Having fun at work can lead to big ideas. When people think in new ways, they find better ways to solve problems.
That’s where creativity challenges for employees can help. These simple tasks can make teams stronger, spark new ideas, and make work more exciting.
You don’t need special tools – just time, curiosity, and a little imagination. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
Whether you work alone or with a big group, these challenges are made to fit everyone. Let’s bring more creativity into your workday!
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35 Creativity Challenges For Employees
Want to make work more fun and full of ideas?
Try these easy and exciting creativity challenges for employees. They’re great for teams, leaders, or anyone who wants to think differently.
You’ll find activities for solo work, teamwork, and long-term fun. Pick a few or try them all – and watch creativity grow!
🔍 Individual Creativity Challenges
These challenges are just for you.
They help you think in new ways and come up with fun ideas on your own. You can do them at your desk or even at home. You’ll sketch, write, imagine, and play.
It’s all about unlocking your own creative power – one small activity at a time. You don’t need to be an artist. Just be curious and open to trying something new.
Daily Doodle
Spend 5 minutes each day sketching an idea related to your work or industry.
Take just 5 minutes every day to draw something.
It could be a picture, a shape, or a quick sketch. Try to draw something that shows an idea about your work or industry.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just let your hand move and your brain relax. Doodling helps new ideas come to life.
One-Minute Pitch
Come up with a brand-new product idea and pitch it in under 60 seconds.
Think of a brand-new product or idea. It could be something fun, useful, or just different.
Then try to explain it to someone in under 60 seconds. That’s just one minute! Try to make it simple and exciting.
This will help you speak clearly and think fast. It also teaches you how to share big ideas in a short time.
Reverse Thinking
Consider a common problem and brainstorm ways to address it – then turn those ideas into solutions.
Think of a problem you see often at work. Now, instead of fixing it, think about ways to make it worse!
That may sound silly, but it helps you see the problem in new ways. Once you know what makes the problem worse, you can flip those ideas.
Then you can turn them into real solutions. It’s a fun way to think differently.
What If Game
Ask “What if…” questions about your work environment (e.g., “What if we had no meetings?”).
Start asking fun questions about your workplace.
Ask things like “What if there were no meetings?” or “What if we only worked outside?”
These silly questions help open your mind. They make you think of new ways to work.
Some answers might be funny. Others might lead to real ideas that can improve your job.
Six Word Solutions
Describe a complex idea or fix in just six words.
Try to solve a big problem using only six words. That’s right – just six!
You have to pick your words carefully. Make each one count. This challenge helps you get to the point.
It also helps you simply explain hard things. It’s great for people who like short and clear messages.
Analogies Challenge
Compare a process or product to something completely unrelated (e.g., “Customer service is like gardening”).
Pick something you do at work. Now, compare it to something very different, like cooking or driving a bus.
For example, you can say, “Planning a project is like baking a cake.” Try to explain why they are alike.
This helps your brain think in new ways. You might see your job from a whole new view.
Alter Ego Day
Approach your work as if you were someone else – a comedian, astronaut, or child.
Pretend to be someone else while you work. You could be a comedian, a scientist, a superhero, or even a kid!
Do your tasks like they would. How would they talk? What ideas would they have?
This game helps you see problems in a fun and different way. It makes your brain more creative.
Two-Use Challenge
Take any item on your desk and find two new uses for it.
Look at something on your desk right now. It could be a pen, paper clip, or water bottle.
Now, think of two new ways to use that item. Try to be silly or smart – both are good!
This challenge helps you look at everyday things in new ways. It shows that even small items can be full of ideas.
Mind Mapping Monday
Create a mind map for a current project – explore new angles visually.
Pick a project you’re working on.
Grab a pen and paper. Write the project name in the center. Then draw lines and add ideas, tasks, or questions all around it.
You are making a “mind map.” This helps you see all parts of the project at once.
It also helps you find new ideas or missing steps.
Silent Brainstorm
Generate ideas without speaking – only drawing or writing.
Get your team together, but don’t talk!
Everyone must draw, write, or use sticky notes to share ideas. After a few minutes, you can read what others wrote.
Then you can talk about the best ones. This helps shy people speak through writing.
It also keeps loud voices from taking over. Everyone gets a chance to share.
🤝 Team Creativity Challenges
These activities are made for teams. You’ll work with others to think, share, and laugh.
Everyone brings something different to the table. By joining minds, you’ll build stronger ideas together. It’s not about being the best.
It’s about having fun, helping each other, and learning how to create as a group.
Some challenges are silly, some smart – but all are better with teamwork.
