Fun Gratitude Activities for Adults
1. Gratitude Jar
The Gratitude Jar is a heartwarming activity that encourages participants to reflect on and share the things they're thankful for. How? By writing them on a small paper and putting them in a jar. This is a simple exercise with incredible impact and it’s one of our favorite Team-Building Activities for Thanksgiving. It can boost team morale, promote a positive work environment, and even strengthen interpersonal connections.
Step-by-step Instruction:
- Provide each participant with small pieces of paper and pens
- Set up a transparent jar in a common area
- Encourage team members to write down things they're grateful for throughout the week
- At the end of the week or month, gather the team to read the gratitude notes aloud
- Discuss the impact of focusing on gratitude and how it affects team dynamics
Group size: Any size
Materials: Large jar, small pieces of paper, pens
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use a digital gratitude board or shared document for remote teams
Why it works for teams: Cultivates a positive mindset, increases empathy, and strengthens team bonds
2. Gratitude Pictionary
Gratitude Pictionary adds a twist on the classic game we all know and love by challenging participants to illustrate concepts of appreciation. This activity combines creativity, quick thinking, and gratitude, making it a fun way to promote a unity spirit within the team and reinforce positive thinking.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Divide participants into teams of 3-5 people
- Create a list of gratitude-related words or phrases
- Have team members take turns drawing while their teammates guess
- Set a time limit of 60 seconds for each round
- Award points for correct guesses and discuss the gratitude concepts after each round
Group size: 6-20 participants
Materials: Whiteboard or large paper, markers, timer, list of gratitude words
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use online drawing tools like Skribbl.io or Drawasaurus
Why it works for teams: Encourages creative expression of gratitude and promotes teamwork
- Thank-You Note Challenge
The Thank-You Note Challenge is a popular office activity that pushes participants to express genuine appreciation for their colleagues. This exercise not only spreads positivity but also enhances communication skills and strengthens workplace relationships. There’s nothing like showing our colleagues how much we appreciate their presence, right?
Step-by-step instruction:
- Provide each participant with thank-you cards or paper and pens
- Set a timer for 10-15 minutes
- Challenge participants to write as many thank-you notes as possible
- Encourage sincerity in the notes and address them to specific colleagues
- At the end, discuss the experience
Group size: Any size
Materials: Thank-you cards or paper, pens, timer
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use digital thank-you note platforms or email templates
Why it works for teams: Practices gratitude expression, improves written communication, and creates a ripple effect of positivity
4. Gratitude Bingo
Gratitude Bingo is an interactive way to practice appreciation through the famous Bingo game (everyone’s favorite!). This activity encourages participants to seek out opportunities for gratitude, which makes it an excellent activity for cultivating a positive workplace culture.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Create bingo cards with various gratitude prompts like "Thank a coworker", "Appreciate a challenge you've overcome"
- Distribute cards to all participants
- Set a timeframe (e.g. one week) for completing the bingo card
- Allow participants to mark off squares as they complete tasks
- Award prizes for completed rows, columns, or full cards
Group size: Any size
Materials: Custom gratitude bingo cards, markers or stamps
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use digital bingo card creators and track your team’s progress online
Why it works for teams: It’s a way to gamify gratitude practice and promotes team engagement
5. Acts of Kindness Challenge
The Acts of Kindness Challenge inspires your employees to go out of their way to help others, fostering a culture of generosity and appreciation in the office (or remotely). This activity not only spreads positivity but also strengthens team bonds and improves overall workplace satisfaction. The best part? You can extend your team’s acts of kindness to the local community.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Create a list of kind acts or allow participants to come up with their own ideas
- Set a timeframe (e.g. three days) for the challenge
- Encourage participants to perform as many acts of kindness as possible
- Have participants document their acts and the reactions they received
- Hold a sharing session where everyone discusses their experiences
Group size: Any size
Materials: List of kind act suggestions (optional), journal or app for tracking
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Focus on virtual acts of kindness, such as helping with online tasks
Why it works for teams: Promotes empathy and creates a positive ripple effect throughout the company
6. Compliment Tag
Compliment Tag is a simple yet effective game that turns giving and receiving compliments into a fun game that everybody loves. This exercise helps break down barriers, boosts self-esteem, and creates a more positive and supportive work environment. It allows employees to feel at ease and not be afraid to make mistakes.
