December is here, your inbox is full of year-end deadlines, and someone on your team just asked what you’re doing for the holidays this year. You want the answer to be more than Secret Santa and a catered lunch. That’s where the right holiday charity ideas for the office come in.

As Director of CSR at TeamBonding, this is my favorite time of year to work with clients. December is when teams are most open to doing something meaningful together, and when community needs are at their peak. Pairing those realities is what CSR is all about.

Below, I’ll share why holiday charity ideas matter for your culture, plus nine effective ways I’ve seen teams give back to the community during the season.

Want to hear more on this? Our podcast episode, CSR Meets Holiday Team Building, dives into creative Christmas charitable giving ideas that build camaraderie while helping people who need it.

Why do holiday charity ideas matter for your team?

Holiday giving matters because it’s one of the few times a year when generosity, business goals, and team morale all point in the same direction. When you plan a well-executed charity event in December, you’re not choosing between doing good and doing well. You’re doing both at once.

The numbers back this up. 71% of employees say it’s imperative or very important to work at a company where the culture actively supports giving and volunteering, according to America’s Charities. That’s not a nice-to-have anymore. It’s a core expectation.

Stronger relationships across the board

When your company extends a helping hand, you’re laying a foundation of trust that pays off long after the season ends. Recipients feel supported, your team builds real bonds, and your organization earns a reputation for genuine care.

Those ripple effects turn into partnerships, referrals, and job applicants who cite your giving programs as the reason they applied. A charitable reputation isn’t fluff. It’s a recruiting asset.

Higher engagement, lower turnover

Engagement drives profitability, and giving drives engagement. Gallup’s Q12 meta-analysis found that business units in the top quartile of engagement are 23% more profitable than those in the bottom quartile.

Clients often tell me that after a group volunteer event, their employees say they like their company more and feel prouder to work there. That pride translates into retention, and retention is a real bottom-line win when talent is scarce.

A stronger community around your business

When you invest in your community, you’re investing in the ecosystem your company operates in. Better nonprofits, schools, and local services create the kind of place where employees want to stay. It’s one of the clearest business benefits of corporate social responsibility I see year after year.

Every hour, dollar, or hand-built bike you contribute this December strengthens the neighborhood your team calls home.

9 holiday charity ideas for the office in 2026

Here’s the fun part. These are the nine holiday charity ideas for the office that I recommend most often, and they cover every budget, team size, and format from fully in-person to fully remote.

1. Donate to a cause your team chooses

The simplest way to give is to write a check, but the smartest way is to let your employees decide where it goes. When you ask people which charities matter to them, you learn something about your team, and you make the donation feel personal rather than corporate.

You can run a quick internal poll, split the total across the top three vote-getters, or match employee contributions to their favorite nonprofits. Whatever you pick, put a name and a face on it. Generic “corporate giving” doesn’t move anyone. A donation in your team’s name to a cause they picked absolutely does.

2. Organize a hands-on charity event

Hosting a holiday charity event turns giving into a shared experience your team will talk about. These are usually the events with the highest emotional payoff, because everyone walks away with a story.

A few of my go-to programs for the season:

• Impact Online: A virtual event where teams play trivia and games while contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
• Hope for the Holidays: Teams collaborate to assemble personalized gift baskets for seniors, which are then delivered to local nursing homes and senior centers.
• Paws for a Cause: Employees work through challenges while creating toys and supplies for local animal shelters.

Each one blends the giving with the doing, and that combination is where the magic sits.

3. Encourage corporate volunteering

Volunteering as a group is one of the most reliable ways to boost engagement and retention at the same time. When you organize a team volunteer day, you’re saying two things: our people’s time matters, and our community matters. Employees hear both.

Our Meal Pack Give Back program is a favorite for the season. Teams come together to pack nutritious meals for families facing food insecurity, and every team leaves knowing exactly how many meals they created and where they’re headed.

Younger employees especially value this kind of purpose-driven work. Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that 89% of Gen Zs and 92% of millennials say purpose is important to their job satisfaction.

Give them a real way to live that purpose at work, and you become the kind of employer they don’t want to leave.

4. Host a charity drive with a twist

Charity drives are a holiday classic, but a plain donation bin in the breakroom rarely inspires anyone. Add a goal, a game, and a little healthy competition, and participation jumps overnight.

That’s exactly the thinking behind The Donation Station, where employees compete in interactive challenges to earn items for donation. It turns a traditional drive into a gamified experience that keeps energy high and the donation totals higher.

Whatever format you choose (food, toys, coats, or hygiene kits), publish a running tally so your team can see the progress. Visibility is what turns a drive from a chore into a shared mission.

5. Make your local community stronger

Some of the best corporate Christmas charity ideas keep giving close to home. Focus your efforts on a specific neighborhood or partner nonprofit, and you’ll see the impact directly, making the experience more meaningful for everyone involved.

Our Charity Bike Build is a perfect example. Teams work together to assemble bicycles that get delivered to local kids, often in person at the end of the event. The moment your team hands a finished bike to a child is one of the most powerful things I’ve seen in this business.

6. Try skills-based volunteering

If you want to do something different this holiday season, put your team’s professional expertise to work. Our new Skills-Based Volunteering program pairs corporate teams with nonprofits to tackle real challenges in marketing, communication, design, operations, and strategic planning.

Your team might redesign a nonprofit’s sponsorship deck, build a social media strategy, or figure out why a website isn’t getting traffic. The nonprofit gets recommendations they can put into action, and your team sees what their everyday skills can do in the world.

It’s one of my favorite holiday charity ideas for teams who want to give in a way that reflects who they already are.

7. Take the team to the lodge with Alpine Charity Challenge

If you want something festive that feels fresh, our newest winter program, Alpine Charity Challenge, was built for exactly this season. It’s a winter-inspired team building experience that combines lodge-themed competition with a real charitable outcome.

Teams work through alpine-themed challenges, from a Human Snowball Relay to a Chalet Build to Après-Ski Trivia Pursuit, earning essential winter items along the way. Those items get assembled into Winter Care Kits that go to people experiencing homelessness.

The competition ends with the whole room collectively climbing toward a shared summit. When they reach it, the total charitable impact is revealed.

It’s high-energy, laugh-a-minute, and purpose-driven in equal measure. Perfect for a charitable activity that doubles as your holiday celebration.

8. Quick-win Xmas charity ideas when time is short

Not every company has weeks of planning runway in December, and that’s fine. Some of the most effective holiday charity ideas are the simplest, and here are a few Xmas charity ideas you can pull off in a week or less:

• Sponsor a local family through an angel tree program.
• Match employee donations to their chosen charities.
• Set up a giving tree in the office stocked with wish lists from local nonprofits.
• Run a virtual fundraising challenge for hybrid and remote teams.
• Offer paid volunteer time off across the month of December.
• Host a cafeteria round-up fundraiser where every purchase gets rounded up for charity.

Small effort, real impact. Pick one, run it well, and you’ll have plenty of momentum for something bigger next year.

9. Design something hybrid-friendly

Most teams today are hybrid or fully remote, and holiday giving has to meet people where they are. The good news is that virtual and hybrid formats can be just as meaningful as in-person events when they’re designed with intention.

A few approaches I’ve seen work beautifully:

• Launch a virtual step challenge where every milestone unlocks a company donation.
• Set up a shared online wish list so employees can ship items directly to a nonprofit.
• Run a virtual trivia night with ticket proceeds going to charity.
• Send DIY kits to remote employees so everyone builds toward the same donation from home.

Inclusion is the whole point. If your remote employees can’t participate in your Christmas charity ideas, you’re leaving half your team out of the culture you’re trying to build.

How to put holiday giving into action

Ideas are the easy part. Execution is where holiday charity ideas for the office succeed or stall, so here’s the sequence I walk clients through every year:

1. Start early. Charities are stretched thin in December. The earlier you commit, the more good you can do.
2. Communicate the “why.” Share the story behind the cause and the goal. People give more when they understand what they’re giving to.
3. Make it easy to participate. If you don’t already offer volunteer time off, December is the perfect month to pilot it. Removing calendar friction is often the difference between “I wish I could” and “I’ll be there.”
4. Track your impact. Meals packed, bikes built, families supported, whatever the metric, put a number on it and celebrate it publicly.
5. Wrap it up together. Host a debrief, in person or virtual, so your team can share what the experience meant to them.

Leadership spotlight: Set the tone from the top

Holiday giving works best when leaders show up alongside everyone else. When executives roll up their sleeves to pack meals or build bikes, they’re sending a cultural signal no memo can match: generosity is real here, and it starts at the top.

I’ve watched employee participation double, sometimes triple, when a CEO or a VP shows up for a charity event. It breaks down the daily hierarchy and lets leaders connect with their teams as humans first.

If you’re a leader, my advice is simple: don’t just approve the event. Attend it, work at it, and share the story afterward. That’s how the best holiday charity ideas for the office transform a culture.

Wrapping it up

The holidays give us a rare window when generosity, connection, and business impact all line up. The corporate Christmas charity ideas that stick are the ones your team helps shape and your leaders show up for. Any of the nine ideas above will get you there.

Download our Holiday Charity Event Guide to plan your team’s event and make a lasting impact this season.

The best holiday charity ideas for the office aren’t about checking a CSR box. They create shared moments your team carries into the new year. Give your people the chance to give back together, and you’ll see the payoff long past December.

The post 9 Holiday Charity Ideas for the Office to Bring Your Team Together in 2026 appeared first on TeamBonding.

I’m Baylee Goldstein, Director of CSR at TeamBonding, and I spend most of my days designing hands-on volunteer experiences for companies who want their giving-back to feel real.

What I’ve learned is simple: volunteering as a team volunteering has a far larger impact than most people expect. Team volunteering and corporate giving benefit our communities while offering serious perks to participating organizations.

Those perks range from employee engagement to brand reputation and retention. The best part? There are countless simple ways to organize a volunteering day around IVD 2026, whether you have a full budget or a shoestring one.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what International Volunteer Day is, why it matters for your company, and my favorite ways to get involved this December.

International Volunteer Day 2026: A Quick Overview

Let me kick things off with a quick overview of this annual observance before we dig into my favorite International Volunteer Day activities.

When is International Volunteer Day 2026?

International Volunteer Day 2026 falls on Friday, December 5th, 2026. IVD is observed on December 5th every year, so once you build the tradition, the date never moves.

That makes it one of the easiest observances to plan around, whether you’re organizing a single flagship event or a full week of activities.

What is World Volunteer Day?

International Volunteer Day, also known as Global Volunteer Day, Global Volunteering Day, or simply World Volunteer Day, is an annual observance dedicated to volunteerism worldwide. It’s a day for volunteers and volunteer organizations to celebrate what they’ve accomplished, promote their work, and inspire others to join the effort.

