7 Ideas on How to Make Meetings Fun

Looking for some cool meeting ideas for your next team gathering? You're in the right place!

In this blog, we'll dive into creative meeting ideas that are designed to transform your typical staff meetings into dynamic, engaging, and enjoyable experiences.

These ideas will not only make your meetings more fun but also foster a collaborative and creative environment.

How to Set the Tone for Fun Meetings

Setting the tone for fun meetings is crucial in creating an environment where team members feel engaged, relaxed, and open to sharing creative ideas.

Here are some strategies to set the right tone for a fun and productive meeting:

Start with a positive and energetic opening: Begin the meeting with a light-hearted or humorous comment, an interesting anecdote, or a positive statement. This sets an upbeat mood right from the start.
Incorporate icebreaker activities: Use fun icebreaker activities (as simple games or interesting questions) to get everyone relaxed and comfortable. These are especially important in virtual team meetings where team members might not interact in person.
Create an inviting environment: For in-office meetings, consider the physical setup of your meeting space in a way that encourages open communication, and add some fun elements to the conference room, like colorful décor or comfortable seating. In virtual meetings, use engaging virtual backgrounds or encourage participants to show a personal item at their workspace.
Include fun agenda items: Alongside business topics, include a fun agenda item like a team-building exercise, a creative brainstorming session, or a quick group challenge.
End on a high note: Conclude the meeting with a positive wrap-up, highlighting the achievements of the team, and if possible, a fun closing activity or a look ahead at something exciting.

7 Creative Meeting Ideas

Introducing a fresh and dynamic approach to your regular team meetings can be a game-changer in how your team communicates and collaborates.

Let's dive into these 7 creative meeting ideas, each designed to add a spark of creativity and excitement to your gatherings.

(1) Themed Meetings

A themed meeting involves selecting a specific theme or concept that sets the tone and direction for the entire gathering.

This theme can be as simple or elaborate as desired and should ideally be relevant or meaningful to the meeting's purpose.

The goal is to create an immersive and enjoyable environment that enhances team engagement and encourages creative thinking.

Examples

Superhero theme: In a team meeting focused on overcoming challenges, you can adopt a superhero theme. Encourage team members to dress up as their favorite superheroes.
Seasonal themes: Align your meeting theme with the current season or holiday. For instance, during the winter season, you can have a "Winter Wonderland" theme.
Movie night: Choose a popular movie or TV show as the theme for your meeting. Incorporate elements from the chosen film or show into the meeting, such as decorations, quotes inspired by the storyline.
Sports day: Encourage team members to wear their favorite sports jerseys or team colors. You can even include a mini-team-building activity related to a sport, like a friendly game of mini-golf or a basketball shootout.
Throwback Thursday: Take a trip down memory lane by dedicating your meeting to a specific era or decade. Play music from that time, share trivia, and discuss how trends from the past can inform your current projects.
Mystery theme: Turn your meeting into a mystery-solving adventure. Team members can dress as detectives or characters from a famous mystery novel, and meeting discussions can involve solving a fictional mystery related to your business challenges.
Cultural celebration: Explore a specific country's customs, cuisine, and traditions, allowing team members to share their own experiences or learn about new cultures.
Futuristic theme: For forward-thinking discussions, go with a futuristic theme. Incorporate technology, sci-fi elements, and discussions about innovation and future trends.

(2) Role Reversal

It's a unique and interactive approach to team meetings that involves staff members temporarily switching roles or responsibilities with their colleagues.

This concept promotes cross-functional understanding and empathy within the team. It allows individuals to step into each other's shoes, gaining a deeper appreciation for their colleagues' roles and challenges.

This means that someone from the marketing team might take on the responsibilities of someone from the IT department, and vice versa.

Examples

Marketing and sales swap: In your next team meeting, consider a role reversal between the marketing and sales teams. Team members can virtually exchange roles to brainstorm innovative ideas for promoting products or services.
Manager-employee exchange: Team leaders can temporarily switch roles with team members to better understand their challenges and gain insights into their personal lives. This open communication can lead to improved morale and a stronger sense of belonging.

(3) Outdoor Meetings

Outdoor meetings break the monotony of office-based discussions by embracing the natural world as a meeting backdrop.

