Fun Team Building Activities

The personal bonds formed between team members give your company a competitive edge.

How does this work?

It’s all about engagement. There’s a pretty clear link between the personal bonds between your team members and their engagement level. A recent Gallup study found that close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50%, while people with a self-described best friend at work are seven times more likely to be fully engaged at work.

Don’t believe us? Comparably CEO and engagement expert Jason Nazar explains why that is and how he pulls it off in this clip from the Brand Builder podcast.

Another Gallup study reported that engaged companies consistently outperform the competition when it comes to things like profits, productivity, and turnover. (Pretty important stuff if you ask us.) And it stands to reason – the closer you are to your co-workers, the happier you’ll be at work, and the more likely you’ll be to sacrifice your discretionary time to help them succeed.

Here’s the best part –team-building events don’t have to be boring and lame!

We asked The Assist, a free weekly email for professionals, along with some of the most engaged, tightly knit companies out there to show us how to do team building right. We’ve broken them down into categories to help you decide which ideas might work best for your company.

Team Building Activities For Work: Small Groups

When you have a small group of 10 team members or fewer, you pretty much have your pick of team-building activities. You have enough people to make hybrid team activities and competitions exciting, but you also don’t have so many people that you can’t spring for an off-site affair or something a little more involved. You can do almost anything and still rest assured that everyone experiences the most important elements of team building, including communication, collaboration, and camaraderie.

1) Virtual Murder Mystery

“Not even Zoom can hide red hands from you and your team.”

Cue The Office theme song… Michael Scott enters… “There’s been a murder…”

In all honesty, Michael was actually on to something! Solving a murder mystery can be a great way to bond with your team. Check out Virtual Clue Murder Mystery for all types of mystery games that are designed for physical, hybrid, and virtual workplaces that help to develop teamwork, communication, and culture building.

There are also in-person and hybrid team Murder Mystery options that can be found here

Skills this work activity develops Problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Why we love it: Going with a turnkey event like this means all the details are planned out, and you even benefit from the convenience and added fun of an expert host. You can rest assured that everything won’t just go smoothly, but also that everyone will have an amazing time.

2) Shark Tank

“Find out if your ideas really have teeth.”

Ideas are fun. People love having them. They love hearing them. They love sharing them.

Inspired by the television series Shark Tank, this activity allows a small group of people to do all of the above during a festive pitch session. There’s only one absolute rule: everyone must come prepared to get everyone else as excited about their brilliant idea as they are. (What they use to cultivate this excitement — presentations, models, diagrams, stick figures, skits, etc. — is totally up to them.)

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking, communication, strategic thinking, and listening.

Why we love it: Every idea presented will accomplish something positive. The meticulously planned ideas will be inspiring and might even develop into viable products and initiatives. The outrageous ideas will get lots of laughs, but honestly, even those could end up sparking your company’s next big innovation.

Next step to get started: Create a Shark Tank Night, nominate a few investor sharks, start preparing pitches and get your applause hands ready for the big event.

Pro-Tip: Does your team need more than an applause to validate their million dollar idea? Use a platform like Bonusly to raise the stakes and invest public recognition points to the winning team that can be redeemed for real rewards:

3) Scavenger Hunt

“The closest you’ll ever get to a treasure hunt.”

A scavenger hunt seizes anyone’s attention. These activities offer that sweet thrill of the chase human beings just can’t resist. Chase down clues, find hidden items, and feel the sweet rush of following a bread-crumb trail of mini-mysteries on your way to the culminating final goal.

The urgency and the mystery of a scavenger hunt also inspire people to cooperate in record time.

Skills this work activity develops Collaboration, critical thinking, and decision making.

Why we love it: It provides thrills, adventure, excitement, and an unforgettable opportunity to share a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

Next step to get started is: Book a consultation with a dedicated event coordinator. You can also check out SnackNation’s Scavenger Hunt Guide!

Loved this!!! Had fun getting to know unique things about Austin. It was fun doing custom questions along the scavenger hunt about our company! -Pricewaterhousecoopers Consulting

4) Build Something For A Cause

“Build team bonds while building cool stuff.”

This charity team-building activity follows a simple formula: Build + Donate = Unity. Build something, donate it to charity, and bask in the rewards together.

One could argue that “building things together,” is the original team-building activity, what our ancient ancestors discovered to be magical when they bunkered down to create their first permanent homes.

You’ll unite behind a crystal-clear and tangible objective. You’ll feel the epicness of shared accomplishment as you admire the finished product. You’ll feel deeply bonded as you hand off your donation.

Skills this work activity develops Teamwork, trust, and communication.

Why we love it: This activity allows everyone to see the result of their teamwork. They don’t have to wonder if they contributed enough or did a good job; the end product will tell all.

5) Weekly Team Trivia

“Team trivia is anything but trivial.”

Mix up your Mondays with a bit of trivia conveniently sent to your team members’ inboxes to answer whenever they have a few minutes. Then wait and see who takes home the big win that week! Everything is automatically collected and scored once they submit so it couldn’t be easier.

Skills this work activity develops Critical thinking and team bonding.

Why we love it: Trivia is not only entertaining but this asynchronous format means that even the busiest people on your team can work it into their schedule and prove just how much random knowledge they have. You can also fit in a weekly recap during your team meeting to shoutout that week’s winner.

shout out

“How good are you at describing the indescribable?”

Taboo is a simple game to learn that is perfect for team building. Players will use this online, mobile-friendly game platform to get their teammates to guess the word at the top of each card, without using any of the other related Taboo words listed underneath. Sounds easy right?

Each game room will consist of 2 teams, with 2-5 players per team. Use your brain, don’t say the off-limit words, and have a blast! While you and your team are guessing, the opposing team will be able to see your phrases to have a good laugh and make sure no one is cheating.

Skills this work activity develop Communication and critical thinking.

Why we love it: This quick team-building game for work is a group version of the classic game night board game. It is easy to play along with and provides a ton of entertainment!

Next step to get started: This word guessing game – Taboo – is too much fun to pass up!

Bonus: Dog Park Showdown

“Make sure everyone knows your pet is an absolute champion / Instagram model.”

Head to the local dog park with pets in tow. Then simply take turns having your pets complete some of these hilarious viral internet challenges. (You can even create a unique hashtag for your event so people can easily find and rewatch their fabulous footage.)

Skills this work activity develops Trust, communication, and empathy.

Why we love it: Magicians use the art of misdirection to create seemingly impossible illusions. This activity uses misdirection to maximize fun. By redirecting attention from participants to their pets, people can let their hair down, laugh a little louder, talk a little more, and get to know each other a little better.

Team Building Activities For Work: Large Groups

Team building events for large groups need to have enough structure and excitement to get and keep everyone engaged and involved in equal measure. Events that get group members working on one common goal are ideal for cultivating strong bonds in immediate teams and among the larger collective.

7) The Art Thief

“A puzzle-filled race.”

This puzzle team-building event is the kind of large group activity that your colleagues will not soon forget. With coworkers split up into teams, they must race through a series of physical, virtual, and hybrid challenges to find clues, pull evidence, and accomplish the mission.

Skills this work activity develops Teamwork, leadership, and collaboration.

