Looking to shake up the usual office routine with something a bit more dynamic? If your staff seem lacking in enthusiasm, energy and productivity how about an off-the-wall team outing to turn those frowns upside down?
The problem is, when you’re searching for things to do with adults, it can often be tricky to please everyone. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of 25 unique team outing ideas designed to leave a lasting impression and – hopefully – boost team spirit.
Why you should up your outing game
When it comes to team outings, many of us have sat through the usual team lunches and trivia nights – but after a while, the appeal of these run-of-the-mill activities can begin to wear a little thin. Introducing novel ideas for team days out can open the door to new ways of seeing each other and working together. Here’s how:
✔️ Breaks the ice: New and shared experiences are great icebreakers. They help team members connect in ways that daily office interactions just can’t match.
✔️ Fuels creativity: Unusual activities get people thinking outside the box, sparking creativity that, if you’re lucky, will spill over into work projects.
✔️ Builds stronger bonds: Overcoming challenges and engaging in entertaining activities together builds trust and camaraderie among team members.
✔️ Provides stress relief: Getting away from the desks and diving into something completely different is a perfect way to reduce workplace tension and recharge.
✔️ Boosts problem-solving skills: Many team away day ideas require creative thinking and teamwork to navigate, enhancing these essential skills in a fun setting.
By stepping out of the conventional outing playbook, you're more likely to see genuine enthusiasm and participation, leading to more meaningful connections and a more cohesive team.
Now let’s run through some standout ideas that could end up becoming your next big team adventure.
1. VR gaming challenge
Virtual reality experiences combine fun and immersive activities with problem-solving and collaboration. Your team will need to think on their feet to come out on top.
Who to use
Zero Latency: The world's leader in free-roam, multiplayer virtual reality games.
Navrtar: Offers unique VR experiences for up to 36 players.
2. Themed scavenger hunts
Choose a theme – pirates, detectives, futuristic – and let the clues lead your team on an adventure across the city or within the office.
Who to use
Wildgoose: Tech-driven treasure hunts tailored for corporate team-building days.
HiddenCity: Real-world adventure games across London with themes including James Bond and Sherlock Holmes.
3. Murder mystery dinner
Turn dinner into a thrilling investigation. Team members take on character roles and work together to solve a fictional murder over a tasty meal.
Who to use
Red Herring Games: Personalised murder mystery dinner experiences designed by a published crime writer.
Night of Mystery: Downloadable murder mystery packages with themes including ‘Murder in Gatsby’s Gala’ and ‘80s Prom Gone Bad’.
4. Escape room marathon
Take on multiple escape rooms in one day. Each room throws a mix of puzzles your way that require diverse skills and collective problem-solving.
Who to use
Escape Hunt: One of the UK’s most popular escape room chains, with themes including the Wild West and Alice in Wonderland.
Escape Live: These guys have tons of escape room options that can be played at various sites across the UK.
5. Outdoor film night
You can’t beat the magic of watching a classic film in the great outdoors. You can arrange for a company to host your bespoke event or create your own event by setting up a projector in a local space. Add some popcorn and blankets for an extra cosy experience.
Who to use
Adventure Cinema: Hosts outdoor film screenings in unique settings across the UK.
The Luna Cinema: Offers open-air film showings at some of the most iconic and scenic venues across the UK, turning historic sites and beautiful parks into temporary cinemas.
6. Culinary competitions
Throw a cook-off challenge where teams race against the clock to whip up the tastiest dish. It's a fun, hands-on way to spark some friendly competition and unleash your team's culinary creativity together.
Who to use
Team Tactics: Cooking challenges and culinary contests for teams, such as sushi-making masterclasses.
The Cooking Academy: Immersive cooking events exclusively catering for corporate groups.
7. Artistic retreat
Spend a day at a local art studio painting or sculpting, where everyone can tap into their creative side and chill out. It’s a great way to relax and bond with your team in a laid-back, inspiring setting.
Who to use
Brush Party: Hosts painting events suitable for corporate team building.
PopUp Painting: Invites people to ‘unleash creativity’ in pubs and offices around London.
8. Sailing trip
Set sail on an adventure across the waves and learn the ropes together. There’s nothing like a sailing trip to bring a crew closer!
Who to use
Britannia Corporate Events: Offers corporate sailing days and regattas.
Sail Scotland: Organises corporate sailing trips around the stunning Scottish Isles.
9. Adventure races
Challenge your team with a race that includes obstacles, puzzles and physical challenges in an outdoor setting.
Who to use
Quest Adventure Races: Provides all-inclusive adventure race setups in Wales and beyond.
Time Outdoors: Take part in adventure races with a mix of physical outdoor team-building activities and mental tasks, set in various locations across the UK.
10. Interactive theatre experience
Treat the team to a theatre show where the audience influences the outcome, combining entertainment with team engagement.
Who to use
Punchdrunk: Specialises in immersive theatrical experiences, transforming large-scale environments into interactive, multi-sensory worlds.
Phantom Peak: An immersive theatre experience that blends interactive storytelling with a steampunk-themed adventure.
11. Axe throwing
Master the art of axe throwing for an exciting way to blow off steam. This Canadian pastime is ideal for throwers of all abilities and builds team spirit as you each aim for the bullseye!
Who to use
Hatchet Harry’s Axe Throwing: Hatchet Harry’s gives its guests expert guidance to safely learn and enjoy the sport in a fun, competitive environment.
Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing: Offers axe throwing sessions for corporate groups of 10 to 100+ in several UK cities.
12. Live action role-playing
With live action role-playing (LARP), you and your team will don costumes and take on new identities, navigating intricate plots and challenges in a fully immersive environment.
Who to use
Herofest LARP: Engaging live-action role-playing events set in an evolving fantasy world. Explore, battle and negotiate your way through complex, interactive storylines.
Curious Pastimes: Known for creating elaborate fantasy settings in the UK, where teams can engage in epic quests and forge new stories together.
13. Robotics workshop
These educational workshops give you the chance to build and programme robots in teams. It’s a great way to engage with technology while encouraging team collaboration.
Who to use
Robotics Workshops: Facilitates educational robotics workshops for teams across the UK.
RoboThink: Educational robotics and engineering workshops for kids and adults, focusing on building, coding and creativity using proprietary kits and technology.
14. Hot air balloon ride
Take to the skies for and savour the views of the surrounding landscapes from on high. Toast to your teammates with a glass of bubbly as you float over the countryside.
Who to use
Virgin Balloon Flights: Hot air balloon experiences in various locations across the UK. You’ll also receive a certificate signed by Sir Richard Branson himself.
Balloons Over Britain: Balloon rides across the UK, offering aerial views of the countryside and landmarks from various regional locations
15. Kayaking or canoeing
Grab a paddle and hit the water! Kayaking or canoeing together on rivers or lakes is the ultimate outing for teams that love the great outdoors and want to sync up their teamwork.
Who to use
Canoe Trail: Guided canoeing and kayaking adventures in Bedfordshire and beyond.
The Canoe Man: Provides canoeing trips and wildlife trails in Norfolk. You can also try out standup paddle boarding or kayaking if that floats your boat.
16. Go-kart racing
A bit of friendly competitiveness never hurts, and go-kart racing is one of the funnest (and fastest) ways to foster healthy competition within the team.
Who to use
TeamSport Go Karting: Indoor go-karting tracks across multiple locations across the UK.
Daytona Motorsport: High-quality karting experiences with several venues in the UK.
17. Beach day with team games
Spend a day at the beach playing team games like volleyball, frisbee or tug-of-war, combined with a relaxing picnic.
Who to use
The Teambuilding Company: Take your team to compete in beach olympics or bring out their artistic side with some sand sculpting.
Sharky & George: Organises beach-based fun including space hopper relays and canoe races, with mini awards ceremonies and individual prizes.
18. Survival skills courses with overnight camping
Embark on a survival skills course where your team learns to thrive in the wilderness. This outing combines hands-on survival training – like building shelters, identifying edible plants and fire-making – with an overnight camping experience.
Who to use
Trueways Survival: Offers wilderness survival courses and overnight camping.
Wildwood Bushcraft: Immersive bushcraft and survival courses in the UK, focusing on traditional skills such as fire lighting and foraging.
19. Photography walk
Organise a tour focusing on photography in a scenic area, teaching new skills and exploring interesting locations together.
Who to use
The Photo Academy: One of the best providers for photography tours and classes in the UK.
Photography Tours at Night: Specialised night photography tours and workshops in various locations around the UK.
20. Wine or beer-tasting tour
Visit local vineyards or breweries for a tasting tour to learn about wine or beer making and savour the flavours together.
Who to use
English Wine Tasting Tours: Offers tours of vineyards in Sussex, Kent and Essex.
BrewDog: Their Beer School Experience provides craft beer tasting sessions at bars across the UK.
21. Comedy club outing
Enjoy a night out at a comedy club, where laughter brings everyone together in a light-hearted atmosphere.
Who to use
The Comedy Store: The Comedy Store is renowned for showcasing top comedy talent in an energetic atmosphere, with locations in London and Manchester.
Jongleurs Comedy Club: Known for its lively comedy night experiences, Jongleurs operates in various cities and offers tailored corporate event packages.
22. Graffiti workshop
Learn to create street art in a graffiti workshop, including creating a mural as a team.
Who to use
Graffik Gallery: Located in London, Graffik Gallery offers graffiti workshops where participants can learn spray painting techniques in a legal environment.
Alternative London: Provides a wide selection of street art tours and graffiti workshops. You’ll be able to learn the process of stencil making at a purpose-built street art studio.
23. Parkour or freerunning introduction
Introduce your team to the basics of parkour or freerunning for a physically active and exhilarating day.
Who to use
Parkour Generations: Based in London, this organisation offers parkour classes and workshops taught by experienced practitioners.
24. Charity team-building day
Spend a day helping a local charity, such as building homes or organising a large donation drive. This can promote a sense of purpose and community connection with the team.
Who to use
Habitat for Humanity GB: Offers corporate team-building days where groups can help build homes for those in need.
The Conservation Volunteers: This charity organises green team days where corporate groups can engage in practical conservation projects.
25. Silent disco
Throw a silent disco where everyone grooves to their own beat with wireless headphones. It’s an interesting twist on traditional dance parties, letting team members enjoy their favourite tunes together while keeping the noise down.
Who to use
Silent Noize Events: Specialises in silent disco events across the UK, providing wireless headphone systems and DJ services for private and corporate events.
The Silent Disco Company: Provides silent disco rental services throughout the UK, ideal for corporate events, conferences and more.
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July 25, 2024