Innovation Hackathon
2–4 hour team sprint to solve a real internal problem creatively.
Pick a real problem your team faces at work. Then set a timer for 2 to 4 hours.
Work together to solve it in a creative way. You can sketch ideas, build small models, or make a short plan.
This fast and fun event helps teams think quickly and work as one.
The best part? You might find a real solution by the end!
Idea Relay
One person starts with an idea; each team member adds something without removing previous contributions.
Start with one person sharing a simple idea. Then, the next person adds something new to it.
Keep going around the group, adding more each time.
But here’s the rule: no one can take anything away. Each person must build on what’s already there.
This challenge helps teams work together and grow ideas instead of stopping them.
Build a Business
In small groups, design a fake business (logo, pitch, product) in 30 minutes.
Split into small teams. In 30 minutes, make up a fake business.
Create a name, a product, a logo, and a short sales pitch. Try to be fun and bold. You can even act it out if you want!
This game helps teams be creative, fast, and silly while still learning how to share and shape ideas together.
Worst Idea Wins
Share the worst possible ideas. Then challenge the team to make them viable.
Each person or team shares the worst idea they can think of. The sillier, the better!
Then, the group picks a few and tries to fix them. Can you make a terrible idea into a good one?
This challenge helps you see how even bad thoughts can spark great ones. It also teaches that no idea is ever useless.
Role Swap
Have team members “swap jobs” for a task – designers think like sales, marketers like engineers, etc.
Everyone switches roles for a short time.
For example, a designer might pretend to be a salesperson. A manager might act like a customer.
Do a small task in your new role. This helps you understand how others think and work.
It also brings fresh ideas to old problems by seeing them through different eyes.
Yes, And… Challenge
Run a brainstorming session using only “Yes, and…” statements.
In this game, you can only answer with “Yes, and…” during brainstorming.
For example, someone says, “Let’s build a flying desk!” and you reply, “Yes, and we can make it solar-powered!”
This keeps ideas growing. No one is allowed to say “no” or “but.” It helps people listen better, have fun, and build on each other’s thoughts.
Problem From Mars
Solve a company problem as if you’re Martians unfamiliar with Earth conventions.
Pretend you are from Mars. You’ve never seen Earth or how people work here.
Now, try to solve a company problem with that mindset. What tools would you use? What rules would you follow?
Since Martians don’t know our ways, you’ll think of strange but creative answers. This challenge helps break old habits and explore new ideas.
Innovation Improv
Act out short scenes where you “sell” ridiculous inventions.
Pick a few silly items, like “a phone that makes toast.”
Now, act out a short scene where you try to sell that product to someone. Use funny voices, big hand movements, or costumes if you want!
This is like a play, but for silly ideas. It helps people be brave, think fast, and laugh together while being creative.
Collaborative Storytelling
Each person contributes one sentence to a made-up story related to work.
Sit in a group and tell a story together. One person starts with one sentence.
The next person adds another sentence. Keep going around the group until the story ends.
Try to make the story about work or a wild idea. This helps with teamwork and listening.
The stories are often silly – and that’s part of the fun!
Creativity Speed Dating
Rapid-fire idea sharing in pairs, rotating every 2 minutes.
Pair up with someone on your team.
You have just 2 minutes to share creative ideas about a challenge. Then switch partners and repeat with someone new.
Keep going until everyone has talked to everyone. It’s fast, fun, and full of new thoughts. You’ll hear many ideas in just a short time!
💡 Environment & Culture-Based
Your space and habits can shape your thinking.
These challenges help you change how your workplace looks and feels.
You’ll make small changes to your desk, your routine, or even how you talk to others.
These activities create a fun, creative mood all around. When your space feels inspiring, your brain starts to think differently too.
Desk Remix
Redesign your desk space to inspire creativity and share before/after photos.
Take a look at your desk. Is it boring? Try changing it up!
Move things around, add colors, photos, or fun items. Make your space feel creative and happy.
Take a photo before and after. Share it with your team. A new desk look can help new ideas grow.
No Email Day
Solve all communication via calls, Slack, or in-person chats.
Turn off your email for one whole workday.
Instead, talk to people in person, by phone, or use chat tools like Slack. This helps you talk faster and more clearly.
You might even solve problems quicker. It’s a fun way to break old habits and connect with others better.
The 20% Time Test
Spend 20% of your time (e.g., 1 afternoon a week) on any creative project.
Pick one afternoon a week. Use that time to work on any creative idea you care about.
It could be for work or just for fun. You don’t need permission. Just explore something new.
This helps you grow, relax, and maybe even find your next big idea!
