Complete list of the best corporate team building activities
When you want to get people on the same side, and buying into whatever it is you want to achieve together, there’s nothing more important than breaking down barriers. Removing those little bits of friction is what team building is all about, so how about doing it in an unconventional way?
By removing the cliched activities and same old tired routines, you can give everyone the extra burst of energy they need to really get involved. The problem is knowing how to do it, which is where this handy little guide comes in. But first, let’s tackle the question someone is bound to put forward…
Does team building actually work?
Yes, yes it does! If you do it the right way, you can use a team building activity as the perfect way to kickstart the growth and renewal of your business. The idea is to get people talking and interacting in ways they wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to in the office. It could be getting the bosses to seem more approachable to the rest of the team, or it could be getting rival departments to mingle so they realise they all actually get along after all.
If you can get people talking, having fun, and working together, you’ll find they see one another as far more approachable when the work resumes back at your HQ. Ideal when you want to remove the friction that can so often stop people sharing ideas, asking for help, or offering to assist someone by sharing knowledge. Team building helps you achieve all of this in a quick, easy, and enjoyable way.
Here we prepared a list of the 10 best team building activities:
- Escape Room
- Trip to sporting event
- Theme parks
- Fitness experience
- Workcation
- FC Barcelona match
- Sightseeing in Barcelona
- Hiking
- Beach Volley and Padel
- Cooking classes
Let’s see in details each of them.
Escape rooms are a good way to solve problems
If you want to build a business, you need to know how to solve problems with one another. The problem is that so often you’ll be tied into a rigid structure that means only the most senior voices get listened to. While they have the authority and the experience, there’s also plenty they don’t know. An escape room puts everyone on an evening footing and gives the more junior members of the team to shine by demonstrating some surprising lateral thinking.
A trip to a sporting event can get people talking
Find a sporting event that everyone likes and you’ll be able to get the whole team socialising quickly and easily. The only problem will be trying to do it in a way that includes people who aren’t as likely to enjoy these types of events, and to try to eliminate the cliques that may start to form if you have a core group who are hardcore fans of the particular sport you’re watching. Give this one some careful thought and you’ll be able to make it work.
Theme parks will be a popular activity
While you probably have to be a thrill seeker to get the most out of these places, they do offer a wide variety of attractions. They also have the name recognition that will get most of the team excited for a day out and a day spent away from their desks. Just make sure that you pick a time of year where there’s not going to be hours of queuing because you’ve got stuck in line with all the tourists and holiday makers.
A fitness experience creates a sense of team
Inflatable obstacle courses, or military themed training days, are proving increasingly popular with corporates. They get you talking, working together, and allow everyone in the team to show what they’re capable of. The only issue will be if you have a core group of people who love it, and a large number of more disparate groups who’d rather be doing something a little more sedate. Getting the balance right here is where the challenge will lie.
If you want to pick something truly memorable for a team building activity, heading abroad is always the way to do it…
A workcation is a great way to motivate the team
Imagine basing your team abroad for a week, two weeks, even a month if you want to. They could take their laptops, their swimwear, and a few books to read in the evenings. You could fill their days off with activities, bonding sessions, and that little bit of downtime they’ll be sure to appreciate. I think you can see where we’re going with this, so let’s take a look at some of the activities you could build into your stay so it instantly becomes one to remember.
An FC Barcelona match is a truly iconic spectacle
Whether the whole team are football fans or not, the atmosphere and sheer size of the Camp Nou are sure to create a lasting memory. Find a midweek game where the crowd is a little calmer and you’ll be able to have plenty of social chat mixed in amongst the drama down on the pitch. Perfect when you want to get the whole team talking and having fun together.
Sightseeing in Barcelona is perfect for art and culture city
Taking a stroll in small groups is a great way to get to know one another, particularly if you can mix people up so they’re not solely with the core people they work with back home. By enjoying a shared activity, they’ll form a common bond while having hours of fun.
Hiking up Mont Serrat
Hiking is one of those team building activity you can do that doesn’t require a whole load of fitness. Go on a day where the sunshine is a little tempered, and go at a gentle pace, and you’ll be able to coax everyone up the mountain with the promise of a stunning view. It’s also a great way to get different people helping one another and talking without the constant distraction of screens, notifications, and meetings.
Beach volleyball and padel are great team building activities
A friendly bit of competition is one of the core elements of team building, and for good reason. You want to be able to find a way to get people talking and interacting on a different beach volley or padel playing field than exists back at the office, and this is it. You can also play these games safe in the knowledge that no one is likely to be a pro. Ideal if you want everyone laughing and sharing ideas about the best way to win.
Relaxing in the villa with a cooking class
You’ve had a long day, you want the team to relax, and you want them to do it in a way that gets them talking and having fun. A cooking class is the perfect solution, and one you can all enjoy in the comfort and privacy of your own luxury villa. Enjoy!
Final thoughts
Now you know what we have to say, it’s over to you to put the finishing touches to a team building activity that will be talked about for years to come. All you have to do is pick your favourite activity from the list and start figuring out how to fit them all in. Whether it’s a day trip to a local destination, or a proper corporate getaway abroad.
Sitges is one of the best European destinations for all the team building activities listed on this article. If you are looking for the perfect venue for you team, Sitges Luxury Rentals is here for you!
