Master the Art of Team Building
In the corporate grind, where even eye contact on the London Underground is a lost art, teams go into their own world, communication fizzles and morale hits a wall. The fix? Paint outside the lines and shake things up with team-building activities to get everyone on the same page.
Building stronger teams isn’t just about improving performance, it’s about creating an atmosphere where people genuinely enjoy contributing to the company. When morale is high, communication clicks, collaboration flows and productivity thrives. Team members learn the value each other brings and managers uncover strengths and untapped skills, such as emerging leaders or newfound team chemistry to leverage.
In a nutshell, team building can turn your team from the rackety Bakerloo Line to the smooth-sailing Elizabeth Line.
Now, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for diverse companies with different departments, likes, and interests. That’s where our list of fun team-building activities comes in, designed to bring even the most varied teams to master the art of taking part. Who knows? You might even get finance and marketing collaborating on a true work of art!
What Are Team Building Activities?
Team building activities are designed to help your team brush up on communication skills, strengthen bonds and nail what it takes to be a successful team.
The best team-building activities pull you out of the daily grind, shake things up and spark fresh ways of working. They are as necessary as a brolly in British summer. With stronger team collaboration and sharper problem-solving skills, your team can go from ordinary to extraordinary.
Team building isn’t just about trust falls or awkward icebreakers either. Corporate team-building events, like an escape room challenge, can focus on strategic thinking and problem-solving exercises to encourage collaboration with any department. Whereas, fun team bonding activities, such as team building games, office trivia or away days can level up creative thinking, build trust and leave your team as connected as the tube (on a good day)!
Why Is Team Building Important?
Team building can take teammates from awkward strangers to trusted allies or even awesome friends. It cranks up team bonding, collaboration and morale, turning company culture from corporate beige to a vibrant mix of personalities. Think of it as mixing the energy of Shoreditch with the drive of Canary Wharf. When a company cares about investing in team happiness and team members care about each other, everyone wins.
Beyond a fun day out of the office, team-building activities can power up your businesses in many ways:
Increased motivation
Team building sparks a fire of motivation by creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose, making everyone feel like they’re working toward a common goal.
Brings new hires into the fold
Team building activities create instant connections, helping new team members feel welcome from day one. Through shared experiences, they quickly become part of the team and the company culture.
Encourages trust to thrive
Even quick team-building activities can help teams identify strengths and weaknesses and then come together to support each other.
Sparks open communication
Let’s be honest, the daily grind can sneak up on you, and before you know it, it’s 5pm, and you haven’t checked in with your teammate. Team building helps remind everyone just how important communication and collaboration are.
Fuels fresh thinking
In any aspect of life, a fresh perspective can be a game changer. Team building activities tap into skills beyond your job description, inspiring creative thinking, innovation, and new ways to tackle problems.
Fires up team morale
A company that invests in team bonding shows they value their people, not just the numbers. It’s a clear signal that they care about building strong relationships and a positive workplace culture.
Team Building Activities to Do Outside the Office
1. Get Arty While You Party with Paint & Sip Sessions
Great teams are like great paintings, sometimes it takes a bit of mess, a brush of creativity and a lot of colourful collaboration to make a masterpiece.
Pinot & Picasso have team building down to a fine art—with wine. The best part? No talent necessary!
Whether you are an accounting firm or an energetic gym team, the Paint and Sip studio is about relieving work stress and unleashing creativity, with a drink in hand!
Book your small team into a Paint and Sip class for a stress-free team-building activity. With all art supplies, aprons, and a stocked bar ready to go, all you need to do is send the invite and show up ready to bond.
A large group team-building event is easier to organise than finding a seat on the Northern Line in rush hour. Book the whole studio for your entire team with a private team-building event. Shape up your package with custom artwork, a stocked open bar or personalised decorations and let us take care of the rest. Turn up, don your apron and get creative with your team.
2. Find a Great Escape at an Escape Room
If your team loves a good puzzle and a dash of mystery, an escape room adventure should be right up your alley. Split into small groups and use your collective brainpower to crack the clues, edging closer to freedom. The beauty of escape rooms is that they require teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
It’s a fantastic way to collaborate among team members, enhancing your corporate team-building event ideas. Plus, the excitement and pressure of the clock ticking down adds an extra layer of adrenaline to the mix. We hope your crew is up for it.