Why we love it: With the state of work changing so much the past two years, planning over a corporate team event is a great way to spend some time together that does not involve Zoom calls and Slack messages. Plus, it allows some of your staff to meet new hires in person!

Next step to get started: You can check out Team Building Hub to get an accurate quote for your team.

8) Escape Room

“Your team is your only escape plan.”

No phones, no Google, and no helpful hints. This activity challenges you and your team to make an escape using only your collective wits. Put your heads together to work through clues, agree on the next steps, and act as one (like the Rose family), if you ever hope to escape that is.

Skills this work activity develops Problem-solving, teamwork, trust, communication, leadership, and collaboration.

Why we love it: Players may find themselves navigating exciting scenarios — hunting for gold, swimming among ancient ruins, or breaking out of an infamous prison — but what they’ll remember most is feeling united as a team. Whenever everyone’s ideas and contributions coalesce into that epic moment of escape, you’ll all feel an unforgettable sense of shared victory.

9) The Office-Style Office Mockumentary

“Capture the magic and mayhem of life at your office.”

Make a mockumentary? No, we’re not asking you to hire camera crews and lighting specialists. When you’re making a film just for the fun and enjoyment of your team, you can pull it off using your phones and some basic software.

This activity provides two team-building touchpoints in one. People have fun during the making and they’ll have even more fun when you gather virtually or in-person for the big premiere person this work activity develops Creative thinking, teamwork, communication, and decision making.

Why we love it: Teams have to collaborate and communicate to make the mockumentary. Plus, while watching the finished product will be hilarious, it might also provide a few genuine takeaways about how to treat and talk to one another. By poking some good-natured fun at the state of your company culture, you might find some genuinely fulfilling ways to improve it.

Next step to get started: Learn some tricks for capturing The Office’s signature style.

10) Beer & Cheese Pairing Experience

“Treat your taste buds to become food pairing experts.”

Virtual meetings can begin to run together after a while, but there is an excellent solution to spice them up. This beer and cheese mixer will elevate your Zoom events with lots of delicious goodies!

With this team-building event, you and your coworkers can learn more about pairing craft beer selections with artisan-made cheeses. Whether it is a hoppy pale ale or a light and crisp lager, you can see just how complex different beer varieties are. Add a little cheese, and you have an even more complete tasting experience!

Skills this work activity develops: Communication, critical thinking, and relationship building

Why we love it: Everyone leaves the event with the ability to pair beer and cheese samples like a pro.

Next step to get started: Start assembling the supplies or you can work with a team like Unboxed Experiences to help you choose from a selection of available tasting boxes and customizations.

11) An Anything Tournament

“The only rules of this tournament are the ones you make up.”

Pick your favorite sport, board games, brain teaser, thought experiment — anything — and turn it into a tournament. Pretty much any game imaginable can be stretched into a tournament-style afternoon of fun: ping pong, Mario Kart, Jenga, rock-paper-scissors, dodgeball, and the list goes on and on.

The more unique you make the central activity, the more memorable this tournament will be.

Skills this work activity develops Collaboration and critical thinking.

Why we love it: Healthy competition and engaging games served up with a dose of hilarity are a recipe for prime bonding and memory-making.

Bonus: Corporate Castaways

“Your pass to turn survival into an epic game.”

Teammates dive into a series of challenges inspired by the Survivor TV series. While this activity gets everyone developing skills they need for day-to-day work, the high stakes inspire players to infuse their actions with an extra dose of strategic thinking, cooperation, and pure mettle.

Skills this work activity develops Problem-solving, teamwork, trust, communication, collaboration, and decision-making.

Why we love it: It wraps what could be an average corporate training model in an engaging premise and takes it outside for extra fun and a hit of mood-lifting sunshine.

Team Building Activities For Work: Quick Icebreakers

Pre-meeting team-building activities get your group warmed up for fruitful collaboration. They get people thinking and laughing, and more importantly, they get everyone in the mindset to share brilliant ideas.

12) Daily Icebreakers

“An icebreaker a day keeps the boredom at bay.”

Build teamwork by setting aside just a few minutes at the beginning of every meeting for a quick icebreaker. These mini activities are short and sweet, but they’re well worth each of the few short minutes they cost. They build camaraderie and warm people up to communicate and exchange ideas, making meetings more productive.

Skills in this work activity develops Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: Icebreakers work as an almost magical little switch, activating everyone’s creativity and cooperation. With a quick 15-minute activity, employees will be energized to tackle any meeting, call, or brainstorm with renewed enthusiasm

Next step to get started: Find your favorite icebreaker with fun team activities like Water Cooler Trivia or Guess Who.

13) Rose/Thorn

“Embrace the ups and downs that make life beautiful.”

Share your gratitude and also a little vulnerability to cultivate those magical feelings of team closeness, support, and empathy. During this no-fuss icebreaker, everyone simply shares their rose (any positive that makes them feel grateful, happy, etc.) and also their thorn (a challenge or blocker).

Skills this work activity develops Teamwork, trust, and communication.

Why we love it: It’s a shortcut to getting on the same wavelength. Everyone shares a little gratitude and also a little vulnerability. This little opening-up exercise can make the team feel more tightly bonded.

Next step to get started: Just gather your group and start sharing those roses and thorns, for example:

Work-Related:

• Rose: I got an event partner to give me a refund today!
• Thorn: A different event partner won’t give me a refund.

Non-Work Related:

• Rose: I found time to go for a walk today.
• Thorn: There was no time to go for a walk today.

“I work in Enterprise Marketing at ZipRecruiter and our entire team is now remote. We do a daily standup call with my manager and Rose/Thorn is how we start every virtual meeting. It is a quick way to start off a team huddle and get everyone on the same wavelength.”

-Joanna Ericta, Senior Marketing Associate at ZipRecruiter

14) Team Pursuit

“Challenge accepted!”

If you are looking for a Zoom icebreaker, the Virtual Team Pursuit is an interactive way to build better connections between your colleagues through a series of themed challenges. With interesting discussion topics, fun facts, and problem-solving challenges — your distributed team will walk away from this 30-minute icebreaker activity beaming.

Skills this work activity develops Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Why we love it: This event comes with a dedicated event manager and virtual event host — meaning you can sit back and only worry about participating in the fun!

Next step to get started: Check out Team Pursuit to plan an icebreaker for a special day of meetings or a project kickoff!

15) Not Your Average Icebreaker

“Icebreaker questions with a twist.”

Coming up with ways to get your team to bond can be hard — but it doesn’t have to be! Carolo makes a seamless bonding experience with their Icebreaker Box complete with scrumptious snacks, icebreaker questions, and a happy hour kit to take the fun to the next level.

Skills this work activity develops Communication, creativity, and trust.

Why we love it: Easy execution, delightful treats, and delicious drinks to help your team bond over both thought-provoking and LOL-inducing questions.

The next step to get started is: Find your favorite icebreaker with Carole.

16) GeoGuessr

“Win happy hour and explore the world.”

During this online group game, you and your happy hour guests will peek at a picture and try to guess its location of origin by dragging an icon around a map. If this sounds easy enough, then you’ll be delightfully surprised by how challenging it is. As you play, you’ll learn about the world and maybe even hear some amazing stories of all the places you never knew your team members had been.