Global Volunteering Day is also a thank-you. It’s a chance to recognize volunteers for their hard work throughout the year, and a perfect moment for companies and employees to honor that work by joining in themselves.

What’s the history of International Volunteer Day?

In 1985, the United Nations designated IVD as a mandated observance to acknowledge volunteers and promote the spirit of volunteerism at local, national, and international levels.

It has grown steadily since then and is now celebrated by more than 100 countries annually.

The United Nations estimates there are roughly 1 billion volunteers worldwide, with more than 75.7 million of them here in the U.S.

Why do we celebrate International Volunteer Day?

We celebrate International Volunteer Day 2026 to raise awareness of the contributions volunteers make to their communities, but that’s only part of the picture. The world comes together on IVD 2026 to:

• Recognize volunteers: The celebration honors the people who give time and effort to make a difference in their communities and the world.
• Promote volunteerism: IVD 2026 encourages more people to engage in service.
• Strengthen communities: The observance highlights how volunteerism improves society.
• Show global solidarity: IVD showcases global unity in humanitarian and development efforts.
• Inspire action: The day motivates individuals and organizations to support social causes and the volunteer sector.

Let me pull a few of these apart to explain why IVD 2026 matters so much to me and my team.

Strengthening local and international communities

So many nonprofits rely entirely on volunteer efforts to support their causes. A surprising number of nonprofits don’t have any paid staff and are run exclusively by volunteers. Without them, the important work that supports both local and international communities simply doesn’t happen.

Initiatives like Paint Soles for Souls, Operation Cancer Care, Helping Hands, and The Do Good Bus, along with many other charitable programs, make local communities better, safer, and happier places to live.

Helping people meet others with similar values

Whether you’re volunteering on your own or alongside your team at work, it opens the door to meeting people with similar values. Within your company, you might connect with a coworker on a level you never expected because you share a passion for the same cause.

I’ve watched this happen at almost every event I’ve facilitated, and it never gets old.

Creating a ripple effect

Whether you’re building beds for shelter animals, cleaning up a local park, or making donations to a food pantry, volunteering is contagious. If you volunteer, please share your experience, because you’d be surprised how many people around you are waiting for someone else to make the first move.

How do International Volunteer Day activities benefit companies?

International volunteer day activities benefit companies in ways that show up on both the culture side and the bottom line. Employee volunteering benefits societies, companies, and staff all at once, and here are some of the biggest wins I see companies pick up when they invest in corporate social responsibility programs:

• Increased brand recognition and customer loyalty
• Improved company reputation and public trust
• Better capital growth and a healthier bottom line
• Invigorated employee engagement
• Higher employee retention rates and stronger employee loyalty

How can you celebrate International Volunteer Day 2026?

The best way to celebrate World Volunteer Day 2026 as a company is to dedicate the day itself to volunteering, then encourage others to get involved with you.

Rally your team around a cause you all care about, and turn IVD 2026 into a shared experience that people talk about for months. Here are some of my favorite International Volunteer Day activities to get you started.

1. Build hives to fight colony collapse

If your team has a soft spot for sustainability, our Beehive Building Activity is one of the most quietly impactful programs we run. A third of the food we eat depends on bees for pollination, and Colony Collapse Disorder is still a real threat to hive populations across the country.

In this program, teams work through bee-themed challenges and then construct wooden beehive frames donated to the women of Mexicali, where they’re used to produce and sell honey, beeswax candles, and healing salves.

It’s a rare volunteering day activity that helps pollinators, supports women entrepreneurs, and gives your team a great story to tell.

2. Build shelters for people who need one now

Our Team Shelter Building Activity is a newer addition to our lineup, and it’s one of the most meaningful IVD 2026 activities I recommend when a team wants their impact to feel immediate.

Participants assemble insulated, foldable shelters designed to endure harsh weather, then pack care kits filled with essential supplies and handwritten notes of encouragement.

The shelters are donated to people experiencing homelessness or recovering from natural disasters. Each one folds into a portable bag, giving recipients something they can carry for safety, privacy, and dignity.

3. Donate your team’s professional skills

One of the most powerful shifts in corporate volunteering has been the rise of Skills Based Volunteering Events. Instead of packing kits or building products, your team applies the professional expertise they use every day, whether that’s marketing, design, operations, or strategy, to solve a real problem for a nonprofit partner.

Recent projects have included redesigning sponsorship decks, mapping social media strategies for senior care organizations, and analyzing why a nonprofit’s website isn’t generating traffic.

It’s a perfect fit for teams whose best gift isn’t muscle or budget but brainpower.

4. Donate to a local or international organization

The best thing about a volunteering day is that you really can’t go wrong when you’re supporting a worthy cause. Countless nonprofits always need support, and no contribution is too small.

You might host a blood drive, collect books to donate, build a Little Free Library, or sponsor a wheelchair. Trust me, there’s something for every team.

5. Host a donation station event

If you want to plan a bigger volunteering day, it’s often best to bring in help. With the Donation Station, you get to focus on giving back while we handle the rest.

You choose the type of organization you want to support, and your team works together to assemble personalized donation bags. Charitable giving, made easy.

6. Host a clothing drive at work

This is another International Volunteering Day activity anyone can do, since most of us have clothes we no longer wear stored away in a closet. Winter clothing is especially needed in December, so why not organize a day at work, say December 5th itself, to bring in clothing to be donated?

At the end of the day, drop everything off at your local Goodwill, Volunteers of America, or another local organization. If you want the drive to pull double duty and reap the full benefits of team building, check out Corporate Project Runway.

7. Build bikes for local children’s organizations

At TeamBonding, we’ve been running the Charity Bike Build for more than 15 years, and it’s a favorite with almost every one of our facilitators. We’re talking thousands of bikes, thousands of happy kids, and hundreds of stronger teams.

This program inspires teams as they work through the build, and the sense of purpose they walk away with when they see the direct impact they’ve made is genuinely one of my favorite things to witness.

8. Ride the Do Good Bus with your team

Giving back always feels good, but you know what feels even better? Getting out into your community while you do it. On the Do Good Bus, you and your team work side by side on projects at the causes you’re supporting, forging real connections while making a direct impact and learning more about the cause itself.

9. Write letters and cards for those in need

Another simple way to organize a volunteering day is to create cards and write letters for people who could use encouragement. Cancer patients, domestic violence survivors, and residents of nursing homes are all great recipients.

A short note letting someone know you’re thinking about them can change their day.

10. Build care packages for military personnel

You can also celebrate IVD 2026 by assembling care packages to donate to U.S. military personnel at overseas bases or stateside hospitals. Your team’s gifts will make a real impact, and the same format works well for care packages aimed at cancer patients, students, or people experiencing homelessness.

11. Build doggie wheelchairs

This one is a favorite for Global Volunteer Day, especially among the animal lovers on any team. During Mission ImPAWssible, your team builds pet wheelchairs donated internationally to animals in need.

Your efforts give pets a second chance to live without limits, and there is nothing quite like watching a big group of professionals get emotional over a build.

12. Help others access clean water

With our Clean Water Connection filter build, your team gets hands-on experience that helps communities around the world access clean water. You’ll build relationships, purpose, and passion as you assemble life-giving filters for those who need them most.

10. Get Active With a Scavenger Hunt

Why not celebrate IVD with a charitable scavenger hunt? With Go Give, your group will complete GPS-triggered challenges that positively impact your chosen project. 

You can also opt for the Healthcare Heroes scavenger hunt to give back to the dedicated healthcare workers in your community. 

13. Get active with a charitable scavenger hunt

Why not celebrate IVD 2026 with a charitable scavenger hunt? With Go Give, your group completes GPS-triggered challenges that positively impact a project you’ve chosen. You can also opt for the Healthcare Heroes scavenger hunt to give back to the healthcare workers in your community.

14. Donate shoes to children in need

With our Paint Soles for Souls program, your team decorates new TOMS shoes that are donated to South American children in need. On an episode of our Team Building Saves The World Podcast, Uniting Teams for Global Good, we spoke with Michael Cipoletti, Founder of FNE International, the charity we partner with for this program.

Here’s a bit of what he shared:

“We’ve distributed thousands of shoes between Nicaragua, Peru, Dominican Republic, to folks that in some cases don’t have shoes, in other cases have shoes, but maybe need a better pair of shoes.”

Give the whole episode a listen if you can. Michael shared some genuinely inspiring stories that are perfect Global Volunteering Day listening.

15. Put books in the hands of children

I mentioned our Little Team Library program earlier, and I have to give it its own moment, because it’s my personal favorite. Your team builds and decorates Little Free Library® kits, crafts children’s books using AI, and spreads the joy of reading to kids in your community.

We had the pleasure of talking to Scot Wirth, Director of Operations at Little Free Library, on our podcast episode Tiny Libraries, Huge Impact.

“It’s all volunteer-led,” Scot explained. “It’s all driven by the individuals who choose to do this.

“What we’ve found through our steward surveys is that putting one of these boxes up creates a greater sense of community for people living in that area. You might meet new people or find a good book that you’ve never read before, and it doesn’t cost you anything!”

I highly recommend the whole episode. Scot shared a lot of heartwarming stories during our conversation.

Get started planning your International Volunteer Day 2026 at work 

There are countless ways your team can honor International Volunteer Day 2026, so start with a cause that means something and go from there. Everyone at TeamBonding is passionate about giving back, and we have decades of experience running events like these.

The way I usually put it: we have tech in our volunteer programs, we have trivia in our volunteer programs, we have fun in our volunteer programs, and every single one carries that impact element too.

Whatever you choose, it’s a fully customizable experience. And we’re not a company that started a year ago. We’ve been doing this for more than 30 years, and we’re worldwide.

If you’d like help planning the perfect volunteering day, contact us to learn more about our charitable programs, how we can tailor them to your goals, and the ways we can help you give back this IVD 2026 and beyond.

The post International Volunteer Day 2026: What It Is and How Your Team Can Participate appeared first on TeamBonding.

At TeamBonding, we call it Teamsgiving, and it’s become one of my favorite traditions in nearly four decades of planning corporate events. It’s a chance to say thank you in a way that lands, rather than a mass email nobody reads.

Scheduling a few Thanksgiving activities for the office adds something to a stressful stretch instead of taking something away, boosting morale so you can close the year on a high note.

Why should you celebrate Teamsgiving?

Because gratitude at work is in short supply, and Thanksgiving hands you a natural excuse to fix that. Gallup found that just 22% of employees say they get the right amount of recognition for what they do, a number that hasn’t budged since 2022.

