16 Fun Diversity and Inclusion Activities in the Workplace to Build Belonging

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a corporate buzzword or just about policies. It’s about how people feel at work every day. Do they feel heard in meetings? Comfortable sharing ideas? Included in conversations? Diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace help teams build empathy, reduce bias, and create a culture where everyone feels valued. These DEI team building activities go beyond policies to create a real connection. 

In this guide, you’ll find 16 diversity and inclusion activities for the workplace that go beyond surface-level fun. From quick games and icebreakers to creative workshops and cultural experiences, these ideas are designed to help teams build empathy, reduce bias, and create a stronger sense of belonging, whether you’re remote, hybrid, or in-office. 

Table of contents

Why Host Diversity and Inclusion Activities in the Workplace?

Studies show that 76% of potential employees consider diversity when evaluating employers; that’s why hosting diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace is important. Here are a few benefits of hosting these activities for teams. 

• Builds a Sense of Belonging: Makes everyone feel valued, regardless of their cultural background, and creates space for meaningful interactions.
• Encourages Empathy: Helps teams explore diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another in a way that feels natural. 
• Supports Employee Retention: Creates an inclusive work culture where employees feel valued and are more likely to remain with the organization over the long term. 
• Reinforces Company Values: Builds trust among teams by turning DEI commitments into visible, everyday actions across teams. 

16 Best Diversity and Inclusion Activities in the Workplace

Dive into the 16 best ideas to host diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace to build happier, more inclusive teams. They’re meaningful, suitable for teams of all sizes, and perfect for both distributed and in-person teams. 

Did you know that companies with inclusive cultures are 2x more likely to meet financial targets?

Diversity and Inclusion Games for the Workplace

Check out these DEI games for work to celebrate diverse perspectives and bring teams together through shared, meaningful experiences. 

1. Drag Queen Bingo

Want to add a dose of flair to your diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace? A drag queen bingo event is the right pick for your team. Team members receive colorful bingo cards from a fabulous host with numbers, LGBTQIA+ terms, trivia questions, or personalized prompts. They mark off the prompts as the host calls them out in their signature style, create a winning combo, and shout ‘Bingo!’ to win. Along the way, they can explore tidbits about Pride Month, Queer culture, different flags, and more for an insightful experience. 

👉 Why it works: Creates a safe, celebratory space to explore LGBTQ+ culture while encouraging open, inclusive conversations. 

2. Cultural Show and Tell

Cultural show-and-tell invites teams to bring a piece of their heritage into the spotlight. From traditional attire and home décor to regional snacks or handmade crafts, each participant shares the story, meaning, or memory behind their chosen item. You can invite everyone to exchange reflective questions, share ideas, and enjoy an interactive experience.

👉 Why it works: Builds empathy by allowing team members to share personal stories and cultural identity in a meaningful way. 

3. Guess the Picture

Host a themed Guess the Picture game as part of workplace diversity and inclusion activities to engage your team with different cultures in a lighthearted way. Team members identify various zoomed-in, cropped, pixelated, or blurred images, such as country flags, food, monuments, festival scenes, movie stills, and more. For a more inclusive experience, have the host run fun trivia rounds in between to encourage curiosity and learning.

Here’s what you can add to your prompts:

• Blurred food items: Sushi, samosa, taco
• Zoomed in landmarks: Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China
• Pixelated festival scenes: Diwali diyas, Chinese New Year dragon, Carnival parade
• Cropped cultural symbols: Dreamcatcher, yin-yang, henna patterns

Try this: If you’re celebrating a particular cultural holiday, opt for themed games like AAPI Guess the Picture or Juneteenth Guess the Picture. 

👉 Why it works: Sparks curiosity about global cultures in a fun, low-pressure format that encourages learning through visuals.

4. Diversity Quiz

Diversity trivia is a great way for teams to put their cultural knowledge to the test while enjoying friendly competition. Team members tackle questions on topics such as traditions, history, cuisine, movies, literature, holidays, and art from around the world to score points. You can mix formats such as multiple-choice questions, rapid-fire rounds, or team challenges to keep the energy high and participation inclusive.

