At Surf Office, we've had the pleasure of putting together 700+ retreats across the globe. It's safe to say, we've learned a thing or two about team-building games and activities that click in just the right places! Whether it's a serene hideout in nature or a lively urban setting, we've got the knack for matching the perfect activities with the perfect retreat spots. That's why today, we've put together 20 team-building games and activities that worked wonders in various locations and settings. These include;

• City retreat games
• Beach retreat games
• Countryside retreat games
• Workcation games

So, get your notebook ready and let's dive straight into them!

City Retreat Games & Activities

Getting out of the usual office routine and into the city buzz enables you and your team to hit the refresh button on teamwork. The urban vibes bring a whole new energy to collaboration and bonding. Today, we've got five games and activities that are city retreat specialized, tried and tested at our city location retreats at Surf Office!

Let the city adventure begin!

1. Food Truck Fiesta: Dave Portnoy Edition

Welcome to the ultimate culinary adventure, where your group retreat meets the one-bite review craze popularized by Dave Portnoy! Get ready for a deliciously competitive experience as you embark on a Food Truck Fiesta in the heart of the city.

Instructions

1. Create diverse teams inspired by Dave Portnoy's 'one-bite' reviews. Small teams can choose individual food trucks/types.
2. Explore local food trucks, sampling various options from tacos to gourmet burgers. Mission: find the best one-bite wonders.
3. Use Portnoy's criteria for taste, texture, freshness, and crispiness (if applicable). Rate satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10, with bonus points for creativity.
4. Add fun challenges like Portnoy review reenactments or scoring jingles to amp up the competition.
5. Encourage teams to share discoveries on social media using the official hashtag. Include witty captions with the one-bite review theme.

2. Urban Photography Contest

Hey shutterbugs, get ready to embrace the city through your lenses! Our Urban Photography Contest is not just about clicking pics but diving deep into the soul of the city. It's like a visual scavenger hunt where your camera is your treasure map.

The aim here is to get your team wandering through the urban jungle, trying to frame that perfect shot together. It's teamwork meets creativity, a recipe for bonding and shared experiences.

Instructions

1. Team up, mix those skill levels, and grab your cameras or smartphones.
2. Think of a theme – maybe "City Rhythms" or "Urban Contrast" – something to jazz up those creative juices.
3. Set the clock ticking, give yourselves enough time to explore, and then showcase your masterpiece at our photo exhibition.
4. Let the judges (or your fellow participants) decide the winning shot, and cap it off with a group reflection.

3. Citywide Bike Tour

Pedal power, folks! A bike tour around the city is your ticket to explore the hidden gems of the area, all while breaking a sweat and sharing a laugh or two. This two-wheeled tour is all about tackling the streets together, conquering hills, and cheering each other on. Plus, the shared victory of reaching the final destination – it's like the Tour de Teamwork.

Instructions

1. Gear up with bikes and safety stuff – safety first, thrill second!
2. Divide into squads, and each squad gets their own guide
3. Choose a route that's a rollercoaster of sights and sounds – from parks to cultural hotspots.
4. Sprinkle in some team challenges and trivia. Take pit stops for chats and group pics.
5. Wrap up the tour with a feast, celebrating your two-wheeled triumph.

4. City Rooftop Yoga

Time to strike a pose with the city skyline as your backdrop! This is just the same as normal yoga, but where serenity meets skyscrapers. Imagine finding your zen amidst the urban chaos, breathing in tranquillity with a view that steals the show.

We’re all for supporting each other through those tricky poses, sharing smiles, and finding your inner zen warriors together. Perfect as a morning meeting activity!

Instructions

1. Pick a rooftop oasis with space and killer views – because downward dog with a side of city lights is a must.
2. Mats and props? Check. Certified yoga guru? Double-check.
3. Start with a warm-up, let the city hum in the background.
4. Try poses with help from the yoga instructor
5. Wind down, share your post-yoga feels, and munch on some healthy treats.

5. Historical Walking Tour

Put on your comfy shoes, because we're about to journey through the city's history! This a deep dive into the tales that paved the way for the cityscape you see today, all whilst taking a healthy stroll. Make sure to contact local guides for the best experience! With their help your squad will be weaving through historical districts and unlocking the stories together. 