The right Thanksgiving team building ideas won’t solve that on their own, but they’re a strong start. Here’s what Teamsgiving offers that a standard holiday party usually doesn’t:

• Encourage sharing: Thanksgiving activities let your team and leaders step away from the chaos so they can get to know each other.
• Strengthen bonds: These celebrations create room for authentic conversations and relationship building that rarely happen during regular work hours.
• Virtual connection: Teamsgiving matters most for remote employees, who don’t get the same experience as those in the office. Virtual and hybrid events bridge that gap.
• Employee well-being: Making time for Thanksgiving work activities shows your company values balance, and it can help prevent burnout during the hardest quarter of the year.
• Improve retention: Gallup’s same research found well-recognized employees were 45% less likely to have left two years later.

On top of all that, there’s just something lovely about walking into work during the holidays and enjoying yourself instead of grinding through the daily slog.

7 Thanksgiving team building ideas worth your team’s time

We’re here to make sure your Teamsgiving isn’t dry or forgettable. There are countless ways to put together a celebration your team will genuinely enjoy, and none of them require ordering 10 turkeys or making 10 pounds of stuffing.

Your celebration doesn’t even need to be traditional Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving style. It can be a midday activity that gives people a break, or something after work everyone can look forward to.

Here are seven proven work Thanksgiving ideas for sending real Teamsgiving wishes to your employees.

1. Host a Thanksgiving potluck

Some of the best Thanksgiving ideas for workplace fun center on food, and an office potluck is the easiest one to pull off. It builds an inclusive atmosphere where everyone contributes a favorite dish or family tradition, and it’s one of the few Thanksgiving team building ideas that costs almost nothing.

Here’s how to organize yours:

• Create a shared document where employees sign up to bring specific dishes
• Collect dietary restrictions and preferences so everyone can participate
• Provide serving utensils, plates, and napkins for easy cleanup
• Consider themes like “family recipes” or “comfort foods from around the world”

If nobody has time to cook, order in from a local restaurant serving Thanksgiving-style meals. Either way, you’ll end up as stuffed as the turkey and deep in conversation with colleagues.

2. Take a mixology or mocktail class

Raise a glass to your team and create some lasting memories together. Our Team Mixology class walks your group through two autumnal cocktails: The Perfect Pear, a spiced vodka sour, and Autumn Leaves, a twist on the modern classic Paper Plane.

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, the class is easy to follow, and it’s available in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format.

Not everyone drinks, and that shouldn’t shrink the guest list. Mocktail Masters is our fully non-alcoholic version, where teams compete in fast-paced challenges to unlock premium ingredients like fresh fruit, herbs, syrups, and garnishes.

Surprise mini-games played on a tablet keep the pace up, and a panel judges the final creations on taste, creativity, and presentation. One team walks away crowned the ultimate mocktail masters, and nobody sits it out.

3. Try an ice sculpting class

Our Ice Sculpting class is one of our most beloved events, and it never fails to impress. A few of our staff wondered if we’d lost it when we introduced this one, but the feedback is consistently off the charts.

The sculptures your team creates are visually striking and a real testament to their collaboration. Teams can work together on:

• Ambitious recreations of your company logo or branding elements
• Thanksgiving-themed sculptures like a turkey or a cornucopia
• Creative interpretations of gratitude
• Abstract representations of company values

The possibilities are bound only by your team’s imagination, so set aside some time and watch your group’s spirits thaw in a way that’s as charming as it is unexpected.

4. Cook a Thanksgiving feast together

Work Thanksgiving ideas built around food are always a hit, and our culinary team building events are hotter than a freshly baked pumpkin pie this time of year.

Cooking together creates the perfect setting for relaxation while deepening connections between colleagues.

Here are a few of our most popular culinary options:

• Just Desserts: Perfect for staff members with a sweet tooth. Teams create mouth-watering delicacies, showcase them on a Grand Buffet, sample each creation, and compete for the judges’ approval.
• Ultimate Pizza Challenge: If you haven’t joined the Thanksgiving pizza craze, now’s the time. We’ll customize the challenge with Thanksgiving-themed ingredients or go classic Italian, whatever suits your team.
• Progressive Dinner: A new take on a classic, and it doubles as a great Thanksgiving game for work. Guests change dining companions after each course while playing our favorite get-to-know-you tabletop games.

Cooking and dining together break down barriers naturally, and everyone gets to enjoy the results.

5. Give back to your community

Thanksgiving isn’t about the food coma, even though it happens. It’s about being thankful for the people around you, and giving back to those in need lets your team feel good while helping others. Corporate social responsibility also carries a long list of proven benefits for your company.

These five charitable programs are our most requested for a workplace Thanksgiving:

• The Donation Station: We bring the action to you, turning any office or conference space into a hands-on impact hub. Participants assemble care kits, write personalized notes, and support the cause of your choice. We handle sourcing, logistics, setup, nonprofit coordination, and delivery.
• Charity Bike Build: Teams solve puzzles and complete challenges to earn the parts they need to assemble children’s bicycles. Hundreds of companies have used this program to donate nearly 20,000 bikes, and for many kids, it’s their first one.
• The Big Give: Built for a client who wanted to do more, this one combines the challenges and donations from several of our most popular charitable events into a single extravaganza, producing an abundance of children’s items for a local charity.
• Beehive Building: Teams tackle a scavenger hunt, then construct beehive frames donated to the women of Mexicali, who use them to produce and sell hand creams, beeswax candles, honey-flavored baked goods, and more. We run it with Los Niños, a nonprofit community development organization.
• Meal Pack Give Back: Hairnets on, sleeves up. Your group works assembly-line style to scoop, measure, seal, and pack thousands of meals for families facing food insecurity, with every box heading to a local Feeding America food bank.

Want more options? Play It Forward, Little Team Library, Operation Cancer Care, Paws for a Cause, and Sketch it Forward all deliver the same feeling.

6. Catapult pumpkins across a field

Yep, you read that right. With Catapult to Success, your team can take the festive route and catapult pumpkins instead of regular balls or water balloons.

Groups design and build working catapults, then turn the whole thing into one of the most competitive Thanksgiving team building ideas we run. Here’s how the pumpkin-flinging works:

• Distance round: Teams compete to see whose catapult launches pumpkins the farthest
• Accuracy challenge: A combined distance and accuracy segment where teams aim for specific targets

Winning takes negotiation, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and fine-tuning. If your team wants to get outside and burn off some pre-holiday energy, this is the one.

7. Find out who you can trust with Friend or Foe

Not every celebration has to revolve around a table, and some of the best Thanksgiving team building activities have nothing to do with food. Friend or Foe is our Traitors-inspired challenge, where a small group of hidden “Foes” works to undermine the team from within while everyone else races to identify them.

Participants complete a series of dynamic missions, then bring what they’ve observed back to the group. They decide who they trust, which behaviors feel inconsistent, and whether their instincts match the evidence.

The experience wraps with a facilitated debrief connecting in-game behavior to real workplace dynamics, plus a final reveal and a light-hearted awards moment. It runs 90 minutes to two hours for groups of 12 or more.

How do you plan Thanksgiving at work without adding to the chaos?

Start earlier than feels necessary and pick one thing. November fills up fast, and the teams that pull off a great Teamsgiving are the ones who booked in September or October rather than scrambling the week before.

Keep it simple. One well-run activity beats three half-planned ones, and a 90-minute event during the workday respects people’s evenings during an already packed month.

Ask your team what they’d genuinely enjoy. Some groups want Thanksgiving games for the office and nothing more; others want to spend the time giving back. A two-question poll saves you from guessing wrong.

Ready to plan your Teamsgiving?

Teamsgiving isn’t only a chance to indulge in good food and fun activities; it’s a moment to express gratitude and strengthen the bonds that make your team feel like a family.

The connections formed during these celebrations tend to show up later as better communication, smoother collaboration, and steadier morale through the rest of the year.

So as you sort through Thanksgiving team building ideas this season, remember that the spirit of the holiday extends well beyond the dining table. It’s about appreciating the work your colleagues put in, whether they sit beside you or log in from three time zones away.

Happy Teamsgiving from your friends at TeamBonding. Take a look at our holiday program offerings for the upcoming season, and let’s make this one worth remembering.

The post 7 Thanksgiving Team Building Ideas for a Teamsgiving Worth Showing Up To appeared first on TeamBonding.

Whether you’re a small team looking for something meaningful or a large company ready to rally the troops, Giving Tuesday 2026 offers a chance to create a sense of purpose beyond in-office productivity. It can be fun, energizing, and honestly one of the most rewarding workdays of the year.

Let’s explore a few smart, simple, and feel-good ideas for Giving Tuesday you can bring to your workplace this year.

What is Giving Tuesday 2026, and when is it?

Giving Tuesday, sometimes called Give Back Tuesday, falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year. In 2026, that lands on December 1st.

Think of it as the warmhearted cousin of Black Friday: instead of shopping carts, we’re pushing kindness, giving back, connection, compassion, and community.

Why your company should celebrate Giving Tuesday

Your company should celebrate Giving Tuesday because it can boost team morale, build deeper connections, and make an authentic, long-lasting difference in a single day. That’s the beauty of it: one strategy that benefits your people, your business, and your community.

Sure, it’s easy to think of Giving Tuesday as a feel-good extra. But it’s really a powerful way to live out your company’s values through corporate social responsibility (CSR). That’s the idea that businesses shouldn’t just chase profits—they should help solve real-world issues.

Whether you’re supporting environmental efforts, championing equity, or strengthening local communities, CSR is about doing the right thing, with intention.

• Need to bring your team together? Shared acts of service, like volunteering, fundraising, or building care kits, break down barriers and build camaraderie.
• Want to boost employee engagement? People feel more motivated when they know their company stands for something bigger than quarterly targets.
• Looking for a culture win? Giving Tuesday sends a clear signal to current and future employees: we care about more than the bottom line.

Let’s not forget the value of a shared learning experience. Whether your team is discovering new causes, hearing from nonprofit partners, or seeing one another in a fresh light, Giving Tuesday creates space for real conversation and human connection.

Giving Tuesday ideas for the workplace

Now that you know what Giving Tuesday is, when it happens, and why it matters, the big question is what your team should do to celebrate it.

The options are almost endless, which is both exciting and a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve pulled together a set of Giving Tuesday ideas to spark inspiration and help you take that first step.

Use these ideas as a starting point, then adapt them to fit your team, your company culture, and your community’s needs. The best experiences feel authentic and intentional, so don’t be afraid to customize events.

And if you hit a creative block? That’s what the internet is for. A quick scroll through #GivingTuesday or a chat with your coworkers might be all it takes to get your imagination going.

Donating

Donating is one of the most recognizable and straightforward Giving Tuesday ideas to put into action, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring or cookie-cutter. Think of it as a chance to give your team power, purpose, and personalization in how they give back. For instance:

• Match employee donations. Give your team the freedom to choose a cause that matters to them, then double their impact by matching the gift. It shows you support their values, not just your own initiatives.
• Give socially responsible gifts. Shopping with a purpose is a great way to give twice. Look for employee appreciation gifts from companies that support social or environmental causes with every purchase.
• Give donation credits instead of gifts. Not every employee wants a branded tumbler. Instead, let them “spend” a company-provided donation credit on the nonprofit of their choice. It’s like a gift card, but for doing good.
• Givify your holiday party. Turn your seasonal gathering into a giving opportunity. For every person who shows up, donate to a charity. It boosts attendance and employee engagement, supports good causes, and makes your party feel more compassionate.

