30 Fun & Engaging Wellness Games for Your Employees

Wellness games are the perfect harmony of play and purpose, offering a refreshing way to nurture employee health in the workplace. Unlike traditional wellness initiatives, these thoughtfully designed activities foster the development of enduring healthy habits.

They help build camaraderie, creating stronger bonds among colleagues along the way. Gallup research shows that employees with strong peer connections are more likely to excel in their roles and experience better health outcomes.

Versatile and inclusive, these games accommodate any schedule, team dynamic, or fitness level—from five-minute tasks to weeks-long challenges. They nurture various dimensions of well-being - physical, mental, social, and emotional (you name it, these games have it).

Take, for instance, the “Mindful Minutes Game” implemented in our workplace. Employees dedicated five minutes daily to mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling. The outcome? Within a month, stress levels dropped significantly, and colleagues started sharing their techniques and supporting one another.

Therefore, to help you bring this sense of adventure and connection to your team, we’ve compiled a list of 30 wellness games and activities that employees will love.

All the games are designed with intention, addressing different areas of health, from boosting physical activity and mental resilience to strengthening social bonds and encouraging self-care.

Ready to get started? Let the games begin!

1. Step Challenge

Step Challenge turns the ordinary act of walking into a workplace-wide movement, bringing energy and camaraderie to daily routines. George C. Halvorson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, highlights its impact: “Walking 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can cut new cases of diabetes in half.”

Halvorson adds, “...you can achieve the same benefits by breaking it into two 15-minute walks—one in the morning or around midday and the other in the evening.”

Why Choose this Game?

• Simple to Play: Track steps using fitness apps or trackers—no special equipment or skills needed.
• Inclusive for all—remote or office-based, active or beginner. Plus, there are countless health benefits!

Required no. of Participants: Individuals or teams of 4-6 members
What You Need: Fitness trackers/smartphones, a step-tracking app or program

How to Host?

• Set a timeline, typically 4-6 weeks. Decide whether participants will compete individually or in teams.
• Start with achievable daily step count targets (e.g., 7,000-10,000) to encourage participation.
• Encourage participants to track their daily steps using fitness apps or devices. For seamless tracking, consider apps with automated step-counting features.
• Create mini challenges, like “most steps in a day” or themed walking days.
• Recognize achievements with small prizes, like gift cards or shoutouts in team meetings.

Create alternatives like seated exercises or virtual step equivalents for inclusivity.

To make the game more engaging, consider these variations:

For remote teams: Encourage virtual walks during breaks and online step-count sharing.
For different group sizes: Create categories based on activity levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced).

2. Cycle to Work: A Green Wellness Game

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to combine exercise with everyday routines, making it a natural fit for workplace wellness. The Cycle to Work Challenge turns the daily commute into a fun, health-focused activity that benefits employees and the environment.

That said, daily cycling isn’t feasible for everyone due to factors like distance or logistics. A more practical alternative is hosting Fun Friday Rides. Employees can leave their petrol-driven vehicles at home each Friday and opt for bicycles instead.

The research titled ‘Concurrent strength and sprint training increases resting metabolic rate in masters road cyclists’ by Dr. Luke Del Vecchio of Southern Cross University reveals that combining cycling with sprints and strength training can help boost metabolism and build muscle, allowing one to burn more calories—even at rest.

Why it’s worth it?

• Cycling helps the planet, promotes fitness, and fosters team bonding in a fun, memorable way.

Materials Required: A bike, a helmet, knee pads, a tracking app, and a spirit for adventure!

How to Host?

• You can ask employees to bring their bicycles to the office that day. Employees can cycle some miles within a particular time frame.
• Ask them to use a wellness app to track their miles.
• The one with the highest miles (within the given time frame) on their track board wins.

3. 7-minute Workout Challenge

Designed by exercise physiologist Chris Jordan in a 2013 study published in the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal, the 7-minute workout includes twelve high-intensity bodyweight exercises performed sequentially. Backed by science, it’s an efficient way to improve muscle strength, endurance, and aerobic fitness.

In just 7 minutes, employees can break a sweat, feel energized, and enjoy a quick morale boost. Who knew fitness could fit so seamlessly into a busy day?

Why it’s worth it?