Instructions

1. Gather your crew – the more, the merrier. 
2. Meet your local guide
3. Prepare for a journey through time
4. Intersperse the walk with interactive trivia or team challenges related to historical events.
5. Encourage discussions and reflections at key landmarks.
6. Conclude the tour with a visit to a local historical spot or museum

Beach Retreat Games & Activities

Imagine trading in office chairs for beach chairs – that's the magic of a beach company retreat. The sun, the sand, the sea – it's not just a break; it's a team recharge. Trust us, we know our way around beach retreats! Now, let's get into the fun stuff – five games and activities that'll turn your beach retreat into a teamwork paradise. And hey, they're like sunscreen – suitable for all group sizes, and you can adjust them to fit your crew perfectly.

6. Beach Volleyball Championship

Get ready to feel the sand between your toes and the thrill of the game. A beach volleyball championship is a showdown where teams spike, dive, and set their way to glory.

Why is this ideal for teambuilding during your beach retreat? Imagine the synergy it takes to keep that ball afloat! It's teamwork in action, a ballet of collaboration, and a recipe for building trust and communication.

Instructions

1. Form your dream teams
2. Serve, spike, and dive! Matches are on, and each point brings you closer to the coveted title.
3. Encourage cheers, high-fives, and team spirit from the sidelines
4. Crown the champions with a mini ceremony, maybe with some beachy trophies to take home.

7. Beach Foot-Golf

Embrace the sun, sea, and sand with Beach Foot-Golf – a blend of soccer and golf that transforms your team into beachfront champions. This game encourages teamwork, precision, and strategic thinking against the backdrop of coastal beauty, fostering camaraderie and friendly competition.

Instructions

1. Gather your team at the beach and divide into teams.
2. Set up designated "holes" along the beach, each presenting a unique challenge.
3. The objective? Kick a soccer ball into the holes using the fewest kicks – think golf, but with a soccer twist.
4. Stimulate strategic discussions, precise kicks, and perhaps some light-hearted banter.
5. Keep score as teams navigate the beachy golf course, tallying kicks for each successful hole.
6. Conclude the game with a celebration of teamwork, seaside triumphs, and a refreshing dip in the ocean.

8. Seashell Mastermind

Attention beach detectives, it's time to put on your thinking caps! The Seashell Mastermind is a mind-bending competition where decoding clues leads you to hidden seashells, each unravelling a piece of the puzzle.

Teamwork is key here, my friends! You need everyone's brains firing on all cylinders to crack the codes and uncover the mysteries of the seashore.

Instructions

1. Each team gets a set of clues and a map.
2. Decode the first clue to find the hidden seashell, which reveals the next clue.
3. Continue this trail of brain teasers until you've unraveled the grand puzzle.
4. Encourage teamwork, discussion, and creative thinking. 
5. Unveil the final puzzle – it could be a beach-themed image or a riddle – and celebrate the mastermind champions.

9. Sandcastle Wars

Grab your buckets and shovels because it's time for a sandy showdown! Sandcastle Wars is where teams battle against the tide and each other to build the most jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring sandcastles.

Why is this the ultimate teambuilding beach activity? Because building a castle in the sand requires more than just skill; it demands communication, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork.

Instructions

1. Divide into teams
2. Set a time limit
3. Judges will evaluate creativity, size, and structural integrity.
4. Encourage collaboration
5. Celebrate the winners with a sandy crown ceremony

10. Seaside Painting Workshop

Our Seaside Painting Workshop is not your typical art class; it's a journey where the sound of waves and the salty breeze fuel your inspiration.

This workshop is a fusion of relaxation, teamwork, and artistic expression. Make sure to hire an artist for the day as not everyone has that creative touch! They can guide you and your team through some amazing pictures.

Instructions

1. Gather your art enthusiasts and beach artist guide.
2. Set up on the beach with easels, canvases, and a palette of colors.
3. Begin with a group meditation, connecting with the surroundings to inspire your creations.
4. Follow the artist's lead
5. Encourage sharing and discussing each other's creations
6. Conclude the workshop with a mini art exhibition – a display of your team's collective creativity.