Remember, there’s no right way to give. Whether it’s a dollar or a full donation drive, the key is to focus on impact over optics and let generosity lead.

Volunteering

Volunteering creates real-time impact and meaningful memories, especially when your team does it together. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about rolling up your sleeves and getting involved side by side.

There’s also the bonus of fresh air, possible puppy cuddles, or a shared kitchen shift, whatever energizes your team. Unsure where to start? Consider these Giving Tuesday ideas to reap the benefits of volunteering.

• Organize a park clean-up. Parks are the heart of many communities, and they often get overlooked. A team cleanup is easy to coordinate and instantly gratifying. Think trash bags, gloves, and feel-good vibes.
• Volunteer at an animal shelter. Whether you’re walking dogs, folding laundry, or sorting food donations, shelters always need support, especially during the holidays. Bonus: cuddling animals is practically a mental wellness benefit.
• Work at a soup kitchen. Soup kitchens provide essential meals and dignity to people in need. Helping out as a team, whether prepping, serving, or cleaning, builds connection while showing compassion to your community.

These are just a few ideas, but the volunteering options are nearly endless. Want to keep it flexible? Offer employees a paid hour or two to volunteer for a cause of their choice, then invite them to share what they did and why.

Raising awareness and Giving Tuesday fundraising ideas

Giving Tuesday isn’t only about money and manpower, though a few clever Giving Tuesday fundraising ideas never hurt. Sometimes using your voice to educate or spotlight a cause makes just as big an impact.

If your team is spread out or looking for low-cost options, this is a great place to start.

• Take to social media. Use your company’s platform to share stories, amplify nonprofits, or highlight your team’s involvement. Create a hashtag, post your favorite Giving Tuesday quotes, and show others how you’re making a difference.
• Involve customers and stakeholders. Send a Giving Tuesday message to your clients, vendors, or partners. Invite them to donate, match your efforts, or give back during the holidays alongside you. It’s a great way to deepen relationships and expand your reach.
• Host a charity bake sale or awareness event. Want to raise money and awareness at once? Host a bake sale, pop-up fundraiser, or lunchtime presentation about a nonprofit your team supports. It’s one of the easiest fundraising ideas to pull together on short notice.

Awareness leads to action. When you shine a light on important causes, you help others understand why they matter and how they can pitch in too.

Charitable team building

Charitable team building is one of the most rewarding and energizing ways to participate in Giving Tuesday. It combines creativity, collaboration, and service into a single experience, turning a regular workday into something memorable.

Here are a few Giving Tuesday ideas to inspire your team.

• Build skateboards for charity. Your team assembles and decorates skateboards that get donated to children in underserved communities. It’s hands-on, imaginative, and impactful all at once, and the finished boards make a proud photo op.
• Do Good Bus. Climb aboard the Do Good Bus and head to a surprise volunteer location. The mystery element adds excitement, and the service project creates a shared sense of accomplishment.
• Cook for a Cause. Partner with a local food bank to prepare care packages or cook meals. It’s fast-paced, fun, and a fantastic way to help families facing food insecurity.
• Team shelter build. Your team works together to build emergency shelters for people experiencing housing insecurity and hardship. It’s a high-impact way to turn collaboration into real relief for neighbors in need, and it leaves everyone with a tangible sense of what they accomplished together.
• Skills-based volunteering. Instead of setting your day job aside, you put it to work. Skills-based volunteering connects your team’s professional expertise, from marketing to finance to IT, with nonprofits that need those exact skills to solve real challenges.

Charitable team building is more than a nice gesture. It’s a way to deepen relationships, boost morale, and give your team a shared goal outside of everyday work.

Giving Tuesday quotes to share on your business socials

Never underestimate the power of a great quote. In a sea of scrolling and skimming, a few well-chosen words can grab attention, stir emotion, and inspire action. On Giving Tuesday, that kind of spark can make all the difference.

Whether you’re posting on LinkedIn, captioning a team photo, or sharing a feel-good moment in Slack, thoughtful Giving Tuesday quotes help your message resonate and engage your team around a common cause.

Here are some quotes you can share to get hearts engaged and minds moving:

• “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
• “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” – John Bunyan
• “There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests get together to work toward the same goals.” – Idowu Koyenikan
• “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
• “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso
• “No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
• “Giving is not just about donating. It’s about making a difference.” – Kathy Calvin

Looking for a way to involve everyone? Ask your team to share their favorite Giving Tuesday quote in a group chat or social post, along with a sentence about why it speaks to them. Sometimes that’s all it takes to inspire someone else to give.

So, what quote will you share this Giving Tuesday?

Plan your Giving Tuesday 2026 ideas with TeamBonding

Giving Tuesday is more than a feel-good holiday; it’s a chance to turn values into action and bring your team together around a shared purpose.

Whether you want to volunteer, donate to causes that matter, or build side by side, these Giving Tuesday 2026 ideas are a perfect starting point for doing good while strengthening bonds.

Ready to get started? Contact TeamBonding. We make planning your Giving Tuesday celebration simple, impactful, and fun. With a wide range of charitable team building programs, we’ll help you choose an activity that fits your goals, your team, and your community.

The post Giving Tuesday 2026 Ideas to Rally Your Team and Give Back appeared first on TeamBonding.

You don’t have to plan a massive event or travel far from home. The goal is simple: do something that helps others. When your team tackles it together, those efforts also lift morale, strengthen connection, and shape a healthier workplace culture. Below, I’ll walk you through eight ways to celebrate the day that fit teams of any size and any budget.

When is Make a Difference Day 2026?

Make a Difference Day 2026 falls on Saturday, October 24, the fourth Saturday of October. It’s observed on that date every year and ranks among the largest single days of volunteerism in the United States. The day invites individuals, families, and businesses to step away from routine and take action in their communities.

Whether your team has volunteered for years or is just beginning its giving journey, this is an ideal moment to get involved. The official observance lasts one day, but the impact can stretch far beyond it.

Why is it important to make a difference?

Making a difference matters because it connects us to something larger than ourselves. Through kindness, service, or advocacy, our actions can uplift others, spark change, and create ripples that reach further than we can see. That outward focus strengthens communities, builds empathy, and reminds us that every person can shape the world in meaningful ways.

Giving back also feeds our own sense of purpose. It deepens relationships and makes workplaces more compassionate. In a fast-paced world, choosing to help brings humanity, hope, and heart to everything we do, and that’s always worth showing up for.

Here are eight inspiring corporate social responsibility activities your team can take on to create a lasting legacy of giving.

8 Make a Difference Day activities for work

These ideas range from quick gestures to full-day projects, and each one works for in-person, hybrid, or fully remote teams. Pick the options that match your crew’s size, schedule, and the causes they care about most.

1. Support a local, national, or global cause

You don’t have to travel across the globe to find a cause worth supporting. Your own community is full of opportunities to help, from environmental cleanups to school supply drives. So, how do you make a difference in your community? Start by matching your team’s strengths to a local need.

Here are some options your team might explore:

• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank.
• Host a drive for winter clothing or hygiene kits.
• Partner with a veterans’ organization.
• Put your team’s expertise to work through skills-based volunteering, solving real challenges for a nonprofit.
• Ensure kids have what they need with Tools for Schools.
• Help clean up a local beach, park, or trail.

For something unexpected, consider booking a Do Good Bus experience. This event sends your group to a mystery service location, so everyone contributes without knowing where they’re headed until they arrive. It’s equal parts surprise and impact, and a great fit for National Make a Difference Day.

2. Make a difference by becoming a mentor

Mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to share what you know and lift someone else up. Your team is full of talent, insight, hard skills, soft skills, and lived experience. Why not share that with someone who could benefit from it?

Mentorship ideas include:

• Offering resume help or mock interviews at a local library
• Hosting a financial literacy workshop for teens and young adults
• Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters or a similar local group
• Welcoming an intern for a day of job shadowing
• Facilitating reverse mentoring between generations in the workplace

This kind of outreach deepens community ties and gives your team members a chance to build leadership skills while doing something meaningful.

3. Create a little free pantry in your neighborhood

One of the simplest and most effective ways to help others is to meet basic needs. A Little Free Pantry is a small, weatherproof box stocked with nonperishable food and essentials. Anyone in the community can take what they need or leave items for others.

To get started, your team can build or buy a pantry box and place it near your office, in a high-traffic neighborhood, or at a local community center.

Stock it with items like:

• Canned goods and peanut butter
• Pasta and rice
• Toothpaste, soap, and toothbrushes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Water bottles and easy-to-carry snacks
• Socks, gloves, and hand warmers in colder seasons

You can also pair your project with a Little Team Library. Fill it with books for all ages and invite the community to exchange and share knowledge freely. These simple structures can serve as beacons of care in your local area.

4. Inspire change with acts of kindness

Not every contribution needs to be part of a large project. Sometimes the smallest gestures are the most powerful. This Make a Difference Day, encourage your team to commit to individual acts of kindness that inspire change. These little moments add up fast and can turn someone’s whole day around.

Try these easy ideas:

• Buy coffee or a meal for someone in line behind you.
• Leave uplifting notes around the office or neighborhood.
• Compliment a stranger.
• Write thank-you cards to public service workers.
• Assemble care kits for those experiencing homelessness.

Make it a group challenge. Ask each team member to complete five acts of kindness, then have the team come together to share stories and reflect on what they learned.

5. Spread the word about National Make a Difference Day

Raising awareness is a form of service. By sharing your team’s efforts publicly, you inspire others to participate. You also shine a light on the causes you care about, helping drive more support their way.

Here are a few ways to spread the word:

• Post updates on your company’s website and social media pages.
• Share behind-the-scenes videos or interviews with volunteers.
• Create a recap blog of your experience.
• Partner with local media to promote your volunteer project.
• Encourage employees to invite friends and family to join in.

Getting the word out helps ensure the day becomes a springboard for ongoing community engagement, not just a single afternoon of service.

6. Donate to a cause (or two)

Not everyone has the flexibility to volunteer in person, and that’s perfectly fine. Financial contributions and in-kind donations are just as valuable, especially for organizations that rely on community support to keep their doors open.

Here are creative ways your workplace can give:

• Host a yard sale or silent auction and donate the proceeds.
• Offer a company match for employee donations.
• Collect pet supplies for a local animal rescue.
• Sponsor meals through a meal packing event, or give gift cards to a family in need.
• Donate office space or supplies to a nonprofit partner.

