Team Building Activities to Help Your Employees Bond

Has your team lost its pep? They may need team-building activities to help revitalize their spirits. These events are an excellent way to facilitate bonding with your team members, minimize employee stress, and give them a chance to get to know each other better. Plus, they’re really really fun.

The only problem is, if you've never engaged in this type of activity, it can be hard to know where to start. At this point, you may head to Google and do a search, but it you’re looking for something other than trust falls, you may be out of luck – until now.

The 8 Best Team Building Activity Ideas

1. Professional Development Workshop
2. Board Game Tournament
3. Improv Workshop
4. Employee Cook-Off
5. Scavenger Hunt
6. Sporting Events
7. Cooking Class
8. Painting Class

These eight team building activities will help engage employees and help them get back on track.

1. Professional Development Workshop

A shared learning experience at a conference, off-site workshop, or even at your office can provide your employees with a chance to strengthen their ties while also learning the skills needed to advance their careers as well. The activity can be something specifically related to their job, but it can also be broad, such as a leadership or negotiation skills workshop.

2. Board Game Tournament

If you can’t leave your office but would like to spark the competitive spirit of your team, do so with a board or card game tournament. Incentivize this activity with prizes for first, second, and third place.

3. Improv Workshop

Improv and comedy events are fun, interactive experiences that will teach your employees soft skills (like trust and focus) while also strengthening their communication. There are plenty of professionals that you can hire to coordinate a fast-paced, competitive activity, but if this is just not in your budget, you can do it yourself as well.

4. Employee Cook-Off

A cook-off, while unconventional, is an excellent team-building activity that can either end in disaster or, even better, dessert. Divide your team into groups, pick a category (like pizza), and challenge everyone to come up with something delicious.

5. Scavenger Hunt

Divide your team into groups and hold a scavenger hunt around the city. The fresh air and fun challenges will refresh your team. Just make sure to take lots of silly pictures and hold a slideshow for everyone to see at the end.

6. Sports Games

Getting your team together and heading to a sports game is a fantastic way to boost your team spirit. But that's not all – it also combines both camaraderie and competition.

7. Cooking Class

Instead of the usual outing to a local restaurant or bar, try a cooking class taught by a professional chef. Not only will your team learn something interesting, but the time spent doing this activity will also provide them with an ample time to converse and get to know each other better.

8. Painting Class

If your team needs something relaxing but you can't afford a retreat, consider a group painting class. This activity provides your team with a perfect chance to express their creativity and bond. Depending on your company culture, you can mix a little pinto nior with your pallets and commemorate the event with custom barware swag.

Need some great ways to show your team how much you appreciate their hard work? Successories is in the business of building employee motivation and we are here to help. Check out our selection of awards, plaques, and more today and put our 30 years of experience to work for you.

4 Fun Teamwork Building Games

Games aren't just fun-they're opportunities to hand out teamwork awards that recognize outstanding performance. However, team-building games are more than just a quick respite from work; they're a strategic way to recognize employees, fortify company values, and boost productivity. Ready to see the games that make this happen? Here's how you can turn every challenge into a chance for recognition:

1. Concentration

This fun and simple game requires employees to divide into 2 lines facing each other. While one side turns away, the other changes something about their appearance. After a few seconds, the side that faced away now has to list what has changed about their co-worker's appearance. Once the differences have been listed, it is time for the sides to switch. This exercise is an excellent way for employees to get to know each other in a relaxed setting, while also helping to enhance focus and concentration. Wrap up the game by presenting the sharpest observer with a teamwork trophy for paying attention to the smallest details!

2. Grab Bag Skits

While this exercise does require a few props, it is a fun way for employees to get to know each other and work on building teamwork. Separate employees into groups of 3 to 8 people and hand each team a bag containing a few random items. Each team has 5 minutes to create a skit based on the contents of the bag and must then perform it for their fellow employees. Not only can stressed employees blow off some steam, but it can also help revitalize lagging creativity. After the laughter dies down, hand out teamwork awards for the group with the most innovative or hilarious skit.

3. Salt and Pepper

If your employees are often separated at work, it can be difficult for them to work together as a team when it is necessary, and this entertaining game can help. All that is needed is a marker, tape, and several sheets of paper, and your own creativity. Find pairs of items like salt and pepper, man and woman, yin and yang, and so on. Write an item from the pairs on a piece of paper and tape it to the back of an employee's shirt. Have your staff walk around and ask questions to determine what is written on their papers, and then find the team member who is wearing the sign with the rest of the pair. After the employees are paired up, have each one give a few facts about the other and share the responses with the group. After playing the game, your employees will be refreshed, relaxed, and ready to work together as a team. Once everyone has presented, offer a team player award to the pair with the best recall or the most creative questioning.

4. Beach Ball Toss

If there are several new employees or you are worried that your staff might not be functioning well as a team, this exercise can help. All you need is a beach ball and a magic marker, along with willing employees. Write several fun questions on the ball and have your staff toss it back and forth to each other. Whoever catches the ball has to answer one of the questions written down. This exercise will not only lighten the mood and get employees to communicate with each other, but it is also a great way to relieve stress and boredom. Finish the game by presenting a "Best Catch" teamwork award to the player with the most creative or insightful answers.

Start Building a Team Today

Team building is an investment in connection, culture, and long-term success. Whether you choose a creative workshop, a competitive game, or a simple shared experience, these activities help employees feel seen, supported, and energized. At Successories, we're here to help you recognize those moments with the tools and team building gifts that reinforce every win, every bond, and every step forward—together.