20 Best Corporate & Family Fun Day Ideas

Planning a company fun day is a bit of a balancing act. You need activities that work for staff, partners and kids of all ages, enough variety to keep people entertained for a full day, and a setup that doesn't take a full events team to run. Get it right and a fun day becomes the thing people talk about at work for months afterwards.

Below are 20 corporate & family fun day ideas that cover big draws, quieter activities, food, and a few extras that help the day run smoothly. Mix a handful together based on your budget and venue, and you'll have an event that suits everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

1. Hire Inflatables and Bouncy Castles

Start with the activity that keeps kids busy for the whole day. Wacky World Hire supplies bouncy castles, obstacle courses and inflatable games for events across Preston, with options ranging from a standard castle for younger children to bigger attractions like the inflatable climbing wall and the Rock'N'Roll Gladiator Duel for older kids and even adults who fancy a go. Booking a couple of inflatables gives you a reliable centrepiece that needs almost no supervision once it's set up.

For a company fun day, this matters more than it might seem. Once the inflatables are running, staff and volunteers aren't stuck managing a queue all day, which frees people up to enjoy the event themselves rather than working it.

2. Book a Mascot for Meet and Greets

Wacky World Hire also runs a mascot hire service with a wide range of characters, from superheroes to family favourites. Booking a mascot or two adds something extra for younger kids attending with their parents, and it gives you a good photo opportunity that people tend to share afterwards, which is useful if you want the day to get a bit of attention online.

3. Set Up Team Building Games

Tug of war, relay races, and simple team challenges work well for a mixed crowd of colleagues and family members. Split people into teams by department or by family group, and keep the games short enough that nobody feels stuck competing for too long.

4. Run a BBQ or Food Trucks

Food keeps any fun day going. A BBQ run by the company, or a couple of hired food trucks offering different options, gives people a reason to stick around rather than heading home once the main activities wind down. Cover a few dietary options so nobody's left out.

5. Add a Photo Booth

A photo booth with props and a branded backdrop gives people a keepsake from the day and doubles up as a bit of marketing if you're happy for photos to end up on social media. Keep it simple with a tripod, a printed backdrop and a box of fun props.

6. Bring in Face Painting

Face painting is a reliable choice for younger kids and doesn't need much space or setup. Book one or two painters depending on expected numbers, since queues can build up fast if there's only one artist working through the afternoon.

7. Set Up Giant Garden Games

Giant Jenga, Connect Four, and oversized versions of classic games give people something to do between the bigger activities. They're low cost, easy to set up, and work for a wide age range without needing supervision.

8. Run Traditional Fairground Stalls

A coconut shy, hook a duck, or a simple ring toss stall brings a bit of nostalgia to the day and is cheap to run. These stalls work well as a steady draw throughout the event rather than a single big attraction.

9. Book Live Music or a DJ

A DJ or a local band adds atmosphere and gives the day a bit of a party feel once the more active games wind down. Keep the volume sensible if there are younger kids around, and build in some family-friendly song requests.

10. Organise a Sports Tournament

Rounders, five-a-side football, or a simple sports tournament gives more competitive staff something to get involved in. Keep teams mixed across departments to help people who don't normally work together get to know each other.

11. Run a Raffle or Tombola for Charity

If your fun day supports a charity or a good cause, a raffle or tombola is an easy way to raise a bit extra. Ask local businesses to donate prizes, and keep ticket prices low so people buy more than one.

12. Set Up a Treasure Hunt

A trail with clues around the venue keeps families moving and exploring different parts of the site rather than clustering around one or two activities. It works particularly well at larger outdoor venues with plenty of space to spread the clues out.

13. Add a Dunk Tank

A dunk tank where colleagues can pay to soak a manager or director is always popular and gets people talking. It's the kind of activity that becomes a bit of a tradition once people know it's on the schedule.

14. Hire an Ice Cream Van

An ice cream van is a small addition that goes a long way, especially in warmer months. It's an easy win that doesn't need much organising beyond booking the van itself.

15. Set Up a Kids' Craft Tent

A dedicated tent with craft activities, colouring and simple games gives younger kids a calmer space away from the busier parts of the day. It's also useful as a place for parents to take a break while kids are occupied.

16. Bring in a Petting Zoo or Animal Handling Session

A small petting zoo or an animal handling session with a local farm or wildlife group is a good draw for families with younger children, and it works well as a fixed activity that people can visit at any point during the day.

17. Try a Silent Disco

A silent disco is a bit different and works well for the evening portion of a fun day, particularly if the site needs to keep noise down after a certain time. It's also a good option if you've got a mix of music tastes among staff.

18. End the Day with an Outdoor Film or Fireworks

If the event runs into the evening, an outdoor film or a small fireworks display gives the day a strong finish. Check with your venue about any restrictions before booking either, since some sites have rules around noise or open flames.

19. Hold a Short Awards or Recognition Segment

A brief segment recognising staff achievements or a company milestone gives the day a bit of purpose beyond the entertainment. Keep it short and light-hearted rather than turning it into a formal presentation.

20. Set Up a Charity Fundraising Stall

Alongside a raffle, a dedicated stall for a chosen charity, whether it's selling merchandise or taking donations, gives the day a bit of extra meaning and often boosts attendance if people know part of the proceeds go to a good cause.

Planning Tips for a Great Corporate & Family Fun Day

A few points worth keeping in mind once you've picked your favourites from this list of corporate & family fun day ideas:

• Book big attractions early. Inflatables, mascots and entertainers get booked up fast during the summer months, so contact suppliers as soon as you've set a date.

• Plan the layout carefully. Spread activities across the venue so people don't cluster in one area, and keep food stalls away from anything messy like water games or face painting.

• Have a wet weather backup. Outdoor events need a plan for rain, whether that's a marquee or an indoor space to move activities into.

• Recruit enough helpers. Even with low-supervision activities like inflatables, you'll need people managing food stalls, registration and general questions throughout the day.

• Communicate the schedule clearly. Send out a rough timetable in advance so families and staff know when to arrive for the activities they're most interested in.

A strong corporate & family fun day comes down to variety and a bit of structure. Mix a big draw like an inflatable or a mascot with a spread of smaller stalls, food, and a bit of entertainment, and you'll give staff and families a day worth remembering. If you're looking to book entertainment for your event, Wacky World Hire can help you sort inflatables and mascots so the rest of the planning is a bit easier to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good corporate & family fun day ideas on a limited budget? 

Giant garden games, a treasure hunt, face painting and a simple raffle all cost relatively little to set up. Ask local businesses to donate prizes and use existing staff or volunteers to run stalls, and you can put together a full day without a large budget.

How much does it cost to hire a bouncy castle for a company fun day? 

Prices vary depending on size and hire duration, but a standard bouncy castle typically costs between £60 and £150 for the day, with larger inflatables such as obstacle courses sitting a bit higher. It's worth getting a direct quote based on numbers expected on the day.

How far in advance should we book entertainment for a fun day? 

Book inflatables, mascots, food trucks and any outside entertainers at least four to six weeks ahead, particularly if your event falls during the busier summer season. Popular suppliers and dates get booked up quickly.

What activities work well for both kids and adults at the same event? 

Inflatables built for a wider age range, sports tournaments, treasure hunts and photo booths all appeal across the board. Splitting the day into zones, with a dedicated kids' area alongside adult-focused games, also helps everyone find something they enjoy.

How many staff or volunteers are needed to run a fun day? 

This depends on the size of the event, but a good starting point is one person per activity or stall, plus a few extra for registration, food and general support. Larger events with more activities and higher attendance will need a bigger team on the day.