The Funnest Promotional Items Your Brand Probably Isn’t Using (But Should Be)

Most Australian organisations play it safe with their merchandise, including pens, notebooks, drink bottles, and lanyards. Nothing wrong with that — but here’s the truth..

Fun promotional items work on a completely different psychological level. 

They spark joy, curiosity and childlike nostalgia — three emotional triggers proven to increase recall and social sharing. So whether you’re running a booth at ICC Sydney, onboarding new staff, launching a product, or hosting a summer event, fun merch can create instant engagement in a way that a 20-page corporate brochure never will. 

This guide will show you the funnest promotional items available to your organisation, why they work, who they’re perfect for, and how to choose the right one for your next campaign. 

Why “Fun” Works Better Than You Think?

Fun merchandise taps into emotions first and branding second — and that’s what makes it stick. 

Cubic Promote’s Sydney Survey of 100 Australians found: 

• 83% could recall their last promotional item 
• 67% preferred receiving something playful or creative over something purely practical 
• Younger demographics (18–34) showed the strongest preference for novelty items 

Fun drives: 

• Conversation 
• Movement (physical activity = more visibility) 
• Social media moments 
• Longer retention (because people don’t throw away items that amuse them) 

You’re not just giving someone a toy — you’re giving them a micro-moment of joy with your logo attached. 

The Funniest Promotional Items (Ranked by Engagement Potential) 

Below are the highest performing “fun merch” categories, complete with internal links for your buyers. 

Stress Balls (Round Stress Balls) 

Perfect for: office desks, conferences, universities, HR wellness programs 

Stress balls are timeless. They’re tactile, satisfying, and live permanently on desks — which means your branding does too. Whether you’re targeting accountants, students, medical clinics or trade show visitors, stress balls deliver guaranteed interaction. (Shop round stress balls here)

Bouncy Balls 

Perfect for: sporting events, youth programs, councils, fitness brands
Fun level: off the charts. (Shop bouncy balls here)

Bouncy balls create movement, which creates visibility — your brand literally bounces around in public places. They’re also great for: 

• School holiday activations 
• Community events 
• Outdoor brand activations 

Putty & Slime 

Perfect for: healthcare clinics, family events, universities, kids’ programs 

Putty attaches your brand to a sensory experience — squishy, messy (in a good way), and memorable. These are ideal when you want your booth to be the one people remember long after they’ve walked away. (Shop putty & slime here)

Coin Banks 

Perfect for: banks, councils, Government, and financial literacy programs 

These are underrated, high-retention items. People keep coin banks for YEARS. They sit on desks, kitchen counters, bedside tables — which means they generate long, long visibility. (Shop coin banks here)

Active Toys (Skipping Ropes, Paddle Bats, Hand Balls, etc.) 

Perfect for: sporting clubs, charity fun runs, schools, youth brands
Active toys = outdoor exposure. (Shop active toys here)

Your logo ends up at parks, beaches, community sports days — and that’s precisely where high-traffic impressions happen. 

Frisbees 

Perfect for: summer events, beach festivals, beer brands, councils 

Frisbees are the kings of airborne branding.
High visibility.
High fun.
High replay value.
And perfect for Australia’s endless summer culture. (Shop frisbees here)

Games (Card Decks, Puzzles, Brain Teasers) 

Perfect for: corporate gifts, tech companies, conferences, universities 

Promotional games create brilliant fun. They signal creativity and intelligence — perfect for tech, finance, consulting and education. 

We’ve produced custom decks of cards for major corporations, and they’re always a hit because they’re always ready for the next social moment, living in bags, glove compartments, and desk drawers. (Shop card decks here)

Plush Toys 

Perfect for: hospitals, insurance companies, aged care, family brands 

Plush is emotional branding at its finest. 

People bond with soft toys. Kids keep them on their beds. Adults keep them on shelves. Plush items deliver long-term emotional connection — one of the most powerful branding outcomes available. (Shop plush toys here)

Comparison Table: Which Fun Item Is Best for Your Campaign? 

Who Should Use Fun Promotional Items? 

Fun merch works brilliantly for: 

• Marketing teams want standout event items 
• HR & People & Culture looking for morale-boosting gifts 
• Schools & Universities targeting younger audiences 
• Councils & Government for community events 
• Tech companies want unique onboarding items 
• Charities & NFPs looking for high-engagement giveaways 
• Youth brands wanting shareable, photo-friendly items 
• Sports and fitness organisations using outdoor merch 

If your brand wants attention, fun merch is more potent than traditional corporate gifts. 

When Should You Pick Fun Items Instead of “Serious” Merchandise? 

Choose fun merch when you want to: 

• Increase foot traffic to your booth 
• Get people posting on social media 
• Create movement (literally) 
• Stand out from competitors 
• Engage families and younger demographics 
• Add delight to onboarding kits 
• Run outdoor events or festivals 
• Give away high-volume, low-cost items 

In short: fun items create buzz. 

Real Australian Examples 

1. Custom lollipops for Australian Headache & Migraine Clinics (AHMC) — fun for a serious cause. 
2. Nearmap chocolate-on-a-stick lollipops — creative, memorable confectionery branding. 
3. Suncorp Stadium cooler bag — fun + functional branding power. 

Final Thoughts

Fun promotional items aren’t just toys — they’re strategic branding tools that drive smiles, interactions and unforgettable moments.
If you’re ready to build a fun-focused merch range for your next activation, event or staff initiative, the Cubic Promote team can recommend the right items based on your audience, budget and campaign goals.