Work doesn’t have to be all emails and endless meetings. Sometimes, what your office needs is a little bit of spirit. Literally.
That’s where Spirit Week comes in—a chance to break away from the day-to-day, bond as a team, and sprinkle in a whole lot of fun. But what kind of Spirit Week activities will actually get your coworkers to participate (without a bunch of awkward eye rolls)?
Let’s dive into 18 creative and office-friendly Spirit Week ideas that bring energy, laughter, and a sense of togetherness into the workplace—all while staying professional and inclusive.
1.Classic Throwback Day
Ever wish you could step into a time machine and relive the ’80s, ’90s, or early 2000s? Throwback Day is your chance to do just that.
Encourage your team to dress in their favorite era’s fashion. Think denim-on-denim, neon leg warmers, or baggy flannel shirts. Even if people don’t dress up, they can participate by playing a playlist full of hits from that decade or bringing a nostalgic snack (anyone up for Dunkaroos?).
Bonus idea: Create a digital board where everyone can share their favorite childhood memory or an old-school photo.
2.Pajama Day
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. And yes, people love it.
Pajama Day is a cozy, low-effort option that feels like a mini vacation from office dress codes. Whether you’re remote or in person, everyone can rock their favorite PJs, robes, and slippers.
The real magic? People feel more relaxed and open. It’s a great day to pair with low-key team bonding like a hot chocolate bar or a laid-back trivia game.
3.Wacky Tacky Day
Ever wanted to wear socks with sandals or mismatch every pattern you own? Now’s your moment.
Wacky Tacky Day is about embracing the outrageous—clashing colors, oversized accessories, or that tie your uncle gave you in 1998 that never saw daylight again. It’s a great way to laugh with (not at) your coworkers.
The goal here isn’t to look good. It’s to look hilariously bad—and create a few laugh-out-loud moments along the way.
4.Decades Day
Yes, we already talked about throwbacks, but Decades Day lets you take it a step further. Each department or team can choose a different decade and go all in.
Finance might rock the ’70s. Marketing could throw it back to the roaring ’20s. IT? Maybe they’re living it up in the futuristic 3020s.
Encourage teams to decorate their workspace or Zoom background to match their era. You’d be surprised how creative people get with just a little theme direction.
5.Sports Jersey Day
Team spirit meets team bonding.
Ask everyone to wear their favorite sports team jersey—football, cricket, basketball, or even a local club. It sparks conversation, friendly rivalry, and lets people share something personal.
Not into sports? No problem. Let people represent a fictional team from a TV show or movie (Gryffindor Quidditch team, anyone?).
Optional add-on: Host a mini “team trivia” where people guess sports facts or identify logos. Keep it lighthearted and fun!
6.Twin Day
“Wait, you’re wearing the same thing too?!”
Twin Day is a creative excuse for coworkers to pair up and plan their outfits together. It promotes one-on-one bonding and lets people get a little goofy.
Even better? Extend it into “Triplet Day” or “Squad Day” and see who can pull off the best coordinated group look.
If you’re working remotely, participants can change their Zoom backgrounds to matching ones and take screenshots for a collage.
Source: Pinterest
7.Superhero Day
Who doesn’t want to be a hero for a day?
Superhero Day encourages employees to dress as their favorite superhero or even create their own. Capes, masks, or even just a graphic tee counts—no pressure to go full costume.
And beyond the costumes, you can build the day around empowerment. Ask people: “Who’s your workplace superhero and why?” Let everyone give shoutouts to colleagues who’ve helped them recently or been inspiring.
8.Color Wars
Feeling bold? Choose a day to divide the office into color-coded teams.
Red Team vs. Blue Team. Or Yellow vs. Green. Each team wears their assigned color and can rack up points for things like participation, creativity, or winning mini challenges throughout the day.
At the end of the week, award the most spirited team with a fun (and office-appropriate) prize. Maybe lunch on the company or a team coffee run.
9.Crazy Hat or Hair Day
This one’s simple but always a winner.
Ask employees to show up with the wildest hat or hairdo they can think of. Think giant sun hats, glittery fascinators, wigs, or a colorful mohawk made with temporary spray.