You can even plan a donation day for later if your team is unavailable on October 24. The intention matters as much as the timing. If you’d rather make giving hands-on, your team can assemble care packages at a Donation Station event.

7. Make a difference in underserved communities

Some communities face more obstacles than others. Children in poverty, elderly individuals living alone, and marginalized groups often lack consistent access to resources. Make a Difference Day is the perfect time to reach out where the need is greatest.

Consider projects like:

• Participating in a Charity Bike Build to gift bikes to local children
• Constructing safe spaces through a team shelter building activity for people facing housing insecurity
• Running a free clothing drive or job interview outfit giveaway
• Hosting a community day with free food, music, and activities
• Supporting refugee resettlement groups or disability organizations

Choose a cause that speaks to your team’s values, and tailor your efforts to that group’s unique challenges. Helping someone reclaim dignity or feel seen is one of the most powerful outcomes of community service.

8. Better the environment for the next generation

Caring for the planet is one of the most lasting ways to give back. Environmental projects benefit your whole community and keep paying off long after the day ends. This is a natural time to focus your team’s energy on the world around you.

Try eco-friendly options like these:

• Organize a neighborhood, park, or waterway cleanup.
• Plant trees or start a community garden.
• Set up a recycling or e-waste collection drive.
• Reduce landfill waste with a composting activity that turns scraps into healthy soil.
• Swap single-use supplies in your office for reusable alternatives.

Pick one project, measure your results, and you’ll give your team a tangible reason to feel proud of the difference they made.

Celebrate Make a Difference Day with your workplace team

Make a Difference Day is more than a calendar date. It’s a call to action and a reminder that change begins with the people around us. Whether your team builds shelters, fills pantries, mentors youth, composts food scraps, or performs small kindnesses, every effort matters.

If your workplace wants help organizing the perfect charitable team building activities, TeamBonding offers dozens of customizable give-back programs like The Big Give, all built for maximum impact and fun. The right event can turn coworkers into changemakers. Contact us today and start making a difference!

The post 8 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Make a Difference Day at Work appeared first on TeamBonding.

The answer lies in how we show up for each other every day. That’s the spirit behind the National Day of Service and Remembrance, which turns grief into action and remembrance into a collective purpose. And where better to embody that spirit than in the workplace, where collaboration and shared goals shape our daily lives?

Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, here are five powerful 9/11 remembrance ideas to bring meaning to your workday.

5 activities for 9/11 to honor the day at work

1. Give back to the community

There’s no better way to honor 9/11 than to give back and make a difference in your community. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful around September 11, and by participating as a team, you can come together to work for the greater good. These charitable team building activities are some of the most impactful activities for 9/11 that your workplace can organize.

Charity Bike Build

The Charity Bike Build is TeamBonding’s most celebrated and impactful program, where teams unite to assemble and donate bikes to children who might not otherwise have one. With nearly 20,000 bikes gifted to date, this hands-on event blends purpose with collaboration, creating a high-energy atmosphere filled with joy and connection.

Ideal for groups of 15 to 1,000, the one to two-hour experience is tailored for Corporate Social Responsibility and authentic team bonding. Partnering with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters makes the event truly unforgettable, especially when children arrive to receive their brand-new bikes in person.

Wheelchairs in Motion

Wheelchairs in Motion is a high-impact, hands-on team building event where participants assemble and donate wheelchairs to disabled U.S. veterans and individuals in need of mobility support. Ideal for teams of 30 to 500, this one to two-hour experience blends collaboration, empathy, and a sense of purpose.

Guided by expert facilitators, teams complete challenges that highlight their strengths and reinforce the value of meaningful teamwork. TeamBonding partners with local veterans’ organizations, hospitals, and senior centers to ensure each wheelchair directly benefits someone in the community.

Impact Online

Impact Online is a purpose-driven virtual team building experience centered around the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In teams of six or more, participants complete interactive challenges, trivia, and puzzles that promote collaboration, communication, and social awareness.

Each activity encourages strategic thinking and celebrates individual strengths while driving home real-world issues like clean water, education, and climate action. Points earned throughout the game are converted into charitable donations via the B1G1 foundation, creating a tangible impact. It’s an inspiring, educational experience that proves virtual connection can still create real-world change.

Paws for a Cause

Paws for a Cause is a fun, hands-on team building event where participants support local animal shelters by crafting handmade dog beds, pull toys, and cat scratch pads. Through pet-themed games and trivia, teams earn points to “shop” for materials, combining creativity, competition, and compassion.

Ideal for 15 to 100 participants, this two-hour event boosts morale while promoting Corporate Social Responsibility. TeamBonding can even arrange for a shelter representative to accept the donations in person, adding a heartwarming impact to an already meaningful experience. It’s tail-wagging teamwork with a purpose.

2. Observe a moment of silence

Sometimes, the most powerful tribute is no words at all.

Observing a moment of silence, especially at the six nationally recognized times that mark pivotal moments of 9/11, connects your team to the day’s emotional reality.

Encourage employees to pause work, silence notifications, and gather (physically or virtually) to reflect. Share a list of moments ahead of time and consider reading the names of victims or playing soft, reflective music in the background. This is one of the simplest, yet most powerful 9/11 remembrance ideas that every workplace and individual can put into practice.

Here’s a breakdown of the significant moments of silence:

• 8:46 a.m. The exact moment when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower.
• 9:03 a.m. The moment when United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.
• 9:37 a.m. The moment when American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.
• 10:02 a.m. The moment when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field outside Shanksville.
• 10:29 a.m. The moment when the North Tower collapsed.

3. Honor 9/11 with a guest speaker

Storytelling changes people. It stirs emotions and builds empathy. Inviting a guest speaker who lived through 9/11 or who speaks on public service can be a profound way to educate and inspire your team.

Whether it’s a firefighter, military veteran, Red Cross volunteer, or someone like motivational speaker Mark J. Lindquist, a live talk humanizes the experience and makes history feel real. These moments often spark lasting reflection and may inspire team members to take on new service commitments.

If your team is distributed, consider hosting a virtual speaker session followed by an open Q&A. This keeps engagement high and gives employees a platform to connect and reflect in meaningful ways.

4. Attend memorial activities for 9/11

There’s no shortage of commemorative events in September, and attending one as a team is a unified way to honor 9/11 at work.

Explore options like:

• Local or virtual memorial events and services at firehouses, town halls, or schools.
• 9/11 museum virtual tours, like those offered by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York.
• Webinars and panels on the long-term effects of the tragedy, including topics on counterterrorism, grief recovery, and the future of civic service.
• Online remembrance walls, where employees can post reflections, memories, or messages of love, peace, and hope.

Encourage employees to attend events during work hours, if possible, and consider following up with a discussion or journal prompt to help the experience resonate.

5. Fly your office flag at half mast

It may be symbolic, but symbols matter, especially in times of remembrance. Lowering your flag on 9/11 is a visible sign of respect, one that aligns your team with a national act of remembrance.

Not every office has a flagpole, but that shouldn’t stop you. Share a digital banner, update your company’s intranet homepage with a tribute, or encourage employees to wear red, white, and blue on September 11. You might also set up a space where team members can create 9/11 crafts, such as memorial ribbons, handwritten tribute cards, or collaborative art pieces that honor first responders. These small acts carry weight and communicate that your organization values compassion as much as productivity.

9/11 remembrance ideas to honor service members

Asking how to honor 9/11 at work also means acknowledging those who answered the call afterward. Thousands of men and women joined the military in the wake of 9/11, serving overseas in response to the attacks.

To honor these individuals, consider implementing year-round service opportunities like Operation Military Care. In this program, teams assemble care packages for active-duty troops, complete with non-perishable snacks, essentials like hygiene products, and personal messages. It’s one of the most heartfelt activities for 9/11, reminding participants that support for service doesn’t have to end when the calendar turns.

You can also:

• Write letters to service members through organizations like Soldiers’ Angels.
• Highlight veteran-owned businesses during team meetings or internal newsletters.
• Launch a donation drive to support military families in need.

By weaving these into workplace culture, you go beyond one day, building a practice of ongoing respect and commemoration. Research consistently shows that volunteering benefits employees just as much as the communities they serve, strengthening morale and connection across the team.

Let us help you bring purpose, empathy, and teamwork to your 9/11 remembrance events. Contact TeamBonding now so your workplace can honor the past while building a better future.

The post Activities for 9/11: How to Honor 9/11 at Work in 2026 appeared first on TeamBonding.

Ready to empower your community and make a positive difference in the lives of people who need it the most? Browse our full collection of charitable team building activities to find the perfect fit for your team, or keep reading to explore some of our most popular programs below.

Our charitable team building programs

We offer a wide range of team building activities for charity, from hands-on builds and creative projects to sustainability-focused programs and skills-based volunteering. Whatever your team cares about, there is a program here that will bring everyone together and make a real impact. Here are some of our favorites.

The Charity Bike Build

As our most popular program, teams work together to build bikes that are later donated to local children’s organizations. Hundreds of companies have used the Charity Bike Build to donate nearly 20,000 bikes to grateful children around the world.

The Big Give

A combination of several popular programs morphed into one mega giving extravaganza, The Big Give is ideal for a company seeking an opportunity to build relationships and boost Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the same time.

Mr. Roboto

In this team building charity activity, you will build actual functioning robots controlled by an easy-to-use iPhone app. You will end on a memorable high note as teams compete in a hilarious obstacle course, and the finished robots are donated to local STEM programs.

Toys for Tykes ‘Arts & Music’ Event

In this fully facilitated event, your group starts off by assembling a classic Radio Flyer wagon. They also get to stuff quality teddy bears before dressing them in fun artist- or musician-themed outfits. The wagon gets filled with art projects and easy-to-play musical instruments like maracas and ukuleles.

Team Teddy Rescue Bear

This is the original teddy bear team building event! In this heartwarming charitable activity, your entire group works together to complete challenges, solve puzzles, and build teddy bears for a local recipient of your choice.

Just Roll With It

Get ready for a thrilling team building experience through our skateboard build challenge! Join forces with your team to assemble and design skateboards and decorate helmets that will be gifted to local children’s charities as a tool for educating, empowering, and encouraging the communities they serve.

Do Good Bus

Hop on the bus for a day of fun, team building, and a mystery volunteer location! Participants don’t know where they’re going, but they know they’re going to do good. Your team will learn about the cause itself and make a direct impact working side-by-side on projects when we visit them on the Do Good Bus.

Operation Cancer Care

This team building event is designed to bring out the fun while making a remarkable contribution to those fighting cancer. Teams compete in a series of zany challenges to produce care packages for delivery to cancer patients.

The Prosthetic Hand Project

In the Prosthetic Hand Project, teams engage in activities centered on assembling cosmetic hands and decorating hand-storage bags. These items are then gifted to improve the lives of amputees in developing countries.