Whether you gather under the open sky, among lush greenery, or with a stunning view, the objective is to create a dynamic, relaxed, and inspiring atmosphere that promotes creative thinking and a sense of rejuvenation among participants.

Examples

Park picnic meeting: Arrange for your next team meeting to be held in a nearby park or green space. Team members can bring picnic-style lunches, and discussions can revolve around brainstorming innovative ideas for upcoming projects.
Rooftop retreat: If your office building has a rooftop area, utilize it for an outdoor meeting. With a scenic view as a backdrop, team members can engage in team-building activities, such as trust falls or problem-solving challenges.
Hike-and-meet: Combine the benefits of physical activity and outdoor meetings by organizing a hike-and-meet session. Team members can take a scenic trail while discussing key meeting topics.
Beachside brainstorming: If your office is located near the coast, consider conducting a beachside meeting. Engage in discussions about the company's goals and objectives while enjoying the sound of waves and the beauty of the beach.

(4) Mystery Meetings

Turn your meeting into a mystery-solving adventure. Create a scenario where participants must work together to solve a fictional mystery or puzzle during the meeting. Provide clues and riddles related to the meeting's objectives.

Examples

Whodunit workshop: Participants receive clues and evidence related to a fictional crime that they must solve collaboratively. As they piece together the puzzle during the meeting, it encourages team building and problem-solving.
Escape room enigma: Create a scenario where team members are "locked" in a virtual escape room with a specific objective, such as finding a missing artifact or deciphering a code. This promotes innovative thinking and teamwork while maintaining a fun atmosphere.
Time-traveling dilemma: Transport your team into a time-traveling adventure where they must solve a historical mystery during the meeting. As they navigate through different time periods, team members can discuss the company's goals and objectives, drawing parallels between past and future strategies.
Puzzle and treasure trove: Begin your meeting with a locked puzzle box or treasure chest in the center of the conference room or virtually. Participants must communicate openly and share their insights to unlock the box during the meeting.

(5) Show-and-Tell

In a show-and-tell meeting, team members take on the role of both presenter and audience. Each participant selects an item, topic, or experience that is personally meaningful or relevant to the meeting's theme.

Then they share this with their colleagues, providing context, insights, and anecdotes. This concept allows team members to bond over shared interests, discover hidden talents, and gain a better understanding of each other's backgrounds and passions.

Examples

Passion project presentation: Each participant presents a personal project they're passionate about, explaining how it relates to the meeting's objective. For instance, someone who enjoys woodworking might discuss how their hobby inspires creativity in problem-solving.
Book and learning exchange: Team members share a book or online course they've recently found valuable, explaining how the knowledge gained can contribute to the company's objectives.
Travel adventures discussion: Each participant presents a memorable trip or destination, relating their experiences to the meeting's topics. For example, someone who traveled to a remote village might discuss the importance of community engagement in the agenda.
Skill showcase: Highlight the diverse skills within your team by organizing a skill show. Team members can demonstrate a skill they excel in, whether it's playing a musical instrument, cooking a favorite dish, or showcasing a hobby-related talent.

(6) Guest Speakers

Guest speakers are individuals who possess expertise or experience in specific fields or topics relevant to the meeting's agenda.

They are invited to address your team, either in person or virtually, sharing their expertise and engaging in discussions with team members.

This concept adds credibility and diversity to your meetings while offering unique learning opportunities.

Examples

Motivational keynote: To boost team morale and motivation, consider hosting a motivational keynote speaker. This speaker can share personal success stories, resilience strategies, and tips for maintaining a positive mindset.
Customer insights panel: To explore customer-centric discussion topics, assemble a panel of guest speakers who are current or potential customers. Their real-world experiences and feedback can offer valuable insights into customer needs, preferences, and pain points, informing your meeting discussions.
Industry trends and innovations: If your meeting focuses on innovative thinking and staying ahead of industry trends, invite a guest speaker who specializes in emerging technologies or trends. They can provide a glimpse into the future and inspire innovative ideas within your team.
Community engagement representative: Strengthen team bonds and engage in meaningful discussions by inviting a representative from a local charity or community organization. They can discuss opportunities for community engagement and collaboration.

(7) Speed Networking

Speed networking involves a structured and time-bound format where team members rotate through a series of short, one-on-one conversations with their colleagues.

