Employee prize ideas and outside-the-box workplace contests

By Jessica Martin

Employees who receive regular, meaningful recognition are nearly eight times more likely to feel a strong sense of belonging and more than five times as likely to envision a long-term career with their company (PDF). Workplace contests paired with thoughtful employee prize ideas can help create moments of recognition while adding energy and excitement to the workday. The best prize ideas for workplace contests support participation, encourage engagement and make employees feel valued. Whether designed to encourage teamwork, celebrate creativity, drive results or simply boost participation, contests can engage employees and contribute to long-term success. Explore ideas to bring a little friendly competition to your business. 

Spin the prize wheel 

Mix things up with a spin-the-wheel contest. Employees earn spins by completing goals, participating in wellness initiatives, attending professional development sessions or contributing to company projects. With each spin comes a chance to win a prize. 

Offer a variety of small rewards and bigger-ticket items to keep interest high. Some employees may walk away with a gift card while others could a land custom branded prize, like a wireless speaker or plush blanket. Get extra creative with employee prize ideas and include casual dress days, bonus vacation time or additional work-from-home options. This format makes it easy to run contests throughout the year. 

Host a bracket challenge 

You don’t need to be a basketball fan to run a bracket challenge—and you don’t have to wait for spring for March Madness college basketball festivities south of the border. Create a tournament around topics employees care about and let them vote through each round. Favourite office snacks, holiday movies, local restaurants, workplace traditions and company values can all be bracket contenders. 

Post updated results throughout the contest to keep people talking and encourage participation. Employees will naturally discuss matchups and lobby for their favourites, creating engagement across teams or departments. At the end of the competition, award prizes to participants who correctly predicted the champion. Consider giving winners plush toys that connect to the tournament theme or your industry. Bragging rights have never looked so cute! 

Create a workplace bingo challenge 

Workplace bingo turns everyday tasks into a game. Instead of filling squares with numbers, create cards with actions team members can complete throughout a week or month. Squares might include “attend a training session,” “share an idea in a meeting,” “participate in a company event” or “learn a new skill.” This format—no athletic ability required—encourages involvement from people who may not enjoy more traditional competitions. Offer a variety of prizes, from gift cards and snacks to branded incentives, like tech kits and beverage holders.  

Launch a trivia tournament 

Put employees’ knowledge to the test with a workplace trivia tournament. It’s perfect for company anniversaries or milestones. Create questions about company history, industry trends, pop culture, community facts or even fun information about team members. Hold weekly rounds and track scores on a leaderboard to keep the competition going. 

Trivia contests naturally bring people together and can be adapted for in-person or remote teams. Consider allowing employees to compete individually or have them form teams for added collaboration. At the end of the tournament, reward winners with prizes that fit the game-night theme. For example, give throwback promotional prizes, like retro barrel duffel bags or vintage-inspired crewnecks, to celebrate a company anniversary. 

Organize a scavenger hunt 

Get employees moving and interacting using a workplace scavenger hunt. Hide clues around the office, incorporate trivia about local history or create photo challenges that require participants to complete tasks with coworkers. For remote teams, adapt the concept with online clues, riddles or digital photo submissions. Award prizes to the first group to finish or the team that earns the most points. Consider employee prize ideas that fit the adventure theme, such as crossbody bags for carrying essentials, to extend the excitement beyond the hunt. 

Memorable prizes for work competitions 

The best workplace contests create opportunities for employees to participate, connect and feel recognized for their contributions. By pairing creative competitions with exciting employee prize ideas, you can boost engagement, build camaraderie and make work a little more enjoyable. Let the games begin!

Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin is 4imprint’s merchandising planning manager with over 20 years of retail experience, 15 years of merchandising expertise and more than a decade in the promotional products industry. She ensures the right products get into customers’ hands through deep customer insight, trend awareness and seasonal analysis. Jessica is a key connection point between vendor relations, purchasing, and 4imprint’s end users, supporting programs across the Blue Box^® sample program, digital marketing, print and TV campaigns.

All marks are the property of 4imprint or their respective owners.

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