3. Putt to Glory with a Mini Golf Tournament
Take a break from the office and enjoy a round of mini golf. The competitive spirit and laughter are par for the course. Mini golf tournaments are quick team-building ideas that blend friendly competition with leisure.
As you navigate through obstacles and aim for that elusive hole-in-one, you’ll learn about each other’s strengths and weaknesses (note to self: don’t have David on your team next time) and improve teamwork.
4. Go to Battle with Laser Tag
Suit up and prepare for battle (only metaphorically) with a game of laser tag. Team up and strategise to outsmart your opponents in a futuristic battlefield.
Laser tag is the epitome of team-building action. It’s all about strategy, teamwork, and a bit of friendly rivalry. Your group-building activities will hit a whole new level as you engage in thrilling battles, ensuring that everyone gets their dose of excitement.
5. Axe Away the Work Stress
Forget the office grind, this is where friendly competition meets pure fun.
Axe-throwing team-building events are about locking in your goal and giving it everything you’ve got. Whether you take part in the team games or solo challenges, it’s a chance to level up your team morale and focus, and maybe even show off a little muscle while you’re at it.
6. Go to a Brewery, Winery or Distillery for a Tasting
Take your team on a trip to your local brewery, winery or distillery for a tasting. Try a fine drop of wine, a craft beer or a tasty gin.
Connect with the community and take a tour of the venue, learn how they make their drinks and enjoy having some liquid courage. It’s a fun team-building idea that encourages everyone to get social and develop relationships.
7. Hit the Bullseye with Social Darts
Social darts are the perfect mix of friendly competition and team bonding. Grab a dart, aim for the bullseye, and let the laughs roll in.
It’s all about strategy, a bit of skill, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you’re a sharpshooter or just here for the laughs, social darts can bring the team together like never before.
8. Traditional Pub Quiz Night
Head to a local pub for a good old British pub quiz night and give your team a chance to flex their brainpower. Teams can compete in pairs or small groups, answering trivia questions on a range of topics, from history to pop culture. A pub quiz night combines entertainment, competition, and British pub culture for a fun team bonding night. They’ll strengthen not only their random knowledge but also their connection as a team.
9. Get a Lucky Break with Boozy Bingo
Whether it’s fresh faces or office veterans, a nostalgic game of Bingo can cut through any awkwardness and bring the team bonding vibes. Add in some work-related prizes for a friendly bit of competition – think one month off tea-making duty, a prime desk spot, or a ‘no-meeting Monday’ pass and suddenly, Bingo gets serious (in the best way).
10. Shuffle things up
Shuffleboard brings the heat without the hustle. It’s simple to play, impossible not to love, and perfect for stirring up some low-key competition. One minute you’re sliding pucks, the next you’re trash-talking like a pro and high-fiving your boss. Add drinks, laughs, and bragging rights and you have a team-building night your company won’t forget.
11. Mix, Muddle and Bond with a Cocktail Making Class
Who knew your quietest teammate could crush a margarita recipe? Cocktail-making brings out unexpected skills, big laughs, and a whole lot of “cheers.”
From creative tricks to non-alcoholic genius alternatives, a cocktail-making class can bring even the most diverse teams together. Whether you’re in it for the booze or the bonding, you’ll leave a little buzzed.
Team Building Activities to Do Inside the Office
12. Mobile Paint & Sip Workshops
Let us bring the Pinot & Picasso experience to you for the ultimate stress-free team-building set-up. If you have a morning of corporate training, a Paint & Sip session could be the perfect way to unwind and encourage your team to bond.
Get arty while you party in your boardroom. With a mobile Paint and Sip class, we bring all the materials so all you need to do is book out the meeting room and get ready to pour your art out.
13. Host your own Office Olympics
We’ve seen this episode of ‘The Office‘, right? The Olympics aren’t only for elite athletes. Host your very own office Olympics with events like chair races, paper aeroplane javelin, and desk chair shot put.
It’s a quick team-building idea that adds fun to the workplace, leaving everyone in stitches. These lighthearted competitions not only promote teamwork but also improve morale, making it a great addition to your list of fun team-building ideas for work.
14. Break out of the office…literally
From deadlines to de-coding; escape the ordinary, one clue at a time. Turn your office into an escape room challenge with a creative escape room kit. With different themes from spies, superheroes, wizards or just simple de-coding team games, an escape room could be the perfect way to get your team strategically thinking and collaborating. All you need is a host, break-out rooms and a few teams to compete and you are all set for a challenging team-building event.