Step-by-step:
- Designate one person to start the game
- This person must tag someone while giving them a genuine compliment
- The tagged person becomes the new "It" and must compliment-tag someone else
- Continue for a set time or until everyone has been tagged at least once
- Conclude with a group discussion about the experience and the impact of compliments
Group size: 10-30 participants
Materials: None required
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use a virtual meeting platform like Zoom and have participants "tag" others by calling out their names and giving compliments
Why it works for teams: Encourages positive communication, builds confidence, and creates a culture of appreciation
7. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
The Gratitude Scavenger Hunt is an engaging activity that encourages participants to explore their surroundings - a local park or a spot outside the office - while reflecting on the things they appreciate. This fun twist on a classic scavenger hunt is a fantastic booster for teamwork, creativity, and a deeper understanding of gratitude.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Create a list of items or experiences that represent gratitude, like a favorite spot in the office, a meaningful object, an award your colleague has won in the past, etc
- Divide participants into small teams and distribute the scavenger hunt list
- Set a time limit (30-60 minutes) for teams to find as many items or experiences as possible
- Have each team present their findings and explain why each item represents gratitude
- Conclude with a group discussion about the importance of appreciating the little things
Group size: 6-30 participants
Materials: Customized scavenger hunt lists, cameras or smartphones for documenting findings
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use virtual scavenger hunt apps or create a shared online document for remote teams to submit photos of their finds
Why it works for teams: Encourages exploration, teamwork, and reflection on gratitude in everyday life
8. Gratitude Game Night
Who doesn’t love a traditional game night with colleagues? Gratitude Game Night is an entertaining way to bring teams together while focusing on appreciation. By incorporating gratitude into various games, participants can have fun while also promoting a culture of recognition and positivity.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Choose several games that can be adapted to include elements of gratitude, like Charades, Trivia, or board games
- For each game round, require participants to share something they are grateful for related to the theme of the game or their teammates
- Set a time limit for each game and rotate through different activities throughout the night
- Encourage healthy competition
- Wrap up the night with a group reflection on how gratitude can enhance relationships
Group size: 6-30 participants
Materials: Various games (board games, cards, trivia questions), snacks and drinks
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use online game platforms like Jackbox Games or virtual board games that allow remote participation
Why it works for teams: Combines fun with reflection and reinforces a culture of appreciation
Gratitude Activities for Employees
9. Gratitude Wall
Let's face it: most workplace recognition feels like a corporate checkbox. The Gratitude Wall breaks that mold because it is authentic and it creates a living, breathing testament to team appreciation that everyone can see and contribute to daily.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Select an area with ample wall space in your office
- Install a large bulletin board
- Provide colorful sticky notes, markers, and push pins
- Encourage anonymous gratitude messages
- Refresh the wall weekly to keep content current and engaging
Group size: Any size
Materials: Large bulletin board, sticky notes, markers, push pins
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Create a digital Gratitude Wall using Miro or Slack channels
Why it works for teams: It is visible, inclusive, and creates a continuous appreciation system
10. Surprise Breakfast
No more boring team meetings as a way to connect and share gratitude. A Surprise Breakfast is so much more than just breakfast—it's an appreciation bomb dropped by management that your team will love. The best part? It truly shows how much the company actually appreciates the hard work happening behind the scenes.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Select a date
- Order diverse catering (include dietary restrictions)
- Have leadership present in the event
- Create an informal setting for conversations
Group size: 10-50 employees
Materials: Catered breakfast
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Send breakfast delivery gift cards with personalized notes and gather everyone for a breakfast call
Why it works for teams: Unexpected recognition tops scheduled appreciation every time!
11. Lunch Treat
Think of this as a workplace surprise that will brighten everyone’s day. A Lunch Treat transforms a regular meal into a powerful team-building event.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Distribute lunch coupon booklets monthly
- Establish clear appreciation guidelines
- Allow employees to gift lunch to colleagues who've helped them
- Track and celebrate most-appreciated team members
- Rotate participating restaurants to keep it interesting
Group size: 15-100 employees
Materials: Lunch coupon booklets, participating restaurant list
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Digital lunch credit platforms, UberEats/DoorDash gift cards
Why it works for teams: Creates positive peer recognition and deepens team relations.
