Interested in Virtual Team Building Events?
10 mins 
Establishing a culture of gratitude within your organization is important because it serves as the cornerstone for a harmonious and thriving workplace. By prioritizing gratitude, you cultivate an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated. This, in turn, leads to numerous benefits, including reduced stress, increased morale, heightened engagement, and greater job satisfaction. So, how do you express gratitude to your team at work? company’s profile or brand image.
Let’s see how the power of gratitude can work wonders at the workplace and take inspiration from our list of 17 team gratitude activities and games.
1. What are Employee Team Gratitude Activities?
Employee gratitude activities are strategically designed to involve employees in meaningful exercises that go beyond recognizing wins. By fostering an atmosphere of appreciation, they contribute to a more positive and productive work environment.
For example, team shoutouts and recognition boards are dynamic team gratitude activities that allow employees to publicly acknowledge their peers' accomplishments. Additionally, gratitude circles or regular appreciation sessions can create a supportive space for team members to share their successes and express gratitude, promoting a culture of positivity and collaboration within the workplace
2. 17 Team Gratitude Activities to Show Gratitude in the Workplace
2.1. Engage in Virtual Trivia
If you're searching for exciting, grateful activities for your team's hard work, have a look at Virtual Trivia by Hooray Teams. This fun team building platform offers a wide range of hosted group gratitude exercises for teams of all sizes. Get ready to tackle 4-5 rounds of quick-fire questions in a battle of wits with your team.
Led by an energetic host, you and your team are sure to enjoy every aspect of the game. With themes ranging from pop culture to holidays and even a playful twist on "The Office," there's something for everyone. If you wish to customize the game or want to include specific questions, simply reach out to Hooray Teams, and they'll take care of it for you.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.2. Solve a Murder Mystery
Team gratitude activities need not be restricted to only classic games or DIY activities. If your team’s up for a challenge, while planning virtual gratitude activities for employees, opt for a thrilling Murder Mystery by Hooray Teams. This virtual teambuilding platform has six hosted options you can choose from.
Our recommendation would be the intriguing Virtual Murder Mystery at the Manor. You and your teammates will be guided through the whole experience by a bevy of supporting characters and of course a host. So, put on those eye patches and figure out which pirate said bye instead of aye.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.3. Plan an Escape Room
Escape rooms make for the perfect fun team gratitude activity if you want an action-packed choice that’s a stark departure from the usual grind. Everyone’s adrenaline is pumping, as you all race against the clock, and best of all it isSo, what are you waiting for? Head onto the Virtual Escape Room by Hooray Teams, an amazing virtual team building platform.
You and your team get to pick from four thrilling options. If you are looking to be transported to the sinister 30’s pick Mafia 360. For a more mystical experience you can choose The Alchemist. Finally, for all the horror fiends in the team there is Patient 360 or Dungeon Things.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.4. Play Virtual Icebreaker Games
Icebreakers can be a non-traditional yet engaging way to break the ice and express gratitude to one another, especially if you are in a remote or hybrid setup. Virtual Icebreaker Games by Hooray Teams has an awesome lineup of icebreakers that will get you and the team talking and bonding in no time.
A lively host leads the way through a 60-minute session that consists of 4-5 rounds of fun icebreaker games. Each aspect of this session is designed to help teammates know each other better. If you're looking for a more specific theme, simply reach out to Hooray Teams and they will help you out.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.5. Do-It-Yourself Activities
Hosted workshops for teams are a great choice to express gratitude in the workplace. These team gratitude activities help create shared experiences and double up as fun gratitude exercises for team bonding. Hooray Teams offers an impressive array of creative and interactive classes, including Origami, Paint Class, Paint-a-Tote, and Terrarium Making workshops. In these hosted sessions, team members receive expert guidance to hone their skills, exchange ideas, and create unique works of art and crafts. This not only allows teammates to showcase their talents and interests but also helps develop a deeper appreciation for one another’s talents..
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.6. Hire a Private Chef
Food is a great way to get people together and have an informal conversation with one another. If you are looking for interesting gratitude group activities that are a little offbeat consider hiring a private chef for an intimate dining experience with your colleagues. Websites like Chefin and At the Italian Table help you contact private chefs for your event.
If your team is working remotely, you can allot a budget, let them order their favorite food, and then everyone can eat it together across screens of a video conferencing platform. Imagine what great conversation starters you would have. This is a meaningful way to show that you care and one of the most popular gratitude activities for employees.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.7. Loop in an Employee Engagement Software
Everyone loves to have a bit of the limelight if they can, when it comes to expressing gratitude to your employees and you can’t go wrong with an employee engagement software to do so. Plug in a robust rewards program that gives social recognition to an employee’s dedication and achievements.