Skills this work activity develops: Critical thinking and listening.

Why we love it: Talking about travel — past travel, travel plans, travel dreams — is a universally adored conversation topic. It can excite and animate anyone, and this game provides plenty of opportunities to bring it up.

The next step to get started is: Play GeoGuessr.

17) Skribbl

“Test out your secondary communication skills.”

Calling all aspiring artists, stick-figure stylists, and daring doodlers. Put your creations to the ultimate test: Seeing if anyone can tell what on earth they’re supposed to be.

Skribbl’s no-fuss interface makes it easy to play a classic drawing and guessing game.

Skills in this work activity develop Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: It activates non-verbal communication. You can’t explain your drawing, so people have to dig deep into their knowledge of the “artist” to make informed guesses. It’s also hilarious to witness the dissonance between what people think they’ve drawn or what they think they’re seeing and what’s there.

The next step to get started is: Play Skribbl.

18) Werewolf

“Who is the big bad wolf?”

What happens when the name of your icebreaker game is survival? There’s only one way to find out.

To play this game, your team splits into two smaller groups — werewolves and townspeople. Face off until all the werewolves are dead or the two groups reach equal numbers.

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking, problem-solving, trust, and problem-solving.

Why we love it: This activity is wrapped up in a fun and spooky theme, but it also involves plenty of thinking, strategy, and even a little deception — a recipe for a no-fail good time. You’ll learn new things about your teams and maybe even yourself. You’ll also learn who can’t control their giggles and who is a terrible liar.

Next step to get started: Gather your villagers and learn how to play Werewolf with your team.

Bonus: Weekend In A Word

“Witness the awesome importance of word choice.”

Feel the impact of brevity in action with an icebreaker that requires everyone to say only a single word. Gather your group and have everyone describe their past weekend fun or future weekend plans and goals in just one word. After everyone has a turn, you can ask follow-up questions if you like. The words people choose will likely spark tons of curiosity.

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking, communication, and listening.

Why we love it: As you prompt teammates to pick just one word to describe big concepts, you learn how their minds work, you learn what’s important to them, and you’ll likely reflect deeply on what they said far more than if they gave a detailed weekend play by play.

Next step to get started: It couldn’t be easier. Just share your words before your next meeting.

Team Building Activities For Work: Zoom

A Zoom activity has to have the perfect balance of engagement and passive entertainment. You want everyone to mingle and chat, but you also don’t want them to get fatigued or overwhelmed in the first 10 minutes. These virtual team-building activities either have plenty of structure or revolve around a central element of entertainment that guides conversations during short breaks.

19) Virtual Game Night

“Put your virtual game face on.”

There are so many kinds of games, each delightful for a different reason. A virtual game night is your chance to spotlight your absolute favorites, playing the best of the best in a back-to-back marathon of gaming awesomeness that everyone will love.

Skills this work activity develops Leadership, collaboration, and decision making.

Why we love it: Out-of-the-box games are fun and familiar. Just mentioning a popular game is often enough to get people excited. Plus, most people will already know how to play. This means you can maximize the fun while minimizing the prep work and instruction.

20) Virtual Venture To Paris

“Paris is closer than you think.”

Get your team together to do something virtually as a group you would likely never do in person: take a group trip to Paris.

Sample local delicacies. Stroll around the city of your dreams. See the world through a rose-colored computer screen instead of glasses. In short, live like a Parisian.

Virtually enjoy all the best, most enriching aspects of travel with your team but skip the crankiness and cramped flights and sleep in your bed when it’s all over.

Skills this work activity develops Teamwork, trust, and communication.

Why we love it: What’s not to love about finding your way to Paris through the magic of the internet? This team-building activity offers a concentrated dose of the pleasures of travel in a package you can really enjoy your really step to get started is: VisitVoyageo.

21) Travel Back In Time (With Trivia)

“What year is it?!?!”

This team-building activity is a surefire way to get your remote team together while not just hopping on “another Zoom call”. Travel through the decades answering pop culture-themed questions in a fast and lively virtual environment. Plus, the guided trivia experience features a hilarious host who will delight your coworkers with jokes, quips, and stories.

Skills this work activity develops Critical thinking and teamwork.

Why we love it: It unites colleagues with a common goal of sharing some laughs. Also, pop culture is an accessible way to get everyone involved over Zoom.

Next step to get started: Step right into the time machine by checking out these details.

22) Organize Some Laughter

“Get silly to build serious team bonds.”

If alcohol is the social lubricant, then laughter could be considered social superglue. It can bring together people who have absolutely nothing in common. It can make people once separated by tension feel strong bonds. It can make even giant groups of people feel like long-lost friends.

Skills this work activity develop Trust, communication, and empathy.

Why we love it: Laughter is free, exhilarating, and unbelievably fuss-free. When you bring in an activity host who knows how to make it flow, the benefits are immeasurable. Science suggests laughter can cut down stress, bring people together, and elevate mood. Plus, it’s also contagious. Get a few people going and it’s all a delightful downhill slide from there.

Next step to get started: Visit Laughter on Call to plan a super fun comedy and improv night

23) Virtual Yoga/Mindfulness Session

“Feel that special team flow without using any words.”

During a group yoga/mindfulness session, you may not be outwardly communicating and collaborating, but you’re tapping into a deeper sense of connection. As you subconsciously sync your movements and your breathing, you’re connecting through the collective unconsciousness that feels effortless but strengthens your team bonds.

Skills in this work activity develops Trust, collaboration, and empathy.

Why we love it: This activity delivers benefits on the individual and also the group level. Individual practitioners may experience less stress and elevated moods. Together, you’ll feel a magical sense of group energy and support.

Next step to get started: Learn more about how a yoga session can elevate your next team-building event.

Team Building Activities For Work: Happy Hour

A toast to a good day’s work, a happy hour is the perfect punctuation mark to close off a productive day or to move on from a not-so-productive day. These events are short, sweet, and wonderfully low-key. If you’re sharing a few apres-work sips and smiles with coworkers, then you can call it a happy hour no matter where you are or what you’re sipping.

24) Mixology Virtual Happy Hour

“Be your own bartender.”

Tell everyone to bust out the cocktail shakers and aprons they never use. Tonight, they’re the bartenders. Bond with your team as you learn how to expertly measure, muddle, and mix ingredients into delicious and Instagram-worthy cocktails.

Learn techniques professional bartenders swear by and also ask clarifying questions about why and how to do it all.

Skills this work activity develop Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: You get to have the same quality conversations you might have while passively sipping cocktails at a bar. But with this experience, you get the added benefit of learning a ton about professional cocktail craft and bartending history while perfecting that friendly, yet inaccessible, bartender smile.

Next step to get started: Book your event with an expert mixologist.

25) Poker Night

“Recognize each other’s poker faces to reach a new level of friendship.

Good company, delicious snacks, high stakes, and plenty of mental stimulation aren’t the only things that make a classic poker night so engaging. Poker also delivers value through all the things that happen “below the cards.”

As you play, you’ll get to know the usually unnoticed ticks and nonverbal communication habits of your teammates. You get to know them on a deeper level.

Skills this work activity develops Trust, communication, and decision making.

