Creative Event Ideas to Foster Collaboration in Shared Workspaces

For a lot of people, working from home seemed like a dream come true until they had to actually start working from home and saw it for what it really is - still work. Then, they realized some of the downsides (even though it has many advantages). 

One of the biggest issues is the lack of camaraderie that naturally occurs in the office.  The second one is the lack of structure in their day. People who have deadlines instead of work hours (or flexible working hours) may have a hard time establishing a healthy work-life balance. 

This is why they choose to work in shared workspaces. 

Here are some creative event ideas to foster collaboration and get even more from this setup. 

1. Book/series night

By getting everyone to read the same book or binge-watch a series, you’ll create a shared cultural moment. It gives people a common interest to discuss and bond over, whether it’s debating characters, plot twists, or themes. This can break down walls between coworkers. 

After watching episodes or reading chapters, you can hold a casual discussion where everyone can share their thoughts. It’s a great way to dive deeper into the content, encourage lively conversations, and open up different perspectives. Plus, it’s fun to see how everyone interprets the same material differently. 

Shared interests create stronger bonds. Whether your team prefers gripping thrillers, motivational reads, or light-hearted comedies, finding common ground helps people connect. Even if it’s just one book or series, this shared experience can spark conversations outside of work, making coworkers feel more connected.

You’ll be amazed at how much office banter improves when everyone can reference the same storylines, characters, or memes. It gives teams something lighthearted to chat about during breaks, reducing awkward silences and fostering a more relaxed and open workplace environment. 

2. Team-building workshops

Workshops that focus on fun, creative problem-solving tasks get teams working together in new ways. These activities challenge everyone to think outside the box while encouraging collaboration. Approaching problems in a non-work context helps break the routine and allows team members to bring their unique skills to the table. 

Role-playing different scenarios helps team members step into each other’s shoes. It’s a great way to develop empathy and improve communication skills. Also, seeing your coworkers in an unexpected role can be quite entertaining and even lighten the mood. 

These workshops can also focus on helping people enhance their soft skills, like communication, conflict resolution, or even leadership in a team setting. By improving these collaborative skills together, coworkers learn to function better as a unit, fostering more effective communication and boosting overall team performance.

These workshops are so entertaining, that people hate the idea of skipping them. A challenge with collaborative spaces is that a lot of people don’t come to the shared office every day but work on a hybrid model. So, it might be a good idea to use a tool like RegFox’s event registration software in order to allow even those who can’t make it to the office on that day to participate. This way, no one gets left behind. 

3. Shared workspace art wall

Bring some creativity to the office by organizing a collaborative mural painting event. Everyone contributes a section, working together to create something visually striking. This fun, artistic activity lets people express themselves while bonding over a shared project, adding a personal and artistic touch to the workspace.

An art wall doesn’t have to be just one big mural. Employees can contribute smaller sketches or drawings over time, creating an evolving and dynamic display of creativity. This ongoing contribution encourages everyone to participate and adds a sense of ownership to the shared workspace.

Keep things fresh by changing the theme of the art wall every month or quarter. This keeps people excited and engaged, giving them something new to work on together. It also sparks creative conversations as people get involved in the process of deciding each new theme.

In a way, it encourages voting and compromise solutions which modern remote collaboration depends on. 

An art wall gives employees a chance to tap into their creative side, even if their day-to-day work doesn’t involve too much creativity. It’s a fun way to unwind and think in new ways, and it helps foster a culture of openness, imagination, and collaboration in the workplace.  

4. Cooking or bake-off competitions

How a fun cooking or bake-off competition where everyone either brings in a dish or teams up to cook something together. It’s a light-hearted, low-pressure way to bond over food, letting people showcase their culinary skills and share a bit of themselves with their colleagues. 

Add an element of friendly competition by having a panel of judges vote for their favorite dish. This not only makes the event more interactive but also gives everyone a reason to bring their A-game, whether they’re making a secret family recipe or a quirky new dish.

Food has a way of bringing people together. A cooking competition offers a chance to share favorite recipes, learn about different cultures, and simply have fun together. It’s an easy, enjoyable way to foster connections in a shared workspace while giving everyone a tasty reward at the end.

Since this event is all about food and fun, it’s naturally low-stress and casual. There’s no pressure to perform, and everyone can enjoy themselves. It creates a relaxed environment where team members can bond without the usual work-related tensions. 

5. Collaborative charity events

Pick a charity or cause that resonates with your team. Whether it’s fundraising, organizing a volunteer event, or running a donation drive, choosing something everyone can get behind helps foster a sense of shared purpose and brings people together for a greater good beyond the workplace.

Get everyone involved by teaming up to organize charity activities. From brainstorming ideas to executing the event, these collaborative efforts strengthen teamwork and give employees a sense of ownership. Plus, it’s rewarding to see everyone working together for a positive impact.

Working toward a charitable cause unites teams and provides a shared sense of purpose. It’s a great way to remind people of the bigger picture and give them an opportunity to connect on a deeper level. This sense of purpose strengthens bonds and enhances overall team cohesion. 

By organizing charity events together, employees not only help others but also build a stronger community within their own workspace. These events bring people closer, creating more empathy and understanding among coworkers while boosting morale and making everyone feel like part of something bigger. 

Wrap up

People who choose to go to the shared workspace are those who want the advantages of working together with others. They want to mingle with their coworkers and feel like they’re working on the same project despite the fact that they’re not even working in the same companies. With these activities, you can get there a lot quicker.