Not every day at work is exciting. Some days just feel like a slog, and it’s easy for energy to dip, especially when the to-do list never seems to shrink.

But a little fun can make a big difference. Whether it’s sharing a laugh, playing a quick game, or getting recognized for a job well done, those small moments help people feel seen and appreciated.

Keep reading for easy ways to bring more joy into your workday and help your team feel good about showing up.

Why Boosting Morale Matters

When morale is high, people bring more focus, energy, and motivation to their work. Team meetings feel more collaborative, and the workday feels more meaningful. Instead of simply getting through tasks, employees feel connected to their team and proud of what they’re contributing.

But when morale drops, everything gets a little harder. Energy fades, communication slows down, and people start to disengage. Over time, this can lead to burnout, low job satisfaction, and missed goals.

According to Gallup, highly engaged teams show 23% greater profitability and 78% lower absenteeism compared to disengaged teams. And yet, only 23% of employees feel engaged at work. That gap shows just how important it is to invest in morale, even with small, consistent actions.

Simple morale-boosting efforts can help:

• Strengthen team relationships – People feel more connected and motivated to work together.

• Motivate employees – Encouragement and recognition help people stay driven and focused.

• Improve job satisfaction – A more supportive environment makes the workday feel more meaningful.

• Keep employees engaged – Small positive moments help teams stay involved and energized.

• Reduce stress and burnout – Fun breaks and shared laughs give people space to reset.

You don’t need big events or complicated programs. A few thoughtful, well-timed activities can help your team feel more supported, appreciated, and ready to take on the day.

15 Fun Ways to Boost Employee Morale

Here are 15 fun, easy-to-run morale boosters that bring teams closer, lift energy levels, and add some joy to the workday.

1. Host Quick Virtual Games

Quick virtual games are one of the easiest ways to break up the day and reconnect as a team. They offer a short mental break that helps people reset, recharge, and return to work with more energy.

Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or in-office, a five-minute game can spark laughter, lighten the mood, and make collaboration feel more natural.

Braid makes this easy with a growing library of fun, fast-paced games built right into Slack. To get started, just add Braid to your Slack workspace and grant the necessary access when prompted. Once it’s installed, you’re ready to play.

Braid currently offers six games your team can enjoy any time:

• This or That – Choose between two options and compare responses. Great as an icebreaker.

• Typing Test – Race to see who types the fastest. Perfect for a quick burst of fun.

• Word Link – Take turns linking words based on first and last letters.

• Picture Puzzle – Solve visual riddles together as a team.

• Trivia – Test your knowledge across different categories.

• Wordsmith – Work as a team to build as many words as possible.

All games work for groups of two or more, and most take under five minutes. Once Braid is added, just head to your games library in Slack, pick a game, and start playing. It’s a small lift that brings big energy to the workday.

2. Celebrate Wins, Big and Small

Everyone wants to feel like their work matters. When you take time to recognize progress, whether it’s a completed project, a tough task finally wrapped up, or someone helping out a teammate, it gives people a real morale boost.

Make celebration part of your routine. Drop a quick thank-you in Slack, give someone a shout-out during your weekly meeting, or highlight small wins in a team thread. It doesn’t need to be fancy.

What matters is showing people that their effort is noticed and appreciated. Over time, it creates a culture where people lift each other up.

3. Plan Themed Dress-Up Days

Some days just need a little spark, and themed dress-up days are an easy way to bring in that energy. From “Throwback Thursday” to “Mismatch Monday,” playful themes give people a chance to show their fun side and share a few laughs with the team.

Even if you're working remotely, you can still join in. Snap a quick photo, show off your outfit on a call, or vote on your favorite looks in Slack.

It's not about being over-the-top; it’s about giving everyone a reason to smile and connect in a way that has nothing to do with deadlines. Let your team help choose the next theme so everyone feels included.

4. Surprise Snack Breaks

Snacks are simple, but they send a clear message: We’re thinking of you. A surprise coffee card, treat box, or shared office snack table can instantly lift someone’s mood, especially on a busy or stressful day.

For remote teams, mailing a small snack pack or scheduling a “treat yourself” day where everyone enjoys their favorite drink together can spark the same feeling.

It’s not about the size of the gesture. It’s about showing care in small, unexpected ways that make people feel seen and appreciated.

5. Run a ‘Fun Fact’ Challenge

People are full of surprises; you just need a way to bring those details out. A fun fact challenge is a great way to learn something new about your teammates and kickstart conversations that don’t revolve around work.

Ask each team member to send you one unusual or unexpected fact about themselves. Then, post the list and let everyone guess who’s who. It works in person, over Slack, or during a virtual meeting.

These small moments of discovery help build connection and remind everyone that behind the job titles are real, interesting people.

6. Create a Peer Shoutout Wall

Sometimes, the best morale boost comes from the people you work with every day. A peer shout-out wall gives your team a place to recognize each other in a way that feels genuine and personal.

You can keep it digital with a shared thread or channel or create a physical space in the office where people can add sticky notes with shoutouts.

What matters is giving teammates a space to say, “Hey, I see what you did. And it was awesome!” Over time, this kind of recognition becomes part of your culture, not just a one-off activity.

7. Friday ‘No Work Talk’ Chats

After a long week, sometimes what people really need is a space to unwind. A casual Friday chat focused on anything but work can be a refreshing way to wrap up the week.

Start a conversation thread around weekend plans, favorite movies, pet photos, or random “this or that” questions. Or hop on a quick video call and keep it light.

No structure is needed, just space to relax, connect, and recharge before heading into the weekend. It’s a small thing that helps people log off with a smile.

