Unlock innovative team engagement ideas for effective leadership growth.
Searching for team building activities for managers?
As Chicago's top escape room, Fox in a Box, we have hosted numerous team building events for both small & local businesses to large corporations.
We’ve compiled this guide for HR professionals, team leaders, and managers seeking effective team building, based on our experience.
From in-office workshops to outdoor adventures, we cover a wide range of options.
Each one is designed to boost communication, collaboration, and team morale.
Dive in to discover how these activities can elevate your leadership and strengthen your team.
In-office team building activities for managers
These activities need to offer a blend of convenience and effectiveness.
In-office team building activities offer a blend of convenience and effectiveness.
They can be seamlessly integrated into the workday, minimizing disruption while maximizing participation.
They play a crucial role in enhancing workplace dynamics, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and boosting team morale and productivity.
Don’t mistake their simplicity for futility - these activities are efficient and impactful for strengthening teams within the corporate setting.
Professional development book club
Discover growth through shared reading in your team.
Group size: Variable (5-15 people)
Objectives: Encourage continuous learning and personal development
Time commitment: 1-hour events held monthly
Space requirements: Conference room or common area
A professional development book club involves selecting books relevant to your industry or professional growth.
Meetings are held monthly, where team members discuss key takeaways and insights.
This format nurtures a learning culture and facilitates idea-sharing and professional growth, essential for dynamic leadership.
Mindfulness and wellness workshops
Embracing tranquility at work - join mindfulness and wellness workshops
Group size: Small to medium (10-20 people)
Objectives: Improve focus, reduce stress, and promote well-being
Time commitment: 1-hour sessions, bi-weekly or monthly
Space requirements: Quiet, comfortable space like a conference room
Workshops may include meditation, yoga, or stress management sessions.
These are structured to fit into the workday, offering a much-needed break to employees.
Such workshops enhance focus and well-being and promote a healthier, more productive workplace.
Skill swap sessions
Fostering a collaborative learning environment in skill swap sessions.
Group size: Small to large (6-12 people)
Objectives: Share knowledge, learn new skills, foster cross-departmental understanding
Time commitment: 45-minute sessions, quarterly
Space requirements: Flexible office space or conference room
In these sessions, employees share unique skills or knowledge with their colleagues.
The format is informal yet structured, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
It's an excellent way for team members to learn from each other, building a stronger, more versatile team.
Cultural celebration days
Embracing diversity with cultural discussions – a gateway to global understanding
Group size: Company-wide (20-50 people)
Objectives: Foster inclusivity, celebrate diversity
Time commitment: Half-day events, annually or bi-annually
Space requirements: Common areas or large meeting spaces
These days involve celebrating different cultures through activities, food, and presentations.
Employees can share aspects of their culture, enhancing understanding and appreciation within the team.
It's an engaging way to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Collaborative art project
A team collaborating on a pottery project.
Group size: Small to medium teams (5-10 people)
Objectives: Foster creativity, teamwork, and office beautification
Time commitment: 2-3 hour project
Space requirements: Common area or designated project space
Teams collaborate on an art project, which could range from painting to sculpture.
This activity encourages creativity and teamwork, resulting in a piece of art that can be displayed in the office.
It's a tangible representation of teamwork and collective effort.
Innovation lab day
Sparking creativity in the innovation lab – a day for out-of-the-box thinking.
Group size: Individual or small teams (3-6 people)
Objectives: Encourage innovation, problem-solving, and creative thinking
Time commitment: Full day (6-8 hours)
Space requirements: Conference room, common area, or flexible workspace
Employees are given a day to work on innovative projects or problem-solving tasks.
This can be done individually or in small teams.
Ideas are then presented with the potential for implementation.
It’s a great way for managers to tap into the creative potential of their teams, fostering a culture of innovation.
Off-site indoor team building activities for managers
Experience the thrill of team building in our escape room - a perfect blend of challenge and fun.
Stepping out of the office for team building offers a refreshing change of scenery and an opportunity to engage in unique, stimulating experiences.
Off-site indoor activities, such as cooking classes and escape room challenges, allow teams to connect and collaborate in novel ways.
These activities enhance team dynamics through shared, memorable experiences and rejuvenate team spirit.
By participating in creative and challenging activities away from the regular work environment, managers can foster stronger connections among team members, promoting a more cohesive and vibrant team culture.
Wine or craft beer tasting with a twist
Exploring flavors together is a fantastic way to team-build, don’t you think?
Group size: Medium to large (15-30 people)
Objectives: Enhance sensory skills, team bonding, and knowledge sharing
Time commitment: 2-3 hours
Wine or craft beer tasting events with a twist involve more than just savoring drinks.