During these conversations, participants have the opportunity to introduce themselves, discuss their roles, interests, and share insights.

The goal is to facilitate quick and meaningful connections among team members.

Examples

Introduction blitz: Team members have a set amount of time, such as two minutes, to introduce themselves and share something unique or interesting about their backgrounds or personal lives. This helps break the ice and build rapport.
Cross-departmental connections: Organize a speed networking event where team members from different departments meet. They can discuss ongoing projects, challenges, and brainstorm ideas for potential collaborations.
Leadership insights roundtable: Team members can engage in brief discussions with leaders, gaining insights into the company's vision, strategies, and leadership philosophies.

How to Balance Fun and Productivity

Are you worried that if you try to make meetings fun, nothing will get done?

Here's some tips for adding a spark to your next meeting, but also making sure it won't be like a chaotic scene from the Office.

Establish definite goals: Clearly articulate the meeting's purpose and objectives beforehand. This clarity is crucial, even in a fun and informal setting, to ensure the discussion remains on point and aligned with the meeting's objectives.
Strategic agenda development: Craft a meeting agenda that mixes enjoyable activities with serious topics. This blend makes the meeting both pleasurable and comprehensive, covering all essential subjects. Share the agenda ahead of time, allowing participants to prepare and contribute effectively.
Effective time allocation: Dedicate specific durations to each segment of the meeting, balancing enjoyable activities with work-related discussions. Utilizing a timer can help manage this balance and prevent any segment from extending beyond its allotted time.
Proactive meeting management: Take an active role in guiding the meeting. Encourage input from all team members, including those in remote locations, and if necessary, redirect the conversation to adhere to the agenda.
Inclusivity and respect: While fun is integral, maintaining an environment of respect and inclusivity is essential. Choose activities and topics that are considerate of all participants' comfort levels.
Actionable follow-up: Conclude with a recap of key discussions and decisions. Assign clear action items and deadlines to translate the meeting's outcomes into practical steps. If you find note-taking to be difficult during meetings or you simply forget to do it, you might want to use Wudpecker to automate this task with AI.
Solicit constructive feedback: Post-meeting, gather opinions on what aspects were successful and areas for improvement. This feedback is invaluable for refining future meetings.
Tech-savvy approach: Utilize technology effectively, especially in virtual settings. Digital tools like whiteboards for brainstorming, polling for instant feedback, or collaborative platforms for joint note-taking can significantly enhance the meeting experience.

Conclusion

Incorporating fun meeting ideas into your regular routine can revolutionize the way your team interacts and collaborates.

Meetings don't have to be dull or purely procedural. By infusing creativity, playfulness, and thoughtful planning into meetings, you create an atmosphere that fosters engagement, boosts morale, and encourages innovative thinking.

So, go ahead and experiment with these ideas.

FAQs

How do you make a boring meeting fun?

Team leaders can start the next team meeting by welcoming everyone with a smile and a bit of humor to set a lighthearted tone.
Incorporate virtual team meeting ideas, such as icebreakers or virtual scavenger hunts, to engage remote team members.
Spice up the meeting agenda with fun team meeting topics that encourage innovative thinking and discussion.
Encourage team members to share their ideas and brainstorm ideas to increase employee engagement.

How do you start a fun meeting?

Begin the next team meeting by welcoming everyone and sharing a cool meeting idea or fun fact related to the meeting topic.
Team leaders can initiate a brainstorming session to encourage team members to contribute their thoughts and ideas.
Set a clear meeting agenda with specific discussion topics and timeframes to keep the meeting productive and time-efficient.
Incorporate fun activities like friendly competition or live polls to shake things up and maintain a fun atmosphere.
Encourage open communication and create a company culture that values creativity and innovation during meetings.

How do you spice up a meeting?

To make office meetings more enjoyable, consider holding them in a different setting, like a conference room or even outdoors, for a breath of fresh air.
Rotate meeting locations within the office building to add variety and excitement to the routine.
Introduce fun team-building activities, like a quick scavenger hunt during lunch breaks or a field trip for problem-solving sessions.
Divide employees into smaller groups for discussions to foster a sense of community and increase engagement.
Utilize new software or tools to enhance meeting interactions, such as interactive agendas and live polling.