It’s lighthearted and low effort—and even remote teams can easily participate by popping on a funky hat before logging into Zoom.
10.Culture Celebration Day
This one brings heart and learning into Spirit Week.
Invite employees to wear something that represents their cultural heritage, share traditional food, or talk about family customs. It’s a beautiful way to learn more about each other beyond job titles and projects.
You could even organize a global potluck or ask everyone to bring a playlist featuring music from their culture to play throughout the day.
11.Meme or Emoji Day
Why speak words when your T-shirt can say it all?
Meme Day lets employees wear clothing featuring their favorite meme, emoji, or reaction image. Bonus points for creativity and relevance. You can even host a contest for “most relatable meme of the day.”
Or keep it digital: ask employees to use a meme or emoji as their email signature or Slack profile pic for the day.
12.Office Olympics
Think Spirit Week meets corporate Hunger Games—but friendly, of course.
Turn everyday office tasks into mini challenges. Who can type the fastest? Who’s the best paper airplane engineer? Can anyone land a wastebasket shot from across the room?
Set up a scoreboard and let departments compete. Just make sure everything’s safe and doesn’t interrupt workflow too much. A little chaos = fun. A lot of chaos = HR meeting.
13.DIY Day
If your team is artsy—or even just crafty—DIY Day is a hit.
Set up crafting stations (or mail kits to remote workers) with simple activities like painting mini plant pots, making stress balls, or decorating mugs. Keep it short and sweet so people can enjoy without stressing about time.
Not only does it unleash creativity, but people leave with something they actually made. And that feels pretty rewarding.
14.Dress Like the Boss Day
Let’s be honest. Everyone’s been curious what it’d feel like to be the boss for a day.
Let employees channel their inner manager by dressing like their boss or team leader—signature styles, coffee mugs, catchphrases and all.
Just make sure the tone stays fun and respectful. It can be a great icebreaker, especially if leadership plays along and dresses like one of their team members in return.
15.Favorite Character Day
TV shows, books, movies, cartoons—there’s a universe to choose from.
On this day, team members dress like their favorite fictional character. Whether it’s Sherlock Holmes, SpongeBob, or Eleven from Stranger Things, it sparks creativity and gives everyone a chance to share their fandoms.
Take it up a notch with a short “character walk” where everyone introduces who they’re dressed as and why.
16.Kindness Day
Not every Spirit Week idea has to be flashy. Sometimes, the most powerful one is built on kindness.
On this day, encourage random acts of appreciation—leave a compliment note on someone’s desk, write an email thanking a coworker, or simply say something positive during a meeting.
You can even create a “Wall of Kindness” in the break room (or a shared document for remote teams) where people post anonymous shoutouts.
17.Talent Show (Mini Style)
No need for stage fright—this version of a talent show is low-pressure and totally optional.
Invite employees to share a short video or in-person moment showcasing a hidden talent. Maybe someone can sing, juggle, do impressions, or solve a Rubik’s cube in 20 seconds.
Keep the vibe relaxed and non-competitive. It’s all about celebrating each other’s individuality.
18.Mystery Day
Let’s wrap things up with a little mystery.
On this day, give out clues throughout the day about a mystery item, person, or event. Think scavenger hunt meets Clue. Employees submit guesses, and whoever gets it right first wins a small prize.
It adds a dash of suspense and gives people something to look forward to between meetings or breaks.
Pro tip: You can even stretch this across the entire Spirit Week for extra engagement.
Final Thoughts: Make It Matter
Spirit Week at work shouldn’t feel like a forced event. When done right, it brings laughter, connection, and a much-needed break from the daily grind.
The secret? Make it inclusive. Offer a variety of ways to participate (not just dressing up), celebrate effort over perfection, and always lead with good vibes.
Whether you go all-out with costumes or keep it simple with acts of kindness, the point is to help your team feel seen, valued, and maybe even a little more excited to show up every day.
So which idea will your office try first? Maybe you’ll start with something silly, like Pajama Day, and build toward something deeper like Culture Celebration. Either way, have fun with it. Because when your team feels good, your whole company benefits.
