5 Unique Activities to Boost Employee Engagement

We know by now how important it is to have a team of employees who are engaged in your workplace. We know that engaged employees are more productive, motivated, and happier, which directly influences your company's culture and success - and the differences are astounding. 

In a May 2024 study, Gallup found that: 

• Engaged employee units saw 78% less absenteeism than those with employees who are not engaged

• The most engaged units in low turnover orgs, saw 51% less turnover than their counterparts.

• Teams with highly engaged employees saw 23% greater profitability then low engagement teams

• Highly engaged teams also saw 10% greater customer loyalty/engagement

But many workplaces are still trying to figure out how to foster employee engagement.

In the same article, Gallup notes that the key drivers of employee engagement are purpose, development, a caring manager, ongoing conversations, and a focus on strengths. 

With these in mind, we’ve put together a list of 5 fun and effective activities to boost employee engagement. 

1. Wellness Challenges 

Wellness Challenges are a great way to prioritize employee well-being while promoting teamwork and personal development. By encouraging healthy habits, whether through step-count competitions, mindfulness practices, or fitness challenges, wellness activities show employees that their physical and mental health matters to the organization.

These challenges can be designed to support both individual and team goals, and incorporating managers as active participants or leaders in these activities demonstrates a genuine care for employees’ well-being. A well-structured wellness challenge could involve setting personal milestones, promoting friendly competition, or encouraging team members to support each other throughout the journey. Bonus points if you can add a wellness-focused exercise that your team can do together! Perhaps bring in a yoga instructor or go for short mid-day walks as a group.

By focusing on health and wellness, companies create a culture that values balance and purpose. Employees who feel supported in their personal well-being are more likely to feel motivated and engaged at work, leading to better performance and stronger connections within the team.

2. Skill Swap Workshops

A Skill Swap Workshop is a fun and interactive way to encourage employees to share their unique talents and expertise with their colleagues. Everyone has skills that go beyond their job descriptions, and a skill swap allows employees to teach and learn from each other in a structured, engaging setting. This activity promotes development, focuses on individual strengths, and encourages ongoing conversations.

The workshop could be a half-day or even a series of short sessions where employees volunteer to lead mini-workshops on various topics—anything from public speaking or Excel tips to personal hobbies like photography or baking. Not only does this give employees the chance to showcase their strengths, but it also fosters a collaborative learning environment where employees connect through shared interests.

This activity taps into the development driver by encouraging learning and growth, and it supports employee engagement by giving participants the chance to both teach and learn in a fun, low-pressure setting.

3. Peer Recognition Programs

Recognition isn’t just about top-down acknowledgment from managers. Peer recognition is another highly effective way to boost employee engagement. Introducing a Peer Recognition Program allows team members to celebrate each other’s achievements, strengths, and contributions in a more inclusive and dynamic way.

This can be structured as a regular activity where employees nominate their peers for specific accomplishments or demonstrations of core company values. For example, each month, employees could vote for a "peer of the month," highlighting acts of leadership, collaboration, or innovation. Another way to approach it could be to offer “gold star awards” and anyone can nominate anyone else to receive one based on a specific accomplishment, attitude towards or a project, or anything else. To celebrate, you could host a small event, like a coffee break or lunch, where these employees are recognized in front of their peers.

A Peer Recognition Program encourages ongoing conversations about success, strengths, and teamwork, helping employees feel appreciated by both their managers and colleagues. This builds a stronger sense of community and shared purpose, making employees feel more connected to their work and the people around them.

4. Lunch & Learns

Lunch & Learns provide employees with the opportunity to step outside their day-to-day roles and explore new ideas and skills. By bringing in external speakers, whether industry experts, motivational speakers, or specialists in fields like leadership and personal development, companies can offer fresh insights and inspiration. These sessions can also include curated online videos or webinars, followed by engaging discussions that allow employees to reflect on what they’ve learned and apply it to their work.

What sets this type of Lunch & Learn apart is the external perspective it provides. Exposure to new trends, industry developments, or innovative thinking from outside the company fosters a learning culture and encourages employees to think beyond their usual scope. Following the presentation or video, the team can come together to discuss key takeaways, brainstorm how to implement new strategies, or simply share their reactions and insights.

This format also reinforces the importance of development by creating a space where learning is encouraged, and ongoing conversations about growth and improvement are part of the company culture. Employees leave these sessions feeling inspired, equipped with new knowledge, and ready to bring fresh ideas into their work.

5. Philanthropic Activities

Connecting your team to a higher purpose through Philanthropic Activities is a powerful way to boost engagement and create meaningful, lasting connections. One great opportunity is through Wish for Wheels’ Team Build & Give events, where employees come together to build bikes for children from under-resourced communities.

This hands-on, philanthropic team-building experience allows employees to engage in meaningful work outside of their day-to-day responsibilities, fostering a deep sense of purpose, while team building. The act of coming together to create something that has a direct impact on the community reinforces teamwork, empathy, and shared achievement.

Managers who participate alongside their teams during these events demonstrate a strong commitment to both employee well-being and social responsibility. This creates a more cohesive and caring culture, where employees feel that their work and their contributions to society are valued. Experiences like these leave a lasting positive impression, strengthening both internal bonds and community ties.

Fostering employee engagement is essential to building a productive and motivated workforce. By incorporating a variety of activities like Wellness Challenges, Skill Swap Workshops, Peer Recognition Programs, Lunch & Learns, and Philanthropic Activities like our Team Build & Give events, companies can create an environment where employees feel connected, valued, and motivated to contribute.

These activities not only promote development, but they also highlight recognition, focus on strengths, and foster a deeper sense of purpose. Engaging employees through a mix of learning opportunities, personal growth, wellness, and giving back builds stronger teams and drives a more positive company culture.

By regularly integrating these strategies, organizations can ensure that employee engagement is always at the forefront, leading to a happier, more fulfilled workforce.