12. Team Happy Hour
Warning: This isn't your typical after-work drink fest. Team Happy Hour is a strategic appreciation session disguised as a casual hangout.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Choose a relaxed venue with good acoustics
- Limit alcohol to encourage conversation
- Have leadership share genuine team appreciation moments
- Encourage cross-department mingling
Group size: 20-50 employees
Materials: Conversation prompt cards, name tags
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Virtual happy hour with breakout rooms
Why it works for teams: Breaks hierarchical barriers and fosters authentic connections
13. Gratitude T-Shirts
Forget generic corporate merchandising and customize your own T-shirts according to your company’s values, achievements, and even private jokes. These t-shirts are walking, talking testimonials of team appreciation that employees will actually want to wear.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Design a base t-shirt template
- Create a nomination process for recognition
- Have colleagues sign and write personal messages
- Present T-shirts during team meetings
Group size: 10-50 employees
Materials: Plain t-shirts, fabric markers, camera
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Digital signature/message compilation, shirt mailed home
Why it works for teams: This is a tangible, personal recognition of your team’s efforts, which promotes loyalty and shows appreciation
Gratitude Group Activities
14. Gratitude Circle
The Gratitude Circle is a straightforward yet effective way to promote appreciation among team members. In this activity, participants take turns sharing something they appreciate about a colleague, creating a supportive environment that strengthens relationships. Bringing your team together is easier than you think!
Step-by-step instruction:
- Gather participants in a circle
- Set ground rules for respectful listening and no interruptions
- Start with one person sharing their appreciation for someone else in the circle
- Continue around the circle until everyone has had a chance to speak
- Conclude with a group discussion about the experience
Group size: 6-30 participants
Materials: None required
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use video conferencing tools and virtual breakout rooms for smaller groups
Why it works for teams: Encourages open communication and reinforces positive relationships
15. Create a Thankful Tree
Similarly to the Gratitude Wall, the Thankful Tree is a creative and visual way to celebrate gratitude within the team. This interactive activity allows team members to write notes of appreciation and hang them as ornaments on a designated tree, turning gratitude into an artful display. This is also a fantastic Team-Building Activity for Christmas time at the office.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Set up a small artificial or real tree in a common area
- Provide colorful paper leaves or ornaments and markers
- Team members write messages of gratitude and hang them on the tree
- Keep the tree up for a designated period to encourage ongoing participation
Group size: Any size
Materials: Tree (real or artificial), paper leaves/ornaments, markers, string for hanging
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use a digital platform like Padlet to create a virtual Thankful Tree where team members can post their notes online
Why it works for teams: Creates a visual representation of appreciation, encourages participation, and enhances team spirit
16. The Appreciation “Hot Seat”
The Appreciation “Hot Seat” is a crowd-pleasing activity that puts one team member in the spotlight while others share their appreciation for them. This twist on recognition helps individuals feel valued and reinforces team bonds. Not everyone likes to be in the spotlight, so writing a letter of appreciation or a short note can be a good replacement with the same results.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Designate a “hot seat” area in the room where one person will sit
- Choose an order for who will take their turn in the hot seat
- Have the rest of the team share specific things they appreciate about that person
- After everyone has shared, allow the individual to respond if they wish
- Rotate through all team members until everyone has had their turn
Group size: 6-20 participants
Materials: A chair or designated space for the hot seat; alternatively: paper and pens
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use video conferencing platforms for the effect
Why it works for teams: Provides direct recognition and fosters emotional connections
17. Community Gratitude Challenge
The Gratitude Challenge invites teams to participate in community-wide initiatives, from helping at local shelters to collecting items for the Food Bank. This activity not only promotes appreciation within the team but also extends it to the wider community.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Choose a specific gratitude challenge, like volunteering at local shelters, spending a day volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, or writing thank-you letters to community workers
- Set clear goals for participation
- Encourage teams to document their experiences through photos
- Host a wrap-up meeting where participants can share their insights
Group size: 6-40 participants
Materials: Documentation tools (cameras, journals)
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Organize virtual challenges that help your local community, like sharing fundraising campaigns
Why it works for teams: Encourages teamwork and expands gratitude beyond the workplace
Gratitude Team Building Activities
18. Gratitude Book Club
The Gratitude Book Club is a standout activity to explore themes of appreciation through literature. By selecting books that focus on gratitude, team members can come together to discuss insights as well as their own reflections, which will automatically foster deeper connections.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Choose a book that centers on gratitude or positive psychology
- Set a reading schedule that allows everyone to finish the book before the discussion