If you want to host themed events for holidays and occasions, check out the ideas below:

• Virtual Holiday Drag Queen Trivia
• Virtual Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia
• Virtual Juneteenth Trivia
• Virtual Cinco de Mayo Trivia
• International Women’s Day Trivia

👉 Why it works: Combines learning with engagement, helping teams expand cultural awareness while collaborating. 

5. DEI Scavenger Hunt 

A diversity and inclusion scavenger hunt is a fun, interactive way to explore identity, culture, and inclusion in a gamified format. Teams race to find or share items that represent diversity themes. You can run it virtually using photos or in-office with physical items.

Here are some prompt ideas:

• Something that represents your culture
• A book/movie from another culture
• A word in another language
• A tradition your family follows

👉 Why it works: Encourages participation, storytelling, and discovery in a low-pressure format.

Activities That Celebrate Identity & Self-Expression

These ideas for diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace encourage teams to embrace self-identity. Perfect for both remote and in-person teams to build a culture of belonging. 

6. The Single Story Exercise

The Single Story Exercise was introduced by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her widely recognized TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story. It shows how a single narrative about a person, culture, or place can lead to stereotypes and an incomplete understanding. For the activity, teams receive a series of prompts related to a common stereotype or a one-sided narrative, and they share their ideas and reflect on their assumptions. Alternatively, you can even lead a structured discussion with prompts where everyone shares personal experiences. 

Ideas for prompt-based reflection:

• Think of a time when your perspective about a group or place evolved, what changed?
• How do media or popular culture shape our understanding of different communities?
• What helps move us from assumptions to a more nuanced understanding?
• How does storytelling help build empathy across cultures?

Ideas for structured discussion: 

• What is a “single story” you once believed about a culture? 
• Have you heard a single story about your culture?
• When did you first realize a stereotype you believed wasn’t accurate?
• What’s a story about your culture you wish more people knew?

👉 Why it works: Challenges stereotypes and encourages deeper understanding by exploring multiple perspectives. 

7. What to Say Instead? Icebreakers

Inclusivity icebreakers offer a practical opportunity for teams to navigate real workplace situations with more empathy. Team members are given prompts based on scenarios such as bias in meetings, cultural miscommunication, or the use of culturally inappropriate language, and are asked how they would respond. Everyone discusses possible responses, compares perspectives, and responds with more inclusive ways to communicate. 

Try these prompts to initiate meaningful conversations: 

• A colleague’s name is mispronounced repeatedly. How might you approach the situation respectfully?
• You hear a joke that could be interpreted as insensitive. What are some ways to respond or redirect the conversation?
• Someone makes an assumption about a colleague’s background. How can you respond in a way that encourages awareness?
• An idea is dismissed quickly in a meeting. What are ways to bring the conversation back to a more inclusive space?
• A teammate seems hesitant to contribute due to language or confidence barriers. How can you support their participation?

👉 Why it works: Helps teams practice inclusive communication in real-world scenarios, making learning practical and actionable. 

8. Diversity Paint Party

Looking to host creative diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace that nurture self-expression? A diversity-themed paint party is sure to engage your team. Participants select cultural themes and create paintings that reflect their identity, heritage, traditions, or personal story. For a guided experience, bring in an expert host to lead the event and share interesting facts along the way. 

Check out these ideas to plan your creations:

• Cultural Roots: Paint symbols, traditions, or elements that represent your background. 
• Food & Identity: Illustrate dishes or meals that connect you to home. 
• Colors of Pride: Express identity through Pride flags and vibrant colors. 
• Patterns & Textiles: Draw inspiration from traditional prints and fabrics. 

Try this: Collaborate on a digital painting or paint a shared canvas to create a unity-in-diversity-themed piece. 

👉 Why it works: Encourages self-expression and storytelling through art, helping teams connect beyond surface-level interactions. 

9. Dance and Learn

Dance and Learn is where culture meets movement. Instead of just talking about diversity, teams experience it by learning a dance form and the story behind it. From folk traditions to global styles, the goal isn’t to “get it right,” but to understand and appreciate where it comes from. A skilled instructor can bring the experience alive with real insights, not just steps.