A study by Lama Mattar et al., published in the National Library of Medicine, found that a seven-minute exercise routine over six weeks reduced the waist by 4 cm and decreased BMI by 0.3 percent for 29 of 33 participants.

Moreover, both on-site and remote employees can perform it.

Required Number of Participants: Ideal for teams of 2 or more.
Materials Required: Workout attire and a timer.
Time Limit: 7 minutes

How to Play?

• To complete this task, everyone participating in this challenge can use the 7-minute workout challenge feature in the Vantage Fit app.
• The one completing all the exercises ideally and without a pause wins.

4. Squat Challenge

The Squat Challenge is a fast-track way to improve lower-body strength, posture, and spinal health.

Why Squats?

Studies cited by fitness expert Nicholas Rizzo revealed that men gained 7.7% in bone density and women improved by 1.5% after performing squats 3 times a week. This simple exercise offers lasting health benefits when practiced regularly.

Fitness experts recommend performing three sets of 12–15 reps at least two to three times per week. This frequency promotes strength and endurance gains while allowing sufficient recovery time.

Required Number of Participants: Get all your employees onboard!
Materials Required: Comfortable attire and a clear space.
Time Limit: 5–10 minutes

How to Host?

• Set a target of 3 sets of 12–15 reps twice or thrice weekly. Run the challenge for 30 days.
• Use squat-tracking apps to keep track of each participant’s progress.Our in-house wellness platform has a great squat tracker that records your squats using motion sensors. Here's how.
• Reward high achievers with small perks like fitness accessories or gift cards.

5. Office Olympics

Inspired by the beloved U.S. television series The Office, Office Olympics brings fun and physical activity to the workday. Designed to break the cycle of sedentary desk work, these events allow employees to engage in light, enjoyable competitions like relay races, mini-golf, and more.

Why it’s worth it?

A great example comes from the University of Iowa Health Care’s version of hosting the game. They organized simple daily activities like walking, drinking water, and eating fruits and vegetables.

And you know what? More than 85% of employees took part in these workplace health initiataives, showing how fun, structured challenges can inspire healthier habits that last long after the event ends.

Required Number of Participants: Your entire office crew!
Materials Required: Office supplies like chairs, paper, water bottles, or small game props.
Time Limit: Around 60 minutes

How to Play?

• Divide into teams.
• Invent hilariously unconventional games like "Desk Chair Dash" or "Cubicle Hurdles."
• Engage in some friendly competition, score points, and name the ultimate office champ.
• Celebrate the victors, but remember, the real prize is a day filled with laughter and lasting memories.

Hosting Office Olympics at Vantage Fit allowed our team to hit ‘pause’ on their hectic routines. The energy in the office was contagious, and for those few hours, we all rediscovered the simple joy of movement and connection, which made coming back to work feel just a little bit lighter.
– Anjan Pathak, CTO, Vantage Fit

6. The Feeling Wheel

Salovey and Mayer once said, “The ability to identify one’s emotions is a skill related to emotional intelligence.” For those who find it challenging to recognize or name their emotions, the Feeling Wheel, designed by Gloria Willcox in 1982, offers a helpful tool for self-awareness.

It features 72 feelings, organized into six categories—angry, sad, scared, joyful, peaceful, and powerful—and is visually represented as a colorful pie, making it especially helpful for those who struggle to articulate their feelings.

In the workplace, the Feeling Wheel can create a space where employees feel psychlogically safe and supported in sharing their emotions—emotions that are often left unaddressed.

How to Host?

• Create a safe, open environment where employees feel comfortable participating. Let them know that the goal is to foster emotional awareness and open dialogue without judgment.
• Introduce the Feeling Wheel and explain what it is and how it can help employees identify and express their emotions.

I suggest providing a printed or digital copy to everyone for reference like this.

• Give employees a few minutes to reflect on their emotions.
• Ask them to share what they’ve identified in small groups or as a larger team. They can share their feelings openly or, if they prefer, anonymously via written submissions.
• Offer tokens of appreciation after the session is over.

7. Expressive Artistic Spree

Painting, drawing, sculpting, or other creative activities can be an excellent way for employees to relax and explore their emotions. Wellbeing specialist Sara Binger highlights that creating art can lower anxiety and promote a sense of calm.

