Team-building Exercises for Work: 23 Ideas & Activities

Team building is an activity or exercise that encourages a group to work together toward a common goal. It can be a valuable tool for companies large and small to use in improving employee and team performance and morale. Team building helps team members to know each other better, learn how to work together effectively, and develop trust and respect for each other.

This article explores some two dozen activities that you can consider for your own team-building initiatives.

Employee Team-building Activities for Large Teams

The following team-building exercises for work cater to the needs of larger groups (ideally at least 20 people) and help improve collaboration, communication, and camaraderie.

1. Outdoor Adventure Courses

Adventure courses, such as ropes courses or ziplining, challenge teams to navigate physical obstacles together. The number of people for the outdoor adventure depends on the type of course. When planning this, also consider the skill level of participants, the difficulty of the course, and the location. It is important to have insurance for the event in case of accidents or injuries.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Trust
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Resilience

Budget: Moderate to High

Outdoor adventure activity costs can range significantly based on the type and duration of the adventure, the location, and number of employees. A zipline adventure from Adventureworks in Nashville, Tennessee, for example, costs about $70 per person, although there is a group discount. Other providers will offer an activity as part of a package that includes transportation, food, etc. To save on cost, you could consider hosting your own activity, asking your employees to bring their own equipment.

2. Scavenger Hunts

A scavenger hunt is a game in which players search for hidden items or objects based on a set of clues. Scavenger hunts can be played indoors or outdoors and customized to fit any occasion. You can also have a themed scavenger hunt. For example:

• Historical scavenger hunt: The activity involves finding historic landmarks, markers, or statues in a specific location.
• Food scavenger hunt: Here, participants must look for the ingredients of a recipe or dishes in different restaurants.
• Nature scavenger hunt: This could involve finding specific animals, plants, or other natural features in a park or any outdoor location.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Teamwork
• Strategic thinking
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Communication
• Time management

Budget: Moderate to High

The total budget for a scavenger hunt can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of the event, the location, and the complexity of the scavenger hunt. For example, Let’s Roam hosts scavenger hunts in cities across the US, with individual tickets starting at about $13. Its corporate-focused events, however, require a custom quote. As with the outdoor adventure, you could create your own hunt.

3. Sports Tournaments

Organizing sports tournaments, such as soccer, basketball, or volleyball, provides a competitive yet enjoyable team-building opportunity. It allows employees to bond over shared goals and experiences.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Teamwork
• Reliability
• Delegation
• Cooperation
• Friendly competition

Budget: Moderate to High

The budget for sports tournaments as a fun team-building activity can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the team, the type of sport, and the location of the tournament. However, a general budget might look something like this:

• Venue rental: $500-$1,000
• Equipment rental: $200-$500
• Food and drinks: $50-$100 per person
• Transportation: $25-$50 per person
• Swag: $50-$100
• Miscellaneous: $50-$100

4. Community Service Projects

Engaging in community service projects as a team provides an opportunity to give back while fostering teamwork and empathy. Activities such as volunteering at a local shelter, organizing a neighborhood cleanup, or participating in charity events build a sense of purpose among employees.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Empathy
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Positive company culture

Budget: Low to Moderate

Some potential costs associated with community service projects may include transportation, food and drinks, and volunteer supplies. Also, note that some organizations may charge a participation fee for volunteers.

5. Corporate Castaway

This activity is designed for at least 20 people, and can be done indoors or outdoors. It simulates the experience of being stranded on a desert island, and it requires teams to work together to survive. The teams will have a set amount of time to complete each challenge. The first team to complete all of the challenges wins.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Trust
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Creativity

Budget: Moderate to High

Depends on the size of the group, the location, and the activities that are chosen. However, some of the most common budget items include venue rental, challenge equipment, food and drinks, transportation, and staffing. Outback Team Building offers a Corporate Castaways activity package that is custom-quoted, although the group minimum is around $7,000.

6. Human Bingo

It is a fun and interactive game that can be played with a group of people. The game is similar to traditional bingo, but instead of using numbers, players collect people who match the descriptions on their bingo cards. This game can also be played remotely. Here’s more detailed instructions on how to play human bingo.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Team spirit
• Camaraderie
• Social skills
• Listening skills

Budget: Low

Bingo cards with descriptions can cost around $1–$5 per card. If you do it online, it doesn’t cost anything. However, you will need a video conferencing platform, digital Bingo cards, and a randomizer, such as this one from Picker Wheel.

7. Picture Puzzle

This activity involves dividing the team into smaller groups and giving each group a puzzle to solve. The puzzles are made up of individual pieces that must be put together to form a complete picture. To play the game, divide the team into smaller groups of 4-6 people and give each group a puzzle to form together. The teams must discuss the puzzles, share ideas, and help each other out.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Problem-solving skills
• Negotiation

Budget: Low

If you are creating your own puzzles, you will need to purchase paper, markers, and scissors. This can cost anywhere from $10–$20.