Build Your Own Mini Golf Course

We provide a rich assortment of tubes, pipes, nonperishable packaged food items, lumber and other building supplies that your group uses to create their own whimsical golf course. The non-perishable goods are then donated to a local food pantry after the program.

Cooking For A Cause

This fun culinary team building activity is built around preparing and enjoying a meal with the rest of your team. But you also help your community in a meaningful way by creating welcome donations for a local food bank.

Build-A-Birthday

Each year, 2.5 million children experiencing homelessness might miss out on the chance to celebrate their birthday. Build-A-Birthday focuses on the magic of creating and gifting a full birthday celebration to kids who would otherwise not have one.

Mission ImPAWssible: Pet Wheelchair Build

In this deeply impactful program, you and your team unite to build pet wheelchairs, known as K9-Carts, that will be donated internationally to animals in need. Your team’s efforts will empower one another and enable pets to live lives without limits.

Clean Water Connection

In this filter-building event, your team can help assemble water filters in 10 easy steps and learn more about the world water crisis. The filters are used to provide clean water in hard-to-reach areas, such as refugee camps and communities affected by natural disasters.

Paint Soles For Souls

In this charitable team building event, your group gets to decorate new shoes that are donated to South American children in need. For every pair, one-third of the profits are invested in grassroots goods, including cash grants and partnerships with community organizations to drive sustainable change.

Play it Forward: The Giveback Game Show

Spark your excitement with this event based on the popular pricing game show, but with a charitable twist. In Play it Forward, teams compete in pricing challenges and trivia to win it all for a good cause.

Go Give: Charity Challenge

Embark on an amazing journey of giving with Go Give, where teams complete GPS-triggered charitable challenges to positively impact the community. Teams will emerge from the experience with strengthened bonds, cherished memories, and a renewed sense of camaraderie.

Wheels Around the World

In this philanthropic event, each team will sponsor a wheelchair, complete a set of activities, decorate and personalize a wheel safety cover, and discover more about their recipients. Participants will make a direct impact on a person’s life while raising awareness of what it is like to live with a disability.

The Donation Station

This customizable corporate giving program allows your team to come together with the goal of assembling as many donation kits as possible in a limited amount of time. No need to worry about logistics; we take care of everything.

Little Team Library

Putting books in the hands of children has a meaningful impact on improving literacy, and Little Team Library will do just that. Your team will assemble and decorate a Little Free Library kit and post for every two teams while getting to know each other through the act of storytelling.

Tools for Schools

This hands-on charitable event has your group filling backpacks with notebooks, pencils, erasers and other vital school supplies. But they will have to earn them in a series of fun mental and physical team challenges.

Healthcare Heroes Scavenger Hunt

As teams complete a series of healthcare-related challenges, they will collect items for donation to a local hospital. Each appreciation bag includes surgical caps, comfy medical-themed socks, stainless steel water bottles and plenty of healthy snacks.

Everyday Superheroes

Teams get to be creative, constructive and collaborative as they design their very own superheroes for custom company-themed comic books. They will also build Green Machine superhero cycles, then stuff and decorate superhero-themed teddy bears with custom capes for the lucky recipients.

The Charity Guitar Build

Have a rocking good time in this upbeat experience that harmonizes teamwork, creativity, and giving back. Kick off a day filled with crafting guitars, creating melodic masterpieces, and spreading joy to aspiring musicians in your community.

Wheelchairs In Motion

In our exciting Wheelchair Build, we are not just strengthening team relationships. We are also assembling and donating wheelchairs to disabled U.S. veterans and others who cannot afford the mobility assistance they need.

Helping Hands

This philanthropic activity lets your group provide hope, help and a little cheer. Working together, teams assemble personal care kits for community members facing the devastating impact of natural disasters or homelessness.

Foodbank Showdown

Based on beloved TV favorite “The Price Is Right,” this high-energy team building game show provides fun with a purpose. A big-hearted twist: teams use their Showdown Coupons to buy real groceries for local families in need.

Paws For A Cause

Welcome to a one-of-a-kind corporate team building workshop in support of local animal shelters. Teams enjoy games, trivia and friendly competition, all while creating dog beds, pull toys, cat scratch pads and gift baskets.

Hopefull Handbags Global

This charitable team building event is designed to bring awareness to obstacles faced by survivors of domestic abuse and their children. By filling new and gently-used handbags with essential items, your team aids them in regaining stability while conveying the community’s care and support.

Operation Military Care

In this corporate volunteering program, your team assembles care packages to be donated to U.S. military personnel at overseas bases or at stateside hospitals. Your special gifts make a huge impact, both for them and your team.

Emergency Shelter Build

This powerful, hands-on experience brings your team together to assemble insulated, foldable shelters built to endure adverse weather. Each shelter includes a secure door for privacy and safety and folds into a portable bag for easy transport. Throughout the event, teams also complete challenges to earn items for care kits packed with hygiene supplies, personal safety items, and everyday necessities.

Compost Heroes

Get ready to save the planet, one banana peel at a time! In this eco-friendly workshop, teams collaborate to construct compost systems and complete a series of sustainability challenges. Completed materials are donated to a local youth camp, empowering kids to learn sustainable habits.

Skills-Based Volunteering

Empower your team to create real-world impact through purpose-driven collaboration! This immersive experience pairs corporate teams with nonprofits to solve real organizational challenges across marketing, communication, design, operations, and strategic planning. It is a fantastic way to sharpen professional skills while giving back.

Productive Planters

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to grow something great for a good cause! In this hands-on team building garden activity, your group will build and decorate raised garden beds, tackle fun garden-themed trivia, and pick up tips on companion planting. Your beautifully crafted planters are donated to local community gardens, schools, or food banks.

Meal Pack Give Back

This feel-good food packing experience is where teamwork meets real impact. Your group will throw on hairnets, roll up their sleeves, and work assembly-line style to scoop, measure, seal, and pack thousands of meals for families facing food insecurity. Every completed box heads to a local Feeding America food bank. Best of all, this event is 100% tax-deductible. 

How do charitable team building activities benefit both the community and the company?

Charitable team building activities deliver meaningful advantages on both sides. For the community, these programs provide tangible support: bikes for children, meals for families in need, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, prosthetic hands for amputees, and much more. Every event generates real donations that go directly to people and organizations that need them.

For the company, the benefits are just as significant. Team building for charity strengthens employee engagement by connecting your team to a shared sense of purpose. When coworkers collaborate on something bigger than their daily tasks, they build trust, improve communication, and develop stronger working relationships. Employees who participate in these types of events often report higher job satisfaction and a deeper connection to company values.

There is also a clear impact on retention and recruiting. Today’s workforce, especially younger employees, actively seeks out employers who demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility. Offering team building activities for charity signals to current and prospective employees that your organization cares about more than the bottom line.

From a brand perspective, these programs strengthen your company’s reputation in the communities where you operate. Whether your team is packing meals, building bikes, or assembling care kits, these efforts contribute to a culture of empathy and corporate citizenship that extends well beyond a single event.

Charitable team building for any team

Is there a special cause you want to support? Do you have a new team building idea that you would love to try? When our existing programs don’t quite match the ideas in your head, we are happy to pull out all the stops and help you build a 100% customized program for your team.

As you can see, TeamBonding offers a wide variety of charitable team building activities to encourage your team to connect while giving back to their community. Contact us today to get started planning your company’s next charitable event, or browse our full collection of team building for charity programs to find the right fit.

The post Our Charitable Team Building Activities appeared first on TeamBonding.

So if you’re looking for summer work party ideas that go beyond a box of donuts in the break room, keep reading. I’ll share some of my all-time favorites, including a few newer events I’m especially excited about this season.

Why throwing a summer kick-off party is worth it

In the summer, most people want to be outside. After months of cold weather, they’re ready to move around, breathe fresh air, and feel like themselves again. I’ve always said that early summer is one of the best times of year to bring a team together: it’s the season when everybody’s hopeful. You’re coming out of that hibernation state, and people are just happiest to be outdoors.

There’s also something about summer that gives people permission to let loose. No one’s thinking about emails or deadlines when they’re running across a field or laughing their way through a team challenge.

Research backs this up, too. Getting outside improves mental abilities like thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving, while also reducing stress and anxiety. That’s not just good for your team’s wellbeing; it’s good for your business. Pair that with some employee burnout prevention, and you’ve got a compelling case for getting people off their screens and into the sun.

The best outdoor team building activities are the ones that bring out that childlike excitement in people, whether it’s racing around in a scavenger hunt, playing ridiculous games, or just being outside with good people. Here are my top picks.

Summer work party ideas your team will love

1. Fun field day

If it’s been way too long since your team got outside for a proper field day, this is your sign. You just can’t beat the combination of friendly competition, laughter, and soaking up the sun together.

One of my all-time favorite summer work party ideas has always been the Outrageous Games. It’s kind of a corporate Olympic-style event because it’s outdoors and can be held at almost any venue. People get a chance to be kids again: they get to do fun things they don’t normally give themselves permission to do.

The Outrageous Games event is an Olympics-themed field day activity packed with non-athletic fun for everyone. Your team competes head-to-head in ten wild and wacky events designed to build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

If you’d prefer a DIY approach, all you need is some outdoor space and a few supplies:

• Water balloons and hula hoops for classic warm-weather fun
• Tug-of-war ropes for some friendly rivalry
• Sack race bags or pillowcases to channel your inner field day champion
• Cones and soccer balls for a makeshift obstacle course

Consider offering a prize for the winning team, whether that’s a free lunch, a half-day, or something else entirely. A little extra motivation goes a long way.

2. GOALL!!: a World Cup summer kick-off party

With the 2026 World Cup happening right here in North America this summer, there’s no better time to bring that energy into your workplace. I love tapping into the excitement of what’s happening in the world around us, and right now, football is on everyone’s mind.

GOALL!! is a high-energy team building experience where participants collaborate to run their own football club. Teams kick things off by assigning roles, setting goals, and putting the right people in the right positions, just like a real championship squad. Then they bring their game plans to life through strategy, creative challenges, and fan-style chant-offs.

The energy builds all the way to the final whistle, where scores are tallied and a winning team is crowned. But the real victory, as I always say, is in the connections built along the way. It runs one to two hours and works for groups of 20 or more.

If you’re looking for a summer kick-off party idea that taps into a global moment while building real skills, this one is hard to beat.

3. Ultimate tailgate challenge

There’s something about a tailgate that brings out the best in people. The friendly trash talk, the competitive spirit, the sheer joy of throwing things at other things. The Ultimate Tailgate Challenge takes all of that and turns it into a structured, seriously fun team building event for groups of 25 to 400.

Teams rotate through classic tailgate games like cornhole, ladder ball, Kan Jam, and giant Jenga, competing for the highest scores. A professional DJ keeps the energy up throughout, and a lighthearted closing ceremony wraps everything up with awards and, if you want, prizes.

