Branded event gifts and activity ideas for family-friendly fun

By Carrie Kramer

Sunshine and laughter. Good food and relaxed conversation. Family-friendly events, like picnics and open houses, bring people together in ways few other brand experiences can. Research shows in-person events create lasting positive impressions and build deeper trust between brands and their audiences. In fact, 95% of people say they have greater trust in a brand opens in new window after attending an in-person event. Incorporate thoughtfully chosen branded event gifts, and you can leave a positive impression that lasts.

95%

of people have greater trust
in a brand after attending an in-person event.

For organizations looking to deepen customer relationships, boost employee morale or attract prospective customers, a family-friendly event can provide a powerful opportunity. With the right mix of engaging activities and branded giveaways, a simple get-together can become a memorable brand experience—one that strengthens connections and resonates long after the day ends.

Entertainment ideas for company picnics and open houses

Whether it’s a local band, acoustic musician, magician, puppeteer or face painter, live entertainment brings special energy to any event. Your audience can enjoy time to relax and socialize, while kids and kids at heart get their faces painted or are dazzled by a balloon artist.

Open house gifts amplify the experience. If audiences gather to watch a performance, picnic blankets or camping chairs can help keep them comfortable. Offer to the first 15 guests or early-bird registrations. Welcome guests as they arrive at outdoor venues by providing sunglasses and tubes of sunscreen. Serve refreshing drinks in color-changing cups that become event keepsakes.

Live entertainment creates shareable moments. Encourage guests to snap and share photos of their experience—whether dancing on stage or displaying a balloon animal—to extend your social media reach and weave your brand into memories. Incorporate floor displays or sail signs so your logo becomes part of the backdrop.

Ice cream sundae stations for family events

Few treats have the power to draw a crowd like ice cream—especially during warmer months. Create an ice cream sundae bar, featuring an array of toppings, as the centerpiece of your open house or picnic. Add a sundae toppings set to every table. Make the indulgence even sweeter by incorporating small, themed branded event gifts. Color-changing bowls and spoons provide extra helpings of fun.

Pro tip: Appeal to all tastes by also offering root beer floats or milkshakes. Serve in plastic mugs that double as event souvenirs. Bonus: Industry research shows that a single promotional drinkware item averages more than 3,100 impressions opens in new window over its lifetime.

Need more drinkware gift inspiration? Explore additional ways bottles, tumblers and mugs can boost your brand.

Carnival games and promotional prizes for employee appreciation events

Carnival-style games can bring out the playful side in employees, customers and other guests. From bean bags and ring toss to basketball and golf, these simple-to-set-up games are enjoyable for all ages.

Pair employees with customers or invite departments to a face-off. Incorporate the right promotional prizes to take the experience to the next level. Offer water bottles or beach balls to winners of a ladder ball beat-the-score challenge. Hold a balloon dart match and reward winners with outdoor coolers. Or connect prizes to an activity. For example, give branded golf balls to the winner of a putting challenge, or a mini basketball to whomever makes the most baskets. For those who don’t come out victorious, Koozie^® can coolers or fidget spinners are perfect consolation prizes for good efforts.

Interactive animal experiences for family-friendly events

Few attractions bring smiles to faces like live animals. From a petting zoo to a farm animal encounter to a mobile wildlife education program, lovable critters and creatures can turn a simple open house into an unforgettable day for families.

Practical promotional gifts optimize these experiences. Give themed sportpacks as welcome bags for guests. Include hand sanitizers for a germ-resistant encounter. Snacks, like trail mix or gummy bears, can fuel participants. Bonus: Bags are extra useful for carrying items collected throughout the day.

Industry research shows 78% of Gen Z consumers are more likely to do business opens in new window with a brand after receiving a valued promo. That’s great news for organizations looking to reach this audience at family-friendly events.

78%

of Gen Z consumers
are more likely to do business with a brand after receiving a valued promo.

Choose plush toys to match animals at the event as prizes for answering a trivia question about a rabbit, llama or pig. Create an event passport where attendees receive stamps to encourage participation at different locations. When a passport is filled, celebrate by offering branded giveaway items, like coloring fun packs or flyers.

Arts and crafts stations for company picnics and celebrations

Arts and crafts give families a fun way to engage at picnics, open houses and other events. And when those activities include branded giveaway items, participants are further encouraged to interact with your brand. Whether it’s decorating tote bags, painting mini canvases, building birdhouses or creating seasonal crafts, DIY activities offer something guests can make and take home, creating lasting memories.

Provide an assortment of paints, glue, glitter, Mini Sharpie^® markers and other craft supplies. Give guests a T-shirt or bucket hat, imprinted with a simple logo, to decorate. Or set up a coloring station with markers and coloring books that connect to your industry. Arts and crafts naturally encourage conversation—while artists create their masterpieces, parents have time to chat with your team and learn more about your products or services.

Family-friendly ideas for company picnics, open houses and gatherings

A thoughtfully planned picnic or open house does more than entertain—it creates connection and strengthens relationships. With fun and engaging activities and memorable branded event gifts, your organization can turn one afternoon of family fun into long-term loyalty and meaningful brand impressions.

Carrie Kramer

Carrie Kramer is a merchandising category manager with more than 20 years of experience in the promotional products industry and has been part of 4imprint’s merchandising team for nearly two years. She brings extensive expertise in merchandising, product sourcing, and building strong vendor relationships. Working closely with product development partners—and always thinking creatively—Carrie continually seeks out the best promotional products to strengthen her category offerings. Her expertise and creative approach help ensure 4imprint remains at the forefront of wellness-related promotional trends.

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