recreational area, or even a nice venue. Create a theme for the day and build your event around it. You could include a potluck sign-up for all employees to share their favorite dishes and snacks. Throughout the day, include various activities like music and some friendly competitions, such as relay races, a water balloon toss, or tug-of-war to name a few. Add booths offering games, face painting, and a variety of treats like popcorn and fresh fruits.
This relaxed setting allows families to interact in a stress-free environment and encourages friendly competition, teamwork, and laughter, fostering a sense of camaraderie among employees and their families.
- Be sure to review municipality’s park permit requirements!
- Don’t forget to plan logistics (e.g. tents, tables, chairs, etc.)
Pictured above is Chaminade Univerisity's Silverswords Ohana Day picnic
Hale Koa Hotel’s Ohana Day coincides with King Kamehameha Day and has it all – food, games, music, and lots of FUN!
2. Family Movie Night
Find a family friendly movie and schedule a movie night! Set up a screen in the office or find a space to set up outdoors with a projector. Encourage families to bring blankets and lawn chairs for a cozy and memorable experience. Make it fun and create a mini “snack bar” with popcorn and healthy snacks. Want to watch a newly released movie? You can also contact your local movie theater, as many offer corporate screenings that allow organizations to reserve a screening for their organization’s event.
Staff and families enjoyed Movie Night at Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, Ocean Pointe Residential Community Association
3. Hike / Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt
Plan a nature walk or hike in a nearby scenic location. Local botanical gardens are the perfect setting for lowkey, immersive experiences that everyone can enjoy. You could also choose to organize a scavenger hunt with clues that participants must solve together. This type of event fosters teamwork, problem-solving skills, and appreciation for nature.
Phyllis Look leads “forest bathers” through Lyon Arboretum.
4. Cooking Demonstration or Cooking Contest
Host a cooking demonstration or contest where employees and their families team up to create mouthwatering dishes made with fresh, seasonal, local ingredients. Judges can include management and executive staff, adding a fun and competitive element to the event. Draw inspiration from cooking shows like Chopped, or get in touch with us to help plan your next cooking competition! If your location does not have a kitchen or adequate space on site, provide the list of chopped ingredients for families to prepare at home and bring it to the event or to the office to be judged and enjoyed.
Above is a cooking competition on who can make the best veggie wrap with fresh local produce at a Full Circle Farm in Waimanalo
Above Austin, Tsutsumi & Associates, Inc. (ATA) hosted a cooking demonstration for staff and families to learn how to make their own healthy summer rolls
5. Arts and Crafts
Consider highlighting an employee’s hobbies or even encourage their family to share their interests by leading on-site mini workshops or even an arts and crafts fair, where employees and their families can showcase their artistic talents like watercolor painting, playing guitar, or lei making. This event celebrates creativity and brings out the inner artist in everyone. Poll your colleagues to discover their talents and interests to determine the best activities for them and their families!
KTA Superstores hosted a number of Paint and Sip events
ATA also hosted calligraphy workshops
By hosting family-friendly social activities, employers and their well-being committees can create a positive and engaging work environment while strengthening relationships among team members and their families. These events not only show appreciation for employees but also contribute to a healthy work-life balance and foster a sense of belonging within the company. Embracing a family-friendly approach undoubtedly leads to a happier and more cohesive workforce, resulting in increased productivity and a positive company culture.
So, go ahead and plan your next family-friendly social event, and witness the magic it brings to your organization. And if you’re up for it, send your event photos to bluezonesprojecthawaii@sharecare.com to be featured in a future article.
Join the Well-Being Movement!
To learn more about incorporating well-being in your workplace, email bluezonesprojecthawaii@sharecare.com.
Email our team to learn more about partnering with us to make healthy choices easier at your worksite, school, grocery store, restaurant, or faith-based organization.
Check out all participating organizations.
Sign up to receive community updates!
Learn more at www.bzphawaii.com