Why we love it: Poker is the perfect backdrop for serious team bonding. The play is fun and stimulating, but it doesn’t stop players from participating in the most important part of the happy hour: connecting and conversing with coworkers.

Next step to get started: Get classic Poker instructions or let a dealer host a virtual poker tournament.

26) Happy Hour Themes

“Amp up your happy hour with the perfect theme.”

Breathe new life into a classic happy hour with exciting themes. Themes give your happy hour a focusing personality, tying all your activities and conversations together to create a cohesive, engaging, and memorable event.

When you leverage a happy hour theme, you give your guests ideas for costumes, decorations, snacks, and even conversation starters. It smooths out any awkwardness and generally helps everyone have more fun.

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking and collaboration.

Why we love it: Selecting a happy hour theme couldn’t be easier, but it adds so much punch to your event. It spells the difference between “fun” and “unforgettable.”

Next step to get started:  Check out these happy hour themes, including:

• Future Decades
• Murder Mystery
• Poetry Reading

27) Pub Quiz

“Come on down to the local pub.”

Looks like a happy hour this week is going to be down at Hamish McDuff’s virtual pub for teams. With a hilarious Scottish pub owner, a chance to grab an adult beverage, and a unique pub quiz trivia game — your employees will have everything they need to sit back and enjoy an end-of-week happy hour.

Skills in this work activity develops Collaboration and relationship building.

Why we love it: With surprises along the way, a pub quiz is a low-effort, big reward type of happy hour activity where coworkers can bond over shared knowledge of (mostly) useless facts and trivia.

Next step to get started: Wander down to the pub to get a custom quote for your team.

28) Bond Over Some Brews

“Take advantage of the team glue known as beer.”

Offering both virtual and in-person events, City Brew Tours knows how to harness the bonding power of beer. Sample the best beers your city offers while getting to know your team better and enjoying the side dish of fun facts your expert host is serving up.

Skills in this work activity develop Trust, communication, and empathy.

Why we love it: Wonderful conversation, colorful commentary, and crisp refreshing beers make this event deliciously unforgettable. The bonding and the flavors pair up to make one powerfully fond memory.

Next step to get started ISD is: Visit City Brew Tours.

“After three months of working as distributed teams, we’re extra grateful for the moments we get to hang out with our coworkers again. We spent the month of May hosting several virtual home brewing sessions with City Brew Tours — they managed to lead six groups of beer brewing amateurs through the brewing process, armed with follow-up instructions on carbonating and bottling. (We managed to figure out the drinking part ourselves.) If we can’t grab a beer together, making our own from the comfort of our kitchens may be the next best thing!” -Harder Mechanical Contractors

If you are looking to crack open a cold one with your remote team, there are several virtual beer experiences that make it easy to connect in a fun and lively online environment. Here are a few we’ve tried out this past year:

29) Virtual Alcohol Tasting

“Raise a glass to digital bars without borders.”

Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic led many wineries, distilleries, and breweries to shutter their tasting rooms. But the drinking and the gathering live on in full force in the virtual world.

A virtual alcohol tasting blends a bit of the old normal with a bit of the new normal. You still get to deeply connect with your co-workers, but you can meet them online (wearing your pajamas if you want) instead of at the local bar.

Skills in this work activity develops Communication and empathy.

Why we love it: You get to sample beverages from the best of the best purveyors around the world while enjoying the company of your favorite people. Best of all, you get to do it all from the comfort of your living room, which (in addition to being as cozy as a dream) means you don’t have to worry about designated drivers or rideshares.

Next step to get started: Pick one of these virtual alcohol tasting ideas, including offerings from City Brew Tours.

Bonus: Chopped-style Cocktail Competition

“Become a craft cocktail curator.”

Inspired by the television series Chopped, this interactive cocktail demonstration will be led by an experienced mixologist, who will teach everyone the basics of cocktail making, including the chemistry and complexities that are essential for creating a delicious drink.

After a brief introduction and cocktail education, teams will split up and be given time to work together to create their hand-crafted cocktails. At the end of the testing and development phase, the onsite mixologist will review and score each finished cocktail based on taste, originality, and use of the “mystery ingredient” to decide the ultimate winner.

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking, communication, listening, and collaboration.

Why we love it: Low-stakes competition is a terrific way to get the blood pumping and improve teamwork, add cocktails to the mix and you’ve got a top-shelf team-building activity!

Next step to get started: Visit Mixology Class — because no great story started with a salad

Team Building Activities For Work: Office

Team building activities for the office simply make work-life more awesome. Whether you’re taking some time to get to know your office mates, giving people feel-good recognition, or working on some new leadership skills while in good company, you walk away from these events with fresh bonds, fresh skills, and fresh perspectives that will enrich your work environment.

30) Make A Team Playlist

“Create your team’s signature sound.”

Put your heads together to make the most amazing playlist in history. Or better yet, create a new best-ever playlist every single week. Explore the songs others have selected and make complementary selections. Enjoy listening to the entire thing and hearing a little bit of everyone’s personality come through. You’ll love how the whole thing, taken together, somehow captures the magic that is your team.

Skills in this work activity develop Creative thinking, collaboration, and empathy.

Why we love it: Listening to your favorite music is uplifting, energizing, rewarding, and pleasurable. All those good things are amplified (pun intended) when you share your favorite music with others.

Next step to get started: Visit Spotify Collaborative playlists for how-tos. Choose a theme and ask everyone to send in two songs that align.

31) Queen’s Gambit Chess Competition

“Face off during the ultimate game of strategy.”

Quiet, yet brimming with below-the-surface action, chess is a perfect game for the office. It’s a fun way for both observers and players to learn, and it cultivates a quiet bonding as you learn more about how your teams’ minds work. As you anticipate moves and picture outcomes, you’ll also build up your strategic thinking chops.

Skills this work activity develop Strategic thinking, critical thinking, empathy, and decision making.

Why we love it: It involves quiet strategy, pristine focus, and understated thrills. It gets you problem-solving independently while also absorbing the moves and plans of your opponents. Players refine their ability to read people, an invaluable skill in day-to-day office work.

The next step to getting started is: Learn how to play Chess.

32) Host A Trivia Night

“Shout answers like there’s no such thing as keeping score.”

Why is Jeopardy the #1 game show of all time? The quiet charm of the late Alex Trebek certainly played a part, but aside from the charismatic host, people love Jeopardy because of the trivia.

Even when we have no idea about an answer, we love venturing into guesses. Answering both wrong and right helps us learn.

Skills this work activity develops Teamwork, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Why we love it: It’s engaging, it’s educational, and it’s inclusive. Even people who don’t venture a guess out loud have probably formed one in their minds and feel invested in the activity. Few other activities can drum up that much universal interest and engagement.

Next step to get started: Learn how to host a trivia night or plan a virtual trivia night with your own Quiz Master.

33) Gamathon

“Warm up your controller’s hand.

Gamers unite to organize an epic office takeover. This activity works not only because video games are fun, but also because that fun could lead to social benefits, including trust, leadership, and cooperation.

Plus, there’s at least one video game nearly anyone will fall in love with when they give it a chance. An office tournament is a perfect way for non-gamers to explore the world of gaming.