It plays best outdoors, which makes it a natural fit for a summer work party. And for what it’s worth, client reviews are consistently outstanding. This one is a crowd-pleaser in every sense.

4. Get outside and give back

If you’re looking for a great team summer party idea with a little more meaning behind it, consider combining your summer kickoff with a charitable activity. Almost any game can be set up as a competition where winnings go to a nonprofit of the winning team’s choice, or you can organize a group activity that builds something for a cause.

Some options worth exploring:

• Paws for a Cause: Build supplies and care packages for animal shelters
• Bike Build: Assemble bikes for kids in need
• Healthcare Heroes Scavenger Hunt: A mission-driven scavenger hunt with a meaningful payoff
• Operation Cancer Care: Assemble care packages for cancer patients

Giving back while spending time in the sun together can create a sense of fulfillment that a regular party just can’t match. It’s the kind of thing people talk about long after the event is over.

5. The Mystery Bus

This is one of those ideas that sounds a little wild the first time you hear it, and then you realize it’s brilliant. The Mystery Bus transports your team to three to four surprise destinations in and around your city. Nobody knows where they’re going until they get there.

The itinerary always includes at least one culinary adventure, one cultural experience, and one low-key physical activity. Our event team handles every detail: the planning, the logistics, the bus, the host who keeps things lively along the way with trivia and games. All you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride.

For a summer kick-off party, this is especially magical. There’s something about the open road and the unknown that creates instant camaraderie. People who normally wouldn’t talk much suddenly have something to bond over, and by the time the bus pulls back in, they feel like they’ve been on an adventure together. Because they have.

It runs for 5 to 6 hours and is designed for groups of 20 to 100.

6. Organize a scavenger hunt

Who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt? It’s one of my favorite office party ideas for summer because it’s endlessly flexible and almost universally beloved.

Divide your team into pairs or small groups, hand out a series of clues, and set them loose. A local park makes a great backdrop. Agree on a two- to three-hour time limit and a central meeting spot to reconvene. For something more polished, our Polaroid Scavenger Hunt or High-Tech GPS Scavenger Hunt bring a whole extra level of production and fun.

Cap it off with a team lunch or dinner, and you’ve got a full summer day your team won’t forget.

7. Celebrate a weird summer holiday

This one is a personal favorite because it’s so low-budget and high-return. There are more obscure summer holidays than most people realize, and building a party around one of them gives your team a built-in theme and a guaranteed conversation starter.

When was the last time your office celebrated National Ice Cream Day (July 16) or National Wine and Cheese Day (July 25)? Have your team vote on the most ridiculous holiday they can find, and then plan the event around it. The wackier the better.

This kind of team summer party idea gives everyone a chance to show off their quirkier, more creative sides, which don’t often get much airtime in a regular workday.

Ready to plan your summer work party?

These ideas are just the beginning. At TeamBonding, we’ve been designing corporate event ideas for teams of all sizes for decades, and summer is genuinely one of our favorite seasons to work in. The energy is contagious.

If your team isn’t able to get together in person, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options: a virtual summer office party can bring the same spirit to a remote team.

Whatever direction you go, I hope it gets people off their screens, out into the world, and genuinely glad they showed up. That’s always been the goal. Let’s chat, and we’ll help you make it happen.

The post Summer Work Party Ideas Your Team Will Love appeared first on TeamBonding.

When it comes to things to do on Memorial Day at work, the best celebrations manage to hold both of those truths at once. In this guide, we’ve rounded up nine of our favorite Memorial Day work ideas—some meaningful, some just plain fun, and many that are both.

Why Memorial Day matters at work

Memorial Day isn’t just a day off. It’s an opportunity for leaders to bring their teams together around something bigger than the day-to-day grind.

Marking the holiday as a team, even in a small way, signals that your organization values more than productivity. It shows you care about community, history, and the people who made it possible for your employees to work freely.

That kind of culture matters. Employee engagement is directly tied to how connected people feel to their workplace, and shared experiences like a Memorial Day celebration are a simple, powerful way to strengthen those bonds.

It’s also a chance to model the kind of values-driven leadership that employees remember. Taking time to acknowledge a national day of mourning—even briefly nd imperfectly—says something about who you are as an organization. 

A brief history of Memorial Day

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”—Elmer Davis

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was established by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his General Order No. 11, issued in 1868, he designated May 30th as a day for decorating the graves of soldiers who died defending their country.

The red poppy has been the American Legion’s official symbol of remembrance since 1920. That was inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, which describes poppies blooming over the graves of fallen soldiers in Belgium. Disabled veterans have assembled Buddy Poppies in VA hospitals since 1924, with proceeds supporting veteran rehabilitation and service programs.

Today, Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, dedicated to honoring all U.S. military personnel who died in service to our country.

9 things to do on Memorial Day at work

Whether you’re planning a full team event or a simple gesture of remembrance, here are nine great ways to observe this holiday with your team.

1. Organize an outdoor team event

One of the most popular things to do on Memorial Day at work is to get everyone outside. The weather is typically beautiful, and an outdoor activity is a natural fit for the holiday’s spirit of togetherness.

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Go Give: Charity Challenge—Teams complete GPS-guided challenges that positively impact their community, building camaraderie along the way.
• Outrageous Games—A non-athletic, high-energy collection of games perfect for a company picnic or outdoor employee gathering.
• Team Chili Cook-off—Teams start with chili basics and barter for extra ingredients by completing fun challenges. Competitive, creative, and delicious.

Cooking for a Cause

Cooking for a Cause is a culinary team building activity that’s built around preparing and enjoying a meal with the rest of your team. You’ll also help your community in a meaningful way by creating donations for a local food bank. 

Team Chili Cook-off

This fiery team building favorite combines creativity, resourcefulness, and skill.  In the Team Chili Cook-off, each group starts with chili basics like meat and tomatoes, but collecting other ingredients means bartering while completing fun challenges.

Outrageous Games

From the opening ceremony to the closing awards presentation, Outrageous Games is the perfect collection of non-athletic Memorial Day games for your company picnic or employee meeting. Competition has never been more fun! 

2. Assemble care packages for active duty military

This is one of the most meaningful Memorial Day work activities you can organize, and it doubles as team building with real-world impact.

Our Operation Military Care program brings teams together to assemble care packages for deployed service members. It’s a hands-on, purposeful activity that your team will genuinely feel good about, and it connects the spirit of the holiday directly to the people it honors.

Consider pairing it with a brief team moment of reflection before you get started. Even just a few words from a leader about who Memorial Day is for and why it matters can make all the difference.

3. Cook a meal for your community

Food has a way of bringing people together, and Cooking for a Cause leans right into that. Teams prepare meals together and donate them to a local food bank, combining the best of culinary team building with genuine community service.

It’s a great option for teams that want a Memorial Day celebration with a service component—and one that keeps the focus on giving back.

4. Attend a local Memorial Day parade

Many cities and towns host Memorial Day parades, often followed by a memorial service at a local cemetery or monument. Encouraging your team to attend—either as a group or individually—is one of the simplest things to do on Memorial Day that still carries real weight.

Send a Memorial Day message to employees in advance, letting them know about local events, and invite anyone who served to share their perspective. It’s a low-lift gesture that means a lot.

5. Buy a poppy

In the days leading up to Memorial Day, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members collect donations in exchange for red poppies. It takes less than a minute, but it’s a visible, meaningful act of remembrance.

Consider setting up a small donation station in the office or sharing information about where employees can participate. When paired with other Memorial Day work activities, it adds a layer of genuine tribute to the celebration.

6. Observe the National Moment of Remembrance

At 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, Congress asks all Americans to pause for one minute of silence in honor of fallen service members. The time was intentionally chosen to represent the hour when most Americans enjoy their freedom.

If your team is working or gathering that day, pause at 3:00 p.m. together. It costs nothing, takes one minute, and carries a lot of meaning.

7. Fly the flag and decorate with intention

Decorating with red, white, and blue is a classic way to mark the holiday—but there’s an opportunity here to go beyond streamers and tablecloths.

The tradition of flying the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon on Memorial Day is a longstanding act of respect for fallen soldiers. If your office or venue has a flagpole, consider observing this tradition. Then raise the flag to full-staff at noon—a gesture that honors both remembrance and the living.

8. Thank a veteran

Memorial Day is primarily about those we’ve lost, but it’s also a natural moment to acknowledge the veterans on your team or in your network. A sincere, personal word of thanks—from a manager, a team leader, or the whole group—goes a long way.

If your team wants to do more, Operation Gratitude offers a letter-writing program for soldiers currently deployed. It’s a meaningful activity that can be built into a Memorial Day corporate event or done individually.

9. Share stories and send a team letter

Invite employees to share what Memorial Day means to them—whether they have a personal connection to military service or just a memory tied to the holiday. Collect those reflections and share them internally as a team letter or newsletter piece.

You can even take it a step further by printing the submissions and delivering them to a local veterans’ living center, or emailing them to an organization that serves veterans in your area. It’s a simple, human way to build connection at work while honoring the day.

How to celebrate Memorial Day at work: Tips for leaders

Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick framework for how to celebrate Memorial Day at work in a way that feels genuine, not performative:

• Send a Memorial Day message to employees ahead of the holiday—share what’s planned and, just as importantly, what the day means.
• Mix the meaningful with the fun. There’s nothing wrong with a cookout or a round of Outrageous Games—the key is pairing it with at least one moment of genuine tribute.
• Let your team lead. Ask whether anyone has a personal connection to the holiday and would like to share. You might be surprised by the stories in your own organization.
• Keep it inclusive. Not everyone has a military connection, and that’s okay. Focus on gratitude and community rather than assuming shared experience.

The most memorable Memorial Day celebrations at work aren’t the most elaborate—they’re the ones where people feel like the day actually meant something.

Make your Memorial Day celebration one to remember

Whether you’re planning a full team building event or a quieter day of reflection and gratitude, Memorial Day is a meaningful opportunity to bring your team closer together.

And remember: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. The right activity—whether it’s something charitable, something competitive, or something that simply brings people to the same table—can make this holiday genuinely memorable for your whole team.

We’re here to help you make it happen. Contact TeamBonding today, and we’ll help you find the right program for your team—whether that’s a high-energy outdoor event, a charitable activity, or something in between.

The post Things to Do on Memorial Day at Work: 9 Ideas to Celebrate & Honor appeared first on TeamBonding.

Are you looking for meaningful Earth Day work activities that go beyond decorations and themed snacks?

Every year, more than a billion people across 190 countries participate in Earth Day. In 2026, the theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” I love this theme because it speaks directly to what I see in organizations every day. Teams already have power. The question is whether they choose to use it.

In this guide, I’m sharing practical, high-impact Earth Day ideas for work that help your team take action together. As a TeamBonding facilitator, environmental advocate, founder of Green Camps, and creator of our Compost Heroes program, I’ve seen firsthand how small collective actions create lasting change.