15. Unlimited Fun with a Games Night
Board games, card games, and even video games – it’s all on the table for a night of friendly (and slightly competitive) fun. Indoor team-building game nights create the perfect excuse to swap spreadsheets for some serious bonding, minus the office stress.
Whether it’s flexing your brainpower in a board game or teaming up in a video game, these activities help sharpen your skills and bring the laughs, turning your colleagues into teammates and making work feel a little less… well, like work.
16. Master the Art of the Gab
Communication workshops can be a game-changer for your team. Many experts, from speech therapists to theatre coaches, can run communication sessions for your team to turn even the shyest colleague into a confident and clear communicator. Whether you have sales pitches, conference talks or just internal team chats to brush up on, communication skills are as necessary as a solid wifi connection.
This indoor team-building activity isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening, being clear, and owning every conversation. Get ready to see your team speak up, stand out, and crush it in any situation!
17. Office Trivia for Bragging Rights
Know it alls, assemble! Pause the emails and bring the pub trivia vibes to your office. The best thing? You can personalise the categories to your team’s quirks, inside jokes, and industry smarts. Think:
- Guess the baby photo
- “Who said this in the team chat?”
- “Know your coworker” bonus points
- Throwback pics – guess the team event year
- Test their industry knowledge
Craft your quiz rounds to spark laughs, stir up friendly competition, and bond over everything from pop culture to very specific Slack drama.
Because let’s be honest—team building is way more fun when bragging rights are on the line.
18. Have a Movie Marathon
Set up a cosy movie night complete with popcorn and comfy blankets. Let each team member choose a film and transform the office into a cinema.
Movie marathons provide a relaxing environment for team members to unwind and bond. Sharing laughs, tears, and debates over movie choices strengthens connections, making it one of the more laid-back team bonding activities.
Virtual Team Building Activities
Remote teams are sometimes forgotten about in team-building activities but communication skills, collaboration and connection are even more important for Nationwide or even Global teams. With easy team games and scheduling, you can encourage team bonding across the miles.
19. Two Truths and a Lie
Who doesn’t love learning surprising things about each other? Ask everyone to share two truths and a lie on a video call and the rest of the team have to guess which one is the lie. Sharon from accounts surely can’t breakdance, can she? Getting to know your colleagues on a more personal level encourages trust, care and morale, making the team stronger and more connected. Plus, it’s always fun to see who can pull off the best fib!
20. Nerd out with a Book Club
Start a monthly book club and give your team’s brains something juicier to chew on than project deadlines. Whether it’s a mind-bending thriller or a self-help book that actually helps, swapping stories and perspectives gets people thinking and talking in fresh, creative ways. Who knew bonding over plot twists could be just as powerful as bonding over pints?
21. Raise your Glass and Connect with your Crew
A virtual happy hour sesh can bring just as much fun as your favourite local pub, minus the queues, loud crowds, and overpriced pints. Crack open your drink of choice, switch on your camera, and kick back with your remote teammates. Spending even just an hour a week debriefing the week can be as effective as an elaborate team-building event, showing you care beyond the inbox. It’s low-effort, high-impact bonding that builds trust, boosts morale, and makes teamwork flow when it really counts.
Team Building Activities to Do Inside the Office
22. Pass the Mic for a Karaoke Showdown
Take the classic work term of endearment, “You’re a rockstar”, literally. Channel Beyoncé or whoever your favourite artist is and belt out your favourite tunes – who knows, someone might have the same as you?
Karaoke nights are all about laughter and solidarity, two essential elements of any successful team-building activity. You and your co-workers will bond over shared embarrassment as you sing your hearts out (who cares if it’s tone-deaf!), ensuring a memorable team bonding night.
23. Whodunnit with the Team
Plan an interactive murder mystery team-building event and watch your colleagues transform into expert detectives.
Whether you’re solving crimes in a creepy castle or hosting a private whodunnit at the office, your team will sharpen their strategy, ask the right questions, and make quick decisions under pressure. Sure, you’ll be side-eyeing your workmates for a while. But, the shared laughs, unexpected twists, and clever teamwork can boost trust, morale, and critical thinking like nothing else.