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Why we love it: Video games are instantly immersive. There’s almost no warm-up period. You can go from zero to fun in just a few seconds, turning your office into a hyper-charged and fully engaged environment.

Next step to get started: Pull off a low-key gaming tournament by simply playing your game of choice while keeping track of the top scorers on a whiteboard. Continue pitting your top scorers against each other until there are only two left standing for a showdown.

34) Explore Your City

“Get the office some fresh air.”

A great way to get your office working together over a shared goal is to plan an awesome activity in your city. There are a ton of ways to get people out and about on a nice clear day whether it is via a scavenger hunt, tour of the city, or bar crawl! SnackNation recently tried an “Amazing Race” type scavenger hunt through Los Angeles where employees split up into teams, solved clues and challenges, and raced to the finish line.

Skills this work activity develops Problem-solving, teamwork, and endurance.

Why we love it: With everyone working in the office or remotely, there has never been a better time to safely get together in an outdoor space and let coworkers bond over a shared team-building experience.

Next step to get started: Try out the “Amazing Race” activity or plan your city excursion to get outside with your office.

35) Mini Basketball Tournament

“Pull off the layup of your dreams.”

Shrink the glorious game of basketball down to have a sport you can play right in your office. When compared to traditional basketball, a game of mini hoops can bring more people into the fold. It doesn’t require as many skills, rules, or moves, so people of all skills and confidence levels can get in on the game.

Skills this work activity develop Teamwork and leadership.

Why we love it: It brings the thrill of the hoops right into the office. Plus, you can leave the hoops up after the initial tournament to encourage a pick-up game any time people need a mini-break or an energy boost.

Next step to get started: Pick up a mini basketball set

Team Building Activities For Work: Social Distancing

Socially distanced team-building events have to fill a tall order: bringing people together while also keeping them a safe distance apart. Hybrid team activities, preferably outdoor or virtual ones, with a physical emphasis provide plenty of laughs. Keep the events simple with minimal instruction and communication required. (Both tend to create confusion when you’re keeping your distance and also wearing a mask.)

36) Egg Toss

“Will your team cooperate or crack?”

Humans have never been able to resist the challenge that a simple fragile egg presents. We love to test every breaking point. This activity is no exception. You and your partner have to stay perfectly synced as you toss an egg back and forth, creating a perfect mix of tension and cooperation, compounded by a time limit.

There’s only one question: Can you and your teammate keep your precious egg safe?

Skills this work activity develop Problem-solving, teamwork, and trust.

Why we love it: It’s simplicity at its most effective. The objective is clear. The premise is simple. The instructions are self-explanatory. However, you’ll find deep complexities in all the incredible ways the pairs go about achieving their objective. Film the event so everyone can watch teamwork playing out in real-time and discuss critical real time points they may have missed in the heat of the moment.

Next step to get started isd: Get the egg toss rules.

37) Silent Disco

“That’s right. Your team dances to the beat of your own collective drum.”

Turn a simple dance party into a more structured activity by adding a little challenge: everyone has to freeze in place when you pause your music unexpectedly. In addition to laughing hysterically, be sure to take pictures or screenshots during the pause. You’re going to want to review them later.

Skills this work activity develops Trust, communication, empathy, and listening.

Why we love it: Laughter, physical activity, and shared vulnerability are the perfect recipe for powerful bonding.

Next step to get started:

• Create and share a Spotify playlist
• Ask everyone to meet at a local park or beach with their mobile devices and headphones in tow
• Help everyone arrange themselves into “dancing zones” that are at least 6 feet apart
• Pull up the playlist
• Remind everyone to open their Playback settings and set Crossfade to 3 seconds so everyone’s songs will end at the same time
• Countdown
• Press play at the same time
• Dance, laugh, repeat

38) BYOBBB: Blankets, Balls, And Beverages

“Get everybody in the same place and let the fun take it from there.”

Post up at a local park for free-for-all fun. Don’t plan any specific activities, but come prepared to give everyone’s (socially distanced) suggestions a try. Make it a BYOBBB event on all fronts by having everyone arrive with their blankets, balls, and beverages. You might end up tossing a frisbee, inventing a frisbee tag, or even kicking the can.

The best part is that you just never know.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, trust, and communication.

Why we love it: It captures the spontaneous excitement of gathering with the neighborhood kids just to see where the wonder of play leads you.

Next step to get started: This social distancing idea for kids will inspire you.

39) Nerf Battle

“Tag, you’re fun!”

The warning shot goes up into the air…

Don’t worry too much; the shot in question came out of a Nerf gun. But you better get moving because the other team wants to tag you out of the game as soon as possible.

Play a Nerf gun battle as you would play classic tag. Instead of hitting members of the other team with your hands, hit them with handy Nerf guns that allow you to keep a pandemic safe 6 feet of distance between you and your opponents.

Skills this work activity develop: Communication, leadership, and decision making.

Why we love it: It helps players channel a special kind of pure childlike joy. You start out chasing each other around, but you end up rolling on the ground laughing, feeling like best friends forever.

Next step to get starte isd: Learn how to have a Nerf war.

“It might not seem like the most traditional team building exercise, but here at YouEarnedIt we believe in celebrating our accomplishments in whatever way makes our employees the happiest. The same day we learned that YouEarnedIt won the title of Best Place to Work in Austin, we held our first ever Nerf Battle Royale. Our employees pooled together their YouEarnedIt points to fund and launch what turned out to be one of the most powerful team building exercises. For 30 minutes, the entire office became a battleground where strategy, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking meant the difference between life and (virtual) death.” -Tim Ryan, VP of Marketing

40) Creative Contest

“Let the inner artists out to play.”

Give everyone a chance to tap into (and show off) their creative side. Unlike otherteam-buildingg activities, the unifying magic of this activity doesn’t come from co-creation; it comes from the sharing of individual creations.

Simply ask everyone to independently create pieces — stories, poems, paints, songs, or, anything else you want.Truee bonding happens when everyone’s pieces come together in a collection that magically captures your group’s personality.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, trust, and empathy.

Why we love it: This activity highlights what it means to be a team on a new level. It shows that feelings of togetherness can come even from sharing ideas developed independently. (It’s also perfect for adhering 100% to social distancing guidelines and also making introverts feel super comfortable.)

Next step to get started:

• Outline a few simple rules
• Announce the contest
• Collect submissions
• Use a social voting tool to democratize the judging process
• Announce and celebrate the winners via employee recognition software, such as NectarHR

Team Building Activities For Work: Coworkers

Team building activities for coworkers are all about bonding. Sure, “working together every single day,” is a type of bonding, but these activities are special and enriching because they place co-workers in new, eye-opening situations. When coworkers step outside the day-to-day grind, they might just find out new things about the people they sit with every single day.

41) Adventure Club

“Make adventuring your next good habit.”

Start an adventurous, outdoorsy monthly tradition based on your team’s interests. You can do anything you want, from bouldering to bird watching. No matter what you choose, you’ll bond during the event. You’ll bond as you discuss and relive memories from the last event. You’ll bond as you look forward to the next event.

In summary, you’ll do a lot of bonding.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, teamwork, trust, and collaboration.

