12 Hands-On Diversity and Inclusion Activities in the Workplace

Diversity and Inclusion is more than a hot-button topic that you hear brought up at all-hands meetings. Not only do diversity and inclusion activities create a greater sense of belonging for team members and enhance the company culture as a whole, it’s actually proven that diverse and inclusive workplaces can see up to an 8% increase in profitability. As a whole, the focus on diversity in the workplace stands to make your organization stronger on all fronts. Your team members will be happier and more productive, and your organization will be more profitable.

Basically, it’s a win for everyone.

How do you promote diversity for remote teams?

It’s not likely that our work model will go back to what we had pre-2020! Though it takes a little adjustment, you can improve your company’s diversity and inclusion efforts thanks to hybrid and fully remote teams. (Forbes says remote teams are better for a more inclusive workplace!) 

For starters, a remote work environment opens your organization to a whole new workforce, ushering in new ideas and innovation. You can have a more diverse talent pool simply by not requiring your employees to work in-office all the time.

But diversity and inclusion initiatives can sometimes be lost in a remote or hybrid workplace, mostly because companies struggle to uphold their company culture when they’re used to in-person activities and events.

Though it might not come as naturally as integrating DEI initiatives into the in-person workplace, promoting diverse teams remotely only takes a little extra push (that significantly pays off.)

When a company doesn’t focus on creating a happy and inclusive workplace, it can harm employee engagement, leaders, and the bottom line. Conversely, DEI initiatives and activities are designed to bring people together and create a more cohesive, happier workplace as a whole.

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The 12 most engaging activities for workplace diversity & inclusion

Sometimes, DEI activities are as simple as sitting down for conversations surrounding culture and heritage. Sometimes, it’s about celebrating new and innovative perspectives and ideas. And sometimes, you need to learn about someone’s culture in a unique, engaging way (that’s kinda our specialty here!) 

We take our DEI experiences seriously at Confetti, and want to assure you that each activity is created by a knowledgeable person representative of the culture they’re teaching about.

Now, let’s break down the top engaging virtual diversity and inclusion activities for the workplace:

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1. Identity Through Chinese Calligraphy

This activity is great for... the Lunar New Year because it explores the innovative story of the Chinese language. 

Even if the Lunar New Year isn’t coming up, this virtual team building class is a great way to bring your staff together to learn about another culture’s language. Plus, you’ll discuss themes of our personal identities and the way they continuously evolve, which is a great topic for connecting teams.

How to get started 👉 Explore language in Identity Through Chinese Calligraphy

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2. Black History & Culture Trivia

This activity is great for... Black History Month because it encourages learning about Black history and culture in a fun and educational way!!

This virtual game show-style trivia centers around Black history, pop culture, and more. If you and your team are looking to learn more and brush up on your Black history, while getting together to have a great time, this is the perfect team building activity for you. With some easy questions, some difficult questions, and lots to be learned, Black History & Culture Trivia is sure to be an excellent time for everyone on your team.

How to get started 👉 Step right up and play Black History & Culture Trivia!

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3. Women in Cacao Chocolate Tasting

This activity is great for... Women's History Month because it showcases some of the best chocolate made by women around the globe.

Join our certified chocolate expert (yes, it’s a job, and yes, we’re jealous, too) for an international taste test of at least six different chocolates from sustainable, ethical women cacao farmers. 

Here’s a statistic that might surprise you: 57% of cacao farmers worldwide are women. Which, in a male-dominated farming industry, is quite the feat. Not only that, but female chocolate farmers are opening up the doors for a more ethical, kinder chocolate industry. We think that that’s something worth celebrating. Plus, getting to try a bunch of different chocolate doesn’t hurt…

How to get started 👉 Learn more about the women behind your favorite treat in Women in Cacao Chocolate Tasting! 

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4. Thai Cooking Class

This activity is great for... AAPI Heritage Month because food is the great cultural connector.

Sure, many of us have probably tried Thai food at some point in our lives. But how many non-Thai people can say that they know how to make it? Celebrate Thai culture through their cuisine with our Thai Cooking Class, run by an expert Thai cook! 

How to get started 👉Learn how to cook your new favorite meal in our Thai Cooking Class!

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5. Bollywood Workout

This activity is great for... AAPI Heritage Month because you can learn a lot by embracing a culture’s movement language.

