A Guide to Team Building Activities | Their Pros and Cons

Are you building a new team at your workplace? Or maybe you’re just trying to help an office or department work well together. There are many different types of team-building activities out there, and they can foster both competition and camaraderie between people from all walks of life. If you’re hoping to start or improve relationships between your employees, here are just a few activities that you might consider.

1. Escape Rooms

The goal of an escape room is to solve puzzles and put together clues that will allow you to “escape” an area where you’ve been trapped. To conquer these challenges, you’ll need to coordinate with the people that you’re trapped with, so you’ll get to know them well as you work together on a common goal. The one downside of escape rooms is that they can get frustrating if you get stuck, so frequent breaks and hints are recommended!

2. Casino Night

Casino nights are always fun as a party theme, and with a few tweaks, they can make excellent team-building events as well. The key is to make everything a group effort instead of an individual one. For example, rather than slot machines with just one person pulling the lever, create your own slot machine game where three people have to match their symbols in order to win the jackpot.

3. Cooking Classes

The great thing about cooking classes is that there are millions to choose from, and there are cooking classes marketplaces such as Cozymeal that offer a diverse set of team building activities as well, so whether your team is comprised of expert chefs or complete culinary newbies, you can find something that will suit their skill level. It’s the same with menus; you can arrange lessons in everything from Japanese sushi-making to Mexican tortilla-rolling. You can even sign up for things like “corporate cooking parties” if you want to get your entire department involved.

4. Game Shows

Who wants to be a millionaire? Who’s the weakest link? Who can become the next Ken Jennings? There are all kinds of game shows that you can emulate for a good old-fashioned trivia battle between colleagues. You can even make up your own if you don’t want to rip off something else; as long as there are questions, hosts, buzzers and prizes at the end, your team is sure to enjoy it.

5. Mini-Golf

It’s a bit cliche, but there’s a reason why mini-golf is such a popular team-building exercise. Not only does it get everyone out of the office and into the fresh air, but it can also be enjoyed by a wide variety of people. Individuals of all shapes, sizes, ages, genders and mobility levels can get into a round of mini-golf. It’s not an activity where some people will be forced to watch on the sidelines as others have fun.

6. Scavenger Hunt

If you don’t have a lot of time or money to devote to your team-building activities, think about something simple like a scavenger hunt. You can put it together with nothing but homemade clue cards and a little creativity. You can also host it in your own building! Just get there earlier than the rest of your employees and hide the clues before they arrive. Then unleash your teams like bloodhounds looking for the scent.

7. Survivor

“Survivor” is a game where two tribes try to outwit and outlast one another while voting players out with each round. It usually takes place on a deserted island, but you don’t have to starve anyone to put together your own “Survivor” simulation. Just divide your tribes, pass out some colorful buffs and let the players handle the rest. Make sure that you stay nearby, however, to prevent conflicts; Survivor is known for its betrayals, and this can cause problems if you’re hoping for cooperation.

8. Summer Camp

This can be an exciting team-building exercise for the young or adventurous office. Rent a cabin on the lake and pretend like you’re a kid again as you go swimming, fishing and kayaking. You can also host classic summer camp games like “capture the flag” to foster relationships between teams. When you’ve worn everyone out, put together a roaring campfire and eat some s’mores together.

9. Arts and Crafts

Some people might think of macaroni necklaces when they hear the phrase “arts and crafts,” but there are more adult-orientated ways to unleash your creativity. For example, a pottery class can teach everyone how to make their own bowls, vases and incense holders. A watercolor class can teach everyone color theory and basic paint strokes. As long as everyone is creating something and having fun, the sky’s the limit.

These are just a few ideas for team-building exercises. They can range from physical exercises to mental challenges, so don’t be afraid to explore your options. There’s something out there that will suit your particular team! You just have to find it.