Corporate Team Building Activities: #1 List

You found our list of the best corporate team building activities.

Corporate team building activities are exercises organized by companies to enhance employee cooperation, communication, and job satisfaction. For example escape rooms, workplace fitness challenges, or team trivia nights. The purpose of these activities is to foster a positive work environment, boost morale, and increase productivity. These activities are also known as corporate bonding exercises or employee engagement activities.

These activities are similar to corporate event games, team building exercises and team building games for adults.

This list includes:

• activities for team building
• business team games
• corporate bonding exercises
• corporate group games
• corporate team games

Let’s get to it!

List of corporate team building activities

Corporate bonding exercises, such as trivia nights or fitness challenges, can significantly boost morale and foster a positive, collaborative work environment.

1. Icebreaker Passports

Icebreaker passports are a creative and engaging corporate team building activity that aims to foster collaboration and connection among employees. Each participant receives a passport, which contains a variety of icebreaker challenges and tasks. These tasks encourage individuals to interact with their colleagues and step out of their comfort zones.

The objective of the icebreaker passports is to break down barriers and create a positive and inclusive team environment. By participating in these activities, employees can build stronger relationships, improve communication skills, and enhance teamwork. Ultimately, icebreaker passports contribute to a more cohesive and productive work environment.

Here are icebreaker games and icebreaker questions to use in this activity.

2. The Great Guac Off

The Great Guac Off is one of the most fun corporate group games. In this non-cooking cookoff, teams compete to whip up the best bowl of guac. At the start of the event, teams compete in series of mini challenges that bolster team dynamics, and give teams the chance to earn “secret ingredients” to level up their guac. Then, groups work together to create their dips. Finally, the hosts and other contestants sample the guac and vote for a winner. This experience is 90 minutes and fully hosted, and is a perfect addition to team retreats, conferences, and company parties.

Learn more about The Great Guac Off.

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3. The Art of Storytelling

The Art of Storytelling is a professional development activity that is also one of the best corporate bonding exercises. In this two hour workshop, participants break down the elements that make a story compelling and learn a signature framework to create tales that hook audiences. This storytelling method is the key to our sister Museum Hack’s success and is the same process tour guides use to create renegade museum tours. These lessons are valuable for corporate groups because participants can apply the practices and techniques to various aspects of their professional lives, such as pitching to clients or mediating coworker conflicts.

Learn more about The Art of Storytelling.

4. Charity Race

A charity race is a fantastic corporate team building activity that promotes team spirit and supports a good cause. In a charity race, employees come together to participate in a friendly competition while raising funds for a charitable organization. This activity encourages teamwork, as teams work together to strategize, train, and ultimately complete the race.

By participating in a charity race, employees develop camaraderie and strengthen their relationships, leading to improved collaboration in the workplace. Moreover, the sense of accomplishment from crossing the finish line and contributing to a worthy cause boosts morale and fosters a positive company culture.

Note that this activity does not have to be a literal run. Teammates can compete to raise money and hit philanthropy goals in non-athletic activities. For example, perhaps each branch puts out a donation jar with a question like “zombie chickens or vampire ducks.” The branch with the funniest question that generates the most donations wins the race.

Here are more team building charity activities.

5. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms have become a popular choice for corporate team building activities. These immersive experiences challenge participants to work together, think critically, and solve puzzles to find their way out of a locked room within a specified time limit. By engaging in an escape room activity, team members have the opportunity to enhance their communication skills, boost problem-solving abilities, and foster collaboration. The high-pressure environment encourages individuals to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. Additionally, escape rooms provide a fun and exciting break from the usual office routine, allowing teams to bond and build stronger relationships.

Learn about the main types of escape rooms.