8. Office Olympics or Mini Competitions

A little friendly competition, such as Office Olympics, can shake off the midweek slump and bring people together in a fun, low-pressure way.

Whether your team is remote or in person, games like typing races, scavenger hunts, or quick trivia rounds get everyone moving, laughing, and working as a team.

Keep the stakes light with a small prize, bragging rights, or a celebration thread full of GIFs. What matters most is the energy it creates. These playful breaks help people reset and return to work with more focus and better vibes.

9. Let the Team Pick the Next Activity

Want your morale boosters to actually land? Let your team decide what comes next. When people have a say in how they spend their fun time, they’re more likely to engage and enjoy it.

You can rotate who picks the next activity or run a quick poll with a few options. Whether they vote for a themed day, a game, or something totally new, it builds ownership and turns morale-building into something the team looks forward to together.

10. Create a “Wall of Fame”

A little recognition can go a long way. A “Wall of Fame” gives your team a visible way to celebrate individual wins, moments of kindness, or someone just going the extra mile.

It doesn’t have to be tied to big goals or formal performance reviews. Sometimes, the most meaningful praise is for the everyday effort that keeps things moving.

You can create a shared doc, a Slack thread, or even a physical board in the office where teammates post shoutouts, thank-you notes, or photos.

Rotate the spotlight weekly or monthly and encourage the team to contribute their own nominations. It helps people feel appreciated, proud of their work, and more connected to the team as a whole.

11. Celebrate Quirky Holidays

Not every holiday needs to be a major event. Recognizing offbeat or silly holidays adds a spark to regular workdays and gives people something fun to rally around.

Think “National Pizza Day,” “Bring Your Pet to Zoom Day,” or “Sweater Weather Appreciation Day.” These small moments create shared memories and lighten the mood.

You can post a list of upcoming fun holidays in a shared calendar or mention them during a Monday check-in. Let your team vote on which ones to join in on.

Maybe one day, everyone will share their favorite snack or show off their childhood photos. It’s not about perfect participation. It’s about creating little moments of joy that people can look forward to together.

12. Host a Team Talent Show

Every team has hidden talents waiting to be discovered. A casual talent show gives people a chance to step out of their usual roles and share something personal, creative, or just plain fun.

It could be a song, a poem, a drawing, a recipe, or a favorite dance move. Whatever the talent, it gives everyone a chance to shine.

Keep the setup low-pressure. You can host it during a Friday meeting, record short videos ahead of time, or create a Slack thread where people post photos or clips. Participation should always be optional, and cheering each other on is just as important as performing.

This kind of event builds trust, shows off the diverse personalities on your team, and reminds everyone that work can be about more than just the next deadline.

13. Offer Flexible Work Options

Flexibility shows trust, and trust builds morale. Whether it’s adjusting work hours, offering remote days, or giving people the choice to block off time for focused work, these small options give your team a sense of control over their day.

Not everyone works best from 9 to 5. Giving people room to manage their schedules helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, and support well-being.

Even small gestures, like “no meeting” blocks or flexible start times, can make the workday feel more manageable and much more motivating.

14. Ask for Feedback & Act on It

The fastest way to raise morale? Listen. When people know their feedback matters, they’re more likely to feel connected, respected, and invested in the success of the team.

Start by creating regular check-ins or anonymous surveys where people can share what’s working and what’s not. But the most important part is what comes next.

If someone suggests a small change and you make it happen, they’ll remember it. It shows you're paying attention and that their voice matters.

15. Start a Team Playlist

Music brings people together, even when they're working apart. Creating a shared playlist lets everyone add their favorite songs, whether it’s a go-to focus track, something upbeat for mornings, or a fun throwback they love.

You can keep it casual with a collaborative Spotify list or rotate who curates the weekly “team mood” soundtrack.

It’s a small but meaningful way to bring personality into the workday and make everyone feel like they’re part of something shared. Bonus:

Bring More Energy and Connection to Your Workday

Keeping your team engaged doesn't have to mean planning big events or spending hours organizing activities. Often, the best morale boosters are the simple ones. Sharing a laugh, recognizing someone’s effort, or pausing for a quick game can bring everyone together and reset the tone of the day.

When you create space for fun, you're also building a stronger and more connected team. You're supporting well-being, improving job satisfaction, and helping people feel good about where they work.

These moments also contribute to professional development by encouraging communication, confidence, and collaboration in ways that go beyond daily tasks.

If you're looking for an easy way to start, Braid is built for moments like these. With quick games inside Slack that take just minutes to play, it helps teams recharge, reconnect, and feel like they belong, even on the busiest days.

Schedule a demo today and see how Braid can bring more fun and connection to your team.

FAQs About Fun Ways to Boost Morale at Work

Do fun activities really help boost morale?

Yes, they do. Fun activities help break up the routine and give your team something to enjoy together. Even quick things like games or virtual coffee breaks can make a big difference. They help people relax, feel more connected, and stay part of a positive work environment.

How can I increase morale in the workplace?

Start with small actions that show you care. Celebrate wins, check in regularly, and offer team-building activities that help people connect. When you encourage employees and make space for fun, it builds trust and helps create a stronger, more engaged workforce.

What’s a good icebreaker for boosting morale?

Keep it light and simple. Try a game like “This or That,” where people choose between two fun options or share a random fact about themselves. Icebreakers like these open up conversations and help build a more relaxed and positive company culture.

How do you motivate your team when morale feels low?

Listen first, then act. Give your team space to talk about what’s going on, and look for ways to support their well-being. Whether it’s a short team game, a small recognition moment, or a casual virtual hangout, these things show people that their experience matters. Over time, it helps raise employee morale and keeps everyone more motivated and connected.