This dance workout class is inspired by classic Indian dance moves mixed with folk, hip-hop, and Latin steps. Your team members will be able to break a sweat in style while learning some fun new South Asian-inspired dance moves. You never know who’s gonna break it down the hardest until you try…

How to get started 👉 Shake up your exercise routine with our Bollywood Workout Class!

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6. Terrarium Workshop

This activity is great for... Mental Health Awareness Month because plants create a sense of inner peace.

Working from home can be an incredibly isolating experience. What used to be a routine of communicating with cubicle-mates and having coworker lunch dates has turned into hour-long Zoom calls and midday power naps. Though it’s certainly not all bad (we love not having to pack a lunch every day), it would be a lot better with a little breath of life in our work from home space.

In our Terrarium Workshop, you and your team will learn how to create, decorate, and maintain a mini terrarium to brighten up your workspace! Even the biggest plant killers will be able to keep their new desk friend alive after this class.

How to get started 👉 Bring a little life to your WFH setup in our Terrarium Workshop!

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7. Deskercise Class

This activity is great for... Mental Health Awareness Month because mental health and physical health go hand in hand.

Spending all day at your desk can be rough on the body which, in turn, can be rough on the brain. Instead of letting your staff get stiff, invite them to this Deskercise class! This easy workout class takes classic yoga poses and adapts them into seated stretches that your team can do any time of day. 

Not only is it a nice boost of exercise (and endorphins), these team building activities teach something that your team can carry with them through the rest of their career – health!

How to get started 👉 Shake off the “seated all day stiffness” in our Deskercise Class!

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8. Pride Pub

This activity is great for... Pride Month because you’ll have a blast with your team playing LGBTQIA+ trivia, games, and more! 

Pride Pub is a choose-your own adventure of fun. Enjoy conversations with coworkers, live music, and even Drag Queen Bingo! Plus, you’ll learn about Queer activists, media, history, and so much more in the variety of mini games you have to pick from.  

How to get started 👉 Be loud, be proud in our Pride Pub!

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9. The MLK You Didn’t Know

This activity is great for… celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day because you’ll learn even more about the Civil Rights Leader’s upbringing and life in Atlanta, GA. 

There’s so much more to learn than what we were taught in school about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this lecture-style presentation, your team will learn about MLK’s legacy through rare videos and photographs, stories from his childhood, speeches, and more! 

How to get started 👉  The MLK You Didn’t Know

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10. Ojo de Dios Crafting Class

This activity is great for... Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month because it teaches the spiritual significance behind one of the most recognized depictions of Mexican art in the world. 

In this cultural craft class, your team will learn how to craft their own Ojo de Dios, or God’s Eye, using wood and yarn. While you’re crafting, your host will walk you through the history and meaning behind this well-known art piece that brings fortune, protection, and good luck! You’ll even learn weaving techniques so you can make your own works of art.

Making something with your hands is a great way to reconnect with your creative side and learn in an engaging way! 

How to get started 👉 Weave good luck in an Ojo de Dios Making Class!

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11. Taco Piñata Making Class

This activity is great for... Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month because your team will learn how to make the most recognized depiction of Mexican celebrations!

Everyone’s seen a piñata, if not played the game at a birthday party or other celebration! But how much do you know about the history behind the piñata and how it became the cultural touchstone that it is today? In this class, your team will craft their own taco-shaped piñata using tissue paper and cardboard, filled with their favorite candy, while learning something new along the way.

How to get started 👉 Taco-bout a good time in our Taco Piñata Making Class!

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12. Dream Catcher Making Workshop

This activity is great for... Native American Heritage Month because dream catchers are a sacred and significant part of Indigenous culture.

Join our knowledgeable Native American host to learn about the cultural significance of the dream catcher while making your own! Workshop participants will weave, bead, and glue their own dream catcher so that, by the time they go to sleep that night, they can ward off the bad dreams and allow only good ones to slip through.

How to get started 👉 Weave knowledge together in our Dream Catcher Making Workshop! 

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Celebrate diverse backgrounds with Confetti!

At the end of the day, DEI makes a workplace extraordinary. Celebrating cultural diversity and the different heritages, genders, and sexual orientations that make up your workplace is a way to bring the entire team together, help employees feel a sense of belonging, and ultimately make your organization a much better place to work.

If you are struggling with developing remote workplace diversity and inclusion team building activities, start by thinking about the shared cultures that make up your workplace. Then, when your next team bonding experience rolls around, use that as an opportunity to learn about, celebrate, and promote diversity and inclusion. 

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For more ideas on how to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, check out our ultimate diversity and inclusion guide.