Creative Corners
Designate spaces in the office just for brainstorming or creative thinking.
Create special spots in the office just for thinking and creating.
Add whiteboards, sticky notes, toys, or fun chairs. Anyone can go there when they need a break or a new idea.
These quiet, colorful corners help ideas pop up when you least expect them.
Bring a Toy to Work
Use play (LEGO, Play-Doh, puzzles) to trigger creative thought during breaks.
Bring a toy from home – like LEGO, Play-Doh, puzzles, or building blocks.
Use it during breaks or meetings. Play is not just for kids – it helps your brain relax and think better.
You may come up with creative ideas while having fun!
Soundtrack Challenge
Create a playlist that represents your project or team and explain why.
Make a music playlist that matches your project or team.
Choose songs that feel like your work – maybe fast and fun, or calm and focused.
Share your playlist with the team and explain why you picked those songs.
This helps others see how you feel about the work and adds a creative twist to your day.
Innovation Jar
Drop quick ideas into a jar – read and discuss them weekly.
Place a jar or box in a common area. Anytime someone has a quick idea, they write it down and drop it in.
Once a week, pull out some ideas and talk about them with the team.
This is a fun and easy way to collect creative thoughts all the time – even small ones that might turn big!
Cross-Team Coffee Chats
Pair employees from different departments to share ideas.
Pair up people from different teams who don’t usually work together.
Have a short chat over coffee or lunch. Talk about what each person does and share ideas.
You might find new ways to solve problems or work better. It also builds friendships across the company.
Digital Detox Hour
Go tech-free for 1 hour and reflect on new thoughts that arise.
Pick one hour each week to go completely tech-free.
No phones, no computers, no screens. Use the time to think, write, draw, or just take a quiet walk.
This break helps your brain rest. You might even have a great idea when you least expect it.
Surprise Stimulus
Introduce random objects or words and ask teams to relate them to current challenges.
Give your team a random object or strange word. Ask them to link it to a real work challenge.
For example, “How is a yo-yo like our sales process?”
This silly game makes people think in new ways. It turns weird thoughts into real ideas!
🏆 Ongoing or Competitive Creativity
These challenges last longer or involve a bit of friendly competition. Some go on for weeks.
Others let you earn points or prizes for creative thinking. You can track your ideas and see your progress grow over time.
These are great if you like a goal or a game while staying creative. It’s all about having fun while you challenge your brain.
30-Day Creativity Sprint
Complete one small creative task per day for a month.
For one month, do one small creative task every day.
It could be drawing, writing a fun idea, solving a puzzle, or anything new.
Keep it short and simple. The goal is to build a creative habit. By the end of 30 days, your brain will be full of fresh ideas!
Innovation Leaderboard
Track and reward employees who submit the most creative or impactful ideas.
Make a scoreboard for creative ideas.
When someone shares a cool or helpful idea, they get points. Show the top scorers to the team each week or month.
Give small prizes or fun titles. This makes sharing ideas fun and exciting for everyone.
Idea Box Challenge
Each team gets a mystery box of items – create a new product or solution using them.
Give each team a box with random stuff inside – like paper clips, cups, string, or spoons.
The goal: create a brand-new product or solution using only those items. Be silly or serious!
This hands-on challenge helps teams think fast and build teamwork.
Shark Tank Showdown
Pitch new internal ideas to a mock “investor panel.”
Like the TV show “Shark Tank,” have team members pitch new ideas to a mock panel of “investors.”
The panel can be made of managers or other teammates. Keep it friendly and fun.
This challenge helps with speaking, thinking, and turning ideas into action.
Creativity Bingo
A bingo card filled with creative tasks – reward the first to complete a line.
Make a bingo card filled with fun creative tasks.
For example: “Draw your idea,” “Try silent brainstorming,” or “Write a six-word story.”
As people complete tasks, they check them off. First to finish a line wins!
It’s a playful way to try many challenges.
Conclusion
Creativity doesn’t have to be hard or take a lot of time.
With these fun and simple creativity challenges for employees, anyone can think in new ways and bring fresh ideas to work.
These activities help teams connect, solve problems, and enjoy their day more. The best part? You don’t need to be an artist or expert – just willing to try.
A small spark of creativity each day can lead to big changes over time.
So, start with one challenge today and see where your imagination takes you. Your next great idea might be just one fun activity away!
Engage With Us
We’d love to hear how you and your team are using these creativity challenges!
Did you try one of the activities above? Do you have your own fun ideas to share?
Drop a comment, send us a message, or tag us if you post your team’s creative moments online. Your stories can inspire others to bring more imagination into their workday too.
