23 Team Building Activities Your Team Will Love

When you hear “team building activity,” you might feel a sense of dread, conjuring up images of trust falls and clichéd office stereotypes. However, when executed thoughtfully, team-building exercises can be enjoyable, enriching, and highly effective.

Join us as we explore the significance of team building and present a variety of engaging activities that can enhance team dynamics.

Key Takeaways:

• Team building activities foster better understanding and resolution of interpersonal issues while creating positive experiences among colleagues.

• These activities can range from large events to everyday practices that promote team efficiency.

• The four primary focus areas of team building are:

  • Goal-setting

  • Defining roles

  • Enhancing interpersonal relationships

  • Problem-solving

What Is Team Building?

Team building encompasses a variety of practices and activities aimed at strengthening relationships among colleagues, enhancing collaboration, and fostering creativity.

• These activities help teams navigate interpersonal challenges while cultivating positive workplace experiences.

• While related to human resource development (which focuses on strategic skills enhancement), team building is less formal, offering a fun approach to bonding and collaboration.

• Organizations across various sectors—schools, sports teams, and even military—utilize team-building exercises.

  The goal is to steadily enhance group dynamics and performance, ensuring all members maintain positive relationships and develop strong communication skills.

• Team building can include special events or daily routines that facilitate productivity and teamwork, creating a positive work atmosphere for all.

• More structured activities can push teams out of their comfort zones, allowing them to learn new skills and bond over shared experiences. Consider hiring a trained facilitator to elevate your team-building efforts.

Examples of Team Building Activities

Indoor Team Building Activities

1. Create an Inspiring Workspace. If team building is a priority, consider how to make your workspace fun, relaxing, and creative. Toxic environments are a leading cause of employee turnover. Move away from harsh lighting and cramped spaces to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages productivity.

   Utilize creative decor, comfortable seating, and engaging activities like a ping pong table or stress-relief items. This not only reduces stress but also enhances innovation and problem-solving.

2. Good Time Journals. Inspired by the book Designing Your Life by Stanford professors, this activity involves logging daily activities along with an “engagement” and “energy” rating. Over one to three weeks, team members reflect on their experiences and share insights, helping with responsibility allocation and enhancing self-awareness.

3. Board Game Marathon. Board games are a timeless way to foster teamwork and strategic thinking. Gather suggestions from your team and host a game session with classics or new favorites. This low-stakes competition encourages collaboration and can help develop leadership skills.

4. Creativity Power Session. Use this quick and fun activity regularly to spark creativity. Each member writes five random words on slips of paper, draws four, and uses them to brainstorm solutions for a work-related challenge. This encourages innovative thinking and allows team members to make unique connections.

5. Question Empathy Game. This card game fosters deeper connections by allowing team members to share personal stories and values. Participants draw cards and answer questions, promoting trust and respect in the workplace.

6. Daily Question. This simple icebreaker encourages team members to share and learn about each other. Rotate the responsibility of posing a thought-provoking question, creating space for open communication and enhancing team bonds.

7. Day of Learning. Similar to a “hack day,” this activity allows employees to pursue any topic of interest. At the end, they can share their findings in short presentations, nurturing skills development and communication in a relaxed setting.

8. Office “Ted Talks.” Invite a knowledgeable speaker for structured learning sessions. Gather team input on desired topics to ensure relevance and maximize engagement.

9. Appreciation Circle. This exercise enhances communication and empathy. Participants sit in a circle, sharing what they appreciate about the person next to them, promoting gratitude and trust among team members.

10. Snack Cart. Everyone enjoys snacks! Surprise your team with a snack cart filled with treats, encouraging informal bonding and a fun break in the workday.

Outdoor Team Building Activities

11. Scavenger Hunt. Organize a scavenger hunt to explore your local area together. Create a list of items to find, divide into teams, and enjoy a day of teamwork and fun. Consider offering prizes to enhance motivation.

12. Brew Tour. Explore local breweries as a less-competitive way to bond with your team. A brew tour offers relaxed networking opportunities, allowing team members to connect in a casual setting.

13. Museum Tour. Curate a museum visit that aligns with your team’s interests for a fun and educational day out. This can foster engaging discussions and shared learning experiences.

14. Escape Room. Test your team’s problem-solving skills in an escape room. This fun, interactive experience reveals how team members collaborate under pressure.

15. Go-Kart, Laser Tag, or Mini Golf Day. Plan a day of fun activities like go-karting, laser tag, or mini-golf. These low-stakes competitions reveal team dynamics in a playful environment.

16. Kickball League. Start an office kickball league to encourage regular outdoor bonding through fun competition and physical activity.

17. Hiking Adventure. Organize a hiking trip for your team to enjoy nature and engage in meaningful conversations while boosting creativity and camaraderie.

18. Sports Outing. Attend a local sports game together to relax and connect outside of work. This shared experience fosters team spirit and opens up conversations.

Remote Team Building Activities

19. Online Team Building Games. For remote teamwork, explore platforms like Teambuilding.com, letsroam.com, and quizbreaker.com for engaging virtual activities, including quizzes and team challenges.

20. Online Gaming Sessions. Encourage teamwork through traditional online games. Choose popular titles based on team suggestions to promote collaboration in a fun setting.

21. Coffee and Chat. Set up morning meetings for remote workers to connect over coffee while discussing daily goals, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

22. Two Truths and a Lie. This classic icebreaker encourages team members to share fun facts about themselves, helping to strengthen relationships in a relaxed environment.

23. Find the Silver Lining. This empathy-building activity invites team members to share unfortunate experiences, encouraging others to find positive takeaways and fostering a supportive atmosphere.

How Team Building Works

When implemented effectively, team building can significantly enhance organizational performance. It optimizes team dynamics while boosting employee satisfaction and self-efficacy.

• Team building focuses on four main areas:

  • Goal-setting

  • Defining roles

  • Improving interpersonal relationships

  • Problem-solving

  Research indicates that team building can increase effectiveness, particularly in teams facing process or interpersonal challenges.

• The low-stakes environment created by team building encourages growth and learning, reducing conflicts while boosting motivation through personal goal exploration.

• Involving employees in problem-solving reinforces trust in their abilities and fosters ownership. The enjoyable nature of these activities helps alleviate stress and promotes open communication.

• Ultimately, the success of team building hinges on how it is executed. Choose activities that align with your company culture and objectives.

• Remember, if your workplace atmosphere is hostile or unwelcoming, employees are unlikely to engage enthusiastically in team-building activities.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.