The Complete Guide to Team Building: 19 Ideas That Don't Suck

Team building. Those two words don’t have to strike fear into the heart of every employee who hears them. Team building can be fun and it can actually do what it’s meant to — build stronger, more productive teams.

But if you work in HR or are a manager, you’ve probably encountered the groans and eye rolls that inevitably accompany the announcement that you’re planning Something Fun. We know that coming up with interesting and enjoyable ideas to get your people collaborating isn’t easy, which is why we’ve put together 19 ideas that actually motivate and engage your teams.

Before we dive in, here are some principles to keep in mind:

Don’t be patronizing. Team building activities shouldn’t treat employees like children.
Be inclusive. Ensure shy employees and those who aren’t athletically inclined can participate comfortably.
Respect people’s time. Conduct activities on company time whenever possible — not many people want to give up evenings or weekends for “forced fun.”

In-office team building ideas

These require minimal financial outlay and organization. Perfect for a quick team bonding session without leaving the building.

1. The perfect square

Gather your team and ask them to stand in a circle, put on blindfolds, and hold a rope that has its ends knotted together. The team has to communicate and move so the rope forms an exact square. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it forces everyone to participate and communicate.

2. Two truths and a lie

Each person shares two true pieces of information about themselves and one fake one. The rest of the group debates and votes on which is the lie. It’s a great way to get everyone talking, and participants can share as much or as little personal information as they like.

3. Potluck team lunch

Instead of going out for a team lunch (which usually results in one-on-one conversations between neighbors), hold it in the office and ask everyone to contribute potluck style. It gets people discussing what they’re bringing, and not everyone needs to cook — favorite snacks and drinks count. Allocating a sensible budget so people aren’t out of pocket helps make this a success.

4. Lunch-and-learn

Arrange for a guest speaker to present something interesting during a lunch break. Topics can be work-related or recreational, and speakers can be external or a fellow coworker. Follow up with a discussion group to get people really connecting.

5. The egg drop challenge

A classic for a reason. Create two or more teams who must build a container using only basic, limited materials that will hold an unboiled egg and allow it to be dropped from about 8 feet without breaking. It’s fun, mentally challenging, builds camaraderie, and can reveal hidden talents like logical thinking or organizational skills.

Offsite team building ideas

These take your team further afield and require a bit more planning and budget, but the payoff in bonding and engagement is worth it.

6. Escape rooms

Pretty much perfect as a team building exercise. Escaping the room literally requires coworkers to collaborate, and they’re great for allowing all personality types to shine. Unlike obstacle courses or zip-lining, escape rooms are inclusive — everyone can contribute to cracking the mystery.

7. Airbnb experiences

Airbnb experiences offer everything from kayaking at night to craft workshops. And if you’re fully remote but still want to get your team bonding, Airbnb also offers online experiences — cookery classes are particularly popular.

8. Company BBQ or picnic

A classic for a reason. Decide on your guest list (a team, a department, or the whole company) and whether to include families. Pick a location that’s accessible to everyone, and decide whether to cater, go potluck, or let people bring their own food and drinks.

9. Food trucks

Who doesn’t love a food truck? Rent one for the afternoon and park it in the company lot. Pick a day with good weather — preferably a Friday afternoon when everyone’s feeling a little more relaxed. You could hire some benches too so people can really unwind.

10. Volunteering projects

It’s well known that employees, especially younger generations, want to work for companies that give back. Organizing a community volunteering project lets employees bond while doing good — without giving up their own time and money. Plus, it won’t hurt your brand image with potential clients, partners, and future candidates.

Day out ideas

Planning a full team or company day out? These ideas go beyond a quick activity and create lasting shared memories.

11. Cooking class

Everyone works toward the same goal, bringing out the helpful side in most employees as kitchen-confident coworkers show others how to slice and dice. Plus, you’ll all end up with a (hopefully) delicious dish to take home.

12. Trash collecting

Hear us out. Picking up garbage might not be everyone’s idea of a great day, but the shared activity, fresh air, and feeling of doing something good for the community should leave your employees feeling upbeat. It provides plenty of time to chat, too.

13. Yoga or meditation retreat

A great option if you’ve just come off the back of an excessively busy or stressful period. Not everyone will be into taking it easy at first, but you might find a few converts afterwards. A day of chilling out and reflecting is never a bad thing.

14. Park day

Simple to organize and cheap to fund. Grab sports equipment, picnic blankets, food and drinks, and you’re set. This also scales easily for a full company outing — the only limit is the size of the park.

15. School outreach

Contact local schools and ask if your team can give a presentation about your industry. It’s a great way to inspire the next generation (hello, future interns!) while giving employees who care about their work a platform to share their skills and knowledge.

16. Scavenger hunt

Good fun, encourages teamwork and creative thinking, and helps everyone hit their step count. You can keep it around the office vicinity or take it further afield, and make it as easy or as hard as you like.

17. Creative class

Book employees onto a day-long course in photography, painting, web design, or creative writing. Like a cooking class, learning or improving a skill together is a fantastic way to bond while unlocking creative potential.

18. Hiking

Gather your employees and get them out into whatever nature your local area offers. Walking provides natural opportunities for conversation and bonding. Just choose a route suitable for all fitness levels so everyone can join in.

19. Tasting experience

Wine tasting, craft brewery tours, or coffee tasting can really hit the right note for the right group. Do your research first, and know your audience — this works best for teams you know will enjoy it.

Why team building matters

Team building activities aren’t about slacking off. They’re about creating stronger teams who communicate and collaborate more effectively. The fun element helps employees shake off the confines of the office and let their personalities shine through.

A poll by Gallup found that:

“When employees possess a deep sense of affiliation with their team members, they are driven to take positive actions that benefit the business — actions they may not otherwise even consider if they did not have strong relationships with their coworkers.”

The benefits extend well beyond a good time:

Stronger teamwork, especially among people who don’t usually work together
Shared memories that help employees bond and forge real connections
Better retention as people recognize their employer invests in positive experiences
Higher engagement and productivity — when your team plays well together, they work better together
Inspiration — time away from desks gives people insight into what they want to achieve when they get back

When your team building efforts are a success, the end result is happier, more engaged, and more productive employees. And that’s good for your employee retention rates and for your bottom line.