6. Team Building Seminars

Team building seminars are an essential component of corporate team building. These seminars offer a structured and focused approach to fostering teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication within an organization. Through a series of interactive exercises, workshops, and discussions, participants learn valuable skills that can greatly enhance their ability to work together as a cohesive unit. These seminars provide a platform for individuals to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, build trust, and develop problem-solving skills. Additionally, team building seminars promote a positive work environment, improve employee morale, and ultimately lead to increased productivity and success for the organization as a whole.

Here are corporate workshop ideas.

7. Workplace Fitness Challenges

Workplace fitness challenges are a popular activity when it comes to corporate team building. These challenges encourage employees to prioritize their health and well-being while fostering a sense of camaraderie among colleagues.

Here are examples:

• A step competition, where teams compete to see who can take the most steps over a set period of time.
• A fitness relay, where different team members complete different exercises, such as push-ups, squats, or jumping jacks, and pass the baton to the next person.
• A 30-day yoga program, where employees take five to ten minutes each workday to take a yoga break
• A progressive fitness regimen where employees start small with tasks like five jumping jacks or a two minute walk, and work up to full workouts

We recommend tracking progress on a shared spreadsheet “leaderboard” and starting a Slack channel or group chat where participants can share wins and cheer each other on.

These challenges promote physical fitness but also boost motivation and team spirit within the workplace.

Here are more office challenge ideas and team building workouts.

8. Rooftop Yoga

Rooftop yoga is a unique and invigorating corporate team building activity. Instead of being cooped up in a stuffy office, your team gets to experience the open air and breathtaking views from a rooftop while practicing yoga.

This activity promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and physical well-being for participants, making it an excellent way to foster team cohesion and boost morale. By engaging in yoga together, team members can deepen their connection, improve communication, and build a sense of trust. Additionally, rooftop yoga allows participants to step out of their comfort zones and try something new, encouraging personal growth and a sense of accomplishment. Overall, rooftop yoga is a refreshing and rejuvenating activity that can bring your team closer together.

Here is a guide on how to do team yoga.

9. Office Mixers

Office mixers are corporate group activities designed to foster a sense of camaraderie and enhance communication among coworkers. These events typically involve socializing and engaging in fun and interactive games or exercises. Office mixers can take various forms, such as themed parties, after-work happy hours, or sports tournaments. These events provide an opportunity for employees from different departments to bond, network, and collaborate in a relaxed and informal setting. Participating in office mixers can contribute to a more positive work environment, boost employee morale, and improve team dynamics. Ultimately, they help strengthen the overall cohesion and productivity of the workplace.

Here are office mixer ideas.

10. Team Trivia Night

Team trivia nights are fun and engaging business team games that encourage employees to work together while testing their knowledge. During the event, teams compete against each other by answering a series of trivia questions in various categories. This activity fosters friendly competition and  promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. By participating in team trivia nights, employees can bond with their colleagues, strengthen relationships, and boost morale within the workplace. Moreover, these events provide an opportunity for team members to showcase their unique skills and knowledge, creating a sense of inclusion and appreciation.

Here are trivia night ideas for team building.

11. Corporate Retreats

Corporate retreats offer companies a unique opportunity to foster team building, boost employee morale, and enhance productivity. These retreats typically take place in scenic locations away from the office, providing a refreshing change of environment and a focused atmosphere to work on specific goals. During these retreats, teams engage in activities designed to promote collaboration, problem-solving, and effective communication.

Here are activities that typically happen on retreats:

• Team building like guacamole-making competitions, and gameshow showdowns
• Group meals and mixers
• City tours and exploration
• Department and company news
• Project presentations and collaborative work sessions
• Brainstorming sessions and strategy discussions
• Professional development

Corporate retreats offer a break from daily routines and encourage employees to work together towards a common goal. Not to mention, these events are a great way to bring remote teams or large organizations together to gain big-picture perspective and sense of belonging.

Here is a list of group retreat activities.

12. Adventure Courses and Games

Outdoor adventure courses and games are a thrilling and interactive option for corporate team building activities. These games provide a unique opportunity for employees to step out of their comfort zones and work together towards a common goal in an outdoor setting.