Check out these diverse dance styles to practice during your event:

• Bollywood: An Indian dance form that blends energetic music with expressive moves, perfect for a team dance party. 
• Salsa: A lively Latin dance rooted in rhythm and connection, great for teams to enjoy solo or duet routines. 
• Hip-hop: A powerful street-born style that channels individuality and self-expression, encouraging teams to explore dynamic, freestyle moves.
• K-pop: A high-energy, trend-driven style known for synchronized choreography, ideal for teams looking to master fun, pop-culture-influenced routines.

👉 Why it works: Brings cultural appreciation to life through movement, making learning immersive and memorable. 

Bias Awareness and Inclusion Learning

These diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace help teams recognize how bias shows up in everyday decisions, conversations, and behaviors. Great for teams to question assumptions by working through guided reflections. 

10. Common Ground Challenge

Common Ground Challenge is a simple activity that helps teams discover shared experiences while appreciating differences. Small groups are given a prompt (e.g., “Find 5 things everyone here has in common beyond the obvious”) and work together to uncover unique overlaps.

Responses are shared with the larger group, often leading to surprising connections and conversations. The activity keeps things light, inclusive, and easy to run in both remote and in-office settings.

👉 Why it works: Helps teams see how experiences can differ, building empathy and understanding.

11. Multicultural Movie Night

Cultural movie nights give teams a relaxed way to experience different cultures. Pick a film through a quick vote, watch it together, and follow it up with a casual discussion on what stood out, surprised, or resonated. 

Explore these cross-cultural movie recommendations for your watch list:

• Hidden Figures: A powerful story about three Black women who made groundbreaking contributions to NASA, highlighting perseverance, talent, and breaking barriers.
• The Pursuit of Happyness: A moving tale of resilience and overcoming adversity, focusing on a single father’s journey to success despite personal and societal challenges.
• Selma:  A historical drama showcasing the Civil Rights Movement and the power of unity in the fight for racial equality.
• The Intern: A feel-good story that bridges generational gaps, emphasizing respect, mentorship, and inclusion in the workplace.
• A Beautiful Mind: The inspiring true story of a mathematician with schizophrenia, shedding light on mental health and the importance of support and understanding.

Here’s a tip: If you have a remote team, use streaming platforms like Teleparty to sync your viewing in real time and use the chat box to share thoughts during the screening.

👉 Why it works: Uses storytelling to create emotional connection and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. 

12. Inclusive Language Learning

Inclusive language workshops help teams communicate more thoughtfully at work. Led by an expert, these sessions highlight common words or phrases that may be biased and offer simple, more respectful alternatives. With real-life examples, role-play, and open Q&A, teams walk away with practical changes they can use in meetings, emails, and everyday conversations.

Add these talking points to your session to build a more culturally aware team:

• Inclusive vs non-inclusive language
• Common workplace phrases to rethink
• Gender-neutral language and pronouns
• Avoiding cultural assumptions
• Cross-cultural communication basics
• Responding to non-inclusive language

👉 Why it works: Provides practical tools to communicate more respectfully and inclusively in everyday work interactions. 

13. Unconscious Bias Role Play

Teams that want to address bias in an interactive way can participate in a role-play exercise. Participants take turns acting out common workplace scenarios, observing what’s wrong, and redoing the scene with a positive perspective. This ‘act, reflect, redo’ approach makes learning practical, helps teams identify bias and practice inclusive responses in real time. 

Try these situational clues during your event:

• A team member is repeatedly interrupted during a meeting. 
• A colleague assumes someone’s role based on their background.
• Someone makes a “harmless” joke that feels inappropriate.
• A coworker’s name is shortened without asking. 

👉 Why it works: Turns awareness into action by helping teams identify and correct bias in real-time scenarios. 

Hands-on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Activities 

If you want to host diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace that focus on global cultural traditions, check out the hands-on experience ideas below. 

14. Craft Workshops 

Craft workshops bring cultural traditions to life through creative, guided activities. From traditional art styles to modern interpretations, participants learn techniques while exploring the stories behind them.