Teams engage in activities like guessing the origins or ingredients of different beverages, turning the event into a playful and educational experience.
This activity not only enhances mental coordination but also encourages team bonding.
It's a fun way for team members to learn new things together, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and lighthearted competition.
Interactive cooking classes
Team collaboration in the kitchen sparks creative flavors.
Group size: Small to medium (8-20 people)
Objectives: Promote innovation, communication, and teamwork
Time commitment: 3-4 hours
Interactive cooking classes offer a hands-on experience where team members collaborate to prepare a meal under the guidance of a professional chef.
This activity is not just about cooking; it teaches teamwork, innovation, and communication.
As teams work together to follow recipes and create dishes, they develop a deeper understanding of cooperation and the importance of each member's role in achieving a common goal.
Improv workshop
Energize your team with an improv workshop - creativity and fun at its best.
Group size: Variable (10-25 people)
Objectives: Enhance quick thinking, adaptability, and collaboration
Time commitment: 2-3 hours
An improv workshop is an energetic and dynamic way to build team cohesion.
Team members practice quick thinking, adaptability, and collaboration through various improv exercises and games.
These activities (which are a top Chicago indoor team activity) challenge participants to step out of their comfort zones, fostering an environment where creativity and spontaneity are valued.
The skills developed in these sessions can translate back into the workplace, enhancing overall team performance.
Escape room challenge
At Fox in a Box, our escape room challenge turns team building into a thrilling adventure.
Group size: Small groups (4-6 people per team). Larger groups can go for head-to-head games.
Objectives: Foster problem-solving, teamwork, and time management
Time commitment: 1-2 hours
Escape rooms offer a thrilling team-building experience where groups are locked in a themed room and must solve puzzles and find clues to escape within a set time limit.
This activity requires teams to communicate effectively, think critically, and work collaboratively under pressure.
It's an engaging way to develop problem-solving skills and highlight the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges.
Indoor rock climbing
Scaling new heights in teamwork and trust with indoor rock climbing.
Group size: Small to medium (6-15 people)
Objectives: Build trust, support, and physical fitness
Time commitment: Half-day (3-4 hours)
Indoor rock climbing is a physically engaging activity that emphasizes trust and support within the team.
Participants often work in pairs or small groups, with one climbing while others guide and cheer them on.
This activity promotes physical fitness and strengthens the bonds of trust and mutual support among team members.
Off-site outdoor team building activities for managers
Embracing the outdoors for team synergy and rejuvenation.
Off-site outdoor team building activities offer an invigorating escape from the office, allowing teams to connect with nature and each other in refreshing new settings.
These activities provide a physical challenge and foster resilience, leadership, and collaboration in dynamic environments - which are key benefits of off-site team building activities.
Engaging in physical activities outdoors has proven benefits for mental health and team dynamics.
The shared experiences in the beauty of the outdoors leave a lasting impact, strengthening bonds and creating memories that resonate back in the workplace.
Outdoor painting class
Outdoor painting classes bring teams together in scenic settings
Group size: Small to medium (6-15 people)
Objectives: Enhance creativity, promote relaxation, foster team bonding
Equipment & attire: Casual outdoor clothing; Painting supplies are typically provided
Physical activity required: Low
In an outdoor painting class, team members gather in a scenic location to learn and practice various painting techniques.
It fosters creativity and offers a tranquil environment away from office stress for people to relax.
Outdoor painting encourages team members to express themselves artistically while engaging in light-hearted conversations, enhancing team cohesion in a serene setting.
Guided nature hike
Explore nature & build bonds - a guided nature hike tailored for team fitness and unity.
Group size: Medium to large (10-25 people)
Objectives: Promote physical health, encourage team bonding, develop leadership skills
Equipment & attire: Hiking gear, comfortable footwear, weather-appropriate clothing
Physical activity required: Moderate
A guided nature hike involves selecting trails that suit the team's fitness levels, focusing on team bonding through shared physical exertion and enjoyment of natural beauty.
It can include leadership and navigation exercises, encouraging team members to take turns leading and making decisions, thus fostering trust and collaborative problem-solving in a natural setting.
Bike tour adventure
Exploring new routes on a bike adventure, where teams bond over shared experiences.
Group size: Medium (8-20 people)
Objectives: Explore new areas, enhance team spirit, encourage informal networking
Equipment & attire: Comfortable cycling attire, bikes (rented or owned)
Physical activity required: Moderate to high
A bike tour adventure is planned with a route that explores interesting and new areas.
This activity is ideal for encouraging informal networking and camaraderie among team members.