Why we love it: Traditions are powerful. They bring people closer and provide a comforting sense of security and unity. They can do the same thing for an office family.

Next step to get starte isd: Find an adventure!

42) Group Bike Ride

“Roll with your work pack.”

When you step out of the office and hop on your bikes, you are no longer co-workers. You are fellow explorers,and  adventurers, and the city is yours for the taking.

Thisteam-buildingg event gets its strength from spontaneity. Start with a group bike ride as your simple structure, and then let the wind take you from there. Stop off at a popup farm market or demystify that strange building you always stare at from your office window.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork, trust, communication, leadership, and collaboration.

Why we love it: Novelty makes us all feel good, excite, and energized. This activity allows teams to experience that thrilling sense of novelty as a group so each person can forever associate the fresh feelings of exploration with the people they shared them with.

Next step to get starte isd: Plan your route.

43) Dining Club

“Indulge your culinary curiosities.”

The team that eats together stays together. Everyone has to eat, and by turning it into ateam-buildingg activity, you can make this sometimes utilitarian activity into an invaluable get-to-know each other moment.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: The novelty of picking a new place to eat provides an instant launching point for conversations. Even if you have nothing else in common, you have “trying this restaurant for the first time” in common, and that’s plenty to get some good conversations started.

Next step to get started: Discover your next dining destination or host a virtual lunch party. Add some additionalteam-buildingg fun by having everyone order for someone else.

44) Leave-It-At-Work Lunch

“The office can absolutely not sit with you at lunch.”

This activity has all the trappings of a standard low-key team lunch with one key differentiating factor: you are not allowed to talk about work.

When you head out to lunch, leave all your work goals, issues, and ideas at work. When you challenge yourselves not to discuss work, you’ll find new things that you all have in common.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, communication, and listening.

Why we love it: It’s surprisingly eye-opening. At first, you might realize just how often your team conversations tend to fall backono office matters. But as the lunch progresses, you’ll be delighted to discover all the other amazing things you have to talk about.

Next step to get started: Just put a date on the calendar, remind everyone to bring their lunch, and have fun.

45) Groupon Fridays

“Fight the slumps with novelty.”

Get out of your comfort zones as a groupregularlys by setting aside special days to do something new and exciting you’ve agreed on ahead of time.

In addition to growing closer to your team during the event itself, you’ll grow closer during the planning, the anticipation, and the aftermath.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork, collaboration, and decision making.

Why we love it: It gives you something amazing to do together, but it also gives you something amazing to look forward to, talk about, plan, and reminisce about together. Even just one exciting event can provide weeks of bonding.

Next step to get starte isd: Visit Groupon.

Team Building Activities For Work: Managers

A manager-initiatedteam-buildingg event is usually a multi-tasking affair. They’re often designed to target “soft” objectives important to managers, including communication, motivation, camaraderie, teamwork skills, and trust. Participants walk away feeling the positive effects of a good time and also with a few team narratives they can pull out in their next performance evaluation.

46) Share Your Favorite Sports

“Making spectating a sport.”

Strengthen your team by enjoying the timeless activity of watching other teams duke it out in a display of athleticism. Bond with your team as you share the cheers, the thrills, the disappointments, and the pure energy of shared fandom.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork and empathy.

Why we love it: This is another activity that facilitates a deeper kind of bonding that doesn’t require complex communication. A simple (yet enthusiastic) high-five during the rush of a shared victory works magic.

Next step to get started: Get your tickets at Vividseats.

47) Start A Bracket

“Satisfy your competitive streak.”

The risks and rewards of a little light betting meet the excitement of sports and entertainment to bring your team an experience that gets everyone pumped. Bet against one another. Bet with one another. Have fun.

Skills this work activity develop: Collaboration, strategic thinking, critical thinking, and decision making.

Why we love it: The competition and excitement of this activity bring people to life. Everyone will be delighted to see new sides to their coworkers. It’s especially delightful to see even your most level-headed soft-spoken teammate moved to trash talk when the honor of their favorite team is on the line.

Next step to get starte isd: Visit BracketFights.

48) Field Trip

“Escape the office.”

Plan an offsite event, a little break from the ordinary, where everyone can gather together at a rented-out bar, a private movie theater — anywhere but the office.

By simply stepping out of your day-to-day environment, you’re opening your team to new experiences, new connections, and new friendships. It doesn’t even matter what activity or location you choose.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, teamwork, and communication.

Why we love it: The simple magic of a new experience and a new environment fuels new connections. People will find themselves naturally talking to people they’ve maybe only passed in the hallway. They’ll find themselves asking questions they wouldn’t ask in the company kitchen.

Next step to get started: There’s no wrong way to do this one. Just pick a fun off-site event and enjoy all it has to offer

49) Choose Your Adventure

“Do something you’ll want to tell your grandkids about.”

Blueboard empowers employees to choose their adventures. Their expert team will handle all the planning details, allowing your team to enjoy exactly the kind of experience they want without doing any of the tedious planning.

Skills this work activity develops: Creative thinking, teamwork, trust, and listening.

Why we love it: Even after the pure joy of the experience has passed, the platform breathes new life into it by inspiring everyone to share memories of their experience right on the platform. One experience can yield months of benefits.

Next step to get starte isd: Visit Blueboard.

50) Department Raffle

“Make it rain swag.”

What’s one easy way to get an entire crowd excited? Giving away free stuff. Pull together all your swag, your fun gadgets, and your CEO’s open lunch dates into one ultimate cache of raffle prizes everyone wants.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork and communication.

Why we love it: The excitement this event can inspire is priceless. Everyone will feel as giddy as a game show contestant as they see if they’ll be the lucky ones who get horseback riding with your president.

Next step to get started: Read the basics of running a raffle.

Team Building Activities For Work: Employees

Team building activities designed with employees in mind focus on joy. Team leaders know what their employees want more than almost anything else is a little break from the ordinary, some time to reset. Like little mini-vacations, these events usually take employees off-sitetor fulfilling new experiences.

51) Food Truck Mayhem

“Chase down the best food on wheels.”

Imagine the buzzing excitement of the high school cafeteria, multiplied by ten. (And also serving food that’s a million times tastier than cafeteria fare.) That’s what any park or parking lot can become when you call in the food trucks and invite your teams out for a foodtastingc field day.

Everyone will frolic around, finding exactly what gourmet goodies they want while also enjoying some quality socializing. It is, however, way better than a cafeteria as the food is significantly tastier.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, communication, and decision making.

Why we love it: Browsing around the different trucks,and  socializing as you go creates a festival environment where eating isn’t just eating; it’s transcendent.

Next step to get starte isd: Find out what food trucks are available in your area.

52) Visit A Local Museum

“Crank up your culture quotient.”

Round up the team and visit a local museum, any kind of museum — art, history, nature, science, agriculture, whatever. Wander the exhibits all while discussing, learning, and soaking up all the fun facts like sponges.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: Visiting a museum with coworkers instead of going alone on a weekend provides tons of rewards.

Next step to get starte isd: Find a museum near you or stay at home and follow a guide through an interactive virtual museum tour.

53) Take On The Outdoors

“Swap the suit for sun-drenched skin.”