Art is a powerful outlet for emotional release and self-discovery, especially for those who struggle to express their feelings verbally.

Materials Required: Art supplies of all kinds
Time Limit: 60 to 90 minutes

How to Host?

• Set a space. Provide art supplies like paints, brushes, markers, and paper or canvases.
• Explain the purpose of the session—using art to explore emotions and relieve stress. Turn it into a friendly competition by announcing a theme (e.g., "What inspires me?" or "A day at the beach").
• Once the art is complete, host a sharing round where participants can explain their creations (if they feel comfortable doing so).

Add a light-hearted voting element, such as “Most Creative,” “Most Uplifting,” or “Best Use of Colors.”

• Offer small, fun prizes or tokens for the winners.

8. Laughter Yoga

Laughter Yoga blends playful laughter exercises with deep yoga breathing techniques. This unique combination helps participants relax, release tension, and reconnect with their inner joy.

Why it’s worth it?

Research by Aslı Si̇s Çeli̇k et al., shows that laughter yoga can boost the immune system by increasing endorphin levels while lowering stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine.

Material Required: a quiet space, mats, water bottles
No. of participants: Ideal for groups of 5 to 20, but works for larger teams as well
Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

How to Host?

• Choose a comfortable, open space where employees can move freely. If virtual, ensure participants have enough room at home to stretch and laugh without interruptions.
• Begin with a light-hearted activity, like sharing the funniest thing that happened recently or mimicking silly laughter sounds.
• Lead participants through various laughter exercises, such as Lion Laughter, Greeting Laughter, laughter while shaking hands, and Silent Laughter.
• Conclude with breathwork and stretching exercises.
• Celebrate the team or individual who spread the most joy during the session with quirky trophies.

9. Hypnotic Meditation

Hypnotic meditation is a guided relaxation technique that helps employees reach a state of deep focus and calm. Widely used in corporate settings, it is especially effective in improving sleep quality—an essential factor for mental clarity and cognitive performance.

A study by Sarah C.P. Williams, published in Stanford Medicine, found that employees who practice hypnotherapy experience better sleep patterns. This leads to increased energy levels and boosted productivity during their workdays.

Materials Required: Mats, noise-canceling headphones, blankets, eye masks, audio/video resources
No. of participants: Ideal for groups of 5 to 20 participants
Duration: 20 to 30 minutes per session

How to Host?

• Arrange a calming space with all the required materials.
• Begin with a brief explanation of hypnotherapy and its benefits.
• Have a certified hypnotherapist lead the session, or use a high-quality guided recording. Encourage participants to focus on the hypnotic prompts and visualize calming scenarios.

To help you out, I suggest listening to Andrew Major’s Guided Hypnosis Meditations Playlist. It has helped a lot of people in dealing with mental health issues.

• Give away small prizes to everyone. It could include stress-relief items like fidget spinners, essential oils, or calming teas.

10. Digital Detox

Let me tell you a fact: Reed Hastings, the former CEO of Netflix, once said that sleep was their biggest competitor. Can you imagine? We’ve undoubtedly become "screen zombies," often glued to our devices for hours.

And for many employees, being in front of a screen all day is part of their job. But here’s the good news: you can help!

A study by Roy N. Ramadhan et al., published in the National Library of Medicine, revealed that digital detox interventions can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve cognition.

Number of Participants: Ideal for teams of 5 or more, but can be adapted for smaller groups
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour for the detox session, followed by a brief reflection period

How to Host?

• Please set up a space where participants can disconnect from their devices.
• Ask them not to check emails, social media, or digital devices for a period.
• Please encourage them to engage in doing something they like. It could be reading a book, walking, talking to each other, whatever feeds their soul.
• Use a timer to track the detox period. At the end of the week, gather the group to reflect on their experience.
• Offer small, light-hearted wellness gifts like stress balls, herbal teas, or a “digital detox champion” certificate for those who stayed off their devices the longest.

11. Themed Trivia

Themed Trivia is a fantastic way to sharpen cognitive skills, promote teamwork, and uplift team morale while having a blast. A study published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology found that older adults who participated in trivia games experienced improved memory retention and cognitive function compared to those who didn’t.