Worktango and Bonusly are two integrated platforms that can be used to acknowledge and reward excellent work or contributions at an individual or team level across your organization if you are looking for team gratitude activities.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.8. Give Complimentary Time-Off
It may seem contradictory but time away actually boosts productivity, so complementary time-off is not only highly appreciated by employees but it also helps the team and business in the long run. Be it additional paid time off, allowing the team to leave or sign off early on a Friday, or an extra hour for lunchtime, time away helps employees recharge and is one of the most simple but impactful ways to show your team gratitude.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.9. Mark Milestone Celebrations
Milestone celebrations by Hooray Teams are a wonderful way to celebrate the small or big moments of life in your employee's lives. Create calendar alerts to mark one-year work anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, new parents, and more so you don’t miss out on wishing them thoughtful messages or gifts to show them you care.
In this one-hour hosted session, you and your team will play some fun games and have a gala time together. If you are looking for something specific, you can reach out to them and they will customize it for you.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.10. Curate a Gratitude Tribute
While there is no pressure to write ballads or go into prose, dedicating a heartfelt tribute with a sweet message, along with a short video compilation from colleagues and senior leaders alike will surely warm their hearts. Choose to showcase personalized winning moments at work, team bonding activities, and more to create something memorable that can be cherished.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.11. Host a Movie Night
This is a fun addition to the list of team gratitude activities that we have lined up. Treat your employees to a fun virtual or office screening of a trending movie, docuseries, or anything that can help your employees relax. We also have a list of all-time hit workplace movies for you to check out. You could schedule this on a monthly or quarterly basis to ensure employees look forward to some R&R. Arrange for a projector, comfortable seating, popcorn, and the works!
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐
2.12. Participate in Wellness Programs
Mind over matter is an adage that holds its ground for a reason. For a happy and productive workforce, consider investing in your employee's mental health through a range of wellness programs as part of team gratitude activities to express your care and gratitude.
These could be lifestyle workshops, yoga sessions, Zumba or fitness classes, or guided meditation. Two of our picks to help you get started would be the Guided meditation and Chair Yoga by Hooray Teams. These hosted activities are perfect for employees of all ages and fitness levels.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.13. Gift Custom Company Swag
Branded items promoting your organization or company swag make for excellent gratitude gifts to your employees Choose from sippers, hoodies, Bluetooth speakers, cocktail kits, and more that your employees can use while serving as reminders of a job done well.
Companies like Printify and Design Hill help you create custom merch for your employees. All you need to do is upload the design and choose the products. As far as team gratitude activities go, this one is simple easy and fun.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.14. Create a Gratitude Wall
While building walls typically carries a negative connotation since it refers to creating
defensive barriers; building a gratitude wall is diametrically the opposite since it’s an excellent way to show your appreciation and recognize an employee’s efforts socially.
Use an office bulletin board or whiteboard as a dedicated space where coworkers can pin their positive notes, put up happy client testimonials, appreciation emails, and the likes to create a lovely gratitude wall that’s perfect to cherish as a memorable keepsake.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.15. Organize a Work Picnic or Field Trip
Field trips and picnics are not just for schools. These are also fun ways to get people out of the work environment and help them relax and get outdoors. Work picnics or field trips help in boosting team bonding and company loyalty. Consider a trip to a local resort, winery, adventure park, or historical spot to help create fun memories and let employees unwind as your team gratitude activities.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2.16. Support a Charity
Co-support a worthy cause that an employee or coworker believes in through volunteership or donations to express gratitude. Not only do these team gratitude activities show our appreciation but also promotes corporate social responsibility which goes a long way in building a more positive brand profile and credible reputation in the community.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐
2.17. Broadcast a Leadership Message
Arrange for a senior leader's video conference or slideshow presentation to convey good wishes on a team win or client testimonial in an informal event. The senior team member conducting the video conference or slideshow presentation should provide specific and detailed recognition, highlighting what truly stood out.
It's essential to mention team members by name to personalize the acknowledgment and emphasize their individual contributions to the team win or client testimonial. This way team members or employees know how their contributions have made an impact. These types of team gratitude activities help in fostering team unity and company loyalty.
SIWOM’s Fun Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Working at a business with a sizable remote or hybrid team? We’ve also got suggestions for how to take your gratitude activities online. There are lots of other ways you can acknowledge your staff’s work. Just take a look at our posts on tried-and-tested employee recognition ideas, as well as learning how to create an employee appreciation program and how large companies can incorporate employee appreciation.
3. FAQs
3.1. How do you create a virtual gratitude wall?
As part of virtual team gratitude activities, you can create a virtual gratitude wall using digital whiteboard, online templates and digital sticky notes or images, and text.
3.2. What are some gratitude games for work?
Some gratitude exercises for groups include gratitude icebreaker questions, team gratitude activities, gratitude circle, gratitude bingo, and gratitude wall.
