Summer Activities


Summer Festivities: Let's Get the Party Started! 

Posted May 9, 2018

When the warm weather holidays come around, show your appreciation and share your team spirit with fun outdoor activities. It's a great ice breaker, team builder and all around enjoyable, relaxing time during the summer. Whether Memorial Day, 4th of July, or other summer holiday, you want your event to be memorable, so choose the best food, supplies and decorations that will appeal to the attendees. 

For lunchtime outings, stock up on great outdoor items such as paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic cutlery in a festive color that matches the theme of your summer bash. Don't forget a few plastic table covers for the picnic tables. For drinks, opt for bottled juice, cans of soda, and bottled water.  Even if you aren’t planning a full picnic, you can make pretzels, individually-wrapped candies and other snacks available for everyone. Having thoughtful snacks for all tastes is a great way to boost morale

Think about and plan activities, inviting everyone to participate. Get a group together to brainstorm and solicit ideas. Consider sports and lawn games, picnics, outdoor performances and park walks so you're sure to be as inclusive as possible and considerate of everyone's desires and abilities. Check out the variety of supplies from Office Depot to make every outing memorable.


Deck the Lawns

Decorations set a festive mood and show staff where to gather. Stage the perfect party spot in an area with moderate sunlight and even terrain, and then tie streamers to signs or trees to create a sense of space. Balloons, flags and honeycomb balls add big color on small budgets.

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Liven Up the Party

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Roll Your Own Party Banner

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Instant Table Makeovers

Transform a standard event table with a simple tablecloth. Choose a bright shade that you can use for other holidays, such as red, or opt for white linens and a colorful runner. Table skirts give a more polished look for upscale events.

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Covering Those Legs

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Round Up Messes With These Tablecloths

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Hidden Talents

Activities help build rapport among colleagues. Host games that require different skills. This strategy fosters an inclusive atmosphere and reveals the office cornhole toss champion or horseshoe master. Include mental games such as memory or puzzle races. Ask people to pick one to two activities to generate a sense of involvement.

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Kick Up the Fun

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Try Your Luck With Horseshoes

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Snacks for All

Nibble-friendly foods get diverse groups to gather, so fill bowls with pretzels, popcorn and chips. Nuts offer a healthy and filling snack option, especially for those watching carbs. If you have colleagues who eat organic, look for natural versions of favorite snacks, such as Pirate’s Booty in place of cheese curls.

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Go Nuts!

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Keep it 100!

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A Veggie Sensible Snack

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Grab-and-Go Snacks

Include prepackaged items at large events so that your guests can grab and go. Packaged crackers and cookies speed up the food line and help hold over hungry kids, making them a perfect addition to the office's family day event.

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That's a Lot of Cheez

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Almost Famous

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Summer Sips

Water and fizzy sodas hit the spot on hot summer days. Stock up on these warm-weather favorites as well as juice and energy drinks. Some cold ice tea or lemonade will also do the trick of cooling everyone down from all the outdoor activities.

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Stay Hydrated in the Heat

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In the Shade With Lemonade

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Plates for Serious Eats

Plates, cups and cutlery are the foundation of any good outdoor event, so pick some that are ready for heavy lifting. If you are serving savory foods such as meats and salads, opt for reinforced paper plates.

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Party with a Heavyweight

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All the Cutlery You Need

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A Cup for All Comers

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Cleanup Crew

Keep paper towels on hand to clean up spills, and offer disinfecting wipes for messy hands. And it's a good idea to keep stain-lifting towelettes handy to get a jump on clothing spills before they set. Ask a few colleagues to help you keep the party tidy by collecting empty plates and other trash every hour or so.

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Keep Those Clothes Stain-Free

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