Required Number of Participants: Small groups or the entire office – you decide
Materials Required: Quiz questions, pens, paper, and lots of enthusiasm
Time Limit: 45-60 minutes

How to Play?

• Pick a theme, like "TV Show Trivia" or "Football Quiz."
• Form teams of 3 to 5 members.
• Prepare fun trivia questions based on the chosen theme (varying in difficulty). After that, host the trivia rounds.
• Teams collaborate to answer within a time limit.
• After tallying the correct answers, declare the winning team based on the highest score.

Tap here to be redirected to an exciting trivia card game that you can purchase.

12. Office Scavenger Hunt

Turn your office into a playground of riddles and discoveries with an Office Scavenger Hunt. Teams work together to solve clues, track down hidden items, and complete quirky challenges, transforming an ordinary workday into an exciting adventure.

Employees brainstorm, strategize, and communicate as they race against the clock to crack each clue. It’s a chance to boost morale while fostering teamwork and creativity in a relaxed, enjoyable setting.

Required Number of Players: Teams of 4 to 5 members
Materials Required: Scavenger hunt list, pens, paper, clues, trophies
Time Limit: 30-60 minutes

How to Host?

• Divide participants into teams of 4 to 5 members.
• Please list items or tasks each team must collect or perform.
• Set a time limit (30-60 minutes) for the scavenger hunt.
• With every task done, teams unlock the clue to their next trophy.

The team that uncovers the most items or finishes the most tasks within the time limit wins.

13. Never Have I Ever

“Never Have I Ever” is a hilarious and insightful game that reveals surprising tidbits about one’s coworkers. It's perfect for breaking the ice, easing workplace tension, and sparking genuine conversations beyond the usual office talk.

It's significant in workplaces with diverse teams. It helps create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, heard, and valued.

Required Number of Players: Minimum three players
Time Limit: 10-20 minutes
Who Can Participate: Great for individuals or teams and adaptable for both small groups and large teams.

How to Play?

• Each player starts with 10 fingers up.
• Players take turns saying something they’ve never done, like “Never have I ever attended a virtual meeting in my pajamas” (which I am sure we all have).
• If someone has done what’s mentioned, they put a finger down. The last one with their finger up wins.

14. Charades

This entertaining game is a timeless classic bonding activity. Your employees will have a blast acting out and guessing movie titles, song names, and phrases. Charades turn your office into a theatrical set where you can channel your inner Jim Carrey or Steve Carell, making workdays entertaining!

Required Number of Players: 10
Time Limit: 10-20 minutes
Who Can Participate: Ideal for teams, works well with larger groups

How to Host?

• Select a player from one team to act out the given movie title/song silently, using gestures and movements.
• The player’s team tries to guess the correct movie title, song name, or phrase within a given time limit.

If the team can guess correctly, it earns a point; if it doesn't, the opposing team gets it.

• Teams take turns acting and guessing, with the team earning the most points winning.

15. UNO

This 1971 American-origin card game, invented by Merle Robbins, is still a hit amongst Millennials and Gen Zs! Its simple rules and unpredictable action cards add an element of surprise and thrill to the game.

You get to match colors, strategize, and plot against or form alliances with your colleagues - all in good fun!

Required Number of Players: 3 to 10

How to Play?

• Assign each player with seven cards.
• The goal is to use up all your cards by matching either the color or number (or both) on the discard pile.
• Use special action cards to spice up the game - reverse the order, skip a player, or make others draw more cards.
• The first player to play all their cards wins the round.

16. Murder Mystery

Get ready to uncover your employees’ inner Agatha Christie! A good Murder Mystery game in the office is the ultimate Friday thrill, and it can transform your workplace into a crime-solving retreat. With name tags, suspect files, and maps in hand, your task is to solve the thrilling whodunit.

It’s suspense, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking all rolled into one!

Required Number of Players: Ideal for small groups of 3 to 5 team members.
Materials Required: Clue cards, pens, notepads, and your best detective instincts.
Time Limit: Around 60 minutes

How to Play?

• Assign character roles and provide name tags, suspect files, and maps to each participant.
• Distribute necessary materials like clue cards, pens, and notepads.
• Form teams of 2 to 3 participants, ensuring each team has a diverse mix of characters.
• Introduce the murder mystery story. Encourage teams to work together and use their detective skills to gather clues and piece them together.
• Finally, gather your teams to present their findings and reveal the murderer. The team that correctly identifies the killer wins the game.