8. Human Knot Relay

Create several circles of participants, with each circle consisting of about 10 people standing shoulder-to-shoulder, facing inward. Instruct participants to reach across the circle and hold hands with someone opposite them. The challenge is for the groups to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Teamwork
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication
• Creativity

Budget: Low

Unless you decide to do the activity in another location and serve snacks for the participants, you won’t have to spend anything for this employee team-building activity. If you choose the former, you can expect to spend between $10–$20 per person.

9. Tower of Cups

The activity involves stacking plastic cups in a tower, one on top of the other. The number of cups will depend on the skill level of the participants. Then, players take turns stacking cups on top of the tower. The goal is to stack the cups as high as possible without knocking them over. A player loses their turn if they knock over the tower or if they touch the tower with their hands. The player who stacks the most cups without knocking over the tower wins the game.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Focus
• Communication
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork
• Patience
• Creativity

Budget: Low

The cost of the Tower of Cups activity will vary depending on the number of players and the materials that you use. A set of plastic cups costs anywhere from $5–$25, depending on the number.

10. Charades

This is a classic game that is always a lot of fun. To play, have everyone divided into teams. Each team takes turns acting out a word or phrase without speaking. The other team has to guess what the word or phrase is. This is a great exercise for improving communication and creativity.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Rapport
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Communication

Budget: Low

You don’t have to spend anything for this activity. However, you could give some gift cards or cash to the winning team.

Team-building Exercises for Small Groups

If you only have a few people or employees, the following activities are suitable for small groups (fewer than 20 people).

11. Minefield

This is one of the team-building exercises for work that does not cost you money because it utilizes any object you already have. It involves dividing the team into two groups and having each group send a blindfolded member through a minefield. The blindfolded members must rely on their teammates to guide them through the minefield without stepping on any mines. Here’s a more detailed instruction for minefield.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Listening skills

Budget: Low

This activity often costs nothing, although you may need to purchase some basic materials, such as blindfolds, masking tape, and soft objects to serve as “mines.” If you are holding the event at an off-site location, you will need to factor in the cost of renting the space.

12. One-on-One Coffee or Lunch

Arrange casual one-on-one coffee or lunch sessions between team members. Encourage participants to share their goals, interests, and experiences, creating a supportive and collaborative environment.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Connection
• Trust
• Communication
• Social skills

Budget: Low to Moderate

The cost of coffee or lunch will vary depending on the frequency or number of team members involved.

13. Team-building Book Club

Choose a book that aligns with the team’s interests or professional development goals. Assign chapters or sections to each team member, and schedule regular discussions to share insights, thoughts, and key takeaways.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Critical thinking
• Collaboration
• Knowledge
• Public speaking

Budget: Low to Moderate

The budget for this depends on whether the company will buy books for each participant.

14. Skill-sharing Sessions

Encourage team members to share their individual skills or expertise with the group. Each member can lead a short session where they teach the others a particular skill or offer insights into their area of expertise.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Knowledge
• Public speaking skills
• Planning
• Time management

Budget: Low

The basic activity generally costs nothing, although we recommend giving a gift card or spot bonus to people who volunteer to present.

15. Two Truths and a Lie

In this office team-building activity, participants take turns sharing three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one that is false. As each person presents their statements, the rest of the team listens attentively and tries to identify the lie. It encourages individuals to share personal information in a fun and non-threatening manner, fostering a sense of trust and openness within the team.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Trust
• Listening skills
• Critical thinking

Budget: Low

The budget for two truths and a lie is essentially zero. The game can be played with no materials or preparation whatsoever.

16. Marshmallow Challenge

This game involves 20 spaghetti sticks, 1 yard of tape, and one marshmallow. The goal is to build the tallest freestanding structure using only these materials within a specified time limit (e.g., 20 minutes). Teams must strategize, collaborate, and experiment with different designs to create a stable tower.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Innovation
• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Resourcefulness
• Planning
• Organizing

Budget: Low

These basic supplies cost $1–$2 per team.

17. Trust Fall

Pair up participants and have one person stand with their back to the other, ready to fall backward. The person standing behind acts as the catcher and must ensure the faller’s safety by catching them and gently lowering them to the ground.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Trust
• Communication
• Reliability
• Teamwork

Budget: Low

Like the Two Truths and a Lie, this activity does not require any money or additional materials.

18. Team Drawing

Divide the group into small teams and provide each team with drawing materials (paper, markers, crayons, etc.). Instruct each team to create a collaborative drawing, but with a twist: Only one person can draw at a time, and team members must take turns without verbal communication. Team members must find alternative ways to understand each other’s intentions and contribute to the final drawing.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Collaboration

Budget: Low

The cost for the Team Drawing activity depends on the materials you choose to use. For example, if you use paper and pencils, the cost will be minimal. If you use more specialized materials, such as markers or paints, the cost will be higher. As a general guideline, it could cost around $5–$20 per person.

Employee Team-building Activities for All Team Sizes

The following activities can be adapted to both small and large groups, making them a great option for all teams.

19. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms offer an exciting challenge that requires teams to work together to solve puzzles and escape within a specified time limit in a fun and immersive environment.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Working under pressure
• Time management

Budget: Moderate to High

The cost for this activity depends on the escape room you choose and also if you will provide snacks to the participants. A rough estimate will be between $30 and $70 per person. The Great Escape in Austin, Texas, for example, has team-building escape room experiences starting at about $40 per person.

20. Team Cooking Classes

A team cooking class is a team-building activity where a group of people come together to learn how to cook a meal. There are many different types of team cooking classes available, so you can find one that fits the interests and needs of your group, such as vegan or dessert cooking classes.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Time management
• Cooperation

Budget: Moderate to High

In-person cooking classes cost between $25 and $100 per hour, and depends on the type of cuisine you choose. This can be a particularly good event for remote teams. Confetti offers virtual cooking classes for up to 500 people starting at about $100 per person.

21. Office Trivia or Game Night

Organizing an office trivia or game night promotes friendly competition and teamwork. Teams can participate in trivia quizzes, board games, or even virtual team-building games.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Strategic thinking

Budget: Low

Potential cost for this activity is minimal, generally just including the games or materials needed to make your own games. As with several of our other suggested activities, you might consider awarding the winner a gift card or company swag.

22. Collaborative Art Projects

Engaging in collaborative art projects, such as painting or sculpting, allows employees to express their creativity while fostering teamwork and communication. This activity encourages individuals to combine their unique skills and ideas to create a collective piece of art, symbolizing collaboration and unity.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Creativity
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Teamwork
• Patience
• Respect

Budget: Low

A sample budget for a collaborative art project for 10 people is around $30 per person for materials.

23. Team-building Workshops

Facilitating team-building workshops that focus on specific skills, such as communication, problem-solving, or conflict resolution, can be highly effective.

Helps build or reinforce:

• Collaboration
• Teamwork
• Productivity

Budget: Low to Moderate

Some of the budget considerations for this activity include the location, the type of workshop, and the materials needed. You should also factor in the food and drinks in the equation. A sample budget for a group of 10 people will be around $180–$200.

Significance of HR Team-building Activities

Team building exercises play a significant role in human resources (HR) for several reasons. Here are some of the key benefits and significance of HR team-building exercises:

• Improved Communication: Team-building exercises often involve activities that encourage open communication among team members. Improved communication leads to better understanding, fewer misunderstandings, and increased efficiency in the workplace.
• Enhanced Collaboration: These exercises promote teamwork and foster a sense of camaraderie among employees. When team members work well together, they can collaborate more effectively to achieve common goals.
• Increased Productivity: As team members become more familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses through these exercises, they can allocate tasks more efficiently, leading to increased productivity.
• Boosted Morale: Participating in fun and engaging team-building activities can lift employee spirits and morale. Employees are more motivated and committed to their work when they feel valued and connected to their colleagues.
• Decreased Conflict: Some team-building exercises are designed to address conflicts and tensions that may arise within teams. By facing and resolving these issues in a controlled environment, team members can develop better conflict resolution skills. Read our guide on how to handle conflict resolution to find out more about it.
• Trust Building: Trust is essential for any successful team. Through team-building exercises, employees learn to trust and rely on one another, creating a more cohesive and supportive work environment.
• Identification of Leadership Qualities: Team-building exercises can help identify emerging leaders within a group. Observing how employees take initiative and guide their teams during these exercises can assist HR in recognizing potential leaders for future growth opportunities.
• Reduced Employee Turnover: Engaged and satisfied employees are less likely to seek employment elsewhere, leading to reduced turnover rates. Team-building exercises boost employee engagement which, in turn, contribute to overall job satisfaction and a positive workplace culture.

Things to Consider for an Effective Team Building

There are many things to consider when implementing employee team building, such as the goals of the team building, the size of the team, the budget, the time commitment, the location, the team’s interests, and the team’s culture.

• The goals of the team building: What do you hope to achieve by implementing team building? Do you want to improve communication, problem-solving, productivity, or something else? Once you know your goals, you can choose activities that are designed to help you achieve them.
• The size of the team: This will also affect the type of activities you choose. For larger teams, you may want to choose activities that involve physical activity or that require teamwork. For smaller teams, you may want to choose activities that involve problem-solving or creativity.
• The budget: Team building can range in cost from free to very expensive. It’s important to set a budget before you start planning so that you don’t overspend.
• The time commitment: Team building can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. It’s important to choose activities that fit into your team’s schedule.
• The location: If you’re planning an off-site team-building event, you’ll need to choose a location that is convenient for everyone and that has the facilities you need.
• The team’s interests: It’s important to choose activities that the team will enjoy. If you choose activities that the team doesn’t find interesting, they’re less likely to get anything out of the experience.
• The team’s culture: The team’s culture will also affect the type of activities you choose. If the team is very competitive, you may want to choose activities that involve competition. If the team is more collaborative, you may want to choose activities that involve teamwork.

Bottom Line

Team building is an essential part of any organization that wants to improve its performance and morale. By providing employees with opportunities to get to know each other better, learn how to work together effectively, and develop trust and respect for each other, team building can help to create a more cohesive and productive workplace.