When you think about it, the whole wide world is like one bigteam-buildingg adventure just waiting for you to seize it.

Go glamping, scuba diving, hiking, or bouldering. Your team’s next fulfilling adventure could be waiting anywhere. Just look out the window and see the possibilities.

Skills this work activity develop: Problem-solving, teamwork, and trust.

Why we love it: Most people aren’t exactly sure how to go about planning an epic adventure. Blueboard makes the part easy. Just find an experience that speaks to your team’s collective adventurous spirit, and Blueboard will take it from there.

Next step to get starte isd: Visit Blueboard.

54) Awesomely Bad Art

“Flex your art appreciation muscles.”

Some of the bestteam-buildingg events get people to shift their perspectives. In some cases, that involves learning that Gretchen is only uptight in the office because she needs some more vitamin D or that Marcus’s ideas sound a lot better when you’re not trapped in a conference room together.

Strengthen the kind of mental muscles that fuel open-mindedness by hitting up the art galleries. Instead of trying to spout expert analysis, focus on trying to find and discuss positive things about something you hated at first glance.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: Quick judgments are detrimental in pretty much all life situations, from simple self-talk to workplace interactions. This activity gets teams working together to challenge their off-the-cuff judgments and develop the skills they need to shift perspectives.

Next step to get starte isd: Find an art gallery or test your skills with an instructor-led painting class.

55) Team Movie Night

“This easy-peasy activity is a real crowd-pleaser.”

A low-key movie night is a perfect way to make people feel bonded over Zoom. Like going to movie theaters in those long-forgotten days of yore, the important part of this activity is that everyone’s brains and eyeballs are engaging in a shared cinematic experience. You can easily achieve this over Zoom, and you won’t have to hear everyone slurping on soda or crunching on popcorn.

Skills this work activity develops: Communication, empathy, and listening.

Why we love it: This activity couldn’t be easier, but it’s also a real crowd-pleaser. Themovie’se focus eases the pressure while also allowing everyone to chat and bond as much as they like.

Next step to get started: Check out Hulu Watch Party or Netflix Party.

Team Building Activities For Work: Onboarding

Onboardingteam-buildingg activities aim to fast-track that priceless sense of belonging new employees crave. They pack a variety of “get-to-know-you” goodies into just a few hours, accomplishing the kind ofrelationship-buildingg that might otherwise take weeks of work to arrive at.

56) Share An After-Work Jog

“Break a sweat to create unbreakable bonds.”

Only the closest teams work out together. Welcome new employees by organizing a simple after-work jog. It’s low pressure, leads to light conversation, and it will make new employees feel instantly like part of your tight-knit team.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork, trust, communication, and empathy.

Why we love it: It takes the pressure off new employees. It allows them to spend time with their new team during a average daily activity. This helps them get over some of the nerves that might come along with having an event specifically in their honor.

Next step to get starte isd: Find a perfect route.

57) Get-To-Know You Super Email

“Give new employees your team’s top-secret dossier.”

Treat your new employees to a get-to-know-you super email. Pull together a list featuring everyone on your team, including their names, pictures, roles, favorite movies, and other fun facts. New employees will find this grounding, and they’ll get a head start on the get-to-know-you process.

Skills this work activity develop: Trust, communication, and empathy.

Why we love it: They say knowledge is power. When it comes to new employees, knowledge about their teammates is empowering. Learning a little bit about everyone will help them feel less like an outsider.

Next step to get started: Get inspiration from this list of get-to-know-you questions.

58) Play Jeopardy For Pride Month

“Celebrate Pride Month with your team.”

Skills this work activity develops: Critical thinking, communication, and compassion

Why we love it: While teams compete in fast-paced rounds of Jeopardy-style questions, they will also learn valuable insights related to Pride Month and LGBTQIA+ culture. After the trivia, coworkers will participate in a social mixer to discuss unique conversation questions and topics in a lively virtual format.

Next step to get started: Get in touch to start planning your event for June!

59) Desert Island

“Pack your go-bag for an unexpected island getaway.”

Engage your team in the theater of the imagination. Turn any old conference room or gathering place into a desert island. Simply ask everyone to list and provide their reasoning on three items they would want to have on hand.

This activity is all about exploring possibilities. People will love learning from one another and broadening their minds as they hear what everyone else on their team would do when survival is on the line.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, critical thinking, and decision making.

Why we love it: Listening to people list their selected items and their logic will showcase the broad range of perspectives and problem-solving skills represented across your team.

Next step to get started: Check out these activity tips.

60) Giphy Wars

“Find out if everyone loves your GIFs as much as you do.”

Use an employee recognition or communication platform as a battlefield for epicgypsyy wars.

Just push out a prompt (internet’s most boss cat, for example) and give everyone a chance to respond with the best GIF they can find. Vote on the best GIFs to see who won the war.

You can even have a war every week based on different themes, such as movies, sports, and cats.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: Everyone loves GIFs and also the rush of finding one that seems perfectly made for the moment at hand.

Next step to get started: Visit Nectar, yourgypsyy war battlefield.

Team Building Activities For Work: Professionals

When you’re planning ateam-buildingg activity for non-stop professionals, the spotlight is on sharpening teamwork, problem-solving, and all those other wonderful translatable skills professionals love to work on.

Participants will be looking for new skills they can incorporate into the next work week, so each activity should give them plenty of material to work with. (They’ll probably even expect to receive a follow-up survey so they can properly weigh in on the effectiveness of the event.)

61) Egg Drop

“Can your team do better than all the king’s horses and all the king’s men?”

Can you and your team figure out how to drop eggs without breaking them?

Break up into different teams and let the egg-safe engineering process begin. Reconnect as a large group for the testing phase.

Have each small group discuss something new they learned about teamwork to enhance the learning aspect of this activity.

Skills this work activity develop: Problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration.

Why we love it: This experiment benefits from multiple perspectives. Everyone will enjoy hearing their teammates suggest design nuances they never even considered.

Next step to get started: Read instructions from the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, or watch this video.

62) Human Knot

“Learn what it’s like to feel truly inseparable.”

During this physicalteam-buildingg activity, you’ll come together as a human knot, you’ll put your heads together to get out ofthe  said knot, and eventually, you’ll break away, but you’ll still feel closer than ever.

Skills this work activity develop: Problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration.

Why we love it: It makes teamwork a tactile experience. You’ll be able to see it in action, and if you film the event, you’ll be able to learn a few things from watching it later.

Next step to get starte isd: See the human knot in action.

63) Longest Shadow

“Overshadow the competition.”

You and your team have to get it together to turn all your shadows into one unified shadow. But that’s just the minimum. If you want to win, you also have to make sure your shadow is longer than every other group’s.

Skills this work activity develop: Problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration.

Why we love it: It requires a lot of coordination. Everyone has an equal role and everyone must play a part. While some people may naturally step into leadership roles, everyone eventually has to fall in line to createae shadow.

Next step to get starte isd: Watch the instructions.

64) Name Impulse

“Find out what’s really in a name.”

You know your name right? You can remember it no matter what, right?

This funteam-buildingg activity challenges the simple power of names by having everyone say their own in a variety of different fast-paced situations.

Skills this work activity develop: Communication and listening.