17. Karaoke

This social wellness activity is of Japanese origin. Karaoke is a blend of two words: “kara,” meaning empty, and “oke,” meaning orchestra. In other words, it simply means “singing without music” or “empty orchestra.”

Karaoke lets you unwind, bond with colleagues, and make memories. It makes you groove and sing aloud the songs you have grown up listening to. Here, embarrassment and silliness become a bonding factor!

So, grab on that microphone, sing your woes out, and let the weekend thrill unfold.

Required Number of Participants: The more people, the more fun.
Materials Required: Microphone, Speaker System, Song Catalog, Display Screen.
Time Limit: Duration of a chosen song

How to Play?

• Gather your coworkers and assemble the karaoke setup.
• Pick your favorite tunes from the song catalogue.
• One by one, grab the microphone and perform like a true rockstar.

18. Escape Rooms

Picture this: Your office transforms into a mysterious place filled with puzzles to solve. Your task is to crack codes, discover clues, and escape from a themed room within a time limit.

It's a thrilling challenge that tests one’s wits and collaboration while racing against the clock.

Required Number of Participants: Ideal for teams of 4 to 8 members
Materials Required: Clues, props, and themed rooms
Time Limit: It takes around 60 minutes to escape the room

How to Play?

• Choose an escape room theme and set up the rooms with exciting clues, puzzles, and tasks.
• Divide the participants into teams and assign them to different rooms.
• Brief the teams on the rules, objectives, and the storyline behind the escape room adventure. Provide hints and support as needed. Give a time limit.
• The team that completes all the tasks within the allotted time frame gets hold of the key and unlocks the door.

19. Know Your Colleagues

Are you concerned whether your employees feel like a Lone Ranger in your remote work setup? Then, "Know Your Colleagues" is your go-to solution. It sparks conversations, laughter, and shared moments, making remote workdays a tad brighter.

Required Number of Participants: All aboard, remote crew!
Materials Required: Any good video chat site/app.
Time Limit: 30 minutes

How to Host?

• Kickstart by letting your employees introduce themselves and having a friendly chat to shake off the remoteness.
• Employees share their bucket lists, likes/dislikes, hobbies, playlists, childhood photographs, and funny secrets with an assigned coordinator.
• The coordinator jumbles up everything and asks everyone to match it with the correct person.

The one with the most accurate guesses wins.

20. Virtual Bingo

Whose grandma didn’t enjoy a classic bingo game back in her days? This timeless activity, dating back to the 16th century, has aged like fine red wine. An enticing mix of luck, anticipation, and laughter - this game still pushes people off their seat’s edge whenever a number is called out.

In this post-pandemic era, bingo has gone virtual, too. It spices up online meetings, builds strong team bonds, and makes workdays a bingo blast.

Required Number of Participants: As many remote team members as you can gather.
Materials Required: Virtual bingo cards, virtual meeting site/app.
Time Limit: Approximately 30 minutes

How to Host?

• Assign someone as the bingo caller.
• Share virtual bingo cards with participants.
• The bingo caller randomly selects numbers and calls them out.
• Players mark their cards when a called number matches one on their card.
• The first person to match an entire row, column, or diagonal shouts "Bingo!" and wins.

21. Virtual Stretching Challenge

Virtual stretching challenges provide a fun and effective way to combat sedentary issues.

A study by John Wells et al., published in the National Library of Medicine, highlights the benefits of regular stretching. It found that consistent stretching routines can reduce neck and back pain by up to 30% in office workers, significantly improving physical well-being.

• Required Number of Participants: Ideal for 5 to 20 participants but scalable for larger groups
• Materials Required: Yoga mat, stable internet connection, stretching guides/videos
• Time Limit: 10 to 15 minutes per session

How to host?

• Start by introducing the challenge in a virtual meeting. You can invite a wellness coach or physiotherapist to lead a brief demo session.
• Create a challenge like “Stretch for 5 minutes, 3 times a day” or “Complete a guided 15-minute stretch every morning.”
• Share videos or guides with easy-to-follow stretches.
• Assign points for each completed session (e.g., 1 point per 5 minutes of stretching).
• Announce winners in categories like "Most Consistent," "Top Stretch Master," or "Biggest Improvement."
• Offer rewards like ergonomic equipment, fitness subscriptions, or gift cards.

