Build Team Spirit with a smile and fun team-building activities on this happy day.
In 1963 Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Massachusetts, created the Smiley Face, the most recognizable image of goodwill and happiness around the world. In the late ’90s, Harvey worried that the Smiley Face had lost its meaning and in 1999 he declared the First Friday in October - World Smile Day. After Harvey passed away in 2001, a Foundation was created in his memory to continue as the official sponsor of World Smile Day.
World Smile Day, celebrated on the first Friday of October, emphasizes the importance of spreading joy and kindness. People mark the day by performing random acts of kindness, sharing smiles, and participating in community events. The day highlights the impact of simple gestures in improving wellbeing and fostering a positive, supportive environment.
Everyone has a story. Gather your team and have them share stories about times they helped a customer, client, or co-worker with a problem, or when they made someone smile or laugh. Alternatively, they can share a story about when someone made them smile or did something nice for them, and discuss how it made them feel.
Host a Smiley Face-making contest, and then have your team share their creations by giving their picture to a co-worker.
Create a Random Acts of Kindness tree or box. Have your team write ideas for kind things a person can do for someone else on slips of paper, then attach them to a picture of a tree or drop them into a hat or box. (Encourage your team to write as many acts of kindness as possible for a good variety.) Once all the suggestions are collected, have each team member pick one and fulfill that act of kindness. Encourage them to pick more throughout the day and see how many smiles they can create.
Have your team discuss which foods make them smile. If it's feasible, invite them to bring those foods into the office to share with co-workers at a potluck.
Challenge your team to a smile contest. In ten to twenty minutes, see how often they can make their co-workers, customers, or clients smile or laugh. The winner can receive a smiley face or a small token. Afterward, have the team reflect on how making others smile makes them feel and how it boosts productivity.
We picked fun, energy-filled activities that will put a smile on your team's faces! Don't see an activity in your city? Browse our home page for more ideas close to you!