For example:

• High ropes course, where participants navigate through challenging obstacles while harnessed in for safety. This activity promotes trust, communication, and problem-solving skills as team members rely on each other for support.
• Kayaking or canoeing adventure, which encourages collaboration and coordination as teams paddle together towards a common goal.
• Hiking or nature trail excursions provide an opportunity for team members to bond while exploring the outdoors and working together to overcome obstacles.

These outdoor adventures foster teamwork, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment among team members.Being outdoors adds an element of excitement and challenge, pushing individuals to think creatively and adapt to their surroundings.

Check out more outdoor team building ideas.

13. Cooking Classes

Cooking classes can be a great option for corporate team building. By participating in cooking classes, team members can develop better communication skills as they work together to prepare a meal. The activity promotes teamwork and collaboration, as every team member must contribute to the cooking process. Additionally, cooking classes can improve problem-solving skills, as participants need to think on their feet and adjust recipes if something goes wrong.

For an extra fun element, consider turning your class into a cooking competition inspired by Chopped or Hells Kitchen.

Here is a list of team cookoff ideas.

14. Successful Strategy Games

Strategy games can be an effective tool for organizational team building. By engaging in successful strategy games, teams can develop essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. These games typically involve making strategic decisions and managing limited resources to achieve specific objectives.

The competitive nature of these games fosters teamwork, as team members collaborate and strategize together to outsmart their opponents. Additionally, strategy games encourage individuals to think outside the box and come up with innovative approaches. These exercises also promote adaptability, as teams must adjust their strategies based on changing circumstances during the game.

Here are examples:

• 3-D Chess
• Social deduction games like Werewolf
• Barter puzzles
• The human knot
• Murder mysteries
• Desert island survival

Overall, engaging in successful strategy games can strengthen team dynamics and enhance overall performance. These intellectual exercises make for some of the best corporate team games.

15. Professional Development Days

Professional Development Days provide employees with an opportunity to enhance their skills, knowledge, and abilities, ultimately benefiting both the individual and the company.

During these development days, employees can participate in workshops, seminars, and training programs tailored to their professional growth. Professionals can learn new techniques, improve their communication and leadership skills, and gain valuable insights.

Here is how to plan these days:

1. Gather insight into what kinds of development your workforce craves, for instance by talking to managers or deploying a survey
2. Research training programs
3. Get speakers
4. Choose a venue
5. Create an agenda
6. Do a post-event analysis to gauge the effect of your efforts

The benefits of these days include improved employee morale, increased productivity, and a stronger team dynamic. Professional Development Days are a valuable investment for any organization looking to foster growth and success.

16. Takeout Potluck Lunch Battle

A Takeout Potluck Lunch Battle is a fun and engaging corporate team building activity that encourages collaboration, creativity, and friendly competition. In this activity, teams create a potluck out of takeout food. You could do this activity a couple of ways.

For example:

• Each team must curate the perfect 3-course meal by picking a snack, mains, and dessert from a nearby restaurant. The office votes on the menus, and the winning team has their meal catered.
• Teammates each get bring a takeout dish from a different restaurant for the potluck, and folks vote on their favorites.
• The group chooses a theme like donuts or dumplings. Each team or participant brings the specified food from a different restaurant. The group samples the items and debates which restaurant has the best version.

While traditional potlucks are funded by participants, it is a nice gesture for companies to provide a stipend or partial stipend to offset costs.

Final Thoughts

In the corporate world, team building activities have become integral for employee engagement. These events cultivate a positive work culture and bolster productivity levels across the organization. Through such activities, companies can develop strong team dynamics and encourage open communication amongst employees. All in all, incorporating activities for team building is a smart business strategy that yields valuable, long-term benefits.

Next, check out our posts on corporate team events, team building events, company outing ideas, and employee engagement activities.