- Organize a casual meeting (in-person or virtual) to discuss personal reflections
- Encourage participants to share how the themes resonate with their work experiences
- Rotate book selections for future meetings to keep the momentum going
Group size: 5-20 participants
Materials: Selected book, discussion questions (optional)
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use online book club platforms or video conferencing
Why it works for teams: Promotes thoughtful conversation, encourages personal growth, and builds camaraderie
19. Field Trip
Who doesn’t enjoy a team outing from time to time? A Field Trip is an exciting opportunity for team members to step outside the office and take part in activities that promote bonding and challenge their personal (and professional!) skills. Visit a local museum, go on a nature hike, or participate in a skill-building workshop: these outings can strengthen relationships and refresh team dynamics.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Plan an outing that aligns with team interests (consider surveys for input)
- Arrange transportation and logistics for the trip
- Include team-building activities or challenges
- Follow up with a debrief session
Group size: 10-50 participants
Materials: Transportation arrangements
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Organize virtual field trips like online museum tours or experiences
Why it works for teams: Breaks routine and fosters teamwork in new environments
20. Compliment Cards
Compliment Cards are a straightforward yet excellent way to spread positivity among team members in the office. By writing compliments or positive affirmations on cards, participants can exchange them, creating an atmosphere of full support.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Provide blank cards and markers for all participants
- Encourage everyone to write genuine compliments/positive affirmations for their colleagues
- Set aside time for participants to exchange cards in person or anonymously
- Optionally, create a display area where people can pin their compliments for others to read
- Conclude with a group discussion
Group size: Any size
Materials: Blank cards, markers
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use digital platforms where participants can send virtual compliments
Why it works for teams: Strengthens interpersonal relationships through simple gestures of kindness
21. Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude Journaling is an individual activity that encourages team members to reflect on positive experiences at work regularly. By keeping a journal dedicated to gratitude, employees can cultivate a more positive mindset and reinforce their appreciation for their colleagues. The point is not to share their thoughts with others, but to promote personal reflection.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Provide each participant with a journal or suggest using digital journaling apps
- Encourage team members to set aside time daily or weekly to write down things they are grateful for at work
- Suggest prompts such as “What challenge did you overcome today?” or “Who helped you succeed this week?”
- Organize optional sharing sessions
Group size: Any size
Materials: Journals or digital journaling tools
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use digital journaling tools or apps where participants can log entries and share reflections online (if they want)
Why it works for teams: Promotes self-reflection, enhances well-being, and helps build a culture of gratitude within the team
Gratitude Exercises for Work
22. Take a Moment of Gratitude
Taking a Moment of Gratitude is a simple yet impactful exercise your team will love that will implement appreciation into the fabric of your corporate meetings. By dedicating a few minutes at the start or end of each meeting for team members to express their gratitude, you create a culture of recognition that can enhance team cohesion. You don’t need to do this in every meeting, but once a week or once a month really makes the difference in the way your team feels and connects.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Set aside 5-10 minutes at the beginning or end of a meeting for gratitude sharing
- Encourage participants to think about someone they appreciate and why
- Go around the room (or virtual meeting) and have each person share their gratitude
Group size: Any size
Materials: None required
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use video conferencing tools to facilitate sharing in virtual meetings
Why it works for teams: Integrates appreciation into regular routines and strengthens relationships
23. Passing the Card
Passing the Card is a well-known game that encourages team members to reflect on what they appreciate about each other in real-time. This interactive exercise not only fosters gratitude but also strengthens relationships through shared affirmations. It’s a crowd pleaser that will change the way your team perceives each other.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Provide each participant with an index card and a pen
- Instruct everyone to write down something kind about the person sitting next to them on their card
- After writing, participants pass their cards to the person right next to them
- Each person reads the note they receive and adds their own comment before passing it along again
- Continue passing until everyone has had a chance to contribute to each card
Group size: 6-30 participants
Materials: Index cards, pens
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use virtual whiteboards where participants can write comments in real-time for each other’s cards
Why it works for teams: Encourages immediate recognition and creates a relaxing atmosphere within the team
24. Gratitude Playlist
The Gratitude Playlist is a creative and enjoyable way for team members to express appreciation through music. Employees should curate a playlist of songs that evoke feelings of gratitude or remind them of positive experiences and share their personal connections to gratitude through art. In fact, Art Team-Building Activities are a must for every team to boost collaboration!