22. Skribbl

Skribbl is an online Pictionary game that involves drawing and guessing. This game takes a hilarious spin each time when colleagues come across each other’s ridiculous artwork! Everyone gets to unleash their creative juices and put their thinking caps on. Try it out. It’s really addictive, in a good way.

Required Number of Participants: The more, the merrier!
Materials Required: A device with internet access and a sense of humor.
Time Limit: Varies

How to Play?

• In each round, one person becomes the drawer and picks a word to draw from three choices.
• The chosen player draws the word on the screen, and others try to guess it.
• If you guess right, you get points, and so does the person who drew the picture.
• The game ends when all the rounds are done, and the player with the most points wins.

23. Two Truths and a Lie

"Two Truths and a Lie" is the ultimate game that intrigues remote work routines. This game is a virtual journey of discovery and deception! It’s a great way to know each other and dispel awkwardness.

Required Number of Participants: Everyone who loves a good mystery.
Materials Required: A video call platform and your creative storytelling skills.
Time Limit: About 20-30 minutes.

How to Play?

• Gather your remote team on a video call.
• Each participant takes turns sharing two true statements about themselves and one false statement. The catch? They should be tricky to guess!
• After sharing, the rest of the team takes their best shot at guessing which statement is the lie.
• Reveal the truth and award points for correct guesses.

The player who makes the most precise guesses emerges as the victor.

24. Virtual Heads Up

Ellen DeGeneres originally introduced this iconic game on her talk show. Since then, Heads Up has been an instant favourite among people. This electrifying Friday activity will instantly zap your boredom away!

Required Number of Participants: A minimum of two people.
Materials Required: Smartphones and Computers/Laptops.
Time Limit: Around 30 minutes

How to Play?

• Split into two teams, or play as one big group if your team is small.
• Each participant takes turns holding up their phone towards their computer screen with a word on their forehead while their teammates give clues.
• The catch? You can't see your own word! It's a race against the clock to guess before time runs out.
• Score points for each successful guess and crown the ultimate virtual Heads Up champion!

25. Digital Book Club

Books are an excellent way to expand knowledge and understanding. Hosting Virtual book clubs helps incorporate a variety of reading selections and introduce employees to different cultures and viewpoints.

This exposure fosters cultural comprehensibility and empathy, helping to build stronger connections among team members. In a survey of virtual book club participants, 93% reported improving their critical thinking, while 81% saw better communication.

Required Number of Participants: The more diverse, the better
Materials Required: Books and Curiosity
Time Limit: 1 hour on weekends

How to host?

• Choose a book or a theme (e.g., "Books about overcoming challenges" or "Cultural perspectives") that sparks interest.
• Break the participants into small teams of 3-5 members. Each team will work together to read the book and prepare for discussions.

There’s no competition. Just bask in the glory of reading books and expanding minds.

• Offer small prizes like e-gift cards, extra break time, or book-related goodies to keep the fun going.

26. What made You Smile Today?

We all have those little moments in our day that bring a smile to our faces. This game is a simple way to pause and reflect on those.

A study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who frequently reflect on positive experiences report higher life satisfaction and lower levels of depression.

What to do?

• Ask employees to take a quiet moment each day to recall something that made them smile—whether small or ordinary.
• Provide tools where they can jot down their reflections privately.
• Create an optional, safe space for sharing where employees can anonymously post their "smile moments."
• Encourage employees to review their week’s notes to reflect on the positivity they’ve experienced and carry it forward.

After all, a smile is contagious, and sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference.

27. Mental Health Bingo

Mental Health Bingo turns self-care into a fun, engaging activity. The game features bingo cards filled with self-care tasks like "Take a walk," "Drink water," or "Meditate."

As employees complete these tasks, they mark off their cards, making self-care a collaborative and rewarding experience.

Why it's worth it?

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Aging Research found that team-building activities like bingo significantly improve cognitive function and social engagement. This makes it an effective tool for cognitive rehabilitation and fostering connections.