If you’re an HR professional, manager, or business owner wondering how to celebrate Earth Day at work in a way that builds culture and impact, this is for you.

About Earth Day 2026 and why the theme matters

Earth Day began in 1970 as a national teach-in on environmental issues. It sparked legislation, awareness, and global movements.

The 2026 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” speaks directly to organizations. Companies influence supply chains, purchasing decisions, energy use, waste output, and community partnerships.

That influence is power.

When I talk with HR leaders about Earth Day corporate activities, I remind them this is not about optics. It’s about ownership. Earth Day gives you a visible moment to demonstrate what kind of organization you want to be.

By the numbers: Why this conversation still matters

Research shows that pollution and waste from corporate activity have measurable effects on air, water, and soil quality.

In the United States alone, we generate more than 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste each year. Containers and packaging account for nearly 30% of that total.

Americans represent roughly 4–5% of the global population but generate about 12% of the world’s municipal solid waste.

Globally, an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, affecting marine ecosystems, drinking water systems, and food supply chains.

Those numbers matter.

But here’s what I tell teams during Earth Day office activities: statistics alone don’t change behavior. Shared experience does.

When employees build compost systems, assemble water filters, clean up a park, or audit their own waste stream, they see the connection between daily decisions and environmental outcomes. That’s when responsibility becomes personal.

Why companies should care about Earth Day corporate activities

I’ve facilitated enough programs to know that employees are paying attention.

They notice whether Earth Day is acknowledged. They notice whether leadership shows up. They notice whether sustainability is performative or embedded.

Here are three strategic reasons Earth Day matters in the workplace.

Cost savings

Reducing energy, water, and material waste often lowers operating costs. Simple changes like these can make a measurable difference:

• Installing motion-sensor lighting
• Reducing single-use office supplies
• Optimizing heating and cooling schedules
• Transitioning to more digital documentation

During sustainability-focused Earth Day work activities, teams often uncover inefficiencies that leadership hasn’t seen. Awareness leads to smarter operations.

Consumer expectations

Sustainability is increasingly a factor in purchasing decisions, and the data is getting harder to ignore.

PwC found that 80% of consumers say they’re willing to pay more for sustainably produced or sourced goods. In other words, sustainability isn’t just a “nice to have” for a portion of buyers. It’s influencing what people choose and what they’re willing to spend.

I also like to look at this through a waste-and-pollution lens, not just broad “sustainability.” The same findings highlight that purchase motivation often ties to tangible actions like waste reduction and packaging choices, which is exactly where many workplace Earth Day efforts can create visible proof points.

When your Earth Day ideas for workplace celebrations align with real environmental commitments, it strengthens your brand credibility because people are increasingly looking for signals they can trust.

If sustainability already connects to your core values, Earth Day becomes a natural expression of who you are, not a one-day campaign.

Employee engagement and retention

Sustainability also shows up in hiring, retention, and day-to-day engagement.

Deloitte found that 69% of workers want their companies to invest in sustainability efforts. And when it comes to recruiting, more than half of younger workers are doing homework before they say yes. Deloitte reports that 55% of Gen Zs and 54% of millennials research a company’s environmental impact and policies before accepting a job.

That tracks with what I see when I’m facilitating Earth Day office activities. People don’t want perfection, but they do want authenticity. They want to know the company is paying attention and taking action.

If you’re investing in attracting and retaining top talent, integrating sustainability into your corporate culture is a practical move, not a PR move.

Earth Day office ideas can create a shared moment where values become visible. That’s when engagement gets real, because it’s tied to purpose and belonging, not just perks.

How can companies organize meaningful Earth Day activities for employees?

This is easily the question I get asked most every spring, usually from HR leaders who want to do more than hang a banner in the breakroom.

They don’t want something symbolic; they want something that actually matters.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that the most effective Earth Day corporate activities have less to do with scale and more to do with intention. The programs that resonate are interactive rather than passive, grounded in real environmental impact rather than abstract messaging, and designed to spark action that continues beyond April 22.

If you’re wondering how to celebrate Earth Day at work without it feeling superficial, I always suggest starting with your everyday operations. Look at how your office functions before you look at event ideas.

• Are you still printing unnecessarily?
• Is plastic waste visible in shared spaces?
• Do employees understand your recycling system?
• Have you set any measurable goals around waste, water, or energy use?

Small, visible operational shifts often carry more weight than a one-day celebration:

• Transitioning toward paper-free systems.
• Installing bottle-filling stations to reduce plastic waste.
• Clearly label recycling and compost bins to make participation easier.
• Maximizing natural light and reducing unnecessary energy use.
• Setting measurable waste- or pollution-reduction targets for the year.

These kinds of changes communicate seriousness. They demonstrate that sustainability is embedded, not performative.

If you’re looking for more operational ideas, our guide to going green in the office outlines practical ways to begin.

What I’ve learned is this: when sustainability is embedded in daily operations, Earth Day office activities stop feeling like an event and become an extension of the culture. That’s where long-term change actually happens.

Our top 10 Earth Day work activities for 2026

These Earth Day work activities are designed to do more than check a box. When I heard about Earth Day 2026 and the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” I thought about shared responsibility. Each of these programs gives teams a way to experience that responsibility together, rather than just talk about it.

1. Impact Online

Event type: Virtual

This is one of my favorite virtual options because it blends education with action. For Impact Online, Teams work through interactive challenges connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The points they earn convert into real donations to the Buy1Give1 charity, a 501(c)(3) organization supporting the United Nations’ 17 Goals.

It keeps energy high while reinforcing that even distributed teams can create measurable impact. For remote groups looking for Earth Day ideas for work, this is both accessible and meaningful.

2. Clean Water Connection

Event type: In-person

If you want an Earth Day activity that connects directly to water quality and human impact, Clean Water Connection is a strong place to start.

In this program, teams build working water filtration systems that are distributed to communities in need. Along the way, participants experience what it means to carry and protect clean water. They see firsthand how contamination affects daily life.

During the event, teams:

• Build functional water filters
• Participate in a symbolic water walk
• Transform visibly dirty water into drinkable water

There’s always a moment when the water clears, and the room gets quiet. That’s real impact. This is one of those Earth Day corporate activities that moves beyond awareness into empathy and meaningful action.

3. Save the Bees Project

Event type: Virtual, in-person

Pollinators support ecosystems and food production worldwide. Without them, soil health and agriculture suffer. 

This project has teams participate in interactive challenges while building mason bee habitats and planting wildflowers with TeamBondingCSR’s nonprofit partner, The Bee Cause Project.

This experience blends learning and action in a way that feels energizing. What makes this one of my favorite Earth Day office ideas is that the takeaway feels manageable. Protecting pollinators becomes something individuals can continue at home, not a distant or overwhelming prospect. 

4. Tree planting experience

Event type: Virtual, hybrid, in-person

Planting trees might seem simple, but it carries powerful symbolism.

Participants assemble planting kits, create pots, and plant seeds that will grow long after the event ends. Many versions also include digital tree planting in regions where reforestation is critical.

Tree planting reinforces long-term thinking. For Earth Day 2026 and the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” that steady commitment is exactly the point.

5. Do Good Bus

Event type: In-person

The Do Good Bus turns service into an adventure. Teams travel together to a surprise nonprofit location and spend the day contributing to a meaningful cause.

When we focus on environmental projects, that might include:

• Community gardening
• Park or shoreline cleanups
• Restoration work in local green spaces

Being physically outside changes the dynamic. Conversations feel more natural, and collaboration feels less forced.

This is one of the most engaging Earth Day event ideas because teams aren’t just talking about sustainability; they’re practicing it in ways that matter.

6. Mad Dash Scavenger Hunt

Event type: In-person

Mad Dash uses smartphones and digital mapping to create a fast-paced team challenge. It’s environmentally mindful by design and easy to customize around sustainability themes.

We often incorporate challenges that prompt teams to:

• Spot recycling best practices
• Identify eco-friendly commuting options
• Highlight local green businesses

It keeps Earth Day work activities energetic while reinforcing real-world awareness.

7. Donation Station

Event type: In-person

Donation Station centers on assembling kits that support sustainable living and community resilience.

Teams might build:

• Green living starter kits
• Urban gardening kits
• Sustainable hygiene kits

The experience is collaborative and tangible. At the end of the day, participants can physically see the impact they’ve created.

That visibility reinforces responsibility in a way that abstract discussions often don’t.

8. Compost Heroes

Event type: In-person

My personal favorite, Compost Heroes, focuses directly on waste reduction and soil health. It’s interactive and playful, but the environmental lesson is clear.

Teams rotate through challenge stations, learning how composting reduces landfill waste and supports healthier soil systems. They build functional compost equipment and explore how everyday office waste decisions affect broader environmental systems.

What I appreciate most about this program is that it feels practical. Waste is something every office produces. When teams understand where it goes and how to manage it better, behavior changes.

9. Climate Change Challenge

Event type: Virtual

The Climate Change Challenge invites teams to tackle environmental scenarios collaboratively. It strengthens communication and critical thinking while reinforcing environmental literacy. Points can be converted into donations, reinforcing that teamwork leads to tangible outcomes. 

For distributed organizations, this remains one of the most flexible Earth Day corporate activities available.

10. Custom Earth Day programs

Event type: Virtual, hybrid, in-person

Sometimes, the most meaningful Earth Day ideas for workplace celebrations are the ones built specifically around your goals.

We’ve helped teams design custom programs that include rooftop pollinator gardens, composting systems, electronics recycling drives, and even office sustainability audits.

When the activity connects directly to how your company operates, participation feels natural. That’s when Earth Day shifts from a calendar event to a cultural statement.

How do you sustain impact beyond April 22?

The most effective Earth Day office activities extend beyond a single day.

April 22 should act as a catalyst, not a conclusion. When the energy is high and participation is strong, that’s the moment to build structure around the momentum.

Organizations that sustain impact typically establish a small sustainability committee, set quarterly environmental goals, track measurable progress, and incorporate environmental practices into onboarding. They also highlight eco-achievements in company updates so that the effort stays visible.

Earth Day 2026 is an opportunity to activate your power, but cultural change requires consistency.

Putting “Our Power, Our Planet” into action

When teams participate in thoughtful Earth Day work activities, something shifts.

Sustainability stops feeling abstract and starts feeling practical. After building compost systems, assembling water filters, planting trees, or supporting local cleanups, people see how daily choices affect air, soil, and water quality.

That’s the meaning behind “Our Power, Our Planet.” Collective action produces measurable impact.

Ready to design meaningful Earth Day ideas for workplace celebrations that align with your goals? Explore our full range of team building programs, and let’s build something that reflects your values.

Earth Day 2026 is more than a date on the calendar. It can be the start of sustained momentum in your workplace, and beyond.

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