Why we love it: As you play, you’ll be tickled by how your brain seems to want to prioritize the identity of the entire group over the individual name you’re so deeply attached to.

Next step to get started: Watch the how-to video.

“The coolest part is when everybody realizes they are on the winning team, we could learn a lot from that.” – Ingles, a Youtube commenter

65) The Numbers Game

“Exchange digits in a different way.”

Can you make an effectiveteam-buildingg game based only on numbers?

Of course.

In this activity, everyone gets a one-digit number. When one person shouts out a multi-digit number, everyone must scramble around to form that number by finding other teammates with the corresponding digits.

Skills this work activity develop: Communication, collaboration, and decision making.

Why we love it: It might seem like a classroom activity, however, when you start playing, you’ll be delighted by how challenging and hilarious it can be.

Next step to get starte isd: Watch it on Youtube.

Team Building Activities For Work: Executives

Visionary executives gravitate towardteam-buildingg activities that align with all the things that occupy their thoughts, hopes, and dreams: company trajectories, productivity, strategy, long-term goals, missions, new ideas, and so on. You can expect theseteam-buildingg activities to focus on big ideas, open brainstorming, and maybe even some tactical planning (even if this last bit happens during a follow-up event).

66) Undercover Boss

“Prove that you can take the boss out of the boss.”

Executives can take a cue from the award-winning TV show and build some solid team bonds by actually becoming part of the team for a day.

During the activity, executives simply spend an entire day working with their teams, letting their employees show them the ropes. To have the most fun, lay the clear ground rule that no one should under any circumstances take it easy on the “newbie.”

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork and trust.

Why we love it: Most employees’ interactions with executives at the highest levels involve big fancy events or hearing talks in echoey auditoriums. This activity allows executives to reveal the person behind the position and gain admiration for doing so.

Next step to get started: Get inspiration from the original TV show, Undercover Boss.

67) C-Suite Team Retreat

“Executive’s day out.”

Some executives may think they can skip out on all theteam-buildingg activities and events other employees engage in. They are inhumanly busy after all. But that’s all the more reason that ateam-buildingg retreat can bring major value to their work lives.

Bring the busiest of the busy executives together for a no-work-allowed retreat. Engage them in a day of conversation, visioning, and group support. These executives may never have to share offices or conduct group work, but their team cohesion is just as important as it is for any other team.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork, trust, communication, and leadership.

Why we love it: It solidifies the simple concept that you never outrank teamwork. Busy people may neglect team building, but this activity will remind them why they shouldn’t.

Next step to get started: Find some executive retreat ideas.

68) Mastermind Group Chat

“Tap into the collective mastermind.”

Great minds may think alike, but that does not preclude them from sharing and discussing their ideas. This activity simply builds on the power of leaders’ ideas and the immeasurable rewards of sharing and nurturing those ideas in a group context — whether it happens during a one-off event or goes on infinitely in a shared Slack channel.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, communication, leadership, and strategic thinking.

Why we love it: Ideas are beautiful. And like dominoes or a perfectly cascading supply chain, one idea may inspire a chain of brilliance until your company’s biggest barrier to success is prioritizing the pipeline.

Next step to get started: Just get the executives together and start talking. It’s that easy.

69) Mini TED Talks

“Bring on the inspiration.”

Who doesn’t love an inspirational TED talk? Apply that signature TED-style to the microcosm of your company. Have company leaders tell their stories and share experiences about what it means to be part of your company, about future growth,and  about limitless potential. The sky’s the limit.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, communication, and leadership.

Why we love it: The audience will love listening. The leaders will love speaking. And both of those things working in harmony will spread an invigorating feeling of inspiration all around the office.

Next step to get started: Check out these tips for creating a TED Talk.

70) Get Scared

“Scare up those hidden stores of executive energy.”

Planning satisfyingteam-buildingg events for executives requires upping the stakes and also proposing something, some challenge, that driven executives will likely not be able to resist.

Have them face their biggest fears, or at least something ridiculously scary as a group. They’ll forge new bonds and in some cases heal their brains and push past limiting beliefs.

Skills this work activity develop: Teamwork and trust.

Why we love it: Overcoming fears together, sharing that rush of adrenaline, and also supporting one another through it all will bring your executive leadership team together like never before.

Next step to get started: Check out these adrenaline activities for thrill-seekers.

Team Building Activities For Work: Christmas

Team building around the winter holidays puts on the cheerful, casual garb of pure togetherness. With these events, what you do is not half as important as who you do it with. If you can bring your entire team together for some quality time and make a few strong memories while you’re at it, then your event is a smashing success.

71) Secret Santa

“Make Santa a state of mind.”

This holiday classic ensures everyone experiences the joys of gift-giving and gift-receiving without making anyone feel pressured to purchase a whole sack full of presents.

Each guest brings a gift for another. The gift giver’s identity remains a secret until after all the presents are open and each person tries to guess the identity of their secret Santa.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and teamwork.

Why we love it: It works well for any gift-giving holiday or occasion. Everyone feels included and shares equally in the joy.

Next step to get started: Read the detailed rules. Feel free to expand the gifting pool to other departments you don’t have as much interaction with. Getting each other secretSantaa gifts will only bring you closer.

72) Make A Custom Team Greeting

“Give everyone more of what they really want.”

Spread some holiday cheer by teaming up to make a team card, stickers, or even hilarious refrigerator magnets featuring all your beautiful faces.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking, teamwork, and communication.

Why we love it: It spreads joy with a perfectly personal and humorous touch.

Next step to get started: Check out these custom fridge magnets.

73) White Elephant

“Get something you never knew you wanted.”

Ask each guest to bring a random, ridiculous, weird, hilarious,s or otherwise traditionally “unwanted” gift. All you have to do is have guests open the gifts, and voila — you’ve got instant hilarity with minimal planning and fanfare.

You could also pull a Michael Scott and surprise everyone by bringing something that’s amazing.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and communication.

Why we love it: You will make tons of amazing memories as you see what everyone brings and also how everyone reacts to what everyone brings.

Next step to get started: Browse these gift ideas.

74) Rudolph Drinking Game

“Uncover the mystery of Rudolph’s shiny red nose.”

What could be better than watching your favorite holiday classic? Watching your favorite holiday classic with your amazing coworkers while also enjoying a festive drinking game.

Grab your drink of choice and agree on your drinking cues. For example, you could pop a Santa hat on top of your screen and take a little drink each time one of the characters ends up “wearing” the hat.

Skills this work activity develop: Creative thinking and trust.

Why we love it: It cultivates tons of festive holiday cheer while being just a bit more cozy and intimate than a holiday happy hour or company party.

Next step to get started: Get the full instructions.

75) Glow And Grow

“Nurture your ambition for the bright new year.”

Get together for a satisfying end-of-year reflection. Invite everyone to share their “glow” (an accomplishment they’re proud of) and also their “grow” (a goal for the upcoming year.)

Skills this work activity develops Creative thinking, trust, communication, and empathy.

Why we love it: It’s the perfect chance to grow closer as a team as you celebrate each other’s accomplishments and support each other in pursuit of new goals.

Next step to get started: All you need to make this event a success is a time, a place, one another, and some snacks of course