Step-by-step instruction:
- Invite team members to submit songs that represent gratitude/positive memories
- Compile the song suggestions into a shared playlist on Spotify or Apple Music
- Organize a listening party where team members can gather (in-person or virtually) to enjoy the playlist together
- Encourage participants to share why they chose their songs
- Optionally, create a themed event around the playlist, such as a dance party or relaxation session
Group size: Any size
Materials: Access to a music streaming platform, shared playlist
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use video conferencing for virtual listening parties and discussions
Why it works for teams: Combines the power of music with gratitude, fosters connection through shared experiences, and creates a memorable team bonding activity.
25. Gratitude Photo Challenge
The Gratitude Photo Challenge is a visual way to encourage team members to express appreciation for their work environment, colleagues, and experiences. By capturing moments of gratitude through photography, participants can share their perspectives and create a collective gallery of appreciation.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Set a timeframe for the challenge (e.g. one week) and announce it to the team
- Encourage participants to take photos that represent what they are grateful for at work. Better yet, hand out Polaroid cameras to your office teams to snap the best pictures!
- Create a shared online folder or social media group where team members can upload their photos
- At the end of the challenge, host a virtual or in-person gallery walk where everyone can view the photos and discuss their meanings
Group size: Any size
Materials: Access to a Polaroid camera or smartphone, shared online folder or social media group
Hybrid/remote adaptations: Use digital platforms like Instagram or Slack for sharing and commenting on photos
Why it works for teams: Fosters visual expression of gratitude and builds a sense of community
Which Teams Should Try Gratitude Activities?
The short answer? Any team can benefit from better appreciation. But different teams need different approaches.
Fast-paced teams usually push back the hardest against gratitude activities. They're busy chasing deadlines and hitting targets. Another task feels like too much. Yet these teams often need it most. When everyone's moving at full speed, good work goes unnoticed. But remote teams face their own challenges, too. Good work is harder to spot when you can't see it happening. For example, someone might solve a huge problem late at night, but everyone's moved on to the next crisis by morning.
According to a study by the American Psychological Association published by Forbes, 93% of employees who reported feeling valued said they are motivated to do their best at work, and 88% reported feeling engaged. This highlights how crucial recognition and appreciation are.
The key is to tailor gratitude practices to fit your team's unique features, ensuring that appreciation becomes a natural part of your culture rather than feeling burdensome.
What About Struggling Teams?
When employees are burned out or quitting, and team morale is low, leaders often rush to start appreciation programs. This rarely works. When basic problems aren't fixed, forced gratitude feels fake. It's better to solve core issues first and then build appreciation naturally.
New teams offer a fresh start. Adding simple recognition early on makes it part of their routine, like daily updates or team meetings. Even longtime teams find surprising benefits. After years together, it's easy to take good work for granted. Regular appreciation helps people see old colleagues in new ways.
Success depends on how you start, not what kind of team you have. Keep it simple, make it real, and let good habits grow organically. Ultimately, consistent and authentic gratitude practices can transform team dynamics and boost everyone’s performance.
Implement those activities to start showing your gratitude
Promoting a culture of appreciation within the team - in-person or remote - can significantly improve dynamics in the workplace, regardless of your team's structure.
Simple activities like the Gratitude Jar allow employees to reflect on what they value, while organizing a Team Happy Hour can create informal spaces for sharing appreciation. Engaging in a Community Gratitude Challenge not only strengthens team bonds but also connects your group to the surrounding community.
For team building, consider taking your crew out on a Field Trip to learn together and create memories. Lastly, dedicating time for a Moment of Gratitude during meetings can integrate appreciation into your daily routine in a smooth way.
Want to make your next team event one for the book? At TeamOut, we specialize in bringing these activities (and many more!) to life.
Schedule a free call with our TeamOut experts, and let’s design an experience your team won’t stop talking about!
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