Planning a company picnic in Metro Vancouver? Most idea lists give you activity suggestions with no local logistics attached, and most park guides give you the logistics with no activity ideas. Here are 13 real options, plus the actual permit and booking details for a few real Metro Vancouver parks — not generic "have fun outside" advice.
1. Bring in a mobile golf simulator
A full simulator setup that comes to your park, field, or company grounds — weatherproof, all ages and skill levels welcome, and built for a casual drop-in format that fits a picnic's pace better than a scheduled activity block. See our company picnic golf simulator page for details.
2. BBQ or food truck rally
Still the anchor of most company picnics. A food truck rally gives people the option to graze at their own pace rather than sit through a formal meal service.
3. Lawn games station
Cornhole, giant Jenga, and bocce set up together as a drop-in station works well alongside other activities — low cost, low supervision needed.
4. Tug-of-war or relay races
An "office Olympics" format with a few classic relay events gives departments or teams something to compete over without much setup.
5. Photo booth or themed backdrop
A simple backdrop with props works as a standalone activity or a nice add-on next to a bigger draw.
6. Build-your-own taco or burger bar
A step up from a plain BBQ that still keeps food casual and self-serve.
7. Prize wheel or raffle
Cheap to run and gives the afternoon a natural high point when winners are drawn.
8. S'mores station
Works well as an early-evening activity if your picnic runs into the late afternoon — check your park's fire/open-flame rules first, since some sites restrict it.
9. Roving magician or caricature artist
A less obvious option that works its way through the crowd rather than requiring people to gather at one spot.
10. Water balloon toss
A classic for a hot summer afternoon and genuinely works for a mixed-age crowd if kids are invited.
11. Live DJ or acoustic set
Background music gives the whole event a different feel without requiring anyone to participate directly.
12. Chili or potluck cook-off
A fun option if your team has strong personalities who like to compete — works best for smaller, more tight-knit groups.
13. Outdoor movie night
If your picnic runs into the evening, a projector and screen turns the second half of the day into something completely different.
Real Metro Vancouver park details
A few real examples of what booking actually looks like: Surrey Bend Regional Park has picnic shelters holding up to 40 people each, bookable up to a year ahead through Metro Vancouver's Active Communities portal, with weekday and weekend rates plus GST. Burnaby's picnic sites (including Fraser Foreshore Park and Confederation Park) hold up to 200 people per site, with applications opening February 1 each year for the coming May–September season and commercial liability insurance required for group bookings. Other picnic-friendly spots worth knowing: Queen's Park (New Westminster), Rocky Point Park (Port Moody), and Barnet Marine Park.
Permits, in plain terms
For a casual picnic with a handful of people, most parks don't require anything beyond first-come-first-served use. Once you're booking a shelter, bringing in outside vendors, or expecting a larger group, most Metro Vancouver municipalities and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks require a formal booking or Special Event/Use Permit — generally applied for well ahead of your date, with insurance requirements for larger events. Confirm directly with the specific park you're booking, since rules vary site to site.