24. Laugh it out with Team Improv
Book an improv workshop and watch your team learn to say yes and, jump into ideas with both feet and have each other’s backs. After just a few minutes of shaking off the nerves and awkwardness, the room will be full of laughter as everyone dives headfirst into the world of improv.
It’s more than just silly games; improv builds real-world skills like quick thinking, adaptability, active listening, and confidence. Honestly, it’s a no-brainer for a team that wants to loosen up and level up.
Creativity-Boosting Exercises
25. Go Unique with a Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts aren’t just for kids. Create a list of unique items or tasks for your team to find around the office or even in your city.
Team members will bond over their shared pursuit of wacky treasures and hilarious challenges, making it a memorable team bonding experience. It’s not just about ticking boxes, it’s about learning to trust your teammates, think as a unit and communicate under pressure. The shared chaos, inside jokes, and unexpected teamwork make this one of the most memorable (and secretly powerful) team-building activities around.
26. Stay Afloat with a Thames Kayaking Challenge
Kayaking down the Thames isn’t just an awesome excuse to get out of the office, it’s a trust exercise in motion. With every paddle stroke, teammates must sync up, communicate clearly, and rely on each other to stay afloat (literally).
It’s fast-paced, full of laughs, and the kind of shared challenge that builds collaboration, all against the backdrop of London’s most iconic sights.
27. Trust in Personal Timeline Presentations
Run a monthly personal presentation share to get to know your colleagues beyond their job roles and email signatures. They don’t have to bare their souls, just highlight key events from their lives, careers or passions that shape who they really are. When teammates connect on a human level then empathy, connection and trust naturally flow.
28. Unwind with a Mindfulness and Yoga Retreat
Invest in your team’s well-being and watch trust take root with a mindfulness and yoga retreat. Whether you’re gearing up for a busy period or celebrating a milestone, stepping away from the hustle into a calm, intentional space can focus any team.
These treats aren’t just about stretching in silence, they’re about showing up for each other, tuning in and building deeper connections. Through shared mindfulness, team members listen without judgement, communicate with empathy and support one another on and off the mat. It goes beyond recharging, it rewires your team to trust, connect and collaborate on a whole new level.
Outdoor Adventure Activities
29. Survive the Wild with your Team
Nothing screams teamwork skills like a forest survival experience. Team members will be thrown into the wild to build shelters, spark fires, and forage like a Bear Grylls-style crew. It’s the kind of shared challenge no conference room could ever replicate, where the elements demand quick thinking, real collaboration, and having each other’s backs from start to finish.
30. Master the Map with Orienteering
A group orienteering day is one of the best outdoor team-building activities for encouraging collaboration. Armed with nothing but a map, a compass and an end goal, small groups walk their way across the British countryside without getting lost.
Watch your team tap into each other’s strengths, cover each other’s weaknesses and rediscover the power of teamwork without technology. This newfound strength in their teamwork skills will stay with them long after turning their computers back on.
31. Reach New Heights with a High Ropes Course
Harness up and level up with an outdoor team-building activity among the trees. A high ropes adventure course can turn even the shyest teams into tight-knit collaborative forces. Forget office politics and cheer on colleagues you hardly speak to for those long-lasting bonds. As your team tackles treetop challenges, they’ll unite in ways that will carry over to the next big project, making every deadline feel like a shared victory.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Team Building
32. Do Good Deeds with Charity Volunteering
Give back to the community and bond with your team by volunteering for a local charity or non-profit organisation. Charity volunteering is more than just a team bonding activity; it’s an opportunity to make a positive impact on your community while strengthening your team’s sense of purpose and unity. These are the kind of corporate team-building event ideas that leave a lasting, heartwarming impression.
By coming together for a common cause, your team will align more deeply with your company’s values, reinforcing a shared sense of responsibility and vision.
Boost Morale with a Team Building Activity
With so many ideas for team-building activities, you have no excuse now to bring your team closer together and turn your corporate beige into a vibrant, thriving community.
Whether it’s picking up a paintbrush to spark creative thinking or building trust through a mindfulness retreat, your team will feel valued, happy, and more connected than ever.
But it’s not just about the fun vibes. Team-building activities refine communication, level up problem-solving skills, and unite your team into a cohesive, powerhouse squad.
A team’s success in team-building activities is all about the art of taking part, and maybe a bit of embracing chaos along the way!