28. Grow Your Vegetables

Growing vegetables is a hands-on way to encourage healthier eating. According to a study by Ghada A. Soliman et al., a workplace program that had gardening as an activity led to a noticeable increase in vegetable consumption among employees. It’s a practical activity that supports better dietary choices while offering a refreshing break from daily routines.

How to Host?

• Give small planters, seeds (like herbs, tomatoes, or peppers), and soil. Provide a quick virtual or in-person guide on planting and basic care.
• Ask participants to share photos or videos of their plants’ progress.
• Celebrate by sharing recipes or dishes made with homegrown veggies.

29. Self-Compassion Ritual

Practicing self-compassion is a powerful way to enhance psychological well-being. Employees who embrace self-compassion tend to experience greater resilience, which helps them navigate the challenges of high-pressure work environments more efficiently.

What to do?

• Set up a quiet and comfortable environment.
• Lead a short mindfulness tracking session in which participants reflect on moments of self-criticism. Please encourage them to reframe these moments with kindness and understanding.
• Provide prompts like, "Write a letter to yourself as if you were comforting a friend." or "List three things you forgive yourself for."
• Allow 10–15 minutes for writing, emphasizing that they don’t need to share unless they want to.
• Encourage participants to set personal self-compassion goals, such as completing a daily act of kindness for themselves.

30. Vision Board Workshop

Every big dream starts with a small step; sometimes, that step is simply imagining what’s possible. And building one’s personal vision board might be the bridge to one’s dreams.

A vision board reflects one's aspirations, hopes, and the life one wants to build. Research shows that people who visualize their goals through vision boards are 1.4 to 2.5 times more likely to achieve them. Why? Because seeing one’s dreams laid out in front of one makes them feel real and tangible.

Materials Required: Art supplies or Digital tools (for a virtual vision board)
Time Required: 90 minutes

How to host?

• Gather participants in a comfortable space, whether in-person or virtually. Could you encourage them to explore their goals?
• Provide vision board essentials: magazines, scissors, glue, markers, and poster boards (or virtual tools if hosting online).
• Begin the session by inviting participants to reflect on their personal and professional goals.
• Allow participants to sift through magazines or images online, finding pictures, words, and phrases that resonate with their aspirations. Encourage creativity and personal expression—this is their unique vision!
• To keep the energy positive and engaging, offer small, meaningful prizes—perhaps a journal or motivational book.

As an employer, you have the power to drive wellness at work. Which of these employee wellness games will you implement first? Let your team vote on their favorite!

FAQs

What are the benefits of playing wellness games?

Wellness games offer a unique way for employees to unwind and recharge during the workday. They promote physical activity and provide a mental break, helping to reduce stress and improve focus.

Furthermore, according to the American Heart Association, every $1 spent on workplace wellness programs yields $3 in healthcare cost savings and productivity gains.

How do you make wellness games fun?

Employee wellness games should be light-hearted and interactive to make them enjoyable. They should also include an element of friendly competition or team collaboration and ensure the team-building activities are inclusive for everyone.

Employees who feel like they’re having fun while active are more likely to participate and benefit from the experience.

Can wellness games be part of a Wellness Day at work?

Yes, wellness games fit perfectly into an Employee Wellness Day. These workplace health initiatives engage employees, promote relaxation, and encourage physical or mental well-being in a fun, low-pressure way. It’s a simple way to make employees feel valued and support their health.

Can wellness games be part of Wellness Wednesdays at work?

Yes, wellness games are an ideal way to break up the workweek on Wellness Wednesdays. They provide a much-needed mental and physical reset, helping employees combat midweek fatigue.

Incorporating these team-building activities into the routine encourages a culture of care, allowing employees to re-energize and return to their tasks with renewed focus and motivation.

What are some creative activities for employee wellness?

Activities like vision board workshops, feelings wheel sessions, pet therapy sessions, etc., are excellent for boosting employee wellness. These employee wellness activities encourage self-care and reflection, promoting team bonding and mental clarity.

Do wellness games need to be incentivized?

Not always, but incentives like gift cards, recognition, or team rewards can boost participation and excitement. The key is making the games enjoyable and engaging on their own.

How can wellness games be delivered in the workplace?

Offer them during lunch breaks, team meetings, or as part of wellness events. Use apps to track challenges or create hybrid options that include remote employees. Flexibility ensures better participation.