If you’re looking for craft ideas, check out the options below:

• Origami: Craft intricate paper objects like flowers, cranes, or animals while exploring the Japanese art of paper folding. 
• Frida Kahlo Headband: Create a vibrant floral headband inspired by the iconic Mexican artist while learning about her artistic influence. 
• Hongabao Lantern Making: Design decorative lanterns inspired by Chinese New Year decorations using red envelopes, and explore their cultural significance. 
• Diya Painting: Paint traditional clay lamps used during the Indian festival of Diwali with vibrant colors, patterns, and embellishments. 

👉 Why it works: Offers hands-on cultural learning that promotes appreciation through creativity and shared experience. 

15. Global Culinary Experiences (Cooking, Tasting & Sips)

Food brings people together across cultures, making it one of the most engaging diversity and inclusion activities in the workplace. Participants can either cook a dish together, sample curated foods, or join a guided tasting session. Along the way, they explore cultural stories, ingredients, preparation styles, and traditions behind each cuisine.

Here are a few ways to run it:

• Cook Together:
  Prepare dishes like tacos, ramen, pasta, or biryani in a guided session while learning about their origins.
• Taste Around the World:
  Sample curated snack boxes or meals from different regions with a host explaining flavors and traditions.
• Global Sips & Stories:
  Explore drinks like matcha, masala chai, or mocktails while learning cultural significance.

Try this: Send global snack kits or recipe cards in advance for remote teams to create a shared experience.

👉 Why it works: Combines sensory learning with storytelling, making cultural exploration interactive.

16. Cultural Music & Rhythm Experience

Music is a powerful way to explore culture without needing prior skills. In this activity, teams learn about global music styles, instruments, and rhythms through a guided session. Participants can try clapping patterns, basic drumming, or even recreate beats using everyday objects.

Explore these Ideas:

• African drumming circles
• Latin percussion rhythms
• Bollywood or K-pop music breakdowns
• Indigenous or folk music traditions

Try this: Turn it into a mini challenge where teams recreate a rhythm or guess the origin of a beat.

👉 Why it works: Makes cultural learning interactive, inclusive, and accessible to all skill levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are diversity games for work?

Diversity games are interactive activities designed to help teams understand different perspectives, improve cultural awareness, and build stronger connections through fun, engaging participation.

What are fun DEI activities for teams?

Fun DEI activities for workplace include cultural show-and-tell sessions, trivia or bingo with inclusion themes, storytelling circles, multicultural movie nights, and global food or drink experiences. Teams can also try scenario-based icebreakers, heritage month celebrations, or “learn a skill” sessions like dance or language basics.

What does DEI team building activities include?

Diversity and inclusion team building activities include discussions, interactive challenges, and experiential exercises that help teams build empathy and understanding. 

How are DEI team building activities different from regular ones?

Unlike standard formats, diversity and inclusion team building activities focus on awareness, belonging, and perspective-sharing. They help teams build cultural appreciation and create an inclusive work culture where everyone belongs. 

What makes diversity, equity, and inclusion activities effective for teams?

Inclusive team building activities work well for teams, as it blends collaboration with awareness-building exercises that build empathy, trust, and cultural appreciation within teams. 

What are some fun diversity and inclusion activities for teams?

Fun diversity team building activities include diversity trivia, culinary tasting, and guess the picture. 

What are some good inclusion games for teams?

Diversity bingo, scavenger hunt, and single story exercise are some good inclusion games for teams to play.

What are some good virtual inclusion activities for meetings? 

Story circles, show and tell, and themed paint parties are some good inclusion activities for virtual meetings. 

What are some of the best virtual diversity icebreakers?

Inclusion-themed games like two truths and a wish, never have I ever, and this or that are some of the best virtual diversity and inclusion icebreakers. 

How to host diversity and inclusion activities for virtual teams? 

To host DEI virtual activities, select a video conferencing platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Create a list of themed Inclusion and diversity games or activities and assign a host to lead the session. Send out meeting invites with all the necessary details so everyone can join the session. Alternatively, opt for virtual team building companies to enjoy a fully hosted experience.