Riding together, teams can enjoy the scenery, share experiences, and engage in friendly discussions, strengthening bonds in a relaxed, active setting.
Kayaking or canoeing trip
Teamwork flows in every paddle stroke in a kayaking trip!
Group size: Medium (8-20 people)
Objectives: Build teamwork and communication, develop trust
Equipment & attire: Water-appropriate attire, life jackets, kayaks/canoes, and paddles
Physical activity required: Moderate
The kayaking or canoeing trip is organized to emphasize coordination and teamwork, which are essential in navigating the waters.
Teams work together to steer and propel the kayak or canoe, enhancing trust and communication.
Kayaking/canoeing is not just physically engaging but also offers a unique perspective on teamwork, as success relies heavily on synchronized efforts and clear communication.
Urban adventure challenge
Group size: Varied, small teams (3-5 people per team)
Objectives: Foster strategic thinking, improve problem-solving, encourage collaboration
Equipment & attire: Comfortable urban exploration attire, possibly digital devices for navigation
Physical activity required: Moderate
A good example of an urban adventure challenge would be a scavenger hunt, where teams navigate city landmarks to complete various tasks.
This activity promotes strategic thinking, problem-solving, and team collaboration.
As teams make their way through different challenges, they engage in decision-making and resource management, mirroring workplace dynamics in a fun, competitive environment.
Remote team building activities for managers
Connecting from afar: remote team building reinvents engagement - crucial for maintaining group dynamics in a digital world.
Remote team building activities for managers are crucial in maintaining group engagement and connection, overcoming the challenges posed by physically disconnected (i.e., remote) environments.
They are pivotal in building a cohesive team culture and keeping remote teams aligned, motivated, and connected.
From virtual reality meetings to remote book clubs, these activities ensure that physical distances and lack of face-to-face interaction are no barriers to a strong team dynamic.
Virtual team lunch or happy hour
Group size: Small to large (4-20 people)
Objectives: Foster informal bonding and social interaction
Time commitment: 1-2 hours
Technical requirements: Stable internet connection, video conferencing platform like Zoom or Teams
A virtual team lunch or happy hour is a casual setup where participants join via video call to share a meal or a drink.
It's designed to mimic the atmosphere of a real-life team gathering, encouraging informal bonding and conversation.
This activity helps team members relax and connect personally, fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging in the team.
Remote book club
Group size: Variable (5-15 people)
Objectives: Encourage intellectual engagement and deeper connections
Time commitment: 1-hour discussions, monthly or bi-monthly
Technical requirements: Video conferencing tool like Zoom or Teams and online discussion platform (consider dedicated sites like Goodreads or create a dedicated Discord server for this)
In a remote book club, team members collaboratively select books and hold virtual discussions regularly.
These sessions facilitate literary enjoyment, intellectual engagement, and deeper connections among team members spread across various locations.
It's a platform for sharing insights and perspectives, enhancing the team's cultural and intellectual fabric.
Skill share sessions
Skill share sessions enable passionate knowledge exchange among team members.
Group size: Small to medium (6-15 people)
Objectives: Promote knowledge sharing and employee engagement
Time commitment: 30-60 minutes per session
Technical requirements: Video conferencing software like Zoom or Teams and presentation tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides
Skill share sessions are organized virtually, allowing team members to present and teach a skill or topic they are passionate about.
This format not only fosters a learning culture but also encourages employee engagement.
It's an excellent opportunity for team members to showcase their talents and for others to learn something new, strengthening team bonds and respect for each other's abilities.
VR escape room
Group size: Small teams (4-8 people)
Objectives: Enhance collaboration and problem-solving skills
Time commitment: 1-2 hours
Technical requirements: VR equipment, compatible escape room software
The VR escape room is a unique team building activity where teams navigate challenges in a simulated environment.
It requires collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving, making it an engaging and fun way to develop these essential skills.
The virtual setup adds an exciting twist to traditional team-building exercises, offering an immersive experience that enhances teamwork and strategic thinking.
Team building for managers & team leaders - main conclusions
Celebrating team success leads to dynamic and cohesive groups
Thank you for exploring our guide on team building activities for managers. We hope it inspires new, dynamic ways to engage and strengthen your team.
Effective team building is key to creating a unified, high-achieving group.
From creative art projects and escape rooms to adventurous outdoor challenges and even remote book clubs, each activity in our list offers unique benefits.
Ready to implement these ideas and witness their positive effects? Share your thoughts and plans with us via DM on Facebook.
If you're in the Windy City, consider our team building in Chicago that enhances your team’s cohesion and performance.
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