Team-building activities help team members bond, build trust, improve communication, and become more aligned.
When done thoughtfully, team-building activities can boost morale, productivity, and collaboration.
Below are 17 impactful team-building activities to try in your office.
1. Escape Room
An escape room activity involves locking team members in a room and giving them puzzles or challenges to solve to escape. It encourages problem-solving, communication, and creative thinking as a team.
A scavenger hunt involves giving teams a list of items or tasks to find or complete around the office. It gets people moving and collaborating to check things off the list.
3. Office Olympics
Host mini-Olympic games like relay races, tug of war, or a typing competition. This friendly competition sparks team spirit and laughter.
4. Talent Show
Have team members showcase their hidden talents or skills in a talent show. It helps to appreciate everyone’s unique abilities.
5. Cook-Off
Hold a friendly cooking competition where team members make dishes to be judged. It allows bonding over food and fun.
6. Karaoke
Karaoke is a classic team-building activity. Singing together loosens people up and reveals unexpected talents.
Test team trivia skills with pop culture, office history, or “guess the baby photo” games. Trivia encourages friendly competition and learning.
8. Photo Scavenger Hunt
Give teams cameras and a list of fun photos to take around the office. It sparks creativity and teamwork.
9. Team Lunch/Dinner
Eating together allows for casual conversations and relationship-building. Consider going to a nice restaurant.
10. Volunteering
Volunteering as a team for a charity builds camaraderie through contributing to a good cause.
Get creative juices flowing by having teams paint a mural or portraits of each other. It brings out people’s artistic sides.
Go on a hiking, camping, or ropes course adventure that encourages teamwork in exciting settings.
13. Game Tournament
Hold a ping pong, video game, or board game tournament. Friendly competition and games foster fun bonding.
14. Themed Party
Host a themed costume party or event like 80’s prom or Harry Potter night. Themed parties help people let loose.
15. Trust Exercises
Perform trust falls or spotting exercises. They build trust and communication through vulnerability.
16. Storytelling
Have people share meaningful stories or experiences. It develops empathy, understanding, and connection.
Have the team reflect on accomplishments, challenges, and goals. It reinforces purpose and unity.
Conclusion
Implementing various thoughtful team-building activities can profoundly transform workplace culture and relationships.
Make time for regular activities to improve team cohesion, communication, and collaboration.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