Countryside Retreat Game & Activities

Ever considered escaping the hustle and bustle of city life and embarking on a countryside retreat? Surrounded by nature's embrace, it's a game-changer for team bonding. Nature's tranquility encourages creativity and camaraderie, rejuvenating spirits for optimal productivity. Ditch the office grind, embrace the outdoors, and watch your team thrive in this refreshing and inspiring setting. Here are some of our favorite games and activities you can try on a countryside retreat:

11. Geocaching Adventure

Geocaching is the ultimate team-building activity because it's like a real-life treasure hunt. You'll be decoding clues, navigating through the wilderness, and celebrating victories together. The natural setting adds that extra touch of adventure, making it an unforgettable bonding experience. Try apps like SUDA for the best GPS adventures!

Instructions

1. Grab your GPS gadgets.
2. Form your teams.
3. Embark on the treasure hunt.
4. Solve the clues and follow the coordinates.
5. Share your "Eureka!" moments during the debrief.

12. Mountain Biking Excursion

You can’t get much more outdoorsy than this! The stunning views and fresh air amp up the camaraderie. Trust us, navigating those trails will be a journey of teamwork, trust, and shared triumphs, making it the perfect recipe for team bonding.

Instructions

1. Get those helmets on.
2. Hop on your bikes.
3. Follow the guide through the trails.
4. Share the ups and downs as you navigate.
5. Take pit stops to reflect on the journey.

13. Paddleboarding Relay

Ever heard of a paddleboarding relay? Well, this includes gliding through calm waters on a paddleboard, passing the baton to your teammate in a relay race. This turns the relaxing nature of paddleboarding into a full on teamwork adventure. Balancing on the board, coordinating paddling strokes, strategising with team members- Ah, this is a must-try for any team. Plus, the scenic backdrop adds that touch of serenity to your team's adventure.

Instructions

1. Grab your paddleboards.
2. Divide into teams.
3. Get ready for a relay race on the water.
4. Navigate through the course, passing the paddleboard baton.
5. Gather around for a debrief and share your moments of triumph.

14. Team Building Raft Building

Get your Tom Hanks in Castaway heads on because today, we’re going to build a raft to get you and Wilson off the island! Raft building tests the engineering skills of your team as well as sparking creativity and teamwork. And, of course, testing those rafts on a water body makes it an aquatic adventure, adding that extra splash of excitement.

Instructions

1. Get your hands dirty with barrels, ropes, and planks.
2. Build that raft with your team within the time limit.
3. Launch your creation into the water.
4. Gather 'round for a debrief and share your insights.

15. Survival Outdoor Cooking Challenge

Let's spice things up, shall we? A survival outdoor cooking challenge is just what the team-building game doctor ordered. Using the most basic of outdoor gear, try to get your team cooking up some Michelin Star dishes (well, maybe not that good, but effort is key!). Now some aspects of survival cooking can be difficult, even lighting a fire is tough without a lighter, so maybe consider hiring an outdoor specialist to guide you and your team. This whole activity sparks creativity and team-work that will be spoken about for a long time to come!

Instructions

1. Make teams and allow the survival specialist to guide everyone
2. Plan, prep, and cook your meals within the given time.
3. Let your creativity flow like the river nearby.
4. Judges will taste, evaluate, and declare the outdoor cooking champs.
5. After the feast, share your cooking tales in a debrief.

Workcation Retreat Games & Activities

Have you ever heard of workcation? Envision your team, laptops in hand, taking over a sweet villa or a cool apartment for a few days. During designated work hours, you'll be crunching numbers, but when the clock strikes "me time," it's game on! From team-building activities to late-night gaming sessions, here are some of our favorite games to play on workcations:

16. Team Poker Face

Think of the classic Texas holdem poker game, but instead of throwing in your hard-earned cash, you're betting on who's going to be the coffee-fetching champion or the task-master of the week. Team Poker Face turns your typical poker night into a hilarious mix of strategy, negotiation, and teamwork. Instead of money, it’s all about winning favors and tasks that keep the whole team on their toes. It's like a poker game on steroids but with a lot more laughter.

Instructions

1. Grab your team and split them up into groups
2. Arm each team with some play money or poker chips and get a standard deck of cards.
3. Play poker as you normally would, but instead of betting money, throw in those creative bets or tasks. "I see your raise and raise you a week of dishwashing duty!"
4. The team with the least amount of chips/play money takes home the favors or tasks.

17. Team Stand-Up Comedy Night

Who says work can't be funny? A comedy night brings out the comedy genius in your team, turning those mundane work experiences into sidesplitting routines. This is bound to keep your team connected long after the workation is over. You may even find some hidden comedy talents from people you least expected it to come from, making this a great getting-to-know-you game! Laughter really is the best team-building exercise.

Instructions

1. Let each team pick a theme for their comedy routine
2. Give them some time to brainstorm and perfect their hilarious routines.
3. Gather everyone around for a night of laughter
4. Let the audience and/or judges pick the funniest routine. 
5. The team with the best punchlines takes the comedy crown.

18. Laser Tag Tournament

Imagine your team, decked out in futuristic gear, running around like high-tech commandos, and strategizing to outsmart the competition. A Laser Tag tournament turns your workation into a battle zone of fun, strategy, and camaraderie. This is perfect as a large group game, but make sure you try outside of smaller apartments!

Instructions

1. If your workation digs are big enough, find a laser tag spot or set up an epic laser tag arena outside.
2. Split your team into squads
3. Explain the rules (simple, blast the virtual ray guns!)
4. Watch as your team communicates, strategizes, and dives behind obstacles like action heroes.
5. After the tournament, gather everyone for a debriefing session. 

19. Back-to-Back Drawing Challenge

Let's put a fun twist on communication – enter the Back-to-Back drawing challenge. Your team sits back-to-back, creating a hilarious masterpiece through verbal instructions and artistic interpretation. Some of the artistic creations that can come from this game are hilarious, it’s sure to bond everyone in only a few rounds! This game can be used perfectly as a large group icebreaker for new teams or even for smaller groups, too!

Instructions

1. Pair up your team members, making sure they're back-to-back and ready for artistic adventure.
2. Hand one of them a simple image or shape
3. Describe that image like your job depends on it (spoiler: it doesn't).
4. The partner with the verbal instructions takes the lead, guiding the other to draw the masterpiece.
5. Set a timer and rotate roles
6. Gather around to compare the original images with the hilarious recreations

20. A Minute to Win It

This quick team-building activity is the ultimate test of skill, creativity, and pure adrenaline. This game is a fast-paced frenzy of one-minute challenges using everyday items. Minute to Win It takes your team out of the work grind and throws them into a world of laughter, competition, and unexpected talents. It's like a mini-Olympics but with staplers and ping pong balls.

Instructions

1. Gather your team in the designated challenge area
2. Set up a series of quick, quirky challenges using items you can find around the workation venue. Think cups, cookies, and maybe even a few rubber chickens.
3. Each challenge lasts just one minute.
4. Assign points for each successful challenge, creating a friendly competition
5. Rotate through different challenges, giving everyone a chance to shine 
6. Crown the Minute to Win It champion and celebrate the triumphs

Enjoying these games but not sure how to grab onto the right location? Enter: Surf Office!

Imagine overcooking a Wagyu A5 steak? Yeah, that would be the same as using these activities in the office setting. A total waste! Make sure you treat your team this year by setting the right location based on your team's needs and goals. 

Need a chill for everyone? Consider the countryside retreats we provide. 

Need an energy boost? Get involved in our city retreat locations!

With 130+ team-building retreat locations in APAC, Europe and the US, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

We get it though, a lot of planning logistics needs to go into one of these trips. Idea over, right? Wrong! We take care of the following, so you don’t have to;

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 🚗 Stress-Free Transfers

🏨 Quality-Assured Accommodations

🎯 Engaging Team-Building Activities

🍽️ Restaurant Reservations

🗺️ Expert Retreat Planning Assistance

🔧 Onsite Support, Tailored to You.

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Spaces are limited, so book now to lock in your ideal location with Surf Office!